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Club Rules:
Rules for Membership (AGM Approved – 8 Oct 25)
The Club – The Club shall be known as Hellingly Bowls Club, Lower Horsebridge Recreation Ground, Horsebridge BN27 4DL.
Affiliation – The Club is affiliated to Bowls England and Sussex County Bowls.
The Committee – The Committee of the Club shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting and shall consist of the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Captain and Vice Captain of the Men’s Section, Captain and Vice Captain of the Ladies’ Section, Club Secretary, Match Secretary, Treasurer, Green Keeper, Membership Officer, Safeguarding Officer and up to five members of the Club to serve on the Committee.
The Chairman, or in their absence the Vice Chairman, or in their absence either of the Captains or Vice Captains, shall preside at the meetings of the Committee. Five members of the Committee shall form a quorum.
Committee Meetings – The Committee shall meet as often as required and shall be responsible for the management of the Club, with the power to co-opt and to fill any vacancy which may occur during the year and to appoint such sub committees as may be necessary.
Any complaint or matter for consideration by the committee shall be submitted to the Secretary in writing at least seven days prior to the next meeting.
A Special General Meeting of the Club shall be held when considered necessary by the Committee, or on requisition signed by ten members. Seven days’ notice of a Special General Meeting shall be given to members. The notice shall state the nature of the business to be transacted.
Membership – Membership shall be open to all persons resident in the Parish of Hellingly and such other persons as the Committee shall think fit. The Committee shall have the power to consider references from previous clubs and accept or reject any application for membership. Persons making application who are, or intend to be members of any other club, may have the choice of playing matches and club tournaments for one club only.
A member may join as a Full Member or Social Member. Only Full Members may enter their name for all matches and competitions.
The annual membership subscription shall be agreed at the Annual General Meeting for the year – 1 st January to 31 st December. Payment is due by the 31 st January each year, subject to any split payment arrangements agreed by the Committee. Only paid-up members may use the Green and equipment.
Social Membership – Social members are encouraged to join all social events but are restricted to three roll ups in a season at a charge set by the committee. The social member is responsible for ensuring the playing fee is placed in the box provided in the Pavilion. Social members are not permitted to represent the Club in a match or club competition. They may attend the AGM where they can stand for office and join in discussions, but they are not permitted to vote. Social members will be included in the Tea Duty Rota, but it is not mandatory.
If a social member wishes to become a full member during the playing season, they must apply to the committee for approval via the club secretary. The fee for transfer shall be decided by the committee, normally pro rata to the balance of the season remaining.
Visitors – Visitors accompanied by a member are allowed to play for a fee, which is set by the committee. The member is responsible for ensuring the Visitors Book is signed and the playing fee is placed in the box provided in the Pavilion.
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Dress Code – No person shall be allowed on the Green unless wearing the regulation bowling shoes. Dress for all matches shall be either navy blue or whites as designated on the Match Selection Sheet, with white tops or Club tops above the waist.
Misconduct – Any person alleged to have been guilty of conduct derogatory to the welfare of the Club shall be requested to attend a meeting of the Committee to explain why their membership should not be withdrawn. Any further matter requiring guidance shall follow Bowls England Regulation 9 (Misconduct).
Any Member wilfully causing damage to the property of the Club, shall be liable for the extent of the damage.
Annual General Meeting – The AGM of the Club shall be held as soon after the close of the season as circumstances permit, normally in October. Fourteen days’ notice of the meeting shall be given to members.
Any proposal for inclusion in the AGM Agenda must be notified to the Club Secretary at least seven days before the AGM. This is to allow time for all members to be informed of the proposal.
Life Membership – Should a member be proposed, seconded and approved at an AGM for outstanding service to the Club, they should be offered Life Membership. Such a title should be recognised by the Club for the lifetime of that person and should grant them free full membership of the Club. It is anticipated that there can be up to six such actively involved members at any one time.
Security – All Member’s property left in the pavilion or changing rooms is entirely at the owner’s risk.
Player selection – The selection of players for club matches shall be left to the Selection Committee consisting of the four Captains and Vice Captains. In Club competitions the member whose name appears first is responsible for arranging a suitable date with an opponent and appointing a marker.
Safeguarding – Hellingly Bowls Club is committed to promoting a safe environment in which children and vulnerable adults can enjoy taking part in games of bowls. It will seek to underpin and ensure this commitment by following and promoting the Joint Child Protection Policy and Procedures of the National Governing Bodies.
Mobile phones – are not to be used while a match is being played or in the clubhouse. If a call needs to be taken in an emergency, it is to be taken outside of the clubhouse. Mobiles should be turned off, or the sound down, when playing for the duration of the match which includes
teatime.
Smoking and the use of vapes is prohibited on Club premises at all times.
No alteration or addition to these Rules shall be made except at an AGM or an Extraordinary General Meeting. Seven days notice stating any such alteration shall be given by the Club Secretary to members. In the event of further clarification on a matter being required, the Bowls
England Model Constitution, should be followed.