SQSAC Constitution

BRITISH SUB-AQUA CLUB BRANCH NO.1262

South Queensferry Branch - SQSAC


CONSTITUTION
AND RULES

APPROVED AND AMENDED BY THE MEMBERSHIP AT THE
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING HELD ON 15th SEPTEMBER 1993 Back to top

1. TITLE

The title of the branch shall be "South Queensferry Branch of the British Sub Aqua Club" (hereinafter referred to as "SQSAC").

2. CONSTITUTION AND RULES

The constitution and rules for SQSAC shall be agreed by a two thirds majority of not less than 10% of the branch membership at an AGM or Special meeting. The constitution and rules shall not be at variance with the By-laws of BSAC nor shall they affect the powers vested in the Council of BSAC to direct and manage its concerns.

3. OBJECTS

The objects of SQSAC are to promote and encourage the acquisition of knowledge and experience in underwater exploration, science and sport, and to promote and provide training for safety in these activities.

4. MEMBERSHIP

(i) There shall be five classes of membership:-

a) Adult Member - any person over 18 years of age.
b) Associate Member - any person but not entitled to swimming activities.
c) Snorkelling Member - any person who may not use aqualung equipment.
d) Honorary Member - any person invited by the SQSAC. This class of membership shall not exceed 5% of the total membership.
e) Affiliated Body - membership of any organisation with similar objects and whose constitution and rules in no way conflict with those of SQSAC.

(ii) Members will have fully paid the existing subscription and will have been accepted by the SQSAC Committee for membership for which they are eligible.

5. MANAGEMENT

(i) The management of SQSAC shall be vested in the Committee which shall hold and administer all things pertaining to SQSAC for the general benefit of SQSAC and its members.

(ii) The Committee shall consist of the following:-

Chairperson Honorary Secretary
Diving Officer Honorary Treasurer
Equipment Officer Boat Officer
Fundraising Officer

and not less than two members.

(iii) The Committee may at any of its meetings elect one of its members to Vice Chairperson.

6. OFFICERS RESPONSIBILITIES

(i) Chairperson

The Chairperson shall be an adult member elected annually by AGM. He/she is the spokesperson and shall further the interests of SQSAC to the best of their abilities. He/she shall address the AGM on the affairs of SQSAC and shall preside at the AGM. Special meetings and Committee meetings. In the absence of the Chairperson the Vice Chairperson or one of the members shall be elected to act as Chairperson.

(ii) Honorary Secretary

The Secretary shall be a member of SQSAC elected annually by AGM. He/she shall keep the minutes of any meetings and shall prepare agenda, record transactions and deal with correspondence and keep in good order all records, documents and books of the SQSAC and present a report at AGM. He/she may be assisted if the Committee approve.

(iii) Honorary Treasurer

The Honorary Treasurer shall be an adult member of the SQSAC. He/she will keep proper accounts of all monies received or paid on behalf of SQSAC. He/she will arrange for deposit at a bank approved by the Committee all monies and securities. The account shall be in the name of SQSAC and cheques shall be signed by two of the following:- Chairperson
Honorary Secretary
Honorary Treasurer
or those the Committee deems to authorise. He/she will be responsible for calling in all debts, subscriptions and the discharge of all financial liabilities of the SQSAC from SQSAC funds as directed by the Committee. He/she will prepare a statement of income and expenditure and a balance sheet of 31st August which shall be the end of the SQSAC financial year and have the sheet audited by an adult member of SQSAC and submit the sheet to Committee and AGM.

(iv) Diving Officer

The Diving Officer shall be an adult member of SQSAC elected annually by AGM and shall be the adviser to Committee on all aspects of diving and shall be responsible for diving arrangements for SQSAC activities. He/She shall promote the BSAC rules in which are laid down standards for training, experience and theoretical knowledge required for Diving examinations. He/She shall arrange for examinations to be held and the issue of qualifications to those persons who attain required standards.
He/She may be assisted if theCommittee approve.



v) Equipment Officer

The Equipment Officer shall be an adult member of SQSAC elected by AGM and is responsible for the safekeeping, regular maintenance and service of diving equipment in the possession of SQSAC. He/She shall keep records of use and users of equipment and arrange for tanks to be filled as needed and will report to Committee as to the location of SQSAC equipment and to AGM on pertinent matters. He/She may be assisted if the Committee approve.

7. COMMITTEE

(i) The Committee shall take office immediately after AGM at which it is elected and hold office until the close of the next AGM.

(ii) The Committee shall meet once a calendar month.

(iii) A majority of the Committee shall form a quorum of whom one must be the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson or Honorary Secretary.

(iv) The Chairperson, Vice Chairperson or Honorary Secretary shall have the power to call a Special meeting of all members available whether a majority of the Committee is available or not, any decision must be ratified at the next monthly meeting.

(v) The Committee shall have the power to co-opt up to two non voting members and shall also fill any vacancy among its membership or officers as necessary. The Committee shall determine any question as to interpretation of these rules and may rule for any occurrence not catered for provided that an amendment is moved at the next AGM.

8. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

(i) Notice of AGM of SQSAC held in September each year will be posted or otherwise delivered to all paid up members at least two weeks before the AGM.

(ii) This notice will confirm the names of those officers who wish to stand again and have been duly nominated and a request for other nominations for the Committee. The notice will also contain any motions proposed by the Committee and a reminder that members can propose an amendment to motions or propose other motions for consideration at the AGM. Any amendment or motions must be in the hands of the Honorary Secretary seven days before the meeting and must also be seconded.

(iii) All nominations must be delivered to the Honorary Secretary seven days before the meeting and be proposed and seconded and signed by the nominee that he/she is willing to accept the position if elected.



(iv) The officers and members of the Committee shall be directly elected by AGM.

(v) A quorum of AGM shall be 10% of the total membership. Members of all classes are entitled to vote.

9. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING

(i) Any general meeting other than AGM will be known as a Special General Meeting (SGM) and must on receipt of a request be signed by at least six paid up members and outlining the reason therefore, within two months thereof be convened by the Committee who shall give all members not less than two weeks notice and a statement of reason for the meeting.

(ii) The Committee shall have the power to call an SGM.

(iii) The business of an SGM shall be that for which it was called and no other.

10. VOTING

Except as later provided voting at General meetings will be by show of hands or by ballot of members present and shall be passed by simple majority. Any motion that the Committee considers to affect the Rules or Objects of SQSAC shall be passed by a two third majority of 10% of the total membership.

11. BRANCH ACTIVITIES

(i) The SQSAC activities shall be open to members of other branches at the discretion of the person in charge.

(ii) Any member of SQSAC may use the pool for training, teaching equipment or swimming with basic equipment and when authorised free swimming but no person may use other equipment without the permission of the official in charge who must be informed of their wish to enter the pool with anything other than basic equipment.

(iii) At the discretion of the Diving Officer or the Training Officer instruction may be given by other than accredited members.

(iv) Loss or damage to SQSAC equipment will involve the person responsible with a charge to cover replacement or repair of the equipment. Private equipment used by the branch shall be deemed to belong to the branch for this purpose.










12. DISCIPLINE

(i) The Committee shall have the power by a two thirds majority of all members to request the resignation of any member of the Committee or officer or club member. Seven days after such a request the person shall be deemed to have resigned. Before request of resignation the person shall have the opportunity to know the reason for the request and be able to address the Committee in answer to such reason.

(ii) In order to ensure the safety and good name of SQSAC and its members the person in charge of a branch activity may suspend at his discretion and for the duration of the activity any member guilty of misconduct. Any suspension must be reported to the Chairperson and the Honorary Secretary and discussed at the next Committee meeting. The person will have the right to be present at the Committee meeting to hear the reasons for the suspension and to address the Committee in answer to such reasons. Inadequate explanation or guarantee may involve the person in further suspension or request for resignation and shall be carried out by two thirds majority of the full membership.

13. CHARGES

(i) Persons joining or rejoining SQSAC shall pay such entrance fee as
determined by the Committee from time to time.

(ii) Subscriptions are determined by the Committee from time to time are renewable annually on 1st October and shall be apportioned for those that join at any other time, to bring them into line with this. Except in the first year of membership of BSAC.

14. DISSOLUTION

If at any General Meeting of SQSAC a resolution is passed for dissolution and the resolution passed one month thereafter at SGM by a two thirds majority of the members the Committee shall proceed to realise the property of SQSAC and after discharge of its liabilities shall turn over the net assets to such charity or body having similar objects to those of SQSAC, or as shall have specified in the original resolution. Back to top