- NAME
The club shall be known as Lucan Kayak Club hereinafter known as THE CLUB. - OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the Club are to promote the sport and recreation of Canoesport - AFFILIATION
The club and all members shall be affiliated to Canoeing Ireland - MEMBERSHIP
- Membership of The Club shall be open to all persons subscribing to its aims and objectives, upon payment of the annual subscription. Subject to matters of personal safety and the risk of injury, no restriction shall be imposed on any person by virtue of gender, marital status, family status, age, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or membership of the Traveller community. All applications for membership shall be subject to the approval of the Committee
- Voting rights are limited to those over the age of 18 years on the 1st January in the relevant club year
- Classes of Membership
- Full Member: This class of membership shall be open to individual persons aged over 18 on January 1st in the relevant club year. Each senior member shall be entitled to one vote
- Junior Member: This class of membership shall be open to individual persons aged under 18 on January 1st in the relevant club year.
- Student membership: This class of membership shall be open to individual persons who produce evidence with their application confirming that that they are full time students. Each student member shall be entitled to one vote.
- Application
- Candidates for election to membership shall make written application to the Secretary of the Club on the form provided. The power of election shall rest with the General Committee. The General Committee may at its sole discretion, decline to accept renewal of membership, from any person without disclosing the reason.
- Duration: The Club year shall run from 1 October to 30 September. The annual subscription shall be payable one month prior to the beginning of the club year.
- Restriction: A person who has been expelled from, or refused membership of Canoeing Ireland shall not be eligible for membership
- Membership Fee: Each applicant for membership /renewal shall pay an entry fee, the amount of which shall be determined by the members in General meeting.
- Annual Subscription: The rates of subscription shall be determined by the members in General meeting and shall be due on acceptance and, thereafter, on or before 30 th September in each year.
- Cessation of Membership: A member shall be deemed to have resigned from the Club if, after due notice, he/she has not paid the annual subscription by 31 st October which became due on 30 th September. He/she may, however, re-join at any time during that year without payment of any penalty , subject to the provision of 3.3 or 5 above.
- Disqualification of Membership
Any member violating any of the rules or regulations of the Club or being adjudged guilty of unsatisfactory conduct may, by resolution of the General Committee, be suspended or expelled. Any member so suspended or expelled may appeal to a Special General Meeting if such an appeal is sponsored by not less than 25 % of members who are entitled to vote.
- Membership of The Club shall be open to all persons subscribing to its aims and objectives, upon payment of the annual subscription. Subject to matters of personal safety and the risk of injury, no restriction shall be imposed on any person by virtue of gender, marital status, family status, age, race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or membership of the Traveller community. All applications for membership shall be subject to the approval of the Committee
- GENERAL COMMITTEE
- The General Committee shall conduct the affairs of the Club as a whole and shall consist of the Executive committee of Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer. The following positions are voting positions on the committee consisting of a Safety Officer, Activities Officer, Child Liaison Officer and any other officers as deemed necessary. Additionally, the General Committee may co-opt no more than 3 members of the Club to its members.
- The Committee shall be elected by the members at their Annual General Meeting each year and shall be accountable to the members for their stewardship of the club
- Meetings of the Committee shall take place as frequently as required and at least four times in any club year.
- The quorum for Committee meetings shall be a minimum of five including at least one of the Executive Committee
- The Committee shall have the power to appoint and delegate its authority in part to sub-committees consisting of at least three members, at least one whom shall be a member of the Committee.
- Nominations for the position of Chairman, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer and other officers shall be put forward in the form of a motion under the terms of the Rule 10.4
- The term of office shall be for one year and members shall be eligible for re-election.
- DUTIES OF THE GENERAL COMMITTEE
- Chairperson: The Chairperson will preside at all General Meetings of the Club and at all meetings of the General Committee. He or she shall be responsible for guiding the activities of the club in accordance with its rules and general policy as expressed by the majority of its members. The Chairperson shall represent or arrange for the representation of the Club at Canoeing Ireland General Meetings. He/she shall be an ex- officio member of any other committee of the club.
2. Honorary Secretary : The Honorary Secretary will be responsible for the organisation of meetings of the General Committee and of the Club, and the recording of minutes relating to such meetings and all correspondence relating to the general business of the Club. He or she shall be responsible for transmitting all correspondence relating to particular activities to the relevant individuals at the earliest opportunity.
3. Honorary Treasurer
The Honorary Treasurer will be responsible for the collection of all monies including subscriptions and shall keep such books of account as required by the General Meeting. The Honorary Treasurer shall audit the accounts of the club annually and shall produce at the AGM balance sheet showing the financial state of the club and where required this to be accompanied by an Honorary Auditor’s report. All cheques or withdrawals drawn on the club’s funds should have two signatures. The Treasurer must make the General Committee aware of any existing or potential financial or cash flow problems.
4. Safety Officer
The Safety Officer will be responsible for promoting safe practices amongst club members. The Safety Officer will ensure that any club equipment complies with all current safety recommendations. It would also be expected that the Safety Officer would be familiar with the Canoeing Ireland’s Award Scheme and encourage participation in the Scheme by Club members.
5. Other Officers
Officers may be elected to be responsible for the duties such as
Activities Officer: The Activities Officer shall arrange a programme of kayaking events and activities.
Social Secretary: The Social Secretary shall organise a programme of social events.
Child Liaison Officer: As per Canoeing Ireland guidelines
GENERAL COMMITTEE
- The General Committee is responsible for the general conduct of the Club’s business and activities.
- The General Committee shall meet at regular intervals during the year, as required by the business to be transacted.
- Special meetings of the General Committee shall be called by the Honorary Secretary on instructions from the Chairperson, or not less than three committee members.
- A quorum shall consist of not less than 3 members of the General Committee.
- In the case of casual vacancy among the General Committee, the said Committee shall appoint another eligible person to act until the next AGM.GENERAL MEETINGS
- An Annual General Meeting shall be held each year and no later than 18 months after the preceding Annual General Meeting.
- An Extraordinary General Meeting shall be called on the instructions of a simple majority of the General Committee, or on a requisition signed by not less than 51 per cent of the members entitled to vote.
- Not less than 14 days clear notice shall be given, specifying to all members the time and business of the General Meeting.
- Motions for discussion at the Annual General Meeting, not of origin from within the General Committee, shall be lodged with the Honorary Secretary at least 21 days preceding the AGM, and be signed by 2 members entitled to vote.
- At any General Meeting, a resolution put to the vote of the Meeting shall be decided by a show of hands, of those entitled to vote, except when more than one nomination has been received for a position on the General Committee, in which case voting will be by secret ballot.
- At all General Meetings the Chairperson will preside or, in his/her absence, a Chairperson for the meeting will be elected by the voting members present.
- At all General Meeting not less than 33 % of the members of the Club shall constitute a quorum.
- If after a half hour from the time appointed for the meeting, a quorum is not present, the Meeting, if called at the request of the members shall be dissolved. In any other case, the Meeting shall be adjourned. If a quorum is not present within half an hour of the time appointed for an Adjourned Meeting, the members present shall be a quorum.
- Accidental omission to give notice of a meeting to, or the non-receipt of notice of, a meeting by any member shall not invalidate the proceeding of the meeting. LIABILITY
- The General Committee shall manage the affairs of the Club. Financial or legal liability incurred in the rightful exercise of their office shall not, however, be the personal liability of the Committee, but shall be the responsibility of the Club as a whole.
- All members or other persons who attend club trips or meets do so at their own risk, and neither the Club nor its officers can accept liability for any loss or injury of any kind sustained at its premises or whilst on a Club trip, meet or other activity.
VOTING
Only full members, and members over the age of 18 years are entitled to vote at all meetings.
ALTERATION OF CONSTITUTION
- This constitution shall not be altered, amended, or rescinded except by a General Meeting of the Club.
- A resolution to give effect to a change must be passed by least 50% of the full members present at the General Meeting.
AUDITOR
Every Annual General Meeting shall appoint an Honorary Auditor who shall at least once in every year examine the Accounts of the Club, and ascertain the correctness of the income and expenditure accounts and of the Balance Sheet.
DISTRIBUTION OF PROFITS
Under no circumstances can any profit be distributed to members, but any profits earned shall be contributed to a General Fund for furthering the objectives of the Club.
TERMINATIONS
The Club shall not terminate except by resolution of a Special General Meeting convened for the purpose and, in such an event, any surplus assets shall be handed over to a body or bodies with similar objectives or to a charity or charities agreed by the meeting which formally terminates the Club.
POWER OF DECISION
Any matter not provided for in this constitution, or any question over the interpretation of it shall be dealt with by the General Committee whose decision shall be final.
SAFETY RULES
The General Committee shall be empowered to draw up rules for the safe conduct of canoeing activities.
DECLARATION
Each member upon joining shall sign an application form containing the following declaration
Name___________
Upon acceptance into membership of Lucan Kayak Club I understand that canoeing is undertaken at my own risk. I confirm that I do not suffer from any disability or medical condition which may render me unfit for strenuous exercise**
Signed_________________
Parent/Guardian (if under18) _______________
** Should a medical condition exist, this does not necessarily preclude you from membership/participation, but it must be declared. Should you be in any doubt, advice should be sought from your family doctor.