Constitution

      

CLUB CONSTITUTION

Menai Bridge Cricket Club/ Clwb Criced Porthaethwy

1.Name

The name of the Club is Clwb Criced Porthaethwy/Menai Bridge Cricket Club, hereafter to be referred to as "the club" and the club shall be affiliated to the England and Wales Cricket Board through Cricket Wales and the North Wales Cricket League.

2.Aims and Objectives

To foster and promote the sport of cricket at all levels within the community and within the sport, providing opportunities for recreation, coaching and competition.

To manage the facility at: The Keith Hughes Oval, Tyn-y-Caeau, Menai Bridge.

To ensure that all members, playing and non-playing, abide by the ECB Code of Conduct which incorporates the Spirit of Cricket and by the Laws of Cricket.

To ensure a duty of care to all members of the club, by adopting and implementing the ECB Safe Hands Cricket’s Policy for Safeguarding Children and any future versions of the Policy.

To promote the Club and Ground facilities for use by the wider community when not in use for Cricket fixtures.

To ensure a duty of care to all members of the club by adopting and implementing the ECB Cricket Equity Policy and any future versions of the Policy.

To encourage all members to participate fully in the activities of the Cricket Club.

3.Membership

(a) Membership of the club shall be open to anyone interested in the sport of cricket on application regardless of sex, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, religion or other beliefs. However, limitation of membership according to available facilities is allowable on a non-discriminatory basis.

(b) The club may have different classes of membership and subscription on a non-discriminatory and fair basis. The club will keep subscriptions at levels that will not pose a significant obstacle to people participating.

(c) Application for membership of the club shall be by completion of a membership application form and by payment of the relevant subscription/joining fees as determined by the Annual General Meeting of the club.

(d) No person shall be eligible to take part in the business of the club or eligible for selection for any club team unless the appropriate subscription has been paid by the specified date or membership has been agreed by the Committee.

(e) The club Committee may refuse membership, or remove it, only for good cause such as conduct or character likely to bring the club or cricket into disrepute. Appeal against refusal or removal may be made to the Committee who shall appoint an Appeals Committee to hear the appeal.

(f) All members will be subject to the regulations of the Constitution and by joining the club will be deemed to accept these regulations and any Codes of Conduct that the club has adopted. The Constitution shall identify those members eligible to vote at any General Meetings.

4. Classes of Membership

There shall be 6 classes of membership available. These are:

  1. Full Member
  2. Junior Member (Under 18 years of age at the beginning of the current year)
  3. Women’s and Girls Member
  4. Student Member (Over 18 years of age and still in full time education)
  5. Non-playing/Social Member
  6. Honorary Life Members

A list of members in each category shall be maintained by the Registration Secretary of the club.

5. Officers

The Officers of the club shall be as follows:

  1. Executive Officers
  2. Chair
  3. Vice Chair
  4. Secretary
  5. Treasurer
  6. Safeguarding Officer
  7. Any other relevant position (details specified according to club circumstances)
  8. Honorary Officers (if applicable)
  9. President

Committee Member Roles

  • Director of Senior Cricket
  • Director of Junior Cricket
  • Membership and Registration Secretary
  • Facilities Manager
  • Welsh Language Co-Ordinator
  • Women’s and Girls Co-Ordinator
  • 1st XI; 2nd XI, 3rd XI, Women's Team(s) and Midweek XI Captains
  • Fundraising Co-Ordinator
  • Marketing Co-Ordinator
  • Social Events Co-Ordinator
  • General Committee Members

6. Election of Officers

All Officers shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting of the club from, and by, the members of the club.

All Officers shall be elected for a period of one year, but shall be eligible for re-election to the same office or to another office the following year.

7. Management Committee

The affairs of the club shall be conducted by a Management Committee (the Committee) comprising the Executive Officers of the club and General Committee Member Roles, those members elected from, and by, the Full Members of the club.

Only these members of the Committee shall be entitled to vote at Committee meetings.

The Committee will be convened by the Secretary and shall meet at agreed intervals and not less than four times per year.

The quorum required for business to be agreed at Committee meetings shall be 5 members.

The duties of the Committee shall be:

a) To control the affairs of the club on behalf of the members.

b) To keep accurate accounts of the finances of the club through the Treasurer. These should be available for reasonable inspection by members and should be Certified as Correct before every Annual General Meeting. The club shall maintain a bank current account and the following Officers shall be authorized to sign club cheques: Any two from the Chair, Treasurer, President and Secretary.

c) To co-opt additional members of the Committee as the Committee feel is necessary. Co-opted members shall not be entitled to a vote on the Committee and shall serve until the end of the next Annual General Meeting.

d) To make decisions on the basis of a simple majority vote. In the case of equal votes, the Chair shall be entitled to an additional casting vote.

The Committee shall have powers to appoint sub-committees as necessary and to co-opt advisers who may be non-club members invited to advise on specialist subjects.

An elected Committee member ceases to be such if he or she ceases to be a member of the club, resigns by written notice, or is removed by the Committee for good cause after the member concerned has been given the chance of putting their case to the Committee. 

Appeal against removal may be made to the Appeals Committee. The Committee shall fairly decide time limits and formalities for these steps.

The Committee has the power to:

(a) Acquire and provide grounds, equipment, coaching, training and playing facilities, clubhouse, transport, medical and related facilities.

(b) Provide coaching, training, medical treatment, and related social and other facilities.

(c) Take out any insurance for club, employees, contractors, players, guests and third parties.

(d) Raise funds by appeals, subscriptions, loans and charges and Sponsorships.

(e) Borrow money and give security for the same, and open bank accounts.

(f) Buy, lease or licence property and sell, let or otherwise dispose of the same.

(g) Make grants and loans and give guarantees and provide other benefits.

(h) Set aside funds for special purposes or as reserves.

(i) Invest funds in any lawful manner.

(j) Employ and engage staff and others and provide services.

(k) Co-operate with or affiliate firstly to any bodies regulating or organising the sport of cricket and secondly any club or body involved with cricket and thirdly with government and related agencies.

(l) Do all other things reasonably necessary to advance the aims and objectives of the club.

NONE of the above powers may be used other than to advance the aims and objectives in a manner consistent with the Club Constitution and the general laws.

8. General Meetings

The Annual General Meeting of the club shall be held not later than the 31st of October each year.

Notice of the Annual General Meeting shall be given to members by posting the notice on the club notice board and Social Media. Members must advise the Secretary in writing of any other business to be moved at the Annual General Meeting at least 7 days before a meeting.

The business of the Annual General Meeting shall be to:

a) Confirm the minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting and any General Meetings held since the last Annual General Meeting

b) Receive the certified accounts for the year from the Treasurer

c) Elect the Officers of the Club.

d) Review club subscription rates and agree them for the forthcoming year

e) Transact such other business received in writing by the Secretary from members (7) days prior to the meeting and included on the agenda.

Nominations of candidates for election of Offices shall be made in writing to the Secretary at least 14 days in advance of the Annual General Meeting date.

Nominations can only be made by Full Members and must be seconded by another Full Member.

Special General Meetings may be convened by the Committee or on receipt by the Secretary of a request in writing from not less than (8) Full Members of the club. At least 21 days notice of the meeting shall be given.

At all General Meetings, the Chair will be taken by the Chairman or by the Vice Chairman. If both are absent, then the meeting shall be chaired by a deputy appointed by Full Members attending the meeting. Decisions made at a General Meeting shall be by a simple majority vote from those Full Members attending the meeting. In the event of equal votes, the Chair of the meeting shall be entitled to an additional casting vote.

A quorum for a General Meeting shall be (10) members from any categories of membership as outlined by the membership section of this Constitution (usually 25% of the voting membership) and Officers of the Club including at least (1 or 2) from the Chair, Secretary and Treasurer.

Each Member (as listed at Section 4, Classes of Membership) of the Club shall be entitled to one vote at General Meetings.

9. Alterations to the Constitution

Any proposed alterations to the club Constitution may only be considered at an Annual or Special General Meeting, convened with the required written notice of the proposal. Any alteration or amendment must be proposed by a Full Member of the club and seconded by another Full Member.

Notice of any changes to the Club Constitution or parts of, must be made in writing to the Club Secretary 7 days prior to the meeting and published on the notice board and shown on the meeting agenda. Such alterations shall be passed if supported by not less than two-thirds of those Full Voting Members present at the meeting, assuming that a quorum has been achieved.

10. Finance

All club monies shall be banked in an account in the name of the club.

The Treasurer shall be responsible for the finances of the club and for providing a report on the financial position as required by the Committee.

The Treasurer shall ensure that the club maintains adequate and appropriate insurance to cover the activities of the club.

The financial year will end at midnight on the 30th September in any given year.

The Treasurer will present a certified statement of annual accounts at the Annual General Meeting.

Any cheques drawn against club funds should hold the signatures of the Treasurer plus up to two Officers.

11. Safeguarding

Menai Bridge Cricket Club/ Clwb Criced Porthaethwy (The Club) is committed to ensuring that all Children (*) participating in cricket have a safe and positive experience. (*The word “Children” should be taken to mean all persons under the age of 18.)

We will do this by:

The Club shall adopt and implement the ECB Anti-Discrimination Code of Conduct and any future versions of this policy.

a) Recognising that all Children participating in cricket (regardless of age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, ability or disability) have a right to have fun and be protected from harm in a safe environment.

b) Ensuring that individuals working within cricket at or for our club provide a safe, and positive and fun cricketing experience for children.

c) Adopting and implementing the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) “Safe Hands – Cricket’s Policy for Safeguarding Children” and any future versions of the policy.

d) Appointing a Club Welfare Officer and ensuring that they attend all current and future training modules required by the ECB & the NSPCC, so that they have the necessary skills to be able to undertake their role effectively.

e) Ensuring that all people who work in cricket at or for our club, (such as Staff, Officials, Volunteers, Team Managers, Coaches etc.) understand that the Safe Hands Policy applies to them according to their level of contact with children in Cricket.

f) Ensuring that all individuals working within cricket at or for the club are recruited and appointed in accordance with ECB guidelines.

g) Ensuring that all individuals working within cricket at or for the club are provided with support through education and training so that they are aware of and can adhere to good practice and code of conduct guidelines defined by both the ECB, and by the club.

h) Ensuring that the name & contact details for the Club Welfare Officer is available.

i) As the first point of contact for parents, children & volunteers / staff within the club, as a local source of procedural advice for the club, its committee & its members.

j) The main point of contact within the club for the ECB County Welfare Officer and the ECB Child Protection Team.

k) As the main point of contact within the club for relevant external agencies in connection with child welfare.

l) Ensuring that correct and comprehensive reporting procedures exist for raising and managing safeguarding and child protection concerns. Such procedures recognising the responsibility of the statutory agencies and in accordance with pre-defined safeguarding and child protection procedures as defined by the ECB, Statutory agencies and Local Safeguarding Children Board LSCB guidelines and policies.

m) Providing everyone connected with the club (including parents, children and volunteers) with the opportunity to voice any concerns which they have (about possible suspected child abuse, and/or about poor practice) to the Club Welfare Officer.

n) Ensuring that all suspicions, concerns and allegations are taken seriously and dealt with swiftly and appropriately.

o) Ensuring that access to confidential information relating to child welfare matters is restricted to the Club Welfare Officer and the appropriate external authorities as specified within ECB Safeguarding and child protection procedures.

12. Property and Funds

a) 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 shall be reinvested in the club.

b) The club may also in connection with the sports purposes of the club:

  • Sell and supply food, drink and related sports clothing and equipment.
  • Employ members and remunerate them for providing goods and services, (but not for playing or Coaching Cricket) on fair terms set by the Committee without the person concerned being present.
  • Pay for reasonable hospitality for visiting teams and guests
  • Indemnify the Committee and members acting properly in the course of the running of the club against any liability incurred in the proper running of the club (but only to the extent of its assets).

13. Discipline and Appeals

Social Networking Sites, Press and other Media:

Any Club member or Official of the Club who makes derogatory remarks or comments in any shape or form on any social networking sites or in the press/media without informing the Club in the first instance shall be liable to Club Disciplinary Procedures

People associated with the Club i.e. spectators at matches are also prohibited from making comment on social networking sites in relation to cricketing issues. Failure to adhere to this rule will make them liable to Club Disciplinary Procedures and exclusion from the Club. Examples include:

  • Making derogatory comments about opposition Club, Players and/or Officials.
  • Making derogatory comments about own Club members and Club Officials.
  • Making derogatory comments about any League organization or Officials of said organization.
  • Questioning and commenting on Umpires and their decisions during a match.
  • All complaints regarding the behaviour of members should be lodged in writing with the Secretary.

Any action that shall bring disrepute to the club could result in a Disciplinary Hearing; this shall include any matters being brought about by being in breach of the North Wales Cricket League Disciplinary Code of Conduct.

The Committee shall appoint a Disciplinary sub-committee who will meet to hear complaints within 72 Hours of a complaint being lodged. Any member requested to attend a Disciplinary sub-committee shall be entitled to be accompanied by a friend or other representative and to call witnesses. The Committee (or its sub-committee) has the power to take appropriate disciplinary action, including the termination of membership.

The outcome of the disciplinary hearing shall be put in writing to the person who lodged the complaint and the member against whom the complaint was made within 72 Hours following the hearing.

There shall be a right of appeal to the Committee against either the finding or the sanction imposed or both following disciplinary action being taken. The Committee shall appoint an Appeals Committee (a maximum of three) which shall not include members involved with the initial disciplinary hearing but may include non-members of the club. The Appeals Committee shall consider the appeal within 72 Hours of the Secretary receiving the appeal. The individual submitting the appeal shall be entitled to be accompanied by a friend or other representative and to call witnesses. The decision of the Appeals Committee shall be final and binding on all parties.

14. Dissolution

If at any General Meeting of the club, a resolution be passed calling for the dissolution of the club, the Secretary shall immediately convene a Special General Meeting of the club to be held not less than one month thereafter to discuss and vote on the resolution.

If at that Special Meeting, the resolution is carried by at least two-thirds (three quarters) of the Full Voting Membership present at the meeting, the Committee shall thereupon, or at such date as shall have been specified in the resolution, proceed to realize the assets of the club and discharge all debts and liabilities of the club.

The Committee will then be responsible for the orderly winding up of the club’s affair.

After settling all liabilities of the club, the Committee shall dispose of the net assets remaining to one or more of the following:

a) to another club with similar sports purposes which is a registered charity and/or

b) to another club with similar sports purposes which is a registered Community Amateur Sports Club and/or

c) to the club’s governing body for use by them for related community sports.

15. Declaration

Menai Bridge Cricket Club/Clwb Criced Porthaethwy; hereby adopts and accepts this Constitution as a current operating guide regulating the actions of all members.

Signed: Robbie Jones ( Club Chair)

Date: 10 Nov 2022

 

Signed: Martyn Hull (Out going Secretary)

Date: 10 November 2022

 

 

Notes:

  • This Model Club Constitution may need to be adapted or amended to accommodate circumstances relevant to the club especially where social/licensed facilities form part of the club or cricket is a section within a multi-sports club.
  • Clubs should include in the Constitution any matter which is required by any Competitions in which they compete.
  • Clubs may wish to include reference to the County Cricket Board in relation to an Appeals Committee.
  • Clubs should note that changes to Clauses 2, 3, 11 and 13 should only be made after consideration of the requirements of government, local authority, national and sports funding bodies.