LOCH BROOM SAILING CLUB: CONSTITUTION

CONSTITUTION

LOCH BROOM SAILING CLUB CONSTITUTION
Approved by AGM 4th March 2017

1 *- NAME AND OBJECT*					*0ld ref*
1-1	The name of the club is Loch Broom Sailing Club and the pennant of the club shall incorporate a red herring.			1
1-2	The object of the club is to promote and facilitate the sport of sailing.			2
*2 – MEMBERSHIP*
2-1	Membership of the club shall be open to anyone interested in the sport of sailing regardless of sex, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, religion or other beliefs.			3
2-2	All prospective members must complete the application form and submit the relevant membership fee. They will then be admitted as provisional members. New members can be confirmed as full members at the next Committee meeting, or Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) or Annual General Meeting (AGM).			5,6
2-3	New members must receive an induction by a member of the Committee as to the rules and traditions of the club. A mentor will be nominated for each new member as their point of contact for club matters.			5a
2-4	The Committee may refuse membership, or remove it, but only for good cause - such as conduct or character likely to bring the club into disrepute. Appeal by the individual against refusal or removal may be made to the Committee who will then follow the procedure set out in section 2.8.			5
2-5	The club on the recommendation of the Committee may propose Honorary Members whose election can be formally endorsed at an AGM or EGM.			4
2-6	Annual subscriptions, as may be agreed by the Committee, and ratified at an AGM or EGM, shall be due at 1st January for the year ahead. Any member not paying by 1st March, may at the discretion of the Committee and on notification have their membership terminated or be asked to re-apply for membership. Where possible, annual subscriptions should be paid by standing order or direct debit.			7
2-7	Annual subscriptions and fees shall be reviewed by the Committee each autumn. Any amendments must be endorsed by an AGM or EGM in time for standing orders to be amended for the next year’s annual subscription.			7a
2-8	Every member joining the club implicitly undertakes to comply with the rules of the club. Any refusal or neglect to do so or any conduct which in the opinion of the Committee is either unworthy of a member or otherwise injurious to the interests of the club shall render a member liable to expulsion. Before expelling a member, the Committee shall request an explanation of their conduct and shall give them an opportunity of defending themselves or resigning their membership. The defending member can choose someone to accompany them to the meeting. A resolution to apply any sanction shall be carried by a majority of a two thirds vote by those members of the Committee present and voting on the resolution.			8
2-9	There may be an entrance or participation fee for members for specific events or activities. The sum and nature of these is to be prescribed by the Committee.			9
2-10	Categories of membership shall be as follows:- Full membership, Family membership, Concessionary membership, Junior membership and Honorary membership. Within each category the Committee can identify appropriate sub-categories but only for the purposes of setting membership subscriptions.			10
2-11	Full members shall have full voting rights, eligibility to hold office or Committee membership and will have full access to all amenities.			10a
2-12	Family membership shall be available to any couple together with any dependent children in full time undergraduate education. All Family members over the age of 16 have full voting rights and up to two can be eligible for office or Committee membership. All members in a Family membership shall have access to all amenities as shall be appropriate. Dependents shall at all times be the responsibility of one or other adult.	10b
2-13	Concessionary members shall include; Senior Citizen membership (any member attaining the age of sixty-five years), Students over the age of 18 and in full time education and those in receipt of means-tested benefits. They shall have full voting rights, eligibility for office or Committee membership and access to all the amenities of the club.	10c
2-14	Junior membership shall apply to members up to their 18th birthday. Those over the age of 16 may have full voting rights or be eligible to hold office or Committee membership at the discretion of the Committee. Amenities as may be appropriate will be available to them as agreed by the Committee.	10d
2-15	Honorary membership is awarded by the Club (see 2.5). They shall have full voting rights and eligibility to hold office and for Committee membership and shall have access to all amenities.	10e
2-16	No member in any year may be entitled to exercise any rights or privileges of membership until their membership fees for that year and all arrears (if any) are paid in full.	10f
2-17	A member elected after 1st October in any year who shall have paid their subscription for that year shall not be required to pay any subscription for the following year.	10g
2-18	Day membership - on receipt of an appropriate fee and application any individual is eligible to join the club for a day, provided they fill in an application form. This permits them to use amenities as may be appropriate, with the club member collecting the fee responsible for their conduct.	10h
*3 -OFFICERS*
3-1	The officers of the club shall consist of a Commodore, a Vice-Commodore, an Honorary Secretary, and an Honorary Treasurer who shall be elected at the AGM in each year to hold office until the conclusion of the next AGM. The retiring officers shall be eligible for re-election.	11a
3-2	No candidate for election to any office (other than the retiring officers) shall be proposed (and seconded) unless the name of such candidate and their proposer shall have been sent to the Honorary Secretary 28 days before the AGM or by a time agreed by the Committee.	11b
3-3	In organizing any event that will involve children under the age of 16, not accompanied by their parents or vulnerable adults, the club will follow the guidance given by the Highland Council to ensure that adequate safeguards are in place and followed.	11c
*4 -COMMITTEE*
4-1	The Committee shall consist of the officers, ex-officio and not more than twelve members of the club elected by the club in general meeting to hold office until the conclusion of the next AGM.	12a
4-2	Candidates for election to the Committee shall be those members of the retiring Committee who shall offer themselves for re-election and such other members of the club whose nominations duly proposed and seconded by members of the club in writing shall have been sent to the Honorary Secretary in writing 28 days before the AGM or at some time as may be agreed by the Committee.	12b
4-3	If a casual vacancy occurs by death or resignation the Committee may co-opt a member to fill the vacancy.	12c
4-4	A quorum for any Committee meeting shall be five. If the number of candidates duly proposed and seconded exceeds the number of vacancies to be filled the election shall be by ballot.	12d
4-5	The Committee shall manage the affairs of the club according to the rules and shall apply the funds of the club to the objects of the club.	13a
4-6	The Committee shall make such bylaws, rules and regulations as they think fit in the management of any club premises or activities.
4-7	It shall be the responsibility of the Honorary Treasurer to keep a complete and accurate account of the club’s finances.		13c
5 -GENERAL
5-1	The income of the LBSC shall be solely used for furthering the objects of the club and for no other purpose. All surplus income or profits are to be reinvested in the club. No surpluses or assets will be distributed to members or third parties.		13d
5-2	No commercial use may be made of any club premises or equipment.		3
5-3	In the event of dissolution of the LBSC any assets remaining after settlement of all debts and liabilities shall not be paid to, or distributed among its members but shall be given or transferred to a recognised and constituted local organisation(s) having similar objectives to those of the LBSC. Local is taken to be the catchment area of Ullapool High School.		13e
*6 -HONORARY AUDITOR*
6-1	Prior to the AGM the Committee shall agree to the appointment of an ‘independent examiner’ whose duty shall be to check over the accounts of the club for the then current year. The independent examiner is not required to be a member of the sailing club.		14

*7 -ANNUAL AND EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING*
7-1	An AGM shall be held at some place in Ullapool between 1st of March and 31st May; the date is to be fixed by the Commodore. The Honorary Secretary will give members six weeks notice of the date of the AGM and at least fourteen days before the AGM details of the venue, agenda and the business to be brought forward thereat.	15a
7-2	No business (except the passing of accounts and the election of officers and Committee), and any business that the Committee may order to be inserted in the notice convening the meeting, shall be discussed at such meeting unless notice thereof be given to the Honorary Secretary in writing 28 days before the AGM or by a time agreed by the Committee.	15b
7-3	The Committee may, on giving fourteen days’ notice, call an EGM of the club for any specific business, the nature of which shall be stated in the summons convening the meeting, and the discussion at such meeting shall be confined to that business only.	15c
7-4	The Committee shall also call an EGM on the written request of six members.	15d
7-5	At a general meeting of the club each eligible member may have one vote. In case of an equality of votes the Commodore (or the person chairing the meeting) shall have a second or casting vote.	15e
*8 -NEW RULES, AMENDMENTS AND ALTERATIONS*
8-1	Any alterations or additions to the constitution of the club must be endorsed at an AGM or EGM. Any proposal must be submitted in writing to the Honorary Secretary 28 days prior to the general meeting and be circulated to the Committee.	16a
8-2	All such proposed alterations or additions and any amendments to them which may be proposed and seconded shall be put to the vote of the meeting and provided that on a show of hands or, if demanded, on a poll, a majority of two thirds of the votes of the members present and voting shall be cast in favour of any proposed alterations or additions or amendments then the same shall be deemed to be carried.

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OUR PHILOSOPHY

Self reliance rather than certification is a strong tradition in the Highlands, both afloat and ashore. We may appear to be among the most laid back sailing clubs in the country, which doesn't mean that we take safety lightly; far from it: you soon get bitten, sailing up here, but we rely on commonsense and the expertise of members, rather than an over reliance on certificates.

Take advice from an experienced sailor if in doubt about going afloat. Less confident sailors should stay in an area where you can be easily seen and quickly reached.

Do not sail in a boat or in weather conditions that are beyond your competence.

In short: respect the weather conditions, which can change rapidly, and the advice of those who know the area from many years’ experience of its moods.

Welcome to the Loch Broom Sailing Club. Our club is one which has traditionally had a fairly informal and non-disciplined attitude towards its running. As membership and facilities continue to grow there is, however, a need to be more rigorous and structured in our approach with safety being paramount and we do demand that certain safety standards are adhered to at all times.

The club was founded on the competitive edge of racing in largely single class boats. From there it developed into cruising/racing and thence to long distance cruising. Currently, the fleet of Flying Fifteens and more recently Picos has stimulated the competitive edge and we now see a resurgence of interest in racing in general - and this is to be encouraged.

The club is run by an elected committee and it has generally been the case that a regular core of committee members have been the mainstay of annual maintenance and repair to the clubhouse and its assets. We currently have a desire to improve the clubhouse and its surroundings, to maintain and look after the club boats, to organise training, to organise racing, to supervise Pico sailing, to be race starter, to chase grant aid - to name but a few of the ongoing requirements. We therefore welcome assistance from members who feel that they could help with, or perhaps take ownership, of any of these roles. We welcome new blood on the committee. If you would like to volunteer for any of these roles or feel you could contribute in any way to the running of the club we would be pleased to hear from you. Alternatively, please feel free to attend any of our committee meetings and offer your assistance.

The club occupies a very prominent position and we are under scrutiny from locals and visitors alike. It is essential that we maintain the appearance of the club, its environs and its assets - and for this we rely mainly on the enthusiasm and commitment of members. We would encourage you therefore to take your share of work during the many work parties that we intend to convene over the summer and winter periods.

Work parties unfortunately (or fortunately) have to fit between summer racing and cruising commitments and between winter training and boat maintenance - and that is before even considering the demands of normal family life - such is the life of a sailor.

SAFETY

Loch Broom Sailing Club recognises that there are always risks associated with sailing. The club policy is based on the following principles:

Responsibility for the safe operation of the club rests with the members.

The guidelines will ensure, as far as is reasonably practical, safe conditions are maintained within the clubhouse and compound, and minimise the risks associated with activities on the water.

Club members have a duty of care to take all reasonable steps to avoid injuring other club members and water users or damaging others equipment.

Members participate in all activities, which are not club training events, at their own risk.

Children are the responsibility of their parent, guardian or a supervising adult during these activities. The club does not carry out risk assessments for members taking part in these activities; it is the responsibility of individual members to make their own assessments of risk, taking into account factors such as weather, tides, skill, experience, equipment etc.

Members are free to use club facilities and assets at any time, subject to the individual rules for the club’s Picos, Flying Fifteens and St Ayles skiff. However they should remember that safety cover is only available at organised club events and therefore they are sailing entirely at their own risk.

A fundamental principle of maritime law is that the skipper is responsible for the safety of his vessel and crew. It is the skipper's responsibility to decide whether to start or continue a race.

The club has only one Rule covering all water activities at all times: Life jackets or buoyancy aids (appropriate CE approved, eg min.150N life jackets or 50N buoyancy aids) must be worn by all those on or in the water.

Fair Winds!

LOCH BROOM SAILING CLUB

We may appear to be among the most laid back sailing clubs in the country, which doesn't mean that we take safety lightly; far from it: you soon get bitten, sailing up here, but we rely on commonsense and the expertise of members, rather than an over reliance on certificates.

We have a number of members who have qualified as safety boat drivers, and coaches at various levels, and some of the older ones also have qualifications ranging from level 2 powerboat to Yachtmaster. RIB drivers must have level 2 Powerboat, minimum.

But self reliance rather than certification is a strong tradition in the Highlands, both afloat and ashore.

Nevertheless we are constantly debating our approach to safety, anxious however not to spoil the ethos of a club that prides itself on being not only laid back but responsible.

Members and other users of our facilities must take responsibilityfor their own safety both afloat and ashore. The club will do its best to provide on-water safety cover, but that does not alter individual responsibility. The safety boat is not always deployed for races, which puts the onus on fellow racers to assist if another boat is in trouble. Acceptance of this policy is a condition of going afloat.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

As a club member or visitor, you have a duty to both yourself and to other club users as regards safety. This duty means acting responsibly whilst on club premises, including in the use of the boat park andin the supervision of your children.

You can improve your own on-water safety by adopting the following:

Take advice from an experienced sailor if in doubt about going afloat. Less confident sailors should stay in an area where you can be easily seen and quickly reached.

Do not sail in a boat or in weather conditions that are beyond your competence.

In short: respect the weather conditions, which can change rapidly, and the advice of those who know the loch from many years’ experience of its moods.

But above all, enjoy your sailing, within your personal limits.

FACILITIES

Picnic Tables and Barbecue: The club has two substantial picnic tables in front of the clubhouse and a basic barbecue. These are used for social events and are available for use on an ad-hoc basis.

Club Room and Kitchen: The Clubhouse has a main meeting room and kitchen which is equipped with a kettle and microwave.

Noticeboard: Events and matters of interest are posted on the noticeboard on a regular basis.

Access to the Clubhouse: A key can be obtained from the treasurer for a small fee. Keys are controlled and should be kept secure and returned in the event of membership being discontinued.

Whilst the Club does not have a formal non-smoking policy, it is requested that those members who do smoke take the wishes others into consideration at Social events and meetings in the Clubhouse.

In recent months the club has been given a much-needed makeover, and a changing room made from the old storage room.

Improvements are ongoing, and now include a new galley bar.

The club room is available for a modest hire fee for functions and barbecues. Its aspect, overlooking the harbour, is one of the best in the village.

LOCH BROOM SAILING CLUB

Flying Fifteens, Picos, cruisers, skiffs -

Flying Fifteens, Picos, cruisers, skiffs - we welcome all those who enjoy messing about on the water. LBSC is a friendly club that welcomes new members.

Loch Broom Sailing Club is open to all with an interest in the sea and sailing. You don't have to own your own boat or even have much experience.

The Club owns some Flying Fifteens, 22ft keelboats which are ideal for racing and regatta events. Newcomers to sailing can get a good taste of the pastime by crewing a Flying Fifteen, without much danger of getting too wet (or traumatised!).

Private FF owners number around 10, making a potential fleet turnout of a dozen boats. There are a range of larger cruising sailboats which undertake trips to the Summer Isles, the Western & Northern Isles and further afield.

There are a growing number of children in the club who enjoy sailing accompanied in the Flying Fifteens and on the larger boats but also have fun on their own in the in the Picos, an ideal craft for small beginners.

The Feva is a high performance dinghy for those who have graduated from Picos and can also be sailed by adults.

Use of the Club House

Keys are available to purchase at cost. The Club House has a small lounge area, small store, toilet and small kitchen. There are no showers.

Club Discount

Members of the Club are eligible for 10% discount at Caley Marine Chandlery Inverness. Bulk purchasing of items from other suppliers, such as wetsuits has been organised and members can enjoy discount of up to 30% on this type of order.

Grants

The Club endeavours to obtain grant aid for group training and has been successful in obtaining a 50% grant for children's' training in 2003 and 2004.

Training

The Club is not an RYA accredited training centre, but has organised various training courses using visiting instructors and endeavours to give junior members every encouragement to learn to sail.

Ullapool UHI can organise RYA shore based courses such as: RYA Day Skipper, Yachtmaster, Competent crew, RYA powerboat level II, First Aid, Liferaft and lifejacket use and safe use of flares.

We have close links with local clubs which can offer formal training for those working up their RYA qualifications.

Use of Club Equipment

Members of the Club are eligible to use Club owned assets (including the Picos, Feva and the Flying Fifteens). Use of all Club equipment should comply with club safety requirements.

Flying Fifteens

The Club has two Flying Fifteen classic racing dinghies afloat during the summer, moored just off the Wee Pier. Each boat is available for use by club members. Racing takes place most weekends, and on Friday evenings weather permitting, and Saturdays, 3pm.

Picos and Feva

The Club owns three Pico dinghies and a Feva. These are launched each summer weekend, with safety boat cover, for the use of adults and children in the Club, weather permitting. Although the club is not a recognised RYA sailing centre informal instruction is given. Parents of children using the boats are expected to help out with launching, recovering, shore support and safety boat cover on a rota basis.

Every season a week, Pico Week, usually the first or second week in July, is set aside for more formal junior training.

General Information

www.ullapool.com

Navigational Points Click here for a map of the village

See the Ullapool Harbour web site here

Moorings

There are eight moorings at around £15 per night payable to the Harbour Assistants any time day or night. To get in touch the boats should either use the VHF channel14 or 16 or telephone 01854 612091 (24hrs). The harbour is trying to keep the outer steps clear so yachts can come alongside for water and stores etc.

If visitors wish to come to the pier they should use the same contact arrangements.

CONTACTS

Where are we? Follow this link for a map. The Wee Pier and Clubhouse are at the junction of Mill Street, Garve Road and Shore Street.

Loch Broom Sailing Club, The Clubhouse, Garve Road, Ullapool, Ross-shire

Harbourmaster

Mr Kevin Peach - 01854 612091

Banks

Royal Bank of Scotland, Argyle Street, 01854 612112

Bank of Scotland, West Argyle Street, 01854 612693

Doctor

Ullapool Medical Practice 01854 612015 (night and day)

Swimming Pool

Lovely indoor 25m pool Quay Street 01854 612884

Public Toilets

At the rear of the ferry car park on West Argyll Street

Fuel

Marine diesel is available at Ullapool Pier. Contact Harbour Office for details 01854 612091.

There is a petrol station on the Garve Road just by the Wee Pier

Groceries

Tesco Latheron Lane, Ullapool. Open 0800 - 2100 Mon - Sat and 0900 - 1800 Sunday

LOCH BROOM SAILING CLUB

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