DATED 2025-03-25
1. Name
The name of the organisation shall be Academia d’Armizare hereinafter referred to as the ‘Club’.
2. Objectives
The Club is established to pursue the following objectives:
2.1 To research and practice historical martial arts, particularly historical European martial arts, concentrating on the works of Fiore dei Liberi.
2.2 The organisation, management and development of Academia d’Armizare for all members of the Club.
2.3 The provision of classes and training activities for its members.
2.4 Promoting and maintaining the highest standards of technical competence and safety in all aspects of historical martial arts.
2.6 Providing equal opportunities for successful participation by any and all who want to study and practice historical martial arts.
2.7 The promotion of historical martial arts.
2.8 Engagement with the wider historical martial arts community.
3. Membership
All members are subject to the Constitution of the Club.
3.1 Membership of the Club is open to all individuals provided they comply with this Constitution.
3.2 No person shall be refused membership on the grounds of race, colour, creed, religion, sex, gender, sexual preference, impairment or disability.
3.3 All completed application forms for membership shall be accompanied by the appropriate annual membership fee, which shall thereafter be payable on demand.
3.4 Each fully paid up member shall be entitled to attend and vote at General or Annual General Meetings.
3.5 Fully paid up members may be elected and serve on the General Committee.
3.6 All members will have access to a copy of the relevant Code of Conduct, a copy of the Club’s Child Protection Policy and a copy of the Constitution.
3.7 All members are subject to the Club’s Code of Conduct, non compliance may lead to revocation of membership as outlined in the Code of Conduct.
3.8 All new students can apply to become members of the club after attending for four weeks and paying the relevant membership fee. The fee is determined at the AGM by the membership. Membership may be refused at the discretion of the General Committee for any reason they see fit.
3.9 No individual member or group of members will take any form of payment for their services to the Club; all work done is to be done on a voluntary basis. Reasonable expenses will be reimbursed subject to the approval of the Committee.
4. Officers
4.1 The executive officers of the club shall be as follows:
- Chairperson
- Secretary
- Treasurer
5. Election of Officers
5.1 All officers shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting of the club, from, and by, the members of the club.
5.2 All Officers are elected for a period of one year, but may be re-elected to the same office or another office the following year.
5.3 A General Committee member can be removed from office with the approval of a quorum which shall consist of a minimum of two executive officers.
6 General Committee
6.1 The affairs of the club shall be controlled by a General Committee comprising of the Executive Officers of the club and up to five other Members elected from, and by, the members of the club. The General Committee shall meet at agreed intervals and not less than twice per year, such meetings shall be chaired by the club Chairperson, if they are unable to attend the committee members present will appoint a chairperson for the meeting.
6.2 The duties of the General Committee shall be:
6.2.1 To Control the affairs of the club on behalf of the Members.
6.2.2 To keep accurate accounts of the finances of the club through the Treasurer. These should be available for reasonable inspection by Members and should be checked before every Annual General Meeting. The club shall maintain a bank account and at least two officers shall be authorised to sign Club cheques.
6.2.3 To co-opt additional members to the committee as the committee feels this is necessary. Co-opted members shall not be entitled to a vote on the committee.
6.2.4 To make decisions on the basis of a simple majority vote. In the case of equal votes, the chairman shall be entitled to use their casting vote.
6.3 One member of the General Committee shall be appointed by majority vote to be the Club’s Chief Instructor, with the responsibility to oversee all aspects of teaching and grading within the club. The role of Chief Instructor may be an officer of the Club.
7 General Meetings
7.1 The Annual General Meeting of the club shall be held annually. 21 clear days notice shall be given to Members at training sessions and by emailing a notice to all members. Members must advise the Secretary in writing of any business to be moved at the Annual General Meeting at least 14 days before a meeting. The Secretary shall circulate or give notice of the agenda for the meeting to Members not less than 7 days before the meeting.
7.2 The business of the Annual General Meeting shall be to:
7.2.1 Confirm the minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting and any General Meetings held since the last Annual General Meeting.
7.2.2 Health and Safety.
7.2.3 Receive the accounts for the year from the Treasurer.
7.2.4 Receive the annual report from the Secretary.
7.2.5 Receive the annual report for the year from the Chief Instructor.
7.2.6 Elect the Officers of the Club.
7.2.6 Elect members to the General Committee.
7.2.7 Review Club rates and agree them for the forthcoming year.
7.2.8 Transact such other business received in writing by the Secretary from members 14 days prior to the meeting and included on the agenda.
7.2.9 Any Other Business.
7.3 Special General Meetings may be convened by the General Committee or on receipt by the Secretary of a request in writing from not less than two thirds of Members of the Club. At least 21 days notice shall be given.
7.4 Nominations of candidates for election of Officers shall be made in writing to the Secretary at least 14 days in advance of the Annual General Meeting date. Nominations can only be made by Members and must be seconded by another Member.
7.5 All General Meetings shall be chaired by the Club’s Chairperson, if they are unable to attend the members present will appoint a chairperson for the meeting by simple majority vote, with ties broken by a coin toss.
7.6 Decisions made at a General meeting shall be by a simple majority of votes from those members attending the meeting. In the event of equal votes, the Chairman shall use their casting vote.
7.7 A quorum for a General Meeting shall be two executive officers of the club and three Members.
7.8 Each Member (excluding the Chairman) of the Club shall be entitled to one vote at General Meetings.
8. Liability
8.1 Neither the club nor its members shall be liable for any loss of or damage to any property or persons belonging to its members, or any event not covered by the applicable members insurance in force at that time.
9. Complaints and disagreements
9.1 All disagreements and complaints regarding any member will be brought to the attention of the Club Committee as soon as possible.
9.2 No member will enter into discussion with an outside party without first advising the Club of the same, and will not bring the Club into disrepute, or make agreements with outside bodies concerning the same. Anybody raising a complaint or issue for discussion will also adhere to the same.
10. Alterations to the Constitution
10.1 Any proposed alterations to the Club Constitution (this document) may only be considered at an Annual or Special General Meeting, convened with the required written notice of the proposal. Any alteration or amendment must be proposed by a Member of the Club and seconded by another Member. Such alterations shall be passed if supported by not less than two-thirds of those Members present at the meeting, assuming that a quorum has been achieved.
11. Dissolution
11.1 If at any General Meeting of the Club, a resolution be passed calling for the dissolution of the club, the Secretary shall immediately convene a Special General Meeting of the Club to be held not less than one month thereafter to discuss and vote on the resolution.
11.2 If at that Special General Meeting, the resolution is carried by at least two-thirds of the Members present at the meeting, the General Committee shall thereupon, or at such date as shall have been specified in the resolution, proceed to realise the assets of the Club and discharge all debts and liabilities of the Club.
11.3 After discharging all debts and liabilities of the Club, the remaining assets shall not be paid or distributed amongst the Members of the Club, but shall be given or transferred to some other voluntary organisation having objects similar to those of the club or approved sporting or charitable purposes.
12. Declaration
It is hereby certified that this document represents a true and most up to date version of the Constitution of Academia d’Armizare. Approved and signed by the Chairman on behalf of the Committee.
The above statements are seen to be accepted by ALL members upon joining the Club.
ANY ARTICLE WRITTEN OR PRINTED IS DONE SO WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO ANY PERSON OR PERSONS
Jonathn de Vecchi Freeman (Chairman)