Constitution
RULES of the Historical Games Community Interest Company trading as The British Historical Games Society ("The BHGS") (“the Club”) as at 21/9/2023
RULES of Historical Games Community Interest Company (“the Club”) as at 25/9/2023
1. Name
1.1 The name of the Club shall be Historical Games Community Interest Company, trading as The British Historical Games Society ("The BHGS")
2. Objects
2.1 The objects of the Club shall be to advance the hobby of tabletop gaming by encouraging people to engage with the hobby, and organising competitions for its members. In the furtherance of these objects:
2.1.1 The Club is committed to treating everyone equally within the context of its activity and with due respect to the differences of individuals. It shall not apply nor endorse unlawful or unjustified discrimination, and shall act in compliance with the protections afforded by the Equality Act 2010.
3. Membership
3.1 The total membership of the Club shall not normally be limited. If however the Committee considers that there is a good reason to impose any limit from time to time then the Committee shall put forward appropriate proposals for consideration at a General Meeting of the Club. The members shall have the right to impose (and remove) from time to time any limits on total membership (or any category of membership) of the Club.
3.2 Club membership is free and is indicated by attending a club convention or event (which generally carry an entry fee).
3.3 No organisers or club officials will be paid.
3.5 Any person who wishes to become a member of the Club does so by entering an event.
3.6 Admission to membership shall be determined by the Club’s agreed process. In its consideration of applications for membership, the Club shall not act in a discriminatory manner and in particular, shall adhere to the Equality Act 2010 (as may be amended). Accordingly, (unless the Club chooses to restrict its membership to only people who share the same Protected Characteristic) the Club shall not refuse membership on the basis of a Protected Characteristic within the Equality Act 2010. Neither may refusal be made on the grounds of political persuasion.
3.7 The Club may refuse membership only for good and sufficient cause, such as conduct or character likely to bring the Club or the sport into disrepute.
4. Membership and Other Fees
4.1 Fees are set for each event with the intention that in the round the club will break even over the medium and long term. There are no other fees.
5. Resignation
5.1 There is no explicit mechanism to resign as members have no obligations.
5.2 Committee members and organisers may resign, replacements will then be sought by the remaining Committee members.
6. Expulsion and Other Disciplinary Action
6.1 The Committee shall have power to expel a member when, in its opinion, it would not be in the interests of the Club for the individual to remain a member. The Club in exercising this power shall comply with the provisions of Rules 6.3 and 6.4 below.
6.2 Upon expulsion the former member shall immediately return any Club property held.
6.3 The Club shall comply with the relevant Judicial Regulations for handling Internal Club Disputes as the same may be revised from time to time.
6.4 A member may not be expelled or (subject to Rule 6.5 below) be made the subject of any other penalty unless the panel hearing the complaint shall vote in favour of the expulsion of (or other penalty imposed upon) the member.
6.5 The Officers of the Club (or any person to whom the Committee shall delegate this power) may temporarily suspend or exclude a member, when in their opinion or following, such action is in the interests of the Club. Where such action is taken the incident or matter will thereafter be dealt with in accordance with the appropriate Judicial Regulations.
7. Committee
7.1 The Committee shall consist of the Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer (together “the Executive Officers of the Club”) and any number of other members all of whom must be members of the Club. All Committee members must be not less than 18 years of age though the Committee may allow younger member(s) to attend their meetings without power to vote.
7.2 There is no formal voting for committee members, though the committee will be mindful of the opinions of the membership.
7.3 Committee meetings shall be held as required and are considered quorate if all committee members are either present or have acknowledged and decided not to attend.
7.4 The Committee shall be responsible for the management of the Club.
7.10 The members of the Committee and competition organisers shall be entitled to an indemnity out of the assets of the Club for all expenses and other liabilities properly incurred by them in the management of the affairs of the Club and events.
8. Annual General Meeting
8.1 There are no general meetings of the Club.
9. Special General Meeting
9.1 A Special General Meeting may be called at any time by the Committee at a committee meeting.
10. Procedure at the Annual and Special General Meetings
10.1 The Committee can decide to hold the Annual or Special General Meeting virtually, using such electronic and video technology as it sees fit.
10.2 The Chairman, or in the Chairman’s absence a member appointed by the Committee shall take the chair. Each Committee member present shall have one vote and resolutions shall be passed by a simple majority. In the event of an equality of votes the Chairman shall have a casting or additional vote.
10.3 The Secretary, or in his/her absence a member of the Committee, shall take minutes at the Annual and Special General Meetings.
10.4 The appointed Chairman of the meeting shall have unlimited authority upon every question of order and shall be, for the purpose of such meeting, the sole interpreter of the Rules of the Club.
11. Alteration of the Rules and Other Resolutions
11.1 The Rules may be altered by resolution at an Annual or Special General Meeting provided that the resolution is carried by a majority of at least (two-thirds) of Committee members present and entitled to vote at the General Meeting.
12. By-Laws
12.1 The Committee shall have power to make, repeal and amend regulations and by-laws as they may from time to time consider necessary for the wellbeing of the Club. Such regulations, by-laws, repeals and amendments shall have effect until set aside by the Committee or at a General Meeting. The Committee shall have power to settle disputed points not otherwise provided for in this Constitution.
13. Finance
13.1 All monies payable to the Club shall be received by the Treasurer and deposited in bank or other accounts in the name of the Club.
13.2 No sum shall be drawn from that account except by the method agreed by the Committee. Any monies not required for immediate use may be invested as the Committee in its discretion think fit, though only in a financial institution covered by the investor deposit guarantee scheme.
13.3 The income and property of the Club shall be applied only in furtherance of the objects of the Club and no part thereof shall be paid by way of bonus, dividend or profit to any members of the Club.
13.4 The financial transactions of the Club shall be recorded by the Treasurer in such manner as the Committee thinks fit.
13.6 The financial year of the Club shall be the calendar year.
14. Dissolution
17.1 A resolution to dissolve the Club may be made by the committee at an appropriate time.
17.2 The dissolution shall take effect from the date specified in the resolution and the members of the Committee shall be responsible for the winding-up of the assets and liabilities of the Club.
17.3 Any remaining assets of the club after settling outstanding claims will be passed on to a successor organisation if any, or the charity “Help for Heroes” if none.
18. Acknowledgement
18.1 The Members acknowledge that these Rules constitute a legally binding contract to regulate the relationship of the members with each other and the Club.
18.2 This constitution must be readily available to all club members. This may be via posting on the Club website or shared with members as determined by the Commitee.
RULES of Historical Games Community Interest Company (“the Club”) as at 25/9/2023
1. Name
1.1 The name of the Club shall be Historical Games Community Interest Company, trading as The British Historical Games Society ("The BHGS")
2. Objects
2.1 The objects of the Club shall be to advance the hobby of tabletop gaming by encouraging people to engage with the hobby, and organising competitions for its members. In the furtherance of these objects:
2.1.1 The Club is committed to treating everyone equally within the context of its activity and with due respect to the differences of individuals. It shall not apply nor endorse unlawful or unjustified discrimination, and shall act in compliance with the protections afforded by the Equality Act 2010.
3. Membership
3.1 The total membership of the Club shall not normally be limited. If however the Committee considers that there is a good reason to impose any limit from time to time then the Committee shall put forward appropriate proposals for consideration at a General Meeting of the Club. The members shall have the right to impose (and remove) from time to time any limits on total membership (or any category of membership) of the Club.
3.2 Club membership is free and is indicated by attending a club convention or event (which generally carry an entry fee).
3.3 No organisers or club officials will be paid.
3.5 Any person who wishes to become a member of the Club does so by entering an event.
3.6 Admission to membership shall be determined by the Club’s agreed process. In its consideration of applications for membership, the Club shall not act in a discriminatory manner and in particular, shall adhere to the Equality Act 2010 (as may be amended). Accordingly, (unless the Club chooses to restrict its membership to only people who share the same Protected Characteristic) the Club shall not refuse membership on the basis of a Protected Characteristic within the Equality Act 2010. Neither may refusal be made on the grounds of political persuasion.
3.7 The Club may refuse membership only for good and sufficient cause, such as conduct or character likely to bring the Club or the sport into disrepute.
4. Membership and Other Fees
4.1 Fees are set for each event with the intention that in the round the club will break even over the medium and long term. There are no other fees.
5. Resignation
5.1 There is no explicit mechanism to resign as members have no obligations.
5.2 Committee members and organisers may resign, replacements will then be sought by the remaining Committee members.
6. Expulsion and Other Disciplinary Action
6.1 The Committee shall have power to expel a member when, in its opinion, it would not be in the interests of the Club for the individual to remain a member. The Club in exercising this power shall comply with the provisions of Rules 6.3 and 6.4 below.
6.2 Upon expulsion the former member shall immediately return any Club property held.
6.3 The Club shall comply with the relevant Judicial Regulations for handling Internal Club Disputes as the same may be revised from time to time.
6.4 A member may not be expelled or (subject to Rule 6.5 below) be made the subject of any other penalty unless the panel hearing the complaint shall vote in favour of the expulsion of (or other penalty imposed upon) the member.
6.5 The Officers of the Club (or any person to whom the Committee shall delegate this power) may temporarily suspend or exclude a member, when in their opinion or following, such action is in the interests of the Club. Where such action is taken the incident or matter will thereafter be dealt with in accordance with the appropriate Judicial Regulations.
7. Committee
7.1 The Committee shall consist of the Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer (together “the Executive Officers of the Club”) and any number of other members all of whom must be members of the Club. All Committee members must be not less than 18 years of age though the Committee may allow younger member(s) to attend their meetings without power to vote.
7.2 There is no formal voting for committee members, though the committee will be mindful of the opinions of the membership.
7.3 Committee meetings shall be held as required and are considered quorate if all committee members are either present or have acknowledged and decided not to attend.
7.4 The Committee shall be responsible for the management of the Club.
7.10 The members of the Committee and competition organisers shall be entitled to an indemnity out of the assets of the Club for all expenses and other liabilities properly incurred by them in the management of the affairs of the Club and events.
8. Annual General Meeting
8.1 There are no general meetings of the Club.
9. Special General Meeting
9.1 A Special General Meeting may be called at any time by the Committee at a committee meeting.
10. Procedure at the Annual and Special General Meetings
10.1 The Committee can decide to hold the Annual or Special General Meeting virtually, using such electronic and video technology as it sees fit.
10.2 The Chairman, or in the Chairman’s absence a member appointed by the Committee shall take the chair. Each Committee member present shall have one vote and resolutions shall be passed by a simple majority. In the event of an equality of votes the Chairman shall have a casting or additional vote.
10.3 The Secretary, or in his/her absence a member of the Committee, shall take minutes at the Annual and Special General Meetings.
10.4 The appointed Chairman of the meeting shall have unlimited authority upon every question of order and shall be, for the purpose of such meeting, the sole interpreter of the Rules of the Club.
11. Alteration of the Rules and Other Resolutions
11.1 The Rules may be altered by resolution at an Annual or Special General Meeting provided that the resolution is carried by a majority of at least (two-thirds) of Committee members present and entitled to vote at the General Meeting.
12. By-Laws
12.1 The Committee shall have power to make, repeal and amend regulations and by-laws as they may from time to time consider necessary for the wellbeing of the Club. Such regulations, by-laws, repeals and amendments shall have effect until set aside by the Committee or at a General Meeting. The Committee shall have power to settle disputed points not otherwise provided for in this Constitution.
13. Finance
13.1 All monies payable to the Club shall be received by the Treasurer and deposited in bank or other accounts in the name of the Club.
13.2 No sum shall be drawn from that account except by the method agreed by the Committee. Any monies not required for immediate use may be invested as the Committee in its discretion think fit, though only in a financial institution covered by the investor deposit guarantee scheme.
13.3 The income and property of the Club shall be applied only in furtherance of the objects of the Club and no part thereof shall be paid by way of bonus, dividend or profit to any members of the Club.
13.4 The financial transactions of the Club shall be recorded by the Treasurer in such manner as the Committee thinks fit.
13.6 The financial year of the Club shall be the calendar year.
14. Dissolution
17.1 A resolution to dissolve the Club may be made by the committee at an appropriate time.
17.2 The dissolution shall take effect from the date specified in the resolution and the members of the Committee shall be responsible for the winding-up of the assets and liabilities of the Club.
17.3 Any remaining assets of the club after settling outstanding claims will be passed on to a successor organisation if any, or the charity “Help for Heroes” if none.
18. Acknowledgement
18.1 The Members acknowledge that these Rules constitute a legally binding contract to regulate the relationship of the members with each other and the Club.
18.2 This constitution must be readily available to all club members. This may be via posting on the Club website or shared with members as determined by the Commitee.