Clarification sought re Sport Club Rules

[jamal59]

Good afternoon. I wonder if anybody can help please?

 

I am a member of a sports club which is run by a management committee made up of individuals from the membership who get voted in at an AGM. The club premises are also hired out to members of the public for functions.

 

The committee decided that due to a few break-ins to the club premises that they would install a cctv system. The system is accessed by the chairman and the club secretary only. There is, as far as I know, one small sign next to the front entrance of the club informing people that cctv is in operation.

 

This is fine apart from the fact that members are increasingly concerned that they are being watched (and possibly listened to) by these two committee members. Again not really a problem as nothing really goes on. The problem is at the moment there is a club dispute going on with the two aforementioned committee members.

 

Basically what are the rules, if any. It is understandable that the footage is looked at if a burglary has occurred, but what about general viewing of members whilst they are socialising in the bar?

 

Thank you for any help.

[rebel11]

Hi jamal

 

Welcome to CAG

 

Heres some info:- http://www.ico.gov.uk/for_organisations/data_protection/topic_guides/cctv.aspx

 

Please let us know how your problem has been resolved, it could help fellow Caggers.

 

Thread has been moved to the correct forum.

[jamal59]

Thank you for the link. I will certainly let you know what happens.

 

I wonder if you also have any info on interpreting our club constitituion rules. For example 1 rule states that

• an officer of the committee can only be removed by an EGM.
  

a further rule states

• the management committee can remove remove a member from the club if their behaviour, on or off the premises, brings the club into disrepute.
  

What would happen if the member in question bringing the club into disrepute is an officer of the committee. Can the committee have a majority vote to remove the member; or do they need to call an EGM?.

 

Any help would be appreciated.

[rebel11]

Hi Jamal

 

Here's some info:- http://www.islington.gov.uk/publicrecords/documents/LeisureandCulture/Rtf/Example_of_Sports_Club_Rules_and_Regulations.rtf

[jamal59]

Dear Rebel

 

 

Thank you for your response.

 

 

Unfortunately this link was to a set of rules for another club and although they are comprehensive and fairly clear, they have no relation to the rules in any other club. Each and every club has their own set of rules agreed by the membership and committee at an an AGM.

 

What I am getting at in my earlier posting is that, as the rules state, if a straightforward member (Joe Bloggs) had brought the club into disrepute then that member would be able to be immediately dismissed from the club by the management committee. Our dilemna is, what if this person is a member of the committee;there is this other rule that says a member of the committee may only be removed from the committee at an EGM (thus not cancelling their membership). Does that mean that they first have to be removed from the committee by an EGM and then dismissed from the club by the committee or, as the committee member is in breach of the rules can this point be bypassed and therefore they could be dismissed from the club by the management committee without going through the EGM procedure.

 

Many Thanks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[jamal59]

Sorry, thought I should just make it clear that the dispute is not over the cctv issue. That is a different problem!!

[honeybee13]

Sorry, thought I should just make it clear that the dispute is not over the cctv issue. That is a different problem!!

 

Hello there.

 

Would you like your thread title changed in that case?

 

My best, HB

[jamal59]

Please, if you think that is best. Sorry for any inconvenience.

[jamal59]

Maybe 'Sport Club Rules'

[slick132]

Hi Jamal,

 

With a small organisation like this, it's difficult to give a clear answer without knowing:-

 

1. The circumstances that you are referring to (but please don't go into detail on this).

 

2. The full set of club rules (again, we don't need to know them at this stage).

 

However, based on what you have said above I think you would have to have an EGM to consider the case against the committee member.

 

If the required majority voted to remove the committee member, then the remaining committee could consider if the person should have their club m/ship withdrawn.

 

I do not think you should circumnavigate the EGM process as the individual would, in theory, remain on the committee despite being barred as a regular club member.

 

[jamal59]

Hi Slick

 

Thank you for changing the thread title and for your response to the query. I understand that it is difficult to give definite answers without knowing all the facts and rules, and that is far too long winded.

 

Our rules are a bit vague and the two listed above are the only ones that actually refer to removing a member from the club due to any kind of misconduct. Although I actually agree with the points you make I wonder if it would make a difference depending on what the actual problem was. As you say, I cant go into detail but a while ago another member (although not a committee member) was removed from the club by the committee for exactly the same thing as this. This incident would probably be deemed gross misconduct if it happened in the workplace. Do you think this would make a difference? If not, then you have answered all the points already in your post above.

 

Thank you for your help, it is much appreciated.

[slick132]

Hi Jamal,

 

Responding as best I can in the absence of further info.............

 

If an ordinary club member was barred by the committee for the same type of incident, I see no reason why a committee member should not be treated in the same way.

 

I would expect a committee member to lead by example without being seen to receive preferential treatment.

 

If someone would be sacked for the same offence in a workplace environment, then the committee should consider the facts and respond as the majority see fit.

 

It sounds like an EGM is required to consider the matter so the committee members can decide if removal from the committee and/or termination of m/ship is appropriate.

 

Edited July 23, 2012 by slick132
typo

[jamal59]

Thank you slick.

 

Will let you know the outcome, but its likely to take a while!

 

[jamal59]

Hi There

 

Thought I would let you know that the person in question eventually (after many meetings!!) resigned from the committee as they thought this would be less embarrassing than being ousted at en EGM.

 

Thanks again for the advice.

[slick132]

Hi Jamal and thanks for the update.