Unfortunately now the important but dull bit
1. Name
The league shall be called The East Grinstead Netball League (hereinafter called “The League”)
2. Affiliation
The League shall be an autonomous body. However it requires that all players be affiliated to All England Netball Association as either 1st or 2nd claim members.
3. Aims & Objectives
3.1 The objectives of The League shall be to provide for all aspects of netball in East Grinstead by promoting and furthering the interests of netball, by providing competitive competitions at various times throughout the year.
3.2 The aims and objectives of The League should be consistent with the furthering of equal opportunities for all groups in netball.
4. Membership
4.1 The League shall consist of the Officers, the Members and Adult Supporters. Players need to be 14 years of age from September.of the year they intend to join the league.
4.1.1 The Officers are those appointed at the Annual Meeting (See Sections 6 and 9)
4.1.2 The Members are those players who have paid the annual affiliation fee (See Section 5) and whose names have been submitted to The League for a team entered into a league competition.
4.1.3 Adult supporters are those adults who are members of a recognised netball team or club who may or may not enter teams into any league competition. This group also includes the parents of players aged between 14 and 17 years who are members of a team entered into any league competition.
4.2 Membership of The League shall be open and not unreasonably restricted on the grounds of race or of political, religious or other opinions, to any person in the area who is prepared to accept and support the objectives of The League.
4.3 In accepting membership, a person agrees to abide by the constitution of The League and the rulings of the League Committee.
4.4 Adult supporters do not have the right to vote at meetings, but are entitled to speak on behalf of any proposition being discussed at a meeting.
5. Membership Fees
5.1 Playing fees and their frequency, will be determined by the League Committee.
5.2 Annual Affiliation fees are determined by England Netball and are paid directly to them. League Affiliation fees are determined by the League Committee.
5.3 The League Committee may decide upon other charges or subscriptions at its discretion.
6. Officers
6.1 The officers of The League shall be:
6.1.1 Chair,
6.1.2 Vice-Chair,
6.1.3 General Secretary,
6.1.4 Treasurer,
6.1.5 A Fixtures Secretary for each league competition,
6.1.6 A Results Secretary for each league competition,
6.1.7 Umpiring Secretary
6.1.8 Social Media Secretary
6.2 These officers shall hold office for a calendar year, being elected annually at the League Annual General Meeting (See Section 9). All officers shall retire annually but shall be eligible for re-appointment. No member may hold more than two Officers posts.
6.3 The League Committee may fill any casual vacancy occurring during the season. They may also co-opt Members to assist in the running of the league.
6.4 The Annual Meeting, may also appoint a President and Vice President, where such appointments are made they do not need to be elected annually.
7. League Committee
7.1 The management of The League shall be vested in a Management Committee (hereinafter called the “League Committee”).
7.2 The League Committee shall act for the members. Liabilities incurred shall fall upon the membership (provided they act in honesty and good faith in accordance with this constitution).
7.3 The League Committee shall comprise the League Officers (See Section 6).
7.4 Meetings of the League Committee shall be convened by the Secretary and shall meet throughout the year, when required.
7.5 The quorum for the transaction of business at League Committee meetings shall be the majority of members present and eligible to vote.
7.6 Every question at a meeting of the League Committee shall be determined by a majority of the vote of the members present with every voting member having one vote. In the event of an equality of votes the Chair of the meeting shall have a casting vote.
7.7 The League Committee will maintain a set of playing rules. Such rules may only be amended with the consent of either the AGM or an EGM expressly called for that purpose (See Section 9).
7.7 The interpretation of this constitution shall be vested in the League Committee, who shall decide all questions relating to the League, save those specified in or involving an amendment to the constitution (See Section 14).
7.8 The League Committee shall be responsible for considering any application for membership and shall decide if this application should be accepted. This decision must be in accordance with the nondiscretionary policy specified in Section 4.2
8. Finance
8.1 All monies raised by or on behalf of The League shall only be applied to further the objects of the League with the exception of those outlined in section 8.7 below.
8.2 The Treasurer is responsible for the finances of The League.
8.3 The financial year of the league runs annually from July to July.
8.4 Proper accounts shall be kept of all sums of money received and paid out by The League
8.5 An audited statement of accounts, for each year (See Section 8.3), will be recorded and held by the Committee.
8.6 The funds of the League shall be lodged at a bank or building society in an account in the name of The League, and all cheques, drafts etc drawn on these accounts shall be signed by any two of the following, Chair, Vice Chair or Treasurer. Provided that no cheque should be signed by an Officer if they are to be the beneficiary.
8.7 The League, may from time to time, organise events for the purpose of raising money for charity. As well as the proceeds raised at any charity event, the League Committee may also contribute an equal amount from its general funds.
9. Annual General Meeting and Other Meetings
9.1 An Annual General Meeting (AGM) of The League shall be held every year when the annual report of the League Committee and the audited statement of accounts up to the end of the financial year shall be presented.
9.2 The Secretary shall give at least 14 days notice of the date of the AGM to all members.
9.3 The AGM shall elect such officers of The League set out in Section 6, or as it may from time to time determine.
9.4 Nominations for officers do not need to be made prior to the Annual General Meeting. Nominations require the support of two members. Nominations can only be accepted from persons eligible to vote at the AGM.
9.5 Nominations shall be accepted from the floor of the meeting. Nominations can only be accepted from persons eligible to vote at the AGM The quorum for general meetings shall be ten members present and eligible to vote.
9.6 An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) shall be called by an application in writing to the Secretary signed by not less than five Members. The League Committee shall have the power to call an EGM by the decision of a simple majority of its members.
9.7 The dates of the ordinary meetings of the League Committee should, wherever possible, be determined at the previous meeting. In addition, the Chair may call a meeting when they consider it necessary or desirable, or upon the written request of at least five
members.
10. Voting Procedures
10.1 Each Member shall be entitled to one vote.
10.2 A motion shall be carried by a simple majority of those present and voting, except when the motion is a constitutional amendment, which shall require a two-thirds majority (See Section 14).
10.3 The Chair of any meeting shall have a casting vote in addition to a deliberative vote.
10.4 Voting rights shall be exercised by a ‘show of hands’. For significant issues, the Chair may call for a secret ballot.
11. Property and Staff
11.1 Responsibility for all property owned or leased by The League and for the engagement of volunteers, rests with the League Committee.
12. Discipline and Appeals
12.1 The League Committee shall have the power to take appropriate disciplinary action against any member and shall have the authority to terminate the membership of any member guilty of conduct deemed to be to the detriment of The League.
12.2 There shall be the right of appeal to the Sussex County Netball Association, against any decision made by the League Committee.
13. Dissolution Procedures
13.1 In the event of The League ceasing to exist, and following the discharge of all debts and liabilities, any assets at the time of dissolution shall become the property of the Sussex County Netball Association. No member shall obtain any asset from the League.
13.2 The League may be wound up on a resolution of the members, passed by a two-thirds majority at either (a) the Annual General Meeting or (b) an Extraordinary General Meeting convened for that purpose, upon the request of five of members of the League. At least 14 days notice of the meeting shall have been sent to all members of the League.
14. Review of the Constitution
14.1 This constitution shall be reviewed every five years commencing in 2012.
14.2 Amendments to the constitution shall only be agreed at an AGM or an EGM called for that purpose.
14.3 Additions or alterations of the constitution do not need to be submitted to the Secretary before the date of the AGM.
14.4 Where a request is made for a EGM of League members, no additional resolution involving an amendment of the constitution may be proposed from the floor of that meeting.
14.5 Any amendments to the constitution must be duly proposed and seconded by members entitled to vote at the Annual General Meeting.
14.6 Any alteration to the constitution shall require a two-thirds majority of members present and voting.
14.7 In the event of any question or matter arising which is not provided for in the constitution, the League Committee, whose decision shall be final, shall deal with such question or matter
Date Amended
10/07/17
Review Date
14/10/22