www.pincesgardensbc.co.uk
Pinces Gardens Bowling Club Constitution Page 1
Reviewed and Agreed at AGM - 16th October 2025
1) Name and Objectives
1.1) The name of the Club shall be Pinces Gardens Bowling Club (hereinafter referred to within this constitution as the ‘Club’).
1.2) The Club shall be affiliated to Bowls England, Bowls Devon, Exeter and District League and Exeter over 60s League.
1.3) The objectives of the Club are to provide facilities and promote participation in the amateur sport of bowls in St Thomas, Exeter and other social activities as will provide enjoyment of members.
2) Membership
2.1) Membership at the Club is open to anyone interested in bowls
2.2) Membership Types and their rights and privileges
(a) Full member - shall have the full use of all Club facilities, full voting rights
(b) Honorary/life member - shall have the full use of all Club facilities, full voting rights
(c) Asociate member shall have the full use of the Club-house facilities, no voting rights
2.3) Membership Fees
The rate of Fee for each category of Membership shall be proposed by the Committee to the members at the Annual General Meeting in each year. Any proposed changes shall be approved by a majority of those present and entitled to vote and shall become operative from 1 APRIL following the Annual General Meeting.
2.4) The club financial year runs 30 September
2.5) Membership Application
Membership of the club shall be open to anyone interested in lawn bowls who completes an application form and pays the relevant subscription fee and approved by the committee as determined by the club for the type of membership required.
2.6) Membership Information
In order to carry out its duties the Club must collect relevant contact information from members through the application form. Completing of the form will be deemed to constitute consent to the holding of relevant personal data for the purposes of the Data Protection Act.
The club will take appropriate steps to ensure that the details are kept confidentially.
3) Conduct of Members
3.1 All members when joining the club will be required to agree to and sign a code of conduct form based on Bowls England Player Code of Conduct every member must complete an application form. The application form includes the commitment to conduct themselves in accordance with any conduct rules, policies and disciplinary procedures of the club.
3.2 The club adopts Bowls England Player Code of Conduct
https://www.bowlsengland.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/BE_player_code_of_conduct_FINAL.pdf
3.3 All disciplinary matters will be dealt with in accordance with Bowls England Regulation 9 (Misconduct) this includes following the rights of members to appeal decisions such as expulsion.
3.4 Safeguarding
The Club is committed to promoting a safe environment in which children and vulnerable adults can enjoy taking part in games of bowls. The Club adopts the Bowls England Safeguarding Policy
https://www.bowlsengland.com/safeguarding-policies/
4) The Club Committee
4.1) The Committee of the Club shall consist of
a/ The President/Chairman
b/ Hon secretary
c/ Hon Treasurer
d/ Fixture Secretary.
e/ Safeguarding Officer
f/ Club Captain
g/ Vice Captain
h/ Plus up to another 2 members elected at the AGM from the club if members are interestd (Hold office for 3 Years)
The committee shall have a minimum of 4 Members and a maximum of 9 Members
A committee quorum will consist of 4 members of the committee
4.2) All officers shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting and shall hold office for 1 year, retiring at the following Annual General Meeting. All Officers of the Club shall be eligible for re-election to the same office or another office at the end of their current period of election.
4.3) If the number of candidates for election is greater than the number of vacancies to be filled, then there shall be a ballot of those members present and entitled to vote at the Annual General Meeting.
4.4) If, for any reason, a casual vacancy shall occur, the Committee may co-opt another person to fill such a vacancy until the next following Annual General Meeting. Co-opted Members will be entitled to vote.
4.5) The Committee shall endeavour to meet three times a year making such arrangements as to the conduct, place of assembly and holding of such meetings as it may wish.
Voting shall be by show of hands. In the case of equality of votes the Chairman (or other nominated person) shall be entitled to a second and casting vote.
4.6) The powers of the Committee
The Committee shall manage the affairs of the Club according to the Constitution, Bowls England rules and the Law. They are responsible for ensuring that the funds and resources of the Club are applied solely to the objects of the Club.
4.7) In particular the Committee shall ensure that the property and funds of the Club will not be used for the direct or indirect private benefit of Members other than as reasonably allowed by the Rules. No surpluses or assets will be distributed to members, or third parties and all surplus income or profits will be re-invested in the Club.
4.8) Limitation of Committee's authority
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 as far as expressly authorised, or authorised by implication, by the Committee. No one shall, without the express authority of the Committee, borrow money or incur debts on behalf of the Club or its membership.
5) Annual General Meeting
5.1) An Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Club shall be held each year no later than the end of November on a date to be fixed by the Committee. The Club Secretary shall at least twenty-one days before the date of such meeting circulate to each member notice hereof and of the business to be brought forward thereat. This may be either by post or electronically
5.2) In order for the AGM to be quorate there must be a minimum of 10 members present.
5.3) The AGM must have the following standard agenda items for voting and signing off:
Election of Members to the Committee
Annual Income Expenditure Statement and Report for Member Approval
Safeguarding Officer
Confirm the Minutes of the last AGM
Review Club subscription Rates and other expenses fro the next playing season
AOB