CONSTITUTION OF MERVILLE UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB (SLIGO)

The name of the Club shall be called Merville United Football Club, and it shall seek affiliation and be bound by the rules of the Football Association of Ireland and the Sligo/Leitrim School boys/girls League & the Sligo/Leitrim League.

2.1 The Object for which Merville United Football club is established is to foster, promote and develop, at all age groups and all genders, the game of soccer by managing and developing the club resources, including equipment and pitches and arranging training and football matches for all the registered players of the club.

2.2 To arrange training and football matches for all the registered players of the club.

2.3 To foster, promote and develop, at all age groups the game of soccer.

In furtherance exclusively of the foregoing object, the Club shall have the following subsidiary object,

2.4 To constantly strive to improve, progress and maintain standards within the club.  All individuals involved in the Club should conduct themselves with integrity, transparency, accountability and in a fair and equitable manner.

2.5 To create a positive, encouraging environment for children playing football whereby:

All players receive professional coaching

All players enjoy proper equipment and facilities

All players learn the importance of teamwork and sportsmanship

All players enjoy themselves
  

Membership is open to all, and no application will be refused on other than reasonable grounds. There will be no discrimination on grounds of race, occupation or gender.

 The Club will abide by the Football Association of Ireland’s Child Protection and Safeguarding Policies, Governance Procedures, Codes of Conduct alongside Merville United’s own Code of Conduct and disciplinary procedures.

 

 

 

4          MEMBERSHIP/REGISTRATION

The membership shall consist of the following categories:

Only members who have paid the appropriate registration fee and filled up the appropriate Membership/Registration are deemed to be Members of the Club. Only paid-up Members at the end of September (or January if season is by calendar year) and over 18 years of age can vote or attend the Clubs Annual General Meeting. For a Family Member a representative of the relevant Parent/Guardian can attend or vote on their behalf at the AGM if they so deem it appropriate.

Members in each category shall pay Registration/Membership fees as fixed by the Management Committee.

The Club Registrar shall keep a Membership Registrar. In the event of a member leaving the club for a variety of reasons such as moving to another club or expulsion, his or her name shall be removed from the Membership Registrar.

 

The management of the club will consist of:

       a) The Management Board (Executive Committee )

       b) The Co-Ordinating Management Committee (The Committee)

   c) Team Coaches

               d) Family Members

5.1 It shall consist of the following Club Officers: Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary, Child Welfare Officer. 

5.2 The Management Committee along with the Executive Committee shall consist of the following Club Officers: Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary, Coaching Director, Club Registrar, Social Media Officer, Child Welfare Officer, Fixtures & Results Officer and Quartermaster. The Officers of the Club will be honorary (non-paid). 

5.3 Committee Members shall hold office from the date of appointment until the next Annual General Meeting unless otherwise unopposed or resolved at a Special General Meeting. One person may hold no more than two Club Officer roles at any time.

5.4 The Management shall be responsible for the management of all affairs of the Club.

5.5 Decisions of the Management Committee shall be recorded in the Minutes of the meeting. The minutes of meetings are recorded by the Secretary.

5.6 Any member of the Management Committee may call a meeting of the Committee by giving not less than 7 days’ notice to all members of the Committee. The Management Committee shall hold not less than 5 meetings a year.

5.7 Club discipline procedures to deal with any issues/complaints regarding club members or members of the Management Committee are outlined in the Club Child Welfare Code of Conduct. This procedure will be followed.

5.8 A Player discipline procedure is also in place to deal with any disciplinary issues regarding players of the club. This procedure will also be followed.

 

 

 The Chairperson in conjunction with the Secretary will decide on the dates and times for Committee meetings.

 The Chairperson will present a report at the Annual General Meeting.

The Secretary in conjunction with the Chairperson will draw up Agenda items. Committee members will be entitled to raise any matters of concern by way of advance notice to the Secretary or under the agenda item “any other business”.

The Treasurer shall collect and enter to the bank accounts of the Club all money and proceeds entrusted to him/her.

 The Committee of the Club shall be indemnified against any expenses incurred by them while carrying out their duties for the Club. These expenses need to be approved by the Committee of the Club.

The Treasurer shall present a financial report at the Annual General Meeting.

 The Coaching Director along with the Quartermaster will source suitable equipment and provide advice to the Committee on what should be purchased.

 

3.       The Child Welfare Officer will act as liaison with the Sligo/Leitrim Youth League Child Welfare Officer and the FAI Child Welfare Officer when required.

 The Child Welfare Officer will do their utmost to ensure that all coaches possess up-to-date GARDA Vetting in the club. He/she will inform all prospective coaches and committee members of the requirements for Garda Vetting and also the process involved. He/she will also keep a list of coaches and committee members that possess up-to-date Garda Vetting.

The Child Welfare Officer will do their utmost to ensure that all coaches have completed the appropriate Safeguarding courses. He/she will inform all prospective coaches and committee members of the requirement to attend a Safeguarding course and also the process involved. He/she will keep a list of coaches and committee members that have attended the relevant Safeguarding course.

 Publication of Fixtures and Results, and communicate to teams on whats app group, Club zap and to social media Officer.

Liaise with coaches for results, match changes etc

Liaise with Sligo/Leitrim League and referees’ association

 Registration Officer

Registration of Players and Player Transfers 

Upload to FAI Connect for start of season

 

Keeps an itinerary of club equipment.

Organises upkeep of Club equipment

Sources equipment required and advised Committee

              Social Media Officer

              Publishes Fixtures and Results on Club Social Media Channels

              Promotes Club activities on Social Media Channels

              Liaises with Committee members, coaches and players

3. All team coaches should have the appropriate interest and competence. All coaches must possess up-to-date GARDA Vetting and have attended the appropriate coaching courses and safeguarding courses before being given the responsibility of managing a team.

4. Team coaches should plan and prepare their coaching sessions in advance, which should include

Facilities available

Availability of equipment

Players available

The coaching structure for the training session

It is important that coaches liaise with the Coaching Director on a regular basis to discuss any issues with players and with their sessions. The Coaching Director may provide constructive feedback also to the coach to help him/her improve her sessions and also the performance of their teams.

The Team Coach will also be responsible for player discipline in conjunction with the Coaching Director. Their responsibilities are outlined in the Club Player Discipline Procedure.

3. Adult behaviour must be of the highest standard to set the correct example to the players.

Praise good behaviour to show that adults value it

Praise effort and performance, rather than just achievement, most often in the case of a victory.

Display patience

Ensure players have a clear understanding of the standards of behaviour expected

Matters of team selection, including the playing of substitutes, remain the sole responsibility of the Team Manager/Coach and his/her decision will remain final. No parent/guardian should try to unduly influence the Team Coach with regard to team selection.

 At all times, during the game, the decisions made by the referee qualified or unqualified, appointed to officiate, will remain final.

  Authority

1       The Executive Committee shall have full power to take any action they consider necessary for the good running of the Club. They shall have the power to fine, expel or suspend any club member or player whom they deem to be guilty of misconduct. They shall have the power to legislate for any contingency not provided for in the rules. Any club member has the right to appeal to the Schoolboy Football Association of Ireland against any decisions made by the Executive Committee of Merville United.

 

2       The business of the Executive Committee will be carried out at meetings held regularly. No business will be enacted at any Executive Committee unless a quorum of Committee members is present, five (5) being a quorum. Matters requiring decision will be decided by consensus in the first instance or in the absence of consensus by simple majority vote of those Executive Committee members present. Where a vote is tied the Chairperson of the meeting will have a casting vote.

 

An Annual General Meeting (A.G.M.) of the Club shall be held each year +/- one

month of August (January if running a calendar season.

 A simple majority of those present at the A.G.M. shall be sufficient to alter, delete or add to any rules in the Club Constitution, providing such alteration, deletion or addition have been specifically included on the agenda of the A.G.M. Each member present shall have one vote.

·       Each Officer of the Club shall present a report to the A.G.M.

·       Items for inclusion on the agenda must be forwarded in writing and received by the Secretary 7 days prior to the A.G.M. This includes notice of any resolution to be proposed such as a rule change to the Constitution.

·       The agenda of the Annual General Meeting shall be prepared by the Secretary and agreed at a committee meeting prior to the A.G.M.

·       Nominations for election of members as Club Officers shall be made in writing by the proposer and seconder of whom must be existing members of the Club, to the Club Secretary by email to mervilleunited@gmail.com,  7 days before the AGM. In the event of no written nominations for Officer positions in the Club, the position can be nominated on the floor at the Annual General Meeting or failing that the first Committee meeting of the new Committee.

·       Voting shall be by a show of hands then followed by ballot if deemed necessary by Chairperson of the meeting.

·       A Special General Meeting can be called at any time by most of the Committee. 60% of the Club Members may also call such a meeting. The meeting must take place within 14 days of the Secretary receiving notice of the request. Business at an SGM may be any business that maybe transacted at an AGM.

·       The Chairperson, or in their absence a member selected by the Committee, shall take the chair. In the event of an equality of votes the Chairperson of the Meeting shall have a casting vote.

·       The Club Secretary shall take minutes of the Annual General Meeting.

 The registration fees, match fees and any other fees will be decided by the Club Committee.

 All players must be registered with the Club and appropriate League before they are allowed to play matches.

Completed online membership forms along with appropriate fee to be handed in before the commencement of the league or commencement of training sessions for Academy groups.

Team Coaches are to be appointed by the Coaching Director with the approval of the Committee for each of the age groups.

A players first priority is to their own age groups squad, They may also play for an older age group once it is agreed by the two coaches respectively, the Player and their parent/guardian

Teams within the Club shall play home games at venues designated by the Club Committee.

 Players must wear kit provided by the Club or team sponsors at matches.

 Club notepaper and any other paper bearing the Club emblem can be used only by Officers of the Club.

 All members of the Club shall operate and behave in accordance with the Club’s Code of Conduct.

The Club’s purchasing policy requires the approval of the Club Chairman and Treasurer for any expenditure in excess of €50. All items of expenditure will be receipted and copies provided to the Treasurer.

 

The Club shall not be liable for payment of non-sanctioned items of expenditure.

All adults involved directly with children will be aware of their responsibilities as specified in the Club’s Child Welfare Code of Conduct. It is the duty of each Team Coach to ensure that all children are safe, and every effort will be taken to protect them.

A player must give first commitment to his/her own age group but can play for a team in the next upper age group, provided it is by agreement with both managers, on a match-by-match basis. The Coaching Director will need to be consulted on this as well.

No addition, alteration or amendment shall be made to the provisions of the object(s)
 clause, the income and property clause, the winding up clause, the keeping of accounts
 clause or this clause of the Constitution for the time being in force unless the same shall
 have been previously approved in writing by the Revenue Commissioners.

·       The income and property of the Club shall be applied solely towards the promotion of the object(s) as set forth in this Constitution. No portion of the Club’s income and property shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly by way of dividend, bonus or otherwise howsoever by way of profit to members of the Club. No officer shall be appointed to any office of the Club paid by salary or fees or receive any remuneration or other benefit in money or money’s worth from the Club. However, nothing shall prevent any payment in good faith by the Club of:
 a) reasonable and proper remuneration to any member or servant of the Club (not being an officer) for any services rendered to the Club.

·       b) interest at a rate not exceeding 1% above the Euro Interbank Offered Rate
 (Euribor) per annum on money lent by an officer or other members of the Club to
 the Club;
 c) reasonable and proper rent for premises demised and let by any member of the Club (including any officer) to the Club;
 d) reasonable and proper out-of-pocket expenses incurred by any officer in
 connection with their attendance to any matter affecting the Club;
 e) fees, remuneration or other benefit in money or money’s worth to any Company of which an officer may be a member holding not more than one hundredth part
 of the issued capital of such Company;

If upon the winding up or dissolution of the Club there remains, after satisfaction of all
 debts and liabilities, any property whatsoever, it shall not be paid to or distributed
 among the members of the Club. Instead, such property shall be given or transferred to
 some other institution or institutions having objects similar to the objects of the
 Club. The institution or institutions to which the property is to be given or transferred
 shall prohibit the distribution of their income and property among their members to an
 extent at least as great as is imposed on the Club under or by virtue of the Income and
 Property clause. hereof. Members of the Club shall select the relevant institution or
 institutions at or before the time of dissolution, and if and so far as effect cannot be
 given to such provisions, then the property shall be given or transferred to some
 charitable object. Final accounts will be prepared and submitted that will include a
 section that identifies and values any assets transferred along with the details of the
 recipients and the terms of the transfer.

Annual accounts shall be kept and made available to Revenue on request. Where the
 gross annual income exceeds €250,000 the accounts will be audited.

 If any member feels that he or she has suffered discrimination in any way, or that the Club Policies, Rules or Codes of Conduct and Ethics have been broken, should follow the procedures below. 

a. They should report the matter to the Club Secretary or another Member of the Club Committee, Managers or Coaches detailing:            

             1.        What, where and when the incident occurred

             2.        Witness details

             3.         Names of others with a similar complaint

             4.        A preference for a solution to the incident.

 

b. The Club Disciplinary Committee will sit for any hearings requested and will be made up of three people appointed by the committee and who have no vested interest in the matter before them.   

c. The Club Disciplinary Committee will have the power to:             

             1.        Warn as to future conduct

             2.        Suspend from membership

             3.        Remove from membership.

             4.        Fine.

             5.        Or any other action they deem appropriate

 

A person found to have broken the Club's Policies or Codes of Conduct.

 

Notification of the Disciplinary Committee’s decision will in the first instance be verbal to all parties, followed by notification in writing (within 7 days) to the party/parties involved.  A copy of the minutes of the hearing and the basis for the decisions will be forwarded to the Club Secretary.

 

 

 

 

Right of Appeal 

An appeal against any decision of the Disciplinary Committee must be made in writing via resister post, to the Chairperson (or in their absence, any sitting member of the Disciplinary Committee of the Club) within seven days of the initial decision. The Disciplinary Committee may review their decision but will only do so in circumstances where new evidence or a change in circumstances would deem the original decision to be grossly unfair. The Appeal decision will be binding and be delivered in writing within seven days to the concerned parties.

 Special Events & Activities: 

All “Special Events”, meaning events or activities outside the normal day to day functions of the Club, should be notified to the Club Committee in writing or by presentation to the Executive Committee. All such events must be approved in advance by the Executive Committee. 

Special events will include items such as competitions, tournaments (home or away), fundraising events, training events, player assessments, training courses, trips etc. This list is not exhaustive but is to give an indication of the type of events that must be notified to and approved by the Executive Committee before the planning and conducting of any special events or activities. 

All finances in relation to special events or activities should be transacted in accordance with the Executive Committee.

 

SUB-COMMITTEES

These can be formed when necessary and by co-option by the committee.  In instances where sub-committees are formed non-members can be elected however, they will have no voting rights should the subject of the Sub-Committee go before an AGM or SGM.  They will, however, be allowed the courtesy of presenting the case of the sub-committee.

There shall be a minimum of 3 unrelated, resident trustees always.
 The role of the Treasurer and Chairperson of the Club is to sign all legal agreements and contracts on behalf of the Club.