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Constitution

Last updated 29 May 2017

Name

The organisation shall be called the Scottish Correspondence Chess Association (shortened only to Scottish CCA) but hereafter referred to as the Association.

Aims

The primary aim of the Association is to foster and encourage the playing of chess by correspondence and other means of communication, and in particular:

  1. to organise and administer the Scottish Correspondence Chess Individual and Team Championships and other competitions;
  2. to enter individuals and teams into International Correspondence Chess competitions and matches; and
  3. to be affiliated with Chess Scotland (CS) and the International Correspondence Chess Federation (ICCF).

Membership

  1. Membership, Life or Annual, for which there shall be appropriate subscription, shall be open to any chess player, subject to item 4 of this clause.
  2. Honorary Life Membership shall be granted at the discretion of the Annual General Meeting (AGM).
  3. Associate Membership may be accorded to anyone wishing to support the organisation financially.
  4. The Secretary may reject any application for membership on behalf of the Association. A rejected applicant shall have the right of appeal to the Executive Committee, whose decision shall be final.

Subscription and Finance

  1. The Association's financial year shall be from 1 April to 31 March.
  2. Annual Members shall pay a subscription, the amount of which shall be decided at the AGM and shall become due in November each year.
  3. Life Membership subscriptions shall also be decided at the AGM.
  4. The Treasurer shall present audited accounts for approval at the AGM.
  5. The Association shall have power to raise funds from other sources.

Management of the Association

  1. Management of the Association shall be carried out by an Executive Committee consisting of:
    • President
    • Vice President
    • International Secretary
    • Secretary
    • Treasurer
    • Membership Secretary
    • up to three Committee Members
  2. The Executive Committee shall be elected from among members of the Association consenting nomination by two members at the AGM to serve for one year and be eligible for re-election.
  3. The organisation of domestic tournaments, leagues and matches will be controlled by a sub-committee(s) chaired by the Secretary.
  4. The organisation of international tournaments and matches will be controlled by a sub-committee(s) chaired by the International Secretary.
  5. When a vacancy occurs, a replacement shall be appointed by the Executive Committee to fill the vacancy until the next AGM at which the replacement shall retire and be eligible for re-election.
  6. The Association, through its Executive Committee, shall be empowered to allocate duties to other Committee Members and co-opt temporary officers to carry out special duties.

Procedure

AGM

  1. There shall be an Annual General Meeting within six weeks of 1 May each year.
  2. The Secretary shall give at least three weeks notice in writing to all members of the date, time and venue of the meeting and shall forward the agenda at the same time.
  3. Items for inclusion on the agenda shall be advised to the Secretary to reach him at least fourteen days prior to the scheduled AGM.
  4. All members of the Executive Committee shall retire at the AGM, but be eligible for re-appointment.
  5. A suitably qualified auditor shall be appointed at the AGM for the next year. Suitable qualification shall be deemed to be membership of one of the bodies recognised by the Government as eligible to apply for Registered Auditor status but the individual appointed need not be a Registered Auditor.
  6. The Constitution may only be amended at the Association's AGM or at a Special General Meeting (SGM) called for the purpose.
  7. A quorum of four shall be required at the AGM.

SGM

  1. A Special General Meeting may be called at the request of the Executive Committee or of ten members.
  2. Within two weeks of receipt of the notice in writing requesting an SGM, the Secretary shall give three weeks' notice of the agenda in writing to all members giving the date, time and venue.
  3. A quorum of four shall be required at the SGM.

Executive Committee

  1. The Executive Committee shall meet at least once each year.
  2. A quorum of four shall be required at an Executive Committee meeting.

Voting

  1. All voting decisions shall be by a simple majority of members present and voting.
  2. The Chairman or other presiding officer shall not have a vote except in the event of a tie, when he shall have the casting vote.

Limitations

  1. The name of the Association may not be used without the permission of the Executive Committee.
  2. The Association shall have the right to suspend or expel an officer or member acting against the aims of the Association after full consideration of the case at an SGM called for that purpose. The member shall have the right to present his case either orally and/or in writing, and to be represented by one other person of their choice. A person shall have the right of Appeal to the Association at the AGM immediately following.

Interpretation

  1. The Association at an AGM or SGM shall be the sole interpreter of this Constitution.
  2. Any matter not provided for in this Constitution shall be dealt with by the Executive Committee pending endorsement at the Association's AGM.

Dissolution of the Association

  1. If the Executive Committee decides that it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the Association, it must convene an SGM (refer above).
  2. Any resolution to dissolve the Association must be carried by a majority of at least two-thirds of the members present at such an SGM.
  3. If such a resolution is carried, the Executive Committee will have the power to realise the value of any assets held by or on behalf of the Association.
  4. Any assets remaining after the satisfaction of legitimate debts and liabilities shall be given or transferred to another organisation having objects similar to the Association or applied to some chess-related purpose, as determined by the members.