Little League Football League Constitution

INDEX

Section

Constitution
1 Name
2 Objects
3 Powers
4 Membership
5 League Management Committee
6 Reimbursement of Expenses
7 Finance
8 Trust Property
9 The Procedure
10 Annual General Meeting
11 Special General Meetings
12 Dissolution
13 Alterations to the Constitution
14 Notices
15 Interpretation

Section

Procedure
1 League Annual General Meeting
2 League Special General Meeting
3 Committee Meetings
4 Election of Officers and Independent Examiners or Auditors
5 Finance
6 Membership
7 Affiliation
8 Alterations to the Procedure

Constitution

1

Name
1.1 The name of the Organisation shall be Little League Football (hereinafter called the "the Federation"). The name of the governing body of the League shall be the LEague Management Committee.
1.2 The League shall affiliate to Little League Football (hereinafter called the "Federation") in accordance with the Procedure. The name of the governing body of the Federation shall be the National Executive Committee.
1.3 The Federation shall be divided into a number of Divisions. The name of the governing body within each Division shall be the Divisional Executive Committee.
1.4 .......................... Little League Football shall be a constituent League of ................... Division, Little League Football.
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2

Objects
The objects of the League shall be to provide children of school age with facilities for recreation or other leisure time occupation in the interests of social welfare with the object of improving the conditions of life of such persons.
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3

Powers
In furtherance of the above objects but not otherwise each League may:
3.1 Provide organised football and other games and sports without charge for children of school age.
3.2 Provide or assist in the provision of training for those children and officials registered with the League.
3.3 Assist any charitable body or bodies financially or otherwise
3.4 Raise funds and invite and receive contributions from any person or persons whatsoever by way of subscriptions and otherwise, provided that the League shall not undertake any permanent trading activities in raising funds for its primary charitable objects.
3.5 Subject to such consents as may be required by law, to borrow or raise money for the objects of the League on such terms and on such security as shall be deemed to be necessary.
3.6 Invest the monies of the League not immediately required for the said objects in or upon such investments, securities or property as may be thought fit, subject nevertheless to such conditions (if any) as may for the time being be imposed or required by law.
3.7 Purchase, take on lease or in exchange, hire or otherwise acquire any property and any rights and privileges necessary for the promotion of the said objects and construct, maintain and alter any buildings, or erections necessary for the work of the League.
3.8 Make regulations for any property which may be so acquired
3.9 Sell, let, mortgage, dispose of or turn to account all or any of the property or assets of the League.
3.10 Do all such other things as shall further the attainment of the above objects.
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4

Membership
4.1 Members of the League shall be Honorary Members and Individual Members.
4.2 Honorary Members shall be appointed at the Annual General Meeting of the League, in accordance with the Procedure.
4.3 Any person may apply for Individual Membership with the exception of those children participating in the benefits of the League.
4.4 Only those holding Individual Membership may stand for election to any Little League Football Committee, or continue to hold any Committee position, except for those seeking election to, or holding, the honorary positions of President and Vice Presidents.
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5

League Management Committee
5.1 Subject as hereinafter mentioned, the policy and general management of the affairs of the League shall be directed by the League Management Committee which shall consist of:
  • Honorary Chairperson
  • Honorary Secretary
  • Honorary Treasurer
  • Honorary Referee's Secretary
  • Honorary Social Secretary
  • One Team Manager per Team
  • One Assistant Team Manager per Team
5.2 In addition, the League Management Committee may co-opt up to four further persons who may serve until the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the League.
5.3 The League Management Committee may appoint a person to fill any casual vacancy in the Committee and a person so appointed shall hold office until the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting of the League and shall be eligible for election at that Meeting.
5.4 The League Management Committee may appoint such special or standing committees of their number as may be deemed necessary by the League Management Committee and may determine their terms of reference, powers, duration and composition, provided that all acts and proceedings of such special or standing committees shall be reported back to the League Management Committee as soon as possible.
5.5 The proceedings of the League Management Committee shall not be invalidated by any failure to elect or defect in the election, appointment or qualification of any Member.
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6

Reimbursement of Expenses
6.1 Each of the members of any committee as is mentioned in the foregoing clauses may in the discretion of the members of that committee be reimbursed out of the capital or income of the League as the members of the committee may consider appropriate for any reasonable and proper out-of-pocket expenses which he/she shall actually have incurred for the purposes of carrying out his/her duties as a member of such a committee as aforesaid
6.2 Any Trustee for the time being hereof being a solicitor or other person engaged in any profession shall be entitled to charge and be paid all usual professional and other charges for work done by him/her or his/her firm in connection with the execution of the trusts hereof.
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7

Finance
7.1 All money raised by or on behalf of the League shall be applied to further the objects of the League and for no other purpose.
7.2 The Honorary Treasurer of the League Management Committee shall keep proper accounts of the League's finances.
7.3 Statements of accounts for the past financial year shall be submitted by the League Management Committee to the League's Annual General Meeting.
7.4 A bank account shall be opened in the name of the League with such bank as the League Management Committee shall from time to time decide. The League Management Committee shall authorise in writing the Honorary Treasurer and at least two other members of the League Management Committee to sign cheques on behalf of the League. All cheques must be signed by not less than two of the authorised signatories.
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8

Trust Property
The title to all real or personal property which may be acquired by or on behalf of the League may be vested in a Corporation lawfully entitled to act as Custodian Trustee or in not less than three or more than six individual persons (not being members of the League Management Committee). Custodian Trustees shall be appointed and discharged only at a General Meeting of the League.
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9

The Procedure
The National Executive Committee shall draw up the rules of procedure of all meetings of the League, and rules relating to Finance, Membership, Affiliation and Divisional Structure, which shall be known as "the Procedure".
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10

Annual General Meetings
The Annual General Meeting of the League shall be held at such place as the League Management Committee shall determine. At such Annual General Meeting the business shall include the election of members of the League Management Committee in accordance with the Procedure, the consideration of annual reports, accounts and the transaction of such other matters as may from time to time be necessary.
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11

Special General Meetings
Special General Meetings may be called only in accordance with the provisions of the Procedure.
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12

Dissolution
If the League Management Committee decide at any time that on the ground of expense or otherwise it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the League it shall call a meeting of all members of the League of which meeting not less than 21 days notice (stating the terms of the Resolution to be proposed thereat) shall be given. If such decision shall be confirmed at such meeting, the League Management Committee shall have the power to dispose of any assets held by or in the name of the League. Any assets remaining after the satisfaction of any proper debts and liabilities shall be given or transferred to the Federation or to the Division to which the League was affiliated or any charitable institution or institutions having objects similar to the objects of the League as the League Management Committee may, with the approval of the Charity Commissioners, determine.
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13

Alterations to the Constitution
Any alteration of this Constitution shall receive the assent of a meeting of the Federation specially called for the purpose PROVIDED THAT notice of any such alteration shall have been received by the Honorary Secretary of the Federation in writing not less than 21 clear days before the meeting at which the alteration is to be brought forward. Notice in writing of such a meeting setting forth the terms of the alteration to be proposed shall be sent by the Honorary Secretary of the Federation to each Individual Member of the Federation at least 14 days prior to the meeting PROVIDED FURTHER THAT no alteration to Clauses 2, 12 or this Clause shall be made without the approval of the Charity Commissioners.
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14

Notices
Any notice may be served by the Honorary Secretary or any member of the League either personally or by sending it through the post in a prepaid letter addressed to such member at his or her last known address and any letter so sent shall be deemed to have been received within 10 days of original posting.
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15

Interpretation
The Interpretation Act, 1978, shall apply for the interpretation of this Constitution as it applies to the Interpretation of an Act of Parliament.
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Procedure

1

League Annual General Meeting
1.1 The League Annual General Meeting shall be held in May of each year at a venue, date and time determined by the League Management Committee
1.2 Formal Notice and Agenda
1.2.1 The Secretary shall give each Individual Member and Guest invited by the League Management Committee not less than two weeks Formal Notice of every Annual General Meeting.
1.2.2 The Formal Notice shall be accompanied by an Agenda and the independently examined or audited Accounts for the Financial Year just ended.
1.2.3 The Agenda shall include the Minutes of the last Annual General Meeting, Reports from League Officers, the adoption of the Accounts, the Election of Officers, Independent Examiners or Auditors, Honorary Members, Custodian Trustees, two League Representatives to the Divisional Executive Committee and a Nominated League Representative to General Meetings of the Federation.
1.3 Seven Individual Members shall form a quorum.
1.4 The Chairperson of the League Management Committee shall chair the Meeting, and if he/she is unable to attend, the Individual Members present shall elect a person present to be Chairperson for the Meeting.
1.5 Propositions, Amendments and their Determination
1.5.1 Propositions and Amendments, which must be proposed and seconded by Individual Members, shall be determined by a simple majority.
1.5.2 Should any Individual Member be holding two or more positions, he/she shall be entitled to one vote only.
1.5.3 All Individual Members present shall be entitled to a vote, and in the case of an equality of votes the Chairperson shall have a casting vote.
1.6 Minutes
1.6.1 Minutes of each Meeting, which shall include a record of attendance, shall be kept by the Secretary and shall be circulated to all Leagues within thirteen weeks of the Meeting.
1.6.2 Minutes shall be approved at the next Annual General Meeting, and shall be signed by the Chairperson.
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2

League Special General Meeting
2.1 The League Management Committee shall have the power at any time to convene a Special General Meeting. The League Secretary must convene a Special General Meeting which must take place within one week of receipt of a requisition stating the objects of the meeting, signed by not less than twenty Individual Members of that League.
2.2 An Agenda of the business to be transacted at any Special General Meeting shall accompany the notice convening the Meeting, together with a Proxy Voting Form, detailing Propositions and Amendments.
2.3 The Special General Meeting shall not transact any business other than that specifically mentioned in the Agenda.
2.4 Seven Nominated League Representatives shall form a quorum.
2.5 Attendance and Chairpersonship
2.5.1 Any Individual Member of any League or any Guest invited by the National Executive Committee may attend the Meeting.
2.5.2 The Chairperson of the League Management Committee shall chair the Meeting, and if he/she is unable to attend, the Individual Members present shall elect a person present to be Chairperson for the Meeting.
2.6 Propositions and their Determination
2.6.1 Propositions shall be determined by a simple majority.
2.6.2 Should any Individual Member be holding two or more positions, he/she shall be entitled to one vote only.
2.6.3 All Individual Members present shall be entitled to a vote, and in the case of an equality of votes, the Chairperson shall have a casting vote.
2.7 Minutes
2.7.1 Minutes of each Meeting, which shall include a record of attendance, shall be kept by the Secretary and shall be circulated to all Individual Members and to the Secretary of the National Executive Committee within thirteen weeks of the Meeting.
2.7.2 Minutes shall be approved at the next Annual General Meeting and shall be signed by the Chairperson.
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3

Committee Meetings
3.1 All Meetings of the League Management Committee shall be held at a venue, date, time and frequency determined by that Committee.
3.2 The Secretary shall give each Committee Member not less than one week's notice of every Meeting of the Committee, together with an Agenda, which shall include Minutes of the last Meeting and Treasurer's Report.
3.3 Seven Committee Members, or such greater number as the Committee shall determine, shall form a quorum.
3.4 If the Chairperson is unable to attend a Meeting, the Committee Members present shall elect one of their number to be Chairperson for the Meeting.
3.5 Propositions, Amendments and their Determination
3.5.1 Propositions and Amendments, which must both be seconded, shall be determined by a simple majority.
3.5.2 All Committee Members present shall be entitled to a vote and in the case of an equality of votes, the Chairperson shall have a second or casting vote.
3.5.3 Should any Committee Member be holding two or more positions, he/she shall be entitled to one vote only.
3.6 Minutes
3.6.1 Minutes of each Meeting, which shall include a record of attendance, shall be kept by the Secretary and shall be circulated to all Committee Members and to the Secretary of the National Executive Committee.
3.6.2 Minutes shall be approved at the next Committee Meeting, and signed by the Chairperson.
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4

Election of Officers and Independent Examiners or Auditors
4.1 Nominations for any position, proposed and seconded by Individual Members, must be in writing and in the hands of the Secretary of the League Management Committee not less than three weeks before the League Annual General Meeting.
4.2 No nomination may be made without the consent of the Nominee.
4.3 Should there be insufficient nominations, those already nominated shall be deemed elected and further nominations shall be accepted from those Individual Members attending the Annual General Meeting.
4.4 Should nominations exceed vacancies, election shall be made at a League Annual General Meeting by vote by the Individual Members attending that Annual General Meeting.
4.5 All Members of League Management Committees and Independent Examiners or Auditors shall retire annually but shall be eligible for re-election.
4.6 Any Individual or Honorary Membership may be cancelled by the majority decision of the League Management Committee, or by the majority decision of the League Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer, but in the latter case the Individual Member shall have the right of appeal to the League Management Committee.
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5

Finance
5.1 The Financial Year of the League Management Committee shall be from 1st May in one year to the following 30th April, or such other dates as may be deemed necessary by the Committee.
5.2 Accounts of each League Management Committee shall be examined by the Independent Examiners or Auditors appointed at the Annual General Meeting.
5.3 A copy of the independently examined or audited Accounts of each League Management Committee shall be forwarded to the Secretary of the National Executive Committee when the Accounts have been approved by each League's Annual General Meeting.
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6

Membership
6.1 The amount payable in respect of annual individual or family membership shall be determined by each league and set at a reasonable figure to reflect its financial situation and income generating ability. These donations must not be compulsory in that no child should be prevented from playing football if a parent or guardian is unable to afford the stipulated sum. Such monies shall be payable to the league on 1st September to cover the period to the following 31st August.
6.2 The League Management Committee may offer longer periods of Membership, or Joint Parent Membership, at a subscription to be determined from time to time by that League Management Committee following the principle set out in Section 6.1.
6.3 Staff Referees shall be deemed to be Individual Members without payment of the Individual Membership fee.
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7

Affiliation
7.1 All Leagues will affiliate to the Football Association
7.2 Each League shall be affiliated to the Federation. The affiliation fee shall be £2.00 in the first year. In subsequent years, the fee shall be an amount calculated in accordance with sections 7.3 and 7.4. The fee shall be payable on 1st September to the National Executive Committee to cover the period to the following 31st August.
7.3 The affiliation fee for Leagues after the first year shall be calculated at a rate of 25 pence per player per year, based on the previous season's figures as determined from the annual insurance declarations, rounded down to the lower pound. The maximum fee for any League shall be £100.00.
7.4 In subsequent years the fee per player and the maximum fee may increase in accordance with the movement in the Retail Price Index since the last occasion when the fee per player was set, to be calculated and approved by a simple majority of the National Executive Committee.
7.5 All Leagues will affiliate to the appropriate Division at a fee of £20.00 per year payable to the Divisional Executive Committee on 1st September to cover the period to the following 31st August.
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8

Alterations to the Procedure
Propositions and Amendments to alter each Procedure may be submitted to a General Meeting of the Federation in accordance with the provisions of sections 1 or 2 of the Procedure of the Federation, PROVIDED THAT no alteration to this Procedure shall be permitted that will conflict with the Constitution of the Federation or the Division or this League.
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