Question 1

What is the club management structure

Accepted Answer

The day to day running of the Club is under the control of the Board of Directors of the Company [Amesbury Rugby Club Limited] and the Club Management Committee, which will include the Executive officers plus members of the Senior Management Team as required: The Executive Officers are elected at the annual AGM and serve a term of one year.

Question 2

What is the Club Executive

Accepted Answer

The Club Executive are elected by vote at the club AGM on an annual basis.

The Executive Officers are:
●        Club President
●        Club Chairman
●        Club Secretary
●        Club Treasurer
●        Club Senior Rugby Chairman

The Executive Team provide overall management of the club as per the club rules. They meet no less than 10 times per year and all decisions are debated and voted. The majority vote carries.

The President does not carry a standard vote but can step in if a member of the Exec is absent and a decision is required.

The Club Exec oversee the Club Management team who are responsible for delivering on the day to day operations of the club.

Question 3

What is the Club Management team?

Accepted Answer

The Club Management team are volunteers who take on operation roles around the club. Anyone in a recognised volunteer role is invited to join the club management group and be included in day to day operational conversations. Each member of the management team has a direct reporting line to the club executive team.

Members of the Club Management team are not elected at the AGM. They are approved by the club executive team as required.

Each member of the Club Management Committee team is entitled to form a sub-committee on which they will act as chair. In the absence of the chairperson, the subcommittee can elect a temporary chairperson from those present.

Senior management team members are invited but are not obliged to attend every management committee meeting unless specifically requested.

Question 4

How are the club finances managed?

Accepted Answer

1. The Club financial year runs June to May.
2. The income and property of the Club, however derived, shall be applied solely towards the objectives of the Club as set out in Rule 2.
3. All Club monies will be banked in an account held in the name of the Club. 
4. The Club Treasurer will be responsible for the finances of the Club. 
5. A statement of Annual Income and Expenditure statement and simplified balance sheet, will be verified by an independent external qualified accountant and presented for approval at the Annual General Meeting.
6. Any cheques drawn against Club funds should hold two authorised signatures from the Executive officers of the Club.

Question 5

How is club discipline managed?

Accepted Answer

1. The following Rules apply subject to any overriding Employment Laws or other applicable Laws:
2. The Management Committee shall appoint a Disciplinary Panel comprising three members, prior to the commencement of each season. A further member shall be appointed reserve for the Committee and will attend in the absence of a Member.
3. This panel will be responsible for dealing with all Club Members who are charged with conduct detrimental to the good name of Amesbury Rugby Football Club. 
4. The disciplinary panel will meet to hear complaints within ten days of a complaint being lodged. 
5. The panel has the power to take appropriate disciplinary action including the termination of membership
6. Not less than three members shall sit at a meeting of this Disciplinary panel. 
7. All complaints regarding the behaviour of members should be presented and submitted in writing to the Club Secretary. 
8. Captains must report the name of the player sent off and relevant details to the Club Secretary within 24 hours of the offence being committed.
9. Any person called before the panel to explain their conduct shall be permitted to call two persons to give support before the panel. 
10. The panel may call its own witnesses. 
11. The outcome of a disciplinary hearing should be notified in writing to the person who lodged the complaint and the member against whom the complaint was made within five days of the hearing. 
12. There will be the right of appeal to the Management Committee following disciplinary action being announced. The Management committee will review the evidence within 7 days but will not include the committee member who sat on the original panel.

Question 6

How does the AGM operate?

Accepted Answer

1. The Annual General Meeting of Company Members will be held in accordance with the Articles and the Annual General Meeting of the Club Members shall be held at the same time and the following provisions shall apply to the Club Members Annual General Meetings.   In the event of any conflict between the Articles and the following provisions of this clause 6, the provisions of the Articles shall prevail.   
2. The Annual General Meeting will be held each year, at a date, time and place to be decided by the Management Committee but no later than the 15th of July each year. 
3. Notice of every Annual General Meeting stating the date, time and venue of such meeting shall be sent to all Members so as to be received not less than twenty days prior to the date of the Meeting with the agenda of the business to be considered along with a copy of the Club's Financial Statement for the preceding financial year.
4. A quorum shall not be less than 15% of membership or 10 members whichever the lesser. 
5. The purpose of the Annual General Meeting is for the transaction of the following business:
   1. To elect or re-elect or replace the Club Nominee Member
   2. Receive and approve a report from the Committee on the affairs of the Club since the previous Annual General Meeting. The Treasurer shall present to the Meeting an accountant's statement of annual accounts for the previous Club year for discussion and approval of the Meeting. 
   3. Appoint the Auditors for the ensuing year subject to Board approval.
   4. The election of Executive Officers for the following Club year.
   5. To elect Vice Presidents and Honorary Members.
   6. Any decision or amendments to the Club Constitution and other special business, received in writing by the secretary at least 28 days prior to the Annual General Meeting, will also be considered and dealt with appropriately. 
   7. Membership fees proposed
   8. To vote on and approve or otherwise any Rules made, amended or revoked by the Board outside of the Annual General Meeting and since the previous Annual General Meeting
   9. Any decision or amendments to the Articles shall be decided in accordance with the Articles and the Companies Act 2006 as may be amended from time to time.

Question 7

How are Executive Officers elected?

Accepted Answer

1. All members (except social only members and members under the age of 18) shall have the right to make a nomination (with consent of the candidate). These nominations will be considered by the Exec Committee for suitability (qualification/experience) and if required a vote will be held to proceed with nomination.
2. Notice for the elections of Executive Officers shall be posted by the Club Secretary by the 31st May each year. The notice will request members to propose and second consenting candidates for each role.
3. Nominations must be received in writing by the Club Secretary no later than 25 days before the AGM. Notice of the Executive Officer nominations shall be presented by the Club Secretary on a Club Notice Board and on the members closed Facebook Group not less than 14 days prior to the Annual General Meeting. The Notice shall be removed not less than 24 hours prior to the Meeting. 
4. The election of each Officer shall be by show of hands (or by nominated proxy to club secretary) and decided by a majority of votes recorded. If in the case of two candidates receiving equal votes a second vote will be immediately held. If there is still equality of votes the incumbent Club Chairman shall hold a casting vote.
5. The Club Secretary shall be empowered to call an Extra Ordinary General Meeting upon receiving a request to do so, in writing, from a minimum of ten members, or, at the request of the Management Committee. In the event of a tied vote the Chairman of the meeting shall have a casting vote.

Question 8

What are the aims of the club?

Accepted Answer

The aims and objectives of the Club will be:
1. To promote Rugby Football (“Rugby Union” or “Rugby”) for members of all ages under the laws as laid down by the Rugby Football Union.
2. To liaise and cooperate with the local education authorities, schools and sporting bodies in the promotion of Rugby Football in the (area).
3. To encourage Rugby for all.
4. To offer coaching and competitive opportunities in Rugby Union.
5. To promote the club within the local community and Rugby Union.
6. To develop training programmes as and when required to assist members in improving their abilities.
7. To ensure the club is established and conducted in good faith as a club
8. To ensure a duty of care to all members of the club.
9. To provide all its services in a way that is fair to everyone.

The club also has a 5 year development plan. See the FAQ's

Question 9

What is the club development plan?

Accepted Answer

Ambition 1 - Development of on field offering
To invest in all rugby (Men's, Women’s, Walking and AG), through the improvement of facilities, equipment, resources and development paths to attract new & retain current players & volunteers so we continue to improve the on-field performances season on season.

Ambition 2 - Targeted growth in undeveloped areas
Targeted growth in undeveloped areas To continue to develop our rugby offering there are a number of specific areas we will target. This will, in conjunction with other targets, aid us in both on and off field development. It will also raise our profile in the community and reach out to a demographic currently out of reach.

Ambition 3 - Financial Security & Sustainability
To access a broad range of ongoing funding streams while managing our expenditure and reserves to ensure we have the balance of investment in equipment and resources each season as well as the long term security for a sustainable future for the club.

Ambition 4 - Connecting with our community
To establish opportunities for the club to provide meaningful & valued contributions to the local community that in return raises a positive perception of the club across a larger proportion of the town and rugby community.

Ambition 5 - Find and develop future club premises
Ongoing proposals, lobbying and negotiations to establish a long-term home for the club that allows for a clubhouse,  expanded playing space and facilities.

Further details are provided via the website here (https://www.amesburyrugbyclub.com/clubdevelopmentplan)

Question 10

How does the club communicate from the Exec to the membership

Accepted Answer

The Club Executive Officers utilise a method of cascading information:

The Exec will share information via the Club Management Team who are then asked to share the information across their respective sections. This is particularly important in the case of the playing squads where the team manager is asked to ensure they share the information in their teams.

In addition, each member of the club management has a direct report on the Club Executive. The relevant Executive Officer is required to ensure their direct reports are aware of information as required.

Men's Rugby

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AMESBURY RFC

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