Constitution

Text of the CONSTITUTION:

ST ALBANS JUDO CLUB CONSTITUTION

1. The Club shall be called ‘St Albans Judo Club’

2. The purposes of the Club shall be to promote the amateur sport of judo in St Albans and provide facilities for community participation in judo practice.

3. Membership

(a) Membership of the Club shall be open to anyone over five (5) years of age, without discrimination on grounds of sex, sexual orientation, nationality, ethnicity, disability, or religion or other beliefs. The Club will assist members who have disabilities or poor health to practise judo, as long as their physical capacity is adequate for practising safely. When appropriate, the Club will encourage members and prospective members, to seek medical advice before attempting to practise judo.

(b) Membership shall be dependent upon the payment of the membership fee, and in the event of repeated breaches or a serious breach of discipline may be suspended or withdrawn by a majority decision of the Committee. Junior membership shall be confined to those below the age of sixteen (16).

(c) Visitors may participate in judo sessions, with the agreement of the Instructor in charge of the session, and they must pay the appropriate session fee, in advance. For the purposes of judo, discipline, and insurance, such visitors will then be regarded as Club Members for the duration of the session.

4. The Club may be affiliated to a national judo body chosen by the Committee. The Club may collect from members and pay on their behalf a sum sufficient to cover their individual affiliation to the chosen national judo body. The Club may be affiliated to other relevant bodies decided upon by the Committee. The Committee may authorise members to subscribe to other bodies.

5. A Committee of nine (9) trustees shall manage the Club's affairs in accordance with its aims, and for the benefit of the membership.

(a) The Committee shall be empowered to co-opt paid-up members to return its number to nine (9) trustees as soon as possible, in the event that too few are elected at an AGM or that between one AGM and another trustees either resign or cease to participate without formally resigning.

(b) Reasonable endeavours shall be made by the Committee to encourage parents of junior members to stand for election, to agree to be co-opted, or to make special contributions.

(c) In the event that a trustee fails to attend Committee meetings on four (4) or more consecutive occasions, having been properly notified of the meetings in advance, the Committee may decide to treat the trustee as having resigned, and to co-opt a replacement.

The Committee shall first make courteous enquiries about the circumstances and endeavour if appropriate to persuade the trustee either to resume attendance or to formally resign. The Committee may decide that the circumstances do not justify any action. However, if the Committee decides to proceed, it shall notify the trustee in writing and in good time, prior to the committee meeting at which a final decision is planned. If the Committee votes to treat the trustee as having resigned, the trustee shall be notified of the decision promptly and in writing.

If the Committee’s enquiries reveal that the trustee will be incapable or is likely to be incapable either of resigning or resuming attendance within a reasonable period the Committee may proceed to co-opt a replacement without notification. It is intended that incapacity of the trustee under this clause shall be due to serious illness or accident, death, imprisonment, or other overwhelming occurrence.

6. Trustees shall be elected for a period not greater than three (3) years. Each year, at the Committee meeting preceding the Annual General Meeting, the resignation of trustees shall be agreed, and will take effect immediately before the AGM, or, in the case of the Club's Officers, immediately before the first committee meeting following the AGM. The following trustees shall resign:

(a) at least three (3) elected trustees, even if one or more of them have not completed their maximum of three (3) years service.

(b) all co-opted trustees.

Trustees who have resigned may stand for re-election if they remain eligible. Any trustee who resigns under item c) of this clause shall not be eligible to be either an elected or a co-opted trustee for at least one (1) year from resignation. For the avoidance of doubt, if a trustee disputes the need for his or her resignation under this clause, the Committee as a whole shall be responsible for achieving a resolution.

7. Nominations of candidates for election require a proposer, a seconder and the agreement of the candidate nominated. Proposer, seconder and candidate shall all be paid-up members. Nominations shall be displayed on the Club’s notice board from a date at least two (2) weeks before the AGM, and the Club’s Honorary Secretary shall receive the nominations by the Friday preceding that date. This deadline for receiving nominations shall be notified to members at least four (4) weeks in advance of the AGM.

8. All paid-up and honorary members are eligible to vote to fill vacancies on the Committee, with the exception of junior members, including junior members whose 16th birthday falls after the AGM. Parents of junior members have the right to vote.

9. At their first meeting following an AGM, the Committee shall elect from among their own number the Club’s Officers (Chairman, Honorary Treasurer, Honorary Secretary). These officers will hold their posts until the first meeting following the succeeding AGM, when they shall be eligible for re-election as officers if they continue to be Committee members.

10. Conduct of the Club’s business.

(a) The AGM shall be held as early as possible in the year, and in any case not later than 30th June. The Committee shall notify members of the date of the AGM at least four (4) weeks in advance.

Only paid-up members shall attend the AGM, except persons agreed by the Committee and explicitly invited in writing as guests. AGM guests are not entitled to vote, may be asked to withdraw by the Chairman from particular discussions or during voting, and shall not speak except as specifically allowed either in their letter of invitation or by the Chairman of the AGM. Persons attending the AGM may be asked for either proof of paid-up membership or their letter of invitation as a guest before being allowed entry.

(b) The AGM will review the Committee’s stewardship, conduct an election to fill vacant places on the Committee, examine and approve the audited accounts, appoint an Honorary Auditor for the following session, and conduct any other relevant business.

(c) During each annual session the Chairman shall call for Committee meetings as business dictates, but there will not be less than 4 meetings per year excluding the AGM and any Extraordinary General Meetings.

(d) At a Committee meeting a quorum shall consist of 5 members of the Committee. It shall include at least one of the Officers who shall have a casting vote only, while acting as Chairman (see 10e below).

(e) The Club’s Chairman shall have a casting vote only in Committee voting, as shall any Committee member deputising for the Chairman.

(f) An Extraordinary General Meeting may be called by a quorum (see 10d above), or by 15 members or parents of junior members. Suitable notice of the EGM must be given to Club members. The EGM will not be valid unless attended by two of the Club’s Officers, 4 other Committee members, and 20 members or parents of Junior members.

11. Finance

(a) The Club’s financial year shall end on 31st December.

(b) All surplus income or profits shall be re-invested in the club. No surpluses or assets will be distributed to members or third parties.

(c) The Club shall operate on an amateur basis in accordance with legislation and government guidelines for Community Amateur Sports Clubs.

12. Constitutional amendments may be proposed by any person qualified to vote. Proposals shall be displayed on the Club’s notice board from a date at least two (2) weeks before the AGM, and the Club’s Honorary Secretary shall receive the proposals by the Friday preceding that date. This deadline for receiving proposals shall be notified to members at least four (4) weeks in advance of the AGM.

13. The Committee is charged with the following minimum duties:

(a) to pursue the aims and advancement of the Club, in accordance with the Deed of Trust already executed, and this constitution; and to maintain adequate insurance to protect the trustees against claims for damage or injury to an individual or property arising from negligence.

(b) to review and decide upon the annual subscription and the session fees in accordance with the needs of good financial practice and prudence, while ensuring that these subscriptions and fees are kept at levels which will not pose a significant obstacle to people participating.

(d) to draw up the minimum of rules needed for the smooth running of the Club and the safety of members.

(e) to appoint a Chief Instructor from among the membership; to ensure that the Chief Instructor's duties are carried out effectively; and to dismiss the Chief Instructor.

(f)to deal with matters of discipline referred to the Committee by the Chief Instructor.

(g) to handle complaints and grievances, both from members and non-members, and take appropriate action.

(h) to refuse membership, or remove existing membership, but only for good cause and in a non-discriminatory manner. Good cause includes: conduct or character likely to bring the Club or Judo into disrepute; and behaviour which has harmed members or damaged property, or is likely to do so.

(i) to create value for the community and the Club, by promoting the use of Club premises for additional activities that are compatible with the spirit of judo. For the avoidance of doubt, such activities shall involve study and physical exercise to develop the whole person in a calm, friendly and disciplined atmosphere. This includes, but is not limited to, Japanese martial arts.

14. Appointment of the Chief Instructor

(a) At all times when exercising this power the Committee shall act in a discrete and considerate manner, in the best interests of the membership.

(b) Prior to appointing a new Chief Instructor, or the dismissal of an existing Chief Instructor, the Committee shall consult Club instructors, and may also consult any other members it thinks fit.

(c) The Committee appoints the Chief Instructor initially for a term of three (3) years, at the end of which the appointment is reviewed. Following review, the Committee may confirm the appointment for a further three (3) years, or may appoint a new Chief Instructor. There is no particular limit to the number of terms one person may serve as Chief Instructor.

(d) Chief Instructors may resign, and should give the Committee as much notice as possible of their intention to do so.

15. Duties of the Chief Instructor.

(a) The Chief Instructor will appoint such instructors as are required to ensure the functioning of the various sessions and classes and may nominate from among them one or more Assistant Chief Instructors.

(b) In consultation with other instructors the Chief Instructor will ensure that the Club’s various sessions and classes adopt a compatible approach to Judo, which shall consist of the practice and development of techniques, Kata and contests.

i. plan and implement programmes of training, courses, gradings, competitions and contests for the benefit of all categories of the membership,
ii. co-ordinate the activities of other instructors, and,
iii. ensure that all sessions of whatever character are properly conducted. With this objective, the Chief Instructor, or in his absence, the Instructor in charge of the session, may require an individual to leave the the dojo when, in the opinion of the Instructor, judo is being disrupted, or the safety of members is at risk, or when the proper conduct of the session is likely to be disturbed. Such instances will be reported to the Committee on the first convenient occasion (see 3(b) and 13(f) above). Any member so dealt with has a right of appeal to the Committee.

(d) The Chief Instructor will discuss his strategies and plans with the Committee, report on progress, and raise any problems.

16. Dissolution

(a) If at any committee meeting or AGM of the Club, a resolution be passed calling for the dissolution of the Club, the Honorary Secretary shall immediately convene an Extraordinary General Meeting, to be held not less than one month thereafter, to discuss and vote on the resolution.

(b) If at that EGM, the resolution is carried by at least two-thirds of the members present, the committee shall thereupon, or at such date as shall be specified in the resolution, proceed to realise the assets of the Club and discharge all debts and liabilities of the Club.

(c) After discharging all debts and liabilities of the Club, the remaining assets shall not be paid to, or distributed among the membership of the Club, but shall be given or transferred to a registered Community Amateur Sports Club, a registered charity or Judo's governing body.

Robert Cleevely, Chairman, May 2006

Ian Wasey, Honorary Secretary, May 2006

Text of the DEED OF TRUST:

THIS DEED OF TRUST is made the 24th day of April One
Thousand Nine Hundred and Eighty One.

WHEREBY IT IS DECLARED AS FOLLOWS:-

1) The subject of this deed is the unincorporated association known as “The St. Albans Judo Club” (hereinafter referred to as “the Club”) which presently has its premises at Huts Westminster Lodge, Holywell Hill, St. Albans in the county of Hertfordshire.

2) The Trustees of the Club shall be the elected Committee of the Club who may from time to time hold office in accordance with the Constitution of the Club PROVIDED THAT. should any one or more of the Committee be under disability then their powers shall rest in the remainder of the Committee (provided the latter are at least two in number). The Trustees at the date hereof are referred to in the schedule hereto.

3) The objects of the Club are more particularly set out in the Constitution but may be resummarised as being:-
a) The aim of the Club shall be to provide facilities for the practice and promotion of Judo for its members and visitors, and for other Japanese martial arts as from time to time decided
b) To make available to members of the Club, individuals wishing to become members of the Club, and to visitors from other clubs facilities whereby they may receive education, training and practice in the art of judo and allied arts.

4) The powers of the Trustees shall include the following:-
a) All the powers conferred by the Constitution of the Club.
b) All the powers granted by Law and Statute.
c) All full power to purchase, sell, mortgage, lease, insure and otherwise deal with the property (including realty) of the Club and to do so in that behalf as if an ABSOLUTE BENEFICIAL OWNER.
d) All such powers as are necessary for the administration of the Club.
e) All such further powers as the Trustees may, in their ABSOLUTE DISCRESSION deem necessary for dealing with any aspect concerning the club whether directly or indirectly.
f) All the powers above referred to are conferred separately and are to be constructed independently of one another

St Albans Judo Club

Navigation

User login

Constitution