MEMBERSHIP OF ROSS ROWING CLUB

Membership of Ross Rowing Club shall be confined to persons whose membership, in the opinion of the Committee will further the stated objects of the Club, the encouragement of rowing at Ross amongst amateurs.

1. APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP

Applicants for membership and members renewing their membership will be asked to sign a form agreeing to abide by the rules and regulation of the club and the sport of rowing. if it is considered by this committee that the granting or renewal of membership would be detrimental to the aims and objectives of this club, the committee are entitled to refuse membership and will provide full reasons for doing so.
Where a member is re-applying for membership any previous debts to the Club must be settled prior to the application. Provided the application has been displayed at the Clubhouse for seven days, the Committee shall have the power to elect to such category of membership as they consider suitable or to refuse or defer the application in accordance with the requirements of the preceding paragraph, taking into consideration any information available.

2. CATEGORIES OF MEMBERSHIP

Senior Rowing Membership is open to persons who:-

a) undertake to row for Ross Rowing Club, or
b) wish to regularly use the racing craft or any other training facility for leisure purposes.

Non-Competitive Rowing Membership is open to persons who wish to use the club facilities and specified craft for leisure purposes. This membership category will not be permitted to compete at any regattas or head races.

Non-competitive rowers are eligible to book any boat that has been deemed for use by the status of the crew. However, priority may be given to competing crews for certain boats as specified by the captain.

Junior Rowing Membership is restricted to persons under the age of 18 years who undertake to row for the Club. Applicants for Junior Rowing Membership must furnish proof of age.

Junior Rowing Members shall be entitled to the use of the Club premises other than the bar, but shall not vote at any meetings or be eligible to serve on the Committee or hold office in the Club.

A Junior Rowing Member shall cease to be such at the end of the membership year in which he/she attains the age of 18 years.

If a parent of a Junior Member is a current Senior Rowing Member, the subscription fee for the Junior Membership is waived.

Student Membership: is open to persons over the age of 18 who are in full time education and:-

a) Undertake to row for Ross Rowing Club, or
b) Wish to regularly use the racing craft or other training facilities for leisure purposes.

Student Members shall not be eligible to vote.

Associate Membership is open to persons who:-

(a) have rowed for this or any other Club, or
(b) will foster the Clubs activities

Associate Members are not generally entitled to the use of the racing craft or other training facilities, but may do so on specific occasions with the prior authority of the Captain. Specific occasions include Club Sports, Boxing Day row and other similar events at the discretion of the Captains.

Vice President. Vice President's membership give the same privileges as an Associate member, but is for an indefinite period, following a one off payment and does not require annual renewal. Should a Vice President wish to become a Rowing Member they will be required to pay the difference between the Associate Membership and the Rowing Membership for that subscription year.

Patron. The club may appoint a Patron in return for service or other benefit given it by an individual.
The appointment is for 10 years. A Patron shall have the same privileges as an Associate Member.

Social Membership. A limited number of Social Memberships may be granted at the discretion of Committee. Social Members shall not be entitled to vote at meetings, nor eligible to hold office in the Club, or be eligible to serve on the Committee or propose or second applications for membership of the Club.

Children (being under 18 years of age and in full time education) of Associate or Senior Rowing members will automatically be given free social membership of the Club.

Membership Subscriptions

The membership year runs from 1st April to 31st March.

Subscriptions - include VAT (if applicable) and ARA Levy
A table of the current subscriptions is attached in a schedule to this document and will be displayed on a notice board in the clubhouse.
Subscriptions must be paid the to the nominated membership secretary by 1st April. Subscriptions for Senior Rowing Membership may be paid, in five equal monthly instalments, by standing order.

Affiliated Clubs: Affiliated clubs, as recognised by the Committee, may use club facilities as Social Members. The respective clubs may then also use facilities as agreed, from time to time, by the Committee.

Arrears of subscriptions will he dealt with under Rule 5.

3. COMMITTEES POWER REGARDING MEMBERSHIP

The Committee shall have the power to grant membership on other terms than those laid down in the rules at their absolute discretion.

If any member shall infringe any of the club rules or Captain's instructions, or act in any way contrary to the general interests of the Club he or she may be expelled from membership, by a two thirds majority of those present and voting, at a Committee Meeting. The voting under this rule shall be by ballot and an expelled member has the right of appeal to the Club in a General Meeting.

4. ARREARS OF SUBSCRIPTION

All subscriptions and debts owing to the Club are due on the 1st April. Any Member who has not paid his/her subscription or submitted a completed Standing Order form to pay by instalment, by the due date or has other debt unpaid by the last day of April shall cease to be a Member of the Club.

A Senior Rowing Member paying by standing order shall cease to be a member if the standing order is stopped prior to the Club's receipt of the fifth and final payment, from the date of the missed payment.

A list showing the names of members who have paid their subscriptions shall be kept posted in the Club House.

5. VISITORS

(a) A member may introduce occasional visitors to the Club. He/she must enter the visitors name and address in the book kept for this purpose. Excisable articles, however, can only he supplied if ordered and paid for by a bone fide member.

The introducing member will be held responsible for the conduct and behaviour of his/her visitors.

(b) In the event of an organised visit by members of a sporting club or association for the purpose of participating in a pre-arranged sporting event with Ross Rowing Club or other affiliated clubs, such members, officials and friends of the visiting club or association shall he entitled with the sanction of the Club Committee or Secretary to purchase intoxicating liquor for consumption on the premises on the day of the visit only.

6. LIABILITY FOR DAMAGE

Members shall be liable wanton and reckless damage done to boats, sculls, oars or other Club property whilst in their custody or charge and such damage shall be dealt with by the Committee in such manner as the Committee may think fit. In exercise of the inherent right of the Club to compensation for the damage sustained, the Committee may require any member who damages Club property to pay into the Club Funds the whole or part of any of making good such damage.

A member must report, either verbally or in writing within 24 hours to an Officer of the Club or any Committee Member, any damage to property or loss of property he or she is responsible for. For the purpose of this rule, remarks made in the Boat Register shall not constitute a report. Failure, without sufficient reasons, of a member to make a report as laid down in this rule shall render that member liable to be expelled from the Club.

7. DISCIPLINE

The Committee shall have the power to expel or suspend from membership from all or any of the privileges of membership any member, whose conduct is, in the Committee's opinion, not in keeping with traditions, objects or interests of the Club. However, such a member shall first have had reasonable opportunity of appearing before the Committee to state his/her case.
In the event of a Junior Member being required to attend a Committee Meeting upon an issue of discipline that junior must be accompanied by a parent or other responsible adult of their choosing. In default the Chairman may, at his discretion, appoint someone to speak on the junior member's behalf.

Members must obey the Rules and Bylaws of the Club with which they should be aquatinted, as these regulate and control their privileges of membership.

New members will undertake an induction.

For induction protocol click here>>

For obtaining a CRB Form click here>>

Ross Rowing Club offers several categories of membership.

Rowing - this allows rowers full use of the club facilities and use of all boats
where levels of competency suit, it also allows you to fully compete during the
rowing summer/winter season. Price - £180 yearly

Occasional Rowing - this allows you to row most boats, but restricts you from competing, however if you fancy a regular row socially then this is for you.
Price - £108 yearly

Junior Rowing - Aged 18 or under. Price £84 yearly

Associate Membership - allows you to use all club facilities, restricting you to
no rowing. Price £24 yearly

Social Membership - allows you to use only bar facilities etc. Price £20 yearly

Everyone that takes part in rowing at Ross Rowing Club (RRC) is entitled to do so
in an enjoyable and safe environment. To ensure this, RRC - abides by the
principles developed by the Amateur Rowing Association (ARA). All members of
RRC are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the ARA 'Good Practice in
Rowing - participant welfare, good practice and child protection policy and
procedures' - this can be found at on the ARA website.
The principles apply to everyone involved in rowing, but young people and
vulnerable adults in particular are entitled to a higher duty of care and to be
protected from poor practice or abuse.

Everyone involved in rowing either in a coaching or supportive capacity, together
with those working in affiliated organisations, has a role to play in safeguarding
the welfare of young people and preventing their abuse. Everyone at the Club
has some type of contact with the junior members could be a very important link in identifying cases where a young person needs protection.

Ross Rowing Club believe that the welfare and wellbeing of all children is paramount. All children, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, religion or ability, have equal rights to safety and protection. All suspicions, concerns and allegations of harm will be taken seriously and responded to swiftly and appropriately.

The Child Protection in Sport Unit has produced a publication of the new
government guidance document, 'What to do if you are worried a child is being
abused' 2006. It is available from the DfES and can be ordered by telephoning
0845 60 222 60, quoting the reference: 04319-2006BKT-EN. Or you can
download the booklet by following the link below.

http://publications.teachernet.gov.uk/default.aspx?PageFunction=searchresults&ft
=04319-2006BKT-EN&pn=1&rpp=1&ShowHide=4&Area=1

The ARA's revised Safeguarding and Protecting Children policy with supporting
guidance documents is available on website www.ara-rowing.org/safeguarding.
The updated section of the website also includes a step by step guide to
completing CRB application forms which we hope you find useful.

RRC Club Welfare Officer

Cathy Fletcher is Ross Rowing Clubs Welfare Officer

The Welfare Officer acts as the focal point for reporting any concerns. This person
has the primary responsibility to check that everyone who has significant access
to young people within the club is suitable for that role and has been vetted as
described below. The Welfare Office is available to discuss any concerns raised by
juniors or parents. Please raise any issues immediately and make a note of any conversations that take place.

The Welfare Officer is not just concerned with junior members but equally
available to adult members. If you have any concerns you can contact the Club
Welfare Officer directly or complete the ARA Incident Report Form and post to
the Club Welfare Officer. This form can be downloaded here or can be found on
the notice board in the Ergo training room at the Club.

Welfare Officer Contact Details
If you have any concerns at the club, want to speak to someone in confidence
then contact:

Cathy Fletcher

Daytime: 01432 376622
Evening: 01989 567354
Mobile: 07790376749
Email: cf@rncb.ac.uk

Post: Jadan House
Sixth Avenue
Greytree
Ross-On-Wye
Herefordshire
HR9 7HJ

For Welfare documentation please see below;

Bullying CLICK HERE>>

Child Protection Policy CLICK HERE>>

Code of Conduct - Members CLICK HERE>>

Code of Conduct - Officials CLICK HERE>>

Code of Conduct - Parents CLICK HERE>>

Equity CLICK HERE>>

Fraud & Whistle Blowing CLICK HERE>>

IWF - Internet Watch Foundation www.iwf.org.uk
The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) is the only authorised organisation in the UK which, amongst other things, provides an internet 'hotline' for the public to report their exposure to potentially illegal child abuse images.

NSPCC Helpline
0808 800 5000
24 hour free and confidential telephone Helpline that provides counselling, information and advice to anyone concerned about a child at risk of ill treatment or abuse.

Careline
0208 541 1177
Confidential crisis telephone counselling service for children, young people and adults.

The Samaritans www.samaritans.org.uk
08457 90 90 90
Nationwide, non-religious, non-political 24 hour confidential support.

Victim Support
0845 3030 900
Local Victim Support services provide emotional support, information and practical help for victims and witnesses.

Self Help www.self-help.org.uk
The UK's free online specialised child protection resources.
A general list of 1,000 self-help organisations in the UK.


there4me.com
An NSPCC run and funded website specifically for young people who can access individual mentors.

ARA Child Protection Officer
Annamarie Phelps. (Volunteer Deputy Chairman of the ARA).
Her specific responsibilities include child protection, equity and doping.
Annamarie can be contacted via ARA HQ on 0870 060 7100.

Criminal Records Bureau
PO Box 91
Liverpool L69 2UH
Helpline 0870 90 90 844
www.crb.gov.uk

NSPCC - Child Protection in Sport Unit
3 Gilmour Close
Beaumont Leys
Leicester LE4 1EZ
T; 0116 234 7278
www.thecpsu.org.uk

NSPCC - Child protection in Sport Unit: PE and School Sport Club links microsite