FAQ: Does BISC have a Constitution or other formal rules?
Yes, the club does have a set of formal rules, as below.
Constitution of the Brussels International Sailing Club (BISC) (June 2007)
Article 1.
This group will be called the Brussels International Sailing Club (BISC).
Article 2.
The aim of the group is to encourage members to increase their knowledge and expertise in sailing and to provide a forum for meeting and discussion.
Article 3.
3.1. The annual subscription will constitute individual membership and the fee (20 ) be due by January 1st each year. After March 1st, this will be increased to 25 for existing members. Subscriptions not received after this date will be presumed to have lapsed. New members joining after September 1st will pay only 10 .
3.2 Any individual wishing to join the group must complete a membership application form and return it to the secretary. Membership forms are available from the Chairman.
3.3 Any member wishing to resign must inform the secretary.
Article 4.
The monthly meetings will generally be held once a month at a time to be convenient to most Committee members.
Article 5
5.1 The group shall be managed by a committee of members and a chairman, a vice-chairman, secretary and a treasurer who are appointed for one year but shall not normally serve in the same office for more than 2 years.
5.2 Responsibility for specific activities will normally be shared among the individual committee members and officers. These activities can also be delegated to group members under the supervision of a committee member.
5.3 A quorum of half of the committee members including the officers shall be required to take any decision.
5.4 The Committee shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting. The Chairman, vice chair-person, secretary and the treasurer shall be subsequently chosen from the committee members.
Article 6
6.1 The Committee shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting
6.2 Nominations will be proposed and seconded by the group members at the AGM. Each member of the club present at the AGM shall have 1 vote.
6.3 All members nominated must have indicated their willingness to serve on the committee.
6.4 Any committee member not seeking re-election should notify the secretary in writing at least 2 weeks prior to the AGM.
6.5 Committee members will be elected for a period of 1 year. They are eligible for re-election provide that they have had a satisfactory attendance in each year of office.
Article 7
The officers and committee members shall have the authority to co-opt members, the right to act on behalf of the group, the right to approve financial commitments within the limit of the existing funds, and the right to delegate. They may also recommend persons for honorary membership.
Article 8
8.1 Annual General meeting will be held in April, at which time reports will be presented by the chairperson, the secretary and the treasurer. The treasurer will present the financial statement and balance sheet preferably audited by a group member who does not serve on the committee.
8.2 Any changes to the constitution will be presented and must have a 2/3 majority of members present to take effect . A quorum is considered to be 50% of those preset.
Article 9
9.1 The annual subscription for the upcoming year will be determined annually by the committee and ratified at the AGM
9.2 The treasurer will be responsible for keeping the accounts and shall make payments from the group’s funds on behalf of the group with the sanction of the committee. All payments and other documents must be signed by the treasurer. In the absence of the treasurer then by the chairman.
9.3 All moneys of the group shall be paid into the BISC account number ING 310-0829595-40
9.4 The financial year will end at the end of December 31st after which time the books will be audited before the AGM
9.5 In the event of the club ceasing to exist, the assets will be given to the Dutch and British Sea Rescue Services in equal proportions.