Club rules

The Club shall be called the Mullingar Rugby Football Club and shall be affiliated to the Leinster Branch of the Irish Rugby Football Union. The objects of the Club shall be the playing and promotion of the game of Rugby Football.

The Club will adhere to the IRFU Safeguarding Policy.

The registered address of the Club shall be Shay Murtagh Park, Cullion, Mullingar, N91 RX88.

The colours of the Club shall be predominantly Scarlet and Grey Jersey. Navy Blue Togs and Red. Stockings. Members must play in complete Club Colours.

The Club shall consist of Life, honorary, ordinary, Student, Clubhouse, youth and mini members. Youth, mini, Student, and Clubhouse members shall not be entitled to vote at any meeting and are not eligible to apply for international tickets.

Membership of the Club: All persons wishing to join the club shall complete a membership form and submit it to the Registrar Hon. Secretary. The Registrar Hon. Sec shall collate a list of all such persons for consideration and approval by the General Committee.

The Annual Subscription for each category of membership shall be determined at each A.G.M.

Subscriptions are payable in advance and become due on 1st June August. (In the case of new members, the subscription is to be paid on application of membership). A member whose subscription is four three months in arrears shall cease to be a member of the Club, unless the member can account for the omission to the satisfaction of the General Committee.

(a) The General Committee may elect as honorary life members, any persons, who being eligible for membership in accordance with Rule 5 hereof, has given exceptional service to the Club or whose status or position in the State would in the opinion of the General Committee merit election as honorary life members.

(b) No person shall be elected as honorary life member unless by unanimous vote of the General Committee present at a meeting for which at least seven days’ notice has been given of the intention to propose such person for election.

(c) Honorary life members shall be relieved of the payment of annual subscription.

Members and Officers of visiting teams who play matches against or in the Club, and Referees shall be deemed to be temporary members of the Club for the duration of their visit without payment of subscription.

That the Annual General Meeting of the Club shall be held on or before the 3rd Friday in June, or if extenuating circumstances apply, as the General Committee shall decide, to elect the General

Committee and officers for the coming season, and to receive reports and statements of account from the Executive Committee. In addition to the above, the business of the Annual General Meeting shall include consideration of matters submitted by any member, of which seven days’ notice in writing shall have been given to the Honorary Secretary, save as provided in Rule 24 and 27

A special General Meeting shall be held whenever the Executive or General Committees may deem such meeting expedient, or whenever a request in writing be delivered to the Honorary Secretary, signed by at least forty members and accompanied by a statement of the reason for such meetings required, such meeting to be held within fourteen days of the receipt of such a request, and that seven days’ notice must be given to all members of the business to be brought forward at such special general meeting.

At the election for membership of the General Committee, all members of the Club, present at the Annual General Meeting, shall have the right to vote by secret ballot, but voting papers containing a lesser number of votes than there are vacancies shall be invalid. If there is any dispute as to voting procedure to be adopted at a general meeting of the Club or at any executive or sub-committee meeting, the Chairperson shall be the sole arbiter. Any member whose subscription is in arrears shall not have the right to initiate, vote or take part in a general meeting.

The President, or in their his absence, the meeting shall elect its Chairperson from those present, shall preside at all general meetings and all executive meetings. The Chairperson at all general meetings, executive meetings and sub-committee meetings, shall have a deliberate as well as a casting vote.

The General Committee shall meet as necessary throughout the season, or as otherwise arranged, with a minimum of six meetings per year.

For the purpose of carrying out any of their powers and duties, the General Committee may make regulations not inconsistent with these rules and may appoint sub-committees as may be considered necessary and may determine the functions to be exercised by sub-committees.

The Executive Committee of the Club shall be composed of the Trustees, President, Vice-President, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer, who shall have overall responsibility for the affairs of the Club. The general business and affairs of the Club shall be under the management of the General Committee, who shall be elected for a period of not less than one year at the Annual General Meeting, and shall consist of the Executive Committee, the Honorary Fixture's Secretary, the senior Team Captains, the Youth Coordinator(s), Mini Coordinator(s), Referee Coordinator, Director of Rugby, Press Officer, Registrar, the Club Welfare Officer, the Health & Safety Officer, and four other members.

The Honorary Secretary shall canvass eligible members for nominations in advance of the Annual General Meeting. All nominations must be submitted to the Honorary Secretary not less than seven days prior to the date of the Annual General Meeting.

Nominations for all Executive Committee positions and the roles listed within the General Committee shall be sought by means of this process. Nominations may be made by any eligible voting member of the Club in accordance with these Rules.

Where no valid nomination is received for any such position, the General Committee shall have the power to appoint a suitable person to the role. Any person so appointed shall hold office until the conclusion of the following Annual General Meeting.

The four other possible members of the General Committee shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting. Nominations shall be proposed and seconded by eligible members present at the meeting. Nominees must be present at the Annual General Meeting or have submitted written consent to serve in advance to the Honorary Secretary.

General Committee members who do not attend a minimum of 60% of all General Committee meetings held in the preceding year shall not be eligible for re-election.

All Past Presidents shall be honorary ex-officio members of the General Committee and shall be entitled to attend General Committee meetings. Past Presidents may offer advice and guidance but shall not be counted for quorum purposes nor hold voting rights unless elected or appointed to a committee position in accordance with these Rules.

The General Committee shall have power to fill any vacancies occurring in any of these offices (including membership of the Executive Committee and General Committee) other than that of the Trustee, during any year. The person so appointed by the General Committee shall hold office until the following A.G.M.

The General Committee may additionally co-opt up to two non-officer members possessing specialist skills or experience deemed beneficial to the Club. Such co-opted members shall have full voting rights, shall be counted for quorum purposes, and shall hold office until the following A.G.M. No further co-opted attendees shall be entitled to voting rights or be counted for quorum purposes. At no time shall unelected members of the General Committee exceed one-third of the total membership of the Committee.

The Honorary Secretary shall convene all executive and general meetings, keep a record of such meetings electronically, conduct the correspondence of the Club and submit an Annual Report. The Hon. Secretary shall keep a list of the names and addresses of all members and shall on request furnish to each member a copy of the Rules.

The Honorary Treasurer shall keep correct accounts and books showing the financial affairs and receipts and disbursements of the Club, and shall furnish the Executive and General Committees with particulars of same from time to time as may be required. The Hon. Treasurer shall submit accounts duly audited.

Annual audited accounts shall be kept and made available to the Revenue Commissioners on request.

If any member shall, in the opinion of the General Committee, be guilty of conduct likely to endanger the welfare or good order of the Club, the General Committee, may, by a two thirds majority of those present and voting, suspend such member for such period as the General Committee may think fit, or expel such member, whereupon they he shall immediately cease to be a member of the club and shall forfeit all rights to or claim upon the club or its property. Before making such a decision, the member shall be given a minimum of 48 hours’ notice to attend a meeting of the General Committee or to submit a written statement for consideration. This notice shall be issued in writing by email from the General Secretary, outlining the date, time, and purpose of the meeting. The member must respond to the General Secretary within the notice period to confirm whether they wish to (a) attend in person, or (b) have a written submission read on their behalf. If the member is unavailable or unwilling to attend or submit a written statement within the notice period, the Committee may proceed in their absence. Following any decision to suspend or expel a member, the member shall be afforded the right of appeal. Appeals must be made in writing to the General Secretary, who shall bring the matter before the next scheduled meeting of the General Committee for further consideration.

The General Committee shall be the sole authority for the interpretation of these rules and of any regulations made hereunder.

No member shall be absolved from the effect of the rules, byelaws or regulations of the Club on the ground that he was not supplied with a copy nor had no notice of same.

The property of the Club shall vest in the trustees. The number of such trustees shall be not more than four nor less than two. The trustees shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting, when necessary, and they shall hold office by resolution of a general meeting or unless they cease to be members. The trustees shall be ex-officio members of the Executive Committee and the General Committee. They shall deal with the property of the Club as directed by a resolution of the General Committee (of which an entry in the Minutes approved by the General Committee shall be conclusive evidence) and in so far as the Assets of the Club may be deficient, they and the other members of the Executive and General Committees shall be indemnified against liability and expenses incurred by them by reason of their position as trustees or members of the Committee by members of the Club excluding honorary members.

If upon the winding up or dissolution of the club there remains, after the satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities, any property whatsoever, it shall not be paid to or distributed among the members of the club. Instead, such property shall be given or transferred to some other institution or institutions having main objectives similar to the main objects of the club. The institution or institutions to which

the property is given or transferred shall prohibit the distribution of its or their income and property among its or their members to an extent at least as great as imposed on the club under or by virtue of Rule 31 hereof. Members of the club shall select the relevant institution or institutions at or before the time of dissolution, and if and so far as effect cannot be given to such provisions, then the property shall be given or transferred to some charitable object.

The General Committee may make such banking arrangements in the name of the Club as they may deem expedient.

If at any time the Club in general meeting shall pass a resolution authorising the General Committee to borrow money, the General Committee shall thereupon be empowered to borrow for the purpose of and on behalf of the Club such amount of money, either at one time or from time to time at such rate of interest and in such form and manner and upon security as they shall think fit, and thereupon the trustees shall at the direction of the General Committee, make all such disposition of the Club

property or any part thereof and enter into such agreements in relation thereto as the General Committee may deem proper for giving security for such loans and interest. All members of the Club, whether voting on such resolution or not, and all persons becoming members after the passing of such resolution, shall be deemed to have assented to same as if they had voted in favour of such resolution.

No order or contract shall be valid or binding on the Club unless it is sanctioned by the trustees, and all enquiries for tenders are to have this rule endorsed thereon, provided always that the committee shall have power to order goods or make contracts not exceeding €5,000 without first getting the consent of the trustees.

The General Committee shall have power to raise money for the purpose of the Club by such means as it may deem expedient in the interest of the Club.

No alteration or addition shall be made to these rules save as stated in Rule 30, except at a general meeting, and at least three weeks’ notice of such alteration or addition given in writing to the Honorary Secretary.

No addition, alteration or amendment shall be made to Rules 10(a), 18(a), 31 or 27(a) unless the same shall have been previously approved in writing by the revenue Commissioners.

The General Committee may alter or add to such rule or rules as may from time to time be necessary for the purpose of having the Club registered and in order to comply with the law.

The income and property of the club shall be applied solely towards the promotion of its main objects as set forth in these rules (Rule 1). No portion of the association’s income or property shall be paid or transferred directly or indirectly by way of dividend, bonus or otherwise howsoever by way of profit, to members of the club. No Officer shall be appointed to any office of the club paid by salary or fee, or receive any remuneration or other benefit in money or money’s worth from the club. However, nothing shall prevent any payment in good faith by the club of:

a) reasonable and proper remuneration to any member of the club (not being an Officer) for any services rendered to the club;

b) interest at a rate not exceeding 5% per annum on money lent by Officers or other members of the club to the club;

c) reasonable and proper rent for premises demised and let by any member of the club (including any Officer) to the club;

d) reasonable and proper our-of-pocket expenses incurred by any Officer in connection with their attendance to any matter affecting the club;

Fees, remuneration or other benefit in money or money’s worth to any Company of which an Officer may be a member holding not more than one hundredth part of the issued capital of such Company.

(1) Subject to the exception specified in sub paragraph (2) of this Clause, No excisable liquor shall

be supplied for consumption on Club premises to any person (other than a member of the Club lodging

in the Club premises) or be consumed on those premises by any person (other than such a member).

(a) At any time on Christmas Day or,

(b) On any other day, outside the following hours;

(i) Any Sunday between 12.30pm and 11.00pm:

(ii) Any Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday or Thursday: between 10.30am and

11.30pm;

(iii) Any Friday or Saturday: between 10.30am and 12.30am on the following day.

(2) Nothing in the Registration of Clubs Acts, 1904-2008, or contained, by virtue only of the

operation of Clause (1) above, to prohibit the supplying for consumption on the club premises of

excisable liquor to any person or the consumption of excisable liquor on those premises by any person -

(a) On Christmas Day, between 12.00 midday and 10.00pm, or

(b) On any other day, for one hour after the expiration of any periods in respect of that day

during which it is lawful for the club, by virtue of Clause (1)(b) above, to supply any excisable

liquor for consumption on the club premises, if in each case the excisable liquor is;

(i) Ordered by or on behalf of that persona at the same time as a substantial meal is so

ordered, and

(ii) Consumed by that person during the meal or after the meal has ended.

The hours specified in paragraph (1)(b) above in respect of any days specified in that paragraph are in addition to the period between midnight and 12.30 a.m. on that date, where the period is included in the hours so specified in respect of the eve of that day. In paragraph (1) “Public Holiday” has the meaning given to it by the Organisation of Working Time Act, 1997.

(3) No excisable liquor shall be sold or supplied to any person under the age of eighteen years.

(4) No member of the Management Committee and no employee of the Club shall have any personal interest in the sale of excisable liquors therein or in the profits arising from such sales.

(5) Except as permitted by Section 30 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act, 2000, a visitor shall not be supplied with excisable liquor on the Club premises unless on the invitation of and in the company of a member and the member shall, upon the admission of the visitor to the Club premises, or immediately upon his/her being supplied with such liquor, enter his/her own name and the name and address of the visitor in a book which shall be kept for the purpose and which shall show the date of each visit.

(6) No such person under the age of eighteen years shall be allowed in the licensed area of the Club after 9.00 p.m. However, a child who is accompanied by his/her parent or guardian may be allowed in to the licensed area of the Club between the hours of 10.30 a.m. (12.30 p.m. on Sunday) and 9.00 p.m.

(7) A child who is aged at least 15 years but under the age of 18 years and who is accompanied by his/her parent or guardian may be allowed in to the licensed area of the Club on the occasion of a private function at which a substantial meal is served to persons attending the function.

(8) No excisable liquor shall be sold for consumption outside the premises of the Club, except to Club Members, between the hours of 8 o’clock in the morning and 10 o’clock at night.

(9) The Management Committee may alter or add to these Rules for the purposes of complying with the Registration of Clubs Act 1904-2008 and any amendments thereto, for the purposes of satisfying the requirements of the members in accordance with such laws.

(10) In addition to the foregoing rules, the rules and regulations embodied in the Registration of Clubs Act