Standing Orders

Standing Orders relating to the Conduct of Meetings.

1. All nominations for the General Committee shall be in the hands of the Secretary 14 clear days before the AGM.
2. Such nominations, including those from members seeking re-election, shall specify the position nominated and carry the signatures of the proposer and seconder, who must be members of the Club.
3. It shall be the responsibility of the members when proposed for the General Committee to state if they are disqualified by the rules of the Club. Any member breaking this rule may be expelled from the Club.
4. Acceptance will be by simple majority of the members present at the AGM, except where only one nomination is received. In these circumstances, the nominee will be elected unopposed, and no vote will be taken.
5. Members nominated may stand down before the vote is taken.
6. If no nominations are received the Chairman may exercise his discretion and ask for nominations from the floor. If none are forthcoming the position may be held open and Rule 8 of the constitution will apply.
7. Election of the Chairman will take place first, and on being elected he or she will immediately take the chair and conduct all further business.
8. The Order of election to the General Committee shall be decided by the Chairman, and the meeting shall be informed of the order of election before the votes are taken.
9. As each position is accepted the member elected to that position will immediately take his or her place at the Committee table, the retiring member will stand down and take no further part in Committee proceedings unless elected to a new position.
10. The Chairman will preside at all properly convened and duly constituted meetings, and maintain order at such meetings.
11. The Chairman has the power to use his casting vote at all meetings if he so wishes.
12. The Chairman has the power to decide on all points of order, his word on the matters being final.
13. The Chairman can under extraordinary circumstances waive Standing Orders.
14. The Chairman shall, when adequate discussion has taken place, declare the discussion closed and call for a vote to be taken.
15. Members shall be informed in writing by the Secretary of any forthcoming meetings not less than three weeks before such meetings. Failure to comply with this stipulation will result in the meeting being null and void.
16. The Chairman has the authority to waive the notice referred to in Standing Order 15 in extraordinary circumstances.
17. All propositions shall be in the hands of the Secretary not less than 14 clear days before the meeting, and such propositions shall appear on the agenda for the meeting.
18. An agenda shall be published and displayed to all members at Stoneham Lakes for not less than 7 clear days before a meeting.
19. The Chairman may waive the publication and display of an agenda in extraordinary circumstances, but a notice to this effect must be displayed at Stoneham Lakes for not less than 7 clear days before a meeting.
20. If under normal circumstances an agenda is not displayed the meeting shall be deemed unconstitutional and may be declared void if the members present at the meeting so decide.
21. Under special circumstances the Chairman can waive Standing Order 20.
22. All motions shall be proposed and seconded by full members, those members to be present at the meeting for the motion to be discussed.
23. Amendments to a motion can be taken from the floor, providing that they do not directly oppose the motion and that they have a proposer and seconder.
24. Points of order must be taken immediately they are raised and before any further discussion takes place. The Chairman’s decision on a point of order is final.
25. Each member shall have one vote per motion by a show of hands. A simple majority of those present will carry motions and amendments.
26. In extraordinary circumstances and at the discretion of the Chairman a ballot may be taken.
27. The order of speaking shall be decided by the Chairman.
28. A time limit will be set for each discussion of a motion. Under extraordinary circumstances an extension of time will be granted at the discretion of the Chairman.
29. The time allowed for discussion shall not exceed 10 minutes for the proposer and 5 minutes for each person speaking for or against the motion.
30. The proposer of a motion has a right to reply, not exceeding 5 minutes duration, before a vote is taken.
31. A member may only speak once for or against a motion, and must stand and address the chair when speaking, after first giving his or her name.
32. Only members present at the meeting are entitled to vote, except where Standing Order 33 applies.
33. Voting by proxy is at the discretion of the Chairman. The Agenda must contain details of the procedure if proxy votes are to be allowed.
34. Details of proxy votes are to be notified to the Chairman before the meeting begins.
35. Other matters not put into writing may only be raised under the heading of ‘Any other Business’ if time is available, the decision for which will be made by the Chairman. The Chairman’s decision is final and binding on the meeting.
36. Meetings will be conducted in an orderly manner, with full regard for Standing Orders. Failure to observe these can result in expulsion from the meeting.

   Standing orders relating to other maters

37. Any written proposals not dealt with due to lack of time shall be placed on the agenda for the next AGM and dealt with at that meeting. Proposals dealing with changes of rules shall be valid if accepted by a simple majority of those members present at that meeting.
38. Any member found by the General Committee to have given false information on his or her membership form may forfeit his or her membership and any fees paid.
39. In cases of hardship the General Committee may set special terms for membership.
40. No member shall make any obligation or incur any expense on behalf of the Club unless authorised by the General Committee.
41. The Committee may authorise the purchase of any items of equipment required for the management of waters owned or leased by the Club.
42. Any rule changes made are not valid until such changes have been notified to Club members.
43. Bailiffs shall be appointed by the Head Bailiff and will operate in line with the Bailiff’s Charter.
44. Any expenses incurred by any member involved in carrying out the authorised business of the Club may be reimbursed in full at the discretion of the General Committee, providing that such authorisation has been given in writing.
45. The committee reserve the right to refuse or withdraw membership from any applicant or current member. Said applicant or member will have the right of written appeal to the Secretary of the club. The Chairman will have absolute authority on this matter.