Constitution

The name of the Club is Bradshaw Cricket Club, hereafter to be referred to as "the club" and the club shall be affiliated to the England and Wales Cricket Board through the Yorkshire Cricket Board.

The headquarters of the club shall be at Bradshaw Lane, Bradshaw, Halifax HX2 9XB or at such address as the club may determine in a General Meeting.

2. Aims and Objectives

To foster and promote the sport of cricket at all levels within the community and within the sport, providing opportunities for recreation, coaching and competition.

To manage the club

To ensure that all members, playing and non-playing, abide by the ECB Code of Conduct which incorporates the Spirit of Cricket and by the Laws of Cricket.

To ensure a duty of care to all members of the club by adopting and implementing the ECB �Safe Hands � Cricket�s Policy for Safeguarding Children� and any future versions of the Policy.

To ensure a duty of care to all members of the club by adopting and implementing the ECB Cricket Equity Policy and any future versions of the Policy.

To encourage all members to participate fully in the activities of the club.

3. Membership

(a) The club shall be a Members� Club and membership shall be open to anyone interested in the sport of cricket on application regardless of sex, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, religion or other beliefs. However, limitation of membership according to available facilities is allowable on a non discriminatory basis.

(b) The club may have different classes of membership and subscription on a non discriminatory and fair basis. The club will keep subscriptions at levels that will not pose a significant obstacle to people participating.

(c) Application for membership of the club shall be by completion of a membership application form and by payment of the relevant subscription/joining fees as determined by a General Meeting of the club.

(d) No person shall be eligible to take part in the business of the club or eligible for selection for any club team unless the appropriate subscription has been paid by the specified date or membership has been agreed by the Committee.

(e) The club Committee may refuse membership, or remove it, only for good cause such as conduct or character likely to bring the club or cricket into disrepute. Appeal against refusal or removal may be made to the Committee who shall appoint an Appeals Committee to hear the appeal.

(f) All members will be subject to the regulations of the Constitution and by joining the club will be deemed to accept these regulations and any Codes of Conduct that the club has adopted. The Constitution shall identify those members eligible to vote at any General Meetings.

4. Classes of Membership

There shall be 6 classes of membership available. These are:

� Full Member (with full voting rights)

- Playing Member

- Honorary Life Member (not liable for subscriptions)

- Vice President

- Social Member

� Junior Member (Under 18 years of age at the prior 1st October) with full voting rights having played 3 times for the senior teams (Parents or legal guardians of junior members shall be considered to be members of the club with no voting rights)

� Associate Members (no voting rights)

- Organised groups with their own members who use the club regularly

A list of members in each category shall be maintained by the Treasurer or other Officer of the club.

5. Officers

The Officers of the club shall be as follows:

Executive Officers

Chairman
Secretary
Treasurer
Membership Officer
Clubhouse Manager
Club Welfare Officer
Team Captains
Team Vice Captains
Junior Cricket Managers

Honorary Officers (if applicable)

President

6. Election of Officers

All Officers shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting of the club from, and by, the members of the club.

All Executive Officers shall be elected for a period of one year, but shall be eligible for re-election to the same office or to another office the following year.

The President shall be elected for a period of 3 years, but shall be eligible for re-election for a second period of 3 years. No President shall serve more than 2 consecutive periods of office of 3 years.

On the death, resignation or removal from office of an Officer, the Committee shall take steps to procure the appointment of a replacement by the club in General Meeting.

7. Management Committee

The affairs of the club shall be conducted by a General Committee (the Committee) comprising the Executive Officers of the club and not less than 3 nor more than 10 other members elected annually at the Annual General Meeting from, and by, those members of the club entitled to vote. Only these members of the Committee shall be entitled to vote at Committee meetings on matters of finance.

The Committee will be convened by the Secretary and shall meet at agreed intervals and not less than 10 times per year.

The quorum required for business to be agreed at Committee meetings shall be 3 members of the Committee plus 1 Officer of the club, who shall act as Chairman with a casting vote..

The duties of the Committee shall be:
a) To control the affairs of the club on behalf of the members. b) To keep accurate accounts of the finances of the club through the Treasurer. These should be available for reasonable inspection by members and should be audited before every Annual General Meeting. The club shall maintain a bank current account and the following Officers shall be authorised to sign club cheques: any two from the Chair, Treasurer, Secretary and President c) To co-opt additional members of the Committee as the Committee feel is necessary. Co-opted members shall not be entitled to a vote on the Committee and shall serve until the end of the next Annual General Meeting. d) To make decisions on the basis of a simple majority vote. In the case of equal votes, the Chair shall be entitled to an additional casting vote.

The Committee shall have powers to appoint sub-committees as necessary and to co-opt advisers who may be non club members invited to advise on specialist subjects.

An elected Committee member ceases to be such if he or she ceases to be a member of the club, resigns by written notice, or is removed by the Committee for good cause after the member concerned has been given the chance of putting their case to the Committee. Appeal against removal may be made to the Appeals Committee. The Committee shall fairly decide time limits and formalities for these steps.

The Committee has the power to:
(a) acquire and provide grounds, equipment, coaching, training and playing facilities, clubhouse, transport, medical and related facilities
(b) provide coaching, training, medical treatment, and related social and other facilities
(c) take out any insurance for club, employees, contractors, players, guests and third parties
(d) raise funds by appeals, subscriptions, loans and charges
(e) borrow money and give security for the same, and open bank accounts
(f) buy, lease or licence property and sell, let or otherwise dispose of the same
(g) make grants and loans and give guarantees and provide other benefits
(h) set aside funds for special purposes or as reserves
(i) invest funds in any lawful manner
(j) employ and engage staff and others and provide services
(k) co-operate with or affiliate firstly to any bodies regulating or organising the sport of cricket and secondly any club or body involved with cricket and thirdly with government and related agencies
(l) do all other things reasonably necessary to advance the aims and objectives of the club.

NONE of the above powers may be used other than to advance the aims and objectives in a manner consistent with the Rules and the general law.

8. General Meetings

The Annual General Meeting of the club shall be held not later than the end of November each year. 14 clear days written notice of the Annual General Meeting shall be given to members by circulating a copy of the notice to every member at their home address and posting the notice on the club notice board. The business of the Annual General Meeting shall be to:

a) Confirm the minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting
b) Receive the audited accounts for the year from the Treasurer
c) Receive the annual report of the Committee from the Secretary
d) Elect an auditor
e) Elect the Officers of the Club
f) Accept and vote on proposed changes to the club constitution
g) Review club subscription rates and agree them for the forthcoming year

Nominations of candidates for election of Offices shall be made in writing to the Secretary prior to the commencement of the Annual General Meeting. Nominations can only be made by Full Members and must be seconded by another Full Member.

Special General Meetings may be convened by the Committee or on receipt by the Secretary of a request in writing from not less than 5 Full Members of the club. At least 14 days notice of the meeting shall be given.

A General Meeting of the Club will be held on the second Tuesday of each month unless agreed otherwise by the Committee and at other times immediately upon any 5 Full Members delivering to the General Committee a written or verbal request for such a meeting.

At any General Meeting of the Club every member of the Club shall be entitled to be present, and every Full Member shall be entitled to one vote upon every question raised. In the case of equality of voting, the Chairman shall have a second or casting vote. The Secretary shall take minutes of the proceedings at all General Meetings of the Club. Only members of the General Committee may determine matters relating to finance

At all General Meetings, the Chair will be taken by the Chair or, in their absence, by a deputy appointed by members attending the meeting. Decisions made at a General Meeting shall be by a simple majority vote from those members attending the meeting. In the event of equal votes, the Chair of the meeting shall be entitled to an additional casting vote.

A quorum for a General Meeting shall be 3 members entitled to vote (as outlined by the membership section of this Constitution) and 1 Officer of the Club

9. Alterations to the Constitution

Any proposed alterations to the club Constitution may only be considered at an Annual or Special General Meeting, convened with the required written notice of the proposal. Any alteration or amendment must be proposed by a Full Member of the club and seconded by another Full Member. Such alterations shall be passed if supported by not less than two-thirds of those Full Voting Members present at the meeting, assuming that a quorum has been achieved.

10. Byelaws

The General Committee may from time to time make, vary and revoke byelaws (not inconsistent with these Rules) for the regulation of the internal affairs of the Club and the conduct of members, and the byelaws for the time being in force shall be binding on all members.

11. Trustees

There shall be 3 trustees of the Club, who shall be appointed from time to time as necessary, by the Club in General Meeting, from among Full Members who are willing to be appointed. A trustee shall hold office during his/her life, or until he/she shall resign by a notice in writing given to the General Committee or until a resolution removing him/her from office shall be passed at a General Meeting of the Club, by a majority comprising two-thirds of the members present and entitled to vote.

All property of the Club, including land and investments, shall be held by the Trustees for the time being in their own names, so far as necessary and practicable, for the use and benefit of the Club. On the death, resignation or removal from office of the Trustee, the General Committee shall take steps to procure the appointment by the Club in General Meeting of a new Trustee in his/her place, and shall as soon as possible thereafter take all lawful and practicable steps to procure the vesting of all Club property of the Club held by them, in accordance with the directions of the General Committee and shall have 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. But no purchaser, lessee, or mortgagee shall be concerned to enquire whether any such direction has been given.

12. Finance

All club monies shall be banked in an account in the name of the club.

The Treasurer shall be responsible for the finances of the club and for providing a report on the financial position as required by the Committee.

The Treasurer shall ensure that the club maintains adequate and appropriate insurance to cover the activities of the club.

The financial year will end on 30 September.

The Treasurer will present an audited statement of annual accounts at the Annual General Meeting.

Any cheques drawn against club funds should hold the signatures of the Treasurer plus up to two Officers.

13. Property and Funds

(i) The property and funds of the club cannot be used for the direct or indirect private benefit of members other than as reasonably allowed by the Rules and all surplus income or profits shall be reinvested in the club.
(ii) The club may also in connection with the sports purposes of the club:
(a) sell and supply food, drink and related sports clothing and equipment
(b) employ members and remunerate them for providing goods and services, on fair terms set by the Committee without the person concerned being present
(c) pay for reasonable hospitality for visiting teams and guests
(d) indemnify the Committee and members acting properly in the course of the running of the club against any liability incurred in the proper running of the club (but only to the extent of its assets).

14. Conduct

No betting shall be allowed in the Club. No lottery shall be promoted by any member or officer on behalf of or in any way connected with the Club, or with any entertainment or event held by or in connection with the Club without previous written authority of the General Committee. Gaming shall be permitted in the Club, so, however, as not to contravene any of the provisions of any statute for the time being in force.

The General Committee may suspend the membership of any member whose conduct, whether on the Club premises or elsewhere, in or has been in the opinion of the Committee contrary to the interests of the Club or injurious to its reputation

15. Discipline and Appeals

All complaints regarding the behaviour of members should be lodged in writing with the Secretary.

The Committee shall appoint a Disciplinary sub-committee who will meet to hear complaints within 7 days of a complaint being lodged. Any member requested to attend a Disciplinary sub-committee shall be entitled to be accompanied by a friend or other representative and to call witnesses. The Committee (or its sub-committee) has the power to take appropriate disciplinary action, including the termination of membership.

The outcome of the disciplinary hearing shall be put in writing to the person who lodged the complaint and the member against whom the complaint was made within 7 days following the hearing.

There shall be a right of appeal to the Committee against either the finding or the sanction imposed or both following disciplinary action being taken. The Committee shall appoint an Appeals Committee (a maximum of three) which shall not include members involved with the initial disciplinary hearing but may include non members of the club. The Appeals Committee shall consider the appeal within 7 days of the Secretary receiving the appeal. The individual submitting the appeal shall be entitled to be accompanied by a friend or other representative and to call witnesses. The decision of the Appeals Committee shall be final and binding on all parties.

16. Notice

Each member shall keep the Secretary informed of that member�s private address, or of some other address to which communications may be addressed. Nevertheless, it shall not be necessary to send any notice intended for members generally to any member, by post or otherwise, except in the case of the notice convening any General Meeting for any purpose of Rule 29. All notices shall be posted or affixed in a prominent position on the Club premises in a part of the Club which is frequented by members, and it shall be the duty of the Secretary to ensure that any such notice remains so exhibited throughout any period required in that behalf, by or under these rules.

17. Exclusion of Liability

Neither the Club, nor any officer thereof, shall be liable to any member, or guest of a member, for any loss of or damage to any property occurring, from whatever cause, in or about the Club premises, nor for any injury sustained by any member, or guest whilst on or entering or leaving the Club premises, and a notice to this effect shall at all times be displayed in a prominent position on the Club premises.

18. Visitors

Members may introduce and entertain guests at the club and both member and guest shall sign the Vistors' Book provided. Such member will be responsible for the conduct of his guest, and compliance with these rules and club byelaws. No member can introduce as his guests any person whose membership has either been terminated or suspended, or whose application for membership has been rejected

Pursuant to the provisions of Section 49, Licensing Act 1964, intoxicating liquor my be sold by or on behalf of the Club for consumption on or off the Club premises to:

(i) Members of visiting teams and their supporters competing against the Club in organised games

(ii) Members of visiting teams and their supporters competing against associate members in organised games

(iii) Members and supporters of teams taking part in the finals of competitions organised by the Halifax League, and associations of which the Club is a member, when the Club�s ground is being used for such finals

(iv) Persons in attendance at functions where the Club premises have been hired in accordance with Rule 19

(v) Any other function which is authorised by the Committee provided always that it is promoted by and is the responsibility of a member of the Club who is present at the function

19. Functions

Persuant to Section 49 of the Licensing Act 1949, intoxicating liquor may be sold for consumption on or off the premises to non-members of the Club attending at the Club premises when functions are authorised by the committee, provided always that:

a The premises are booked by a member for the purpose of holding a private function

b The names of all members attending the function and the name of the member booking the same shall be entered in a book kept on the premises for that purpose

c All persons attending the function will be allowed to use the facilities of the Club, including the purchase of intoxicating liquor, on the day of the function only, provided they are aged 18 or older

d The member organising the function shall be responsible for the behaviour of the guests and shall not leave the Club premises whilst the function continues

20. Intoxicating Liquor

The supply of intoxicating liquor in the Club premises shall be permitted at times in accordance with the Club�s operating schedule. Any social function to be held under Rule 19 shall terminate in any event no later then 1.00am. No intoxicating liquor shall be supplied to member or to any other person on the Club premises otherwise than by or on behalf of the Club.

The Bar Sub-Committee shall arrange the supply of intoxicating liquor to Club members, and to other persons on the Club premises and shall secure the observance of the provisions of the Licensing Act 1964 and all other Acts relating thereto, and of any conditions attached to any licence held by or on behalf of the Club for the supply of intoxicating liquor, or to any registration certificate granted in respect of the Club premises.

No person shall be paid or receive any commission percentage or similar payment on or with reference to purchases of intoxicating liquor by the Club, nor shall any person directly or indirectly derive any pecuniary benefit from the supply of intoxicating liquor by or on behalf of the Club to members or guests, apart from any benefit accruing to the Club as a whole.

21. Dissolution

a) If at any General Meeting of the club, a resolution be passed calling for the dissolution of the club, the Secretary shall immediately convene a Special General Meeting of the club to be held not less than one month thereafter to discuss and vote on the resolution.

b) If at that Special Meeting, the resolution is carried by at least two-thirds (three quarters) of the Full Voting Membership present at the meeting, the Committee shall thereupon, or at such date as shall have been specified in the resolution, proceed to realise the assets of the club and discharge all debts and liabilities of the club.

c) The Committee will then be responsible for the orderly winding up of the club�s affairs.

d) After settling all liabilities of the club, the Committee shall dispose of the net assets remaining to one or more of the following:

e) to another club with similar sports purposes which is a registered charity and/or

f) to another club with similar sports purposes which is a registered Community Amateur Sports Club and/or

g) to the club�s governing body for use by them for related community sports.

22. General

a) Senior teams will be selected by an elected sub-committee on the Tuesday prior to each match, and the teams will be displayed in the pavilion and/or Clubhouse, on the club website at www. Bradshawcricket.cc and inserted in the local press. Any member selected to play, or be a reserve for any of the Club�s teams must turn up at the ground at which the match takes place, prior to the start of the match. Any selected player or reserve who is unable to play must advise the team captain before the day of the match. If not obeying this rule and unable to give a satisfactory explanation to the selection sub-committee, the player or reserve shall not be selected for the following match

b) Prizes for batting, bowling and fielding will be awarded for each team in accordance with the suggestions and qualifications of the Halifax Cricket League, unless decided otherwise in a General Meeting of the Club

c) Players nominated for position of Captain of the three Senior Sides should automatically be considered as nominations for Vice Captain positions but may withdraw from election to the Vice Captain position if they so wish

d) When more than two candidates are proposed for office, if none of the candidates has got at least 50% of the total votes cast, then the candidate with the fewest votes shall be withdrawn as a nominee, and a further ballot shall take place between the remaining candidates

23. Declaration

Bradshaw Cricket Club hereby adopts and accepts this Constitution as a current operating guide regulating the actions of all members.