Northern Ireland PoolAssociation
Recognised by Sport NI & Member of the European Blackball Association
Constitution (Updated 9th June 2024)
THE ASSOCIATION
The name of the Association shall be the Northern Ireland Pool Association, hereafter referred to as the NIPA.
The objectives of the NIPA shall be -
To promote the game of Blackball Pool in Northern Ireland
To ensure there are no discriminatory practices on the grounds of race, religion or colour in the control, management, or participation of the sport under the banner of the NIPA.
To raise money by legitimate means to meet the running costs of the NIPA.
THE COMMITTEE
The Executive Committee shall consist of Chairperson, 1 or 2 Vice Chairpersons, Secretary, Treasurer and one optional additional member if agreed by AGM.
The General Committee shall be made up as follows The Executive Committee
A representative from each section of Team Managers e.g. 1 Delegate for Seniors, Ladies, Men’s etc,
Any elections to take place at the AGM with nominations being proposed and seconded by individuals present. All posts of the executive committee shall be up for election every 2 years from the last date voted in.
In order to constitute a meeting at least 3 of the Executive Committee must be present, along with at least two team delegates.
Any Executive Committee member regularly failing to respond to Group Chats within 48 hours shall cease to be a member of the Executive Committee unless due to exceptional circumstances which must be approved by the remaining.
Executive Committee members
Any General Committee member may request a secret ballot on any issue that they think needs to be addressed by the Committee. A secret ballot can only take place if over 50% of those Committee members present agree to it.
NIPA Chairperson can vote on issues arising and will have the casting vote in the event of a tie.
The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the day to day running of the Association and will have the right to make decisions outside of General Meetings in order to ensure the smooth running of the NIPA.
The Executive Committee will discuss matters arising about international issues with the relevant International Team Managers.
A Sub Committee may be formed from within the General Committee by the Executive Committee for any specialised areas as required. The Executive Committee shall have the power to appoint or disband a Sub Committee and shall prescribe the functions of that Sub Committee.
AFFILIATION
Annual League Affiliation fees are to be set at the AGM. Any member in arrears by stated date shall be considered not affiliated for the rest of that season.
Each international team can send up to 2 representatives to the AGM. Each team will have 1 vote on any matters arising.
Any Associate Member may request a ruling or decision on a matter by emailing the Secretary with details of the issue. The Executive Committee shall endeavour to deal with any issue promptly.
The Annual General Meeting of the NIPA shall be held before the 1st of July each year. Such notice will be published on NIPA website.
Business transacted shall include -
Consideration of the financial balance sheet and statement of accounts for the 12-month period ending the 28th of May. Accounts to be available for viewing at the AGM.
The election of Officers to the Executive Committee if applicable
Secretary's, Treasurers and Chairpersons report - Setting of Annual Associate Membership Fees
Affiliation to other Governing Bodies.The consideration of any addition, alteration, or amendment to this constitution
Team managers are to inform the NIPA whom they are sending to vote on their behalf at the AGM Anyone cannot just turn up and vote on behalf of a team.
Anyone can attend our AGM but only to observe if they are not part of the voting process.
All matters for consideration at the AGM must be submitted to the Secretary by email or by registered post 28 days prior to the AGM If any matter is considered to be of significant importance by the Executive Committee, it shall be included on the AGM Agenda. All other matters submitted for consideration will be added to the agenda of an Ordinary Meeting which will follow directly after the AGM. No other business other than the agenda will be discussed at the AGM.
FINANCE
The Banking account shall be in the name of the Northern Ireland Pool Association, three of the four executive committee shall have access to the online banking and all transactions must be approved by all the committee.
In the event of the disbandment of the NIPA all available assets shall after the discharge of any liabilities, be distributed equally between affiliated teams.
The income of the NIPA shall be obtained by means of annual subscriptions, competition entry fees, sponsorship, fundraising or donations.
CONSTITUTION
Any matter not provided for within this Constitution, (and Bye laws) shall be dealt with by the Executive Committee at an Extraordinary General Meeting. The Executive Committee reserve the right to put forward an amendment to this constitution at an Extraordinary General Meeting of which team managers must be given at least two weeks’ notice.
DISCIPLINARY/COMPLAINTS/GRIEVANCE
Disciplinary infringements by Players or Officials under the authority of the NIPA shall be considered and dealt with by the Executive Committee using our Disciplinary/Complaints and Grievance policy as in appendix 1 of this constitution.
A player or official will have the right to appeal any imposed ban or suspension. Any such appeal must be forwarded in writing by means of registered mail or email to the NIPA Secretary within 14 days from the receipt of the NIPA's notification of said appeal or ban. On receipt of any such appeal the Executive Committee shall have 14 days to finalise a decision on the appeal
Any appeal must be accompanied by a fee of €25 which will be refunded, should the committee uphold the appeal. A player can still participate fully in NIPA events whilst under appeal.
Disciplinary measures can be selected from any of the following. (1) Warning Level 1 (2) Warning Level 2 (3) Suspension and (4) Expulsion
INURANCE
The NIPA shall have adequate insurance in place.
SAFEGUARDING
THE NIPA shall have a Child safeguarding policy in place. See appendix 5 on this constitution.
DIVERSITY AND EQUALITY
See appendix 2 on this constitution.
TEAM MANAGERS RESPONSIBILITIES
See appendix 3 on this constitution.
DRUGS AND ANTI DOPING POLICY
Any person found using illegal drugs during a NIPA event or whilst representing any NIPA team may be liable to a lifetime ban.
The NIPA will recognise and abide by the EBAs Anti-Doping Code and adopt Anti-Doping rules to keep Blackball pool free of all performance enhancing drugs:
CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY
The purpose of this policy is to protect the interests of the NIPA. In the regular course of business, members may have the opportunity to advance their own personal interests with or against the interests of the NIPA. Acting in such a manner is unacceptable and any party who acts outside of the NIPAs best interest may be subject to disciplinary action.
Definitions
Member any person who is a member of the NIPA
Financial Interest - The interest that any individual may have in the monetary transactions of the NIPA In particular, any interest that could have a direct bearing on the financial gain/ loss of said individual.
Procedure
Duty to disclose.
Every Committee member is obligated to disclose any known or potential conflicts of interest as soon as they arise. Failure to do so could result in being removed from the post.
Investigating potential conflicts
When a potential conflict of interest arises, the committee will collect of the pertinent information and may question any concerned parties. If the committee determines that a conflict exists, steps will be taken to address to conflict. If no conflict exists, the inquiry may be documented but no further action will be taken.
Addressing conflicts of interest
When an actual conflict of interest is found, any transactions that may have been affected will be reviewed retroactively. Affected parties both within and outside of the business, including shareholders, directors, employees, and contractors will be notified. The committee will also investigate to determine the extent of the conflict and the intentions of the parties involved.
If the conflict in question involves a member or members of the executive committee, such a member will be excused from the deliberations.
As all conflicts of interest will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, a review may result in disciplinary action. The committee has full discretion to deem what disciplinary action is both fitting and necessary, including suspension/expulsion.
g. The secretary will be responsible for dealing with any conflict-of-interest issues unless he/she is directly involved then it will be the Chairperson who will be responsible.
VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE
A vote of no confidence can be called by an Executive Committee member against another. If the vote of no confidence is carried by a majority that person shall be removed from the General Committee and their post. In the event of a tie, the Chairperson shall have a casting vote.
All competition information. news etc shall be found on our website www.nipablackball.com or on our Facebook page at Nipa Pool
