1 NAME

The club shall be known as THE ISLE OF PORTLAND CANOE CLUB hereinafter known as THE CLUB.

2 OBJECTS

The objects of the club are to promote the sport and develop the skills of paddlers to achieve safe independence. To encourage participation in all aspects of the sport including coaching. To develop a youth section.

3 MEMBERSHIP

3.1 Qualification: Any person who undertakes to behave in the best interest of canoeing shall be eligible for membership.

3.2 Election: Candidates for election to membership shall make written application to the secretary of the club on the form provided. The power of election shall rest with the general committee, who may refuse to elect to membership any applicant without assigning a reason for doing so.

3.3 Restriction: A person who has been expelled from, or refused membership of, the BCU, shall not be eligible for membership.

3.4 Acceptance: The general committee may at its sole discretion, decline renewal of membership, from any person, without disclosing the reason.

3.5 Subscription: The rates of subscription shall be determined by the members in the general meeting, and shall be due by the first of January each year. There shall also be a subscription due from each member each week attended and this charge will be determined by the general committee. -

4 CESSATION OF MEMBERSHIP

4.1 Any member may resign giving one month’s clear notice in writing to the secretary.

4.2 Any member violating any of the rules of the club or guilty of unsatisfactory conduct may, by resolution of the committee, be suspended or expelled. Any member so suspended or expelled may appeal to a special general committee if such an appeal is sponsored by at least 50% of members who are entitled to vote.

4.3 A member shall be deemed to have resigned from the club if, after due notice in writing, he/she has not paid the annual subscription which became due by the end of April.

5 DISQUALIFICATON FOM HOLDING OFFICE

5.1 Only members entitled to vote are eligible to hold office.

6 GENERAL COMMITTEE

6.1 The General Committee shall conduct the affairs of the club as a whole and shall consist of a Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, and other officers as deemed necessary. Additionally, the general committee may co-opt no more than 6 members of the club to its number.

6.2 Nominations for the position of Chairperson, Hon Secretary, Hon Treasurer and the other officers shall be put forward in the form of a motion under the terms of rule 10.4

6.3 The General Committee shall elect a Vice Chairperson from among it’s members.

6.4 The term of office shall be for one year, and members shall be eligible for re-election.

8 DUTIES OF THE COMMITTEE

8.1 The Chairperson: Shall preside at all General Meetings of the Club and at all meetings of the General Committee. He or She shall be responsible for guiding the activities of the Club in accordance with the rules of the general policy as expressed by the majority of the members. The Chairperson shall represent or arrange for the representation of the Club at BCU regional level and at meetings of other organizations. He or She will be responsible for the organization of meetings of the General committee and of the club.

8.2 The Secretary: Shall be responsible for the recording of the minutes relating to club meetings and all correspondence relating to the general business of the club.

8.3 The Treasurer: Shall be responsible for the collection of all monies including subscriptions and shall keep such books of account required by the General Committee. He/She shall have the power to examine, after giving one weeks notice, the books of any section, and shall report any discrepancies to the General Committee. He/She must audit the books annually and shall produce balance sheets at the AGM showing the financial position of the Club accompanied by the Auditors report. Cheques should have two signatures.

8.4 Duties of other Officers: Officers may be elected to be responsible for the following duties

Meets Organiser: To arrange a programme of canoeing events and activities.

Social secretary: To arrange a programme of social events.

Newsletter Editor: To produce a regular bulletin

9 GENERAL COMMITTEES

9.1 The General Committee is responsible for the general conduct of the Club’s business and activities.

9.2 The General Committee shall meet at regular intervals during the year, as required by the business to be transacted.

9.3 Special meetings of the General Committee shall be called by the Chairperson, or not less than three committee members.

9.4 In the case of casual vacancy among the General Committee, the said Committee shall appoint another eligible person to act until the next AGM.

10 GENERAL MEETINGS

10.1 An Annual General Meeting shall be held in the Autumn of each year. There shall be laid before the meeting an up to date statement of accounts.

10.2 An Extraordinary General Meeting shall be called on the instructions of a simple majority of the general committee, or on a requisition signed by not less than 40% of the members of the club entitled to vote.

10.3 Not less than 21 days clear notice may be given, specifying to all members the time and business of the general meeting.

10.4 Motions for discussion at Annual General Meetings, not of origin from within the General Committee, shall be lodged with the Secretary 30 days before the AGM, and be signed by 8 members entitled to vote.

10.5 At any General Meeting, a resolution put to the vote of the meeting shall be decided by a show of hands, of those entitled to vote, except when more than one nomination has been received for a position on the General Committee, in which case voting will be by secret ballot.

10.6 At all General Meetings the Chairperson will preside, or in their absence a Chairperson for the meeting will be elected by the voting members present.

10.7 At all General Meetings not less than 20% of the members of the Club shall constitute a quorum.

11 LIABILITY

11.1 The General Committee shall manage the affairs of the Club. Financial or legal liability incurred in the rightful exercise of their office shall not, however, be the personal liability of the Committee, but will be the responsibility of the Club as a whole.

11.2 All members or other persons who attend club tours or meets do so at their own risk, and neither the Club nor its officers can accept any liability for any loss or injury of any kind sustained at meeting venues or whilst on Club tour or other activities.

11.3 All BCU members will be covered by the insurance gained by being affiliated by that governing body, all other Club members who are not a BCU member shall pay a capitation to the BCU so they can be covered by the same insurance policy.

12 VOTING

12.1 Only fully subscribed members are entitled to vote at all meetings.

13 ALTERATION OF CONSTITUTION

13.1 This constitution shall not be altered, amended, or rescinded except by a general meeting of the Club.

13.2 A resolution to give effect to a change must be passed by at least 75% of the members present at the General Meeting, and voting on its behalf.

14 AUDITOR

14.1 Every AGM shall appoint an Auditor who shall at least once in every year examine the accounts of the club, and ascertain the correctness of the income and the expenditure accounts and of the balance sheet.

15 DISTRIBUTION OF PROFFITS

15.1 In no circumstances can any profit be distributed to members, but any profits earned shall be contributed to a general fund for furthering the objects of the Club.

16 TERMINATION

THE Club shall not terminate except by resolution of a Special General Meeting convened for the purpose and, in such an event, any surplus assets shall be handed over to a body or bodies with similar objects or to a charity or charities agreed by the meeting which formerly terminates the Club.

ANY MATTER NOT PROVIDED FOR IN THIS CONSTITUTION, OR ANY QUESTION OVER THE INTERPRITATION OF IT SHALL BE DEALT WITH BY THE GENERAL COMMITTEE WHOSE DECISION SHALL BE FINAL.

17 RULES

17.1 The General Committee may amend any rule or create a new rule at any time to ensure best practice for canoeing activities.

17.2 No member may canoe alone on a Club meet.

17.3 Members must wear buoyancy aids at all times unless exempt at the express permission of their coach on an organized training session.

17.4 Two Star paddlers may only paddle under the direct supervision of a level two coach.

17.5 Three Star paddlers are deemed to have safe independence, but communication must be kept with a level two coach either by phone or VHF.

17.6 The ratio of 8 Club members to 1 level two coach must not be exceeded.

17.7 All activities must adhere to BCU guide lines.

18 DECLARATION

Each member upon joining shall sign the following declaration:

Name………………………………..................................................

Upon acceptance into membership of the Isle of Portland Canoe Club I understand that canoeing is undertaken at my own risk. I confirm that I do not suffer from any disability or medical condition which may render me unfit for strenuous exercise.*

Signed………………………………................................................

*Should a medical condition exist, this would not necessarily preclude you from membership/participation, but it must be declared. Should you be in any doubt, advice should be sought from your family doctor.