SWIM ENGLAND
CLUB CONSTITUTION
BEAVERS MASTERS BEDFORD SWIMMING CLUB
17th November 2022
RULES of Beavers Masters Bedford Swimming Club (“the Club”) as at 17tht November 2022
1. Name
1.1 The name of the Masters Club shall be Beavers Masters Bedford Swimming Club
2. Objects
2.1 The objects of the Club shall be the development and practice of swimming and open water for its members, (restricted to adults 18 years and over) and shall, where appropriate, be to compete. In the furtherance of these objects:
2.1.1 The Club is committed to treating everyone equally within the context of its activity and with due respect to the differences of individuals. It shall not apply nor endorse unlawful or unjustified discrimination and shall act in compliance with the protections afforded by the Equality Act 2010.
2.1.2 The Club shall implement the Swim England Equality Policy (as may be amended from time to time).
2.2 The Club shall be affiliated to Swim England East Region, and shall adopt and conform to the rules of Swim England East Region, and to such other bodies as the Club may determine from time to time.
2.3 The business and affairs of the Club shall at all times be conducted in accordance with the Articles, Regulations and Technical Rules of Swim England (“Swim England Regulations”) and in particular:
2.3.1 all competing members shall be eligible competitors as defined in Swim England Regulations; and
2.3.2 the Club shall in accordance with Swim England Regulations recognise that the welfare of members is everyone’s responsibility and that all members have a right to be safe and be protected from harm.
2.4 By virtue of the affiliation of the Club to Swim England East Region, the Club and all members of the Club acknowledge that they are subject to the regulations, rules and constitutions of:
2.4.1 Swim England Bedfordshire County Association; and
2.4.2 Swim England East Region; and
2.4.3 Swim England (to include the Code of Ethics); and
2.4.4 British Swimming (in particular its Anti-Doping Rules and Judicial Code); and
2.4.5 LEN, the European governing body for the aquatic sports; and
2.4.6 FINA, the World governing body for the sport of swimming in all its disciplines.
(together “the Governing Body Rules”).
2.5 In the event that there shall be any conflict between any rule or by-law of the Club and any of the Governing Body Rules then the relevant Governing Body Rule shall prevail.
3.1 The membership of the Club is limited to those that are 18 years or over. The total membership of the Club shall not normally be limited. If however the Committee considers that there is a good reason to impose any limit from time to time then the Committee shall put forward appropriate proposals for consideration at a General Meeting of the Club. The members shall have the right to impose (and remove) from time to time any limits on total membership (or any category of membership) of the Club.
3.2 Club membership consists of four parts all or some of which may have annual fees. The four parts with applicable fees to be paid by the due date are Club, County, Region and Swim England membership.
3.3 All persons who assist in any way with the Club’s activities shall become members of the Club and hence Swim England and the relevant Swim England membership fee shall be paid.
3.4 Paid individuals who are not members of the Club must be members of a body which accepts that its members are bound by Swim England’s Code of Ethics, Swim England Regulations relating to Wavepower where applicable, those parts of the Judicial Regulations and procedures necessary for their implementation and whilst engaged in activities under the jurisdiction of Swim England shall be subject to all the constraints and privileges of the Judicial Regulations.
3.5 Any person who wishes to become a member of the Club must submit a signed application to the Secretary. Election to membership shall be determined by the secretary but other person(s) authorised by the Committee may make recommendation as to the applicant’s acceptability.
3.6 Admission to membership shall be determined by the Club’s agreed process. In its consideration of applications for membership, the Club shall not act in a discriminatory manner and in particular, shall adhere to the Equality Act 2010 (as may be amended). Accordingly, (unless the Club chooses to restrict its membership to only people who share the same Protected Characteristic) the Club shall not refuse membership on the basis of a Protected Characteristic within the Equality Act 2010. Neither may refusal be made on the grounds of political persuasion.
3.7 The Club may refuse membership only for good and sufficient cause, such as conduct or character likely to bring the Club or the sport into disrepute, or, in the case of a swimmer, being unable to achieve the entry standards as laid down and provided by the Club to the applicant for membership. The Club shall be required to give reasons for the refusal of any application for membership. Any person refused membership may seek a review of this decision before a Review Panel.
4.1 The annual membership fee and coaching and squad fees (as applicable) shall be determined from time to time by the Committee and the Committee shall in so doing make special provision for different classes of membership as it shall determine
4.2 The annual Swim England, Region and County fees (if any) shall be due on joining the Club and thereafter on the 1st of January each year.
4.3 The Club shall inform all members of the fees payment structure and whether annual fees are paid in full or via an appointed scheme. Any member whose subscription is unpaid by the date falling 30 days after the due date for payment may be suspended by the Committee from some or all Club activities from a date to be determined by the Committee and until such payment is made.
4.4 The Committee shall, from time to time, have the power to determine the Club annual membership and other fees. This shall include the power to make such increase in the subscription and other fees. This shall include the power to make such increase in the subscription as shall, where the Club pays the individual Swim England membership fees to Swim England on behalf of members, be consequential upon an increase in individual Swim England membership fees. Any increase in subscriptions shall be advised to the members in writing with the reasons for any increase to be reported to the members at the next Annual General Meeting.
4.5 The Executive Officers (or the Committee) shall have the power in special circumstances to remit the whole or part of the fees, including the Swim England membership fees, to address issues of social inclusion.
5.1 A member wishing to resign membership of the Club must give to the Club Secretary written notice of their resignation via post or electronic means. A member’s resignation shall only take effect when this (Rule 5.1) has been complied with.
5.2 The member who resigns from the Club in accordance with Rule 5.1 above shall not be entitled to have any part of the annual membership fee or any other fees returned.
5.3 Notwithstanding the provisions of Rule 5.1 above a member whose subscription is more than two months in arrears shall be deemed to have resigned. Where the membership of a member shall be terminated in this way they shall be informed in writing that they are no longer a member by notice handed the them or sent by post to their last known address or by electronic means.
5.4 The Swim England Membership Department and the relevant Swim England Region shall be informed by the Club should a member resign or have their membership terminated when still owing money or goods to the Club.
6.1 The Committee shall have power to expel a member when, in its opinion, it would not be in the interests of the Club for the individual to remain a member. The Club in exercising this power shall comply with the provisions of Rules 6.3 and 6.4 below.
6.2 Upon expulsion the former member shall not be entitled to have any part of the annual Club membership fee refunded and must return any Club or external body’s property held.
6.3 The Club shall comply with the relevant Judicial Regulations (Regulations 150-155 inc) for handling Internal Club Disputes as the same may be revised from time to time.
6.4 A member may not be expelled or (subject to Rule 6.5 below) be made the subject of any other penalty unless the panel hearing the complaint shall unanimously vote in favour of the expulsion of (or other penalty imposed upon) the member.
6.5 The Officers of the Club (or any person to whom the Committee shall delegate this power) may temporarily suspend or exclude a member from particular training sessions and/or wider club activities, when in their opinion, such action is in the interests of the Club. Where such action is taken the incident or matter will thereafter be dealt with in accordance with the appropriate Judicial Regulations.
6.6 Swim England shall have power to temporarily suspend members or suspend members for a specified term in accordance with Judicial Regulations and Child Safeguarding Regulations as the same may be revised from time to time.
7.1 The Committee shall consist of the Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer (together “the Executive Officers of the Club”) and 2 elected members all of whom must be members of the Club. All Committee members must be not less than 18 years of age though the Committee may allow younger member(s) to attend their meetings without power to vote.
7.2 The Committee shall appoint a member of the Club as a point of contact for welfare, any welfare issues will be passed onto either the County or Regional Welfare Officer.
7.3 The Executive Officers and Committee members shall be proposed seconded and elected at the Annual General Meeting each year and shall remain in office until their successors are elected at the next Annual General Meeting and take office when the Chairman has closed the meeting. Any vacancy occurring by resignation or otherwise may be filled by the Committee. Retiring Executive Officers and members of the Committee shall be eligible for re-election.
7.4 Committee meetings shall be held at regular intervals and the quorum of that meeting shall be 50% of the number entitled to vote with at least one executive officer present. The Chairman and the Secretary shall have discretion to call further meetings of the Committee if they consider it to be in the interests of the Club. The Secretary shall give all the members of the Committee not less than two days oral notice of a meeting. Decisions of the Committee shall be made by a simple majority (and in the event of equality of votes the Chairman (or the acting Chairman of that meeting) shall have a casting or additional vote.) The Secretary, or in their absence a member of the Committee, shall take minutes.
7.5 In the event that a quorum is not present within 30 minutes of the stated start time, a meeting shall stand adjourned to the time and date falling seven days after the date of the meeting, or such other date and time as may be determined by the Chairman. If a quorum is not present at the adjourned meeting then those Committee members attending may act for the purpose of calling a Special General Meeting of the members, to which the provisions as to minimum notice contained in Rule 10.2 shall not apply.
7.6 In addition to the members so elected the Committee may co-opt up to 2 further members of the Club who shall serve until the next Annual General Meeting. Co-opted members shall not be entitled to vote at the meetings of the Committee and shall not be counted in establishing whether a quorum is present.
7.7 The Committee may from time to time appoint from among their number such sub-committees as they may consider necessary (and to remove (in whole or in part) or vary the terms of reference of such sub-committees) and may delegate to them such of the powers and duties of the Committee as the Committee may determine. All sub-committees shall periodically report their proceedings to the Committee and shall conduct their business in accordance with the directions of the Committee.
7.8 The Committee shall be responsible for the management of the Club and shall have the sole right of appointing and determining the terms and conditions of service of employees of the Club. The Committee shall have power to enter into contracts for the purposes of the Club on behalf of all the members of the Club. The Committee shall be responsible for ensuring that the Accounts of the Club for each financial year be examined by an independent examiner to be appointed by the members in General Meeting.
7.9 The members of the Committee shall be entitled to an indemnity out of the assets of the Club for all expenses and other liabilities properly incurred by them in the management of the affairs of the Club.
7.11 The Committee shall have power to make regulations, create by-laws (see Rule 13.1) and to settle disputed points not otherwise provided for in this Constitution. The Committee shall retain all financial records relating to the Club and copies of minutes of all meetings for a minimum period of six years.
8.1 The Annual General Meeting of the Club, if it thinks fit, may elect a President and Vice-Presidents. A President or Vice-President need not be a member of the Club on election but shall, ex officio, be an honorary member of the Club and must be included in the Club’s Annual Return of Members to Swim England.
8.2 The Committee may elect any person as an honorary member of the Club for a such period of time it thinks fit, or as a Life Member, and they shall be entitled to all the privileges of membership except that they shall not be entitled to vote at meetings and serve as Officers or on the Committee unless any such person shall have retained in addition their ordinary membership of the Club. Such honorary members and Life Members must be included in the Club’s annual return.
8.3 Such honorary members and life members must be elected at the Annual General Meeting, confirmed annually and be included in the Club’s annual return as to membership. A Club may commit to paying all relevant Swim England and Club membership fees on behalf of the honorary or life member upon election at the Annual General Meeting.
8.4 Honorary and/or life memberships may only be removed at an Annual General Meeting of the Club, when it shall be properly proposed in accordance with these Rules.
8.5 A minimum of 21 days in advance of the Annual General Meeting, the Committee shall write to all holders of honorary and/or life membership effected by the above proposal drawing the proposal to their attention and inviting them to attend the Annual General Meeting. Reasons for the proposal will be circulated with the agenda.
9.1 The Annual General Meeting of the Club shall be held each year on a date in November. The date, time and venue / online option for the Annual General Meeting shall be fixed by the Committee.
9.2 For the purpose of participation in voting at an Annual General Meeting of the Club, all persons shall have been a member as at the membership deadline day which is the date of closure of nominations and submission of proposals.
9.3 The purpose of the Annual General Meeting is to transact the following business:
9.3.1 to receive the Chairman’s report of the activities of the Club during the previous year;
9.3.2 to receive and consider the accounts of the Club for the previous year and the report
on the accounts of the independent examiner and the Treasurer's report as to the
financial position of the Club;
9.3.3 to remove and elect the independent examiner (who must not be a member of the
Committee or a member of the family of a member of the Committee) or confirm that
he/she remain in office;
9.3.4 to elect the Executive Officers and other members of the Committee;
9.3.5 to decide on the dissolution of existing honorary and/or Life membership categories;
9.3.6 to decide on any resolution which may be duly submitted in accordance with Rule
9.6.
9.4 For the Annual General Meeting the Secretary shall be responsible for sending to each member at his/her last known postal or electronic address a written agenda giving notice of the date, time and venue of the General Meeting no later than 28 days prior to the published date. The Notice of Meeting shall in addition wherever possible be displayed on the Club Notice Board where one exists.
9.5 Nominations for election of members to any office or for membership of the Committee shall be made in writing by the proposer and seconder to the Secretary not later than 21 days prior to the published date of the meeting. Both proposer and seconder must be a fully paid member of the Club and Swim England at the time of nomination. The nominee shall be required to indicate in writing on the nomination form his/her willingness to stand for election.
9.6 Any member shall be entitled to put any proposal for consideration at an Annual General Meeting provided the proposal in writing is received by Secretary not later than 21 days prior to the published date of the meeting.
9.7 No less than 14 days before the published meeting date, together with the resolutions to be proposed, a list of the nominees for the Committee posts and a copy of the examined accounts will be circulated to all Club members.
10.1 A Special General Meeting may be called at any time by the Committee at a committee meeting.
10.2 A Special General Meeting shall be called by the Committee and held within 28 days of receipt by the Secretary of a requisition in writing signed by not less than seven members entitled to vote at a General Meeting or, if greater, such number as represents one-tenth in number of such members, stating the purposes for which the meeting is required and the resolutions proposed.
10.3 For the purpose of participation in voting at a Special General Meeting of the Club, all persons shall have been a member as at the membership deadline day which is the date that the requisition for the meeting was made by the Committee or members.
10.4 In the case of a Special General Meeting the Secretary shall be responsible for sending to each member at his/her last known postal or electronic address a written agenda giving notice of the date, time and venue no later than 21 days prior to the date agreed by the Committee following the requisition submitted stating the purposes for which the meeting is required and the resolutions proposed.
11.1 The Committee can decide to hold the Annual or Special General Meeting virtually, using such electronic and video technology as it sees fit.
11.2 The quorum for the Annual and Special General Meetings shall be seven members entitled to vote at the Meeting or, if greater, such number as represents one-tenth in number of such members.
11.3 The Chairman, or in the Chairman’s absence a member appointed by the Committee shall take the chair. Each member present shall have one vote and resolutions shall be passed by a simple majority. In the event of an equality of votes the Chairman shall have a casting or additional vote.
11.4 Only paid up members shall be entitled to be heard and to vote on all matters.
11.5 The Secretary, or in his/her absence a member of the Committee, shall take minutes at the Annual and Special General Meetings.
11.6 The appointed Chairman of the meeting shall have unlimited authority upon every question of order and shall be, for the purpose of such meeting, the sole interpreter of the Rules of the Club.
12. Alteration of the Rules and Other Resolutions
12.1 The Rules may be altered by resolution at an Annual or Special General Meeting provided that the resolution is carried by a majority of at least (two-thirds) of members present and entitled to vote at the General Meeting. No amendment(s) to the Rules shall become effective until such amendment(s) shall have been submitted to and validated by such person as is authorised to do so by Swim England East Region.
13.1 The Committee shall have power to make, repeal and amend such by-laws as they may from time to time consider necessary for the well being of the Club. Such regulations, by-laws, repeals and amendments shall have effect until set aside by the Committee or at a General Meeting. The Committee shall have power to settle disputed points not otherwise provided for in this Constitution
14.1 All moneys payable to the Club shall be received by the Treasurer and deposited in a bank account in the name of the Club.
14.2 No sum shall be drawn from that account except by the method agreed by the Committee which includes a minimum of two authorisations. Any monies not required for immediate use may be invested as the Committee in its discretion think fit.
14.3 The income and property of the Club shall be applied only in furtherance of the objects of the Club and no part thereof shall be paid by way of bonus, dividend or profit to any members of the Club, (save as set out in Rule 17.3.).
14.4 The Committee shall have power to authorise the payment of remuneration and expenses to any Officer, member or employee of the Club and to any other person or persons for services rendered to the Club.
14.5 The financial transactions of the Club shall be recorded by the Treasurer in such manner as the Committee thinks fit.
14.6 The financial year of the Club shall be the period commencing on 1st November and ending on 31st October. Any change to the financial year shall require the approval of the members in a General Meeting.
15.1 The Committee may not borrow money on behalf of the Club.
17.1 A resolution to dissolve the Club shall only be proposed at a General Meeting and shall be carried by a majority of at least three - quarters of the members present and entitled to vote. A specific date for the dissolution shall be included in the resolution.
17.2 The dissolution shall take effect from the date specified in the resolution and the members of the Committee shall be responsible for the winding-up of the assets and liabilities of the Club.
17.3 Any property remaining after the discharge of the debts and liabilities of the Club shall be given to a charity or charities (or other non-profit making organisation having objects similar to those of the Club for the furtherance of such objects) nominated by the last Committee.
18.1 The Members acknowledge that these Rules constitute a legally binding contract to regulate the relationship of the members with each other and the Club.
18.2 This constitution must be readily available to all club members. This may be via posting on the Club website or shared with members annually at time of membership renewal.
18.2 The following statement must appear on Club membership renewal forms and is to be signed by the member
“I acknowledge receipt of the rules of Beavers Masters Bedford Swimming Club and
confirm my understanding and acceptance that such rules (as amended from time to time)
shall govern my membership of the Club. I further acknowledge and accept the
responsibilities of membership upon members as set out in these rules.”