Constitution

The Objectives of the club
a) The objective of the club is to promote the amateur sport of cricket in the Cowes area and community participation in the same,
b) The provision and maintenance of the club premises at Park Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight, for the object of playing cricket,
c) The other advantages and benefits usually associated with a cricket club
d) To promote the licensing objectives in relation to qualifying club activities under the Licensing Act 2003 (“LA 2003”)

3.COLOURS

The Club recognised colours shall be light blue and chocolate.

4.MANAGEMENT

4.1The Club shall be managed by a General Committee comprising a President, The Hon General Secretary, Membership Secretary, Fixture Secretary, Treasurer, Club Welfare Officer, Eight Representatives from the Cricket Teams, Eight Members and one Vice President (All who have at least one years full membership)
4.2The General Committee shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting (“A.G M”).
4.3In meetings of the General Committee Five shall form a Quorum
4.4The Eight representatives from the Cricket Teams shall be elected at a meeting of the playing members prior to the A.G.M. and their names presented at the A.G.M.
4.5Should any vacancy occur among the Officers or Committee of the Club during the year, either by resignation or otherwise, the Committee shall have the power to accept resignation and fill up vacancies until the next Annual General Meeting takes place. No member to be elected in his absence unless by prior agreement and in writing to the Hon. Gen. Secretary.

5.SECRETARY

The Hon. Gen. Secretary shall be the executive or agent of the General Committee, with full power to act in all matters within the province of the General Committee, and whenever he/she anticipates the consent of the Committee, he/she shall apply as early as possible for that consent.
The Secretary of the club will be aware of his/her responsibilities under the Licensing Act 2003.

6.TREASURER

The Treasurer shall pay all monies received by the Club from any source whatever, without any deduction for any purpose whatever, to the credit of an account opened in the name of the Club at such bank and in such manner as the General Committee may direct, and further, shall keep such accounts and pay such debts of the Club as the General Committee shall direct, and shall, when required to do so, render to the General Committee, or a General Meeting, an account of any monies received and expended by him/her.

7.MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY

The Membership Secretary shall be responsible for the collection and banking of all subscriptions. Keeping an up-to-date list of all members, with their address, and a subscription book in which shall be recorded the payments of such members. He/she is also responsible for keeping upon the Club premises a register of the names and addresses of the Club members. He/she must also notify any member/s who are in default on the last day of May by post.

8.FIXTURE SECRETARY

The Fixture Secretary shall arrange matches. The team captain from members of the club shall arrange the teams chosen to play on any particular day.

9.MEMBERSHIP

9.1Membership of the Club shall be open to anyone interested in the sport on application regardless of sex, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, religion or other beliefs. However, limitation of membership according to available facilities is allowable on a non- discriminatory basis.
9.2The Club may have different classes of membership and subscription on a non- discriminatory and fair basis. The Club will keep subscriptions at levels that will not pose a significant obstacle to people participating.
9.3The Club General Committee may refuse membership, or remove it, only for good cause such as conduct or character likely to bring the Club or sport into disrepute. Appeal against refusal or removal may be made to the members.
9.4Any person wishing to become a member shall be proposed and seconded (one of which to be a serving General Committee member). Election of which to take place at a General or Committee Meeting, and duly notified of their election by receiving a copy of the Club rules, and membership card.
9.5All applications for membership must be accompanied by the relevant entrance fee and subscriptions, which will be returned if the application is unsuccessful.
9.6Temporary membership is available for a 4-week period to member’s relations/friends who are non-residents of the Isle of Wight no more than twice a year.
9.7Junior Playing Membership is available to persons aged 9 to 18 who wish to learn and participate in the playing of cricket, after which they may apply for full membership.
9.8Members of the Club who are in receipt of State Retirement Pension and who have 5 full years membership qualify for the concessionary rate of annual subscription.
9.9Persons may not be admitted to membership, without an interval of at least 2 days between their nomination or application for membership and their admission, nor any person becoming members without prior nomination or application be admitted to the privileges of membership without an interval of at least 2 days between their becoming members and their admission.
9.10Members may introduce visitors. The same visitor may not be introduced more than twelve times a year and not more than twice in any calendar month. Members must enter the names of their visitors in the Visitors Book and sign their own name against the entry. The member shall be responsible for the conduct of his visitor or visitors and also for any damage to the property of the Northwood Cricket Club caused by the visitor
9.11There may be admitted to the Club premises (in addition to members and their guests under Rule 9.9 and 9.10) members and guests from another qualifying club. Intoxicating liquor may be supplied to such persons (provided they are over the age of 18 years) by or on behalf of the Club for consumption on the premises.

10.ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION AND ENTRANCE FEE

10.1The rate for annual subscriptions will be posted in the Club. The General Committee who have the power to amend as and when necessary will review these annually
10.2Annual Subscriptions are due on the 1st May in each year.
10.3Any member who is still in default on the 1st June following may have his/her name posted on the Club Notice Board until the 30th June, after which his/her name will be removed from the list of members, provided notification of default with Rule 7 has been given.

11. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

11.1The Annual General Meeting shall be held in March each year. At least 14 days notice of the meeting will be given, and the meeting shall be for the following purpose: -
11.1.1Adopting the Club Accounts, appointing The President, Vice President, Honorary Life Members, Auditors etc, electing the Officers of the Club and electing General Committee members.
11.1.2Discussing Any Other Business, due notice of which has been received by the Hon. Gen. Secretary within 14 days of the Annual General Meeting Settling Points of Discussion for first Meeting of Committee.
11.2 It shall be sufficient to post the Agenda only in the Club premises.
11.3 Providing information on finances of the club (s62 (2)(c) LA 2003)

12. EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING

12.1An Extraordinary General Meeting shall be called by the Honorary General Secretary in the following cases: -
12.1.1Upon the direction of the General Committee and in accordance with such directions
12.1.2On a requisition stating the object thereof signed by 15 fully paid up, full members of the Club with at least 1 year’s membership (or if the total membership of the Club is less than 75, one fifth of said total) two thirds of which will attend the meeting.
12.2. The Honorary General Secretary of the requisition shall hold such meetings not less than 14 and not more than 21 days from the receipt.
12.3Notice of any Extraordinary Meeting and the object for which it is called, shall be posted by the Honorary General Secretary in the Club at least ten days prior to the date of the meeting.
Should the Hon. Gen. Secretary not convene an Extraordinary Meeting in the manner required hereby, within 14 clear days after a duly signed requisition has been delivered to him/her any of the persons who requested such a meeting may call such a meeting, giving such notice as is provided by this rule.
12.4No other business than that named in the notice shall be brought before an Extraordinary Meeting

13.CLUB HOURS OPENING AND CLOSING

The Club shall be opened and closed in accordance with the conditions of the Club Premises Certificate and operate with a view to promoting the licensing objectives.

14.SALE OF INTOXICATING LIQUOR

14.1 Intoxicating liquor may be supplied to members and their guests by or on behalf of the club for consumption on the clubs premises.
14.2 Both members and their guests must pay the appropriate charge as fixed by the committee
14.3 All members of an opposing club shall, on the days the respective Clubs play on the Club Ground, be entitled to use the Club on that day or days as a guest. Intoxicating liquor may be supplied to such persons for the consumption on the premises provided they are at least 18 years of age.
14.4 Intoxicating liquor for consumption off the club premises may be supplied to members only.

15.VOTING

15.1Only fully paid up full members, 18 years and over may vote at a General Meeting and are eligible to serve on the General Committee.
15.2Only fully paid up members, 16 years and over at the date thereof may vote at a Players Meeting.
15.3Where voting is by Ballot, voting for more than the correct number of candidates invalidates the voting paper.

16. ALTERATION TO RULES

Any alteration, addition or variation of these rules shall be made at the Annual General Meeting of the Club, or at an Extraordinary Meeting specially convened for the purpose. Notice in writing of the intended alteration, variation or addition must be given to the Hon. Gen. Secretary at least 21 days before the Annual General Meeting or Extraordinary Meeting of the Club, and the Hon. Gen. Secretary shall incorporate the same in the notice of the meeting. Any alterations, additions or variations applied in this rule to be effective from date of acceptance. Any amendments shall require the vote of at least two thirds of the members present at such meeting.
In the event of any alteration, addition or variation of the club rules, the Secretary must give the relevant licensing authority notice of the change within 28 days.

17.AUDITOR

The Accounts of the Club shall be made up annually to the end of December and audited by a qualified auditor who is to be appointed at the Annual General Meeting.

18. COMMITTEE

18.1The General Committee shall at its first meeting following the Annual General Meeting, appoint a sub-committee to be known as the bar Committee which shall be composed of at least three members elected to the General Committee. The purchase for the Club and the supply by the Club of intoxicating liquors shall be under the control and management of the bar Committee who shall arrange for the purchase thereof and supply to the members at such prices as may from time to time be determined by them.
The General Committee has authority decide the club operating schedule in line with the licensing objectives
18.2Intoxicants shall not be sold to or consumed by persons less than 18 years of age.
18.3The General Committee shall, on the advice of the Bar Committee, have power to make such lawful By-laws as they may think necessary for the proper conduct of the Bar and may alter, amend or rescind such rules from time to time having regard to the licensing objectives.
Any alteration in the By-laws must, however, be lawful and notified to the relevant Licensing Authority within 28 days as stated in rule 16. . The rules and any alterations thereto shall be permanently exhibited in the Clubhouse.
18.4The General Committee must appoint a Sub-committee known as the House Committee which shall be composed of at least three members elected to the General Committee for the general upkeep and maintenance of the clubhouse, also the supervision of the cleaning staff.
18.5The General Committee must appoint a sub-committee known as the Ground Committee which shall be composed of at least three members elected to the General Committee for the general upkeep and maintenance of the ground, ground equipment, hedges and fences, also the supervision of ground staff
18.6The General Committee shall have the power to nominate Honorary Members and Vice-Presidents to be approved by the AGM.
18.7The General Committee shall elect their Chairman from their number annually at the first meeting after the Annual General Meeting, and shall have power to elect sub-committees and depute such duties as they consider being beneficial to the management of the Club.
18.8The General Committee shall meet at least once in each calendar month. The Chairman shall have at all meetings a second or casting vote.
18.9 The General Committee shall have the power to make such orders as it may consider necessary for the good government and order of the Club, provided that no such orders shall conflict with any of the Club rules. A copy of all such orders to be posted in a conspicuous place within the Clubhouse.

19.EXPULSION OF MEMBERS

The General Committee shall have the power by vote of at least two thirds of those present and entitled to vote to terminate the Membership of any Member whose behaviour they reasonably consider to be contrary to the welfare and good conduct of the Club. Such Member shall first be given, if he/she so desires, the opportunity of appearing in person before the General Committee. Such member shall have the right of appeal to an Extraordinary General Meeting which shall be specially called for the purpose; and he/she may have the assistance of a member of the Committee or of the Club to help in his /her appeal if he/she so wishes.

20.FINANCE

20.1All monies received shall be deposited in the Club’s bank account.
20.2 Cheques drawn on the Club’s bank account shall be signed by Treasurer and any one of two members of the General Committee nominated by it for that purpose.
20.3Any removal of cash from the Club premises shall be done so only on two signatures of members of the General Committee.

21.BORROWING

If at any time, the Club in General Meeting shall pass a resolution authorising the officers and Committee referred to in Rule (4) (the Managing Committee) to borrow money, the Managing Committee shall thereupon be empowered to borrow either at one time or from time to time at such rate of interest and in such form and manner and upon such security (if any) as shall be specified in such Resolution and thereupon the Managing Committee shall make all dispositions of the Club property or any part thereof and enter into such Agreements in relation thereto as the Managing Committee may deem proper for giving security for such loans and interest.
21.1ALL members of the Club, whether voting on such resolution or not, and all persons becoming members of the Club after passing of such resolution shall be deemed to have assented to the same as if they had voted in favour of such resolution. (Any Agreement for borrowing which the Management Committee is empowered to enter into under this Rule shall be signed on behalf of the Club by the President, the Treasurer and two other members of the Committee).

22.CLUB PROPERTY AND FUNDS

22.1Members shall not take or be permitted to be taken away from any of the Club premises or ground on any pretence whatever, (except for away playing teams in respect of cricket gear only or as such authorised by the Committee), nor shall they damage or destroy any pamphlet, books or any other article being the property of the Club, or loaned to the Club, but shall do their utmost to preserve and protect all the property and interests of the Club at all times. The Management Committee shall have the power to require any member who has damaged Club property to make good such damage to its entire satisfaction.
22.2The property and funds of the Club cannot be used for the direct or indirect private benefit of members other than as reasonably allowed by the Rules and all surplus income or profits are reinvested in the Club.
22.3The Club may provide sporting and related social facilities, sporting equipment, coaching, courses, insurance cover, medical treatment, away-match expenses, post match refreshments and other ordinary benefits of Community Amateur Sports Clubs as provided for in the Finance Act 2002.
22.4The Club may also in connection with the sports purposes of the Club:
(a)Sell and supply food in accordance with the operating scheduled, non-alcoholic drink and related sports clothing and equipment;
(b)Employ members (though not for playing) and remunerate them for providing goods and services, on fair terms set by the General Committee without the person concerned being present;
(c)Pay for reasonable hospitality for visiting teams and guests;
(d)Indemnify the Committee and members acting properly in the course of the running of the Club against any liability incurred in the proper running of the Club (but only to the extent of its assets).
22.5The Committee will have due regard to the law on disability discrimination and child protection.
22.6The committee will have regard to the Licensing Act 2003;
Regulations and Guidance when making decisions on matters that may affect the following:
22.6.1The prevention of crime and disorder;
22.6.2Public Safety
22.6.3The prevention of public nuisance; and
22.6.4The Club adopts the Safe Hands Welfare of Young People in Cricket Policy issued by the England and Wales Cricket Board.

23.CAR PARK

All vehicles parked in the Club car park are done so at vehicle owner’s risk. The Club will incur no responsibility for any damage whatsoever.

24.SUGGESTIONS AND COMPLAINTS

ALL suggestions and complaints should be made in writing and sent to the Honorary General Secretary to put forward to the General Committee at its next Committee Meeting.

25.MISCONDUCT ON THE FIELD

Any incident of misconduct by a player on or about the field of play may be reported to the Secretary or a member of the General Committee, which shall have the power to admonish, suspend or otherwise deal with such matter as it, thinks fit. The General Committee shall have similar power in the case of any incident reported by spectators.

26.WINDING UP THE CLUB

26.1The members may vote to wind up the Club if not less than three quarters of those present and voting support that proposal at a properly convened General Meeting.
26.2The Committee will then be responsible for the orderly winding up of the Club’s affairs.
26.3After settling all liabilities of the Club, the Committee shall dispose of the net assets remaining to one or more of the following:
(a)To another Club with similar sports purposes which is a registered charity and/or
(b)To another Club with similar sports purposes which is a registered CASC and/or
(c)To the Club’s governing body for use by them for related community sports.

27.PRIORITY

Where there is any conflict between any of the above Rules, (“key Rules”) and any other rules the key Rule(s) will take priority. Interpretation of all the Rules must be consistent with the statutory requirements for CASCs (which means Community Amateur Sports Clubs as first provided for by the Finance Act 2002).

28.CORRESPONDENCE

All correspondence to be addressed to: -

HON. GEN. SECRETARY
Northwood Cricket Club
Recreation Ground
Park Road
Cowes
Isle of Wight
PO31 7NN

Tel: - STD (01983) 293557

Approved by an Extraordinary Meeting of the Club on Wednesday the 27th July 2005