Guisborough & District 5s&3s Domino League
CONSTITUTION & RULES (Approved at the League AGM 8 July 2014)
Objectives
1. The objective of the League is to promote teams playing 5s & 3s dominoes.
Membership
2. Membership of the League is open to pubs and clubs in the Guisborough and District area.
2.1 Membership is subject to application to League Secretary & approval at the League Annual General Meeting and payment of the relevant annual subscription. In exceptional circumstances, Membership may be granted after the AGM - in the event of a shortage of teams – late applications shall be subject to approval by the Management Committee.
2.2 Continued Membership shall be subject to regular attendance at Monthly League Meetings, fulfilment of all League and Cup fixtures and adherence to the League’s Rules and Code of Conduct. In the event of any Member being expelled from the League, no refund of fees / share of assets shall be given.
Honorary President
3. The position of Honorary President may be awarded to an individual in recognition of their contribution to the activities of the League. The Honorary President may act as an ambassador for the League, without any specific duties, except for ceremonial ones.
Management of the League
4. The management of the League shall be vested in a Management Committee consisting of Chairperson, League Secretary/Treasurer and four Committee Members elected at the AGM each year. The Committee shall be responsible for ensuring the business of the League is conducted in a proper and timely manner, hearing and giving judgement on any grievances raised by members, presiding over any disciplinary matters, promoting the League and encouraging new teams to join the League, planning and organising the League Presentation Evening, etc. Minutes of Committee Meetings shall be distributed to all Members. The Committee shall meet at least four times per season.
4.1 The Chairperson and Committee shall have authority to act on behalf of the League on all matters, except where otherwise stated in this Constitution. The Chairperson shall oversee the work of the Committee and take on the role of the League Secretary when he/she is unavailable.
4.2 The League Secretary shall administer any meetings, have a casting vote (where necessary) and have delegated authority for the day-to-day running of the League / interpretation of the Constitution & Rules. The Secretary will report all day-to-day decisions taken to the Management Committee for ratification.
4.3 The League Secretary shall receive an honorarium of £300 p.a. and individual Committee Members shall receive appropriate reimbursement of necessary expenses as approved by the full Committee. Electronic communications shall be encouraged wherever possible to save costs.
4.4 The Treasurer shall action / monitor income and expenditure throughout the year and advise the Committee of any potential funding shortfall. The Committee shall initiate any fund raising activities necessary to ensure that funds are always sufficient to cover all expenditure.
4.5 The Treasurer shall keep an account of all income and expenditure and shall submit accounts duly audited at the AGM. Any bank account / shares shall be in the name of the League. Funds shall be devoted to such purposes as are determined at the AGM. The Auditor (who shall not be a Committee Member) shall be elected by the Members at the final League Meeting of the season.
4.6 Any Dispute [including disciplinary hearings of members who infringe the club rules / regulations / constitution - the Management Committee will appoint 3 Committee Members (without a vested interest in the matter at hand) to hear, make judgement and be responsible for taking any action of suspension or discipline following such hearings / appoint a further 3 Committee Members to hear any appeal against such outcome] will be settled by the Committee. The Committee’s decision is final.
4.7 The Committee shall have the power to appoint a member to fill any casual vacancy on the Committee until the next Annual General Meeting. The Quorum for a meeting of the Committee shall be three. The Committee shall also have the power to appoint ad-hoc Committee Members / Sub-Committees for specific projects (setting out specific terms of reference, compositions and powers)
Monthly League Meetings
5. The Management Committee will be supplemented by ‘captains’ meetings so that the opinions of the membership are accurately reflected. The Secretary shall provide a report on how the season is progressing, including match results / league tables, etc. make the draws for cup competitions and introduce matters raised by Members. All teams are required to send captains or their designated representatives to League Meetings which shall be held on the second Tuesday of each month (except May June and July – unless there are any unforeseen matters arising which require attention). Venues to be rotated around each Member’s host pub / club. Minutes of League Meetings shall be distributed to all Members.
5.1 Matters to be raised by Members at League meetings must be submitted in writing to the Secretary at least 21 days prior to the date of the meeting.
5.2 All significant matters requiring Members opinions (possible votes) shall be notified in writing to the Members at least 14 days prior to the date of the meeting. (All teams in attendance entitled to one vote)
5.3 Monthly league fees (determined at the AGM) shall be paid by all Members at League meetings – which will include teams purchasing a minimum of 15 numbers for a monthly draw at League meetings for prize monies (determined at AGM). Additional numbers may be purchased by individual Members @ 10p per number per week. Any Member not in attendance at the meeting without a legitimate reason shall be fined £3.
Competitions & Trophies
6. Teams shall compete each season in league and cup competitions.
6.1 Subject to a sufficient number of teams, two leagues shall be established each year, with promotion and relegation of two teams respectively between the two leagues. Team trophies shall be awarded to the winners and runners-up in each league.
6.2 Cup competitions shall be organised each year for the George May Trophy, the Tommy Swinburne Memorial Trophy, the James Cook Children’s C. S. Trophy, the League Knock-Out Cup and the Gordon Armstrong Memorial Trophy. Team trophies shall be awarded to the winners and runners-up in each Cup competition. Venues for semi-finals & finals nights to be rotated around each Member’s host pub / club.
6.3 In addition to the above, an “Individuals” and “Doubles” Competition shall be organised. Individual trophies shall be awarded to the winners and runners-up in each competition.
6.4 A League Presentation Evening shall be held at the end of the Season.
Charity Collections / Donations
7. At the end of each match in the Tommy Swinburne Memorial Trophy, the James Cook Children’s C. S. Trophy and the Gordon Armstrong Memorial Trophy a collection will be taken for various charities as designated by the families of our former players … Cancer Research and the James Cook Children’s Ward - Cleveland Suite. All monies collected for charity shall be donated / presented at the League Presentation Evening.
Code of Conduct
8. Whilst it is expected that games will be competitive and that all members will aspire to play in the “A” league, teams should promote a friendly atmosphere and players should always demonstrate fair play and good sportsmanship at all times.
Annual General Meeting / Extra-ordinary General Meeting
9. The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the League shall be held in the month of July each year [minimum of 28 days’ notice of the date shall be given to all Members by the Secretary] for the following purposes:-
(a) League Secretary to report to the membership on how the Season has gone and the work of the Committee during the past year.
(b) To receive from the Treasurer a report and accounts for the preceding financial year and to decide the level of annual subscriptions, monthly league fees payable and prizes to be paid out during the forthcoming season.
(c) Election of League Officials for the ensuing year … supported by a proposer and seconder.
(d) To decide on any resolutions put forward.
(e) Any other Business
9.1 The Agenda for an AGM or EGM detailing all matters for consideration (and voting where appropriate) shall be notified in writing to the Members at least 14 days prior to the date of the meeting.
9.2 A Quorum shall be ten team Member representatives. All domino players are encouraged to attend the AGM and contribute to any discussion on matters arising. All teams in attendance shall be entitled to one vote.
9.3 An Extra-ordinary General Meeting (EGM) may be called by the Committee or at the request in writing to the Secretary of eight members of the League - such a meeting to be held within 30 days of such a request
9.4 Any resolutions put forward for adoption at either an AGM or EGM must be handed to the Secretary at least 30 days prior to the date of the meeting. The resolution must be supported by a proposer and seconder.
Disolution
10. In the event of the League being dissolved, any remaining assets of the League will be equally distributed amongst the Members (if more than £50 per team) or donated to charity (if less than £50 per team).
Changes to the Constitution and Rules