GOSFORTH HARRIERS AND ATHLETIC CLUB Established 1927
The name of the club is Gosforth Harriers and Athletic Club (“the Club”), established in 1927. The Club is a voluntary, unincorporated association, is not established for profit and has no charitable or Community Amateur Sports Club status. The Club may affiliate to England Athletics and any other governing or competition body approved by the Management Committee and will comply with the applicable rules, regulations and affiliation requirements of those bodies.
The objects of the Club are to promote participation in athletics and running for the benefit of members and the local community; provide safe, inclusive coaching, training, competition and volunteering opportunities; support members’ development and wellbeing; uphold good governance, welfare and integrity; and apply the Club’s income and property solely towards these objects.
The Club will provide a welcoming, safe and inclusive environment, value diversity, take reasonable steps to remove barriers to participation and make appropriate adjustments where reasonably practicable. No person will receive less favourable treatment contrary to the Equality Act 2010. Everyone involved with the Club must respect the rights, dignity and worth of others and comply with the Club’s codes of conduct, inclusion policy, safeguarding policies and other policies adopted by the Management Committee.
Membership is open to any person who supports the Club’s objects, subject to the Club’s capacity, membership criteria and applicable governing-body rules. Applications will be considered fairly by or on behalf of the Management Committee. The Committee may refuse an application only for a lawful and reasonable reason consistent with the Club’s policies and must notify the applicant. By joining or renewing, members agree to comply with this constitution, the Club’s policies and codes of conduct, and applicable rules of England Athletics and UK Athletics.
Members will be enrolled in one of the following categories:
A member may resign by notice to the Secretary. Membership will also cease on death, non-payment of fees after reasonable notice, or termination under the disciplinary procedure. Any outstanding debt to the Club remains payable. The Committee may create or amend membership categories and associated eligibility, subject to approval at the next General Meeting where the change materially affects members’ rights.
Members may take part in Club activities and represent the Club where they satisfy the relevant eligibility, registration, selection, conduct and fee requirements. The Club will use appropriately licensed or qualified coaches and leaders for activities where required.
Membership fees and payment dates will be recommended by the Committee and approved at a General Meeting. The Committee may set different rates for membership categories and may agree a reduction, waiver or payment arrangement where appropriate. Members will be given reasonable notice of fees.
The elected officers are the Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. The Club will also appoint the number and type of trained Club Welfare Officers required by England Athletics, including appropriate male and female provision where required. The Chair and Treasurer must be different people; the Treasurer role must remain independent; conflicts of interest must be declared, managed and recorded; and the Committee’s composition must meet current affiliation requirements.
Officers and elected Committee members will be elected at each Annual General Meeting, take office at its conclusion and serve until the conclusion of the next AGM. They may stand for re-election. The Committee may fill a casual vacancy until the next AGM. Role holders must satisfy any applicable eligibility, training, licensing, safeguarding and conflict-of-interest requirements.
The Club will be managed by a Committee comprising the elected officers and any other members elected at the AGM. The Committee may exercise all powers of the Club that are not reserved to a General Meeting, including adopting policies, appointing subcommittees and advisers, managing risk and safety, overseeing safeguarding, entering contracts on the Club’s behalf and making decisions in the Club’s best interests.
All money and property of the Club must be used solely to further its objects. A bank account will be maintained in the Club’s name. The Treasurer will maintain proper accounting records, prepare annual accounts to 30 September and present them to the AGM. The accounts will be independently examined or audited where required by law, a funder, the Committee or a General Meeting.
Payments and commitments must follow financial controls approved by the Management Committee. Bank mandates will require authorisation by at least two authorised signatories who are not connected to the same transaction, and no person may authorise a payment solely to themselves. The Committee will keep an up-to-date register of authorised signatories and may approve secure electronic banking arrangements with equivalent dual control.
An Annual General Meeting will be held once in each calendar year. The Secretary will give every voting member at least 21 clear days’ notice, stating the date, time, place or electronic access arrangements and business to be considered. The notice will explain how members may submit motions and nominations.
The AGM will receive the Committee’s report and annual accounts, elect officers and Committee members, appoint any independent examiner or auditor required, approve membership fees and consider properly submitted motions. Adult members aged 18 or over have one vote. The quorum is 25% of adult voting members or ten adult voting members, whichever is fewer, subject to a minimum of five. Decisions are by simple majority unless this constitution requires a higher threshold. The Committee may call an Extraordinary General Meeting and must do so within 28 days after receiving a written request stating the business and signed by at least ten adult voting members or 10% of adult voting members, whichever is fewer. At least 14 clear days’ notice must be given. General Meetings may be held in person, remotely or in hybrid form where all participants can communicate and vote securely.
The Club will adopt and follow current UK Athletics and England Athletics safeguarding policies and procedures for children and adults at risk, safer recruitment requirements, codes of conduct and the applicable national disciplinary framework. A concern about immediate danger must be referred to the emergency services. Safeguarding or serious misconduct concerns must be reported promptly to a Club Welfare Officer and referred externally where the applicable policy requires. Other complaints should be submitted in writing under the Club’s published complaints or disciplinary procedure. No person who is the complainant, respondent, a witness or otherwise conflicted may determine the matter. The respondent must receive fair notice of the allegations, a reasonable opportunity to respond and a written, reasoned outcome. Proportionate interim measures may be imposed to protect participants and are not a disciplinary finding. Any sanction must be fair and proportionate. An appeal may be made within 14 days of the written outcome on the grounds permitted by the applicable procedure and must be heard by an impartial person or panel not involved in the original decision. Records will be handled confidentially and retained in accordance with safeguarding and data-protection requirements.
The Club may be dissolved only by a resolution passed by at least two-thirds of the adult voting members present and voting at an AGM or EGM for which at least 21 clear days’ notice of the proposed dissolution has been given. After payment of all debts and liabilities, any remaining assets must not be distributed to members but must be transferred to England Athletics, another not-for-profit athletics or running club with similar objects, or another not-for-profit community sports organisation chosen by the meeting.
This constitution may be amended only by a resolution passed by at least two-thirds of the adult voting members present and voting at an AGM or EGM. The full proposed wording must be included with the meeting notice. No amendment may permit Club funds or property to be distributed to members except for properly authorised reimbursement of expenses or payment for goods or services supplied on reasonable terms.
This constitution was adopted by Gosforth Harriers and Athletic Club at a General Meeting held on Wednesday October 14th, 2026. The Committee will review it periodically and whenever legal, regulatory or England Athletics requirements materially change.