Snettisham Beach Sailing Club
You are here:  The Club  >  Club Rules

Club Rules

.pdf Icon Click here to download the club rules in .pdf format (pdf - 61KB)

1

Names and Objects
1.1 The name of the Club shall be “Snettisham Beach Sailing Club”, hereinafter referred to in these rules as “the Club”.
1.2 The object for which the Club is formed is to promote and facilitate the sport of yachting and also to provide social and other facilities for members as may from time to time be determined
1.3 The burgee of the Club shall have a red background with a royal blue diamond thereon, upon which is superimposed a golden letter “S”.
   
2 Officers
2.1 The Flag Officers of the Club shall be Full or Ex-sailing members of the Club and shall consist of a Commodore, a Vice-Commodore, a Rear-Commodore. Other Officers shall be an Honorary Treasurer, an Honorary Secretary, an Honorary Sailing Secretary, an Honorary Assistant Secretary and an Honorary Bosun. Officers shall be elected each year in the same manner as members of the Committee (Rules 4.3 to 4.5) and shall hold office for one year, retiring at the termination of the Annual General Meeting in each year. All Officers of the Club shall be eligible for re-election.
2.2

The Honorary Secretary or the Honorary Assistant Secretary shall:-
(a) Keep a register of Club members’ names and addresses;
(b) Conduct the correspondents of the Club;
(c) Keep custody of all Club documents;
(d) Keep full minutes of all meetings of the Club and the Committee which shall be confirmed and signed by the appropriate Chairman upon the agreement of the Club or the Committee at the next following meeting of the Club or the Committee;
(e) Administer such insurance policy or policies as may be needed fully to protect the interests of the Club, its Officers and members;
(f) Maintain contact with the Club’s Legal adviser to ensure that the Club’s affairs are managed in accordance with current law;
(g) Maintain any such certificates or registrations, and complete such non-financial returns, as may be required by law.

2.3 The Honorary Treasurer shall:-
(a) Cause such books of account to be kept as are necessary to give a true and fair view of the state of the finances of the Club;
(b) Cause all returns as may be required by law in relation to such accounts to be rendered at the due time;
(c) Prepare an Annual Balance Sheet as at 31st December in each year and cause such Balance Sheet and accounts as necessary to be audited at least once annually and shall thereafter cause the same to be exhibited in the Club premises at least fourteen days before the date of the Annual General Meeting.
2.4 The Auditor shall:-
(a) be appointed at the Annual General Meeting in each year;
(b) the auditor shall audit the accounts of the Club when called upon to do so and shall give such certificate of assurance as to the accuracy of the said accounts as shall be required by law or by the Committee.
   
3 Membership
3.1 There shall be the following categories of membership with power to vote at all meetings of the Club as indicated hereunder. The rights and privileges of each category of members are as defined in the latest edition of the byelaws of the Club.
A FULL MEMBER - being a person who, at the date of election is over the age of eighteen shall have one vote.
A FAMILY MEMBER – which expression shall include one or two parents (as maybe) and all children eighteen years of age and under. The family unit shall have two votes, exercised by both parents or partners.
A WINDSURF MEMBER – being a person who, at the date of election is over the age of eighteen shall have one vote.
A FAMILY WINDSURF MEMBER – which expression shall include one or two parents (as maybe) and all children eighteen years of age and under. The family unit shall have one vote, exercised by either parent.
A JUNIOR SAILING MEMBER – being a person who, at the date of election is eighteen years and under shall have no vote.
A STUDENT MEMBER – being a person over eighteen years of age but still in FULL TIME education. The committee may ask for proof of full time education. A member will be eligible for four consecutive years and will pay the same subscription as a full member, and shall have no vote.
AN HONORARY MEMBER – who shall be nominated and elected in the manner described in Rule 4.18, shall have one vote.
A SOCIAL MEMBER – being a person who, at the date of election is over the age of eighteen shall have one vote.
A FAMILY SOCIAL MEMBER – which shall include one or two parents (as maybe) and their children eighteen years of age and under. The family unit shall have one vote, exercised by either parent.
A TEMPORARY MEMBER – who shall have no vote.
Candidates for membership shall have no privileges whatsoever in relation to the use of the Club or premises.
3.2 The rate of Entrance and Subscription fee for each category of Membership shall be determined by the Committee. The current rate of Entrance and Subscription fee shall be prominently displayed in the Club premises.
3.3 Membership of the club shall be open to anyone interested in the sport of sailing on application regardless of sex, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, religion or other beliefs. Membership may however be limited according to available facilities on a non-discriminatory basis. An application for membership shall be in the form from time to time prescribed by the Committee, and shall include the name, address of the candidate
3.4 Members shall also make the following payments:-
All members shall pay the Entrance fee (if any) and their first annual subscription upon application to the Club and thereafter on the 1st January in each year (or 1st February if paid by bankers order). A member elected after the first day of September in any year shall not be required to pay any subscription in respect of the year of election, but shall pay on application the Entrance fee (if any) and the annual subscription in respect of the year following election.
3.5 Members may change their class of membership by agreement of the Committee on payment of the difference between the Entrance fee for the new and old classes (if applicable) plus the difference between annual subscription already paid for the current year and the subscription rate for the new class.
3.6 Every member shall furnish the Honorary Secretary with an up-to-date address, which shall be recorded in the Register of Members, and any notice sent to such address shall be deemed to have been duly delivered. 
3.7 Upon receipt of an application for membership, the Honorary Secretary shall enter such application in a Register of Candidates and shall cause the application form to be prominently displayed in the Club premises for at least seven days before the meeting of the Committee at which such application for membership shall be considered. The election of all classes of members is vested in the Committee and shall be by a simple majority vote of those members present and voting at the relevant meeting of the Committee. The Committee may refuse applications only for good cause such as conduct or character likely to bring the Club into disrepute. The Honorary Secretary shall inform each candidate in writing of the candidate’s election or non-election. He shall furnish an elected candidate with a copy of the Rules and Byelaws of the Club.
3.8 A member desirous of retiring from membership shall give notice in writing to the Honorary Secretary before the last day of November and shall not then be liable to pay the subscription for the following year. Upon re-application by a past member the Committee may, at its discretion, excuse the payment of the Entrance fee.
3.9 The Committee may cancel, without notice given, the membership of any member whose annual subscription and other annual fees are more than three months in arrears provided that the Committee may, at its discretion, re-instate such member upon payment of arrears. No member whose annual payments are in arrears may enter any Club event or regatta nor vote at any meeting.
Conduct of Members
3.10

Every member, upon election and thereafter, is deemed to have notice of, and impliedly undertakes to comply with, the Club Rules and the current Byelaws and Regulations of the Club. Any refusal or neglect to do so, or any conduct which, in the opinion of the Committee, is either unworthy of a member or otherwise injurious to the interests of the Club, shall render a member liable to expulsion by the Committee.

PROVIDED THAT before expelling a member, the Committee shall call upon such member for a written explanation of the member’s conduct and shall give the member full opportunity of making explanation to the Committee, or of resigning. A resolution to expel a member shall be carried by a simple majority vote by those members of the Committee present and voting on the Resolution.

3.11 Members shall enter the names of all guests in the Visitor’s Book. The same guest may not be introduced more than three times in any calendar year and a member may not introduce more than three guests in any one day.
3.12 Persons other than Members or their guests may be admitted to the Registered premises of the Club on such occasions and at such times as the Committee at its discretion shall permit and provided that such persons are either:
(a) a bona-fide member of a registered RYA club or organisation visiting the Club for the purpose of sailing activities.
or (b) Attending a private function organised by a member of the Club who is present at that function provided that the function is in
connection with any special celebration in which that member has a personal interest, for example wedding, anniversary,
birthday, retirement.
or (c) Attending a function organised by the Club or a bona-fide organisation as a result of hiring of the premises provided that no
more than six such functions shall be held in any one calendar year.
Intoxicating liquor may be sold to such persons by on behalf of the Club for consumption on the premised and not elsewhere.
3.13 A member of the Committee or Servant of the Club shall have the power to prohibit any activities on the Club premises which in their opinion are unlawful or which would be injurious to the Club.
3.14 A member shall not knowingly remove, injure, destroy or damage any property of the Club and shall make restitution for the same if called upon to do so by the Committee or by the Honorary Secretary upon the instructions of the Committee.
3.15 A member shall settle any debts for any refreshment or otherwise before leaving the Club, or in accordance with any byelaw relating to the settlement of such indebtedness.
3.16 All suggestions shall be entered in the Suggestion Book and signed by the Member.
3.17 Complaints of any nature shall be addressed in writing to the Honorary Secretary. Under no circumstances shall a servant of the Club be personally reprimanded by a member.
3.18 No bill, notice, placard or advertisement shall be posted or distributed in or about the Club premises without the permission of the Secretary.
3.19 A member of any Club affiliated to the Royal Yachting Association (a list whereof is published by the said Association) and crews of yachts visiting the area may be authorised to use the premises of the Club by any member of the Committee of the Club. Such authorisation shall specify between which dates (not being more than fourteen days apart) the said person may use the premises.
(a) Shall have no right to enter Club races or regatta unless specifically authorised by the Honorary Sailing Secretary or Committee.
(b) Shall have no right to introduce visitors to the Club or the facilities thereof.
(c) Shall have no right to take part in the management of the Club.
(d) Is deemed to have notice of and impliedly undertakes to comply with the Club Rules, current Byelaws and Regulations as if he or she were a member of the Club and so far as the said Rules, Byelaws and Regulations may be deemed to apply to such person.
(e) Shall be liable to be expelled from the Club premises or to be prohibited from using the Club facilities if, in the opinion of the Honorary Secretary or two Committee members, he or she shall not have reasonably complied with the above conditions.
3.20 The Committee may allow prize winners to hold trophies away from the Club premises, in which case the winner is to return the trophy to the Club on demand. All trophies shall be insured by the winner.
3.21 Any person who is a competitor or crew member in any race sponsored by or on behalf of the Club is entitled to the use of the Club premises within a period of 24 hours before and after the race in which they are competing.
3.22 The Honorary Secretary or any other person who has received the authority of two members of the Committee, may expel, temporarily or permantly, any person who has the right to the use of the Club premises only under Rules 3.20 and 3.22.
Limitation of Club Liability
3.23 Members, their guests and visitors are bound by the following Rule which shall also be exhibited in a prominent place within the Club premises.
Members of the Club, their guests or visitors may use the Club premises, and any other facilities of the Club, entirely at their own risk and impliedly accept:-
(a) The Club will not accept any liability for any damage to or loss of property belonging to the members, their guests or visitors to the Club.
(b) The Club will not accept any liability for personal injury arising out of the use of the Club premises, and any other facilities of the Club either sustained by members, their guests or visitors whether or not such damage or injury could have been attributed to or occasioned by the neglect, default or negligence of any of them, the Officers, Committee or servants of the Club.
3.24 Membership of the Club and acceptance of these rules by the member will be deemed to constitute consent to the holding of relevant personal data for the purposes of the Data Protection Act 1984.
   
4 Management Committee
4.1 The Management Committee (herein referred to as “the Committee”) shall consist of the Officers, ex officio, and not more than six members of the Club elected at the Annual General Meeting each year to hold office until the termination of the next following Annual General Meeting.
4.2 No servant of the Club or their immediate family shall be eligible for nomination as an Officer or member of the General Committee.
4.3 Candidates for election to the Committee (not being Officers of the Club) shall be those members of the retiring committee eligible to offer themselves for re-election and other such members whose nomination to Committee (duly proposed and seconded in writing by members of the Club) with their consent shall have been received by the Honorary Secretary at least fourteen days before the date of the Annual General Meeting.
4.4 If the number of candidates for election to the Committee or Flag Officers is greater than the number of vacancies to be filled there shall be a ballot at the meeting.
4.5 In the event of the ballot failing to determine the members of the Committee or the Flag Officers because of an equality of votes the candidate or candidates to be elected from those having an equal numbers of votes shall be determined by lot.
4.6 If the number of candidates for election to the Committee is not greater than the number of vacancies to be filled then each candidate shall be deemed to be elected if a majority of those present at the Annual General Meeting, and entitled, vote in favour of such election. If there is only one candidate for a Flag Officer post then that candidate shall be deemed to be elected.
4.7 The Committee may co-opt a member to the Committee until the next following Annual General Meeting subject to Rule 4.1
4.8 A retiring Commodore may serve as an ex officio member of the Committee in the year immediately following his or her retirement.
4.9 The Committee shall meet at least six times a year making such arrangements as to the conduct, place of assembly and holding of such meetings as it may wish. The Commodore or in his absence the Vice or Rear Commodore or a Chairman elected by those present shall preside.
4.10 Voting shall be a show of hands. In the case of equality of votes the Commodore or Chairman (as the case maybe) shall have a second and casting vote.
4.11 Six members personally present shall form a quorum at a meeting of the Committee.
Powers of the Committee
4.12 The Committee shall manage the affairs of the Club according to the Rules and shall cause the funds of the Club to be applied solely to the objects of the Club or for a benevolent or charitable purpose nominated by General Meeting.
4.13 The Committee shall make such Byelaws and Regulations as it shall from time to time think fit and shall cause the same to be exhibited in the Club premises for fourteen days before the date of implementation. Such Byelaws and Regulations shall remain in force until approved or set aside by a vote at a General Meeting of the Club.
4.14 The Committee may appoint such sub-committees as it may deem necessary and may delegate such of its powers as it may think fit upon such terms and conditions as shall be deemed expedient and/or required by the law. Such sub-committees shall consist of such members of the Committee or of the Club as the Committee may think fit. Officers of the Club may be ex officio members of all such sub-committees.
4.15 A member of the Committee, of a sub-committee or any Officer of the Club, in transacting business for the Club, shall disclose to third parties that he is so acting.
4.16 The Committee, or any person or sub-committee delegated by the Committee to act as agent for the Club or its members, shall enter into contracts only so far as expressly authorised, or authorised by implication, by the members. No one shall, without the express authority of the membership in General Meeting, pledge the credit of the membership.
4.17 In pursuance of the authority vested in the Committee by the members of the Club, members of the Committee are entitled to be indemnified by the members against any liabilities properly incurred by them or any one of them on behalf of the Club wherever the contract is or could be of a duly authorised nature and entered into on behalf of the Club. The limit of an individual member’s indemnity in this respect shall be a sum equal to one year’s subscription at the current rate for that category of membership unless the Committee has been authorised to exceed such limit by a General Meeting of the Club.
4.18 The Committee may nominate for election at an Annual General Meeting such Honorary Members as the Committee may think fit. The total of such Honorary Members shall not, however, at any time, exceed five per cent of the total number of members. The election of new Honorary members shall be put to the vote at a General Meeting each year and such Honorary Members shall be duly elected if two thirds of those present, and entitled to vote, vote in favour of election.
4.19 Any matter not provided for by these Rules or Byelaws shall be referred to the Committee whose decision is final.
Purchase and supply of excisable goods
4.20 The purchase for the Club of excisable goods and the supply of the same upon Club premises shall be exclusively and solely under the control of the Committee, or of a special sub-committee appointed by the Committee.
Intoxicating liquor can only be sold or supplied to or consumed by persons aged eighteen or over and who are entitled to the use of the Club premises in pursuance of the Rules, Byelaws and Regulations for the time being in force. No Junior Member under the age of eighteen may purchase or attempt to purchase intoxicating liquor within the Club premises, nor may a Junior Member under the age of sixteen purchase or attempt to purchase tobacco or cigarettes within the Club premises.
4.21 Subject to the requirements of the licensing authorities, the Committee shall cause the Club bar to be opened at convenient times (and such times shall be prominently exhibited in the Club premises) for the sale of excisable goods to persons who are entitled to the use of the premises of the Club in pursuance of these rules (except Junior Members as aforesaid). PROVIDED THAT visitor’s names and addresses and the name of their introducer shall have been entered in the visitor’s Book upon entry to the Club premises.
4.22 No person shall take a commission, percentage or other such payment in connection with the purchase of excisable goods for the Club. Any profit deriving from the sale of such goods shall (after deduction of the costs or providing such goods for the benefit of the Club) be applied to the provision of additional amenities or the purchase of property to be held in trust for the benefit of the Club.
4.23 Proper accounts of all purchases and receipts shall be kept and presented at the Annual General Meeting in each year and such information as the Honorary Treasurer or Auditor may require shall be furnished to enable any statutory return or statement and the payment of excise or other duty or tax to be made.
   
5 Trustees
5.1 There shall be at least three Trustees of the Club who shall be appointed from time to time as necessary by the Committee of the Club from among Full, Family or Honorary Members who are willing to be so appointed. A trustee shall hold office during his lifetime or until he shall resign, by notice in writing given to the Committee, or until a resolution removing him from office shall be passed at a meeting of the Committee by a majority comprising two-thirds of the Members present and entitled to vote.
5.2 All the property of the Club, including land and investments shall be held by the Trustees for the time being, in their own names so far as it is necessary and practicable on trust for the use and benefit of the Club. On the death, resignation, or removal from office of a Trustee, the Committee shall nominate a new Trustee in his place, and shall as soon as possible thereafter take all lawful and practicable steps to procure the vesting of all Club property into the names of the Trustees as constituted after such nomination. For the purpose of giving effect to any such nomination, the Honorary Secretary for the time being is hereby nominated as the person to appoint new Trustees of the Club within the meaning of Section 36 of the Trustee Act 1925 and he shall be Deed duly appoint the person or persons so nominated by the Committee.
5.3 The Trustees shall in all respects act, in regard to any property of the Club held by them, in accordance with the directions of the Committee, and shall have power to sell, lease, mortgage or pledge any Club property so held for the purpose of raising or borrowing money for the benefit of the Club in compliance with the Committees directions (which shall be duly recorded in the Minutes of the proceedings of the Committee) but no purchaser, lessee or mortgage shall be concerned to enquire whether any such direction has been given.
5.4 (a) The Trustees shall be effectually indemnified by the Committee out of the assets of the Club from and against any liability, costs, expenses and payments whatsoever which may be properly incurred or made by them in the exercise of their duties or relation to any property of the Club vested in them, or in relation to any legal proceedings, or which otherwise relate directly or indirectly to the performance of the functions of a Trustee of the Club.
(b) (To be incorporated in every contract, lease, licence or other agreement entered into by the Trustees of the Club). The liability of the Trustees for the performance of any contractual or other obligation undertaken by them on behalf of the Club shall be limited to the assets of the Club.
   
6 Meetings of the Club
6.1 An Annual General Meeting of the Club shall be held each year in the month of September on a date to be fixed by the Committee. The Honorary Secretary shall at least fourteen days before the date of such meeting or of any General Meeting as hereinafter mentioned post or deliver to each member notice thereof and of the business to be brought forward thereat.
6.2 No business, except the passing of the Accounts and the election of the Officers, Committee, Trustees, Honorary Members and the Auditor, and any business that the Committee may order to be inserted in the notice convening the meeting shall be discussed at such meeting unless notice thereof be given in writing by a member entitled to vote to the Honorary Secretary by 1st August.
6.3 The Committee may at any time, upon giving twenty one days notice in writing, call a General Meeting of the Club for any special business, the nature of which shall be stated in the summons convening the meeting, and the discussion at such meeting shall be confined to the business stated in the notice sent to members.
6.4 The Committee shall similarly call a General Meeting upon a written request addressed to the Honorary Secretary by at least 30 members. The discussion at such meeting shall be confined to the business stated in the notice sent to members.
6.5 At every meeting of the Club the Commodore or, in his absence, a Chairman nominated by the Committee shall preside.
6.6 Fifteen members entitled to vote and personally present shall form a quorum at any meeting of the Club.
6.7 Only members with voting rights as defined in Rule 3.1 shall vote at any meeting of the Club. Other members may attend but are not entitled to vote.
6.8 Voting, except upon the election of members of the Committee, shall be by the show of hands.
6.9 In the case of an equality of votes the Chairman shall have a second or casting vote, on any matter other than the election of members of the Committee.
6.10 On any resolution properly put to a meeting of the Club relating to the creation, repeal, or amendment of any Rule, Byelaw or Regulation of the Club such Rule, Byelaw or Regulation shall not be created, repealed or amended except by a majority vote of at least two-thirds of those present and entitled to vote.
   
7 Dissolution of the Club
7.1 If upon the winding up or dissolution of the Club, there remains after satisfaction of all debts and liabilities any property whatsoever, the same shall not be paid to or distributed amongst the members of the Club but shall be given or transferred to some other institution having objects similar to the objects of the Club, such institution or institutions to be determined by the members of the Club by Resolution passed at a General Meeting at or before the time of dissolution and if so far as, effect cannot be given to such provision then to some charitable object.
   
8 Byelaws
8.1 The present rights and privileges of each category of membership shall be as follows:-
A FULL MEMBER shall have the full use of all the Club facilities.
A PARTNER OF A FULL MEMBER shall have the full use of all the Club facilities.
A FAMILY MEMBER his/her spouse and all children under the age of eighteen shall have the full use of all the Club facilities subject only to Rule 4.20
A WINDSURF MEMBER shall have the full use of all the Club facilities.
A FAMILY WINDSURF MEMBER – hi/her spouse and all children under the age of eighteen shall have the full use of all the Club facilities subject only to Rule 4.20
A JUNIOR MEMBER shall have the full use of all the Club facilities subject to Rule 4.20. All children under the age of 14 years falling within any of the definitions of member referred to above shall at all times when on the Club premises or property be under the direct supervision of their parent or guardian who must be a current member of the Club.
AN HONORARY MEMBER shall have the full use of all the Club facilities.
A STUDENT MEMBER shall have the full use of all the Club facilities.
A SOCIAL MEMBER shall have the use of the social facilities provided by the Club.
A FAMILY SOCIAL MEMBER shall have the full use of the social facilities provided by the Club subject to Rule 4.20.
A TEMPORARY MEMBER shall have use of the Club facilities under the terms determined by the Committee.
8.2 The club premises shall be open to members at such times, as the Committee shall direct. The permitted hours for the sale of intoxicating liquor are as decided by the Committee subject to any restrictions imposed from time to time by the Licensing Justices. The present hours of opening of the Club and for the sale of intoxicating liquor are displayed in the Club.
8.3 A tariff or charges shall be posted in the Club.
8.4 In addition to the powers given to the Committee under Rule 3.10 and Rule 4.12 hereof if, at any time, any fees payable to the Club by any member or former member shall be three months or more in arrears and a vessel or trailor the property of a member or former member remains upon the Club premises, the Committee may:-
(a) Move the vessel or trailor to any part of the Club premises without being liable for any loss or damage to the vessel howsoever caused.
(b) Give one months notice in writing to the member or former member at his last known address as shown in the Club Register and thereafter sell the vessel or trailor and deduct any monies due to the Club (whether by way of arrears of subscriptions or annual payments, mooring, dinghy park fees or otherwise) from the net proceeds of sale before accounting for the balance (if any) to the member or former member.
(c) Alternatively, if the vessel or trailor is unsaleable, after giving notice in writing as aforesaid, dispose of the vessel or trailor in any manner the Committee may think fit and deem the cost of doing and any arrears as aforesaid to be a debt owing the Club by a member or former member.
(d) Further the Club shall at all times have a lien over members’ or former members’ boats or trailors parked or moored on the Club’s premises or Club moorings in respect of all monies due to the Club, whether in respect of all monies due to the Club, whether in respect of arrears of mooring fees or subscriptions or otherwise.

PROVIDED ALWAYS THAT:-
Proper evidence is available to that all reasonable steps have been taken to trace a member or former member and that when and if the vessel or trailor is sold the proceeds of sale (less any indebtedness by the member or former member to the Club) shall be placed upon bank deposit account and retained against the eventuality of a claim by the owner (whether he be the said member or former member or otherwise) for a period of six years.