Constitution
CONSTITUTION of THE MUNSTER BRANCH of THE IRISH HOCKEY ASSOCIATION (As amended at a General Meeting of the Branch on 19th September 20110.)
1. TITLE
The governing body for hockey in Munster shall be called the Munster Branch (hereinafter referred to as the "Branch") of the Irish Hockey Association. The constitution of the Branch shall be in accordance with the Constitution and Rules of the Irish Hockey Association
2. OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the Branch shall be:
a) to encourage, promote, develop, manage and control all hockey in Munster;
b) to administer the funds of the Branch;
c) to appoint employee(s) and/or contractors for the efficient administration of the objectives of the Branch;
d) to make, maintain and publish rules and regulations for the proper running of the Branch;
e) to do all such other things as may be necessary or conducive for the attainment of the above objectives.
3. MEMBERSHIP
a) (i) Membership of the Branch shall be open to any club or school or third level college situated in Munster or traditionally affiliated to the former Munster Branches wishing to participate in the game of hockey and any such club or school or third level college shall agree to be bound by the Constitution of the Branch.
(ii) The decision to grant membership shall be taken at the Annual General Meeting on the recommendation of The Management Committee. Notice of such recommendation for membership shall appear on the agenda of that AGM for approval. A club or school or third level college wishing to become a member of the Branch must complete the formal application to The Management Committee who can approve membership subject to ratification at the following AGM.
b) Membership shall be by affiliation as defined in Article 5.
c) Any club or school or third level college which is a member of the Branch shall not play in any fixture against another club or school or third level college without prior permission of The Management Committee unless that club or school or third level college is also a member of the Branch or a member the Irish Hockey Association.
4. HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS
Honorary Life Membership of the Branch may be conferred on a person whose services to the Branch are such that entitle that person to that distinction. Nominations shall be proposed at the Management Committee meeting immediately prior to the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and notice of such nominations shall appear on the agenda of that AGM for ratification.
5. AFFILIATION FEES
a) Each club or school or third level college shall pay annually to the Branch such Branch affiliation fees as may be determined at the AGM.
b) The Branch shall, on behalf of the Irish Hockey Association, collect IHA affiliation fees from each club or school or third level college as determined by the IHA.
c) The amount of all such affiliation fees shall be forwarded to the Honorary Treasurer not later than the 1st of November in each year.
d) The Management Committee shall have the power to discipline and/or fine any club or school or third level college for late payment.
6. TRUSTEES
a) The Branch shall have no more than four (4) Trustees. The Trustees shall be deemed to be Trustees within the meaning of the Trustees Acts 1893 as amended.
b) The Trustees, on nomination by the Management Committee, shall be appointed by resolution on notice and supported by not less than two thirds of those present, entitled to vote and voting at a general meeting.
c) Trustees shall hold office until reaching 70 years, subject to the provision in Article 6 (g) below.
d) The property of the Branch shall be vested in the Trustees who shall deal with the property and assets of the Branch as directed by resolution of the Annual General Meeting. The Trustees, in carrying out such duties, shall be indemnified by the Branch.
e) The Trustees, with the sanction of the Management Committee, shall have the right to sell, lease, or otherwise acquire land, buildings or other real or personal property or interest therein, in trust for the Branch and to borrow or raise money on the security on any land, buildings or property so acquired provided always that such decisions shall be passed by a two thirds majority at a general meeting. The Trustees, in carrying out such duties, shall be indemnified by the Branch.
f) A Trustee, on giving notice to the Honorary Secretary of the Branch, shall be entitled to attend and speak at any meeting of the Management Committee only in relation to his/her responsibilities as a Trustee but in such capacity shall not be entitled to vote. Trustees shall be entitled to receive all agendae, notices and minutes of the Management Committee meetings.
g) The Branch shall have power by resolution on notice, and supported by not less than two thirds of those present, entitled to vote and voting at a general meeting, to remove from such office any Trustee if the Management Committee, in its absolute discretion shall consider it either necessary or desirable in the interest of the Branch to so do.
h) If a vacancy shall occur in the number of Trustees by removal, resignation or death the number of Trustees shall be restored to four (4) at the next General Meeting.
i) The surviving or continuing Trustees shall have power to act notwithstanding any casual vacancy or vacancies in the number of Trustees.
7. OFFICERS
a) The Officers of the Branch shall be the President, Vice President, Junior Vice-President, Chair of the Management Committee, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer, Public Relations Officer.
b) The President and Vice President with each position being occupied by persons of the opposite gender shall each be elected for one year at the Annual General Meeting and each shall be eligible for re election up to a maximum of two consecutive years, after which the person shall not fill that office for a minimum period of eleven months.
c) Other Officers shall be elected for one year at the AGM and shall be eligible for re-election for further one year periods to a maximum of five consecutive years, after which the person shall not fill that office for a minimum period of eleven months.
d) The President shall represent the Branch and in his/her absence the Vice President shall represent the Branch. In the absence of both the President and the Vice President the Junior Vice President shall represent the Branch.
e) Any vacancy arising amongst the Officers of the Branch shall be filled as soon as may be practical by an appointment by the Management Committee and the person so appointed shall hold office until the next AGM.
f) The Branch shall indemnify each of its Officers, officials and employees, when acting in good faith, against claims by third parties for liabilities arising out of their official duties for, or on behalf of, the Branch.
8. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
a) The Branch shall be governed by the Management Committee. The Management Committee shall consist of twelve (12) members as follows:
· Chairperson,
· Honorary Secretary,
· Honorary Treasurer,
· Public Relations Officer,
· The Chairpersons of the following Standing Committees:
Coaching, Development & Marketing, Fixtures, Schools, The Chairperson of Clubs Representatives, The Chairperson of the Umpires Association In the absence of the Hon. Treasurer, the Assistant Honorary Treasurer may attend the Management Committee meetings with full voting rights. The President and the Vice President shall be ex officio members of the Management Committee. In the absence of the President or Vice President the Junior Vice President may attend the meeting. The Committee shall elect its own Vice-Chairperson at the first meeting after the AGM.
b) Each Standing Committee, Clubs' Representative Committee and affiliated Association shall be entitled to send a substitute to attend a meeting of the Management Committee in the absence of the specified representative. Such substitute(s) shall be eligible to vote.
c) The Chairperson of the Management Committee shall be elected for one year at the AGM and shall be eligible for re election for further one-year periods to a maximum of five (5) consecutive years, after which the person shall not fill that office for a minimum period of eleven months.
9. MEETINGS OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
a) The Management Committee shall hold at least six (6) meetings in each year.
b) The Chairperson shall chair the Management Committee Meetings and in his/her absence the Vice-Chairperson shall chair the Meetings. In the absence of both, a chairperson shall be elected from those present and entitled to vote.
c) The Management Committee shall have the power to fill any vacancy arising on the Management Committee during the year.
I. A special Meeting of the Management Committee shall be held when a request is made in writing to the Honorary Secretary by a majority of the Officers of the Branch outlining the purpose of the proposed meeting. The meeting must be held within seven (7) days of the making of the request, with at least three days notice given to all entitled to receive same.
II. A special Meeting of the Management Committee shall also be held when a request is made in writing to the Honorary Secretary by any three affiliated clubs, schools or third level colleges or a combination of same. Any such request by the latter, shall express the purpose of the proposed meeting and, upon receipt of the request plus a fee of one hundred Euros (€ 100), the Honorary Secretary shall immediately call a Special Meeting of the Management Committee. The meeting has to take place within fourteen (14) days of the making of the request, with at least seven days notice given to all entitled to receive same.
III. In the notice of any special meeting of the Management Committee, the Honorary Secretary shall specify the date, time and place of the meeting and the agenda for the meeting.
d) The quorum for meetings of the Management Committee shall be a fifty percent (50%) plus one of the members entitled to vote.
e) Every resolution validly proposed and seconded at Management Committee meetings shall be decided by a simple majority of votes of those present, entitled to vote and voting. Except as provided in (f) below, no person shall cast more than one vote.
f) In the case of equality of votes, the Chairperson of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote.
10. EMERGENCY COMMITTEE
a) There shall be a committee of the Branch known as the Emergency Committee which shall consist of the Chairperson of the Management Committee, Hon. Secretary, Honorary Treasurer, Chairperson of the Fixtures' Committee and the Chairperson of the Clubs' Representative Committee. The President shall be an ex officio member of the Emergency Committee.
b) The Emergency Committee shall meet formally and shall have the power to transact urgent business on behalf of the Branch Management Committee between meetings but shall not have any greater powers than those vested in the Branch Management Committee.
c) The Management Committee may, by a two-thirds majority vote, decide to vary or rescind decisions by the Emergency Committee.
d) Notice required for a meeting of the Emergency Committee shall be at least 24 hours and the quorum shall be three.
11. ADJOURNMENT OF MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEETINGS
The Chairperson of a meeting may with the consent of a simple majority of those present, entitled to vote and actually voting, adjourn such meeting from time to time and from place to place.
12. POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
a) Subject to the overall authority of a General Meeting, the Management Committee shall be the executive authority of the Branch in all matters The role shall include, but shall not be limited to:-
I. Defining policy and development plans and ensuring they are carried out;
II. Appointing and removing members of the Standing Committees and Framing and amending the Standing Committee Rules;
III. Keeping the financial position of the Branch under constant review and approving and monitoring budgets as submitted by the Finance Committee;
IV. Appointing or nominating members to represent the Branch at Irish Hockey Association Meetings and also on relevant outside bodies;
V. Filling vacancies in, and removing members from, Branch Management Teams:
VI. Nominating Trustees for appointment by General Meetings;
VII. Appointing staff as required and managing the employees of the Branch, including the provision of day to day guidance;
VIII. Nominating Honorary Life Members as provided for in Section 4;
IX. Appointing sub committees and other working groups as appropriate;
X. Deciding upon matters not specifically covered in these Rules and Constitution;
XI. Appointing such Disciplinary and Appeals Tribunals as may be required;
b) and (xii) Framing and amending the Branch Competition Rules.
c) The Munster Hockey Umpires Association is responsible and subject to the overall authority of the Management Committee of the Branch.
13. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING The Branch shall hold an AGM each year at a time and place to be fixed by Management Committee taking into account the date of the AGM of the IHA. At this Meeting the following business shall be transacted:
I. Apologies;
II. Confirmation of the Minutes of the previous AGM;
III. Matters arising;
IV. Honorary Secretary's Report (to include the Reports from the Schools, Fixtures Secretaries, Umpires and Coaching Standing Committees.);
V. Honorary Treasurer's Report with Accounts prepared and reviewed by an accountancy firm;
VI. Roll Call;
VII. Proposals;
VIII. Election of Officers;
· President
· Vice President
· Junior Vice President
· Chairperson of Management Committee
· Honorary Secretary
· Honorary Treasurer
· Public Relations Officer;
IX. Election of Fixture(s) Secretary (Secretaries);
X. Election of Registrars for competitions;
XI. Election of Chairpersons of Standing Committees:
· Coaching
· Development & Marketing
· Finance
· Fixtures
· Schools
XII. Ratification of Chairperson of Munster Hockey Umpires Association;
XIII. Election of Child Protection Officers;
XIV. Election of members of the Standing Committees;
· Coaching
· Development & Marketing
· Finance
· Schools;
XV. Election of Club Representatives (6) who will constitute the members of the Club Representatives Committee;
XVI. Election of Provincial Coaches;
XVII. Election of Selection Committees:
· Senior (Men and Women)
· Under 21 (Men and Women)
· Junior (Men and Women)
· Under 18 (Boys and Girls)
· Under 16 (Boys and Girls);
XVIII. Confirmation of six Branch Representatives to the Annual General Meeting of the IHA;
XIX. Proposals for fixing of annual affiliation fees;
XX. Appointment of Accountant;
XXI. Ratification of Bankers; and
XXII. General Business.
14. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING
a) A Special General Meeting may be convened at any time by the Management Committee. A Special General Meeting shall also be held when a request is made in writing to the Honorary Secretary by any five (5) affiliated clubs, schools or third level colleges or a combination of same, and is accompanied by a cheque for five hundred Euro (€500).
b) Each request shall include full written details of all business to be transacted at the proposed meeting. Upon receipt of the request the Honorary Secretary shall proceed to call a Special General Meeting within twenty-one (21) days giving at least fourteen (14) days notice of the meeting, specifying the date, time and place.
c) No business shall be transacted at a Special General Meeting other than that which is specified in the notice calling for the meeting circulated beforehand.
15. ANNUAL AND SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS
a) The Honorary Secretary shall give at least twenty-eight (28) days initial notice of the date and time of the AGM to all entitled to receive same, and fourteen (14) days notice in writing of the AGM specifying the date, time and place of the Meeting and including the agenda and details of any resolution(s) being proposed.
b) The notice shall be sent to the Officers, Honorary Life Members, members of the Management Committee, the Trustees, the Honorary Secretaries of each Club and of third level colleges. It shall also be sent to the Chairpersons of Standing Committees and the Umpires Association. The notice shall be sent to the Branch Schools Honorary Secretary who shall send a copy of the notice to schools affiliated to the Branch.
c) The President shall chair Annual and Special General Meetings. In his/her absence, the Vice-President shall chair the Meetings. In the absence of both, the Junior Vice President shall chair the Meetings. In the absence of all three, the Chairperson of the management committee may appoint a person to chair the meeting. In the absence of all four, those present and entitled to vote shall elect a person to chair the meeting.
d) Twenty-five (25) people present and entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum.
e) Voting shall be by ballot and there shall be no postal or proxy votes.
f) Every resolution at Annual and Special General Meetings shall be decided by a simple majority of votes of those present, entitled to vote and voting except for resolutions concerning amendments to the Constitution. Except as provided in (g) below, no person shall cast more than one vote.
g) In the case of equality of votes, the Chairperson of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote.
h) No amendments to the Constitution shall be made except by a resolution validly proposed and seconded at an Annual or a Special General Meeting supported by not less than two thirds of those present, entitled to vote and voting. Such changes shall come into force immediately unless the Meeting shall decide otherwise.
16. PROPOSALS TO GENERAL MEETINGS
Any proposal for a resolution for consideration, and voting thereupon, at any General Meeting shall be submitted in full, in writing, to the Honorary Secretary so as to arrive with him/her not less than 21 days prior to the meeting at which the proposal is to be considered and voted upon. Proposals may be submitted by members of the Branch, the Trustees, the Standing Committees, the Officers, and the Management, and may include proposed changes to the Constitution of the Branch, resolutions, and nominations for positions.
17. VOTING ENTITLEMENT AT ANNUAL AND SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS
a) Those entitled to vote at Annual and Special General Meetings shall be:
1. The Officers;
2. One (1) delegate from each affiliated men's section of a Club or third level college, and one (1) delegate from each affiliated ladies' section of a Club or third level college; and
3. One (1) delegate from each Standing Committee and one (1) delegate from the Munster Hockey Umpires Association.
b) Such delegates shall be nominated by their respective Club, Committee or Association and notified to the Honorary Secretary seven days (7) prior to the AGM.
c) If any nominated delegate(s) in (b) or (c) above cannot attend, they may be substituted, provided the name(s) of the substitute(s) are sent in writing to the Honorary Secretary not later than 4.00 p.m. on the evening prior to the day of the scheduled Meeting.
18. FINANCE
a) The financial year of the Branch shall end on the last day of February in each year.
b) A Balance Sheet and Income and Expenditure Account shall be prepared in respect of each financial year as soon as possible after the end of that financial year and shall be reviewed by a suitably qualified Accountant appointed annually at the AGM.
c) A copy of the reviewed accounts for the previous financial year shall be circulated to the Officers, Hon. Life Members, members of the Management Committee, Honorary Secretaries of each club and third level college, Chairpersons of each Standing Committee and of the Munster Hockey Umpires Association, at least fourteen (14) days prior to the AGM.
d) The Honorary Treasurer shall be responsible for the current accounts, deposit accounts or other accounts as may be authorised from time to time in the name of the Branch. Cheques shall be signed by the Hon. Treasurer. All cheques over seven hundred Euro (€700) and other documents relating to such accounts shall be signed by the Hon. Treasurer and one (1) of the specified authorised signatories to the Accounts.
e) Payments in excess of five thousand Euro (€5000) shall require prior approval by Management Committee.
19. STANDING COMMITTEES
There shall be the following Standing Committees, whose composition, appointment and responsibilities are set out in the following sections 21 to 25, and who, in addition, are responsible and subject to the overall authority of the Management Committee:
a) Coaching Committee
b) Fixtures Committee
c) Development & Marketing Committee
d) Finance Committee
e) Schools Committee
Each Standing Committee shall elect an Honorary Secretary at its first meeting and shall notify the Honorary Secretary of the Branch. Each Standing Committee shall have the power to co-opt extra members as necessary. Any co-opted members shall be first approved by Management Committee. Each Standing Committee shall meet at least five (5) times in each year. The President and (or nominated deputy for the President) shall have the right to attend any Standing Committee meeting in a non-voting capacity. In addition to the responsibilities set out in the following sections, the Management Committee may delegate other responsibilities and functions to Standing Committees, from time to time. The quorum for all meetings of each of the Standing Committees shall be 50% plus one of the membership present and entitled to vote. Every motion validly proposed and seconded at meetings of Standing Committees shall be decided by a simple majority of votes of those present, entitled to vote and voting. No person shall cast more than one vote, except in the case of equality of votes, where the Chairperson shall have a second or casting vote. No person shall be a member of more than two standing committees. A member cannot serve on any Standing Committee for more than five (5) consecutive years.
20. COACHING COMMITTEE
Membership The Coaching Committee shall consist of a minimum of five (5) members
· Chairperson plus four (4) elected members.
· President (delegated representative i.e. Vice President, Junior Vice President) Ex Officio Responsibilities
The Coaching Committee's responsibilities shall include but shall not be limited to:-
· Coach education i.e. all aspects that concern the education of coaches.
· Coaching i.e. the process of coaching as part of the overall process of improving the sport.
· Providing input to any development plan.; i.e. development, implementation and monitoring of plans in relation to the development of coaches and the training and progress of all players
· Research and design for the purpose of innovation and the continuous improvement of coaching.
· Liaise with the Senior National Coaches and High Performance Director to implement the strategy for International player development.
· Annually submitting a draft budget to the Finance Committee for their consideration and approval.
· Keeping expenditure within the agreed budget guidelines. To achieve the above the Committee shall:
· In conjunction with the IHA Coaching Committee, maintain and where appropriate improve a coach education system for hockey in Munster
· Provide on-going support and education for coaches through an agreed administrative structure.
· Establish a Munster coaches register.
· Ensure quality in coaching, by promoting a coaching style that is compatible with the Code of Good Practice safeguarding coaches and players at all levels.
· Support a disciplinary procedure that reflects the Code of Good Practice.
· Influence policies in hockey coaching and be consulted on all matters relating to coaching and coaches, including appointments, in Munster.
· Promote and protect the status of coaching and qualified coaches in .Munster.
21. FIXTURES COMMITTEE
Membership The Fixtures Committee shall consist of nine (9) members
· Chairperson
· Fixture Secretary Mens Competitions
· Fixtures Secretaries Four (4) Ladies Competitions
· Registrar Mens Competitions• Registrar Ladies Competitions
· Member of the Schools Committee
· President (delegated representative i.e. Vice President, Junior Vice President) Ex Officio Responsibilities
The Competitions Committee's responsibilities shall include but shall not be limited to:
· producing the annual fixture list for approval by the Management Committee;
· overseeing the organisation of all Branch competitions except those organised by the Schools Committee;
· Ensuring that the Branch website is kept up to date with Fixtures, Results and League Tables
· co-ordinating the rules, including the eligibility rules, of all Branch competitions; and ensuring that these Rules are applied in a consistent manner.
· recommending to the Management Committee amendments to the disciplinary procedures;
· providing input to any development plan
· Liaising with the Competitions Committee of the IHA
22. DEVELOPMENT AND MARKETING COMMITTEE
Membership The Development and Marketing Committee shall consist of six (6) members:
· Chairperson
· Branch PRO
· Two representatives (1 male/1 female) of Juvenile Hockey (U-16).
· Two elected members.
· President (delegated representative i.e. Vice President, Junior Vice President) Ex Officio Responsibilities
The Development and Marketing Committee Committee's responsibilities shall include but shall not be limited to:
· marketing, promoting and publicising the game of hockey in Munster
· Identifying and securing suitable sponsors for the respective teams and competitions within the Branch.
· identifying opportunities to highlight hockey as key leisure family sport and extend it's existing base within Munster.
· producing a three year development plan for approval by the Management Committee
· Implementing the approved three year plan
· annual submission of a draft income and expenditure budget to the Management Committee for their consideration and approval;
23. FINANCE COMMITTEE
Membership The Finance Committee shall consist of four (4) members
· Chairperson (Hon. Treasurer of the Branch)
· Member Munster Hockey Umpires' Association
· Member of Schools' Committee
· Member of the Development & Marketing Committee
· President (delegated representative i.e. Vice President, Junior Vice President) Ex Officio Responsibilities The Finance Committee's responsibilities shall include but shall not be limited to:
· Preparing Budgets for approval by the Management Committee
· Drafting initiatives for both cost savings and income (including Fund Raising) generation for presentation to the Management Committee.
· In conjunction with the Hon. Treasurer ensuring that the Accounts of the Branch are prepared correctly for Audit.
· Assessing and preparing for the Branch, when requested, the financial costing of all proposals.
· In conjunction with the Development and Marketing Committee, ensuring that any financial sponsorship is utilised in accordance with the terms of the sponsorship.
· Preparing for the Management Committee any submissions for funding to sport support groups.
· Putting in place a Fund Raising sub committee and implementing and reviewing fund raising initiatives.
24. SCHOOLS COMMITTEE
Membership The Schools Committee shall consist of ten (10) members
· Chairperson
· Member of the Fixtures Committee
· Member of the Umpires Association
· Member of the Coaching Committee
· Six (6) elected members: (Four representing Girls Schools Two representing Boys Schools)
· President (delegated representative i.e. Vice President, Junior Vice President) Ex Officio Responsibilities
The Schools' Committee's responsibilities shall include but shall not be limited to:
· overseeing all second level schools competitions encompassing all age groups up to and including eighteen (18) years of age;
· providing input to any development plan;
· Submitting an Annual draft Income and Expenditure Budget to the Finance Committee for inclusion in the Annual Budget.
25. CLUBS REPRESENTATIVES COMMITTEE
The Clubs Representatives Committee shall consist of six members (6) three (3) female and three (3) male. These representatives shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting and shall represent the following areas Cork, Limerick and Waterford. Following the Annual General Meeting of the Branch the Committee will meet to elect a Chairperson. The Hon. Secretary of the Branch shall be notified immediately of the name of this person, and the Management Committee shall approve the appointment at its next meeting.
26. DISCIPLINE
a) In the event of any affiliated club, school, third level college, Association, official, player, coach, umpire or member of an affiliated club, school third level college, Association on being reported to the Hon. Secretary for an alleged breach of the Rules and Constitution, or misconduct which is alleged to have brought the game into disrepute, the Management Committee shall appoint a Disciplinary Committee of not less than three persons to enquire into the alleged offence
b) If after fully investigating the alleged breach of misconduct and if the allegation is proven the Disciplinary Committee shall have the authority to expel or suspend the offending club, school, third level college, Association, official, player, coach, umpire or member or to deal with the matter in such manner as the Committee considers fit. The decision of the Disciplinary Committee shall be conveyed in writing by the Honorary Secretary to the offending club, school, third level college, Association, player, coach, umpire or member within seven (7) days of the hearing.
c) Any club, school, third level college, Association, official, player, coach, umpire or member found guilty by the Disciplinary Committee shall have the right to appeal to an Appeal Tribunal appointed by the Management Committee against any decision or punishment imposed by the Disciplinary Committee but such appeal must be lodged in writing with the Honorary Secretary within seven (7) days of the notification of the decision or punishment. The appellant(s) shall have the right to be accompanied at the appeal hearing by a person or persons of their choice but the names and details of such person or persons must be included in the letter of appeal The decision of the Appeal Tribunal shall be final. The appeal must be heard within seven (7) days of its receipt by the Honorary Secretary.
No member of the Disciplinary Committee shall be a member of the Appeal Tribunal.
27. APPEALS
In the event of an appeal in a matter, other than a disciplinary matter, any affiliate, club, school, Association,, official, player, coach, umpire or a member of any affiliated club, school, or Association wishing to appeal shall do so in writing to the Honorary Secretary of the Association. The Honorary Secretary who must receive the appeal within fourteen (14) days of the date of the notice of the original decision shall then convene an Appeal Commission.
The Appeal Commission shall consist of three (3) officers of the Association who may be accompanied by advisors where necessary but it shall not include any person who has had a prior involvement in the matter being appealed. In the event of there not being three (3) officers eligible or available to form the Appeal Commission, the Chair of the Management Committee shall have the power to select an appropriate person or persons to complete the Appeal Commission. The Appeal Commission shall meet within fourteen (14) days of the date of the receipt of the notice of the appeal.
The letter of appeal shall state the reason or reasons for the appeal and shall be supported by an appeal fee of €100. The appellant(s) shall have the right to be accompanied at the appeal hearing by a person or persons of their choice but the names and details of such person or persons must be included in the letter of appeal.
Both parties to the Appeal shall have the right to be accompanied at the appeal hearing by a person or persons of their choice but the names and details of such person or persons shall be notified in advance of the hearing to the Appeal Commission. Each party to the Appeal shall not exceed three (3) in number and shall have a nominated spokesperson.
The Procedure for the Appeal Hearing shall be as follows:
· An Appeal Hearing must be held once the procedures outlined above have been complied with.
· The Appeal Commission give both parties four (4) days notice of the Appeal Hearing and in addition will notify both parties the names of all those who will be attending.
· The Appeal Commission shall hear in the presence of both parties unless otherwise agreed by all parties the case presented by each party in the following sequence:
1. The appellant
2. The original decision maker (s)
· Both parties will have the right to respond to each others' case
· The Appeal Commission will then discuss the Appeal in the absence of both parties,
· The Appeal Commission may if they wish recall each or both parties individually or jointly for further clarification should they wish,
· The relevant parties shall be notified of the decision in writing by the Honorary Secretary within seven (7) days of the hearing.
In the event of the appeal being unsuccessful the appeal fee shall be forfeited to the funds of the Association unless the Appeal Commission decides otherwise. The decision of the Appeal Commission shall be final within the Constitution of the Munster Branch.
28. DOPING CONTROL
The Branch accepts and adheres to The Anti - Doping Rules of the Irish Hockey Association which are the Irish Anti - Doping Rules as amended from time to time. (Appendix 1).
29. CODE OF ETHICS AND GOOD PRACTICE FOR CHILDREN'S SPORT IN IRELAND
The Branch is bound by the Code of Ethics for Children's Sport in Ireland as set out by the Irish Sports Council. (Appendix 2).
30. NOTICES
All notices required to be given pursuant to this Constitution must be in writing and shall be deemed to have been received if either: (a) delivered personally; or(b) sent by ordinary pre-paid post. to the last known address of the intended recipient. In addition such notices may also be sent by either (c) fax, on successful completion of the fax transmission; or(d) e-mail.
31. DISSOLUTION
No resolution for the dissolution of the Branch shall be passed except at an Annual or Special General Meeting and supported by not less than two-thirds of those present, entitled to vote and voting. In the event of such a resolution being passed, the Trustees shall realise the property of the Branch and shall make provision for its liabilities. The remaining assets at the date of dissolution shall be distributed in such a manner as shall be determined by an Annual or Special General Meeting, or if such a meeting so decides, by the Management Committee.
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