1. Title
The name of the Club shall be “UW MINI Owners Club”, hereafter referred to as “The Club”. Short form UW MoC. The Adopted Club Badge shall be as detailed above.
2. Objects
a) To arrange tours, charity events, lectures, discussions, social and other meetings for the benefit of the nominated and chosen Charity – of – the – Year (as announced at annual Express Day) of The UW MoC.
b) To further member’s interests and camaraderie in UW, in motoring and in motor sport.
c) To provide members with information, advice and assistance on matters connected with The Club, Company MINIS, Motoring & Social Events and motoring & motor sport.
d) To watch the local administration of the laws and regulations affecting motoring and motor vehicles, and to report any proposed local action or scheme to the MSA.
e) To promote motor competitions in accordance with the Rules of the MSA.
f) To afford members such benefits and privileges as it is possible to arrange.
3. Constitution, Ownership and Membership.
The Club is Constituted as a non-trading & a non-profit making organisation (2010).
The Ownership of The Club shall be vested in The Directors of UWDC/Telecomplus plc, hereafter referred to as “The Company”
The Club shall be funded (since MAD 2015) by contributions from The Company.
The Proceeds of the Member’s Donations fund shall pass in full to 2a) above
Membership
Anyone of 18 years of age and above and who is a UW MINI Owner shall be eligible for Membership, together with The Directors and staff of UWDC/Telecomplus plc – who shall fall under category b) below
The Membership shall consist of:
(a) Life Members,
(b) Honorary Members,
(c) Competition Full Members (MINI Owners)
4. Management
The authority and responsibility for the transaction of the business of the Club and its management shall be vested in the President and if needed, a Committee, who, in addition to the powers and authorities by these rules expressly conferred on him/them, may exercise all powers and do all acts in furtherance of the objects for which the Club is established or done by the Club in General Meeting.
5. Election of officers
The President and Vice President of the Club and the Solicitor, Accountants, Treasurer, Secretary and Committee will be elected at the Annual General Meeting and be subject to termination of office by resignation at the next Annual General Meeting following their appointment. The Committee shall have the power to co-opt other members as they deem necessary. The retiring officers and other members of the Committee shall be eligible for re-election if they so wish. In the event of there being no change of officers, the need for an AGM will be void and officers will continue in office.
6. Committee
The Committee shall consist of not less than four and not more than eight members, exclusive of President, Vice-President, Solicitor, Treasurer and Secretary, who shall be ex-officio Members of the Committee. The Committee shall elect from amongst its own members a Chairman and a Vice-Chairman. One half or a minimum of 4 of the members of the Committee shall form a quorum. Nominations of Candidates on the official form for election to the Committee must be received by the Secretary not less than 21 days before the Annual General Meeting, with an intimation in writing signed by each Member nominated that he or she is willing to serve. Nominations of Candidates shall be signed by the member proposing them. The Committee shall have the power to appoint a Sub-Committee of not less than three persons to meet on its behalf in respect of any matter which is specifically referred to such a Sub-Committee.
7. Meeting of the committee
The Secretary either of his/her own accord or by the direction of the President or Chairman shall unless otherwise agreed by all the Committee give at least 7 days written notice of a meeting.
As we will be known as a “one make” club, specifically for UW MINIS and we are nationally based certain committee meetings may be conducted by email and/or conference call or Skype at the discretion of the Chairman and/or Secretary.
8. Absence of the committee
Any member of the Committee who shall, without sufficient reasons, absent him/herself from three consecutive Committee meetings (and without presenting prior apology) may be called upon to resign their position upon the Committee.
9. Duties of the secretary
It shall be the duty of the Secretary to attend in person or by deputy, on line or by conference call/Skype/WhatsApp Group all meetings of the club and any/all meetings of the Committee to take minutes of the proceedings. Such minutes shall be entered in a book or e-book and presented for confirmation at the following meeting. The Secretary’s services shall be deemed subscription free.
10. Banking
All moneys of the club shall be banked by the Treasurer in the name of the Club^^, and no disbursements shall be made therefrom except in accordance in the form or forms authorised by the President or Committee.
11. Election of members
With effect from MAD 2015 where Mr Justin Bozzino announced that all current and future UW MINI Owners will be automatically enrolled as Club Members and at no cost and for as long as they were UW MINI Owners, all membership fees would be covered by Telecomplus plc from Head Office and following completion registration formalities, will automatically be accepted for membership of the Club. Membership Number/s are the Owners Distributor ID Number and / or their MINI Bonnet / Fleet Number. NHQ MINI Administration Office will issue all new members with the Joining Letter and direct new members to the Club web site and UW MoC Facebook site;
www.UWMiniOwnersClub.com www.facebook.com/UWMiniOwnersClub
12. Member of any other club
Any member of The Club is entitled to be a member of any other club as they so wish.
13. Voting of committee members (1)
Each member present at any meeting of the Committee shall be entitled to exercise one vote.
14. Voting of committee members (2)
The Committee shall vote by ballot , by email or by post if any member present so demands. Members may also appoint and Officer as their proxy.
15. Subscription
On first joining the Club, from 2010 there was a ‘one off’ non-returnable Joining Fee of £10, = from MAD 2015 this is FOC*. Thereafter the annual rates of subscription are:
(a) Life Members, Free of Fee following.
(b) Honorary Members, Free of Fee
(c) Competition and Ordinary Full Members – (“20) now Free of Fee – * however, the Club does encourage Members to donate the equivalent of the £30 fee to the Club when entering any events to swell the Charity effort.
By virtue of their membership, club members will be entitled to obtain certain items of regalia, detailed elsewhere in this rule book, and included in which is the Club Car Badge (metal and vinyl). It should be noted that these badges whilst available to members for their use, remain in the ownership of and the property of the Club, and must be returned should membership ever cease.
The adopted Club Badge is a Registered Trade Mark ™, owned by Telecomplus plc, is copyright ©, and remains the property of the Club and per se, UWDC at all times.
16. Life members
Certain IDs who have exercised exemplary duty over time to the Club and the Charity effort may be elected Life Members by the President and/or Committee, and shall be exempt from the payment of any further fees or subscriptions.
17. Honorary members
The President or Committee may elect as it sees fit Honorary Members, such as Directors of Telecomplus plc, any/all members of the Royal Family, any persons distinguished for their scientific, literary, industrial or administrative capacities, or who have been distinguished in promoting the cause of motoring in general or of the club in particular. This includes the appointment of a Patron.
18. Payment of subscriptions
No longer applicable since MAD 2015; the terms used to read:
Subscriptions for all classes of Membership are payable annually in advance by the 1st March, and all subscription fees run for one year (other than Life and Honorary Memberships which are for life from the date of election). Mini Owners who qualify and take delivery of their motor car on or after 1st October in any given year will only be required to pay the Joining Fee and 50% of the current Annual Membership fee. The services of the Hon Secretary & Treasurer shall be deemed equivalent to and therefore absolved from annual subscription.
19. New members
No longer applicable since MAD 2015; the terms used to read:
New members shall make their Joining Fee and 1st Annual Subscription payment with application, either by cheque, Direct Debit, Standing Order, by online direct payment (details will be provided), by PayPal, by UW Cash Back Card (no cash back). Other Debit/Credit Cards can be used but will incur a 5% service fee. Any joining member who fails to pay their subscription within one month shall be requested in writing by the Hon Treasurer to pay the same, and if he/she fails to make payment within seven days thereafter the membership shall become null and void.
20. Non payments
No longer applicable since MAD 2015; the terms used to read:
Any member of the club who has not paid his/her subscription within one clear month of the date on which it became due shall be notified of the fact in writing by the Treasurer or the Secretary, and seven days thereafter any member who has still failed to pay his subscription may, unless sufficient reason be shown to the satisfaction of the Committee be taken off the Register of members forthwith. No member whose subscription is in arrears shall be eligible to take part in any competitions organised by the club and under the rules of the MSA.
21. Resignation
No longer applicable since MAD 2015; the terms used to read:
Any member wishing to resign his membership shall give notice in writing of such desire to the Secretary on or before the date on which his subscription would have become due for renewal in any year, otherwise he shall be liable to pay his subscription for the ensuing year. Also any member ceasing, voluntarily or otherwise, to be a member of the club, shall thereafter cease to have any claim upon the property of the club or to enjoy any privileges of membership, but he or she shall remain liable for the payment of any debts due to the club from him to her.
A member will be automatically resigned should they cease to be a UW distributor/MINI Owner.
22. Use of Club badge, name and address
The name and address of the club shall not be given by a member as his/her address under any circumstances and especially not for trade, advertising or business purposes or in connection with any legal proceedings. No one is permitted the use of the Club Badge in any advertising, on any letterhead, business card, vehicle etc – by order of the Club Secretary.
23. Expulsion of members
It shall be the duty of the Committee if at any time, they shall be of the opinion that the interests of the club so require, by letter, to invite any member to withdraw from the club within a time specified in such letter, and in default of such withdrawal to submit the question of his expulsion to a meeting of the Committee to be held within two weeks after the date of such letter. Members of the Committee shall be given at least 7 days’ notice that a question of withdrawal or expulsion is to be discussed at an online meeting of the Committee. The member whose expulsion is under consideration shall be given at least 7 days notice of such a meeting and shall be allowed to offer an explanation of his conduct verbally or in writing and if two thirds of the membership present shall then vote for his expulsion, he shall thereupon cease to be a member of the club.
24. The Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of the club shall be held, if deemed necessary, in February in each year upon a date and at a time to be fixed by the Committee and may be held online, by conference call or by Skype.
As the Club is non-trading and non-profit making -there is no need for AGMs – unless some administrative requirement is to be met – which can generally be dealt with online / by the President
The Annual General Meeting shall:
a) Could Receive from the Honorary Treasurer on behalf of the Committee a full statement of accounts duly audited by the Honorary Club Accountant showing the receipts and expenditure for the year ending. However – as stated – we are non-trading, do not have receipts or pay bills – so this is unnecessary. It is stated for formality as are some other clauses.
b) Could Receive from the Committee a report of the activities of the club during the said year. – however – this is now handled by our web company and details appear online.
c) Elect the President, Vice President and Chairman, and the Secretary and Treasurer of the club, and as appropriate, the Solicitor and Accountant/Auditor. These will continue year on year or be adjusted if circumstances demand midterm.
d) Elect the Committee. – These will continue year on year or be adjusted if circumstances demand midterm.
e) Settle upon any remunerations for the officers of the club and the Solicitor and Auditor.
f) Decide on any resolution which may be duly submitted to the meeting as hereinafter provided.
25. Special General Meetings
A Special General Meeting may be convened on direction of the President or by Committee, or on a requisition of the Secretary stating the business for which the Special General Meeting is required and signed not less than 6 members. If the meeting so requisitioned is not convened within 21 days, the said 6 members may convene such meeting. 6 members shall form a quorum.
26. Agenda
When members wish a matter to be discussed it can be directed to the President for action or decision for expediency or may be directed to a General Meeting, the text of such matters signed by said members shall be sent to the Secretary at least 21days before the date of such meetings, so that it may be included in the Agenda.
A copy of the Agenda shall be sent to each member at least 10 days prior to the meeting, but the fact that any member has not received a copy of the Agenda shall not invalidate the proceedings. No business which is not included in the Agenda shall be discussed at the meeting unless every member present is in favour thereof. Should the proposer of any motion fail to move a resolution in respect of the relevant item on the Agenda, then any other member shall be entitled to do so.
27. Voting
Every person with a right to be present may exercise one vote. The President & Chairman shall not vote except in the exercise of a casting vote. At all General Meetings, except as provided in Rule 30, a majority of votes decides a resolution. At any General Meeting, any 12 members may demand a Poll, and thereupon the meeting shall be adjourned to a time and place to be named by the Chairman, and an email or postal vote shall be taken of all members of the club, the decision of the members, as shown by a postal vote, shall be reported to the adjourned meeting, and shall be eemed to be the decision of such meeting. The Rules relating to collective vote and proxies shall apply as in Clause 13 & 14 hereof.
28. Right to be present
No-one can take part in General Meetings unless he has been duly elected as a Member of the Club.
29. Observance and interpretation of rules
Every member binds himself to abide by the rules of the club, and by any modifications thereof made in conformity with such rules, and to accept as final and binding the decision of the President or Committee in all cases of dispute or disagreement as to the interpretation of these rules.
30. Alterations of rules
Any alterations may be made in these rules by the President or a General Meeting provided (a) that details of the proposed alteration or alterations are included in the notice of the General Meeting and (b) that the resolution proposing such alteration is carried out by two thirds of those present and voting at such General Meeting or by two-thirds of those voting should a Poll be demanded as provided for in Rule 27. They may be updated by the President if or when any Announcements at ED & MAD are relevant.
31. Events
All motor events, rallies and any competitions organised by the club shall be held under the rules and requirements of the Motor Sports Association, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Royal Automobile Club, Pall and in whom is vested the authority to licence motor clubs and all motor sport ans road events by HM Government / Department of Transport under Road Traffic Acts etc (see www.msauk.org; UW MINI Owners Club MSA Registration Number is 267399/2010).
Any member convicted of an offence arising out of his being in charge of a motor vehicle in any club event or on club business shall be thereupon be liable to expulsion from the club under Rule 23.
32. Copy of rules
Every member shall be furnished with a copy of the club rules and regulations on joining by virtue of the Club website. (i.e. – These Club rules are available to be read or for download from the official website www.uwminiownersclub.co.uk )
33. Badges / Regalia
Any badges issued to a member of the club shall remain the property of the club. On termination of their membership, members shall deliver up such badges to the Secretary or NHQ within 14 days or remit to The Club a fee equivalent to the current retail cost of the badge.
34. Club bankers
The Inauguration Bankers are Barclays Bank plc in Lancaster, a/c name UW MINI Owners Club Ltd sort code 20 09 72, account number 33177262into which all Members donations and sponsorship monies are to be paid.
35. Dissolution
The club may be dissolved by a Special or Extraordinary General Meeting convened by direction of the President or Committee, or on the requisition of the majority of the members (constituting 2/3 of the current membership at the time). If the resolution of dissolution be duly passed, the Committee shall forthwith liquidate the affairs of the club, and if there be any assets on realisation, these shall be disposed of in general by direction of The Directors of Telecom Plus plc or at the discretion of the Committee and in particular to the Club’s nominated charity-of-the-year.
36. Registered office
The Registered Office of the ‘Club’ shall be West View, Whalley Road, Langho, Ribble Valley, Lancashire, BB6 8AA, and at uwminiownersclub@uwclub.net and 07850 658600 to which address all communications are to be sent, addressed to “The Honorary Secretary”.
37. Website / Social media
The Club web site is www.uwminiownersclub.co.uk and the Club Facebook page is at http://www.facebook.com/UWMiniOwnersClub. All events and notifications, club rule book, membership applications and payment information is contained in the website and updated information and latest instructions on Facebook ; it is the member’s responsibility to come back to these sites for all current information and communications.
38. Office bearers
(Founding) OFFICE BEARERS. (2010) The Founder of the Club is : David William George Bell, F.I.M.I., RAC/MSA Licence Number: 142885, UW I/D 177524 registered at the address detailed above. The President of the Club shall be David W G Bell, F.I.M.I., F.Inst.S.M.M. The Chairman of the Club shall be Cameron James Zantemoor Bell, B.Sc. (Hons) 216666 The Chief Steward and Deputy President shall be Wayne Coupland Esq. The Honorary Secretary of the Club shall be Kathryn Bell, M.I.Q.P.S. The Honorary Treasurer of the Club shall be David W G Bell, F.I.M.I., F.Inst.S.M.M. The Deputy Chairmen of the Club shall be Rob Barras & Christopher Gradwell 216660 The Media/Website Editor of the Club shall be ‘Zantemoor Ltd’
The Patron and Life Honorary Member of the Club shall be The Honourable Charles F Wigoder, LLD, Executive Chairman, Telecomplus plc
The President of the Club shall be David W G Bell. GL; ID 177524
The Chief Steward and Vice President of the Club shall be Wayne Coupland Esq
The Club Steward of the Club shall be Sue Roberts. GL; ID 170519
The Chairman of the Club shall be Rob Barras, SGL; ID 015231
The Deputy Chairman (England) of the Club shall be Dave Long, TL; ID 216660
The Deputy Chairman (Wales) of the Club shall be Gerwyn J Davies, TL; ID K94664
The Honorary Secretary of the Club shall be Corrie C J Nairn GL; ID 027971
The Honorary Treasurer of the Club shall be Jennifer Smith. STL; ID H57138
The Media, Website Writer, Designer and Editor of the Club shall be Richard Singleton TL; ID F92061
Contact details:- www.why-us.co.uk T: 01772 921111