Constitution and Rules of the Welwyn Garden City Running and Jogging Club

(The club was formed in Welwyn Garden City in 1982 under the title “Garden City Joggers”.)
  1. Title. The name of the club shall be the Welwyn Garden City Running and Jogging Club which will be abbreviated for competition and general use to “Garden City Runners”.
  2. Objectives. The object of the club is to provide facilities for and promote participation of the whole community in the sport of running.
  3. Method of meeting the objectives. In furtherance of its objectives the club may hold championships, enter leagues and team competitions, arrange social runs, training sessions, talks, demonstrations and social events. It may publish standards, print newsletters, arrange travel and do any other things which may be incidental to, or conducive to, the encouragement of jogging and running.
  4. Membership. Membership of the club shall be open to all persons irrespective of ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, religious or other beliefs; or of age, sex or disability except as a necessary consequence of the requirements of road running as a particular sport.
    The Committee may refuse membership, or remove it, only for good cause such as conduct or character likely to bring the Club or sport into disrepute. Appeals against refusal or removal may be made to the members.
  5. Management.
    1. Subject to these rules, the Committee shall have responsibility for the management of the Club, its funds, property and affairs
    2. The property and funds of the Club cannot be used for the direct or indirect private benefit of members other than as reasonably allowed by the Rules and all surplus income or profits are reinvested in the club
    3. The Club may provide sporting and related social facilities, sporting equipment, coaching, courses, insurance cover, medical treatment, away-event expenses, post match refreshments and other ordinary benefits of Community Amateur Sports Clubs as provided for in the Finance Act 2002
    4. The Club will elect a president and up to 5 vice presidents who will form an advisory body to assist the club committee. These will normally be people who have given long service to the Club in an official capacity (e.g. as Officers or Committee members) or provided other exceptional service. They will be nominated by the Club Committee and elected at a general meeting. The president and vice presidents will be elected for a period of five years but may be re-appointed. They may be removed by proposal of the Club Committee confirmed by a general meeting. They may attend club committee meetings but may not vote except on matters concerning amendments to the Club constitution. They may hold other positions within the club as long as nominated or appointed in the usual way.
    5. The management of the club shall be vested in a Committee consisting of:
      Chairman
      Vice Chairman
      Hon. Secretary
      Hon. Treasurer
      and six other members.
    6. All members of the Committee shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting and such members shall retire annually but be eligible for re-election. Committee members will not normally serve for longer than 5 consecutive years including any Officer positions held.
    7. The Committee has power to fill any vacancy which may arise between AGMs. It may also co-opt additional members, such co-opted members being non voting.
    8. A minimum of 5 Committee Members (to include 2 Officers) shall be required to form a quorum.
    9. The Committee may establish, and delegate powers to such Sub Committees as it considers necessary for the efficient administration of the Club.
    10. Annual club reports and statements of account must be made available for inspection by any member and all club records may be inspected by any Committee member.
    11. The Committee has the power to:
      1. take out any insurance for club, employees, contractors, players, guests and third parties;
      2. raise funds by appeals, subscriptions, loans and charges;
      3. borrow money and give security for the same, and open bank accounts;
      4. set aside funds for special purposes or as reserves;
      5. invest funds in any lawful manner;
      6. employ and engage staff and others and provide services;
      7. co-operate with or affiliate to firstly any bodies regulating or organising the Sport and secondly any club or body involved with it and thirdly with government and related agencies;
      8. do all other things reasonably necessary to advance the objectives; NONE of the above powers may be used other than to advance the purposes consistently with these Rules and the general law.
  6. Financial Year. The Club’s Financial Year shall run from 1 April in any year until 31st March in the next.
  7. Annual General Meeting.
    1. The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Club shall be held in April.
    2. Twelve members shall be required to form a quorum.
    3. The Secretary must give every member at least 21 days notice of the Meeting either by letter or in the Club’s Newsletter.
    4. Nominations for election to the Committee and notice of any business which it is desired to place on the Agenda must be given in writing to the Secretary at least 14 days prior to the Meeting.
    5. At the AGM the Chairman or Hon. Secretary shall present the Annual Report and the Hon. Treasurer shall present the Accounts and Balance Sheet audited as the Committee shall decide.
    6. Each member present at the AGM shall have one vote.
    7. Except as otherwise provided in these rules, every resolution shall be decided by a simple majority of the votes cast on a show of hands
  8. Subscriptions.
    1. The annual subscription payable by members shall be recommended to the AGM by the Committee and, subject to approval, and will fall due for payment immediately following the AGM.
    2. The annual subscription will normally be payable in full by new members on election but the Committee has discretion to authorise reductions for those joining in the last quarter of the financial year.
    3. The Committee shall have the power to expel any member whose subscription is twelve months or more in arrears provided that a month’s notice in writing shall have been sent to the member at his/her last known address informing him/her of the proposed action.
  9. Extraordinary General Meeting
    1. An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) may be called at any time by a written application to the Hon. Secretary signed by at least 12 members, stating the nature of the business to be transacted at such a meeting.
    2. The Hon. Secretary shall convene the EGM within 6 weeks of receiving the application.
    3. At least 21 days written notice of an EGM shall be given by the Hon. Secretary to all Members either by letter or in the Club’s Newsletter.
    4. At an EGM no business shall be transacted other than that for which it was called.
    5. A minimum of twelve members shall be required to form a quorum.
  10. Changes to the Constitution and Rules
    1. Proposals to alter the Constitution and Rules shall require a proposer and be seconded by eleven other members.
    2. The Constitution and Rules shall only be altered at an AGM or an EGM called for that purpose, and then only if passed by a minimum of two thirds of those members present and exercising their right to vote.
    3. Written notice of any proposed alterations shall be submitted to the Hon. Secretary not less than 6 weeks prior to the date of the next AGM or in an application for an EGM. The Hon. Secretary shall give written notice of the proposals to all members either by letter or in the Club’s Newsletter at least 21 days before the meeting takes place.
    4. Any amendment to this Constitution must not jeopardise the Club’s status as a Community Amateur Sports Club as first provided by the Finance Act 2002.
  11. Headquarters and Administration. The headquarters of the Club and its address for all notices and correspondence shall be the normal home address of the Hon. Secretary for the time being. The Club Committee will from time to time designate which facilities shall be used for training and social purposes.
  12. Not for Profit. The income and property of the Club shall be applied solely towards promoting the Club’s objects as set forth in this constitution and no portion thereof shall be paid or transferred, directly or indirectly, to the members of the Club.
  13. Winding up the Club
    1. The members may vote to wind up the Club if not less than three quarters of those present and voting support that proposal at a properly convened general meeting.
    2. The Committee will then be responsible for the orderly winding up of the Club’s affairs.
    3. After settling all liabilities of the Club, the Committee shall dispose of the net assets remaining to one or more of the following:
      1. to another Club with similar sports purposes which is a registered charity and/or
      2. to another Club with similar sports purposes which is a registered CASC and/or
      3. to the Club’s governing body for use by them for related community sports.