Consitution of Inverness Thistle Football Club

1. Name

 The name of the organisation shall be INVERNESS THISTLE FC , hereinafter referred to as the ‘Club’.

2. Objectives

 The club is established to pursue the following objectives:
a) Participation in the sport of football, hereinafter referred to as the ‘sport’.

b) The organisation, management and development of amateur football for all members of the Club. The Club is not established or conducted for private gain: any surplus or assets are used principally for the benefit of the community

c) Membership of appropriate leagues for the purpose of establishing regular competitive play for the club’s representative teams

d) The provision of training and playing facilities for its members.

e) Promoting and maintaining the highest standards of technical competence and safety in the sport.

f) Upholding the rules of the sport.

g) i) Providing equal opportunities for successful participation by all sections of the community.

ii) Foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for all members of the community, including those with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and at-risk youth

h) The promotion of the sport.

• The objects of the Club are to carry on activities which benefit the community and in particular (without limitation) to the following :
• Provide a platform for the community to participate in and enjoy football at all levels, for both male and female players.
• Develop young talent through comprehensive youth academies for both boys and girls.
• Compete at the highest level possible with both male and female teams while maintaining financial stability.
• Promote the values of sportsmanship, fair play, and respect.
• Ensure equal opportunities and resources for the development of both male and female football within the club.

3. Affiliation

The Club shall be affiliated to the North Caledonian League, SAFA and SFA

4. Membership

All members are subject to the Constitution of the Club and the regulations of the National Governing Body. 

a) Membership is open to all and no application for membership will be refused on other than reasonable grounds. 

b) There will be no discrimination on grounds of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex; sexual orientation, political or other opinion.

c) All applications for membership shall be accompanied by the appropriate annual membership fee, which shall thereafter be payable on demand.

d) The members of the following categories shall be entitled to vote at General or Annual General Meetings :

Any one in attendance once membership is paid or a PROXY vote submitted to the Club Secretary 48 hours before the advertised date should be granted.

e) Members shall be enrolled on one of the following categories:

Honorary Member as voted by the Management Committee or a Members general meeting

Club Member fully paid

Members of both categories can stand for the Management Committee

Annual Subscriptions will be decided by the Club Committee and any changes publicly notified prior to the AGM. 

1. Suspension, Refusal or Termination of Membership

a) The management committee shall be entitled to:

i) Refuse any application for membership on the grounds that such membership would be prejudicial to the objectives of the club as set out in Rule 2 of this constitution.

ii) For good and sufficient reason to refuse renewal of any existing membership or terminate or suspend any membership provided that the member concerned shall have the right to be heard by the full management committee before a final decision is made.

iii) Any reason for refusal or termination must be communicated in writing to the individual and can be appealed to a body other than the committee/ individuals making the original decision e.g the appeals committee or the AGM

iv) The aforementioned Disciplinary Committee will be made up of office bearers. While the Appeals Committee will up of three non-office bearer members elected at the AGM.

b) Any member who fails to pay their fees by the date required shall forfeit their right to representation on the management committee and at general meetings, and shall be suspended from taking part in any event under the control of the club until such fees are paid.

c) Any member under suspension shall be barred from taking part in any match or event under the control of the club.

d) Notification of the termination of a membership will be forwarded to the Governing Body.

6. General Meetings

 a) Annual General Meeting (AGM)

The AGM shall be held each year at such time and place as determined by the management committee, at approximately twelve monthly intervals, but no more than fourteen months after the date of the previous AGM. At each AGM the following business shall be conducted:

i)	Receive and confirm the minutes of the previous AGM.
ii)	Presentation of the clubs financial accounts for the year.
iii)	Presentation of clubs projected financial situation for the forthcoming year, and the setting of all fees
iv)	Presentation of Chairpersons report.
v)	Election of officers to the management committee.
vi)	Any other business brought before the meeting which has been submitted in writing to the secretary not less than seven days prior to the AGM, and any other business deemed relevant by the chairperson

Notice for an AGM shall be a minimum of 21 days.

A quorum for an AGM shall be 6 members or 60% of voting membership

 b) Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM)

An EGM may be called upon the written demand of:

1. i) 60% of the membership.
   ii) The Chairperson.
   iii)       2/3 majority of the management committee.
   
   

Notice for an EGM shall be of a minimum of fourteen days notice, and stating the business to be discussed.

1. Rules for General Meetings

a) A minimum of twenty one days notice in writing shall be given to all members, except in the event of an EGM where the notice shall be a minimum of fourteen days.

b) The Chairperson, or in his/her absence a member selected by the meeting, will take the Chair.

c) All members shall register with the Secretary prior to the start of the meeting.

d) Each member shall have one vote.

e) All votes shall be determined by a simple majority. In the event of a tied vote, the Chair may exercise a casting vote.

.f) The Secretary shall keep the minutes of the meetings and record all proceedings and resolutions.

8. Election of Officers To The Management Committee

a) The members of the management committee shall be drawn from the membership, as defined in clause 4 of this constitution.

b) Candidates shall be elected by ballot at the AGM, and shall be members of the management committee from the conclusion of that AGM until the conclusion of the following AGM.

c) All nominations of candidates for election shall: have the consent of the nominee; be in writing; be seconded; be received by the secretary not less than seven days before the AGM.

d) Uncontested posts may be filled by nomination(s) or election following a weeks notice

e) The Secretary shall notify all members a list of all nominations not less than five days prior to the AGM.

f). If there is a a mid-term resignation of a committee member than that post may be filled by nomination(s) or election following a weeks notice

g) A vacant post can be filled in an acting capacity by a nominated and seconded Committee member until it is filled by the above by nomination(s) or election

9. Members Of The Management Committee

 Members of the Management Committee are referred to as Directors for purposes below.

The Directors are responsible for the management of the Clubs’ business, for which purpose they may exercise all the powers of the Club between General Meetings.

a) The Management Committee shall consist of the following Officers:

Chairperson

Vice Chairperson

Secretary

Treasurer

Team Managers/ Coaches representative and/or Sporting Directors

                  Communication and Events Officer

                  Operations Manager

                  Fund Raising Officer

                  Six General Committee Members

                  Two Fan Representatives

                  Child Protection Officer

                  Well Being /Welfare Officer

b) As detailed above, all elected members of the management committee shall be entitled to one vote each at general Meetings (as members of the club) , except the Chair of the meeting who may have the deciding vote in the event of a tie.

c) The committee may co-opt any member to any unfilled post until the conclusion of the following AGM, providing that the number of co-optees shall not exceed one third of the total number of persons serving on the committee at that time.

d) The management committee may appoint any sub-committees it may deem necessary to deal with the matters of the club, until the conclusion of the following AGM. The proceedings of all such committees shall report to the management committee by a representative elected by that sub-committee.

The standing Disciplinary Appeals Committee will be elected at the AGM

e) sub-Committee`s will be mandated to focus on specific area`s: Finance, Youth Development, Community Engagement and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. Task forces shall address specific issues or projects. Membership of committees and task forces shall be determined by the Management Committee , ensuring representation from various strands

1. Rules For The Management Committee

a) The Chairperson shall chair the meeting, or in his/her absence one of either the President, Vice President or Secretary or a nominee from the committee in the event of all those mentioned being absent.

b) Seven days notice of any meeting of the management committee shall be given by the Secretary, except when:

i) The date of the meeting had been agreed at the previous management meeting, in which case a reminder shall be given.

ii) In an emergency the Chairperson may call a meeting at two days notice.

c) The quorum shall be three of those Officers entitled to vote, as listed at Rule 9a
d) All members of the management committee as listed at Rule 9. a) shall be entitled to vote.
e) All votes shall be determined by a simple majority. In the event of a tied vote, the Chair may exercise a casting vote.

f) Meetings shall be open to all members of the club via an invite.

g) Committee meetings may take place On line or face to face with an hybrid online option. All committee members must supply relevant contact details to participate

1. Finance

a) The income and property of the club, however derived, shall be applied solely towards the objectives of the club as set out in Rule 2, of this constitution.

b) The club shall have the power to raise money by means of yearly affiliation fees, fundraising , proposed match fees and donations as determined by the Management Committee or the Annual General Meeting.

c) All monies shall be lodged in a bank account in the name of the club.

d) The Chairperson, Treasurer and Chair shall be authorised signatories to sign cheques on behalf of the club, of which two signatories shall be needed.

e) The financial year of the club shall run from …1^st April to 31 March

f) Any purchase over £50 must be voted by the committee wither at a management meeting or an on line communication

12. Club Complaints Procedure

A clear and accessible complaints procedure exists to address grievances.

Complaints shall be handled confidentially and fairly, respecting all parties involved.

The complaints procedure shall be reviewed periodically to ensure effectiveness.

Discipline Procedures

Discipline procedures shall be implemented to address breaches of the club’s code of conduct.

Members of Disciplinary and Appeals Committee set out as above.

Disciplinary actions shall be fair and proportionate, upholding the club’s values.

The discipline procedures shall be communicated clearly to all members, ensuring awareness and accountability.

13. Amendments to the Constitution

This Constitution may only be amended by a proposal passed by a majority of members present and entitled to vote at an Annual or Extraordinary General Meeting.

1. The Dissolution of The Club

a) Any resolution to dissolve the club may be passed at any General Meeting provided that:

i)	the terms of the proposed resolution are received by the Secretary at least forty two days before the meeting at which the resolution is to be brought forward, and that
ii)	at least twenty eight days of the proposed resolution shall be given in writing by the secretary to all members, and that
iii)	such a resolution shall receive the assent of two thirds of those present and entitled to vote.

b) If, upon the winding up or dissolution of the Club there remains after the satisfaction of all the Club’s debts and liabilities any property whatsoever, the same shall be given or transferred to a local Charitable organisation or organisations having objects (that is, aims and activities) similar to the objects of the Club by Resolution passed at a General meeting at or before the time of the dissolution, and in so far as effect cannot be given to such provision then to some charitable objects.

15. Declaration

It is hereby certified that this document represents a true and most up to date version of the Constitution of

Inverness Thistle Football Club.

 

SIGNATURES

 

Chair Person	………Martin Mainland ………………………………………………………
Date	………………5/5/25………………………………………………
Secretary	……Robert Mcilwraith…………………………………………………………
Date	………………5/5/25………………………………………………