Beckenham & Bromley Chess Club

 

Constitution

 

(as amended at 1997 AGM and then edited to remove references to Juniors and Family Groups)

 

1.  Objects and Affiliation

The Club shall provide opportunities for and encourage the playing of Chess in the Beckenham and Bromley areas.  The Club shall be affiliated to the Kent County Chess Association and to such other organisations as may be decided by a general meeting.

 

2.  Membership

This consists of Honorary Life Members, elected at a General Meeting, and other Members, whose membership commences when they have paid their fee.

 

3.  Officers

The Officers of the Club shall be the Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Tournament Controller, and Club Captain.  Honorary Life Members shall not serve as Officers.  All shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting (AGM).  The Treasurer shall maintain financial records and present audited annual accounts to the AGM.  The AGM shall appoint the Auditor.

 

4.  The Committee

a)  The Committee shall consist of the Officers of the Club and be responsible for the general management of the affairs of the Club and shall have the power to fill vacancies and co-opt additional members.  Any co-opted members are subject to re-election at the next AGM.

b)  At Committee Meetings, the quorum shall be 3 members.

c)  Match Captains shall be appointed by the Committee and be co-opted to team selection meetings.

d)  The Committee may discipline or, if in its judgement necessary, expel Members whose conduct brings the Club into disrepute.

 

5. Membership Fees

a)  Membership Fees shall be payable in respect of each playing year, from 1st September of one year to 30th September of the next.  If an existing Member does not pay his fee for the current year by the 31st October his membership shall lapse.  Only Members may take part in competitions or represent the Club.

b)  The AGM shall set fees for the following Classes of Membership and any other Class of Membership decided by the meeting:-

            Senior Citizen               - persons over 65 years of age

            Unemployed                 - persons seeking employment

Student                         - persons undergoing full-time education at school, college, university etc.

            Ordinary Members       - persons other than the above

c)  Members joining the Club after 1st January in any playing year may be allowed a reduced fee at the discretion of the Treasurer.  The Treasurer and the Club Captain jointly may set a concessionary fee if necessary to fill a team vacancy.

 

6.  General Meetings

a)  The following General Meetings shall be held:

An Annual General Meeting (AGM) in September of each year.  Proposals for inclusion in the AGM Agenda must be received in writing by the Secretary not later than the 31st July.

A Special General Meeting (SGM) shall be held within 6 weeks of a written request to the Secretary containing one or more proposals to be put to the meeting and signed by at least 5 Members.  A SGM may also be held at the discretion of the Committee.  Only matters on the SGM Agenda shall be considered.

b)  The Secretary (or if this is not possible the Chairman) shall send at least 21 days written notice of General Meetings to all Members together with an Agenda.

c)  At General Meetings the quorum shall be 6 Members.

d)  Voting shall be restricted to the Members present at the meeting and each shall have one vote.  In the case of an equality of votes the Chairman shall have a second, casting vote.  All decisions shall be taken by simple majority vote, except that this Constitution may be changed only if the amendment or alteration is included in the Agenda and only if at least two thirds of votes cast are for the change.

e)  The business of the AGM shall comprise:-

1.  Consideration of the Financial Report for the Financial Year ended 30th June, in the year of the meeting.  Copies of the Financial Report shall, if possible, be circulated to Members with the notice of the Meeting.

            2.  Other reports from Officers, which may be submitted orally.

            3.  Election of the Chairman and Officers.

            4.  Election of Honorary Life Members.

            5.  The determination of Membership Fees for the Playing Year.

            6.  Appointment of an Auditor.

            7.  Any other business on the Agenda or which the Chairman sees fit to accept.

 

7.  Teams

The Club may enter teams in any chess competition at the discretion of the Committee or AGM.

 

8.  Annual Tournament

a)  The Club shall hold an Annual Tournament to determine the holder of the Club Championship Cup and the Rosebowl Trophy and any other competitions decided by the Tournament Controller.

b)  All Tournaments shall be run by the Tournament Controller.

c)  The Trophies for competitions shall remain the property of the Club.