BAHAMAS DARTS FEDERATION
ABACO : GRAND BAHAMA : NASSAU
CONSTITUTION
and
BYE-LAWS
REVISED EDITION, March, 1999
Malcolm Spicer, President
CONSTITUTION AND BYE-LAWS
1. NAME 4
2. OFFICE 4
3. OBJECTS 4
4. MEMBERSHIP 4
5. OFFICERS 5
8. POWERS AND PROCEDURES OF THE EXECUTIVE 7
9. MEETINGS 8
10. FINANCES 9
11. MANAGEMENT 9
12. DUTIES OF THE MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS 10
13. AMENDMENTS 10
MEETING PROCEDURES 11
VOTING PROCEDURES 12
GLOSSARY OF TERMS USED IN THE CONSTITUTION
AND BYE-LAWS
The following terms shall have the meanings set opposite them:-
BDF - BAHAMAS DARTS FEDERATION
WDF - World Darts Federation
AGM - Annual General Meeting
EGM - Extra-Ordinary General Meeting
EXECUTIVE - That Body of Officers elected to conduct the business of the BDF
REPRESENTATIVE - That person appointed by a member Association to act on its behalf.
MEMBER ASSOCIATION - A duly constituted Association which is a financial member of the BDF
INDIVIDUAL - That person who is a financial member of a member Association but not necessarily
MEMBER - a member of a team of that Association.
YEAR - The official Year of the BDF
MASCULINE - Masculine gender pronouns shall include feminine
SINGULAR - Singular terms shall, where necessary, include the plural.
ISLAND - A geographically recognised island or group of islands or cays within the Bahamas.(e.g.ABACO includes all the islands and cays in the Abacoes)
BAHAMAS DARTS FEDERATION
CONSTITUTION AND BYE-LAWS
1. NAME The name of the Association shall be the Bahamas Darts Federation, hereinafter called the BDF.
2. OFFICE The registered Office of the BDF shall be the office (address) of the President.
3. OBJECTS a) To form a parent Federation representing darts players throughout Commonwealth of the Bahamas
b) To encourage the promotion and extension of the Sport of Darts.
c) To provide additional opportunities for Darts players, male and female in the form of fixtures, representative matches and tournaments.
d) To achieve and maintain the highest possible standard of Darts, presentation and organisation.
e) To be registered as the Governing Body of darts in the Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
f) To safeguard the official status of those Darts Bodies representing their respective islands.
g) To be non - profit making
h) To be non - political and non - racial at all times.
a) Membership shall be open to all properly constituted Darts Associations in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas providing that the Association is the SOLE governing body for Darts on that island. There shall be only one Darts Association to represent each island.
b) The Darts body of any island from which there is not already a member Darts body may make an application to the President of the BDF for membership of the BDF. Such an application may be given an "interim approval" by the Executive. The question of election of such a Darts Body to membership of the BDF shall be submitted to the next BDF AGM.
c) Any Darts Association which desires to be a member of the BDF shall be elected at an AGM upon:-
i) Payment of an Annual Subscription Fee.
ii) Submission of a validated copy of their AssociationsConstitution, Bye-laws and regulations.
iii) To abide by the rules and regulations of the BDF and to recognize the BDF as the Governing Body of Darts in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.
iv) Submission of a list of elected officers.
d) Any financial member of a member Association is automatically a member of the BDF.
e) Each member Association must submit a list of elected officers and contacts within 30 days of their latest election.
f) All member Darts Associations wishing to officially host Inter-island, International, or Open Tournaments within the Commonwealth of the Bahamas must seek official sanction of the BDF.
g) Any individual member or team wishing to represent their Association abroad must notify the BDF Executive Body in writing through his local Association.
h) All BDF member Associations shall be encouraged to publicize their membership of the BDF and any other affiliations in their letter headings and other promotional materials.
a) The elected officers of the BDF, hereinafter known as the Executive, shall be :-
i) PRESIDENT
ii) VICE PRESIDENT
iii) SECRETARY
iv) TREASURER
v) ASSISTANT SECRETARY
vi) ASSISTANT TREASURER
vii) TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR
b) The said officers of the Executive shall hold office for two (2) years.
a) Officers will be elected every two years at the Annual General Meeting for that year.
b) Each Association will be allowed not more than (1) one nomination for President.
c) Each Association will be allowed up to four votes at an AGM.
d) The only people allowed to vote at an AGM will be each of the Association's designated representatives.
e) Persons nominated for President need not be one of the Associations designated representatives but must be present at the AGM.
These shall be as follows :-
a) PRESIDENT
i) Shall oversee the running of all the affairs of the BDF and liase with the officers of the member Associations in the furtherance of the BDF's objectives.
ii) Shall oversee the organisation of internal and representative fixtures of the BDF and National Tournaments.
iii) Shall oversee the selection of representative players.
iv) Shall chair all meetings of the BDF
v) Shall not have a regular vote at such meetings but will have a casting vote where necessary.
vi) Shall see to it that proper minutes are taken at all meetings of the BDF and that proper records of the BDF are kept.
b) VICE PRESIDENT
i) Shall take over from the President whenever the President is unable or unwilling to fulfill his duties.
ii) Shall have the authority of the President at meetings and shall have a casting vote where necessary, but not a regular vote when acting as President.
c) SECRETARY
i) Shall take minutes at meetings of the BDF Executive.
ii) Shall see that all members of the Executiive receive minutes of the meetings of the BDF.
iii) Shall see to it that proper minutes are taken at all meetings of the BDF and that proper records of the BDF are kept.
d) ASSISTANT SECRETARY
i) Shall assist the SECRETARY in his duties and shall act on behalf of the SECRETARY whenever the said SECRETARY is unable or unwilling to perform his duties.
e) TREASURER
i) Shall run the finances of the B.D.F. along with an assistant treasurer.
ii) Shall keep a proper record of the finances of the B.D.F. and produce these at each and every AGM and/or EGM.
f) ASSISTANT TREASURER
i) Shall assist the TREASURER in his duties and shall act on behalf of the TREASURER whenever the said TREASURER is unable or unwilling to perform his duties.
g) TOURNAMENT DIRECTOR
i) Shall be responsible for all B.D.F. events and tournaments and shall oversee the local Associations handling of such events and Tournaments.
8. POWERS AND PROCEDURES OF THE EXECUTIVE
a) The affairs of the BDF shall be administered by the Executive Committee.
b) The quorum of an Executive Committee meeting or General Meeting shall be two-thirds(2/3) of the allowed representation, not including the President.
c) Each elected representative on the Executive shall have one (1) vote with the exception of the President who shall have a deciding vote only when there are an equal number of votes cast for and against a motion.
d) The President may propose and second motions at any BDF Executive meeting.
e) Committee meetings will be held at each and every National Tournament and as is deemed necessary by the President. Otherwise business will be conducted wherever possible by correspondence and telephone.
f) Postal votes will be used wherever possible or necessary and the results of such postal votes will be forwarded to each member of the Executive.
g) Without prejudice to the generality of these Constitution and Bye-Laws, the Executive Committee shall have the following powers :-
i) The appointment of sub-committees to deal with the affairs of the BDF with such powers as the BDF may decide.
ii) To vary the regulations for deciding fixtures, tournaments, qualifications and National Team selection.
h) The Executive shall have the sole control of the funds of the BDF.
i) All resolutions shall be decided by a majority vote of those present at a quorum.
j) The Executive Committee shall have the right to deal with any member of any Association, or any team, or any member of any Association, in matters pertaining to bringing the Sport of Darts into disrepute.
a) All AGM's, EGM's and special meetings shall be governed by procedures stated in Appendix I (Meeting and Voting procedures) and in these Bye-Laws.
b) The Executive Committee shall have the final decision in all matters relating to interpretation of procedures, or in the meaning of the Constitution, Bye-Laws, or playing rules, or Tournament Rules.
c) Any general meetings other than an AGM shall be designated "Extra-Ordinary" general meeting (EGM).
d) The quorum for an AGM or EGM shall be TWO THIRDS (2/3) of the allowed representation, not including the President.
e) Any individual member of a member Association may attend AGM's or EGM's to observe and be heard but shall not be eligible to vote.
f) Member Associations must be financial members of the BDF to be able to excercise their voting rights.
g) The Annual General Meeting (AGM) shall be held to consider the following business :-
i) To consider, and approve, with or without amendments or additions, the minutes of the previous meeting.
ii) To receive the reports of the committee and make order thereof.
iii) To receive the accounts and balance sheet for the previous year and make suitable order thereof.
iv) To elect the Executive (every two years) and to apportion duties to the directors if deemed necessary.
v) To consider, accept or reject, any amendments or additions to the Bye-Laws, Constitution, Playing Rules or Tournament Rules provided such proposed amendment(s) or addition(s) are received by the Honourable Secretary at least two weeks prior to the proposed AGM or EGM
vi) To consider any other business.
a) The period of the Financial Year of the BDF shall be from July 1st in any year to the following June 30th.
b) Each Association shall pay an annual subscription fee according to:-
2-10 teams $200.00
11-20 teams $300.00
21 and above $400.00
c) The annual subscription fee may be changed at any general meeting.
d) Member Associations must be financial members of the BDF to be eligible to vote at meetings.
e) The BDF will subsidise the President ALL reasonable expenses only when in pursuance of the BDF's objects and interests in the Bahamas. The BDF will consider the subsidy to the President for reasonable expenses incurred when in pursuance of the BDF's objects and interest outside the Bahamas.
f) The BDF will reimburse all reasonable expenses incurred in the pursuance of the objects and interests of the BDF, and coming within the express or implied duties, of members of the Executive, subject to approval by the Executive Committee.
g) The BDF will be responsible for the sponsoring of all National Events and International Events held in the Bahamas. Any shortcomings will be shared equally amongst the member Associations.
The management of the BDF shall be vested in the Executive, between Committee meetings and general meetings, which may exercise all such powers and do all such acts as may be exercised by the BDF providing, however, that no act or decision made contravenes, or alters in any way, decisions previously made, or amend the Constitution or Bye-Laws of the BDF which may have been made at a Committee meeting or General meeting.
12. DUTIES OF THE MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS
a) All Associations to submit a copy of their latest Constitution and Bye-Laws and Playing Rules to the BDF and to inform the BDF of any changes to such.
b) All Associations to submit an up to date copy of names and addresses of officers of their Association and to inform the BDF of any changes to such.
c) All Associations to submit a list of addresses and contacts for EACH TEAM in their Association at the beginning of that Association's regular season(s).
d) All Associations to incorporate into their own Constitution and Bye-Laws the following
i) Its affiliation to the BDF
ii) The Playing Rules of the Sport of Darts as designated by the BDF.
iii) Provision for the election of officers for the BDF.
e) To promote the Sport of Darts in the Bahamas, especially by submitting REGULAR reports to the media.
f) To ensure that all teams of the member Association are informed of relevant BDF business, BDF tournaments, Playing Rules, Dates and regulations, and BDF AGM's and EGM's.
g) All member Associations should encourage their members to participate in all BDF events and should support other member Associations events on other islands.
h) To seek approval from the BDF for holding official inter-island tournaments, National tournaments or International tournaments.
No article, in total or in part, of this Constitution shall be altered, added to, or deleted, except at an AGM, or at an EGM expressly called for that purpose, and then only by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of those present and entitled to vote. Any addition, amendment or deletion to be proposed at such a meeting must be made in writing to the Honourable Secretary of the BDF at least fourteen (14) days prior to the date of the meeting at which it is to be considered. Particulars of the amendment, addition or deletion should be sent to each member Association at least ten(10) days prior to the meeting at which it is to be considered.
MEETING AND VOTING PROCEDURES
During the course of an AGM, EGM, or Executive meeting, the President, or appointed chairperson, shall direct the business of such meetings through the agreed meeting and voting procedures as laid down herein :-
MEETING PROCEDURES
1. The President shall take precedence in all matters, and, within the framework of the BDF Constitution and the scope of standard procedure his decision shall be final, unless challenged by not less three (3) representatives, in which case a vote shall be taken by a show of hands.
2. A representative desiring to address the meeting shall indicate by rising to his feet, or raising his hand, that he wishes to speak, and then shall await the President's permission to speak.
3. Any speaker shall confine his speech, or question, to the business in hand at that time, and he will be asked to resume his seat if he cannot show that the subject matter of his speech or question is relevant, or if ruled "Out of Order".
4. No representative is allowed to interupt the speech of another, except on a "Point of Order", in which case he should call out "Point of Order", and await the President's permission to make his point. Any representative may speak on such "Points of Order" raised, provided that his remarks are solely relevant to the "Point of Order" and also provided that his remarks are not in repetition of previous speakers.
5. At AGM's and EGM's all motions require a seconder.
6. No further discussion of a motion is permitted after the motion has been put to a vote.
7. After a motion has been decided, either for or against, no other motion of the same substance may be proposed at the same meeting.
VOTING PROCEDURES
1. At all meetings, AGM's and EGM's, voting shall be by a show of hands, unless a secret ballot is called for.
2. Any representative entitled to vote may call for a secret ballot on any motion being discussed at that meeting. Scrutineers shall be appointed before any votes are cast and they shall count all votes and agree on the number of votes cast. Should they fail to agree with the number of votes cast then a fresh vote shall be taken. In such a secret ballot, any representative may ask for the voting figures to be declared and the scrutineers must provide them. In no case in a secret ballot shall any information be given to indicate as to which way any representative voted.
3. Any representative entitled to vote may move that a motion be put to the vote.
4. Votes may only be cast by the representatives of the member Darts Associations eligible to vote. Eligibility is determined by that member Darts Association being in good financial standing with the BDF, and is duly represented in the meeting by accredited representatives of the member Darts Association, which is officially recognised by the BDF.
5. Any representative entitled to vote may abstain from voting and ask that this may be put on the record.
6. A quorum of any meeting is two-thirds (2/3) of the allowed representation, not including the President.
7. On a question of alteration, amendment, or addition to the Constitution, Bye-Laws or Playing Rules, a two-thirds (2/3) majority at a quorum is required.
8. On a question of alteration, addition or deletion of any Tournament rule or regulation, a majority of a quorum is required.
9. In the event of a tied vote, the President shall have a casting vote. In the event that the President is not present, then the Vice President or residing chairperson shall have that casting vote.
