QACCS CONSTITUTION

 1.    NAME

The name of the Club shall be the QACCS Golf Club, hereinafter referred to as QACCS and signifying Quantity Surveyors, Architects, Consultants, Contractors & Suppliers.

2.    QACCS INSIGNIA & COLOURS

The insignia shall be a capital Q, slightly elongated, with a golf Club forming the tail of the Q.

3.    AIMS & OBJECTIVES

The aims and objectives of QACCS shall be:

3.1 Through the medium of golf to encourage and promote a source of business and fellowship amongst colleagues in the construction, building and allied industries.

3.2 To operate as a non-profit making organisation.

3.3 To provide an opportunity for those engaged in construction, building and allied industries to meet one another on equal terms at least once a month in order to make and/or cement new and/or old friendships and to enjoy together the relaxation and conviviality afforded by the game of golf.

3.4 To make donations and dispositions for charitable and/or needy and/or worthy causes.

3.5 To do anything that may be expedient, necessary or desirable to further the aims and

       objectives of QACCS, or which may be incidental thereto.

4.    MEMBERSHIP

      Membership of QACCS shall be accorded in any of the following categories:

4.1 Honorary Life Membership:

4.1.1 Honorary Life Membership of the Club shall be extended only by invitation of the National Council in recognition of long and meritorious service to QACCS.

4.1.2 Honorary Life Membership shall be extended only to such QACCS Members as shall be deemed proper recipients of the highest honour QACCS can bestow, and only for exceptional services to the game of golf in general and QACCS in particular.

4.1.3 Honorary Life Members of QACCS shall not be required to meet the participation obligations of Members.

4.1.4 Honorary Life Members

4.1.4.1 Will receive all QACCS publications as issued by the QACCS Golf Club.

4.1.4.2 May wear all QACCS insignia.

4.1.4.3 Shall be eligible to participate in any QACCS competition.

4.1.4.4 Automatically are Members of the National Council of QACCS and may attend committee meetings of their regional Clubs and may vote there at.

4.1.5 Neither entrance fees, nor subscriptions, nor any monthly competition entry fees are payable by Honorary Life Members.

4.2 Honorary Membership

4.2.1 The Executive of a Member Club may extend Honorary Membership to any person deemed worthy of the honour by virtue of:

4.2.1.1 The high office they hold.

4.2.1.2 Service they have rendered to the game of golf.

4.2.1.3 Service they have rendered to QACCS.

4.2.1.4 Service rendered by Members of QACCS to QACCS.

4.2.2 Honorary Members of QACCS shall not be required to meet the participation obligation of Members.

4.2.3 Honorary Members

4.2.3.1 Will receive all QACCS publications from their Member Club.

4.2.3.2 May wear QACCS insignia.

4.2.3.3 May enter any QACCS competition.

4.2.3.4 Elected in terms of 4.2.1 shall be eligible to serve on the Executive Committee of the Member Club and may vote at all General or Special Meetings of the Member Club.

4.2.4 No entrance fee or subscription in terms of paragraph 8 are payable by Honorary Members, but they will be responsible for all competition entry fees subject to the discretion of the Executive Committee of the Member Club which retains the right to waive this provision.

4.3 Membership

4.3.1    Membership shall be available to approved persons who are 18 years of age        and older. Members shall be and remain Members of a recognised golf club              affiliated to a Golf Union recognised by the World Amateur Golf Council or the Professional Golfer's Association and must be handicapped by that Golf Club.

4.3.2    Membership shall be awarded at the discretion of the Executive Committee of any Member Club, such an application being endorsed by a proposer and a seconder both being Members for at least one year, except in the case of new Clubs which have existed for less than two years. Members are entitled to enter all meetings and annual competitions.

4.3.3    A Member shall play in a minimum of five (5) monthly meetings of his Member Club during the Club's playing year. In the event of a Member failing to meet his obligation and at the discretion of the Executive Committee of the Member Club, he may be offered Associate Membership or his Membership may be terminated provided that:

4.3.3.1 The Executive Committee of any Member Club may waive the requirements set out in 4.3.3 in the event of his Member Club being unable to accommodate him in the monthly meeting of his Club.

4.3.3.2 Should a player fail to play in a monthly meeting of his Member Club but play during that month in a monthly meeting of another QACCS Club, his obligation shall be deemed to have been met. Such scores shall not count towards any of his Member Clubs annual competitions.

4.3.3.3 Leave of Absence may be granted to any Member unable to participate in any monthly meeting of his Member Club at the discretion of the Executive Committee of the Member Club and if granted shall be deemed to have met his playing obligation as regards that particular meeting or meetings for which leave of absence was granted.

4.3.4 Members

4.3.4.1 Will receive all QACCS publications of the Member Clubs.

4.3.4.2 May wear QACCS insignia.

4.3.4.3 Are eligible to serve on the Executive Committee of their Member Club.

4.3.4.4 May vote at all General or Special Meetings of the Member Clubs, provided they are in good standing.

4.3.5    Members in Good Standing

                        At the discretion of the Executive Committee of the Member Club a Member shall be deemed to be in good standing if he has met or is in a position to meet his playing obligations as set out in paragraph 4.3.3 and if his annual subscriptions are paid in accordance with paragraph 7 and 8 of the Constitution.

4.4  Associate Membership

4.4.1    Associate Membership may be awarded by the Executive Committee of any Member Club upon application by a Member who through unavoidable circumstances will be unable to meet his minimum participation obligation and who wishes to avoid automatic termination of his membership.

4.4.2    An Associate Member may not participate in more than two (2) normal monthly meetings of his Member Club in any playing year, provided that in the event of any QACCS Club meeting not being full, he may play in more than two (2) monthly meetings in a playing year. An associate Member shall not be eligible to participate in any annual competitions.

4.4.3    Associate Members may apply for election to Full Membership and in the event of a vacancy in the membership of the Club shall be given preference on the waiting list.

4.4.4    Associate Members

4.4.4.1 Will receive all QACCS publications of their Member Club.

4.4.4.2 May wear QACCS insignia.

4.4.4.3 Are not eligible to serve on the Executive Committee of their Member Club.

4.4.4.4 May attend all General or Special Meetings of their Member Clubs but shall have no vote.

4.4.4.5 Shall pay such subscriptions as laid down by the Executive Committee of their Member Club in its discretion, but shall not exceed the subscriptions payable by a Full Member.

4.5 Non-Playing Membership

4.5.1 Non-Playing Membership may be awarded by the Executive Committee of a Member Club to any person, assisting the Member Club in its functions. This category of membership shall not be granted to any registered playing Member of QACCS.

4.5.2 Non-Playing Members:

4.5.2.1 May wear all relevant QACCS insignia.

4.5.2.2 Are not eligible to serve on the Executive Committee of their Member Club unless invited to do so by the Club Captain.

4.5.2.3 May attend all General or Special Meetings of their Member Club but shall have no vote.

4.5.2.4 Do not pay annual subscriptions.

4.6 Non-Active Membership

Non-Active Membership may, at the discretion of the Executive Committee of a Member Club be awarded to any Member who, due to age, ill health, infirmity or otherwise, is no longer able to play golf and who may no longer be a member of a recognised Golf Club affiliated to a Golf Union recognised by the World Amateur Golf Council or the Professional Golfers Association.

4.6.1 Non-Active Members

4.6.1.1 May receive all QACCS publications of the Member Club.

4.6.1.2 May wear all relevant QACCS insignia.

            4.6.1.3 Are eligible to serve on the Executive Committee of their Member Club.

4.6.1.4 May not play in any QACCS competition.

4.6.1.5 May attend and vote at all Special General or Special Meetings of their Member Club.

4.6.1.6 Shall pay such subscriptions as laid down by the Executive Committee of their Club in its discretion, but shall not exceed the subscriptions payable by a Full member.

4.7  Suspensive Membership

The Executive Committee of a Member Club may in its discretion transfer to Suspensive Membership any of its Members who will be absent from the Member Club for an extended period of a year or more, or will reside for the same period in an area in which there is no Member Club of QACCS, but wish to retain their association with QACCS. A suspensive Member shall be liable for a 50% of the annual subscriptions of his Member Club and may enter any QACCS competition during temporary visits to an area served by a QACCS Club. On his return to permanent residence in his relevant area, he shall automatically be reinstated as a Member with the applicable rights and obligations.

4.8  Reciprocal Membership

Membership of any one Member Club automatically implies membership of all other Member Clubs. A Member may only vote at the Club to which he is attached. Membership is confined to one Member Club.

4.9  Sponsor Membership

At the discretion of the Executive Committee, Sponsor Membership may be accorded to representatives of sponsors of a Club.

4.9.1    Sponsor Members

4.9.1.1 Will receive all QACCS publications of the Member Club.

4.9.1.2 May wear QACCS insignia

4.9.1.3 Are not eligible to serve on the Executive Committee of the Member Club.

4.9.1.4 May attend General or Special Meetings of their Member Club but shall have no vote.

4.9.1.5 Shall pay the playing fee levied by his Club for each time he participates in a meeting.

4.9.1.6 Shall meet the minimum playing commitment as set out in paragraph 4.3.3 above should   he wish to participate in any of the annual competitions.

4.9.1.7 Shall, save for the aforegoing, be subject to the provisions of the Constitution with the exception of paragraph 4.9.1.6 and paragraph 4.3.5

4.9.1.8 Shall cease to be a Member, on the sponsor which he represents, ceasing to sponsor the Club.

4.10     Transfer Membership

4.10.1    A Member of QACCS who wishes to transfer to another Club, shall be granted an automatic transfer to such Club in the same membership category as held by him in his former Club, provided:

4.10.1.1  He is, and has been in good standing in terms of paragraph 4.3.5 at his Club.

4.10.1.2  His former Club has within thirty (30) days of the date of his transfer remitted the following to the transferee Club:

(a) His original application form to become a QACCS Member.

(b) His playing record.

4.10.2  A Member of QACCS wishing to transfer to another Club shall apply to such Club within six (6) months of his leaving his former Club. His failure to do so will cause his membership to lapse.

4.10.3  Where the Member seeking transfer does not meet the requirements of paragraph 4.10.1.1 and provided paragraph 4.10.1.2 has been complied with, the Executive Committee of the transferee Club shall have the discretion to either grant him automatic transfer or to accord Transferee Membership to him.

4.10.4  The Transferee, irrespective of the category of membership accorded to him, shall within twelve (12) months of the date of his application of transfer, become and remain a Member of a recognised golf club within the area of his new QACCS Club, such golf club to be affiliated to a Golf Union recognised by the World Amateur Golf Council or the Professional Golfers Association. The transferee shall further be handicapped by that Golf Club.

4.11     Founder Member

       A Founder Member of the Club shall be a Member who joins a Member Club at its inception, or within stated period thereafter. Each Member Club shall recognise the Founder Member in their Club, who shall be entitled to a special QACCS badge.

5.    ADMINISTRATION

5.1  QACCS shall be administered by an Executive Committee composed of the Captain, Vice Captain, Junior Vice Captain, Secretary, Treasurer and at least two Committee Members who shall hold office for one (1) year.

5.2  At each Annual General Meeting of the Club, there shall be elected from amongst the  Members in good standing a Vice Captain, should the incumbent Vice Captain not be required to fill the position of Club Captain due to the retiring Captain being elected to retain the position of Club Captain for a maximum of one further term. Junior Vice Captain, Secretary and a Treasurer.

5.3  When the Club Captain’s term of office expires, the Vice Captain will automatically become the Club Captain for the ensuing year.

5.4  The Club Captain so elected shall have the right and the power to invite the retiring Captain to serve on the Committee as an Ex Officio Member and to invite at least 2 (two) further Members to serve as Committee Members during his term of Office.

5.5  Should any office bearer cease to hold office during the course of the year for any reason whatsoever, the Executive Committee shall have the right to appoint and/or co-opt any Member to serve in place of such Member who shall hold office for the remaining period of office.

5.6    Should the Club Captain cease to hold office, during his term of office, the Vice Captain or failing him, the Junior Vice Captain, shall assume the duties of Acting Captain for the remainder of the term of office, hereafter clause 5.3 will be applicable.

5.7  Should the Vice Captain cease to hold office, during his term of office, or be appointed as acting Captain in terms of Clause 5.6 above, the Junior Vice Captain shall assume the duties of Acting Vice Captain for the remainder of the term. The position of Acting Junior Vice Captain shall be filled by way of an appointment by the Executive Committee at a meeting in terms of Clause 5.8 below.

5.8  The Executive Committee shall meet at least once a month in addition to the usual golf  meetings for the transaction of business.

5.9  The Executive Committee shall have the power to invest funds in any financial institution, open a bank account in the name of the Club and keep true and proper account of income and expenditure.

6.    CLUB MEETINGS:

6.1  QACCS shall hold a Golf Meeting at least ten (10) times annually.

6.2  QACCS may from time to time arrange special meetings to foster goodwill amongst its Members.

7.     ENTRANCE FEES & SUBSCRIPTIONS

The Executive Committee shall decide upon the entrance fee and annual subscriptions      payable by Members. The subscriptions shall be due and payable annually in advance, save for the first subscription, which shall be due and payable immediately on election, together with the entrance fee. Any Member, who has not paid his subscriptions by the February meeting, shall automatically cease to be a Member, provided however, that having made good all outstanding subscriptions and dues a former Member shall be eligible for reinstatement of membership of the Club and the provisions of clause 4 of this Constitution shall apply.

       Subscriptions shall be reduced by half for those Members joining after June.

8.    RESIGNATION OF MEMBERSHIP

        A Member may at any time, by giving written notice to the Secretary, resign his membership, but shall, notwithstanding such resignation, remain liable for any subscriptions due and remain liable for any subscription and fees unpaid at the time such written notice of resignation is received by the Secretary, and shall not be entitled to a refund.

9.    QUORUM

       The quorum for any General Meeting of the Club shall be 20 percent total membership in good standing and for any Executive Meeting THREE (3), of which shall include any TWO (2) of the Captain, Immediate Past Captain, Senior Vice Captain and Junior Vice Captain. If within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting shall stand adjourned to the same time a day of the ensuing week and shall be held at the same venue. At all General Meetings the Club Captain shall act as a Chairman and in his absence the Vice Captain or Secretary shall take the chair.

10.  MINUTES

Minutes of all meetings of the Executive Committee and Annual General Meetings shall be recorded and shall be confirmed at the next ensuing meeting of the body concerned.

11.  GENERAL MEETINGS

11.1     QACCS shall hold an Annual General Meeting of Members after the last golf meeting in each year or at a date close to that meeting and a Special General Meeting shall be held as and when called by the Executive Committee or upon the requisition of at least TEN (10) Members in good standing.

A notice of the day, hour and business of the Annual or Special General Meeting shall be sent to all Members at least FOURTEEN (14) days prior to the date of the meeting.

11.2     Procedure

11.2.1   To read the Notice of Meeting

11.2.2   To confirm the Minutes, in the event of the Annual General Meeting of the previous   Annual General Meeting and any Special General Meeting.

11.2.3  To receive and consider the Captain's Annual Report on the affairs of the Club together with the Statements of Accounts for the year.

11.2.4  To elect a Vice-Captain, Junior Vice Captain, Secretary and Treasurer.

11.2.5  To deal with any other business concerning the affairs of the Club.

11.2.6  In the case of a Special General Meeting to deal with the specific business in respect of which the meeting has been called.

12.  VOTING

       At all meetings of the Club and/or Executive Committee, voting shall take place by secret ballot, in which event the Treasurer and one Member of the Club, elected by a majority of Members present, shall act as scrutineers, provided, however, that voting may take place by a show of hands, if so desired by majority of Members present.

13. DISCIPLINE:  Should any Member, in the opinion of the Executive Committee, commit any wilful breach of the Constitution, rules, regulations or by-laws of the Club, or be guilty of improper, dishonest, unsportsmanlike or unseemly conduct or of which is prejudicial to the interest of the Club,  whether within the activities of the Club or outside them, the Executive Committee shall have the power:

13.1     To expel such Member

13.1.1  To deprive such Member of all or any rights and advantages of his membership during such time or period as the Executive Committee in its absolute discretion may deem fit and advisable or able.

13.1.2 To call upon such Member in writing through the Secretary to resign and if he fails to resign within SEVEN (7) days of the date of such request to expel such Member.

13.2  To reprimand such Member.

Provided, however, notwithstanding anything hereinbefore contained, no Member shall be expelled unless and until the Executive Committee shall have given him an opportunity to appear before it at such time and place as it in its discretion may deem fit to explain his conduct. At any such hearing the Executive Committee shall determine the procedure to be adopted, but the Executive Committee shall have the power to cross examine any witness and shall have the power to tender the evidence of any Member or any person he may deem fit, and in addition the following shall apply:

13.2.1  For the purpose of considering the expulsion of a Member, a quorum in excess     of 75% of the Executive Committee shall be present. At least three-quarters of the votes of those present at such a meeting must be in favour of the decision.

13.2.2  It shall not be incumbent upon the Executive Committee to state its reasons for such expulsion, and no Member shall have cause for action for alleged wrongful expulsion.

13.2.3  It shall be obligatory on the Member Club to notify all other Member Clubs of any membership which they have been compelled to cancel.

14.  NATIONAL COUNCIL

14.1     Composition of the National Council

QACCS shall be administered by and the responsibility of such administration shall rest in the National Council. This Council is composed of the National President, the Immediate Past President ex Officio, Senior and Junior Vice-Presidents, the National Secretary, the National Treasurer, Honorary Life Members and the Captains, plus Club representatives proportionate to the strength of each Club; one representative with membership up to 100; two representatives for a Club strength of 101 to 150; three representatives for any membership in excess of 150.

14.1.1  Should a Member Club’s National levies be outstanding at the time of the National Council meeting, representatives of the Member Club will not be entitled to vote, nor will they have the right to address the meeting.

14.2     Office Bearers

14.2.1 The following Office Bearers shall be elected and/or appointed at the annual         meeting of the National Council and shall hold office until the conclusion of the National Tournament immediately following the next annual meeting of the National Council.

14.2.1.1 National President

14.2.1.2 National Senior Vice-President

14.2.1.3 National Junior Vice-President

14.2.1.4 National Secretary

14.2.1.5 National Treasurer

14.2.2  In the event of more nominations than required for the above office 14.2.1.1, 14.2.1.2 and 14.2.1.3 being received, elections shall be by elimination of the candidate receiving the least votes et sequendi until there are two candidates whereupon elections shall be by ballot of Members eligible to vote. Provided that in the event of there being more nominations than one for the office in terms of clause 14.2.1.1 and 14.2.1.2 the unsuccessful candidate shall automatically qualify as a candidate for the election to the office in terms of clause 14.2.1.2 and 14.2.1.3 respectively without having to be specifically nominated thereto in terms of clause 14.2.3 hereof. Provided further that in the event of the unsuccessful candidate for the office in terms of clause 14.2.1.1 automatically qualifying for election to office in terms of clause 14.2.1.2 and being unsuccessful he shall automatically qualify as a candidate for election to in terms of clause 14.2.1.3.

14.2.3  Candidates for the election of the aforesaid office as per clause 14.2.1.1, 14.2.1.2 and 14.2.1.3 shall be nominated in writing by  a Member Club, which nominations shall be in the hands of the National Secretary not less than 60 days before the date of the National Council Meeting.

14.2.4  Immediately after the date of the closing of the nominations and not less than     30 days before the date of the said meeting, the National Secretary shall advise Member Clubs in writing of the candidates so nominated.

14.2.5 The National Secretary and the National Treasurer shall be appointed to their offices by invitation of the National President once he is elected, subject to the approval of the National Council, provided that they remain Members of a Member Club.

14.2.6 Should the National President cease to hold office during his term of office, the National Vice President or failing him the National Junior Vice President, shall assume the duties of Acting National President for the remainder of the term of office, where after Clause 14.2.1 will be applicable.

14.2.7 Should the National Vice President cease to hold office during his term of office, or be appointed as Acting National President in terms of Clause 14.2.6 above, the National Junior Vice President shall assume the duties of Acting Vice President for the remainder of the term of office, where after Clause 14.2.1 to Clause 14.2.4 will be applicable.

14.3     Annual Meeting

The National Council shall meet once annually immediately before or during the        National Tournament each year. The National Secretary shall prepare an agenda which shall be circulated to all Members of the National Council at least 30 days before the date of the said meeting.

14.4     Minutes

Minutes of all meetings of the National Council shall be recorded and shall be            circularised to the Members thereof as soon as possible after the holding of the        meeting and shall be confirmed at the next ensuing meeting of the National Council.

14.5     Accounts

The National Treasurer shall keep true and proper account of all income and expenditure under control. He shall present a balance sheet and income and expenditure account as at the end of each financial year to the meeting of the National Council. All funds received by the National Council shall be deposited in a registered banking institution in the Republic of South Africa in the name of the Council.

14.6     Quorum

The Quorum for the National Council Meeting shall be five duly accredited delegates which shall include two of the National President, National Senior Vice-President and National Junior Vice-President. If within half-an-hour from the time appointed for the National Council Meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting shall stand adjourned to the following day at the same time and place end if at that adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting, those present and entitled to vote shall form a quorum.

14.7     Alterations to the Constitution

14.7.1  Alterations to the Constitution may be proposed by Member Clubs only and shall be made only at a National Council Meeting. No alteration shall be made unless it receives the approval of not less than two-thirds of those eligible to vote.

14.7.2  Notice of any proposed amendment or alteration to the Constitution shall be made in writing to be in the hands of the National Secretary not less than 60 days before the date of the National Council Meeting, and the National Secretary shall forthwith and not less than 30 days before such meeting advise Member Clubs and other Members of the National Council in writing of any proposed alterations to the Constitution.

14.8     Voting

Each of the following persons shall have one vote: the National President, the Immediate Past National President, the National Senior Vice-President, the National Junior Vice-President, the National Secretary, the National Treasurer, the Captain of each Member Club, Honorary Life Members and in addition each Member Club will have additional votes according to the strength of membership of each Club in accordance with 14.1 above.

Subject to anything contrary herein contained, matters shall be decided by a majority, whether on a show of hands or by ballot and the President shall in all instances have a second or casting vote. No delegate shall be entitled to represent more than one Member Club, but a delegate shall be entitled to represent more than one delegate from his own Club.

14.9      National Tournament

14.9.1    Venue: The National Tournament must be held once per year at a venue approved by the National Council.

14.9.2    Hosting: A Member Club who wishes to host the National Tournament should apply to the National Council in writing at least a year prior to the year in which they wish to host the Tournament.

The National Council must decide on the venue for the following year’s tournament at their Council meeting which coincides with the National Tournament.

15.  RULES OF PLAY

15.1 Each QACCS Club to arrange its own format of play recognised by SAGA.

15.2 All QACCS games will be played at the optimum speed with due consideration for other players.

15.3 It is the duty of all participants in any QACCS game to appraise themselves of such local rules as may be in force at the Club at which the game is played.

15.4 In all other respects "The rules of Golf" must be observed.

15.5 The count-out procedure shall be as follows:-

15.5.1    First count-out is taken on the best gross stableford points scored at holes 10 to 18 on the card.

15.5.2    If this procedure results in a tie, the second count-out is taken on the gross stableford score at all short holes on the card.

15.5.3  If this procedure results in a tie, the third count out is taken on the gross stableford points scored at the odd holes through the card.

15.5.4  If this procedure still results in a tie, the contestants should be invited to toss for advantage.

 16. HANDICAPPING

        The handicapping system shall be devised by the Executive Committee from time to time.

17.  INTERPRETATION OF CONSTITUTION AND RULES

        In case of doubt as to the meaning of any of the rules of QACCS, the interpretation of the

        Executive Committee shall be binding upon all Members.

18.  CASUS OMISSUS

       In the event of any "casus omissus" in the Constitution, the Executive Committee shall decide as they consider best and proper.