Home Counties ABA
(Founded 1968)
Constitution

1.         Title

The Association shall be called the Home Counties Amateur Boxing Association, hereafter to be referred to as “HCABA” and shall be affiliated to the Amateur Boxing Association of England (ABAE).

2.         Objects 

To foster and promote the sport of amateur boxing at all levels, providing opportunities for recreation and competition for members.  The age of ‘competitive’ boxing will be as determined by the ABAE.

3.         Membership

3.1              Membership of the HCABA shall be open to any person (regardless of race, age, gender, sexual orientation or ability), who completes a club membership application form and pays the relevant subscription/joining fee as determined by the AGM of the ABAE.

3.2              Each ‘Club’ registered (and affiliated) with the ABAE and within the geographical boundary of the HCABA will be a ‘Club Member’ of the HCABA.  Only a Club Member will have a vote (and then only two votes per affiliated Club). 

3.3              Every Club must ensure that they have an elected President, Secretary and Treasurer, all of whom must be registered onto the ABAE Database.

3.4              Each Club Member will be entitled to send

·         two voting representatives to each Annual General Meeting (AGM)

·         two voting representatives to each meeting except Executive Committee meetings

3.5              Only these representatives (3.2) and (3.3) may be eligible to be elected for Office of the HCABA.

3.6              There shall be two classes of membership available.  These are:

·         Club Member

·         Honorary Member.

4.         Officers

            The Officers of the HCABA shall be as follows:

·         President

·         Secretary

·         Treasurer.

·         Registrar

There is no limit on the period that officers may serve.

5.         Election of Officers

5.1              All Officers shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Organisation, from and only by, the two representatives of each affiliated club. 

5.2              All Officers are elected for a period of one year, but may be re-elected to the same office or another office, the following year.

5.3              No proxy votes will be allowed.

5.4              Council Member to the ABAE will be appointed at the AGM for a period of one year.

5.5              Commission Members to the ABAE will be appointed at the AGM for a period of one year.

5.6              The Association will appoint annually its Child Protection and Equality Officer.

5.7              The Association will appoint 3 members annually to its discipline and grievance committee.

6.         Executive Committee

6.1              To be eligible for election on to the Executive Committee, a candidate must have been a registered member of an affiliated club for at least 3 consecutive years.

6.2              The affairs of the HCABA shall be controlled by an Executive Committee comprising the Executive Officers of the HCABA and (at least 8 and no more than 12) other Club Members elected from, and by, the Club Members of the HCABA.  The Executive Committee shall meet at agreed intervals and not less than four times per year.

6.3              The duties of the Executive Committee shall be:

6.3.1        To control the affairs of the HCABA on behalf of its Club Members.

6.3.2        To keep accurate accounts of the finances of the Organisation through the Treasurer.  These should be available for reasonable inspection by Club Members and should be audited before every AGM.  The HCABA shall maintain a bank current account and the following Officers shall be authorised to sign HCABA cheques: two from the Chairperson; Treasurer and Secretary.

6.3.3        To co-opt additional Club Members to the Executive Committee as the Committee feels this is necessary.  Co-opted members shall not be entitled to a vote on the Committee.

6.3.4        To make decisions on the basis of a simple majority vote.  In the case of equal votes, the Chairperson shall be entitled to an additional casting vote.

7.         Grievance and Discipline Panel

7.1              A Grievance and Discipline Panel will be established annually (5.7).

7.2              Any written complaint, grievance or appeal will be heard by this Panel.

7.3              The Panel will elect its Chairperson at each meeting.  

7.4              Any decision made may be appealed against, in writing, to the Executive Committee.

7.5              No appeal against the decision of the Executive Committee can be made to any other Organisation other than the ABAE.

7.6              The sanctions of the Panel include (but limited to):

·         Fine (up to a maximum of £250).

·         Suspension (no longer than 2 years).

·         Removal from Office.

·         Permanent exclusion.

·         Reprimand. 

8.         General Meetings

8.1              The AGM shall be held not later than the end of August each year. ‘21 clear days’ written notice shall be given to Club Members of the AGM by circulating a copy of the notice to every Club Member address and posting the notice on the HCABA notice board.  Members must advise the Secretary in writing of any business to be moved at the Annual General Meeting at least (14) days before a meeting.  The Secretary shall circulate or give notice of the agenda for the meeting to Members not less than (7) days before the meeting. It is the responsibility of the club to inform the HCABA Secretary of any changes to the club secretary name and address.

8.2              The business of the AGM shall be to:

8.2.1        Confirm the minutes of the previous AGM and any General Meetings held since the last AGM.

8.2.2        Receive the audited accounts for the year from the Treasurer.

8.2.3        Receive the annual report of the Committee from the Secretary.

8.2.4        Appoint an auditor.

8.2.5        Elect the Officers of the HCABA i.e. President, Secretary, Treasurer, Registrar and other Executive Committee Members.

8.2.6        Elect Club Members to the ABAE Council Member and / or Commission Members.

8.2.7        Appoint Members to its Grievance and Discipline Panel.

8.2.8        Review any subscription rates and agree them for the forthcoming year.

8.2.9        Transact such other business received in writing by the Secretary from Members (14) days prior to the meeting and included on the agenda.  The agenda could provide for “Any Other Business”, but Members should be encouraged to refer other items to the Executive Committee and give the required notice for important AGM business.

8.3              Special General Meetings may be convened by the Executive Committee or on receipt by the Secretary of a request in writing from not less than 75% of all eligible Club Members of the Organisation.  At least 21 days’ notice of the meeting shall be given.

8.4              Nomination of candidates for election of Officers shall be made in writing to the Secretary at least 14 days in advance of the Annual General Meeting date.  Nominations can only be made by Club Members and must be seconded by another Club Member.

8.5              At all Executive Meetings, the Chair will be taken by the President or, in their absence, by a Deputy appointed by HCABA.

8.6              Decisions made at an Executive Meeting shall be by a simple majority of votes from those Club Members attending the meeting.  In the event of equal votes, the Chairperson shall be entitled to an additional casting vote.

8.7              A quorum for an Executive Meeting shall be 50% of all Executive Members and two officers of the Organisation from the President, Registrar, Secretary and Treasurer.

8.8              Each Executive Committee Member of the HCABA shall be entitled to one vote at General Meetings.

9.         Alterations to the Constitution

Any proposed alterations to the HCABA’s Constitution may only be considered at an Annual or Special General Meeting convened with the required written notice of the proposal.  Any alteration or amendment must be proposed by a Club Member of the HCABA and seconded by another Club Member.  Such alterations shall be passed if supported by not less than 75% of all Club Members entitled to vote at an AGM.

10.       Dissolution

10.1          If at any of the Organisation’s GMs, a resolution be passed calling for the dissolution of the Organisation, the Secretary shall immediately convene a Special General Meeting of the Organisation to be held not less than one month thereafter to discuss and vote on the resolution.

10.1.1    If, at the Special General Meeting, the resolution is carried by at least 75% of the Full Members eligible to vote, the General Committee shall thereupon, or at such date shall have been specified in the resolution, proceed to realise the assets of the Organisation and discharge all debts and liabilities of the Organisation.

After discharging all debts and liabilities of the Organisation, the remaining assets shall not be paid or distributed amongst the Club Members of the Organisation, but shall be given or transferred to the ABAE