1. The name of the Club 

We shall be known as The Kings Bowling Club. The object of the Club is to promote and foster the game of bowls, and other social activity, for the benefit of the Club and its members.

2. The Playing rules of the Club

We will adopt and follow the rules of Bowls England.  We adopt and follow all policies and guidelines approved by Bowls England and U.K. Anti-doping (B.E.Reg 2.5.2), and follow all procedures set out in Bowls England Regulation 9, 9A, and 9B. (AGM 23)

3. Club Officers

3.1 President and Vice President

(a) The President of the Club shall serve for a period of not more than two years.

(b) A Vice President shall be invited by the Management Committee to stand for election at the AGM, as his /her predecessor is elevated to President. The Vice President will become President on the retirement from office of the Club President. The Vice President of the Club shall be invited to attend meetings of the Management Committee as a non-voting member.

3.2 Club Governance

(a) The Club shall be governed by a Management Committee consisting of the President, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer, Hon. Match Secretary, Ladies’ Bowling Secretary, Club Captain, Club Vice-Captain, Chair of Bar Sub Committee, Senior Greenkeeper and four other Members (2 nominated by each of the female and male membership of the Club). (Amended AGM 09)

(b) The Club shall appoint Trustees from within the Club membership as necessary to sign legal documents on behalf of the Club when authorised to do so by a Club meeting.  Trustees so appointed shall have the right to attend and speak at meetings of the Club Management Committee at their discretion and when considered necessary by the Management Committee.

3.3 Committees and Sub-Committees

(a) The Hon. Secretary, Hon. Treasurer, Hon. Match Secretary, Club Captain, Club Vice Captain, Ladies Bowling Secretary, Chair of Bar Sub Committee, the four other Members of the Committee and the Hon Auditor shall be elected at each Annual General Meeting of the Club.

(b) The Management Committee shall have the power to co-opt if necessary. 

(c) At Meetings of the Management Committee, 5 members shall constitute a Quorum. 

(d) No Member shall be eligible for election as a Management Committee Member or Officer of the Club, unless he or she has been a full member of the Club for at least one bowling season. 

(e) At the first meeting after the AGM, the elected members of the Management Committee shall nominate one of their numbers to take the Chair at meetings during the year.

(f) Age and Gender. The Club is committed to equal opportunity and responsibility for all members of the Club. All of the positions as Officers and Members of the Management Committee are equally open to female and male members regardless of age. It is essential that Officers and Committee Members be chosen with regard only to the ability of the candidate to undertake the required tasks.

(g) Bar Sub-Committee. This sub-committee shall consist of a Chairperson, Secretary and not less than four members of the Club elected at the Annual General Meeting. The Bar Sub-Committee shall be responsible for purchasing, operation of the bar and safe keeping of takings and shall report to the Management Committee. This sub-committee will also be responsible for supply to members of the Club, guests and visitors of intoxicating liquor. It will also be responsible for the observance of the licensing laws. The sub-committee will meet not less than four times a year. No person shall be entitled to receive at the expense of the Club, any commission, percentage or similar payment with reference to the purchase of intoxicating liquor by the Club for the supply of same.

(h) In the event that in any year, after the members of the Management Committee have been elected at the AGM, there is an imbalance of female and male Members, the following will apply. The male and female members of the Club shall be invited to nominate additional Members of the Management Committee to achieve an equal number of female and male Members of the Management Committee.

4. Management Committee and Sub-Committee Sanctions

(a) Competitions Sub-Committee shall consist of two club members (one female and one male) appointed by the Management Committee, to be responsible for running all Club Competitions in accordance with the rules set out below and making progress reports to the Management Committee from time to time.

(b) TEAM SELECTION

Men’s Mid-Devon League matches

(1) The “A” and “B” squads for the MDL shall be selected at the commencement of each playing season by the Club Captain or Club Vice-Captain (as appropriate), the “A” Squad Captain, the “A” Squad Vice Captain and the “B” Squad Captain or Vice Captain each being the outgoing Club officer from the preceding playing season.

(2) The “A” and “B” squads of the MDL shall, each appoint a Captain, Vice-Captain and Selector, who will together be responsible for the selection of the appropriate teams. Men’s Club matches of competitive status, i.e. National 2 x 4, National Top Club, County Trophy, County Top Club, Foxlands Trophy etc. There shall be three selectors, two elected by the MDL "A" squad and one by the MDL "B" squad. Any member elected to as MDL Captain, Vice-Captain or Selector position is still eligible to become a selector for matches of competitive status also, but is not obliged to do so. (AGM 18).

Selection of Ladies’ Team Matches 

The Ladies’ Selection Committee shall consist of five members, being the “A” Team Captain, “A” Team Vice-Captain, “A” Team Selector, “B” Team Captain and the “B” Team Vice-Captain. The outgoing Ladies’ Selection Committee will select a minimum of 9 players to form the “A” Team squad for the following season. In the event of either the Ladies B Team Captain or Vice Captain not being available, the B Team Selector shall take her place. In a case where the number is further reduced, the Ladies Selection Committee shall appoint replacement(s) as required to make up to a committee of five. (AGM-07) Subsequently, the ladies from both the “A” and “B” team squads shall select their Team Captains.

The Ladies’ Selection Committee shall select the following teams:

• Inter-Club, Top Club

• 4321 and National Top Club

• Individual Print Plus matches will be selected by the appropriate team selectors. 

Ladies’ Friendly games – Ladies Captain.

All club friendly/tourist teams (including mixed matches) shall be selected by the Club Captain and/or Vice Captain, or if necessary, a person nominated to act in either of those capacities.

(c)  Green and House Sub-Committee(s)

Suitable and appropriate members of the Club (identified by and reporting to the Club Management Committee) shall be responsible for the oversight of maintenance/improvements of the Green and of the Clubhouse.

5. Membership

Membership of the Club is open to all of the community and without discrimination on the grounds of ethnic nationality, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, gender, age or disability except as a necessary consequence of the requirements of a particular sport. Applicants may not be admitted to membership or be admitted as candidates for membership to any of the privileges without an interval of at least two days between their becoming members and their admission. Prospective new members of the Club shall make an application on the Club nomination form. This form will then be referred to the Club Secretary and then be exhibited on the Club notice board for ten clear days before being submitted to the Management Committee for consideration and approval/rejection. The Committee will make its decision based on a single majority vote.

6. Guests and Visitors

Guests introduced into the Club Pavilion shall be accompanied by a member introducing them who shall enter the name and address of the guest in the Visitors Book. Intoxicating Liquor may be supplied to bona fide guests of members for consumption on the premises only. No member shall introduce more than three guests in any one day and no guest may visit the Club as a guest more than 12 times a year.

7. Licenced Hours

The permitted hours for the supply of intoxicating liquor shall be fixed by the Bar Sub-Committee and shall be in accordance with the Club Licence. Permitted hours shall also be within the hours set from time to time by the licensing authority.

8. Sale of Alcohol

No person under 18 years of age may be supplied with intoxicating liquor on Club premises, regardless of the fact that they may be Club members.

9. Subscriptions 

The Management Committee shall fix the yearly subscriptions to be paid by members, the allowances of Club Officers and if deemed necessary, restrict the number of Members of the Club.

(a) Any member, whose subscription has not been paid in full by 1st May and who has not made acceptable arrangements for payment with the Club Treasurer, shall be deemed to have resigned and must seek re-election if desired. 

(b) No member shall be entitled to play at the Club unless he/she has paid the annual subscription or come to a satisfactory arrangement with the Treasurer.

(c) All adult-playing members of the Club shall pay the same annual subscription fee (other than is provided for in Rule 19b).

10. Green 

Play will be permitted on the green at times decided by the Management Committee and displayed at the Clubhouse. In liaison with the Greenkeeper, a member of the Management Committee shall have the authority to:

(a) close the green for bowling in adverse conditions. 

(b)  require a bowler to leave the green in the event that damage is being caused to the playing surface due to the bowling action of that bowler.

11. The Club’s Reputation

Members chosen to represent the Club in any match or playing in any competition are expected to uphold the good name of the Club. In the event that a Member of the Club, having been selected for and agreed to play in a match, without reasonable excuse fails to attend, that member will be disqualified from selection for a number of subsequent matches; to be decided by the Management Committee.

12. Member Behaviour

A Member who wilfully disregards any of the Club Rules or who behaves in a manner detrimental to the interests of the Club and the happiness of its Members shall be requested to explain their conduct to the Management Committee who shall decide what measures, if any, shall be taken in the matter.

13. Grievance Procedure

A Member having a complaint against another member or against any of the Club procedures must forward the complaint in writing to the Hon. Secretary for consideration by the Management Committee.

14. Extraordinary General Meetings

On the signed requisition of at least ten members, the Hon. Secretary shall call an Extraordinary General Meeting of the Members. 

15. Posted Notices

Any notice posted at the Club shall be deemed to have been communicated to the Members, such notice to be posted three clear days before coming into effect.

16. Match Refreshments 

Any Member playing in Home Matches may, in addition to his/her own, be required to pay for the tea of a visiting player.

17. Disputes 

All disputes that may arise on the Green shall be referred to the Captain or in his/her absence, the Vice-Captain. If no decision can be given, the matter shall be referred to the Management Committee.

18. Club Financials 

The Hon. Treasurer shall present to the Annual General Meeting a statement showing the financial position of the Club.

19. Club Membership Categories

(a) Playing Members - Members who have paid the agreed subscription, shall be entitled to play in all Matches Competitions and Events (if so selected) and shall enjoy all the amenities of the Club.

(b) Young Playing Members – young people up to the age of 18 years or who are in full time education that have paid the agreed subscription, shall enjoy all the amenities as Playing Members.

(c) Spouses (and partners sharing the same postal address) of 'Playing Members’ and children (under the age of 16 years) of members who are not 'Young Members' shall be deemed to be 'Non Playing Members' without payment of any subscription. 

Any voluntary assistance given to the club by such members will be welcomed.

(d) Associate Members - Any person associated with a ‘Member’ for example parent, guardian, carer, relative or friend shall be deemed to be an ‘Associate Member’ and must abide by the Rules of Kings Bowling Club. (AGM 23)

(e) Life Members - Members who have been Playing Members for at least 10 years and provide special service to the Club, proposed by the Management Committee and elected at an Annual General Meeting.

20. Membership List

A full list of playing members, young playing members, non-playing social members, and life members will be kept at the Club’s premises.

21. Competition Rules

All Club Competitions must be played in accordance with the Special Competition Rules outlined below:

(a) Competitions to be played under the current rules of Bowls England.

(b) Closing dates once fixed must be strictly adhered to. 

(c) The challenger(s) shall be the top name in the Competition List. The challenger must give two reasonable dates to their opponent at least 2 weeks before the final date for that round. In case of illness, the matter will be decided by the Competitions Sub Committee.

(d) Outside Competitions (other than County Competitions) will not be accepted as any excuse for the deferment of dates agreed.

(e) The Competition Sub-Committee may delete the name of any Competitor failing to comply with these Rules.

22. Subsidies 

Each year the ticket for each Member attending the Annual Presentation function may be subsidised at the discretion of the Club Management Committee. 

23. Indemnification 

Each member of the Club shall (to the extent that such person is not entitled to recover under any policy of insurance) be entitled to be indemnified out of any and all funds available to the Club, which may lawfully be so applied, against all costs, expenses and liabilities whatsoever incurred by such person in the proper execution and discharge of duties undertaken on behalf of the Club or arising there from, or incurred in good faith in the purported discharge of such duties.

24. Dissolution. 

If at any General Meeting of the Club, a resolution is passed calling for the dissolution of the Club, the Hon Secretary shall immediately convene a Special General Meeting of the Club (to be held within one calendar month) to discuss and vote on the resolution.

(a) If at that Special General Meeting, the resolution is carried by at least two-thirds of the Full Members present at the meeting, the Club Management Committee shall then, or at the date specified in the resolution, proceed to realise the assets of the Club and discharge all debts and liabilities of the Club.

(b) After discharging all debts and liabilities of the Club, the remaining assets shall not be paid or distributed amongst the Full Members of the Club, but shall be given or transferred to another Community Amateur Sports Club, a Registered Charity or the sport governing body.

25. The Club’s Non Profit Status 

Any surplus income or gains shall be reinvested into the Club. No distribution of Club assets in cash or kind to members or third parties can be permitted. Donations from the Club can be made to Registered Charities or to a Club registered as a Community Amateur Sports Club.

26. Club Duty of Care Policy

Kings Bowling Club fully accepts it’s legal and moral obligations to exercise its duty of care and to protect all young and vulnerable persons participating in its activities, and to safeguard their welfare. A responsible person shall be appointed annually as a Safeguarding Officer to whom all members can address any concerns and the Club’s policy shall be reviewed annually. 

27. Alteration of Rules 

These Rules may be altered or others made at the Annual General Meeting or at an Extra-ordinary General Meeting specially convened for the purpose.

(a) Each year, the Management Committee shall fix and publish at the Clubhouse, the date of the Club Annual General Meeting; ensuring that a minimum of six weeks notice of such meeting is given to the membership.

(b) All items for inclusion on the AGM Agenda to be notified in writing to reach the Hon Secretary 21 days before the AGM. 

(c) Any Member wishing to propose an alteration or addition to the Rules must send a written notice thereof with a copy of the proposal to reach the Hon. Secretary not less than 21 days before such Meeting.

28. Club Rules Availability. 

A copy of the Club Rules shall be exhibited in a prominent place in or about the Club pavilion and every member on joining shall be supplied with a copy. A copy of these rules is also published on the Club’s website.

DW/I&LB/Nov'23

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