1. Title
This organization of cricket Groundsmen and their interests shall be called the Yorkshire Cricket Grounds Association (YCGA).
2. Definitions
Throughout this document the following Definitions apply:
“The Association” means the Yorkshire Cricket Grounds Association
“ECB” means the England and Wales Cricket Board
“IoG” means the Institute of Groundsmanship
“YCB” means the Yorkshire Cricket Board
“YCGA” means the Yorkshire Cricket Grounds Association
3. Aims
To promote the development of cricket ground care and groundsmen throughout the county of Yorkshire
4. Objectives
4.1. To represent the interests of cricket groundsmen and develop, sustain and support cricket ground care.
4.2. To develop cricket groundsmen through education and informative discussion
4.3. To participate in the cricket ground development plans of ECB, YCB and IoG
4.4. To assist Yorkshire Cricket Board in the formulation of Board policy
4.5. To actively seek discounts for members with external suppliers
4.6. To work with Key Partners to give additional support to groundsmen
4.7. To work with the YCB to develop a high quality service to groundsmen and cricket clubs
4.8. To work with YCB/ECB to develop the Pitch Advisory Programme
5. Membership
Membership to the YCGA shall be open to all persons that are involved in the development and maintenance of cricket grounds whether they be male, female, professional or volunteers.
There shall be the following types of membership available:
5.1. Individual – Open to any individual groundsman
5.2. Club – Open to cricket clubs who wish to enroll a number of groundsmen
5.3. League – open to leagues to enroll their clubs groundsmen en-bloc
5.4. Partner – open to external organisations which offer substantial discounts on services and products to YCGA members.
5.5. Membership fees shall be set by the committee and agreed at the AGM
6. Committee Membership
6.1. The committee shall be made up of the Officers, 1 representative of the YCB, 1 representative of the IoG, 1 representative from CPA’s, Four Pyramid Premier League representatives and, 2 representatives elected from Partner Leagues below the Pyramid Premier Leagues that have en-bloc membership. League representatives shall be from the leagues ground committees or have league responsibility for grounds.
6.2. The Officers, to be elected annually, shall consist of:
6.2.1. Chairman;
6.2.2. Vice Chairman;
6.2.3. Honorary Secretary; and
6.2.4. Honorary Treasurer.
6.3. Each member shall have one vote with the Chairman having a casting vote.
6.4. Ex-officio or co-opted non-voting members may be invited to attend by the decision of the committee
6.5. The Committee shall meet at least three times per year
7. Roles
The committee shall undertake the following actions
7.1. To affiliate to the YCB
7.2. To affiliate to the IoG
7.3. To actively promote membership of the YCGA and the benefits of joining
7.4. To organise and promote relevant courses for groundsmen
7.5. To maintain a website where members may find news of courses, latest groundsmanship techniques and other information
7.6. To ensure that members are informed by other means if no email is available to them
7.7. To nominate Life Membership for individuals in recognition of the valuable service to the YCGA or to its predecessor organisations after they have retired from office.
8. Meetings
8.1. The quorum of Committee meetings shall be 50% of the voting members
8.2. An Annual Meeting shall be held no later than the end of October of each year
8.3. The intentions of all existing officers shall be passed to the Honorary Secretary no later than two months prior to the Annual General Meeting
8.4. Nominations of officers must be received in writing no later than two months prior to the Annual General Meeting.
8.5. The agenda for the Annual General Meeting shall be forwarded to members at least 21 days before the meeting. It shall include the nominations of Officers and shall provide for the election of an Honorary Auditor. It shall also include any proposals for alterations to the rules and the Honorary Treasurers Audited Financial Statement.
8.6. Life Membership may be conferred upon an individual nominated by the committee only by agreement at an Annual General Meeting.
8.7. An Extra-ordinary General Meeting shall be called within 28 days of a request in writing signed by at least 8 members being received by the Honorary Secretary. The object of the meeting shall be fully stated in the request and in the notice convening the meeting. A Special General Meeting may also be convened by a decision of the Committee. The provisions regarding the notification of such meetings shall be the same as for the Annual General Meeting.
8.8. A simple majority of members present and voting shall be required for a proposed alteration to rules to be carried. In all other matters the same criteria shall apply.
8.9. The quorum at Annual and Extra-ordinary General Meetings shall be 25% of members
9. Finance
9.1. The Honorary Treasurer shall be responsible for the funds of the Association through an account or accounts in the name of the Association.
9.2. At the discretion of the committee accounts may be opened for the deposit of funds with any one or more suitable financial institutions.
9.3. Cheques may be drawn and signed by the Chairman, Vice Chairman, Honorary Secretary and Honorary Treasurer. Two out of four may sign.
9.4. The financial year shall end on 31st March, after which accounts will be audited by the Honorary Auditor who shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting.
9.5. Honoraria, if any, to be paid to an individual shall be agreed at the Annual General Meeting. Such Honoraria shall be in respect of the previous year.
10. Dissolution
10.1. The Association shall not be dissolved except at an Extra-ordinary General Meeting specially convened for the purpose at which the votes in favour of the resolution comprise of at least three quarters of the total vote cast.
10.2. In the event of such dissolution any assets shall be apportioned to any successor organization or failing that the assets be passed to the YCB for the benefit of cricket groundsmen in Yorkshire.
11. Insurance
The Association shall take out insurance to cover the Association against all aspects of groundsmanship.
12. General
The committee shall be empowered to act as deemed necessary in respect of any matters not otherwise covered by these Rules.
