Club Constitution

Brathay Exploration Group Club Constitution – October 2009

1. Name

1.1       The name of the Club shall be the Brathay Exploration Group Club hereinafter referred to as "the Club".


2. Objectives of the Club

2.1        To promote the interests of exploring, climbing, mountaineering and related recreational activities among members of the Club.

2.2        To provide an opportunity for members of the Club to meet and participate in exploring, climbing, mountaineering and related recreational activities together.

2.3        To act on behalf of and in the interests of Club members.

2.4        To promote awareness of the need to maintain access, conservation and protection of the cliff and mountain environment in particular and of the natural environment more generally

2.5        To take part in the work and activities of the British Mountaineering Council.

2.6        To promote the aims of the Brathay Exploration Group Trust.


3.         Membership of the Club

3.1        Membership of the Club hereinafter referred to as "the Membership", shall be open only to those who pay the subscription as specified by the Management Committee, or others specifically agreed by the Management Committee. All Club members shall also be members of the Brathay Exploration Group Trust.

3.2        In addition to 3.1 above membership of the Club shall only be open to individuals who recognise that exploring, climbing, mountaineering and related recreational activities are activities with a danger of personal injury or death.  Members shall be aware of and accept these risks and agree to be responsible for their own actions and involvement.

3.3        Club Membership is not open to minors, although participation by minors accompanying and with the consent of their parents who are Club Members will be allowed.

3.4        In the event that the Members resolve that the Club shall affiliate to the BMC, the Members acknowledge and agree that they will become Club Members of the BMC and that the Club shall pay the appropriate subscription on behalf of each Member included in the returned filed by the Club with the BMC, and, in the event of the BMC being wound up, shall pay the sum of not more than £1 on behalf of each Member included in a return filed by the Club with the BMC at any time within the preceding period of one year pursuant to the guarantee comprised in clause 6 of the Memorandum of Association of the BMC.  The Members further acknowledge and agree that upon the Club being affiliated to the BMC and each becoming a Club member of the BMC that they will each be bound by the Memorandum & Articles of Association of the BMC.


4.         Management of the Club

4.1        The Management of the Club shall be entrusted to the Club Committee, hereinafter referred to as "the Committee".



5.         Officers of the Club

5.1        The elected Officers of the Club shall be the President, the BMC Liaison Officer, the Secretary and the Treasurer.

5.2        Voting for the election of Officers shall take place at the Annual General Meeting.

5.3        No Officer shall serve for a term longer than five years.

5.4        The Committee shall have the power to establish and fill additional Officer positions with defined responsibilities at any time, subject to ratification at the next following Annual General Meeting.



6.         Committee of the Club

6.1        The President of the Club will normally preside at and chair all meetings of the Committee and any General Meetings and shall be responsible for reporting to the Membership at the Club's AGM.

6.2        The Committee shall be composed of the Officers of the Club plus up to six other voting members elected at the Annual General Meeting. Any vacancies among Officers or voting Committee members can be filled by the Committee pending the next Annual General Meeting.

6.3        The Committee shall nominate a representative (or representatives) of the Club to attend BMC Area meetings and represent the views of the Membership and shall nominate the President (or a representative) to attend the BMC AGM.

6.4        The Club shall be responsible for all correspondence relating to Club affairs and for announcing Committee meetings, and the production and distribution of minutes from those meetings.  The Club shall also be responsible for announcing the AGM and shall give at least 30 clear days notice of such a meeting and its agenda.  Items for inclusion should be submitted at least 45 days prior to the AGM .The Club shall keep records about the Membership of the Club and shall report to the BMC the size of the Membership.

6.5        The Treasurer shall be responsible for the collection of subscriptions and will account for any other income and expenditure made on behalf of the Club.  The Treasurer shall be responsible for the payment of the membership subscription to the BMC and the Insurance premium if this option is taken up.

6.6        The Committee shall have the power to co-opt additional non-voting members.

6.7        A quorum for a meeting of the Committee shall be half of the elected voting members.  In addition to the AGM the Committee shall hold at least four meetings each year. The Committee is empowered to delegate any of its functions to sub-committeees, other organisations or individuals, on terms to be specified by the Committee.



7.         Club Subscriptions

7.1        The Committee shall have the power to set membership subscription levels for the Club on an annual basis.



8.         Child-Protection Policy

8.1        Should the Club decide to admit under 18’s as club members it must adopt and comply with the BMC Child Protection Policy.



9.         Rules of the Club

9.1        The Committee shall have the power to set Club rules.  Such rules shall be in accordance with the articles of the Club's Constitution and the policies of the BMC. Rules may apply to such issues as safety, use of accommodation and equipment.



10.        Amendments to the Constitution of the Club

10.1      This Constitution may be amended by a two thirds majority.  Notice of any amendment must be delivered to the Secretary at least 45 days prior to the AGM.



11.        Dissolution of the Club

11.1 The Club can be dissolved by two-thirds majority vote carried out in accordance with Article 10 whereupon the Committee will arrange to discharge any assets or liabilities to the Brathay Exploration Group Trust Ltd.