1. TITLE
The title of the Association shall be "The Irish KiteSurfing Association".
2. DEFINITIONS
In this Constitution the word "Association" or “IKSA” means the Irish KiteSurfing Association.
The “Executive Committee" means the Executive Committee of the IKSA as elected or co-opted in accordance with this Constitution. The masculine pronouns are used where masculine or feminine may apply.
3. MEMBERSHIP
The following categories of membership apply:
a. Adult Members: Persons over 17 years of age on the 1st January of the year in which membership is sought and who are not Student Members.
b. Junior Members: Persons who are under 17 years of age on the 1st January of the year in which membership is sought.
c. Student Members: Persons who are under 23 years of age on the 1st January of the year in which membership is sought AND who are in full-time education.
d. Family Membership: Two parents and Junior and/or Student members only.
e. Event Membership: Membership to allow a person participate in ONE event organised for or on behalf of the IKSA.
Admission to membership is at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
4. OBJECTIVES
To promote, encourage and co-ordinate the sport of KiteSurfing in Ireland and to promote safety in KiteSurfing.
5. MANAGEMENT
The affairs of the Association shall be managed by the Executive Committee in accordance with this Constitution and the instructions of the members at a General Meeting.
6. EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE COMPOSITION
The Executive Committee shall consist of:
a. President,
b. Honorary Secretary,
c. Honorary Treasurer,
d. Events’ Officer
e. Regional Officers as nominated and elected by the Executive committee
f. Such additional members as may be decided by the members at AGM.
Members of the Executive Committee will be elected by members of the Association present at AGM.
In addition to members of the Executive Committee elected at AGM, the Executive Committee may at its discretion co-opt additional members to act as members of the Executive Committee.
Membership of the Executive Committee shall cease on the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting of the IKSA.
7. NOMINATIONS
Nominations for election as an officer may be made only with the consent of the nominees, who may give his/her consent in writing if unable to attend the AGM. All nominations should state the names of the proposer and seconder, and should be submitted in writing to the Honorary Secretary of the Association, at least seven clear days before the AGM. Should there not be any nominations for a position on the Executive Committee, the President may accept nominations at the AGM for that position.
8. DUTIES OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS
a. The President shall be spokesperson for the Association and shall further its interests. He shall address the AGM on the affairs of the Association. He shall preside over General Meetings and Executive Committee Meetings.
b. The Honorary Secretary shall keep a record of minutes of the Executive Committee and General Meetings. He will maintain records of memberships of the IKSA and deal with day-to-day matters on the Association’s behalf.
c. The Honorary Treasurer shall keep proper book of all monies received or paid on behalf of the Association. He shall prepare a statement of Income and Expenditure and a Balance Sheet to the 30th October each year and submit these to the AGM.
Officers may be assisted in their duties by such others as the Executive Committee may decide.
9. COMMITTEE'S RESPONSIBILITIES
a. The committee shall meet as required and at the discretion of the President. At any such meeting the presence of three members of the Committee shall form a quorum.
b. Other than at meetings, the standard means of communications among the Executive Committee shall be by e-mail. In the absence of a meeting, a vote of members may be sought by e-mail at the discretion of the President on any matter deemed to require such a vote. The Honorary Secretary will maintain a copy of all e-mails that refer to the IKSA’s business.
c. The Executive Committee shall arrange activities for the Association in accordance with the objectives and to raise funds thereof and defray expenses thereof may charge such fees for admission or participation and incur such liabilities as it may deem proper, provided that they may not, without the prior approval of a General Meeting, incur liabilities in excess of the assets, including therein the reasonable expected income.
d. The Executive Committee shall hold and administer for the General benefit of all members, all funds, property and equipment, in the ownership of the Association.
e. The Executive Committee may pay out of pocket expenses incurred by any member in the conduct of the affairs of the Association as a result of any direction by the Executive Committee.
f. The Executive Committee shall decide on matters of discipline in accordance with the terms of this Constitution.
10. FINANCES
a. The finances of the Association shall be managed by the Honorary Treasurer who shall be accountable and subject to the control of the Executive Committee.
b. The accounts of the Association shall be available for audit at any time at the discretion of the President.
11. SUB COMMITTEES
The Executive Committee may appoint sub-committees for conducting the business of their respective sections or for any other purpose. The President shall be an ex-officio member of all sub-committees. Sub-committees shall report to the Executive Committee.
12. SUBSCRIPTIONS
Membership subscriptions shall be renewable annually on the first day of March. The subscription shall be that of the Association currently in force and passed at AGM.
13. INTERPRETATION
The Executive Committee shall determine any question as to the interpretation of this Constitution and any regulations made thereunder and may rule for any occurrence not otherwise catered for herein, provided that an appropriate amendment thereof is moved at the following AGM
14. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
a. The AGM of the IKSA shall be held each year in the month of November, or on such alternative date as the Executive Committee may decide. The quorum for the conduct of business shall be TEN members or ONE SIXTH of the membership number, whichever is less.
b. Members shall receive not less than FOURTEEN DAYS WRITTEN NOTICE of the date and venue of the AGM including invitations for nominations for officerships and motions for discussion at the meeting.
c. Seven days notice shall be given in writing or by e-mail to Honorary Secretary of all motions and nominations for officerships that it is proposed to put before the AGM.
d. Agenda
i. The appointment of tellers for any ballot that may be required.
ii. Minutes of previous General Meeting.
iii. The President’s Address.
iv. The Treasurer’s Report.
v. Report from the Events Officer.
vi. Other Reports.
vii. Subscriptions.
viii. Motions of which Notice has been given.
ix. The election of Officers
e. All meetings, including the AGM shall be conducted under Roberts’ Rules.
f. At all meetings of the IKSA the President may, at his discretion, call for votes by ballot or by show of hands for motions or questions to be decided by a majority vote. The President shall by right of office have a casting vote in addition to a deliberative vote.
15. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS
The Executive Committee may at any time summon a Special General Meeting to consider any business connected with the Association, and the committee are at all times bound to do so on a request in writing from ONE SIXTH of the registered members of the Association.
16. COMMUNICATION
Other than annual registration of membership and notice of a General Meeting, communication to the membership in general shall be by means of the IKSA website (www.IKSA.ie).
17. DISCIPLINE
a. Members shall not, at any time, behave a manner likely to discredit the Irish KiteSurfing Association.
b. Any registered member may be charged with a disciplinary offence by the Executive Committee. This may be as a result of a written complaint from any registered member of the Association or from the organiser of an event on the IKSA Calendar of Events.
c. Members may be
Ø Expelled from membership. Such expulsion to apply for life.
Ø Suspended from membership for such period as the Executive Committee may decide.
Ø Fined to a limit of €100
d. A member who is expelled or suspended may not participate in events on the IKSA Calendar of Events or attend meetings of the Association.
e. Whenever a member is charged with an offence against this Constitution he/she shall be informed in writing by the Honorary Secretary. This Member may then either
Ø Submit a written report on the allegation to the Honorary Secretary within four (4) days, or
Ø Make arrangements with the Honorary Secretary to appear in person before a Disciplinary Meeting of the Executive Committee or such sub committee of the Executive Committee as the President may decide.
f. Members involved shall be notified in writing of the decision of the Disciplinary Meeting of the Executive Committee.
18. APPEALS
a. Any decision of a Disciplinary Meeting of the Executive Committee may be appealed to an Appeal Committee. An Appeal Committee will be a group of three members or former members of the ISA or IKSA, who were not involved in the original disciplinary hearing(s), selected by the President. The member making the appeal may object to ONE member of an Appeal Committee proposed by the President.
b. Notice of intent to appeal should be sent to the Honorary Secretary within seven (7) days or receipt of written confirmation of the decision of the Executive Committee. The appeal shall be accompanied by a fee of €200.00 which be refund if the appeal is upheld.
c. The Appeal Committee is empowered to alter or delete the penalty imposed by the Executive Committee.
19. DISSOLUTION
If at any General Meeting a resolution shall be passed for the dissolution
of the Association, and such a resolution at a Special General Meeting held
within one month thereafter, be confirmed by a resolution passed by a two thirds
majority of the members who voted in the confirmatory ballot, the Committee
shall thereupon, or at a future date specified in the resolution, proceed to
realise the assets of the Association. After discharge of all liabilities the
net assets shall be handed over to such body having similar objectives to the
Association as shall be specified in the resolution.