Constitution of the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Angling Association (RN&RM AA) adopted on 31st May 2011

Adoption of the Constitution

The Association shall be managed and administered in accordance with the provisions of this constitution, the Queen's Regulations from time to time applicable to the relevant Service, and the relevant single Service instructions as amended or replaced from time to time

The Name

The Association's name is the Royal Navy & Royal Marines Angling Association (RN&RM AA)

The Object

This RN&RM AA provides public benefit by assisting Service personnel to more effectively perform their roles within the Armed Forces of the Crown. It does this by providing and supporting competitive angling activities. This assistance enables Service personnel to face the challenges and danger associated with military service by developing and maintaining teamwork, mental fitness, confidence, character, spirit, attitude and morale. As a result the fund promotes the efficiency of the Armed Forces of the Crown by enhancing the Royal Navy's capability to undertake the roles demanded of it including the defence of the United Kingdom and its interests. Specifically the RN&RM AA objectives are:

  1. to encourage and support the sport of competitive angling at all levels of ability throughout the Royal Navy and Royal Marines;
  2. to sponsor Service, Command and National competitions that may be considered suitable by the Central Committee;
  3. to select and manage representative teams to participate in Inter-Service, National Angling Championships and other RN Representative matches of the Game, Sea, Coarse and Carp Disciplines;
  4. to form the necessary body for affiliation with National and International bodies in pursuit of the other objectives.

The Sole Managing Trustee

The Sole Managing Trustee is the Chairman of the Association.

Duties of the Sole Managing Trustee

The Sole Managing Trustee must manage the business of the RN&RM AA and he has the following powers in order to further the Objects (but not for any other purpose):

  1. to raise funds. In doing so, the Sole Managing Trustee must not undertake any substantial permanent trading activity and must comply with any relevant statutory regulations;
  2. to buy, take on lease or in exchange, hire or otherwise acquire any property and to maintain and equip it for use
  3. to sell, lease or otherwise dispose of all or any part of the property belonging to the Association. In exercising this power, the Sole Managing Trustee must comply as appropriate with Sections 36 and 37 of the Charities Act 1993;
  4. to co-operate with other charities, voluntary bodies and statutory authorities and to exchange information and advice with them;
  5. to support any charitable trusts, associations or institutions formed for the Object;
  6. to enter into any partnership or joint venture arrangement with any other charity formed for the Object;
  7. to set aside income as a reserve against future expenditure but only in accordance with a written policy about reserves;
  8. to obtain and pay for such goods and services as are necessary for carrying out the work of the Association;
  9. to open and operate such bank and other accounts as he considers necessary and to invest funds and to delegate the management of funds (to the Treasurer) in the same manner and subject to the same conditions as the Trustees of a trust are permitted to do by the Trustee Act 2000;
  10. to do all such other lawful things as are necessary for the achievement of the Object.

Rules and Bye-Laws

The Sole Managing Trustee (normally via Committee Meetings) may from time to time make rules or bye-laws for the conduct of the Association's business. The bye-laws may regulate the following matters but are not restricted to them:

  1. the admission of members of the Association (including the admission of organisations to membership) and the rights and privileges of such members, and the entrance fees, subscriptions and other fees or payments to be made by members;
  2. the conduct of members of the Association in relation to one another;
  3. the procedure at general meetings and executive committee meetings in so far as such procedure is not otherwise regulated by this constitution;
  4. the keeping and authenticating of records.
  5. generally, all such matters as are commonly the subject matter of the rules of an unincorporated association.

The Association in General Meeting has the power to alter, add to or repeal the rules or bye-laws. The Sole Managing Trustee must adopt such means as he thinks sufficient to bring the rules and bye-laws to the notice of members of the Association. The rules or bye-laws shall be binding on all members of the Association providing that no rule or bye-law shall be inconsistent with, or shall affect or repeal anything contained in, this constitution. A copy of any resolution amending this constitution must be sent to DNPD.

Annual General Meeting

The AGM will normally be held each May to decide the Association's policy and objectives. A quorum is 2/3rds of the committee. A majority decision in all cases is mandatory, although the Chairman as Sole Managing Trustee may veto any changes considered contrary to the relevant Service or Charity laws and regulations. The AGM may request the Chairman to report such matters to DNPD for resolution.

The AGM is to be published as widely as possible with 3 months notice to enable maximum attendance and all Committee posts open for election must be promulgated. All proposals and candidates names for election must be received in writing (or email) by the National Secretary at least 14 days prior to the AGM.

One week before the AGM the agenda, proposals and candidates for election are to be posted on the Association website. The Chairman may call General Meetings whenever he considers necessary which will follow the same format and requirements of the AGM.

Committee Meetings

The Committee will meet 3 times per year, normally in May (just before the AGM), Sep and Feb. Other than the routine conduct of business, including any matters reported to the National Secretary (at least 7 days before the meeting), a financial review and agreeing the Term's Association report to DNPD the main purpose of each of the meetings is:

  • May - Consideration of all matters being presented to AGM including the Audited Annual Accounts and formal written reports from all Committee Members. Consideration of nominations for Sports Awards
  • Sep - Formal financial review and preparation for following year's submission of Sports Equipment Grant, NSSC (Operating) Grant and Tours/Training Camps/Coaching grants.
  • Feb - Agreeing the fixture programme in detail for the current year (based on the NSSC grant award) and in outline for the following year. Discussion on Association Officers posts falling vacant or due election/selection at the AGM

Associations Officers

The Association shall be administered by a Committee, which should meet at least three times per year. Each division of the RN&RM AA (Coarse, Game, Sea and Carp) shall have a nominated Sub-Committee, consisting of not less than five members and chaired by the relevant Secretary. The Association's officers shall consist of:

  • President - The Committee are empowered, with the Chairman's consent, to invite distinguished serving or retired officers to be the President. This post is subject to annual review by the Committee.
  • Chairman - As appointed by DNPD as the Sole Managing Trustee. The Committee may approach DNPD if for any reason the Association requests a different Chairman. In normal course the Chairman should arrange with DNPD for a replacement on retirement from the Service or if he otherwise wishes to step down from the post.
  • DNPD Representative - RNSO5 is the DNPD officer responsible for the oversight of the RN&RM AA and is the first point of contact for all Angling Governance and Finance matters.

The following posts are subject to election at AGM and each member is subject to re-election: after 3 years in post, if he stands down earlier or if at least 3 members represent a case to the Chairman.

  • National Secretary & Vice Chairman - Carries out all the main administration for the Association. Liaising on all angling/sporting matters with DNPD and the Sports Control Board. This includes applications for Sports Travel Authority, Annual Grants, 5-Year Plans, Sports Equipment Grants, Sports Awards, Coaching Grants, Commercial Sponsorship, Sports Reports, Tours and Training Camps every year. The Secretary also organises, runs and takes the minutes of the Committee meetings and the AGM.
  • Treasurer - Runs the Association's accounts. This includes collation of each Discipline's financial plan for the coming year, 5-Year Plan and Sports Equipment Requests for submission through the National Secretary. Whilst each Discipline has its own agreed allocation for planning purposes it is conducive to best financial practice for the Association to run a single fund and for the Treasurer to allow reasonable variation should circumstances change.

    All payments and receipts must be supported by proper receipts (or agreed by formal vote at Committee) and this includes all disbursements for Tours and Fixtures. Expenses must not be netted off against receipts by Tour or Fixture managers. It is the Treasurer's responsibility to see to the correct usage of the Grants awarded to the Association.
  • Coarse, Sea, Game and Carp Secretaries - The Discipline Secretary:
    1. is also the Team Manager and has overall responsibility for running the Discipline and Teams in accordance with the Constitution, in order to benefit all the members of the Association. This includes all Full, Life and Associate Members; noting however that no non-public funds may be expended except in support of Full members.
    2. runs the Navy Championship, Inter Command Matches, Training and Coaching sessions, and other matches shown in the programme. He also has overall responsibility for the RN Team and the matches it enters; this includes managing and organizing all domestic arrangements for the Team events, selecting the Match Squads (in consultation with the Navy Team Captain) and keeping everyone informed. As Team Manager he must also obtain receipts for all income and payments associated with the matches and present these with an itemized list to the Treasurer. This is both for propriety and to enable future forecasting.
    3. has to draw up an annual and 5-Year Plan for fixtures and expenditure for submission to the Treasurer and National Secretary prior to agreement by the Committee. The Discipline Secretary may nominate an Assistant (normally the Navy Team Captain) who can vote on his behalf (so long as he is also a Full Member) when absent from Committee. The Secretary is also responsible, in tandem with the PRO, for promotion of the sport throughout the Service to encourage maximum membership take up.
  • Membership Secretary - Responsible for the annual promulgation and receipt of membership application forms. He is to provide the National Secretary with a list of members and the Discipline Secretaries with their own membership lists.
  • Webmaster - Responsible for the accurate and up to date content of the Web and for administering the Forum.
  • PRO - The PRO is responsible for generating and delivering a strategy for the promotion of the sport throughout the Service to encourage maximum membership take up; noting future grants for Service sports will take account of membership numbers.
  • Trade Secretary - Administers the Trade Accounts.

Not formally serving on the committee are the Navy Team Captains and Command Representatives; although they can be invited whenever appropriate. Navy Team Captains are appointed by the Chairman at each AGM based on the recommendations of the Discipline Secretaries and current Match Squad members. These are normally, but may not be, anglers of sufficient standing to form part of the Match Teams.

  • Navy Team Captains (Carp, Sea, Coarse & Game) - The Navy Team Captain select the final Team from the Squad and takes charge of preparation for, and tactics during, the matches. If he wishes, he can nominate a Match Captain of his choice for any, or all, of the matches. He would usually be selected for his expertise and/or knowledge of a specific venue. If selected it is the Match Captain's task, on behalf of the Navy Team Captain, to decide how to tackle practices, collate information and select the Team for the actual match. Additionally after every match a report is to be forwarded, within 2 weeks, by the Navy Team Captain to the Discipline Secretary and National Secretary.
  • Command Representatives - Command reps liaise with Discipline Secretaries and Area Recreation Officers to arrange and manage Command Teams. They also have a key role in spotting and developing talent, and promoting the sport at Grass Roots level.

Membership

No civilian shall be admitted to membership unless his or her membership of the Association will promote the Object. Civilians will only be admitted to Associate Membership. The proportion of Associate Members in relation to the total membership of the Charity shall not exceed 25% except by approval of DNPD, and only then if there is a plan to regain the 75%/25% membership balance.

Membership of the Association falls into 4 categories:

  1. Full Membership This is the corporate grade of membership open to all serving officers and ratings of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. They are eligible for election to the Association's Central Committee and can vote at Committees (if elected to voting posts) and at the AGM. Only Full members are entitled to benefit from Naval Non-public funds provided from the NSSC or RN Sports Lottery.
  2. Associate Membership This is open to retired personnel of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines. It is also open, by invitation, to a strictly limited number of MOD(N) civilians, long-term Defence contractors and other civilians who have special qualifications or attributes by which they can contribute to the Object of the Association. Associate Members may hold committee positions if duly elected but may not vote on any issue effecting disbursement of funds nor on any issue at AGMs.
  3. Life Membership This may be given as an honour to retiring Full Members who have given particularly long and meritorious service to the Association on the Central Committee. Life Members have the same rights as Associate members.
  4. Affiliated Membership All RN&RM Angling Clubs/Associations may be registered as Affiliates of the RN&RMAA. The purpose of this affiliation is to enable the RN&RMAA to inform Affiliated Members of the Association's policy with regard to Service angling matters. Each Affiliate is invited to send two representatives to observe at the AGM of the RN&RM AA. This Affiliated Membership does not give voting rights or enable entry into RN&RM AA matches.

The membership year is 1 April to 31 March. Anyone joining the Association on or after 1 January will be joined for the following membership year, and may take part in matches and training sessions from date of joining.

The Match Squads

The Match Squads are generally made up of anglers who have proved themselves at Inter-Command and Championship level and wish to be considered for Navy Team level matches. The Navy Team Managers are to collate lists of volunteers at the start of each season. All members of the Association are to be canvassed for interest. Selection for the Navy Squad is to follow the following priority:

  1. Full Member of the Association on the list of volunteers in priority of skill and suitability for the venue. If this provides insufficient numbers;
  2. Other Full Members of the Association in priority of skill and suitability for the venue. If this provides insufficient numbers:
  3. Personnel serving in RN or RM joining the Association on selection for the team, in priority of skill and suitability for the venue. If this provides insufficient numbers:
  4. Associate and Life Members of the Association in priority of skill and suitability for the venue.

The maximum Squad size (eligible for duty travel) is:

  • Coarse - 20
  • Game - 14
  • Sea - 15

Additionally 2 Association Committee Members may attend

The Navy Team Captain is to make the selection date for all fixtures readily available to all volunteers for selection to ensure full transparency and fairness in the process. The Forum is to be the normal means of promulgation.

From time to time the Association has matches aimed at developing the sport and for these matches the Discipline Secretary is to select the teams in consultation with the Navy Team Captain.

Training Camps, Tours and Overseas Fixtures

Training Camps, Tours and Overseas Fixtures are to be planned well in advance (normally 12 - 18 months ahead) as agreed by the Committee. Training Camps are to prepare RN Representative teams for specific competition (normally the Inter Services). Sports Tours are designed to enhance the skills of RN representative anglers, forge team spirit, encourage anglers and reward past efforts. Training Camps, Tours and Overseas Fixtures are all independently funded, require considerable planning and formal applications for approval; as such each is to have a Manager appointed who is to:

  1. attend and oversee the event;
  2. fully familiarise himself with all the regulations in the Naval Sports Handbook;
  3. work with the National Secretary to submit all applications to Temeraire in good time;
  4. agree with the Treasurer financial arrangements which must include proper accounting of all income and expenses;
  5. appoint other attendees to specific roles as may be required;
  6. submit a post event report to the National Secretary;

Attendance at these events is strictly limited to Full Members of the Association who are also members of the Sports Lottery at the point of application. Selection for Tours when oversubscribed is a matter for the Committee to decide in consultation with the Navy Team Captain and Tour/Fixture Manager. Attendance at Training Camps and RN Squad Overseas Fixtures is for the Navy Team Captain to decide but is subject to the Manager being included. Overseas visits numbers are limited to:

  • Coarse - 22
  • Game - 16
  • Sea - 17

Training camps in the UK can have up to 33% more attendees if agreed in advance with DNPD.

Association Colours

Royal Navy Sports Colours are awarded to Naval personnel when they have represented the Navy in Inter Service competition authorised by the Combined Services Sports Board. A certificate will be produced in Temeraire for signature by the Association Chairman (or President is appointed) and will normally be presented through Chain of Command at an appropriate formal occasion. Each Discipline Secretary is to maintain a list of colours awarded with an overall Association list held by the National Secretary.

The Association will also award its Pin Badge to those in receipt of Colours. Additionally where both the Discipline Secretary and Navy Team Captain agree the Association will award its Pin Badge to deserving anglers who have otherwise been unavailable to compete in the Inter Services.

Membership Fees

Application forms are downloadable from the website or are available from the Membership Secretary who will maintain a membership list. Membership Fees are decided at AGM for the following season (therefore members normally receive 11 months notiice of fee changes) and are due on 1 April each year. For 2011/12 the fees are as follows:

  1. Full Members - £20
  2. Associate Members - £20
  3. Life Members - No Fee
  4. Affiliated Members - No Fee to individuals. Affiliated clubs wishing to make use of the RN&RM AA Website and Forum will be charged an annual access fee not exceeding £50 pa.

Match Rules & Discipline

All members of the RN&RM AA are to abide by match rules and the rules for the various fisheries visited.

For matches against other Associations or Clubs the Navy Team Captain, Team Captain for the event (if appointed) and relevant Team Manager will form a committee and adjudicate on any complaint or rules infringement. In the event of this committee being unable to reach a decision the Team Manager is to decide. Any complaints and infringements upheld and any behaviour considered to be contrary to the reputation of the Association is to be referred to the Association Committee who shall decide whether the angler(s) concerned should be removed from the list of anglers eligible for selection for the current and following seasons.

For Inter Command Matches, Coaching and Selection events, and any other match held amongst Association members matches the relevant Discipline Secretary and Team Captains will form a committee and adjudicate on any complaint or rules infringement. In the event of the Committee being unable to reach a decision the Discipline Secretary is to decide. Any complaints and infringements upheld and any behaviour considered to be contrary to the reputation of the Association is to be referred to the Association Committee who shall decide whether the angler(s) concerned should be removed from the list of anglers eligible for selection for the current and following seasons.

Any member of the Association has the right to report any matter of concern or complaint to the National Secretary for consideration at a Committee Meeting.

Accounts

The Sole Managing Trustee must comply with his obligations under the Charities Act 1993 with regard to:

  1. the keeping of accounting records for the Association;
  2. the preparation of annual statements of account for the Association;
  3. the transmission of the statements of account to the Association;

Accounts must be prepared in accordance with the provisions of any Statement of Recommended Practice or other instructions issued by the Commission (as promulgated by DNPD in the RN Sports Association Handbook and otherwise).

Application of the Income and Property

The income and property of the Association shall be applied solely towards the promotion of the Object. The Sole Managing Trustee may pay out of, or be reimbursed from, the property of the Association reasonable expenses properly incurred by him or her when acting on behalf of the Association. The Sole Managing Trustee may not be paid or receive any other benefit for being a Trustee. None of the income or property of the Association may be paid or transferred directly or indirectly by way of dividend bonus or otherwise by way of profit to any member of the Association. This does not prevent:

  1. a member who is not also a Trustee from receiving reasonable and proper remuneration for any goods or services supplied to the Association;
  2. the Sole Managing Trustee from buying goods or services from the Association or otherwise enjoying the facilities provided by the Association upon the same terms as other members;
  3. the purchase of indemnity insurance for the Sole Managing Trustee against any liability that by virtue of any rule of law would otherwise attach to a trustee or other officer in respect of any negligence, default breach of duty or breach of trust of which he or she may be guilty in relation to the Association but excluding:
    1. fines;
    2. costs of unsuccessfully defending criminal prosecutions for offences arising out of the fraud, dishonesty or willful or reckless misconduct of the Sole Managing Trustee or other officer;
    3. liabilities to the Association that result from conduct that the Sole Managing Trustee or other officer knew, or ought to have known, was not in the best interests of the Association, or in respect of which the person concerned did not care whether that conduct was in the best interests of the Association or not.

Agreeing the Term's Association report to DNPD

Sponsorship

DNPD maintains a central record of all Sponsors. The key principles of sponsorship of the association are:

  • Impartiality, honesty and integrity;
  • Avoidance of conflict of interest;
  • Safeguarding the MOD's reputation;
  • Accountability, regularity and propriety;

All sponsorship proposals must be referred through the National Secretary to SO1 NS for approval before acceptance. It may be necessary to draw up formal agreements; this will always be the case where the value exceeds £5000.

Dissolution

If the Association is to be dissolved, either by resolution of the members or by any directive of the Ministry of Defence, the Sole Managing Trustee will remain in office as a charity trustee and be responsible for winding up the affairs of the Association in accordance with extant guidance in the RN Sports Association Handbook.

Choice of Law and Interpretation

The governing law of the Association is the law of England and Wales.

The content of this webpage is the responsibility of Steve Mardlin, RN&RMAA Secretary. If we need to add any additional information, please contact Steve direct.