Constitution

2.0 - Constitution

2.1. Objects

Poole Yacht Racing Association (The Association or P.Y.R.A.) exists to promote, encourage, organise and co-ordinate racing for bona fide sailing yachts, herin after refered to as boats, in association with the member Yacht Clubs based on Poole Harbour which sponsor it. Currently these are the Parkstone, Poole and Royal Motor Yacht Clubs, plus any other club approved by the General Committee.

2.2. The Committee

a) The affairs of the Association shall be managed by a General Committee,consisting of:-

The Captain of the Association.

The Hon. Secretary.

The Hon. Treasurer.

The Hon. Records Secretary.

The Hon. Handicapper.

The Hon. Social Secretary.

The Hon. Web Master

The Captains and Vice Captains of each of the Racing Classes.

A representative appointed by each of the sponsoring clubs.

b) The club representatives, one from each of the Sponsoring Clubs shall be appointed by their respective General Committees.

c) The Captain and Vice Captain of each of the racing classes shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting of their respective classes, and their election submitted for confirmation at the Annual General Meeting of the Association. They shall not be eligible for re-election to that office in the one year immediately following four consecutive years therein.

d) All other officers shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting of the Association.

e) The Captain of the Association shall not be eligible for re-election to that office in the one year immediately following three consecutive years therein.

f) Nominations for any of these Offices may be submitted by any Full Member of the Association in writing to the Secretary at least 21 days prior to the Annual General Meeting. Each nomination shall contain the names of the proposer and the seconder and shall confirm that the Member nominated has agreed to accept nomination. When no valid written nomination has been received for any Office, the Chairman may accept a nomination at the Annual General Meeting. Should more than one nomination be received for any Office then the Chairman shall conduct a written Ballot. If any Office remains unfilled, the Committee may at their discretion, co-opt a member to fill that position.

2.3. General Meetings

a) The Annual General Meeting of the Members of the Association shall be held before 31st. December in each year at such time and place as the Committee shall appoint.

b) An Extraordinary General Meeting may be convened at any time deemed necessary or desirable by the Committee or on receiving a Requisition, signed by no less than ten Members who are entitled to vote at General Meetings, such requisition shall state the object of the Proposed Meeting.

c) Notice in writing of any Annual or Extraordinary General Meeting setting out the Agenda of that meeting, shall be sent to all members of the Association at least fourteen days before the date set for the Meeting. The minutes of these meetings shall be made available to members.

d) At any General Meeting the Chair shall be taken by the Captain of the Association, or failing this by some other person appointed as Chairman by the Committee.

e) All Committee Members and every Full Member of the Association shall have one vote and, except as provided in Clause 2.5, resolutions will be decided by a simple majority of the votes properly cast. In the case of equality of votes, the Chairman shall have a second or casting vote. Proxy votes will not be permitted.

f) Amendments to Resolutions included in the Agenda of any General Meeting will be accepted for debate, it is recommended that all such amendments be carefully worded and that notice of such amendments be given to the Secretary seven days before the Meeting.

g) Separate Annual General Meetings of the Members of each Racing Class shall be held before the date of the Annual General Meeting of the Association in each year. Any resolutions passed on recommendations at such Class Meetings shall be submitted to the Annual General Meeting of the Association for approval.

2.4. Membership

a) Association membership is renewable annually and expires on the 31st. of December.

b) FULL MEMBERSHIP is open to an owner of a bona fide boat who for Membership must submit:-

i) Form of Application for Membership (or renewal) and Boat Registration.

ii) The relevant annual subscription.

Membership is acquired when this document and subscription have been submitted to the Committee and approved by them. This approval may be withdrawn at any time at the discretion of the Committee

c) CREW MEMBERSHIP is open to any person or by application of a Full Member, and is acquired when such application is accepted by the Hon. Secretary.

d) HONORARY MEMBERSHIP may be conferred, by the Committee, on any person not for the time being actively engaged in racing with the Association.

The Commodores of the PYRA sponsoring clubs will be Honorary Members for the duration of their term of office.

e) Only Full Members may vote at the Association’s Meetings, and only Full Members are eligible for election to the Offices of Captain of the Association or Captain or Vice Captain of the racing classes. Each boat carries only one vote.

f) The amounts of the Annual Subscriptions for all classes of Membership will be fixed annually at the Association’s AGM. Membership forms are available from the Hon. Secretary.

g) For the purposes of PYRA Membership the minimum requirements for a bona fide boat are defined in Part 2 Sections 2.0 and 3.0 of this book.

h) TEMPORARY MEMBERSHIP is open to yachtsmen for the purpose of competing in a maximum of two weekend’s racing per season. Temporary Membership subscriptions will include payment for a copy of the PYRA Handbook and Programme. Applicants should notify the Hon. Secretary two weeks before participation to enable any handicapping procedure to be carried out.

Subscription Rates for 2008 are :-

Full Member* Class 1, £65. Class 2, £60. Class 3, £55.

Crew Member (non-voting) £10.

Temporary Member £20

*New applicants for Full PYRA Membership. 50% of class fee

2.5. Constitution (Rules)

The Constitution and/or Rules of the Association may be added to, repealed or amended by resolution at any General Meeting of the Members of the Association providing that no such resolution shall be passed unless it is carried by a majority of two-thirds of the votes properly cast at the Meeting.

A Member wishing to propose any alteration to the constitution or Rules must give notice in writing to the Secretary of the Association of the Resolution at least twenty-eight days before the date of the General Meeting, at which the proposal will be considered.

A copy of the resolution to be proposed shall be enclosed with, or incorporated in the Agenda of the General Meeting at which the proposal is to be considered, and such Agenda shall be circulated to all Members at least fourteen days before the date set for the Meeting.