1. CLUB TITLE:

• The club shall be known as CLOSE COMBAT MARTIAL ARTS, but will also be known as CLOSE COMBAT MMA & Fitness to include our additional fitness centre objectives (hereinafter to be referred to as “CCMA”).

2. OBJECTIVES:

• To encourage the practice, promotion, development and participation of amateur combat sports within Lymington and the wider community.
• To provide training and coaching for members.
• To organise and participate in inter-club competitions and events with other local clubs, and to aim to compete in regional, national and international amateur events, where members wish to compete.
• CCMA shall cater for the following combat sports disciplines: Boxing, Kickboxing, no-gi Brazilian Jujitsu and wrestling.
• CCMA shall seek to be affiliated to national and regional amateur combat sports bodies as the Committee consider appropriate in order to carry out the objectives of CCMA.

3. MEMBERSHIP:

• Membership of CCMA shall be open to persons who are amateurs as defined by relevant UK martial arts governing bodies at that time, regardless of sex, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, religion or other beliefs. However, limitation of membership according to capacity of available facilities and the health and safety of potential members is allowable on a non-discriminatory basis.
• Each membership application must be made by on-line electronic submission using the application form available on the website, which will be sent to potential members/parents directly via email, WhatsApp or Messenger upon enquiry to join.
• Members wishing to cease participation in CCMA activities can retain an affiliate membership. Affiliate members will retain the rights and privileges of membership and priority access to available places should they wish to return to CCMA activities.
• The head Instructor or club instructors shall have the power to suspend or exclude any member for contravention of CCMA rules or published codes of conduct, including this Constitution and all other club policies, displayed at the gym or on the website. In exercising these powers the instructors shall adhere to CCMA’s disciplinary procedures. Appeal against refusal or removal may be made to the Committee which will be reviewed and responded to with fair decisions being made based on the severity of the contravention and the impact it has had or could have on the club or wellbeing of members.

4. SUBSCRIPTIONS:

• Only an active membership grants entitlement to the rights and privileges of membership.
• Membership subscription amounts will be reviewed by the Committee at the AGM or in EGM’s if required.
• CCMA offers a concessionary membership for those on a low income as advertised at the gym and on the website.
• CCMA will keep subscriptions at levels that will not pose a significant obstacle to people participating and will seek funding to assist those on a low income to provide free or reduced membership fees where capacity allows.
• Affiliate membership subscriptions are available for inactive members to continue to support the club and retain the rights and privileges of membership, and priority placement upon returning to club activities.
• Club kit is highly encouraged to represent the club and can be purchased separately on our monthly sub club order via the website shop.
• Any member failing to make their monthly subscription payment on time shall cease to be entitled to the rights and privileges of membership and may be suspended if arrangements to pay have not been discussed and arranged with the administration team. Repeated failure to pay membership fees may result in member expulsion and places offered to others on waiting lists.

5. MANAGEMENT TEAM:

• The Chairman will over the the running of CCMA to ensure the non profit goals of CCMA are being adhered to, inline with this constitution and all club rules and policies, and will delegate the day to day duties of running training classes to a management team of instructors, administration and maintenance staff.

6. THE COMMITTEE:

• The big picture decisions and large expenditure of the club will require approval by the Committee of Trustees.
• The Committee shall consist of the Chairman, Treasurer and Secretary, who will act as the officers of CCMA, and a maximum of ten other Trustees to maintain a quorum.
• Potential Trustees will be nominated by the Committee of Trustees and a list will be prepared before the AGM.
• To be eligible for nomination as a Trustee (as shown on the register), members must have;
  • a student rating of 100 or more
  • an attendance rating of 90% or more
  • an active membership subscription
• Eligible Trustees shall be elected, or if not enough nominees, selected at the AGM and remain in office until the conclusion of the AGM of the following year.
• If the number of nominees is less than or equal to the number of vacancies, those individuals are automatically deemed selected/elected or re-elected.
• The Committee shall have the power to fill Trustee vacancies from the membership based on experience level and commitment shown.
• A minimum of five Committee Trustees are required for a quorum for a Committee meeting to take place providing the Chairman or Secretary is also present, but in most cases, all Committee members will be expended to attend either in person, online, or to have voted by proxy in advance of the meeting for approval or objection of each motion.

7. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

• The AGM will be held in January as dictated by the practical circumstances applicable at that time, following the end of CCMA’s financial year.
• To ensure formal, legal accountability and to prevent oversight, the AGM usually requires participation from all Trustees and any members who wish to attend, either in person, remotely or by proxy prepared in advance of the AGM.
• To reduce environmental impact, conserve resources, and promote sustainability:
  • All reports will be submitted electronically as PDF’s in advance of the AGM.
  • All votes will be carried out electronically via poll.
• both of which will be provided live to Trustees for review and action (approval/objections/voting). Action must be received from each available Trustee before moving on to the next item on the agenda.
• If an in-person meeting is inconvenient for the majority of Trustees, the Committee can approve for a virtual AGM to be held via WhatsApp group chat over the course of a few days as long as the same outcomes are achieved which will be motioned and seconded before and after the virtual AGM.
• At the AGM the Committee will:
  • Receive and review the Chairperson’s annual report.
  • Receive and review the Management Team’s annual report.
  • Receive the financial statements and the Treasurer’s report.
  • Elect/select the officers and the Committee for the ensuing year.
  • Consider any amendment to the constitution of which due notice has been given to all members. Any proposed change to the constitution must be received by the Secretary at least 14 days preceding the meeting in order that all members shall have sufficient notice of the proposal.
• At least 21 days notice shall be given to members of the date, venue and agenda items for the AGM.
• All registered members of CCMA at the meeting who are aged 18 years or more shall have one vote. In the case of an equality of votes the Chairman will have a second, casting, vote. Voting shall be by WhatsApp poll, so both registered members in attendance and those unable to attend in person can vote.

8. EXTRA-ORDINARY GENERAL MEETING:

• An EGM may be called by the Committee to discuss changes to the Constitution, rules, policy, or any other club business too urgent to wait for the AGM.
• 7 days notice of an EGM must be given to all members by email or messenger together with the motion/s to be discussed. No other business shall be conducted.
• Procedures for voting shall be as used for the AGM.

9. FINANCES

• The financial year of CCMA shall end on 31st of December.
• All funds belonging to CCMA shall be deposited with a bank or building society in accounts that shall carry CCMA title.
• Expenditure above agreed budget levels may only be authorised by the Committee.

10. PROPERTY AND FUNDS:

• The property and funds of CCMA cannot be used for the direct or indirect private benefit of members other than as reasonably allowed by the rules set out in this constitution, with the best interests of the club and its members at the forefront of any decision making.
• All surplus income or profits are reinvested into CCMA.
• CCMA may provide sporting and related social facilities, sporting equipment, coaching, classes, insurance cover, medical treatment, travel expenses and other ordinary benefits of Community Amateur Sports Clubs as provided for in the Finance Act 2002.
• CCMA may also in connection with the sports purposes of CCMA:
  • Sell and/or supply food, drink and related sports clothing and equipment.
  • The Committee will have due regard to the law on disability discrimination and child protection.
  • Employ members (including Trustees) and remunerate them for providing goods and services, on fair terms set by this constitution (see below), changes to this will be set by the Committee with the person(s) concerned abstaining from any vote that may benefit them privately.
  • Pay for reasonable hospitality for visiting guests.

11. REMUNERATION OF STAFF:

• AS CCMA has expanded, it has become clear that services cannot be provided efficiently without a dedicated team of staff to cater to members training needs.
• Fair remuneration for CCMA Instructors, administration and maintenance staff has been established as follows, but only when available funds allow after core expenses, based on the income generated per class from membership subscriptions and/or available grant funding.
• When funding allows after core expenses:
  • Administration and maintenance staff will be contracted where required based on the local going rate for a similar role in the local area as shown on indeed.com, plus a 4% pay rise for each year of service in line with inflation and cost of living increases, which will be clearly outlined in individual contracts and will be reviewed annually at the AGM. Part time staff will be paid per hour, full time staff will receive a salary where their hours become unpredictable.
  • Instructors will be contracted, to maintain consistency and standards, with the best interest of the club and its members in mind.
  • Paid instructor roles will only become necessary based on class instructor-to-student ratio and safeguarding requirements:.
    • 1:10 for adults only classes
    • 2:10 for the first 10 students where minors or adults at risk are present
    • 2:20, 3:30, 4:40 etc.
  • Lower level instructors who are only paid for instructing lessons (not lesson planning, student grade track updates and syllabus development) will be paid per hour based on a multiplier of the national living wage, but also based on grade, qualifications and experience level as shown below, with a starting cap at the hourly rate estimated on indeed.com (https://uk.indeed.com/career/martial-arts-instructor/salaries/Lymington), plus a 4% pay rise for each year of service in line with inflation and cost of living increases, which will be clearly outlined in individual contracts and will be reviewed annually at the AGM.
• Higher level instructors, who’s hours can be unpredictable (due to lesson planning, student grade track updates and syllabus development) will be paid a yearly salary (paid monthly), based on the local average estimated salary on indeed.com (as above), plus a minimum 4% pay rise for each year of service to CCMA in line with inflation and cost of living increases, which will be clearly outlined in individual contracts and will be reviewed annually at the AGM.
• If the club suffers financial hardship, Trustees may volunteer to carry out essential tasks to keep the club functioning and Trustee officers will endeavour to seek out grant funding to cover remuneration expenses.
• Where a staff member is also a Trustee, clear definition between the paid role as a member of staff and the voluntary role as a committee member will be established in any contract of employment or self employment for services.

12. WINDING UP

• The members may vote to wind up CCMA if not less than three quarters of those present and voting supports that proposal at a properly convened AGM.
• The Committee will then be responsible for the orderly winding up of CCMA’s affairs.
• After settling all liabilities of CCMA, the Committee shall dispose of the net assets remaining to one or more of the following:
  • To another Club with similar sports purposes which is a registered charity and/or
  • To another Club with similar sports purposes which is a registered CASC and/or
  • To CCMA’s national governing bodies for use by them for related community sports.

13. ALTERATIONS TO THE CONSTITUTION:

• This Constitution may be altered, but only by an approval resolution passed by two-thirds of those present and voting at an AGM or an EGM called for that purpose.

14. PRIORITY:

• Interpretation of all the above rules must be consistent with the statutory requirements for CASC’s (which means Community Amateur Sports Clubs as first provided for by the Finance Act 2002) Legal framework takes priority,

15. REVISION HISTORY:

• This Constitution was formerly adopted at the ‘CASC Establishment EGM’ held on ___________ and replaces CCMA’s original Constitution used since its formation in 10/02/2017.

COMMITTEE:

Current Chairman:

• Louise Close

Deputy Chairman:

• David Close (acting)

Current Club Secretary:

• Justina Grinceviecute

Current Treasurer:

• David Close

CCMA Trustees:

(In grade order)

• Katie Cornock
• Emily Close
• Emily Raven
• Damian Close
• Alessio Collyer
• Callum Bisson
• Luke Handyside
• Reece Jeff
• Fin Bighold-Kyles
• Robert Hurl
• Nicole Bowditch

CCMA MANAGEMENT TEAM:

Instructor Roles:

Head Instructor:

• David Close

Trainee Instructors:

• Emily Raven
• Emily Close
• Nixie Melindo
• Damian Close

Club Administrator:

• Justina Grinceviecute

Lead Safeguarding Officer:

• David Close

Safeguarding Officers:

• Emily Raven
• Emily Close
• Justina Grinceviecute

First Aiders:

• David Close
• Emily Raven
• Emily Close
• Justina Grinceviecute

Membership Agreement:

When signing up for membership, you are agreeing to this constitution, the club rules and principles and all associated voting rights and agree to follow all club policies. If you cease your membership subscription payments, you automatically lose your membership and all associated voting rights.