Cougars Constitution

Old Caterhamians Lacrosse Club

Constitution and Rules

Adopted 

1. The Club shall be called Old Caterhamians Lacrosse Club and will be affiliated to the English Lacrosse Association

2. Aims and Objectives

   The aims and objectives of the club will be:

   • To offer coaching and competitive opportunities in lacrosse.
   • To promote the club within the local community and lacrosse
   • To manage the Old Caterhamians Lacrosse Club.
   • To ensure a duty of care to all members of the club.
   • To provide all its services in a way that is fair to everyone

3. Playing colours

   The Clubs colours shall be Mauve and Black.

4. Voting

   1. Throughout these rules, “majority” shall mean a majority of one or more of those present and voting and entitled to vote at a Club meeting, Rule 24 notwithstanding
   2. Only parents of members of the club, who themselves will be called members as they will have paid a nominal joining fee incorporated in their child’s membership fee, shall be entitled to vote at a General Meeting.
   3. Voting at all Club meetings shall be by show of hands unless one or more members present demand a secret ballot.
5. Club Officers:
   1. The Officers of the Club shall be:
      • The Chairman
      • The Treasurer
      • The Secretary
      • Child Protection Officer
      • Any other position as deemed necessary by the Committee
   2. The Officers shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting
   3. The Annual General Meeting shall be entitled to elect other officers as it deems appropriate.
   4. All officers will retire each year but will be eligible for re-appointment

6. The Management of the Club

   The Management of the Club shall be entrusted to an Executive Committee consisting of the Officers of the Club.

   No meeting of the executive shall take place unless a quorum of three is present.

7. Candidates

   1. Any person may be eligible for the candidature for the membership of the Club, subject to the Constitution and Rules of the South of England Men’s Lacrosse Association and the English Lacrosse Association.

   2. Candidates for membership may be elected as members of the Club by a majority at either a General Meeting or Executive Committee Meeting.

8. Executive membership cooption

   The Executive Committee shall have the power to fill any vacancy during their term of office and to co-opt additional members if they deem it necessary.

9. Chairman responsibilities

   1. The Chairman of the Club shall take the chair at all Club meetings.

   2. In the absence of the Chairman, any Club meeting may elect a chairman to act in his stead for the duration of the meeting.

   3. In the event of an equality of votes at a meeting, the Chairman at that meeting shall have the casting vote in addition to his vote as a member of that meeting.

10. Sub Committees

    1. The Executive Committee, or a General meeting of the Club, shall have the power to appoint such sub-committees of the Executive Committee as they deem appropriate.

    2. The Treasurer and Secretary shall be entitled to attend all meetings of such sub-committees.

11. Financial Year

    1. The Financial Year of the Club shall be from 31st August.

    2. All financial matters shall be submitted to and decided by the Executive Committee or a General Meeting.

    3. A bank account shall be maintained by the Club and cheques drawn on this account shall be signed by two members of the Committee.

    4. An auditor, who shall not be a member of the Executive Committee, shall be appointed by a General Meeting of the Club (normally the Annual General Meeting).

    5. A statement of accounts for the preceding financial year, together with a statement from the auditor, shall be presented to the members at the annual General Meeting.

12. Subscriptions

    1. Annual subscriptions and match fees shall be decided upon by the Executive Committee

    2. In exceptional circumstances, the executive Committee shall have power to remit such subscriptions or fees, in whole or in part, of any Club member.

13. The Annual General Meeting

    The Annual General Meeting shall be held between 31st August and 31st December each year on a date deemed appropriate by the Executive Committee.

14. Extraordinary General Meetings

    1. An Extraordinary General Meeting shall be convened by the Executive Committee upon receipt of a written request for such a meeting signed by at least eight members of the Club.

    2. Such a request shall state the reason (s) for the meeting and such reasons (s) shall be included on the agenda for that meeting.

    3. No business other than that on the agenda shall be discussed at the meeting.

15. General Meetings

    1. All members shall be given fourteen days’ notice of a General Meeting and such notice shall include the agenda for that meeting.

    2. No General Meeting shall proceed to business unless a quorum of eight members is present.

16. Club Policy

    1. A General Meeting of the Club shall determine the policy of the Club on any matter.

    2. Such policy may be altered by the Executive Committee if, since the adoption of that policy, circumstances have changed or information come to light that make that policy, in the opinion of the Executive Committee, less than optimal for the interests of the Club.

17. Ordinary Meetings.

    1. The Executive Committee may call an Ordinary Meeting of the Club at any time to discuss any business it deems necessary.

    2. An Ordinary Meeting shall not have the power to determine the policy of the Club, but the Executive Committee may take notice of any decision or recommendation arising from such a meeting.

18. Membership.

    Playing membership of the club shall be open on application to anyone between ages of 10 and 19 interested in lacrosse regardless of ability, disability, race, ethnicity, sexuality, nationality, religious belief or social/economic status.

    Parents of playing members will also become voting members on payment of their childs annual membership fee.

    All members will be subject to the regulations of the constitution and by joining the club will be deemed to accept these regulations and codes of practice that the club has adopted.

    The Executive Committee shall have the power, if satisfied that any member has been guilty of conduct considered detrimental to the interests of the Club, to censure, suspend or expel that member.

    Before such decision of the Executive Committee is implemented, the member shall be given the opportunity of stating their case and producing such evidences or witnesses as they may wish, in the light of which the Executive Committee may reconsider their decision.

    The Executive Committee may, after what is considered to be a reasonable time and in the absence of what it considers to be reasonable evidence to the contrary, deemed a member to have terminated their own membership by virtue of their non involvement in the affairs of the Club.

19. Rules and ruling

    1. A General Meeting shall interpret these Rules and adjudicate on any point not covered by them.

    2. Where such an interpretation or adjudication has not been expressed by a General Meeting, the Executive Committee shall have the power to make such interpretation or adjudication.

20. Rule Changes

    Any change to the rules shall be made by a General Meeting and shall be supported by a majority of at least two thirds of those voting and entitled to vote.

21. Child Protection

    The club will adopt and enforce the Policy set out by the English Lacrosse Association

22. Discipline and Appeals

    All concerns, allegations or reports of poor practice/abuse relating to the welfare of children and young people will be recorded and responded to swiftly and appropriately in accordance with the club’s child protection policy and procedures. The club welfare officer is the lead contact for all members in the event of any child protection concerns.

    All complaints regarding the behaviour of members should be presented and submitted in writing to the Secretary.

    The Management Committee will meet to hear complaints within 21 days of a complaint being lodged. The committee has the power to take appropriate disciplinary action including the termination of membership.

    The outcome of a disciplinary hearing should be notified in writing to the person who lodged the complaint and the member against whom the complaint was made within 7 days of the hearing.

    There will be the right of appeal to the Management Committee following disciplinary action being announced. The committee should consider the appeal within 14 days of the Secretary receiving the appeal.

23. Dissolution

    A resolution to dissolve the club can only be passed at an AGM or EGM through a majority vote of the membership.

    In the event of dissolution, any assets of the club that remain will become the property of the Old Caterhamians Lacrosse Club members