- RULES
The Club Rules may only be amended when previously approved at a committee meeting. A copy of the Club Rules shall always be exhibited on the Club premises.
- MANAGEMENT OF THE CLUB
The management of the Club shall be conducted by a committee; the members of which shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting.
Custody of all legal documents and agreements, insurance and investment documents, shall be in the hands of one of the Officers of the Club. Any or all of these may be deposited at the bank if security so demands. All cheques drawn on behalf of the Club shall be signed by any two of the following: President, Treasurer or other nominated committee member.
- ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Four weeks prior to the holding of every Annual General Meeting the Secretary shall put a notice on the notice board calling for nominations for the offices of President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Duplicate Secretary and House Manager. The said notice shall be taken down by the Secretary seven clear days prior to the date of the Annual General Meeting, when the elections will take place.
- Each candidate shall be proposed by one member and seconded by another member of the Club.
- Any member unable to be present at the AGM may record and send their vote to the Secretary, marking the envelope `Postal Vote' at least three clear days prior to the AGM, signing either the envelope or a voting paper. These envelopes shall be opened by scrutineers at the AGM and the votes counted in with the votes of the present members.
- Proxy votes: a member unable to attend the AGM may appoint another member of the Club to vote on their behalf as instructed. The proxy must produce written authority to the Committee to enable them to vote at the AGM an behalf of the absent member.
- Resignation of Officers during the year: the Committee shall have the power to co-opt a replacement for the remainder of the year.
- COMPOSITION OF THE COMMITTEE
The Committee shall consist of a President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Duplicate Secretary and House Manager. The President will be the Chair of the Committee.
The Committee shall have the power to co-opt members as they consider necessary, but this shall not increase their representation on the Committee.
- RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE COMMITTEE
The Committee shall determine the exact responsibilities of each of its members and may adjust these as necessary.
The Committee has sole responsibility for the smooth running of the Club.
- THE SECRETARY'S DUTIES
The Secretary shall keep Minutes of Annual General and Special Meetings and shall issue notice of such meetings at least seven days in advance.
The Secretary shall deal with correspondence on behalf of the Club at the request of the Committee, filing copies of letters etc for reference. They shall also publish all important decisions taken at Committee Meetings.
- THE TREASURER'S DUTIES
The Treasurer shall receive all monies on behalf of the Club and shall keep a record of all financial transactions in books provided for the purpose.
These books, together with latest bank statement, shall be tabled at the AGM.
- VICE PRESIDENT'S DUTIES
The Vice President shall deputise for the President as required.
- DUPLICATE SECRETARY'S DUTIES
The Duplicate Secretary shall be responsible for bridge ethics, tournaments, normal club events, teaching and outside matches.
- HOUSE MANAGER'S DUTIES
The House Manager is responsible for the day-to-day running of the Club; also for maintenance and upkeep of the building, entertainment and refreshments.
- THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The AGM shall be held as early as possible after the end of the Club's financial year (31 ' August).
Only fully paid up members of the Club shall be allowed to attend or vote at the AGM.
- COMMITTEE MEETINGS
Committee Meetings shall be held every three months.
The Duplicate Secretary may convene meetings as and when required, with co-opted non committee members of the Club.
- SPECIAL MEETINGS
The Committee shall be empowered to call a Special Meeting at any time.
One such meeting must be called at the request of ten or more members. Such a request, made in writing and signed by all ten or more members concerned, shall state the subject(s) to be discussed. Notice of such meetings shall be posted on the Club notice board at least fourteen days before the date of the meeting.
- FINANCIAL YEAR
The accounts of the Club shall be closed on 31 ' August each year. After audit, a copy shall be sent to every member of the Club at least seven days before the date of the AGM.
- SUBSCRIPTIONS/FEES
- All members shall pay the same annual subscription, the amount of which will be decided at the AGM. New members joining after the last day of February shall pay one half the annual subscription for that financial year.
- The Secretary, Treasurer and Duplicate Secretary shall be exempt from payment of the annual subscription and table monies. The House Manager shall be exempt from paying table money only. All other members shall pay table money as agreed at the AGM except when they represent the Club at an outside event.
- Students: Full time students shall pay half the annual subscription, plus table money
- Visitors: visitors are welcome to attend appropriate sessions, provided they pay the visitor's fee as displayed on the Club notice board.
- Materials: A fee of four pounds shall be charged for the use of Club materials outside the Club premises.
- ARREARS OF SUBSCRIPTIONS
Any member failing to pay the appropriate Club subscription within one month of the due date-shall be charged visitor's fees until it has been paid.
Also, a member shall automatically cease to be a member if their subscription is not paid within three months of the date of the AGM. Members in arrears shall be notified by the Treasurer within one- month of the AGM
- ELECTION OF MEMBERS
Each candidate for membership shall be proposed by one member and seconded by another member. The proposal form shall be exhibited on the Club notice board for at least fourteen days before being considered by the Committee for membership.
A joining fee, to be decided by the committee, shall be paid. Applicants awaiting consideration by the Committee, having paid their joining fee, will be charged table money at member's rate until the next meeting of the committee.
Any member wishing to object to the proposed candidate's nomination shall make such objection in writing, countersigned by at least one other member, to the Secretary.
- CONDUCT/COMPLAINTS
- All members attending playing sessions should arrive 15 minutes , before the scheduled start of a session, so that play may commence promptly. Any member who has not arrived 5 minutes before the scheduled start time may be excluded by the Director.
- All mobile telephones must be switched off before play
- Complaints against any member of the Club shall be made in writing to the Duplicate Secretary and signed by the complainant(s). After consideration by a sub-committee convened by the Duplicate Secretary, and subsequent to the member being given the opportunity to state their refutation, the Duplicate Secretary shall write to the member concerned.
Both parties to a complaint have the right of appeal against the decision of the sub committee. This appeal, in writing, must be passed to the Committee via the Club Secretary. Only the Committee shall have the right to terminate membership from the Club, without any liability attaching to the Club or its Committee.
- In the event of a complaint in writing the Secretary regarding behaviour of a visitor, and subsequent to that person being given the right to refute the allegation, the Committee shall be given the power to refuse entry to that visitor, if they think fit. This rule will not apply to County events or Simultaneous Pairs competitions.
- Any Committee member considering a complaint must declare an interest where appropriate.
- SUGGESTION BOX
A box in which members may place their suggestions on matters other than conduct shall be made available. Such complaints/suggestions shall be signed by the member(s) concerned.
- EVENING MATCHES
The Captain of the home team shall be responsible for payment of fees due and, if applicable, for opening and closing the Club (the latter to include turning off lights, radiators, etc as necessary).
- CLOSING OF THE CLUB
If, at any time, the members decide at a Special Meeting to close the Club, all assets shall be disposed of after payment of all liabilities. Any balance remaining shall be divided among members according to their length of membership; but members of less than three years unbroken and continuous membership immediate to the closure, shall not participate. A majority of two-thirds of the members shall be necessary to close the Club.