Constitution

The Club Constitution

  1. NAMEThe Club shall be called Mixed Bag United (Hereinafter referred to as the Club).
  2. OBJECTS
    1. The objects of the Club shall be “to facilitate the playing of soccer amongst
      members in the East Clare area in a sporting, fair and inclusive manner”       – and to
      undertake other activities incidental or conducive to the furtherance of these objects.
      A diversity of members is encouraged, with people young* and old, male and female, from
      various cultural backgrounds playing together.
      *aged 16 up
    2. The Club is committed to encouraging the highest ethical standards. All
      individuals involved in the Club should conduct themselves with integrity,
      transparency, accountability and in a fair and equitable manner.
  3. MEMBERSHIP
    1. The membership shall consist of the following categories:
      • Full member (over 18)
      • Associate member (under 18)**members of associate category should number no more than one third of total membership.
    2. Members in each category shall pay Membership fees as fixed at each Annual General Meeting. The Club in General Meeting may also require Members to contribute to the funds of the Club by way of a
      special levy.
    3. All members joining the Club shall be deemed to accept the terms of this Constitution and any Bye-laws from time to time adopted by the Club, in particular without prejudice to the foregoing generality, the
      requirement to conduct themselves in accordance with the Club’s ethical framework and the bye-laws as to discipline set out therein.
    4. Any person seeking to join the Club shall submit an application to the Executive Committee. Members shall be admitted by the Executive Committee. Membership is open to all and no application for
      membership will be refused on other than reasonable grounds. There will be no discrimination on grounds of race, occupation, sex or religious, political or other opinion.
  4. MANAGEMENT
    1. The affairs of the Club shall be conducted by an Executive Committee which shall consist of the Officers of the Club plus two full members, all of whom shall be elected at the Annual General
      Meeting.
    2. The Officers of the Club who shall be honorary shall be the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary. If the post of any officer or ordinary committee member should fall vacant after such an election, the Executive Committee shall have the power to fill the vacancy until
      the succeeding Annual General Meeting.
    3. All Executive Committee members must be full members of the Club.
    4. The said Officers shall also be the trustees ex officiis of the Club who shall hold any property belonging to the Club in their name and shall further be entitled to sue and be sued on behalf of the Club as trustees
      ex officiis. They shall all be entitled to personal indemnity out of the funds of the Club where they are acting bona fide in their capacity as Officers of the Club.
    5. The Executive Committee shall have full power to deal with all matters relating to the Club not reserved to a General Meeting in terms of this Constitution, including power to make public and enforce such byelaws
      as the Committee feel necessary to govern the activities of the Club [including bye-laws relating to discipline].
  5. GENERAL MEETINGS
    1. Annual General Meeting
      The Club shall hold an Annual General Meeting in the month of May to:

      • Approve the minutes of the previous year’s AGM.
      • Receive reports from the Chairman and Honorary Secretary.
      • Receive a report from the Honorary Treasurer and approve the Annual Accounts.
      • Receive a report from those responsible for certifying the Club’s accounts.
      • Elect the Executive Committee.
      • Appoint someone responsible for certifying the Club’s accounts.
      • Fix the subscription for the ensuing year.
      • Consider changes to the Constitution.
      • Review and consider any Bye-laws.
      • Deal with other relevant business.
    2. Extraordinary General MeetingAn Extraordinary General Meeting shall be called by an application in writing to the Secretary supported by at least 30% of the full members of the Club. The Executive Committee shall also have the power to call an Extraordinary General Meeting by decision of a simple majority of its members.
    3. NoticesAt least 14 days’ notice and the Agenda shall be given to all voting members of any General Meeting. No business shall be conducted unless fair notice thereof is contained in the Agenda.
    4. Voting
      • Only full members can vote at meetings.
      • With the exception of changes to the Constitution, decisions put to a vote shall be resolved by simple majority at General Meetings.
      • The Chairman of the Club shall hold a deliberative as well as a casting vote at general and committee meetings, in each case at the time the meeting commences its business.
    5. QuoraThe quorum at General Meetings shall be 20% of the full members and the quorum for Committee Meetings shall be 50% of the Committee members.
    6. Changes to the Constitution
      • Any change to the Constitution shall require a two thirds’ majority of those present, eligible to vote and voting at a General Meeting.
      • A proposal to change the Constitution must be submitted in writing to the Secretary who shall circulate the proposal to all members and allow seven days for submission of any amendments before calling a meeting in accordance with rule 5(iii) above.
      • All proposals for changes to the Constitution shall be signed by two members eligible to vote at a General Meeting.
  6. FINANCE AND ACCOUNTS
    1. The financial year shall run from April 9th to April 8th each year.
    2. The Honorary Treasurer shall be responsible for the preparation of Annual Accounts of the Club.
    3. The Accounts shall be certified by an appropriate independent person elected annually at the Annual General Meeting.
    4. All cheques drawn against the Club’s funds shall be signed by any two of four designated members of the executive committee.
    5. All members of the Club (except those under 18) shall be jointly and severally responsible for the financial liabilities of the Club.
  7. DISSOLUTION
    1. The Club is a non-profit making organisation. All profits and surpluses will be used to maintain or improve or develop the Club’s facilities or to carry out the objects of the Association to which it is affiliated. No profit or surplus will be distributed other than to another non-profit making body on a winding-up or
      dissolution of the Club.
    2. If, upon the winding up or dissolution of the Club there remains after the satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities any property whatsoever, the same shall be transferred to some other organisation or organisations having objects similar to the objects of the Club, such organisation or organisations
      to be determined by the members of the Club by Resolution passed at a General meeting or in the absence of such a resolution (or that the extent to which it cannot be given effect) to the Association to which the Club is affiliated.