Springbok Model Boat Club

Club rules

1.1- Springbok Model Boat Club (the Club) shall be affiliated to Care Ashore of Springbok Farm Estate Alfold GU6 8EX who is also the Club’s Landlord as owner of the pond used by the Club.

1.2 - The lease does not permit the operation of fast electric models or models fitted with internal combustion engines.
1.3 - Members are entitled to use the pond on Wednesday and Friday mornings subject to any fishing competitions or events as advertised on site. Usage at other times by prior agreement only.
2 – OBJECTIVES
2.1 - To provide for the sailing of model boats on the pond leased in the Club’s name from the Landlord.
3 - MEMBERSHIP
3.1 - Shall be open to anyone who has completed the Club’s Application Form and paid the appropriate subscription and has been approved by the Management Committee.
3.2 - Members must promptly notify the Club Secretary of any change of address.

4 - MANAGEMENT OF THE CLUB
4.1 - The Club shall be managed by a minimum of three officers (the officers) who shall also be members viz: the Treasurer the Secretary and the Club Captain.
4.2 - Management decisions shall be made by a simple majority at meetings where all management committee members have been given notice or have waived that right.
4.3 - These rules can only be changed by a majority decision of the officers of the Club.
4.4 - The Club shall operate a bank account in the Club’s name with a minimum of two signatories being required on all payments.

5 - MEETINGS OF MEMBERS
5.1 - There shall be two types of members’ meetings viz the ’Annual General Meeting’ (the AGM) and an ‘Extraordinary General Meeting’ (an EGM).
5.2 - The AGM shall be held in November or December of each year to review the Club’s accounts and to fix the subscription for the following year and to discuss any matters raised by the members.
5.3 - The EGM: the officers can call an EGM at any time.
5.4 - Decisions at both AGM and EGM meetings shall be taken by a simple majority of all members being entitled to vote and being present at the meeting with sole exception that an officer cannot vote for his or her re-election.
5.5 - A quorum for both the AGM and an EGM shall be all three officers plus four paid up ordinary members.
5.6 - For both the AGM and an EGM, a Notice thereof will be sent to all members at their last recorded address at least twenty-one days before the date of said meeting.
6 - EXPULSION OF A MEMBER
6.1 - A member will be liable for expulsion from the Club if he or she breaks any of its rules.
7 - SUBSCRIPTIONS
7.1 - Subscriptions shall be agreed at each AGM for the following year.
7.2 - If the members shall fail to agree on the subscription the Management Committee shall decide the subscription.
8 - INSURANCES
8.1 - The only insurance cover taken out by the Club is ‘directors and officers’ cover that protects the officers acting in that capacity on behalf of the Club.
8.2 - Members must make their own individual arrangements for third party, personal injury or property damage cover.
9 - SAFETY
9.1 - The Management Committee takes the question of ‘safety’ very seriously and shall ensure that periodic ‘safety inspections’ are carried out and acted upon.
9.2 - Neither the Club nor the Landlord can accept any responsibility for any loss injury or damage howsoever caused.
9.3 - Where members volunteer to use the Club’s rescue boat they do so at their own risk and it is essential that they comply with the Club’s relevant ‘safety instructions’.
9.4 - The Landlord has at all times qualified first aid personnel on the premises and any incidents where medical assistance is required or members’ safety is compromised must be reported immediately to the Landlord and also to a member of the Club’s Management Committee.
9.5 - For operation of model boats on the pond there must be a minimum of two persons present one of whom must be an adult and a member of the Club.

10 - VISITORS
10.1 - Visitors to the Club can only sail on the lake provided a Club member is present and that at all times they act reasonably and in conformity with the Club’s rules.
10.2 - Minors and vulnerable adult visitors must at all times be under the effective supervision of a parent, guardian or carer who must accept total responsibility for their safety.
10.3 - A visitor may only sail a maximum of three times in any calendar year before being obliged to apply for Club membership, If a visitor’s application for membership is turned down he or she can no longer sail as a ‘visitor’.
11 - DISSOLUTION OF THE CLUB
11.1 - Should circumstances arise which in the opinion of the management committee make dissolution of the Club appropriate an EGM will be convened.
11.2 - If the decision is to dissolve the Club any excess of assets shall become the property of the Landlord.

RISK ASSESSMENT

Contents are covered as risk / precautions / action required

The club rents the pond from Care Ashore ( a registered charity) at Springbok Farm Estate, Alfold,GU6 8 EX

CLUB RULES are sent to all new members on joining and are accessible on the club’s website

CONTENTS

1 – inflatable rescue boat

2 – minors

3 - medical emergencies

4 – safe access to pond

5 – site security / public access

6 – safety of club members

7 – pond water quality

8 – steam powered models

9 – COVID 19 restrictions

1 – inflatable rescue boat

1.1 Risk: occupants drowning: the pond has a thick layer of mud on the bottom which is potentially dangerous

1.2 Precautions: the inflatable must be used as per the ‘instructions’ on club website

1.3 Action required: remind members of operating rules.

2.minors

2.1 Risk: drowning:

Precautions: minors must at all times when near the pond be accompanied by a responsible adult Action required remind members

3 – medical emergencies

3.1 Risk: primarily aged club members

3.2 Precautions: the landlord is required to have a medically qualified person on site at all times who must be consulted as appropriate

3.3 Action required: ensure all members are aware of 3.2

4 – safe access to pond

4.1 Risk drowning in pond whilst retrieving a model boat

4.2: Precautions: improve access to pond from paths

4.3 Action required: continue to clear access to pond by clearing bushes etc between path and pond.

5 – site security / public access

5.1 Risk: drowning in pond

5.2 Precautions: the pond is on private land some distance from a public highway thus access is restricted to club members and residents

5.3 Action required: ensure that the landlord continues to supply and maintain lifebelts around the pond and maintains them correctly.

6 – club members’ safety

6.1 Risk slipping on jetties

Risk recovery of model boats

Risk person falling into pond: will only occur close to bank

6.2 Precautions:

-jetty must be kept clear.

-Recovery of model boats is only to take place from the inflatable rescue boat -members are not permitted to enter the water in waders

6.3 Action. Ensure that the landlord maintains pondside life belts

7 – pond water quality

7.1 Risk: possibility of toxic mud on pond bottom and other pollutants in the water

7.2 Precautions: hand washing facilities are available in the main building

7.3 Action required: none

8 steam powered models

8.1 Risk: boiler explosion

8.2 Precautions: all steam models must have the appropriate current test certificate

8.3 Action required: none

9 – COVID 19 risks (whilst applicable)

9.1 members must always follow current Government guidelines

9.2 members’ attendance must be recorded either by advance email to the club captain or seeing the Captain on arrival

9.3 members must self-distance: this is facilitated by the separation of tables

9.4 only one person at a time may use the inflatable rescue boat

9.5 hand cleaning fluids are provided both pondside and in the boat house and must be used before and after using club property.

9.6 if you exhibit Covid symptoms you must stay away from the club

The above risk assessment has been placed on the club website and all members must understand its contents

Clive Cooper Club Captain

Reviewed January 2024………………