Constitution of London Lionhearts Sports Club
1. DEFINITIONS
1.1. The terms listed below shall have the following meaning in the context of this document:
a) "Club" means the London Lionhearts Sports Club (LLSC)
b) "Constitution" means this documents and any further amendments
c) "Committee" means the committee elected by Members to manage the affairs of the Club
d) "Member" means any individual who has been elected by the Committee to be a member of the Club, according to Section 4
e) "Casual Member" means any individual who is not a Member of the Club but from time to time partakes in the activities of the Club
f) "Fee" means any registration fees, subscription fees and any other moneys that the Members and Committee agree to be collected from Members and Casual Members for the financing of the Club
g) "AGM" means the Annual General Meeting of the Club or any other meeting held by Members to take decisions regarding the Club. Such meetings can be held in person, by telephone or by e-mail
2.1. The main aim of the Club is to provide its Members with:
a) An environment to play sports, as agreed by it's members either for recreational purposes or competitively
b) An environment outside sports to enable Members to meet socially
2.2. The Club recognizes the need to provide a service to society and the need to publicize sports in the community. Within the limits of its capabilities and resources, the Club will strive to:
a) Further the growth of various sports in the UK
b) Publicize the sports in the community
c) Support the efforts of the relevant sporting associations and their junior development programs
d) Welcome prospective new members to the Club and provide them with the necessary coaching and support
2.3. The Club shall be an equal opportunities organization and, to the best of its abilities, prevent any racial, religious, gender, sexual or political discrimination
2.4. The Club shall embody the rules of the games as prescribed by the Federation of International Football Association (FIFA), The Federation of International Volleyball (FIVB), and The Federation of International Netball (FIN), and expect its Members and Casual Members to adhere to these rules by epitomizing utmost sportsmanship and civil behavior
3. FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES
3.1. The Committee shall be the supreme authority of the Club
3.2. The wishes of the majority of Members shall be implemented through the Committee who shall be responsible for the management of the Club
3.3. The Constitution and any Club rules as agreed through an AGM or by the Committee shall guide the running of the Club, shall be binding on all Members and Casual Members and shall guide their behaviour while participating in Club’s activities
3.4. The Constitution may not be altered without the consent of the Club Chairperson.
4. MEMBERSHIP
4.1. Any individual may be elected to be a Member provided that:
a) A member of the Committee agrees to such an election
b) Such individual pays in full the Fees
4.2. Individuals who are not Members but wish to become Casual Members to partake in some of the activities of the Club may do so at the discretion of the Committee, provided always that Fees are paid in full
4.3. It is expected that all Members and Casual Members will behave in accordance with the Constitution, any rules (written or otherwise) in force from time to time, the rulings of the Committee and in particular it is expected that Members and Casual Members will:
a) Not bring the participated sport or the Club in disrepute
b) Behave at all times in a sportsmanship fashion and in the interests of the Club
c) Do not practice any form of racial, religious, gender, sexual or political discrimination while partaking in Club activities
d) Abide to all the regulations in force in the establishments where the Club undertakes its activities
e) Abide to health and safety regulations at all times
4.4. Members accept that liabilities incurred by the Club shall fall upon the membership, provided that such liabilities are incurred for activities in accordance with:
a) The Constitution; or
b) The wishes of Members as agreed at an AGM; or
c) The decisions of the Committee acting in good faith
4.5. The Committee may at its sole discretion require a Member to resign or a Casual Member not to partake in the activities of the Club. Any Fees already paid shall not be refundable under such circumstances and the Club reserves the right to legal action in respect to any Fees overdue
5. THE COMMITTEE
5.1. The Committee shall be responsible for the day to day running of the Club in a manner commensurate with:
a) The wishes of the majority of the Members as defined at AGMs
b) The aims and objectives of the Club as specified in Section 2
5.2. As a minimum the Committee shall comprise of a Chairman, a Secretary and a Treasurer
5.3. Non members of the Club shall not be eligible to serve in the Committee
5.4. All Managers shall be appointed by the Chairman annually, all other Committee members shall retire annually but shall be eligible for re-appointment
5.5. The responsibilities of the Committee shall include but not be limited to:
a) At least once a year, call for an AGM during which a new Committee shall be elected
b) Discussing and when appropriate implementing the wishes of the majority of the Members as expressed at the AGM
c) Providing Members, upon request, with minutes of Committee meetings, AGM and financial accounts
d) Keeping Members informed of the progress of the Club through the publication of a newsletter or other form of communication
e) Organizing and running sporting events, training sessions and coaching
f) Entering teams in leagues and tournaments
g) Organizing social functions
h) Ensuring the financial stability of the Club through the periodic reviews of the Club’s financial position and revision of Fees
i) Sourcing funds through fundraising, Fees, donations and sponsorships and maintaining accounts of all sums of monies received and paid
j) Electing new Members to the Club
k) Taking disciplinary actions against Members and Casual Members whose behaviour is not in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution or is deemed to be to the detriment of the Club
l) Resolving any disputes arising between Members
m) Affiliating the Club to the relevant associations
n) Maintaining an active involvement in the activities of the relevant associations
o) Ensuring that the Committee has the required level of expertise and manpower to undertake it duties, and if necessary propose at the AGM the addition of new members to sit on the Committee
p) Appoint individuals to undertake certain tasks for the benefit of the Club
5.6. The Committee shall not act on any substantial matter without prior consultation with the majority of the Members, and in particular shall not:
a) Take any substantial action that deviates from the strategy agreed by the Members at the AGM
b) Undertake substantial expenditure not defined in the budget as agreed by the Members at the AGM
c) Take any new strategic initiatives which will have a material effect on the Club, without the prior approval at an AGM
5.7. Should there be no provision in the Constitution then the Committee shall take appropriate/necessary decisions
5.8. The Committee shall meet from time to time either in person, by telephone or e-mail. The quorum necessary for the transaction of business of the Committee shall be the greater of:
a) 50% of the Members elected to serve in the Committee
b) Two Members elected to serve in the Committee
5.9. Every question at a meeting of the Committee shall be determined by a majority of the vote of the members present and voting, every member having one vote. In the event of an equality of votes, the Chair of the meeting shall have a casting vote
6. AGM
6.1. The AGM shall be held at least once a year, preferably during the month of July and minutes of the meeting shall be taken
6.2. An AGM may be requested by the Committee or by any Member to resolve important matters
6.3. All Members shall be invited to attend an AGM and provided at least seven days notice
6.4. Any member wishing to have specific items discussed at AGM shall notify the Committee no later than 4 days prior to the AGM date. The Committee shall distribute an agenda no later than 3 days prior to the AGM
6.5. AGM quorum shall consist of more than 50% of Members
6.6. Should there be no quorum the Committee shall decide at its own discretion if to proceed with the AGM
6.7. Only Members are allowed to vote and each Member shall be entitled to one vote
6.8. A motion shall be carried forward by a simple majority of those present and voting. The Chairman shall have a casting vote in addition to a deliberative vote
7. FINANCIAL PROVISIONS
7.1. The Club financial year shall start at the 1st of September
7.2. The Club shall be funded through Fees levied from Members and Casual Members, in addition to donations, grants and sponsorships. All monies raised by, or on behalf of, the Club shall be applied to further the objectives of the Club and for no other purpose
7.3. Club funds shall be lodged at a bank/building society in an account in the name of the Club. There shall be at least two Members as signatories to the account
7.4. In preparing budgets and setting Fees, the Club shall ensure that at no time the cash balance of the Club in its bank account becomes negative
8. DISSOLUTION
8.1. Should the Club stop existing then, upon paying all creditors, any remaining funds will be donated to one or more charities selected at the discretion of the Committee
8.2. Upon dissolution, no Member shall obtain any financial asset from the Club, other than any money lawfully due to him
8.3. The Club may be wound up upon a resolution at an AGM passed by 70% of its Members