CCAA constitution

Please note the constitution is currently being updated

CCAA Constitution - As agreed at AGM on 13/02/2002

1. TITLE

The Association shall be the Cheshire County Athletic Association, herein referred to as "the Association".

2. COUNTY DISTRICT

The County District shall be that of the present administrative county of Cheshire, plus the unitary authorities of Halton and Warrington herein referred to as "the County"

3. OBJECTS

The objects of the Association shall be:

a) to co-ordinate and manage athletics (all disciplines) in the County;

b) to encourage, promote and develop athletics in the County;

c) to represent the County on all appropriate bodies;

d) to select and manage representative teams;

e) to promote, organize and encourage the holding of athletic competitions, meetings, championships and events in the County;

f) to assist the North of England Athletic Association (NoEAA), UK Athletics (UKA) and the Amateur Athletic Association of England (AAA of E) in the performance of their objects, powers and duties.

4. POWERS and DUTIES (as conferred as the NoEAA under rule 16[f]).

To: a) support the development of athletics and encourage Clubs to become affiliated to the NoEAA;

b) process applications for affiliation and make recommendations to the NoEAA Management Committee regarding acceptance or rejection;

c) consider all proposals to hold athletic events within the County and issue appropriate approval after ensuring that the timing of such events will not result in clashes to the disadvantage of the sport within the NoEAA Territory;

d) supervise, as far as is possible, all athletic events held within the County, both in the interests of athletics and to ensure safety, and that the appropriate laws and rules for competition are observed;

e) investigate any instances of alleged breach of rules, misconduct or improper practice in respect of events taking place within the County, and recommend appropriate action to the NoEAA Management Committee;

f) investigate applications for re-qualification and reinstatement from persons residing within the County and make recommendations to the NoEAA Management Committee;

g) ensure, as far as is possible, that the affiliated clubs and organizations fulfill their obligations to members and/or competitors in accordance with the UKA/AAA of E Laws and those of the NoEAA;

h) assist in resolving problems related to the membership of individual athletes, as far as first claim matters, conduct and arrears of subscriptions;

i) encourage the recruitment and training of Officials and Coaches;

j) support the development of Awards and Standards schemes.

5. MEMBERSHIP

All Clubs whose headquarters lie within the County and whose constitutions and objects are consistent with those of the NoEAA and UKA and are affiliated to those bodies shall automatically be members of the Association. In addition, other organisations (herein after referred to as "Clubs") whose Honorary secretary lives in the County and are affiliated to the NoEAA and UKA shall be members of the Association.

6. GENERAL MEETINGS

a) Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting of the Association shall be held in February. The Honorary Secretary shall notify the secretary of each member Club of the proposed time and place of the meeting at least 42 days in advance, requiring that nominations for Officers of the Association and other items of business for the meeting shall be notified in writing at least 28 days before the meeting is due to take place.

The Honorary Secretary shall, at least 14 days before the meeting, notify the secretary of each member Club of the business to be transacted at the meeting which shall include the following:

i) minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting and of any Extraordinary General Meeting that may have been held during the past year, and any business arising therefrom.

ii) annual report of the association.

iii) Honorary Treasurer's statement and accounts and Auditors' report.

iv) election of Officers for the ensuing year.

v) election of a Committee to be responsible for the administration of the sport in the County in the ensuing year.

vi) elect Vice Presidents, non-voting.

vii) elect representatives to the NoEAA General Committee in accordance with NoEAA rule 7c, i.e. one representative if 1 to 10 clubs, 2 representatives if 11 to 30 clubs, three representatives if 31 to 50 clubs and four representatives if over 50 clubs. Representatives are allowed to be substituted providing notice is given to the NoEAA by the Hon Secretary of the County.

viii) nominate Road Race Permit secretary to NoEAA Road Running Committee.

i x) nominate two persons, one to represent men, one to represent ladies, to the NoEAA Cross Country Committee.

x) elect an Emergency Committee of five members.

xi) appoint Hon Auditor

xii) other notified appropriate business

b) Extraordinary General Meeting

An Extraordinary General Meeting of the Association shal be called and held within 28 days:

i) at the instruction of the Officers;

ii) at the instruction of the General Committee, or

iii) on receipt of a written request from 10 clubs in full membership or 25% of member Clubs, whichever is the least.

The Honorary Secretary shall notify the secretary of each member Club at least 14 days prior to the meeting stating the time and place of the meeting and the business to be transacted at that meeting. No other business may be brought forward or discussed at the meeting.

c) Quorum

No business shall be transacted at a General Meeting unless representatives of at least six Clubs in full membership are present.

d) Voting Rights

Voting Rights at General Meetings of the Association shall be in accordance with Appendix 1 of NoEAA constitution and are:

Clubs with 101 to 200 members 2 votes

Clubs with 201 to 300 members 3 votes

Clubs with 301 to 400 members 4 votes

Clubs with 401 or more members 5 votes

All other Organizations, including clubs with 1 to 100 members 1 vote

Voting shall be a show of hands unless a ballot is demanded. Only those persons present who are eligible to vote may do so. One person may represent a club and have the appropriate number of votes.

7. MANAGEMENT OF THE ASSOCIATION

The management of the Association shall be vested in a General Committee consisting of the following:

a) Officers of the Association:

President

Chairperson

Honorary Secretary

Honorary Treasurer

b) Championship Secretaries for Track & Field, Cross Country, Road Relays, Combined Events and Sportshall Athletics.

c) Road Race Permit Secretary

d) Officials Secretary

e) Coaching Representative

f) Cheshire Schools AA representative

g) One representative from each club not otherwise represented

The General Committee shall have the powers to co-opt additional members.

The General Committee shall appoint sub-committees as are considered desirable to administer particular areas of business. All sub committee members need not be members of the General Committee.

The General Committee shall meet at least six times a year. A quorum for any meeting of the General Committee shall be seven members.

8. FINANCE

The financial year of the Association shall end on the 31^st December.

The Association will be financially responsible for (as laid down in Appendix 2 of the NoEAA constitution):

i) championship events.

ii) Representative Teams.

iii) match promotions.

iv) equipment and clothing.

v) League Competitions.

vi) Development, Coaching and Training of Technical Officials.

vii) Committee meetings in connection with any of the above items.

The administrative costs of the following will be funded by the NoEAA:

viii) General Meetings.

ix) Committee meetings held in respect of Affiliations, Investigations, Re-qualifications and the granting of permits for events.

x) meetings covering business other than (i) to (v) above.

xi) travelling expenses of representatives to NoEAA General Committee and Sub-Committee meetings.

xii) postage, telephone and stationery expenses of the Secretary and Treasurer incurred in respect of (viii) to (xi).

xiii) collecting Road Race Levy Fees for the NoEAA.

xiv) operating the Levy Fund Grant Aid Scheme.

9. COUNTY CHAMPIONSHIPS

Any athlete who complies with UKA Rule Number 9 for County Qualification shall be eligible to take part in the County Championships organised by the Association whether that individual belongs to a member club of the Association or not. All competitors in a County championship, if belonging to a Club affiliated to the NoEAA, must be a member of the NoEAA Membership Scheme. Competitors from Clubs outside the NoEAA, must be members of their Territory's Registration/Membership Scheme if one exists.

Awards will be presented at the County Championships at the discretion of the General Committee.

The County colours shall be black vest with yellow piping and letters. The County Badge shall be the Wheatsheaf.

County vests or Badges shall be awarded to athletes representing the County at Inter-County Championship Meetings on making their first appearance for the County. The Association may determine that partial or full payment be made for the cost of the Vest.

10. ALTERATIONS TO RULES

No modifications shall be made to the rules of this constitution except at a properly convened General Meeting of the Association. Any substantive change shall require a favorable vote of two thirds of those present and voting, unless such a change is required to comply with the laws of UKA and/or the NoEAA, when a simple majority will suffice.

Any matter not provided for in the rules of this Constitution shall be considered by the General Committee, whose decision shall be binding, subject to any appeal which may be provided for by the Rules of UKA or the NoEAA.