RULES AND REGULATIONS OF GTO UK

INTRODUCTION

This is the body of Rules and Regulations by which the GTO UK Sports Car Club of Great Britain is regulated. The rules are divided into four sections as follows:

  • Club name and objectives.
  • Management
  • Conduct of meetings.

CLUB NAME AND OBJECTIVES

1.0 Title

The name of the Club shall be, “GTO UK”, hereafter referred to as “the Club”.

1.1 Objectives

The Club exists to:

  • (a) to facilitate an online community of GTO (this includes all variants, GTO from now on) owners and enthusiasts, including a message board and social events.
  • (b) to pay for organisational costs in setting up social events, and subsidise these for paid members where appropriate.
  • (c) to promote the club for its growth in membership and recognition, such that members can benefit with preferential services and offers associated with GTO ownership;
  • (d) to subsidise membership and subscription of the club to organisations that will benefit club members, or give them access to events/offers/discounts to events
  • (e) Arrange tours, lectures, discussions and social and other meetings;
  • (f) Afford Members such benefits and privileges as may be possible;
  • (g) Provide Members with assistance, advice and information on matters connected with motoring and motor sport.

1.2 Use of Club Name and Address

The name and/or address of the Club shall not be given by any Member as their address for any trade, advertising, business purposes or in connection with any legal proceedings.

1.3 Alterations of Rules

Any alterations may be made in these Rules by a General Meeting, provided:

  • (a) that details of the proposed alteration or alterations are included in the Notice of the General Meeting, to be given at least two weeks beforehand; and that
  • (b) the officers of the club can change these rules, when approved during an officer’s meeting with notification via the forum

1.4 Dissolution

The Club may be dissolved by a Special General Meeting convened by direction of the officers of the club, or on the requisition of the majority of the Members. If the resolution of dissolution is duly passed, the officers of the club may, forthwith, appoint an Auditor to liquidate the affairs of the Club, and if there remains’ any surplus assets on realisation, these shall be disposed of at the discretion of the officers of the club.

1.5 Not-for-Profit

No part of the net earnings of GTO UK shall insure to the benefit, or be distributable to, its Directors, officers, members, or other private persons except that GTO UK shall be authorized to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes as set forth in Article II hereof.

1.6 Non-Political

No substantial part of the activities of GTO UK shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or participating in, or intervention in (including the publication or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

MEMBER

Membership shall consist of the following category;

  • (a) Full membership
    • The normal membership is based on a Per Car / Owner basis
  • (b) Corporate membership
    • For businesses trying to sell or promote to club members
  • (c) Associate Members
    • A member that has been a Full member, but cannot re-join, as they are no longer A per car / Owner Basis. with no voting rights. Members can nominate people for this membership, with the officers of the club granting this, with a two-thirds of the whole officers of the club majority, subject to the normal membership rules
  • (d) International Members
    • Overseas member a membership for people that have either been, an associate member or full member, that are no longer UK based, or people that have contributed in a way that the officers of the club, believe has helped the membership or forwarded the club with no voting rights.
    • Members can nominate people for this membership with the officers of the club granting this, on a vote of over two-thirds of the whole officers of the club.

2.1 Election of Members

Applications for Membership of the Club shall be submitted to the officers of the club in session by the Secretary, and the election of such candidates shall be at the discretion of the officers of the club.

Membership of the Club shall continue only for the period covered by the current subscription, and Members shall be subject to re-election Annually, by the officers of the club.

All applications must be made by an individual in his/her own correct name and be signed by that applicant personally

2.2 Provisional Membership

Any applicant for Membership of the Club shall, on acceptance of their subscription, become a Provisional Member of the Club. Provisional Membership shall only hold good until the next meeting of the officers of the club after the payment of the subscription of that Provisional Member.

2.3 Admission Voting

A vote of two-thirds of the officers of the club against an application for Membership shall exclude that applicant from Membership.

2.4 Subscription

Annual Membership subscription shall be proposed by the officers of the club and approved by a majority of the officers of the clubBri Annual.

2.5 Payment of Subscription

Payment of subscription falls Annually and is due on the First of April. Discounts may be applied as voted for by the officers of the club.

2.6 Subscription Non-payment

Any Member of the Club who has not paid their subscription within two clear months of the date on which it falls due shall be assumed to have resigned from the Club.

2.7 Resignation

Any Member ceasing, voluntarily or otherwise, to be a Member of the Club, shall thereafter cease to have any claim upon the property of the Club or to enjoy any of the privileges of Membership, but shall remain liable for the payment of any debts due to the Club.

2.8 Honorary Membership

The officers of the club may elect as Honorary Members any person or persons who have been distinguished in promoting the cause of motoring in general or of the Club in particular, subject to ratification at the next General Meeting.

2.9 Expulsion of Members

It shall be the duty of the officers of the club if at any time they shall be of the opinion that the interests of the Club so require, by letter, to invite any Member to withdraw from the Club within a time specified in such letter, and in default of such withdrawal to submit the question of their expulsion to a full meeting of the officers of the club, to be held within six weeks after the date of such letter. officers of the club shall be given seven days’ notice that a question of withdrawal or expulsion is to be discussed at a meeting of the officers of the club. The Member whose expulsion is under consideration shall be given at least seven days’ notice of such a meeting and shall be allowed to offer an explanation of their conduct verbally, or in writing and if two-thirds of the officers of the club shall then vote for his/ her expulsion, they shall at once cease to be a Member of the Club.

2.10 Observation and Interpretation of the Rules

Every Member binds themselves to abide by the Rules of the Club and also to any modifications made in conformity with the Rules and to accept as final and binding the decision of the officers of the club in all cases of dispute or disagreement as to the interpretation.

2.11 Access to the Rules and Regulations

Every Member shall have access to the Club Rules and Regulations on election to Membership.

2.12 Property of the Club

Any badges, property and/or equipment issued to a Member by or for the Club shall remain the property of the Club. On termination of their Membership, Members shall deliver up such property to the Nominated Club Official.

OFFICIALS OF THE CLUB

3.1 Management

The authority and responsibility for the transaction of the business of the Club for its management shall be vested in officers of the club, who, in addition to the powers and authorities by these rules expressly conferred on them, may exercise all powers and do all acts in furtherance of the objects for which the Club is established, other than those hereby expressly directed or required to be exercised or done by the Club in General Meeting.

3.2 Election of Officers

The President and Vice-President/s are honourable members of the club of the Club and Chairman, Treasurer, Secretary shall be elected at the Bi Annual General Meeting, subject to termination at the next Bi Annual General Meeting following their appointment.

3.3 Officers of the club

Officers of the club, is limited to Club Members that have been signed up for one complete year of membership, the complete year is defined as from 1 April one year to 31 March the next year, partial years do not count. During the period of the previous 12 Months the Prospective officer of the club must have attended at least three Club meets with a quorum of the current officers of the club present.

The Rules and Regulations Roles of Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary are limited to club administrators that have been supporting the officers of the club for the complete year, as defined as from 1 April one Year to 31 March the next year, partial years do not count. During the period of the previous 12 Months the prospective Rules and Regulations Role club administrators must have attended at least three Club meets with a quorum of the current officers of the club present.

Nominations of Candidates for election for the officers of the club must be received by the Secretary not less than seven days before the Bi Annual General Meeting, with an intimation in writing signed by each Member nominated that they are willing to serve. Nominations of Candidates shall be signed by the Member proposing them.

The officers of the club shall consist of not less than Three and not more than Four Officers, exclusive of the President and Vice-President/s. The officers of the club shall elect from among its Members a Chairman.

The officers of the club have the authority to co-opt other Members as they deem necessary including club administrators.
The officers of the club may appoint, from outside the Membership of the Club, an Auditor and/or a Solicitor.

The officers of the club shall have the power to appoint club administrators.

3.4 Meetings of the officers of the club

The Secretary, either of his own accord or by the direction of the Chairman, shall, unless otherwise agreed by all the officers of the club, give at least seven days’ notice of the holding of an officers of the club Meeting.

3.5 Absence from officers of the club

Any officers of the club who shall, without sufficient reason, absent themselves from three consecutive officers of the club Meetings may be assumed to have resigned as an officer of the club.

3.6 Voting of officers of the club Members

Each Officer present at a meeting of the officers of the club shall be entitled to exercise one vote.

MEETINGS

4.1 The Bi Annual General Meeting

The Bi Annual General Meeting of the Club shall be held in the month of April in each year upon a date and at a time to be fixed by the officers of the club.

The Bi Annual General Meeting shall:

  • (a) receive from the officers of the club a full statement of accounts which may be audited, showing the receipts and expenditure for the year ended 31st March;
  • (b) receive from the officers of the club a report of the activities of the Club during the said year;
  • (c) elect the, Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer of the Club;
  • (d) decide on any resolution which may be duly submitted to the meeting as provided for in these rules.

4.2 Special General Meeting

A Special General Meeting may be convened by the direction of the officers of the club, or by the Secretary on the requisition of at least ten percent of the Members of the Club.

4.3 Agenda

When Members wish a matter to be discussed at a General Meeting, the text of that matter, signed by at least two Members, shall be sent to the Secretary at least fourteen days before the date of such meeting so as to be included in the agenda of that meeting.
A copy of the agenda will be posted within the members section on the forum  at least five days prior to the date of the meeting, but the fact that any Member has not seen the agenda shall not invalidate the proceedings.
Business which is not included in the agenda, under the item “Any Other Business” shall not be discussed at the meeting unless every Member present is in favour of the discussion taking place.

4.4 Voting

Every Member with the right to be present may express one vote. The Chairman shall not vote except in the exercise of a casting vote. At all General Meetings, except as provided in sub-section 1.3, a majority of votes decides a resolution.

4.5 Right to be Present

No one can take part in General Meetings unless they have been duly elected as a Member of the Club, and has paid their subscription according to these Rules, except in the case of persons outside the Membership who have been appointed by the officers of the club to act on the club’s behalf