Bolton Metro Triathlon Club

Rules and Constitution

Adopted 4th November 2002

Object.

1. The object of the club is to promote and encourage multi discipline sports and triathlon through:

a)       providing an environment in which people can meet to train for and compete in triathlons, aquathons and duathlons irrespective of age, ability and gender, by organising training sessions in all three disciplines, and competitions;

b)       maintaining a club register whereby members can contact training companions;

b)       providing access to specialist advice in all aspects of the sport;

c)       developing membership of the club, and

d)       organising social/fun events to benefit the club and encourage an atmosphere where people of similar ideas and interests can meet to discuss any aspect of the sport.

Membership.

2. Anyone interested in triathlon and multi discipline sports shall be eligible for membership.

3. Members shall be admitted at the discretion of the committee.

4. Full members shall be entitled to attend all club meetings, training sessions and social events, to receive the club newsletter and furthermore to;

a)       vote at the Annual General Meeting;

b)       apply through the club secretary for BTA membership and race licence at a concessionary rate, and

c)       compete in the club’s annual championships.

5. Associate members, being those who do not intend to enter competitive events or, alternatively, who are already members of another Triathlon club, are entitled to attend club meetings, training sessions and social events, and to receive the club newsletter, but are not eligible for the further benefits of full membership as set out in paragraph 4. a), b), c) above.

6. The committee reserves the right to expel any member acting, in its opinion, in a manner prejudicial to the interests of the club.

Annual Subscriptions.

7. The amount of the annual subscription for each class of membership shall be decided by the club at the AGM and shall become payable on admission and by January 31st each year. Members allowing their membership to lapse will be given 3 months to rectify the situation, after which a levy of 25% of the annual subscriptions will be imposed before membership will be reinstated.

a)     Officials and committee members of the club will be eligible for a discount of 75% of the annual subscription during their year in office.

b)     When a member joins the club after July 1st, the subscription payable for that year shall be half the annual rate.

8. No member shall, in any year, be entitled to exercise any rights or privileges of membership until their subscription for that year has been paid.

Officers of the club.

9. The officers of the club shall be Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary, Championship Secretary, Social Secretary and Welfare Officer. In addition, the officers of the youth committee will be Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. All officers will will be elected at the AGM each year to hold office until the conclusion on the next AGM. The retiring officers shall be eligible for re-election.

The Committee.

10.The main committee shall consist of the officers of the club and 3 elected club members. The youth committee shall consist of the officers. The secretary of the youth committee shall be a member of the main committee and act as liaison between the two committees.

11.The youth committee shall be separately funded. It will manage the affairs of the youth membership according to the rules and constitution and shall apply its funds to the objects of the club. The main committee shall manage all other affairs of the club in a likewise manner.

12. The main committee shall make such by-laws and regulations as they see fit. These shall be subject to ratification at the next AGM.

13.   Both committees shall be convened by their respective chairs not less than once every 3 months. The chair shall exercise a casting vote if necessary.

Honorary Auditor.

14. At each AGM a member who is not a member of the committee shall be appointed an Honorary Auditor, whose duty it will be to audit the accounts of the club for the following year and to report to the next AGM.

Meetings

15. The 1st club meeting of the year will be the AGM. Notice of the date of the AGM shall be circulated to members by November 1st. The notice shall include:

a)       details of existing Officers and committee members willing to stand for re-election.

b)       details of nominations for positions of officers and committee members of the club

c)       a reminder of members rights to move propositions, and 

d)       details of business to be transacted.

16. The committee may, on giving 14 days notice, call an Extraordinary General Meeting of the club for any specific business, the nature of which shall be stated on the summons convening the meeting. The meeting shall be empowered to decide matters relating to and arising out of stated business.

17. The committee shall also convene an EGM of the club upon the written request of not less than 10 full members within 28 days of the receipt of the request by the secretary. The business to be transacted shall be stated in the request.

Notice.

18. Notice of any additions or amendments to the Rules and Constitution intended to be proposed by a member of the club, and the nomination for the posts of officers and committee members of the club, shall be seconded and given to the secretary in writing before December 1st if the same is to be proposed at the AGM, or at least one week before an EGM.

Voting at General Meeting.

19. All proposed additions or amendments to the Rules and Constitution and nominations for the posts of officers and committee members of the club, together with any other propositions put forward by members, shall be put to the vote of the meeting provided that, on a show of hands or, if demanded, a poll, a majority of the votes of those members present and voting, shall be cast in favour of any such propositions or nominations, then the same shall be deemed to be carried. Minor changes to proposals for additions or amendments to the Rules and Constitution may be introduced at the AGM or at any EGM, so long as the spirit of the proposal is not substantially changed.

Safety.

20. All reasonable steps will be taken to ensure the safety of the club members while training and racing. Those over 35 with no immediate sporting background are encouraged to have a medical check up before embarking on a training programme. However, subject to any relevant provision in law, and to the terms of BTA insurance for those who are BTA members, the club accepts no liability for the ill health or injury of its members while training or racing.

21. Helmets of a design approved by the BTA are compulsory on club rides.

General.

22. The club will affiliate to the British Triathlon Association (BTA), the Road Time Trials Council (RTTC), and the British Athletic Federation) (BAF).

Club Championships.

23. The committee shall designate annually a series of BTA approved races which shall be used to determine the club champions, male, female, in the following categories:

a)       TriStar Start (8)

b)       TriStar 1 (9/10)

c)       TriStar 2 (11/12)

d)       TriStar 3 (13/14)

e)       Youth (15/16)

f)         Junior 1 (17/18)

g)       Junior 2 (19/20)

h)       Senior (21/39)

i)         Veteran (40-49)

j)        Super-vet (50+)

 For the purposes of the club championships, the age of a member shall be their age on 31st December of the current year.

The committee reserves the right to increase or reduce the number of age group awards according to the numbers participating.

Profits.

24.   Any profits made by the club shall be used for the benefits of its members in accordance with the Rules and Constitution. No distribution of profits to members shall take place other than in accordance with paragraph 25.

Dissolution of the Club.

25. If the club shall cease to exist, or it is wound up, then its assets shall be realised and its liabilities discharged in such a manner as the committee shall direct. Any surplus funds shall be divisible amongst the members of the club on a pro rata basis which is related to the current years subscription paid by the various classes of membership.

26. In the event of the realised assets being insufficient to meets the debts the difference shall be realised by a levy on members on the pro rata basis described in the preceding paragraph.

27. In the event that the youth committee is dissolved, all its assets and/or liabilities shall be transferred to the main committee.