RULES OF

WOOTTON & BASHLEY WORKING MENS SOCIAL CLUB LTD

(All Previous Rules Rescinded)

Adopted on: [DATE]
1. Name
  The name of the organisation shall be Wootton & Bashley Working Mens Social Club Ltd (“the Club”).
2. Aims and Objectives
  The aims of the Club are:
  - To provide a safe, welcoming and inclusive social environment for members and the local community.
  - To promote community cohesion through social, sporting and recreational activities.
  - To operate and maintain licensed premises for the benefit of members.
  - To encourage responsible social interaction and traditional club activities.
3. Application of Income and Property (Non-Profit Clause)
  The income and property of the Club shall be applied solely towards the promotion of the Club’s aims.
  No portion of the income or property shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly to members by way of        dividend, bonus or profit.
  Committee members may be reimbursed for reasonable expenses properly incurred on behalf of the Club.
  The Club may purchase appropriate indemnity insurance to protect Committee members from personal liability   where they have acted honestly and reasonably in the course of their duties.
4. Membership
4.1 Eligibility
  Membership shall be open to individuals aged 18 years or over without discrimination.
4.2 Licensing Compliance
  In accordance with licensing requirements, there shall be an interval of at least two days between application for   membership and admission.
4.3 Subscriptions
Entrance fees, annual subscriptions and other charges shall be determined by the Committee and confirmed at the Annual General Meeting.
4.4 Termination of Membership
Membership shall cease if:
  - A member resigns in writing.
  - Subscription remains unpaid for six months.
  - The member is expelled following disciplinary proceedings.
4.5 Conduct
  Members must behave respectfully toward fellow members, staff and officers and must comply with Club rules and   policies.
5. Disciplinary Procedure
  The Committee may suspend or expel a member for conduct detrimental to the Club.
The member shall:
  - Receive written notice of the allegation.
  - Be given an opportunity to present their case.
  - Be entitled to attend a hearing accompanied by a friend.
A written decision shall be issued by the Committee.
Members may submit a written appeal which will be considered by a General Meeting of the Club whose decision shall be final.
6. Management Committee
6.1 Composition
The Club shall be governed by a Management Committee consisting of eight (8) members only, comprising:
  - President
  - Secretary
  - Treasurer
  - Five Ordinary Committee Members
The number of Committee members shall not exceed eight (8).
No additional Committee members may be appointed except through amendment of these Rules approved by members and registered with the appropriate regulatory authority.
6.2 Nomination and Election
Nominations for Committee positions must be submitted in writing to the Secretary not less than seven (7) days before the Annual General Meeting.
Each nomination must:
  - Be proposed and seconded by members entitled to vote.
  - Include the written consent of the nominee.
If fewer than eight valid nominations are received, the Chair may invite nominations from the floor at the Annual General Meeting to fill any remaining vacancies.
Where more than eight valid nominations are received, a secret ballot shall be conducted and the eight candidates receiving the highest number of votes shall be elected.
6.3 Vacancies
If a vacancy occurs during the year the Committee may appoint a member to fill the vacancy until the next Annual General Meeting, provided that the total number of Committee members does not exceed eight.
The Committee shall have no power to co-opt additional voting members beyond the fixed number of eight.
6.4 Term of Office
Committee members shall serve until the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting and may stand for re-election.
6.5 Committee Meetings
The Committee shall meet at least four times each year.
The quorum for Committee meetings shall be five (5) members.
6.6 Conflicts of Interest
Any Committee member having a personal or financial interest in a matter must declare that interest and shall not participate in discussion or voting on that matter.
7. Powers of the Committee
The Committee shall manage the affairs of the Club and may:
  - Operate bank accounts in the Club’s name.
  - Purchase goods and services.
  - Enter contracts on behalf of the Club.
  - Raise funds for the Club’s purposes.
  - Establish sub-committees where appropriate.
All actions must be consistent with these Rules.
8. General Meetings
8.1 Annual General Meeting (AGM)
An AGM shall be held each year with at least 21 days notice to members.
Business shall include:
  - Presentation of the annual report
  - Presentation of financial statements
  - Election of the Committee
  - Any other business properly notified
8.2 Special General Meeting (SGM)
An SGM may be called by the Committee or upon written request of at least eight members.
At least 14 days notice shall be given.
8.3 Quorum
The quorum for a General Meeting shall be 10 members or 10% of membership (whichever is greater).
8.4 Voting
Each member shall have one vote.
Decisions shall be determined by simple majority unless otherwise specified.
In the event of a tie the Chair shall have a casting vote.
9. Finance, Property and Banking
The Club shall maintain a bank account in its name.
There shall be three authorised signatories, including the Treasurer.
All payments shall require two unrelated signatories.
Proper accounts shall be kept and presented annually at the AGM.
Accounts shall be independently reviewed or audited where required.
Property Ownership
The Club may own freehold or leasehold property in its own name. Any land, buildings or substantial investments belonging to the Club shall be held and managed for the benefit of the members in accordance with these Rules.
The Committee shall be responsible for the proper management, insurance and maintenance of Club property.
No property of the Club may be sold, mortgaged or otherwise disposed of without approval of members at a General Meeting.
Where legally required, the Club may appoint Holding Trustees to hold property on behalf of the Club. Such trustees shall act solely on the lawful directions of the Committee and members.
10. Safeguarding
The Club shall adopt and implement appropriate safeguarding measures where its activities involve children or vulnerable adults.
The Committee shall ensure that such measures are proportionate to the level of risk and may include the adoption of safeguarding policies, codes of conduct, and, where appropriate, background checks for relevant roles.
All members and volunteers are expected to support the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults and to report any concerns to the Committee.
11. Equality
The Club shall operate in accordance with equality legislation and shall not discriminate on the grounds of protected characteristics.
The Committee shall promote fairness, dignity and respect in all Club activities.
12. Data Protection
The Club shall comply with UK data protection legislation.
Personal information shall be collected and used only for legitimate Club purposes such as membership administration and communication.
Members have the right to access and request correction of their personal data.
13. Dissolution
The Club may be dissolved by a Special Resolution of members.
Any assets remaining after the settlement of liabilities shall be transferred to a local charitable organisation or community group with similar aims.
No remaining assets shall be distributed among members.
14. Amendments to the Rules
These Rules may only be amended by a resolution passed by a two-thirds majority of members present and voting at an Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting.
No amendment shall take effect until it has been registered with the appropriate regulatory authority.
15. Governance Safeguards
To protect the stability and integrity of the Club the following governance safeguards apply:
15.1 Fixed Committee Size
The Management Committee shall consist of eight (8) members only. No additional voting members may be appointed or co-opted beyond this number except through formal amendment of these Rules approved by members.
15.2 No Co-option of Voting Members
The Committee shall have no power to co-opt additional voting Committee members. Vacancies may only be filled up to the maximum of eight members.
15.3 Transparency of Decisions
Minutes shall be kept of all Committee meetings and General Meetings. A summary of decisions affecting members shall be made available to members upon request.
15.4 Removal of Committee Members by Members
A Committee member may be removed from office before the expiry of their term by a resolution passed at a Special General Meeting called for that purpose.
Notice of the proposed removal must be included in the meeting notice.
Removal shall require a two-thirds majority of members present and voting.
The member concerned shall have the right to attend the meeting and address the members before the vote is taken.
Minutes shall be kept of all Committee meetings and General Meetings. A summary of decisions affecting members shall be made available to members upon request.
Signed:
President: __________________________
Secretary: __________________________
Date: __________________________