The British Golf Industry Association (BGIA) is a Group operating under the auspices of the Federation of Sports & Play Associations (FSPA) Limited and, as such, is bound by the Federation’s Memorandum and Articles of Association.
OFFICE
The office of the British Golf Industry Association (BGIA) shall be that of the Federation of Sports & Play Associations (FSPA).
VISION
To unite and inspire everyone involved with UK Golf
MISSION
We are the voice of the golf industry and we support our members with a wide range of business benefits and services. It is our mission to grow participation by providing a powerful lobbying voice by promoting our collective strengths.
STRATEGIES
ELIGIBILITY FOR MEMBERSHIP
In order to be eligible for Full Membership a company must be predominantly engaged in the manufacture, wholesale and/or distribution of golf products to the trade.
Companies related to the golf industry that are not directly engaged in the manufacture, wholesale and/or distribution of golf products to the trade may apply for Associate Membership.
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
Applications for membership of FSPA and the Association shall be submitted on a form as prescribed by FSPA and the British Golf Industry Association. The Board of FSPA and the BGIA Executive will consider all applications.
The Federation and the Association reserve the right to reject any application without giving a reason.
OFFICE HOLDERS
There shall be a permanent Executive Board of no less than seven and no more than fourteen including an Independent Chairperson and Vice Chairperson. The members of the Executive Board shall be elected for two years at the Annual General Meeting of the Association.
Full members of the Association shall nominate and elect Executive Officers. Nomination forms will be circulated by the secretariat at least 30 days prior to any AGM. All nominees will provide a profile of their experience for circulation to the membership prior to the AGM. Full BGIA members will be able to cast their vote at the AGM or via Proxy. (see voting rights).
Executive members should be Senior Manager/MD and/or Director representing a company in the industry and have held the position for a minimum of 12 months or have had a high level of relevant experience.
INDEPENDENT CHAIRPERSON
The independent Chairperson shall preside at meetings of the Association. This person will act in a part time non-executive capacity and have the right to vote. The terms of engagement of the Chairperson will be determined by FSPA management after consultation with the BGIA Executive Committee. The Chairperson maybe removed (subject to any contractual terms) by majority vote of the Executive Board and FSPA management.
In absence of the Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson will preside over the meeting of the Association.
The Chairperson will be selected and approved by the FSPA in conjunction with the BGIA Executive and maybe paid by the FSPA for their work at an amount and time allocation agreed between the BGIA Executive Board and the FSPA Board.
The Chairperson of the Association shall act as the Association’s representative whenever the occasion requires and when representing its opinion on any subject it shall be their duty to do so in a fair and balanced manner.
VICE CHAIRPERSON
Full Members of the Association shall at the AGM nominate and elect a Vice Chairperson, who shall carry out the duties prescribed. Their term of office shall be two years. At the end of the two‐year period of office, they may offer themselves for re‐election. In the absence of the Chair, the Vice Chair shall act as Chair. In the absence of both Chairperson and Vice Chairperson the members present at a meeting shall the power to elect a temporary Chairperson to conduct its business.
REPRESENTTION ON THE FSPA BOARD
An Executive Board member will serve on the FSPA Board of Directors for a two-year period – this Executive Board member will be chosen by the Executive Board.
REPRESENTATION ON THE GOLF FOUNDATION BOARD
An Executive Board member will serve on The Golf Foundation Board of directors for a two-year period – this Executive Board member will be chosen by the Executive Board.
SECRETARIAT
The Secretariat shall be a member of staff of the Federation of Sports and Play Associations. Their duties shall be as directed by the Federation and they shall be responsible to the Association through that organisation.
RESIGNATION OF OFFICE HOLDERS
Any office holder may vacate their office by tendering his/her resignation in writing to the Chairperson and/or Secretariat.
REMOVAL OF OFFICE HOLDERS
An office holder may be removed from office immediately on the passing of an appropriate special resolution.
TEMPORARY OFFICE HOLDERS
Any Executive member may, by a show of hands, be elected without notice to occupy an office temporarily pending the next Annual General Meeting. Members may also be co‐opted onto any committee where their expertise is of assistance to that committee.
VOTING RIGHTS
At any AGM/General Meeting each member company shall have one vote. Whilst more than one representative of a member company may attend a meeting voting is restricted to one vote per member company. Associate Members may attend any AGM/General Meetings but are not entitled to vote.
Nominations for office holders must be received by the secretariat on the appropriate forms on or before the due date notified.
A member company may appoint a proxy (who must also be a member) to attend and vote on its behalf at an AGM/General meeting. Proxy nominations must be received in writing by the secretariat 72 hours prior to the meeting.
DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE
If a Member alleges that a Member is in breach of this Constitution or a customer complains about a Member, they shall refer the matter in writing to the secretariat who shall conduct a preliminary investigation and report to the Chairperson. The Chairperson will determine the need for, and if necessary, appoint either a Mediation Panel or the appointed representatives of three members as a Disciplinary Panel.
The Mediation or Disciplinary Panel shall give both the complainant and the Member complained of a proper opportunity to put their case and shall determine whether to invite submissions in person or in writing, dependent on its view of the seriousness of the issues concerned. The Mediation or Disciplinary Panel shall deal with the matter in a timely fashion and shall notify the parties concerned in writing of their decision as to whether the Member has acted in breach of its obligations under the BGIA Constitution or the Code of Practice.
If such a breach is found, the Panel shall determine the extent of the disciplinary action to be taken against the Member, which may include suspension or expulsion from membership in case of serious breach. Expulsion from the BGIA automatically means expulsion from the FSPA.
MEETINGS
A General Meeting shall be one to which all members are invited. 21 days’ notice shall be given of an Annual General Meeting. All items discussed at meetings, Minutes and other papers circulated in connection with meetings are private and confidential and it is a condition of membership that these matters are not divulged to non-members.
QUORUM
A quorum shall consist of representatives from five member companies. If at any meeting a quorum is not present, the meeting may be dissolved by those present.
COMMITTEES
The Association in General Meeting shall have the power to appoint Committees charged with such duties as the Association may decide.
TERMS OF ASSOCIATION
Membership of the Association may be terminated by voluntary withdrawal. However, a resigning company will be liable for the fees for the current fiscal year. Membership may also be terminated if a company no longer fulfils the criteria for membership or fails to make the appropriate subscription payment.
The use of Association information and surveys must be used solely by the member company, the passing on of information to third parties is strictly forbidden.
SUBSCRIPTIONS
The annual subscription for member companies shall be determined by the Federation of Sports & Play Associations (FSPA).
ALTERATION OF RULES
The Executive may revoke, alter or add to any part of the Constitution by ordinary resolution at an Executive Board meeting.
