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Constitution

Constitution — Veterans Cricket Association of Ireland

Governing Document

Constitution of the Veterans Cricket Association of Ireland

The rules and governance framework of VCAI — a voluntary sporting organisation open to players aged 40 and over.

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Articles: 21 Membership: Open to all aged 40+ Amendment: Two-thirds majority Dissolution: Five-sixths majority Committee Quorum: 4 members AGM Quorum: 8 members

Table of Contents

1Club Name 12Discipline & Appeals 2Club Colours 13Resignation 3Club Objectives 14Trustees 4Affiliation 15Liability of Members 5Authorised Methods 16Club Regulations 6Membership 17Notices 7General Meetings 18Amendments 8AGM 19Dissolution 9EGM 20Distribution of Assets 10The Committee 21Indemnity of Officers 11Finance
Article 1Club Name
1.1The organisation is known as the Veterans Cricket Association of Ireland, hereinafter referred to as "the Club" or "VCAI".
Article 2Club Colours
2.1The official colours of the Club will be determined by the Committee.
Article 3Club Objectives
3.1The Club's mission is to promote and cultivate participation in the sport of cricket within the community. This includes offering cricket facilities, recreational opportunities, coaching, and competitive events.
Article 4Affiliation
4.1The Club is deeply committed to ensuring the well-being of its members. All individuals involved with the Club must consistently demonstrate respect for the safety and welfare of others, adhering to the Club's principles and the guidelines outlined in the Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children's Sport in Ireland.
Article 5Authorised Methods to Advance Objectives

The Committee is vested with the authority to:

  • 5.1Acquire and provide grounds, equipment, coaching, training facilities, playing areas, clubhouses, transportation, and related amenities.
  • 5.2Offer coaching, training, and related social and community resources.
  • 5.3Secure insurance coverage for the club committee, employees, players, guests, and third parties.
  • 5.4Generate funds through appeals, subscriptions, charges, raffles, events, and other fundraising activities.
  • 5.5Borrow funds and provide necessary security, including opening bank accounts.
  • 5.7Allocate or reserve funds for specific purposes.
  • 5.8Apply for grants.
  • 5.9Deposit or invest funds in accordance with legal practices.
  • 5.10Employ staff and engage other individuals to provide services.
  • 5.11Collaborate with organisations, clubs, sporting bodies, government agencies, or government-related bodies.
  • 5.12Undertake all other reasonable actions necessary to advance the Club's objectives. None of the aforementioned powers may be exercised in a manner that deviates from the stated objectives, the Rules, or the prevailing laws.
Article 6Membership
6.1Membership in the Club is open to anyone over the age of 40 interested in the sport, regardless of gender, age, disability, ethnicity, sexual orientation, civil status, family status, religion, or membership in the Traveller Community. However, limitations based on available facilities may be applied on a non-discriminatory basis.
6.2The Club may establish different membership classes on a fair and non-discriminatory basis.
6.3Subscription levels will be determined by the Committee and communicated to the members as needed.
6.4The Club will offer the following membership classes:
  • 6.4.1  Full Members — Playing
  • 6.4.2  Full Members — Non-Playing
  • 6.4.3  Honorary Life Members — individuals nominated by the Committee for their exceptional service to the Club
6.5Membership will be granted upon completion of a membership application form and approval by resolution of the Committee.
6.6Participation in the Club's activities, voting at general meetings, or eligibility for selection in Club teams is contingent upon payment of the relevant subscription by a date specified by the Committee. Subscriptions are due from 1 January of the current year.
6.7The Club Committee retains the discretion to refuse or revoke membership, but such decisions will not be based on discrimination or unfair practices. In the event of a membership denial, the applicant has the right to submit written representations to the Committee within fourteen (14) days of the refusal notification. The Committee will reconsider the application, and its decision will be final.
6.8All members are bound by the Club's Rules, Club Regulations, and Code of Conduct upon joining.
6.9The Club Secretary will maintain a membership register.
6.10Members may resign by providing written notice to the Club, but this resignation does not absolve them of any obligations outlined in Rule 6.6.
6.11Member removal, including for conduct detrimental to the Club's reputation, is addressed in Article 12 below.
Article 7General Meetings
7.1All members may attend all general meetings.
7.2All fully paid-up members have one (1) vote.
7.3Members must be given 14 days' notice of all general meetings.
7.4The quorum for all general meetings is 8 members present.
7.5If a quorum is not present within 30 minutes of the start of the meeting, the meeting will be adjourned to the following week at the same time and place, or such other time and place as the Committee decides. If at the adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within thirty (30) minutes after the appointed time, the members present shall constitute a quorum.
7.6The Chairperson, or in his/her absence another member chosen by those present, will preside.
7.7Except as otherwise provided in the Club's Regulations, every resolution shall be decided by a simple majority of the votes cast on a show of hands.
7.8Formalities in connection with general meetings shall be decided by the Committee in the Club's Regulations and publicised to Club members.
Article 8Annual General Meeting (AGM)

The Club will hold an AGM once in every calendar year.

8.1.1The members will elect a Committee including a President, Chair/Treasurer, and Secretary to serve for 3 years. A committee member shall not be allowed to serve more than two consecutive terms.
8.1.2The President shall hold office for two years. At the conclusion of his or her first year, a President Elect shall be elected to serve as President for the two years following the outgoing President's term. The President Elect shall serve for one year before assuming office. The immediate Past President shall serve for the year following the end of his or her term.
8.1.3The Treasurer will produce accounts of the Club for the latest financial year, audited as the Committee shall decide.
8.1.4The Committee will present a report of the Club's activities since the previous AGM.
8.1.5The members will discuss and vote on any resolution and deal with any business put to the meeting.
Article 9Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM)
9.1An EGM shall be called by the Secretary within 14 days of a request from the Committee, or on the written request of not less than 15 members. Such EGM shall be held at not less than 14 days' notice.
Article 10The Committee

10.1   Role

Subject to these Rules, the Committee shall have responsibility for the management of the Club, its funds, property, and affairs. The Committee may make Club Regulations consistent with these Rules and will publicise these to the members.

10.2   Committee Meetings

10.2.1The Committee may decide its own regulations for the conduct of meetings; however, the following rules will apply.
10.2.2At least 4 members must be present to constitute a quorum.
10.2.3Committee meetings may be held in person, by telephone, or by electronic means agreed by the Committee in which all participants may communicate.
10.2.4Ordinarily, the Chairperson will chair the meetings.
10.2.5Decisions shall be by simple majority of those voting.
10.2.6A resolution in writing signed by a minimum of 60% of the members of the Committee shall be valid without a meeting.
10.2.7The Chairperson will have a casting vote.
10.2.8The Committee shall appoint a Designated Liaison Person and a Club Welfare Officer to ensure compliance with safeguarding legislation. The Club Welfare Officer shall report to relevant Committee meetings and the reports, together with any action taken, must have minutes recorded.

10.3   The Minute Book

The Committee shall cause minutes to be made in proper books of: (1) all resolutions and proceedings of Committee and general meetings; and (2) the names of all members present. Every minute signed by the chairperson of the meeting to which it pertains shall be sufficient evidence of the facts stated therein.
Article 11Finance

11.1   Bank Account

Any bank account in which any part of the Club's funds is deposited shall be operated by the Committee and shall be in the name of the Club only. All cheques and orders for payment must be signed by at least two people authorised by the Committee, including at least one Committee member.

11.2   Disclosure of Accounts

Annual accounts, reports, and statements of account must be made available for inspection by any member, and all club records may be inspected by any Committee member.
Article 12Removal of Membership, Discipline and Appeals
12.1Any complaints regarding the behaviour of members, guests, or volunteers should be lodged in writing with the Secretary.
12.2The procedures for taking disciplinary action against any members, including removal of membership, are dealt with under the Club's Disciplinary Code.
Article 13Resignation from Club, Office or Committee
13.1Any member, by giving one month's notice in writing to the Honorary Secretary and providing his/her resignation is accepted by resolution of the Committee, may resign from the Committee or any honorary office of the Club.
13.2In cases of emergency, illness, or other distress, resignation may be accepted by the Committee on summary notice.
Article 14Trustees
14.1Any property or assets of the Club will be vested in 2 or more trustees. The trustees shall hold the same for and on behalf of the members of the Club.
14.2The Committee shall have power by notice in writing to appoint such trustees from the membership and may remove them at any time by resolution of the Committee.
14.3The trustees shall deal with the Club's property and assets as directed by the Committee from time to time.
14.4The trustees shall be entitled to be indemnified out of the Club's funds against any cost or expense properly incurred in dealing with the property or the assets.
Article 15Liability of Members
15.1In the event of the Club becoming insolvent and unable to repay to the Trustees any sum for which they have been found liable in their capacity as Trustees, the Trustees severally and jointly shall have the right to recover from each member an equitable proportion of any such sum. The members upon whom such liability shall devolve shall be full members on the date of the AGM immediately prior to the Club becoming insolvent, or who became members since that date.
Article 16Club Regulations
16.1The Committee may make Club Regulations consistent with these Rules and will publicise these to the members.
Article 17Notices
17.1Notices to be sent out in accordance with these Rules may be sent by hand, by post, or by suitable electronic means and will be treated as being received:
  • 17.1.1  Twenty-four (24) hours after being sent electronically or delivered by hand.
  • 17.1.2  Two clear days after being sent by post.
17.2Notice of all meetings must also be put on the Club website and on the Club's notice board.
17.3A technical defect in the giving of notice of which the members of the Committee are unaware does not invalidate decisions taken at a meeting.
Article 18Amendments
18.1These Rules may be amended at a general meeting by resolution passed by two-thirds (2/3) of the votes cast.
Article 19Dissolution

Should it become necessary at any time to dissolve the Club, a general meeting shall be convened for that purpose.

19.1One month's notice of such a meeting shall be given, and the resolution to be proposed shall be stated thereon.
19.2Suspended members and members whose resignations are pending shall not be deprived of their votes.
19.3It shall be necessary for five-sixths (5/6) of the members present and voting to decide in favour of dissolution before the resolution can be carried.
Article 20Distribution of Assets
20.1In the event of the dissolution of the Club, the surplus assets, if any, remaining after the payment of all debts and liabilities, including the costs of dissolution, shall be distributed in equal shares among the full members of the Club as on the date of the resolution for winding-up.
Article 21Indemnity of Officers
21.1Every officer of the Club shall be indemnified by the Club against all losses, costs, and expenses which any officer may incur or become liable for by reason of any contracts entered into, or any act or thing done by him or her in the discharge of the duties of such officer. The amount for which such indemnity is proved shall immediately attach as a lien on the property of the Club and shall have priority of payment as between the members and all other claims.
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