Dormant Club

[C_Collins116]

I recently moved to a new area and approached a local club with a view to joining. The response was as follows:

"We're not accepting new members as club is inactive"

What I want to know is:

1. Can clubs refuse members for this reason?

2. What happens to club assets if the club is wound up i.e. are they trying to run the club into the ground so that they can pocket any cash in the bank and keep the kit?

Craig

[Andy Wade]

I recently moved to a new area and approached a local club with a view to joining. The response was as follows:

"We're not accepting new members as club is inactive"

What I want to know is:

1. Can clubs refuse members for this reason?

2. What happens to club assets if the club is wound up i.e. are they trying to run the club into the ground so that they can pocket any cash in the bank and keep the kit?



Yes they can if they want to. Branches of BSAC can fold whenever they want.
Whether or not all the branch members agree to it is a matter for the members.
Our particular branch has a clause in the constitution that gives all the assets to charity, IIRC we needed this to comply with a grant requirement, I can see why, as without it anyone could start up a club, get a grant, fold the club and sell off the assets and pocket the cash. We can't do this any more (not that we would have done it anyway).
We also have to have an EGM and inform all the members in writing and get a 75% vote to fold the branch.
Theoretically if 8 of our members wanted to keep the branch going, they could. There's nothing to stop the other members leaving if they don't wish to carry on.

I doubt there's much that you could to about this anyway as you don't belong to the branch.
If you don't mind me asking, why are you bothered if they are so disinterested in new members?
This website has a list of branches, maybe there's a better alternative near to you.






.

[derek perry]

Craig

Clubs can make any rules they want about accepting or not accepting members.

If I remember correctly, when we set up our branch in 1975 we had to send off a copy of our constitution to BSAC. Whether BSAC have kept all these I don't know. If they do you might be able to see that branches constitution.

We have a clause is our constitution which I believe was based on one from BSAC, when it was first started.

The clause in it states that at the dissolution of the branch, which requires 75% of the vote, all funds and assets must be given to 'such body having similar objectives to those of the Branch'.

This clause is to stop people just closing the branch down and sharing out the assets to the members. Whether this club has such a clause I don't know. Anyway plenty of other clubs around, why not join one who wants you.

You don't say where you are based?? In you let us know you'll probably have lots of offers?

Derek



I recently moved to a new area and approached a local club with a view to joining. The response was as follows:

"We're not accepting new members as club is inactive"

What I want to know is:

1. Can clubs refuse members for this reason?

2. What happens to club assets if the club is wound up i.e. are they trying to run the club into the ground so that they can pocket any cash in the bank and keep the kit?

Craig