ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF THE IRISH AMATEUR ROWING UNION ( ULSTER BRANCH ) 1 TITLE There shall be a Branch of the Irish amateur Rowing Union ( hereinafter referred to as the I.A.R.U. ) to be known as the Irish Amateur Rowing Union ( Ulster Branch ) ( hereinafter referred to as the Ulster Branch ). 2 MEMBERSHIP (a) Membership of the Ulster Branch shall be open to all Rowing Clubs in Northern Ireland affiliated to the I.A.R.U. as defined in the Articles of association of the I.A.R.U. (b) For the purpose of these Articles Northern Ireland comprises the Parliamentary Counties of Antrim, Armagh, Down, Fermanagh, Londonderry and Tryone, together with the Parliamentary Boroughs of Belfast and Londonderry. (c) Every Club applying for affiliation to the Ulster Branch shall forward to the Honorary Secretary of the Ulster Branch such application in writing accompanied by the affiliation fee of 25.00. (d) Upon election to membership of the Ulster Branch each Club shall pay to the Ulster Branch a subscription of 25.00 and in each succeeding year an annual subscription of 25.00 each, such subscription to be paid to the Honorary Treasurer of the Ulster Branch not later than the commencement of the Annual General Meeting ( hereinafter referred to as the A.G.M. ). Any Club which has not paid its subscription for the succeeding year by the commencement of the A.G.M. shall forfeit its voting rights at the A.G.M. and shall cease to be a member of the Ulster Branch until such time as all arrears of subscriptions are paid by it to the Honorary Treasurer of the Ulster Branch. (e) All Clubs will receive a copy of the relevant Code of Conduct as determined by the Committee and a copy of the Articles of association. Each Club will be obliged to sign and return an acknowledgement that they have read and agree to abide by the Code of Conduct and the Articles of Association. 3 I.A.R.U. It is a condition of continued membership of the Ulster Branch that each Club shall remain affiliated to the I.A.R.U. and shall adhere to and observe:- (a) The Articles of Association of the I.A.R.U. (b) The Rules for Competitive Rowing of the I.A.R.U. (c) The Rules for I.A.R.U. Championships (d) The Rules for the University Championships as laid down by the I.A.R.U. and as amended from time to time. 4 OBJECTS The objects of the Ulster Branch shall be to promote the sport of rowing in Northern Ireland and in particular:- (a) To act for and represent the I.A.R.U. in Northern Ireland, as directed by the I.A.R.U.
(b) To appoint representatives of the Ulster Branch to any relevant body in Northern Ireland. (c) To provide a safe environment for participation in rowing. (d) To encourage and assist the formation of new Clubs. (e) To promote the standard of rowing and coaching, to hold examinations and any other activities conducive to the furtherance of rowing (f) To negotiate with the Government in Northern Ireland and any public or local Authority in respect of any matter concerning the interests of rowing. (g) To sponsor coaching schemes in Northern Ireland and to negotiate for grant aid and sponsorship as may be available to the Ulster Branch from time to time. (h) (i) Anti-Doping Rules: - In the area of anti-doping, the Rowing Ireland Ulster Branch defers to the jurisdiction of Rowing Ireland. (ii) Further to clause (i) a the anti-doping rules of Rowing Ireland (the Anti-Doping Rules ) apply to the sport of Rowing in the province of Ulster and Northern Ireland; and b persons participating in the sport of Rowing under the jurisdiction of Rowing Ireland Ulster Branch who qualify as Participants (as that term is defined in the Anti-Doping Rules) are bound by and must comply in all respects with the Anti-Doping Rules. Rowing Ireland Ulster Branch shall recognise and take all necessary steps to give full force and effect within its jurisdiction (a) to the Anti-Doping Rules; and (b) to any sanction(s) imposed under the Anti-Doping Rules. (h) Providing equal opportunities for successful participation by all sections of the community. 5 OFFICERS & COMMITTEE MEMBERS (a) The Officers of the Ulster Branch shall be the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer. (b) The Committee of the Ulster Branch shall consist of:- (i) The Chairman (ii) The Vice-Chairman (iii) The Honorary Secretary (iv) The Honorary Treasurer (v) The President of the I.A.R.U. (vi) (vii) The Honorary Secretary of the I.A.R.U. All Ulster Representatives on the Executive of the I.A.R.U. including the University Representative when that person represents a Club in Northern Ireland and the I.A.R.U. Executive member representing Ladies Rowing when that person represents a Club in Northern Ireland. (viii) 2 ordinary members, who may be co-opted if necessary (ix) The Rowing Convenor. 6 ELECTIONS (a) The Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer shall be elected at the A.G.M. and candidates must be proposed and seconded by ordinary members of the Ulster Branch entitled to vote. (b) In the event of a vacancy in any of the offices referred to in 6 (a), the Officers of the Ulster Branch shall have power to appoint another person to fill the vacancy until the next A.G.M.
7 HONORARY SECRETARY (a) The Honorary Secretary shall convene all Ulster Branch meetings. He shall transact all business incidental to his Office and such matters as he is directed to by the Committee. (b) On retirement from Office he shall hand over to his successor or to the Chairman of the Ulster Branch all books and papers pertaining to his Office. (c) The Honorary Secretary shall send a written agenda for every Committee meeting to be called to every Committee member and give a written 7 days notice of such meeting and this procedure may only be breached in the case of an emergency, the fact of which must be confirmed by the Committee at the next meeting thereof. 8 HONORARY TREASURER (a) The Honorary Treasurer shall be responsible for the funds of the Ulster Branch and keep a proper account of all monies received by and paid by him, deposit the funds of the Ulster Branch at a bank to be approved by the Committee, produce the books of account properly balanced together with the Bank Book and vouchers at the end of each year or when called to do so by the Auditors. (b) All cheques drawn on the funds of the Ulster Branch shall be signed by the Honorary Treasurer and countersigned for sums over 100.00 by either the Chairman or the Honorary Secretary. (c) The Honorary Treasurer shall present to the A.G.M. a Balance Sheet and an Income and Expenditure Account, both of which have been duly audited. (d) On retirement from Office he should hand over to his successor or to the Chairman of the Ulster Branch, all the books and papers pertaining to his office and cash belonging to the ulster Branch. 9 OFFICERS CONDUCT No Officer may make any agreement or give any undertaking on behalf of the Ulster Branch without the subject of such agreement or undertaking being approved at a properly recorded meeting of the Committee except in the case of an emergency when the facts must be confirmed by the Committee at the next meeting thereof. Failing which, such Officer shall be liable to discipline in such a manner that the Committee thinks fit including by fine or suspension from the Committee. 10 DONATIONS (a) Any monies or gifts donated by any individual or individual s organizations, government or otherwise or company, private or public for the purposes of representing rowing activity under the jurisdiction of the Ulster Branch or the I.A.R.U. shall be paid or given to the Ulster Branch who will properly administer the expenditure of such funds and in the case of monies or property donated for representative activity directly under the jurisdiction of the I.A.R.U. such monies or property shall be paid or given by the Ulster Branch to the Treasurer of the I.A.R.U. (b) Clause 10 (a) shall not be interpreted or deemed to cover sponsorship obtained by any Club for its own rowing activities provided that such activities are not under the direct jurisdiction of the Ulster Branch. 11 ASSETS The Committee acting for and on behalf of the Ulster Branch shall be empowered to purchase, acquire, lease, sell, mortgage or otherwise dispose of such property as it thinks necessary to further the objects of the Ulster Branch as defined in Article 4, subject to Article 10.
12 TRUSTEES (a) The property of the Ulster Branch is vested in Trustees (b) The number of Trustees shall not exceed 3 and shall not be less than 2 and the Trustees shall be elected at the A.G.M. (c) The Trustees are not ex-officio members of the Committee but may attend meetings of the Committee if so invited. (d) The Trustees shall dispose of or otherwise deal with the property of he Ulster Branch in accordance with the directions given to them by the Committee of the Ulster Branch ( of which an entry in the minute Book shall be conclusive evidence ), save that where a majority of the Trustees; or where there are less than three Trustees, one Trustee is of the opinion that any direction given to them by the Committee is not in accordance with the best interests of the Ulster Branch, they or he, shall direct the Committee to request a General Meeting of the Ulster Branch to consider the matter and the Trustees or Trustee shall comply with the decision of the General Meeting of the Ulster Branch ( of which an entry in the Minute Book shall be conclusive evidence ). (e) The Trustees shall be indemnified against all risk and expense incurred by them in their capacity as Trustees of the Ulster Branch by the Ulster Branch. (f) Each Trustee shall hold office until death or resignation, unless removed from office by resolution of the Ulster Branch at a General Meeting. (g) Subject to the foregoing the general management of the property of the Ulster Branch shall be entrusted to the Committee of the Ulster Branch. 13 COMMITTEE DUTIES (a) A quorum of the Committee shall be at least 3 members of the Committee, 2 of whom must be elected Officers of the Committee. (b) The affairs of the Ulster Branch are to be managed by the Committee. (c) The Committee shall not be empowered to borrow money except as authorized by the Ulster Branch at a General Meeting. 14 SUB-COMMITTEES (a) The Committee of the Ulster Branch shall have the power to appoint from time to time Sub- Committees as it thinks fit to carry out the objects of the Ulster Branch and may appoint as members of such Sub-Committees such persons as it thinks fit. (b) The elected Officers of the Committee shall be ex-officio members of all such Sub- Committees. (c) No action or decision of such a Sub-Committee shall bind the Ulster Branch until it has been ratified by the Committee. 15 GRANT APPLICATIONS Any application from any Club or individual to the Sports Council for Northern Ireland and / or the Department of Education for Northern Ireland for a grant for rowing capital equipment or for rowing activity competition or travel in connection therewith must be notified to the Committee of the Ulster Branch.
16 CHILD PROTECTION POLICY The Committee shall determine, operate, and keep under review a Child Protection Policy. In keeping with this, the Committee shall appoint at least 1 person who will have a remit for Child Protection. This will include attending relevant training courses liasing with relevant agencies when necessary and bringing to the attention of the Committee any incidents or information deemed appropriate. 17 COMPLAINTS & INVESTIGATION PROCEDURE The Committee shall determine, operate and keep under regular review, a Complaints and Investigation Procedure for members. 18 DISCIPLINARY MATTERS The Committee shall refer any disciplinary matter to the I.A.R.U. 19 APPEALS PROCEDURE (a) A Club may appeal a decision of a complaint. The appeal must be made in writing to the Honorary Secretary within 14 days of the Club being notified about the outcome of the complaint procedure. (b) The Appeal will be heard by a committee appointed by the I.A.R.U. executive. 20 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (a) The A.G.M shall be held prior to the date of the IARU AGM each year on a date decided by the Committee. At least 14 days notice of the meeting shall be given by notification in writing to each of the Clubs affiliated to the Ulster Branch. (b) The Ulster Branch at each A.G.M. shall:- (i) Receive the Report of the Committee and make such orders with regard to the same as seems proper to the Ulster Branch. (ii) Receive the Balance Sheet and the Income and Expenditure Account for the 12 months preceding 31 st March together with the Auditor s Report on them and make such orders with regard to the same as seems proper to the Ulster Branch. (iii) Elect the Chairman, the Vice-Chairman, the Honorary Secretary and the Honorary Treasurer of the Ulster Branch. (iv) Appoint an Auditor for the next succeeding year. (v) Consider any resolution submitted in accordance with Article 25. (vi) Consider any other business that the Chairman in his discretion allows. 21 SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING (a) The Honorary Secretary shall at the direction of the Committee or upon receipt of a Requisition signed by the Honorary Secretary of any affiliated Club, summon a Special General Meeting of the Ulster Branch. (b) A Special General Meeting shall be convened not less than 7 and not more than 21 days from the date of the direction of the Committee or the receipt of the Honorary Secretary of the Ulster Branch of the Requisition from an affiliated Club. Notice of the Meeting shall be given to all affiliated Clubs in writing. (c) At any such Special Meeting no business other than that set out in the Notice sent to each
affiliated Club shall be dealt with. (d) Requisition shall state the reason for a Special General Meeting and be accompanied by a fee of 10.00 which shall be forfeited to the funds of the Ulster Branch, should the Requisition be deemed by the Special General Meeting to be frivolous. 22 VOTING AT ANNUAL OR SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING (a) The official representative of each Club must be a bona fide member of that Club and at a General Meting shall be entitled to 1 vote. (b) Each elected Officer of the Committee for the time being shall be entitled to 1 vote. (c) Every resolution shall be decided on a show of hands, but on the request of any official representative of a Club there shall be a secret ballot. (d) In the case of a tie the Chairman shall have a casting vote. (e) A quorum at a General Meeting shall be 6 persons entitled to vote at a General Meeting. 23 ULSTER BRANCH STATUS (a) The Ulster Branch shall seek recognition as an organization so that it may be recognized as a Governing Body to allow it to fulfill the aims laid down in these Articles of Association. (b) The Committee shall take all necessary steps to affiliate to such organizations and appoint Representatives to such organizations, membership of which it considers conducive to the interests of rowing. 24 RELATIONSHIP WITH THE I.A.R.U. Nothing in these Articles of Association shall affect the position of the I.A.R.U. as the authority of rowing throughout Ireland. 25 ALTERATION OR ADDITION TO THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION (a) No alteration, deletion or addition to these Articles of Association may be made except by the vote of a majority of not less than two-thirds of those present and entitled to vote at a General Meeting. The Notice convening a Meeting for this reason shall state the alteration, deletion or addition proposed. (b) No alteration of or addition to these Articles of Association shall take effect until approved by the Executive Committee of the I.A.R.U. 26 INTERPRETATION All questions as to the correct interpretation of the Articles of Association of the I.A.R.U. and of the Ulster Branch, the Rules for Competitive Rowing, the Rules for I.A.R.U. Championships, the Rules for the University Championships of Ireland and the Bye-laws of the I.A.R.U. shall be referred to the I.A.R.U. Executive Committee whose decision thereon shall be final. Includes amendments up to AGM Sept 09 BE