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Club Rules
The Club Rules are intended to set out a formal structure for the governance of the Club and also to protect the Club ethos: that we welcome members of both sexes, of all abilities and from all backgrounds, and that we will ensure that members can train in a supportive and harassment-free environment. We believe that this positive approach has been a major contribution to our rapid growth in recent years. |
Club Name
1) The Club shall be called "Bellahouston Road Runners"
Membership
2) The Club shall consist of amateur athletes of both sexes.
3) Application for membership shall be made in writing to Secretary and approved by Committee along with club fee. This shall be returned if membership is refused.
4) Subscription must be paid for current season before a member can compete for the Club.
5) To resign a member must inform the Secretary in writing.
6) Any member guilty of misconduct (i.e. behaviour contrary to this Constitution or the standard set by UK Athletics) may be cautioned once or expelled from Club by majority decision of the Committee, any person expelled will have the right to appeal to the Committee within fourteen days. The Committee are subject to the same disciplinary measures as ordinary members.
Discrimination and Harassment
7) There must be no unfair discrimination on the grounds of gender, marital status, race or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, age, or religious belief.
7 i) Members have the right to train in an environment free from humiliation, or behaviour that creates feelings of unease or distress such as sexist, racist or sectarian language, unwelcome remarks or touching, physical violence or the threat of physical violence.Club Colours
7 ii) We will not permit or condone any form of harassment or bullying. Any member who commits a serious violation of this policy will be asked to resign from the Club, although we accept that sometimes harassment can happen unintentionally and this will be dealt with appropriately.
7 iii) Every member has the right to complain about breaches of the above policy. Complaints will be dealt with seriously, confidentially and quickly. In the first instance, complaints should be directed to the welfare officer.
Definition: Discrimination comprises a wide range of unacceptable physical, verbal or non verbal behaviour that affect other people’s dignity. Behaviour is unacceptable if it is unwanted, unreasonable and causes offence to the recipient or if it creates an intimidating, hostile or humiliating environment.
8) The Club's colours shall be: purple vest with broad white band all the way round the middle, with the Club name in white letters on the front.
Annual Subscription:
9) The annual subscription shall be £15.00 due on 1st September. Half-year fees (50% of full membership) can be paid if joining from 1st March onwards. Members joining after 1st July each year should pay the full membership fee, but this will cover membership until the following year's AGM. Fees for the following year will be agreed at the Annual General Meeting by a majority vote.
Management:
10) The Committee responsible for management of the Club shall consist of:
- President
- Vice President*
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Membership Secretary
- Coaching Convenor
- Social Convenor
- Club Captain (male)
- Club Captain (female)
- Public Relations Adviser
- Two Ordinary Members
- Welfare Officer*
No person can be elected to the Committee until they have been a member of the Club for at least one year.
The Committee shall aim to have a turnover of 25% of its members each year, unless insufficient new candidates are willing to stand.
Ideally committee members will serve for up to 3 years, however circumstances may dictate that they serve for longer than this e.g. for continuity within the role. This may be particularly relevant to the role of Club President where a longer term may be more beneficial to the club.
Each Committee post shall be put forward for election each year. Nomination forms shall be placed on the Club Notice Board four weeks in advance of the AGM. Nominations will close one week in advance of the AGM.
Any decisions agreed at the AGM or an EGM shall come into operation with immediate effect, unless explicitly stated, when agreed at these meetings.
Each Club member may only nominate one individual for election to the Committee.
11) The Committee shall meet once per month.
12) All decisions will be by a majority vote: the President shall have the casting vote in event of tie.
13) A quorum for a Committee meeting shall be fifty per cent plus one.
14) The Committee shall make no decision contrary to the AGM. No single Committee member can overturn a Committee decision.
Committee meetings and decisions shall be as transparent and open to Club members as possible. Minutes shall be taken at each meeting and shall present an accurate reflection of both the discussion and decisions taken at that meeting. Minutes shall then be posted on the Club Notice Board. If Club members have any queries regarding the contents of these minutes a Committee member should seek to answer these queries or shall bring them to the attention of the next Committee meeting.
There are only two instances in which discussions of the Committee shall be confidential. Firstly, if an individual member of the Club is accused of harassment, under the Club's Harassment Policy, and an investigation is ongoing. In fairness to any individual accused, details of the discussions shall only be published in minutes when investigations have been completed, and the accusation is deemed to be proven. The explicit agreement of the individual who has made the accusation of harassment will also be obtained before publication of these minutes. Secondly, if discussions centre around legal proceedings against a Club member, and we are advised that circulating details of these discussions would not be in the best interests of the Club. In this case, discussions shall again remain confidential until legal proceedings have been completed.
A Committee member who wishes to resign from the Committee must do so, in writing, to the Secretary.
15) The Secretary is authorised to call a meeting at any time.
16) The AGM will be held during he first week of September each year and the following business undertaken:
- The President’s report
- The Treasurer’s report
- Election of Office Bearers
17) Motions (any changes to the Constitution etc.) must be put in writing to the Secretary two weeks before the meeting. Only fully paid-up members will be eligible to vote.
Training
18) At all training sessions the person in charge must have his or her instructions adhered to i.e. "slow down", "stop forcing pace", "stop", etc. Failure to do so could be reported to the Committee and dealt with as misconduct.
Dissolution
19) The Committee, by a two-thirds majority, may decide to dissolve the Club. They must then call an extraordinary meeting, giving four weeks notice to all Club Members. If the motion is passed by a two-thirds majority the club is then dissolved. Upon dissolution any funds remaining after all debts have been met will be donated to charity or SAL; the decision to be taken by a majority vote of the membership.
Liability
20) Bellahouston Road Runners' liability for any losses arising out of any negligence or wilful misconduct on the part of Bellahouston Road Runners shall be limited to Bellahouston Road Runners' subscriptions for this financial year.