The Club shall be called the 'Southport Model Boat Club' hereafter referred to as 'the Club'.

The Sailing Water for the Club is the model boating lake in Botanic Gardens, Southport. The Club occupies the site at the discretion of the freehold owners, Sefton Metropolitan Council.

• 3.1The Committee is the governing body of the Club.
• 3.2The Committee shall consist of an elected Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary and up to a further five Members, subject to the number of candidates standing for election.
• 3.3All members of the Committee shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting.
• 3.4All members of the Committee shall hold office from one AGM until the end of the next AGM.
• 3.5A committee member is limited to not more than three consecutive terms of office in any particular role.
• 3.6Candidates for Committee must be nominated and seconded by two Members of the Club who must personally sign the nomination. A candidate may nominate and second themselves.
• 3.7Nominations must be delivered to the Secretary prior to the opening of the AGM at which the candidates wish to be considered for election.
• 3.8Each Member present at the AGM may cast one vote for each contested committee position.
• 3.9In the event of a tie the Chairperson has the casting vote.
• 3.10If any vacancy arises on the Committee, the remaining Committee Members may co-opt any Member of the Club to fill that vacancy until the next AGM.
• 3.11Any person who is a member of the Committee or is otherwise concerned in the management of the Club is not entitled to any remuneration.
• 3.12Any person who is a member of the Committee shall not receive from the Club any remuneration or fee for any service provided to the Club, unless approved by the Committee.
• 3.13A quorum for a Committee Meeting shall be five members including at least two of: the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer.

• 4.1The Trustees, as legal owners of the Club's property, will hold the property of the Club on behalf of the Members.
• 4.2The Trustees shall be the Officers of the Club (Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary).
• 4.3In the event of the death of a Trustee, a replacement shall be appointed by the Committee.
• 4.4A Trustee shall cease to be a Trustee if they cease to be an Officer of the Club.

• 5.1A meeting of the Members, known as the Annual General Meeting (AGM), shall be held in every year.
• 5.2The AGM shall normally be held in the month of November at a date and time to be determined by the Committee.
• 5.3At least 21 (twenty-one) clear days' notice in writing shall be given to all Members of the time, date and place of the AGM.
• 5.4At the AGM the Committee shall present the audited annual accounts of the Club together with a report covering the previous membership year.
• 5.5At the AGM the Committee for the coming year shall be elected.
• 5.6Any proposal(s) for changes to the Constitution must be submitted to the Secretary at least 14 (fourteen) days prior to the AGM.
• 5.7Any changes to the Constitution shall require a two-thirds majority of those members present at the meeting and entitled to vote.
• 5.8A quorum for an AGM shall be twenty members or 25% of the membership, whichever is lower.

• 6.1An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) shall be called if at least 10% of the membership request such a meeting in writing to the Secretary stating the reasons for the request and the agenda for the meeting.
• 6.2The EGM shall be held within 28 days of the Secretary receiving the written request.
• 6.3At least 14 (fourteen) clear days' notice in writing shall be given to all Members of the time, date and place of the EGM.
• 6.4A quorum for an EGM shall be twenty members or 25% of the membership, whichever is lower.

• 7.1If a decision is taken to wind up or dissolve the Club any surplus assets after the settlement of all debts and liabilities shall be given or transferred to one or more of the following: (a) to another charity having similar objectives, (b) to another charity for the benefit of the inhabitants of the Borough of Sefton, or (c) to the local authority (Sefton Council) for use in furtherance of similar aims.
• 7.2In no circumstances whatsoever shall any assets or funds be distributed to members of the Club.

• 8.1The Club is not for profit and exists for the benefit of its Members.
• 8.2A person becomes a Member when their application for Membership has been accepted and the appropriate subscription has been received.
• 8.3The Committee reserves the right to refuse any application for membership without giving a reason.
• 8.4The Membership Year runs from 1st January to 31st December. Subscriptions become due on 1st January.
• 8.5The annual subscription and joining fee for each category of membership shall be set from time to time at the AGM.
• 8.6The categories of Membership are:

Definitions for each membership category are set out in the Membership Policy.

• 9.1Any complaint about a Member should be made in writing to the Secretary. The complaint will be considered by the Committee.
• 9.2If the complaint is considered to be of a sufficiently serious nature the Committee has the power to suspend or expel the Member after having afforded the Member the opportunity to present their case.
• 9.3The Member may appeal to the Committee within 14 days of being notified of the decision. The Committee's decision on the appeal is final.

• 10.1All boat sailing members must have valid third party liability insurance.
• 10.2Members may obtain insurance cover either through membership of the Model Powerboat Association (MPBA), Sailing Clubs, or other recognised bodies, or through the Club's own insurance scheme.
• 10.3The Club shall maintain public liability insurance for the protection of the Club and its Members.

• 11.1All Members shall comply with the Club's Health and Safety Policy and any rules made thereunder.
• 11.2The Committee shall be responsible for ensuring that the Club's activities are conducted in a safe manner and in accordance with all relevant legislation.
• 11.3Members must report any accidents or incidents to a Committee member as soon as possible.
• 11.4Members sailing boats do so at their own risk. The Club accepts no liability for any injury, loss or damage that may arise from the activities of Members or guests.