York Hearts came into being in the summer of 2006, and was officially formed as a supporters club in October of that year. It is one of the fastest-growing Hearts supporters clubs in the country, with 32 members joining in the first season alone. Membership now is around 50. The club is affiliated to the Federation of Hearts Supporters Clubs. We run a bus to Tynecastle once a month, and meet in the White Horse, Bootham, for any live televised matches. We also run a variety of social events, such as poker evenings, trips to the pub, or meals out. York Hearts also has a 6-A-Side team, which plays in the Football Mundial Championship league at Huntington on Tuesdays, and a 7-A-Side team which participates in the PlayFootball league at Clifton Moor on Thursdays. For further information on the club, email yorkhearts@yahoo.co.uk or phone 07791 626238.
YORK HEARTS SUPPORTERS CLUB CONSTITUTION
1
(a) The title will be the York Hearts Supporters Club, hereinafter referred to as the Club.
(b) The Club will be affiliated to the Federation of Hearts Supporters Clubs.
2 The objects of the Club will be:
(a) To promote the interests of Heart of Midlothian Football Club.
(b) To provide travel arrangements for Club members to selected fixtures.
(c) To promote the interests of the Club’s members.
(d) To gain benefits for the Club’s members by using the strength of The Federation of Hearts Supporters Clubs.
(e) To foster a family atmosphere within the Club.
(f) To maintain funds for these objectives.
3 The Club will be non-political and non-sectarian.
4
(a) The Club will have a maximum of 100 members.
(b) The Club defines Junior membership as follows: Any member below the age of 16 or aged 16-18 and still at school, at the beginning of the Club’s financial year.
5 Club meetings will be held at the discretion of the Committee. They may also be called at the request of 10% or more of the Full Members, or by 10% or more of the total membership.
6 Membership and renewal fees will be fixed at the Annual General Meeting (AGM)
7
(a) Membership lasts for one year, before being due for renewal.
(b) A member’s renewal is due 12 months after the date on which that member joined the Club, and every 12 months thereafter.
(c) For each member, the month in which he/she joined the Club, and therefore in which their membership is due for renewal, is indicated on their membership card.
(d) A member not having renewed their membership, and travelling on a Club bus, will pay the rate for non-members.
(e) Anyone whose membership lapses will be required to apply to rejoin the Club.
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(a) The AGM will be held once a year, no fewer than 11 months and no more than 13 months after the date of the previous AGM.
(b) The AGM will receive and consider a report and a statement of accounts for the past year.
(c) The AGM will consider nominations for the Executive Committee consisting of a Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, and also one Ordinary Committee member. These appointments must be ratified at the Annual General Meeting.
(d) All motions and nominations may be submitted in writing to the secretary prior to the AGM, or may be proposed at the AGM in person.
(e) Ordinary motions require the support of a majority of those present to be passed. Motions dealing with amendments to the Club constitution require a two-thirds majority of those present and voting.
(f) Changes to the Club constitution can be made only at the AGM.
(g) The Committee will have the power, at their discretion, to co-opt a Club member onto the Committee to assist in the running of the Club.
9
(a) The Treasurer will take charge of the Club’s funds, which will be paid to the credit of the Club’s bank account. All monies received on behalf of the Club will be paid to the Treasurer. Payments will, as often as possible, be made by cheque drawn on the Club’s bank account and signed by any two of the three committee members: the Treasurer, the Secretary and/or the Chairman.
(b) The accounts of the Club will be audited at least once a year.
10 The Executive Committee have the discretion to discipline members for any cases of misconduct, this could include expulsion from the Club.
11 The Committee has the right to refuse admission to the Club where just causes can be demonstrated.
12 Byelaws may be ratified or rescinded only at the AGM or at a Special General Meeting (SGM) called for that purpose.
13
(a) A SGM may be called by the Executive or by 10 members, with a minimum of 7 days notice.
(b) All members must be notified of the reason for calling a SGM, as well as the venue, time and date. This must be done in writing, not less than 4 days before the meeting.
(c) Only items specified in 14(b) may be voted on at a SGM.
14 For any decisions made at an AGM or Special General Meeting to be valid, at least 10% of the Full members, or 10% of the total membership must be present.
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(a) The Club funds will be the sole property of all the Club’s members.
(b) All debts are joint and several on all the Club’s members over the age of sixteen.
(c) In the event of dissolution, a Special General Meeting will be called to settle the financial affairs of the Club and the distribution of its assets.
The original constitution was approved by the Club’s founding committee, at the White Horse Hotel, in Bootham, York on the 29th day of October, 2006, in the presence of the undersigned committee members:
Ian Warner (chairman) Gavin Aitchison (secretary) Sam Outing (treasurer)
An amended version was agreed at the Club’s 1st AGM, at the Seahorse Hotel, in Fawcett Street, York, on the 5th day of October, 2007. Following a further amendment, this version was agreed at the Club’s 2nd AGM, at the Seahorse Hotel, in Fawcett Street, York, on the 14th day of November, 2008.