Trafford Model Boat Club
Constitution
Purpose
To promote interest and enjoyment in design, building and sailing all types of model boats
Club Officers
The club will be managed by a committee consisting of Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer representing the club membership.
All officers will be elected at the AGM and may serve as many terms as re-elected.
In the event of an officer resigning part way through the term of office, an EGM should be called (unless a normal business meeting is imminent) to elect an officer for that particular post.
No member shall attain the position of a club officer unless they have been a club member for at least two consecutive years.
All negotiations with interested parties are the responsibility of club officers.
Annual General Meeting
The AGM shall be convened in the month of January each year.
To elect club officers. Any member wishing to stand for election must advise the club secretary in writing at least seven days prior to the AGM. Note: If a club officer post is unopposed the incumbent club officer is deemed to be elected if he/she wishes to remain in post.
To review club rules and constitution
To publish club accounts
To review the past years events and agree objectives for the following year.
Club Meetings
The club shall meet to discuss business every three months
New and amended rules may be introduced at club business meetings through due process.
A quorum shall consist of at least two club officers and four club members or 1/3rd (including two club officers) of the club membership, whichever is the least.
Club Water
Is a defined section of Trafford Watersports Lake
Sailing takes place every Sunday and Thursday from dawn to dusk, core sailing time is Sunday from 10.00am to 3.00pm
All members must abide by any current laws and by-laws appertaining to Trafford watersports
All members should report any acts of vandalism by members of the public to Trafford waterposrt center or any of its officers.
All members should help to preserve the ecology of the lake and its boundaries.
Club Website
The club website www.traffordmodelboatclub.co.uk also www.tmbc.org.uk and will be managed by a club member under the auspices of the club committee.
Club Membership
Annual membership will run from April 1st to March 31st , see Club Rule No.2
Honorary members are considered as fully paid up members
A member may be of any sex or ethnic origin
The committee reserves the right to refuse or cancel any club membership, see Code of Practice � Appeals.
Junior members are considered as under the age of 18 years, see Junior Members / Child Protection.
The club encourages all members to become involved in organising activities and fund raising events.
In the event of the club disbanding any remaining funds will be donated to the R.N.L.I.
Junior Members / Child Protection
1. A junior member is any person under 18 years of age.
2. A junior member under 14 years of age must be accompanied and supervised at all times by a parent or guardian who is aged 21 or over.
Note: If a family member other than the parent or guardian is to supervise a junior member then the club must have written consent ( stating the family members name and relationship ) from the parent or guardian.
3. Under no circumstances may anyone have physical contact with a junior member, other than that between a junior member and parent / guardian or a fully vetted (by Police and Social Services) club official.
(this does not preclude lifesaving or emergency situations)
Code of Practice � Appeals
In the event of a person appealing to the club against a Committee decision under the terms of the constitution to
a) Refuse membership
b) Remove a member from the club
1. That person must be informed in writing of the Committee�s decision and their reasons within 14 days
2. That person must give notice in writing within 21 days of the date of the letter in 1. above of their intention to appeal.
3. The club will call an Extraordinary General Meeting within 28 days of receipt of the notice to appeal, when the appeal will be heard. It will be the responsibility of the club to elect a chairman for the purpose of conducting that hearing.
4. Committee members involved in the original decision must not participate or influence the club�s deliberations or their final decision. A club member will present the case on behalf of the Committee.
5. At the hearing the witnesses supporting the Committee�s decision and witnesses for the Appellant may be called (including Committee members where necessary). These witnesses having given any evidence in chief may be cross- examined. These witnesses will not participate in the final decision.
6. The Appellant will be entitled to be accompanied by a �Friend� who is a club member. The �Friend� and the Appellant will be entitled to question witnesses and make submissions to the club.
7. The club�s decision will be made by a majority of the members� present at the Extraordinary General Meeting and made known in writing to the Appellant. The chairman of the Extraordinary General Meeting will sign this let
Club Rules
1. It is the duty of every club member to know and abide by the club rules and constitution.
2. Only paid up members of Trafford model boat club may sail on the lake with the exception of visitors at the club committees discretion, in this instance any visitor must have a recognised and valid Public Liability Insurance ( minimum cover �1,000,000).
3. When a number of members are sailing at any time the Peg Board must be used. If two or more members are using the same radio frequency then the twenty minute rule will apply, that is each member on that particular frequency will sail for twenty minutes in turn until each member has sailed.
4. All members MUST check their frequency availability on the peg board before switching on their transmitter.
5. All members MUST fit either a plastic golf ball or pennant holder to the tip of their transmitter aerial (safety reasons).
6. All members using 27mhz equipment are encouraged to fly the correct colour ribbon on their transmitter aerial.
7. All members using 40mhz equipment are encouraged to fly a green ribbon with their frequency written on it in white on their transmitter aerial.
8. 35mhz radio equipment MUST NOT be used (model aircraft only).
9. All steam boilers MUST have a current test certificate, it is the owners responsibility that a copy of the test certificate is made available to the club committee. Failure to do so will result in the club members Public Liability Insurance being Null and Void in the event of an accident.
10. All I.C. powered craft MUST be fitted with a working failsafe device and silencer.
11. No craft / vessel with an unshrouded airscrew will be permitted to sail on the lake.
12. All motor powered craft capable of forward and reverse MUST have a return to neutral spring fitted on the transmitter throttle.
13. No junior member (under 16 years) shall operate a fast electric or I.C. powered craft unless under the supervision of an adult club member who has the relevant experience in the use of these types of craft.
14. All motor powered craft shall give way to those powered by the wind.
15. All fast craft shall steer clear of slower craft
16. All craft when not in use shall be stored on the walled bank with the exception of yachts which shall be stored on the path as close to the wall as possible.
17. Verbal abuse and or threatening behaviour will not be tolerated at any time, and could result in expulsion from the club.