WELSH AIRGUN and FIELD TARGET ASSOCIATION

CONSTITUTION

1,  The Association shall be named The Welsh Airgun and Field Target Association (WAFTA being the accepted abbreviation) hereinafter referred to as the ‘Association”

2. The objectives of the Association are: -
a. To promote the safe use of air rifles and pistols.
b. To support, encourage and promote all aspects of the sport of air gun Field target shooting.
c. To encourage the formation of Field Target Clubs.
d. To advise on all matters relating to competitive Field Target shooting.
e. To uphold and maintain the legitimate interest of its members in such a manner as thus Association, by means of its committee and as the Association in general meeting, shall decide.
f. To co-operate with and to support any other shooting or sporting or associated body in any way with mutual interests or to achieve any of the foregoing objectives, but without such co-operation or support infringing in any way upon the independence of the Association, its member bodies or any other body.

3a. Membership of the Association may be applied for by properly constituted Field Target Clubs.
3b. Member Clubs of the Association are expected to host one shoot during the Winter Series and one during the Summer Series for the overall benefit of Association Members.
3c. Member Clubs are expected to assist the Association actively and materially with the hosting of major Field Target events in Wales, such as the Welsh Open.
3d. Membership of the Association is conditional on the acceptance of, and compliance with Association rules regarding Safety and agreed Shoot rules.
3e. The business of the Association will be conducted by a Management Committee consisting of its officers and 2 delegates from each member club. All members of the Management Committee must be full members of their respective clubs. Each member club will have one vote with the Chairperson having the casting vote. The Officers may only vote if they attend as a Voting Representative of their Club. A quorum shall be no less than 51% of the member clubs.

4.  The Management Committee may terminate by unanimous vote and for good reason the membership of any member club, provided that the member club shall have the right to be heard by the Management Committee.

5. Powers of Management Committee
5.1 power to raise Funds and to invite and to receive contributions provided that in raising funds the Management Committee shall not undertake any substantial permanent trading activities and shall conform to any relevant requirements of the law;
5.2 power to buy, take on lease or in exchange any property necessary for the achievement of the objects and to maintain and equip it for use;
5.3 powers subject to any consents required by law to sell, lease or dispose of all or any part of the property of the Association.

6. The Office Bearers of the Association shall be a Chairperson, with a casting vote, a Vice Chairperson, a Secretary, a Competition Secretary, a Grading Secretary and a Treasurer elected from the Management Committee at the AGM.

7. A member of the Management Committee shall cease to hold office if he or she:
7.1 ceases to be a full current member of the Association; or
7.2 becomes incapable by reason of mental disorder, illness or injury of managing and administering his or her own affairs; or
7.3 is absent without permission of or explanation to the Management Committee from two consecutive meetings and the Management Committee resolve that his or her office be vacated; or
7.4 gives to the Management Committee notice that he or she wishes to resign with effect from a date at least one month after the date of the notice (unless there are exceptional reasons for shorter notice), but only if at least 75% of the members of the Management Committee remain in office when the notice of resignation is to take effect.

8. Members of the Management Committee must at the time of joining declare any business interests relative to the sport and undertake to report any change of status.

9. The Management Committee will meet not less than three times per year at a mutually agreed venue and date.  One months notice together with the agenda shall be sent to the Secretary of each member body.

10. The Annual General Meeting of the Association shall be held during the months of January or February. One months notice together with agenda shall be sent to the Secretary of each member body. Examined accounts for the previous calendar year shall be available at the meeting and on request from the Association Secretary up to 14 days before the meeting.

The following business shall be transacted: -

a. Approve the minutes of the previous years general meetings

b. Receive the Annual Accounts and Reports of the Management Committee
c. Elect the Office Holders
d. Set fees and subscriptions
e. Any other business

A Quorum shall be two thirds of the delegates eligible to attend.

11. An Extraordinary General Meeting can be called by the Chair or by a majority number of clubs.
At least two weeks notice must be given and the subject(s) for discussion must be stated.
The subject(s) given at the time of calling the EGM will be the only matter(s) considered at the subsequent EGM.
An EGM may be held on the day of a series shoot at a time of the committee's choosing, or other time as the committee may decide, providing that the requisite period of notice has been given as above.
A quorum will consist of no less than 51% of the member clubs.

12.1 The funds of the Association, including all donations, contributions and bequests, shall be paid into an account operated by the Management Committee in the name of the Association at such bank or building society as the Management Committee shall from time to time decide. The Association may operate more than one bank account.  All cheques drawn on the Association’s bank account must be signed by two members of the Management Committee.
12.2   The funds belonging to the Association shall be applied only in furthering the Objectives of the Association.

13. Alterations to the Constitution shall only be made at the A G M or at an EGM, with a minimum of two thirds of eligible delegates present and voting. Notice of a motion for constitutional change shall be given to the Secretary in writing and issued to the member bodies with the agenda.

14. The Association will not infringe in, any manner on the autonomous rights of any member club.

15. In the event of the Association being wound up the assets of the Association shall  not belong to member bodies or members of the Management Committee but shall be made over to some other institution, charity or institutions having objects similar to the objects of the Association as the members may determine.