Constitution
(Upated May 2026)
1. Name
1.1. The name of the club shall be the OAKHANGER ANGLING CLUB (OAC).
2. Object
2.1. The object of the club is to provide it's members with angling facilities and to promote angling.
3. Trustees
3.1. There shall be no less than two or more than threeTrustees of the club.
3.2. The Trustees will be appointed by the Committee.
3.3. Trustees shall hold office until death or resignation, or until removed from office by a resolution of the Committee.
3.4. All property of the club (except cash, which shall be under control of the Hon. Treasurer) including leases shall be vested in the Trustees to be dealt with by them, as the Committee shall be resolution direct.
3.5. The trustees shall be indemnified out of the assets of the club against any risk and expense incurred by them in pursuance of their office.
4. Membership
4.1. The club shall consist of the following classes of members: i. Senior Members ii. Junior Members iii. Concessionary Members iv. Joint Members v. Committee Members.
4.2.Membership in any class may be limited by the Committee subject to confirmation at the next Annual General Meeting.
4.3. All members shall be deemed to have agreed to be bound by the rules and By-Laws of the club.
5. Senior Members
5.1. Age range: 18 to OAP. 5.2. Senior membership applicants may be vetted by the Hon. Membership Secretary and brought before the Committee who may refuse any application without stating a reason.
6. Junior Membership
6.1. Age range: 12 to 18 years.
6.2. Juniors younger than 12 years will not have to pay for membership. They must be registered as a junior member and must be accompanied by an adult Oakhanger Angling Club member when fishing at all times.
6.3. Junior members cannot propose or vote on Club matters.
7. Concessionary Membership
7.1. Concessionary membership fee of 50% to 70% of senior membership fee is offered to the following:
7.2. Members attaining old age pensions status.
7.3. Registered Disabled Members. (Upon submission of documentary evidence to the Hon. Membership Secretary).
7.4. Full time Students between the age of 18 and 21. (Upon submission of evidence to the Hon. Membership Secretary).
8. Joint Membership
8.1. Age range 18 to OAP.
8.2. Must be a spouse or partner.
9. Committee Membership
9.1. Serving Committee Members and bailiffs are allowed to take one complimentary personal guest to any Club Water. Guest must fish in adjacent swim and must adhere to all Club Rules.
10. Subscriptions
10.1. The entrance fee and annual subscription for all classes of member- ship shall be such sums as the membership determine at the Annual General Meeting.
10.2. Subscriptions shall be payable on election to membership, and thereafter annually between 1st April and 1st June.
10.3. Membership will only be issued upon clearance of their entrance fee and first annual subscription.
10.4. If subscriptions are not paid during this period then it will be deemed that membership has lapsed and such persons on rejoining will be liable to entrance fee plus annual subscription.
10.5. The Hon. Membership Secretary may use their discretion on charging a rejoining fee.
10.6. Membership will be from 1st May to 30th April in the following year.
11. Expulsion
11.1. The Committee shall expel from the Club any member for conduct, which in their opinion is injurious to the interest of the Club or it's objects or its members or angling.
11.2. Before expulsion the Committee shall inquire into the member’s conduct and the member shall be given reasonable opportunity to defend and justify themselves in writing and by appearing before the committee.
11.3. Committee’s powers to expel shall be on a majority vote of those present at the inquiry.
12. Management
12.1. The management of the Club shall be vested in the Committee.
13. Officers
13.1. A Chair, Hon. Secretary, Hon. Membership Secretary and Hon. Treasurer shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting of the Club after being proposed and seconded and indicate their consent.
14. The Committee
14.1. The Committee shall ideally consist of: 1 – Chair 2 – Vice Chair 3 – Hon. Secretary 4 – Hon. Membership Secretary 5 – Hon Treasurer 6 – Fishery Management Officer 7 – Head Bailiff 8 – Senior Match Secretary 9 – Ordinary Member 10 – Ordinary Member 11 – Ordinary Member 12 – Ordinary Member.
14.2. The Chair shall be elected for a maximum period of four consecutive years, but can be re-elected with the approval of the elected committee.
14.3. The Committee shall retire annually but be eligible for re-election at the AGM when every member (excluding junior) shall be entitled to vote for as many candidates as there are vacancies to be filled.
14.4. Should two or more candidates receive an equal number of votes the Chair shall have a second or casting vote.
14.5. The Committee shall have power to co-opt a member on to fill any casual vacancy on the Committee. Any member so appointed shall retire at the next AGM but shall be eligible for re-election. neral Meeting of the Club after being proposed and seconded and indicate their consent.
14.6. The Committee shall meet at least 8 months of each year to examine the accounts and arrange the affairs of the Club.
14.7. Minutes of meetings shall be taken.
14.8. Quorum for meeting shall be four.
14.9. The Committee shall have the power to declare vacant the position of any Committee members who shall have been absent for three consecutive meetings without adequate cause.
14.10. A Committee member selected to the Committee of another Angling Club, Association or Organization shall resign from the Committee.
15. Expenditure
15.1. No member of the Club shall incur any obligation or expense or financial expenses on behalf of the club unless authorised by the Committee.
15.2. The club will not accept any liability for any expenses incurred by a member in contravention of this rule.
15.3. The Hon. Treasurer may authorise purchase of such items as maybe required for the management of the Club.
16. Complaints
16.1. No complaint by a member shall be considered unless put in writing and signed, an email is also sufficient.
17. By-Laws
17.1. TheBy-Laws set out inAppendix to these rules andBy-Law made under paragraph 17.2 of this Rule shall be binding upon members until repealed by the Committee or by a resolution at the Annual General Meeting subject to any amendment made under paragraph 17.2 of this rule.
17.2. The Committee shall from time to time make, repeal or amend all such By-Laws as they deem expedient (provided that they shall not be inconsistent with these rules).
17.3. The Committee shall have the authority to ban the use of keep nets on OAC waters, if, in the opinion of the Committee, their use is detrimental to the fish stock.
18. Annual General Meeting
18.1. The Annual General Meeting of the Club shall be held in the month of March in each year to receive and consider the audited accounts and annual balance sheet prepared by the Hon. Treasurer. To appoint officers and auditors and to decide on any resolution submitted by the Committee or under Rule 20.
19. Special General Meeting
19.1. A special General Meeting may be held at any time that the Committee shall determine.
19.2. The Committee may call a Special General Meeting upon the requisition in writing of any 20 members for a purpose stated in the requisition.
19.3. The committee shall call the meeting within 40 days of receipt by the Hon. Secretary of the requisition.
20. Notice of General Meetings and Resolutions
20.1. Notice of date, time and place of General Meeting, stating the last date for submitting resolutions, shall be sent to each member of the Club at their last known postal address or email, at least 21 days before the date of the meeting.
20.2. Notice of any proposed resolution unless recommended by the Committee, shall be submitted in writing to the Hon. Secretary 28 days prior to the meeting and signed by the proposer and seconder. The Committee will deliberate the proposal and will recommend it's adoption or rejection at the AGM.
20.3. All proposals will be included in the business of the meeting.
20.4. Accidental omission to give notice to, or non receipt of notice by any member under paragraph 20.1 and 20.2 of this rule shall not invalidate any of the proceedings of the meeting.
21. Proceedings at Annual General Meetings
21.1. No less than 20 members eligible to vote are required for a quorum.
21.2. The Chair or member elected to take the chair and all members, excluding juniors, shall be entitled to vote.
21.3. In the event of a tied vote the Chair shall have a second or casting vote.
21.4. With the exception to these rules, any motion or resolution will be passed with a majority vote.
21.5. Repeals, amendments or additions to the rules of the Club will only be accepted on a two-thirds majority vote.
21.6. The meeting will be conducted in accordance with the agenda as approved by the Committee and a copy will be available at the meeting.
22. Dissolution
22.1. That upon the dissolution of the Club all accrued funds shall be donated to Fish Legal (Angling Trust).
23. Interpretation 23.1. The Committee shall be the sole authority for the interpretation of the Club rules and by-laws.
23.2. The decision of the Committee upon any question of interpretation or matter affecting the Club not covered by the rules or by-laws shall be final and binding upon the members.ccrued funds shall be donated to Fish Legal (Angling Trust).
23. Interpretation
23.1. The Committee shall be the sole authority for the interpretation of the Club rules and by-laws.
23.2. The decision of the Committee upon any question of interpretation or matter affecting the Club not covered by the rules or by-laws shall be final and binding upon the members.