Click along here for Job Descriptions for Committee Member, Club Secretary and Treasurer ahead of the nominations for the AGM 2008.  Click here to see what nominations were received.   BROADSTAIRS LIFEGUARD AND SWIMMING CLUB BYE-LAWS These should be read in conjunction with the Constitution of the Club (with our insurance details), Club Objectives, Equity Policy , Normal and Emergency procedures, Code of Conduct, Annual Plan 2008-2009 and Child Protection Policy, and the guidelines for handling internal Club disputes General 1.      Club colours shall be black and white.  Swimmers are requested to wear black swimsuits and to have appropriate swimming equipment, such as fins, from Level 5 upwards.  2.      The Club recognises persons in the following categories as members, provided that they are also members of the ASA by paying the appropriate subscription fee: A. Swimmers aged less than 16 whose subscriptions are fully up to date and paid by themselves or their parent/carer/guardian. B. Swimmers aged 16 or over whose subscriptions are fully up to date, whether paid by themselves or by another person. C. Persons who the Committee have nominated and accepted as Honorary Members, such as Committee members, teachers, poolside helpers/senior swimmers (where they have passed an ASA qualification to teach swimming and who continue to regularly assist the Club in it’s activities, to mark long and loyal service) D. Members’ parents/carers/ guardians, who aged over 16, have applied for and been approved for membership in the appropriate manner and who are up to date with their subscriptions.   3.      Voting rights – Persons in category 2A, i.e. who are less than 16 on the day of Special and Annual General Meetings, have voting rights on matters that the Chairman states are relevant to them.  Persons noted at 2B, 2C and 2D have voting rights at Special and Annual General Meetings.  4.      In the case of the Annual General Meeting, an up to date list of the nominees for the Committee Officers, posts and a copy of the examined accounts shall be displayed for the members to inspect for at least 1 week prior to the meeting.       5.      Persons applying for election to the Committee at the AGM need to be nominated and seconded only once.  Appointment will be made by a show of hands at the meeting, according to the voting rights described at 3.  Persons need not be present at the meeting to be voted onto the Committee, but must have given their agreement to be nominated by signing a nomination form. 6.      All Club trophies shall be competed for annually and shall remain property of the Club, who will insure them against the prospect of loss or damage.  All trophies must be returned to the Secretary promptly should the trophy holder leave the Club. 7.      Winners or custodians of trophies are required to keep the trophies in a good condition, ready for presenting to subsequent winners, and to make good any necessary repairs before the trophies are returned to the club, either for presentation after an event or when the member leaves the club. Health and Safety 8.      Swimmers should be poolside promptly for their lesson and be fit to swim, including having showered, be wearing appropriate swimwear (see also Bye Law 18) and be free from any illnesses or infections that may affect them or others during their lesson. 9.      The Club accepts no responsibility for loss or damage to personal items or belongings.  10.  The Club shall only assume responsibility for members whose subscriptions are up to date or in advance, AND once they are poolside.  11.  Before coming poolside and after the lesson has been dismissed, members remain in the charge of a person who has parental responsibility.  12.  It is the responsibility of parents to ensure that they are contactable in the case of an emergency.  This includes home and mobile phone numbers and addresses.  2.      Swimmers who require medicines, such as inhalers, etc, are responsible for bringing them to and from each session.  The items must be clearly marked with the swimmers name, and the need for the item must be brought to the attention of the Teacher.  3.      Members must adhere to the requirements of the Club as set out in the Membership Application Pack, which is available for general inspection in the Parents Folder.  Members whose behaviour or attitude presents a potential risk to themselves, other swimmers, persons on poolside or the general welfare of the Club and its members may be required to leave a session on instruction of a Club representative.  See also Bye Law 17. 4.      Persistent or repeated incidents of inappropriate behaviour or attitude may lead to the member being given a formal verbal warning about future conduct.  Should this happen, the member’s adult representative will be informed.  See also Bye Law 17. 5.      The Committee may, on behalf of the Club, expel a member if, in its opinion, it is inappropriate for the member to continue attending sessions.  In this case, a written letter will be handed to the members’ adult representative.  This step will only be taken in exceptional circumstances and where the Committee feel that there is no reasonable alternative.  See also Bye Law 17. 6.      All disputes must be dealt with in accordance with the A.S.A. Guidelines for handling such disputes. 7.      Hair that can cover the face while swimming must be tied back and a swim hat should be worn for hygiene reasons (see also Bye Law 8).  Subscriptions 8.      On joining the Club, if monthly subscriptions are to be paid by Standing Order, payment is only due for the current month.  If the applicant wishes to pay by cheque, 2 months subscriptions in advance are required.  9.      Swimmers are not covered by the Club insurance if subscriptions are in arrears.  The club reserves the right to refuse admission to swimmers if subscriptions are in arrears. 10.  Members will be deemed to have left the Club if 2 consecutive months’ subscriptions have not been paid.  The Club will fill this place with another swimmer where possible.  11.  Members leaving the Club forfeit any advance fees paid. 12.  The Club shall require, with the Committee’s agreement that all joining, membership and subscription fees are paid by cheque or standing order.  13.  In exceptional circumstances, cash may be accepted with the prior agreement of the Treasurer. 14.  Subscriptions are required to be paid every month, whether or not the member will be attending, such as in the case of family or school holidays.  15.  Subscriptions may be suspended but membership maintained, for example, in the case of long-term illness or financial hardship, at the discretion of the Committee.  16.  In the case of long-term sickness, the Club must be informed in writing at the earliest opportunity and the Club may offer this place to another proposed member on an understood short-term basis, with the agreement of the Committee.  The offer of suspended membership for long-term sickness may not be made retrospectively.  17.  In the case of financial hardship, members must make a Committee member aware of their circumstances in confidence at the earliest opportunity, in which case membership fees may be waived or reduced at the discretion of the Committee for an agreed length of time between the two parties.  The offer of reduced subscription rates for short-term cases of financial hardship may not be made retrospectively.  18.  Any member taking part in the Club championship must be a paid up member of at least 2 months membership on the closing date for entries for that particular championship.