constitution

Irish Tug of War Association

Cumann Tarraingt Téide na hÉireann

I.T.O.W.A. Constitution

1.

The name of the Association shall be 'The Irish Tug-of-War Association' (I.T.O.W.A.). Membership of the Association shall be confined to bona-fide Tug-of-War Clubs, Membership of the Association shall be confined to,
Clubs who are full members
Clubs who are Associate members
Individuals who are Honorary members.
who shall pay an Annual Subscription, such amounts as shall be decided at the A.G.M. of I.T.O.W.A.

1.a

Definition of membership.
Honorary membership:
consists of individuals who wish to be associated with I.T.O.W.A. Affairs.

1.b

Associate Club Membership:
New Clubs may join the I.T.O.W.A. by paying the required fees. To proceed to full membership they must participate in a minimum of 3 national fixtures in one season.

1.c

Full Club Membership: ~Consist of clubs who take part in a minimum of 3 National fixtures and activities of the I.T.O.W.A. on an annual basis.
Clubs who do not meet above criteria will have their membership altered to associative club membership.

2.

The objectives of the I.T.O.W.A. shall be to

2a.

promote and encourage the sport of Tug of War by holding tournaments and competitions in accordance with the rules governing the sport as laid down by the I.T.O.W.A.

2b.

implement the Strategic Plan 2002

3.

The Executive committee of the Irish Tug of War Association shall consist of a minimum of eleven and not more than 12 members when required. The Principal Officers of the Association shall consist of a President, Secretary, Financial Controller, Development Officer, Coaching Officer, National Team Manager, Competitions Manager, Judging Officer, Registrar & Disciplinary Officer, Special Projects Manager and Public Relations Officer. The officers will be selected as outlined below.

The President elected at the 2002 A.G.M. and will serve a three-year term. From this onwards the President will serve a two-year term and will be elected at the A.G.M of the year prior to his taking up office and will serve as President elect for the year before he takes up office. The President elect will sit on the executive but this position will not afford him any voting rights. The President elect may not hold the position of Secretary or Financial Controller but may hold one of the other officer positions on the executive and in such case will have all the rights afforded an officer of the executive. A President may serve no more than two consecutive terms, but may be re-elected after a break in his service.

The secretary and financial controller will serve a two-year term. They may serve no more than two consecutive terms, but may be re-elected after a break in service.

The President elect, secretary and financial controller will be elected on the same year on a biannual basis, and the President elect will serve one year in this position before automatically assuming the position of President for the following two years. The President will be the TWIF international representative, and at such times that there is a President elect in place he shall also attend all TWIF meetings.

Each province will nominate two people to the executive on an annual basis to serve a term of one year. At the first executive meeting after each A.G.M. the executive will assign each of these nominees one of the remaining officers positions. Development Officer, Coaching Officer, National Team Manager, Competitions Manager, Judging Officer, Registrar & Disciplinary Officer, Special Projects Manager and Public Relations Officer.

In the event that a nominee does not perform the tasks assigned to them, the executive as a whole will have the power to seek a replacement for this individual from the province that nominated them.

4.

The welfare and finances of the I.T.O.W.A. shall be vested in the elected officers and committee. The Executive Committee shall be empowered to take the necessary action to expel, fine, or reinstate any member or club to uphold the interests of I.T.O.W.A. The Irish Tug-of-War Association are empowered to borrow finances as required from time to time subject to the agreement of the Executive Committee.

5.

The Financial Year shall be from the 1st January until the 31st December.

6.

The Annual General Meeting of the Association shall be held during the month of February each year. Election of Officers for the year shall be made at the Annual General Meeting. Balance Sheet shall be presented and 'Any Other Business' will be discussed. All Affiliated Clubs to be given one month's notice in writing of the date and venue of such Annual General Meeting.

7.

All notices of motions and nominations for inclusion in the Agenda of the Annual General Meeting to reach the Secretary in writing at least twenty one days prior to the date of the meeting.

8.

Any vacancy occurring in the Officers of the Association between Annual General Meetings shall be filled by vote of the Executive Committee at the next available meeting.

9.

All the cash and Finances of the Association will be deposited in a financial institution, in the name of "The Irish Tug of War Association". chosen by the Financial controller, with approval of the Executive Committees. The annual Balance sheet and accounts shall be properly audited by a duly appointed firm of accountants. All withdrawals to be effected upon the signature of the President and Financial Controller Jointly.

9a.

A special meeting of the I.T.O.W.A. may be called at any time by the Executive Committee or by not less than one third of the total affiliated full member clubs.

9b.

All full Membership Clubs attending meetings shall be entitled to vote and in the event of equal voting, the President shall have the casting vote.

9c.

All members of the Association to abide by the rules of Tug-of-War as laid down by the I.T.O.W.A

10.

All Tournaments and Competitions not sponsored by affiliated clubs shall be subject to permission being granted by I.T.O.W.A. and to a fee as determined by I.T.O.W.A.

11.

Permits must be obtained for all competitions other than Championships and permit number must be quoted on invitations. Such permits are subject to a fee as determined by I.T.O.W.A.

12.

Clubs must be affiliated to I.T.O.W.A. before being accepted to either a county or provincial branch.

13.

All Membership subscriptions are due on the January 31st each year. Clubs Subscriptions should be paid before 31st January to vote at A.G.M.

14.

All pullers and coaches must be registered with the club they are competing with, to take part in the National Championships. 14a All new Clubs must declare colours of the Club to the National Body when forming.

15.

All qualified Tug-of-War Judges shall register annually and shall be members of I.T.O.W.A.

16.

It is the responsibility of the judge in charge of all Tug of War competitions to submit a detailed sheet to the Competitions manager within seven days.

17.

Where clubs, officials, competitors, or supporters, bring the I.T.O.W.A.
Into disrepute in any way,
or to interfere with or abuse, officials, competitors. Will be liable to maximum penalties of 1 year suspension and or fine.
Where it is shown that such an offence is committed the minimum penalty will be 1 month suspension.

18.

Team qualifying, chosen, selected or otherwise nominated to represent the Nation or the Irish Tug-of-War Association at International level shall be subject to the control and management of the I.T.O.W.A. at all times.

19. Competitions organised to include other TWIF members clubs shall at all times have the approval of the I.T.O.W.A.

20. The I.T.O.W.A. are empowered to undertake the regrading of Clubs

20a All matters of grievance or complaint must be submitted in writing,
from the party concerned, to the Hon Secretary, Before any hearing takes place.

21. Any matters not provided for in the foregoing rules, shall be referred to the Executive Committee whose decision shall be final.

22.

None of the foregoing Rules shall be revoked except by a two-thirds majority vote of the Members present at the Annual General Meeting, or Specially Convened Meeting.

The foregoing are the rules of the I.T.O.W.A. as agreed at a meeting of the rules committee in Omeath, Co. Louth on 8th and 9th of May 1976

Thomas Elmore Chairman
Brendan Whelan Clongeen Secretary
J. O' Donovan, Kilbree.
Edward Hubbard, Allenwood.
John Shepard, T.I.W.F. Treasurer as attended.

Rules adopted at special meeting on June 6th 1976
Further revised at special meeting on September 16th 1977 in Portlaoise and adopted at A.G.M. on Sunday 29th January, 1978 in Athlone.
Further revised by rules committee and amendments agreed adopted at A.G.M. on 26th of January 1992.
Further revised and amendments adopted at an E.G.M. 10th March 2002.
Further revised by the executive committee and amendments adopted at the A.G.M. 27th April 2003.
Further revised and amendments adopted at the A.G.M. 29th Feb.2004

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Please contact the association directly if you have any queries.

1.	The name of the Association shall be 'The Irish Tug-of-War Association' (I.T.O.W.A.). Membership of the Association shall be confined to bona-fide Tug-of-War Clubs, Membership of the Association shall be confined to, Clubs who are full members Clubs who are Associate members Individuals who are Honorary members. who shall pay an Annual Subscription, such amounts as shall be decided at the A.G.M. of I.T.O.W.A.
1.a	Definition of membership. Honorary membership: consists of individuals who wish to be associated with I.T.O.W.A. Affairs.
1.b	Associate Club Membership: New Clubs may join the I.T.O.W.A. by paying the required fees. To proceed to full membership they must participate in a minimum of 3 national fixtures in one season.
1.c	Full Club Membership: ~Consist of clubs who take part in a minimum of 3 National fixtures and activities of the I.T.O.W.A. on an annual basis. Clubs who do not meet above criteria will have their membership altered to associative club membership.
2.	The objectives of the I.T.O.W.A. shall be to
2a.	promote and encourage the sport of Tug of War by holding tournaments and competitions in accordance with the rules governing the sport as laid down by the I.T.O.W.A.
2b.	implement the Strategic Plan 2002
3.	The Executive committee of the Irish Tug of War Association shall consist of a minimum of eleven and not more than 12 members when required. The Principal Officers of the Association shall consist of a President, Secretary, Financial Controller, Development Officer, Coaching Officer, National Team Manager, Competitions Manager, Judging Officer, Registrar & Disciplinary Officer, Special Projects Manager and Public Relations Officer. The officers will be selected as outlined below. The President elected at the 2002 A.G.M. and will serve a three-year term. From this onwards the President will serve a two-year term and will be elected at the A.G.M of the year prior to his taking up office and will serve as President elect for the year before he takes up office. The President elect will sit on the executive but this position will not afford him any voting rights. The President elect may not hold the position of Secretary or Financial Controller but may hold one of the other officer positions on the executive and in such case will have all the rights afforded an officer of the executive. A President may serve no more than two consecutive terms, but may be re-elected after a break in his service. The secretary and financial controller will serve a two-year term. They may serve no more than two consecutive terms, but may be re-elected after a break in service. The President elect, secretary and financial controller will be elected on the same year on a biannual basis, and the President elect will serve one year in this position before automatically assuming the position of President for the following two years. The President will be the TWIF international representative, and at such times that there is a President elect in place he shall also attend all TWIF meetings. Each province will nominate two people to the executive on an annual basis to serve a term of one year. At the first executive meeting after each A.G.M. the executive will assign each of these nominees one of the remaining officers positions. Development Officer, Coaching Officer, National Team Manager, Competitions Manager, Judging Officer, Registrar & Disciplinary Officer, Special Projects Manager and Public Relations Officer. In the event that a nominee does not perform the tasks assigned to them, the executive as a whole will have the power to seek a replacement for this individual from the province that nominated them.
4.	The welfare and finances of the I.T.O.W.A. shall be vested in the elected officers and committee. The Executive Committee shall be empowered to take the necessary action to expel, fine, or reinstate any member or club to uphold the interests of I.T.O.W.A. The Irish Tug-of-War Association are empowered to borrow finances as required from time to time subject to the agreement of the Executive Committee.
5.	The Financial Year shall be from the 1st January until the 31st December.
6.	The Annual General Meeting of the Association shall be held during the month of February each year. Election of Officers for the year shall be made at the Annual General Meeting. Balance Sheet shall be presented and 'Any Other Business' will be discussed. All Affiliated Clubs to be given one month's notice in writing of the date and venue of such Annual General Meeting.
7.	All notices of motions and nominations for inclusion in the Agenda of the Annual General Meeting to reach the Secretary in writing at least twenty one days prior to the date of the meeting.
8.	Any vacancy occurring in the Officers of the Association between Annual General Meetings shall be filled by vote of the Executive Committee at the next available meeting.
9.	All the cash and Finances of the Association will be deposited in a financial institution, in the name of "The Irish Tug of War Association". chosen by the Financial controller, with approval of the Executive Committees. The annual Balance sheet and accounts shall be properly audited by a duly appointed firm of accountants. All withdrawals to be effected upon the signature of the President and Financial Controller Jointly.
9a.	A special meeting of the I.T.O.W.A. may be called at any time by the Executive Committee or by not less than one third of the total affiliated full member clubs.
9b.	All full Membership Clubs attending meetings shall be entitled to vote and in the event of equal voting, the President shall have the casting vote.
9c.	All members of the Association to abide by the rules of Tug-of-War as laid down by the I.T.O.W.A
10.	All Tournaments and Competitions not sponsored by affiliated clubs shall be subject to permission being granted by I.T.O.W.A. and to a fee as determined by I.T.O.W.A.
11.	Permits must be obtained for all competitions other than Championships and permit number must be quoted on invitations. Such permits are subject to a fee as determined by I.T.O.W.A.
12.	Clubs must be affiliated to I.T.O.W.A. before being accepted to either a county or provincial branch.
13.	All Membership subscriptions are due on the January 31st each year. Clubs Subscriptions should be paid before 31st January to vote at A.G.M.
14.	All pullers and coaches must be registered with the club they are competing with, to take part in the National Championships. 14a All new Clubs must declare colours of the Club to the National Body when forming.
15.	All qualified Tug-of-War Judges shall register annually and shall be members of I.T.O.W.A.
16.	It is the responsibility of the judge in charge of all Tug of War competitions to submit a detailed sheet to the Competitions manager within seven days.
17.	Where clubs, officials, competitors, or supporters, bring the I.T.O.W.A. Into disrepute in any way, or to interfere with or abuse, officials, competitors. Will be liable to maximum penalties of 1 year suspension and or fine. Where it is shown that such an offence is committed the minimum penalty will be 1 month suspension.
18.	Team qualifying, chosen, selected or otherwise nominated to represent the Nation or the Irish Tug-of-War Association at International level shall be subject to the control and management of the I.T.O.W.A. at all times.
19.	Competitions organised to include other TWIF members clubs shall at all times have the approval of the I.T.O.W.A.
20.	The I.T.O.W.A. are empowered to undertake the regrading of Clubs
20a	All matters of grievance or complaint must be submitted in writing, from the party concerned, to the Hon Secretary, Before any hearing takes place.
21.	Any matters not provided for in the foregoing rules, shall be referred to the Executive Committee whose decision shall be final.
22.	None of the foregoing Rules shall be revoked except by a two-thirds majority vote of the Members present at the Annual General Meeting, or Specially Convened Meeting.
The foregoing are the rules of the I.T.O.W.A. as agreed at a meeting of the rules committee in Omeath, Co. Louth on 8th and 9th of May 1976 Thomas Elmore Chairman Brendan Whelan Clongeen Secretary J. O' Donovan, Kilbree. Edward Hubbard, Allenwood. John Shepard, T.I.W.F. Treasurer as attended. Rules adopted at special meeting on June 6th 1976 Further revised at special meeting on September 16th 1977 in Portlaoise and adopted at A.G.M. on Sunday 29th January, 1978 in Athlone. Further revised by rules committee and amendments agreed adopted at A.G.M. on 26th of January 1992. Further revised and amendments adopted at an E.G.M. 10th March 2002. Further revised by the executive committee and amendments adopted at the A.G.M. 27th April 2003. Further revised and amendments adopted at the A.G.M. 29th Feb.2004