1 CONSTITUTION (Ratified at the AGM 15th May 2007)

1.1 Name

The Club shall be called Wellingborough Phoenix Basketball Club, hereafter referred to as the Club.

1.2 Objectives

To promote and encourage the game of basketball in Wellingborough and the surrounding districts.

1.3 The Constitution

The Club shall consist of officers of the Club (hereafter referred to as the Executive), together with playing and non playing members.

1.4 Membership

a) Any individual person shall be eligible for membership of the Club at the discretion of the Executive.

b) Playing members shall pay an annual membership fee (see Appendix 1) as decreed by the Executive.

c) Non-playing members may be accepted into the Club, however they will not be entitled to a vote at the Annual General Meeting.

d) Members must comply with the Club Rules as set out in section 2.

1.5 Officers

The Club shall be administered by a Club Executive, which will consist of a Club Chairman, Vice Chairman, Club Secretary, Club Treasurer, and a Players Representative.  All officers shall retire annually, but shall be eligible for re-election at the Annual General Meeting. These officers are to be elected at the Annual General Meeting. Coaches from all teams and a Child Protection Officer will be co-opted onto the Executive once appointments by the Executive have been made.

1.6 Executive

An Executive consisting of the officers of the Club shall govern all administration, including the Club Rules.

a) The Executive shall meet regularly during the winter season.  Extra meetings may be called at the discretion of the Secretary or Chairman.

b) Each member shall be entitled to vote at the Executive meeting but no member shall vote on any matter appertaining to his/her own interest.

c) Three members shall constitute a Quorum.

1.7 Function of the Executive

a) The Executive shall govern the Club in all matters appertaining to it.  In the event of a breach in any clause in the Club Rules or Constitution the Executive shall have the power to punish the defaulter (whether it be a playing or non-playing member) by fine, suspension or as it sees fit.

b) Individuals shall have the right to appeal in person to the Executive.

c) The Secretary shall keep minutes of all meetings.

d) A Disciplinary Executive, consisting of three members of the Executive (normally Chairman and two other officers) shall adjudicate in all matters of misconduct.

e) Approval of payments to coaches or other organisations for junior development done on behalf of the Club upon receipt of invoices from said Coaches or organisations.

f) Supervise implementation of the adopted Child Protection Policy

1.8 Finance

a) The financial year of the Club shall end on the 31st March each year and a statement of accounts up to and including this date shall be presented at the Annual General Meeting.

b) Monies shall be kept in the bank account of the Club.

c)All monies withdrawn must have the approval of the Club Executive; two signatories shall sign withdrawal cheques.

d) In the event of the dissolution of the Club all debts shall be divided equally between club members, in the case where monies have been accumulated, these shall be donated to England Basketball for the benefit of the development of the sport.

1.9 The Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting shall take place before the end of June on a date decided by the Executive.  Officers shall be elected for the ensuing year.  Annual reports shall be heard and any other relevant business transacted.  No addition or alteration to the Constitution shall be made except with the consent of two thirds of the majority of the votes of the members present, whether at the Annual General Meeting, or at a special General Meeting called for the purpose.  Written notification of any proposed additions or alterations to the Constitution must be sent in writing to the Club Secretary by April 1st.

Each member and each member of the Executive shall be entitled to one vote at the meeting.  No individual member shall vote in more than one capacity.  The Chairman shall have the casting vote.  Seven members shall form a Quorum one of whom must be an Executive Officer.

1.10 Special General Meeting

A Special General Meeting of the Club shall be convened by the Executive or by a petition signed by the authorised delegates of not less than FOUR member teams.  The other conditions relating to the Annual General Meeting apply to a Special General Meeting.

1.11 General

a) Any member resigning from or leaving the Club in any manner shall relinquish all claims on the Club, its funds and equipment.

b) All funds and other property of the Club shall be applied towards the furtherance of the objectives of the Club.

c) Any person, whether or not they are members of the Club, when taking part in any activities under the auspices of the Club, shall do so at their own risk, and the Club does not accept responsibility or liability for accidents or injuries, which may occur.  This includes the transportation of such persons for the purpose of taking part in any activities of the Club.

1.12 Trophies

All perpetual trophies awarded shall remain the sole property of the Club and shall be returned to the Secretary by the 1st April each year.

1.13 Liability

Financial liabilities incurred by the Club or its officers acting within their constitutional powers shall be the responsibility of all the members, and divided between them equally.

1.14 Communication

All communication from the Club unless by prior arrangement will be in the first instance by text message and on www.wellingboroughphoenix.co.uk

The Club Executive shall determine points not covered in these rules.