Kingfisher Canoe Club Constitution

1. The club to be called the ‘Kingfisher Canoe Club’

2. The club to be affiliated to the British Canoe Union (B.C.U.)

3. The club to be primarily an adult club with aims of providing group canoeing and training to B.C.U. standards.

4. The club to be run by the annual General Meeting (AGM) through officers elected at the AGM.

5. An AGM shall be held towards the end of each calendar year. The agenda will be circulated to members at least 14 days prior to the AGM and shall include the following items:

a) Financial report for the past year.

b) Election of officers for the coming year.

c) The subscription and other club fees for the coming year will be fixed.

d) Any matter proposed and seconded by full club members.

6. The club officers shall consist of at least three people including Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer.

7. An extra-ordinary meeting will be called within 21 days by the secretary on the request of any two club officers or 5 fully paid up club members.

8. At other than AGMs the quorum will be 25% of the paid up membership.

9. At any club meeting family membership carries a maximum of 2 votes, voters must be present and over 18 years of age.

Club Rules

A. Membership

1. Members must be able to swim a distance of 50 metres with the aid of a lifejacket/buoyancy aid.

2. Persons under the age of 18 years will only be accepted as members if:

a) An adult member who is competent to look after the junior member on the water accepts full responsibility for the child at all times and will accompany the child paddling at all times.

b) The child’s parent(s) give written permission for the child to paddle with the club. Such permission will name the canoeist(s) who is/are responsible for the child.

B. Safety

1. Members retain sole responsibility for their own safety at all times, except as modified by A 2 (b) above.

2. When canoeing with the club, all members and guests must wear an effective buoyancy aid or life jacket. Crash helmets will be worn on grade II or above waters; all weirs and when surfing.

3. Trip organisers/leaders may refuse to take members or guests who lack necessary experience or whose equipment (including clothing) is sub-standard or inappropriate for the trip in question – in the opinion of the organiser/leader.

C. Guests

1. Members may bring guests of any age, but the sponsoring member accepts full responsibility for his guests including safety.

2. Guests must comply with club rules, particularly A 1 and B 2.

3. Guests may use club equipment if available. It is their responsibility to satisfy themselves as to its suitability and safety.

4. Any person, using club equipment is asked to make a donation to club funds.

D. Equipment

1. Members and guests borrowing club equipment or privately owned equipment are responsible for making good any damage they might cause to the equipment. Details of damage must be notified to the Equipment Officer or owner.

2. A small selection of basic canoeing equipment will be maintained by the club to introduce people to canoeing. It is expected that club members will rapidly acquire the necessary basic equipment needed for safe canoeing. The club will maintain a selection of specialised canoes for the delectation of members.

3. Members and ex-members canoes may be stored in the club store at their own risk in accordance with rules D 4 and D 5.

4. Anyone storing equipment in the club store must label it with name and telephone number on the inside and inform the equipment officer. Anyone leaving equipment in the club store for more than six months after the expiry of their membership will have deemed to have donated the said equipment to the club.

5. A storage charge will be levied, on an annual basis, on people storing equipment in the club store.

6. At the discretion of the club officers (the committee), keys to the club store may be held by the following:-

a. Individuals who have been paid up members of the club for at least 12 months

b. Members who have boat(s) stored in the building.

The Club Secretary, in exchange for a deposit, will issue keys. The amount of that deposit will be determined at the AGM. Keys will not be unreasonably withheld.

Revised November 2001 as per AGM