Club’s Constitution

1. General

1.1. The name of the Club is ‘Bearna naForbacha Aontaithe’ (‘the Club’).

1.2. It is constituted as a members’ club (an unincorporated association).

1.3. It is a community-based, amateur soccer club affiliated to The Football Association of Ireland (‘FAI’) and to The Galway & District League.

2. Objectives

2.1. The objectives of the Club shall be to:

2.1.1. Promote and develop the game of soccer in Bearna na Forbacha and its environs for the benefit of young people in the locality. In addition to promote our native language to the medium of football as we are a Gaeltacht Club.

2.1.2. Nurture positive attitudes about sporting activities among local young people

2.1.3. Inspire and help people to achieve their true potential both through the development of practical skills and sporting attitudes and by their participation in the Club’s activities

2.1.4. Assist in the personal development of its players, managers, trainers, and coaches

2.1.5. Raise monies for the provision of sporting amenities and equipment and for the development of the club and its facilities

2.1.6. Encourage the involvement of parents/ guardians in the Club’s activities

2.1.7. Generally, foster a spirit of friendship and sportsmanship among members

3. Membership

3.1. Bearna na Forbacha Aontaithe has an ‘open’ membership policy.

No one shall be denied membership of the Club on the grounds of their gender, social status, race, ethnicity, religion, politics, or area of residence.

3.2. There will be two categories of members:

3.2.1. Senior Members

3.2.2. Juvenile Members

3.3. Senior membership shall be available to:

3.3.1. Team managers, assistant managers, trainers and other coaching staff and adult players over 18 years.

3.3.2. Parent(s) or guardian(s) who:

3.3.2.1. Sign(s) the Club registration form on behalf of their child/ children

3.3.2.2. Agree to adhere to the Club Rules and

3.3.2.3. Pay the appropriate club subscription fee

3.3.3. Any other person aged 18 years or more who is approved by the Management Committee.

3.4. Juvenile Membership shall be automatically given to all club soccer team players under 18 years of age.

Juvenile Members do not have voting rights within their Club. However, one of the functions of the Children’s Officer is to ensure that Juvenile Members will have a voice in the running of their Club.

3.5. All Members must read and understand the rules of the Club and sign an undertaking that they will abide by them.

3.6. All members or other persons who participate in or attend at Club matches, tours or meetings do so at their own risk, and neither the Club nor its Executive Committee/ Officers cannot accept liability for any loss or injury of any kind sustained.

3.7. The membership year will run from the 1st September to the 31st August.

3.8. The Secretary shall keep a Register of Members.

3.9. The Executive Committee shall ensure that proper safeguards shall be put in place to limit access to membership information and to prevent any unauthorised disclosure of such data.

4. Membership Fees

4.1. Membership fees are payable at the start of each membership year.

4.2. The fees payable – for the whole or part of a year – shall be determined by the Executive Committee

4.3. Fees may be set for the following categories:

4.3.1. Players

4.3.2. Non-players

4.3.3. Any other category approved by the Management Committee.

4.4. The Executive Committee shall have the discretion to reduce or waive membership fees where, in its opinion, a person’s circumstances so warrant.

5. Management of the Club

5.1. The Club shall be managed by an Executive Committee, consisting of not more than ten members. The Committee will comprise of at least:

5.1.1. The following Officers: Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Director of Football, Children’s Officer, PRO, Facilities, or such other officers appointed by the Executive Committee.

5.1.2. Any other positions approved by the Executive Committee

5.1.3. Not more than four other Senior Members

5.2. The Executive Committee shall be elected from among the senior members of the Club and shall be accountable to them.

5.3. Subject to the provisions of this Constitution (as amended by any lawful resolutions of the members at General Meeting), the Executive Committee shall have full authority to:

5.3.1. Administer the business and affairs of the Club and

5.3.2. Generally, further the objectives set out in paragraph 2 above.

5.4. As far as is reasonably practicable, the Executive Committee shall be run in a collegial manner. No one person has the power to make major decisions without proper dialogue and consultation with his or her Committee colleagues.

5.5. Members of the Executive Committee shall hold office for one year but shall be eligible for re-election at each or any subsequent year, subject to a maximum of three years – unless otherwise determined by the membership at the AGM.

5.6. The Executive Committee may fill any vacancies occurring during the year, or co-opt new Committee members, by agreement of most of the Committee.

5.7. The Executive Committee shall be solely responsible for the appointment of team managers, assistant managers, trainers, coaches, and any other persons assisting with the running of club teams.

5.8. The Executive Committee shall establish and promote a Child Protection Policy and shall encourage all stakeholders – including players, parents/ guardians, managers, trainers, coaches and anyone else involved in the running of the Club – to help to ensure that effective child protection safeguards are maintained at all times.

5.9. The members of the Executive Committee (and any Sub-Committees) shall be fully indemnified by the Club in respect of all losses, liabilities and

expenses incurred by them in or about the discharge of their duties, except those that arise from their own wilful default.

6. Executive Sub-Committees

6.1. To assist in the efficient running of the club, the Executive Committee may appoint sub-committees and/or individuals to whom they may delegate tasks.

6.2. The Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Director of Football shall be ex-officio members of all Sub-Committees.

7. Meetings of Executive Committee

7.1. Meetings of the Executive Committee shall take place each month or at such frequency as the Management Committee considers desirable.

7.2. Five members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum.

7.3. Every Committee Member shall have only one vote; but, in the event of a tie, the Chairman shall have a casting vote in addition to his/ her own.

7.4. Any member of the Executive Committee found guilty of conduct injurious to the interests of the Club may be suspended by the other members of the Executive Committee provided at least two-thirds of the other members so approve.

8. Annual General Meeting

8.1. An Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Club shall be held each year before the end of June.

8.2. At least 14 days notice of the meeting shall be given to members.

8.3. The purpose of the AGM shall be to:

8.3.1. Receive a Report from the Chairman and Club Secretary,

8.3.2. Receive and adopt an Annual Report and Statement of Accounts from the Treasurer

8.3.3. Elect the Executive Committee for the following year

8.3.4. Determine the future policies of the Club

8.3.5. Consider any other relevant matters.

8.4. The existing Committee shall remain in office until the conclusion of the AGM at which point the incoming Committee will assume responsibility for the running of the club.

8.5. Only senior members shall be entitled to vote at the Annual General Meeting.

9. Extraordinary General Meetings

9.1. The Chairman shall convene an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) on receipt of a petition, signed by no fewer than 20 Senior Club Members, outlining the reason(s) for such meeting.

No matters may be discussed at this EGM other than those cited in the petition unless the Executive Committee determine otherwise.

9.2. The Executive Committee shall have authority to convene an EGM at any time at its discretion.

10. Chairman

10.1. The Chairman shall preside at all General Meetings and Executive Committee meetings.

10.2. In the absence of the Chairman, the Executive Committee may elect a Chairman for the meeting from among the other members in attendance.

10.3. The Chairman or acting Chairman of any meeting shall have a casting vote in the event of a tied vote.

10.4. In the absence of the Chairman, the Vice Chairman shall have the same authority as resides in the Chairman.

10.5. The word ‘Chairman’ should be interpreted as being gender neutral.

11. Club Secretary

11.1. The Club Secretary shall be responsible for all secretarial work connected with the Club.

11.2. The Secretary shall record the minutes at meetings. In the absence of the Secretary, a person nominated at the meeting may assume the Secretary’s responsibilities.

11.3. The Secretary shall follow and carry out the instructions/ decisions of the Executive Committee.

11.4. The Secretary may delegate such tasks as he/she sees fit.

12. Treasurer

12.1. The Treasurer shall be responsible for all monies received on behalf of the Club.

12.2. The Treasurer shall keep the Executive Committee informed of the financial position of the Club at each monthly meeting.

At such meetings, the Treasurer shall make the Club’s most recent bank statement(s) available for inspection.

The Treasurer shall also produce to the Committee all Bank Books, Cheque Books, Bank Statements and Accounts Records as may be requested.

12.3. The Treasurer shall keep records of all disbursements made on behalf of the Club and all outstanding accounts due for payment.

12.4. The Treasurer shall prepare Annual Accounts for presentation at the Annual General Meeting.

12.5. The Treasurer shall reimburse only such expenses incurred in the name of the Club as are approved by the Executive Committee.

12.6. The authority to incur expenditure on behalf of the club is vested solely in the Executive Committee.

12.7. All payments must be authorized in advance by the Executive Committee. However, the Treasurer shall have authority to issue payments of less than €500 for any single expense without recourse to the Management Committee provided he/she secures the agreement of at least one other member of the Executive Committee.

Any such payments must be brought to the attention of the Executive Committee at its next meeting.

12.8. All cheques written on behalf of the Club must be signed by two nominated members of the Executive Committee. The Treasurer shall be one of the signatories.

12.9. The Treasurer shall make payments by cheque or EFT.

12.10. In the absence of the Treasurer, an assistant or deputy may assume the Treasurer’s responsibilities. However, the Treasurer shall be informed of all financial transactions as soon as possible.

12.11. The Treasurer may seek professional advice on matters relating to the Club’s finances. However, any expense incurred for such consultation or advice must be approved in advance by the Executive Committee.

12.12. In relation to injuries sustained by players, when participating or training on behalf of the Club, the Treasurer may reimburse the cost of a player’s first medical bill in any one season subject to such limit as may be determined by the Executive Committee. The payment of further bills or out-of-pocket expenses may be considered and decided upon by the Executive Committee.

13. Child Welfare Officer

13.1. The appointment of the Child Welfare Officer will be made, by the Executive Committee, in accordance with appropriate selection and recruitment procedures. The appointment of this person should be carried out in consultation with juvenile members and their parents/ guardians.

13.2. The Children’s Officer should have the following functions:

13.2.1. To promote the FAI recommended Codes of Conduct & Best Practice Guidelines

13.2.2. To influence policy and practice and to prioritize children’s needs

13.2.3. To ensure that children know how and whom they can report their concerns to within the club. Information disclosed by a child should be dealt with in the first instance in accordance with the guidelines as set out by the FAI and with the Department of Health and Children’s Guidelines “Children First”

13.2.4. To encourage the participation of parents/guardians in club activities

13.2.5. To co-operate with parents to ensure that each child enjoys his/her participation in soccer

13.2.6. To report regularly to the Club Executive Committee

13.2.7. To monitor changes in membership and follow up any unusual drop-out, absenteeism or club transfers by children or coach/volunteers

14. Property

14.1. The Club shall have the power to acquire, hold, sell, lease, mortgage or charge real and Club property.

Real property shall not be transferred, sold, leased, conveyed, mortgaged, or otherwise charged, or dealt with, without the consent of an extraordinary or annual general meeting.

14.2. The Club shall have full rights, vested in the Executive Committee, to hold lien over any funds and property obtained in the name of the Club by team managers, assistant managers, coaches, the Executive Committee and sub-committees or by any individuals authorised to act on behalf of the Club.

15. Auditors

15.1. Auditors shall be appointed by the Senior Members at the AGM or an EGM.

15.2. The auditors shall be instructed to examine and certify the accounts prior to their presentation at the Annual General Meeting.

15.3. No member of the Executive Committee shall be appointed as auditor.

16. Club Discipline

16.1. The Executive Committee shall appoint a Disciplinary Committee to investigate all matters of discipline (other than those relating to suspected abuse or criminal behavior) within the Club.

16.2. The Disciplinary Committee shall have the authority to act in accordance with the Club’s Policy and Procedures on discipline.

17. Ethics and Standards

17.1. The club and its members shall strive to comply with all Codes of Ethics, Conduct and Good Practice recommended by the Football Association of Ireland.

18. Constitutional Authority

18.1. This Constitution supersedes and repeals all previous rules, regulations, and resolutions of the Club.

18.2. The decision of the Executive Committee on all matters not covered within this document shall be final.

18.3. No change may be made to this Constitution except at an Annual General Meeting or at an Extraordinary General Meeting.

18.4. Any proposal to amend this Constitution shall require the support of two thirds of the Senior Members of the Club present at the required meeting.

18.5. The members of the Executive Committee are not personally responsible for any of the contents of this document.

They are not to be held responsible, either individually or collectively, for the content, the enforcement, or the failure to enforce any of the Club Rules contained in this Constitution.

18.6. By accepting membership of the Club, a member agrees to abide by the content of the Constitution and further agrees not to take legal action against the club, its officers or members in relation to any matters arising out of this document or their actions in its implementation and/or its enforcement.