Wednesday 5 November 2008

Modle Rules

Plase Note KINGSLEY Rules Vary Slightly.

1. Name, Office and Objects of the Society

The society is a Working Men’s Club, and shall be called the KINGSLEY PARK WORKING MEN’S CLUB AND INSTITUTE (hereinafter called “the club”). Its registered office shall be 120 Kingsley Park Terrace, Kingsley, Northampton, NN2 7HJ or such other place as a general meeting may determine.
Notice of any change in the situation of the registered office shall be sent by the secretary to the Financial Services Authority or its statutory successor within 14 days in the form provided by the Act.
The objects of the club are to afford to its members the means of social intercourse, mutual helpfulness, mental and moral improvement, and rational recreation.
“The Act” hereinafter referred to means the Friendly Societies Act 1974 (as amended by the Friendly Societies Act 1992), and any Acts or subordinate legislation (including the Deregulation (Industrial and Provident Societies) Order 1996) amending or substituted for it and for the time being in force and unless the context otherwise requires expressions used in these rules which are in the Act shall have the same meaning as they have for the purposes of the Act.

2. Admission of Members

Any two members of not less than six months standing may propose and second a candidate for membership, provided that they are able from personal knowledge to vouch for his respectability and fitness to be a member and both shall sign a nomination form to this effect. The candidate shall sign such declaration of his concurrence with, and adherence to, the purposes of the club as shall be required by the
managing committee. An entrance fee off £10 must be paid by the
candidate on nomination, to be returned in the event of his not being elected. The election shall be by the managing committee and the candidate and his proposer and/or seconder shall be required to appear in person before the managing committee. No candidate shall be elected who is under 18 years of age or an employee of the club. The name and address of the candidate, with the names of his proposer and seconder, shall be prominently displayed in the principal club premises in a part frequented by the members for at least seven days before the day on which his name is submitted for election.
Every member on election shall be supplied with a copy of the rules, at such reasonable fee as the managing committee may determine from time to time.

3. Subscriptions

Every member shall pay to the funds of the club a subscription which shall become due as soon as he is elected to membership and may not be paid until he is so elected. The subscription must be paid before the member is entitled to any of the privileges of the club. The rate of subscription shall be such sum as may from time to time be determined by the members in a general meeting being not less than £1 and not exceeding £25 per year payable on the first day of January in each year.
Any member who has not paid his subscription by 1st February shall be considered in arrear, and if it be not paid by 1st March he shall cease to be a member.
No member in arrear shall be permitted to use the club, or be considered a member for the purposes of these rules.
The managing committee, on receiving information that any member is unable to pay his subscription owing to want of work or other good cause, may, at its discretion, in writing excuse payment of such member’s subscription for such period as they think fit and the member shall not forfeit the privileges of membership.

4. Notifying Change of Address

The managing committee shall keep upon the club premises a register of the names and addresses of the members. Every member shall, within 14 days, give notice to the secretary of any change in his address.
Correspondence sent to a member’s last known address as entered in the register of members shall be deemed to have been received. The names of those who cease to be members shall be removed from the register.

5. Cessation of Membership

Members shall cease to be members:
(a) By non-payment of subscription. Any person whose
membership has ceased from this cause shall not again be elected
to membership unless he pays such fee or fine as the managing
committee may in its discretion determine.
(b) By expulsion.
(c) By resignation by notice of not less than three months given
to the secretary in writing unless the managing committee waives
the requirement for the same.
(d) By death.
(e) By becoming an employee of the club (with the exception of
the secretary of the club.



6. Membership of the Union

The trustees may hold a fully paid share in the Working Men’s Club and Institute Union Limited, (hereinafter referred to as “the Union”) in order that each member of the club may be entitled to all the privileges of the Union, subject to its rules. If the trustees hold such a fully paid share a person on becoming a member of the club shall be supplied with Associate and Pass Cards at the prevailing rates charged by the Union for any period for which he has paid his subscription or been granted life membership of the club
.
7. Admission of Associates

So long only as the trustees shall hold a share in the Union, all Associates of the Union shall subject to the following provisions of this rule be admitted to the club premises, and alcohol may be supplied to them by or on behalf of the club for consumption on the premises. An Associate before being admitted to the club must produce his subscription card (showing that his current subscription to his club has been paid), the Associate Card of the Union and the current Pass Card issued by the Union, and must write his name and that of his club in the Union Associate Book, to be kept for that purpose. The doorkeeper or other appointed official shall compare the signature in the book with that on the Associate Card, and on being satisfied that the signatures correspond shall admit the Associate. Associates shall have the same rights and privileges, and be subject to the same rules and by-laws as members, except that they may not either themselves attend or vote, or appoint a proxy to attend or vote at any meeting of the club, receive a share of assets on dissolution, or take away alcohol for consumption off the premises. The managing committee may refuse admission to Associates or limit their admission to such times and parts of the premises as they think fit in the interests of the club. Notice of such limitations shall be sent to the General Secretary of the Union. The managing committee may also refuse admission to Associates who are former members by virtue of Rule 5(a) and (b).

8. General Meetings
Ordinary Meetings

(1) There will be two ordinary general meetings each year one to be held in not later than the 31st March and the other to be held not later than the 30th September on dates to be fixed by the managing committee. The meeting held by 31st March shall be the annual general meeting. At least ten days’ notice of every ordinary general meeting, with a copy of the agenda, shall be posted in the club.
The business of the annual general meeting shall be to receive the account or accounts and balance sheet as audited, if required, and the report of the auditor on the revenue account or accounts and balance sheet if required and at each ordinary general meeting to consider such other business as may be submitted by the managing committee or any motion to be proposed by a member of which seven days’ notice has been given to the secretary in writing. On receipt of such notice the secretary shall add it to the agenda posted in the club. At the annual meeting a report for the year shall be presented by the managing committee.
The auditor shall be entitled to attend any general meeting of the club and to receive all notices of and other communications relating to any general meeting which any member of the club is entitled to receive and to be heard at any meeting which he attends on any part of the business of the meeting which concerns him as auditor.

Special Meetings

(2) A special meeting shall be called by the secretary in the following
cases:
(a) Upon the direction of the managing committee, and in
accordance with such direction.
(b) On a requisition signed by one-quarter of the total number of
members entitled to attend and vote at a general meeting or 50 such
members, whichever is the less, stating the special object thereof.
Such meeting shall be held within not less than 14 and not more
than 21 days from the date of the receipt by the secretary of the
requisition.
Notice to be Given

(3) Notice of any special meeting, and of the object for which it is
called, shall be posted by the secretary in the club at least 10 days prior
to the date of the meeting. Should the secretary not convene a special
meeting in the manner required hereby within 10 clear days after a
duly signed requisition has been delivered to him, any of the
requisitioners may call such a meeting, giving such notice as is provided
by this rule.
Business

(4) No business other than that named in the notice shall be brought
before a special meeting.
Quorum

(5) A general meeting may proceed to business if the number of
members present is at least one more than the total number of members
of the managing committee as provided by Rule 10 within an hour
after the time fixed for the meeting, otherwise the meeting, if convened
on the requisition of the members, shall be dissolved, but if convened
by order of the managing committee, it shall stand adjourned to the
week following, at the same time, and the meeting so adjourned may
proceed to business whatever be the number of members present. No
meeting shall become incompetent to transact business from the want
of a quorum arising after the chair has been taken.
Adjournment

(6) Any general meeting duly constituted, may adjourn to such time
as the members present direct, and may continue any such adjournment
from time to time. No business shall be brought on at any adjourned
meeting which could not have been transacted at the original meeting.
Voting

(7) Each member present shall be entitled to one vote on each motion.

9. Officers

(1) The club shall have the following officers: Three trustees, a
president, vice-president, treasurer, secretary, assistant secretary and a
minimum of 6 and up to 12 committee members. The trustees shall be
appointed at a general meeting by a resolution of a majority of the
members present and entitled to vote thereat, and shall remain in office
during the pleasure of the club. The president, vice-president, treasurer,
assistant secretary and six committeemen shall be elected each year by
ballot at the elections held following the annual general meeting and
remain in office until their successors are appointed. Retiring members
shall be eligible for re-election at the annual general meeting at which
they retire. The secretary shall be elected by ballot and shall remain in
office during the pleasure of the club. A trustee shall not be secretary,
treasurer or assistant secretary of the club.
(2) Any officer shall be removable at any time provided two-thirds
of the members present at a special meeting called for that purpose
shall vote in favour of such removal.
Any officer as included within Rule 9(1) (except a trustee) not
attending for three consecutive managing committee meetings shall,
unless he sends an explanation which the managing committee considers
satisfactory, cease to be a member of the managing committee and/or
be removed from office.
(4) In the event of a vacancy arising amongst the officers (other than the
trustees and secretary) by death, resignation or removal as provided above, the vacancy shall be filled, the managing committee having power to appoint a member to fill the vacancy. Any member so appointed shall hold office for the unexpired period for which his predecessor was elected. The office of secretary shall be filled by ballot. The scrutineers last appointed shall obtain nominations and arrange
for holding a ballot under the supervision of the president. Seven days shall be allowed for nominations and the ballot shall be held on three successive days within the following seven days. The result shall be declared by the scrutineers by notice posted in the club.
If the secretary is the holder of the Club Premises Certificate, then any
change in the office of secretary must be notified by the president or
secretary within 28 days to the Licensing Authority.
(5) In the event of the removal or the resignation of the whole or the majority of the management committee, the secretary shall arrange for a
ballot to be held as provided in Rule 9(4). Any officer shall vacate his
office if suspended or expelled from membership under Rule 24, or
upon ceasing membership from any cause. A vacancy occuring on the
suspension or expulsion of an officer (except trustees and secretary)
shall be filled by the managing committee after the hearing of any
arbitration appeal made in accordance with Rule 25.
(6) In case any trustee being removed shall refuse or neglect to assign
or transfer any property of the club as the managing committee shall
direct, he shall (if he be a member) be expelled from the club, and shall
cease to have any claim on the club on account of any contributions
paid by him, without prejudice to any liability to prosecution which he
may have incurred.
(7) Notice of any resolution appointing a trustee shall be sent by the
secretary to the Registrar of Friendly Societies within 14 days, in the appropriate form.
(8) The trustees, president, vice-president, treasurer and assistant
secretary of the club shall receive such honorarium, if any, or in the
case of the secretary, such salary, as the managing committee or a general
meeting may from time to time determine. Every officer dealing with
club moneys shall be insured with a recognised guarantee society for
the due performance of his duties in such sum as the managing
committee or a general meeting may determine.

10. Managing Committee

The managing committee shall consist of the president, vice-president,
treasurer, the three trustees and a minimum of 6 and up to 12 committee
members, all of whom shall be above the age of 18. It shall have full powers of management to conduct the business of the club, and to exercise on behalf of the club all the powers of the club not specifically required by these rules or otherwise to be exercised at a general meeting. The managing committee shall control the management of the club and shall have exclusive power to engage or dismiss a steward and other servants. It shall have power to purchase such articles and do all such things as it may deem necessary for the carrying out of the objects of the club. It shall have due regard to any resolution or recommendation of any general meeting, but in respect of matters not specifically required by these rules or otherwise to be decided at a general meeting shall not be bound to give effect to the same if in its judgement such action would be injurious to the best interests of the club. Nothing in these rules shall enable the managing committee to declare any dividend or make any monetary grants to the members, or to apply the club funds, except for the purposes of the club itself, and for the purposes specified in Rule 19. The managing committee shall meet not less than once a month or as may be agreed from time to time by the managing committee and not less than one-half of the total of the managing committee shall form a quorum. No resolution of the managing committee shall be rescinded unless notice to rescind has been given at the previous meeting of the managing committee.




11. Finance Committee

The managing committee shall at the first meeting following each
election, select a sub-committee, to be called the Finance Committee
which shall meet weekly. It shall consist of three of the committeemen and any other officers who may be appointed by the managing committee. It shall be the duty of the Finance Committee to take a record of the stock of goods at least every 28 days either by themselves or by an agent duly appointed by the managing committee for that purpose, check all demands for payment with the order book, and with the delivery notes and invoices, and to report to the whole managing committee whether such stock vouches the correctness of the returns made by the steward, and whether the demands are in order and correct. It shall see that vouchers are produced by the secretary for all payments made by him or by order of the managing committee, and it shall report at each managing committee meeting whether the secretary’s cash book has been duly made up, and that the amount there shown as standing to the credit of the club appears also in the treasurer’s book or books, and in the bank statement relating to the club’s current drawing account. These records duly made up to date, shall be laid upon the table at each managing committee meeting. The proceedings of the Finance Committee shall be recorded by the secretary in a minute book kept for that purpose. All cheques drawn upon the club’s account shall be signed by at least one member of the Finance Committee and the secretary. The Finance Committee shall have the power to give orders for such goods to be supplied and work to be done as may be necessary for carrying out the objects of the club; but nothing in this rule shall empower the managing committee to incur expenditure, except such as is consistent with the objects for which the club is established.

12. Orders

(1) No officer of the club shall by virtue of his appointment, have
power to order goods or dispose of the funds of the club.
(2) No goods or labour shall be supplied, nor any contract entered
into for work to be done for the club by a member, nor any salary,
honoraria, profit or remuneration paid to any officer, unless specifically
authorised by these rules or a general meeting.

13. Liability of Trustees

All the property of the club shall be vested in the trustees representing and acting for the whole of the members of the club. No personal liability shall attach to any trustee, except to the extent of such funds of the club as may be actually received by him. The trustees shall be the persons to sue and be sued on behalf of the club.


14. President

The president, or in his absence the vice-president, or in the absence of both such officers, an elected chairman shall take the chair at all general and managing committee meetings of the club.

15. Treasurer

The treasurer shall pay all moneys 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 managing committee may direct, and further, shall keep such accounts and pay such debts of the club as the managing committee shall direct, and shall, when required to do so, render to the managing committee, or a general meeting, an account of any moneys received and expended by him.

16. Secretary

General Duties

(a)The secretary shall be the executive officer of the club. He shall keep upon the club premises a register of the names and addresses of the club members and a subscription book, in which shall be recorded the payments of such members. He shall carry out the directions of the managing committee, and subject to such direction, shall receive moneys on account of the club, and pay them to the treasurer; and keep such accounts as the managing committee direct. He shall attend General Meetings and, Managing Committee and Finance Committee or any other sub-committee meetings if so directed, take minutes of the proceedings, prepare accounts and balance sheets, and submit them to the auditor. The Secretary shall ensure that the Club Premises Certificate, or a certified copy thereof, is kept at the club premises in the custody, or under the control of the person nominated for the purpose of Section 94(2) of the Licensing Act 2003, who may be the Secretary, or a club member, or a club employee nominated by the Secretary in writing. The nominated person shall be identified in writing to the Licensing Authority by the Secretary; and shall ensure that the summary of the certificate issued by the Licensing Authority, or a certified copy thereof, and a notice specifying the position he holds at the premises are prominently displayed at the club premises.

Assistant Secretary
(b)The assistant secretary shall assist the secretary in his duties and act for him in his absence.

17. Annual Return to Financial Services Authority

(1) The secretary shall send to the Financial Services Authority once
in every year, within the time allowed by legislation, an annual return
relating to the club’s affairs for the period required to be included in
the return. The annual return must be made up for the period beginning
with the first day of January of the year preceding the year in which the
return is required to be sent, and ending with the 31st December
inclusive. The return must be made in the form prescribed by the
Financial Services Authority, and contain such particulars as may from
time to time be required by the return. A copy of the report of the
auditor on the accounts and balance sheet contained in the return if
required by statute must accompany the annual return.

Copies to Members

(2) A copy of the last annual return or balance sheet, containing the
same particulars relating to the affairs of the club as are contained in
the annual return together with a copy of the report of the auditor on
the accounts and balance sheet contained in the return or on that balance sheet so supplied as the case may be, if required by statute, shall be supplied gratuitously on demand to every member or person interested in the funds of the club.
Balance Sheet

(3) A copy of the accounts and balance sheets covering the year ending on the previous 31st December, and the report of the auditor on the balance sheet and accounts, if required by statute, shall be posted in the registered office and shall be kept always hung up in a conspicuous place at the said office.

18. Audit

(1) An audit, where necessary in law or where the membership
require, will be carried out by a registered auditor or two or more lay
auditors where the conditions for appointing lay auditors apply. Where
there is no requirement to carry out an audit a registered auditor will be
appointed to act as the reporting accountant.
(2) Save as provided in paragraph (3) of this rule every appointment
of an auditor shall be made by resolution of a general meeting of the
club.
(3) The managing committee may appoint a registered auditor to
fill any casual vacancy occurring between general meetings of the club.
(4) A registered auditor appointed to audit the accounts and balance
sheet of the club for the preceding year of account (whether by a general
meeting or by the managing committee) shall be re-appointed as the
registered auditor of the club for the current year of account (whether
or not any resolution expressly re-appointing him has been passed)
unless:

(a) a resolution has been passed at a general meeting of the club
appointing somebody instead of him or providing expressly that he
shall not be re-appointed or
(b) he has given to the club notice in writing of his unwillingness
to be re-appointed or
(c) he is ineligible for appointment as registered auditor of the
club for the current year of account or
(d) he has ceased to act as registered auditor of the club by reason
of incapacity.
Provided that a retiring registered auditor shall not be automatically re-appointed by virtue of this rule if notice of an intended resolution to appoint another person in his place has been given in accordance with paragraph (5) of this rule and the resolution cannot be proceeded with because of the death, incapacity or ineligibility of that other person.
(5) A resolution at a general meeting of the club (i) appointing
another person as registered auditor in place of a retiring registered
auditor or (ii) providing expressly that a retiring auditor shall not be re-
appointed shall not be effective unless notice of the intention to move
it has been given to the club not less than 28 days before the meeting at
which it is moved. On receipt by the club of notice of the intention to
move any such resolution the club shall give notice of the resolution to
the members and to the retiring registered auditor in accordance with
Section 34 of the Act. The club shall also give such notice to the retiring
registered auditor in accordance with Section 35 of the Act, and shall
give notice to the members in accordance with that section of any
representations made or intended to be made by the retiring registered
auditor.
(6) None of the following persons shall be appointed as registered
auditor of the club:

(a) an officer or servant of the club
(b) a person who is a partner of or in the employment of or who
employs an officer or servant of the club.

(7) The registered auditor shall in accordance with the Act make a
report to the club on the accounts examined by him and on the revenue
account or accounts and the balance sheet of the club for the year of
account in respect of which he is appointed.
(8) The registered auditor shall have a right of access at all times to
the books, deeds and accounts of the club and to all other documents
relating to its affairs, and shall be entitled to require from the officers
of the club such information and explanations as he thinks necessary
for the performance of the duties of the auditors.

19. Application and Investment of Funds
(1)All moneys received on account of the club, from any source, shall not except as provided under Rule 30 be distributed amongst the members, but shall be applied towards carrying out the objects of the club, or shall be invested by the trustees in such ways, and upon such of the following investments as the managing committee, or a general meeting may decide:
(a) In the purchase of land or buildings as aftermentioned (Rule
20), or in the erection or alteration of a club house or other buildings.
(b) On the securities of any society registered under the Industrial
and Provident Societies Act, or under the Building Societies Act, or
of any company incorporated by ’Royal Charter or Act of Parliament,
provided that such society or company has its liability limited.
(2) In any investment in which trustees are, for the time being,
by law authorised to invest trust funds. Provided always that nothing shall authorise any investment of
the funds in any manner contrary to law, i.e. in the advancing of money
to members or others on notes of hand, or deposited with any member
at interest.
(3) The club may subscribe out of its funds, as provided by Section
52 of the Act, to the Union Convalescent Homes, or to any other
convalescent home, hospital, infirmary, charitable or provident
institution, any annual or other sum which may be necessary to secure
to members of the club or their families the benefits of such institution.

20. Acquisition of Land and Borrowing Powers
(1) The trustees may, when authorised thereto by a general meeting,
or by the managing committee, hold, purchase, or take on lease any
land or buildings and may sell, exchange, mortgage, lease, or build
upon the land, with power to alter and pull down buildings and again
rebuild.
(2) The trustees may, when authorised thereto by the managing
committee, obtain advances of money for the purposes of the club upon
the security of bonds or agreements or promissory notes or certificates
of indebtedness or mortgages of real property of the club or bills of
sale on all or any of the goods and chattels of the club upon such terms
as to interest and as to the time and manner of repayment of principal
as the managing committee may determine.

21. Conduct of Elections

Nominations

(1) The election of officers (except trustees) shall be by ballot. At
least three weeks before the day fixed for any ballot a nomination sheet
shall be posted in the club by the secretary, on which the names of all
candidates for any office must be entered, and such sheet shall remain
open until at least 10 p.m. on the day following the closing of the general
meeting. No member shall be eligible for nomination unless he has
been a member for at least six calendar months prior to nominations
closing, and has been proposed and seconded by two members, who
must themselves sign the sheet. No member under suspension at the
date of closing of the nomination sheet shall be eligible for nomination.
No candidate shall be nominated for more than one position and if
nominated shall be deemed to have resigned from his present position.

Scrutineers

(3) The arrangements for ballot shall be carried out under the direction of the secretary by three scrutineers appointed by the general meeting, who shall not be candidates or officers. The scrutineers so appointed shall remain as scrutineers until their successors are appointed.

Ballot. When Held

(4) Ballots shall be held during the week following the annual general
meeting or in the succeeding week. Ballots shall remain open during
not less than two hours on the evenings of not less than three consecutive
days to be fixed by the managing committee, and the result shall be
made known by the posting of a notice in the club signed by the
scrutineers, recording the number of votes polled by each candidate,
and indicating which of the candidates are elected.

Who May Vote

(5) Each member shall have one vote for each vacancy but no
member may give more than one vote to any one candidate.




Tie

(6) The candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be
declared duly elected. In the event of two or more candidates receiving
an equal number of votes for the last vacancy or vacancies, the names
of such candidates shall be written on slips of paper, which shall be
placed so that the names are concealed, and the president, or in his
absence, some person appointed by the scrutineers, shall then draw as
many slips as there are vacancies to be filled, and the members whose
names are so drawn shall be declared duly elected.

Scrutiny

(7) The scrutineers shall, at the conclusion of the ballot, seal up the
ballot papers and hand them to the secretary, who shall retain them for
seven days. A scrutiny shall take place if a written demand be presented
to the secretary within seven days from the close of the ballot, signed
by not less than one-fifth or 50 members, whichever is the least, and
the scrutiny shall be carried out by three fresh scrutineers, to be named
by the Branch Executive of the Club and Institute Union in the Branch
Area where the club is situated, and their decision shall be final.

22. Inspection of Books

Any member or person having an interest in the club funds may, at all reasonable times, inspect all books and accounts, at the registered office, or at any place where they are kept, and it shall be the duty of the secretary to produce them for inspection.

23. Settlement of Disputes
Disputes Between a Member and an Officer of the Club

(1) All disputes between a member and an officer of the club shall,
unless the managing committee elect to refer the matter directly to a
special meeting, be settled by the managing committee. An officer who
is on the managing committee should not vote or act as a managing
committee member in any dispute concerning him personally. The
decision of the managing committee shall be final, unless any party
aggrieved thereby shall, within seven days, produce to the secretary a
requisition satisfying the conditions mentioned in Rule 8(2)(b),
whereupon the decisions shall be reviewed by a special meeting, and
its decision shall be binding.

Disputes Between a Member and the Club

(2) All disputes between a member or person aggrieved who has
ceased to be a member, or any person claiming through such member
or person aggrieved or under the rules and the club or the managing
committee shall be referred to the Executive of the Union or the persons
appointed by them, who shall be the arbitrator or arbitrators for the
club and whose decision shall be final.
(3) In this rule the expression “dispute” includes any dispute arising
on the question whether a member or person aggrieved is entitled to be
or to continue to be a member or to be reinstated as a member but, save
as aforesaid, in the case of a person who has ceased to be a member,
does not include any dispute other than a dispute on a question between
him and the club or an officer thereof, which arose whilst he was a
member or arises out of his previous relation as a member to the club.

24. Misconduct of Members
(1) The secretary or president or in the absence of both such officers
any officer present upon the club premises shall have power to order
the withdrawal from the club premises of any member who shall infringe
any rule or by-law or whose conduct whether within the club or
elsewhere shall in his opinion render a member unfit for further entry
to the club. A member whose withdrawal has been ordered as provided
above and who is to be the subject of proceedings in a court of law may
not be allowed to use the club premises until in the opinion of the
managing committee his case is satisfactorily disposed of through the
courts.
The secretary or president or officer who orders the withdrawal
of a member for misconduct as per Rule 24(1), that member not being
the subject of proceedings in any court of law, shall, at the next meeting ot the managing committee or as soon as practicable thereafter, lay a complaint upon which the managing committee must decide whether or not to formally charge the member. If the managing committee by a majority of members present at the meeting and entitled to vote, decide that on the face of the complaint there is a case to answer, the secretary will write to the member setting out the charge or charges and summon him to appear before the managing committee giving not less than 3 clear days notice to afford the member an opportunity to advance a defence.
(2) The managing committee having found the charge of misconduct proven against a member by a simple majority of their number present and entitled to vote must by at least two-thirds of the said managing committee vote for the member to be reprimanded, suspended (for a period not exceeding 12 months) or expelled to render it effective. If a vote of at least two-thirds is not obtained the member shall be advised that although the charge is proved no sentence will be imposed. A member convicted of any offence by any court of law may be suspended or expelled in his absence. A suspended member shall not be entitled to any of the rights and privileges of club membership but shall remain liable to pay his subscription. The decision of the managing committee shall be sent to the member in writing within three days of the managing committee meeting at which the decision was reached and the members’ right of appeal procedure explained in the letter.

25. Right of Appeal

A member suspended or expelled shall have the right to appeal to the Union General Secretary who shall arrange through a Union Branch Secretary for the appointment of arbitrators. Such appeal must be lodged within 30 days of the management committee’s meeting at which the member was so suspended or expelled and be in writing, addressed to the General Secretary of the Union. No appeal shall be heard by the said arbitrators unless a deposit is submitted to the General Secretary of the Union. The Union’s National Executive Committee shall determine such deposit, and the sum due shall be notified to the member on lodgement of the appeal. That deposit must be received within 30 days from the appellant on lodgement of an appeal before the case proceeds, after this time the case will be closed.
The arbitrators may order the costs of the arbitration to be borne by either party or by both parties in such proportions as they may think fit, and such sum may be reimbursed from the deposit held.
The arbitrators, or a majority of them, shall have full power to alter or rescind such suspension or expulsion as they may think fit, and there shall be no appeal from their decision.


26. Introduction of Guests

A member or an Associate may personally introduce friends as his guests, but no member or Associate may introduce more than three friends at any one time. The member or Associate introducing the guest(s) shall sign his name in a book kept for that purpose together with the name of the guest(s). The following shall not be admitted as guests:
(a) Former members who have been expelled.
(b) Former members who have ceased to be members through
non-payment of subscriptions.
(c) Persons who, having been nominated for membership, have
not been accepted.
(d) Members who are under suspension.
(e) Persons who have been expelled or who are under suspension
from any other Union club.
Members and Associates must accompany guests introduced by them during the period of their stay in the club, and no guest shall be permitted to make any payment for alcohol directly or indirectly.
The managing committee may debar a member or Associate introducing any particular person as a guest if they so think fit and may prohibit a member or an Associate introducing guests during the hours when licensed premises in the locality are not open for the sale of alcohol to the public.
27. Gusts and Excisable Articles

Should any guest introduced by a member or an Associate pay for alcohol he shall at once be removed from the club premises. If introduced by an Associate, the Associate shall also be removed. If introduced by a member the member may be expelled from membership on the fact being duly proved; and it shall be the duty of any officer or members of the club, becoming aware of such breach of the rules, to report it at once to the secretary or managing committee.

28. Rules
Supply

(1)The Secretary shall be supplied by the managing committee with copies of the rules, and shall be bound to deliver a copy to any person, on demand, at such reasonable fee as the managing committee may from time to time determine.

Amendment


(2) These rules may be amended only at a general meeting called for that purpose. Notice of any proposed amendment shall be posted in the club for at least 10 days previous to the meeting to which the amendment is to be submitted. Any amendment shall require the votes of at least two-thirds of the members present at such meeting.
No amendment of rules is valid until registered in accordance with the Act.
Notification of any change in the name of the club or in the rules of the club must be given to the relevant Licensing Authority within 28 days after the change is made and registered
.
29. By-Laws

The managing committee shall have power to make such by-laws as it may consider necessary for the good government and order of the club, provided that no such by-laws shall conflict with any of the rules. A copy of all such by-laws shall be posted in a conspicuous place within the club-house.
30. Dissolution

The club may at any time be dissolved by an instrument of dissolution approved by a special resolution of the club. Upon dissolution of the club by consent any surplus remaining after payment in full of the club’s creditors shall be divided in equal shares among those members who were members at the date that the special provision was approved.




31. Hours of Opening and Closing of Club Premises

The club shall open and close, and qualifying club activities may take place, at such times as the managing committee may from time to time determine, subject to the terms and conditions specified in the Club Premises Certificate granted to the club under the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003.
32. Value Added Tax

Where under any of the provisions of these rules or any amendment thereto for the time being in force any sum of money is payable to the club by a member whether by way of subscription or otherwise and such payment attracts Value Added Tax then, unless any rule specifically provides to the contrary, a member shall in addition pay to the club such further sum as shall be equal to the amount of Value Added Tax at the rate for the time being in force attributable to such sum.

33. Life Members

(a) The managing committee may, in their discretion, grant life
membership to any member who has rendered special service to the
club, or who in their opinion is deserving of the distinction. Life
members shall not be liable to pay subscriptions under Rule 3, but
shall be entitled to all the rights and privileges of club membership,
including the right to attend meetings, vote at elections and be nominated
for a committee or other office.
(b) Every life member shall be under a continuing duty to notify the
secretary of his up-to-date address.
(c) A life member must personally attend the club annually or contact
the club by letter, from 1st January to 31st March to obtain a renewal
of his certificate of life membership duly signed by the secretary. If a
life member fails to obtain his annual certificate of life membership as
indicated above, the secretary will write to the member notifying him
that he has ceased to be a member of the club.
(d) The life member may within the 3 month period mentioned in
(c) above or within 28 days of the date of the notice of cessation of his
membership, write to the management committee with a request that
his life membership should continue and it will be for the management
committee in their absolute discretion to decide whether or not he should
remain a life member.


34. Interpretation

(1) In these rules, unless the contrary intention appears, words
denoting the masculine gender shall be deemed to include the feminine.
(2) Any reference to the Chief Registrar, Registrar, Central Office,
Assistant Registrar (for Scotland) or the Registry of Friendly Societies,
includes reference to the Financial Services Authority (also known as
the “FSA”), which is the statutory successor carrying on the relevant
functions of any of them.

35. Under 18 Years of Age

No one under the age of 18 is allowed to drink alcohol on the premises. Alcohol shall not be supplied directly or indirectly to persons under the age of 18 whilst on the club premises.