Constitution of (the) Batley Independent Supporters Squadbuilder Association, to be known as BISSA

Please read these rules and regulations carefully before agreeing to be bound by them

1. BISSA (which has no official association with the Batley Bulldogs Rugby League Football Club) is a non profit making Independent Supporters Association. Its sole aim is to raise funds to help to sign new or re-sign existing players for Batley Bulldogs
   
2. Membership of BISSA is available only through donations which may be made either by monthly direct debit, yearly donation, or sponsorship. Members agree to be bound by the rules as set out in this constitution

3. A member shall cease to be a member if they:

a) Cease to pay their monthly subscription

b) Are expelled under these rules

c) Cancel membership giving one month's written notice to the Secretary

d) If, after 12months a member who has made a one off donation fails to make a further donation

e) Die

4. A member may be expelled by a resolution carried by the votes of not less than two thirds of the members present by voting on a poll at an Annual or Special General Meeting of the Association, appropriate notice of which has been duly given. The following procedure will be adopted:

a) In the event of a complaint that a member has acted in a way detrimental to the interests of the Association, the details must be sent to the member not less than one calendar month before the meeting and an invitation to attend and answer the complaint should be offered to the member involved

b) If the member involved fails to attend the meeting without due cause the meeting may proceed in their absence

c) At the meeting the members will consider evidence in support of the complaint and such evidence as the member involved in the complaint may wish to place before them

d) A person expelled from membership will cease to be a member at the expiration of twenty-eight days from the date at which the resolution to expel them is carried

e) No person who has been expelled from membership is to be re-admitted except by a resolution carried by the votes of two-thirds of the members present (in person or by proxy) and voting on a poll at any annual/special/general meeting of which notice has been properly given

5 BISSA will be run by one annually elected committee. However there are times when a sub committee may need to be formed for a specific event or purpose other than general business

6 No member can stand for election for any BISSA committee post if they also serve as an

elected committee member of the official Batley Bulldogs Supporters Club or they sit on

the Board of Directors or are employed by The Batley Bulldogs R L Football Club

7 The committee, and meeting duties where appropriate, shall be made up as follows:

 

a) Chair – To chair meetings (and have casting vote)

b) Vice Chair – To act as Chair in their absence

c) Secretary – To prepare agendas; arrange meetings and AGM's. Take minutes of meetings, publish them and distribute to the committee members, and deal with correspondence on behalf of the committee

d) Treasurer – To maintain records of contributions, donations and expenditure and prepare annual accounts to 30^th September each year, providing full records in support for audit purposes

e) No more than six ordinary members

8 Auditors with no voting rights shall be responsible for annual independent audit of the BISSA accounts, and for ensuring committee decisions are in accordance with the rules

9 Committee meetings (for which a quorum of four is required) will be held on a monthly basis or as determined by the committee

10 The Committee may invite other individuals to attend their meetings as they deem appropriate

11 The Annual General Meeting will be held in November, and members will be notified by post one month before the scheduled date. At the AGM, election of officials will take place. Agenda items should put in writing to the Secretary no later than two weeks prior to the date of the meeting. Nominations for the committee should be received at the same time, and must be proposed and seconded by current BISSA members. Should a vote be required, this will be done at the AGM by confidential paper ballot. The agenda will be posted in the Vice Presidents Lounge at Mount Pleasant Stadium one week prior to the meeting

12 A Special General Meeting can be called at any time by any individual who gains the backing of two thirds of BISSA members, or at any time by the committee through a vote by simple majority. A full list of BISSA members will be maintained by the committee

13 Members will have the opportunity of changing or amending rules at each AGM. All rule change proposals should be made in writing to the Secretary no later than two weeks prior to the date of the AGM

14 Any monies raised will be donated to Batley Bulldogs RLFC upon request of the coaching staff only and on the express understanding that the donation will be for the purpose of recruiting or retaining specific players

15 The requirement of funds for any other use must be put before the committee who will consider whether a Special General Meeting is necessary. Any details should be provided in writing to the Secretary

16 Funds, all of which will be paid into the BISSA bank account, will be raised by:-

1. Direct Debit donations (from £5 per month upwards)
2. Members will be allowed to amend their monthly contribution except where any reduction is to nil (also see rule 3a)
3. Fundraising events
4. Independent Donations, recognition of which will be given for the12 months following the date of such donation
5. Sponsorship, for which the committee will actively seek
6. Sale of merchandise
   

17 A list of current members will be published on the official BISSA website

18 All requests for monies are to be made solely by the coaching staff, and release of said monies will be based only on financial implications, affordability and accountability. In the event of any retrospective request, this will be discussed by a Special General Committee meeting

19 No reference is required from the coaching staff regarding the identification or merit of the player/players involved in the request for funds. However, in order that the committee is able to manage members contributions correctly, it is required that they (the committee) be informed of any obligations made by the coaching staff in respect of payments agreed immediately or within seven days (maximum) of any such agreement

20 Signatories on the BISSA bank account shall be as decided by, and from members of, the committee. Names of the signatories will be available to members on written request to the secretary

21 No personal expenses or honorarium will be paid to any member of BISSA in connection with disbursement of duties. Any request for reimbursement expenditure for items purchased on behalf of BISSA will require full receipts and need to have been sanctioned by the committee

22 As each member may be paying differing amounts to the BISSA fund (the amount of which shall not be disclosed to others), each member shall have one vote only

23 The committee shall, at its discretion, consider and implement actions seen to be in the interests of BISSA, and their decision shall be final

24 In the event of BISSA folding, any funds which are left in the account will be donated to the supporters club and the decision of its use be made by their committee. Should no supporters club exist, then the funds will be donated to the coaching staff for their use as in rule 15. If Batley Bulldogs Rugby League Club ceases to exist, monies to be donated to an appropriate amateur rugby league club in Batley

 

Constitution reviewed by the committee August 2009

 

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