LBOA Constitution and Rules

1. NAME 1.1 The name shall be the Looe Boat Owners Association (LBOA) 1.2 The organisation is not for profit and is for the benefit of the members and the community. 2. OBJECTS OF THE ASSOCIATION 2.1 The objects of the Association shall be to promote, protect and further the interests of boating of all kinds in Looe and the surrounding district. To further education of members in boat safety, navigation and maintenance and to foster the community spirit by including social activities both ashore and afloat. 3. MANAGEMENT 3.1 The Management of the Association shall be invested in an Executive Committee, comprising the officers, i.e. Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Membership Secretary, Treasurer and other members to be elected at the Annual General Meeting. 3.2 The Executive Committee shall have the power to co-opt members as it feels necessary for confirmation at the next convenient general meeting of members. 3.3 A banking current account shall be maintained in the name of the Association into which all income shall be paid. 3.4 Accounts for expenses incurred must be submitted to the Treasurer when reimbursement is necessary. 3.5 Up to three personally unrelated signatories, i.e. the Officers of the Association, shall be available for signing cheques and orders, any two of which will suffice. 3.6 The Treasurer shall report on the Association’s finances to each general meeting. Should the account become overdrawn or appear to be in imminent danger of becoming overdrawn, the Treasurer shall immediately inform the Chairman in advance of the next meeting. 3.7 The Financial year of the Association shall end on 31st March each year. 3.8 Accounts shall be made up, reviewed by the committee, and submitted to each Annual General Meeting of the Association for approval. 3.9 Accounts shall be made available for all members to view at least one week prior to the AGM. 4. MEMBERSHIP 4.1 Membership of the Association, which is irrespective of political party, nationality, religious opinion, sex, race or ethnicity, shall be open to all owners of boats kept in Looe. Social membership will be available for non-boat owners who have an interest in boating and those interested in water-based activities. 4.2 Applications for membership shall be made on the form prescribed by the Association and shall contain an undertaking to abide by the Rules of the Association. 4.3 The Executive Committee shall have the power to reject an application for membership and shall not be required to give reasons for such a rejection. 4.4 The Executive Committee may withdraw membership, if in their opinion, just cause for such removal is given. 5. SUBSCRIPTIONS 5.1 The subscription for the forthcoming year shall be agreed at the Annual General Meeting and subscriptions shall be the same for all members, excluding Honorary members whose membership will be free of charge. 5.2 Subscriptions are payable in advance and are due on 1st May each year. 5.3 Those not paying on time will receive a reminder and will be excluded from membership if not paid by 1st July. 6. MEETINGS 6.1 The Executive Committee shall meet as often as it considers necessary. 6.2 General meetings of the Association shall normally be held as considered necessary by the Executive Committee. Adequate notice of such meetings shall be given. 6.3 An Extraordinary General Meeting shall be convened at the request of not less than eight members and by a letter signed by all parties. Notice shall be given to the Secretary of the business specified at least fourteen days before the meeting, who will then contact all members. 6.4 The Annual General meeting shall be held in April each year or within 8 weeks of the financial year end. 6.5 Sub-Committees shall be set-up as necessary to progress specific projects and shall comprise at least one member of the Executive Committee. 7. VOTING 7.1 On matters requiring a vote, voting procedure shall be based on one vote per subscription. 8. GENERAL 8.1 Neither the Association nor its Officers shall be held liable for any loss, damage, or injury, howsoever caused, in respect of any persons or property present at or participating in any meeting or other activity of the Association. 9. DISSOLUTION 9.1 The Association may at any time be dissolved, by the consent of a majority of the membership, consequent upon a resolution to dissolve the Association first having been carried at an Annual or Extraordinary General Meeting which shall decide on disposal of the assets. 10. RULES 10.1 This constitution will be displayed on the Looe Boat Owners Association website. 10.2 New members of the Association will be asked to agree joining rules via their application form, which will also provide a link to the online version of the constitution. 10.3 No alteration of these rules may be made, except at the Annual General Meeting or a special meeting called for this purpose, notice of which must be given to all members (see 6.2) 10.4 The decision of the Executive Committee with regard to the interpretation of these rules shall be final. This version of the constitution was adopted unanimously on 28th April 2023 at Looe Boat Owners Association AGM