TROUT ANGLERS FEDERATION


TROUT ANGLERS FEDERATION

OF IRELAND


Cónaidhm Iascairí Breac na hÉireann
























The Official National Governing Organisation


Established 1931









CONSTITUTION



TROUT ANGLERS’ FEDERATION OF IRELAND



CONSTITUTION





THIS CONSTITUTION REPEALS AND REPLACES ANY FORMER CONSTITUTION OF THE TROUT ANGLERS’ FEDERATION OF IRELAND





ARTICLE 1. TITLE AND ADDRESS


1.1 The Title of this organisation shall be the TROUT ANGLERS’ FEDERATION OF IRELAND, hereinafter called the Federation. The short title shall be TAFI.


1.2 The address of the Federation shall be the address of the National Secretary of the Federation for the time being.

1.3 TAFI is the credited National Governing Body for trout angling.




ARTICLE 2. MISSION AND OBJECTIVES


    1. MISSION

The Trout Anglers’ Federation of Ireland aspires to organise trout angling clubs on the island of Ireland and to represent and support them in the pursuit of the sport of trout angling in all its’ traditions.


2.2 OBJECTIVES

(i) To promote the sport of trout angling in all its traditions.

(ii) To advocate on behalf of the affiliated Clubs or Associations.

  1. To take part in national and international trout angling events.

  2. To nurture the participation of children in trout angling.

  3. To advance the ideals of trout conservation

  4. To participate in the development of trout fisheries.

  5. To seek to protect the angling environment.

  6. To cultivate a spirit of co-operation with kindred organisations.







ARTICLE 3. MEMBERSHIP


3.1 Membership of the Trout Anglers Federation of Ireland shall be open to all trout angling Clubs and Associations on the island of Ireland provided that:


  1. The club or association is properly constituted having duly elected officers, viz: Chairperson, Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer and shall have not less than 15 members in number, whose names shall be entered on a Club Members Register maintained by the club or association for that purpose.

  2. An application for TAFI Membership from a club or association shall be proposed and seconded by two existing TAFI Members for approval at a meeting of the relevant Provincial Council.

  3. An applicant club or association shall be approved for TAFI Membership by a simple majority vote at a Provincial Council meeting.

A club or association that fails to be approved for TAFI Membership, as prescribed above, may make written application to the TAFI Central Council. Following examination of the case, the application may be rejected, or may be granted TAFI Membership by a two-thirds majority vote of the Central Council delegates attending the meeting at which the vote was taken.


    1. The Name of the club or association, newly approved for TAFI Membership, and the details of its Secretary, shall be notified to the Secretary of TAFI, who will inform TAFI Central Council at the next meeting of that body. Central Council will then process the approved application.


TAFI Central Council may refuse TAFI Membership to any applicant without stating reasons, subject to the provisions of paragraph 3.1 of this Article.


    1. A Permanent Register of TAFI Member clubs and associations shall be kept for that purpose by the Secretary of TAFI. It shall contain the Names, Postal addresses, e-mail addresses, Land-line and mobile phone numbers of Secretaries of the TAFI Member clubs and associations. Change of office of Secretary of a TAFI Member must be notified to the National Secretary of TAFI without delay, but in any event, within 14 days of such a change.


3.4 The Central Council may, by resolution, suspend or expel an affiliated club or association from TAFI Membership, subject to the TAFI Code of Conduct and Discipline Policy, and the following conditions:

(i) ‘Suspend’ means to deny any or all of the rights and privileges of TAFI Membership for a stated period of time.

(ii) ‘Expel’ means the termination of TAFI Membership of an affiliated club or association.

(iii) The Central Council shall give 21 DAYS notice, in writing, to a TAFI Member of its intention to consider a motion to suspend or expel it from TAFI Membership.

Suspension or expulsion shall have effect from the date fixed by Central Council but not earlier than the date on which the motion was carried.

ARTICLE 4 GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE OF TAFI


4.1 Proper and effective governance of the Federation is affected through this Constitution and the implementation of TAFI Policies. The TAFI Policies are subject to a review period of 3 years to ensure that they reflect best practice in good governance and are relevant to the particular issues affecting TAFI.

A TAFI Policy shall not undermine this Constitution.

Subsequent issues of governance on which this Constitution is silent and which are not the subject of specific TAFI Policies shall, in the first instance, be brought to Central Council for consideration and then referred to the Strategic Policy Committee.

PRINCIPAL STRUCTURE OF TAFI


  1. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING (AGM) is the supreme authority of TAFI.

  2. CENTRAL COUNCIL is the Executive Council of TAFI and shall manage the Federation in accordance with this TAFI Constitution and with good governance practices.

  3. PROVINCIAL COUNCILS. For purpose of the more efficient management of the Federation, it is organised into Councils, bounded within the geographical areas of the Four Provinces of Ireland. They shall be known as the Ulster Angling Council, Leinster Angling Council, Munster Angling Council and Connaught Angling Council and shall be subject to the authority of Central Council and this TAFI Constitution. Provincial Councils will elect a Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer.



4.2 NATIONAL HONORARY OFFICERS OF TAFI


  1. CHAIRMAN shall preside at General Meetings, at meetings of Central Council and may preside at all other meetings of TAFI, and shall be the National Representative of TAFI.


  1. SECRETARY shall keep proper records of the business of TAFI and shall make and receive all official communications on behalf of TAFI and shall produce these to Central Council, and shall report annually to AGM.


  1. TREASURER shall keep proper books and records of the financial transactions of TAFI and shall receive all revenues on behalf of TAFI, and shall produce a report and properly audited accounts to the AGM and periodic State of the Finances reports to Central Council.


  1. VICE-CHAIRMAN shall, in the absence of the Chairman, preside at meetings and carry out all the functions of the Chairman. (In the absence of both Officers, the Central Council shall appoint a Member to preside pro tempore).


  1. ASSISTANT SECRETARY shall assist the National Secretary and shall act in the absence of the National Secretary.


  1. ASSISTANT TREASURER shall assist the National Treasurer and shall act in the absence of the National Treasurer.


  1. PUPLIC RELATIONS OFFICER (PRO) shall develop an agreed public profile for TAFI and shall be responsible for official communications protocols, and shall provide summary reports for Central Council, and report annually to AGM.


  1. CHILD (YOUTH) OFFICER shall ensure the implementation of the TAFI Care of Children in Trout Angling Policy and the Children in Trout Angling Programme and shall provide summary reports for Central Council, and report annually to AGM.

.

  1. VETTING OFFICER shall arrange the vetting service for TAFI Members and shall be the assistant to the Child Officer and shall provide summary reports for Central Council, and report annually to AGM.

  1. ENVIRONMENT OFFICER shall implement the TAFI Environmental and Bio-Security Policies, and promote awareness of the angling environment within TAFI, and shall provide summary reports for Central Council, and report annually to AGM.


  1. SAFETY OFFICER shall ensure the implementation of the TAFI Safety Policy and shall provide summary reports for Central Council, and report annually to AGM.


  1. COACHING OFFICER shall ensure the implementation the TAFI Coaching Policy and the Coaching Programme and shall provide summary reports for Central Council, and report annually to AGM.


  1. EQUALITY OFFICER shall ensure the implementation of the TAFI Inclusivity Policy and the Trout Anglers with Disabilities Policy, and shall provide summary reports to Central Council, and shall report annually to AGM.


  1. STRATEGIC POLICY OFFICER shall ensure the making and implementation of the TAFI Strategic Plan and shall provide summary reports to Central Council and shall report to AGM.


  1. COMPETITIONS OFFICER shall ensure the proper and effective management of all TAFI Competitions and shall preside over the Competitions Committee, and shall provide summary reports to Central Council, and shall report to AGM.


NOTE: National Chairman, National Secretary and National Treasurer are the PRINCIPAL OFFICERS of TAFI, all other OFFICERS are ex officio.


4.3 TERM OF OFFICE

The National Chairman, National Secretary and National Treasurer are elected to those Offices annually at AGM and may hold Office for THREE consecutive years after which they must stand down for ONE year before becoming eligible for re-election to those Offices but are eligible for election to any other Honorary Office.

All other Honorary Officers are elected annually at AGM.



4.4 ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS


Attendance at Central Council Meetings by Honorary Officers shall be mandatory and an Officer who having more than THREE consecutive absences from meetings without apology, explanation or reasonable cause will be deemed to have vacated that Office and Central Council shall proceed to appoint an Acting Officer in place until next AGM.



4.5 DELEGATES TO AGM AND COUNCILS.


  1. AGM: TWO delegates from each TAFI Member Club or Association.


  1. CENTRAL COUNCIL: FOUR delegates from each Provincial Council shall include the Provincial Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer. Deputy Delegates may attend CC meetings but are silent except when deputising.

  1. PROVINCIAL COUNCILS: TWO delegates from each TAFI Member Club or Association.



4.6 STANDING COMMITTEES are established to carry out the work of the Federation in specific areas in accordance with their briefs.


  1. STRATEGIC POLICY COMMITTEE shall report to Central Council on policy issues for the proper governance and development of the Federation and shall be chaired by the Strategic Policy Officer.


  1. FINANCE COMMITTEE shall report to Central Council on the finances of the Federation and shall be chaired by the National Treasurer.


  1. COMPETITIONS COMMITTEE manages the TAFI commitment to Provincial, Inter-Provincial, National and International competitions on behalf of Central Council and is chaired by the Competitions Officer.



4.7 SUB-COMMITTEES and WORKING GROUPS can be established or appointed from time to time to assist the Federation in its work and having tenure at the pleasure of Central Council. Such bodies would act in accordance with their briefs and would report to Central Council.


ARTICLE 5 MEETINGS



5.1 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING


The Annual General Meeting (AGM) is called for the following purposes:


To hear the Chairman’s Address.

To adopt the minutes and procedures of the previous AGM or other GM’s.

To consider and adopt the National Secretary’s Report.

To consider and adopt the National Treasurer’s Report.

To consider and adopt the PRO’s Report.

To consider and adopt the National Child (Youth) Officer’s Report.

To consider and adopt the National Vetting Officer’s Report.

To consider and adopt the National Safety Officer’s Report.

To consider and adopt the Coaching Officer’s Report.

To consider and adopt the Equality Officer’s report.

To elect the National Officers of TAFI.

To announce the incoming Central Council.

To fix the Annual Subscription payable by the Members.

To appoint Trustees.

To appoint Auditors.

To take motions before the AGM.

To consider change of Article of this Constitution. (Requires 2/3 majority)

To consider revisions to TAFI Policies. (Requires 2/3 majority)

To consider appeals before the AGM.

Election of Officers shall be by secret ballot except where a nomination is unopposed.


An AGM shall be held not later than the SECOND SUNDAY IN FEBRUARY of each year and at a venue decided by Central Council notice of which will issue TWO CALENDAR MONTHS prior to that date.

Motions for AGM to be valid, must be proposed and seconded by Members at a Provincial AGM and must be forwarded to the National Secretary not later than 7 DAYS following that meeting.




5.2 GENERAL MEETINGS


(i) EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING (EGM)

An Extraordinary General Meeting may be called at any time by Central Council. No other business shall be conducted at an EGM save that for which the meeting is summoned. An EGM is vested with the same authority as that of an AGM.

Notice of an EGM shall issue at least 14 DAYS prior to the date fixed for the meeting.


(ii) SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING (SGM)

A Special General Meeting shall be called on the request of any TWO Provincial Councils. A Provincial Council meeting at which a decision to request a SGM is made must have a recorded proper quorum. The request must then be forwarded to the National Secretary who shall give notice of the SGM to be held in 21 DAYS from the receipt of such request. No other business shall be conducted at a SGM save that for which the meeting is summoned. A SGM is vested with the same authority as that of an AGM.

Notice of a SGM shall issue at least 14 DAYS prior to the date fixed for the meeting.




5.3 QUORUM FOR AGM, EGM AND SGM.


Shall be not less than 40 voting delegates representing at least TWO Provinces except as specified otherwise in Article 12 of this Constitution.

Delegates shall sign an attendance register before the meeting.




5.4 VOTING AT AGM, EGM AND SGM.

Voting shall normally be conducted by a show of hands and shall be confined to delegates present and voting. Voting by proxy is not permissible.

Voting can be conducted by secret ballot following a valid proposal from the floor of the meeting and carried by a simple majority of the delegates.

A simple majority shall decide the outcome of a ballot on any issue except a change of Article of this Constitution or a revision of TAFI Policy which require a two-thirds majority.

Auditors for a ballot shall be selected from the delegates.



5.5 STANDING ORDERS.


Issues of order at meetings shall be guided by reference to Robert’s Rules of

Order.












ARTICLE 6 FINANCE



6.1 FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT


The Central Council shall have control of ALL the assets of TAFI and these are placed in the charge of the National Treasurer who shall keep proper Books of Account relating to:

  1. All sums of money received and expended by TAFI and the matter in respect of which receipts and expenditure takes place.

  2. The Assets and Liabilities of TAFI.


All revenues shall be lodged in authorised Bank Accounts and cheques drawn on these Accounts for sums up to €500 shall be signed by TWO authorised officers and for sums of €500 or more, shall require THREE such signatures. All payments in excess of €500 must be presented and passed by Central Council.

On change of the Office of Treasurer, it is the duty of the outgoing officer to immediately hand over the Books of Account, together with all other financial material and records to the newly appointed officer and to provide all necessary assistance to properly complete the hand over.



6.2 AUDITS


The financial year of TAFI will end on November 30th of each year on which date the Accounts of the Federation will be balanced for presentation to next AGM.

Provincial Treasurers are required to submit their audited accounts to the National treasurer not later than October 15th each year.

The Finance Committee will act as Internal Auditor and shall examine receipts and expenditure for submission for Annual Audit by the Auditors appointed by AGM.



6.3 RESERVES, INVESTMENTS AND BORROWINGS.


(i) RESERVES

Monies extra to that expended in the annual budget may be treated as Reserves and held in an authorised Bank Account.


(ii) INVESTMENTS

Central Council may consider an Investment Portfolio for Reserves and other monies not entailed in TAFI finances.


(iii) BORROWINGS

TAFI may by resolution of a Special General Meeting, authorise Central Council to borrow monies for specific purposes. The security for borrowings shall be authorised by the same resolution and the Trustees, with Central Council, shall make all necessary arrangements for such security.


ARTICLE 7 AFFILIATION FEE AND INSURANCE



7.1 ANNUAL AFFILIATION FEE

The Annual Affiliation Fee payable by Members consists of the TAFI Annual Subscription fixed at AGM and the Provincial Subscription fixed by the relevant Provincial Angling Council. Affiliation Fees are paid to the Provincial Treasurer of the Province in which the Member Club or Association is situate. Provincial Treasurers then must forward the TAFI Subscription to the National Treasurer not later than August 31st each year.



7.2 INSURANCE

TAFI offers its Members competitive insurance under a suitable Insurance Policy. Premiums are payable each year along with the Annual Affiliation Fees. TAFI affiliated Clubs or Associations insured under other policies and wishing to participate in TAFI organised competitions must insure their participating members under the TAFI policy. Provincial Treasurers will forward insurance premium payments to the National Treasurer on their receipt.





ARTICLE 8 TRUSTEES



8.1 APPOINTMENT OF TRUSTEES


Trustees shall be appointed, re-appointed or removed, on the nomination of the Central Council, by the Annual General Meeting. Not less than TWO and not more than SIX persons from the Federation can be appointed as Trustees of TAFI. Trustee may attend Central Council meetings as Observers.

All the property of TAFI is vested in the Trustees who shall deal with it as directed by resolutions of Central Council. (Entry of such resolutions in the Minutes Book shall be taken as conclusive evidence of such direction).



8.2 INDEMNIFICATION OF TRUSTEES


Trustees shall be indemnified out of the funds of the Federation against any or all expenses, damages, costs and claims whatsoever incurred by them in the proper execution of their functions.







ARTICLE 9 EMBLEMS AND BANNERS.



9.1 TAFI EMBLEMS

The various TAFI emblems, sometimes referred to as ‘logos’, are, and shall remain, the intellectual property of the Federation, and their reproduction on literature, clothing, badges, banners or signs may only be used with the expressed permission of Central Council.



9.2 BANNERS

Banners displaying TAFI emblems are the sole property of the Federation and are issued to Provincial Councils on receipt of written request from the Provincial Secretary and thereafter the Province is responsible for their care and replacement. Banners may be displayed at all TAFI events.







ARTICLE 10 ADVOCACY



10.1 TAFI is empowered by this Constitution to engage in lawful actions to advocate on behalf of, and to promote the Federation in furtherance of the objectives stated in this Constitution and in compliance with TAFI Policies. Issues of advocacy will be determined by Central Council.



10.2 DISPUTES


  1. TAFI may, through its Central Council, take and prosecute proceedings brought on behalf of, or made against the Federation, in defence of this Constitution.


  1. Where disputes or differences arise between the Federation and Members of the Federation, resolution will, in the first instance, be attempted through mediation and in the event of failure, through arbitration and, in the event of failure of arbitration, through legal proceedings.



  1. Where disputes or differences arise between Members of the Federation, resolution will, in the first instance, be attempted through mediation and in the event of failure, through arbitration, and in the event of failure of arbitration, the parties in dispute may seek resolution, at their own cost, through other legal means.




ARTICLE 11 SERVICE OF NOTICE



All notices required under these Articles shall be deemed to be given to the designated or intended recipient if the said notice is forwarded by prepaid post and recorded in the National Secretary’s post log. Notices will be deemed to be delivered TWO DAYS after the recorded date of posting. Notices will be sent to the last known address of the intended recipient and in the case of an affiliated Club or Association, will be addressed to the currently named Secretary in the Register of Clubs in the Federation’s Records. Electronic mail may be used in communications but will not be deemed to be delivered unless acknowledged by the recipient.







ARTICLE 12 DISSOLUTION OF THE FEDERATION



A resolution for the dissolution of the Trout Anglers’ Federation of Ireland shall be passed by a 75% majority of delegates present and voting at an SGM summoned for that purpose. A quorum shall consist of delegates representing not less than 50% of the affiliated Clubs and Associations in good standing from each Province. Voting shall be by roll call. The Central Council and The Trustees shall, on a date specified in the resolution, proceed to liquidate the assets of the Federation and, after discharge of all liabilities and charges or leans, shall distribute the residue as directed in the resolution. On completion of these directions, the Federation shall be dissolved.






Date of adoption of this Constitution by AGM


Dated this …8th…day of …February…in the year…2015…

Updated this……...day of……………….in the year…………