CONSTITUTION                                                            Updated April 2024
 
1       Name:

  1. The Club will be called Women on The Run, a not-for-profit organisation
 
  1. Aims and Objectives:
 
  1. The aims of the Club will be to:
 
  • Bring together running groups aimed solely at women, to give a sense of belonging and community
  • To recruit Leaders to provide appropriate support to new women runners
  • To inspire women of all ages (18 plus) to run for fun, fitness and health
  • To give women the chance to participate in running at all levels
  • To target and support the complete beginner of any ability
  • To be affiliated to national and amateur athletic bodies as the Committee consider appropriate.
 
  1. Membership:
 
  1. Full membership to Women on The Run is confined to women, aged 18 and over.
  2. Members will be enrolled in one of the following categories:
 
  • Full member
  • Associate membership
  • Leader.
 
  1. Full membership will only be available to women over the age of 18.
 
  1. Associate membership will be available to anyone over the age of 18.
 
  1. Leader membership will be available to anyone who has registered with the Club and holds a current coaching licence.
 
  1. By joining the Club, all members will agree to accept the Constitution, rules and codes of practice, that the Club has adopted.
 
  1. The Committee shall have the power to suspend or exclude any member who contravenes the Constitution or any rules or codes of conduct that may exist at that time, or behaves in a manner detrimental to the reputation of the Club. In exercising these powers the Committee shall adhere to the Club’s disciplinary procedures. Appeal against refusal or removal may be made to the Chair.
 
  1. Fees:
 
  1. Fees will be paid annually and in advance to cover membership for the period April to March; the amounts being set and agreed by the Committee
 
  1. The Club will endeavour to keep subscriptions at levels that will not pose a significant obstacle to participation.
 
  1. The initial joining fee may include an additional payment to cover the cost of Club kit; the amount of which will be reviewed periodically by the Committee.
 
  1. Members joining after 31 December shall be deemed to have paid their subscription for the following year.
 
  1. Leaders may, if they choose, charge session fees up to a maximum level set by the Committee. Session fees will not be paid over to the Club and will remain the personal income of the leader.
 
  1. Officers of the Club:
 
  1. The officers of the Club will be:
 
  • Chair
  • Secretary
  • Treasurer.
 
  1. Officers will be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting.
 
  1. The term of office will be from AGM to AGM, at the conclusion of which, the officers will retire, but will be eligible for reappointment.
 
  1. Officers that wish to resign during their elected (or appointed if co-opted) period may do so by submitting one month’s written notice to the Committee.
 
  1. There will be additional members as required, to manage specific activities of the Club.
 
  1. Members of the Committee will be proposed, seconded and balloted at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) each year and shall remain in office until their successors are elected at the next AGM.
 
  1. The Committee may co-opt further members of the Club, or fill any vacancy resulting from resignation or otherwise, and these members will serve until the Next AGM.
 
  1. All Committee members have the right to vote at the meetings of the Committee.
 
  1. Decisions of the Committee shall be made by a simple majority and in the event of a tie, the Chair will have the casting vote.
 
  1. The Committee will meet as often as required, but at least once per year.
 
  1. The quorum will be three (3) members.
 
  1. The Committee will have powers to appoint sub-committees, as necessary, and appoint advisers to the Committee as necessary to fulfil its business.
 
  1. The Committee will be responsible for adopting new policy, codes of practice and rules that affect the organisation of the Club.
 
  1. Annual General Meetings:
 
  1. Notice of the Annual General Meetings (AGM) will be given by the Club Secretary. Not less than 21 clear days’ notice will be given to all members.
 
  1. The AGM will receive a report from officers of the Committee and a statement of the prepared accounts.
 
  1. Nominations for officers of the Committee will be sent to the Secretary prior to the AGM.
 
  1. Elections of officers are to take place at the AGM.
 
  1. All members have the right to vote at the AGM either in person or by post. Postal votes must be received no later than 7 working days prior to the AGM.
 
  1. Amendments to the constitution may be changes by a two thirds majority of votes cast.
 
  1. Extraordinary General Meetings;
 
  1. The Committee has the right to call Extraordinary General Meetings (EGMs) outside the AGM.
 
  1. Procedures for EGMs will be the same as for AGMs.
 
  1. Finance:
 
  1. All Club monies will be banked in an account held in the name of the Club.
 
  1. The financial year will end on 31 March.
 
  1. A prepared statement of annual accounts will be presented at the AGM.
 
  1. Any cheques drawn against Club funds should hold the signatures of a minimum of 2 individuals nominated by the Committee.
 
  1. The Club is a non-profit making organisation. All profit and surpluses will be used for the further development of the Club and benefit of the members. No profit or surpluses will be distributed other than to another non-profit making body or charitable body on winding up or dissolution of the Club.
 
  1. Discipline and Appeals:
 
  1. All concerns, allegations or reports of poor practice or abuse relating to the welfare of young people and vulnerable adults will be recorded to swiftly and appropriately, in accordance with the Club’s policies and procedures. The Club Welfare Officer is the lead contact for all members in the event of any child protection concerns.
 
  1. All complaints regarding the behaviour of members should be presented and submitted in writing to the Secretary.
 
  1. All complaints received will be investigated and action taken in accordance with the guidance provided by England Athletics https://www.englandathletics.org/resourdes/view/club-discipline-and-appeals-process
 
  1. The Committee has the power to take appropriate disciplinary action, including the termination of membership, when in its opinion, it would not be in the interests of the Club for a person to remain a member.
 
  1. Dissolution:
 
  1. A resolution to dissolve the Club can only be passed at an AGM or EGM, through a majority vote of the membership.
 
  1. In the event of dissolution, any assets of the Club will become the property of some other Club with similar objectives to those of the Club or a charity chosen by majority agreement of the members.
 
  1. Amendments to the Constitution:
 
  1. The Constitution will only be changed through agreement, by majority, at AGM or EGM.
 
  1. Declaration:
 
  1. Women on The Run hereby adopts and accepts this Constitution as a current operating guide regulating the actions of members.

A pdf version of our constitution can be found here