Winners of the Podium Award 2018, 2019 and 2022. For most podium finishes by a Scottish club. (Scottish National & Age Group Open Synchronised Swimming Championships)
Nairn Synchro - Club Constitution
NAIRN SYNCHRONISED SWIMMING CLUB: CONSTITUTION, BYE-LAWS AND REGULATIONS
INDEX
Regulations/Policies
Child Protection Policy Statement
Nairn Synchronised Swimming Club is committed to the belief that children and young people have much to gain from swimming. Their natural sense of fun and spontaneity can blossom in a positive sporting environment and swimming provides an excellent opportunity for children to learn new skills, to become more confident and to maximise their own unique potential. The club will, however, always place the needs of the child first and competition second. Within this context, the welfare of children is the responsibility of all involved in the club – officials, coaches, parents, friends and children themselves – particularly when it comes to protecting children from abuse. The underlying principles with respect to child protection exercised at the club are that:
• the child's welfare is the first consideration
• all children, regardless of age, any disability they have, gender, racial origin, religious belief and sexual identity have a right to be protected from abuse
• children and young people must be treated with integrity and respect
• swimming programmes and competitions will be relevant to their ages and stages of development
All coaches and our adult helpers are members of the Scottish Amateur Swimming Association and the club is committed to following the current guidelines on child protection as set out by Scottish Swimming.
The club:
• aims to create an enjoyable environment, where young people have the right to be safe, secure and free from threat
• acknowledges that young people have the right to be treated with respect and for their concerns to be listened to and acted upon
• aims to ensure that junior members have specific programmes designated for them, with adequate supervision
• is committed to ensuring that all helpers, whatever their role, sign and adhere to a code of conduct
• provides clear, comprehensive and easily understood procedures for dealing with allegations of abuse and deals with requests for help and support on a confidential basis
• is committed to an equitable recruitment selection policy for coaches
• will always emphasise fair play Further information is available from the Club Child Protection Officer.
Contact information is found on the Nairn Synchronised Swimming Website (http://www.spanglefish.com/nairnsynchronisedswimmingclub/)
Club Codes of Conduct
The Club is committed to the promotion of excellence in swimming and the fostering of a sense of individual achievement and sporting fairness within a competitive yet supportive environment. The codes of conduct are designed to assist in the achievement of these objectives and can be found on the Nairn Synchronised Swimming Website (http://www.spanglefish.com/nairnsynchronisedswimmingclub/)
Equal Opportunities Policy
Nairn Synchronised Swimming Club is committed to ensuring that equity is incorporated across all aspects of its development. In doing so it acknowledges and adopts the following definition of sports equity:
“Equal opportunity in sport is about fairness, equality of access, recognizing inequalities and taking steps to address them. It is about ensuring the culture and structure of sport is equally accessible to everyone in society.”
Nairn Synchronised Swimming Club respects the rights, dignity and worth of every person and will treat everyone equally within the context of their sport regardless of age, ability, gender, race, ethnicity, religious belief, sexuality or social / economic status.
Nairn Synchronised Swimming Club is totally committed to the principals and practice of equal opportunities as stated above across its training, coaching and competitive programme by all its members.
Nairn Synchronised Swimming Club is committed to everyone having the right to enjoy their sport in an environment free from threat of discrimination, intimidation, harassment and abuse.
All club members have a responsibility to oppose discriminatory behaviour and promote equality of opportunity.
Nairn Synchronised Swimming Club will deal with any incidence of discriminatory behaviour seriously according to club disciplinary procedures and national governing body (Scottish Swimming) guidelines.
Club Grievance Procedure
If you are dissatisfied with any matter affecting the club, i.e. the coaching programme provided by the Club, your role within the club (if any), the swimming programme, general supervision within the club, or any other matter directly affecting the Club's activities, then you should in the first instance raise the matter informally with the Club Coach or in his/her absence the President, if it relates to any coaching or training swimming programme or supervision matter. If it relates to any other matter affecting the club's activities raise it informally with any member of the Club Management Group.
If you are dissatisfied with the response given or decision made you should raise the matter with the Club Management Group by writing to the Club Secretary giving details of your concerns and why you are unhappy with the response or decision given.
The Management Group will normally consider your letter at the first available meeting and will investigate and discuss the matter as required and will undertake to consider and determine all matters as quickly, fairly and as reasonably as possible.
The Management Group will normally advise you of their decision in writing within 14 days of the meeting and will endeavour also to advise you in writing of any further developments in relation to the grievance raised.
If you are dissatisfied with the Management Group’s decision, you will have the right to appeal within 14 days of notification and should do this in writing to the Club President.
The Club President will consider the whole matter anew including your letter of appeal and may carry out further investigation or discussion at his/her discretion and will determine the matter by one of the following:
• By upholding the original decision
• By upholding your letter of appeal
• By substituting his/her own decision in the matter
The President will advise you of his/her decision in writing within 14 days of receiving your letter of appeal.
Disciplinary Procedure
In the event that the behaviour of a swimmer, member of the coaching team or Management Group or a parent volunteer seriously contravenes the club codes of conduct, the following action will be taken:
• The President or a deputising club official will in the first instance give the person concerned a formal verbal warning.
• Should further action be necessary, this will take the form of a formal written warning which will set out the Club’s concerns and specify what response the Club requires. The person concerned will be required to submit a written response within 14 days of the correspondence having been received.
• If neither the verbal or written warnings adequately address the Club’s concerns, the person will be excluded from the Club. The decision to exclude somebody from the Club will be communicated in writing.
Each stage of the disciplinary procedure will be taken by the Management Group and noted in its minutes so that an accurate record of events and decisions is maintained.
In the event that the disciplinary matter concerns a member of the Management Group, the person concerned will be asked to leave the room during the discussion.
The person against whom the disciplinary action has been taken will have a right of appeal. The appeal must be made in writing and must arrive with the Club Secretary within 14 days of having received either a written warning or correspondence communicating a decision of exclusion. The Management Group will consider the appeal and will, at its discretion, agree to a formal disciplinary hearing. A written response will be provided within 14 days of the appeal having been received.
Should the appeal be rejected, the matter will be considered closed and there will be no further right to appeal.
Constitution
SECTION C1.0 NAME
SECTION C2.0 OBJECTIVES
SECTION C3.0 MEMBERSHIP
SECTION C4.0 GOVERNANCE
SECTION C5.0 GENERAL MEETINGS
C5.1General
C5.2Annual General Meeting (AGM)
C5.3Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM)
SECTION C6.0 AWARDS
SECTION C7.0 TROPHIES
SECTION C8.0 DISSOLUTION
Bye-Laws
SECTION BL1.0 MANAGEMENT
SECTION BL2.0 MEETINGS
BL2.1Standing Orders
BL2.2Management Committee Meetings (MCM)
SECTION BL3.0 FINANCE AND ACCOUNTS
SECTION BL4.0 DISCIPLINE
BL4.1Suspension and Fines
BL4.2Grievances
BL4.3Complaints
BL4.4Appeals
CONSTITUTION
C1.0 NAME
C1.1 The Club shall be called NAIRN SYNCHRONISED SWIMMING CLUB
(Hereinafter referred to as the Club)
C2.0 OBJECTS
C2.1 The objectives of the Club shall be to:-
a) Advance the public participation in Aquatic Sports by promoting and managing the teaching, knowledge and practice of one or more Aquatic Sports, in accordance with paragraph C2.1 of the SASA Constitution where relevant.
C3.0 MEMBERSHIP
C3.1 The membership shall consist of the following categories:-
a) Adult Member
An Adult is an individual 16 years and over, as recognised in Scots Law.
b) Junior Member
A Junior is an individual not recognised in Scots Law as an adult and not as defined in Scottish Swimming Company Rule R4.5.6.
c) Life Member
C3.2 Membership fees shall be as agreed at each Annual General Meeting.
C3.2.1 The Membership fees of existing members (agreed at the AGM) shall become due on 31 MARCH in each year and those of new members on the date of acceptance for membership.
C3.2.2 Members not renewing by 31 March will be deemed to be non-members and will be notified in writing accordingly.
C3.2.3 All members will be excluded from taking part in any of the Clubs activities, competitions or meetings until their annual subscription is paid.
C3.3 All Club Members must be registered with the SASA in accordance with the categories defined in SASA Constitution C3.3.3.
C3.4 All members joining the Club shall be deemed to accept the terms of this Constitution, the Club Bye-Laws and any Regulations adopted by the Club.
C3.5 A member wishing to resign from the Club shall inform the Secretary in writing or by email.
C3.6 A Club member wishing to change their 1st or 2nd Claim Club must do so in accordance with Scottish Swimming Company Rule R5.2.
C3.7 The Management Committee shall have the power to turn down an application for membership, provided they act in accordance with paragraph C3.7.1.
C3.7.1 When an application for membership is turned down by the Management Committee, the applicant must be advised of the reason and their right of appeal to Scottish Swimming, in writing.
C4.0 GOVERNANCE
C4.1 The Club shall be subject to and bound by, the Scottish Swimming Governance Documentation (SASA Constitution, Company Articles and Company Rules) and the appropriate SASA District Rules.
C4.2 The Club shall comply with the Scottish Swimming Codes of Conduct, Ethics and Child Protection Guidelines.
C4.3 The Club shall be governed by its Constitution, Bye-Laws and Regulations.
C4.4 Amendments to the Constitution shall only be made at a General Meeting, provided at least a two thirds majority of those present and voting is secured.
C4.5 Amendments to the Bye-Laws shall only be made at a General Meeting provided a simple majority of those present and voting is secured.
C4.6 The Management Committee shall have the power to publish and enforce such Regulations as the Committee feels necessary to govern the activities of the Club.
C5.0 MEETINGS
C5.1 General
C5.1.1 Notices
At least 7 DAYS days notice and the Agenda shall be given to all Adult members of any General Meeting
C5.1.2 Attendance
All Adult Members and Life Members are entitled to attend, take part and vote unless specifically excluded from doing so by the Club’s Constitution.
C5.1.3 Voting
a) With the exception of changes to the Constitution, decisions put to a vote shall be resolved by simple majority at General Meetings.
b) Voting shall be by a show of hands unless decided otherwise by a majority of those attending the meeting.
C5.1.4 Quora
The quorum at General Meetings shall be a minimum of three officers/members eligible to vote.
C5.1.5 Changes to the Constitution and Bye-Laws
a) A proposal to change the Constitution or Bye-Laws must be submitted in writing to the Secretary, signed by two members eligible to vote at a General Meeting.
C5.1.6 Conduct of Business
The conduct of business shall be in accordance with Bye-laws Section BL2.1.
C5.2 Annual General Meeting (AGM)
C5.2.1 The Club shall hold an Annual General Meeting in the month of APRIL to:
a) Approve the minutes of the previous year’s AGM.
b) Receive reports from the President and Secretary.
c) Receive a report from the Treasurer and approve the Annual Accounts.
d) Receive a report from the Auditor(s) / Independent Examiner(s).
e) Elect Management Committee Members.
f) Appoint Auditor(s) / Independent Examiner(s) for the Club’s Accounts.
g) Consider changes to the Constitution.
h) Consider changes to the Bye-Laws.
i) Present Life Membership(s).
j) Deal with other relevant business
C5.2.2 The Secretary shall give written notice of not less than 30(thirty) days prior to the date of the AGM. This notice shall be published on the Club notice board and circulated to all Adult and Life Members.
C5.2.3 NOT APPLICABLE
C5.2.4 NOT APPLICABLE
C5.2.5 Proposed alterations to the Constitution and Bye-Laws and notices of motion must be received by the Secretary not later than 30 days before the AGM.
C5.2.6 NOT APPLICABLE
C5.2.7 The business for an AGM shall include:
a) Presidents Remarks
b) Apologies for Absence
c) Approval of minutes from previous AGM & matters arising.
d) NOT APPLICABLE
e) NOT APPLICABLE
f) Financial Report
g) Proposed changes to Constitution
h) Proposed changes to Bye-Laws
i) Election of Management Committee Members
j) Appointment of Auditors / Independent Examiners
k) NOT APPLICABLE
l) Life Membership Awards)
m) Other relevant business
C5.3 Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM)
C5.3.1 An Extraordinary General Meeting shall be called by an application in writing to the Secretary supported by at least FIVE Adult Members of the Club. The Management Committee shall also have the power to call an EGM by decision of a simple majority of its members.
C5.3.2 The Secretary will give notice, in writing of all Extraordinary General Meetings, stating the Agenda, to all Adult and Life Members at least 30 days prior to such meetings being held.
C5.3.3 The order of Business for an EGM shall be:
a) President’s Remarks
b) Apologies for Absence.
c) Business to be transacted of which due notice has been given.
C5.3.4 No business shall be transacted at the EGM other than business of which due notice has been given.
C6.0 AWARDS
C6.1 Life Membership
C6.1.1 Life membership may be presented to person(s) who have given outstanding service, over many years, to the Club and shall be presented at the Annual General Meeting or at any other time decreed suitable by the Management Committee.
C6.1.2 A recommendation for Life Membership may be made by any Adult or Life Member to the Secretary for submission to the Management Committee.
Full details of the nominee’s service should be included with the recommendation.
C7.0 TROPHIES
C7.1 All trophies belong to the Club in perpetuity and cannot be won outright.
C7.2 The Club Treasurer shall act as Trustee of Club Trophies.
C7.3 The winner of a Club trophy shall guarantee safe custody and return of the trophy when requested by the Management Committee.
C7.4 The Club shall be responsible for arranging and funding the engraving of the winners name on all Club trophies.
C8.0 DISSOLUTION
C8.1 In the event of the dissolution of the Club, any funds, property and other assets shall not be distributed amongst the members of the Club in any way whatsoever, but shall be applied towards the objectives of Scottish Swimming.
C8.2 So long as four members agree to support the Club it cannot be dissolved.
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