1. NAME

For the purposes of this text, Chipping Norton Swifts and its members, where appropriate, shall be called the “Club”.

2. OBJECTS

The objects of the Club shall be to provide safe facilities, promote the game of Association Football, to arrange matches, and, in some cases, social activities for its members, and community participation in the same.

3. STATUS OF RULES

The Club Rules, also shown on this website, form a binding agreement between each member of the Club.

4. RULES AND REGULATIONS

(a) The members of the Club shall, where appropriate, exercise their rights, powers and duties and shall use their best endeavours to ensure that others conduct themselves correctly - so that the business and affairs of the Club are carried out in accordance with the Rules and Regulation of The Football Association, the Oxfordshire FA, and both Competitions in which the Club participates (Witney & District Football League/Oxfordshire Girls Youth League), for the time being in force.

(b) In line with FA Accreditation, no alteration to the Club Rules shall be effective without written approval by Oxfordshire FA. The FA and Oxfordshire FA reserve the right to approve any proposed changes to the Club Rules.

(c) The Club will also abide by The FA’s Safeguarding Children Policies and Procedures; Codes of Conduct and the Equal Opportunities and Anti-Discrimination Policy.

5. CLUB MEMBERSHIP

(a) The members of the Club shall be those persons listed in the register of members (the “Membership Register”) which shall be maintained by the Club Secretary.

(b) Any person who wishes to be a member must apply through the Club, and through the appropriate channels. Election to membership shall be at the discretion of the Club Committee and granted in accordance with the anti-discrimination and equality policies which are in place. Membership shall become effective upon an applicant’s name being entered in the Membership Register.

(c) In the event of a member’s resignation or expulsion, his or her name shall be removed from the Membership Register.

(d) The FA and Oxfordshire FA shall be given access to the Membership Register on demand.

6. ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP FEE

(a) An annual fee payable by each playing member shall be determined each season by the Club Committee and set at a level that will not pose a significant obstacle to community participation. The fee (as of season 2024/25) is £140, with a sibling discount if the older sibling is paying full price. Training only option is available. Any fee shall be payable on a successful application for membership and annually by each member.

(b) Instalment plans for fees are available to all playing members.

(c) The Club Committee shall have the authority to levy further subscriptions from the members as are reasonably necessary to fulfil the objects of the Club.

7. CLUB COMMITTEE

(a) The Club Committee shall consist of the following Club Officers: Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary, Welfare and when applicable up to three other members, all elected at an Annual General Meeting (“AGM”). The Club Officers in the above positions are all listed on the “Contact” page of the Club Website.

(b) Each Club Officer and Club Committee Member shall hold “office” from the date of appointment until the next AGM, unless otherwise resolved at an Extraordinary General Meeting (“EGM”). One person may hold no more than two positions of Club Officer at any time. The Club Committee shall be responsible for the management of all the affairs of the Club. Decisions of the Club Committee shall be made by a simple majority of those attending the Club Committee meeting. The Chairperson of the Club Committee meeting shall have a casting vote in the event of a tie.

(c) Decisions of the Club Committee shall be recorded.

(d) An outgoing member of the Club Committee may be re-elected. Any vacancy on the Club Committee which arises between AGMs shall be filled by a member proposed by one (1) and seconded by another one (1) of the remaining Club Committee members and approved by simple majority of the remaining Club Committee members.

(e) The position of a Club Officer shall be vacated if such a person is subject to a decision of The FA that such person be suspended from holding office or from taking part in any football activity relating to the administration or management of a football club.

8. ANNUAL AND EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETINGS

(a) An AGM shall be held in each year to:

(i) receive a report of the activities of the Club over the previous year.
(ii) receive a report of the Club’s finances over the previous year
(iii) elect members of the Club Committee; and
(iv) consider any other business.

(b) An EGM may be called at any time by the Club Committee. Business at an EGM may be any business that may be transacted at an AGM.

(c) Minutes of all meetings will be recorded and held by the club.

9. CLUB AGE GROUP TEAMS

The Club Committee shall appoint a Club member to be the responsible coach/manager for each of the Club’s football age group teams. The appointed members shall be responsible for managing the affairs of the team. The appointed members may be asked to attend Club Committee meetings as required. These Club Members can all be found on the “contacts” page of the Club website.

10. CLUB FINANCES

(a) A bank account shall be opened and maintained in the name of the Club (the “Club Account”). Designated account signatories shall be the Club Chairperson, the Club Secretary and the Club Treasurer. No sum shall be drawn from the Club Account except by cheque signed by two of the three designated signatories. All monies payable to the Club shall be received by the Treasurer and deposited in the Club Account.

(b) The Club Property shall be applied only in furtherance of the objects of the Club. The distribution of profits or proceedings arising from the sale of Club Property to members is prohibited.

(c) The Club Committee shall have the power to authorise the payment of remuneration and expenses to any member of the Club (although a Club shall not remunerate a member for playing) and to any other person or persons for services rendered to the Club.

(d) The Club may provide sporting and related social facilities, sporting equipment, coaching, courses, insurance cover, medical treatment, away match expenses, post-match refreshments and other ordinary benefits of Community Amateur Sports Clubs as provided for in the Finance Act 2002.

(e) The Club may also in connection with the sports purposes of the Club:

(i) sell and supply food and non-alcoholic drink at matches.
(ii) employ members (although not for playing) and remunerate them for providing goods and services, on fair terms set by the Club Committee without the person concerned being present
(iii) pay for reasonable hospitality for visiting teams and guests
(iv) Compensate the Club Committee and members acting properly in the course of the running of the Club against any liability incurred in the proper running of the Club (but only to the extent of its assets).

(f) The Club shall keep accounting records of all payments and receipts so as to disclose, with reasonable accuracy, at any time, the financial position, including the assets and liabilities of the Club. The Club must retain its accounting records for a minimum of six (6) years.

(g) The Club shall prepare an annual “Financial Statement” in such format as shall be available from The FA from time to time. The Financial Statement shall be verified by an independent, appropriately qualified accountant and shall be approved by members at a General Meeting. A copy of any Financial Statement shall, on demand, be forwarded to The FA.

11. DISSOLUTION

(a) A resolution to dissolve the Club shall only be proposed at a General Meeting and shall be carried by the majority of at least three-quarters of the members present.

(b) The dissolution shall take effect from the date of the resolution and the members of the Club Committee shall be responsible for the winding up of the assets and liabilities of the Club.

(c) Any surplus assets remaining after the discharge of the debts and liabilities of the Club shall be transferred to another Club, a Competition, the Oxfordshire FA or The FA for use by them related to community sports.

Chipping Norton Swifts FC

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