Skibbereen Bridge Club

Constitution

 

1.      The name of the club shall be Skibbereen Bridge Club (SBC)

 

2.      Its objective shall be the promotion of Contract Bridge and the provision of social interaction for the enjoyment of its members. 

It will follow the rules, guidance and objectives of the Contract Bridge Association of Ireland (CBAI) and will be fully registered as a Club with the organisation.

 

3.      Membership of the SBC

The election of new members to the Club shall be in the hands of the Committee.  Each applicant for membership shall be proposed by and existing member and seconded by another existing member by way of a letter and application form.  The decision of the Committee (on the application) shall be made at the next duly convened meeting.  Membership then becomes effective on payment of the Annual Subscription.  Non-members will be welcome to play but cannot win any prize money (nor their playing partner even if he/she is a paid-up member).

Honorary Life Membership

a)      Members who have rendered exceptional service or contribution to the club or who have achieved outstanding awards shall be eligible for Honorary Membership.

b)      Awards for Honorary Life Membership shall be at the discretion of the committee.

c)      Honorary members shall have full voting rights at all meetings.

4.      Authority

Supreme authority shall be vested in the Annual General Meeting (AGM).   It is the function of the Committee Elect to conduct its affairs in conformity with the policy formed at the AGM.   This committee shall be governed by directions or resolutions made at the AGM.

 

5.      Committee

The club shall be managed by a Committee consisting of no more than 13 members including President, Hon Secretary, Hon Treasurer, Hon Tournament Director, Scorer, outgoing President and SEVEN members to be elected at its AGM.

a)      The Committee shall have power to co-opt a member or members in the event of one or more vacancies arising during the season. 

b)      The Committee shall have the power to appoint assistant Hon Secretary, Hon Treasurer and Hon Tournament Director.  All such decisions are open to review at the AGM.

c)      The Committee shall meet as often as required.  Six to form a quorum.

d)      Alterations, amendments, or changes to the Constitution shall be made only by the Committee.

e)      All decisions reached by the Committee are final.

 

6.      Annual General Meeting (AGM)

a)      The AGM shall be held at the end of the season (typically May).    Should the Committee decide to change it from this date members shall be notified in writing.

b)      The quorum for the AGM shall be 30% of the paid-up membership of the club at the time the meeting is convened.

c)      The incoming officers shall assume their duties at the conclusion of the bridge year.

d)      Motions for the AGM, together with proposer and seconder, should be submitted to the Hon. Secretary at least one week before the AGM.

e)      The AGM shall appoint from amongst its members a team of Tournament Directors / Score Keepers

f)        Notice of the AGM shall be displayed and announced at the club at least 14 days prior to the meeting. 

g)       The outgoing president shall nominate the president of SBC for the forthcoming bridge year.

h)      Correct accounts and books shall be kept showing the financial affairs, receipts, and disbursements of the club by the Hon Treasurer (see point 8).

i)        The Committee shall be elected at the AGM.

j)        The Annual Club Subscription shall be fixed at each AGM, payable no later than 1 November.

k)       Table fees shall be fixed at each AGM.

l)        The subscription fee shall include the registration fee of the CBAI.

 

7.      Special General Meeting

A Special General Meeting can be convened at the Discretion of the President or at the request in writing of at least 20 members of the Club.    Agenda for this meeting must be submitted to the Hon. Secretary at least 21 days in advance and must be displayed on the Club Notice Board.

 

8.      Treasurer & Finance

The income and property of the club shall be applied solely towards the promotion of its main objective as set forth in this Constitution. No portion of the club’s income and property shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly by way of dividend, bonus or otherwise howsoever by way of profit, to the members of the club. However, nothing shall prevent any payment in good faith by the club of:

a)      Reasonable and proper remuneration to any member or Officer of the club for any services rendered to the club.

b)      Reasonable and proper rent for premises demised and let by any member of the club (including any Officer) to the club.

c)      Reasonable and proper out-of-pocket expenses incurred by any Officer in connection with their attendance to any matter affecting the club.

d)      The financial year shall be from 1 September to 30 May of the subsequent year.

e)      All funds and assets in the possession of the committee shall be the property of the SBC.

f)        An account of receipts, funds and expenditure shall be kept during the year.

g)       A Statement of Accounts shall be available to each member if he/she so requests.

h)      At the close of each playing season / financial year the accounts shall be audited by the Auditor appointed by the Committee and show the financial position in the form of a balance sheet for consideration at the AGM.

 

9.      The Hon Secretary shall keep a correct record of all business transacted at committee meetings.

 

 

10.  Tournament Director(s)

a)      The Tournament Directors shall rule in cases of disputes/complaints during competitions and in all cases the rules of the CBAI shall apply.

b)      A member has the right to appeal any decision a Tournament Director has made.

c)      Any such appeal must be made to the Tournament Director involved within 30 minutes of the competition finishing.

 

11.  Handicaps

The power to determine and alter the handicaps of members of the Skibbereen Bridge Club shall be vested in the Committee.

 

12.  Disputes / Complaints

In the event of any member acting in such a manner as to bring the club into disrepute or to disrupt the smooth running of the club or the enjoyment of other members, the Committee shall have the right to reprimand such a member, and to warn them as to their future conduct. This may be done verbally or in writing. If the said member should continue to so act, the Committee shall cancel such person’s membership with immediate effect.

13.  Special Rules for Events  (*)

a)      Eligibility for winning Club Pairs Championship and Presidents Prize – both players must have competed on a minimum of 1/3^rd of nights prior to the night of the competition, except for compassionate occasions when the Committee can decide.

 

14.  Amendments to the Constitution

1.      The power to make, amend and revoke the rules of the SBC shall be vested in the AGM.

2.      Proposed amendments to the Constitution of the SBC must be submitted in writing to the Hon. Secretary at least 7 days prior to the AGM and must be displayed on the Club Notice Board.

3.      Changes in the rules must be approved by a full 2/3 (two thirds) majority of those members present at the AGM.

4.      The decision of the Committee on any question of the interpretation arising out of the rules of the SBC shall be binding on the members.

 

15.  Bridge Year

The playing year shall extend from the first Thursday in September to the last Thursday in May.

 

16.  Each member of the club shall be furnished with a copy of the Constitution.

           (a*) Amendment to Rule 13 at AGM agreed wording- change from minimum 10 nights to 1/3^rd….      

                                                                                                                                                                                          Dated: May 2024       Ref:  SBC-Con-V