Southampton Buccaneers Field Target Club

Here follows the constitution of the Southampton Buccaneers FTC.

1 Aims and objectives

 1.1 Southampton Buccaneers Field Target Club will hereinafter be referred to as SBFTC or The Club

 1.2 The aims and objectives of SBFTC are to develop ranges and facilities of a high standard for air rifle shooting at Busheylease Farm, Romsey and to utilise these facilities in a manner intended to best promote the sport of field target shooting.

 1.3 It is the express purpose of The Club to provide diverse facilities for the shooting of air rifles for the benefit of its members and to assist in the development of members’ shooting skills.

 1.4 It is the express purpose of The Club to promote the sport of field target and to encourage all members to participate fully.  No member will be pressurised to participate in any activity that is contrary to their own interests.

 1.5 The Club will be known as an unincorporated members’ club.  Each member contributes to the funds by way of membership subscription and range fees out of which the expenses of conducting the club are paid.  The club is not recognised as having a legal existence apart from the members of which it is composed.  Unless the rules prove to the contrary, the property and funds of The Club belong to the members in equal share.  The property and funds of The Club is in the hands of the committee, and the business of The Club will be conducted by the committee in accordance with the rules.

 1.6 The Club shall affiliate with the British Field Target Association (BFTA) and the Central Southern Field Target Association (CSFTA) and any other bodies deemed appropriate by the committee.

 1.7 It is the intention that the club be run in an informal manner whilst maintaining the levels of safety and regulation commensurate with the sport and to maintain adequate and appropriate insurance for activities at the clubs ranges during formal club days.  The Club shall not provide insurance cover for any activities performed by members at other times or at other locations.

 1.8 In the event of SBFTC being wound up, all remaining assets will be disposed of in a manner to be decided upon by the committee and endorsed by a minimum of 50% of current members at that time by means of a vote held at the AGM or an EGM.  In the event that a decision cannot be reached by this process the committee may elect to allow a decision to be made by majority vote of those present except under 1.81. 

1.81 If The Club is being succeeded by a new enterprise, or to be merged with another organisation duly agreed under the conditions required of an AGM or EGM then all funds and assets shall be transferred to the new enterprise.

2 Committee

 2.1 The Club shall be run by a committee consisting of a Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer to be elected annually at The Clubs’ AGM by majority vote.  Additional committee members may be elected at the AGM to assist the Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer to perform their duties and obligations. 

2.11 Any member of the committee may be suspended from duty or removed from office at either an AGM or EGM by a majority vote of 50% of the current membership or with immediate effect for a breach of the club rules and regulations by a majority vote by the committee. 

2.12 The appointed committee members are the exclusive point of contact for any external organisation or individual.  This includes but is not limited to Broadlands Estate, BFTA and CSFTA. 

2.13 Only the committee may represent the interests of The Club externally. 

2.14 The committee shall receive no payment or benefit from their positions and are subject to the same rules and subscription fees as all other members. 

2.2 Notice of the AGM will be given at least 28 days prior to the meeting and will be posted on The Clubs website at www.sbftc.co.uk and also at The Clubs’ ranges. 

2.3 Every full member is entitled to vote at the AGM and all votes carry equal weighting with the exception of 2.31. 

2.31 Junior members do not have voting rights. 

2.4 After completing one year’s continuous membership any full member over the age of 21 may stand for election for any of the committee posts.  Range members cannot hold office unless they convert their membership to full. 

2.5 Committee members are expected to attend the club on at least 50% of the confirmed club days in any given calendar month. 

2.6 The committee shall advise members of the dates of both club days and external competitions by means of The Club website. 

2.7 The Club is limited under the terms of its lease to a maximum of 28 club days per annum.  The committee shall make reasonable endeavours to offer the members a maximum of 28 club days per annum.  Club days will only be on dates where at least two committee members attend. 

2.71 In the case that two or more committee members are not available to attend a club day, the club day may be abandoned on grounds of safety and without prior notification.

2.72 The Club is not bound to offer 28 club days per annum and shall not offer refunds if this is not met.  28 days is a maximum number of club days that can be held and not a guarantee.

2.8 If any person ceases to be a member of The Club they immediately also cease to hold office on any committee or sub committee of The Club and may no longer represent The Club or its interests.  The committee may at its choice appoint another member to perform duties as required in their place without the requirement for ratification by vote by the membership.  Any member so appointed must step down at the following AGM but may be elected as a member of the committee at that meeting.

3 General meetings

3.1 The Club shall hold an AGM in December of each year at a time and location to be decided by the committee.  The agenda must be made available to all members no less than 14 days prior to the meeting.  All current members may propose additions and/or changes to the agenda in writing no less than 7 days prior to the meeting at the discretion of the committee.  Only current members and probationary members of The Club may attend an AGM.

 3.11 The committee shall present full and up to date accounts at the AGM, copies of which shall be made available to all current members. 

3.12 All committee members must stand down and seek re-election into office at the AGM by majority vote of those present or have chosen to vote by proxy in a written statement. 

3.13 Subscription fees for the following year are to be decided at the AGM 

3.14 All current members shall have the right to cast a vote at the AGM.  In the case of equity of voting, the chairman shall have the casting vote. 

3.2 An extraordinary general meeting (EGM) may be called at any time by the committee. 

3.21 Any resolution agreed at an EGM must be voted upon by a minimum of 50% of current club members.  In the event that 50% of members are not available to vote and have been given at least 7 days notice of the EGM and the agenda, the committee may at its option allow a majority vote of those present to be decisive and binding.   

3.22 If the subject of the EGM is one relating to safety or law, the committee are not required to give notification of or to hold an EGM and can ratify any decision by a vote held between the Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer.

4 Membership

 4.1 Membership to prospective members may be granted after 6 probationary visits.  The first of which will be at no charge and then the subsequent 5 at the prevailing rate.  Completing the required number of visits does not guarantee membership being offered. 

4.11 During this probationary period the committee may withdraw the offer of membership or require additional probationary visits at their discretion should the conduct of the prospective member not be of a safe standard or has behaved in an inappropriate manner.  

4.12 During the probationary period it is the sole responsibility of the prospective member to demonstrate an awareness of safety and also to comply in full to the clubs rules and regulations.  A failure to do so may result in the offer of membership being withdrawn. 

4.13 The committee may at any time impose restrictions upon the maximum number of club members as they deem appropriate. 

4.14 Upon completion of a satisfactory probationary period the prospective member must choose to pay a membership subscription to The Club or to leave the club.  After the 6^th visit (or if the period has been extended, upon the first visit after the probationary period ceases) the only time they may return to The Club is as a fully paid up member of SBFTC. 

4.15 All members are required to hold a valid BFTA card as a condition of membership.  This will be procured by The Club from the BFTA at the members’ expense. 

4.2 Junior membership is granted on the condition that they are supervised at all times by a parent or guardian over the age of 21. 

4.21 Junior members do not have voting rights. 

4.22 The Club assumes no responsibility for the supervision of Junior members who must at all times be accompanied and supervised by a parent or guardian. 

4.3 The annual subscription will be decided at the AGM on an annual basis. 

4.4 Members are required to pay their membership subscription on or before the due date.  The Club will hold membership open for one calendar month after the date it is due but will not permit the member to use The Clubs’ ranges or facilities until payment is made in full and backdated to cover any period that has elapsed between expiry and renewal dates.  Any member that does not renew within this one month period will be deemed to have resigned their membership and may be subject to a new probationary period, or may be refused renewal if there is a restriction imposed on membership numbers unless permission for late payment is sought from the committee and approved prior to their subscription being due.  

4.5 The committee is solely responsible for the interpretation of the rules. 

4.6 In the instance of a disciplinary matter arising, the committee shall represent the interests of The Club and may suspend or terminate membership without refund.  The member shall have an opportunity prior to the committees’ decision to be heard (unless the termination is as a result of clause 5.1), however, the committees’ decision shall be final and conclusive. 

4.7 Neither The Club, nor any officer of The Club, shall be liable to any member, guest or visitor for loss or damage to any property occurring from whatever cause in or about The Clubs’ meeting place.  Nor for any injury sustained by any persons whilst entering or leaving The Clubs’ meeting place. 

4.8 Members are expected to treat each other with respect and courtesy and to promote our sport in a positive light.  Any behaviour which includes but is not limited to: bullying, threats, physical abuse, inappropriate language, sexist, racist or ageist may lead to suspension from the club.  The Club respectfully requests that members, guests and visitors do not seek to promote political, racial or religious beliefs whilst on club property. 

4.9 If there is any reason why any member or prospective member is prohibited under law from using, acquiring or owning an air rifle or air pistol this must be brought to the attention of the committee immediately.  Such members shall immediately be suspended from using any air rifle or air pistol at club ranges in accordance with law until such prohibition is lifted.

5 Safety

 5.1 Only air rifles and/or air pistols which do not require a Fire Arms Certificate (FAC) may be used at The Clubs ranges.  The Club reserves the right to Chronograph any air weapon at its’ grounds without cause and to take actions as appropriate if the test should indicate the weapon is rated as a FAC.  Refusal to allow this test to be performed to The Clubs full satisfaction shall result in an immediate termination of membership without recourse or refund.  In this sole instance of termination of membership there will be no ability for the member to be heard and no further discussion relating to the matter will be entered into regardless of the outcomes of any subsequent tests.  The act of refusal is the sole cause for the termination of membership in this instance, not the output of the weapon, and is not capable of remedy. 

5.2 All members, guests and visitors shall pay due regard to the accepted rules and practices for the safe handling of air weapons at all times. 

5.21 The committee and/or acting RCO are responsible for safety at The Club and may from time to time make requests relating to safety.  Failure to comply fully and willingly, or the need to repeat requests may result in suspension or termination of membership. 

5.3 At no time may a loaded weapon be in the possession of a member, guest or visitor at any place other than the firing line. 

5.31 Magazines may not be fitted to any air weapon at any location other than the firing line.  To do so shall constitute a loaded weapon. 

5.4 Air weapons may only be discharged over the firing line.  Dry firing is also only permitted over a firing line unless expressly permitted to do so by a committee member or acting RCO. 

5.5 Only lead, or lead alloy ammunition may be used. 

5.6 Upon hearing a cease fire called, all weapons must be immediately discharged into the ground and not reloaded until shooting resumes. 

5.61 Any member, guest or visitor may call a ceasefire but only a committee member or the acting RCO may end it. 

5.7 No live quarry may be shot, or shot at. 

5.8 No alcohol may be consumed at The Club 

5.81 No one on club grounds may be under the influence of alcohol or prohibited drugs.  The committee may if reasonable grounds exist, request a member to cease shooting if they appear to under the influence of alcohol or drugs whether prescribed or otherwise. 

5.82 In the case of prescribed medication or known medical condition that may influence the shooters safe behaviour, this must be disclosed by the participant or their parent or guardian to the committee who may require a doctors note to be produced stating that it is safe for them to use an air weapon.  (Note: Generally if the applicant is not permitted to hold a UK drivers licence on medical grounds this will prevent membership being granted or in the case of an existing member may result in membership being suspended until a date that they can procure a doctors note stating they are safe to shoot).  The Club does not discriminate on grounds of medical condition and recognises the importance of Doctor/Patient confidentiality, however, it has a duty of care towards all members. 

5.9 Any breach of safety may result in immediate suspension from the club, or in the case of a probationary member may cause the offer of membership to be withdrawn.  Any member that is expelled from The Club is prohibited from rejoining The Club within one year of the termination of membership.  After one year they may apply to rejoin only if the application is approved by the committee by majority vote and then completes a new probationary period of a minimum of five visits to the satisfaction of the committee.

This constitution was agreed in February 2007

Send mail to Robert at webmaster@sbftc.co.uk with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: 08-Oct-2007 09:30