1. Name of Club

1.1. The Club will be called Junction 36 Running (Hereinafter will be referred to as ‘the Club’), and may also be known as J36R. 

2. The Purpose and Objectives of the Club 

2.1. The primary goal of the club is to promote the advancement, enjoyment, and companionship of runners at all levels within the community. We are dedicated to fostering the physical and mental well-being of individuals through running activities, providing opportunities for social engagement, and creating a safe and inclusive environment for all participants. Our mission is to encourage members of the local community to actively participate in the sport of running, emphasising the enhancement of physical health and mental wellness. Importantly, we strive to make these opportunities accessible to everyone by offering them free of charge

2.2. The Club will endeavour to take an active role in supporting local running activities and league races. For example – Park runs, Fun runs and the Bridgend County Running League.

2.3. The Club endeavour to be affiliated to Welsh Athletics and the UKA (British Athletics). 

The club will comply with and uphold the Rules and Regulations (as amended) of Welsh Athletics, UKA (British Athletics) and the IAAF and the rules and regulations of any body to which UKA (British Athletics) is affiliated.

2.4. To ensure a duty of care to all members of the Club.

2.5. To provide all services in a way that is fair to everyone.

4. Membership

4.1. Membership of the Club shall be open to all individuals who register as participants, regardless of sex, age, disability, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, religion, or other beliefs. 

4.2. There is no membership fee.

4.3. All individuals who register will be deemed members for the current year, running from January to December. 

4.4. By registering, members accept the regulations of the constitution and the Codes of Practice/Behaviour adopted by the Club.

4.5. Members will wear the official club colours when representing the Club in competitions.

4.6. Any individual wishing to resign from the Club must do so in writing or by email to the club Secretary.

4.7. Resignation shall be considered by the Club Committee within one calendar month of receipt and will be held as effective from the date of tendering. 

4.8. Resignations will not be accepted if the member is financially indebted to the Club, i.e., has not paid their subscription for the current year, and acceptance of the resignation will be withheld until the debt has been discharged.

4.9. The Committee shall have the power to suspend or exclude any member for contravention of this Constitution, documented rules, or published codes of conduct that may exist at that time. In exercising these powers, the Committee shall adhere to the Club’s disciplinary procedures. 

4.10. Appeal against refusal or removal may be made to the members.

5. Sports Equity

5.1. This club is committed to ensuring that equity is incorporated across all aspects of its development.

5.2. The Club respects the rights, dignity, and worth of every person and will treat everyone equally within the context of their sport, regardless of age, ability, gender, race, ethnicity, religious belief, sexuality, or social/economic status.

5.3. The Club is committed to everyone having the right to enjoy their sport in an environment free from the threat of intimidation, harassment, and abuse.

5.4. All club members have a responsibility to oppose discriminatory behaviour and promote equality of opportunity.

5.5. The Club will deal with any incidence of discriminatory behaviour seriously, according to club disciplinary procedures.

6. Management Committee

6.1. The affairs of the Club shall be conducted by a management committee which shall consist of the Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary, along with other positions that may be appointed based on applications. 

6.2. The Chairman will be responsible for filling any vacancies in the committee structure.

6.3. Committee members need not be members of the Club.

6.4. The term of office within the management structure shall be indefinite until the point of resignation, majority vote for the termination of the position, death, or other reasons the committee deems the member unable to fulfil their role. 

6.5. Officers shall be eligible for re-appointment unless terminated, a majority vote for position termination, death, or other reasons deemed by the committee as hindering the officers ability to fulfil their role.

6.6. The Chair position may only be terminated with a majority vote of all members of the club for the current year. Any person terminated from a position will be ineligible to apply for the vacancy.

6.7. If the post of any officer or ordinary committee member should fall vacant after such an appointment, the management committee shall have the power to temporarily fill the vacancy until the succeeding the vacancy has been filled by application.

6.8. The management committee will be responsible for adopting new policies, codes of conduct/practice/behaviour, and rules that affect the organisation of the Club.

6.9. The committee will have powers to co-opt and appoint any advisers to the committee as necessary to fulfil its duty and business effectively.

6.10. The Committee will be responsible for disciplinary hearings of members who infringe the Club rules/regulations/constitution. The committee will be responsible for taking any action of suspension or discipline following such hearings.

6.11. The committee meetings will be convened by the Secretary of the Club and be held no less than 2 times per year.

6.12. Only the posts listed above will have the right to vote at committee meetings.

6.13. The quorum required for business to be agreed at management committee meetings will be 2. 

7. Finances

7.1. The Club treasurer will be responsible for the finances of the Club. 

7.2. The financial year of the Club will run from January 1st and end on 31st December 

7.3. All club monies will be banked in an account held in the name of the Club.

7.4. An statement of annual accounts will be presented by the treasurer at the Annual General Meeting.

7.5. Any cheques drawn against club funds should hold the signatures of the treasurer plus up to two other officers.

7.6. No action involving expenditure in the name of, or on behalf of, the Club shall be taken, and no undertakings that would commit the Club to expenditure or other liability shall be made without the prior authority of a resolution committee.

7.7. The Club operates as a not-for-profit organisation, and all surplus income or profits are to be reinvested in the club. No surpluses or assets will be distributed to members or third parties.

8. Annual General Meetings and Extraordinary General Meetings

8.1. General Meetings are the means whereby the members of the Club exercise their democratic rights in conducting the Club’s affairs.

8.2. The Club shall hold the Annual General Meeting (AGM) in the month of January to:

• Approve the minutes of the previous year’s AGM.

• Receive reports from the Chairman and Secretary.

• Receive a report from the Treasurer and approve the Annual Accounts.

• Receive a report from those responsible for certifying the Club’s accounts.

• Elect the officers on the committee.

• Consider any proposed changes to the Constitution.

• Deal with other relevant business.

8.3. Notice of the AGM will be given by the Club secretary with at least 28 days’ notice to be given to all members.

8.4. Nominations for officers of the committee will be sent to the secretary before the AGM.

8.5. Proposed changes to the constitution shall be sent to the secretary before the AGM, who shall circulate them at least 28 days before an AGM.

8.6. All members have the right to vote at the AGM.

8.7. The Chairman of the Club shall hold a deliberative as well as a casting vote at general and committee meetings.

8.8. An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) can be called by an application in writing to the Secretary supported by at least 25% of the members of the Club. The committee shall also have the power to call an EGM by the decision of a simple majority of the committee members.

8.9. The business which may be conducted at an EGM may be one or more of:

• Removing all or any of the officers or committee members of the Club and filling vacancies thereby caused.

• Changes to or altering the rules outlined in this constitution.

• Dissolving the Club.

8.10. All procedures at EGMs shall follow those outlined above for AGMs.

9. Amendments to the Constitution

9.1. The constitution will only be changed through agreement by majority vote at an AGM or EGM.

10. Discipline and Appeals

10.1. All concerns, allegations, or reports of poor practice/abuse relating to the welfare of members (including but not restricted to children, young people, and vulnerable adults) will be recorded and responded to swiftly and appropriately in accordance with the Club’s Welfare and/or Child Protection Policy and Procedures. 

10.2. The Club Welfare Officer is the lead contact for all members in the event of any welfare and child protection concerns.

10.3. All complaints regarding the behaviour of members should be presented and submitted in writing to the Club Welfare Officer, Secretary, or Chairperson.

10.4. The Management Committee will meet to hear complaints within 14 days of a complaint being lodged. The committee has the power to take appropriate disciplinary action, including the termination of membership.

10.5. The outcome of a disciplinary hearing should be notified in writing to the person who lodged the complaint and the member against whom the complaint was made within 7 days of the hearing.

10.6. There will be the right of appeal to the Management Committee following disciplinary action being announced. The committee should consider the appeal within 14 days of the Secretary receiving the appeal.

11. Indemnity

11.1. The members of the committee shall not be liable (otherwise than the members) for any loss suffered by the Club as a result of the discharge of their respective duties.

11.2. The members of the management committee shall be entitled to an indemnity out of the property of the Club for all expenses and other liabilities properly incurred by them in the discharge of their duties.

12. Dissolution

12.1. A resolution to dissolve the Club can only be passed at an AGM or EGM through a majority vote of the membership.

12.2. The dissolution shall take effect from the day when the resolution is passed, and the committee shall be responsible for the winding up of the assets and liabilities of the Club.

12.3. In the event of dissolution, all debts should be cleared with any remaining club funds. Any assets of the Club that remain following this will become the property of another local charitable organisation

13. Declaration

Junction 36 Running hereby adopts and accepts this constitution as a current operating guide regulating the actions of members.