Rules and ByeLaws
CONSTITUTIONAL RULES
1 | Name and Objects |
| 1.1 | The name of the club is the "Hunts Sailing Club" (hereinafter known as the Club). |
| 1.2 | The objects of the Club are to promote and facilitate the sport of yachting and also to provide such social and other facilities for members as may from time to time be determined. |
| 1.3 | Membership of the Club is open to all the community without discrimination on the grounds of ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, sex, age or disability except as a necessary consequence of the requirements of sailing. |
| 1.4 | The Club shall be of a non-profit making nature. Any surplus income or gains shall be reinvested in the club and any distribution of club assets, in cash or in kind to members or third parties is not permitted. Donations by the club to Charities or to other clubs that are registered as Community Amateur Sports Clubs are permitted. |
2 | Club Flag |
| The flag of the Club shall be triangular and divided horizontally, the upper half being red and the lower half green and, superimposed centrally, a white stag's head facing the fly. | |
3 | Interpretation |
| 3.1 | Any word or phrase in these Rules or the Club's Byelaws using or implying either male or female gender shall also imply any or no gender. |
| 3.2 | The words "the Committee" in these Rules shall refer to the Committee as defined in Rule 11.1. |
| 3.3 | Side headings in these Rules are for convenience and have no effect on the meaning of any Rule. |
| 3.4 | Any question as to the meaning or application of any of these rules or any expression within these rules shall be determined by the Committee. |
4 | Officers |
| 4.1 | The Officers of the Club shall be Full Members of the Club and shall consist of a Commodore, a Vice-Commodore, a Rear Commodore, an Honorary Secretary, an Honorary Treasurer, an Honorary Membership Secretary, and an Honorary Sailing Secretary who shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) each year to hold office until the conclusion of the next AGM. The retiring Officers shall be eligible for re-election, up to a maximum period of seven years' service in any one post, except that the Commodore, Vice-Commodore and Rear Commodore shall serve in their posts for a maximum of three consecutive years. |
| 4.2 | No candidate for election to any office (other than the retiring officers) shall be proposed unless the name of such candidate and of his proposer shall have been sent to the Honorary Secretary before the 1st October immediately preceding the AGM. |
| 4.3 | The Honorary Secretary shall :- |
| 4.3(a) | keep custody of all legal documents of the Club or arrange for their safe keeping |
| 4.3(b) | conduct all legal correspondence of the Club |
| 4.3(c) | prepare and keep minutes of all meetings of the Club and the Committee which shall be confirmed and signed by the chairman on the agreement of the Club or Committee at the next meeting thereof |
| 4.3(d) | administer such insurance policy or policies as may be needed fully to protect the interests of the Club, its Officers and Members |
| 4.3(e) | advise the Club and/or the Committee, or obtain advice from a qualified source, on matters of current law to ensure that the Club's affairs are managed lawfully. |
| 4.4 | The Honorary Treasurer shall :- |
| 4.4(a) | cause such books of account to be kept as are necessary to give a true and fair view of the finances of the Club at all times |
| 4.4(b) | cause all returns as may be required by law in relation to such accounts to be rendered at the due time |
| 4.4(c) | prepare a Balance Sheet and Income and Expenditure Account for each year ended 30th September and cause them to be independently audited or verified and shall thereafter cause them to be exhibited in the Club premises at least fourteen days before the date of the AGM. |
| 4.5 | A suitably qualified Member of the Club shall be appointed or re-appointed as Honorary Auditor at each AGM for the following year, or the AGM or the Committee may appoint an accountant or firm of accountants to audit or verify the Club's accounts. |
| 4.6 | If the Honorary Auditor or the person or firm appointed to audit or verify the accounts is unable or unwilling to act, the Committee shall appoint a substitute to hold office until the conclusion of the next AGM. |
| 4.7 | The Honorary Membership Secretary shall :- |
| 4.7(a) | keep records of all Members of the Club, their addresses, classes of membership and classes of craft sailed at the Club, and all other details of Members as may be required by the Committee from time to time |
| 4.7(b) | issue, receive and process all applications for membership and/or renewal, including collection of fees, subscriptions and other monies related to all classes of membership, and to account to the Honorary Treasurer for all such sums |
| 4.7(c) | maintain the visitors' book and collect any fees due from guests |
| 4.7(d) | ensure the distribution, to all Members, of the Rules, Byelaws and Sailing Programme of the Club and any other information which the Committee may decide from time to time. |
5 | Categories of Membership |
| 5.1 | Adult Block Membership: applying to members of another sailing club or similar organisation which with the approval of the Committee can become affiliated to Hunts SC. Members of the affiliated club shall enjoy the use of all Hunts SC facilities at a set and regular time and subject to no more than 20 of its members on any given occasion. This number and time may be exceeded or changed for special events only with prior permission of the Committee. One nominated representative of the affiliated club May vote in any General Meeting, unless any member is also a Full Member in which case they also have one vote each, |
| 5.2 | Cadet Block Membership: applying to members of a youth organisation, school or similar organisation which with the approval of the Committee can become affiliated to Hunts SC. Members and staff of the affiliated club shall enjoy the use of all Hunts SC facilities at a set and regular time and subject to no more than 20 of its members attending on any given occasion. This number and time may be exceeded or changed for special events only with prior permission of the Committee. One nominated representative of the affiliated club may vote in any General Meeting, unless any member is also a Full Member in which case they also have one vote each. |
| 5.3 | Family Membership, applying to one adult sailing member and spouse/partner. This category shall also include as Cadet Members any descendants and dependants of the Family Member(s) under the age of 18 years on 1st September of the membership year. |
| 5.4 | Individual Members and both persons in Family Membership shall rank as Full Members of the Club, shall be entitled to one vote each and shall enjoy the use of all the facilities of the Club. |
| 5.5 | Non-Sailing Membership, applying to one adult who shall enjoy the use of the clubhouse and environs and shall be entitled to vote but who shall not sail. The number of Non-Sailing Members shall not exceed 20% of the number of craft kept at the Club. |
| 5.6 | Junior Membership, applying to a person who has not attained the age of 18 years by 1st April of the membership year. Junior Members shall be those who have paid the prescribed fees or who are children of Family Members as above. Junior Members shall enjoy the use of all the facilities of the Club (subject to licensing laws) but shall not be entitled to vote until aged 18. Unless taking part in an organised training activity, Junior Members aged under 16 must not be on club premises unless under the supervision of a parent or nominated responsible adult who is also a Family, Individual or Social Member of the Club. If the supervisor is not a parent or guardian of the Junior Member they must record their name and the name of the Junior Member under their care that day, in the Club Day Book which may be found on the bar. |
| 5.7 | Honorary Life Membership, applying to an individual who has been elected by the Club in General Meeting in accordance with these Rules. Honorary Life Members shall enjoy the use of all the facilities of the club and shall be entitled to vote. |
| 5.8 | Temporary Membership, applying to an individual for a period of not more than 30 days in any one year. The Temporary Member must be a member of an RYA affiliated sailing club, shall comply with the Rules and Byelaws of the Club and shall enjoy the use of all the facilities of the Club, except that he/she shall not qualify for any prizes in Club events, shall not be entitled to a berth in the dinghy park and shall not be entitled to vote. |
| 5.9 | Winter Membership, applying to a person or persons between 1st November and 31st March only, who is a member of an RYA affiliated club. Winter Members shall enjoy the use of all the facilities of the Club but shall not be entitled to a berth in the dinghy park and shall not be entitled to vote. |
| 5.10 | Winter Non-Sailing Membership, applying to one adult who shall enjoy the use of the clubhouse and environs between 1st November and 31st March but who shall not sail and who accompanies a sailor who has taken out Winter Membership. Winter non-sailing members shall not be entitled to vote. |
| 5.11 | Adult Block Membership, applying to members of another sailing club or such other body which, with the approval of the Committee, is affiliated to the Club. Members of the affiliated club shall enjoy the use of all the facilities of the Club, subject to limitation of the number of members on any occasion not exceeding four persons for each boat or sailboard kept at the Club. Adult block Membership shall entitle the affiliated organisation to one person per boat or sailboard kept at the Club, up to a maximum of four, to vote, unless any of those persons is also a Full Member in which case they shall have only one vote each. |
| 5.12 | Cadet Block Membership, applying to members of a youth organisation, school or such other body which, with the approval of the Committee, is affiliated to the Club. Members and staff of the affiliated organisation shall enjoy the use of all the facilities of the Club, subject to limitation of the number of members on any occasion not exceeding four persons for each boat or sailboard kept at the Club. Cadet block Membership shall entitle the affiliated organisation to one person per boat or sailboard kept at the Club, up to a maximum of four, to vote unless any of those persons is also a Full Member, in which case they shall have only one vote each. |
| 5.13 | Young Person Membership, applying to a person aged over 18 but who has not attained the age of 25 years by 31st March of the membership year. Young Person Members shall pay the same prescribed fee as Junior Members or shall be children of Family Members as above. Young Person Members shall enjoy the use of all the facilities of the Club and shall be entitled to vote either as part of a Family Membership or as an individual should they not be part of any Family Membership. |
| 5.14 | Radio-controlled Yacht Associate Membership, applying to one adult who shall enjoy the use of the clubhouse and the environs but who shall only sail radio-controlled yachts. No voting rights are conferred on these members. The number of Radio-Controlled Yacht Associate Members shall not exceed 20% of the number of craft kept at the club. |
| Note: Entitlement to vote shall be in respect of any formal meeting of the Club or the Committee as appropriate. | |
6 | Applications for Membership |
| 6.1 | Every candidate for membership shall submit such details as are required by the club in accordance with its data privacy policy. The required details shall be in the form prescribed from time to time and shall be accompanied by payment of the prescribed fees. |
| 6.2 | Persons may not be admitted, as members or candidates for membership, to any of the privileges of membership, including training courses, without an interval of at least 24 hours between their application for membership and their admission. The name and address of every candidate applying for membership shall be circulated before the committee on receipt of their application. |
7 | Election and Renewal of Membership |
| 7.1 | Members in all categories of membership other than Honorary Life Members may be elected at any meeting of the Committee by a simple majority of those present. |
| 7.2 | The Club in General Meeting may elect Honorary Life Members on the recommendation of the Committee. |
| 7.3 | Renewal of all categories of Membership shall be by completion of the prescribed application form submitted to the Honorary Membership Secretary together with payment of the required fees by the due date as prescribed in these Rules. |
| 7.4 | The written information provided by Members on their annual renewal forms and by candidates for membership on their application forms shall be regarded, for the purposes of the Data Protection Act 2018, as Personal Data. Unless a Member or candidate objects in writing to the Data Protection Manager, their Personal Data may be stored in a computer and used solely for the purposes of the Club as described in the data privacy policy. |
8 | Obligations of Membership |
| 8.1 | Any member aged 16 years or over undertakes to participate in the activity of the club e.g. as race officer, assistant race officer, safety boat helm, safety boat assistant, managing the galley or controlling weed growth on at least one occasion. In the case of a Family Membership, the family undertakes to participate similarly on at least two occasions. |
| 8.2 | Every Member, on joining the Club undertakes to comply with these Rules and the Byelaws of the Club and any neglect or refusal to do so or any conduct which in the opinion of the Committee is either unworthy of a Member or otherwise injurious to the interests of the Club shall render a Member liable to expulsion by the Committee. Provided that before expelling a Member, the Committee shall call upon him for an explanation of his conduct and shall give him an opportunity of defending himself or resigning his membership. The vote on a resolution for expulsion shall be by ballot and the resolution shall only be carried if not less than three fourths of the members of the Committee present vote in favour of the resolution. |
| 8.3 | No craft shall be kept on the club's premises unless a berth fee has been paid for that craft, and in the opinion of the Committee it is being cared for and used reasonably. Craft owners must keep their property in such a state of repair that they will not be a discredit to the Club, as to which the decision of the Committee shall be final. Upon failure to comply with the provisions of this Rule, notice shall be given to the offending Member requiring him to remove his craft or property from the Club premises. If, at any time, any fees payable to the club by any member or former member shall be three months or more in arrears and a craft the property of the member or former member remains upon the club premises, the Committee may:
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| 8.4 | A Member shall not knowingly remove, injure, damage or destroy any property of the Club and shall make restitution for the same if called upon to do so by the Honorary Secretary on the instructions of the Committee. |
| 8.5 | The Honorary Secretary or a member of the Committee who has received the authority of two other members of the Committee may temporarily suspend the entitlement of any person to use the Club facilities and require that person to leave the Club premises forthwith. Any temporary suspension shall last until the next meeting of the Committee in the normal course of business. The Committee may renew the suspension for a further period of one month to enable action to be considered under Rule 8.2. |
9 | Guests |
| 9.1 | Members may introduce and entertain no more than three guests at any one time at the Club and there shall be kept at the Club premises a visitors' book which both the Member and his guests shall sign. |
| 9.2 | The Member introducing a guest or guests shall pay such fee therefor as may be determined by the Committee and shall be responsible for his guest(s) strictly observing the Rules and Byelaws of the Club and shall accompany his guest(s) at all times whilst on Club premises. |
| 9.3 | No guest shall be permitted to purchase intoxicating liquor in the Club. |
| 9.4 | No Member shall entertain on the Club premises as a guest the same person on more than six occasions in any one calendar year. |
| 9.5 | No person who has been expelled from the Club under Rule 8.2 or is for the time being suspended under Rule 8.5 or whose application for membership has been rejected shall be introduced into the Club as a guest. |
| 9.6 | Members, their guests and visitors are bound by Rule 9.7 which shall be exhibited in a prominent place within the Club premises. |
| 9.7 | Members of the Club and their guests and visitors may use the Club premises and other facilities of the Club, entirely at their own risk and impliedly accept:
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10 | Fees and Subscriptions |
| 10.1 | Any member wishing to store a boat on club premises may request a berth in the boat park and, on payment of the berth fee as determined at the most recent AGM, be allocated a space if one is available. The berth fee is subject to a pro-rata reduction and is non-refundable should the member no longer require Its use. On being allocated a berth a member undertakes to maintain it, and to ensure safe storage of the boat kept there, as outlined in rule 8.3 and bylaws B30-34. |
| 10.1.1 | If space permits, a member may apply for additional berthing space(s). An additional berth fee shall be payable for each extra space allocated except that if a member is changing boats, to allow for delay between acquisition and disposal, a period of up to one month will be permitted before an additional berth fee becomes payable. |
| 10.1.2 | Social members, non-members, and past members whose membership has lapsed are not eligible for berths on the Club site. |
| 10.1.3 | Any boat or sailboard only used for cadet sailing shall be eligible for a reduced berth fee. |
| 10.1.4 | A club member may transfer a berth to another member, subject to prior approval by the committee. |
| 10.2 | The currently approved rates of fees and subscriptions shall be displayed prominently in the clubhouse. Any changes to the rates shall become effective as from 1st March following the AGM. |
| 10.3 | Where the fees or subscription of an existing Member remain unpaid by the last day of March, membership shall be considered to be lapsed and an application to rejoin must be made under Rule 6. |
| 10.4 | No Member shall in any year be entitled to exercise any rights or privileges of membership until his subscription for that year and all arrears (if any) have been paid. |
| 10.5 | A Member elected after the first month in any membership year shall, for the remainder of that membership year, pay subscription and/or berth fees reduced to some extent at the discretion of the committee. |
11 | Committee |
| 11.1 | The Committee shall consist of the Officers (ex officio) and not more than seven Members of the Club elected in General Meeting to hold office until the conclusion of the next AGM. Not more than one Non-Sailing Member may be elected to the Committee to be included in the total of seven. In order to comply with the Licensing Act 2003 section 64(2)b, every member of the Committee shall have attained the age of 18 years. |
| 11.2 | Candidates for election to the Committee shall be those members of the retiring Committee who offer themselves for re-election and such other Members of the Club whose nominations duly proposed and seconded by Members of the Club in writing shall have been sent to the Honorary Secretary on or before 1st October immediately preceding the AGM. A Member may not serve for more than seven consecutive years as a Committee Member (not being an Officer of the Club). |
| 11.3 | If a casual vacancy occurs by death or resignation the Committee may co-opt a Member to fill the vacancy until the conclusion of the next AGM. |
| 11.4 | If the number of candidates duly proposed and seconded exceeds the number of vacancies to be filled, the election shall be by ballot among the Members present at the AGM and entitled to vote and shall be determined by simple majority. |
| 11.5 | The Committee shall manage the affairs of the Club according to the Rules and shall apply the funds of the Club solely to the objects of the Club or for a benevolent or charitable purpose nominated by the Club in General Meeting. |
| 11.6 | The Committee shall make, amend or repeal such Byelaws as it thinks fit as to the management of the Club and premises and shall cause those Byelaws to be exhibited in the Club premises for fourteen days before implementation. They shall remain in force until approved or set aside by vote at a General Meeting of the Club. |
| 11.7 | The Committee, or any person or sub committee delegated by the Committee to act as agent for the Club or its Members shall enter into contracts only so far as expressly authorised, or authorised by implication, by the Committee. No one shall, without the express authority of the membership in General Meeting, pledge the credit of the membership other than as expressly authorised in Rule 15.1. |
| 11.8 | In pursuance of the authority vested in the Committee by the Members of the Club, members of the Committee are entitled to be indemnified by the Members of the Club against any liabilities properly incurred by them or any one of them on behalf of the Club wherever the contract is of a duly authorised nature and entered into on behalf of the Club. |
| 11.9 | The limit of any Member's indemnity shall be a sum equal to one year's subscription at the then current rate of the Full Member's category of membership unless a higher figure has been fixed by a General Meeting of the Club. |
| 11.10 | Committee members shall volunteer for the Duty Officer role to fairly share a similar number of duties each. Failure to volunteer for duty officer duties or not carry out their designated role as laid out in the Operations Manual or as per handed over from previous volunteer render a member liable for expulsion from the committee. The committee shall give them an opportunity of defending themselves or they can resign from the committee. The vote on a resolution for expulsion shall be by simple vote of not less than three fourths of the members of the Committee present vote in favour of the resolution. |
12 | Meetings of the Committee |
| 12.1 | The Committee shall meet at least every two months, making such arrangements as to the conduct, place of assembly and holding of such meetings as it may wish. The Commodore or in his absence a chairman elected by those present shall preside. |
| 12.2 | Eight members personally shall form a quorum at a meeting of the Committee. |
| 12.3 | Motions which are put to the vote in Committee shall, except where otherwise prescribed in these Rules, be determined by a simple majority. In the case of an equality of votes, the chairman shall have a second or casting vote. |
13 | Sub-Committees |
| 13.1 | The Committee may from time to time establish one or more sub-committees with specific terms of reference according to the needs of the Club. The Committee may define the membership of such sub-committee(s) and may modify or disband such sub-committee(s) or change its terms of reference. Any sub-committee so established shall report its actions to the Committee as and when required and shall recommend to the Committee any changes beyond its terms of reference, including any change to those terms of reference or to its own membership. The Committee may approve or reject any such recommendation or may ask the sub-committee to reconsider any decision if it is considered not in the best interests of the Club as a whole. |
| 13.2 | There shall also be two permanently established sub-committees for the regular administration of the Club, as follows:- |
| 13.2.1 | Sailing Committee - this shall consist of the Honorary Sailing Secretary (as chairman) and the Fleet Captain from each recognised fleet sailing at the Club, including the Handicap fleet and the Cadet Leader. |
| The Sailing Committee's terms of reference shall include all matters relating to the organisation and conduct of racing, safety boat services and any other uses of the water agreed by the Committee, including the sailing programme and the management of Open Meetings and special sailing events. | |
| 13.2.2 | House Committee - this shall consist of the Vice Commodore or the Rear Commodore as chairman, the Hon. Treasurer, the Social Secretary, the Bar Steward and the Chairman of the Galley Committee. The House Committee's terms of reference shall be to manage and provide all social and catering requirements of the Club at such times as are agreed with the Committee and subject to all relevant limitations imposed by legislation and the Club's lease from the landlords. Either of the above sub-committees may co-opt one or more additional members if required, with the agreement of the Committee. |
| 13.2.3 | Facilities sub-committee - this shall consist of the vice-commodore or the rear commodore as chair, as well as representation from Bosun, dinghy park manager, training, Wednesday club and others with relevant experience. Facilities sub-committee's terms of reference shall be to manage the buildings fabric and grounds maintenance to ensure compliance with all the relevant legislation, industry best practice and develop and manage any improvement works as agreed with the main committee. |
14 | General Meetings |
| 14.1 | The Committee on giving 14 days notice may call a General Meeting of the Club for any specified business, the nature of which shall be specified in the notice convening the meeting. The Committee shall similarly call a meeting at the written request of 12 members, addressed to the Honorary Secretary. |
| 14.2 | At every General Meeting of the Club, the Commodore or, in his absence, another Officer shall be elected as chairman by those present and shall preside. |
| 14.3 | Annual General Meetings. |
| 14.3.1 | An Annual General Meeting shall be held at some place in the county of Cambridgeshire to be named on some day in the month of November to be fixed by the Commodore. The Honorary Secretary shall at least 14 days clear before the date of such meeting post in the clubhouse, and on the Club website notice thereof and of the business to be brought forward thereat. |
| 14.3.2 | No business (except the passing of the accounts and the election of Officers, Committee and Honorary Auditor and any business that the Committee may order to be inserted in the notice convening the meeting) shall be discussed at such meeting unless notice thereof be given to the Honorary Secretary before 1st October prior to such meeting. |
| 14.4 | Special General Meetings. |
| 14.4.1 | Twenty five Members, including at least one Officer of the Club, present and entitled to vote shall form a quorum of the Club for a Special General Meeting. |
| 14.4.2 | The discussion at such meeting shall be confined to the business stated in the notice sent to Members on the instructions of the Committee. |
| 14.5 | On any resolution properly put to a Meeting of the Club relating to the creation, repeal or amendment of any Rule or Byelaw of the Club, such Rule or Byelaw shall not be created, repealed or amended except by a majority vote of at least two-thirds of those present and entitled to vote. |
| 14.6 | In the case of an equality of votes, the chairman shall have a second or casting vote. |
15 | General |
| 15.1 | The Committee is authorised to borrow up to a maximum of £100,000 when required. |
| 15.2 | Fleet Captains shall be selected by their class members and will form a Sailing Committee to be chaired by the Honorary Sailing Secretary. |
| 15.3 | The property of the Club shall be vested in four Trustees who shall be appointed by the Committee and the property of the Club shall be vested in them to be dealt with by them as the Committee may from time to time direct by resolution (of which an entry in the minute books shall be conclusive evidence). The Trustees shall be indemnified against all risk and expense out of the Club property. The Trustees shall hold office until death or resignation or until removal from office by the Committee. Where by reason of such death, resignation or removal it is necessary that a new Trustee or Trustees be appointed, the Committee shall nominate the person or persons to be appointed, as the new Trustee or Trustees. For the purpose of giving effect to such nomination the Honorary Secretary in office for the time being is hereby nominated as the person to appoint new Trustees of the Club within the meaning of Section 36 of the Trustees Act 1925 and he shall by deed duly appoint the person or persons so nominated by the Committee. |
| 15.4 | If, upon the winding up or dissolution of the Club, there remains after the satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities any property whatsoever, the same shall not be paid to or distributed amongst the Members of the Club. The assets remaining after discharging the debts of the estate will be given to or transferred to another registered Community Amateur Sports Club, a registered charity or the sports governing body for use by them in community related sport, to be determined by the Members of the Club by Resolution passed at a General Meeting at or before the time of dissolution. |
16 | Intoxicating Liquor |
| 16.1 | The purchase of intoxicating liquor for supply by the Club shall be in the absolute discretion of the Committee which shall secure the due observance of the provisions of the Licensing Act 2003 and all acts relating thereto and of any conditions attached to any licence held by or on behalf of the Club or to any registration certificate granted in respect of the Club premises. |
| 16.2 | The supply of intoxicating liquor in the Club premises will be permitted at times in accordance with Part 4 of the Licensing Act 2003. |
| 16.3 | No intoxicating liquor shall be supplied to Members or any other persons on the Club premises otherwise than by or on behalf of the Club. |
| 16.4 | No intoxicating liquor shall be supplied to any person under the age of eighteen years. |
| 16.5 | No person shall be paid at the expense of the Club any commission, percentage or similar payment on or with reference to the purchase of intoxicating liquor by the Club; nor shall any person directly or indirectly derive any pecuniary benefit from the supply of intoxicating liquor by or on behalf of the Club to Members, visitors or guests apart from any benefit accruing to the Club as a whole. |
| 16.6 | Intoxicating liquor may be sold or supplied for consumption on the premises of the Club to members aged eighteen or over of any organisation visiting the Club on the occasion of any sporting, recreational or social activity organised by the Club in conjunction with the other organisation. Intoxicating liquor may be sold to Members of the Club aged over eighteen years for consumption on or off the premises. |
| 16.7 | The Club may on not more than six occasions in any one calendar year hold special functions at the Club premises for the purpose of raising funds for the benefit of the Club, whereby members of the public may, by invitation, be admitted to the Club, provided that the number of persons does not become significant in proportion to the total membership present. On such occasions all persons admitted may be granted the same facilities of the Club as those granted to Members. Such events shall be organised by or on behalf of the Club. |
BYELAWS
POLICIES | ||
| B.1 | In order to comply with the Data Protection Act 2018, members must comply with the data privacy policy published on the Club website. | |
| B.2 | Members must comply with the requirements of and follow the recommendations of the Health and Safety Manual published on the Club website. | |
| B.3 | Members must comply with the requirements of and follow the recommendations of the Financial Policy published on the Club website. | |
SAILING etc. | ||
| B.4 | Every craft used or stored at the Club shall be insured by the owner against third party liability to a minimum sum of £2,000,000. | |
| B.5 | Craft eligible to race or cruise shall be any of the following classes which have Fleet status: Laser and Solo classes, together with a Handicap class of monohull sailing dinghies, subject (as to class) to the approval of the Committee on the recommendation of the Sailing Committee. Sailboards are also eligible to cruise or race within the Handicap fleet. | |
| B.6 | a | Canoes (Canadian and kayaks), stand-up paddleboards (SUPs) and radio controlled model yachts are eligible to cruise or to race separately from dinghy sailing races. Further to Rule 4.7a, the Honorary Membership Secretary shall keep records of classes and identification of craft kept or used at the Club by Full Members. |
| B.7 | The Sailing Committee may recommend to the Committee the acceptance, review or cancellation of Fleet status of any class of craft for the purposes of racing. Fleet status shall entitle sailors in that fleet to separate races when appropriate, at the discretion of the Sailing Committee . The acceptance by the Committee of any class for racing shall remain in force until the next AGM, when it may be confirmed or rejected by the Meeting in accordance with the Rules of the Club. | |
| B.8 | a | Club boats are available for hire with permission of the duty officer, deputy authorised by the committee or instructor in charge. Club boats are available for hire only to members but may be used by the hirer's guest(s). At the discretion of the Committee, Club boats may be used by guests of the Committee for purposes including open days and taster sessions. |
| B.8 | b | Hire costs are displayed in the clubhouse; the appropriate fee must be paid to the galley before sailing. The hirer must complete a record sheet with name, date, boat hired, period of hire and fee deposited. So as to confirm the hire the duty officer, another committee member or the instructor in charge must be aware of it and indicate by countersigning the hire form. Hirers must be 18 years of age or over. |
| B.8 | c | To allow fair use of the boats, the maximum period of hire is 2 hours except for use in training, open meetings and other special events. However if there is nobody waiting to use the boat at the end of this time the hirer can use the boat for a further period of two hours and so on. Fees payable for additional periods will reflect the discount structure shown on the schedule of prices. |
| B.8 | d | Certain boats owned by the Leys School may by arrangement be used by members other than Leys School pupils for training only. Boats in the Leys School fleet but owned by the Royal Navy may only be used by Leys School pupils. |
| B.8 | e | Masthead floats are to be used on the Fevas, 2000s and Vago. |
| B.8 | f | Club boats, sails and equipment are not to be used when the average wind exceeds 20 knots or the gusts 25 knots. |
| B.8 | g | Hirers are required to report all damage to club boats, either to a Committee member or in the book in the boat shed. Hirers may, at the sole discretion of the club Committee, be held responsible for the first £100 of damage incurred and accordingly are advised to check boats before sailing. |
| B.9 | Craft not racing should keep clear of craft racing. | |
| B.10 | All craft shall keep within the boundaries of the sailing lake despite any breaches in the lake bank. | |
SAFETY | ||
| B.11 | All activity at the club site, either on land or afloat, shall comply with the | |
| B.12 | Adequate personal buoyancy shall always be worn on the water by all persons except sailboarders using an appropriate harness, being sufficiently experienced and competent to use such harnesses in lieu of personal buoyancy. | |
| B.13 | When sailing between 1st December and 31st March, wetsuits, dry suits or specifically designed layered sailing clothing systems must be worn while on the water; they are strongly recommended during November and April. This requirement also applies to those on safety duty who may be required to enter the water. | |
| B.14 | Swimming and bathing from the Club premises is not allowed. | |
| B.15 | Parents and guardians are responsible for the safety of their children under the age of 16 while on the Club premises and must supervise them adequately. It is recommended that children under the age of 8 years and older children who are not competent swimmers should wear buoyancy aids at all times whilst outside the clubhouse. | |
| B.16 | Children under 16 are only allowed in the galley if they are assisting in galley duties and are under the supervision of a parent or carer in the galley. | |
| B.17 | Children under 14 are not allowed in any power boat unless they are being rescued or as part of an organised training activity. Children under 16 shall not carry out safety or assistant safety duties. | |
| B.18 | Any advertised activity organised by the Club shall be supervised by a named committee member or for training a named RYA qualified instructor or coach. Operation of club power boats falls under this overall supervision. | |
| B.19 | Any activity organised by a Group Member shall be supervised by a named group leader with a minimum of RYA powerboat level 2 qualification. Operation of club power boats falls under this overall supervision. | |
| B.20 | During any advertised waterborne activity, a safety boat shall be afloat and fully equipped. Both safety boat crew shall remain in or near the safety boat and shall keep lookout covering the whole lake. Safety cover shall not be withdrawn without adequate warning to all participants. | |
| B.21 | The duty crew of each safety boat shall comprise two people, both physically fit and able to carry out such duties and one of whom must be suitably dressed to enter the water. On light wind days, the Safety Boat Assistant may also act as assistant to the Race Officer. In the event of a rescue, the former duty takes precedence. | |
| B.22 | Anyone driving any powered craft at the Club, including the launch, must either have RYA powerboat level 2, have the Hunts SC powerboat acquaint qualification or be undergoing training and accompanied by a powerboat instructor. | |
| B.23 | The helm of a power boat fitted with an engine safety lanyard (kill cord) shall ensure that the kill cord is attached round their upper leg. It shall not foul the steering or gear controls. | |
| B.24 | If either the Race Officer or the Duty Officer decides that a race cannot safely be started or continued, it must be postponed or abandoned. In reaching such a decision, both the weather conditions and the adequacy of safety boat cover shall be considered. | |
| B.25 | If the Safety Boat Helm, instructor in charge or, in the case of a multihanded craft, any crew member, expresses doubt that the level of safety cover and the participant's capability enable safe participation under the prevailing weather conditions, all affected craft must go ashore and remain ashore. | |
| B.26 | When a work boat is used for weed countermeasures, the helm must have been suitably trained. | |
| B.27 | When a work boat is used for weed cutting operations, all other craft must keep well clear and come no closer than 50m. In particular, helms must be aware of the danger of passing within 50m astern of a work boat which is towing a cutting blade. During weed cutting operations, other helms shall obey any instructions from the helm or crew of the work boat. | |
| B.28 | The tractor may only be operated by members over 17 years old who have a full, valid, UK driving licence or members over 16 years old who have a full, valid, tractor licence. In either case the operator must have been trained in the operation of the particular tractor by a person authorised by the committee. | |
| B.29 | After launching, sailors shall ensure that their trolleys are pulled out of the water and are left clear of the water's edge. | |
| B.30 | The jetty and pontoons are out of bounds to all except for persons authorised for purposes including but not limited to safety cover, race management, training and maintenance. | |
| B.31 | Whilst on the Club premises, members shall take responsibility for their own safety and that of their guests and shall accept that they use the facilities entirely at their own risk. Before inviting any guests onto the Club premises members shall draw their attention to these byelaws. | |
BERTHS | ||
| B.30 | Members shall ensure that their boats kept in the boat park are securely tied down to the ground. Members shall provide their own ground tackle. Stakes must be flush with ground level to avoid damaging the grass mowers. | |
| B.31 | Where racks are provided for the storage of sailboards or smaller boats, members allocated spaces on them shall keep their craft racked accordingly and firmly secured. | |
| B.32 | Members are responsible for keeping their berths in good order and cutting the grass at reasonable intervals. | |
| B.33 | Members who leave their boat trailers at the Club shall park them on their own berth or in the trailer park, not in the car park. Trailers shall be marked using the tag provided. | |
| B.34 | Berth or rack number stickers, provided by the club, shall be displayed on all craft kept on the premises, in positions that can be easily seen when necessary. | |
HYGIENE and GENERAL | ||
| B.35 | Any person in the Club kitchen shall observe the current requirements of the Food Hygiene Regulations at all times. | |
| B.36 | No person wearing wet clothes shall enter the galley. | |
| B.37 | No person wearing wet clothes shall enter the carpeted area of the clubhouse. | |
| B.38 | Other that at Club social events, the playing of audio equipment on Club premises is only permitted when headphones are used and the volume is non-intrusive to other members. | |
| B.39 | Camping or the parking of caravans or camper vans on Club premises overnight or the use of Club premises for sleeping overnight is not permitted unless prior permission has been given by the Committee. | |
| B.40 | Dogs must be on a lead and kept under control at all times and are not allowed in the clubhouse under any circumstances, except guide and assistance dogs. Under no circumstances are dogs allowed in the sailing lake. | |
| B.41 | Fishing from the Club premises is not permitted. | |
| B.42 | Smoking or vaping is permitted only in the Club car park. | |
| B.43 | Motor vehicles shall not be driven into the boat park except for the loading or unloading of goods or heavy equipment, in which case they shall be removed as soon as possible. Members are required to park their cars in the car park. A clear route through to the clubhouse for emergency vehicles must be maintained at all times. | |
| B.44 | The Committee reserves the right to dispose of unidentified or unclaimed personal property left on Club premises after a reasonable time in whatever manner it considers appropriate. | |
| B.45 | With reference to Rule 8.1, any member wishing to change his duty day may use the duty manager system linked from the club website to exchange the duty with that of another member. | |
| B.46 | No member of the club shall use or permit the use of personal data for any purpose other than official Club business without the permission of the individual concerned. |
Last updated 23:09 on 1 February 2025