CONSTITUTION

1. The Club shall be known as MALLARD FENCING CLUB

2. The aim and object of the Club shall be to promote the sport and art of fencing as a group social and leisure activity for persons of ail ages but especially among young people, with professional tuition available to enable members to obtain their various proficiency awards and enter competitions if they so wish and to provide all its services in a way that is fair to everyone.

3. The Club shall accept into membership any person from their Tenth birthday irrespective of race, colour, gender, sexual orientation, religion or any other potentially discriminatory factors and to ensure that all present and future members receive fair and equal treatment. However young persons under the age of eighteen will be required to have the written consent of their parent or guardian before being admitted to junior membership.

4. The Club shall be affiliated to or registered with such other bodies consistent with its aim and objects as the Committee shall from time to time decide provided always that such bodies be non political.

5. Ex officio members from other bodies to which the Club may from time to time be affiliated to or registered with shall be appointed in accordance with the terms of the affiliation or registration.

6. The management of the Club shall be the responsibility of a Committee of Club members consisting of a Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer and three other Club members, all positions being honorary and three of which at least, including that of Treasurer, shall be over the age of eighteen. Four members of the elected Committee shall constitute a quorum. The Committee shall have the power to co opt members from time to time for specific purposes. The general running and safety aspects of the Club shall be laid down in the bye laws of the Club which may be altered by a two thirds majority of the Club members voting at an Annual General Meeting or Extraordinary General Meeting called for that purpose.

7. The Committee shall be elected by Club members yearly at an Annual General Meeting of the Club to be held each year in the month of April for the purpose of receiving the report from the Committee, receiving and adopting audited financial accounts, the auditors report, the election of the members of the Committee, the election of auditors and any other relevant business placed on the agenda, notice of which having been received in writing seven days before the Annual General Meeting.

8. Notice of the Annual General Meeting shall be given at least one month before in writing to all paid up members at the date of notice. Nominations for the Committee to be received in writing no later than seven days before the Annual General Meeting, duly seconded and agreed by the nominee who shall be a Club member.

9. An Extraordinary General Meeting may be called by request of the Committee or two thirds of the fully paid up membership on not less than fourteen days notice in writing to all fully paid up members at the time of notice.

10. The Club Committee shall be charged with the implementation of the aim and objects of the Club and supervision of the funds ,insurance, fabric, equipment and other properties of the Club, in keeping with their honorary status.

11. The Club may receive donations, grants in aid or financial guarantees. The income and property of the Club whencesoever derived, shall be applied solely towards the promotion of the aims and objects as set out in (2) above and no portion thereof shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly, by way of dividend, bonus or payment of a professional fee to any member of the Club.

12. The annual subscription for all classes of membership shall become due on the 1st May each year. The amounts being that agreed at the previous Annual General Meeting from the recommendation of the Committee. The subscription may be payable in two equal half yearly instalments due on 1st May and 1st November and such instalments may be subject to an instalment surcharge, agreed at the time of setting the annual subscription.

13. Proportional subscription may be permitted at the discretion of the Committee as stated in the by laws.

14. In addition there shall be a regular evening attendance fee of an amount also to be agreed at the Annual General Meeting at the time the annual subscriptions for the year are determined.

15. The Committee shall have the power in cases of bona fide unemployment to allow the Treasurer discretion to vary the financial terms of membership in individual cases on proof of continued unemployment being produced.

16. A copy of the Constitution and a copy of the Bye Laws shall be exhibited at the Club and members may obtain a copy of each on request to the Secretary.

17. On the winding up of the Club any remaining assets shall be handed over to a Society or Association having similar aims and objects.

18. Any alteration to this constitution shall only occur with the approval of a majority of the paid up members. Proposal of alteration must be given in writing at the time of notice of the Annual General Meeting or Extraordinary General Meeting at which such proposal will occur to enable paid up members not able to attend to register their vote by post prior to the meeting.

Revised 2008