Hoton Clay Club Constitution.

1. Title

1.1 The Club shall be known as “Hoton Clay Club”, hereafter referred to as the Club, and shall be affiliated to the Clay Pigeon Shooting Association.

2. Objects

2.1 To foster and promote the sport of Clay Pigeon Shooting at all levels, providing opportunities for recreation and competition.

3. Membership

3.1 Membership of the Club shall be open to any person on completion of a membership form and paying the relevant subscription fee as determined by the Annual General Meeting of the members.

3.2 There shall be 4 (four) classes of membership:

3.2.1 Full Member: Over 16 and not an Honorary Life Member

3.2.2 Junior Member Under 16

3.2.3 Honorary Life Member: As determined by an AGM of the members

3.2.4 Elected Executive: Honorary Member (not life) as determined by an AGM of the members

4. Expulsion of Members

4.1Members of the Club whose conduct is inappropriate or who decline to abide by any of the rules or bylaws may be expelled or suspended by a resolution passed at a meeting of the elected committee where their subscription may be forfeited.  Members shall have the right to appeal in person to a Special General Meeting of the members provided that written notice of such an appeal be submitted to the Chairman within fourteen days of the notification of expulsion.

4.2 Notification of expulsion may be verbal or written.

5. Officers

5.1 The Officers of the Club shall be as follows

Chairperson     )
Treasurer         ) Executive Officers
Secretary          )
Safety Officer   )

6. Election of Officers

6.1 All Officers shall be elected at the AGM of the Club from and by members of the Club.

6.2 All Officers are elected for a period of one year, but may be re-elected to the same or other office in subsequent years.

7. General Committee

7.1 The affairs of the Club shall be controlled by a General Committee comprising of the Officers of the Club and a minimum of 3 (three) other members elected from and by the members of the Club.  The Committee shall meet at least twice per year.

7.2 The duties of the Committee shall be:

7.2.1 To control the affairs of the Club on behalf of the members.

7.2.2 To keep accurate accounts of the finances of the Club through the Treasurer.  These shall be available for reasonable inspection at 14 days notice by members.  The Club shall maintain a bank current account and the executive officers shall be authorised to sign club cheques.

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

7.2.4 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.

8. General Meetings

8.1 The Annual General Meeting shall be held not later than the second Tuesday in February each year.  14 clear days written notice shall be given to the members of the AGM by posting a notice on the Club notice board.  Members should advise a committee member of business to be raised before the meeting.  The Agenda for the AGM shall be distributed prior to the meeting.

8.2 The business of the AGM shall be to:

8.2.1 Confirm the minutes of the previous AGM and any other meetings held since the last AGM.

8.2.2 Receive the Treasurers’ annual report.

8.2.3 Receive the Chairpersons’ annual report.

8.2.4 Receive the Secretary’s annual report.

8.2.5 Elect the officers of the Club.

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

8.2.7 Transact any other business.

8.3 Special or Extraordinary General Meetings may be convened by the Committee or on receipt by the Secretary of a request in writing by not less than 3 (three) full members of the Club.  At least 14 days notice of the meeting shall be given. Special or Extraordinary General Meetings may be convened by the Committee or on receipt by the Secretary of a request in writing by not less than 3 (three) full members of the Club.  At least 14 days notice of the meeting shall be given.

8.4 Nominations of candidates or officers can only be made by members of the Club attending the AGM and seconded by another member.

8.5 At all General Meetings the Chair shall 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 Meeting shall be by a simple majority of votes from those members attending the meeting.  In the case of equal votes the Chairperson shall have an additional casting vote.

8.7 A quorum for a General Meeting shall be 2 members and one Committee Member and one Officer of the Club.

8.8 Each member of the Club shall be entitled to one vote at General Meetings.9.

9.0 Alteration to the Constitution

9.1 Any proposed alterations to the Club constitution may only be considered at the AGM or Special General Meeting convened with the required written notice of the proposal.  Any alteration or amendment must be proposed by a member and seconded by another member.  Such alterations shall be passed if supported by not less than two-thirds of those members present at the meeting assuming a quorum has been achieved. 

10. Dissolution

10.1 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.

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

10.3 After discharging all debts and liabilities of the Club the remaining assets shall not be paid, or distributed, amongst the members of the Club, but shall be given or transferred to a local charity as decided at the preceding Special General Meeting of the Club.

10.3.1 Liabilities: permanent loans of funds or equipment to the club by any member shall be considered a liability of the club to that member at the time of dissolution of the club.