Club Constitution
& Rules

The rules and constitution of the Hampstead & Yalding Cruising Club, as agreed by the membership. These may be amended by a majority vote of the Management Committee.

Section 1

Name of the Club

The name of the club shall be "Hampstead and Yalding Cruising Club".

Section 2

Objectives of the Club

  • To promote good fellowship among boat owners.
  • To encourage activities afloat and on club land for all members.
  • To assist and represent boat owners in their boating pursuits.
  • To always maintain safety on the water.

Section 3

Membership

3.1 Membership Fees and Renewal

The annual membership fee shall be decided at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) or an Extraordinary General Meeting, and becomes payable on 1 April each year.

  • New membership fee: £100 (also applies as a late payment fee)
  • Membership renewal fee: £50
  • Honorary membership fee: £0

3.2 Membership Types

Membership is granted on a family basis and includes the applicant and their spouse or partner, as named on the membership application. It also includes their children under the age of 18. Both the owner and spouse/partner are entitled to a vote at the Club AGM.

3.3 Membership Application Process

  • New members must complete an application form.
  • Applications must be proposed by at least one Committee member.
  • All new members must meet at least three Committee members before membership is granted, and all three must agree to their acceptance.

3.4 Membership Conditions and Requirements

  • Members must be fully paid up to participate in any club activities or functions.
  • Membership is conditional on each member's boat holding appropriate insurance, which must be maintained for the duration of their membership. Where required, the boat must also hold a valid Boat Safety Certificate and an appropriate river or navigation licence.
  • Members must remove club pennants and decals from their boat upon the sale of their vessel.
  • All members must attend at least one work party during the membership year. Exemptions for health reasons are at the Committee's discretion. Failure to support the club may result in an increase to the membership fee at renewal or, in extreme cases, termination of membership.

3.5 Club Land and Events

  • Mooring on club land is limited to a maximum of 14 consecutive days within any 90-day period, or a total of 28 days in any calendar year (including up to 14 consecutive days).
  • Members using the mooring or attending club events do so at their own risk. The club accepts no liability for damage or loss.
  • The club pennant must be flown, or club decals displayed on both sides of the boat, when a craft is on club land or attending a club event.
  • No vehicles may be brought onto club land without permission from the Commodore.
  • Fishing is permitted only from members' boats, not from land.

Section 4

Management Committee

4.1 Election and Structure

The Management Committee is elected annually at the AGM. The Committee may co-opt further or replacement members as required by a decision of three Committee members.

4.2 Committee Officers and Duties

RoleResponsibilities
PresidentPresides, oversees and advises on club policy.
CommodoreActs as Committee Chairperson, has the casting vote, and is the club spokesperson and representative.
Vice CommodoreAssists the Commodore in their duties and undertakes such duties in their absence.
Rear CommodoreSupports the Commodore and Vice Commodore, and undertakes such duties in their absence.
Club & Membership SecretaryRecords minutes for all AGMs and Committee meetings, handles clerical work, and arranges newsletter circulation as required.
Honorary TreasurerManages club finances, maintains up-to-date paid membership lists, and presents an examined Statement of Accounts at the AGM.
Other OfficersSuch as Events Secretary, Newsletter Editor, etc., elected by the club and Committee as needed.

4.3 Committee Meetings

Management Committee meetings may be called by the Secretary with at least fourteen days' notice. The Committee may call an Extraordinary General Meeting at any time.

Section 5

Resignation from the Club

Any refusal or neglect of club rules, or any conduct deemed unworthy of membership or injurious to the Club's interests, may render a member liable to expulsion at the discretion of the Management Committee. Prior to expulsion, the member will be given an explanation and an opportunity to defend themselves or resign from the Club.

Section 6

Audit

One or more Auditors shall be elected at the AGM.

Section 7

Rules and Constitution

The Rules and Constitution may be amended by a majority vote of the Management Committee. In the event of a tied vote, the Commodore shall have a casting vote.

Any matter not expressly provided for within these Rules shall be determined by the Management Committee, whose decision shall be final.

Section 8

Annual General Meeting

An Annual General Meeting shall be held each year as close as possible to the end of the boating season, subject to dates and venue availability.

Section 9

Winding Up of the Club

If the Officers and Management Committee determine that there is no longer sufficient support to continue as an active club, an Extraordinary General Meeting shall be called. The assets of the Club shall be held in trust by the President, Commodore, Secretary, and Treasurer for two years.

If, after two years, the Club is not revived, the Trustees shall sell the Club's assets and all liquid assets shall be donated to the RNLI.

Section 10

Personal Data (PII) & GDPR Compliance

10.1 Introduction

This document records the explicit consent of the member for Hampstead and Yalding Cruising Club ("the Club") and its elected Committee members to process certain Personal Identifiable Information (PII) in accordance with UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR), and any other relevant data protection legislation in force.

10.2 Data Controller

Hampstead and Yalding Cruising Club acts as the Data Controller for the purposes of member data.

10.3 Personal Data Covered

Primary Member

Full name, residential address, email address, contact telephone number(s), boat name, emergency contact details, photographs relating to Club activities, and any other relevant membership information voluntarily provided.

Associated / Family Members

Name, contact details (where provided), relationship to primary member, and photographs relating to Club activities. The primary member confirms they have authority to provide family member details and have informed them how their data will be used.

10.4 Purpose of Processing

Personal data will be processed strictly for legitimate Club purposes, including identification, compliance verification, rule enforcement, safety, communication, event organisation and membership administration.

10.5 Internal Communications Platforms

Personal data may be shared within official restricted-access Club communication platforms, including private social media groups, WhatsApp groups and email lists. Information will not be intentionally made available to the general public.

10.6 Lawful Basis for Processing

  • Consent (Article 6(1)(a) UK GDPR)
  • Legitimate Interests (Article 6(1)(f) UK GDPR)
  • Regulatory or safety obligations where applicable

10.7 Data Handling, Retention and Security

The Club will process data lawfully, limit it to what is necessary, keep it secure, and retain it only while membership remains active and for a reasonable administrative period thereafter.

10.8 Data Breach Procedure

In the event of a suspected data breach, the Committee will assess the breach, mitigate risk, notify affected members where appropriate, and report to the ICO where legally required.

10.9 Third-Party Platforms

The Club may utilise third-party platforms (including Meta platforms and similar services) which operate under their own terms and privacy policies. The Club does not control how such providers process data and cannot guarantee their security standards. Members agree not to copy, share externally or misuse personal information obtained through Club channels. Misuse may result in disciplinary action.

The Club and its Committee members shall not be held liable for misuse of information by individual members, actions of third-party platform providers, or unauthorised access beyond the reasonable control of the Club.

10.10 Member Rights

Members have the right to access, correct, erase (where applicable), restrict processing and withdraw consent — all in writing.

Section 11

Declaration

By signing the membership agreement, the member confirms that payment has been made before submitting the application, and that they have read, understood, and agree to comply with and be bound by the Club Constitution and Rules, together with the Personal Data (PII) Consent and UK GDPR Compliance terms.

Members also confirm that:

  • Their boat is appropriately insured and that insurance will remain in force for the duration of membership.
  • All required certificates and licences are valid and will be kept up to date, including (where applicable) a valid Boat Safety Scheme (BSS) certificate and any required river or navigation licences.
  • If insurance is cancelled or allowed to lapse, the Committee will be informed immediately.