Governance Issues

What Is the Legal Structure of the Virtual Swords club?

The Virtual Swords club is an unincorporated association.  For the purposes of the relevant State fencing body rules and constitutions, the positions of president, secretary and/or treasurer exist, and are all held by Adam Reynolds.

What are the Relevant Rules of the State Assocations?

The various state bodies have relevant provisions within their consititutions / rules as follows:

  • ACT Fencing Association: Rule 6.1/6.3.
  • Fencing South Australia: Rule 3 ("Independent Members").
  • Fencing Victoria: Rule 5(1).
  • NSW Fencing Association: Rule 15.1.
  • Queensland Fencing Association: No Rule regarding Clubs.
  • Western Australian Fencing Association: Rule 7.

Governing Document / Rules

1.  Name

The club will be called the Virtual Swords club and will be affiliated to the relevant fencing association in each State of Australia, where allowed by the respective State fencing association.

2.  Aims and objectives

The aims and objectives of the club will be:

  • To offer competitive opportunities in fencing.
  • To promote the sport of fencing.
  • To provide all its services in a way that is fair to everyone.
  • To ensure all present and future members receive fair and equal treatment.
  • To support and encourage all members in achieving the objectives of the respective State fencing associations.

3.  Membership

All members will be subject to the regulations of the constitution and by joining the club will be deemed to accept these regulations and codes of practice that the club has adopted.

The Rules of the FIE, the AFF, and the relevant State fencing associations are a guideline for members in respect of competition fencing.

As a consequence of membership of the club, the club will affiliate each member to the State fencing association where the member is normally resident, or has most recently been resident.

Members will be enrolled in one of the following categories:

  • Senior member.
  • Junior member.

4.  Membership fees

Membership fees will be set annually, and be paid in a lump sum.

5.  Officers of the Club

The officers of the club will be:

  • President
  • Treasurer
  • Secretary
  • Any other relevant position.

Any person may hold more than one officer position.

6.  Club Management

The club will be managed by the President in consultation with other officers of the club.  This management group will be responsible for establishing and adopting new policy, codes of practice and rules that affect the organisation of the club, and will have powers to appoint working groups as necessary and appoint advisers to the club as necessary to fulfil its business.

The President will be responsible for disciplinary hearings of members who infringe the club rules / regulations / constitution, and for taking any action of suspension or discipline following such hearings.

7.  Finance

All club monies will be banked in an account held with a registered Australian financial institution.  The club Treasurer will be responsible for the finances of the club.

8. Discipline and appeals

All concerns, allegations or reports of poor practice/abuse relating to the welfare of children and young people will be recorded and responded to swiftly and appropriately in accordance with the club’s member protection policy and procedures.

All complaints regarding the behaviour of members should be presented and submitted in writing to the Secretary.

The Club officers will hear complaints within 30 days of a complaint being lodged, and have the power to take appropriate disciplinary action including the termination of membership.

The outcome of a disciplinary hearing should be notified in writing to the person who lodged the complaint and the member against whom the complaint was made within 30 days of the hearing.

There will be the right of appeal to the club officers following disciplinary action being announced.  This appeal will be heard within 30 days of the Secretary receiving the appeal.

9.  Dissolution

In the event of dissolution, any assets of the club that remain will become the property of the Australian Fencing Federation.

10.  Amendments to the Constitution

This Constitution may be changed at any time, and those changes will be published on this web site.

11. Declaration

The Virtual Swords club hereby adopts and accepts this constitution as a current operating guide regulating the actions of members (dated 1 Jan, 2010).

 

The Virtual Swords club has no association with "The Swords Club"  (South Australia) or "The Swords Club"  (NSW).