T.H.D.B.A. Constitution

1. Title
The Association shall be called the Tendring Hundred & District Bowling Association.

2. Objectives
2.1. The objects of the Association shall be to encourage and foster the amateur game of level green bowls.

2.2. To adopt and enforce the Laws of the Game and apply and enforce any domestic rules that arise.
2.3. Arrange matches and other competitions between member clubs and their members.
2.4. Select players for representative teams to play other Associations and clubs.
2.5. Ensure, via Delegate meetings and e-mails, lines of communication between Club and Association Committees
are kept open to ensure information is delivered in a timely fashion.

3. Membership
3.1. Membership of the Association shall be open to bowling clubs who are affiliated to Bowls England.
3.2. Application for membership must be made in writing to the Honorary Secretary by 1st November prior to the ensuing season.
3.3. A Club wishing to withdraw must give notice in writing to the Honorary Secretary by 1st November prior to the ensuing season.
3.4. An annual fee payable by each club shall be agreed at the Annual General Meeting.

4. Management
4.1. Committee shall consist of:- President, Vice-President, (President elect), Chairman, Immediate Past President, Secretary, Treasurer, Match Secretary, Competition Secretary, League Secretary and two other members of member clubs.
4.2. The Committee shall meet at least twice during the open season and once during the closed season.
4.3. Five elected members of the committee shall constitute a quorum.
4.4. The committee shall have the authority to fill Officer’s positions which become vacant during the current term of office.
4.5. No Officer or committee member shall be in receipt of any remuneration for their services.
4.6. The Management Committee shall form an Emergency Committee of three officers whose decision will be final.

5. Secretary
5.1. Secretary shall keep the records of business transacted at Management, Delegates and Annual
General Meetings.
5.2. Arrange delegates meetings in accordance with the Constitution and give clubs 28 days notice
of such meetings.
5.3. Deal with day to day correspondence in accordance with the directives of the committee.
5.4. All correspondence concerning the Association must be addressed directly to the Secretary.
5.5. Each club shall submit to the Secretary, the names, addresses and telephone numbers of their Secretary, Match Secretary, appointed TH&DBA delegates and three copies of their fixture list by the 31st March for the ensuing season.

6. Treasurer
6.1. The Treasurer shall keep account of all financial transactions.
6.2. Present a certified Statement of Accounts to the Annual General Meeting.
6.3. A Bank account in the name of the Association shall be held with a nominated Bank or Building Society as directed by the committee.
6.4. All cheques drawn for expenditure by the Association shall be signed with two signatories from either, the Treasurer, Secretary or one appointed Officer.

7. Chairman
7.1. Shall call all meetings and inform members, via the Secretary, of dates within the required times.
7.2. Chair all Management, Delegate, AGM and EGM Meeting.
7.3. Oversea the work of the Management Committee.
7.4. Deliver a casting vote when a vote is split

8. President
8.1. To act as a figure head for T.H.D.B.A.
8.2. To attend (in full regalia) Representative games, hosting of County tournaments, County games and THDBA Semi Finals and Finals.
8.3. To chair meetings in the absence of the Chairman and deliver casting vote if required.

9. Delegates
9.1. Each member club to appoint two delegates, only one of whom will have the authority to vote at a Delegate or Annual General Meeting.
9.2. Substitute delegates may be permitted at any meeting, provided they are authorized by the member club.
9.3. A member of the Management Committee cannot also be a voting delegate for his club.
9.4. Role and Responsibilities
(a) Attend all Delegates Meeting (or send a substitute)
(b) Attend Annual AGM or EGM and deliver vote as instructed by your member club.
(c) Act as a conduit for information to pass from Member Club Committee and Association Committee and vice versa.
(d) Receive match Information sheets to display for THDBA games and return 21 days before the match.
(e) Ensure selected team sheets are displayed on your Club Notice Board.
(f) Delegates should table and explain their clubs proposals when submitting a motion at an AGM.
(g) A Proxy Vote will be available if a club is unable to attend an AGM or EGM which the Delegate must organise.

10. Annual General Meeting
10.1. Shall be held in November/December each year and the following business shall be transacted.
10.2. To receive reports from the Secretary, Competition Secretary, League Secretary and
10.3. To receive the Treasurers report and approve the certified Statement of Accounts.
10.4. To agree the subscription due from member clubs each year on 31st March.
10.5. All nominees to the Management Committee shall be notified to the Secretary by 30th September.
10.6. To elect Officers and Committee members as required by clause 4.1.
10.7. The Vice-President shall be invited to fulfil the position of President the following year.
10.8. Each member club shall in turn be invited to nominate the Vice-President.
10.9. Any alterations or additions to this Constitution and League Rules shall be made on a straight majority vote at an Annual General Meetingor at an Extra-ordinary General Meeting convened for the purpose and then after not less
than 35 days notice of any proposed alteration or addition has been given in writing to the Secretary.
10.10. Clubs are entitled to a Proxy Vote if unable to attend which must be sent to and acknowledged by the Secretary 72 hours prior to said meeting date.

11. Code of Conduct
11.1. The THDBA adopts the Bowls England Rules & Regulations, Regulation 9 as theirs, and all affiliated clubs and their members thereof are expected to abide by the code of conduct at all times.

12. Representative Badges
12.1. Players in representative matches against other Associations can record any two such
matches per year (May 1st – April 30th) and be awarded the Association blazer badge after their fifth match.

13. Inclusion
13.1. Included in this Constitution are the Rules governing the conduct of League Matches and
Competitions. Acceptance of this Constitution implies acceptance of those Rules.

Updated 2025