Constitution

1). Name.

The name of the Club shall be the Burnley Caving Club (hereinafter known as the Club).

2). Objectives.

The Club has the following objectives:

a).To further the sport/science of speleology.
b). To provide equipment and facilities for the exploration of caves and potholes.
c). To further Club members interests in associated (allied) outdoor activities.
d). To represent the interests of Club members on regional and national caving bodies.
e). The objectives of the Club shall be consistent with the furthering of equal opportunities for all.

3). Membership.

a). Membership of the Club shall be open, and not unreasonably restricted on the grounds of sex, race or of political, religious or other opinions, to any person who is prepared to accept and support the objectives of the Club.
b). There are six classes of membership available these are:

i). Honorary Members.
The Club may appoint Honorary Members and Vice Presidents as required. Members may submit written proposals, supported by at least two other members, to the Committee for it's consideration, further action and reply.
ii). Full Members.
iii). Associate Members.
Social or non caving persons can join at a reduced rate.
iv). Family Members.
Families consisting of up to two persons and two junior persons living at the same address pay a reduced rate.
v). Junior Members.
Persons aged sixteen years and under pay reduced rates.
vi). Unwaged Members.
Persons who are unwaged or in full time education pay a reduced rate.

c). In accepting membership, a person agrees to abide by the constitution of the Club and the rulings of the Club Committee.

4).Management.

a). The affairs of the Club are to be conducted by the Club's Committee.
b). The Committee is to consist of six officers they are:

(i). Chairperson.
(ii). Secretary.
(iii). Treasurer
(iv). Tacklemaster.
(v). Newsletter Editor.
(vi). Librarian.

c). The Committee is to consist of seven members these are: the six Officers plus other members as necessary to make up seven members in total.
d). The Committee may co-opt further members as required but must seek ratification of such appointments at the next Annual General Meeting.
e). At an authorised Committee meeting four members shall constitute a quorum.
f). Minutes of Committee meetings are to be maintained formally and to be made available to Club members on request.
g). The Chair at all Committee meetings shall be taken by the Chairperson. In his/her absence the Committee is empowered to elect a temporary Chairperson. The Committee makes decisions using a simple majority vote, each person having one vote; the Chairperson shall have a vote and, in the event of an equality of votes, a casting vote also.
h). If membership numbers fluctuate significantly the Committee is empowered to increase or decrease the number of Committee members subject to ratification at the next Annual General Meeting or at an Extraordinary General Meeting.
i). All Committee positions are to be elected each year at the Annual General Meeting.
j). Committee meetings shall be held monthly and members having business to lay before the Committee should inform the Secretary before each meeting.
k). Only members aged over eighteen can become Committee members.

5). Annual General Meeting.

a). An Annual General Meeting should be held in November of each year. A statement of accounts for the year shall be laid before the meeting by the Treasurer. At least one month's notice shall be given in writing for the Annual General Meeting.
b). Members desiring to place other than routine business before the Annual General Meeting shall notify the Secretary in writing at the Committee meeting (the Pre- Annual General Meeting) held seven days before the Annual General Meeting so that an agenda can be formulated.
c). Nominations for Committee posts are also required in writing and are to be sent to the Secretary at least seven clear days before the Annual General Meeting. Should any nomination be received for a post where the incumbent is willing to stand for a further term then voting shall take place at the Annual General Meeting.
d). Only those members who have paid their subscriptions may participate in voting at the Annual General Meeting.
e). All members, except Honorary members, over the age of sixteen can vote at the Annual General Meeting.

6). Extraordinary General Meeting.

a). The Committee may call Extraordinary General Meetings when required or when a minimum of half of all members whose subscriptions are fully paid request one in writing.
b). The Secretary is to notify the members of the Club of the date of the Extraordinary General Meeting and of the specific object for which the meeting is to be called.
c). The meeting should be held within one month of a written request having been received by the Secretary.

7). Finance.

a). The Clubs funds are to be used for:

(i). The organisation of meets and expeditions.
(ii). The purchase and maintenance of caving equipment for use by authorised members and other persons supervised by authorised members (excluding personal clothing and boots).
(iii). Payment of relevant fees to other caving organisations (e.g. B.C.R.A.).
(iv). Expenses for the running and administration of the Club and the production and distribution of a newsletter to be received by the members, as agreed by the Committee.

b). Membership Fees. All members of the Club are to pay subscriptions annually with the exception of honorary members. The subscription year runs from I Jan to 31 Dec. The annual rate of subscriptions is to be decided at the Annual General Meeting.
c). Club funds are to be held in a bank account. Two Committee members; the Treasurer and one from the Chairperson, Secretary, Tacklemaster or Editor; must sign cheques.
d). The Treasurer is responsible for the correct management of the Club account. Any non-routine expenditure is to be authorised by the Committee at the next monthly meeting.

8). Amendments.

The Constitution of the Club may be altered by a majority of not less than two thirds of those present voting at either an Annual General Meeting, or an Extraordinary General Meeting convened for that purpose or by a Referendum.

9). Liability.

The Club does not accept responsibility or Third Party Liability at any time for accidents or damage to members or visitors or their properties.

10). Property.

All Club properties shall be held in the names of two Committee members.

11). Discipline.

a). Committee Members.

Should a Committee member be deemed to have acted in an unsatisfactory manner which is adjudged by the Committee to be detrimental to the Club's management he/she may be suspended from his/her post until his/her dismissal can be ratified either at an Annual General Meeting or an Extraordinary General Meeting convened under sub paragraph 6a.

b). Club Members.

The Committee is empowered to summon any member to appear before it. Any member so summoned is required to give a reasonable explanation for their conduct. The Committee is to decide on the appropriate remedial action which may include suspension and/or a recommendation for dismissal to be ratified at a subsequent Annual or Extraordinary General Meeting. If any member fails to appear before the Committee without a reasonable explanation for his/her absence the Committee is empowered to suspend or dismiss the member subject to ratification at a subsequent Annual or Extraordinary General Meeting at the Committee's discretion.

12. Dissolution.

a). If at any General Meeting of the Club, a resolution be passed calling for the dissolution of the Club, the Secretary shall immediately convene a Special General Meeting of the Club to be held not less than one month thereafter to discuss and vote on the resolution.

b). If at that Special General Meeting, the resolution is carried by at least two-thirds of the Members present at the meeting, the Committee thereupon, or at such date as shall have been specified in the resolution, proceed to realise the assets of the Club and discharge all debts and liabilities of the Club.
c). After discharging all debts and liabilities of the Club, the remaining assets shall not be paid or distributed amongst the Members of the Club, but shall be given or transferred to some other voluntary organisation having objectives similar to those of the Club.

The constitution in its original form was adopted at the inaugural meeting of the Club in 1950. This amendment was made in November 2000.

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