Constitution
Article I - Name
The name of this organization shall be the Independent Unarmed Combat Association (The Association).
Article II - Purpose
- To promote the “Association” and its Members / Clubs within the Martial Arts Community (The Community).
- To promote communication and mutual understanding within “The Community"
- To provide a democratic means of formulating questions and articulating problems and solutions.
- To act as an advisory body on it’s Members to “The Community”.
- To foster and promote Martial Arts by providing opportunities for recreation and participation.
- To improve the general standard of member’s skills and abilities.
- To promote and increase coaching capacity within the clubs by providing advice and where possible, resources for volunteers who express an interest.
- To give young people a fun introduction to Martial Arts and by doing so give them the opportunity to develop a sporting interest that can last for life regardless of ability.
- To promote high standards of sportsmanship, friendship and co-operation within individual clubs and in dealings with other sports clubs.
- To co-operate with and seek the support of local government, local authorities, Parish Councils, National Governing Bodies and other voluntary groups.
Article III - Membership
(i) Ordinary Membership
• Ordinary Membership can only be granted by The Board of Directors (The Board).
• Ordinary Membership shall be open, on payment of the appropriate subscription, to all Martial Arts Clubs once approved by The Board.
• Only Ordinary Members may hold office or vote in elections or at meetings of the Association.
• The decision of the “Board” in such matters of Membership is final.
• A subscription is to be paid annually by all members as determined by the board.
(ii) Honorary Membership
(a) Persons whom the Board particularly wish to honour may be admitted as Honorary Members.
The procedure of posting names, as outlined in Article 111 (i) (c) above, shall precede the admission to Membership of persons in this category.
Article 1V - Subscription
- The Subscription for both Ordinary and Honorary Membership shall be agreed by the Board.
- The Subscription shall be set according to the size and recourse dedication of the club.
The Subscription shall be based on the following formula.
- Less than 20 Students.
- 20 to 50 Students.
- Over 50 Students.
Article V - Governance
The governance of the Association shall be through this Board. The Board shall meet periodically for the purpose of planning Association meetings and for reviewing, evaluating, recommending, and/or implementing Association activities and programmes. The Board shall be comprised of the following elected and ex-officio Members:
(i) Chairman: shall preside at all organizational and Board meetings, represent the organization at public events and perform all other duties inherent to the office.
(ii) Secretary: shall keep the minutes of all meetings and do typing and clerical work for the organization, including mailing announcements to the Membership.
(iii) Treasurer: shall develop the budget and report on the financial status of the Association.
- Directors: there shall be four Association Members who shall serve as Directors
- Past Chairman (if applicable): shall continue on the board and may be additional to the four elected Directors.
Article VI - Election of Board Members
- Board Members shall be elected yearly at a meeting of the officers and Board.
- Each Board Member elected shall serve on the Board for two years beginning on the first day of April.
Article VII - Board
- The Chairman shall appoint the Nominations Committee each year. This Committee is responsible for preparing the slate of nominations for the election of Board.
- The Chairman shall appoint a Fundraising Committee if necessary. The Treasurer shall be a Member of the Committee and shall chair it.
- Ad-hoc Committees shall be established as needed by the Board of Directors.
Article VIII - Meetings
- The Chairman and/or the Board, as needed, shall call general Membership meetings.
- The Board of Directors may call additional meetings.
- The Board meetings shall be called as necessary by the Chairman or at the request of any three Board Members.
- There shall be an Annual General Meeting, which shall be held within fourteen months of the inauguration of the ?Association?and annually thereafter. The Secretary shall give fourteen days notice in writing of an Annual General Meeting.
Article IX - Voting
- No Board meeting shall be quorate unless attended in person, by telephone or by proxy by at least three Board Members or two Board Members and the Chairman.
- A majority vote shall consist of fifty percent of all votes cast plus one.
- Each Ordinary Member in good standing shall have one vote.
- The Chairman will have an additional casting vote.
Article X - Vacancy or Removal of Officers
- Officers and Board Members may be removed from office before expiration of their normal term for failure to satisfactorily perform the duties of their office, for repeated absences from meetings, or for conduct improper to their office.
- Removal of a Board Member or officer requires the approval of three-fourths of the elected Board Members. A vote for removal must be conducted at a duly announced Board meeting.
- Vacancies of Officers and Directors positions caused by death, resignation, or reasons stated in Paragraph A shall be filled by appointment by the Board of Directors. The appointee shall serve until the next regularly scheduled election.
Article XI - Amendments to the Bylaws & Constitution
The Bylaws and Constitution may be altered or amended by approval of a majority of the Members of the Board of Directors; said amendment having been submitted in writing to the Board in advance.
