Flintshire Midweek Bowling League

Affiliated to: WCGBA & FABA

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Constitution

(December 2021)

1. General Information

• The name of the league shall be the FLINTSHIRE MIDWEEK BOWLING LEAGUE (FMBL)
• FMBL is affiliated to the Welsh Crown Green Bowling Association (WCGBA) and the Flintshire Area Bowling Association (FABA)
• FMBL shall agree to conform to the bye laws of the British Crown Green Bowling Association (BCGBA) and to observe the laws of the game as defined by that body
• FMBL will administer and manage the Mid-Week League, Divisional Cups, Selwyn Roberts Charity Cup, FMBL Ladies Merit Competition, FMBL Champion of Champions Merit Competition.
• Each club will receive a copy or have access to the Constitution, Match Rules, Definitions and Processes relating to Infringements / Unacceptable Conduct and Appeals, Dress Code.

2. Objectives

The objective of the League is:

• to organise and run competitions for all Teams in all Divisions
• to promote and grow the interests of the game in a safe and harassment free environment.

3. Membership

• Any affiliated Bowling Club within the Flintshire County Boundary shall automatically be eligible to become a member of the League.
• Additionally, other Bowling Clubs outside of the boundary and who are affiliated to WCGBA can apply to become members of the League
• Additional membership requests will require approval at the Annual General meeting (AGM)
• Any Club or Team resigning from the League must advise the League Secretary in writing before the December AGM.
• No Club or Team who has ceased to be a member of the League shall have any rights or interests in the property and funds of the League.
• All Members shall be bound by the Rules and Bye Laws of the League
  
  

4. Affiliation Fees and Fines

• Affiliation fees are determined by the League Management Committee and presented at the AGM for approval.
• The Treasurer must receive the appropriate affiliation fee(s) by the last day of March
• Failure to pay subscriptions by the last day of March could result in clubs being suspended from the League.
• Fines will be determined by the League Management Committee and presented at the AGM for approval.

5. Finance

• With the exception of contributions from affiliation fees for the ‘Selwyn Roberts Charity Cup’, all monies raised by or on behalf of the League shall be applied to further the objectives of the League and for no other purpose.
• Selwyn Roberts Charity Cup contributions will be donated to the nominated charity agreed at the AGM.
• The Treasurer shall ensure proper accounts are kept of League funds.
• The accounts shall be audited at least once a year by the Auditor appointed at the Annual General Meeting.
• Audited Statements of account shall be presented at the Annual General Meeting.
• All cheques and money transactions shall be countersigned by at least two officers of the League.

6. Officers

• The officers of the League shall be the President, Vice President, Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Competition Secretary, Fixtures Secretary and Safe Guarding Officer
• The officers shall be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting.
• If an officer elected at the Annual General Meeting ceases to hold office, either by death or resignation, the Management Committee shall have the authority to elect a successor until the next Annual General Meeting of the League
• To be eligible for Life Membership or Vice President the nominees must have served the league as a club delegate and / or an officer of the league for a minimum unbroken period of ten years.

7. Management

• The Management Committee shall be the governing body of the League.
• The business of the League shall be conducted by the Management Committee of which the eight (8) existing officers shall be members. The Committee shall include an additional (0) elected players from the teams in membership.
• The Management Committee have the authority to delegate duties to a sub-committee if required
• The Sub-Committee will consist of no more than nine members and not less than five members.
• Only one person from each Club is permitted on the sub-committee. (Chairman and Secretary excepted)
• The quorum at both Management and Sub-Committee Meetings shall be five (5) members.
• An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) may be convened at the discretion of the Officers, and/or at the request of ten (10) clubs.

8. Annual General Meeting

• The Annual General Meeting of the League will be held on the 1st Monday in December.
• Clubs will be notified of the Annual General Meeting and any proposed alterations to the Constitution and, or, Rules at least twenty-one (21) days before the date of the meeting. (See point 11)
• It is mandatory for all clubs to send one representative from each team to the AGM.
• A fine of five (£5) shall be imposed on any Club that does not send a representative(s) to the AGM.
• Voting is restricted to one representative per team
• Voting will be by voting card. The Chairman shall have a second or casting vote to be used in cases where the voting is declared equal.
• No constitutional alterations or byelaws can be made without the consent of two thirds 2/3 attending the AGM

9. Infringements / Unacceptable Conduct / Appeals.

• The Management Committee will deal with any infringement of rules and, or, unacceptable conduct by any club or member.
• Any formal complaint or protest must be submitted to the League Chairman / League Secretary who will investigate the matter and advise the club/ complainant of their decision.
• Any club / person must advise the respondent that an issue / complaint has been raised against them
• An appeal by a club / person regarding a FMBL Committee decision must be made in writing to the League Secretary accompanied by a fee of £10 which will be refunded if the appeal or complaint is upheld.
• The Management Committee shall have the authority to expel and, or fine players / clubs.
• An appeal against the Management Committee’s final decision may be made to FABA.

See FMBL Disciplinary and Appeal Process.

10. Alteration or Additions to Rules.

• Notice of any proposed alterations and, or, additions must be submitted, in writing, duly proposed and seconded and sent to the League Secretary no later than 31st October.
• Alterations and additions to the Constitution shall only be made at the Annual General Meeting and shall require the approval of not less than two thirds of the total votes cast.
• Alterations and additions to match rules shall be decided by a simple majority and must only be dealt with at the Annual General Meeting.

11. Interpretation of Rules and Omissions

• The Management Committee shall have the power to interpret these rules if there should be any ambiguity concerning the interpretation of any rule.
• The Management Committee shall have the power to deal with any matter not provided for in these rules.

12. Harassment and Unacceptable Conduct

• A disciplinary action can arise if any rule, breach, failure, refusal or neglect to comply with a provision:

o  of the Flintshire Mid-Week Bowling Leagues (FMBL) Constitution, Match Rules, Byelaws, or Code of Conduct

o or the policy, resolution or determination of the FMBL management and or sub committees.

• The League will endeavour to provide a safe and harassment free environment within its activities for all members and officials
• The Management Committee shall investigate in confidence any reported harassment or unacceptable conduct in general. In particular, harassment of officers with regard to decisions or policies implemented by such officers or other designated persons, is deemed to be completely unacceptable and in this context, harassment will be defined as follows:

o Comments or remarks which are gratuitously critical, insulting, humiliating, intimidating, innuendo or spreading malicious gossip.

o Unacceptable conduct includes bullying in any form and or discrimination. These definitions are not exhaustive

• The above points apply to any such comments made on social media.
• Any such incident shall be reported to the Chairman or League Secretary in the first instance, and may where appropriate be forwarded to Flintshire Area Bowling Association