ENGLISH DEAF SQUASH ASSOCIATION

CONSTITUTION

Patron

James Willstrop

 

1.0 Title

1.1 The Association shall be called "The English Deaf Squash Association" and shall be supported by England Squash.

2. Objective

2.1 To promote the game of Squash for deaf people at national level,

providing opportunities for their participation  into the Annual tournament and friendlies.

3 Membership

3.1 Membership of the Association shall be open to all interested deaf people and their relatives, including children.

3.2 Membership Fee shall be nil.

3.3 All deaf people who subscribe entry fee for the tournament are automatically qualified as "membership" to the association.

4 Officers

4.1 The Officers of the association shall be as follows: -

Patron James Willstrop

Chairman Brian Rawlinson

Secretary Simon Jones

Treasurer

Committee Brian Clarke

Ambassador Rebecca Macree

5 Election of Officers

5.1 All Officers shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting of the Association, from and by the Members of the Association.

5.2 All Officers are elected for a minimum period of two years, but may be re-elected to the same office or any office the following year.

6 Committee Members

6.1 The affairs of the Association shall be controlled by a General Committee comprising of the Officers of the Association elected from, and by, the Full members of the Association.

6.2 The Committee Members shall meet at agreed intervals and not less that 2 times per year.

6.3 The duties of the Committee Members shall be: -

6.3.1 To control the affair of the Association on behalf of the Members.

6.3.2 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 audited before Annual General Meeting. The Association shall maintain a Bank Account and the following Officers shall be authorised to sign Association''s cheques.

6.3.3 To co-opt additional members of the Committee as the Committee feels this is necessary. Co-opted members shall not be entitled to a vote on the Committee.

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

7 Travelling Expenses

7.1 All Committee Members shall be paid travelling expenses at 25p per mile (by car). Alternatively a rate of second class rail fare (by train). The expense will be paid upon the provision of the receipt.

8. General Meetings

8.1 The Annual General Meeting of the Association shall be held in April 2002. 28 clear days written notice shall be given to Members of the Annual General Meeting by circulating a copy of the notice to every member at their home address. Members must advise the Secretary in writing of any business to be moved at the Annual General Meeting at least 7 days before a meeting. The Secretary shall circulate or give notice of the agenda for the meeting to Members not less than 3 days before the meeting.

8.2 The business of the Annual General Meeting shall be: -

8.2.1 Confirm the minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting and any General Meetings held since the last Annual General Meeting.

8.2.2 Receive the Audited Accounts for the year from the Treasurer.

8.2.3 Receive the Annual Report of the committee from the Secretary.

8.2.4 Elect an Auditor.

8.2.5 Elect the Officers of the Association.

8.2.6 Review Association subscription rates and agree them for the forthcoming year.

8.2.7 Transact such other business received in writing by the Secretary from Members 7 days prior to the meeting and included on the agenda.

NOTE: The Agenda could provide for "Any Other Business" but Members should be encouraged to refer other items to the General Committee and give the required notice for important Annual General Meeting business.

8.3 Special General Meetings may be convened by the Committee

        Members or on receipt by the Secretary of a request in writing from not less than 4 

        full Members of the Association. At least 28 days notice of the meeting shall be

        given.

8.4 Nomination of candidates for election of officers 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 Members and must be seconded by

           another member.

8.5 At all General Meetings, the chair will be taken by the chairperson or. In their absence, by a deputy appointed by the members attending the meeting.

8.6 Decisions made at a General Meetings shall be by a simple majority of votes from those members attending the meeting. In the event of equal votes, the Chairperson shall be entitled to an additional casting vote.

8.7 A quorum for a General Meeting shall be quarter members and a third Officers of the Association including a Chairperson.

8.8 Each Member of the Association shall be entitled to one vote at General Meetings.

9 Alterations to the Constitution.

9.1 Any proposed alterations to the Association 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 Member of the Association and seconded by another Full Member. Such alterations shall be passed if supported by not less than a two thirds of those members present at the meeting, assuming that a quorum has been achieved.

10 Dissolution.

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

10.2 If at that Special General Meeting, the resolution is carried by at least two-thirds of the Members present at the meeting. The General Committee shall thereupon, or at such date as shall have been specified in the resolution, proceed to realise the assets of the Association and discharge all debts and liabilities of the Association.

10.3 After discharging all debts and liabilities of the Association, the remaining assets shall not be paid or distributed amongst the Members of the  Association, but shall be given or transferred to some other voluntary organisation having objects similar to those of the Association.