Rugeley Chess Club Constitution
1. NAME: The name of the club shall be the RUGELEY CHESS CLUB.
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2. CLUBROOM: The Clubroom shall be at Lea Hall Social Club in Sandy Lane, Rugeley, or at any other convenient place as shall be decided initially, if necessary, by the Committee and then in General Meeting.
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3. PURPOSE: The purpose of the club is to promote interest, within Rugeley and surrounding areas, in the game of Chess in all its aspects.
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4. CLUB NIGHTS: The club night will be Tuesday evenings starting at 7:30pm, an additional club night was agreed at the 2023 AGM on Thursday for any internal games but not intended for external club matches. The club may meet at any other convenient day and/or time as shall be decide initially , if necessary, by the Committee and then in General Meeting.
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5. SEASON: The season shall be the full year commencing on 1st May
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6. MEMBERSHIP: Membership is open to everyone. A category of “Honorary Life Member” was created for longstanding members who have given exceptional service to the club over many years. This application requires the agreement at the General Meeting.
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7. CONDUCT: All members are expected to respect general chess etiquette and any adverse behaviour or regular unwelcome disruptions to chess games are not acceptable. If a complaint is made about any member of the Club it will be referred to the Committee whose decision will be final and binding on all parties. Any member bringing the club into disrepute or violating the constitution may risk expulsion from the club.
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8. SUBSCRIPTIONS: Annual subscriptions shall be proposed by the Treasurer and agreed by the members in General Meeting. Subscriptions shall be payable either by September or when joining the club to allow members to be registered as required by the league(s). Anyone wishing to play competitive chess must become a member of the ECF and of Lea Hall (if over 18).
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9. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING: To be held at the beginning of May, the secretary shall convene an Annual General Meeting (AGM) by giving not less than 7 days notice to all Members. Voting shall be a show of hands and restricted to paid-up Members. A quorum for an AGM shall be 5 members.
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10. EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING: An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) shall be called within 21 days after receipt of a request to the Secretary by any 4 members, such request to contain details of the business to be discussed. The Secretary must not give less than 7 days notice to all Members for an EGM. A Quorum for an EGM shall be 5 members.
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11. COMMITTEE: That the club Committee shall consist of the Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Club Tournament controller only. Team Captains shall not be automatically be Committee members but will be consulted on any matters to be discussed relating to the club teams. Members elected to more than one of the above posts will only have one vote at Committee meetings.
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12. COMMITTEE MEETINGS: The Secretary shall call Committee Meetings to be held as necessary. A quorum for Committee Meetings will be 3.
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13. CLUB ACTIVITIES: It will be decided at the AGM on the external and internal involvement by the Club for the new season.
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14. TROPHIES: All Club Trophies remain the property of the Club and must be handed to the Secretary on demand.
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15. ACCOUNTS: The Treasurer shall keep an account of monies received and expended and it shall submit to the Members in General Meeting along with a balance Sheet for the year to 30th April preceding the meeting.
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16. WEBSITE: THE Web Master will maintain the Rugeley Chess Club website containing all matters relevant to the Club and its Members.
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17. DISPUTES: All disputes about Club Competitions should be referred in the first instance to the Tournament Organiser and all disputes about external games should be referred in the first instance to the appropriate Team Captain. Should it become necessary, the dispute will then be referred to the Committee, whose decision will be (as regards the Club) final and binding on all parties.
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18. ALTERATIONS TO RULES: No alteration of, or additions to, these rules shall be made except by Members in General Meeting.