Ralston Bowling Club

Constitution & Rules    (Updated 8^th March 2022)

Name and Address

The name of the club is Ralston Bowling Club. The club premises are situated at Allanton Avenue, Ralston Paisley PA1 3BL

The object of the club is to promote fellowship through bowling and associated activities. The club offers equal opportunities to all.

The club is a non profit making organisation. All profits and surpluses will be used to improve the club’s facilities. No profit or surplus will be distributed other than to another non-profit making body or to members on winding up or dissolution of the club.

Membership

The Membership of the club shall be open to all persons aged 8 years and over. Membership shall comprise the  following categories:- 

(a) Full Members – members who alone shall elect the Management Committee. 

(b) Honorary Members – members who shall be recommended by the Management Committee and confirmed at the Annual General Meeting. They may be members who, by personal service or otherwise, have materially contributed to the success and prosperity of the club. These members shall be entitled to the rights and privileges of full members. The number of honorary members shall not at any time exceed eight.

(c) Associate Members – members who shall have no say or vote in the management of the club and shall be classed as follows.

   (1) Persons who wish to play at weekends when green space is available or who only wish to enjoy the amenities of the club. Such members are not allowed to enter any recognised club competition.

   (2) Temporary playing members who may be a relative or close friend of club members and who are visiting the locality. They will be admitted on such terms as the Management Committee sees fit.

   (3) Playing members and officials of visiting clubs are granted temporary membership of the club.

   (4) Junior Members (aged between 8 and 16 years of age) – members whose playing time will be at the discretion of the committee

(d) Social Members – members who only wish to visit the club socially. 

The Management Committee shall control the numbers in each category. 

         

 RULES 

Management

1. 1.The authority of the club shall be vested in the Management Committee of not more than fifteen members. All will be elected by the full membership and shall comprise a President, Vice President, Immediate Past President, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer, Match Secretary and nine other members. The President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer, by right of office, shall be deemed the trustees of the club.
2. 2.The President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Match Secretary shall be elected annually. The Immediate Past President shall be a member of the Management Committee without election during the year following his/her term of office as President or until a new President has been elected.
3. 3.At the Annual General Meeting in every year, the Past President and committee shall retire. The Past President shall not be eligible for re-election until the expiry of one year.  
4. 4.All committee members shall retire annually and seek re-election. A maximum of three continuous terms as a committee member is allowed.
5. 5.These elections shall take place at the Annual General Meeting. Nominations for the election of members of the committee shall be in writing and signed by two club members, proposing and seconding, and by the candidate. This must be lodged with the Secretary not later than fourteen days prior to the Annual General Meeting. Voting, if necessary shall be by ballot and shall be declared immediately thereafter. A tie shall be decided by another vote similarly taken.
6. 6.Any vacancy occurring in the Management Committee during the year may be filled by the Management Committee until the following AGM when the member co-opted shall be eligible for re-election.
7. 7.The Management Committee shall have the necessary powers for the full and efficient conduct of the affairs of the club, and all rules and bye-laws made or orders given by the Management Committee shall be binding on every member unless and until set aside by a Annual General Meeting of the club.
8. 8.The Management Committee may sue or be sued on behalf of the club in the names of the President, Vice-President and Secretary.
9. 9.The Management Committee shall hold meetings once every month during the playing season, and as required during the remainder of the year.
10. 10.At all meetings of the Management Committee more than fifty per cent will form a quorum.
11. 11.At all meetings or in the absence of the President, the Vice-President shall take the chair, and in the absence of both the meeting shall elect a chairman. At any sub-committee meeting, the convener shall take the chair.
12. 12.The President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer shall be ex-officio members of all sub-committees.
13. 13.The chairman shall have a deliberative vote and in the case of equality a casting vote at all committee meetings.
14. 14.The Treasurer shall keep correct accounts and books showing all the financial affairs of the club. Accounts and books shall be open to inspection by the Management Committee.
15. 15.The Treasurer shall prepare a full statement of accounts made up to the 30^th November in each year and shall submit a statement for audit to two members of the club outwith the committee, who shall be appointed at the AGM. The statement so audited shall be submitted to the next AGM and a printed copy sent to each member with the notice calling the meeting.
16. 16.All funds of the club, except so much as may be required for current expenses, shall be lodged in a savings account in the name of the club as directed by the Management Committee. The Treasurer, President, Secretary and one other shall operate the accounts, two of whom shall sign all withdrawal transactions.
    An online account in the name of the club with a maximum amount of £5000 deposited will be will be operated by the treasurer (single person authorisation).
17. 17.The Secretary shall maintain the roll of members correct and up to date. The Secretary shall issue notices of all general and committee meetings and shall keep regular and exact minutes thereof. In all notices of General Meetings, the Secretary shall state the purpose for which the meeting has been called, and in the notice for the AGM the Secretary shall call attention to Rule 29.

The contact details provided and displayed are for the organisation of matches and competitions, which is in accordance with the “legitimate interest” principle of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
The contact information will not be shared with any other external third party. If a member does not consent to their contact details being used for this purpose, then they should notify the secretary who will remove their contact number from the list

18. 18.The Secretary shall arrange for a record of the club matches, competitions and final ties taken part in by the members.
19. 19.The Management Committee shall prepare a short report giving an account of the club’s progress, and a copy sent to each member along with the circular convening the AGM.  

General Meetings 

20. 20.The Annual General Meeting of the club shall be held on the last Friday in February notice of which will be circulated to full members no later than fourteen days prior to the date of the AGM.
21. 21.Other than disciplinary issues which is covered in Rules 31 and 32, Special General Meetings may be convened at any time by the Management Committee and the President or in his/hers absence, the Vice-President, shall be bound to instruct the Secretary to call a General Meeting of the club to be held within fourteen days after the receipt of a requisition to do so, signed by at least forty members and stating specifically the purpose of the meeting and if appropriate, giving a copy of any motion to be proposed.
22. 22.Notice of a Special General Meeting shall be sent to every full member by circular addressed and/or issued by email at least five days before the date of the meeting. This circular must state the business for which the meeting is being called. At any Special General Meeting, no other business shall be discussed.
23. 23.All questions arising at any General Meeting which are not agreed to unanimously shall be decided by the votes of a majority of the members present, taken by ballot or a show of hands.
24. 24.At all General Meetings of the club, 35 shall form a quorum.

Election and Resignation of Members

25. 25.The election of all members to the club shall be vested in the Management Committee who shall have full powers to reject any applicant for membership without giving any reason for such refusal. Notice of rejection shall be intimated in writing to the applicant, also to the proposer and seconder
26. 26.Every applicant for admission must be recommended by two full members and such application made through the Secretary on a club form completed by and obtained from the applicant. The names and addresses of those proposed as members shall be displayed in a conspicuous place in the club premises for at least a week before election and an interval of not less than two weeks shall elapse between the election and nomination of members. Applicants may be required to attend for interview by Management Committee.
27. 27.The Secretary shall make intimation to the new members of their election. Each new member shall be notified of the current entry fee and annual subscription and provided with a copy of the Constitution and Rules.
28. 28.No new member shall be entitled to the privileges of the club until entry money and subscription are paid. If a vacancy occurs during the playing season, the Management Committee may at their discretion admit a new member at a reduced rate of subscription.
29. 29.Any member may resign on giving written notice to the Secretary within seven days after the Annual General Meeting, failing which the member will be held liable for the ensuing year’s subscription.
30. 30.On the death of a member, the Management Committee shall hold the members effects until such time as a duly authorised representative of the deceased gives written instruction for their disposal.
31. 31.At each Annual General Meeting, three full members and a reserve shall be elected to be the Disciplinary and Disputes Panel of the Club for the purposes of that outlined in paragraph 32 below. A panel of three full members and a reserve shall also be elected to serve as the Appeals Panel. If the club is asked to or is determined to investigate the conduct of any member for any reason, or on a complaint being made to the club, the Secretary will collect all relevant information and will pass the matter to the Disciplinary and Disputes Panel to make arrangements for a hearing if appropriate. Any member involved in the subject matter of the complaint shall automatically be debarred from serving on the Disciplinary and Disputes Panel or the Appeals Panel. The Chairman of the Disciplinary and Disputes Panel shall within 21 days invite the member in question to attend the appropriate hearing by sending a recorded delivery letter to the last known address of the member to arrive at least 7 days prior to the date fixed for the hearing. The Disciplinary and Disputes Panel shall make such procedural provisions as shall be necessary for the just and efficient disposal of the hearing according to the rules of natural justice (as set out in the Sports Council booklet “Getting it Right”). Within 7 days of the hearing the Disciplinary and Disputes Panel shall notify the member of its decision in writing. The Disciplinary and Disputes Panel may dismiss the complaint, caution, suspend, expel or disqualify the member, or impose such other penalty whether financial or otherwise as it considers fit.
32. 32.Any member aggrieved by a decision or ruling of the Disciplinary and Disputes Panel may appeal against the said decision or ruling within 14 days of it being intimated by writing to the Secretary advising of their wish to appeal, and stating the grounds for the appeal. The appeal shall be accompanied by a deposit of £25 which shall be returnable if the appeal is successful. The Secretary will be responsible for convening the Appeals Panel. A majority decision of those present and voting shall uphold or dismiss the appeal. In the event of the Appeals Panel being unable to reach a majority decision the appeal shall be upheld.

Property of the Club

33. 33.The whole property of the club, heritable and movable, other than its funds, shall be vested in office bearers and their successors in office as trustees of the club.
34. 34.The whole property, effects and funds of the club shall belong equally to the voting members, who shall be liable equally for the debts and obligations of the club. 

The club is a non-profit organisation, all profit or surplus will be used to foster and promote bowling, no profit or surplus will be distributed other than to another non-profit making body or to the voting members of at least four (4) continuous years standing on winding up or dissolution of the club.

No member may change membership category once an EGM has been called with the view to winding up or dissolution of the club.

The rights and interests of every voting member shall be personal and shall expire with their membership, and shall not be assignable or arrestable or pass to their executors. 

Financial Transactions 

35. 35.The club in general meeting will be asked to authorise the committee to borrow such sum or sums as may from time to time be required for the purposes of the club.

Annual Subscriptions

36. 36.The amount of the annual subscriptions for members and the entry money payable by new members, shall be recommended each year by the Management Committee and agreed by the AGM
37. 37.For a member to be eligible for main internal competitions, i.e. the Club Championship, Presidents’ and Nominated Pairs, the current subscription must be paid not later than the 1^st April
38. 38.All subscriptions must be paid by 1^st April, failing which the Management Committee shall instruct the Secretary to write to the member concerned advising that the person is a lapsed member and has automatically forfeited his/her rights of membership. However, the Management Committee reserve the right, where special circumstances prevail, to consider individual cases.

Visitors

39. 39.A book will be provided in the clubhouse for the date and entry of Visitor’s names and the member introducing them.
40. 40.Every full member shall have the privilege of introducing a visitor to play on the greens, but this privilege only extends to one visitor per month. Any one visitor will not be allowed more than two visits in a playing season.
41. 41.Any member wishing to bring a party of friends to the greens must first make written application to the Secretary and receive the sanction of the Management Committee. No member will be allowed to bring more than three rinks of players at any one time.

Laws of the Game

The World Bowls Crystal Mark version of the Laws of the Sport shall be observed.

Bye-Laws

42. 42.The Management Committee shall have power to enact and to vary from time to time such bye-laws as may be consistent with the rules and they shall be binding on every member of the club.

Interpretation

43. 43.All differences between members as to the correct interpretation of any of the foregoing rules, Laws or Bye-Laws of the Game shall be referred to the Management Committee whose decision shall be final.

Alterations to the Constitution and Rules.

44. 44.Alterations may be made at an AGM or at a Special General Meeting called for that purpose, provided twenty-eight days notice of the proposed alteration shall have been given in writing to the Secretary stating the exact wording thereof. Amendments to notices of motion must be given not later than 48 hours before the General Meeting. Alterations to the Constitution and Rules must obtain a two thirds majority of the members present at the AGM or the Special General Meeting called for that purpose. All notices of motion shall be displayed on the notice board no later than fourteen days prior to the meeting. Alterations to the Constitution and Rules agreed at an AGM or at a Special General Meeting will take effect immediately.
45. 45.No member of the Management Committee or servant employed shall have any personal interest in the sale of the excisable liquors therein or in the profits arising from such sale.
46. 46.The Management Committee member on duty in the bar shall be responsible and have full control of the sales of excisable liquor. A committee member, or other appointed by the Management Committee, must always be present when excisable liquor is being sold and must hold the relevant certification.
47. 47.The hours during which the sale of excisable liquor shall be permitted, provided that the clubhouse is open for the use of members, shall be in accordance with the Licensing (Scotland) Act 2005 and any subsequent amendments. No excisable liquor shall be sold or supplied to members of the club or others except on such occasions as may be authorised by the Management Committee. No excisable liquors shall be sold or supplied for consumption off the premises, except as allowed by our licence. 
48. 48.No visitor shall be supplied with excisable liquors unless at the invitation and in the company of a member who shall enter the visitor’s full name and address in the book provided for that purpose, such entry to be dated and signed by the member. A Visitor, who by their conduct is not desirable, must abide by any request from the authorised person in charge to leave the premises.

BYE-LAWS

Men’s Section

1. All male playing members of the club shall be deemed to be members of Ralston Bowling Club (Men’s Section).
2. The business and affairs of the Men’s Section shall be under the control of the Management Committee.
3. The Management Committee shall make all necessary arrangements in regard to men’s and mixed competition, matches and selection, subject always to the rules and bye-laws of the club. 

Ladies Section

4.         All female playing members shall be deemed to be members of Ralston Bowling Club (Ladies Section).
5.       The business and affairs of the Ladies Section shall be under the management of the Ladies Committee.
6.       Unless there is a lady of the Ladies Committee on the Management Committee then the lady members must nominate a member to attend all Management Committee meetings. This member unless a member of the Management Committee, will have no voting rights at these meetings.
7.       The Ladies Committee shall make all arrangements in regard to ladies competitions, matches and selection, subject always to the rules and bye-laws of the club and any directions by the Management Committee
8.       All funds ingathered by the Ladies Section shall be deemed to be club funds, and all outlays of the Ladies Section shall be deemed to be club outlays.
9.       The accounts of the Ladies Section shall be drawn to the same date as the club accounts and any surplus be accounted for to the club Secretary and Treasurer.
10. 10.The Annual General Meeting of the Ladies Section shall be held after their audited year end financial figures (30th November) are available and before the Club AGM on the last Friday of February.
11. 11.The foregoing rules may only be altered by the Management Committee. The Ladies Section in general meeting may recommend alterations.

Veterans Section

12. 12.Playing members of the club aged 55 years and over, shall be eligible to be members of Ralston Bowling Club (Veterans; Section).
13. 13.The business and affairs of the Veterans Section shall be under the management of the Veterans’ Committee. 
14. 14.Unless there is a Veteran member of the Veterans Committee on the Management Committee, then the Veterans’ Section must nominate a member to attend all Management Committee meetings. The member unless a member of the Management Committee, will have no voting rights at the meeting.
15. 15.The Veterans’ Committee shall make all necessary arrangements in regard to the veterans’ competitions, Matches and selections subject always to the rules and bye-laws of the club, and any directions by the Management Committee.
16. 16.All funds generated by the Veterans’ Section shall be deemed to be club funds, and all outlays shall be deemed to be club outlays.
17. 17.The accounts of the veterans section shall be drawn to the same date as the club accounts and accounted for to the club Secretary and Treasurer.
18. 18.The Annual General Meeting of the Veterans Section shall be held after their audited year end financial figures (30th November) are available and before the Club AGM on the last Friday of February.
19. 19.The foregoing rules can only be altered by the Management Committee. The Veterans’ Section in general meeting may recommend alterations.   

General

20. 20.The following bye-laws shall apply equally to all sections of the club and no person or section shall have the authority to deviate from them.
21. 21.Alteration of the bye-laws may be made only by the Management Committee, provided that notice of the proposed alteration has been given at the meeting of the Management Committee immediately preceding that at which it is to be considered.
22. 22.Members on payment of their subscription submit themselves to the Rules and Bye-Laws of the club absolutely, and on these conditions are entitled to the advantages and privileges of the Club. No member shall be absolved from the effects of these rules and bye-laws on the allegation of not having read them or received them.

Greens

23. 23.The hours of play are intimated on each of the section’s notice boards in the club. Generally play is allowed from 10:00 am, each day but this is at the discretion of the Management Committee, normally in consultation with the greenkeeper. Free play is permitted in the morning sessions up to 1 pm, but ties, subject to a maximum of three per green, can be played on unused rinks from 10.15 am onwards. These ties are not to be entered in the rinks allocation book.
24. 24.Afternoon play commences at 1:00 pm and a rink on each green has to be left until 2.15pm for free play on non-official wappenschaw days, but can be used for any game after this time if not being played on.
25. 25.Evening play commences at 6:30 pm each day and a rink on each green has to be left until 7.15 pm for free play on non official wappenschaw days, but can be used for any game after this time if not being played on.
26. 26.Evening Wappenschaws will commence at 7.00 pm or earlier at the discretion of the Management Committee. Refer also to Rule 39. 
27. 27.The greens, or any part of them, may be reserved or closed by the Management Committee and no unauthorised member shall have the right to use any portion of the space so reserved or closed.
28. 28.Subject to the above, playing time and space will be allocated by the Management Committee, consistent with the requirements of each section and the preservation of the playing surface.
29. 29.When special games are contemplated requiring both greens, application should be made in good time to the Management Committee, and not less than four weeks before they are required.
30. 30.Entrance to and exit from the greens must always be made by using the steps provided. Approved footwear must be worn and malpractice such as dropping of bowls, bumping them when delivering in play and foot faulting must be avoided.
31. 31.In inclement weather it shall be competent for the greens convener or any two of the Management Committee, or in their absence, the greenkeeper, to declare the greens closed.
32. 32.Members are expected to take an active interest in the preservation of the greens, surrounds and clubhouse, and it is their duty to report any breach of these Bye-laws to the Management Committee who alone have the right to deal with the offender.
33. 33.New members who have not previously bowled must undertake at least 3 hours of practice/ tuition from one of the club coaches before being allowed unsupervised on the greens.

Competitions

34. 34.When team selections are posted in the clubhouse, every chosen member who is available to play should initial his/her name, and anyone who is unable to play should immediately notify a member of the relevant committee. This will facilitate the provision of substitutes.
35. 35.In domestic competition ties (other than final ties which will be arranged by the relevant section committee after consultation with the contestants), either player(s) shall have the privilege to challenge the other(s), verbally or in the Challenge Book to have the tie played prior to the closing date. If it is found necessary to use the Challenge Book the challenger(s) must, challenge at least four days before the closing date of the round and record the date they entered the challenge Further the date the challenge is entered in the challenge book must pre-date the first day offered by at least 4 days, The Challenger must register a choice of two dates that are evenings. A Challenge is not valid for a date that a player is representing the Club. It is the Challenger/s responsibility to check this with the Match Secretaries. The Challenger/s must be present at the Club at the stated dates and starting times. If a tie remains un-played on expiry of the time allowed, the relevant committee will delete name or names of the player(s) at fault. In the event of no entry found in the Challenge Book to play the tie, the name(s) of both player(s) shall be deleted                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           
36. 36.Any member, who is entered for the championship of any outside Bowling Club, shall not be eligible to enter the Championship of this club.
37. 37.During the playing of ties one end rink on each green will be reserved for free play, but if unoccupied after 2.15 pm or 7.15 pm can be used for ties
38. 38.Substitution

FIRST STAGE: the players participating in the first tie shall be regarded as the official starting team.

During play, if it is agreed that a substitute is required, the substitute should play in any position other than skip,                   and the other members of the team can rearrange their positions as necessary.

The full rules for substitution during play are contained in the World Bowls Laws of the Sport of Bowls (Crystal Mark Third Edition) Section  Laws 32 and 33.

Substitutes must not have played in an earlier round of the same competition with any team..

In the First Stage, which in all competitions is up to and including the ¼ finals, substitution will be allowed as follows and can be made at any time between rounds and the substitute may play in any position:

        FOURS Four Substitutions

        TRIPLES Three Substitutions

       PAIRS Two Substitutions

       A player from the official starting team may come back into that team after being substituted, However they                          cannot play for any other team in that discipline. The returning player counts as a substitute.

SECOND STAGE: semi-finals onwards: Substitutes must not have played in an earlier round of the same

competition with any team 

39. 39.Wappenschaw Games 

In Wappenschaw games, when points are played for, six players shall be the minimum number to constitute an Official game. No trial ends will be permitted and the MCM shall set the rules of the whole Competition at the start of the Season.

 Other play may be allowed and authorised by the Committee at the same time as the Official Wappenschaw.
 These games will be outwith of all the rules, for Wappenschaw games.

40. 40.In the event of two or more scorecards showing the same number of shots up, the card with the least shots against will be declared the winner.
41. 41.In adverse weather play shall be terminated by a committee decision. If less than eight ends have been played the game shall be null and void.                                                  

Other Information

42. 42.The club premises may be used for social and recreational purposes, on such conditions as the Management Committee may agree.
43. 43.All competitions will be played under Bowls Scotland rules for National Competitions first stage.