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Constitution
Introduction
The
Ball Cup is an institution that can be modestly compared to the World
Wide Web; it is functional – clubs and schools can compete in its
hosted regattas - and yet it is somewhat ethereal. It does not have a
headquarters; it is owned by no body. Without the participation and
involvement of its members, it does not exist – until now.
The
Ball Cup Regattas, within the blanket body, have reached a level
of magnitude
such that it is felt that the current system of organisation –
for
some years effectively carried bravely by virtually individual
personalities – needs to be put on a firmer footing. The
membership
has to be more involved, not only to spread the work load, but to
enable members to feel that their validly expressed personal ideas
can be put to the general body. Should a concensus of opinion be
expressed, a system is needed whereby such suggestions can be put
into practice.
Current
Situation
The
Ball Cup as an institution, and distinct from the regattas within it,
has a coordinator, currently Graham Middleton, who inherited the
position from Michael Righton, who picked up an almost defunct body
from Katina Bonham in the south, and a centenary event on the Dee in
the north instigated by Keith Osborne. . The
coordinator has to date fixed agreed dates and venues for the
regattas, and been heavily involved in the running of the events,
mainly the south.
Outside
the regattas, the coordinator negotiates sponsorship and provides
trophies.
Under
the Ball Cup heading, coaching courses are held, and advice given to
the clubs who are often in state schools run by teachers new to the
sport.
The
coordinator liases with King Edward VI School and Stratford rowing
Club, the historical homes of the trophies, and updates records,
engraving and trophy boards.
Under
the Coordinator, the regattas have Chairmen, who appoint committees
to run the events. Currently Phil Clements is the Southern Ball i/c,
while the Northern event rotates between the Committees of Warrington
RC, Runcorn RC and Grange School. Hollingworth Lake have also hosted.
The
current Coordinator, Graham Middleton, will retire at some point
around the 2010 events, and would propose that a constitution be
agreed to define the Ball Cup.
The
constitution would largely be a working document to define an agreed
process for the regattas, but in addition, and perhaps more
importantly, guarantees the perpetuity of the competitions should
lone personalities be called away from The Ball. A draft follows,
which is intended to instigate a process which can be honed at an
annual meeting called to express participation and proposals.
Proposals from membership that cannot attend would form an agenda and
be considered by the attending members. The format of the two
regattas would be approved.
Draft
Constitution
1) The Ball Cup and its
constituent regattas would be defined by such
that has
evolved
historically to the present. Future changes to its definition would
be by agreement of the membership.
2) The membership would
consist of representatives of competing clubs – those that have
competed in the past or qualify to compete under the current rules of
entry, in addition, a representative of The Henley Stewards’
Charitable Trust , from King Edward VI School , Stratford Rowing Club,
The Current Coordinator and the Chairs of the two regattas. The Chair
would initially be taken by the current Coordinator, whose position for
the current year and annual meeting would then be defined by membership
concensus.
3) The annual meeting would be in the
October preceding the year of the regattas, attendance by invitation of
the membership body. Venue to be agreed, probably within the Thames
Valley. It is possible that the Northern membership might instigate a
prior meeting, its contents and proposals being brought to the annual
meeting by a representative.
4) The Chairs and committees of the two Ball
Regattas would be appointed
5) Initial matters arising would be
discussion on the format of the blanket body, The Ball Cup itself, and
officers responsible for overall responsibility, then….
6) Discussion on each of the two regattas.:-
Ball Cup North and Ball Cup South. Proposals from members and report
from the appointed Chairs on the general format to be. Dates of the
regattas.
7) Finance. Report from the previous regatta
treasurers and coordinator on the current account. Accounts of the two
regattas. Sponsorship.
8) Any other Business. *
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It is obvious that any chosen venue and
date could not attract the whole membership, given also that most will
be school teachers in term-time. The notice for the meeting will stress
that all suggestions put forward by non-attenders will be fully
discussed at the meeting, and given support of action if approved.
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Much has probably been omitted in this
brief draft, but it is only meant to be a stepping stone whence firmer
things will follow. A list of membership comments is pending from
current regattas, which will be raised at the annual meeting.
Graham Middleton (
General Ball
Cup
Coordinator )
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