Rules for British Sub-Aqua Club Branch no. 0080

Name

This branch No. 80 is known as "The North Gloucestershire Branch" (hereinafter called the Branch) of the British Sub aqua Club (hereinafter called the Club). The Rules of the Club apply with the following additions;

Annual General Meeting

The Annual General Meeting shall be in the month of November or three clear weeks before the National Diving Officers' Conference, whichever is the earlier.

The business of the AGM shall be;
1. Minutes of the last AGM and any Special General Meeting held since the last AGM.
2. Chairman's Report
3. Hon. Secretary's Report
4. Hon. Treasurer's report including Membership Report
5. Diving Officer's Report
6. Training Officer's Report including Snorkel Report
7. Equipment Officer's Report including Boat Report
8. Election of Officers and Committee
9. Motions - written notice, proposed and seconded prior to the AGM has to be given to the Hon. Secretary
10. Provisional rules - as created by either the Diving Officer or quorum consisting of at least three committee members and five other members of the Branch - voted on to be made Permanent Rules or not.
11. Matters arising from previous AGM/SGM
12. Any Other Business as the Chairman may select.

Special General Meetings

Special General Meetings of this Branch may be convened by four weeks written notice to the Hon. Secretary and be signed by not less than 10% of voting members. The business shall be that for which the SGM was called for and no other. A quorum of 20% of the voting members is needed to hold an SGM.

Nominations

Nominations for election to the Branch Committee and Officers shall be of voting members by at least two other voting members and shall be in writing to the Hon. Secretary with the consent of the nominee, and with such notice as the Hon. Secretary shall require.

Branch Committee

The affairs of the Branch shall be managed by a committee consisting of the Officers and not more than 10 members (total of 15) elected at the AGM.

A minimum of 50% of the Committee shall form a quorum, at least three of whom shall be Branch Officers. All Officers and members shall retire each year but shall be eligible for re-election. Casual vacancies shall be filled by co-option by the Committee.

Committee members absent without apologies for two meetings will be asked to stand down, the decision may be made in their absence.

Branch Officers

1. Chairman

2. Hon. Secretary

3. Hon. Treasurer

4. Diving Officer

5. Equipment

Diving Officer

The post of DO shall only be filled by a First Class or Advanced Diver with 12 months recent active diving experience with the Branch as at least Advance Diver. The DO can also appoint a Training Officer who shall be at least Sports Diver and an active pool instructor of 12 months experience. The TO shall be responsible to the DO, organise the training, assist the DO with their duties and report to the Committee the progress of the training.

Equipment Officer

The Equipment Officer shall take full charge of all diving and sundry equipment owned by the Branch and be responsible for repair, maintenance and purchase of new equipment as the Committee shall direct. The EO may delegate items such as boats, engines, cameras etc., to other persons who would report directly to the EO in advance of Committee. The EO shall report to the AGM on all matters which fall within these responsibilities.

Equipment

Hire charges and conditions for booking and hire shall be fixed by and published by the Committee from time to time (see Diving, Branch dives). The Committee shall be responsible for assessment of depreciation in value of Branch equipment and for authorising the EO to repair and/or replace specific items of equipment (see Finance).

Dissolution of Branch

The Branch may only be dissolved by a unanimous decision of all members if the number of full members should fall below twelve and remain so for a period of twelve calendar months. The net assets shall be vested in the remaining members.

Suspension of Members

Members may be suspended by the DO or a quorum from participating in the activities of the Branch subject to their right of appeal to the next meeting of the committee if:-

1. His/her subscription is more than two months in arrears.
2. His/her conduct as reported to, or seen by a member of the Committee at a dive in public, is such that it may be considered to be a danger to other divers in the future, or prejudicial to the interest of the Branch.
3. They have abused Branch equipment, or the system of hiring such equipment.
The period of suspension shall be stated by the Committee and shall be renewed if the member's subscription shall fall during that period.

Subscriptions

Subscriptions shall be as directed by the Club plus the subscription due to the Branch as decided by the Branch. Subscriptions may only be altered at the AGM or an SGM.

Membership

Full diving membership is open to any person over 14 years if age, but only with the permission of a parent or guardian if under the age of 18. They may train and dive with the Branch provided they pass the appropriate medical and are deemed fit to dive by the DO.

Medicals

Members of the Branch must have a current medical and this must be repeated every five years for members under the age of 40, every 3 years for members between the ages of 40 and 50, and yearly for members over 50 if they wish to dive with the Branch. Members whose medicals are out of date will not be permitted to dive with the Branch.

Finance

The financial year shall be from November 1st to October 31st.
The Annual Statement of Accounts shall be presented to the Branch at the AGM, audited by to full members who are not Officers of the Branch.

Expenditure of 30% or more of Branch funds will necessitate a Special General Meeting with a poll held of all members present to approve the expenditure.

Diving (Branch dives)

Members must be fully paid up to dive with the Branch. Hire fees for Branch equipment must be paid in advance. Deposits for hardboat dives must be paid in advance, first paid, first served.

Cylinders must be returned full to the EO regardless of original contents.

Surface marker buoys are to be used on all dives unless circumstances dictate otherwise. Dive Marshall/Boat Cox to decide.

The maximum number of divers in either 'Loose Lady' or 'Black Pig' (boats) may not exceed 8 with the inclusion of a non diving cox (total 9 persons).

Boat Coxswain must hold a boat-handling certificate.

Dive Marshalls as appointed by the DO must be Advanced Diver or overseen by an Advanced Diver.

Diving (Private)

The DO is to be informed in advance of dives involving Branch members that are not part of the Branch dives.

Provisional Rules

Provisional rules may be created by the DO or a quorum to apply during the tern of office of the DO but will only become permanent upon a majority vote at AGM. Any provisional rule failing to reach majority may not be re-introduced for a period of two years from the date of the AGM. Rules adopted at AGM must be added to the main rules and notice to this effect placed on the notice board.

All other rules made since the formation of the Branch, and not included in the above are hereby rescinded.

No alteration to these rules may be made other than at an Annual General Meeting, and with the approval of at least 20% of voting members.