Voted on and Ratified on 17-10-2014

 

 

  1. Name

 

    1. The name of the Club shall be TriLakes Triathlon Club.

 

    1. The Club’s colours shall be Blue and White

 

  1. Objects

 

    1. The objective of the Club shall be to:-

 

  1. encourage the practice and development of triathlon in North Galway and South Mayo and surrounding areas.

 

  1. provide coaching and training opportunities for club members.

 

  • organise and promote events in the interest of the club and its members

 

  1. organise teams to represent the club in triathlon and multisport events, national championships, international championships and in such other competitions as the committee shall decide.

 

  1. The club shall cater for:-

 

  1. Triathlon

 

  1. Multisport involving the individual sports of running, cycling and swimming (duathlons, aquathlons and other variations)

 

  • The individual sports of running, cycling and swimming.

 

  1. Membership

 

    1. Membership shall be open to all persons either amateur or professional. The amateur status of non-professional club members shall be protected.
    2. It is mandatory for members of TriLakes Triathlon Club to be either full or associate members of Triathlon Ireland, the national governing body for the sport of triathlon in Ireland.  Failure to maintain a membership of Triathlon Ireland (in accordance with the membership policies of Triathlon Ireland), or the withdrawal of membership of Triathlon Ireland from a member of TriLakes Triathlon Club automatically results in an immediate loss of membership of TriLakes Triathlon Club.

 

    1. Participants in training sessions, club competitions and other club activities must be current members of TriLakes Triathlon Club. The Club Secretary may permit the involvement of guest participants at his / her discretion; such guest participants must, however, be members of Triathlon Ireland or other national governing body.

 

    1. Each applicant for membership must complete the official application form.  An application for membership is valid for the calendar year in which it is signed, and to continue membership, members are required to renew their membership for each new calendar year no later than 28 February.

 

    1. Approved persons remain members of the club until the earlier of
      a) such time as they tender a resignation as per Article 10 of this constitution or
      b) they fail to renew their membership as per Article 4.d. of this constitution or
      c) they fail to pay any subscription validly approved under this constitution in accordance with Article 9.b. of this constitution.

 

    1. Members are expected to actively participate in the running of their club through roles such as marshalling, leading sessions, coaching, mentoring, committee participation etc.

 

    1. The Committee of TriLakes Triathlon Club are empowered to withdraw membership from any member of TriLakes Triathlon Club.

 

  1. Equality and Children’s Rights

     TriLakes Triathlon Club shall carry out all functions in a manner that promotes equality of opportunity between:

    1. TriLakes Triathlon Club shall carry out all functions in a manner that promotes equality of opportunity between:
  1. Persons of different religious belief, political opinion, racial group, age, marital status or sexual orientation;
  2. Men and women generally;
  • Persons with a disability and persons without;
  1. Persons with dependents and persons without.
    1. TriLakes Triathlon Club aims to promote the participation of children by:
  1. Creating a culture of safety and fun;
  2. Fully subscribing to the following international standards: “Children have the right to be protected from all forms of violence; they must be kept safe from harm, and they must be given proper care by those looking after them” (Article 19; UN Convention on the Rights of the Child);
  • Asserting the right of Children to be safe. Club officials must ensure that this fundamental principle takes precedence over all other considerations;
  1. Fully subscribing at all times and without variation to Triathlon Ireland’s Code of Ethics for Children.

 

  1. Management

 

    1. The management of the Club shall be vested in a committee, comprising members elected to the positions of Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Officer, together with up to nine additional members validly elected to the committee, with or without specific functions.  These positions are defined below, with full details on the roles and responsibilities of each in Appendix I:

 

 

  1. Chairperson
    The Chairperson is responsible for ensuring the committee operates in the best interest of the club and its members. Their role is to co-ordinate committee activity to achieve this.  Alongside chairing committee and general meetings, the chairperson will also help out the other committee members where required.

 

 

  1. Secretary
    The role of the Secretary involves maintaining the database of members, providing information bulletins to members, and circulating meeting minutes from AGMs and committee meetings as required. The secretary is responsible for internal club administration and communications.  A sample structure for committee meeting agenda can be seen in appendix II

 

  • Treasurer
    The Treasurer is responsible for accurately recording all financial transactions made by the club and presenting this record in a recognised format to members of the club at the AGM. The role will involve collecting and recording cash payments from members and sponsors and for issuing and recording payment to suppliers and others as agreed by the committee. The Treasurer is automatically a co-signatory on any bank or credit card account held in the name of the club.

 

  1. Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Officer
    The Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Officer shall be responsible for ensuring that all aspects of the Triathlon Ireland Code of Ethics for Children are implemented fully in the club, and to act as point of liaison between the club and Triathlon Ireland and other Voluntary or Statutory Agencies where appropriate or required by Statute.

 

 

A functioning committee may be formed once each of the above positions are filled by members validly elected to the position in accordance with this constitution.  In addition to the above four positions, up to nine additional members may be elected to serve on committee.  It is recommended that additional members be elected for the following roles.

  1. Public Relations Officer
    The Public Relations Officer (PRO) is responsible for external communications including the club website, promotional posters, issuing local community notices, issuing press releases and race reports to local media, etc. The PRO will also be the official point of contact for the club (with other clubs, Triathlon Ireland, etc.).
  2. Training Coordinator
    The Training Coordinator will be responsible for organising group club training and coaching, including ability groups, pacing, routing and scheduling.

 

  • Events Coordinator

The Events Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating events, with the events sub committee, throughout the year including triathlons, duathlons, aquathons, and single discipline events in the interest of the club and its members.  They will work with the race directors to ensure the safe and effective planning and running of club events.

 

  • Social Officer
    The Social Officer will be responsible for organising official club social events including post-race celebrations, the Christmas party and other events through the year.

 

  1. A male and female “Club Captain” who would both represent the interest of their respective genders and represent the interest of new triathletes (as in b. and c. below)

 

  1. Vice-Chairperson

The vice Chairperson will discharge the responsibilities of the Chairperson in the situation where the Chairperson is unavailable.  This role should be held by a serving officer of the committee as decided by the committee at their first meeting following the AGM.

 

  1. and 2 other members.
    1. All of the forgoing shall be elected.  All positions are filled by election at the Annual General Meeting, with each member of TriLakes Triathlon Club present having one vote per position.

 

    1. Any club member can declare their interest in a position, whereupon they must be proposed and seconded by two members of TriLakes Triathlon Club.

 

    1. Where more than one person nominated for a position, the person deemed elected is the person who receives the most votes.  Where there is only one nomination for election, that person is deemed elected if there is a simple majority of votes in favour of their election over votes against their election.

 

    1. The elected committee shall remain in office until the Annual General meeting of the following year.

 

    1. The Committee shall have the power to fill vacancies if and when they arise.

 

    1. The Committee shall have the power to co-opt members from time-to-time and for specific projects but co-opted members shall not have a Committee vote.  Co-opted members may attend Committee Meetings upon invitation by the Committee Chairperson or Secretary.

 

    1. The Committee shall meet at regular intervals as decided by the Chairperson but not less frequently than once in every 3 months in a venue to be decided.

 

    1. Copies of the minutes of committee meetings should be available to members on request from the Secretary.

 

  1. Annual General Meeting

 

    1. The Annual General Meeting shall be held no later than the 1st March of the relevant year for the purpose of:-

 

  1. receiving the annual report of the committee for the preceding season

 

  1. receiving the statement of accounts for the preceding season

 

    1. electing the officers and committee for the ensuing year

 

    1. considering any amendments to the Constitution and Rules of the Club of which due notice has been given to all members. Any proposed change to the Constitution Rules by a member must be received by the chair or secretary at least 14 days prior to the date of the Annual General Meeting in order that members shall have sufficient notice of the proposal.  At the discretion of the Chairperson, amendments not submitted at least 14 days prior to the AGM may be proposed by any member present at the AGM and voted upon.

 

    1. At least 28 days notice (in accordance with Article 14 of this constitution) shall be given to members of the date, proposed venue and draft agenda items for the Annual General Meeting.  Notice of the final agenda, incorporating any proposed or amended agenda item, proposed motions, financial statements and a confirmed venue for the AGM shall be given to members at least 48 hours prior to the proposed AGM, and will be available in printed form at the proposed AGM.  The accidental omission to give notice of an AGM to or the non-receipt of notice by any member shall not invalidate the proceedings at that meeting.

 

    1. Each fully signed up member present at the meeting shall have one vote.  No proxy votes will be accepted.

 

    1. All motions proposed and voted on, and the election of committee members is by simple majority.   Voting will ordinarily be by a show of hands (two ordinary members will be charged with counting hands) except in the case where a member or group of members request a secret ballot.

 

  1. Affiliations and Sponsorships

 

    1. The club shall be affiliated to Triathlon Ireland and to such other sporting bodies, as the Committee consider appropriate in order to carry out the objects of the Club.
    2. The committee, at their absolute discretion, may approve commercial sponsorship arrangements including the placement of commercial logos on club equipment, clothing, racing kit, the club website, and any other Club collateral in return for financial or other support given by sponsors to the Club.  Any agreements made in respect of same and signed by the Chairperson and Treasurer acting as agents for the Committee shall be binding on the club.

 

  1. Subscriptions

 

    1. Subscription to TriLakes Triathlon Club is by means of:
  1. An annual membership fee structure, the amount of which to be proposed annually by the outgoing Treasurer and carried by majority vote at the AGM.
    1. Where an annual membership fee is mandated by the AGM in accordance with this constitution, failure to pay such annual fee when it is requested may result in the loss of membership of TriLakes Triathlon Club at the discretion of the committee.

 

  1. Resignations

 

    1. Any member wishing to resign must  should do so in writing, addressed to the Chair or Secretary. The resignation will be considered by the Committee within one calendar month of receipt and will be held as effective on the date of tendering. Resignations will not be accepted if the member is financially indebted to the Club, and acceptance will be withheld until the debt has been discharged.

 

 

  1. Extraordinary General Meetings

 

    1.  The Chair or Secretary shall call an Extraordinary General Meeting within one month of the receipt of a requisition signed by at least 9 members stating the purpose of the meeting. At least 14 days notice shall be given to all fully signed-up members of the date, venue and purpose of an Extraordinary General Meeting. No other business shall be conducted at such a meeting.

 

  1. Constitution Amendments

 

    1. No Constitution Rule may be altered, added to, or deleted except at an Annual General Meeting or an Extraordinary General Meeting called for that purpose and then only by a majority of those present and voting.

 

  1. Financial Year

 

    1. The Club’s financial year ends each December 31st.

 

 

 

  1. Quorum

 

    1. For Committee meetings the Quorum shall be not less than four members.
    2. For an Annual General Meeting or Extraordinary General Meeting, the Quorum shall be not less than ten members.

 

  1. Notices

 

    1. A notice required to be given under this Constitution shall be sufficiently given if
  1. Published on the website or other social media of TriLakes Triathlon Club or
  2. Announced in at least one local newspaper.

 

 

Appendix I. Roles and Responsibilities of committee members

 

Chairperson

The Chairperson is responsible for ensuring the committee operates in the best interest of the club and its members.  Their role is to co-ordinate committee activity to achieve this.  Alongside chairing committee and general meetings, the chairperson will also help out the other committee members where required.

 

Their role will also involve

  • Upholding the club constitution
  • Ensuring the effective coordination and running of the club meetings
  • Liaising with the club secretary on the scheduling and timing of meetings to note a start and end time.
  • Liaising with the club secretary in drafting the agenda for meetings and ensure that this is circulated to committee members in advance of the meeting.
  • Ensure that meetings run in a timely and effective manner by establishing ground rules for contribution.
  • Ensure that all committee members are invited to participate and contribute to committee proceedings
  • Delegating tasks effectively to committee members and subsequently holding them accountable for these tasks at committee.
  • Summarise decisions and assign action items to relevant committee members to be noted in the minutes of each meeting by the secretary for subsequent follow up.  This ensures that progress is made meeting to meeting.
  • Reflect on committee effectiveness and seek ways to improve this in the interest of the club and its members
  • Ensure that committee members are fulfilling their roles and commitments and holding them accountable for same on behalf of the club and its members
  • Liaising with the club secretary to ensure that the minutes of committee meetings are circulated following committee meetings and that this includes follow up actions for committee members.
  • Actively engage with the secretary and other committee members in planning the future of the club

 

Secretary

The role of club Secretary involves maintaining the database of members, providing information bulletins to members, and circulating meeting minutes from AGMs and committee meetings as required.

 

This role will also involve

  • Liaising with the club chairperson on the scheduling and timing of meetings to note a start and end time.
  • Liaising with the club chairperson in drafting the agenda for meetings and ensure that this is circulated to committee members in advance of the meeting.
  • Taking note of minutes and action points at club meetings and subsequently circulating them to committee members following liaison with the Club Chairperson.
  • Circulating monthly emails to members with club news, events, training opportunities and information, training tips, Triathlon Ireland information, and other items of interest to club members.
  • Communicating effectively with internal members of the club including club officers, committee members, mentors, coaches, and active members.
  • Read and reply to all correspondence on behalf of the club in conjunction with the PRO.
  • Keep a copy of correspondence received by the club.
  • Be up to date with all correspondence before meetings and bring relevant correspondence to the attention of the committee for discussion.
  • Being responsible for club membership and registration and maintaining a database of members.
  • Liaising with the club captains, the PRO and other relevant officers in relation to the needs of members.
  • Compiles the clubs annual report for presentation at the AGM
  • Makes the minutes of club meetings available to members on their request as noted in the constitution

Treasurer

The Treasurer is responsible for accurately recording all financial transactions made by the club and presenting this record in a recognised format to members of the club at the AGM. The role will involve collecting and recording cash payments from members and sponsors and for issuing and recording payment to suppliers and others as agreed by the committee.  The Treasurer is automatically a co-signatory on any bank or credit card account held in the name of the club.

 

This role will involve

  • Management of club accounts
  • Maintenance of club financial records
  • Preparation of financial statements for the club committee
  • Preparing a financial budget at the start of the committee term for the club to allow for club planning and investments in club assets, training and facilities for members
  • Presenting a financial statement to the AGM to include income, expenditure, bank balances with statements reconciled, list of accruals and payments, debts, details of investments and bank loans
  • Fundraising and sponsorship for the club when required in conjunction with the events coordinator, PRO and other relevant committee members

 

Child and Vulnerable adult protection officer

The Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Officer shall be responsible for ensuring that all aspects of the Triathlon Ireland Code of Ethics for Children are implemented fully in the club, and to act as point of liaison between the club and Triathlon Ireland and other Voluntary or Statutory Agencies where appropriate or required by Statute.

 

This role will involve

  • Liaising with the club chairman, secretary and club captains to ensure the Triathlon Ireland Code of ethics for children is implemented in the club.
  • Developing the how the club engages with children’s interest and work towards developing the interest of children and younger club members in triathlon and associated sports in which the club engages

 

 

Public Relations Officer (PRO)

 

The Public Relations Officer (PRO) is responsible for external communications including the club website, promotional posters, issuing local community notices, issuing press releases and race reports to local media, etc.  The PRO will also be the official point of contact for the club (with other clubs, Triathlon Ireland, etc.).

 

This role will involve

  • Working as part of at team with the other club officers and sub committee members of the club
  • Promoting the club and club events in the local community and beyond using all available methods of communication including social media, email, website and radio.
  • Make sure the club is well presented to the general public
  • Coordinating external communication for the club to supporters, the community in general, sponsors, parents and the media

 

Social

The Social Officer will be responsible for organising official club social events including post-race celebrations, the Christmas party and other events through the year.

 

This role will involve

  • Trying to involve as many club members as possible in the events
  • Representing the interests of as many club members as possible when running events
  • Ensuring a wholesome and inviting preposition to members to engage in social events with their club colleagues
  • Ensuring that all club members are informed and aware of social events that are organised by the club on their behalf
  • Liaising with the club treasurer on budgeting for events etc.

 

 

Club Captain (Male)

 

The male club captain will serve as a point of contact for club members and represent the interest of male triathletes, and members who are new to triathlon.

 

This role will involve

  • Contacting members by phone as they sign up and welcoming them to the club
  • Answering any questions that members may have through the year
  • Raising relevant issues at committee level that come to light following discussions with members
  • Liaising with the PRO to give coverage to members who are participating in events.
  • Actively encourage member engagement with the club
  • Working closely with the events coordinator on gender specific events

 

 

Club Captain (Female)

 

The female club captain will serve as a point of contact for club members and represent the interest of female triathletes, and members who are new to triathlon.

 

This role will involve

  • Contacting members by phone as they sign up and welcoming them to the club
  • Answering any questions that members may have through the year
  • Raising relevant issues at committee level that come to light following discussions with members
  • Liaising with the PRO to give coverage to members who are participating in events.
  • Actively encourage member engagement with the club
  • Working closely with the events coordinator on gender specific events (e.g. women’s cycle event)

 

 

Events Coordinator

The Events Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating events, and assisting race directors, throughout the year including triathlons, duathlons, aquathons, and single discipline events in the interest of the club and its members.

 

This role will involve

  • Appointing an events sub committee members following discussion with the club committee for the following roles;
    • Chief Marshall (responsible for contacting and coordinating marshals for club events throughout the year)
    • Swim lead (responsible for the safe and effective coordination and running of swim elements of events throughout the year)
    • Bike lead (responsible for the safe and effective coordination and running of bike element of events throughout the year)
    • Run lead (responsible for the safe and effective coordination and running of run element of events throughout the year)
    • Transition lead (responsible for the safe and effective coordination and running of all transition zones at club events throughout the year)
    • Equipment supervisor (responsible for the safe storage, availability and maintenance of club equipment)
  • Setting up and running events meetings with those listed above to ensure the safe and effective running of events. These meetings may be run on occasion as part of the main committee meeting.
  • Reporting to the Chairperson and the club committee on the progress of event planning and timelines.
  • Advising the committee on the appointment of a race director for events. The events coordinator will work closely with the race director in planning and running the events in order to ensure their smooth and effective running.

 

 

Training Coordinator

 

The training coordinator will be responsible for coordinating the training of club members throughout the year in line with club policy.  They will encourage and engage with members and build a strong team and club infrastructure to support this agenda for members and to ensure the strong and effective development of our club.  They will ideally be a Triathlon Ireland coach L2 certified (per TI ultimate strategy).

 

This role will involve

  • Being responsible for club coaching strategy – link with Club Captains to identify membership objectives
  • Being responsible for designing and coordinating the delivery of club coaching schedule – link with PRO to publish regular updates on club training for members
  • Bring responsible for coordination of training & coaching sub committee
  • Providing leadership and guidance for club coaches (ideally L1 certified) and club coaching mentors
  • Being responsible for recruitment and development of coaching sub committee – determining criteria and identifying suitable candidates for L1 coaching certification

Training & Coaching Subcommittee (ideally TI coach L1 certified per TI ultimate strategy):

  • Coaching Mentors: provide advice and assistance to members on an individual basis. Season planning, objective/goal setting, training planning, workout analysis. email, phone, occasional group sessions.
  • Coaches (Swim/Bike/Run): Design & Delivery of discipline specific coached training sessions within the overall coaching strategy and schedule of coached sessions
  • Session Leaders: identified leaders for general training sessions. assist with the delivery of the coached sessions. Less formal role than coaches.

 

 

 

 

Appendix II. Sample agenda for club committee meeting

 

  1. Minutes from last meeting
  2. Matters arising from the minutes of the last meeting
  3. Matters of importance (separate to 2.) for discussion at the meeting
  4. Correspondence
  5. Club finances discussion
  6. Feedback from Training coordinator, Events coordinator and other active officers of the club with relevant items to committee for discussion.  Items for discussion at the meeting should be advanced to the secretary in advance of the meeting where possible.
  7. Update on club membership
  8. Any other business

 

 


Appendix III Tri Lakes Triathlon Club Code of Conduct

 

General

All Members shall:

 

  • Abide by the Club Constitution and this code of conduct and the rules laid down by the sports’ governing body, Triathlon Ireland (TI).
  • Encourage and commend fellow members in their training, competition and participation.
  • Uphold the good name and reputation of the Club, both inside and outside of Club activities and conduct themselves in an appropriate manner.
  • Only train within their abilities and levels of fitness, taking care to warm-up adequately prior to participation and cool-down when finished.
  • Ensure good time management, so as not to delay the start times of sessions they attend.
  • Report any medical conditions, injuries or incidents whether at training or during events to the Club Marshall allocated to that session or event.
  • Report any grievances or complaints to the appropriate member of the Committee; and
  • Be full or non-racing members of TI to ensure that they receive the personal insurance cover which TI membership confers.  The Club does not provide any insurance cover to the members and will not accept any applicant who is not a TI member.

 

Swim

 

All Members shall:

  • Observe and respect the pace and workout routines of other swimmers in their lane, avoiding actions that are likely to interfere with those routines and maintaining good lane discipline.
  • Be aware of other pool users who may be in distress, or whose actions may cause risk to the Member and attract the attention of a Club coach or pool life guard in such circumstances.
  • Ensure adequate hydration during swim sessions by bringing a drinks bottle to the poolside
  • Be aware that surfaces in the facilities are likely to be wet and slippery and therefore to take care
  • Only dive in those areas that are designated safe to dive in.

 

On open water swims, Members shall:

  • Take all necessary precautions to ensure their own safety and ensure their actions do not endanger others.  Understand the safety decisions are best made outside the water.
  • Maintain an awareness of the environmental conditions during the session
  • Wear a wetsuit (if necessary due to water temperature) and a brightly coloured swim cap.
  • Use a buddy system and swim in pairs based upon speed and ability.
  • Swim parallel to the bank/shore unless adequate safety cover exists for areas beyond that.
  • Roll on to their back and raise their arm to attract the attention of the safety cover if experiencing any difficulty.
  • Provide the session leader with their emergency contact details and information on any medical issues.
  • Not enter water space used by other water sports users, unless prior communication for the sole use of a designated space over an allocated time period has been arranged
  • Shower after swimming, washing open wounds and ears etc. to reduce the risk of infection.

 

All open water swim sessions are taken at the participants own risk.

 

All Members shall:

 

  • Wear a correctly fitted and fastened cycling helmet.
  • Ensure that their bike is in good roadworthy condition.
  • Carry some cash, mobile phone spare inner tubes and a mini-pump on all Club rides.
  • Ensure adequate hydration and nourishment on long rides by carrying drinks bottles and energy bars/gels.
  • Dress appropriately for the weather conditions.
  • Wear reflective clothing and carry bike lights during evening and night sessions.
  • Respect the rules of the public highways.
  • Slow down, give way or stop in the interests of courtesy, safety or obligation.
  • Avoid confrontation with other road users and pedestrians.
  • Act responsibly to promote the good image of cyclists.

 

On group rides, Members shall:

 

  • Keep to the left wherever possible.
  • Ride two abreast where the conditions allow and go single file on busy roads.
  • Maintain an orderly riding pattern at all times.
  • Learn and use the club calls to warn other riders in the group of pot-holes, glass, parked cars and other hazards which may require the following riders to alter course.
  • Not use tri-bars within the pack.
  • Where possible, appoint a group leader and sweeper from the Club coaches or more experienced riders to ensure the group stays together and slower riders are not dropped.
  • Take the phone number of the group leader or sweeper so that the member can alert them in case they get dropped, run into difficulties or do not wish to continue on the ride.
  • Pay attention to the route taken on group rides, so that they can retrace their steps should they drop out of the ride for any reason.

 

Run

All Members shall:

 

  • Wear reflective clothing during evening and night sessions.
  • Carry extra warm/dry clothing to put on following a session, when appropriate.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix IV Club Disciplinary and Grievance Procedure

 

Grievance Procedure

The Club accepts that it is in our mutual interest to establish a clear procedure for the resolution of all issues arising between Members and the Club.  Full recognition is given to the significance of personal grievances and we are determined that all grievances and disputes will be dealt with without undue delay and at the earliest possible stage of this procedure.

 

We operate an open-door policy and Members are encouraged to make full use of this facility by contacting the committee.

 

Procedure

 

Any complaint or grievance must be submitted in writing to the Club Chairperson and Secretary.

 

Receipt of acknowledgement will be provided within 5 working dates to the complainant.

The Club Chairperson and Secretary will appoint 3 members (2 Committee and 1 eligible full member) to assess whether the matter is related directly to the Club or otherwise.  Their decision is binding.  If the complainant or the respondent is part of the Committee, then they cannot take part in the investigation process.

 

If assessed that the matter relates to the Club, then these investigation members will examine both sides of the investigation received in writing by both parties.

 

The investigation members will then return a verdict to the Chairperson and Secretary on whether the matter should be upheld or not along with their reasons behind their decision.  Their decision is binding .

 

The Chairperson or Secretary will contact both parties involved with the decision of the investigation team. Both parties will be given the opportunity to appeal the decision in writing within 14 days of receipt of the decision.

 

If an appeal is requested, then the Chairperson and Secretary will appoint a new investigation team (2 different committee members and 1 different full member) to assess.

 

The Appeals Committee decision is final.  They recommend if disciplinary action is warranted to the committee.

 

The decision of disciplinary action is decided by the full committee.

 

Disciplinary Procedure

 

Members will be liable to disciplinary action for misconduct.

Relatively minor breaches of discipline will normally be dealt with by warnings.  However if they are repeated they will lead on to further stages of procedure.

 

More serious types of misconduct may leave a member open to suspension or to withdrawal of their membership, depending on the gravity of the offences and any mitigating circumstances.

 

PROCEDURE

 

With a Member’s conduct warrants disciplinary action, the following procedures will apply:

 

  1. Formal Verbal Warning

In the event of a breach of conduct by a member, the member will be given a formal verbal warning by a committee member.  This warning will be recorded at the next committee meeting.

  1. Written Warning

In the event of a further breach, the member will be issued with a formal written warning.  This written warning will be recorded at the next committee meeting and will be held on Club file.

  1. Expulsion

If, following a written warning, a member is guilty of further breaches, the member will be expelled.  Expulsion can only take place after the member has had an opportunity to hear all the allegations against him or her and to present his/her case to the Committee.  All cases of expulsion will be decided upon by the Committee.

  1. Misconduct

In cases of misconduct warranting summary dismissal, the following procedures apply:

 

In cases of misconduct including, but not limited to:

  • Breaches of trust
  • Fighting
  • Theft
  • Refusal to accept instructions
  • Willful damage to the property
  • Bringing the Club into disrepute

 

the Committee consider that summary dismissal is warranted, it may suspend a member in order to facilitate investigation of a particular case.  Following investigation of any matter under this clause, the committee may decide either to impose another form of discipline, such as suspension from the Club and/or final written warning without recourse to the procedure in 1 to 4 above.

 

  1. Natural Justice

At all stages of the procedure, the member will be given the opportunity to hear the allegations against him/her and to make his/her case.

 

  1. Review

This procedure will be reviewed periodically.