1.1. The name of the Club shall be ‘Tideswell Running Club’ (hereafter referred to as ‘the Club’).
1.2. The Club is a not-for-profit organisation.
1.3. The Club shall exist to inspire and support runners of all abilities. The object of the Club is to help people to build confidence and improve their running, as well as to share their enjoyment of the sport with like-minded individuals.
1.4. Club colours shall be a maroon vest with a white band around the centre. Club colours may only be reviewed at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in March Club colours must be worn in all team competitions, as required by the governing body. Members must also wear Club colours in order to be eligible for Club records and any Club competition,unless they are running for a charity.
2. The Committee
2.1. Management of the Club shall be vested in a Committee consisting of the main board (executive) members being Chairperson, General Secretary, Treasurer, and any other elected members. The duties of the general Committee shall be: to control the affairs of the Club on behalf of the members; to approve membership of the Club; to keep accurate accounts of Club finances (the Club’s financial year shall run from 1st April to 31st March), which should be maintained via a Club bank account with three signatories, and available for reasonable inspection by members; signatories can withdraw and deposit independently but any change in signatory must be approved by at least 2 board members. In addition the committee shall be expected to co-opt additional members to the Committee as necessary; to fill any vacancy which may occur in the Board (executive) officers or general Committee; to make decisions on the basis of a simple majority vote (in the case of equal votes, the Chairperson shall be entitled to an additional casting vote; a quorum for decision-making shall be 4, of which 2 must be executive officers); to appoint sub-committees for the purpose of organising races, social events.
2.2. All officials and Committee members must be fully registered members who are willing to disclose their contact details to Club members. Officials and Committee members must agree to act in the interests of the Club at all times, whilst acting as a Club representative.
2.3. A quorum for a Committee meeting shall consist of three members (with 2 board members), and there should be a minimum of six Committee meetings during the year. Committee members must attend a minimum of 50% of Committee meetings in order to be eligible for re-election.
2.4. Minutes of Committee meetings shall be made available to all members of the Club following verification. Any outstanding items from these minutes shall be included in the Agenda for the next meeting.
2.5. A general meeting of the Club shall be called if the Committee, guided by this Constitution, is unable to resolve any matter or question. No responsibility shall be accepted by the Club for any action which has not been approved by the Committee and recorded in the Club minutes.
2.6. The term of office for Committee members shall be one year to the next AGM, when they shall automatically retire but be eligible for re-election.
2.7. All those wishing to seek re-election or election will need to make their intentions known to the General Secretary prioir to the meeting. Only members willing to serve shall be nominated.
2.8. The Committee has the authority to fill any vacancies that occur between AGMs. Tideswell Running Club Constitution
3. Membership and Subscriptions
3.1. Membership shall be restricted to amateurs (as defined by current governing body rules) and shall be granted at the discretion of the Committee.
3.2. Application for membership may be made by existing and prospective members. New members will normally be expected to apply for membership after a familiarisation period not expected to exceed one month.
3.3. The subscription period shall cover a period of twelve months from 1st April but will be waived if joining after January 1st of the club year.
3.4. Subscriptions shall be reviewed at the AGM for the forthcoming membership.
3.5. Any non-payment of subscriptions shall be dealt with according to the current governing body rules, which at present forbids any athlete from joining another club until they have discharged their financial responsibilities to their current Club.
3.6. No refund of any subscription shall be made for any reason whatsoever including, but not limited to, injury, termination of membership or retirement from the Club. The Committee shall be permitted to withdraw membership from any member.
3.7. Only current members shall be allowed to compete for the Club in either team or open competitions.
- The Annual General Meeting
4.1. The AGM shall be held in March each year, or, in exceptional circumstances and with Committee approval, as soon as possible thereafter.
4.2. Presented at the AGM shall be a Chairperson’s report and a Secretary’s report, both of which will cover the year’s fixtures and social events. The Treasurer will also present the most recent statement of the year’s accounts; and at the discretion of the Chairman, other members may be called upon to make reports on various aspects not already covered by the above.
4.3. Committee members shall be elected, by a majority vote, at the AGM. Committee members shall take official office seven days later. Members wishing to stand for a Committee position must declare their intentions prior to the meeting. A current Club member must also be willing to propose their candidacy at the AGM, and another Club member must be willing to second this proposal. In the event of a draw, a revote will take place.
4.4. The Constitution shall not be amended except at the AGM. Any change to the Constitution requires approval by 75% of the votes present at the meeting at which the change is considered. Any proposed change shall be notified to committee members in writing up to twenty one days before the AGM at which a decision is to be made.
4.5. Only fully paid up members, who are a minimum of eighteen years of age, shall be entitled to vote at the AGM.
4.6. Notice of the AGM, with the agenda shall be given to all members at least fourteen days before the date of the meeting. A member may propose any matter for discussion at the AGM under ‘Any Other Business’, provided that notice is given to the General Secretary, at least verbally, prior to the commencement of the meeting.
4.7. The quorum for an AGM shall be one quarter of the membership.
Equal Opportunities
4.8. The Club will, at all times, work within both the spirit and legal requirements of the current legislation regarding all forms of discrimination.
- Club Runs
5.1. The Committee shall ensure that every Club run has a nominated run leader.
5.2. The Committee shall ensure that no member is left alone on a Club run, and shall thus operate a turn-back scheme.
5.3. All runners must ensure they are appropriately dressed for Club runs. The Committee reserves the right to refuse any person the opportunity to participate in a Club run, should their dress be deemed inappropriate for the conditions.
- Grievance Procedure
6.1. If a Club member has a complaint regarding another Club member then s/he should make that complaint known to a Committee member in writing.
6.2. The Committee shall, if necessary, take action against any person or persons who wilfully break Club rules or act inappropriately against another member of the Club. Sanctions, if deemed necessary, include but are not limited to verbal or written warnings, termination of membership, and reporting to higher authorities.