Club Constitution

This Constitution is a complete and inclusive document recording all amendments passed by Club members in attendance at the Annual General Meetings of Creggs RFC up to and including the AGM on the June 1st 2023.

All subsequent amendments passed will be listed as an Annex to this Constitution and should be read in conjunction therewith.

1. NAME:

The name of the Club shall be Creggs Rugby Football Club

The Club Premises shall be situated at The Green, Creggs Co Galway F42 YA24

2. COLOURS AND CREST:

The Club Colours shall be Maroon, White and Black.

The Club Crest shall be a Stags Head.

3. OBJECTS, VISION, MISSION AND EQUALITY:

Objects:

(a) To play and promote the game of Rugby Football for the whole of the community in accordance with the Rules and Laws of the IRFU.

(b) To provide and maintain, the best facilities and organisational structure to allow all members to train and play competitive rugby union.

Vision and Mission:

The vision of the club is that this is done in a fair inclusive community based environment where all stakeholders prosper. The mission is that parents, supporters, locals and players benefit from the example set by the club and that the community is a richer place because of it.

Equality:

(a) The Club is committed to ensuring that equality is incorporated across all aspects of its development and the club will provide all reasonable accommodation to ensure that no member is discriminated against under any aspect of Irish law

The Club is committed to everyone having the right to enjoy their sport in an environment free from threat of intimidation, harassment and abuse.

All club members have a responsibility to oppose discriminatory behaviour and promote equality of opportunity.

The Club must deal with any incidence of discriminatory behaviour seriously, according to Club disciplinary procedures.

(b) The Club is fully committed to safeguarding the well-being of its members. Every individual in the Club should, at all times show respect and understanding for their rights, safety and welfare, and conduct themselves in a way that reflects the principles of the Club, the values of rugby and the safeguarding guidelines issued by the IRFU and Sport Ireland.

To help create a child-centred environment and to ensure that best practice is followed by this Club we shall work closely with the IRFU and Connacht Rugby and adhere to and embrace the aims and protocols of their safeguarding policies. The Club has adopted Sport Irelands Safeguarding Guidance for Children and Young People in Sport and agrees to operate within its guidelines. We ensure that the General Committee is elected or endorsed by registered members at each AGM

• Adopt and consistently apply a safe and clearly defined method of recruiting and selecting Sports Leaders
• Clearly define the role of committee members, all Sports coaches/volunteers and parents/guardians
• Appoint at least one Club Child Welfare Officer
• The Club’s Child Welfare Officer shall be the Club’s Designated Liaison Person(DLP)to act as liaison with the Branch and National Child Welfare Officers of the NGB and Statutory Authorities in relation to the reporting of allegations or suspicions of child abuse
• Ensure best practice throughout the club by disseminating codes of conduct including disciplinary, complaints, and appeals procedures and club policies to all the members.
• Ensure that all Sports Leaders report to the General Committee on a regular basis
• Encourage regular turnover of committee membership whilst ensuring continuity of experience
• Develop effective procedures for responding to and recording accidents and incidents

A copy of the Club’s Child Protection policy in line with IRFU relevant documentation, Procedures and Codes of Conduct is available to all members on our website or from the Child Welfare Officer.

4. GENERAL

The General Committee shall be the sole authority for the interpretation of the Rules and regulations made hereunder and its decision shall be final and binding on the Members subject to appeal to a General Meeting.

5. MEMBERSHIP
6. a) The Club shall consist of Honorary Life-Members, Life Members, Ordinary Members (non-Playing), Playing Adult Members, Student Members, Youth Members and Mini Members.

Family membership includes a mix of categories listed above but is not a stand-alone membership category.

No Member other than an Honorary Life-Member, Life-Member, Ordinary member Playing Member or Student Member who is over 18 years of age shall be eligible to be a Trustee, an Officer, a member of the General Committee or to be present or to vote at General Meetings.

1. b) No person under the age of eighteen years of age shall be eligible for Membership, but persons under that age shall be eligible for election to Youth, Mini and Family Membership.
2. c) Student Members shall be over eighteen years of age and shall be in full-time of part-time attendance in third level education or serving a recognised apprentice programme.
3. d) Mini Members shall be aged from six years to twelve years of age and youth members shall be from thirteen years and up to eighteen years of age in line with Connacht age grade rugby.
4. e) Playing Members shall be those persons who are available for selection to play for the senior and junior teams on a regular basis (including any persons who may be temporarily unavailable due to injury).
5. f) Life Members shall be persons who have availed of Life Membership and paid the appropriate subscription when Life Membership has been made available by the General Committee
6. g) Honorary Life Members shall be elected by a majority of Members present and voting at a General Meeting having first been proposed by the General Committee. Any person who has rendered special service to the Club or to Rugby Football in general may be so elected.
7. h) Family Membership: This constitutes more than two children (siblings) from six and up to eighteen years of age. Family Membership is only for children as outlined. There is an Opt in membership for the parent/s or guardian/s option under Family membership in the following categories: Ordinary Members (non-Playing) and Playing Adult Members.

6. ADMISSION TO MEMBERSHIP:

Admission to all categories of membership shall be by resolution of the General Committee on recommendation of the membership Sub-Committee.

Application for membership can be made electronically or by membership form available from the membership committee.

A candidate is deemed to be member of the Club ONLY when their application Individually or En Bloc is put to and approved by the General Committee. Submitting the forms manually or online and payment accepted by the Club is NOT an admission to Club Membership and acts only as part of the process as outlined.

In the case where the General Committee does not approve an application for Club membership the Club will communicate this fact to the applicant/s along with a full refund of monies paid within a twenty one day period following the General Committee’s decision pertaining to same.

Candidates proposed and not elected shall not be proposed again for membership within a period of twelve months.

The Committee may accept a new application for membership received after the 31^st December where it deems exceptional circumstance exist such as a player returning from overseas etc.

7. SUBSCRIPTIONS:

The rates of subscription for each category of membership shall be decided by the General Committee annually and ratified by the AGM

Subscriptions are due on the 1st day of September. Any Member other than an Honorary Life or Life Member whose annual subscription is not paid by the last day of December in any calendar year shall cease to be a Member on that date and shall not be eligible to participate in any of the club’s activities, or to partake in the privileges attached to membership but may be re-elected on payment of all arrears due.

Members whose subscriptions are not fully paid at the date of a General Meeting shall not be entitled to attend or vote at such meetings. Every Member shall be liable for the subscription until he or she gives notice of resignation in writing to the Honorary Secretary.

8. RESIGNATION FROM MEMBERSHIP:

(a) Any Member wishing to resign from the Club shall notify the Honorary Secretary in writing of his/her intention to do so.

(b) Any person on ceasing to be a Member of the Club shall forfeit all rights to and claim upon, the Club, its property and funds.

9. SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION OF MEMBERS:

In circumstances where the welfare or reputation of the Club appears to the General Committee to be endangered by the action of a Member, the General Committee shall, at its discretion, upon giving notice to such Member take whatever action it deems necessary to suspend or terminate his/her Membership. The General Committee shall have the power to suspend a Member from all club activities and benefits for a period not exceeding one month on each occasion.

When it is proposed to suspend or expel a Member for a period of more than one month, a General Committee meeting shall be called for that purpose. The decision to suspend or expel a person will be decided by a two-thirds majority of those present and voting. Voting shall be by secret ballot of those present. The Hon Secretary and one other Officer will oversee the distribution of ballot papers to eligible members and the counting and reporting to the Chairperson of the outcome for him/her to declare.

The Member shall be entitled to be heard at the meeting at which the suspension or expulsion is moved.

Any Member so expelled or suspended shall have a right of appeal to an Extraordinary General Meeting to be summoned within fourteen days of the suspension or expulsion provided that twenty Members sign a requisition to the Honorary Secretary to call such meeting. The suspension or expulsion shall stand confirmed unless a two-thirds majority of those present and entitled to vote, vote to the contrary. If the suspension or expulsion is revoked it shall be lifted or the Member reinstated as the case may be. Voting at such an EGM shall be by secret ballot.

Notwithstanding the foregoing the General Committee shall have the power in its discretion to allow any Member who has been expelled to be nominated for re-election to membership of the Club following the recognised application process.

Any member expelled from the Club will not be entitled to any monetary refund of membership paid.

• ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS:

Save in exceptional circumstances an Annual General Meeting shall be held each year no later than the last day in June and its functions shall include the following:

(a) Adopt the minutes of the previous AGM

(b) Receive the reports of the Honorary Secretary and the Honorary Treasurer together with the audited accounts to the end of the previous financial year.

(c) Elect Honorary Officers,

(d) Elect Members of the General Committee,

(e) Elect Adult Team Captains and Coaches

(f) Appoint Auditors,

(g) Consider motions and resolutions properly put before the AGM,

(h) Pass any rule, which must be renewed annually

Any Member wishing to move any resolution at the AGM shall give notice thereof in writing (letter or email) to the Honorary Secretary. This notice must be received by the Honorary Secretary not less than eight days before the meeting. The Hon Secretary will advise the membership electronically or by letter of any resolutions received no less than 5 days before the AGM

Non-members may at the discretion of the Officers of the Club attend General Meetings including the AGM and may be allowed to speak but only at the discretion of the Chair.

• EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETINGS:

The Honorary Secretary shall convene an Extraordinary General Meeting:

(a) At such time as directed by resolution of the General Committee.

(b) On a requisition signed by at least twenty Members (who are entitled to vote at general meetings), specifying the resolution(s) to be discussed, such meeting shall be summoned within three weeks of the receipt of the requisition, or in default may be convened by the requisitionists.

(c) Fourteen days’ notice at least specifying the place, day and hour of the holding of an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Club shall be given to members entitled to vote in writing or electronically, specifying the time and place of the meeting and the business to be transacted.

• GENERAL MEETINGS:

The Club will hold between one and three General Meetings annually determined by the General Committee. This includes the AGM.

The purpose of a General Meeting is to invite all the Clubs Members to attend and be updated by the officers of the Club as to the current operational status of their Club and allow a forum of discussion for members views and comments.

A minimum of fourteen days’ notice specifying the place, day and hour of the holding of a General Meeting shall be given of the holding of a General Meeting.

(a) A written notice shall be delivered to a Member electronically or by mail at the last notified address.

(b) The non-receipt of the notice by a Member shall not invalidate the proceedings of any General Meeting.

1. Attendance at any General Meeting is restricted solely to Honorary Life and paid-up Members. [as defined in Rule 5 (a)]
2. Twenty Members present shall constitute a QUORUM.
3. No business shall be transacted at a General Meeting unless a quorum is present when the meeting first proceeds
4. If within one half-hour of the appointed time that quorum is not present, the meeting, if requisitioned by members, shall be dissolved; in any other case it shall stand adjourned to the same day in the next week at the same time and place.
5. The chair at all General Meetings shall be taken by the President or in his/her absence by the Vice-President, or failing that any Officer of the Club. In the absence of these officers, the Members present may elect a chairperson

13. VOTING:

At all General Meetings including the AGM shall be restricted to Honorary Life and paid-up Members present. [as defined in Rule 5 (a)] voting by proxy is not permitted.

(a) Voting will be by way of voting card distributed on the night to eligible members

(b) Resolutions put to the vote shall be decided by a show of Cards unless a secret ballot is requested by a Member and this is supported by the majority of Members present. The Hon Secretary and two other Officers will oversee the distribution of ballot papers to eligible members and the counting and reporting to the Chairperson of the outcome for him/her to declare.

(c) The Chairperson, in addition to his/her vote as a Member of the Club, shall have a casting vote.

• ACCOUNTS:

(a) The Committee shall cause correct books and accounts to be kept showing the financial affairs of the Club and the accuracy thereof shall be ascertained at the end of each financial year by auditors appointed at the AGM.

(b) The financial year of the Club shall end on the 31st of May in each year to which day the accounts of the Club shall be balanced.

(c) All accounts in the name of the Club shall be maintained in bank nominated by the Committee which shall be under the control of the Hon Treasurer and all monies of the Club shall be lodged to the credit of this account/accounts. All cheques drawn on the account/accounts of the Club shall be signed by two approved Signatories appointed by the General Committee.(any two from several submitted and the Hon Treasurer must be one of the submitted authorised signatories)

(d) The General Committee shall decide at the end of each financial year how any surplus funds accruing to the Club are to be applied.

• OFFICERS AND CLUB MANAGEMENT:

The Officers of the Club shall consist of the Club President, Vice-President, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer and Ex Officio Past President (non-elected)

The Officers of the Club are responsible, led by the President for the day to day decisions that need to be made in advance of a scheduled Committee meeting where an EGM is not called for. Any such decisions and actions taken must be reported by the Hon Secretary to the next Committee meeting under the agenda heading “Correspondence and Reports” if not already listed as a separate agenda item for the next Committee meeting.

(a) They shall be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting and shall hold office until the following Annual General Meeting unless they resign or are removed from office by a two-thirds majority of Members at a General Meeting. To be eligible for election as an Officer of the Club a member must have served at least Three years as a committee member prior to his or her name going forward.

(b) The names of candidates who have consented to stand for election, together with the names of their proposers and seconders, shall be given to the Honorary Secretary in writing and shall be posted by him/her on the Club notice board and website at least seven days before the Annual General Meeting

(c) Outgoing Officers shall be eligible for re-election. The maximum number of consecutive years that an individual can serve in a specific role (President, Hon Sec etc) as officer of the Club is three years. While the Officers are elected annually at the AGM the Club recognise it is aspirational that an Officer will serve two years in a specific post. Nominations may be taken En Bloc if no alternative candidate is proposed from the membership.

(d) The candidates for Club President shall have been a member of the Club for a continuous period of at least three years immediately prior to the date of the meeting.

(e) The Duties of the Honorary Officers shall be determined by the General Committee.

(f) The Duties of the various Sub-Committees shall be determined by the General Committee.

• HONORARY VICE-PRESIDENT/SECRETARY/TREASURER

The Honorary Vice-President is nominated by the General Committee and shall be proposed, seconded and elected at the Annual General Meeting each year. He/She will fulfil the role/Duties of the Club President in the event of The President being unavailable or incapacitated. They shall hold their position until the following year’s AGM.

The Hon. Secretary shall conduct the correspondence of the Club and shall have custody of all documents belonging to the Club. He/she shall keep full and correct minutes of all general proceedings in which the Club participate, The Hon Secretary is elected at the Annual General Meeting each year and shall hold their position until the following year’s AGM.

The Hon. Treasurer shall keep correct Books and Accounts showing the financial affairs and receipts and disbursements of the Club, and a financial statement duly audited by an approved Auditor and shall be submitted to the Annual General Meeting each year. The Hon Treasurer is elected at the Annual General Meeting each year and shall hold their position until the following year’s AGM.

• GENERAL COMMITTEE:

The business and affairs of the Club shall be under the management of the General Committee which shall consist of between Twenty and Thirty eligible members.

The Committee must include:

1. a) the Officers of the Club(section14)
2. b) the Child Welfare Officer
3. c) Connacht Rugby Branch Rep/s
4. d) The First XV Captain or Nominated Adult Player
5. e) Chairperson of the following Sub-Committees if they exist,

Finance

Membership

Grounds

Rugby Football

Womens Rugby

Youths

Minis

House

PRO/Club Media

Disciplinary

Members not included in 17 (a), (b), (c), (d) & (e) above who have consented to stand for election, together with the names of their proposers and seconders, shall be given electronically or in writing to the Honorary Secretary, and shall be posted on the Club notice board and website at least seven days before the Annual General Meeting. If any position remains unfilled on the day of the AGM the Chair may take nominations proposed and seconded from the floor.

At meetings of the General Committee the chair shall be taken by the Club President, in whose absence, the chair shall be appointed from an Officer of the Club present and agreed by those attending.

The General Committee shall hold monthly meetings, not less than 8 annually, for the purpose of transacting the business of the Club where 10 members of the Committee shall constitute a QUORUM

• VACANCY ON THE GENERAL COMMITTEE:

The General Committee shall have the power to co-opt a Member to fill any vacancy that may arise amongst the Honorary Officers or Sub Committees. They may also co-opt a club member to the General Committee if a position is vacant.

• GENERAL COMMITTEE MEETINGS:

The General Committee shall be the senior committee and shall meet at least once in each calendar month, excluding exceptional circumstances, of the rugby season to manage the affairs of the Club.

• The Honorary Secretary shall call a meeting monthly at a time and date agreed by the general committee at its most recent meeting or at any time on the receipt of a requisition from any four Members of the General Committee in writing. Such a meeting should be held within 14 days of receipt of this request by the Hon. Secretary.
• The Honorary Secretary shall record the attendance at the meeting and the business of the meeting in a minute book. The minutes of committee meetings will be circulated to all committee members electronically or in writing within 10 days of the meeting. Each minute signed by the Chairman shall be sufficient evidence of the facts stated therein.
• The General Committee shall appoint such sub-Committees as it may deem necessary to manage specific aspects of the Clubs affairs. Records of the minutes of such sub-committees shall be available to the General Committee.
• Matters arising at any meeting of the General Committee shall be decided by a majority of votes of those present and voting. Resolutions put to the vote shall be decided by a show of hands unless a secret ballot is requested by a Member and this is supported by the majority of Members present. Two Officers present excluding the Chair will oversee the distribution of ballot papers to eligible members and the counting and reporting to the Chairperson of the outcome for him/her to declare.
• The Chairperson shall be entitled to a casting vote in addition to his/her vote in the event of a tied result.
• The outgoing General Committee shall elect the Chairpersons of the sub committees, the Connacht Branch Representative and the Coaches for all teams for the following season.
• The incoming General Committee shall fill any position which the outgoing General Committee had not filled and any positions outstanding following the Annual General Meeting.

• SUB- COMMITTEES:
• There shall be a Finance Sub Committee composed of the following: The Hon Treasurer the Finance Committee Chair (not necessarily the Hon Treasurer) and such Members as are approved by the General Committee.
• There shall be a Rugby Football Sub Committee composed of the following: Chairperson of the Rugby Committee, the Youth Co-Ordinator, the Mini Co-Ordinator and such Members as are approved by the General Committee.
• There shall be a Grounds Sub Committee composed of the following: The Chairperson of the Grounds Committee, and such Members as are approved by the General Committee.
• There shall be a Youth Sub Committee composed of the following: The Youth Co-Ordinator, a Child Welfare Officer, and such Members as are approved by the General Committee.
• There shall be a Minis Sub Committee composed of the following: The Mini Co-Ordinator, a Child Welfare Officer and such members as are approved by General Committee.
• There shall be a Disciplinary Sub Committee as outlined in Section 21
• There shall be a Membership Sub Committee composed of the following: The Membership Chairperson appointed by the General Committee and such members as are approved by General Committee.
• There shall be a House Sub Committee composed of the following: The House Chairperson appointed by the General Committee and such members as are approved by General Committee.
• There shall be a Women’s Rugby Sub Committee composed of the following: The Women’s Rugby Chairperson appointed by the General Committee and such members as are approved by General Committee.
• There shall be a Media Sub Committee composed of the following: The PRO appointed by the General Committee and such members as are approved by General Committee.

All Sub-Committees must include at least one member of the General Committee.

• DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEES

ADULT

The Disciplinary Committees shall adjudicate on Rugby and non-Rugby issues where a specific matter has arisen involving Club Member/s and has been brought to the attention of the Officers who refer the matter either to the General Committee or directly to the relevant Disciplinary Committee.

• The Disciplinary Committee with respect to members over the age of 18 years shall be composed of the following:- The Disciplinary Officer who shall be the Chairperson along with the Club President or other Club Officer if unavailable, 1st XV Captain (only if it is a rugby disciplinary matter) and two other Committee members nominated by the Disciplinary Officer and approved by the Club Officers.
• The Disciplinary Committee shall adjudicate on all Infringements of Rules referred to it and shall impose whatever penalty it considers appropriate. In relation to foul play on the field it shall take into consideration the penalty guidelines set out in the Rules and Regulations of the IRFU on such matters. All findings and penalties imposed shall be notified to the Committee at its first meeting following the Disciplinary Committee’s final adjudication.
• The Disciplinary Committee can through its Chairman, if he considers it appropriate and necessary, convene a meeting of the Disciplinary Committee to consider any Infringement of the Rules of which he has been made aware.

YOUTH

• The Disciplinary Committee with respect to members under the age of 18 (youth rugby members) shall consist of the Head of Youth Rugby who shall be the chairperson along with A Child Welfare Officer and two other Committee members nominated by the convenor and approved by the Club Officers. All correspondence shall be addressed to the parents or guardians of the member. A parent or guardian of the member will be permitted to attend and make representations at a disciplinary hearing. All findings and penalties imposed should be notified to the Executive Committee at its first meeting following the Disciplinary Committee’s final adjudication.

• YOUTH AND MINI SECTION:

(i) In accordance with the objects of the Club as stated in Rules 3 and 4, the Club shall make provision for a Youth Section. Members of this section shall be designated Youth Members and will be restricted to persons from U13’s to U18.5’s or as per the Connacht Rugby age grade guidelines.

• The Youth Coordinator shall be appointed by the outgoing General Committee for the following season.
• Youth Members, on payment of the annual subscription, shall be elected to membership as per the process outlined for Adult Membership Section 5

(ii) In accordance with the objectives of the club as stated in rules 3 and 4, The club shall make provision for a mini section. Members of this section shall be designated mini members and will be restricted to persons from six years of age and up to under 12

• The Minis Coordinator shall be appointed by the outgoing General Committee for the following season.
• Mini Members shall be admitted on payment of the appropriate annual subscription as per the process outlined for Adult Membership Section 5.

The Club shall appoint a Child Welfare Officer/s. The Club Child Welfare Officers shall be the Club’s designated person in all health, safety and welfare matters concerning Youth members.

• RESIGNATION FROM COMMITTEE OR OFFICE OF THE CLUB:

A General Committee Member if re-elected may serve a maximum of 6 consecutive years on the committee. This does not include time served as an officer of the Club. To be eligible to serve as an Officer of the Club a member must have served a minimum of two years as a Committee Member. An officer of the Club or Any Committee Member or Officer, by giving notice in writing, may resign from the General Committee or from Honorary Office in the Club. Any committee member not including Club Officers who have failed to attend four meetings annually of the General Committee without showing reasonable cause, shall at the discretion of the General Committee be deemed to have given such notice.

• TRUSTEES:
• The Trustees of the Club shall be up to five and no less than three Members of the Club of at least ten years standing (in this Constitution called “The Trustees”)
• The Trustees shall be elected by a two-thirds majority of the Members of the Club at Annual General Meeting. No Member shall be elected a Club Trustee without his or her consent in writing having previously been obtained.
• All Trustees will on election to the position be automatically awarded Hon Life Membership of the Club
• Any Trustee may be removed from office by a resolution passed by a two-thirds majority of the Members present and voting thereon at an Annual or Extraordinary General Meeting provided that notice of a resolution to that effect shall be given in the notice convening that meeting. Unless so removed every Trustee shall hold office until death or resignation.
• In case of vacancy in the office of Trustee and pending the filling of it at AGM the surviving trustee or trustees shall have power to act notwithstanding the vacancy.
• All the funds and property of the Club shall be vested in the Trustees who shall hold these on behalf of the Club but the General Committee shall administer cash and bank balances.
• The Trustees shall have power to dispose of, mortgage and otherwise deal with the club property solely in accordance with the resolution to that effect passed by the General Committee.
• The Trustees may when authorised so to do by the General Committee guarantee on behalf of the Club the repayment of monies including interest advanced to the Club
• No personal liability whatsoever shall attach to any Trustee except to the extent of such funds of the Club as may actually be received by him or her or be in his or her control and the trustees shall be indemnified in full by the Club in respect of any expenses or costs incurred by them or any of them arising out of the discharge of their duties.
• Any guarantee given by the Trustees shall be binding on the Club and a copy of the resolution authorising the giving of the guarantees duly signed by the Chairperson of the General Committee meeting at which the resolution was adopted shall be sent to the Trustees and to the financial institution concerned.
• The Trustees of the Club from time to time are authorised to collect, sue and recover all subscriptions and any other sums of money due under the rules from time to time on behalf of the Club and to bring all actions or claims and institute and defend all proceedings that shall be deemed necessary for the purpose of enforcing or defending any claim or right of the club, provided that claims shall be made and proceedings taken or defended only on the direction of the General Committee.
• Any two Trustees may sign on behalf of the Club except where otherwise directed by law.
• Decisions of the Trustees may be by majority vote but no decision may be taken unless all trustees are present and voting.
• Each or all of the Trustees shall be entitled to access to all minutes or financial records of the Club whenever they may wish and in addition shall have the power to request and attend a special General Committee Meeting.
• BORROWINGS:

The General Committee shall have the power to borrow up to a maximum of €200,000 for the purposes of the Club by way of overdraft, term loan, loan account, or otherwise from the Club’s bankers, with interest in the category of accommodation granted, such amount of money at one time, from time to time as it may deem proper and to give security for such borrowing and the interest thereby by the issue of exchange, promissory notes or other obligations or securities of the Club, or by mortgage or charge upon all or any part of the property of the Club and thereupon, the Trustees shall, at the discretion of the General Committee, make all such dispositions of the Club’s property or any part thereof, and enter into such agreements in relation thereto as it may deem proper for giving such security. Any sum in excess of €200,000 shall require the approval of a majority of Members present and voting at a General Meeting.

• ALTERATION OF CONSTITUTION.

The General Committee may alter or add to these rules for the purpose of complying with the Registration of Clubs (Ireland) Act 1904, or any Act which may be passed amending same, but (except for the purpose aforesaid) no rule of the Club shall be repealed or altered, or new Rules made, except at a General Meeting at which not fewer than twenty Members [as defined in Rule 4 (i)] must be present, and written notice of the proposed change must be received by the Honorary Secretary with the names of the proposer and seconder attached, at least ten days previous to the meeting at which it is to be considered. Details of the proposed change will be displayed on the Club notice board and website by the Honorary Secretary not less than seven days prior to the meeting.

27. DISSOLUTION OF THE CLUB.

If at any General Meeting a resolution for the dissolution of the Club shall be passed by a majority of the Members [as defined in Rule 4(i)] present and such a resolution shall, at an Extraordinary General Meeting held not less than one month thereafter at which not less than two-thirds of the Honorary Life, and paid-up Members shall be present, be confirmed by a resolution passed by a majority of two-thirds of the Members voting thereon, the funds and property of the Club, after all liabilities have been discharged, shall be divided equally among those Members eligible to vote at a General Meeting of the Club [as defined in Rule 4 (i)].