Constitution
1. NAME, OBJECTS & POWERS
1. Name
The Society shall be called the “Oakham Rugby Football Club Limited.
2. Definitions
Except where the context otherwise permits or requires, the words and expressions listed in the
Schedule of Definitions set out in Rule 34 shall bear the meanings given to them therein.
3. Objects
The objects of the Club shall be:
3.1 To promote, encourage and foster the amateur Game for the benefit of the Members including
(but not limited to) the coaching thereof at all levels.
3.2 To promote, encourage and foster the amateur Game at all levels in the area of the Ground and
the surrounding areas and to promote, encourage and foster community participation in the same.
3.3 To ensure that the Game is played in accordance with the Laws of the Game and is administered
in accordance with the IRFB Regulations and the Rules of the Union.
3.4 To undertake such matches — fixtures and other activities as the Committee may decide.
3.5 To maintain and develop the Ground at The Showground, Barleythorpe Road or such other
location as the Committee may from time to time determine as the headquarters of the Club and as a
venue for playing the game and conducting the other activities of the Club so as to provide the best
possible facilities for Members and those visiting the Ground, to strengthen the bonds between the
Club and the local community in the areas surrounding the Club.
4. Powers of the Club
To further its objects the Club shall have the power to do all such things as arc incidental or
conducive to the objects of the Club including (but not limited to) all or any of the following:
4.1 Either directly or indirectly to employ, invest and deal with the assets and funds of the Club for
the objects of the Club in such manner as shall be considered by the Committee to be expedient, and
to do all such other acts and things and carry on all such other activities (including (but not limited
to) leasing, subleasing, releasing, renting, acquiring, altering, erecting, holding, selling, improving,
developing, repairing, hiring, lending with or without security or otherwise dealing with real and
personal property of any kind) as shall be considered by the Committee to be necessary or expedient
for the purposes of the Club or the advancement of its interests.
4.2.1 To raise or borrow money for the purposes of or in connection with the activities of the Club or
any of them as the Committee thinks fit in accordance with the following provisions:
4.2.2 At the time of any borrowing the sum of the amount then remaining undischarged of monies
borrowed and of the amount of the proposed borrowing shall not exceed 1000,000 pounds or such
sum as the Members in General Meeting may from time to time determine.
4.2.3 The rate of interest payable at the time the terms of borrowing are agreed on any money
borrowed shall not exceed the rate of interest which in the opinion of the Committee represents the
market rate of interest for borrowings of similar amount and on similar terms prevailing at that time
except that in the case of a mortgage loan the Committee may delegate the determination of the
interest rate within specified limits to an Officer, Committee Member or Sub-Committee.
Revision 1 dated 26 January 2006 Page 2 of 14
4.2.4 The Committee may determine from time to time (subject to Rules 4.2.1, 4.2.2 and 4.2.3) the
terms and condition upon which money is raised or borrowed or security is issued and may vary
such terms and conditions.
4.2.5 No person lending money to the Club shall be concerned to see or enquire whether either of the
limits imposed by Rule 4.2.2 or Rule 4.2.3 is exceeded at the tine of the borrowing or issue and if
either or both of such limits were to be exceeded no borrowing incurred in excess of such limits shall
be invalid unless such person had received express notice to this effect at the time of borrowing
4.3 To give any security or securities whether by way of mortgage or otherwise for the performance
of any contracts or any debts, liabilities or obligations of the Club or any of its subsidiaries or other
persons or corporations in whose business or undertaking the Cub is interested, or to whom or in
respect of whom the Club has given any personal covenant, guarantee or indemnity, whether directly
or indirectly, and collaterally or further to secure any obligation of whatever nature of the Club by a
trust deed or other assurance.
4.4 To accept and grant sponsorship and franchises and make such arrangements in connection
therewith as the Committee shall think fit.
4.5 To apply for and hold any licences, consents, certificates, permissions and approvals that may be
required for or in connection with the activities of the Club and (among other things) to provide
catering and such other facilities as the Committee shall consider desirable.
4.6 To invite, receive and make donation for or otherwise promote or assist in the development or
continuance of facilities for, or the prestige of the Game or any other sport or recreation.
4.7 To support (whether by direct subscription, the giving of guarantees or otherwise) any charitable,
benevolent or educational fund, institution or organisation, or any event or purpose of a public or
general nature, the support of which will or may, in the opinion of the Committee, directly or
indirectly benefit, or is calculated so to benefit, the Club or its activities or its employees, exemployees,
players, former players or their dependants
4.8 To promote, arrange and organise competitions and entertainments in connection with the Game
and any other Sport or recreation.
4.9 To engage such officials and employees upon such terms and at such remuneration as the
Committee may deem appropriate, and to dismiss or retire any of them as may be necessary.
4.10 To provide pensions, insurances and other benefits to employees or ex-employees of the Club
or the dependants and relatives of any such persons and to establish and maintain or concur in
establishing and maintaining trusts, funds, schemes or other arrangements (whether contributory or
non-contributory) with a view to providing such benefits including (but not limited to) retirement
benefits and/or life assurance schemes.
4.11 To maintain bank accounts in credit or overdrawn on such terms as the Committee shall think
fit including the giving of guarantees and indemnities in respect of direct debits and other money
transmission or collection systems whether pursuant to Rule 15.5 or otherwise.
4.12 To pass such resolutions, regulations and instructions which shall be binding on all Members as
are considered necessary for the better management, organisation, administration and regulation of
the Club.
4.13 To settle, conduct, enforce or resist either in a court of law or by arbitration any suit, debt,
liability or claim by or against the Club.
Revision 1 dated 26 January 2006 Page 3 of 14
II. MEMBERSHIP
5 Members
5.1 The members of the Club shall be the persons whose names are for the time being entered in the
Register of Members
5.2 Membership of the Club shall be open to anyone interested in the Game on application
regardless of sex, age, disability, nationality, sexual orientation, religion or other beliefs. However,
limitation of membership according to available facilities is allowable on a non-discriminatory basis.
The Club may have different classes of membership on a non-discriminatory and fair basis but
always on the basis that every Member shall have one vote. The Club will keep subscriptions at
levels that will not pose a significant obstacle to people participating Details of categories,
qualifications, application procedures and conditions, duties and privileges of membership in force
from time to time shall be kept by the Honorary Secretary and shall be available for inspection by
Members at all reasonable times,
5.3 Details of any entrance fee and the subscription payable by each category of membership as
determined under Rule 16 shall be kept as in Rule 5.2 by the Honorary Secretary.
5.4 The Committee may refuse membership , or remove it, only for good cause such as conduct or
character likely to bring the Club or Game into disrepute. Appeal against refusal or removal may be
made to the Members.
5.5 The Committee may elect (subject to confirmation at the next following Annual General Meeting
of the Club) as an Honorary Member of the Club any person, whether an existing Member or not,
whose membership whether for services to the Club, to the Game or for any other reason the
Committee considers to be especially desirable in the interests of the Club. An Honorary Member
shall be a Member with all the rights, duties and privileges of membership of the Club but without
any obligation to pay an entrance fee or subscription. The Committee shall have power to terminate
the honorary membership of any person at any time if it considers such action to be in the interests
of the Club so to do.
5.6 No person may be accepted as a candidate for membership under the age of sixteen years and the
purported admission of a person under the age of sixteen years shall be void.
5.7 The Committee shall have power to create a class of persons called Juniors or with such other
title as the Committee may decide using as criteria age, ticket holding or otherwise as it shall think
fit. Such persons shall not be Members within these Rules and they shall have such rights, privileges
and obligations as the Committee shall decide. Any person recognised in this class shall cease to be
entitled to such recognition on attaining the age of eighteen years.
5.8 It shall be the duty of every Member to advise the Honorary Secretary promptly of each change
of address. All notices and letters dispatched by post to a Member at the address registered in the
Register of Members (which shall be conclusive proof thereof) shall be deemed to have been
properly delivered pursuant to Rule 31.
5.9 A Member may resign from the Club at any time by giving to the Honorary Secretary written
notice of the intention so to do provided that the Member shall remain liable for all monies then due
and owing to the Club.
Revision 1 dated 26 January 2006 Page 4 of 14
5.10 The President or Honorary Secretary or any person appointed by either of them shall have the
power to order the withdrawal from the Ground of any Member who is in breach of any of these
Rules, any Regulation or any Rule or Regulation of the Union which is applicable to the Ground or
its use by Members or who otherwise is, in the opinion of the President or Honorary Secretary or
their appointee or appointees, guilty of misconduct.
5.11 The Committee shall have power to terminate or suspend for such period as it thinks fit the
membership of or to reprimand a Member for any infringement of these Rules, any Regulations, the
Rules or Regulations of the Union, the Laws of the Game or the IRFB Regulations or for any
conduct prejudicial to the interests of the Club or the Game. The procedure for the exercise of this
power shall be prescribed by the Committee and details thereof shall be kept by the Honorary
Secretary and be available for inspection by Members at all reasonable times.
5.12 A Member shall cease to be a Member:
5.12.1 On resignation.
5.12.2 On termination of membership by the Committee.
5.12.3 On death.
5.13 Each person who is in membership with the Club at the date these Rules take effect pursuant to
Rule 26 shall be admitted to membership in accordance with Rule 5.4 and any person in membership
at that date under the age of sixteen years shall be granted the status of a Junior in accordance with
Rule 5.7.
6. Share Capital
6.1 The capital of the Club shall consist of shares of the value of five pence each.
6.2 Every Member of whatever category shall hold one share and not more in the capital of the Club.
No person who is not a Member shall be issued with a share.
6.3 Each Member of the Club at the date these Rules take effect pursuant to Rule 26 (other than
those under the age of sixteen years) shall be allotted one share and five pence of the subscription
then next paid by each Member shall be applied in paying up the same in full.
6.4 Any Member admitted to membership after the date on which these Rules take effect shall be
allotted one share on admission and five pence of the first subscription paid by such Member shall
be applied in paying up the same in full.
6.5 In the case of a share allotted to an Honorary Member either upon these Rules taking effect or
upon admission to membership thereafter pursuant to Rule 5.5 such share shall be credited as fully
paid by way of a capitalisation of any profits of the reserves of the Club and the Committee shall
have power to take all steps necessary to give effect to this Rule.
6.6 No share shall be held jointly, be withdrawable or be transferable by any Member and no
interest, dividend or bonus shall be payable on any share. Any Member transferring or attempting to
transfer a share or any interest therein or any rights associated therewith shall, if the Committee so
decided. be deemed to have resigned from the Club as from the date of such transfer or attempted
transfer.
6.7 The share of a Member shall be forfeited to the Club when that Member for whatever reason
ceases to be a Member and any amount then due to the Member in respect of such share shall
thereupon become the property of the Club.
Revision 1 dated 26 January 2006 Page 5 of 14
6.8 The Club shall not be required to issue a certificate to any member in respect of the share allotted
to that Member.
III GENERAL MEETINGS
7. General Meetings
7.1 All General Meetings shall be held at the Ground or elsewhere as the Committee may determine
and any such meeting other than an Annual General Meeting shall be called a Special General
Meeting,
7.2 The Chairman of all such meetings shall be the President of the Club or if unavailable the
Immediate past President or if unavailable a Member of the Committee appointed at the Meeting
concerned to take the Chair for that Meeting.
7.3 Every Member shall be entitled to attend and vote at any General Meeting. The procedure for the
casting of votes shall be determined by the Chairman of the Meeting.
7.4 The quorum at any General Meeting shall be 20 Members.
7.5 If within thirty minutes after the time appointed for a General Meeting a quorum is not present,
the Meeting, if convened on the requisition of Members, shall be dissolved, and in every other case it
will stand adjourned to such other day and at such time and place, or be dissolved, as the Committee
shall determine.
7.6 All resolutions shall be decided by a majority of votes recorded except where:
7.6.1 These Rules provide for a special resolution which shall require a majority of at least twothirds
of the votes recorded, or
7.6.2 A resolution is put to an Annual General Meeting as contemplated by Rule 8.1.8.2 in which
case the provisions of the Act as to voting shall apply.
7.7 A declaration by the Chairman of a General Meeting to the effect that a particular resolution has
been passed or not or passed by a particular majority or not shall (subject to the Act) be final and
binding on all Members.
7.8 A General Meeting shall not be invalidated by reason only of any Member accidentally failing to
receive a notice thereof or any accompanying document relating thereto.
7.9 The procedure for conduct of General Meetings shall be prescribed by the Committee and details
thereof shall be kept by the Honorary Secretary and be available for inspection by Members at all
reasonable times.
8. Annual General Meetings
8.1 Not later than 31st July in every year a General Meeting shall be held (to be known as the
Annual General Meeting) for the transaction of the following business:
8.1.1 To consider and approve (with or without amendment) the minutes of the previous Annual
General Meeting.
8.1.2 To receive and approve a report from the Committee on the affairs of the Club since the
previous Annual General Meeting
8.1.3 To receive and approve a Financial Statement for the preceding financial year and where
necessary in law or where the members require the Auditors’ report thereon.
Revision 1 dated 26 January 2006 Page 6 of 14
8.1.4 To elect the Officers for the ensuing year.
8.1.5 To elect Vice-Presidents.
8.1.6 To confirm any elections of Honorary Members made by the Committee during the preceding
year.
8.1.7 To elect Members of the Committee for the ensuing year.
8.1.8 Where necessary in law or where the members require:
8.1.8.1. To appoint the Auditors for the ensuring year, of
8.18.2. To consider as resolution disapplying, the provisions of the Act relating to the
obligation to appoint Auditors.
81.9 To consider as a special resolution any addition or alteration to these rules duly proposed in
accordance with Rules 8.5.
8.1.10 To consider any other motion or business duly proposed in accordance with Rule 8.5
8.1.11 To consider any other business of which due notice shall have been given.
8.1,12 To hear any other relevant matter for the consideration of the Committee during the ensuing
year, but on which no voting shall be allowed.
8.2 Notice of every Annual General Meeting stating the date, time and venue of such Meeting shall
be sent to all Members so as to be received not less than two clear weeks prior to the date of the
Meeting with the agenda of the business to be considered thereat and with a copy of the Clubs
Financial Statement for the preceding financial year.
8.3 The election of the Officers shall be subject to the following provisions:
8.3.1 Any Member shall have the right to make nominations with the written consent of a candidate,
for election to any one or more of the offices named in or created under the provisions of Rule 12.1.
Such nominations must be sent in writing so as to reach the Honorary Secretary by 30th April. The
Committee shall also have the right to make nominations for the election of Officers.
8.3.2 The election of each Officer shall be decided by a majority of votes recorded.
8.3.3 In the event of an equal number of votes being cast for two or more candidates for any office a
further election for that office shall immediately be held between those candidates for whom the
votes cast are equal in number. If there shall still be equality of votes the members of the retiring
Committee present at the time shall decide who shall from those candidates receiving an equal
number of votes in the second election be the holder of the office concerned for the ensuing year.
8.4 The election of Committee Members shall be subject to the following provisions:
8.4.1 Any Member shall have the right to make not more than one nomination, with the written
consent of the candidate, for election as one of the Committee Members provided for in Rule 13.1.2.
Such nominations must be sent in writing so as to reach the Honorary Secretary by 30th April. The
Committee shall also have the right to make nominations for the election of Committee Members
without restriction on the number of nominations.
8.4.2 The election of Committee Members shall be decided by a majority of votes recorded
Revision 1 dated 26 January 2006 Page 7 of 14
8.4.3 In the event of an equal number of votes being cast for two or more candidates for the last seat
or seats on the Committee a further election shall immediately be held for the last seat or seats
between those candidates for whom the votes cast for such seat or seats are equal in number, If there
shall still be equality of votes the members of the retiring Committee present at the time shall decide
who shall form those candidates receiving an equal number of votes in the second election be the
holders of the last seat or seats on the Committee for the ensuing year.
8.5 Proposals for additions or alterations to the Rules or for any other motion to be submitted to an
Annual General Meeting shall be subject to the following provisions:
8.5.1 Any proposal shall be submitted in writing to the Honorary Secretary by 30 April duly
proposed by one Member and seconded by another.
8,5.2 Copies of all such proposals and copies of all proposals put forward by the Committee shall be
sent to all Members with the notice of the Annual General Meeting.
8.5.3 Amendments to any proposal notified to Members under Rule 8.5.2 shall be sent in writing so
as to reach the Honorary Secretary duly proposed and seconded not less than twenty-four hours
before the time for which the Annual General Meeting is convened.
8.5.4 Amendments duly received in accordance with Rule 8.5.3 shall be added to the agenda by the
Chairman of the Annual General Meeting.
9 Special General Meetings
9.1.1 The Committee may convene at any time a Special General Meeting by giving to all Members
two clear weeks written notice thereof stating the date, time and venue thereof and the resolution or
resolutions to be moved or other business to be transacted thereat.
9.1.2 Amendments to any resolution proposed by the Committee shall be submitted in writing to the
Honorary Secretary duly proposed and seconded by Members in the same manner as is prescribed by
Rule 8.5.3 for an Annual General Meeting.
9.1.3 Amendments duly received in accordance with Rule 9.1.1 shall be added to the agenda by the
Chairman of the Special General Meeting
9.1.4 The Committee shall also convene a Special General Meeting on receipt by the Honorary
Secretary of a written requisition so to do, duly signed by not less than 20 Members. Each
requisition must clearly state the specific resolution to be moved.
9.1.5 Two clear weeks notice of such a Meeting stating the date, time and venue thereof and the
specific resolution to be moved thereat shall be sent to all Members by the Honorary Secretary
within fourteen days of the receipt of the requisition
9.1.6 Amendments to such a resolution shall be submitted in writing to the honorary Secretary
within fourteen days of the receipt of the requisition
9.1.7 Amendments duly received in accordance with Rule 9.2.2 shall be added to the agenda by the
Chairman of the Special General Meeting.
10. Rules
10.1 No new Rule shall be made, nor shall any Rule be amended or rescinded, except by a special
resolution passed at an Annual General Meeting in accordance with Rule 8.5 or at a Special General
Meeting convened by the Committee in accordance with Rule 9.1.
Revision 1 dated 26 January 2006 Page 8 of 14
10.2 The Honorary Secretary shall register in accordance with the Act any new Rule or amendment
to these Rules and no new Rule or amendment to the Rules shall be valid until so registered
10.3 A copy of the Rules shall be delivered by the Honorary Secretary to any person on demand on
payment of such sum (not exceeding ten pence) as may from time to time be determined by the
Committee.
IV. OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE
11. Powers of the Committee
The affairs of the Club shall be administered by the Committee, which shall exercise all the powers
of the Club expressed in Rule 4 and without limiting the generality thereof:
11.1 The Committee shall have power to appoint such Sub-Committees as are considered necessary
to deal with the affairs of the Club.
11.1.1 The Committee shall determine the composition, powers and terms of reference of each Sub-
Committee.
11.1.2 The Chairman of any Sub-Committee shall have a second or casting vote, and the quorum
necessary for the transaction of business by a Sub-Committee shall be one-third of its appointed
members or as the Committee may determine.
11.1.3 A Sub-Committee may exercise the power of co-option subject to the provisions of Rule 11.2
11.2 The Committee shall have power to co-opt additional members to serve on it provided that the
number of such co-opted members shall not exceed twenty-five per cent of the number of members
elected to hold office on the Committee (the Officers for the purposes of this computation being
deemed to be elected members) and to approve the co-option of additional members to serve on any
Sub-Committee, in both cases whether for general or special service and with or without voting
rights.
11.3 The Committee shall not exercise its powers in any way or for any purpose inconsistent with
the objects of the Club.
11.4 The procedure for the conduct of meetings of the Committee shall be prescribed by the
Committee and details thereof shall be kept by the Honorary Secretary and be available for
inspection by Members at all reasonable times.
11.5 References in these Rules to any acts or activities or opinion (including without limitation,
decisions, direction, requests, exercises of discretion arid the giving of consent) of the Committee
shall mean such acts or activities or opinions as shall have been sanctioned or effected or (as the case
may be) expressed by (a) a resolution of the Committee or b,) a resolution of the relevant Sub-
Committee where the power to act or authority being exercised has been delegated by the Committee
to a Sub-Committee or (c) the relevant Officer where that power or authority has been delegated by
the Committee to an Officer.
12. Officers
12.1 The Officers of the Club shall be a President, and Honorary Secretary, an Honorary Treasurer,
the Immediate Past President and such other Officers as the Club may in General Meeting from time
to time determine,
12.2 The Officers of the Club shall be elected at each Annual General Meeting in accordance with
Rule 8.3.
Revision 1 dated 26 January 2006 Page 9 of 14
12.3 Each Officer on election at an Annual General Meeting shall hold office from the end of that
Meeting until the end of the next Annual General Meeting but shall be eligible for re-election from
year to year.
12.4 If any such offices shall fall vacant between one Annual General Meeting and the next such
vacancy shall be filled by the Committee for the period of the vacancy.
13 Committee
13.1 The Committee shall consist of:
13.1.1 The Officers.
13.1.2 Seven members (or such other number not exceeding twenty as may be determined from time
to time by the Club in General Meeting) duly elected in accordance with Rule 8.4. A Member of the
Committee shall hold office from the end of the Annual General Meeting at which he is elected until
the end of the following Annual General Meeting and shall be eligible for re-election from year to
year.
13.2 The Committee shall each year elect its own Chairman for the ensuing year to hold office from
the date of the Annual General Meeting until the date of the following year’s Meeting. He may hold
any other office in the Cub at the same time and shall be eligible for re-election from year to year.
13.3 The quorum at any meeting of the Committee shall be seven (or such other number as may be
determined from time to time by the Club in General Meeting) and the Member elected to take the
Chair shall be entitled to exercise a second or casting vote.
13.4 If a vacancy shall occur for an elected Member of the Committee between one Annual General
Meeting and the next such vacancy shall be filled by the Committee.
13.5 If a Member of the Committee shall commit an offence under Rule 5.11 or shall be adjudged
bankrupt or if a court order is made appointing a receiver to administer such Member’s property
such Member shall thereupon cease to be a Member of the Committee.
13.6 Committee Members shall receive no remuneration for serving on the Committee other than the
payment of authorised expenses for carrying out their duties.
14 Vice-Presidents
The Committee may each year nominate for election at the Annual General Meeting as Vicepresidents
of the Club such Member or Members as they consider should receive special recognition
for services to the Club. Any Member so elected shall remain a Vice-President until ceasing to be a
Member. The position of Vice-President shall not carry any rights or obligations and in particular a
Vice-President shall not be an Officer or a Member of the Committee unless separately elected as
such.
V. FINANCE
15. Club Finance
15.1 The Club’s income shall be obtained annually from the subscriptions of Members, from
investments and securities, from gate monies and ticket receipts from matches arranged by the Club
at the Ground, from the letting of the Ground, from sponsorship and from any other available source.
15.2 The profits of the Club shall be applied only in furthering the objects of the Club.All surplus
income or profits are re-invested in the club. No surpluses or assets will be distributed to members.
Revision 1 dated 26 January 2006 Page 10 of 14
15.3 The Club shall not have power to receive money on deposit from Members or others.
15.4 A Financial Statement of the C1ub affairs shall be made up to 3Oth April in each year (or such
other date as may be determined from time to time by the Club in General Meeting) and shall be
signed by the Honorary Treasurer, the Honorary Secretary and one Member of the Committee, An
audit, where necessary in law or where the membership require, shall be carried out by a qualified
auditor or, where the conditions applicable for appointing lay auditors apply, by 12 or more lay
auditors, and a printed copy of the signed Financial Statement, together with the Auditors’ report
thereon, shall be sent to each member with the notice calling an Annual General Meeting.
15.5 The Club may participate in a direct debiting scheme as an originator for the purpose of
collecting subscriptions for any category of membership and/or any other amounts due to the Club.
In furtherance of such a scheme the Club may enter into an indemnity required by the bank upon
whom direct debits arc to be originated and such indemnity may be executed on behalf of the Club
by the Honorary Secretary or as otherwise determined pursuant to their Rules.
16. Subscriptions
Each Member shall, according to membership category, pay to the Club on 1st September (or such
other date as may be determined by the Club in General Meeting) such annual subscription as the
Committee may from time to time determine.
17. Match Tickets
17.1 Tickets to the Ground for matches arranged by the Club shall be under the control of the
Committee and shall be sold at prices fixed by the Committee (without any provision for repurchase
by the Club) to Members or as the Committee may direct, and the Committee shall allocate such
tickets on an equitable basis.
17.2 Tickets to the Ground for representative and other matches for which the Ground is let shall be
under the joint control of the Committee and the organisers of the match concerned
17.3 The Committee shall have power to issue such season and other tickets, on such terms, with
such privileges and to such persons as it may from time to time determine,
18. Auditors
18,1 The provisions of the Act relating to the appointment, powers, rights. remuneration,
responsibilities and duties of the Auditors shall be complied with.
18.2 The auditors where appointed shall be entitled to attend any General Meeting and to receive all
notices of and other communications relating thereto which any Member is entitled to receive, and to
be heard at any General Meeting on any part of the business which concerns them as auditors.
VI. STATUTORY PROCEDURES
19. Registered Office
19.1 The registered office of the Club shall be at the Ground or at such other location in England as
the Committee may from time to time otherwise determine.
19.2 Notice of any change in the situation of the registered office shall be given by the Honorary
Secretary to the Registrar within fourteen days after the change.
Revision 1 dated 26 January 2006 Page 11 of 14
20. Use of Name of the Club
20.1 The name shall be kept painted or affixed in a conspicuous position and in letters which are
easily legible on the outside of every office or place in which the activities of the Club are carried on
20.2 The name shall be stated in legible characters in all business letters of the Club, in all notices,
advertisements and other official publication of the Club, in all bills of exchange, promissory notes,
endorsements, cheques and orders for money or goods purporting to be signed by or on behalf of the
Club and in all bills, invoices, receipts and letters of credit of the Club.
20.3 Save with the authority of the Committee, the name of the Club shall not at any time be used by
any Member in any document or advertisement issued or published by, or on behalf of or with the
authority of that Member in such a way as to indicate or imply that such document or advertisement
was issued or published by or on behalf of the Club or the Committee.
21. Seal
The Club shall have its name engraved in legible characters on a seal which shall be kept in the
custody of the Honorary Secretary and shall be used only under the authority of the Committee
which may determine who shall countersign any instrument to which the seal is affixed and unless
otherwise so determined it shall be countersigned by any two of the Officers.
22. Register of Members
22.1 The Club shall keep at its registered office a Register of Members and Officers in which the
Honorary Secretary shall enter the following particulars:
22.1.1 The names and address of each Member.
22.1.2 A statement of the share held by each Member and the amount paid therefore.
22.1.3 A statement of other property, if any, in the Club held by each Member whether in loans or
otherwise.
22.1.4 The date on which each Member was entered in the Register as a Member and the date on
which a Member ceased to be a Member.
22.1.5 The names and addresses of the Officers of the Club with the offices held by them
respectively and the date on which they assumed and left office.
22.2 The Register of Members and Officers shall be so constructed that it is possible to open to
inspection the particulars entered pursuant to Rules 22.1.1,22.1.4 and 22.1.5 without also opening to
inspection the other particulars entered in the Register.
23. Inspection of Books
All Members and persons having an interest in the funds of the Club shall be allowed to inspect their
own accounts and the particulars entered in the Register of Members and Officers other than those
entered under Rules 22.1.2 and 221.3 at all reasonable hours at the registered office of the Club
subject to such regu1ations as to the time and manner of such inspection as may be made from time
to time by a resolution passed at a General Meeting
24. Annual Return
24.1 Every year not later than the date Provided by the Act or where the return is made up to the date
allowed by the Registrar not later than seven months after such date the Honorary Secretary shall
send to the Registrar the annual return in the form prescribed by the Registrar relating to the affairs
Revision 1 dated 26 January 2006 Page 12 of 14
of the Club for the period required by the Act to be included in the return together with a copy of the
Financial Statement of the Club with the Report of the Auditors where applicable thereon for the
period included in the return and a copy of each balance sheet made during that period and the
Report of the Auditors where applicable on that balance sheet
24.2 A copy of the latest annual return shall be supplied free of charge on demand to every member
or other person interested in the fluids of the Club.
25. Publication of Accounts
The Club shall keep a copy of the last balance sheet for the time being together with the Report
made by the Auditors where applicable thereon always hung up in a conspicuous place at its
registered office
26. Registration
These Rules shall take effect on and from the date of their registration pursuant to and in accordance
with the provisions of Section 2 of the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1965.
27. Dissolution
In the event of it becoming necessary for the Members to discontinue the activities of the Club and
to dissolve the Club under the provisions of the Act, its net remaining funds and property shall be
given or transferred to another registered CASC, a registered charity or the Game’s governing body.
VII. GENERAL
28. Licensing
28.1 Save for those persons who are admitted to membership under Rule 5.13 no person may be
admitted to membership without an interval of at least two days between the dates of nomination and
admission.
28.2 Subject to such restrictions as may be imposed from time to time by the Committee in any
Regulations.
28.2.1 The Ground shall be open during such hours as the Committee may decide and intoxicating
liquor shall be supplied during such hours as may be fixed by the Committee (having due regard to
the permitted hours within the licensing district in which the Ground is situated) and notified to the
Police and also the Clerk to the Licensing Justices as required by law, but the Committee shall have
power to close the Ground or any part thereof and/or reduce the hours of supply of intoxicating
liquor from time to time on affixing notice thereof on the Clubs notice board.
28.2.2 Members may introduce and entertain guests at the Ground
28.2.3 Provision is hereby made for the admission to any premises on the Ground in respect of
which the Club is registered under the Licensing Act 1964 (or any statutory modification or re
enactment thereof) of persons other than Members or their guests and for the sale of intoxicating
liquor to them by or on behalf of the Club for consumption on such premises.
Revision 1 dated 26 January 2006 Page 13 of 14
29. Continuity
For the avoidance of doubt every Member of the Club who at the date these Rules take effect
pursuant to Rule 26 holds office or position in any capacity in the Club (including the position of
Vice-Presidents) shall continue to hold the same office or position following registration. Such
Members shall have the same seniority, dates of appointment, dates of retirement and the like after
registration as before registration, subject only to such changes as are necessary by virtue of these
Rules. The Trustees under the former Rules of the Club shall, until they have fully discharged their
duties. remain as Trustees upon those of the former Rules, which relate to Trustees, varied only
insofar as these Rules necessarily require.
30. Indemnity
Each Officer (including under the former Rules of the Club the Trustees) and employee from time to
time of the Club and each person who was or is from time to time a Member of the Committee or
any Sub-Committee shall (to the extent that such person is not entitled to recover under any policy of
insurance) be entitled to be indemnified out of any and all funds available to the Club which may
lawfully be so applied, against all costs, liens, charges, expenses and liabilities whatsoever incurred
by such person in the execution and discharge of duties undertaken on behalf of the Club or in
relation thereto, or incurred in good faith in the purported discharge of such duties, including any
liability incurred in initiating, prosecuting or defending any proceedings, civil or criminal, which
relate to anything done or omitted as an Officer or employee or as a Member of the Committee or
any Sub-Committee as the case may be.
31. Notices
Any notice or other communication or document sent by first class post to a Member, Officer or
Member of the Committee shall be treated as having been given twenty-four hours after the time
when it was posted.
32. Arbitration
Every dispute of the type specified in Section 60 of the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1965
or any amendment, modification or re-enactment thereof (not being one in respect of which the
decision falls to be made in some other way under these Rules) shall be referred to the arbitration of
a single arbitrator (pursuant to the Arbitration Act for the time being in force) to be appointed in
default of agreement between the parties to the dispute by the President (or failing whom one of the
other Officers) for the time being of the Union.
33. Interpretation
Subject to the provisions of the Act any difference of opinion as to the interpretation of these Rules
or on any matter not provided for therein shall be decided by the Chairman of a General Meeting at
such Meeting or by the Committee in every other circumstance, and every such decision shall be
recorded in the minutes and shall be accepted as the true meaning until thereafter otherwise
interpreted on due notice at a subsequent General Meeting
Revision 1 dated 26 January 2006 Page 14 of 14
34. Schedule of Definitions
“the Act” means the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts 1965-1978 and any subsequent
Acts governing or otherwise affecting industrial and provident societies.
“Auditors” means the authors of the Club for the time being
“Club” means Oakham Rugby Football Club Limited
“Committee” means the committee designated in Rule 13 and “Committee Member” or “Member
of the Committee” means a member of the Committee for the time being and shall
include a person co-opted under Ride 11.2.
“Financial Statement” means a Balance Sheet together with a Statement of Accounts
showing Income and Expenditure.
‘Game” means the game of Rugby Union Football.
“General Meeting” means a general meeting of Members.
“Ground” means the ground including stands, clubhouse and other buildings built thereon
maintained and developed under the provisions of Rule 35.
“Honorary Secretary” means the Honorary Secretary of the Club for the time being.
“IRFB” means the world Governing Body of the Game which at the date of the adoption of
these Rules is the International Rugby Football Board of which the Union is a
member.
“IRFB Regulations” means the Resolutions and Regulations Relating to the Game
promulgated by the IRFB from time to time.
“Laws of the Game” means the laws promulgated by the IRFB from time to time
according to which the Game is played throughout the world.
“Member” means a member of the Club.
“Officers” means the officers designated in Rule 12.
“Registrar” means the Chief Registrar and Assistant Registrars for England in the Central Office
of the Registry of Friendly Societies.
“Regulation” means a resolution, regulation or instruction made in accordance with Rule 4.12.
“Rules” means the Rules of the Club for the time being registered with the Registrar.
“Union” means the Rugby Football Union.
1. Name
The Society shall be called the “Oakham Rugby Football Club Limited.
2. Definitions
Except where the context otherwise permits or requires, the words and expressions listed in the
Schedule of Definitions set out in Rule 34 shall bear the meanings given to them therein.
3. Objects
The objects of the Club shall be:
3.1 To promote, encourage and foster the amateur Game for the benefit of the Members including
(but not limited to) the coaching thereof at all levels.
3.2 To promote, encourage and foster the amateur Game at all levels in the area of the Ground and
the surrounding areas and to promote, encourage and foster community participation in the same.
3.3 To ensure that the Game is played in accordance with the Laws of the Game and is administered
in accordance with the IRFB Regulations and the Rules of the Union.
3.4 To undertake such matches — fixtures and other activities as the Committee may decide.
3.5 To maintain and develop the Ground at The Showground, Barleythorpe Road or such other
location as the Committee may from time to time determine as the headquarters of the Club and as a
venue for playing the game and conducting the other activities of the Club so as to provide the best
possible facilities for Members and those visiting the Ground, to strengthen the bonds between the
Club and the local community in the areas surrounding the Club.
4. Powers of the Club
To further its objects the Club shall have the power to do all such things as arc incidental or
conducive to the objects of the Club including (but not limited to) all or any of the following:
4.1 Either directly or indirectly to employ, invest and deal with the assets and funds of the Club for
the objects of the Club in such manner as shall be considered by the Committee to be expedient, and
to do all such other acts and things and carry on all such other activities (including (but not limited
to) leasing, subleasing, releasing, renting, acquiring, altering, erecting, holding, selling, improving,
developing, repairing, hiring, lending with or without security or otherwise dealing with real and
personal property of any kind) as shall be considered by the Committee to be necessary or expedient
for the purposes of the Club or the advancement of its interests.
4.2.1 To raise or borrow money for the purposes of or in connection with the activities of the Club or
any of them as the Committee thinks fit in accordance with the following provisions:
4.2.2 At the time of any borrowing the sum of the amount then remaining undischarged of monies
borrowed and of the amount of the proposed borrowing shall not exceed 1000,000 pounds or such
sum as the Members in General Meeting may from time to time determine.
4.2.3 The rate of interest payable at the time the terms of borrowing are agreed on any money
borrowed shall not exceed the rate of interest which in the opinion of the Committee represents the
market rate of interest for borrowings of similar amount and on similar terms prevailing at that time
except that in the case of a mortgage loan the Committee may delegate the determination of the
interest rate within specified limits to an Officer, Committee Member or Sub-Committee.
Revision 1 dated 26 January 2006 Page 2 of 14
4.2.4 The Committee may determine from time to time (subject to Rules 4.2.1, 4.2.2 and 4.2.3) the
terms and condition upon which money is raised or borrowed or security is issued and may vary
such terms and conditions.
4.2.5 No person lending money to the Club shall be concerned to see or enquire whether either of the
limits imposed by Rule 4.2.2 or Rule 4.2.3 is exceeded at the tine of the borrowing or issue and if
either or both of such limits were to be exceeded no borrowing incurred in excess of such limits shall
be invalid unless such person had received express notice to this effect at the time of borrowing
4.3 To give any security or securities whether by way of mortgage or otherwise for the performance
of any contracts or any debts, liabilities or obligations of the Club or any of its subsidiaries or other
persons or corporations in whose business or undertaking the Cub is interested, or to whom or in
respect of whom the Club has given any personal covenant, guarantee or indemnity, whether directly
or indirectly, and collaterally or further to secure any obligation of whatever nature of the Club by a
trust deed or other assurance.
4.4 To accept and grant sponsorship and franchises and make such arrangements in connection
therewith as the Committee shall think fit.
4.5 To apply for and hold any licences, consents, certificates, permissions and approvals that may be
required for or in connection with the activities of the Club and (among other things) to provide
catering and such other facilities as the Committee shall consider desirable.
4.6 To invite, receive and make donation for or otherwise promote or assist in the development or
continuance of facilities for, or the prestige of the Game or any other sport or recreation.
4.7 To support (whether by direct subscription, the giving of guarantees or otherwise) any charitable,
benevolent or educational fund, institution or organisation, or any event or purpose of a public or
general nature, the support of which will or may, in the opinion of the Committee, directly or
indirectly benefit, or is calculated so to benefit, the Club or its activities or its employees, exemployees,
players, former players or their dependants
4.8 To promote, arrange and organise competitions and entertainments in connection with the Game
and any other Sport or recreation.
4.9 To engage such officials and employees upon such terms and at such remuneration as the
Committee may deem appropriate, and to dismiss or retire any of them as may be necessary.
4.10 To provide pensions, insurances and other benefits to employees or ex-employees of the Club
or the dependants and relatives of any such persons and to establish and maintain or concur in
establishing and maintaining trusts, funds, schemes or other arrangements (whether contributory or
non-contributory) with a view to providing such benefits including (but not limited to) retirement
benefits and/or life assurance schemes.
4.11 To maintain bank accounts in credit or overdrawn on such terms as the Committee shall think
fit including the giving of guarantees and indemnities in respect of direct debits and other money
transmission or collection systems whether pursuant to Rule 15.5 or otherwise.
4.12 To pass such resolutions, regulations and instructions which shall be binding on all Members as
are considered necessary for the better management, organisation, administration and regulation of
the Club.
4.13 To settle, conduct, enforce or resist either in a court of law or by arbitration any suit, debt,
liability or claim by or against the Club.
Revision 1 dated 26 January 2006 Page 3 of 14
II. MEMBERSHIP
5 Members
5.1 The members of the Club shall be the persons whose names are for the time being entered in the
Register of Members
5.2 Membership of the Club shall be open to anyone interested in the Game on application
regardless of sex, age, disability, nationality, sexual orientation, religion or other beliefs. However,
limitation of membership according to available facilities is allowable on a non-discriminatory basis.
The Club may have different classes of membership on a non-discriminatory and fair basis but
always on the basis that every Member shall have one vote. The Club will keep subscriptions at
levels that will not pose a significant obstacle to people participating Details of categories,
qualifications, application procedures and conditions, duties and privileges of membership in force
from time to time shall be kept by the Honorary Secretary and shall be available for inspection by
Members at all reasonable times,
5.3 Details of any entrance fee and the subscription payable by each category of membership as
determined under Rule 16 shall be kept as in Rule 5.2 by the Honorary Secretary.
5.4 The Committee may refuse membership , or remove it, only for good cause such as conduct or
character likely to bring the Club or Game into disrepute. Appeal against refusal or removal may be
made to the Members.
5.5 The Committee may elect (subject to confirmation at the next following Annual General Meeting
of the Club) as an Honorary Member of the Club any person, whether an existing Member or not,
whose membership whether for services to the Club, to the Game or for any other reason the
Committee considers to be especially desirable in the interests of the Club. An Honorary Member
shall be a Member with all the rights, duties and privileges of membership of the Club but without
any obligation to pay an entrance fee or subscription. The Committee shall have power to terminate
the honorary membership of any person at any time if it considers such action to be in the interests
of the Club so to do.
5.6 No person may be accepted as a candidate for membership under the age of sixteen years and the
purported admission of a person under the age of sixteen years shall be void.
5.7 The Committee shall have power to create a class of persons called Juniors or with such other
title as the Committee may decide using as criteria age, ticket holding or otherwise as it shall think
fit. Such persons shall not be Members within these Rules and they shall have such rights, privileges
and obligations as the Committee shall decide. Any person recognised in this class shall cease to be
entitled to such recognition on attaining the age of eighteen years.
5.8 It shall be the duty of every Member to advise the Honorary Secretary promptly of each change
of address. All notices and letters dispatched by post to a Member at the address registered in the
Register of Members (which shall be conclusive proof thereof) shall be deemed to have been
properly delivered pursuant to Rule 31.
5.9 A Member may resign from the Club at any time by giving to the Honorary Secretary written
notice of the intention so to do provided that the Member shall remain liable for all monies then due
and owing to the Club.
Revision 1 dated 26 January 2006 Page 4 of 14
5.10 The President or Honorary Secretary or any person appointed by either of them shall have the
power to order the withdrawal from the Ground of any Member who is in breach of any of these
Rules, any Regulation or any Rule or Regulation of the Union which is applicable to the Ground or
its use by Members or who otherwise is, in the opinion of the President or Honorary Secretary or
their appointee or appointees, guilty of misconduct.
5.11 The Committee shall have power to terminate or suspend for such period as it thinks fit the
membership of or to reprimand a Member for any infringement of these Rules, any Regulations, the
Rules or Regulations of the Union, the Laws of the Game or the IRFB Regulations or for any
conduct prejudicial to the interests of the Club or the Game. The procedure for the exercise of this
power shall be prescribed by the Committee and details thereof shall be kept by the Honorary
Secretary and be available for inspection by Members at all reasonable times.
5.12 A Member shall cease to be a Member:
5.12.1 On resignation.
5.12.2 On termination of membership by the Committee.
5.12.3 On death.
5.13 Each person who is in membership with the Club at the date these Rules take effect pursuant to
Rule 26 shall be admitted to membership in accordance with Rule 5.4 and any person in membership
at that date under the age of sixteen years shall be granted the status of a Junior in accordance with
Rule 5.7.
6. Share Capital
6.1 The capital of the Club shall consist of shares of the value of five pence each.
6.2 Every Member of whatever category shall hold one share and not more in the capital of the Club.
No person who is not a Member shall be issued with a share.
6.3 Each Member of the Club at the date these Rules take effect pursuant to Rule 26 (other than
those under the age of sixteen years) shall be allotted one share and five pence of the subscription
then next paid by each Member shall be applied in paying up the same in full.
6.4 Any Member admitted to membership after the date on which these Rules take effect shall be
allotted one share on admission and five pence of the first subscription paid by such Member shall
be applied in paying up the same in full.
6.5 In the case of a share allotted to an Honorary Member either upon these Rules taking effect or
upon admission to membership thereafter pursuant to Rule 5.5 such share shall be credited as fully
paid by way of a capitalisation of any profits of the reserves of the Club and the Committee shall
have power to take all steps necessary to give effect to this Rule.
6.6 No share shall be held jointly, be withdrawable or be transferable by any Member and no
interest, dividend or bonus shall be payable on any share. Any Member transferring or attempting to
transfer a share or any interest therein or any rights associated therewith shall, if the Committee so
decided. be deemed to have resigned from the Club as from the date of such transfer or attempted
transfer.
6.7 The share of a Member shall be forfeited to the Club when that Member for whatever reason
ceases to be a Member and any amount then due to the Member in respect of such share shall
thereupon become the property of the Club.
Revision 1 dated 26 January 2006 Page 5 of 14
6.8 The Club shall not be required to issue a certificate to any member in respect of the share allotted
to that Member.
III GENERAL MEETINGS
7. General Meetings
7.1 All General Meetings shall be held at the Ground or elsewhere as the Committee may determine
and any such meeting other than an Annual General Meeting shall be called a Special General
Meeting,
7.2 The Chairman of all such meetings shall be the President of the Club or if unavailable the
Immediate past President or if unavailable a Member of the Committee appointed at the Meeting
concerned to take the Chair for that Meeting.
7.3 Every Member shall be entitled to attend and vote at any General Meeting. The procedure for the
casting of votes shall be determined by the Chairman of the Meeting.
7.4 The quorum at any General Meeting shall be 20 Members.
7.5 If within thirty minutes after the time appointed for a General Meeting a quorum is not present,
the Meeting, if convened on the requisition of Members, shall be dissolved, and in every other case it
will stand adjourned to such other day and at such time and place, or be dissolved, as the Committee
shall determine.
7.6 All resolutions shall be decided by a majority of votes recorded except where:
7.6.1 These Rules provide for a special resolution which shall require a majority of at least twothirds
of the votes recorded, or
7.6.2 A resolution is put to an Annual General Meeting as contemplated by Rule 8.1.8.2 in which
case the provisions of the Act as to voting shall apply.
7.7 A declaration by the Chairman of a General Meeting to the effect that a particular resolution has
been passed or not or passed by a particular majority or not shall (subject to the Act) be final and
binding on all Members.
7.8 A General Meeting shall not be invalidated by reason only of any Member accidentally failing to
receive a notice thereof or any accompanying document relating thereto.
7.9 The procedure for conduct of General Meetings shall be prescribed by the Committee and details
thereof shall be kept by the Honorary Secretary and be available for inspection by Members at all
reasonable times.
8. Annual General Meetings
8.1 Not later than 31st July in every year a General Meeting shall be held (to be known as the
Annual General Meeting) for the transaction of the following business:
8.1.1 To consider and approve (with or without amendment) the minutes of the previous Annual
General Meeting.
8.1.2 To receive and approve a report from the Committee on the affairs of the Club since the
previous Annual General Meeting
8.1.3 To receive and approve a Financial Statement for the preceding financial year and where
necessary in law or where the members require the Auditors’ report thereon.
Revision 1 dated 26 January 2006 Page 6 of 14
8.1.4 To elect the Officers for the ensuing year.
8.1.5 To elect Vice-Presidents.
8.1.6 To confirm any elections of Honorary Members made by the Committee during the preceding
year.
8.1.7 To elect Members of the Committee for the ensuing year.
8.1.8 Where necessary in law or where the members require:
8.1.8.1. To appoint the Auditors for the ensuring year, of
8.18.2. To consider as resolution disapplying, the provisions of the Act relating to the
obligation to appoint Auditors.
81.9 To consider as a special resolution any addition or alteration to these rules duly proposed in
accordance with Rules 8.5.
8.1.10 To consider any other motion or business duly proposed in accordance with Rule 8.5
8.1.11 To consider any other business of which due notice shall have been given.
8.1,12 To hear any other relevant matter for the consideration of the Committee during the ensuing
year, but on which no voting shall be allowed.
8.2 Notice of every Annual General Meeting stating the date, time and venue of such Meeting shall
be sent to all Members so as to be received not less than two clear weeks prior to the date of the
Meeting with the agenda of the business to be considered thereat and with a copy of the Clubs
Financial Statement for the preceding financial year.
8.3 The election of the Officers shall be subject to the following provisions:
8.3.1 Any Member shall have the right to make nominations with the written consent of a candidate,
for election to any one or more of the offices named in or created under the provisions of Rule 12.1.
Such nominations must be sent in writing so as to reach the Honorary Secretary by 30th April. The
Committee shall also have the right to make nominations for the election of Officers.
8.3.2 The election of each Officer shall be decided by a majority of votes recorded.
8.3.3 In the event of an equal number of votes being cast for two or more candidates for any office a
further election for that office shall immediately be held between those candidates for whom the
votes cast are equal in number. If there shall still be equality of votes the members of the retiring
Committee present at the time shall decide who shall from those candidates receiving an equal
number of votes in the second election be the holder of the office concerned for the ensuing year.
8.4 The election of Committee Members shall be subject to the following provisions:
8.4.1 Any Member shall have the right to make not more than one nomination, with the written
consent of the candidate, for election as one of the Committee Members provided for in Rule 13.1.2.
Such nominations must be sent in writing so as to reach the Honorary Secretary by 30th April. The
Committee shall also have the right to make nominations for the election of Committee Members
without restriction on the number of nominations.
8.4.2 The election of Committee Members shall be decided by a majority of votes recorded
Revision 1 dated 26 January 2006 Page 7 of 14
8.4.3 In the event of an equal number of votes being cast for two or more candidates for the last seat
or seats on the Committee a further election shall immediately be held for the last seat or seats
between those candidates for whom the votes cast for such seat or seats are equal in number, If there
shall still be equality of votes the members of the retiring Committee present at the time shall decide
who shall form those candidates receiving an equal number of votes in the second election be the
holders of the last seat or seats on the Committee for the ensuing year.
8.5 Proposals for additions or alterations to the Rules or for any other motion to be submitted to an
Annual General Meeting shall be subject to the following provisions:
8.5.1 Any proposal shall be submitted in writing to the Honorary Secretary by 30 April duly
proposed by one Member and seconded by another.
8,5.2 Copies of all such proposals and copies of all proposals put forward by the Committee shall be
sent to all Members with the notice of the Annual General Meeting.
8.5.3 Amendments to any proposal notified to Members under Rule 8.5.2 shall be sent in writing so
as to reach the Honorary Secretary duly proposed and seconded not less than twenty-four hours
before the time for which the Annual General Meeting is convened.
8.5.4 Amendments duly received in accordance with Rule 8.5.3 shall be added to the agenda by the
Chairman of the Annual General Meeting.
9 Special General Meetings
9.1.1 The Committee may convene at any time a Special General Meeting by giving to all Members
two clear weeks written notice thereof stating the date, time and venue thereof and the resolution or
resolutions to be moved or other business to be transacted thereat.
9.1.2 Amendments to any resolution proposed by the Committee shall be submitted in writing to the
Honorary Secretary duly proposed and seconded by Members in the same manner as is prescribed by
Rule 8.5.3 for an Annual General Meeting.
9.1.3 Amendments duly received in accordance with Rule 9.1.1 shall be added to the agenda by the
Chairman of the Special General Meeting
9.1.4 The Committee shall also convene a Special General Meeting on receipt by the Honorary
Secretary of a written requisition so to do, duly signed by not less than 20 Members. Each
requisition must clearly state the specific resolution to be moved.
9.1.5 Two clear weeks notice of such a Meeting stating the date, time and venue thereof and the
specific resolution to be moved thereat shall be sent to all Members by the Honorary Secretary
within fourteen days of the receipt of the requisition
9.1.6 Amendments to such a resolution shall be submitted in writing to the honorary Secretary
within fourteen days of the receipt of the requisition
9.1.7 Amendments duly received in accordance with Rule 9.2.2 shall be added to the agenda by the
Chairman of the Special General Meeting.
10. Rules
10.1 No new Rule shall be made, nor shall any Rule be amended or rescinded, except by a special
resolution passed at an Annual General Meeting in accordance with Rule 8.5 or at a Special General
Meeting convened by the Committee in accordance with Rule 9.1.
Revision 1 dated 26 January 2006 Page 8 of 14
10.2 The Honorary Secretary shall register in accordance with the Act any new Rule or amendment
to these Rules and no new Rule or amendment to the Rules shall be valid until so registered
10.3 A copy of the Rules shall be delivered by the Honorary Secretary to any person on demand on
payment of such sum (not exceeding ten pence) as may from time to time be determined by the
Committee.
IV. OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE
11. Powers of the Committee
The affairs of the Club shall be administered by the Committee, which shall exercise all the powers
of the Club expressed in Rule 4 and without limiting the generality thereof:
11.1 The Committee shall have power to appoint such Sub-Committees as are considered necessary
to deal with the affairs of the Club.
11.1.1 The Committee shall determine the composition, powers and terms of reference of each Sub-
Committee.
11.1.2 The Chairman of any Sub-Committee shall have a second or casting vote, and the quorum
necessary for the transaction of business by a Sub-Committee shall be one-third of its appointed
members or as the Committee may determine.
11.1.3 A Sub-Committee may exercise the power of co-option subject to the provisions of Rule 11.2
11.2 The Committee shall have power to co-opt additional members to serve on it provided that the
number of such co-opted members shall not exceed twenty-five per cent of the number of members
elected to hold office on the Committee (the Officers for the purposes of this computation being
deemed to be elected members) and to approve the co-option of additional members to serve on any
Sub-Committee, in both cases whether for general or special service and with or without voting
rights.
11.3 The Committee shall not exercise its powers in any way or for any purpose inconsistent with
the objects of the Club.
11.4 The procedure for the conduct of meetings of the Committee shall be prescribed by the
Committee and details thereof shall be kept by the Honorary Secretary and be available for
inspection by Members at all reasonable times.
11.5 References in these Rules to any acts or activities or opinion (including without limitation,
decisions, direction, requests, exercises of discretion arid the giving of consent) of the Committee
shall mean such acts or activities or opinions as shall have been sanctioned or effected or (as the case
may be) expressed by (a) a resolution of the Committee or b,) a resolution of the relevant Sub-
Committee where the power to act or authority being exercised has been delegated by the Committee
to a Sub-Committee or (c) the relevant Officer where that power or authority has been delegated by
the Committee to an Officer.
12. Officers
12.1 The Officers of the Club shall be a President, and Honorary Secretary, an Honorary Treasurer,
the Immediate Past President and such other Officers as the Club may in General Meeting from time
to time determine,
12.2 The Officers of the Club shall be elected at each Annual General Meeting in accordance with
Rule 8.3.
Revision 1 dated 26 January 2006 Page 9 of 14
12.3 Each Officer on election at an Annual General Meeting shall hold office from the end of that
Meeting until the end of the next Annual General Meeting but shall be eligible for re-election from
year to year.
12.4 If any such offices shall fall vacant between one Annual General Meeting and the next such
vacancy shall be filled by the Committee for the period of the vacancy.
13 Committee
13.1 The Committee shall consist of:
13.1.1 The Officers.
13.1.2 Seven members (or such other number not exceeding twenty as may be determined from time
to time by the Club in General Meeting) duly elected in accordance with Rule 8.4. A Member of the
Committee shall hold office from the end of the Annual General Meeting at which he is elected until
the end of the following Annual General Meeting and shall be eligible for re-election from year to
year.
13.2 The Committee shall each year elect its own Chairman for the ensuing year to hold office from
the date of the Annual General Meeting until the date of the following year’s Meeting. He may hold
any other office in the Cub at the same time and shall be eligible for re-election from year to year.
13.3 The quorum at any meeting of the Committee shall be seven (or such other number as may be
determined from time to time by the Club in General Meeting) and the Member elected to take the
Chair shall be entitled to exercise a second or casting vote.
13.4 If a vacancy shall occur for an elected Member of the Committee between one Annual General
Meeting and the next such vacancy shall be filled by the Committee.
13.5 If a Member of the Committee shall commit an offence under Rule 5.11 or shall be adjudged
bankrupt or if a court order is made appointing a receiver to administer such Member’s property
such Member shall thereupon cease to be a Member of the Committee.
13.6 Committee Members shall receive no remuneration for serving on the Committee other than the
payment of authorised expenses for carrying out their duties.
14 Vice-Presidents
The Committee may each year nominate for election at the Annual General Meeting as Vicepresidents
of the Club such Member or Members as they consider should receive special recognition
for services to the Club. Any Member so elected shall remain a Vice-President until ceasing to be a
Member. The position of Vice-President shall not carry any rights or obligations and in particular a
Vice-President shall not be an Officer or a Member of the Committee unless separately elected as
such.
V. FINANCE
15. Club Finance
15.1 The Club’s income shall be obtained annually from the subscriptions of Members, from
investments and securities, from gate monies and ticket receipts from matches arranged by the Club
at the Ground, from the letting of the Ground, from sponsorship and from any other available source.
15.2 The profits of the Club shall be applied only in furthering the objects of the Club.All surplus
income or profits are re-invested in the club. No surpluses or assets will be distributed to members.
Revision 1 dated 26 January 2006 Page 10 of 14
15.3 The Club shall not have power to receive money on deposit from Members or others.
15.4 A Financial Statement of the C1ub affairs shall be made up to 3Oth April in each year (or such
other date as may be determined from time to time by the Club in General Meeting) and shall be
signed by the Honorary Treasurer, the Honorary Secretary and one Member of the Committee, An
audit, where necessary in law or where the membership require, shall be carried out by a qualified
auditor or, where the conditions applicable for appointing lay auditors apply, by 12 or more lay
auditors, and a printed copy of the signed Financial Statement, together with the Auditors’ report
thereon, shall be sent to each member with the notice calling an Annual General Meeting.
15.5 The Club may participate in a direct debiting scheme as an originator for the purpose of
collecting subscriptions for any category of membership and/or any other amounts due to the Club.
In furtherance of such a scheme the Club may enter into an indemnity required by the bank upon
whom direct debits arc to be originated and such indemnity may be executed on behalf of the Club
by the Honorary Secretary or as otherwise determined pursuant to their Rules.
16. Subscriptions
Each Member shall, according to membership category, pay to the Club on 1st September (or such
other date as may be determined by the Club in General Meeting) such annual subscription as the
Committee may from time to time determine.
17. Match Tickets
17.1 Tickets to the Ground for matches arranged by the Club shall be under the control of the
Committee and shall be sold at prices fixed by the Committee (without any provision for repurchase
by the Club) to Members or as the Committee may direct, and the Committee shall allocate such
tickets on an equitable basis.
17.2 Tickets to the Ground for representative and other matches for which the Ground is let shall be
under the joint control of the Committee and the organisers of the match concerned
17.3 The Committee shall have power to issue such season and other tickets, on such terms, with
such privileges and to such persons as it may from time to time determine,
18. Auditors
18,1 The provisions of the Act relating to the appointment, powers, rights. remuneration,
responsibilities and duties of the Auditors shall be complied with.
18.2 The auditors where appointed shall be entitled to attend any General Meeting and to receive all
notices of and other communications relating thereto which any Member is entitled to receive, and to
be heard at any General Meeting on any part of the business which concerns them as auditors.
VI. STATUTORY PROCEDURES
19. Registered Office
19.1 The registered office of the Club shall be at the Ground or at such other location in England as
the Committee may from time to time otherwise determine.
19.2 Notice of any change in the situation of the registered office shall be given by the Honorary
Secretary to the Registrar within fourteen days after the change.
Revision 1 dated 26 January 2006 Page 11 of 14
20. Use of Name of the Club
20.1 The name shall be kept painted or affixed in a conspicuous position and in letters which are
easily legible on the outside of every office or place in which the activities of the Club are carried on
20.2 The name shall be stated in legible characters in all business letters of the Club, in all notices,
advertisements and other official publication of the Club, in all bills of exchange, promissory notes,
endorsements, cheques and orders for money or goods purporting to be signed by or on behalf of the
Club and in all bills, invoices, receipts and letters of credit of the Club.
20.3 Save with the authority of the Committee, the name of the Club shall not at any time be used by
any Member in any document or advertisement issued or published by, or on behalf of or with the
authority of that Member in such a way as to indicate or imply that such document or advertisement
was issued or published by or on behalf of the Club or the Committee.
21. Seal
The Club shall have its name engraved in legible characters on a seal which shall be kept in the
custody of the Honorary Secretary and shall be used only under the authority of the Committee
which may determine who shall countersign any instrument to which the seal is affixed and unless
otherwise so determined it shall be countersigned by any two of the Officers.
22. Register of Members
22.1 The Club shall keep at its registered office a Register of Members and Officers in which the
Honorary Secretary shall enter the following particulars:
22.1.1 The names and address of each Member.
22.1.2 A statement of the share held by each Member and the amount paid therefore.
22.1.3 A statement of other property, if any, in the Club held by each Member whether in loans or
otherwise.
22.1.4 The date on which each Member was entered in the Register as a Member and the date on
which a Member ceased to be a Member.
22.1.5 The names and addresses of the Officers of the Club with the offices held by them
respectively and the date on which they assumed and left office.
22.2 The Register of Members and Officers shall be so constructed that it is possible to open to
inspection the particulars entered pursuant to Rules 22.1.1,22.1.4 and 22.1.5 without also opening to
inspection the other particulars entered in the Register.
23. Inspection of Books
All Members and persons having an interest in the funds of the Club shall be allowed to inspect their
own accounts and the particulars entered in the Register of Members and Officers other than those
entered under Rules 22.1.2 and 221.3 at all reasonable hours at the registered office of the Club
subject to such regu1ations as to the time and manner of such inspection as may be made from time
to time by a resolution passed at a General Meeting
24. Annual Return
24.1 Every year not later than the date Provided by the Act or where the return is made up to the date
allowed by the Registrar not later than seven months after such date the Honorary Secretary shall
send to the Registrar the annual return in the form prescribed by the Registrar relating to the affairs
Revision 1 dated 26 January 2006 Page 12 of 14
of the Club for the period required by the Act to be included in the return together with a copy of the
Financial Statement of the Club with the Report of the Auditors where applicable thereon for the
period included in the return and a copy of each balance sheet made during that period and the
Report of the Auditors where applicable on that balance sheet
24.2 A copy of the latest annual return shall be supplied free of charge on demand to every member
or other person interested in the fluids of the Club.
25. Publication of Accounts
The Club shall keep a copy of the last balance sheet for the time being together with the Report
made by the Auditors where applicable thereon always hung up in a conspicuous place at its
registered office
26. Registration
These Rules shall take effect on and from the date of their registration pursuant to and in accordance
with the provisions of Section 2 of the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1965.
27. Dissolution
In the event of it becoming necessary for the Members to discontinue the activities of the Club and
to dissolve the Club under the provisions of the Act, its net remaining funds and property shall be
given or transferred to another registered CASC, a registered charity or the Game’s governing body.
VII. GENERAL
28. Licensing
28.1 Save for those persons who are admitted to membership under Rule 5.13 no person may be
admitted to membership without an interval of at least two days between the dates of nomination and
admission.
28.2 Subject to such restrictions as may be imposed from time to time by the Committee in any
Regulations.
28.2.1 The Ground shall be open during such hours as the Committee may decide and intoxicating
liquor shall be supplied during such hours as may be fixed by the Committee (having due regard to
the permitted hours within the licensing district in which the Ground is situated) and notified to the
Police and also the Clerk to the Licensing Justices as required by law, but the Committee shall have
power to close the Ground or any part thereof and/or reduce the hours of supply of intoxicating
liquor from time to time on affixing notice thereof on the Clubs notice board.
28.2.2 Members may introduce and entertain guests at the Ground
28.2.3 Provision is hereby made for the admission to any premises on the Ground in respect of
which the Club is registered under the Licensing Act 1964 (or any statutory modification or re
enactment thereof) of persons other than Members or their guests and for the sale of intoxicating
liquor to them by or on behalf of the Club for consumption on such premises.
Revision 1 dated 26 January 2006 Page 13 of 14
29. Continuity
For the avoidance of doubt every Member of the Club who at the date these Rules take effect
pursuant to Rule 26 holds office or position in any capacity in the Club (including the position of
Vice-Presidents) shall continue to hold the same office or position following registration. Such
Members shall have the same seniority, dates of appointment, dates of retirement and the like after
registration as before registration, subject only to such changes as are necessary by virtue of these
Rules. The Trustees under the former Rules of the Club shall, until they have fully discharged their
duties. remain as Trustees upon those of the former Rules, which relate to Trustees, varied only
insofar as these Rules necessarily require.
30. Indemnity
Each Officer (including under the former Rules of the Club the Trustees) and employee from time to
time of the Club and each person who was or is from time to time a Member of the Committee or
any Sub-Committee shall (to the extent that such person is not entitled to recover under any policy of
insurance) be entitled to be indemnified out of any and all funds available to the Club which may
lawfully be so applied, against all costs, liens, charges, expenses and liabilities whatsoever incurred
by such person in the execution and discharge of duties undertaken on behalf of the Club or in
relation thereto, or incurred in good faith in the purported discharge of such duties, including any
liability incurred in initiating, prosecuting or defending any proceedings, civil or criminal, which
relate to anything done or omitted as an Officer or employee or as a Member of the Committee or
any Sub-Committee as the case may be.
31. Notices
Any notice or other communication or document sent by first class post to a Member, Officer or
Member of the Committee shall be treated as having been given twenty-four hours after the time
when it was posted.
32. Arbitration
Every dispute of the type specified in Section 60 of the Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1965
or any amendment, modification or re-enactment thereof (not being one in respect of which the
decision falls to be made in some other way under these Rules) shall be referred to the arbitration of
a single arbitrator (pursuant to the Arbitration Act for the time being in force) to be appointed in
default of agreement between the parties to the dispute by the President (or failing whom one of the
other Officers) for the time being of the Union.
33. Interpretation
Subject to the provisions of the Act any difference of opinion as to the interpretation of these Rules
or on any matter not provided for therein shall be decided by the Chairman of a General Meeting at
such Meeting or by the Committee in every other circumstance, and every such decision shall be
recorded in the minutes and shall be accepted as the true meaning until thereafter otherwise
interpreted on due notice at a subsequent General Meeting
Revision 1 dated 26 January 2006 Page 14 of 14
34. Schedule of Definitions
“the Act” means the Industrial and Provident Societies Acts 1965-1978 and any subsequent
Acts governing or otherwise affecting industrial and provident societies.
“Auditors” means the authors of the Club for the time being
“Club” means Oakham Rugby Football Club Limited
“Committee” means the committee designated in Rule 13 and “Committee Member” or “Member
of the Committee” means a member of the Committee for the time being and shall
include a person co-opted under Ride 11.2.
“Financial Statement” means a Balance Sheet together with a Statement of Accounts
showing Income and Expenditure.
‘Game” means the game of Rugby Union Football.
“General Meeting” means a general meeting of Members.
“Ground” means the ground including stands, clubhouse and other buildings built thereon
maintained and developed under the provisions of Rule 35.
“Honorary Secretary” means the Honorary Secretary of the Club for the time being.
“IRFB” means the world Governing Body of the Game which at the date of the adoption of
these Rules is the International Rugby Football Board of which the Union is a
member.
“IRFB Regulations” means the Resolutions and Regulations Relating to the Game
promulgated by the IRFB from time to time.
“Laws of the Game” means the laws promulgated by the IRFB from time to time
according to which the Game is played throughout the world.
“Member” means a member of the Club.
“Officers” means the officers designated in Rule 12.
“Registrar” means the Chief Registrar and Assistant Registrars for England in the Central Office
of the Registry of Friendly Societies.
“Regulation” means a resolution, regulation or instruction made in accordance with Rule 4.12.
“Rules” means the Rules of the Club for the time being registered with the Registrar.
“Union” means the Rugby Football Union.
RSS Feeds