Club Constitution

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 All clubs must have a constitution. The constitution clearly states how the club should operate and the rules that govern it. It needs to be adopted at an AGM by the membership and can only be amended at an AGM or EGM.

The club will be called Glanmire Athletics Club and will be affiliated with the Athletic Association of Ireland (AAI). All club members, including committee members, coaches, and volunteers, shall register annually with the Athletic Association of Ireland and will be subject to the rules and regulations of the AAI. The club shall register club colours with the AAI, which shall conform with IAAF/AAI rules. The club shall be in affiliation with its appropriate County Board and Provincial Council of the Athletic Association of Ireland.

Aims and Objectives

The aims and objectives of the club will be:

• To participate and compete in the sport of Athletics, including track and field, cross country, road running, and race walking.
• To offer coaching and competitive opportunities in Athletics.
• To promote Athletics within the local community.
• To ensure a duty of care to all members of the club.
• To provide all its services in a way that is fair and ethical to everyone.
• To ensure that all present and future members receive fair and equal treatment.

Membership

Membership should consist of officers and members of the club. All members will be subject to the regulations of the constitution and by joining the club will be deemed to accept these regulations and codes of conduct that the club has adopted. All members will be registered with Athletics Ireland.

Membership Fees

Membership fees will be set annually and agreed upon by the management committee or determined at the Annual General Meeting. Fees will be paid annually and/or by weekly subscription.

Officers of the Club

The officers of the club will be:

• Chairperson
• Vice Chairperson
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Registrar
• Child Welfare Officer
• Public Relations Officer

Officers will be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting. All officers will retire at the AGM each year but will be eligible to stand for re-election.

Disciplinary Procedures

The Glanmire Athletics Club is committed to maintaining a respectful and positive environment for all its members. To ensure this, the club has established the following disciplinary procedures:

1. Code of Conduct: All members are expected to adhere to the club's code of conduct, which outlines acceptable behaviour, and the standards expected from members. This includes respect for others, adherence to club rules, and maintaining the integrity of the sport.
2. Reporting Misconduct: Any member who witnesses or experiences misconduct should      report the incident to a club officer, preferably the Child Welfare Officer or the Secretary. Reports can be made verbally or in writing and should include details of the incident, including date, time, location, and individuals involved.
3. Investigation: Upon receiving a report of misconduct, the club will conduct a thorough      investigation. This may involve interviewing the individuals involved, gathering evidence, and consulting with relevant parties. The investigation will be carried out by a designated committee member or a small group of committee members to ensure impartiality.
4. Disciplinary Hearing: If the investigation finds sufficient evidence of misconduct,      a disciplinary hearing will be convened. The member accused of misconduct will be notified in writing and given the opportunity to present their case. The hearing will be conducted by a panel of club officers, including the Chairperson, Secretary, and Child Welfare Officer.
5. Sanctions: If the panel finds the member guilty of misconduct, appropriate sanctions      will be imposed. These may include:
   • A verbal or written warning.
   • Suspension from club activities for a specified period.
   • Expulsion from the club.
   • Any other action deemed appropriate by the panel.

1. Appeals: Members have the right to appeal any disciplinary decision. Appeals must      be submitted in writing to the club Secretary within 14 days of the decision. An appeals panel, consisting of different club officers, will review the case and make a final decision.
2. Confidentiality: All disciplinary matters will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.      Information will only be shared with those directly involved in the process.
3. Review: The club's disciplinary procedures will be reviewed annually to ensure they remain effective and fair. Any changes to the procedures will be communicated to all members.

Child Safety

The Glanmire Athletics Club is dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of all children involved in its activities. The following measures are in place to protect children:

1. Child Welfare Officer: The club will appoint a Child Welfare Officer who will be responsible for overseeing child safety policies and procedures. This officer will be the main point of contact for any child safety concerns.
2. Safeguarding Policies: The club will implement and adhere to safeguarding policies      that comply with national guidelines. These policies will cover areas such as safe recruitment, training, and reporting procedures.
3. Training:      All coaches, volunteers, and committee members will undergo child      protection training to ensure they are aware of their responsibilities and the appropriate actions to take in case of concerns.
4. Code of Conduct for Children: The club will establish a code of conduct specifically for children, outlining expected behaviour and the standards      they should adhere to. This will be communicated to both children and their parents or guardians.
5. Reporting Concerns: Any concerns about a child's safety or well-being should be      reported immediately to the Child Welfare Officer. The club will take all      reports seriously and act in accordance with its safeguarding policies.
6. Confidentiality:  All child safety concerns will be handled with the utmost confidentiality.      Information will only be shared with those directly involved in the process and relevant authorities if necessary.
7. Review: The club's child safety policies and procedures will be reviewed annually to ensure they remain effective and up-to-date. Any changes will be communicated to all members.

Income and Property 

The income and property of the Club shall be applied solely towards the promotion of the object as set forth in this Constitution. No portion of the Club’s income and property shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly by way of dividend, bonus or otherwise howsoever by way of profit to members of the Club. 

No officer shall be appointed to any office of the Club paid by salary or fees, or receive any remuneration or other benefit in money or money’s worth from the Club. 

However, nothing shall prevent any payment in good faith by the Club of: 

a) reasonable and proper remuneration to any member or servant of the Club (not being an officer)for any services rendered to the Club; 

b) interest at a rate not exceeding 1% above the Euro Interbank Offered Rate (Euribor) per annum money lent by an officer or other members of the Club to the Club; 

c) reasonable and proper rent for premises demised and let by any member of the Club (including any officer) to the Club; 

d) reasonable and proper out-of-pocket expenses incurred by any officer in connection with their attendance to any matter affecting the Club; 

e) fees, remuneration or other benefit in money or money’s worth to any Company of which an officer may be a member holding not more than one hundredth part of the issued capital of such Company; 

Winding Up 

If upon the winding up or dissolution of the Club there remains, after satisfaction of all debts and liabilities, any property whatsoever, it shall not be paid to or distributed among the members of the Club. Instead, such property shall be given or transferred to some other institution or institutions having objects similar to the objects of the Club. The institution or institutions to which the property is to be given or transferred shall prohibit the distribution of their income and property among their members to an extent at least as great as is imposed on the Club under or by virtue of the Income and Property clause hereof. Members of the Club shall select the relevant institution or institutions at or before the time of dissolution, and if and so far as effect cannot be given to such provisions, then the property shall be given or transferred to some charitable object. Final accounts will be prepared and submitted that will include a section that identifies and values any assets transferred along with the details of the recipients and the terms of the transfer. 

Additions, alterations or amendments 

No addition, alteration or amendment shall be made to the provisions of the objects clause, the income and property clause, the winding up clause, the keeping of accounts clause or this clause of the Constitution for the time being in force unless the same shall have been previously approved in writing by the Revenue Commissioners. 

Keeping of Accounts. 

Annual Accounts shall be kept and made available to the Revenue Commissioners on request. Where the gross annual income exceeds €250,000 the accounts will be audited.