SCOTTISH FEDERATION FOR COARSE ANGLING

CONSTITUTION

(as amended AGM 25 March 2010)

1. The Federation shall be called "The Scottish Federation for Coarse Angling" (hereinafter referred to as the Federation).

2. Objects

2.1 In fulfilling its role as the National Governing Body for all coarse angling in Scotland, the objects of the Federation shall be to:-

2.1.1. Form a central body of all clubs and associations and individuals interested in coarse angling.

2.1.2. Promote and encourage the sport of coarse angling in Scotland.

2.1.3. Promote Equality of opportunity, raise awareness of Child Protection issues and assist member clubs in the development and implementation of their own policies.

2.1.4 Encourage and assist member clubs in the development and implementation of tuition and coaching initiatives.

2.1.5. Promote the development and availability of suitable waters for the purpose of coarse angling generally, and for the benefit of member clubs, associations and individuals.

2.1.6. Organise competitive sport.

2.1.7.  Act in, and represent, the best interests of all coarse anglers, partners and other coarse angling stakeholders on all issues affecting coarse angling in Scotland to include; providing appointed representatives to the Angling Development Board of Scotland (ADBoS) and its sub-committees, providing representation at all Scottish Executive Steering/Working Groups which have an impact on coarse angling interests in Scotland, providing a liaison with other stakeholders such as Visit Scotland and Fish Scotland.

3. Membership

3.1 Membership of the Federation shall be open to those angling clubs, associations and individuals approved by the Executive Committee. Membership will run in line with the tax year from 1^st April until 31^st March the following year. Clubs and associations must produce a copy their constitution before membership of the Federation can be considered.  Corporate membership of the Federation shall be open to commercial organisations approved by the Executive Committee whose businesses are associated with coarse angling in Scotland.

3.2 The annual subscription for clubs, associations, corporate members and individual members shall be determined at the Annual General Meeting by those members present who are entitled to vote. The subscription this determined shall apply to the financial year following that in which the meeting takes place. All subscriptions for membership of the Scottish Federation of Coarse Angling must be paid in full by 30 April each year. Any club or association not having paid by that date will have deemed to have resigned from the Federation.

3.3 All clubs, associations and individual members shall be deemed to accept the terms of this constitution and the rules and byelaws published from time to time by the Executive Committee.

4. Executive Committee

4.1 The affairs of the Federation shall be conducted by an Executive Committee which shall consist of the officers specified in clause 4.2, Policy Officer, Coaching & Youth Development Officer, Child Protection Officer, Equity Officer and the National Team Manager.  However, in exceptional circumstances a deputy may attend in the place of any of the latter mentioned four officers.  In addition, member clubs will be invited at the AGM to elect a Non-Executive Director to attend Executive Committee meeting to provide assurance to the membership of the working of the Federation.

4.2 The Officers of the Federation shall be Chairman, Vice Chairman, Hon Secretary and Hon Treasurer who shall be elected at the appropriate Annual General Meeting.

4.2.1 One Officer only shall return annually in the order: Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary such that each position is filled for a period of three years, other than in exception circumstances. (Note – the Vice Chairman is the exception to this rule, this post will also return in the same year as the Secretary.)  The retiring officer shall be eligible for re-election. If the post of any Officer should fall vacant during his term of office, the executive committee shall have the power to fill the post until the next Annual General Meeting.

4.3 

4.3.1 Responsibility relative to Development and Competition matters, will lie with the Executive Committee, and be the direct responsibility of those Executive Committee members holding positions relative to such matters.

4.3.2 Development & Competition Sub Committees may be formed by the relevant Executive Committee Member to progress any such matters deemed necessary by the Executive Committee, a delegate from each member and association which wishes representation being entitled to sit on that Sub Committee. Each club or association represented shall only be entitled to one vote.

4.3.3 The officials of the Executive Committee, other that that of Chairman, Vice Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary, shall be for a period of 2 years. These officials shall be elected at the appropriate Annual General Meeting. The retiring official shall be eligible for re-election.

4.4 The Executive Committee shall have the power to co-opt members to serve until the Annual General Meeting. Co-opted members shall not have a vote in the affairs of the Executive Committee.

4.5 The Executive Committee shall have the power to delegate its responsibilities to sub-committees and working groups as necessary.

4.6 The Executive Committee shall have the power to create and maintain a set of Standing Orders for the conduct of its business.

4.7 A quorum for an Executive Committee meeting shall be three members one of whom at least shall be an Officer.

4.8 Decisions of the Executive Committee shall be carried by a simple majority. The Chairman shall be non-voting except in the event of a tie when he shall have the casting vote.

4.9 All decisions of the Competition and Non-Competition Committees must be forwarded to the Executive Committee for approval before action is taken on behalf of the Federation.

4.10 Discipline procedure. 

4.10.1 If the conduct of any Federation member shall, in the opinion of the Executive Committee, be injurious to the interest and character of the Federation the Executive Committee shall, after a fair hearing, be empowered to expel that person from taking part in any Federation event, function or meeting, or suspend that person’s membership for such a period of time determined by the Executive Committee, but only on a majority vote of the Executive Committee, all Executive Committee Members being present when that vote is taken. This rule in no way detracts from the autonomy of an affiliated club to take whatever action it deems necessary in relation to dealing with such a breach of conduct by a club member.

4.10.2 Allegations regarding child protection issues will be dealt with immediately in accordance with the SFCA Child Policy.  In these instances the individual subject to the allegation will immediately be suspended from any Federation activities involving contact with children and/or vulnerable adults until such time as the allegation(s) have been fully investigated by the relevant authority.

5. Equality and Diversity. 

5.1 The Federation operates an Equal Opportunities Policy where no one is denied the right to equal access on the grounds of age, race, creed, colour, gender, disability, occupation, religion, sexual orientation of political persuasion or marital status or having or not having dependants.  Where there is equality of opportunity in terms of participation, competition and the rights of members to attend the Annual General Meeting, vote and hold office.  The Federation Equality and Diversity Policy can be obtained from our website.  In applying for membership clubs and individuals undertake to comply with the Federation Equity Policy.  Furthermore, clubs are to have either a formally appointed Equality Officer or a nominated contact to deal with equality issues pertaining to the club.  To reduce administrative burden clubs may adopt the SFCA Equity Policy. 

6. Child Protection

6.1 The Federation is fully committed to safeguarding the welfare of all children in its care.  It recognises the responsibility to promote safe practice and to protect children from harm, abuse and exploitation.  Staff and volunteers will work together to embrace difference and diversity and respect the rights of children and young people.  The Federation Child Protection Policy can be obtained on our website and advice and guidance can be obtained from our Child Protection Officer.  In applying for membership clubs and individuals undertake to comply with the Federation Child Protection Policy.  Furthermore, clubs are to have either a formally appointed Child Protection Officer or a nominated contact to deal with Child Protection issues pertaining to the club.  To reduce administrative burden clubs may adopt the SFCA Child Protection Policy. 

7. General Meetings

7.1 Annual General Meetings

7.1.1 The Federation shall hold an Annual General Meeting as soon as possible after the end of February but no later than the end of March each year.

7.1.2 The quorum for an Annual General Meeting shall be representatives from at least one third of member clubs and associations excluding officers. At least two Officers must be present. Individual members present at an AGM shall be entitled to appoint one of their number to vote on behalf of all individual members. The vote of the individual membership will be deemed equivalent to that of one member club. Corporate members may attend but shall not be eligible to vote.

7.2 Extraordinary General Meetings

An Extraordinary General Meeting shall be called b an application in writing to the Executive Committee supported by at least one third of the member clubs and Associations. Individual members shall not be entitled to call an Extraordinary General Meeting. The Executive Committee shall also have the power to call an Extraordinary Meeting by decision of a simple majority of its members.

7.3 Notices

7.3.1 At least 28 days notice shall be given in writing to secretaries of all member clubs, associations and individual members of any General Meeting by the Federation's Hon Secretary.

7.3.2 Any proposed amendments to the Constitution shall be received in writing by the Hon Secretary at least 21 days before the date of the General Meeting. Proposed amendments will be accepted by member clubs and associations only.

7.3.3 All member clubs, associations and individual members shall be notified of the agenda together with any notice of proposed amendments to the Constitution at least 14 days before the General Meeting.

7.3.4 For the purposes of these notices proof of posting shall be deemed sufficient proof of notification to member clubs, associations and individual members.

7.4 Voting

7.4.1 Amendments to the Constitution shall require a two thirds majority of those present and eligible to vote (except para 3).

7.4.2 All other matters put to a vote shall be decided by a simple majority of those present and eligible to vote.

7.4.3 No more than one representative from any member club or association shall be entitled to vote. Individual members present at an EGM shall be entitled to appoint one of their number to vote on behalf of all individual members. The vote of the individual membership will be deemed equivalent to that of one member club. Corporate members present at an EGM shall be entitled to appoint one of their number to vote on behalf of all corporate members. The vote of the corporate membership will be deemed equivalent to that of one member club

7.4.4 The Chairman shall be non-voting but shall have the casting vote in the event of a tie.

8. Finance and Accounts

8.1 The financial year shall run from 1 April to 31 March of the following year.

8.2 The Hon Treasurer shall be responsible for the preparation of the annual statement of accounts for the financial year, which shall be audited by an independent qualified person.  The Hon Treasurer is also responsible for presenting a written statement of accounts at the AGM and this is to be sent to all member clubs and published on the website together with the agenda.

8.3 Copies of the audited Federation accounts shall be distributed to all member clubs, associations and individual members on request.

8.4 The annual General Meeting shall have the power to appoint trustees to hold in trust all properties and funds in the name of the Federation. These trustees shall normally be Officers of the Federation.

8.5 All cheques drawn against Federation funds shall be signed by at least two trustees.

8.6 All member clubs, associations and individual members shall be considered to be jointly responsible for any financial liability incurred on behalf of the Federation.

8.7 No sub-committee, member club, association or individual member shall be at liberty to make any disbursement or incur any debt in the name of or on behalf of the Federation without first obtaining the approval of the Executive Committee.

9. Rules and Byelaws

9.1 The Executive Committee shall have the power to publish and enforce such Rules and Byelaws as they feel necessary to govern the activities of the Federation.

9.2 Competition

9.2.1 No club, association, individual member or member of any club or association shall compete in any Federation Competition unless they have paid the appropriate subscription for the current year.  Member clubs may enter teams in Federation Competitions under their club membership.  Individuals wishing to enter composite teams, but not wishing to formally constitue a club may do so provided that all individuals within the team have joined as individual members for the year in which the team is competing.  Individual membership cards will need to be show at the registration for the relevant competition.

9.2.2 The taking of, inciting to take, or distribution of drugs by any person, the object of which is to affect performance in any event organised by the Federation or in which the Federation is represented, is strictly forbidden.

9.2.3. Should there by any indication that the above rule is not being adhered to, the Executive Committee shall have the authority to introduce appropriate measures.

9.2.4. Should the Executive Committee decide that action has to be taken, all member clubs and associations shall be notified in writing of the actions that are to be taken.

9.2.5 No Federation member shall deliberately kill fish at any Federation event.

10. Dissolution

10.1 In the event of dissolution of the Federation all equipment and monies, be they sponsored or grant, shall be returned to their respective donors. Any residual funds shall be distributed to member clubs in line with the Executive Committee decision at that time.

10.2 The Federation shall not be dissolved unless by agreement of all member clubs and associations.

11. International Team Selection Criteria 

11.1 Eligibility for selection shall be based on the following criteria:

11.1.1 Any individual seeking selection should be a member of an angling club affiliated to the SFCA.

11.1.2 The individual must be a citizen of the United Kingdom, or alternatively, the holder of a United Kingdom passport.

11.1.3 Either of the following must apply:

11.1.3.1 That individual must have been resident in Scotland for a period of 5 years immediately preceding nomination; or 

11.1.3.2 In the event that the individual is domiciled outside Scotland, they must have been born in Scotland, or either of their parents must have been born in Scotland.

12. Protection of Member Clubs Fishing Rights

12.1 The SFCA will keep a register of all fisheries fishing rights or ancillary property or rights held in any way by Member Clubs. It is the duty of Member Clubs to notify the SFCA if they hold such rights and wish them to be protected by this rule. Any Member Club which wishes to acquire any fishery or fishing rights or other right or property must first ask the SFCA to search in its register to ascertain whether such right is held by another Member Club. If the search is clear the Member Club may proceed to acquire the right, if not, the Member Club may only proceed with the consent of the SFCA Executive Committee. Consent will only be given where the SFCA are satisfied that it is fair and reasonable to do so subject to the general principle that a Member Club which has registered a fishery will at all times be permitted to take every reasonable step to retain that fishery.

12.2 A search fee may be charged for all searches conducted by the SFCA for Member Clubs.

12.3 The SFCA shall make all necessary arrangements to ensure the confidentiality of all information kept on the Register.

12.4 It shall be the duty of a Member Club to notify the SFCA in writing within 3 months of the termination of any right protected by registration.

12.5 A Member Club may refer any question of dispute or alleged breach of this rule to the SFCA Executive Committee for a decision.

12.6 No Member Club or anyone acting on its behalf shall take any actions designed to prejudice, bring to an end or prevent the renewal of any fishery registered by another Member Club.

12.7 A Member Club, which considers a fishery has been wrongly registered, may apply to the SFCA for that registration to be corrected.

12.8 The penalties associated with contravention of this Rule will be determined by the SFCA Executive Committee but may include exclusion from the Federation if deemed appropriate.

END