Club Rules

1. The club shall be called 'KIdsgrove Hill Walking Club'.

2. The objectives of the Club shall be to foster the planning and pursuit of members' activities associated with rambling/hiking, either collectively or in small groups, and to promote the interests and goodwill of the Club in all aspects.
3.  The club year shall run from 1st January to 31st December.
4.  The affairs of the Club shall be conducted by a committee comprising: 

   a. Chairman

   b. Secretary
  c. Treasurer
  d. Membership Secretary
  e. Outings Secretary
plus any additional members proposed and seconded as committee members at the A.G.M. 

The Committee shall have powers to decide on all matters covered by these rules.
All members of the Committee shall retire annually and shall be eligible for re-election. 

5. Subscription shall be at a rate determined at the A.G.M. and paid before February 1st of that year.
6. Any member of the public shall be eligible for membership of the Club, either by invitation or by approach through a member.
7. Application for membership shall be made in writing to the Membership Secretary. The Committee shall have the power to refuse membership and state reasons.  Membership shall be deemed to begin on the date of election until the end of the current Club year, subject to subscriptions being paid in full.
8. Membership of the Club shall be terminated by: 

•Notice of resignation in writing to the Membership Secretary provided the member is not financially indebted to the Club.
•Expulsion by the Committee

9. Committee meetings shall be called as necessary by the Secretary, a quorum being formed by four of the main body of the Committee.
The Chairman shall have the last vote.
10. The A.G.M. shall be held in the January of each year, a quorum is formed by four Club members, voting is by simple majority of members present (either by ballot or show of hands), the Chairman shall have the final vote.
Due notice of the A.G.M. must be given not less than 14 days in advance. Only paid-up members from the previous year can vote.
11. The business of the A.G.M. shall comprise: 

a. Reports from all retiring Committee Members
b Election of subscription rate for the ensuing year
c. Election of an auditor who shall not be a member of the retiring or newly-appointed committee 

•Election of the Committee Members for the ensuing year
•Consideration of proposed amendments to the Club rules or any other matters, presented in writing to the Secretary six weeks prior to the A.G.M. for circulation to all Committee Members
•Any other business raised by members present

12. A Special General Meeting may be called at any time by the Committee, or must be called by the Secretary within 14 days after the date of a signed request which states the object for which the meeting has been called.
13. Any outgoing monies and equipment spend shall be agreed by the Committee.
14. Club cheques against all accounts to be signed by two Committee Members, three members named as signatories.
15. Alterations to these rules may only be made at a properly convened Annual or Special General Meeting; any request for alteration to these rules must be made in writing to the Secretary at least 14 days in advance of the meeting, a majority of least two-thirds of members present and able to vote is required.
16. Should a Committee Member retire during the course of the club year, the Committee shall have the power to appoint an acting replacement for the post for the remainder of the year.
17. Rules not adhered to in the conduct of the Club which are not conducive to the well-being and/or its reputation shall render the activity unauthorised by the club.
18. During a Club outing a minimum of two members shall constitute a party, although three members is preferred dependent on terrain, experience and ability.
19. Pre-booking should be made by the Wednesday prior to an outing, anyone turning up 'on spec' may be refused if the coach is full.
20. Cancellations should be made on the Wednesday prior to an outing (see note 1 below).

21. Members will be given priority over non-members or guests with regards to booking.
22. In the event that the club has to be wound up for any reason any monies remaining will be donated to charities of the Committee's choice.

23.The club will adhere to the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) legislation.  Policies will be published on the club website.

24.Club Liability. “The Club bears no responsibility for the death or personal injury to members or for the loss of any personal items while engaged in any Club activities” (note: this appears on the reverse of the current Membership Card).

Notes:

1.These rules are derived from the Wharton’s Walkers Club Rules. They have been changed in accordance with the amendments agreed by the AGM of January 20th 2022 and to recognise the new name of the club  (Kidsgrove Hill Walking Club).

2.  If cancellation of a booking is made after the Wednesday prior to the outing then the member is liable 

   for the cost of the booking.

Issue 2:  As agreed at AGM 20th January 2022