Hovercraft Federation of South Africa

Constitution

ARTICLE 1 Formation

A non profit making organisation comprising member associations set up under this constitution and shall be known as the: HOVERCRAFT FEDERATION OF SOUTH AFRICA (HFSA)  The Federation is to be set up for an indefinite period

ARTICLE 2 Aims

The aims of the Federation are:

2.1           To represent SA hovercraft clubs internationally

2.2           To expand the potential use of Hovercraft

2.3           To encourage the construction of new prototype craft and scale models

2.4           To promote the use of Hovercraft for sport, competition and tourism

2.5           To make appropriate useful contacts in the public and private sectors with a view to achieving the aims of the Federation

2.6           To purchase such property and equipment as are deemed necessary to achieve such aims.

2.7           To bring together and promote the common good of clubs in SA.

2.8           To promote the eco-friendly use of natural resources.

ARTICLE 3 Activities

The activities of the Federation could include:

3.1           The holding of periodic meetings

3.2           The publishing of a periodic a bulletin

3.3           The organising of national courses and other events or initiatives relating to technical safety or development matters.

3.4           The Federation will not permit any discussion or event of a political or sectarian nature.

ARTICLE 4 Membership

4.1                Membership is open to any South African Hovercraft club.

4.2                Members will pay an Annual Membership Subscription, the amount of which will be decided at Governing Board meetings.

ARTICLE 5 Admission

5.1                Application for membership must be made to the Governing Board of the HFSA.

5.2           Whilst awaiting the decision applicants are entitled to participate in the activities of the HFSA, with the exception of voting at a General meeting.

5.3           Annual membership subscriptions are due upon acceptance of membership by the Governing Board.

ARTICLE 6 Termination of Membership

6.1                Membership may be terminated by:

a.                Resignation

b.             Expulsion by the Governing Board for non-payment of fees or other serious reason.

6.2                Termination of membership will not take place until the member Club has been invited to explain its case before the Governing Board, or at a General meeting of the Federation.

ARTICLE 7 Financial Resources

The resources of the Federation will comprise:

7.1           The total amount received from membership subscriptions

7.2           Local or state grants or subsides

7.3                Sponsorship and donations

7.4           Sale of goods

7.5           Interest on investments.

ARTICLE 8 Governing Board

8.1           The HFSA will be Governed by a Governing Board (the Board) comprising two representatives nominated by each member club. Each member club shall have one vote on the Board.

8.2           The Board may co-opt experts or officers to fulfil specific posts or initiatives. These co-opted members will not be eligible to vote unless they are the sole representative of their club.

8.3           The Board may appoint sub-committees to undertake special areas of work. These committees will report their findings to the Board for official ratification.

8.4           The Board shall elect a group of officers for a two year, renewable, period.

8.4.1                President - elected in even numbered years

8.4.2                Vice-President - elected in odd numbered years

8.4.3                Secretary - elected in even numbered years

8.4.4                Treasurer - elected in odd numbered years

8.5           The officers can be elected from nominated or co-opted members. Officers will not have voting rights unless they also act as the sole representative of their club body.

8.6           Should a position become vacant a replacement will be found by the Board. Replacements must be confirmed at the next board meeting. The term of office of members elected in this manner expires at the end of the term of the officer they are replacing.

ARTICLE 9 Board Meetings

9.1           The Governing Board will be convened by the President at least once a year.

9.2           The Board meeting will be chaired by the President or in his place the Vice-President or a member elected as an Acting Chairman.

9.3           The Board will be convened at the request of at least 25% of the membership.

9.4           The Secretary shall notify all members of the date and place of the meeting at least 4 weeks before it is due to take place. A draft agenda will be sent out with the notification.

9.5           On receipt of the notification, members should notify the Secretary of any additional agenda items they wish to be included, together with a discussion paper.

9.6           Decision of the Board will be carried on the basis of a majority vote.

9.7           Should the voting be equal the President, or in his place the acting Chairman at the meeting, will have the casting vote. This will be in addition to any delegate vote they may hold.

9.8           A club may appoint another member to act as proxy, but this must be confirmed in writing directly to the Secretary, prior to the meeting.

9.9           Any member club which fails to send a representative to two consecutive Board meetings, without explanation, will be deemed to have resigned its membership.

ARTICLE 10 Head Office

The Board will decide on the Head Office of the HFSA.

ARTICLE 11 Accounts

The funds of the Federation will be held in a Bank in the name of the HOVERCRAFT FEDERATION OF SOUTH AFRICA. The Treasurer and one other Officer will be designated signatories.

ARTICLE 12 Internal Regulations

The Board may draw up regulations designed to cover various matters which are not provided for in the Constitution, particularly matters relating to the internal administration of the HFSA.

ARTICLE 13 General Open Meetings

13.1         A General Open Meeting of all Members clubs shall be held when the Governing Board decide that it is necessary or requested by at least 68% of the Clubs who are fully paid up members of the HFSA.

13.2         The Secretary will notify all Federation Members of the date and place of the Meeting at least 4 weeks before it is due to take place. A draft agenda will be sent out with the notification.

13.3         On receipt of the notification, Members should notify the Secretary of any additional agenda items they wish to be included, together with a discussion paper.

13.4         Agenda items only will be discussed at Open Meetings.

ARTICLE 14 Amendments to the Constitution

14.1         The Constitution of the HFSA can be amended only at a General meeting.

14.2                Amendments to the Constitution require at least a 68% in favour vote.

14.3         Voting may only take place on one proposed amendment at a time.

14.4         Voting on proposed constitutional changes by member Clubs is mandatory, either in person or by proxy. Each member Club shall have one vote.

ARTICLE 15 Administrative Regulations

15.1         All members of the HFSA must respect National legislation when in a host Country.

15.2                Members should inform the HFSA Secretary of any changes to regulations within their Club.

15.3         The HFSA may draw up its own rules in respect of matters relating to personal safety and property particularly concerning competition.

ARTICLE 16 External Affairs

16.1         The HFSA is the sole representative of the Clubs, Federations and Associations of member Clubs in relationship to South African sporting Hovercraft matters.

16.2         The Federation may decide to delegate such dealings and appoint representatives. Representatives must report directly back to the Governing Board of the HFSA.

ARTICLE 17 Dissolution of the HFSA

17.1         The HFSA shall be dissolved on a 68% vote at least at a General meeting. The Governing Board will appoint Receivers to distribute assets equally to fully paid up Clubs.

17.2         Voting on the dissolution of the HFSA by member Clubs is mandatory, either in person or by proxy. Each member Club shall have one vote.

It is strongly advised that the code of conduct of each club will contain the following at least

The golden rules of our hobby / sport

Be considerate of others at all times

Due to the fact that other water users know very little about the special characteristics of hovercraft, special care must be taken when members of the public or other users of the same facility are present.

Do not make excessive noise especially where members of the public or wild life are concerned.

Do not frighten wild life or damage wild life areas.

All ways be aware of the air stream that you are controlling. Do not blast others with water, sand, dust or debris.

Do not hog slip ways and launching areas.

Do not come ashore or leave at high speed.

Do not race along the shore and shallows where children play.

Find out what the rules for the area are and adhere thereto.

Never use a private area without permission.