FIRE SERVICE SPORTS & ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
BOWLING SECTION CONSTITUTION (DRAFT 2007)
1 Name
The Section shall be designated “The Fire Service Sports and Athletics Association Bowling Section” hereinafter referred to as the Section.
To encourage Crown and Flat Green Bowling as a sport, both indoor and outdoor for the benefit of serving and retired members of the Fire Service. To establish, promote and support competitions, championships and events of a like nature at individual, inter brigade, inter district, National and International level, including the provision of trophies and the raising of funds. Such activities may be carried out in co-operation with local Fire Services Sports and Athletic Associations, or any other persons or organizations.
The Section, like the service in general, is committed to certain core values in respect of equality and diversity and, wishes to create and maintain a culture where, all individuals are treated with dignity and respect, and recognises others rights to be valued.
In particular the section will not tolerate:
· Prejudice Or Discrimination of any description and will robustly challenge those who do not support these core values, e.g. whilst we may play against any Club or Association, if that Club or Association insist on us playing a single gender team the fixture will not be accepted.
· Bullying, Harassment or treatment of individuals that is inappropriate or discriminatory and will actively promote a safe and supportive environment for all those engaged by and associated with the Section.
The UK Bowling Section adopts both the spirit and intent of the services current best practice and anti-discrimination polices and procedures and will invoke existing Association disciplinary sanctions against those who’s behaviour, conduct or attitudes fail to support these core values. (see also 8 below)
Membership of the Section shall be limited to members of the Sports Clubs that are members of the Fire Service Sports and Athletic Association as defined in rule 4(a) of the FSSAAl Trust Instrument and Rules.
The management of the Section shall be undertaken by a Sectional Committee hereinafter referred to as the Committee, which shall consist of:
4.1 Committee Structure
Chairman – who shall be an employee of a Fire Authority (usually a CFOA member)
President
Secretary.
Treasurer.
Team Manager
Webmaster/Publicity Secretary
1 x Crown Green Representative.
2 England Representatives
2 N Ireland Representatives
2 Scotland Representatives
2 Wales Representatives Total = 15
4.2 Elections and voting
The Officers of the Committee shall be elected annually at the AGM of the Section. The power to vote at Committee meetings shall be restricted to members of the Committee. In the event that votes cast for or against any proposition are equal, then the Chair shall have a second casting vote.
4.3 Quorums
A quorum of the committee shall have at least 4 voting members including 3 out of 4 Countries being present.
A quorum of an AGM or SGM shall have at least 10 voting members including 3 out of 4 Countries being present.
4.4 Vacancies
If the Secretary, Treasurer or Team Manager resigns his post, the remaining members of ‘the Committee’ may co-opt another member of ‘the Section’ to fill the vacant position.
4.5 The Committee shall appoint such sub committees as may be necessary from time to time to deal with specific issues. The sub committees shall have no powers to make decisions but will report directly to the Committee.
4.6 The Committee shall be responsible for the day-to-day administration of The Section’s business, within the policy laid down by the Annual General Meeting. The Committee shall meet at least twice per year. Meetings shall usually be held in January and June at venues decided by the Secretary and Chair. Meetings shall also be called by the Secretary, with the consent of the Chair as and when those officers so decide.
4.7 Any document that requires authentication on behalf of the Section shall be deemed to be sufficiently executed if signed by the Chairman or of the Committee and counter signed by the Secretary or Treasurer.
4.8 The Chairman and Secretary shall have the power to deal with all matters of an urgent or emergency nature and may take decisions on all matters that do not require major changes of policy. In every case where powers given by this rule are exercised, a report shall be made to the next meeting of the committee for approval .
4.10 The Section may be affiliated to any such body appropriate to the Section and approved by the Committee.
4.11 Each Country is to inform the Section Secretary of its structure and officers.
4.12 Minutes of all countries committee and Annual General Meetings shall be forwarded to the Secretary, no later than four weeks after such meetings.
4.13 This constitution shall not be altered or revoked except by a two-thirds majority of votes cast at an AGM or Special General meeting convened to consider proposal(s) for such alteration or revocation. If such a majority is obtained the proposal shall require confirmation from the National Executive Committee and the alteration or revocation shall only take place on receipt of such confirmation by the Section Secretary.
4.14 In the event of dissolution of the Section the assets remaining will be transferred to the General Fund of the FSSAA.
5 Annual General Meeting
5.1 The AGM of the Section shall be held during the weekend of the Four Nations Championships. The Secretary shall summon such meetings by giving notice in writing of the dates and venue of the meeting at least two months in advance of the proposed date. The notice shall be circulated to all member brigades of the FSSAA whether or not they are active participants in the sport. The meeting will normally be held on the Sunday morning, however should the weather or other exceptional circumstances arise the meeting may be brought forward to the Saturday or the time changed.
5.2 Notice of any business to be considered at the AGM including Proposals shall be sent to the Secretary in writing within 28 days of the summons for the AGM. The Secretary will circulate the agenda at least 14 days prior to the AGM
5.3 The agenda for the AGM shall include:
The report of the Chairman.
The report of the Secretary.
The report of the Treasurer
The report of the Team Manger
Nominations for Officers and Team Manger
The appointment of Auditors.
Proposals
5.4 Special General Meeting: A Special General Meeting may be called at the discretion of the Committee, or upon receipt of a requisition by at least 6 member clubs, duly endorsed by their Chairman, Secretary or representative and forwarded to the Section Secretary, who shall summon such meetings within 21 days of receipt of requisition. A minimum of 14 days notice of a SGM shall be given by the Secretary. The meeting may only discuss matters related to the reason the meeting was called.
5.5 The power to vote at Annual and Special General Meetings shall be restricted to members of the Committee and one representative from each Brigade. Only representatives named in writing by their Brigades Club to the Section’s Secretary within 14 days of such meetings shall be permitted to vote. In the event that votes cast for and against any proposal are equal, then the Chair shall have a second casting vote.
6 Finance
6.1 The Committee in obtaining in the name of the Section any funds, property or services shall comply with any guidance laid down by of the FSSAA National Executive Committee. All such funds, property and services so acquired shall be the responsibility of the committee, shall be applied towards the furtherance of the sections objects, and shall not be available for distribution amongst members.
6.2 The financial year shall be 1st January to 31st December and the accounts made up to the 31st December.
6.3 Each Country shall forward audited accounts for the previous financial year to the Section Treasurer 31st January of each year
6.4 Any cheque requiring signature on behalf of the Section shall be deemed sufficiently executed, if signed by the Treasurer and counter signed by the Secretary, Chairman or Vice Chairman . All cheques must have two out of four signatures.
6.5 The Treasurer shall hold to the credit of the Section all monies received and the funds shall be vested in the name of The Fire Service Sports and Athletics Association Bowling Section.
6.6 The Treasurer shall keep such cash and stock books as necessary. Receipt books shall be used to acknowledge all monies received on behalf of the Association.
7.1 Any member who has given exceptional service to the section may be nominated for election as a Vice President. The nomination must be in writing to the secretary outlining the reasons why the individual should be honoured. The individuals home country committee must also support it, a copy of the minutes of that meeting should accompany the nomination. Nominations approved by the committee will then be recommended to the next AGM for election. The election will be by secret ballot.
7.2.2 Vice Presidents have a right to attend and speak at any committee or sub committee meeting of the section but have no voting rights at these meeting or at an AGM.
8 Code of Conduct
In addition to any specific item in this constitution the section also supports and recognises the general FSSAA Code of Conduct and any member found guilty of misconduct will be subject to such disciplinary measures as the Management Committee of the various National Sub Sections see fit. There will be a right of appeal to the Section Committee and the FSSAA.
End of Constitution