RAME GIG CLUB - CONSTITUTION

1. Name

The name of the association is RAME GIG CLUB. (Hereinafter called the Association).

2. Objects and Powers

a) The association is established to foster and promote the sport of Cornish Pilot Gig racing in the Rame Peninsula for the benefit of the Association’s members in particular the youth of the area.

b) In furtherance of the said objects but not otherwise the Association may:

(1) Bring together in conference representatives of voluntary organisations, Government departments, statutory authorities and individuals.

(2) Promote and carry out or assist in promoting and carrying our research, surveys and investigations and publish the useful results thereof.

(3) Arrange and provide for or join in arranging and providing for the holding of exhibitions, meetings, lectures, classes, seminars and training courses.

(4) Collect and disseminate information on all matters affecting the said objects and exchange such information with other bodies having similar objects whether in this country or overseas.

(5) Undertake, execute, manage or assist any charitable trusts which may lawfully be undertaken, managed or assisted by the Association.

(6) Cause to be written and printed or otherwise reproduced and circulated gratuitously or otherwise such papers, books, periodicals, pamphlets or other documents or films or recorded tapes (whether audio or visual or both) as shall further the said objects.

(7) Purchase, take on lease or in exchange, hire or otherwise acquire any property and any rights and privileges necessary for the promotion of the said objects and construct, maintain and alter any buildings or erections necessary for the work of the Association.

(8) Make regulations for any property which may be so acquired.

(9) Subject to such consents as may be required by law, sell, let, mortgage, dispose of or turn to account all or any of the property or assets of the Association.

(10) Subject to such consents as may be required by law, borrow or raise money for the said objects and accept gifts on such terms and on such security as shall be deemed to be necessary.

(11) Raise funds, invite and receive contributions from any person or persons whatsoever by way of subscriptions and otherwise PROVIDED THAT the Association shall not undertake permanent trading activities in raising funds for the said objects.

(12) Invest the moneys of the Association not immediately required for the said objects in or upon such investments, securities or property as may be thought fit, subject nevertheless to such conditions (if any) as may for the time being be imposed or required by law.

(13) Do all such other lawful things as are necessary for the attainment of the said objects.

(14)Provide facilities for non rowing members, such as meetings, use of fitness equipment and any other use that committee considers suitable and reasonable to increase income and further objects of association.

3. Membership

a) Full membership of the Association shall be open to:

(1) Individuals of 18 years and over who are interested in furthering the work of the Association and who have paid the annual subscription as laid down from time to time by the Executive Committee hereinafter mentioned.

(2) Junior membership shall be open to those over the age of 8 years and under the age of 18 years who are interested in furthering the work of the Association. Junior members shall not be entitled to vote.

(3) Honorary members may be appointed at the discretion of the said Executive Committee. Honorary members shall not be entitled to vote.

b) Associate membership to use association's facilities. Associate members shall not be entitled to vote

c) Social membership shall be open to individuals of 18 years and over who wish to be members of the association but not row or use any other equipment. Social membership shall not be entitled to vote.

d) The said Executive Committee shall have the right:

(1) To approve or reject applications for membership

(2) For good and sufficient reason to terminate the membership of any individual PROVIDED THAT the individual member concerned shall have the right to be heard by the said Executive Committee before a final decision is made.

e) Right of Appeal:

1) If any member or prospective member does not agree with the decision of the Executive Committee then he has the right to appeal to the CPGA for a review of the decision of the Executive Committee and the decision of the CPGA shall be binding on the club and member or prospective member.

4. Honorary Officers

a) At the Annual General Meeting hereinafter mentioned the Association shall elect a Chairman, A vice-Chairman, a Secretary, a Treasurer and such other Honorary Officers as the Association shall from time to time decide.

b) The Chairman and the Honorary Officers of the Association shall hold office until the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting of the Association next after their election but shall be eligible for re-election PROVIDED THAT no Honorary Officer shall hold office for more than 3 consecutive years. On the expiration of such period, one further year must elapse before any former Honorary Officer shall be eligible for re-election.

c) The Chairman and the Honorary Officers shall be ex-officio members of the Association, the said Executive Committee and of any other committee.

d) The Association shall appoint one or more qualified auditors and may determine their remuneration (if any).

5. Executive Committee

a) Subject as hereinafter mentioned the policy and the general management of the affairs of the Association shall be directed by an Executive Committee (hereinafter called the Committee) which shall meet not less than twelve times a year and when complete shall consist of not less than five members.

b) The members of the Committee shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting of the Association in accordance with Clause 6 hereof, or may be co-opted to the Committee by the Honorary Officers.

c) Election to the Committee shall be for one year.

d) Any casual vacancy in the Committee may be filled up by the Committee and any person appointed to fill such a casual vacancy shall hold office until the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the Association and shall be eligible for election at the Meeting.

e) The proceedings of the committee shall not be invalidated by any failure to elect or any defect in the election, appointment, co-option or qualification of any member.

f) The committee may appoint such special or standing committees as may be deemed necessary by the Committee and shall determine their terms of reference, powers, duration and composition. All acts and proceedings of such special or standing committees shall be reported back to the Committee as soon as possible.

g) Representations of whatever kind to other bodies and/or individuals may only be made by the branch through or with the prior approval of the Committee.

h) All legacies bequeathed to the Association shall be received by the Treasurer or other appropriate officer of the Association but subject to any special trusts by which such legacies may be affected.

6. Meetings of the Association

a) The First General Meeting of the Association shall be held not later than December 1993 and once in each year thereafter an Annual General Meeting of the Association shall be held at such time (not being more than 15 months after the holding of the preceding Annual General Meeting) and place as the Committee shall determine. At least 21 clear days’ notice shall be given by advertisement to members. At such Annual General Meeting the business shall include the election of Honorary Officers; the election of full members to serve on the Committee; the appointment of an auditor or auditors; the consideration of an annual report of the work done by or under the auspices of the Committee and of the audited accounts; and the transaction of other such matters as may from time to time be necessary.

b) The Chairman of the Committee may at any time at his/her discretion and the Secretary shall within 21 days of receiving a written request to do so, signed by not less than twenty full members whether individual or representative, and giving reasons for the request, call a Special General Meeting of the Association.

7. Nominations of Honorary Officers and Committee Members

Only full members of the Association whether individual or representative shall be eligible to serve as Honorary Officers or members of the Committee. Nominations for Honorary Officers of members of the Committee must be made by full members of the Association. Should nominations exceed vacancies, election shall be by ballot PROVIDED THAT the Honorary Officers of the Committee shall be elected by personal vote at the first General Meeting of the Association.

8. Rules of Procedure at all Meetings

a) Quorum The quorum at a meeting of the Association or of the committee or any committee appointed under clause 5f) hereof shall be one third of the total of the Committee or committee including two Honorary Officers (as the case may be) or such other member as the Association may in General Meeting from time to time determine.

b) Voting Save as otherwise herein provided all questions arising at any meeting shall be decided by a simple majority of those present and entitled to vote thereat. Arrangements for proxy voting may from time to time be made with regard to clauses 10 and 11 hereof. No person shall exercise more than one vote notwithstanding that he or she may have been appointed to represent two or more interests but in case of an equality of votes the chairman of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote.

c) Minutes Minute books shall be kept by the Committee and all other committees and the appropriate secretary shall enter therein a record of all proceedings and resolutions.

d) Standing Orders and Rules The Committee shall have power to adopt and issue Standing Orders and/or Rules for the Association. Such Standing Orders and/or Rules shall come into operation immediately PROVIDED ALWAYS that they shall be subject to review by the Association in General Meeting and shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of this Constitution.

9. Finance

a) All moneys raised by or on behalf of the Association shall be applied to further the objects of the Association and for no other purpose PROVIDED THAT nothing herein contained shall prevent the repayment to members of the Committee or of any committee appointed under clause 5f) hereof of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.

b) The Honorary Treasurer shall keep proper accounts of the finances of the Association.

c) The Accounts shall be audited at least once a year by the auditor or auditors appointed at the Annual General Meeting.

d) An audited statement of the accounts for the last financial year shall be submitted by the Committee to the Annual General Meeting as aforesaid.

e) A bank account shall be opened in the name of the Association with GIROBANK or with such other bank as the Committee shall from time to time decide. The Committee shall authorise in writing the Honorary Officers to sign cheques on behalf of the Association. All cheques must be signed by not less than two of the four authorised signatories.

10. Alterations to the Constitution

Any alterations of this Constitution shall receive the assent by simple majority of those members present voting at a meeting specially called for the purpose PROVIDED THAT notice of any such alteration shall have been received by the Secretary in writing not less than 21 clear days before the meeting at which the alteration is to be proposed. At least 14 clear days’ notice in writing of such a meeting setting forth the terms of the alteration shall be advertised by the Secretary to members of the Association PROVIDED THAT no alteration shall be made which would have the effect of causing the Association to cease.

11. Dissolution

If the Committee by a simple majority decide at any time that on the grounds of expense or otherwise it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the Association it shall call a meeting of all members of the Association who have the power to vote, of which meeting not less than 21 days’ notice (stating the terms of the Resolution to be proposed thereat) shall be given. If such decision shall be confirmed by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting at such meeting the Committee shall have power to dispose of any assets held by or on behalf of the Association. Any assets remaining after the satisfaction of any proper debts and liabilities shall be given or transferred to such other approved sporting or charitable purposes as the Committee may determine that are based in the Rame Peninsula.

12. Notices

Any notice may be served by the Secretary on any member either personally or on its appointed representative, as the case may be, or by sending it through the post in a prepaid letter addressed to such member at his/her last known address in the United Kingdom and any letter so sent shall be deemed to have been received within 10 days of posting.

13. Equal Opportunities Policy

The Association will ensure that the talents and resources of all members are utilised to the full and that no member receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of gender, disability, marital status, creed, social class, ethnicity, age or sexual orientation. The Club adopts the equity policy of the Cornish Pilot Gig Association.

14. Child Protection Procedures.


The Association accepts the policy and procedures relating to Child Protection and Protection of Vulnerable Adults, as set out by the Cornish Pilot Gig Association.


15. British Rowing Row Safe Procedures.


The Association accepts the policy and procedures relating to the British Rowing Row Safe Procedures as applicable to Cornish Pilot Gig Rowing and Racing and requires all members to accept them as a condition of membership.


Amended 7th January 2011