A Special General Meeting of the Club held on Tuesday 4th November 2008, passed a Motion to modify the Club Constitution. The changes, which incorporated some amendments to the motion originally proposed, have strengthened the composition of the Coiste by

  • placing an upper limit of 15 ‘seats’
  • clarifying who are “Officers”.
  • Introducing 7 new “Games Representative” positions (1 for each Section)
  • amending Player Representatives to one (from 2) and ‘other’ Representatives to 2 (previously unlimited)
  • obliging Coiste to appoint roles for Assistant Sectreary, Assistant Treasurer and PRO (Non-offices)
  • requiring voting procedures to be notified to member 21 days in advance of AGM
  • Setting- out the duties of Tellers

Welcoming the changes, Cathaoirleach John Treacy said “the revised rules will deliver greater clarity for Members and will ensure that the composition of the Coiste will remain a balanced reflection of all interests in our great club“. These changes are the first in a series of moves to bring our club rules into line with standards set by the GAA. It is hoped that the work will be completed in 2009.

 

Original Motion

We the undersigned propose that the following amendments, collectively and in their entirety, be made to the Club Constitution –
Proposed By: Michael Goodwin, Leas Cathaoirleach
Seconded By: Ken O’Sullivan, Runaí

a) that Rule D4 be deleted and replaced with the following Rule
D4.1. All members of The Coiste must be over 18 years on the date of the Annual General Meeting at which they are elected
D4.2. The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary and Registrar are Officers of the Club
D4.3 The Coiste shall be comprised of FIVE Officers (as set out in 4.2), TWO Players’ Representatives and no more than EIGHT other Members.
D4.4. Elections to fill the Coiste positions (set out in D4.3) shall be conducted by Secret Ballot. The Procedures for voting and counting of votes shall, subject to these Rules and Constitution, and having regard to the number of Nominations received, be determined by the outgoing Coiste and details shall be notified to members in writing not less than 10 days before the Annual General Meeting.

AND that Rule D15 be amended as follows –

D15.1. In the event of there being
a) insufficient written nominations to fill any of the positions specified in Rule D4.3. or
b) insufficient candidates elected from the list of written nominees , the Annual General Meeting shall have the option of accepting additional nominations from, and in favour of, those Registered Full Members who are present.
D15.2.1. If any position remains unfilled at the end of the Annual General Meeting, the incoming Coiste may fill the vacancy from amongst its members, or, from the Body of the Registered Full Membership.
D15.2.2. In the event of the Coiste filling a vacancy from amongst its members (under Rule D15.2) any ensuing vacancy may be filled from amongst its members, or from the Body of the Registered Full Membership.

AND that the following Additional rules be added to Rule F –

A General Meeting shall elect from among those present sufficient Tellers, being at least 2 in number, to conduct elections in accordance with this Constitution and any procedures determined under Rule D4.4
The duties of the Tellers will be to
a) assist the Chairperson to count any votes cast by show-of-hands
b) distribute and collect ballot papers
c) validate and count ballots
d) inform the Chairman of the outcome and votes cast for/against/spoiled on Motions and Resolutions
e) inform the Chairman of the names of persons elected to the Coiste
f) securely dispose of ballot papers when they are no longer required

 

Amendment to the motion


Proposed by: Peadar McAdam
Seconded by : Ciaran Irwin

Alternative to Proposed rule D4.3
D4.3.1: The Coiste shall be comprised of FIVE Officers (as set out in 4.2), SEVEN Games Representatives (one each for Adult, Ladies Football, Camogie, Minors, Juvenile Girls, Juvenile Boys and Academy), ONE Players’ Representative, and no more than TWO Other Members.
D4.3.2: From among the Games and Players Representatives and Other Members, the Coiste shall appoint an Assistant Secretary, an Assistant Treasurer and a PRO.

Alternative to Proposed rule D4.4
D4.4. Elections to fill the Coiste positions (set out in D4.3) shall be conducted by Secret Ballot. The Procedures for voting and counting of votes shall, subject to these Rules and Constitution, be determined by the outgoing Coiste and details shall be notified to members in writing not less than 21 days before the Annual General Meeting.

Alternative to Proposed rule D15.1
D15.1. In the event of there being
a) insufficient written nominations to fill any of the positions specified in Rule D4.3. or
b) insufficient candidates elected from the list of written nominees , the Annual General Meeting shall have the option of accepting from those present additional nominations in favour of any Registered Full Member who has indicated his/her consent to be nominated

Alternative to Proposed rule F
f) securely dispose of ballot papers when, at the discretion of the Tellers, they are no longer required

The Amendment to the motion was Carried (23 In Favour: 2 Against)

 

Revised Motion (incorporating the amendments)

We the undersigned propose that the following amendments, collectively and in their entirety, be made to the Club Constitution –
Proposed By: Michael Goodwin, Leas Cathaoirleach
Seconded By: Ken O’Sullivan, Runaí

a) that Rule D4 be deleted and replaced with the following Rule
D4.1. All members of The Coiste must be over 18 years on the date of the Annual General Meeting at which they are elected
D4.2. The Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Treasurer, Secretary and Registrar are Officers of the Club
D4.3.1: The Coiste shall be comprised of FIVE Officers (as set out in 4.2), SEVEN Games Representatives (one each for Adult, Ladies Football, Camogie, Minors, Juvenile Girls, Juvenile Boys and Academy), ONE Players’ Representative, and no more than TWO Other Members.
D4.3.2: From among the Games and Players Representatives and Other Members, the Coiste shall appoint an Assistant Secretary, an Assistant Treasurer and a PRO.
D4.4. Elections to fill the Coiste positions (set out in D4.3) shall be conducted by Secret Ballot. The Procedures for voting and counting of votes shall, subject to these Rules and Constitution, be determined by the outgoing Coiste and details shall be notified to members in writing not less than 21 days before the Annual General Meeting.

AND that Rule D15 be amended as follows –

D15.1. In the event of there being
a) insufficient written nominations to fill any of the positions specified in Rule D4.3. or
b) insufficient candidates elected from the list of written nominees , the Annual General Meeting shall have the option of accepting from those present additional nominations in favour of any Registered Full Member who has indicated his/her consent to be nominated.
D15.2.1: If any position remains unfilled at the end of the Annual General Meeting, the incoming Coiste may fill the vacancy from amongst its members, or, from the Body of the Registered Full Membership.
D15.2.2: In the event of the Coiste filling a vacancy from amongst its members (under Rule D15.2) any ensuing vacancy may be filled from amongst its members, or from the Body of the Registered Full Membership.

AND that the following Additional rules be added to Rule F –

A General Meeting shall elect from among those present sufficient Tellers, being at least 2 in number, to conduct elections in accordance with this Constitution and any procedures determined under Rule D4.4
The duties of the Tellers will be to
a) assist the Chairperson to count any votes cast by show-of-hands
b) distribute and collect ballot papers
c) validate and count ballots
d) inform the Chairman of the outcome and votes cast for/against/spoiled on Motions and Resolutions
e) inform the Chairman of the names of persons elected to the Coiste
f) securely dispose of ballot papers when, at the discretion of the Tellers, they are no longer required

This Motion was carried unanimously.

Attendance:

Cllr. John Bailey, Tony Barron, Colin Behan, Willie Braine, Pat Divily, Eugene Egan, Tony Gibney, Rob Hartnett, Ciaran Irwin, Paul Linnane, Pedar Mc Adam, Enda Mc Gowan, John Mc Keowan, Aidan Mc Mahon, Edward Monaghan, Paula Murphy, Donal Murphy, Tadhg Murphy, Colman O Drisceoil, Maria O Sullivan, Michael Sheanon, Johnny Sheanon, John Treacy, Maire Scully, Fintan Quill,

Apologies
Ken O’Sullivan, Ken Fitzgerald

 

The New Constitution

The GAA is encouraging all its clubs, including Cuala, to develop their Constitutions consistent with a standard set by Croke Park. Coiste have been working on this for some time but such is the size of the club and the range of opinions to be taken on board, we do not anticipate making progress on this before the next AGM. We hope that this will remain a priority of the 2009 Coiste. Watch this space for developments in 2009