The League

1.

The organisation shall be known as Stockport & District Pool League '82, thereafter 'the league'

2.

The aims of 'the league' are to encourage the sport of pool within Stockport and its associated districts, as a competitive sport, and to support the sport nationally with competition outside Stockport.

3.

An Executive Committee, thereafter called 'the committee' shall administer 'The league'.

4.

The league' shall run competitive fixtures twice a year, known as summer and winter seasons.

5.

The league' shall run competitive knockouts of a type, and at dates, to be defined by 'the committee'.

6.

'The league' shall field a teams (or teams) to represent Stockport nationally, and the team(s) shall be administered by 'the league'.

7.

'The league shall hold regular meetings open to representatives of each registered team. The maximum number of scheduled meetings in any one-year is to be thirteen, of which one is to be the Annual General Meeting.

8.

The Annual General Meeting of 'the league' shall be held in February of each year.

The Committee

9.

'The committee shall be voted into office at an AGM, and the term of office shall run for twelve months from the completion of voting at one AGM, until the completion of voting at the next AGM

9a.

The joint secretary's of 'the league' shall be paid an annual honorarium, at a rate decided by 'the committee' and accepted by 'the league'.

10.

Any registered player within 'the league' is eligible for election on to 'the committee', provided they are proposed by a Captain, and seconded by any other league-registered player. The proposal must be received by the Secretary, first post, twenty eight days prior to the date of an AGM

11.

'The committee' automatically offer themselves for re election at each AGM, and should there be any further proposals for election, a ballot will take place. If there are no further proposals for election 'the committee' are automatically re elected.

12.

If a vacancy should arise on 'the committee' during the year, 'the committee' have the power to co-opt a registered player on to 'the committee', the person then completing their term of office until the next AGM

13.

Positions on 'the committee' shall be decided by the elected committee, as and when circumstances dictate.

14.

The number of persons sitting on 'the committee' shall be eight except on recommendation from 'the committee' at an AGM or

E.G.M. that the number should be increased or decreased.

15.

In extraordinary circumstances 'the committee' have the power to appoint a sub committee, consisting of one Captain from each division, to discuss and recommend a solution to any particular problem or task which arises. A sub committee would only sit for the duration of the particular task.

Meetings

17.

General Meetings will take place at regular intervals.

18.

A league meeting will not take place unless there is a quorum of team representatives present. Once the quorum is lost the meeting will close. The quorum will be representatives from 30 teams, or 1/3^rd of the teams in the league, whichever is the greater. The quorum for an AGM or E.G.M. will be 50% of the teams in the league.

19.

Any team not having a representative at any league meeting, is liable to a fine at the current rate, set at the previous AGM

20.

The AGM agenda will be as follows:

a) Chairman's Report
b) Secretary's Report
c) Treasurer's Report
d) Election to Committee
e) Alterations to Rules
f) Alterations to League Fee's
g) Any Other Business

21.

An Extraordinary General Meeting (E.G.M.) may be called at any time to take action on a particular issue. The meeting may be called by a quorum of 7 Captain's. The Secretary must receive the call with authentic signatures, 28 days prior to the desired date for such a meeting.

22.

On receiving a call for an E.G.M., all teams must send a representative to such a meeting, or be liable to a fine at the current rate.

23.

If a particular issue makes calling an E.G.M. necessary, 'the committee' has the power to convene such a meeting without a call from a quorum of Captain's.

24.

An E.G.M. has the full power of an AGM with regard to voting issues.

Ballots

25.

All ballots will be conducted by a show of hands, or a role call. Voting slips will be used on major votes.

26.

Issues may be voted on by only one representative from each team.

27.

There will be no facilities for postal or proxy voting, except where allowed in rule 29.

28.

Proposals will be carried by the higher number of vote's cast, except that major constitutional changes will be required to be carried by a 2/3^rd majority of members present.

29.

In the event of a tied vote during voting for 'the committee', an already elected member, (i.e. Chairman) may make a casting vote.

30.

In the event of a tied vote on any other decision, the Chairman will make the casting vote.

31.

'The committee' will not have the power of vote at any General Meeting ,except if the member is a Captain, or where allowed (see 29/30)

Membership

32.

Membership of 'the league' shall be available to any individual or team desirous to join 'the league', at the discretion of 'the committee'. The following conditions must be met.

a) There is a vacancy within the divisions.

b) The registered home ground of the team is within licensed premises.

c) The team does not owe fines from previous seasons.

d) Neither team nor players have been involved in any action, which could bring disrespect to 'the league'.

e) A team has paid into 'the league' the registration fee at the time of entry.

f) A player or team has completed the required registration forms, and the said forms have been officially signed.

33.

Individual members or teams within 'the league', must wholly adhere to:

a) The Constitution.

b) The General Rules.

Failure to do so may result in the player or team facing a fine at a rate decided by 'the committee' and or suspension for an undefined period, at the discretion of 'the committee'.

League Fee's and Fines

34.

League fees are due and payable at each General Meeting, unless otherwise decided by 'the committee'.

35.

League fines are due and payable at General Meetings, unless otherwise decided by 'the committee'.

36.

Teams or players not paying fee's or fines when required may face further fines and/or suspension at the discretion of 'the committee'.

37.

League fee's/fines shall be levied at a rate decided by an A.G.M./E.G.M., (except where stated). The rates will stand until the next AGM or E.G.M.

38.

Teams owing fees or fines for a period greater than 2 meetings will be charged interest at the current bank base rate.

General Rules

39.

The General Rules are a set of rules for the basic administration of match nights, but do not constitute Playing Rules.

40.

The General Rules may be added to, deleted, or amended at the sole discretion of 'the committee'.

41.

Members may make suggestions for the alteration of the General Rules, at any General Meeting. Such alterations do not require the vote of a meeting.

Playing Rules

42.

The Playing Rules are the rules governing the conduct of play for the duration of each game.

43.

The Playing Rules (except World Rules see 44) may be added to, deleted from, or amended, by a majority vote at an AGM or E.G.M.

44.

World Playing Rules are governed by International bodies and may not be changed by the league.

45.

When a correct interpretation of the rules cannot be given by the match night referee's, a referee appointed by 'the committee' may be approached to give their interpretation of the rules and/or settle any dispute concerning the rules.

46.

The decision of a referee appointed by 'the committee' is final and binding.

47.

Any member of 'the committee' is deemed to be an official referee.

48.

Disputes with regard to match nights may be brought before 'the committee', providing notification is made in writing, according to the General Rules.

General

49.

'The committee's' decision on any aspect not covered by the rules and constitution is final, unless voted upon at an AGM or E.G.M.

50.

Once elected to committee, neither 'the committee' nor individual committee members have the power to:

a) Make any decision that is likely to affect the democratic process, or constitution of 'the league'.

b) Make any decision which would allow a committee member (or members) to gain financially from being on 'the committee'.

c) Make any decision that is prejudicial to the well being of 'the league' or its members.

Any such decisions must have the majority vote of the Captain's of 'the league. Any such act would mean dismissal from 'the committee'.

51.

The Executive Committee are empowered to seek and negotiate such finance/sponsorship/credits as may be required for the administration of 'the league', providing the following condition is met.

Any financial decisions must be authorised by a majority vote of the Executive Committee, who may authorise individuals to act on their behalf.

Last amended 14.03.2005