Constitution for Sligo Walking Club

(As approved at the Annual General Meeting of the club held on Wednesday 22nd. October 2014.)

 

1.               Name

The name of the club shall be Sligo Walking Club

2.               Objectives of the club

2.1       To facilitate and increase the enjoyment of walking activities by members of the club. Most walks should be of 2 to 3 hours duration, be off-road as much as possible, on forest tracks, mountain trails and sometimes small mountain peaks or plateaux.          

2.2       To act as the collective voice of club members

2.3       To assist in maintaining access to, conservation and protection of the walking environment

2.4       To encourage club members to train where appropriate to ensure safety

2.5       To make information on responsible use of the walking environment available to club members      

3.         Membership of the club

3.1       Membership is open to existing members and newcomers who sign the Disclaimer Form. Members must pay the annual subscription, which includes Mountaineering Ireland fees and insurance costs. Newcomers must pay the annual subscription before their second walk. Membership must be renewed at the AGM or before the first walk after the AGM

4.         Management of the club

4.1       The club will be controlled by its members acting in General Meeting. One of these meetings will be the Annual General Meeting Officers and Committee Members of the club will be elected

4.2       Management of the club between General Meetings shall be entrusted to the elected committee, who must act in accordance with the Constitution and the Rules of the Club. They may make decisions on matters not covered by Constitution or Rules but these must be approved by the next General Meeting

5.         Annual General Meeting

5.1       The Annual General Meeting of the club shall be held each year in the month of October. At least 21 days notice of the AGM and its Agenda should be given to all members. An Executive Committee comprising of the Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer, plus a number of members without a specific role if desired by the membership, shall be elected by a majority of members present

6.         Committee of the club

6.1       The Executive Committee shall comprise of the Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer, plus a number of members without a specific role if desired by the membership

6.2       The Committee shall have the power to co-opt additional nonvoting members

6.3       A quorum for a meeting of the Committee shall be half of the elected voting members rounded up to the nearest whole number

6.4       The Committee shall hold at least four meetings each year

7.         Club subscriptions

7.1       A General Meeting shall have the power to set membership subscription levels for the club

8.         Rules of the club

8.1       A General Meeting shall have the power to set Club rules. Such rules will be in accordance with the articles of the club’s Constitution

8.2       Any paid-up member is entitled to vote at General Meetings

8.3       Votes will be decided on a show of hands basis

8.4       Restrictions

No dogs, alcohol or drugs will be allowed on any walk

8.5       Children

            Minors, (under current legislation, persons under 18 years), may not become members of the club and may not participate in any of the club’s walks.

8.6       Leader/Information Officer

All walks should have a leader and one or two assistants. The leader will have overall responsibility for the walk

      8.7       Event Fees

Fees for any events must be paid in full by the said date. Refunds will only be given in the case of bereavement or on production of a medical cert.  

      9.         Amendments to the constitution of the club

      9.1       The Constitution may be amended by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting at the Annual General Meeting or at an Extraordinary General

                  Meeting called by the committee or by a majority of the members. Notice of any proposed amendment must be delivered.

      9.2       The club Rules may be amended by a simple majority of those present and voting at a General Meeting. Notice of any proposed amendment must be

                delivered.

     10.        Dissolution of the club

     10.1      The Club can be dissolved by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting at the Annual General Meeting or at an Extraordinary General

Meeting called by the Committee or by a majority of the members, whereupon the Committee will arrange to discharge any assets equally 

amongst the members, or donate them to a Charity, e.g., Mountain Rescue. Any liabilities at the time of dissolution shall be the joint responsibility of all members.

Dealing with Unacceptable Behaviour.
Any member of the club whose conduct is inappropriate or who declines to abide by the club rules or guidelines may be asked to leave the club membership.

The club shall have the right to suspend or terminate the membership of any club member guilty of such behaviour provided that the club has afforded an opportunity for a hearing by the committee of the member before reaching a final decision.