RULES AND CONSTITUTION OF

1. NAME

The name of this club shall be “Arsenal East Cork”

2. PURPOSES AND AIMS

The purpose and Aims of this club are
a) to provide a branch of the Official Arsenal Supporters Club .
b) to promote the supporting of Arsenal F.C in the East Cork Area.
c) to organise meetings and relevant events.
d) to encourage interest in Arsenal F.C.
e) to provide opportunities and facilities to support Arsenal F.C.
f) to encourage a spirit of comradeship.
g) to liaise with other organisations and clubs who share these aims.

3. MEMBERSHIP

a) Membership in this club shall not be denied to any person in the East Cork or surrounding areas on the basis of race, religion, gender, political affiliation, sexual orientation, ethic origin or disability.

b) There shall be two classes of members:
i. Full Member:  Full membership is open to anyone living in the East Cork or
surrounding area over the age of 18. Any eligible membership application shall
be a Full Member upon filing the application with the club secretary, having the application reviewed and approved by the Committee and the payment of the relevant subscription to the club treasurer.
ii. Junior Member:  Any eligible person who is not over the age of 18 can apply
for Junior Membership. Any eligible membership application shall be a Junior
Member upon filing the application and Parent / Guardian approval form's with
the club secretary, having the application reviewed and approved by the
Committee and the payment of the relevant subscription to the club treasurer.

Junior Members remain the responsibility of the parent or guardian as listed on their membership application or renewal and it is the responsibility of this parent or guardian to ensure that they are safely delivered to and from any club meetings or other activities and that they conduct themselves in accordance with these rules.

Junior Members automatically become Full members once turning 18 and Full
Membership subscription is payable at the next renewal date.

c) Any member may use club facilities and equipment on such conditions as determined by the committee.

d) Any member may be suspended or expelled from the club for conduct obviously contrary
to the Constitution of the club or for conduct that impairs the rights of the members to enjoy the benefits of the club.

e) Any Member, wishing to express their dissatisfaction with the running of the Club, shall do so in writing, within seven days of a particular incident.

f) All grievance letters shall be sent to the Club Secretary, so that he/she can present them
to the Committee, at the earliest opportunity, for them to discuss and take the appropriate action, as they deem fit.

4. OFFICE BEARERS

a) To ensure that these Rules and Constitution are adhered to, a Committee shall be elected.

b) The committee of the club shall consist of at least 4 officers and at least 4 and at most 8 General members, the Officers being
i. Chair
ii. Secretary
iii. Treasurer
iv. PRO (Press Relations Officer)

c) An Annual General Meeting (AGM) shall be held each year, where the Officers and general Committee members shall be elected.

d) Nominations for the posts of Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and PRO should be sent to the Secretary, so that they are in his/her possession no later than 14 days prior to the AGM.

e) All Nominations for the Offices shall be proposed and seconded by Full Members of the Club, shall themselves be Full Members of the Club and be with the consent of the Nominee. Each member can only propose or second one nomination per AGM.

f) Powers and Duties of Committee Officers:
i. The Chair shall preside at all meetings of the club. He/She shall be the official spokesperson of the club, representing the policies, views and opinions of the club in its relations with the community at large. He/She may have further powers or duties as prescribed by the club.
ii. The Treasurer handles all financial affairs and budgeting of the club. He/She maintains accounts in the club's name as set out Rule 6.
iii. The Secretary takes minutes at all meetings of the club, files minutes and
submits required copies to all club members. He/She is responsible for all club
correspondence and keeps copies of all correspondence on file. He/She acts
as historian and maintains all records of the club.
iv. The PRO shall advertise and Promote the Clubs Activities as instructed by the Committee and oversee the upkeep of the Club website.

g) The committee may co-opt other members if deemed necessary.

5. POWERS OF THE COMMITTEE

a) The committee shall have full power to act on behalf of the club, except where limited by
these Rules and Constitution.

b) All communications except for Bank Statements and other Financial Matters are addressed to the Club Secretary who presents same at the earliest possible meeting.

c) The Committee shall, if they feel appropriate, form/elect a subcommittee / committees, to carry out specific duties. Each subcommittee shall report back to the main Committee.

6. FINANCIAL MATTERS

a) All Financial matters, shall be agreed by the Committee and dealt with by the Treasurer

b) The Club shall deposit income, in a bona fide bank and/or building society.

c) Accounts opened with a bank or building society shall be in the name of the Club.

d) The account(s) will be operated by two of three named signatories. The three signatories shall be the Treasurer and either of the Chairperson or the Secretary

e) No husband/wife/other family member shall be allowed to be two of the three signatures.

f) The income and expenditure of the club shall be applied solely towards the objectives of the club as laid out in these Rules and Constitution, and no portion shall be paid by way of profit to any members of the club. However, any member may be reimbursed for any expense incurred on behalf of the club.

g) True accounts of all income and expenditure of the club must be kept. A financial statement must be published and distributed at each AGM. The books shall be available for inspection by any member.

h) Any expenditure by way of sponsorship or assistance to any person or persons shall be referred to an AGM or SGM.

i) All Bank Statements and other Financial Matters are addressed to the Club Treasurer who presents same at the earliest possible meeting.

j) The Committee, shall set a subscription fee for each Membership Class that they deem fit to cover the running costs of the Club.

k) All Junior Member subscriptions shall be the responsibility of the signed Parent / Guardian on the Membership application and/0r renewal form.

l) Continued non-payment of subscriptions, may result in the suspension of the Member concerned, until such time as the arrears have been settled.

m) A resolution to Dissolve the Club shall only be proposed at an AGM or SGM. Any resolution so put forward, must be carried by at least 90% of the Members present.

n) The dissolution shall take effect from the date of the resolution being passed, and the members of the club committee shall be responsible for winding up the assets and liabilities of the Club.

o) Any surplus assets remaining after the discharge of the debts and liabilities of the Club shall be transferred to the Arsenal Football Club, who shall determine how the assets shall be utilised for the benefit of the Arsenal Football Club. Alternatively, such assets
may be disposed of in such a way, as the Members of the Club, with the consent of the Arsenal Football Club, shall determine.

7. CLUB DISCIPLINE

a) The club shall abide by the rules and regulations of Arsenal Football Club governing the formation and running of supporters clubs and these rules are deemed to be incorporated into the Arsenal East Cork rules and constitution

b) It is the duty of ALL officers, committee, and members to conduct themselves in a manner that will not bring the Club into disrepute

c) Acts of misconduct, will be dealt with by the committee, any person/persons found guilty of same will be dealt with as the committee deems fit. This could in certain circumstances lead to expulsion of the person/persons involved. Any member being expelled from the Club, will not be entitled to claim any, or a share, of the Clubs property.

d) Persons, who require to be dealt with under rule 7. c) shall be notified within fourteen days, of the Committees decision.

e) Any person wishing to appeal shall do so in writing, within seven days of receiving the committees decision.

f) All members shall abide by the rules of the Club, as listed herein and of those attached in the following Appendixes:
i. Anti Discrimination Policy
ii. Equal Opportunities Policy.

8. MEETINGS

a) The minutes of all meetings, held for whatever reason, shall be taken by the Club secretary or in his/her absence a committee appointed minute secretary

b) The chairperson shall approve any such minutes by signing in the minute book.

c) GENERAL MEETINGS
i. General meetings are held to:
a. Obtain club approval on matters beyond the jurisdiction of the
committee.
b. To keep members informed of the club activities.
c. To report on minutes of committee meetings.
d. To provide a social meeting place for its members to watch
Arsenal games live on TV.
ii. General meetings shall be held at least every 2 month's as determined by the committee or if possible whenever an Arsenal game is available to view live on TV during the football season.
iii. The committee shall determine the venue(s).
iv. No notification of a general meeting is necessary provided they are taking place at their usual venue(s) and their usual time. Otherwise at least seven days notice shall be given advising of any changes.
v. General meetings shall be chaired by the Chairperson of the committee or
failing him/her, in sequence, one of the following: Secretary, Treasurer, PRO,
any other co-opted member chosen by those present.

d) ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGS (AGM)
i. The AGM is held in order to
a. elect Office Bearers
b. discuss and vote upon any motion set down.
ii. It is held at a suitable meeting venue selected by the Committee and all
members notified of its Venue, Date and Time at least 30 days in advance.
iii. Only motions sent to the Secretary, so that they are in his/her possession no later than 14 days prior to the AGM shall be set down.
iv. Only members of the club shall be allowed to speak or vote at the AGM.
v. The Chairman, or in their absence someone appointed by the Committee,
shall take the chair. Each member present will have one vote and resolutions
shall be passed by a simple majority of those present. Except in the case of a
change or amendment to the Rules and constitution which will require a 75%
majority of those present to be passed.
vi. Proxy Votes will not be allowed.

e) SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS (SGM)
i. Special general meetings are held to draw attention to serious matters for
which maximum attendance by members is required.
ii. The committee may, whenever they deem fit, or shall on request made in
writing by not less than 10% of the clubs voting members, convene a SGM
Any such requisition must state the object of the SGM to be called and must
be signed by all the requesting members and sent to the Secretary
iii. At least seven days notice of any special general meeting shall be given in
writing and sent to all members by the Secretary. Non-receipt of such a
notice by any member shall not invalidate any resolution passed at the SGM.
iv. The Chairman, or in their absence someone appointed by the committee,
shall take the chair. Each member present will have one vote and resolutions
shall be passed by a 75% majority of those present.
v. Proxy Votes will not be allowed

f) COMMITTEE MEETINGS
i. Committee meetings shall be held to conduct the affairs of the club.
ii. Committee meetings shall be held regularly as deemed necessary by the
committee.
iii. A minimum of 50% of the Committee at least 2 of who are Officers is
required to form a quorum for the discussion and transaction of Club business
iv. Committee meetings shall be chaired by the Chair of the committee or failing him/her, in sequence, one of the following: Secretary, Treasurer, PRO, any other co-opted committee member chosen by those present.
v. In the event of a proposal at a Committee meeting having to put to a vote,
then each member shall have one vote. However, no Committee member may
vote on a motion directly pertaining to him/her. In the event of the voting being equal, the Chair or the committee appointed Chair will have the casting vote.
vi. The Committee shall have the powers to co-opt Members to fill vacancies
that may arise before an AGM.

9. AMENDMENTS TO THE RULES AND CONSTITUTION

a) Proposed rule or constitutional amendment or changes can only be dealt with at an AGM or SGM as described in 8 d) and 8 e).

10. TICKET ALLOCATION

a) In the event that the Club is allocated tickets to an Arsenal game an open draw will be held amongst all eligible members. If the total allocation of tickets is 10 or more the member whose name is drawn will receive an allocation of 2 tickets and this member may then select another Arsenal East Cork member to accompany them to that particular game.
Any member who attends a game is deemed ineligible to enter any subsequent draws until such time as all club members have had the opportunity to attend a game (i.e. offer of tickets etc. weather or not the offer is accepted). Once all members have had this opportunity afforded to them then all eligible members are re-entered for draws.

b) If the total ticket allocation is less than 10 then tickets will be allocated on a one per draw basis.

c) No Junior member will be allowed attend a game unless accompanied by their gaurdian(s) as signed on their club application.

d) In the event that there is not enough members of the club to fulfil the full ticket allocation then any surplus tickets will be offered to those members travelling to the particular game for use of not Arsenal East Cork members. This is subject to approval by the sitting committee for each occurrence of this happening. These non members will be offered the
opportunity to join the club on a full basis or pay a tempoary membership fee which will last for the duration of the match & associated travel. This fee will be set at a cost deemed fit by the sitting committee

11. TRAVEL
Where possible the club will arrange for travel and accomodation for match's to which we we receive a ticket allocation. Members are not obliged to take up this arrarmants and may make their own travel and accomadtion arranges as they please.

12. DISCLAIMER

The Arsenal Supporters Club and Arsenal East Cork are independent from the Arsenal Football Club PLC (company number 109244) London England and all of its associated and group companies and has no authority to bind, contract, negotiate on it's behalf or otherwise represent itself as connected in any way with it.




Chairperson. Secretary
Hugh O'Reilly John Mulcahy

14. APPENDICES

APPENDIX i
Anti-Discrimination Policy.

Arsenal East Cork is responsible for setting standards and values to apply throughout the club at every level. Football belongs to and should be enjoyed by everyone, equally. Our commitment is to confront and eliminate discrimination, whether by reason of sex, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or disability.

Equality of opportunity at Arsenal East Cork means that in all our activities we will not discriminate or in any way treat anyone less favourably, on the grounds of sex, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnic origin, colour, religion or disability.
This includes:
a) Membership
b) Appointments to Officer or General Committee positions.
c) Participation in Club events and Activities

Arsenal East Cork will not tolerate sexually or racially based harassment or other discriminatory behaviour, whether physical or verbal, and will work to ensure that such behaviour is met with the appropriate action, in whatever context it occurs.

APPENDIX ii
Equal opportunities policy.

Arsenal East Cork is committed to a policy of equal treatment of all members and requires all members of whatever level and authority, to abide and adhere to this general principal. Specifically discrimination is prohibited by:

i. Treating any individual on grounds of gender, colour, marital status, race,
nationality, ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation or disability less favourable than others or expecting an individual solely based on the grounds stated to comply with requirements relating to their membership, which are different from the requirements of others.

ii. Victimisation or Harassment of an individual

iii. Any other act or omission of an act, which has as its effect, the disadvantaging of a member against another, or others, purely on the above grounds. Thus, in all the club's activities, promotion and processes as well as disciplinary matters, it is essential that merit, experience, skill and temperament are considered as objectively as possible.

Arsenal East Cork commits itself to the immediate investigation of any claims of discrimination on the above grounds and on insisting that any member found guilty of discrimination cease the practice immediately,

Any member of Arsenal East Cork found guilty of discrimination, and instructed to desist and who does not will be dealt with by the committee as they see fit up to and including expulsion from the club.

Arsenal East Cork commits itself to the disabled person, whenever possible and will treat such members, in aspects of their involvement and membership, in exactly the same manner as other members. The difficulties of their disablement permitting, assistance willbe given, wherever possible, to ensure that disabled members are helped in gainingaccess.