The Bradford and District Chess Association  
 

BDCA CONSTITUTION

1. NAME
This organisation shall be called The Bradford & District Chess Association

2. OBJECTS
The objects of The Association shall be:-
a) To encourage and foster the playing of chess, particularly in Bradford and it's surrounding area.
b) To organise chess competitions, tournaments, matches, and congresses.
c) To organise the teaching and training of chess where appropriate.

3. MEMBERSHIP
a) Any chess organisation shall become a Constituent Member of The Association upon the approval of its application for membership by either the Annual General Meeting or the Management Committee of The Association and upon payment of the requisite fees as determined by The Association.
b) Each Constituent Member shall register its players with The Association Secretary as determined by rule. These players shall be known as Registered Players.
c) All Registered Players shall be Individual Members of the Association

4. ALTERATION TO THE CONSTITUTION
No alteration shall be made to this constitution except at an Annual
General Meeting and only the providing that: -
i) The meeting be Quorate at all stages of the debate and upon the vote.
ii) The alterations are submitted in accordance with standing orders.
iii) That not less than two thirds of the votes cast are in favour of the alteration.

5. INTERPRETATION OF THE CONSTITUTION
i) The President of the Association shall be the sole Authority on matters of interpretation of this Constitution.

6. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
i) Quorum: Thirty individual members shall constitute a quorum.
ii) All individual members shall be entitled to attend, speak and vote at The Annual General Meeting
iii) The Annual General Meeting shall, on a yearly basis appoint the Officers of the Association
iv) The A.G.M may discuss and resolve on any matter covered by the Objects and if appropriate set up sub-committees to implement such decisions
v) The A.G.M may delegate any of its powers, except where specifically debarred herein, to the management Committee or to the Executive Committee
vi) All sub-committees formed by the A.G.M shall be, in the interim, be responsible to the Executive committee
vii) All items for the agenda of the A.G.M shall be submitted in accordance with the Standing Orders
viii) The A.G.M shall conduct such business as is laid down or implied elsewhere in this constitution
ix) In the event of matters not being discussed at an A.G.M the meeting may vote to convene an Extra Ordinary General Meeting to discuss and resolve such matters.
x) Extra Ordinary General Meeting An Extra Ordinary General meeting shall have all the powers of an A.G.M excepting that it may not call an E.G.M.

7 MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
i) The Management Committee shall meet at a time decided by the previous A.G.M
ii) All business shall be conducted in accordance with Standing Orders.
iii) Membership & Quorum:
a) The membership of the committee shall be:-
The Officers of the Association.
One representative of each Constituent Organisation
b) The Quorum shall be two thirds of those entitled to attend and vote
iv) Emergency meetings of the Management Committee may by called by; a) The Executive Committee b) A requisition in writing signed by 20 Individual Members submitted to the Association Secretary
v) The Management Committee shall decide on any issue not specifically covered by the rules. Such a decision shall be binding until the subsequent A.G.M
vi) The minutes of the Management Committee, even if not ratified, shall be submitted to the A.G.M for consideration and resolution, if necessary
vii) Any motion at a Management Committee shall be decided by a simple majority and in the event of a tie the Chairman shall have a second casting vote.
viii) The Management Committee shall have the power to dismiss any Officer of the Association, providing that such a motion has been submitted according to Standing Orders and achieves a two thirds majority of those present and voting.
ix) The Management Committee may appoint Officers to fill vacancies that occur for any reason.

8. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
i) Membership: The members of the Committee shall be the principal Officers of the Association.
ii) Three members shall constitute a Quorum.
iii) Powers:
a In the event of an inquorate Management Committee meeting the Executive Committee shall have all the powers and functions of the
Management Committee. Any decision of the Executive taken under this clause shall be binding until such a time as a quarate Management Committee meeting can be convened
b) The Executive Committee may suspend any officer of the Association and require all assets of the Association to be rendered up to the trustees of the Association. This matter to be decided by a simple majority, the Chairman having a casting (Second) vote where necessary.

c) In the event of an officer being suspended the Executive shall convene an Emergency Management Committee Meeting in accordance with Standing Orders. d) The Executive committee may at their discretion reorganise league fixtures.

9. OFFICERS OF THE ASSOCIATION
i) There shall be three categories of Officers:
a) Principal Officers:
1) The President
2) The Honorary Secretary
3) The Chairman
4) The Competition Controller
5) The Honorary Treasurer
b) Ordinary Officers:
1) The Vice-Chairman (except when acting as Chairman)
2) Minutes Secretary
3) Match Captain
4) Trophy Secretary
c) All other officers appointed by either an A.G.M or Management
Committee for which Constitutional alteration has not been approved
For the purpose of this constitution only categories a) & b) shall be members of the Management Committee
ii) The Officers shall undertake such duties as are specified, or implied, in this Constitution and accompanying Rules & Standing Orders
iii) The Officers shall have such powers as defined in this constitution, rules and Standing Orders, plus such other powers as may be delegated by the A.G.M or Management Committee, from time to time.

1O.SUB-COMMITTEES
Sub-committees appointed by either the A.G.M or Management Committee shall appoint their own chairman and meet as they may determine. Two thirds of the members shall constitute a quorum. The Secretary of the Association, or his appointed deputy, shall be an ex-officio member of all sub-committees. Sub-committees shall submit copies of their minutes to the Executive Committee for information.

11. FINANCE
a) AUDITOR
An Auditor shall be appointed at the A.G.M to examine and report upon all financial records of the association.
b) The Financial Year of the Association shall run from 1st May to 30th April each year.
c) Annual Accounts certified by the auditor shall be submitted to the A.G.M for approval.

d) FEES
All subscription fees, membership fees, adjudication fees and any other fees shall be determined by the A.G.M

12.TRUSTEES
i) The Trustees of The Association shall be the President, the Honorary Secretary, and Treasurer who shall be responsible for all monies and properties of the Association. The Funds and properties shall be held in trust in their joint names, and all financial operations shall be carried out in the name of the Association by the Treasurer and one other trustee.
ii) A Trustee who wishes to resign from the Trust shall give to the Executive Committee 28 days notice in writing and the appointment of a successor shall relieve him of his responsibilities, save that in such a case the substitution shall not relieve the retiring Trustee from breaches of trust committed by him during his term of office.
iii) The Executive Committee may terminate the services of a Trustee by Giving him 28 days notice in writing,

13.WINDING UP
In the event of the association being wound up disposal of the assets and liabilities shall be vested in the hands of the Trustees.


STANDING ORDERS


1. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

a) DATE The meeting shall be held on a date decided by the previous A.G.M but not later than 31 May.
b) Motions proposing amendments to the Constitution, Rules or Standing Orders shall be submitted to the Secretary, in writing, not less than four weeks before the date of the meeting.
c) Other items for the agenda shall be submitted to the secretary, in writing not less than two weeks before the date of the meeting
d) Other matters may be discussed at the meeting at the discretion of the Chairman.
e) Details of proposed Constitutional, Rule or Standing Order amendments shall be distributed to all Club Secretaries and League Officials, by the Secretary, not less than 14 days before the date of the meeting. Nothing in this clause shall debar the debate or vote on duly submitted motions.
f) Amendments to motions shall be submitted, in writing, not less than seven days before the meeting to the Secretary.

2. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
a) In any matter of dispute between Constituent Organisations, the Executive Committee shall call a meeting of the Management Committee giving not less than seven days notice.
b) Motions for discussion at a MC shall be in writing.
c) Motions relating to Rule Interpretation may be submitted by either i) The Executive Committee.
ii) A petition, in writing, accompanied by 20 signatures of individual members.
In either case the Secretary shall call a Meeting to be held in not less
than 14 days. Copies of the motions shall be sent to Club Secretaries at
the same time as notification of the meeting.
3. The Executive Committee may call a meeting at not less than 7 days notice.

4. MOTIONS TO DISMISS AN OFFICER
a) Shall be submitted in writing.
b) b) By the Executive Committee. c) Accompanied by 20 Signatures of Individual Members
Upon receipt of such a motion the Secretary shall call a meeting in not less than 7 days and not more than 21 days.


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