HAMPSHIRE ASSOCIATION OF CRICKET OFFICIALS

CONSTITUTION

1.  TITLE

The title shall be 'The Hampshire Association of Cricket Officials' (hereinafter referred to as the Association).

2. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

2.1 Aims

2.1.1 To promote, in Hampshire, the interests of cricket officials in particular, and cricket in general, in co-operation with all appropriate local bodies and national associations and, where appropriate, similar bodies in other counties.  The Association shall take account of and apply all ECB directives, regulations and guidance.
 
2.2 Objectives

2.2.1 To recruit and retain Umpires & Scorers and to provide a structured  programme to meet their training needs
2.2.2 To provide a programme to develop, maintain and improve competence
2.2.3 To facilitate smooth progression between grading levels.
2.2.4 To seek to ensure a minimum number of Umpires & Scorers to cover the agreed requirement (figure to be reassessed annually).
2.2.5 To identify and provide additional training to fast-track talented Umpires & Scorers.
2.2.6 To provide adequate trainers, assessors and verifiers for all of the above.

3. MEMBERSHIP

3.1 All members of the ECB Association of Cricket Officials (ECB ACO) who have chosen Hampshire as their county or, as default, have a postal address within the county of Hampshire, are automatically members of the Association.  The ECB will, from time to time, provide a definitive list of members.

3.1.1 Local groups, e.g. associations, panels, etc., can affiliate to the Association. Specified responsibilities can be delegated to such bona fide groups.  Such groups should apply for affiliation, which shall be considered on its merits by the Association Committee.  Any appeal against a decision can be made to the Hampshire Cricket Board (HCB).

4. SUBSCRIPTIONS

4.1 The ECB ACO will provide, through the HCB, a portion of the annual subscription paid by ECB ACO members who are linked to the County.

4.2 If appropriate, subscriptions for individual members and affiliated groups shall be determined annually.

5. OFFICERS

5.1 The officers shall be elected annually and shall be:

a. Chairman
b. Secretary
c. Treasurer
d. Education Officer

5.2 Any, but not all, of the offices may be vested in the same person when deemed expedient by the members.

5.3 Retiring Officers shall be eligible for re-election.

5.4 Responsibilities

5.4.1 Chairman
5.4.1.1 To conduct each meeting in accordance with good practice.  The Chairman will normally represent the Association on appropriate county and national bodies but may nominate a deputy to attend instead.
5.4.2 Secretary
5.4.2.1 To conduct all Association correspondence.
5.4.2.2 To keep minutes of all Committee and General Meetings.
5.4.2.3 To notify all members of meetings.

5.4.3 Treasurer
5.4.3.1 To maintain the Association’s accounts.
5.4.3.2 To receive all monies due to the Association from whatever source.
5.4.3.3 To pay all accounts.  .
5.4.3.4 To ensure that the Association’s accounts are available for inspection by the Committee, HCB and ECB ACO as required.

5.4.4 Education Officer
5.4.4.1 To co-ordinate all ECB training courses and examinations for umpires and scorers within the county.
5.4.4.2 To ensure all relevant information is passed on to tutors, assessors and verifiers within the Association.
5.4.4.3 To ensure all necessary training and examination material is available as and when required.
5.4.4.4 To liaise with HCB on financial matters relating to training.

6. MANAGEMENT

6.1 The affairs of the Association shall be managed by a Committee who shall have final authority on the interpretation and application of Association policy.

7. COMMITTEE

7.1 The Committee shall consist of the Officers and not more than two elected members.  The Committee shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting.

7.2 If not otherwise represented, each affiliated group shall be entitled to appoint one member to the Committee.

7.3 The Committee shall meet as often as necessary for the conduct of the Association's affairs and shall have the power to co-opt members if and when required.  For example, a scorers’ representative and a welfare officer can be co-opted if these roles cannot be fulfilled by an existing member of the Committee.

7.4 In the event of a vacancy occurring between Annual General Meetings, the Committee will fill that vacancy with a member of its selection.

7.5 All Officers and Committee members, including co-opted members, shall be members of HACO. Two Officers and two other Committee members shall form a quorum for a Committee meeting.

7.6 To ensure compliance with the County Board Improvement Planning Programme, the current HCB Cricket Development Manager shall be an ex-officio member of the Committee.

8.  MEETINGS

8.1 The Annual General Meeting shall be held in late October or early November each year for the following purposes:

a. To receive reports for the past year
b. To receive accounts for the past financial year, ending 30th September
c. To elect Officers and Committee members
d. To appoint an Auditor
e. To transact any other business of which proper notice has been given or which may be allowed by the Chairman.

8.2 Resolutions for consideration at the Annual General Meeting shall be proposed and seconded by members and sent in writing to the Secretary not later than 21 days before the meeting.

8.3 Nominations for Officers and members of the Committee shall be proposed and seconded by members and shall reach the Secretary not later than 21 days before the meeting.  In exceptional circumstances, approved by the Chairman, nominations can take place at the Annual General Meeting if prior nominations have not been received.

8.4 An Extraordinary General Meeting may be called by the Committee or on the written request of at least five members, whose request to the Secretary shall state the purpose for which the meeting is to be called.  Such a meeting shall be held within 42 days of the date of the request.

8.5 No business shall be conducted at an Extraordinary General Meeting other than that for which the meeting was called.

8.6 Twenty members shall form a quorum at an Annual or Extraordinary General Meeting.

9. NOTICE OF MEETINGS

9.1 28 days' notice of an Annual or Extraordinary General Meeting shall be given to members by the Secretary, to include requests for nominations of Officers and members of the Committee. 7 days’ notice shall be given of a Committee meeting.

9.2 An Agenda for the Annual General Meeting shall be sent to all members by the Secretary at least 14 days before the date of the meeting.

10. VOTING

10.1 At an Annual or Extraordinary General Meeting a simple majority of members present shall carry a vote, except for a resolution calling for an amendment to the Constitution which shall require a majority of two-thirds of members present.

11.  WELFARE

11.1 The Association adopts the ECB Child Protection policy – ‘Safe Hands – Welfare of young people in Cricket’ and its successors.

12. ACCOUNTS

12.1 A bank account shall be kept in the name of the Association at a bank to be approved by the Committee, into which all monies shall be paid by the Treasurer or other Officer responsible.

12.2 Accounts for payment shall be authorised by the initiating Officer. Cheques shall be signed by any two of the Officers.

12.3 Where possible payments by members should be made by cheque to 'The Hampshire Association of Cricket Officials', or via electronic banking systems, rather than by cash.

12.4 The accounts of the Association shall be kept by the Treasurer and shall be audited annually.  For the purpose of such audit the accounts shall be closed on the 30th day of September each year.

12.5 The Auditor appointed at the Annual General Meeting shall not be an Officer of the Association.

13. WINDING UP

13.1 In the event of the Association being wound up a final statement of the accounts shall be prepared and audited.

13.2 If the final statement of accounts reveals a surplus, it shall be given to some other body concerned with cricket officials.

14. THE CONSTITUTION

14.1 Alterations to the Constitution shall only be made at a General Meeting.  Notice of the proposed alterations, duly seconded, shall be given in writing to the Secretary not less than 21 days before the date of the meeting.

14.2 Every member and affiliated group shall be provided with a current copy of the Constitution.

14.3 Where not otherwise provided for in this Constitution, the guidance of the ECB ACO shall apply.