HORSFORTH HARRIERS – CONSTITUTION (“Constitution”)

 

  1. Horsforth Harriers

The club will be called “Horsforth Harriers” and will be affiliated to England Athletics (“EA”).

  1. Aims and objectives
  • To offer coaching and structured training.
  • To encourage competitive opportunities.
  • To encourage team event participation.
  • To encourage and provide for recreational runners.
  • To organise club races.
  • To promote the club within the local community.
  • To provide support for club members for running-related welfare issues
  1. Membership

3.1 All club members are subject to the rules and regulations of the Constitution.

 

3.2 All club members must comply with the EA rules and regulations due to the club’s affiliation.

 

3.3 Membership can take the form of any of the following:

  • First claim Horsforth Harrier
  • Non-competing Horsforth Harrier
  • Second claim to Horsforth Harrier
  • Social member

3.4 Only first claim Horsforth Harriers and non-competing members of Horsforth Harriers are entitled to be elected to serve on the Horsforth Harriers committee (“Committee”), and only these two categories of membership shall have voting rights at meetings.

 

3.5 Second claim Horsforth Harriers enjoy the same level of support in training, events and social activities as first claim and non- competing Horsforth Harriers, but are not entitled to:

  1. a) Vote at meetings, or
  2. b) Participate in club championships

 

3.6 Social members are entitled to use the clubs leisure facilities and participate in all club social activities. Horsforth Harriers Training and competition event participation is not open to social members.

 

3.7 An applicant for membership shall become a member after submission of a duly completed application form, acceptance by the Committee together with the current subscription payment.

 

3.8 The minimum age for membership and running with the club as a guest is 18 years.

 

  1. Subscriptions

4.1 Subscriptions are set by the Committee each year.

 

4.2 Subscriptions are due on the 1st April each year. The full subscription plus the cost of an affiliated competition licence (for those members wishing to be affiliated to EA) must be paid by the end of April.

 

4.3 EA competition licence fees will be charged according to current rates set by EA.

 

4.4 Horsforth Harriers membership will lapse if subscriptions have not been paid by the end of April. Lapsed members can apply to re-join Horsforth Harriers and will be re-admitted once the annual subscription plus a re-joining fee is paid. The re-joining fee will be determined by the Committee at the same time as the setting of the annual subscription.

 

4.5 The Committee will have no responsibility to members who have had their EA affiliation withdrawn due to late payment to the club for their competition licence.

 

4.6 The Committee may elect to either extend membership or reduce the annual subscription for new members joining after December.

 

  1. Life Membership

5.1 The Committee may elect to grant life membership to deserving members. No subscription is payable for those members with life membership but they are required to meet the cost of an EA competition licence if one is required.

 

5.2 Life members enjoy the same status as first claim or non-competing Horsforth Harrier.

 

  1. Representation in Team Events
    6.1 Only first claim and second claim members of Horsforth Harriers with full membership and holding an affiliated competition licence are entitled to represent Horsforth Harriers in team events. This includes but is not restricted to the Leeds Country Way, Bradford Millennium Way, PECO Cross Country and all events organised by the Yorkshire Veterans Athletics Association.

6.2 Competing members in team events must run in a club vest.

 

  1. Transfer between Clubs

7.1 Competitive athletes wishing to transfer between clubs must do so utilizing the myATHLETICS Portal Club Transfer menu option. Please note that a transfer from Horsforth Harriers to another club will need to be authorised by a member of the Harriers’ Committee.

7.2 Prospective members wishing to transfer to Horsforth Harriers must also complete the Horsforth Harriers membership application form and pay the required subscription fee.

  1. The Club Committee and its Membership

8.1 The club shall be managed by the Committee consisting of the Chairperson, the Secretary and the Treasurer, and not more than 7 other members elected at the AGM.

8.2 The Committee may nominate functional roles to be carried out by members of the Committee and the number of such roles may be increased or decreased, and functions may be allocated or re-allocated at the discretion of the Committee.

8.3 Any first claim or non-competing Horsforth Harrier is eligible to put their name forward for election to the Committee. Election will be made at the next AGM. In the event of more than one person seeking to stand for the same functional role, election will be made by a show of hands by all members present at the AGM (except for the Chairperson). In the event of a tie the Chairperson shall have the casting vote.

 

8.4 The Committee shall remain in office until the next AGM. All Committee members will retire each year but will be eligible for re-appointment at the AGM.

 

8.5 Committee meetings will be convened as often as necessary.

 

8.6 The quorum required for business to be agreed at Committee meetings will be any 4 committee members.

 

8.7 The Committee will be responsible for adopting new policy, codes of practice and rules that affect the organisation of the club.

 

8.8 The Committee will have powers to appoint subcommittees in order to meet specific objectives.

 

8.9 The Committee will be responsible for disciplinary hearings of members who infringe the club rules/regulations /constitution and will be responsible for taking any action following such hearings.

 

8.10 Any member of the Committee may resign by notice given to the Secretary.

 

8.11 The Committee may appoint a member to fill any casual vacancy until the next AGM.

 

8.12 The office of Committee member shall be vacated:
(a) By resignation, or
(b) Expelled having found to be in major breech of club rules or ethical conduct, or

(c) If he or she shall be absent for half or more Committee meetings held between 1st April and 31st March the following year without the explicit consent of the Committee.

 

8.13 At least one club welfare officer (“Welfare Officer”) will be appointed by the Committee in line with the EA requirements.


  1. Annual General Meetings (“AGM”)

9.1 An AGM will take place within one month of the end of the financial year (31st March). All Committee members are expected to attend.

 

9.2 AGM attendance is open to all first claim Horsforth Harriers and non- competing members of Horsforth Harriers. These members have the right to vote at the meeting.

 

9.3 Not less than 21 days’ notice of Annual General Meetings (AGM) will be given by the club Secretary.

 

9.4 The AGM will receive report(s), either written or verbal from members of the Committee. The Treasurer will provide a statement of the audited accounts.

 

9.5 Election of Committee membership is to take place at the AGM.

 

9.6 The Committee has the right to call Extraordinary General Meetings (“EGM”) outside the AGM. Procedures for EGM’s will be the same as for the AGM.

 

 

 

  1. Conduct of Members

10.1 Horsforth Harriers is committed to providing an environment that is free of discrimination, harassment and intimidation and expects that all club members shall act in a fit and proper manner towards each other. Violent, discriminatory, abusive or inappropriate behaviour or language will not be tolerated. Inappropriate conduct both within the club or outside the club is covered under the “Discipline and Appeals” section of this Constitution.

10.2 Members will compete under the rules laid down by EA and its governing body. Serious violation of EA competition rules is covered under the “Discipline and Appeals” section of this Constitution.

10.3 Members whilst competing wearing a club vest will conduct themselves in a proper manner.  Serious violation is covered under the “Discipline and Appeals” section of this Constitution.

10.4 Members entering into written communication with other clubs and officials will do so as independent individuals and it must be made clear that they are not representing the views of the club, unless under the express authority of the Committee. Serious violation is covered under the “Discipline and Appeals” section of this Constitution.

10.5 During training sessions members are expected to stay with the group that they have elected to train with for the duration of the training session. Members wishing to cut short their session must inform the group leader of their intentions. Members leaving the group intentionally without informing the group leader are liable to action under the “Discipline and Appeals” section of this Constitution.

10.6 Members using Harriers’ social media platforms should employ common sense, protect themselves and the privacy of others, not say anything that is dishonest, untrue or misleading and not post material that is offensive, harassing, discriminatory, embarrassing, intimidating, sexually explicit, bullying, hateful, racist, homophobic, sexist or otherwise inappropriate.

10.7 Horsforth Harriers social media platforms are not to be used for the advertising of products or services by members or outside parties. Members who believe that they have a legitimate case for advertising should make a written request to the Club Secretary who will decide on consultation with other Committee members whether or not to allow the request. Postings without this approval will be removed by the Social Media Administrator and the perpetrator risks being removed from the media platform(s).

10.8 Members must ensure they are adequately prepared for club training and in suitable health before embarking on a training session. Members are responsible for judging their health, including injuries, prior to committing to a training session.  Members managing injuries are advised to discuss the matter with their group leader.

10.9 Members must pay attention to their group leader during sessions especially when safety information is issued (e.g. surface conditions). Members are responsible for their personal safety during club sessions including crossing roads, running where there is no pavement or when surface conditions may cause injury.

10.10 Any accidents or incidents during training sessions must be reported to the group leader. The group leader will subsequently report directly to the Secretary, the H&S or Welfare officer. A record of the incident will be recorded to an Incident Report Form which will be both held in the HH Documents Library and forwarded to EA.

10.11 Members with health conditions where a specific intervention from others would significantly influence recovery or management are advised to inform their group leader. Examples include, but are not limited to, members with asthma, diabetes, angina or epilepsy where specific preventative/supportive intervention can influence the outcome.

10.12 High Visibility Clothing with reflective material must be worn on club training sessions from September to May (when sessions fall into the hours of darkness; including when sessions start in the light). Members should adhere to group leader advise on shoe type or head torches etc. as applicable.

  1. Discipline and Appeal Procedures

11.1 All complaints regarding the behaviour of members should be presented and submitted promptly to the Secretary.

11.2 All concerns, allegations or reports of discrimination, harassment, intimidation or other inappropriate behaviour will be recorded and responded to swiftly and appropriately.

11.3 The Committee will meet to hear complaints within 10 days of a complaint being lodged. The committee has the power to take appropriate disciplinary action including the termination of membership.

11.4 The outcome of a disciplinary hearing should be notified in writing to the person who lodged the complaint and the member against whom the complaint was made within 10 days of the hearing.

11.5 Any member who breaches  the club Constitution or whose conduct is prejudicial to the objects of good governance of the club may be expelled from the club by a majority decision of the Committee. Before any such member is expelled, the Secretary shall give that member 28 days’ written notice to attend a meeting of the Committee and shall inform that member of the complaints made against him or her. No member shall be expelled without first having an opportunity to appear before the Committee and answer those complaints. The Chairman is permitted to suspend a member pending a meeting of the Committee.

11.6 There is a right of appeal to the Committee following disciplinary action being announced. The Committee should consider the appeal within 10 days of the Secretary receiving the appeal.

11.7 The Committee will take advice from the Welfare Officer(s) who will ensure that matters are dealt with in line with EA policies and procedures.

  1. Finance

 

Horsforth Harriers is a non-profit organisation. All income received from member subscriptions (see clause 4) or any other source is to be used in support of the aims and objectives of the club (see clause 2)

 

All club monies will be banked in an account(s) held in the name of the club. The Treasurer will be responsible for the administration of the finances of the club. The Committee shall appoint up to three Committee members who, subject to authorisation by the bank(s), to deputise for the Treasurer in processing payments in the event of the unavailability of the Treasurer.

 

The financial year of the club will end on 31st March.

 

An audited statement of annual accounts representing one full year to the 31stMarch will be presented by the Treasurer at the AGM.

 

Any cheques drawn against club funds must hold the signature of the Treasurer plus the signature of either the Chairperson or the Secretary.

 

  1. Amendments to the constitution

13.1 The constitution will only be changed through agreement by majority vote at an AGM or EGM.

 

  1. 14. Dissolution

14.1 A resolution to dissolve the club can only be passed at an AGM or EGM through a majority vote of the membership.

 

14.2 In the event of dissolution, any assets of the club that remain will become the property of a duly nominated organisation.