The Club

Internal Regulations

Internal Regulations of the Champions International Portuguese Golf Club

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Chapter I / General
Chapter II / Membership

Section I / Members and Categories
Section II / Admission Terms
Section III / Joining Fees and Subscriptions
Section IV / Rights and Obligations of Members

Chapter III / Club Committees

Section I
Section II / General Assembly
Section III / Management Committee
Section IV / Supervisory Board
Section V / Disciplinary Measures

Chapter IV / Final Provisions

CHAPTER I / GENERAL top

ARTICLE 1º / HEADQUARTERS

The headquarters of the Champions International Portuguese Golf Club (hereinafter called the "Club") are located in Vilamoura, Quarteira, Loulé council area.

ARTICLE 2º / INSIGNIA

1. The Club insignia and their characteristics are as follows:

2. The aforementioned insignia shall be part of the components that identify the materials and equipment used by the head office, members and employees for Club activities.

3. The Club Management Committee shall guarantee the rights to, and use of, the insignia by all legal means available.

CHAPTER II / MEMBERSHIP top

SECTION I / MEMBERS AND CATEGORIES top

ARTICLE 3º

Any individual person or corporate body with a good reputation and moral integrity may become a member of the Club under the terms and conditions of these Regulations.

* First - Minors who wish to join must provide authorisations from their parents or guardians together their membership applications. Minor members shall have no voice at General Assembly Meetings.

* Second - Any corporate member shall be represented by a single person, duly accredited by the company, foundation or association concerned, and shall have a right to one vote at General Assembly Meetings.

ARTICLE 4º

First - The types of membership shall be founding, honorary and ordinary.

a) Founding members are those applying for membership prior to approval of these Regulations;

b) Honorary members are those who are worthy of this distinction due to exceptional service rendered to the Club or to the game of golf in general, with the approval of the General Assembly at a meeting after being proposed by the Management Committee.

c) Ordinary members are those admitted under the terms and conditions of these Regulations, with full rights to benefit from the privileges afforded them by the Club.

Second - Members may belong to each of the following Club sub-categories: Champions, International and Portuguese.

a) The Champions Golf Club is a Roll of Honour into which champions who possess the essential spirit of dignity that creates a veritable champion are capable of entering. They shall be proposed by the Management Committee, and approved by the General Assembly, and shall always be Honorary Members in order to motivate newly talented golfers. Their memberships will be numbered from 1 to 1000.

b) The International Golf Club shall comprise all the ordinary members and be numbered from 1000 to 1000000.

c) Portuguese Golf Club members shall be numbered as from 1000001 and pay an extra fee in order to benefit from additional privileges that will be available depending upon promotions negotiated from time to time.

d) Members may be either individual, family or corporate.

e) Corporate membership applications will be analysed case by case, and may either be companies, societies, clubs, associations, schools, universities or any others to be established.

f) The annual dues are 12 (twelve) Euros for individual members under 18 years of age or students who are classified as Junior/Student members.

g) The member as the right to just one vote on the Club's Assembly. If the member is collective only the representative appointed by the collective as the right to vote on the Club's Assembly.

SECTION II / ADMISSION TERMS top

ARTICLE 5º

Membership applications shall be submitted by any interested party on a specific form addressed to the Management Committee which shall deliberate on its acceptance.

ARTICLE 6º

As soon as applicants receive official notification regarding admission and on payment of the obligatory fees, they shall assume the rights and liabilities stated in Articles 13 and 14 herein, and shall have the right to frequent and use the Club premises, together with their family members (respective spouse and under-age children) and guests, the latter being always accompanied by a host member.

ARTICLE 7º

Members returning to the Club after a period of absence with suspended subscriptions at their request as per the terms of Article 13, item g), shall notify the Management Committee in writing and settle any subscriptions due. No payment shall be required in respect of joining fees if these had already been paid or were not required when such members originally joined.

SECTION III / JOINING FEES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS top

ARTICLE 8º

Joining fees (when due) and subscriptions shall be set annually at General Assembly Meetings following Management Committee proposals based on rates established with Golf Course owners with whom agreements are made to use their courses and facilities.

* First - Honorary members shall be exempt from the aforementioned fees and subscriptions.

* Second - At General Assembly Meetings the Management Committee may propose that joining fees be suspended for specific periods.

ARTICLE 9º

The Management Committee may introduce special subscription rates for families (spouse and under-age children) of members, as well as exemption of their joining fees whenever applicable.

ARTICLE 10º

Members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited with the Portuguese Government, together with their spouses and under-age children, shall be exempt from payment of joining fees (whenever applicable).

* First - The Management Committee may cancel or modify this provision and limit its application merely to diplomats representing countries affording the same deference towards Portuguese diplomats.

ARTICLE 11º

Payment of joining fees (when in force) shall be made together with the submission of membership application forms and returned in the event of non-approval.

ARTICLE 12º

Subscriptions must be paid in full during the first two months of each calendar year.

SECTION IV / RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS top

ARTICLE 13º

Rights of members:

a) The use of golf courses and their facilities on terms and conditions of contracts established between each course owner and the Club.

b) To take part in General Assembly Meetings, vote and be voted for positions on Club committees or any other interim committees that may be set up to carry out specific tasks.

c) To appeal at General Assembly Meetings against any penalty that may have been established by the Management Committee.

d) To submit any complaints or suggestions of interest to the Club.

e) To petition the holding of an Extraordinary General Assembly Meeting on the terms laid out in these Regulations.

f) To examine the books and other accounting records during the period of one week prior to any General Assembly Meeting at which the Annual Financial Statements and Accounts are to be reviewed.

g) To request temporary membership suspension for reasons subject to acceptance by the Management Committee.

* First - The rights stated in items b), e) and f) do not apply to under-age members.

ARTICLE 14º

The obligations of members are:

a) To abide by and respect the Club Statutes and Internal Regulations.

b) To pay the joining fee (when in force) and subscriptions established at General Assembly Meetings.

c) To accept positions for Club Committees for which they are elected.

d) To accept Management Committee and General Meeting resolutions, without prejudice to the power of exercising the right to appeal.

CHAPTER III / CLUB COMMITTEES top

SECTION I top

ARTICLE 15º

The Club Committees are:

The General Assembly Board, Management Committee and Supervisory Board, the members of which are elected for four-year terms of duty and may be reappointed for terms of the same duration.

ARTICLE 16º

Members who are candidates for election to club committees must be registered in lists drawn up by the Management Committee, and/or on the initiative of any group of at least ten members, and submitted to the Chairman of the General Assembly Board at least five days prior to Meetings scheduled for the elections.

* First - Members who are minors cannot be included in lists of candidates.

ARTICLE 17º

Whenever vacancies arise on club committees, and they must be filled urgently, the chairman of the committee concerned shall have such vacancies filled temporarily until the next General Assembly Meeting.

SECTION II / GENERAL ASSEMBLY top

ARTICLE 18º

The General Assembly has the supreme power of the Club and comprises all members who have voting rights and fully eligible to exercise such rights.

* First - Those who have voting rights are founding, honorary and ordinary members including those of age or emancipated.

* Second - Members may be represented at Assembly meetings by proxy members who have the right to vote, by means of a simple letter addressed to the Chairman of the General Assembly Board (Presidente da Mesa da Assembleia Geral).

ARTICLE 19º

The General Assembly Board consists of: a Chairman, who has the duty to convene meetings, control agenda matters thereof, and empower members elected to the various club committees; a Vice-Chairman, whose responsibility is to assume the duties of the Chairman in his absence or incapacity, and to deal with drawing up the minutes; and a Secretary to assist with the agenda items.

* First - Any absence or inability on the part of Board members shall be filled by other members of the Board or the Assembly itself in the event the Meeting has already been convened.

ARTICLE 20º

General Assembly Meetings may be either ordinary or extraordinary and either shall be convened by providing at least 15 days prior notice. The notifications thereof shall include the date, time and place where the documents relating to agenda items may be perused.

* First - Ordinary General Assembly meetings shall be held by the end of March each year in order to appraise and vote on the Management Committee Financial Statement and Report and the Supervisory Board opinion for the previous financial year.

* Second - Extraordinary meetings may be convened at the behest of the Management Committee or Supervisory Board, or by a minimum of ten members who are fully eligible to exercise their rights, after approval by the General Assembly Board.

ARTICLE 21º

Requests to convene extraordinary Assembly Meetings shall be addressed in writing to the General Assembly Board Chairman and mention the subject(s) to be discussed at such meetings.

ARTICLE 22º

Assembly Meetings shall deliberate on matters and take place at the scheduled time and date provided that members totalling one half plus one of the total membership are present or represented, or thirty minutes later with any number of members.

* First - Should the Assembly fail to complete the agenda of any Meeting, it may be adjourned by the Chairman of the Board who shall schedule a new date and time to continue the agenda discussions.

ARTICLE 23º

General Assembly resolutions shall be agreed by majority votes and be binding for all members. They will be officialised by means of minutes drawn up and signed by the Board.

ARTICLE 24º

The General Assembly of members shall have the sole legal powers to:

a) Elect members of club committees and dismiss them when they deem it desirable in order to protect the prestige and reputation of the Club.

b) Appraise and vote on the Management Committee Report and Financial Report as well as the Supervisory Board Opinion, on a yearly basis.

c) Establish the joining fees and subscriptions to be paid by members, taking into account the contractual agreements with golf course owners.

d) Grant the status of honorary membership on the terms and conditions of these Regulations.

e) Discuss and vote on the Club Statutes and Regulations or any alterations thereto.

f) Take decisions, as a last resort, on appeals that may be lodged against the Club.

g) Wind up the Club.

SECTION III / MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE top

ARTICLE 25º

The Management Committee is the Club's executive body whose duties are to administer the Club in general, and it comprises: a Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Treasurer.

ARTICLE 26º

The duties of Management Committee members are as follows:

a) The Chairman shall direct Management Committee operations, nominate secretaries and auxiliary members, convene meetings and represent the Assembly.

b) Vice-Chairman: to replace the Chairman during his absence or incapacity, and assist him with his duties in any way.

c) Treasurer: to direct and manage Club financial matters, namely organising and maintaining accounting records.

d) Secretaries: to direct and manage secretarial work, draw up minutes of Management Committee meetings, stimulate Club activities, deal with routine office matters, control and maintain Club assets.

e) Auxiliaries: to replace the Secretary and Treasurer when they are unavailable, and cooperate with the Vice-Chairman.

ARTICLE 27º

The Management Committee shall meet at least quarterly, as convened by the Chairman, with the minutes of such meetings being drawn up.

ARTICLE 28º

For legal purposes, the Club shall be represented and bound in accordance with the terms of articles 7 and 8 of the Statutes.

ARTICLE 29º

In addition to general Club administration, the Management Committee shall:

a) Comply with the Statutes, Internal Regulations and Committee rulings, and ensure that they are adhered to by members.

b) Drawing up Club tournament and social event schedules.

c) Promote fellowship through golf in Portugal and abroad.

d) Draw up annual budgets and organise income and expenditure accounts accordingly.

e) Submit Financial Statements and Reports to the General Assembly every year, after obtaining the written Opinion of the Supervisory Board.

f) Whenever required, nominate Auxiliary Committees with specific duties and establish the number of persons to be included therein.

g) Decide on new member admissions.

h) Propose the granting of honorary memberships at General Assembly meetings.

i) Implement disciplinary measures against members and staff hired for Club duties.

j) Consult the Supervisory Board whenever it is deemed necessary.

k) Submit proposals to the General Assembly regarding joining fee and subscription amounts, taking into account existing contractual agreements with golf course owners.

l) Strive to comply strictly with all terms and conditions of contracts signed with golf course owners in respect of usage of such courses and respective facilities made available to the Club.

SECTION IV / SUPERVISORY BOARD top

ARTICLE 30º

The Supervisory Board shall comprise: A Chairman, whose duties are to convene and chair meetings of this Board; A Secretary, to work with the remaining Board members and replace them in their absence or inability to attend meetings, as well as conducting secretarial duties; A Relater, whose duties are to register the minutes of meetings in a specific book safeguarded by him/her, and to draw up Supervisory Board reports and opinions that are requested.

* First - The Supervisory Board shall meet at least quarterly.

ARTICLE 31º

The Supervisory Board duties are to:

a) Assist the Management Committee with its reports whenever this is requested or deemed necessary, and in such cases they may attend Management Committee meetings.

b) Inspect the accounts and any accounting records and documents that are considered essential.

c) Provide annual opinion reports on Management Committee Financial Statements and Reports, and submit said reports for appraisal at General Assembly meetings.

d) Request the convening of General Assembly meetings when deemed necessary.

CHAPTER V / DISCIPLINARY MEASURES top

ARTICLE 32º

When exercising disciplinary action duly carried out by means of organised procedures during which the alleged defendant shall always be heard and the testimony submitted taken into account, the Management Committee shall have the powers to apply the following penalties to any member who has infringed the regulations:

- A verbal or written warning

- Suspension of membership up to one year

- Expulsion

ARTICLE 33º

1. Any decisions pronouncing guilt shall be notified to infractors by registered letter with recorded delivery, however they shall always have the right to appeal to the General Assembly.

2. The time limit for submitting an appeal shall be 20 days from receipt of a notification, and may be submitted by a mere explanation addressed to the General Assembly Chairman.

3. Such an appeal will be judged within a maximum of 30 days from the date of receipt thereof, at a hearing attended by the Chairmen of the General Assembly and the Supervisory Board as well as the longest serving member at the time.

ARTICLE 34º

1. Disciplinary infringements shall, in general, be disobedience of statutory or regulatory obligations.

2. Serious disciplinary offences are specially considered to be:

a) Failure to pay joining fees, subscriptions or any other amounts referring to expenses incurred or resulting from frequenting Club premises or using its services.

b) Cases of disobedience that may damage the reputation of the Club.

ARTICLE 35º

Expelled members shall not be allowed to reapply for membership or frequent the Club as guests.

CHAPTER V / FINAL PROVISIONS top

ARTICLE 36º

The golf rules approved by the Club are those of the “ROYAL AND ANCIENT GOLF CLUB OF ST. ANDREWS”, and approved by the Federação Portuguesa de Golfe. With regard to other sports activities that the Club may carry out, the rules and directives of the Federations concerned shall be observed.

ARTICLE 37º

The Club Statutes and Internal Regulations may only be altered at General Assembly Meetings and based on Management Committee proposals or petitions submitted by a minimum of one quarter of members with voting rights at any such meeting.

ARTICLE 38º

Any deliberation to alter the Statutes or these Internal Regulations or to wind up the Club shall take place at a specially convened Extraordinary General Assembly Meeting, and shall depend upon a vote in favour of at least three quarters of the members with voting rights at such a meeting.

ARTICLE 39º

Should dissolution of the Club be decided by vote, the Assembly shall appoint a Liquidation Committee, which may be the Management Committee at the time, who will sell all the existing assets and settle all outstanding liabilities.

ARTICLE 40º

As regards any omissions in these Regulations, general legal provisions shall apply, and compliance thereof shall be the responsibility of the Management Committee.