I’m writing with an explanation of a change to the constitution of Alton Tennis Club, which we would like to agree at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting on November 9^th.

The reason the Committee is recommending that we make this change to our constitution relates to our probable need to receive funding for future projects to improve our club. Things like extra courts, lighting and increased clubhouse facilities.

Our current constitution has a clause that will make it difficult or impossible to receive funding. Put simply, the current wording would make it theoretically possible for the Committee to receive funding, and promptly wind-up the club and split the proceeds! Clearly not what is required for the well-being of the club.

We are therefore proposing a changed wording as follows:

The current clause reads:

17.  DISSOLUTION OF THE CLUB

If at any General Meeting a resolution for the dissolution of the Club shall be passed by a majority of the members present and at a Special General Meeting held not less than six weeks thereafter (of which not less than four weeks written notice shall have been given to each member), that resolution shall be confirmed by a resolution passed by a majority of two-thirds of the members present voting thereon, the Committee shall thereupon, or at such future date as shall be specified in such resolution, proceed to realise the property of the Club and after the discharge of all liabilities shall divide the same equally or rateably in proportion to the amount each current paid up member has paid in subscriptions since joining the Club and maintaining continuous membership among all the paid up members, and upon the completion of such division the Club shall be dissolved.

 the proposed amendment

17. Winding Up the Club

(a)        The members may vote to wind up the Club if not less than three quarters of those present and voting support that proposal at a properly convened general meeting.

(b)                The Committee will then be responsible for the orderly winding up of the Club’s affairs.

(c)                After settling all liabilities of the Club, the Committee shall dispose of the net assets remaining to one or more of the following:

(i)                                          to another Club with similar sports purposes which is a registered charity and/or

(ii)                                        to another Club with similar sports purposes which is a registered CASC and/or

(iii)                                        to the Club’s governing body for use by them for related community sports.

This change will be tabled at the AGM. If you have any concerns or questions around this change, please don’t hesitate to contact me or any other committee member. We would of course be very pleased to see you at the AGM. Details of the AGM will be put on the websitehttp://www.altontennisclub.co.uk ) and will be displayed at the Clubhouse.

I look forward to hearing from you, and to welcoming you at the AGM.

Best regards

Adrian Jones

Chairman,Alton Tennis Club