POOLE AC

(Founded 1897)

CONSTITUTION

The name of the club shall be Poole Athletic Club. The object of the club shall be to develop, promote and encourage amateur athletics, under UK Athletics rules, and act as a representative body to co-ordinate and support such activities.  The club shall provide organised training and competitive opportunities for the development of its membership, including both junior and senior athletes. 

The club is a non-profit making organisation. All profit and surpluses will be used to maintain or improve the club's facilities. No profit or surplus will be distributed other than to another non-profit making body or to members on winding up or dissolution of the club.

The Rules

1 Affiliation

The club shall be affiliated to UK Athletics and such other bodies as the committee decide.

 2 Club Colours

Club colours will be a black vest with a diagonal gold stripe from the left shoulder to the right waist. Shorts shall be black. A second strip shall be registered, which shall be a white vest with a black band across the chest with the words "Poole Athletic Club" in printed gold lettering.  

3 Membership

Membership of the club shall be unlimited and open to:-

(a) All athletes being a person of either sex and who is an amateur as defined by and in accordance with the laws of  UK Athletics.

(b) Former members of the club duly approved by the committee.       

(c) Such other persons having a common interest as may be duly approved by the committee.

(d) The committee shall be empowered to elect honorary members, but such members shall not be eligible to serve on the committee or vote at any meeting.

(e) All applications for the club shall be completed on the appropriate "form of application for membership" and accompanied by the appropriate fee. Each application will be considered at the next meeting. All elected members will conform strictly to UK Athletics laws and club rules.

(f) Only members 18 years or over be entitled to one vote, not withstanding the type of membership taken out.

(g)  To qualify for the club championship and club entry to the London Marathon, a member must be first claim to Poole A.C. and must have been paid up in full by three months after the due date of the subscription.

4 Management

(a) The general management of the club shall be vested in a committee comprised of duly elected officers of the club plus up to seven elected club members. A minimum of five to be present to form a quorum. The seven elected club members to include the club captain, ladies captain and the race secretary. The said committee have the power to co-opt if vacancies arise.

(b) The elected officers of the club shall be as follows : Chairman, Vice Chairman, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer.

The election of the offices of the club shall be undertaken at the AGM. Nominations for these posts shall be forwarded to arrive no later than 48hrs prior to the date fixed for the meeting.

A sub-committee, as approved at an AGM or by the elected committee, may be established to

deal with matters of special purpose as may be necessary, i.e. club championship racing committee, coaching committee etc.

(e) The committee shall have the power to elect such members as they consider necessary in the discharge of duties, ie kit and equipment officer, press officer etc.

 (f) The committee shall be empowered to conduct the financial affairs of the club without the recourse a general meeting. Providing any expenditure does not exceed £300 and is not authorised by one individual but by at least  two duly elected officers of the club.

(g) No single club member or elected official shall commit the club to financial expenditure either in writing, word or deed.

(h) Club members or elected officers who organise any activity for and behalf of the club shall submit an account of income and expenditure to the treasurer within 30 days of the event.

5 President

The president of the club shall be duly elected by members of the club and may remain in office for an indefinite period.

6 Finance

(a) The financial year shall commence on 1st January and shall end on the last day of December.

(b) The auditors, whose duty it shall be to audit all books of account shall be persons as are elected at the AGM.

(c) The general account will receive:- 

(i) all monies due to the club.

(ii) all donations, unless the donor specifically expressed a particular wish which does not infringe in any shape or form the laws of  UK Athletics.

(iii) all profits from any fund raising events.

(d) The general account will be used for paying:-

(i) all affiliation fees.

(ii) printing, stationery and postage cost of the club.

(iii) such other items of expenditure as deemed necessary by the committee with due regard for these rules or the club members at a general meeting for the purchase of equipment and expenses incurred for and on behalf of the club.

7 Meetings

(a) The annual general meeting shall be held no later than January 31st and all propositions to be considered at the AGM must be submitted to the Honorary Secretary no later than 14 days prior to the meeting being held.

(b) Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM). An EGM may be called subject to at least ten members signing a requisition, which states the proposition to be discussed and voted on. Notices of propositions to be circulated to members 14 days before the EGM.

(c) "Committee Meetings". The committee will meet once per 6 weeks or more frequently at the discretion of the committee. 

(d) Proxy Votes. Notice of proxy votes must be submitted to the Honorary Secretary two days to either the AGM or EGM.

8 Subscriptions

(a) The annual club subscription shall be decided at the AGM.

9 Code of Conduct

Poole AC  supports a policy of equal opportunity and respect to others, this means high standards of behaviour towards other athletes, coaches and officials at all times. Any member who brings the club or athletics generally disrepute through unacceptable behaviour will have his or her membership revoked by the Club Committee.

The Club Committee shall decide any questions as to the interpretations of the rules and decide any matter not definitely provided for therein. The Club Committee shall arbitrate in any dispute and its decision will be final .

27th  January 2009