Constitution, Committee and Officials

Stoke on Trent Angling Society Constitution

CONSTITUTION & GENERAL RULES

1 The name of the Society shall be the Stoke on Trent Angling Society.

2 The headquarters of the Society is Smallthorne Victory WMC & I ltd,

300 Hanley Rd,, Stoke on Trent, ST6 1RE or as may be decided by the Committee.

3 The objects of the Society are to make available to the members rights of fishing and all things incidental to it. The Society's funds may only be used for these objects.

4 Any individual is eligible to stand for election as a Member.

5 Candidates for membership must apply in writing. Children who are 12 to 16 years of age will be given immediate membership.

6. Candidates for membership will be considered by the Treasurer and/or the Committee. The Society are under no obligation to give the candidate a reason for refusing them membership; however, membership will never be refused on the grounds of race, sex or religion.

7 The membership shall consist of:-

Juvenile members – persons who are a maximum of 16 years of age on the 1 January of the membership year

Intermediate members – persons who are a minimum of 17 years of age and a maximum of 18 years of age on the 1 January of the membership year

Senior members – persons who are a minimum of 19 years of age and a maximum of 64 years of age on the 1 January of the membership year

Senior Citizen members - males who are a minimum of 65 years of age on the 1 January of the membership year

Lady members - females who are a minimum of 22 years of age on 1 January of the membership year.

Honorary members - persons who have given or are giving exceptional service to the Society; the persons entitled to this class of membership shall be reviewed annually by the Senior Officials of the Society.
Temporary members – persons who are booked on to SOTAS events using the Angling Trust Event Marketplace system will become temporary members for the duration of their session

8. Any person wishing to be added to the Astbury waiting list will have to pay a fee which is non-refundable. If the offer of an Astbury membership is not taken up, the person’s name will be removed from the waiting list.

9 The annual subscription shall be payable on the 1 January each year and any membership not renewed before the 1 April shall be classed as a resignation.

10a The Senior Officials of the Society shall be the Chairman,Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Fishery Manager, Health and Safety Officer, Astbury Manager, Stanley Manger and Membership Secretary.

10b Trustees of the Society shall be appointed from the Senior Officials and Non-Executive Officers of the Society and the election of the Trustees will be subject to the approval of the members at the annual general meeting.

10c If a Trustee ceases to be a member of the Society their trusteeship will be automatically terminated, and they will take all necessary action to transfer any property held on behalf of the Society into the name of the remaining trustees or into the names of any newly appointed replacement trustees.

10d. The Trustees are expressly prohibited from disposing of any land held on behalf of the Society unless expressly in accordance with a resolution passed at an Annual General meeting or at an Extra Ordinary General meeting of the Society.

10e. The Trustees must deal with any property vested in them as Trustees by way of sale as directed by the Society. Such direction shall be passed by a resolution of the members and be evidenced by a certificate signed by the Secretary of the Society.

11. The management of the Society shall be entrusted to a Committee consisting of the 9 Senior Officials, Match Secretary, Veterans Match Secretary, and not more than 12 elected Committee members.

12 The Committee shall set up a sub committee of 5 of its members, which must not include the Senior Officials, to act as the Disciplinary Committee. This Committee may expel from membership, or impose an alternative punishment, any member or official who wilfully disobeys any of the Society rules or is guilty of any action which may bring the name of the Society into disrepute; due consideration will be given to any explanation offered by the member. A member expelled shall have no claim on the property of the Society and shall only be eligible for re-election to membership at the discretion of the Committee.

In the event that the member believes that the punishment is unfair he may make one final appeal to the Senior Officials of the Society. They may reduce or increase the punishment as appropriate and their decision will be final.

13. Meetings: The following meetings will be held:

An Annual General Meeting held on the 2nd Thursday of November at 8pm at headquarters together with monthly meetings for ticket sales on the 2nd Thursday of each month in December, January and February.

The Annual General Meeting open to all members will be held on the 2nd Thursday in November at 8 pm at a suitable venue; members must carry their membership card.

A Special Meeting may be called at any time by the Secretary, or by a written request to the Secretary from at least 6 members of the Committee, or by a similar request from at least 25 Ordinary Members; this meeting will be open to all members.

An Extraordinary General Meeting shall be called by the Secretary if requisitioned by 9 members of the Committee or 100 voting members. The requisition to specify the object of the meeting, to show all membership numbers and to be signed by all the sponsors. 75% of the Sponsors will form a quorum for the meeting.

Senior Officials and Committee meetings will be called as necessary by the Chairman and/or Secretary; 50% of those eligible to attend shall form a quorum for these meetings.

If any Official, Officer or Committee member fails to attend 3 consecutive meetings without good reason then they will be assumed to have resigned from their office.

The conduct of all meetings shall be invested in the Chairman, whose ruling shall be binding.

14 The Annual General Meeting of the Society shall be held for the following purposes:-

To agree the minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting and any Extraordinary General meetings held during the year.

To receive an oral report from the Chairman.

To receive a report on the Stocking Programme from the Fishery Manager.

To receive a report on the Work Programme.

To receive a Report and Statement of Accounts for the preceding year from the Treasurer.

To receive a report from the Auditors.

To elect Officers, Officials and Committee members.

To decide upon any Notice of Motion submitted to the meeting.

To decide upon the Subscriptions, entrance fees and charges for Guests for the following year.

To approve the Match Calendar.

No other business will be conducted at this meeting.

15 The members of the Society shall appoint at the Annual General Meeting the following officers, officials and general committee members.

Chairman for a period of 5 years

Vice Chairman for a period of 5 years

Secretary for a period of 3 Years

Treasurer for a period of 3 Years

Match Secretary for a period of 3 Years

Veterans Match Secretary for a period of 3 Years

President for a period of 3 Years

up to 4 Vice Presidents for a period of 3 Years

Fishery Manager for a period of 3 Years

Astbury Manager for a period of 3 Years

Club Welfare officer for a period of 3 Years

Membership Secretary for a period of 3 Years

12 Committee members for a period of 3 Years

No member shall be entitled to stand for election to the Committee unless he has been a member of the Society for at least the 12 months preceding the election. No member shall be entitled to stand for election to a position of official or officer unless he has been a member of the Society for at least the 5 consecutive years preceding the election.

The election/retirements from the positions with a 3 year tenure shall be arranged such that one third of the posts come up for election every year. In the event of a casual vacancy occurring due to a resignation, then that post shall only be filled for the remaining duration within the 3 year cycle.

Nominations for any of these positions are to be in the hands of the Secretary at least 14 days before the Annual General Meeting at which the nominations will be put to the vote. In the event that all positions are not filled by this process then additional nominations will be taken from the floor of the meeting to fill these remaining vacancies. All nominations to be proposed and seconded.

16 The Society shall appoint professional external Auditors on an annual basis.

17 Members of the Society may propose an amendment to the Constitution and General Rules or other rules or bring before the members any subject by means of a Notice of Motion at the Annual General Meeting, provided that not less than 14 days before the Meeting he shall have given to the Secretary notice of the contents, in writing, and have another member second the motion. The members must give their membership number and be prepared to address the Meeting.

18 At the Annual General Meeting the Notice of Motion will be read from the chair before being debated. No member shall be permitted to speak more than once except the proposer who may reply before a vote is taken. A Notice of Motion shall only be passed if a minimum of 51% of the votes cast are in favour of the motion. The Chairman shall ascertain the decision by a show of hands or paper ballot.

19 At all meetings the chair shall be taken by the Chairman of the Society or in his absence by another member nominated to take the chair. The Chairman of any meeting shall not be entitled to vote on any issue but in the event of an equal division of votes, shall be entitled to a casting vote.

20 The Committee shall be empowered to elect any eligible member of the Society to fill any casual vacancy until the next Annual General Meeting.

21 The Committee shall be empowered to make, alter and revoke any of the rules of the Society concerning the use of the Society's fishing and other facilities provided that they are not inconsistent with the Constitution and Rules or any statutory enactment. These rules to be binding on all members as if they were part of the permanent rules, unless and until revoked by a decision of the Committee, until ratified by 51% of the members voting at an Annual or Extraordinary General meeting.

22 The Trustees/Senior Officials of the Society shall jointly decide on the purchase or lease of any fishing rights. Before relinquishing any fishing rights already held they will, however, consult and agree with the Committee.

The cost of any individual water and the length of the lease will be confidential to the Senior Officials of the Society.

23. Chairman
The Chairman is responsible for providing leadership and direction and ensuring that the officials can carry out their roles effectively and in the best interests of all members of the Club.

24. Vice Chairman
The Vice Chairman supports the Chairman and stands in whenever the Chairman is unavailable.

25a. Secretary
The Secretary is responsible for managing general correspondence. The Secretary will keep records and official documents and take minutes from meetings and circulate them promptly.

25b. Membership Secretary
The Membership Secretary is responsible for administering all aspects of Club membership including the processing of applications, renewals, and keeping member records up to date.

25c. Treasurer
The Treasurer is accountable for the Club’s funds. The Treasurer keeps up-to-date and accurate accounts, making sure spending is properly recorded, and Club funds are only used for official purposes. The Treasurer must provide financial information when requested by the Committee and complete any required tax or financial returns on time.

25d. Fishery Manager
The Fishery Manager is responsible for the stocking policy, monitoring water quality and predator control for all waters. Projects must be fully costed and approved by the Committee before the work starts.

25e. Health and Safety Officer
The Health and Safety Officer is responsible for the safety of all members and will make sure that risk assessments and safety procedures are up to date, any incidents are reported properly and advise the Committee on safety matters.

26a. Astbury Manager
The Astbury Manager is responsible for the daily management of Astbury Mere.

26b. Stanley Manager
The Stanley Manager is responsible for the daily management of Stanley Reservoir and is the Event lead for planning and organising the Stanley Open Day.

27. Match Secretary & Veterans’ Match Secretary
These officials are responsible for planning the annual match calendar (matches are for members only), running the matches, and sharing the results with members promptly.

28. Club Welfare Officer
The Welfare Officer is responsible for safeguarding. This Officer makes sure the Club has strong safeguarding policies and clear procedures for reporting any concerns about the safety or wellbeing of members.

29. Committee members
The Committee represents and serves the interests of all members. Committee members are expected to support work parties, events, and other activities that help the Club run smoothly. Each Committee member is assigned a specific role, including website manager, work party supervisor, water contact officer.

30 Reasonable business expenses will be paid if agreed by the Treasurer in advance.

31 Any matters not provided for in these Rules shall be dealt with by the Committee at their discretion.

32 Every member shall be bound by and submit to the rules of the Society. It is the duty of every member to familiarise themselves with all the rules of the Society.

33 In the interpretation of these Rules, unless stated to the contrary, singular shall include the plural and words in the masculine gender shall include the female gender and vice versa.

34 The Society is a non-profit making organisation. All profit and surpluses will be used to maintain or improve the Society’s facilities.

35 The Society shall insure the Trustees against the costs of a successful defence to a criminal prosecution brought against them as Trustees or against personal liability incurred in respect of any act or omission which is or is alleged to be a breach of trust or breach of duty (unless the Trustee concerned knew that, or was reckless whether, the act or omission was a breach of trust or breach of duty) .

36 DISSOLUTION

If at any General Meeting of the Society, a resolution be passed calling for the dissolution of the Society, the Secretary shall immediately convene an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Society to be held not less than one month thereafter to discuss and vote on the resolution.

If at that Extraordinary General Meeting, the resolution is carried by at least two-thirds of the Full Members present at the meeting, the General Committee shall thereupon, or at such date as shall have been specified in the resolution, proceed to realise the assets of the Society and discharge all debts and liabilities of the Society.

After discharging all debts and liabilities of the Society, any remaining assets shall be given or transferred to some other voluntary organisation having objects similar to those of the Society.

OFFICIALS

Chairman & Trustee: Mr Roger Watts

07984 183 940 email: chairman@sotascommittee.co.uk

Secretary: Mr Tony BURT

email: secretary@sotascommittee.co.uk

Vice Chairman & Membership Secretary: Mr Dave Rowe

Treasurer & Trustee: Mr Andy Riley

Fishery Manager: Mr Jason Walters

Astbury Manager: Mr Ian Nixon

Stanley Manager: Colin Davies

Health & Safety Officer & Trustee: Mr. Rob Byrne

Welfare Officer: Mr.Rob Byrne

Match Secretary: Mr Jordan RILEY

07961 244122

Veterans Match Secretary: Mr Alan Fallows

07505 096665

All Communications should be directed through the Club Secretary Mr Tony Burt.

No business conducted from Officials' residences, except by post with SAE.

Society HQ is Smallthorne Victory WM

300 Hanley Rd, Stoke-on-Trent, ST6 1RE

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President - John Davey

Vice President - Albert Perkins

Vice President - Mick Hann

Vice President - Geoff Beckett

Vice President - Roy Bailey

Honorary Fisheries Scientist

Dr BRUNO BROUGHTON

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COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Dru Lunney - Website Manager

Daniel Snape

Jake Hulse

Dan Brassington