Constitution.

1. The title of the Club shall be The Balby Rifle and Revolver Club (2005).

2. The objects of the Club shall be to encourage skill in rifle and pistol shooting by providing instruction and practice in the use of arms among the subjects of Her Majesty so that they will be better fitted to serve their country in the Armed Forces, Territorial Army or any other organisation in which their service may be required in defence of the realm.

3. Membership shall be open to persons interested in promoting the objects of the Club, or participating in it’s activities.

The Membership may be Full, Honorary, Family, Probationary and Social. Full Membership shall be inclusive of one specified family member, i.e. Spouse, Son, Daughter or Parent. Social Members are non-shooting and will not be eligible to shoot on the Clubs' ranges or have access to firearms and ammunition. Probationary Members (Novices); applications for this class of Membership must be properly proposed and seconded. The first sponsor shall be a full member of the Club of two years standing, the second sponsor may be a person who knows the applicant personally. A Probationary Member may have access to firearms and ammunition, he/she will be personally supervised at all times when in possession of same. All applicants are to provide two passport style photographs and sign the appropriate forms. As required by statute Firearms Licensing will be informed. The period of probation shall be a minimum of six months; he/she must attend and take part in shooting on a minimum of twelve occasions, or as stated by Committee, in the probationary period. At the end of this period the Committee shall review the situation. The full Member sponsor of a Probationer shall be responsible for the provision of instruction in the safe handling and use of firearms in accordance with the Club Rules as laid down. Applications from FAC holders for provisional membership may be accepted by a quorum of the Committee subject to consideration at their next meeting. No fees are due until formal acceptance; all applications are to be on the appropriate forms. The Committee will base their judgement on the level of expertise of the applicant. Any application for Membership shall not be approved unless a Member of the Committee certifies they are satisfied with the standards reached by the applicant. Annual, Honorary or Life Members are full Members holding a FAC. Should Honorary status be awarded to a person not holding a FAC that person shall not be eligible to shoot on the Club range. The Committee shall have absolute discretion to refuse Membership and not be obliged to give reason therefore. The Committee shall have the right to terminate, at its discretion, the Membership of any person, whose conduct on the range or any part of the premises occupied by the club or else where is unseemly, objectionable or calculated to bring the club or shooting into disrepute. Notice of such termination, stating the reason, must be given in writing. Within one calendar month of receiving termination notice the recipient shall have the right to lodge a written appeal requesting the Club Secretary to call a meeting of the Committee to enable that Member to present the appeal in person. Fees for each class of Membership shall be determined by a general Meeting and shall have immediate effect. Full Members of any other approved Club, holding a current FAC, may attend and shoot on the Range with prior notice, and shall pay a scale fee approved by the Committee, in advance. They must wear temporary badges provided by Committee, and be supervised at all times. The Committee shall ensure that the numbers of Probationary Members in the Club does not at any time exceed the number of full Members, (where necessary an exemption should be applied for).

4. The Committee shall comprise of the Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, and five Nominated Members.

5.  A General Meeting shall be held annually, before the end of February, at such time and place as the Secretary shall arrange and giving twenty-one days notice for the purpose of conducting the following business: -

Minutes of the previous General Meeting

The Secretary's report

The report of the Treasurer and presentation of Accounts

Any other report required by the Committee

The fixing of fees for the following Year

The election of Officers

To debate, propose and second motions intended to alter the Constitution of the Club. Any motion must be carried by not less than two thirds of the Members present. Notice of any such motion is to be circulated to the Membership at least seven days before the meeting.

Any other business.

Voting may be by ballot or a show of hands at the discretion of the Chair.

In the event of a split vote the Chairman shall have the casting vote.

A quorum of a General Meeting shall be not less than one third or fifteen of the current Membership of the Club, whichever the lower.

6.  The Secretary shall, if so directed by the Committee, or if requested by not less than ten Members, call an Extraordinary General Meeting, giving not less than seven days notice to all Members and stating the agenda. No subjects other than those stated shall be debated.

7.  The financial year of the Club shall be to 31st March, to which date the accounts are to be balanced.

8.  Subscriptions become due on the 1st April each year. The amount payable at that time being the current agreed sum. Any member, whose subscription is not paid by 30^th April in that year, will be excluded from the privilege of membership and Firearms Licensing informed. Any lapsed member on wishing to rejoin shall pay the back subscription. At the committees discretion subscriptions may be wavered.   

9.  By acceptance of Membership of the Club each Member is deemed fully and absolutely to indemnify the Club and its Committee against any claim for loss or injury however caused to or by him/her and /or his/her family at any event or meeting organised by the Club.

10. The Committee shall have the right to legislate on any matter not provided for in the Constitution, to promulgate such rules as it considers necessary, or to interpret the Constitution. Any decision by the Committee shall be final and binding on the Members, subject to an appeal to a General Meeting.

11.  An Auditor (or Auditors) may be appointed at the AGM for the purpose of examining the accounts.

12.  The Club shall affiliate to such Associations as are considered necessary.

13.  In the event of the Club being dissolved a General Meeting shall decide the disposal of the assets of the Club to a similar organisation promoting legitimate shooting activities. No distribution of property or funds may be made to the Members.

3 October 2005