CONSTITUTION

of the

SOUTH OF SCOTLAND GOLFERS' ASSOCIATION

and South Area of the Scottish Golf Union

November 2007

TITLE.

1. The Association shall be called the SOUTH OF SCOTLAND GOLFERS' ASSOCIATION. It shall be composed of Golf Clubs within the Counties of Dumfries, Kirkcudbright and Wigtown.

2. The objects of the Association shall be to foster the interests of golf within its area by the holding of competitions or tournaments, to promote inter-county and inter-district matches, and to deal with any matters of general or local interest to golfers.

3. It shall affiliate with the Scottish Golf Union, as the SOUTH AREA of the Scottish Golf Union, appoint delegates thereto, and pay any subscriptions exigible.

MEMBERSHIP.

4. Clubs wishing to join the Association shall make application to the Secretary in writing. To be eligible for membership a club must:-

(a) Have and comply with a Constitution appropriate to a Golf Club and in a form acceptable to the Scottish Golf Union.

(b) Apply the Rules of the Standard Scratch Score and Handicapping Scheme as approved by the Council of National Golf Unions from time to time.

(c) Pay the annual subscription as determined by the Executive of the Scottish Golf Union from time to time.

(d) Pay the local annual subscription as determined by the Annual General Meeting of the South of Scotland Golfers' Association from time to time.

5. The financial year of the Association shall commence on the 1st September and end on the 31st August of each year or such other dates as the Executive Committee may decide.

6. Subscriptions shall be payable in advance on 1st January.   Any club failing to pay the subscription by 28th February may be referred to the Executive of the Scottish Golf Union who shall have power to delete the club from membership of the Scottish Golf Union. Any club deleted from membership of the Scottish Golf Union shall cease to be a member of the South of Scotland Golfers' Association, and can only be re-admitted on a fresh application for membership. Such a club shall nevertheless be liable for the year's subscription, and its members shall be debarred from playing in any competition, tournament, inter-county or inter-district match under the auspices of the Association, until all arrears of subscription are paid in full.

7. Any club wishing to withdraw from the Scottish Golf Union or the South of Scotland Golfers' Association must so intimate to the Secretary in writing before 31st August, otherwise it shall be liable for the subscription of the following year. Any club so withdrawing shall have no claim upon the funds of the Association. Any club which resigns membership within 12 months prior to the dissolution of the Association shall, notwithstanding resignation, continue to be liable jointly with the remaining clubs for all debts and liabilities incurred by the Executive Committee on their behalf.

MANAGEMENT.

8. The office-bearers of the Association shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Junior Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Representative to the Scottish Golf Union, Team Captain, Coaching Convener, Boys' Team Manager, Championship Secretary, Course Rating Convener and Environmental Officer.

The Executive Committee will consist of the above, plus a representative from any of the three counties not otherwise represented by an office-bearer, who will be elected at the A.G.M. of the South of Scotland Golfers' Association. Any of the above offices may be combined except those of President and Vice-President. The Executive Committee shall have the power to co-opt members of clubs affiliated to the Association for such purposes, powers, duties and for such period as the Committee thinks fit.

9. The office-bearers and an auditor shall be appointed at the annual meeting, and shall hold office for one year, but shall be eligible for re-election. They may not necessarily be chosen from elected representatives at the annual meeting, but must be members of clubs affiliated to the Association.

10. The management of the Association shall be vested in the Executive Committee.

MEETINGS.

11. The annual meeting of the office-bearers and club representatives of the Association shall be held not later than 30th November each year, when the Secretary's and Treasurer's reports for the year will be submitted, the office-bearers for the ensuing year elected, and any other competent business transacted.

Notice of the business to be transacted at the annual meeting shall be sent by post by the Secretary to clubs at least 14 days prior to the meeting, and business to be placed on the agenda shall be given in writing to the Secretary at least 21 days prior to the meeting.

12. A special meeting of the office-bearers and club representatives may be called at any time by the President or on a written requisition of not less than five clubs.   Seven days' notice of such meetings shall be given to clubs by circular specifying the business to be brought before it.

13. The President, whom failing the Vice-President, shall preside at all meetings. Failing both, the members present shall elect one of their number as Chairman of the meeting. At meetings of the Association the elected office-bearers and one representative from each club in membership shall have a vote.

14. All questions other than alterations to the Constitution put the vote shall be decided by a majority of those entitled to vote. In the event of the votes cast being equal the Chairman shall have a casting vote in addition to his own. 

15. Ten representatives shall form a quorum at the annual or any special meeting.

SECRETARY & TREASURER.

16. The Secretary shall call all meetings and keep a correct record of the proceedings thereat. He shall arrange competitions, matches, etc., as required.

17. The Treasurer shall receive and disburse all monies due to and by the Association, and shall keep correct accounts showing its financial affairs. The accounts duty audited shall be presented to the annual meeting.   An abstract of accounts shall be circulated with the notice calling the meeting.

POWERS AND DUTIES.

18. In addition to any general powers herein conferred upon the Association, it shall have power

1. (a)   to appoint committees for any purpose and invest them with such powers as it may consider expedient;
2. (b)   to frame rules, bye-laws, and conditions for all matches, competitions and tournaments;
3. (c)   to interpret this Constitution and to decide all questions arising under the rules of the game subject to an appeal to the Rules of Golf Committee.

19. The foregoing rules and regulations shall form the constitution of the Association and shall not be revoked, altered, or added to without the approval of a majority of two-thirds of those present and entitled to vote at an annual or special meeting.