COTTENHAM BRIDGE CLUB

1. Name of Club
   
   The Club shall be called Cottenham Contract Bridge club
   
   
2. Objects of club
   
   The objects of the club shall be the encouragement of, and provision for, the playing of contract bridge.
   
   
3. Interpretation and Application of Rules
   
   The Committee is the sole authority for the interpretation and application of these rules and the decision of the committee (See Rule 12) thereon shall be final and binding on all members. Every member shall be deemed to have agreed to be bound by these rules and any subsequent amendments or additional rules approved by a general meeting of members.
   
   
4. Membership
   
   The Committee has sole right to elect new members and in doing may take into account the playing ability of the applicant. In the case of a direct application to the club, the applicant may be invited to play three times as a guest after which a decision will be taken on the application by the Committee.
   
   
5. Limitation of Membership
   
   Membership of the club shall be limited by the Committee and determined as facilities allow.
   
   
6. Expulsion Of Members
   
   Any member guilty of conduct prejudicial to the interests or welfare of the club may be expelled from membership. The decision of the Committee shall be final.
   
   
7. Financial Year
   
   The financial year shall start on March 1^st each year.
   
   
8. Subscriptions
   
   Subscriptions shall be fixed as the club determines at annual or special general meetings. Subscriptions shall become due on the first day of March and any member whose subscription remains unpaid on June 1^st shall cease to be a member.
   
   
   
9. Guests
   
   Members are allowed to introduce guests, but no member shall introduce more than two on any one occasion and except with the prior permission of the Chairman, no guest may be introduced more than three times in one calendar year.
   
   
10. Visitors
    
    Unaccompanied visitors are allowed if sufficient room, at the discretion of the tournament director. Table money for visitors will be fixed by the Committee.
    
    
    
11. Officers
    
    The Officers of the club shall consist of a Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Tournament Director and Match Secretary.
    
    
    
12. Management
    
    The management of the club shall be vested in a committee consisting of the officers, the immediate past chairman, the club’s delegate to the EBU County committee and two other members of the club. Nominations for officers and committee members shall be in writing, duly proposed and seconded, and in the possession of the secretary at least seven days before the date of the Annual General Meeting. Voting shall be by ballot. The committee shall have the power to co-opt and co-opted members of the committee may hold office until the next AGM.
    
    
    
13. Quorum
    
    The committee shall meet from time to time as they think necessary with four members, including 2 officers to form a quorum.
    
    
14. General Meetings
    
    The AGM of the club shall be held before April 30^th each year for the purpose of
    (a) receiving reports from chairman, Secretary and Treasurer
    (b) the election of officers and committee and
    (c) dealing with resolution submitted to the secretary in writing seven days prior to the. date of the AGM
    
    A special General Meeting to discuss a specific matter may be called by the committee any time, or by the secretary at the request of 15 club members in writing. Notice of such meetings shall be posted on the club notice board 14 days prior to the date of the meeting and no other items other than those appearing on that agenda shall be discussed at such a meeting. A quorum of 15 members is required for any General meeting of the club.
    
    
15. Alterations to Rules
    
    Any rule may be repealed or amended and any new rule inserted provided it is approved at a general meeting of members. Notice of any proposed alterations to rules shall be lodged in writing to the secretary at least three weeks before the date of a general meeting and shall appear on the agenda of such a meeting. The Chairman may, at his discretion, accept at the meeting an amendment to a proposed new rule.
    
    
16. Competitions
    
    All competitions shall be played under the laws of the duplicate contract bridge.
    
    
17. Appeals Committee
    
    If a member disagrees with the director’s ruling the committee will appoint a panel of three members with the necessary experience to adjudicate.

18. Smoking
    
    There will be no smoking.

Constitution as amended May 1999.