1
BERKSHIRE DARTS
ORGANISATION
CONSTITUTION
June 2010
2
BDO 1
BERKSHIRE DARTS ORGANISATION – CONSTITUTION
1.0
NAME
1.01
The darts body is to be known as BERKSHIRE DARTS ORGANISATION and shall
be a Full Member of the BRITISH DARTS ORGANISATION LIMITED and shall
also be a Full Member of the ENGLAND DARTS ORGANISATION
1.02
The BERKSHIRE DARTS ORGANISATION shall hereinafter be represented in the
document by the initials ‘BDO’
2.0
RULES
2.01
The ‘BDO’ shall be governed by the contents of this Constitution
2.02
The Berkshire Super League, which shall be an integral part of the ‘BDO’ shall
comply with the contents of this Constitution, plus any Rules and Regulations laid
down in the Super League Playing Rules and Format
2.03
The ‘BDO’ shall comply with the Rules and Regulations of the BRITISH DARTS
ORGANISATION LIMITED and the ENGLAND DARTS ORGANISATION in so
far as membership of those Organisations is concerned
2.04
All darts events under the jurisdiction of the ‘BDO’ shall be organised in accordance
with the Playing Rules of the BRITISH DARTS ORGANISATION LIMITED
3.0
OBJECTIVES
3.01
The ‘BDO’ shall promote all aspects of the Sport of Darts within the geographical
boundaries of the Royal County of Berkshire
3.02
The ‘BDO’ shall not control, organise or promote any darts functions outside the
County boundaries of Royal Berkshire without the prior permission of the
neighbouring County Darts Organisation so affected
3.03
The ‘BDO’ shall undertake to organise and control those sections of darts events
relative to the ‘BDO’s’ participation in the activities of both the BRITISH DARTS
ORGANISATION LIMITED and the ENGLAND DARTS ORGANISATION
4.0
MANAGEMENT
4.01
The ‘BDO’ shall be managed by an EXECUTIVE COUNCIL which shall comprise a
number of EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, who shall share functional responsibilities in
the management of the Organisation
5.0
FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES
5.01
The EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, once elected, shall each be responsible for holding a
functional office
5.02
An individual EXECUTIVE OFFICER may be elected to be responsible for more
than one functional office.
5.03
The functional offices number eleven and are listed as:-
Chairperson: Vice Chairperson: General Secretary: Treasurer: Assistant General
Secretary: League Secretary: Men’s and Ladies’ Team Managers: Youth Team
Manager: Press Officer: Fixtures Secretary.
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BERKSHIRE DARTS ORGANISATION – CONSTITUTION
6.0
ELECTIONS
6.01
All EXECUTIVE OFFICERS to stand for election for specific posts at each AGM.
6.02
An existing EXECUTIVE OFFICER may stand for re-election without having to be
nominated
6.03
A nomination for the office of EXECUTIVE OFFICER must be made by one Super
League Secretary and must be seconded by another Super League Secretary.
6.04
A nominee MUST be present in the Annual General Meeting, and must indicate
his/her willingness to accept the nomination and stand for election. Also the
nominator or representative (under exceptional circumstances and at the Committee's
discretion) and seconder or representative (under exceptional circumstances and at
the Committee's discretion) must be present in the Annual General Meeting
6.05
A nominee must be a registered member of a Super League Team from the preceding
season (i.e the season leading up to the A.G.M.)
6.06
The ‘BDO’ Auditors shall be elected in the Annual General Meeting for the coming
season
6.07
The General Secretary plus one other member of the EXECUTIVE COUNCIL shall
be empowered to represent BERKSHIRE at the Full Council Meetings of the
BRISITH DARTS ORGANISATION LIMITED and the ENGLAND DARTS
ORGANISATION
6.08
The EXECUTIVE COUNCIL shall be empowered to co-opt Officers on to the
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
A co-opted Officer may stand for re-election at the next Annual General Meeting
without having to be nominated
6.09
The EXECUTIVE COUNCIL shall be empowered to appoint members of the
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL, together with Super League Secretaries, for the purpose of
forming a Sub-Committee to organise specific darts functions on behalf of the ‘BDO’
6.10
If any EXECUTIVE OFFICER is found guilty of ‘misconduct’ then that person shall
be requested to resign from the EXECUTIVE COUNCIL immediately and shall
never be allowed to apply for re-election to the EXECUTIVE COUNCIL nor shall
they ever form part of a co-opted forum.
6.11
Any person considered by the EXECUTIVE COUNCIL to be failing to carry out his,
or her, elected responsibilities may be asked to resign from office. That person may
not apply for a position on the EXECUTIVE COUNCIL then for a period of five
years.
6.12
Any person found guilty of an offence of dishonesty will be excluded from standing
for election to the EXECUTIVE COUNCIL for life.
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BERKSHIRE DARTS ORGANISATION – CONSTITUTION
6.0
ELECTIONS (Cont…)
6.13
A member of the EXECUTIVE COUNCIL can be removed by a vote of no
confidence. This can be instigated by another member of the EXECUTIVE
COUNCIL and countersigned by a Team Secretary or instigated and countersigned
by two different Team secretaries
6.14
All votes for election or removal of Officers will be a paper ballot.
7.0
MEETINGS
7.01
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL Meetings shall be held at intervals and at times as
determined by the EXECUTIVE COUNCIL. Any EXECUTIVE OFFICER failing
to attend three meetings (without reasonable excuse i.e illness etc.) will be asked to
resign from office.
7.02
The 'quorum' for an Executive Council shall be '5' and in those circumstances where
any 'BDO' business shall be valid as in a Meeting with full attendance always
providing that there are '5' or more persons present in the Meeting
7.03
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS shall be held at the end of each season at a venue
and time as determined by the Executive Council
7.04
An EXTRA ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING shall be called by the Executive
Council if the need arises to amend the ‘BDO’ Constitution, or to amend the Super
League Rules, or to consider and decide upon any matter that is considered by the
Executive Council to be too important to be left to the next appropriate meeting, or
by a letter state the reason why, and signed by no less than two-thirds of the member
team secretaries.
7.05
A Secretary is a person who is officially appointed by a Parent Darts League
Organisation for the purpose of representing that Darts League at any ‘BDO’
Meeting call by the Executive Council
7.06
A Secretary shall be given a minimum of ‘14’ days notice of any additional General
Meetings.
8.0
MEETING AGENDAS AND MINUTES
8.01
The compilation of Meeting Agendas shall be conducted by the nominated members
of the Executive Council and shall be available for each meeting.
8.02
Items for consideration for inclusion on Agendas must be in the hands of the
nominated member not less than ‘14’ days prior to the Meeting in question, or a
stipulated date which has been notified in writing to all persons authorised to attend
such meeting.
8.03
The Executive Council shall reserve the right to exclude any item from an Agenda if
it does not comply with stipulated requirements
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8.00
MEETING AGENDAS AND MINUTES (Cont…)
8.04
The EXECUTIVE COUNCIL meetings will be properly minuted and these minutes
distributed to EXECUTIVE COUNCIL members only. It will be a decision of the
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL should any or all of that meeting be communicated to the
Team Secretaries.
8.05
The Secretaries meeting will be properly minuted and circulated to all EXECUTIVE
COUNCIL members, all co-opted members and to all team secretaries.
9.0
VOTING
9.01
Each EXECUTIVE OFFICER, except the CHAIRPERSON, shall have the right to
ONE vote each on any matters concerning ‘BDO’ business at any Meetings at which
they are present
9.02
In the instance of a tied vote the Chairperson, or nominated persons acting as the
Chairperson, shall only have the right to a Casting Vote
9.03
A Team Secretary, or their chosen representative, shall have the right to ONE vote on
any matters concerning ‘BDO’ business at any Meetings that, her or she, is invited to
attend.
9.04
Any Super League team owing monies to the ‘BDO’ shall forfeit the right of the
Super League Secretary to vote in a meeting in which it is known that a debt is
oustanding
9.05
In order to secure the right to vote, the secretary, Representative, or other Super
League team member, shall ensure that all outstanding monies are paid in to the
‘BDO’ before attending a General Secretaries Meeting, and by the 30th June in each
Season, which date shall be prior to attending an Annual General meeting.
9.06
The League Secretary shall record in the Minutes of all ‘BDO’ Meeting the number
of votes cast both ‘For’ and ‘Against’ any proposals, together with the number of
abstentions
A Secretary, or an Executive Member, can request that the manner in which he has
cast his vote be recorded along with the details of the vote taken.
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FINANCES
10.01
The EXECUTIVE COUNCIL shall be jointly and severally responsible for
maintaining the Organisation’s finances in good order. They will ensure that the
Treasurer shall produce balance sheets and statements at all Meetings to verify any
financial enquiries in a Meeting
10.02
The EXECUTIVE COUNCIL shall ensure that the Organisation’s Accounts and
Books are presented to the Auditor in sufficient time and provide such information as
may be required by the Auditor, so that a duly Audited Balance Sheet and a Financial
Report may be circulated to all persons authorised to receive them prior to the
Annual General Meeting
10.03
The signatories of any ‘BDO’ accounts shall be the three Principle Officers, namely
Chairperson, General Secretary and Treasurer.
10.04
The Treasurer, or other nominated Executive Officer, shall ensure that the ‘BDO’
Bank Mandate is suitably amended, if necessary, immediately after the Annual
General Meeting
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BERKSHIRE DARTS ORGANISATION – CONSTITUTION
10.00
FINANCES (Cont…)
10.05
All cheques issued from ‘BDO’ accounts must be signed by any TWO of the three
‘BDO’ signatories
10.06
All monies shall be payable as follows:-
Super League – cheques payable to ‘Berkshire Darts Organisation’
County Darts – cheques payable to ‘County Darts’
Youth – Cheques payable to ‘Berkshire Darts Youth Team’
10.07
The three principle Officers, namely Chairperson, General Secretary and Treasurer,
shall be jointly empowered to transfer '‘DO’ funds from one account into another
account, or accounts, for the purpose of securing suitable interest rates for the general
benefit of the ‘BDO’
Such actions shall only take place with the authorisation of the Executive Council
10.08
Any outstanding monies must be paid up prior to the General Secretaries Meeting
(see voting rights in Clause 9.04)
10.09
Any additional outstanding monies incurred after the General Secretaries Meeting
must be paid up by 30th June in each season. (see voting rights in Clause 9.04)
10.10
The end of the Financial Year shall be 30th June in each Season for the purpose of
finalising and presenting the ‘BDO’ Accounts to the Auditors
10.11
A copy of the Annual Financial report must be distributed to all persons authorised to
receive them, at the Annual General Meeting, and a copy of the audited BDO
accounts be available if requested.
10.12
Any Super League team with monies still outstanding at the Annual General Meeting
shall be liable to repay the original debt plus a fine not exceeding 25% of the total of
the minimum required to register a team and the minimum number of players, before
being accepted as members for the ensuing season
10.13
The three principle Officers, namely Chairperson, General Secretary and Treasurer,
shall be jointly empowered to make any financial arrangements deemed necessary
by the Executive Council, to secure an overdraft facility, a loan, or to enter into a
hire purchase agreement on behalf of the ‘BDO’
10.14
Members of the Executive Council engaged on ‘BDO’ business, or attending a
‘BDO’ function shall be entitled to claim reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, subject
to the submission of a written claim, supported by the receipts covering the expenses
incurred
10.15
The ‘BDO’ shall be a non-profit making concern, any surplus made during a
Financial Year being used to promote the sport of darts within the Royal County of
Berkshire, with no dividend being paid to any members.
10.16
In the INSTANCES of the ‘BDO’ being wound up after payment to any Creditors the
remaining assets will be distributed to other darts bodies within the boundaries of the
Royal County of Berkshire as agreed at a full Secretary's meeting.
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BERKSHIRE DARTS ORGANISATION – CONSTITUTION
11.0
SPONSORSHIP
11.01
The three principle Officers, namely Chairperson, General Secretary and Treasurer,
shall be jointly empowered to enter into negotiations and to formulate contractual
arrangements with potential sponsors on behalf of the ‘BDO’
11.02
In the instance of a member of the ‘BDO’ being approached with an offer of
sponsorship, or financial support of any kind, then he, or she, shall report all the
relevant details to the Executive Council, which shall, after due consideration of
those details, authorise the three Principle Officers to follow up on the offer with any
negotiations, as deemed necessary
12.0
MEMBERSHIP
12.01
Membership of the ‘BDO’ shall be through any darts league operating within the
geographical boundary of the Royal County of Berkshire
12.02
Darts League membership may be in one of two categories which are:-
(a)
Affiliated Membership
A Darts League wishing to become an Affiliated Member shall pay an annual
Affiliation Fee as agreed by the Executive Committee
The payment will allow the Darts League to appoint a Representative from their
Committee to attend General Secretaries Meetings and Annual General Meetings for
the purpose of gaining information and experience, with a view to preparing a Super
League Team for entry into future Seasons of the Berkshire Super League
The affiliated Darts League may enter any darts events, or tournaments organised by
the ‘BDO’, providing such events or tournaments are not restricted to Super League
players
An application to become an Affiliated Darts League may be heard in a General
Secretaries Meeting, or in an Annual General Meeting
(b)
Full Membership
A Darts League wishing to become a Full Member shall pay an Entrance Fee, a
Guarantee Fee, an Insurance Levy, and shall pay Registration Fees for all players
registered to play in a Super League Team, as laid down in the Super League Rules.
The payment of all the necessary fees shall entitle that Darts League to appoint a
Representative to represent that Darts League at all General Secretaries Meetings, the
Annual General Meeting, and any other meetings that the representative is invited to
attend by the Executive Council
Any Super League Team that is not represented in a ‘BDO’ meeting shall be liable to
pay a Non-Attendance Fine as laid down in the Super League Rules
A Full Member’s super League Team may enter itself, or any of its registered players
into all darts events, or tournaments that are organised by the ‘BDO’
12.03
Registered Super League players, whose Registration Fees have been duly paid as
laid down in the Super League Rules, shall be deemed to be the ‘Playing Members’
of the ‘BDO’
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BERKSHIRE DARTS ORGANISATION – CONSTITUTION
12.00
MEMBERSHIP (CONT….)
12.04
The ‘BDO’ Executive Council reserve the right to refuse to accept a player’s Super
League Registration if it is deemed to be in the best interests of the Berkshire Darts
Organisation so to do
13.0
ELIGIBILITY OF OFFICIALS AND PLAYERS
13.01
Eligibility of Officials and Players is as laid down in the Constitution of the British
Darts Organisation (copy of which is held by the General Secretary)
14.0
SELECTION
14.01
The selection of players to represent the county in both A and B teams, Men’s and
Ladies, should be made by a selection committee comprising of up to four ladies to
select the Ladies team, one of which is to be the Ladies Team Captain and up to four
men to select the Men’s Team, one of which is to be the Men’s Team Captain. The
Team Manager will chair each selection meeting.
14.02
Super League Team secretaries are entitled to nominate players for consideration by
the Team Managers. On receiving such a nomination the Team manager or their
chosen team captain will enquire into the nominee’s suitability.
14.03
Only players who are officially with the ‘BDO’ shall be eligible for selection into
County Teams
(see notes under the Registration Procedures in Super League Rules)
14.04
During an Inter Counties match the Men’s Team selections shall be made by the
Men’s Team manager. Similarly the selection of the Women’s Teams shall be made
by the Women’s Team Manager (On consultation with their chosen captain or
member of the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE should the captain not be available).
14.05
In the instance of an ‘incident’ occurring in an event in which a ‘BERKSHIRE’ team
is participating, then the respective Team Manager, or Executive Officer deemed to
be responsible for the ‘BDO’ party shall be empowered to suspend any player, or an
Official, or any outside person from all ‘BDO’ activities, pending the result of a
Disciplinary Hearing.
14.06
In the instance of a Team Manager not being present at a Match then an Executive
Officer shall deputise for that one match only
15.0
DISCIPLINARY PROCEEDINGS
15.01
The ‘BDO’ shall adopt the procedures in the Code of Practice on Disciplinary
Proceedings laid down in the British Darts Organisation Authorised Handbook in any
matters concerning the discipline of any ‘BDO’ Players, Officials, Members
A copy of the Code of Practice is held by the General Secretary in the ‘BDO’ copy of
the British Darts Organisation Authorised Handbook, and shall be made available for
reference on request
15.02
In the instance of an ‘incident’ occurring in a ‘BDO’ function, or dart event which is
deemed to have been occasioned by any player, or official, or any outside person,
then any ‘BDO’ Executive Officer, who is present at the time of the incident, shall be
empowered to suspend that player, or official, or outside person from all ‘BDO’
activities pending the result of a Disciplinary Hearing
Such suspension shall be confirmed in writing to the person concerned and a detailed
written report prepared for consideration at the subsequent Disciplinary Hearing
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16.0
INSURANCE
16.01
Insurance cover for Public Liability is provided for Players and Officials of the
‘BDO’ by the British Darts Organisation Insurance
16.02
The Youth Teams representing the ‘BDO’ in the Southern Inter-County Youth Darts
League shall be the ‘Youth’ section of the Berkshire County Super League and are
covered by the British Darts Organisation insurance as above
17.0
PROTESTS
17.01
Any protest concerning a decision, or a function organised by the ‘BDO’ must be
presented in writing to the General Secretary within 7 days of the decision being
made, or the function being staged, and must be accompanied by a deposit of £10.00
The deposit is refundable if the protest is upheld by the Executive Council, but shall
be absorbed into the ‘BDO’ funds if not upheld. In any event the Executive
Council’s decision on such protest shall be final and binding
18.0
AMENDMENTS
18.01
The Executive Council shall be empowered to recommend amendments or additions,
to this Constitution at any time, the recommendations to be put before a General
Secretaries Meeting or an Annual General Meeting or an Extra Ordinary General
Meeting for simple majority approval