Name

The club will be called Hingham Badminton Club (“the club”) and will be affiliated to Badminton England for 2025 – 2026.

Aims & Objectives

The aims and objectives of the club will be:

• To offer playing, and enjoyment in badminton.
• To promote the club within the local community.
• To provide duty of care and protection to all club members.
• To make sure all club members are treated fairly and with respect both on and off the court.

Membership and Participation Policy

Membership of the Club shall be open to anyone interested in badminton, regardless of sex, age (above the minimum), disability, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, religion, or other beliefs.

Hingham Badminton Club is a social club catering to players with prior experience. At the 2024 AGM, it was agreed that the Club would no longer accept beginner-level players or those under the age of 16. As such, prospective members will be invited to participate in a three-week trial period to ensure mutual suitability. Upon completion of this trial, individuals may be enrolled as a ‘Member’ following approval by the Committee, or by designated Club representatives in cases where the full Committee is unavailable.

Existing members who regularly attend Wednesday sessions (as determined by the Committee) and those serving on the Committee will be granted the status of ‘Full Member’. Full Members are eligible to vote on changes to the Club and will collectively be referred to as ‘The Membership’.

The Committee reserves the right to review and, where deemed necessary, restrict participation in Hingham Badminton Club activities by individuals who are actively involved in the organisation, management, or promotion of competing badminton clubs within Hingham. This measure is intended to safeguard the long-term sustainability, membership engagement, and community spirit of the Club. Any such decision will be made objectively and in the best interests of Hingham Badminton Club and its members.

All members will be subject to the regulations of the Constitution, and by joining the Club, will be deemed to have accepted these regulations and any codes of practice adopted by the Club.

Membership Fees

Membership fees will be set annually and agreed by the committee at the Annual General Meeting.

The fees for the year 2025 – 2026 will be £6 per night for 2hrs Badminton from Wednesday  7:30pm – 9:30pm there is no discount for those attending shortened sessions.  We have committed to using the Spond booking system to take payments automatically. 

It was agreed that the continued arrangement for any new person attending their first session would be offered one free session, this agreement continues for this year.

Officers of the club (The Committee)

The committee (as voted in at the 2025 AGM) of the club for 2025 – 2026 will be:

• Chairperson – John Lamb
• Secretary – Gerald Day
• Treasurer – Deven Changela

These officers will be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting, All officers will effectively retire each year but will be eligible for re-appointment, it is recommended that officers only complete 5 consecutive terms of office.

Club Management Committee

Members of the committee have the rights to amend and change policy, codes of practice and rules that affect the organisation of the club as they see fit and these changes will be voted by the current committee only.

Should members have suggestions of things to change with regards to the club they should be communicated via the secretary in the first instance and followed up to the chairman if no response, the secretary will bring all queries and requests to the current committee for discussion.

The committee will have powers to appoint sub-committees and working groups as necessary and appoint advisers to the committee as required to fulfill its business.

The committee will be responsible for disciplinary hearings of members who infringe the club rules/regulations/constitution.  The committee will be responsible for taking any action of suspension or discipline following such hearings which will be conducted in accordance with the Badminton England Disciplinary Regulations.

Club Policies

The club adopts the following policies and Codes of Conduct (Appendix 1):

• Badminton England Equality Policy.
• Badminton England Safeguarding & Protecting Young People policy.
• Badminton England Codes of conduct for players, coaches, volunteers, officials and parents.
• Code of conduct for young people.

Conflicts of Interest

The Committee recognises its responsibility to manage potential conflicts of interest, including situations where members or Committee members attend or establish other badminton clubs. While Hingham Badminton Club supports members participating in other clubs outside of Hingham, the formation of new badminton clubs within Hingham may be viewed as a potential conflict of interest, particularly where it could negatively impact the Club’s membership or operations. In such cases, the Committee reserves the right to review and make decisions in the best interest of Hingham Badminton Club and its members.  The committee through the Chair and Secretary agree to administering a register of interests for all committee members and executive committee members and recording potential conflicts as and when they arise.

Finances

All club monies will be banked in an account held in the name of the club.

The committee will be responsible for the finances of the club which will be managed by the Treasurer.

The financial year of the club will end on: 31st March 2026

Any cheques drawn against club funds will hold the signatures of the Treasurer plus up to two other officers.   Where online payments are made, arrangements should be such that another committee member is aware of and agrees the transactions.

An audited statement of annual accounts will be presented by the Treasurer at the Annual General Meeting.

Audited accounts should be reviewed by an external, independent examiner.  The examiner should not be influenced, or perceived to be influenced, by either close personal relationships with the trustees of the club or by day to day involvement in the administration of the club being examined.

It may be appropriate for the club to seek an auditor from another club or county.

Annual General Meeting & Other Meetings

Notice of Annual General Meetings will be given by the Club Secretary. Not less than 21 clear days’ notice to be given to all members. The notice of AGM will be communicated via the club communication methods and if necessary a direct communication (letter or email) to all voting members.

The AGM will receive a report from officers of the committee and a statement of the annual accounts.

Nominations for officers of the committee will be sent to the Secretary prior to the AGM.

Elections of officers are to take place at the AGM.

All members of ‘The Membership’ have the right to vote at the AGM, other members can attend the AGM but cannot vote on changes.

The quorum for AGMs will be 25% of ‘The Membership’.

The committee has the right to call Extraordinary General Meetings (EGMs) outside the AGM. Procedures for EGMs will be the same as for the AGM.

Members of the Club also have the right to call an Extraordinary General Meeting, which must be called for by at least 50% of ‘The Membership’ and communicated with 21 days’ notice.

Safeguarding & young people

All concerns, allegations or reports of poor practice/abuse/ offensive language or aggressive attitude relating to the welfare of children and young people will be recorded and responded to swiftly and appropriately in accordance with Badminton England’s Safeguarding policy and procedures.

The Chairperson is the lead contact for all members in the event of any child protection concerns.

Disciplinary & Appeals

All complaints regarding the behavior of members should be presented and submitted in writing to the Secretary or nominated Disciplinary Officer.

The club will work to best practice in dealing with disciplinary issues as laid down in the Badminton England Disciplinary Regulations.

Dissolution

A resolution to dissolve the club can only be passed at an AGM or EGM through a majority vote of the membership.

In the event of dissolution, any assets of the club that remain will become the property of Badminton England or some other badminton club with similar objectives to those of the club.

Amendments to the constitution

Amendments to the Constitution may be proposed and agreed upon through a majority vote. Such amendments may be voted on by the Committee, or by the Full Members, as deemed appropriate by the Committee. In cases where Full Members vote on amendments, a majority vote of those present at a general meeting shall be required.

Declaration

Hingham Badminton Club hereby adopts and accepts this constitution as a current operating guide regulating the actions of members.

John Lamb (Chair)

Gerald Day (Secretary)

Deven Changela  (Treasurer)