Introduction

1. The Association’s name is the Great Britain Precision Rifle Association (GBPRA) or such other name as the Committee may decide.

Administration

2. Subject to the matters set out below, the Association and its property shall be administered and managed in accordance with this constitution, by the nominated members of the Committee as described within clause 7.

3. The GBPRA is an incorporated entity in the UK as the Great Britain Precision Rifle Association CIC, Company Registration number 13956833 (the Company). At all times, where there are any discrepancies between this Constitution and the Articles of Association of the Company, as may be amended from time to time, the Articles of Association will take precedent.

Aims

4. Primary objective. To encourage and facilitate the development and participation in the sport of
Precision Rifle Shooting in the UK.

5. Secondary objective. Our secondary objectives are as follows:

• a. To organise and facilitate representatives of the UK at international precision rifle events.
• b. To liaise with UK and International stake holders on the conduct of precision rifle
• c. To promote safe and fair practices within UK precision rifles events.

Powers

6. In furtherance of the objectives but not otherwise, the Committee may exercise the following powers:

• a. Power to raise funds and to invite to receive contributions; provided that in raising funds, the Committee shall not undertake any substantial permanent trading activities and shall conform to any relevant requirements of the law.
• b. Power to purchase, take on lease or exchange any property necessary for the achievement of the objects and to maintain the Associations assets/equipment.
• c. Power subject to any consents required by law to sell, lease or dispose of all or any part of the property of the Association.
• d. Power to employ such staff as are necessary for the proper pursuit of the Association’s objectives.
• e. Power to co-operate with other associations, voluntary bodies, and statutory authorities engaged in furtherance of the Association’s objectives and to exchange information and advice.
• f. Power to support any charitable trusts, associations or institutions formed for achieving all or any of the objectives.
• g. Power to charge any fee the Committee may deem reasonable for membership, attendance to range days or Association events.
• h. Power to participate in all such lawful things that are a necessary requirement for the achievement of the objectives.

Membership

7. Association membership shall be open to any individual who is interested in furthering the objectives of the Association and who have paid the annual subscription as a fixed yearly fee which is set by the Committee.

• a. The Committee may terminate the membership of any individual by a unanimous vote, for anything that may be deemed contrary to the aims or the Association. They must state the reason to the member in question upon termination of their membership.
• b. The Committee may create any class of member which they deem necessary and may determine what benefits or rights such members may have.
• c. The Committee may decide in the Association bylaws any procedures for the introduction of prospective new members to the Association.
• d. Any member who fails to pay any relevant subscription by their due date will automatically cease to be a member of the Association with effect from that date.
• e. Any member whose membership is terminated voluntarily or by 7(a) of this constitution shall not be entitled to any refund of membership subscription or other charges which may have been paid, and will remain liable for any subscription, fees or charges which may at the date of termination be due and owing to the Association.

The executive Committee

8. The Committee shall consist of no less than three members: a Chair, a Treasurer, and a Secretary.

• a. All members of the Committee must be current full members of the Association.
• b. No person shall be appointed as a member of the Committee who is under 18 or who would if appointed be disqualified under the provisions of article 8.
• c. No person shall be appointed as a member of the Committee unless they are willing, able and fit to be appointed as a Director of the Company. Any individuals who may be barred from holding such a position shall not be eligible for appointment to the Committee.
• d. No person shall be entitled to act as a member of the Committee whether on a first or any subsequent entry into office until after the signing and acceptance of the constitution.
• e. Once elected, Committee members will remain in position for a period of two years from the AGM at which they were elected, at which stage, their position will be included for election at the appropriate AGM. Any committee members may stand down from their position on unanimous agreement of the Committee, subject to providing a notice period of three months.
• f. To ensure good governance of the Company not all committee positions may be up for election at a single AGM
• g. The Committee may decide to create any new Committee position they deem necessary by a majority vote of the other members of the Committee at which time an election is to be held for said position.

Determination of membership of the Committee

9. A member of the Committee shall cease to hold office if they:

• a. Cease to be a full member of the Association.
• b. Becomes incapable by reason of mental disorder, illness, injury, or to manage and administer their own affairs.
• c. Is absent without permission from the Committee without just cause for a period of six months. The Committee can, therefore, decide by majority vote that the responsibilities of their position be removed.
• d. Provides the Committee notice that they wish to resign with effect from a date at least three months after the date of the notice.
• e. Is convicted of any serious criminal offence.
• f. Any member standing for election as member of the Committee must be seconded by one other member and must give notice to the Secretary not less than seven days before the relevant meeting.

Vote of no confidence

10. Members of the association may call a vote of no confidence in members of the committee

• a. In order for a vote of no confidence to be called at least 20% of the membership must request it in writing
• b. Once enough members have called for a vote, the whole membership will be informed and one month allowed for all parties to make their cases known and for a voting medium to be created.
• c. On the day of the one month elapsing if a majority of the membership has voted in favour of the vote of no confidence the motion is considered passed and the committee member in question is to step down, an election for his position to be held at the earliest opportunity.

Committee members shall not be personally interested

11. No member of the Committee shall acquire any interest in property belonging to the Association, other than as a trustee for the Association, or receive remuneration or be interested, other than as a member of the Committee, in any contract entered into by the Committee.

12. Any member of the Committee who has a conflict of interest on any item of discussion or decision making of the Committee must disclose such conflict to the Secretary prior to the beginning of any such discussion or vote. Should the interest be pecuniary, then said member will be excluded from taking part in any discussion or vote. Should any interest be non-pecuniary, as determined by the Secretary, then it will be at the discretion of the Secretary as to the extent of their participation.

Meetings and proceedings of the Committee

13. The Committee shall hold at least one governing meeting each year.

• a. A specialist meeting may be called at any time by the Chair. No less than seven days’ notice must be given to the other members of the Committee. All notices must be given in writing; however, the meeting may be conducted via video conferencing.
• b. The Chair of the Association will lead the Committee during the meetings. If the Chair is absent from any meeting, then the vice-Chair will lead the meeting, if one is in office. If neither are present, before any other business is transacted, the persons present shall appoint a Chair of the meeting.
• c. The Secretary, as the Company Secretary of the Company, shall be the responsible officer for ensuring compliance with the Articles of Association, this Constitution and any other laws, bylaws, regulations or policies applicable to the Association during any meeting.
• d. There shall be at least three members of the Committee present to be considered quorate. e. The Secretary will record the minutes and all decisions made at all Committee meetings.
• f. The Committee may make alterations to the bylaws of the Association by a majority vote of said Committee.
• g. The Committee may appoint one or more advisory or sub-Committee members consisting of three or more Association members, for the purpose of making any enquiry or supervising or performing any function or duty which is deemed as a necessary requirement; provided that all acts and proceedings of any sub-committee shall be fully and properly reported to the Committee.
• h. The Committee shall always ensure that the Association complies with all legal requirements, for the conduct of any activities undertaken.
• i. Any member may address a meeting of the Committee in person upon written application to the Secretary. The Committee shall hear the member at its next meeting provided that the application is received by the Secretary at least seven days prior to that meeting.
• j. Any member may make written representations to the Committee upon any matter relevant to the management of the Association. Such representations shall be addressed to the Secretary who will place them before the Committee at its next meeting. Such representations must be received by the Secretary at least 7 days prior to the meeting at which they are to be considered.
• k. Any Committee member who is unable to attend a Committee meeting shall be entitled to lodge a proxy vote with the Chair so long as the proxy is confirmed in writing to the Secretary at least one day prior to the date of the relevant meeting.

Receipts and Expenditure

14. The funds of the Association, including all donations, contributions, and bequests, shall be paid for into an account operated by the Committee in the name of the Association managed by the Treasurer.

• a. The Committee shall ensure that the Association has the benefit of appropriate and adequate insurance in respect of all relevant risks.
• b. Any member receiving any money on behalf of the Association must as soon as possible pass said funds to the Treasurer.
• c. Any member shall be entitled to payment of expenses incurred on behalf of the Association by the Association only upon approval from the Committee prior to the expense being incurred, and only upon receipt of documented evidence of the expense incurred. Any expense over [£100] must be voted on and approved by the Committee.

15. The Committee shall ensure that the Association has the benefit of appropriate and adequate insurance in respect of all relevant risks.

Property

16. The Committee shall claim title to:

• a. All land held by or in trust for the Association.
• b. All investments held by or on behalf of the Association.
• c. All assets of the Association other than land and investments are to be vested in not less than three individuals appointed by the Committee as holding trustees. Holding trustees may be removed by the Committee at their pleasure and shall act in accordance with the lawful directions of the Committee. Provided that they act only in accordance with the lawful directions of the Committee, the holding trustees shall not be liable for acts and defaults of its members.
• d. If a corporation entitled to act as a custodian trustee has not been appointed to hold the property of the Association, the Committee may permit any investments held by or in trust for the Association to be held in the name of a clearing bank, trust corporation or any stockbroking company which is a member of the international stock exchange as nominee of the Committee, and may pay such nominee reasonable and proper remuneration for acting as such.
  
  

Annual general meeting

17. Unless there are significant extenuating circumstances, there shall be an annual general meeting of the Association to be held each year within two months of the end of the Association’s financial year or as soon after as is practicable.

• a. Every annual general meeting shall be called by the Committee.
• b. The Secretary shall give at least twenty one days’ notice of the annual general meeting in writing to all the members of the Association.
• c. All full members of the Association shall be entitled to attend and vote at the meeting.
• d. The current Chair of the Association shall be the Chair of each annual and extraordinary general meeting, but if he is not present, then the Vice Chair will lead the meeting.
• e. The Committee shall present to each annual general meeting the report and accounts of the Association for the preceding financial year.
• f. The Committee will present any item of business or resolution notified in writing to the Secretary by any member not later than two weeks before the date of the annual general meeting. Before any such item is placed on the agenda for discussion it must be proposed as an item for inclusion on the agenda for the annual general meeting by at least two members of the Association.
• g. The Secretary will ensure the membership are able to read over all items to be presented at a general meeting at least one week before the date of said meeting.

Procedure at a General Meeting

19. The Secretary or other person specially appointed by the Committee shall keep a full record of proceedings at every general meeting of the Association.

• a. There shall be a quorum when at least 20% of members of the Association or 50 members of the Association, whichever is less, are present at any general meeting.
• b. No general meeting may be considered such without the presence of a quorum.
• c. Should a meeting not proceed due to not being quorate, then the meeting shall be rescheduled as soon as practicably possible, giving at least a further 14 days notice to members.

Notices

20. Any notice required to be served on any member of the Association shall be in writing and shall be served by the Secretary or the Committee on such member, either personally, by sending it through the post in a prepaid letter addressed to the member at his or her recorded address in the United Kingdom or by electronic means; any letter sent shall be deemed to have been received within 10 days of posting.

Voting

21. Every member shall have one vote on any resolution on which they are entitled to vote.

• a. Every resolution shall be decided by a majority of votes by those present and entitled to vote.
• b. If in the case of a tied vote, the Chair of the meeting shall have a second and casting vote.
• c. Voting methods may include electronic media and use of pre-defined proxy.

The Constitution

22. The constitution may be altered by a resolution supported by not less than two thirds of the Committee.

23. All members shall be provided with a copy of the constitution and byelaws.

• a. In accepting membership of the Association members confirm acceptance of the constitution and byelaws and will be bound by them.

Discipline

24. It is the responsibility of all members to inform the Committee of any conduct by any member of the Association that is illegal, unsafe, dishonest or discreditable.

25. Such reports must be made to the Secretary or Vice Chair at the earliest opportunity.

26. The Secretary shall convene a meeting of the Committee, to consider the matter not later than fourteen days after notification of the incident.

• a. The Vice Chair or if said position does not exist the secretary shall in the intervening period obtain statements in writing from both the accused and the accuser, and if necessary, from any witness(es), and will lay those statements before the Committee when it meets.
• b. The Committee, having examined the evidence, may decide:
  
  
  • (1) That there is no case to answer in which case the accuser and accused will be informed by the Secretary that the matter is closed.
  • (2) That there is a case to answer in which case the matter shall be the subject of a disciplinary hearing.
    
    
• c. If there is a case to answer a Disciplinary Committee comprising all available members of the Committee shall conduct the disciplinary hearing within 28 days.
  
  
  • (1) All parties to the incident may attend in person, and the accused may have with him a friend or advisor.
  • (2) The Disciplinary Committee will consider all written evidence as well as oral submissions when reaching their decision.
  • (3) If the Disciplinary Committee decides that the allegation has not been proved it shall declare formally that the matter is closed. The accused shall be entitled to ask for notice to that effect to be given to members, and if they do so such notice must be given within 7 days of the decision being made.
  • (4) If it decides that the allegation has been proved, the Disciplinary Committee may impose one or more of the following penalties:
    
    
    • (i) A verbal warning.
    • (ii) A written reprimand to remain in effect for a fixed period of time dictated by the Disciplinary Committee.
    • (iii) Suspension of all membership rights for a fixed period of time dictated by the Disciplinary Committee.
    • (iv) Immediate termination of membership of the Association.
      
      

• • (5) If a member receives 2 verbal warnings within 12 months, they will be moved onto a written reprimand
  • (6) If whilst still in the written reprimand period, the member again is subject to another penalty from the Disciplinary Committee, they will be moved onto a suspension.
  • (7) All proceedings of the Disciplinary Committee shall be fully minuted.
  • (8) Any person who disputes any decision, whether as to liability or penalty by the Disciplinary Committee, may appeal against that decision by serving notice to the Secretary within 7 days a notice of appeal.
  • (9) Upon receipt of such a notice of appeal the Secretary will invoke the procedure set out in the constitution and/or byelaws for the purposes of calling an extraordinary general meeting of the members of the Association to hear the appeal.
  • (10) The appeal shall take the form of a re-hearing to be voted on by the membership. (11) The person who is the subject of the disciplinary action shall not be entitled to vote on any aspect of the disciplinary action against him.
    
    
• d. All decisions on disciplinary matters by the Committee, the Disciplinary Committee and the members in extraordinary general meeting shall be reached by means of a vote by those attending and eligible to vote. A simple majority will decide the issue and if necessary, the Chair shall have a second or casting vote.
  
  

26. The Committee shall report to each annual general meeting any penalty imposed on any person as a result of disciplinary action by the Association since the last annual general meeting.

Equality and Diversity

27. The Association will abide by the Equality Act 2010 and any other relevant regulations in any UK jurisdiction, Jersey, Guernsey and the isle of Man that are relevant to the Association

28. The Association is responsible for ensuring that no members, volunteers, or affiliated organisations are unlawfully discriminated against due to any protected characteristic.

a. The Association will endeavour to ensure that all members are given the same opportunities regardless of background.

b. The Association will encourage all precision rifle stakeholders to adopt and demonstrate their commitment to the principles and practice of the equality and diversity policy set out in the constitution.

c. If appropriate and proportionate the Association will consider positive action to assist any group with a protected characteristic which is currently underrepresented within precision rifle.

Anti-Doping

29. The Association believes in clean sport and will work with all stakeholders, nationally and internationally to ensure the highest levels of integrity are maintained.

30. The Association will conform to all anti-doping rules set out by the International Precision Rifle Federation and ensure that all UK stakeholders are upheld to those standards.

a. The Association may where practicable and relevant, at the discretion of the Committee, require any member to take a drugs test.

b. Anyone found to be abusing performance enhancing substances or methods will be referred to the disciplinary Committee.

Child Safeguarding

31. The Association encourages the participation of under 18s.

32. The Association will ensure that that the dignity and rights of its members are respected at all times and that all stakeholders remain in line with the requirements of UK law.

33. The Association will ensure the followings procedures are in place to support our intention to safeguard children:

a. Procedure for the safe recruitment and selection of workers and volunteers to work with children.

b. Procedure for provision of and access to child safeguarding training and information, including the identification of the occurrence of harm.

c. Procedure for the reporting of child protection and welfare concerns to the appropriate bodies be they local or national.

d. Procedure for the management of allegation of abuse or misconduct against volunteers/workers of a child availing of our service.

e. Procedure for appointing a relevant person for the purposes of the implementation of this child safeguarding statement.

Complaints

34. The complaints procedure consists of three stages:

a. A member raising a complaint must as a minimum raise it to the Vice Chair if one exists and if practicable to both the Secretary and Vice Chair either in writing or verbally:

(i) Stage 1 – Complaint is referred to the Vice Chair who will seek to resolve the complaint informally.

(ii) Stage 2 – if the member remains dissatisfied the complaint will be referred to the Chair who will then seek to resolve it informally.

(iii) Stage 3 – If the member is still dissatisfied the complaint will be referred by the Committee to three Committee members who are not involved, who will consider the complaint formally and make a written recommendation to the Committee. The Committee then make the final decision.

(1) The complainant and any other members involved will be advised of the Committee ’s final decision in writing, within fourteen days of the relevant Committee meeting.

(2) No appeal is allowed against the Committee ’s final decision.

Dissolution

28. If the Committee decides that it is necessary or advisable to dissolve the GBPRA it shall call a meeting of all Association members, of which not less than 21 days’ notice shall be given by the Secretary. If the proposal is supported by two thirds of those present and voting the Committee shall have power to release any assets held by or on behalf of the GBPRA to any Association, they agree best aligns with the aims and objectives of the Association.