Bourne Chess Club – Constitution v4
General
Bourne Chess Club (BCC) was established in March 2024, as a non-profit organisation without charity status.
It exists primarily for the residents in Bourne, Lincolnshire, although is not limited geographically regarding its membership.
It welcomes all ages and abilities and encourages members with any special educational needs and is able to comfortably accommodate people with physical disability.
Objectives
To provide a safe environment for the playing of chess
To compete in regional chess leagues
To provide a structured learning programme for Juniors
To enable people to practice playing chess in a variety of formats
To create a social network of friends
To organise charitable events
To offer internal league competitions
To affiliate to the Cambridgeshire County Chess Association (CCCA)
To abide by ECF policies as appropriate to running a chess club
Members
To become a member of BCC requires written consent to our ‘Privacy Policy’, ‘Safeguarding Policy’ and ‘Rules of the Club’
A member agrees to the monthly payment of a subscription (on the 28th), the amount is determined by the Committee and subject to change at the AGM
Each member has the right to a vote at the AGM provided the member is up to date with their monthly subscription
A member will cease to be a member by order of the Committee if the Committee believes that to be in the best interests of BCC. In such circumstances, the member has the right on one occasion to raise an appeal to the decision, in writing, and the Committee will review the decision and provide the outcome within 28 days of the appeal.
To agree to indicate membership to BCC when participating in any external tournaments not organised by BCC
Committee
The Committee will comprise of unpaid volunteers and will endeavour to include the roles of: Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, Captain(s), Internal League Co-ordinator, Junior Club Officer, Designated Safeguarding Officer, Parent Liason Officer, External League Co-ordinator.
The Committee will formally meet on occasion it sees fit, although the AGM is fixed as once per year (June/July).
The Committee will endeavour to facilitate the normal running of the club and all that entails without the necessity for in-person meetings, where actions can be taken within a secure on-line platform. A minimum of three persons shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of decision making (one of whom must be the current Chair or Vice-Chair). Majority vote applies for authorising actions. This includes the resolution of disputes and complaints (see below).
In the event of a tied vote, the Chair shall have the casting vote.
AGM
To include:
Election of the Committee for a further year term
Review of financial status
Review of member’s monthly subscription
Other matters as proposed by the Committee
Matters as raised by member attendees
AOB – matters as raised by non-members
Disputes
When a member has a dispute with an incident relating to an external league, playing as a team member of BCC as opposed to individual entry, the member may bring that to the attention of their captain who can escalate to the Committee if required.
Any disputes relating to an internal league organised by BCC, should initially be addressed to the Internal League Co-ordinator for internal resolution. The issue can be escalated to the Committee as required.
Any disputes that directly involve the conduct of a Committee member will be resolved without the Committee member.
Complaints
All matters of complaint relating to the conduct of a member or Committee member will be automatically brought to the attention of the Chair, or in the case of it involving the Chair, it will be brought to the attention of the Vice-Chair, for resolution by a Committee meeting (as above).
In the event of a complainant being unhappy with the resolution, they are to be given contact details of the CCCA (Cambridgeshire County Chess Association) or Lincs County Chess Association and if appropriate, the ECF (English Chess Association).
External Leagues
The Team Captain is responsible for selecting the team, liasing with our team members regarding how transport is going to be arranged, picking up the kit to take to our venue for home matches, collecting kit at end of night and looking after it until it is returned to Wake House storage cupboard. Liasing with our home venue once the fixture list has been published from the appropriate county, to ensure booking is secured for home match nights. Liase with opposing Team Captain one week in advance to ensure the match is arranged.
Players/parents who volunteer to assist with transport to away fixtures do so with no conditions: financial or otherwise.
