The Association shall be known as The Manchester and District Ladies’ Golf Association was formed primarily for the Regulating of an Annual Competition for a Challenge Cup provided by the Association for Clubs within a radius of 25 miles of Manchester Town Hall, and secondarily for the purpose, which shall benefit ladies’ golf in that area. Subsequently, an Inter-Club Knock-Out Competition, namely the Bell Cup, and other one day Competitions have been added.

1

Clubs within the area are eligible to join the Association on payment of an Annual Subscription, which shall be fixed annually by the Officers and Committee. This subscription also entitles each club to enter the Bell Cup knock out competition.

2

The Management of the Association shall be carried out by a Committee which shall consist of the Officers, namely, President, Past President, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer, Bell Cup Secretary, Bunty Booth Secretary and nine elected ordinary members. 

3

The President, shall be nominated by the serving President and the immediate 5 Past Presidents and Honorary Presidents.  The President shall serve for one year.  The Secretary, Treasurer, Bell Cup Secretary and Bunty Booth Secretary are proposed, by the Committee, and seconded, by a delegate at the AGM for a term of five years, with an option for a further three years.  

4

A maximum of three Honorary Presidents can be appointed. They will have served as an officer on the MDLGA committee. They are appointed by the 5 immediate Past Presidents at a meeting at the President’s club on the day of the Bell Cup Final. They shall serve for a maximum of 10 years from their appointment on the adoption of the revised constitution in 2025.

5

The Committee, Officers, Honorary Presidents & Past Presidents in attendance at the Annual General Meeting do NOT have a vote. However, President, Past President, Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer, Bell Cup Secretary, Bunty Booth Secretary and nine elected ordinary members have voting rights at all Committee meetings.

6

Committee members shall serve for three years and are not eligible for re-election until one year has elapsed.  If a Club has been represented on the Committee for three years, that Club may not submit another name for election for a period of one year.  There can be 2 members from the same club if the officer is the incoming President as she would need support with internal organisation or another serving Officer. The Committee may between one Annual General Meeting and another, fill any vacancies which may occur by co-option. Any person so appointed will serve for the remainder of that period of office.

7

A Statement of Accounts for the preceding year (which shall be taken as ended on 30^th September) shall be submitted to the Annual General Meeting of the delegates, which shall be held in November of each year.

8

All formal arrangements for each years’ competitions, including but not limited to, entrance fees, handicap limits and playing formats shall rest solely with the Officers and Committee.  Any specific changes to competitions will be communicated to the membership and posted on the website.  Any queries or disputes arising from this shall be referred to the officers and committee in writing to the Secretary for consideration and response.  Any outcome from queries or disputes shall rest with the officers and committee and their decision shall be final.

9

All competitions shall be played according to the R & A Rules of Golf and England Golf Regulations.  Subject to the above, all members of the subscribing clubs with a WHS Handicap Index are eligible to enter any of the Association’s Competitions.

10

The Winner of a Competition shall hold the TROPHY for one year and all Trophies will be presented at the AGM.

11

No alteration shall be made to this Constitution except at a General Meeting of delegates at which 20 shall form a quorum.  At meetings of the Officers and Committee, 9 shall form a quorum on a populus of 16 voting members.

12

The constitution can only be amended by a majority vote at the AGM or any Special General Meeting decided upon by the Committee.

13

Each member club shall be entitled to nominate one of its own members to act as its representative at AGM’s and SGM’s with voting rights, and can be accompanied by another club member who does NOT have any voting rights.

14

No proxy voting will be allowed and all votes must be cast in person by the nominated representative of the member club.

15

An email is distributed to all member clubs convening the AGM. This will comprise the agenda, relevant documentation and a requirement that all Notices of Motions to be sent to the Secretary, in writing, by the 30th September or an alternative date set by the Secretary. Proposed Motions made by one club must be seconded by another member club and their Representatives must be present at the AGM to speak to the motion.