The Association of British Hammer Throwers 

Founded 1952  

CONSTITUTION
Name

The Association will be called The Hammer Circle and will be affiliated to the England Athletics and UK Athletics.

 Aims and Objectives

The aims and objectives of the Association

• To advance and promote the event of Hammer Throwing in the UK
• To advise athletic governing bodies on safety and technical matters relating to the event of Hammer Throwing
• To offer coaching and competitive opportunities in Athletics with focus on the Hammer Throwing event
• To ensure a duty of care to all members
• To provide all its services in a way that is fair to everyone.

Membership

Membership will consist of officers and members of the association.

Members are defined as having paid annual subscription within the past two years

All members will be subject to the constitution and by joining the Association will be deemed to accept these regulations and codes of conduct that the association has adopted. 

Members will be enrolled in one of the following categories

• Junior members (Under 20)
• Senior members
• Honorary Members
   

Membership fees

Membership fees will be set annually and agreed by the Management Committee or determined at the Annual General Meeting.

Fees will be paid annually by subscription.

Officers of the Association

The Officers of the Association will be:-

• President
• Chairman
• Honorary Secretary
• Reunion Secretary
• Treasurer
• Any other relevant position

Officers will be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting.  All officers will retire each year but will be eligible for re-appointment (President will serve a 3 year term). 

Committee

The Association will be managed through a Management Committee.

This Management Committee will be formed from the elected officers plus co-opted members relative to the issue or action.

Committee meetings may be held via conference call.

The quorum required for business to be agreed at Management Committee meetings will be two.

The Management Committee will be responsible for developing new policy, codes of conduct and rules that affect the organisation of the Association.

The Management Committee has the power to appoint sub-committees and advisers as necessary to fulfil its business.

The Management Committee will be responsible for disciplinary hearings of members who infringe the Association’s rules/regulations/constitution. The Management Committee will be responsible for taking any action of suspension or discipline following such hearings. 

Finance

All Association monies will be banked in an account(s) held in the name of The Hammer Circle.  The Treasurer will be responsible for the finances of the Association.  The financial year will start on the 1st April.

Accounts will be presented by the Treasurer at the AGM and audited by a third party on a periodic basis not exceeding five years

A statement of accounts may be requested by the Management Committee at times other than the AGM.

Any cheques drawn against the Association should hold the signature of the Treasurer, Chairman or Honorary Secretary.

AGM

Notice of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be given by the Association Secretary. Not less than 21 clear days notice to be given to all members.

The AGM will receive a report from the officers of the Management Committee and a statement of the audited accounts.

Election of officers is to take place at the AGM. 

All members have the right to vote at the AGM. 

The quorum for AGMs will be 20 per cent of active members.

The Management Committee has the right to call Extraordinary General Meetings (EGMs) outside the AGM. EGMs should follow the same procedures as for the AGM. 

Discipline and appeals

All complaints regarding the behaviour of members should be submitted in writing to the Secretary

The Management Committee will meet to hear complaints within a reasonable period of a complaint being lodged (to be agreed by the Committee). The Committee has the power to take appropriate disciplinary action including the termination of membership.

The outcome of a disciplinary hearing will be notified in writing to the person who lodged the complaint and the member against whom the complaint was made within a reasonable time (to be agreed by the Committee).

There will be a right of appeal to the Management Committee following disciplinary action being announced. The Committee should consider the appeal within a reasonable time (to be agreed by the Committee) of the Secretary receiving the appeal.

Dissolution

A resolution to dissolve the Association can only be passed at an AGM or EGM through a majority vote of the membership.

In the event of dissolution, any assets of the Association that remain will be donated to a charitable trust for the benefit of Young Athletes.

Amendments to the constitution

The constitution will only be changed though agreement and vote at an AGM or EGM.

 Declaration

The Hammer Circle hereby adopts and accepts this Constitution as a current operating guide regulating the action of its members.

SIGNED:                                                          Date:     13th Oct 2013   .

Name:     David Smith                             .

Association Chair

SIGNED:                                                           Date:  13th Oct 2013.

Name:       Paul Dickenson                                    

Association Secretary