This page hold a copy of the old club rules, and are provided for reference purposes only. As of 8th May, 2017, the club has adopted a new constitution as part of its change to a charitable status. Details on this can be found on our charitable status explanation page.
The rules below were in effect until this date.
Former constitution (to May 2017)
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 all abilities and from all backgrounds, and that we will ensure that members can train in a supportive and harassment-free environment.
1. Club Name
1.1 The Club shall be called “Bellahouston Road Runners”.
2. Membership
2.1 The Club shall consist of amateur athletes of both sexes.
2.2 Application for membership shall be made in writing (using our standard form), along with the Club fee, to the Secretary and be approved by the Committee. This shall be returned if membership is refused.
2.3 The subscription fee must be paid for the current season before a member can compete for the Club.
2.4 To resign a member must inform the Secretary in writing.
2.5 The Club and all members shall agree to abide by the Scottish Athletics Codes of Conduct for Coaches & Athletes.
2.6 Any member guilty of misconduct (i.e. behaviour contrary to this Constitution or the standard set by the Scottish Athletics Codes of Conduct) may be cautioned once or expelled from the Club by a majority decision of the Committee. Any person expelled will have the right to appeal to the Committee within fourteen days. The committee members are subject to the same disciplinary measures as ordinary members.
3. Discrimination and Harassment
3.1 Bellahouston Road Runners has adopted UK Athletics Welfare Policy and Procedures as part of the Club Rules. Copies of these Policies and Procedures can be found at www.ukathletics.net. In line with these Policies and Procedures, there must be no unfair discrimination on the grounds of gender, marital status, race, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, age or religious belief.
3.2 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.
3.3 The Club will not permit or condone any form of harassment or bullying, whether at the Club, races, via the internet or at any other times. 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.
3.4 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.
3.5 Definition: Discrimination comprises a wide range of unacceptable physical, verbal or non verbal behaviour that affects 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, whether orally or via the Club Forum/internet.
4. Club Colours
4.1 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.
5. Annual Subscription
5.1 The annual subscription fees set annually by the members at the AGM, shall be due on the 01st 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.
6. Management
6.1 The Committee responsible for management of the Club shall consist of:
• President
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Membership Secretary
• Social Convenor
• Club Captain (male)
• Club Captain (female)
• Public Relations Adviser
• Welfare Officer
• Race Director
• Vice President*
• Coaching Convenor**
*The Committee shall appoint this position from within the Committee.
**The Committee shall appoint this position from outwith the Committee.
6.2 No person can be elected to the Committee until they have been a member of the Club for at least one year.
6.3 The Committee shall aim to have a turnover of 25% of its members each year, unless insufficient new candidates are willing to stand. It is envisaged that no more than 50% of members of the Committee would retire in any given year to ensure continuity of the Committee. The Committee should manage this on a year to year basis.
6.4 Ideally committee members will serve for up to 3 years with a minimum period of 2 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.
6.5 Each Committee post shall be put forward for election each year. Nomination forms shall be placed on the Club Notice Board and/or on the Club Website/Forum, four weeks in advance of the AGM. Nominations will close one week in advance of the AGM.
6.6 Any decisions agreed at the AGM or an EGM shall come into operation with immediate effect, unless explicitly stated, when agreed at these meetings.
6.7 Each Club member may only nominate one individual for election to the Committee.
6.8 The Committee shall hold a monthly meeting and meet a minimum of 11 times per year.
6.9 All decisions will be by a majority vote: the President shall have the casting vote in event of a tie.
6.10 A quorum for a Committee meeting shall be fifty per cent plus one.
6.11 The Committee shall make no decision contrary to the AGM. No single Committee member can overturn a Committee decision.
6.12 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 or be sent to members if they ‘opt-in’ to receive via the Club Website/Forum. 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.
6.13 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 the 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.
6.14 A Committee member who wishes to resign from the Committee must do so in writing, to the Secretary.
6.15.Where a Committee member resigns from their post during the year, the committee may choose to replace the outgoing Committee member. Where this is deemed necessary, the committee will agree by consensus a suitable individual, and approach them to take on the role on a temporary basis. This post would then be subject to re-election at the AGM.
6.16 The Secretary is authorised to call a meeting at any time.
7. Annual General Meeting
7.1 The AGM will be held during the first week of September each year and the following business undertaken:
• The President’s report
• The Treasurer’s report
• Election of Office Bearers following which, any other business will be discussed.
7.2 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.
8. Review
8.1 The Club Rules will be reviewed every 3 years by a person nominated by the Committee. Any proposed amendments will be voted on by the club members at the next AGM or at an EGM
9. Dissolution
9.1 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.
10. Liability
10.1 Bellahouston Road Runners’ liability for any losses arising out of any negligence or willful misconduct on the part of Bellahouston Road Runners, shall be limited to Bellahouston Road Runners’ subscriptions for the current financial year.