Charnwood Waterski & Wakeboard Club

CHARNWOOD WATER SKI & WAKEBOARD CLUB

CONSTITUTION

Note: This document should be read in conjunction with the Charnwood Waterski AND Wakeboard Club Bylaws and Caravan and Boat Rota Rules

1. TITLE

a) The name of the club shall be Charnwood Water Ski and Wakeboard Club.

b) The Club shall inherit all ownership, title deed and claims to all monies,lands,properties,deeds,licences,investments,hereditaments,easements,chattels,fixtures,fixed and current assets, formerly owned, leased or acquired under payment or licence or otherwise of the former un-constituted Leicester Water Ski Club of which all the founder members belonged and contributed.

2. OBJECTS

a) The Club is established for its members in good fellowship to develop, promote, and enjoy the sport of water skiing and wakeboarding (hereinafter described as ‘skiing’) in all its forms from participation to excellence, and any other game, sport recreation, or social activity connected thereto, and to lawfully secure for its members such facilities as are necessary for those purposes.

b) Any financial gain or other pecuniary advantage derived from the running of the Club shall in all respects be applied to the club for the benefit of its members in furtherance of Article 2a.

c) Subject to the terms of the prevailing lease, an associate fishing membership will be available and be administered by The Club committee for the mutual benefit and enjoyment for all parties concerned. This shall under no circumstances be a ‘sub let’ syndicate arrangement. All income from fishing members shall be paid directly into the ski club bank account.

3. MEMBERSHIP

a) The Club Membership shall comprise the following types of membership; all of which shall be a ‘conditional membership’ for the first year:

 i) Family membership
 ii) Individual membership
 iii) Non Skier membership
 iv) Social membership
 v) Student membership (18 – 21 years with a valid student card)
 vi) Junior membership (Under 13 years)
 vii) Junior membership (13 to 18 years)
 viii) Fishing membership (all ages)

b) Family membership shall include the applicant’s spouse/partner (of either sex,) and children of whom they are parent(s) to the age of 18 years.

c) Individual and student memberships shall permit the application to all rights and privileges of the Club.

d) Non skiing membership shall permit the applicant to all rights and privileges of the Club except to use of the water for skiing purposes (boat driving permitted). Please note that the boat owner must be a full member.

e) Social membership shall permit the applicant to use all Club facilities, save for the water (no skiing or driving) and other than as a ‘Guest Visitor’.

f) Junior membership shall apply to any person within the ages shown who cannot be embraced within a family membership.

g) With the exception of Junior and Social memberships, all other memberships shall have voting rights at any general meeting of the Club.

h) Fishing membership shall be on an individual basis for the same seasonal period as the ski season.
 

4. RESTRICTIONS

a) Club membership shall be restricted in terms of numbers at the discretion of the General Committee, in order to ensure the safety of its existing members, their unity and pleasure in the clubs use, and the financial viability of the Club at all times.

b) Where a boat is jointly owned by more than one person, all boat owners must apply for membership at the relevant applicable fee(s). There will be no predisposition to grant membership to all or any person jointly owning a boat.

c) Any intended change of ownership in a jointly owned boat must be notified to the Club Secretary in advance of the change occurring.
 

5. GRANTING OF MEMBERSHIP

a) All applications for membership from whatever source shall be processed by the Club Secretary, who shall ensure that applicants complete a written application form. Only upon the return receipt of a completed application form will the application by time, be placed on a ‘membership waiting list; and the applicant notified of the fact in writing.

b) The Club secretary will bring all written applications to the next available Committee meeting for determination, having circulated such application details to the Committee in advance of the meeting. Thereafter any such Committee decision will be final.

c) In the case of boat owning membership the prospective member will first be offered ‘provisional’ membership, the applicant will be assigned a ‘mentor’ or ‘buddy’. The potential member must then make 4 skiing visits with their boat paying day membership, in the presence of their mentor. After this period the mentor will propose or otherwise the prospective member for conditional membership to the club secretary.

d) On being notified of ‘conditional’ membership grant, the applicant shall forward the appropriate fee(s) and any ancillary fee to the Club Secretary within one month. Failure to do so will render that membership void and any further process will be treated as a new application.

e) On receipt of the appropriate fee(s), a new ‘conditional’ member will be issued with a receipt for the fee(s) paid, relevant Club keys, a copy of the Club Constitution and Bylaws. Additionally, a new member will be assigned a ‘mentor’ or ‘buddy’ from within the Club Committee for a period of 12 Months.

f) For all new members, their first year of membership will be treated as a ‘conditional membership’, following which the appointed ‘mentor’ will propose or otherwise the renewal of the membership for the following year.

g) Total membership numbers will be reviewed by the committee as vacancies arise.

h) The number of boats and caravans / motor caravans accommodated will be strictly limited as determined by the committee to suit the facilities and planning restrictions as applicable at the time.

6. FEES & RENEWALS

a) Membership fees and spaces will be set at the Annual General Meeting of the club, and take effect from the commencement of the next Club year.

b) All membership, joining, caravan and boat fees shall be paid in full within onecalendar month following the commencement of the Club year.

c) Where economic hardship may be caused to any existing member seeking renewal of membership, caravan or boat fees, such applications shall be received favourably, and the applicant may make payments by deposited cheques over three months.

d) Failure to pay the appropriate fee(s) in full as required ,will immediately cancel membership, and any renewal applications received after due date will be placed behind any applications on any membership waiting list.

e) New members joining during the course of a Club year shall pay the full appropriate membership, joining fee, caravan or boat year fees as applicable at the time of joining the club.

f) Existing or former full members changing membership status shall not be required to pay a further joining fee provided such change is effected within three years of previous membership, and social membership has been effected throughout the interim period.

7. CLUB DISCIPLINE

a) If any member(s) shall wilfully refuse or neglect to comply with the constitution, its articles, the Club Bylaws, or prove to be guilty of any conduct prejudicial to the club, that member(s) shall be liable to expulsion by resolution of the Club Committee.

b) Any complaint or prejudicial conduct shall be put in writing to the committee, who will inform the member(s) concerned in writing of the complaint received, and invite him/her to answer to the complaint at a committee meeting convened within 1 month.

c) Where a complaint is proved on a majority decision of the Committee, the Committee shall take action against that member(s) by way of written reprimand, caution, or expulsion signed by the Chairman, such action being taken whether the member(s) answer to the complaint or not.

d) Any member(s) expelled from the Club under a discipline matter shall immediately forfeit all rights, privileges and fees paid in respect of membership, caravan or boat, and will be required to vacate a caravan pitch or jetty within 28 days of such expulsion.

e) If at any time a member gives written notice to the Committee that he/she no longer desires membership of the club, that membership shall be cancelled forthwith without claim to or return of any rights, privileges or fees paid for membership, caravan or boat pitch. Subsequent applications will be treated as a new application.

8. LIFE MEMBERS

a) On a club Committee recommendation to an Annual General Meeting, a member may on a majority vote, be elected to a ‘Life Member’. Such a ‘Life membership’ is non-transferable, and shall only be granted to honour outstanding or long service to the Club and sport.

b) A ‘Life Member’ shall have all the rights and privileges of an individual Membership without fee for life, excluding such fees in respect of other organisations or bodies that are required to be paid by virtue of Club affiliation of membership. This will not apply to the fees payable for caravan or boat pitches.

9. ELECTION & SERVICE OF OFFICIALS
 
a) The entire management and business of the Club in all matters shall be vested in the Club Committee comprising of Officers and Committee Members, who shall be elected to office from existing full members at an Annual General; Meeting, and whose services shall be without reward.

b) The Club Committee shall comprise 10 separate duties viz: 6 officers and 4 ordinary Committee members who shall all have voting rights at any formal club meeting.

c) The Club Officers shall comprise Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary, Safety Officer and Club Welfare Officer who shall be elected to office from full members who have previously served as a Committee Member for a minimum of one year.

d) Club Officers shall all serve in office for a term of 2 year. In one year the Vice Chairman, Treasurer and Safety Officer shall retire or seek re-election, and in year two the Chairman and Secretary.

e) Ordinary Committee members shall be elected to Office for a term of one
year and shall retire or seek re-election annually.

f) Where necessary and on a temporary basis, the Committee shall have the power to co-opt to the Committee, any person whose relevant experience may be beneficial, or to fill a vacancy left by a member retiring during their term in office. Such a person will not however have any voting rights within Committee, and post will only be held until the next Annual General Meeting.

g) All Committee Members shall be elected by way of written and signed nomination, and with the consent of the nominee. Such nomination shall be lodged with the club Secretary 14 days prior to the designated Annual General Meeting.

h) All nominees for Club Committee must have attained 18 years of age on the date of the Annual General Meeting and, except for reasons acceptable to those eligible to vote at the Annual General Meeting, must be present to formally accept nomination.

 i) Voting for any Committee position shall be by way of secret ballot, except in the event of a tied decision, where a second ballot will be determined by a simple show of hands.

10. CLUB MEETINGS

Annual General Meeting

 a) The club shall hold an Annual General Meeting called at a period not exceeding 13 months between such meetings, for the purpose of electing Club Officers and Committee Members; the presentation of Officers reports and audited accounts; approval of the proposed years membership structure and fees.

b) The business at an Annual General Meeting shall be as follows:

 i. Confirm AGM minutes of previous year.
 ii Transact matters arising from the same.
 iii. Receive Chairman’s address.
 iv. Receive Officers Annual Reports.
 v. Adopt reports to Club records.
 vi. Elect Club Officers and Committee.
 vii. Consider Committee recommendations on fees and membership.
 viii. Consider pre-notified issues of Club membership.

c) Members wishing consideration of additional agenda items at an AGM must provide written notice to the Committee 21 days in advance of an AGM being called.

d) The Club Committee must provide to the members, 28 days notice of the calling of an AGM.

Ordinary General Meetings

a) An Ordinary General Meeting of the club may be called by the Committee when required, with 28 days minimum notice being provided to members.

Extraordinary General Meetings

a) An Extraordinary General Meeting of the Club may be called only in the immediate important interests of the Club where the criteria for an Ordinary General meeting cannot be met. Such a meeting may be called by either to two methods:

i) By the committee who must provide the members with a minimum of 14 days written notice.
ii) By any Club member who must give written notice of that intention, and the reason, to the Club Committee. Such a proposal must be supported in writing by one third of the Club Members eligible to vote at General Meeting. Thereafter the Committee will call the meeting by providing the members with 14 days written notice.

11. COMMITTEE MEETINGS

a) The club Committee shall meet to transact Club business once a month during the open season. Additional meetings may be called however in extreme important circumstances, but in all cases, minutes will be recorded.

b) The business at such meetings shall as follows:

 i. Apologies for absence.
 ii. Confirm minutes of previous meeting.
 iii. Matters arising from previous minutes.
 iv. Correspondence received.
 v. Treasurer’s report.
 vi. Items notified for discussion.
 vii. Any other urgent un-notified business.
 vii. Date of next meeting.

c) The Club Secretary shall be responsible for providing the Committee with minutes of the previous meeting, and a forthcoming meeting agenda 4 days prior to that meeting. He/she shall also be responsible for posting the minutes of all Club meetings within 14 days of its occurrence on the club notice board.

d) Any Club Official or committee failing to attend 3 consecutive Committee meetings other than for reasons of ill health, domestic or work pressures, or other pressing reason acceptable to the Committee, shall automatically loose his position.

e) Any Club Official or committee member may at any time resign his/her position, or be required to resign by a carried resolution of that Committee. In such circumstances that person shall be precluded from seeking further office for a period of two years.

f) The Committee shall have the power to appoint one or more ‘working groups’ for such purposes as it deems necessary such ‘working groups’ having no vote at a Committee meeting, and having life only for the duration of the purpose for which it was formed.

12. GENERAL PROCEDURAL ISSUES

a) Voting on any issue at a formal Club meeting for members, which includes the election of Club Officers and Committee, is permitted only to each member of 18 years or over, and on the basis of one vote per person by whatever method of voting is employed.

b) Proxy voting on any issue or in any form of Club meeting for members is not permitted. The Committee however from time to time on minor issues may seek a postal ballot under the conditions of Article 12A.

c) The Chairman shall have the deciding decision on any procedural matter, or in the interpretation of ruling in any formal Club meeting, and a casting vote in any tied decision or ballot.

d) A quorum at any General Meeting shall comprise of 12 members; at a Committee Meeting 5 Committee members; and any decision so made by a quorum shall be binding on the club membership.

13. TRUSTEES

a) There shall be 4 Trustees of the club who shall be appointed from time to time as necessary by the club in a General Meeting from amongst current members so willing.

b) A Trustee shall hold office during his/her life or until he/she shall resign by notice in writing to the Committee; or until a resolution to remove him/her from office shall be passed at a General Meeting by a majority vote of the members (secret ballots may be employed here if the committee deem necessary.

c) All property of the club including land and investments shall be held for the time being on behalf of the Club and Members in the names of the Trustee’s as necessary and desirable for the benefit of the Club. On the death, resignation, or removal from office of a Trustee, the Committee shall take steps to ensure the appointment of a new Trustee at a General Meeting of the club. As soon as possible there after, all lawful practicable steps will be taken to ensure the vesting of all Club properties are transferred into his/her name.

d) The Trustees shall in all respects in regard to any property of the Club held in trust by them, act in accordance with the direction of the Committee. They shall have the power to sell, lease, mortgage or pledge any Club property for the purpose of raising or borrowing money for the benefit of the Club in compliance with the Committee’s directions.

14. LIQUIDATION

a) Should the Club by a two thirds majority vote taken at a General Meeting cease to exist, all Club property real or personal tangible or intangible, and held in Trust or otherwise shall be sold. All debts including those incurred by the trustees in fulfilment of their duties, shall then be discharged in full. Any then remaining assets or monies shall not then be paid to or distributed amongst the members, but shall be given or transferred to some voluntary organisation having similar objectives.

b) Where liquidation of the Club transpires, such other voluntary organisationshall not be given, paid or transferred such assets or monies, if that organisation proves to be a Company or Consortium of any description established for the purpose of effecting liquidation of the club.

c) Where liquidation of the Club transpires under definition of Article 14b. recourse shall be made to compliance with Article 14a.

15. CONSTITUTIONAL ALTERATIONS

The Committee shall have the power to draft constitutional amendments, deletions or additions, but no such matter shall take effect until ratified by vote at an Annual General Meeting.

16. BYLAWS

The Committee shall have the power to make, alter or vary the Bylaws of the Club (not inconsistent with the Constitution) and such Bylaws shall be binding on all members. A copy the ‘Club Bylaws’ will be provided at the time of membership.

17. INDEMNIFICATION

It is a pre-requisite condition of Club membership that all members and guest visitors shall indemnify the Club, the Committee and Club Trustees or any other person acting on the Club’s behalf, both individually and collectively; together with Lakeside riparian owners, from any claims of whatsoever nature arising out of their use of or presence at or on the Club Lake of adjoining lands. To that effect, all members at the time of joining, in being issued with a personal copy of the Club Constitution containing that indemnification, accede to the Constitution and the indemnification.

18. AFFILIATION & PROMOTION

In furthering the interests of the Club, the General Committee shall have the power to:

i) Affiliate the Club to any other body or organisation. In doing so it shall be incumbent upon Club members to abide by the rules and articles of that body or organisation.
ii) Utilise the Club’s facilities in promoting sport related schemes to the wider community. Such schemes however shall not be wholly inconsistent with the normal use of the facilities by members.

19. SAFETY

a) The safety Officer shall have the full authority of the Committee in matters affecting safety, both within and without the Lake area and Club precincts

b) All boat owning members shall at all times maintain their boat and equipment in a good and efficient state of repair and shall submit such articles for examination when required to do so by the Safety Officer. Any boat found to be unsafe must be removed from the Lake until the defect is rectified.

c) All boat owning members shall ensure that their boat is fully insured for the purpose for which it is being used and that it provides effective third party liability cover of at least £1M. to and of skiers under tow. The boat owner will annually submit a copy of that current insurance to the Club Secretary on demand prior to the boat entering the water. The insurance will not be allowed to lapse during the season without first removing the boat from the water. Failure to do so will render membership void.

d) Other than designated Club events, Club members only may drive boats on the Lake, and only then if they have been appraised by the safety officer (or designated deputy) and deemed competent. (in special circumstances non members may be allowed to drive by agreement of the committee) British Water Ski (SBDA) Ski boat Driver Award is encouraged. A member may drive a boat on the lake at 14 years of age under the supervision of a member who has been driving for over 2 years, and at 16 years of age unsupervised provided he/she has been appraised by the safety officer.

e) The Safety Officer will annually between March and April carry out a risk assessment of the Club Lake and precinct, presenting the document to the Committee for action (if necessary). A copy of the completed assessment(s) (with any remedial actions undertaken) will be lodged with the Club Secretary and will be available for inspection to any Club member on request.

f) It shall be the duty of the Safety Officer to maintain an ‘Accident Register’ of all accidents or injuries sustained within the club precincts to investigate such incidents and provide remedy where possible. He/she shall also be responsible for maintaining the club First Aid Box in an effective state.

g) It shall be the duty of all members to report any accidents or injuries sustained within the Club precincts in the ‘Accident Register’, and to inform the Safety Officer of any risks noted in use of the Club.

h) Safety is the responsibility of each member, all members are expected to conduct themselves both on and off the water in a safe manner.

20. CARAVANS & JETTY’S

a) Caravan sites and jetty’s remain the property of the Club at all times, and any rents charged for such use does not in any way imply any sale of those facilities or sites.

b) No person4 occupying a caravan site shall transfer the site (with or without a caravan) without the prior consent of the committee.

c) Members siting caravans on Club property do so at their own risk, and will at all times comply with the directions of the Committee in respect of that siting.

d) All caravans, boats, trailers etc shall be removed from club premises at the end of each season so as not to attract vandalism of any nature.

e) All caravan owners will annually on demand be required to furnish a copy of effective insurance cover of their caravan to the club Secretary. Failure to do so within 28 days of the demand will require that caravan to be removed and membership voided.

f) Members using jetty space within the Club marina do so at their own risks, and will at all times comply with the directions of the Committee in respect of the use.

g) Maintenance of boat jetties are the sole responsibility of the users and as such should be kept in good safe condition throughout the season.

h) All members who have a boat or caravan sited / stored on club premises shall take part in a weekly ‘rota’ for security purposes. Details of the rota can be seen in the ‘Caravan and Boat Rota Rules’, this document will be provided with membership forms by the committee.

21. CONTRIBUTORY DEVELOPMENT & MAINTAINANCE.

a) It shall be a binding condition of membership that all members over 18 years of age shall annually contribute their expertise and labour voluntarily to the Club at designated ‘work days’ called by the Committee.

b) Failure to undertake such contributory work when called to do so, other than for reasons of ill health or other reason acceptable to the Committee, will make the member liable to a levy in lieu of work, at a daily rate to be determined annually by the Committee.

c) Members unable to attend a designated ‘work day’ who have notified the Committee of that fact under Article 21b. May carry out designated work at a later date or agreed date, and thence seek reimbursement of that levy applied.

22. LIQUOR LICENSING

The sale of intoxicating liquor on Club premises is not permitted.

This does not preclude the consumption of alcohol. However, under no circumstances shall any member or guest drive or ride any boat or vehicle on club premises whilst under the influence of alcohol.

Any member caught driving a ski boat whilst under the influence of alcohol shall be expelled from the club immediately.
 

23. DUTIES OF MEMBERS

a) It shall be the duty of members to immediately report any infringements of the Constitution and/or Bylaws to any Committee member.