GOSPORT BOWMEN CONSTITUTION

 General Provision

 The Club shall be called GOSPORT BOWMEN hereinafter referred to as the Club.

 The funds and property of the Club shall be entrusted in the Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer.

 All monies and sums received on behalf of the Club shall remain the property of the Club and there will be no distribution of such funds amongst club members.

 The object of the Club shall be the promotion and encouragement of Archery in all its forms except with regards to crossbows, which shall not be permitted.

 The shooting Regulations as prescribed in the Archery UK (GNAS) Rules of Shooting shall be accepted as governing the relevant branches of the Sport of Archery practised by the Club and its members.

 Nothing will be included in this constitution which conflicts with that of Archery UK (GNAS).

 The postal address of the Club shall be that of the current Secretary.

 The Constitution of the Club shall not be amended without the approval of at least 75% of the clubs committee.

2. Management

 The management of the Club's affairs shall be entrusted to the Club Committee. committee@gosportbowmen.co.uk

 The Club Committee shall consist of:

o Chairman chairman@gosportbowmen.co.uk

o Vice Chairman

o Secretary secretary@gosportbowmen.co.uk

o Treasurer treasurer@gosportbowmen.co.uk

o Field Captain fieldcaptain@gosportbowmen.co.uk

o Equipments Officer equipment@gosportbowmen.co.uk

 In addition the following posts may be held:

o Training Officer

o Records Officer recordsofficer@gosportbowmen.co.uk

o Web Site Coordinator webmaster@gosportbowmen.co.uk

o Child Protection Officer cpo@gosportbowmen.co.uk

o Assistant CPO

o Junior Club Officer

o Tournament Secretary tournaments@gosportbowmen.co.uk.

The election of the above officers shall be determined by members at the AGM and the list of appointees published in the minutes.

 A Committee member unable to fulfil their duties will be expected to resign.

 The Committee shall meet not less than six times per year.

 Any member having a complaint shall give written notice to a Committee member who will submit it to the Committee and their decision will be final.

 At club meetings, whenever necessary, the Chairman is entitled to an additional deciding vote.

 Voting is to take place on a one person one vote basis, no matter how many positions one person may hold.

 The Club Committee may appoint Sub-committees and may delegate to such Committee powers within defined limits.

 All responsibility remains with the club committee.

3. Membership

 There shall be the following classes of members:

o Adult Shooting Members

o Junior Shooting Members

o Affiliate Members

o Non-shooting Members

o Honorary Life Members.

 Any person interested in Archery, having attained the age of 18 and completed a beginner course shall be eligible for admittance as an Adult Member, or under age, as a Junior Member.

 Acceptance of an application for membership is at the discretion of the Committee.

 Junior Members under the age of 11 will not be eligible for membership unless their parents or guardian are active members, or an Adult Shooting Member accepts responsibility for them.

 Juniors will not shoot unless an Adult Club Member is present.

 Any person whom the Club may wish to honour for distinguished service to the club may be elected at a General Meeting of the Club as an honorary Member for Life or for a specified period of time.

 The Committee shall, at its discretion, accept Affiliate Members into the Club.

o Such affiliate members must have GNAS membership, either through an Archery Club or GNAS direct.

o They will pay a monthly membership fee as determined at the AGM and target fees for each visit.

o Affiliated members may not shoot under the Gosport Bowmen name at any competition outside of Club control.

o If an affiliated member has been as such for continuous 12 months, they will be legible for Club records, and to vote at any Club AGM and EGM

 All members shall accept the jurisdiction of the Club and shall conform to such conditions, shooting rules and regulations as may be determined from time to time.

4. Expulsions and Resignations

To expel a member from the Club, either notice shall be sent to the Secretary (or Committee Member) signed by three (3) members acquainting him/her with the circumstances that give rise to such notice or three separate individual signed complaints from a minimum of two members or parents may be received by the Secretary (or Committee Member).

If one of the signatories is a member of the committee then they will forfeit the right to vote on the expulsion.

The Secretary (or nominated Club representative) shall then communicate with such member (so that he/she may have the opportunity of explaining, or withdraw from the Club), and shall call a meeting of the Committee who are empowered to decide the question.

If a two thirds (2/3) majority of the members of the Committee present vote for his/her expulsion, the member shall be expelled.

Any member expelled in accordance with the rules or otherwise ceasing to be a member of the Club shall forfeit all such rights to, or claims upon the Club or its property or funds as he/she otherwise would have by reason of membership.

Any member expelled may have a proportional part of his/her subscription returned at the Committee's discretion.

If a member of the club resigns he/she may reapply for club membership. This application will be considered as a new application and acceptance is at the discretion of the Committee.

5. Subscriptions

All members as defined in Clause 3 other than Honorary Members shall pay an annual subscription to the Club at rates to be determined from time to time in General Meeting.

All club subscriptions shall become due on the 1st October.

One month prior to the date on which these subscriptions are due, the Treasurer will give members notice.

A Member who has not paid his subscription by the October AGM shall cease to be a member of the club unless the Committee considers there are extenuating circumstances.

Subscriptions may be paid yearly in advance, half yearly in advance, monthly in advance or by Standing Order.

A non member of the club shall be eligible to shoot at the club on production of a current Archery UK (GNAS) membership card and payment of a guest fee.

Any club member who falls into arrears for 3 months or more will not be eligible to shoot, except as a guest on providing evidence of current Archery UK (GNAS) membership and paying the guest fee.

6. Finance

The Treasurer shall cause to be prepared and shall present at the Annual General Meeting a Balance Sheet showing the financial position of the Club up until the end of September of the preceding year, together with an income/expenditure sheet.

The accounts are to be audited by a person approved by the committee at the earliest opportunity.

A Bank Account shall be maintained in the name of the Club.

All cheques and orders withdrawing monies from the Account shall be signed by both the Club Secretary and the Treasurer.

In the event of dissolution of the Club the assets shall be disposed of as directed by the General Meeting approving the dissolution.

7. Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) shall be held during the last two weeks of October at a place to be determined by the Club Committee.

Not less than twenty-one clear day’s notice of such Meetings shall be sent to each Club Member.

Nominations for the Club Committee may be received by the Secretary in writing FOURTEEN DAYS prior to the AGM, or verbally at the Meeting in the case of no written nominations.

Adult Shooting Members only may vote at the AGM.

8. Extraordinary General Meeting

The Club Committee, or at the request of one fifth of the membership, shall call an EGM. Not less than twenty-one clear day’s notice of such Meetings shall be sent to Club Members.

 Notice of any Proposition, which it is intended to move, shall be sent to all Club Members entitled to receive notice of the Meeting.

9. Voting and Quorum

 At all General Meetings:

o A majority of Adult Members present shall form a quorum.

o Each Adult Member shall be entitled to vote.

o The Chairman shall, if required, be entitled to cast an additional deciding vote.

 In the case of emergency, the Chairman, the Secretary and the Treasurer shall together have full powers to act.

10. Dissolution

The Club may be dissolved by a resolution of two-thirds of the members of the Club at an EGM.

In the event of dissolution of the Club the assets will be realised by the Treasurer.

The net assets after repayment of the current year’s subscriptions will be given to Archery UK (GNAS) or affiliated archery club or to a registered sports related charity as decided by the attendees of the EGM.

GENERAL INFORMATION AND GUIDELINES FOR MEMBERSHIP TO THE GOSPORT BOWMEN

Children

Children under 11 years of age can join the Club if their parents/guardians are active members or an Adult Shooting Member accepts a signed responsibility for them. Parents/guardians etc must be present at all times. They will be responsible for the child's safety and behaviour during all shoots.

Trial Period and Acceptance of Membership to Gosport Bowmen.

All potential members must attend a beginner's course in Archery. After completion of a beginner's course, an acceptance period of one month is available. This is valid for 1 year after completion of the beginners course, in which case a further course may need to be taken. The cost is £35.00. Club fees will be made payable after completion of the course and joining the club by direct debit, cheque or cash payment. Monthly fees must be paid by cash/cheque unitl DD becomes due.

Fees

Club Subscriptions: -     

Senior Membership: £ 17.50 per calendar month. This includes GNAS, SCAS and HAA fees

Junior Membership: £ 35.00 per annum

Target Fees

Seniors £1.00

Juniors £0.50

Guests £5.00 [Juniors £2.50 ]

Fees are due by 1st September, due to GNAS fees having to be in by 30th September. Fees may be paid yearly by agreement with the Treasurer/Committee. A reminder will be issued one month prior to the date.

GNAS £35.00......SCAS £1.50.....Hants AA £5.00

No person shall shoot unless they have taken a beginners course, have paid club and GNAS fees.

Failure to comply with above rule means the club could be held responsible should an accident occur.

Please note that you invalidate your own GNAS insurance if you shoot with another archer who does not have current GNAS membership.

SHOOTS ARE IN THE GYM, SPORTS HALL , OR ON THE FIELDS AT BRIDGEMARY COMMUNITY SCHOOL.
Other shoots will take place as advised at the Civil Service Sports Ground. off the A32  Fareham Road.

Ocassionally it is necessary to charge a small target fee at each shoot. This is reviewed annually and voted on at the Annual General Meeting.

Archers must be 2nd class or have been a member of Gosport Bowmen for at least 6 months before they can request through the committee additional days/times for the Gym and field for shooting outside normal Club Target Days .

NO ARCHER MAY SHOOT ALONE ON THE ARCHERY RANGE OR IN THE GYM HALL. AT LEAST 2 ARCHERS MUST BE PRESENT AT ALL TIMES

This is a strict rule enforced by GNAS and the Club.

GNAS Insurance covers only shoots shot under GNAS/FITA Rules and on designated Club Target Days.

SHOOTING IN THE BACK GARDEN OR PRACTICING ELSEWHERE ARE NOT UNDER GNAS RULES OF SHOOTING. THIS MEANS THAT NO INSURANCE IS VALID.

Coaching

Official coaching sessions are available. Please ask for more information.

Shooting Times

Winter Indoor Season 

Wednesday Evening's........Indoor 7.00 pm - 9.30 pm

Friday Evenings.......... ......Indoor 7.00 pm - 9.00 pm

Summer Outdoor Season

Monday Evening's......       ..

Wednesday Evening's........Outdoor 6.45 pm - Dusk.

Friday Evenings.................Outdoor 6:45 pm - Dusk.

Seniors are encouraged to attend juniors shoot but are reminded they are there firstly to act as coaches for the Juniors before themselves.

Dress

Whilst shooting outdoors members are encouraged to wear the GNAS colours of white or dark green/bottle green. This is not compulsory on club evenings but is to be encouraged to promote the club, enhance discipline and give a sense of identity to club members. however, it is expected that members will wear correct club colours if they shoot at another club or competition.

Club colours currently consist of:

White Tops with club badge over any breast pocket

Names of club members may be embroidered below club badge

Green "Gosport Bowmen" circular motif may be shown on the back

Bottoms. Gents Either black, bottle green or white full length trousers

Ladies. As above or skirt of approximately knee length

Open Shoots

Gosport Bowmen aim to hold two Open Shoots a year. The Western is held on the third Sunday in May and is open to all archers who have never reached first class. The Open Albion is held on the third Sunday in July, dependant on school ground closures. You are expected to help out at these shoots with the initial setting up of the field, subsequent moving of bosses with the changing distances, score running etc.

Have a goes

During the course of the year Gosport Bowmen are invited to events such as Netley and Wallington Fayre in order to offer "have a goes" at archery for members of the public. You are not obliged to help at these, but your assistance would be gratefully appreciated.

All these events help raise money for Club funds which in turn, buys new equipment and keeps membership fees down.

GENERAL RULES OF SHOOTING

I  ETIQUETTE

A Good Arrcher

(a) Does not talk in a loud voice whilst others are shooting.

(b) Does not talk to another competitor who obviously prefers to be silent,

(c) Does not make any exclamation on the shooting line which might disconcert an archer in the act of shooting.

(d) Does not go behind the target to retrieve his arrows before his score has been recorded.

(e) Does not walk up and down the shooting line comparing scores

(f) Does not touch anyone else's equipment without permission.

(g) Does not leave litter.

(h) When calling scores , does so in groups of 3: for example 10-9-8 pause 7-6-5.

(i) If he/she breaks another's equipment through his own carelessness, pays for it on the spot.

(k) Thanks the Target Captain at the end of each round for work on his behalf.

(l) Ensures all mobile phones are either turned off or put on silent, and are to leave the shooting venue to take a call in emergency

II  SAFETY.

If there is DANGER on the archery range, it is up to ANYONE PRESENT to shout "FAST" if they see an incident which may compromise safety,

1. Please ensure that when you nock your arrows on the bow string you are always facing down range towards the target.

2 The nocking of an arrow on the string or pulling up of a bow to full draw is prohibited behind the shooting line

3. If an arrow rebounds from the boss (scoring arrow only) it is called a bouncer. Under GNAS rules bouncers can be shot again. Firstly, finish shooting the remaining arrows of the end you are shooting, then take a step back from the shooting line and raise your bow in the air. This will indicate to the Field Captain/Judge that you want to speak to him. Say you have had a bouncer. The field captain/judge will make a decision on how to procede.

4. lf an arrow falls from your bow in front of the shooting line and you can touch it with you bow, you can shoot it again. DO NOT GO OVER THE LINE TO GET IT. Use your spare arrow. lf you cannot reach it with your bow, then it is deemed shot and you have a miss.

III SCORING

1. Please point to your arrows when calling your score and call in groups of 3. Do not touch the target face or your arrows, or you could lose your highest scoring arrow if you do.

2. Do not collect your missed arrows behind the target until your scores have been recorded. lt is up to all archers to watch other archers' score being recorded and called.

3. When scoring, tens should be rewritten as 10 and not X. Missed arrows should be recorded as M and not X or - or / or 0 or nothing written at all.

4. No alterations of any kind must be made to the score sheet. Any mistakes of score called must be changed by the judge with a red pen and done whilst the arrows are still in the target. Any other scores changed by archers themselves could result in disqualification.

5. All scores must be signed at the end of a shoot by the archer and the target captain. Failure to do so correctly will make the score void. ALL HITS - GOLDS - SCORE must be added up at the bottom of the score sheet.

The archer who is number 3 on a target is usually the Target Captain and is scorer. Number 4 is the Lieutenant and is responsible for assisting the Target Captain.

6. When pulling arrows from the target take care to see no one is standing in front of the target and close to the arrows. They could be hurt. Take care you do not bend the arrows. Please be sure that the archer is happy for you to pull their arrows.

11. 7.Please do not talk loudly behind the shooting line when archers are shooting. Normal chatter is permitted although inside this can sometimes come over quite loud.
    

IV INDOOR SHOOTING INFORMATION

1. When you arrive, please indicate that you wish to shoot.

2 .All archery equipment, cases, etc must be put down the side of the hall as there is not enough room behind the shooting line. Gymnasium equipment is to be moved to allow space at rear of hall for arechers and MUST be replaced in original positions on completion of the evenings shooting.The only equipment allowed behind the line is your bow and stand. Please remember to have a spare arrow with you in case of a bouncer.

3 .It is important to arrive on time as no arrows can be made up during the coffee break.

4. Everyone should endeavour to help put out the equipment for shooting, and to put away on completion. Target scorers are requested to promptly complete sheets and hand them to the Records Officer, then help with stowing away of equipment.

5. A medal is awarded to any archer who shoots 3 10's in an end (known as a 3 gold end) on a Portsmouth face or in the case of Juniors - anywhere in the gold (9' and 10') or 6 arrows in the same gold on outdoor shoots. This is a once only medal, and can only be on a scoring round.

6. There is a No Smoking rule in the gym. This is Bridgemary School Policy.

7. In case of a fire in the hall, all archers should go to the fire point, which is located at the North Side car park.

8. A1l archers are asked to be patient if the hall gets a little crowded at some shoots. This will only occur indoors should all members turn up. The Field Captain may, at his discretion allow a change in the shooting routine to allow a smooth turnaround at each end.

9. There is a break half way through the shoot of about 10 minutes. Please remember to pay for the tea/coffee/hot chocolate.

10. 10.All archery equipment should be returned to its proper place in the store to avoid it becoming untidy and extend usage.
    

V OUTDOOR SHOOTING INFORMATION

l On Friday evenings when shooting takes place on the field, members are requested to turn up early to set the field up so maximum usage of light can be made.

2 If bad weather stops shooting, the field may be cancelled. The hall is currently booked as an alternative, but must be confirmed with the caretaker before shooting commences, telephone numbers are held by committee members

3 Beginners. Please do not be put off by the longer distances. The Club will put targets at shorter distances until you can reach the full distances.