1 Club name and affiliation
The club is called Reading and Country Badminton Club, and is affiliated to BADMINTON
England.
2 Aims and Objectives
The aims and objectives of the club are to:
- play and promote badminton in the local community
- offer badminton coaching and competition opportunities to all members where possible
- provide duty of care and protection to all club members
- to provide all its services in a way that is fair to everyone
- to ensure that all present and future members are treated equitably
3 Finance and Accounts
All club monies are banked in an account held in the name of the club. The accounts
are kept by the Treasurer, and audited annually. The financial year of the club
will end on 31st May. Any cheques drawn against club funds will be signed
by the Treasurer.
Should Reading and Country Badminton Club no longer be viable and the accounts need
to be wound up then any residual funds, after all creditors have been satisfied,
shall be donated to a club or organisation with similar aims and objectives.
4 Running of the Club
The club is run by a committee consisting of:
- Chairman
- Treasurer
- Secretary
- Match Secretary
- Three further elected members – General Committee
There is also a Child Welfare Officer and a Shuttle Controller.
These roles are clarified in Appendix I to this Constitution.
Reading and Country Juniors is a subsidiary of Reading and Country Badminton Club
and as such has adopted and agreed to abide by all the Club’s policies and procedures.
For ease of administration, the Junior Club has its own Treasurer, who abides by
the agreed procedures for Finance and Accounts. The financial year for the Junior
Club ends on 31st July. (See Appendix II - Protocols relating to Junior
Club and Appendix III - Health and Safety).
At the AGM each year, the committee resigns but is then eligible for re-election
if they so choose.
5 Membership
Membership shall consist of:
- No more than 50 full members in the Senior Club
- No more than 18 junior players in the Junior Club in any session
Prospective members may be offered Temporary membership for one season only or part
of a season, in which case they will be required to apply for full membership the
next season. The election of members shall be at the discretion of the committee.
All members are subject to the constitution and codes of conduct adopted by the
club. Subscriptions, Match fees and Visitors fees are set and reviewed annually
by the committee and approved at the AGM. Match fees are set at a level which ensures
that match play is self funding.
6 Child Protection
Reading and Country Badminton Club agrees to adopt the BADMINTON England Child Protection
Policy and Implementation Procedures (see Appendix V). All individual members are
deemed to have assented to the BADMINTON England Child Protection Policy and Code
of Ethics and Conduct and as such recognise and adhere to the principles and responsibilities
embodied in these documents.
All adults having contact with the Junior Club must undergo CRB checks, which must
be updated every three years. Child Welfare Officers must undergo Safeguarding Training,
as required by BADMINTON England. Records are kept by the Junior Club Leader. The
cost of these checks, and any training, is met in full by the Club.
7 Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting is normally held by the end of June each year. At least
fourteen days notice will be given to members, and the Agenda circulated in advance
of the meeting. A quorum is considered to be 25% of the number of members of Reading
and Country Badminton Club.
The Agenda includes:
- a report from the Chairman on general matters
- Treasurer’s report and the year’s Accounts, with recommendation of any changes to
subscriptions and fees
- a Match Secretary’s report on end of season team placement
- a report on the Junior Club
- resignation of the current committee
- election of the committee for the coming year
All members have the right to vote at the AGM.
Members have the right to call for an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM). It shall
be held at the request of at least 25% of members. Notice for an EGM will be the
same as for an AGM.
A resolution to dissolve the club can only be passed at an AGM or EGM through a
majority vote of the membership. In the event of dissolution, any assets of the
club that remain will become the property of BADMINTON England or some other club
with similar objectives to those of the club.
8 Team Selection
Teams are selected by a Selection Committee made up of members spanning the Clubs’
teams, who have knowledge of the play of a number of individuals. The Club Chairman
does not sit on the Selection Committee. This Committee follows the agreed rationale,
which is made available to all club members, and is included as Appendix IV. Three
members of the Selection Committee shall form a quorum.
9 League and Friendly Matches
Members taking part in league and friendly matches pay a match fee for home and
away matches at an amount as shall be agreed from time to time by the Management
Committee. These fees should fund in full the cost of shuttles and court hire for
matches
10 Guests and Attendance of Members
Club members shall be entitled to bring guests in but members must obtain the permission
of the Secretary or other member of the Committee. A guest is required to pay a
visitors’ fee at such amount as shall from time to time be fixed by the Committee.
Visitors may usually only attend six club-night sessions. Membership to the Club
is considered by the Committee after three attendances.
11 Club Evenings
After gaining access to the court, club members are asked to enter into their game
as soon as possible in order to enable the maximum number of games to be played
during each club session.
A peg board system is used: members whose name is at the front may select their
game from the next six pegs only, and then inform the next person to select the
following game if sufficient pegs are available. Members are expected to use this
system fairly; any concern arising must be brought to the attention of a Committee
member as soon as possible.
12 Membership of the Leagues
The Chairperson and Secretary shall be the Club’s official representatives at general
meetings of Leagues and shall have the power to vote on all matters affecting the
Club’s interest. If unable to attend or act in these capacities the Management Committee
shall have the power to appoint another member of the management committee or club
member to officially represent the Club at such meetings.
13 Club Entries in Leagues
The Committee shall make a decision as soon as possible following the Annual General
Meeting as to the type and number of entries to be submitted for entry into any
League for the following season.
This decision will be based on the existing playing membership and match play court
time available.
14 Waiting List
If necessary the Secretary shall maintain a “waiting list” and have authority to
invite potential new members to three club sessions respectively. After three attendances
the Management committee shall decide whether or not to accept the application for
membership.
The waiting list for the Junior Club is managed by the Junior Club Leader.
15 Club Tournaments
Club tournaments shall be arranged annually with the object of affording the opportunity
to all members to compete, where there is sufficient interest from the members of
the Club. The Committee has the power to deal with the arrangements for the holding
of such tournaments in whatever manner they think fit and shall also have power
to co-opt members, if necessary, solely for the purpose of organising such tournaments.
The main trophies shall remain the property of the Reading and Country Badminton
Club at all times.
16 Summer Club
A Summer subscription is paid by all summer members, as agreed by the Committee.
Visitors and guests pay a visitors fee. Attendance at Summer Club does not give
automatic membership to the Club.
Should the number of visitors restrict court playing time; this will be addressed
as soon as possible by Committee members present.
17 Constitution Changes
This Constitution can be changed only by majority vote at an AGM.