1. NAME
This Combination of Clubs, formed to promote the game of Rugby Union Football in Bristol and the surrounding area, shall be called The BRISTOL & DISTRICT RUGBY FOOTBALL COMBINATION (hereinafter called “the Combination”). It shall be in membership with, and subject to the authority of the Gloucestershire Rugby Football Union. It shall also be affiliated to the Somerset Rugby Football Union.
2. OBJECTS
The objects of the Combination shall be:
(a)To foster good relationships among clubs and to resolve any differences arising between them;
(b)To arrange and control a Seven-a-Side Tournament, a Cup Competition, and such other competitions as may be considered desirable;
(c)To provide a Fixture Exchange and to publish an annual handbook, for the information of clubs and players;
(d) To promote a Combination Representative Team, for a limited number of fixtures;
(e) The Combination Management Committee will appoint the Trustees/Directors of the Lockleaze Sports Centre Trust in accordance with its Articles of Association.
(f) The Combination Management Committee will use its best endeavours to ensure that Lockleaze Sports Centre is used for the furtherance of rugby football through its member clubs and other associated and affiliated bodies.
3. MEMBERSHIP
Any Rugby Football Union Club, which is affiliated to its appropriate constituent body and which has headquarters in Bristol or the surrounding area, shall be eligible for membership, subject to being proposed and seconded by two member clubs and elected by a simple majority of votes cast at an Ordinary or General Meeting. Any club so elected shall be deemed to be in membership until:
(a) It ceases to exist; or
(b) It is suspended or expelled by a simple majority of the votes cast at an Ordinary or General Meeting (prior notice of the motion having be given to all member-clubs) or; it notifies the Honorary Secretary of the Combination in writing that it has resolved at a properly constituted General Meeting to withdraw from membership of the Combination.
4. SUBSCRIPTIONS
The annual subscription shall be decided by the Management Committee and member clubs will be informed each year at the Annual General meeting.
5. CONDITION OF MEMBERSHIP
All member-clubs agree:
(a) Not to select a player who has left another club without first ascertaining from that club that he has met all his obligations;
(b) Not to seek the services of referees other than through the appropriate County Union Society;
(c) Not to change its name without the prior approval of the Combination.
6. COMMITTEES
(a) The general business of the Combination shall be conducted by a Management Committee, which shall comprise the President, the Chairman, the Vice Chairman, the Honorary Secretary, the Honorary Treasurer, the Honorary Match and Team Secretary, the Honorary Cup Competitions Secretary, the Honorary Ten-a-Side Tournament Secretary, the Honorary Ground Secretary, the Honorary Handbook Secretary, and two other elected members.
(b) The Management Committee and sub-committees shall have the power to co-opt and shall submit reports of their activities to Ordinary Meetings.
7. MEETINGS
(a) Ordinary Meetings shall be convened monthly during the playing season and at other times, deemed necessary by the Management Committee.
(b) An Annual General Meeting shall be held by 30th June each year to receive reports and accounts; to elect the members of the Management Committee, the Honorary Life Members, the Vice Presidents and such sub-committees as are deemed necessary; also to appoint an Independent Examiner of Accounts and to transact any other business.
(c) Any motion to be voted upon at the Annual General Meeting must be sent to the Honorary Secretary of the Combination by 1st May. Nominations for the Officers, Members of the Management Committee and the Sub-Committees must be in the hands of the Honorary Secretary 14 days prior to the AGM. Nominations may be taken after this, up to and including the AGM itself, for any position for which there has been no nomination.
(d) An Extraordinary General Meeting shall be convened by the Honorary Secretary at the request of the Management Committee or within fourteen days of receiving a written request from at least ten member clubs, giving the reason for such a meeting.
(e) At an Ordinary or General Meeting each member club represented shall be entitled to one vote, and the Chairman shall have a casting vote.
(f) At any General Meeting the quorum shall be representation by twelve member clubs.
8. INTERPRETATION AND AMENDMENT
(a) If any difference of opinion should arise as to the meaning of any bye-law, such meaning shall be decided by the Management Committee or, if the matter arises at an Ordinary or General Meeting, by the Chairman thereof. Any such decision shall be recorded in the minutes and accepted as the true meaning of the Bye-Law.
(b) The Bye-Laws shall be amended only by a two-thirds majority at a General Meeting, subject to the provision of Bye-Law 7(c).
9. DISSOLUTION
In the event of the dissolution of the Combination any property whatsoever remaining, after the satisfaction of all debts and liabilities shall be disbursed in such a manner as the Combination thinks fit, to organisations furthering the advancement of Rugby Union Football or any charitable purpose.