Code Of Practice

Introduction

The purpose of this document is to set out Victoria and Biddulph Angling Society's 'Code of Practice' under which its members, committee and officers shall behave and conduct business on behalf of the society.

 

1. Name

1.1 The society shall be known as the Victoria and Biddulph Angling Society. Contact details for the society are available at www.victoriabiddulph.fish web site

 

2.Aims

2.1 The society shall exist to provide and promote safe angling to people of all ages in and around Biddulph and Surrounding areas

 

3. Officers

3.1 The members of the society shall elect biennial at the annual general meeting (A.G.M.) the following officers who will conduct the business of the society in conjunction with the committee:

- Chairman

- General Secretary

- Treasurer

- president

3.2 All nominations for the election of officers should be with the secretary no later than 30 days prior to the A.G.M.

3.3 All officers of the society are required to give at least 2 months’ notice of any intent to resign their position. This notice period may be reduced or waived by the committee under exceptional circumstances - e.g., poor health.

3.4 Wherever possible, all officers stepping down or resigning their positions will work with the new officer(s) to facilitate a smooth hand-over.

3.5 The society may at the A.G.M. choose to elect new officers as deemed appropriate by the committee.

 

4. Committee

4.1 The committee shall consist of a maximum of 10 members including the officers of the society.

4.2 Election of committee members will be made at the A.G.M.

 

5. Annual General Meeting (A.G.M)

5.1 The society's A.G.M. shall be held on the second Sunday in February or

any such date as agreed by the committee and notified to its members at least 2 months in advance.

5.2 All society members (upon production of a valid membership book) shall be eligible to attend and vote at the A.G.M.

5.3 Guests may also attend the A.G.M. with prior approval from the

committee, but will not be eligible to vote or be elected onto the committee.

 

6. Committee Meetings

6.1 Committee meetings will be held on the second Sunday of each month unless otherwise notified by the chairman.

6.2 Committee meetings shall consist of a minimum of 4 committee members and a maximum of 10 including the society's officers.

6.3 Any officer or committee member not attending at least 50% of meetings during the year may be terminated from post by the committee the committee may make an exception to this rule under special circumstances such as work commitments or prolonged illness.

6.4 Each officer (excluding the chairman) and committee member shall

have one vote for the purpose of conducting business at meetings on behalf of the Society. In the event of a 'dead-lock' then the chairman will have the deciding vote.

6.5 All society officers will be required to provide monthly reports (verbal or

written) at committee meetings on matters relating to the society.

 

7. Extra Ordinary Meetings

7.1 Any member of the society requesting an extra ordinary meeting with the committee and/or other members of the society should put their request in writing to the secretary. All requests for such meetings will be dealt with by the committee and every effort made to resolve all matters affecting the society and its members.

 

8. Financial Accounts

8.1 The Treasurer will keep the financial accounts of the society. He will ensure that they are audited by the society's auditor prior to the A.G.M. in order that they are available at the A.G.M for inspection and approval.

 

9. Membership Books

9.1 All fees and concessionary rates relating to the sale of society membership books shall be fixed annually by the committee.

9.2 Society membership books shall be available to purchase via local tackle shops or local stores in the surrounding area 

9.3 The society shall ensure that all membership books contain (or are provided with) the following minimum information for its members:

Expiry date of membership the boundaries relating to all society's waters covered by membership Any closed season rulings or restricted fishing on society's waters Society rules as set by the committee

Name and contact number for the Chairman, Secretary and Match Secretary Emergency contact numbers for British Waterways and the Environment Agency

9.4 Further information relating to the society can be found at www.victoriabiddulph.fish

 

10. BailiffIng of Society's Waters

10.1The society shall appoint bailiffs as and when required

10.2 All officers and committee members and members are authorised to request to see other persons membership around any club water and may also request to see in any bag or box on the banks of our waters

 

11. Angling Matches

11.1 The match secretary shall at his/ her discretion, organise and run both member

only and' open' matches on waters controlled by the society, adequate time and notice on these waters must apply

11.2 The committee shall reserve the right to make society waters Available for the use of angling matches by third-party organisations, providing those adequate notices and times are agreed

11.3 When society waters are reserved for matches, the match secretary

shall use best endeavours to advise members via the society's website, or temporary signage on the bank.

114 The committee will agree all fees relating to angling matches organised by the society.

11.5 The committee will agree all fees relating to third-party organisations using society waters for the purpose of running angling matches.

 

12. Society Member Rules

12.1 The committee shall agree rules (see schedule 1) by which all

society members must abide in order to preserve the society and the countryside.

12.2 The society's rules must always include the requirement for eligible anglers to be in possession of a current Environment Agency (EA) fishing rod licence(s).

12.3 All society members are charged with upholding these rules and report any infringement to a society offer or committee member.

12.4 Any society member believed to be in breach of society rules may be expelled by the committee and have their membership withdrawn.

12.5 The society's committee reserves the right to alter or introduce

New Society rules under schedule 1 of this code of practice, providing always that such amendments are in the interests of its members, the countryside and the general public.

 

13. Dissolution

13.1 If at the A.G.M. of the society, a resolution be passed calling for the

dissolution of the society, then the secretary shall immediately convene an extra ordinary general meeting of society members to be not more than one month thereafter to discuss and vote on the resolution.

13.2 If at that meeting, the resolution be carried by at least two-thirds of full members present, the officers of the society shall thereupon or at such date as specified in the resolution, proceed to realise the assets of the society and discharge al liabilities and debts of the society.

13.3 After discharging all debts and liabilities of the society, any remaining assets will be distributed to any individuals or organisations as specified in the resolution at the special general meeting.

 

14. Changes to Code of Practice

14.1 the code of practice may only be amended by resolution as agreed at the A.G.M.

All requests for amendments must be made to the secretary in writing And at least 30 days prior to the A.G.M.

By order of the Victoria and Biddulph Angling Society Committee