Untitled Document

CONSTITUTION

1. Introduction
2. Club Activities
3. Committee Members
4. Health & Safety Arrangements
5. Training Courses, Local & Regional Support/ Guidance
6. Complaints Procedure
7. Acknowledgements

1. Introduction

1.1 The Bradford Aikido Club (Club) aims to provide and promote practice in traditional Aikido for the Bradford District. Although run on the principles dictated by Hombu, Japan, through the Technical Director of the British Aikido Federation, the club welcomes any practitioners of Aikido, and anyone who wishes to learn the art, provided they are prepared to abide by the conventions of the dojo.

1.2 The club is affiliated to the recognised National Governing Bodies for our sport:

The British Aikido Federation (BAF)
Yew Tree Cottage
Toot Baldon
Oxford
OX44 9NE

British Aikido Board
6 Halkingcroft
Langley
Slough
Berkshire
SL3 7AT

1.3 The Committee will consist of a President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. It is the responsibility of the Secretary to ensure that:

The Club affiliation to the BAF is renewed by 31st December each year.
That all practitioners are members of the BAF and that annual and personal membership, which ensures personal accident and public liability insurance cover, is renewed when necessary.

1.4 The Club will review Committee membership by 31st December of each year as part of an Annual General Meeting. The Committee will serve for one calendar year minimum, but may also continue in accordance with Club members’ wishes.

1.5 In its continued effort to promote good practice the Club will display it's current Constitution, and any other relevant information on its web site http://www.bradfordaikidoclub.co.uk. Information is also available on the club notice board in the dojo.

2. Club Activities

2.1 For the year 2006/2007 our proposed activities will be:

Activity: Training 8.00 – 10.00 pm
Day: Monday & Thursday evenings
Venue: Range Hall, Richard Dunn Sports Centre

2.2. Aikido training at Bradford closely follows the teaching/grading syllabus established by Kanetsuka Sensei, Technical Director of the BAF. Members are encouraged to take part in BAF weekend courses, to enhance their regular practice and develop their Aikido. These courses are held throughout the year in England and Wales.

2.3 The Club is open all year, including School Holidays, for the benefit of its members.

3. Committee Members

3.1 The Club Committee will consist of the following officers:

President D. Fennelly 07790616052
Secretary A. Peterson 01274-774049
Treasurer B. Wood 01274-631115

3.2 Apart from responsibilities already detailed, the Committee will also:

Be responsible for all aspects of Club liaison
Be responsible for all aspects of Club promotion
Manage membership arrangements and record keeping
Be committed to regular practice; be on time and prepared accordingly
Ensure that social arrangements at the Club are maintained
Undertake any other responsibilities assigned to them

4. Health & Safety Arrangements

4.1 The Club will abide by Bradford Council’s Richard Dunn Sport Centre’s H&S arrangements, and with the specific safety requirements of practicing Aikido.

4.2 The Club Secretary undertakes an annual Risk Assessment of the dojo’s facilities and H&S arrangements.

4.3 Instructors are qualified coaches, who also hold professional indemnity.

4.4 First Aid provision is available at every session.

4.5 It is the responsibility of the individual club member to bring to the attention of the Committee any known medical condition or previous injuries that may affect their or other Club members’ safe practice of Aikido.

5. Training Courses, Local & Regional Support/Guidance

5.1 In an effort to promote the highest standards of instruction, training and safety, the Club actively encourages it's members to participate in training courses, gain experience and undertake formal assessment in Aikido. Gradings up to 4th kyu are held 2/3 times a year on one of the BUAF/BAF weekend courses. After 4th kyu, gradings are held annually at Summer School.

5.2 The Club has a small resource library, which members can access for information and developmental purposes. Resources encompass a range of videotapes, books, fact sheets etc. as well as access to the BAF and BAB websites via the Club’s webpages.

5.3 The Club maintains a close relationship with its parent dojo at Leeds University and with the Shidoin there, (Regional Instructor Ken Marsden). This enables Bradford to closely follow the teaching of Aikido from its source, the Hombu in Tokyo, via Kanetsuka and Marsden Sensei.

6. Complaints Procedure

6.1 The Club operates a procedure that allows Club members to raise complaints about issues, which might include the following:

Safety of Club activities
Standards of instruction
Quality of equipment used for Club activities
Club administration

6.2 Complaints concerning Club safety or operational matters should be made verbally, in the first instance, to Committee members.

7. Acknowledgements

Our thanks to the university dojos of Aberystwyth and Oxford for the examples of constitutions found on their websites. These documents have helped steer a way forward for the Club’s first Constitution.