AICSC Constitution

CONSTITUTION OF

CUMANN TACHAÍOCTA CEILTEACH GAOLACH

ASSOCIATION OF IRISH CELTIC SUPPORTERS’ CLUBS

ARTICLE 1 — NAME

The name of the organisation shall be CUMANN TACHAÍOCTA CEILTEACH GAOLACH or THE ASSOCIATION OF IRISH CELTIC SUPPORTERS CLUBS’, hereinafter called the “Association”.

ARTICLE 2 — OBJECTIVES

(a) The objectives of the Association are to organise and unite the existing Celtic Supporters Clubs in Ireland and to encourage and promote the formation of new clubs within the boundaries of Ireland. It will also be a non-profit, non-political and non-sectarian organisation.

(b) The Association shall also seek to preserve and strengthen the links that exist between Celtic F.C. and Ireland

(c) The Association affirms its support for Celtic’s Social Charter and the Celtic Football Club Mission Statement (see Schedule A).

ARTICLE 3 — AFFILIATION

The Association will affiliate with The Celtic Football Club and will act as its sole representative within the boundaries outlined in Article 2.

ARTICLE 4 — ORGANIZATION

The Association shall be composed of members as hereinafter set out and it shall be managed by a committee constituted as stated in these by-laws.

ARTICLE 5 — MEMBERSHIP

(a) Membership shall be open to all properly constituted clubs within the boundaries of Ireland. A properly constituted club is one which has a constitution or set of rules, has signed up to the constitution of the Association, has an elected committee and produces a set of accounts each year.

(b) Membership shall not be open to any club that is currently a member of any other Celtic supporters body, Association or affiliation.

(c) The committee of the Association reserves the right to refuse membership to any club that does not meet the above criteria.

(d) A member club may be disqualified for breaking any rules of the Association or for any action or neglect that is deemed detrimental to the aims and objectives and the welfare of the Association.

(e) The Committee has the power to suspend or disqualify a member club.

(f) A suspension must have a time limit and member clubs under suspension have the right to appeal. An appeal must be lodged in writing with the Secretary within 14 days of the notification of suspension.

(g) A disqualified member club has the right to appeal a disqualification to a delegates’ meeting and such an appeal must be lodged in writing with the Secretary within 14 days of the notification of disqualification. Membership of the Association continues pending the final result of an appeal.

(h) The Association shall not be liable for debts incurred by member clubs or members of such member clubs.

ARTICLE 6 — MEMBERSHIP FEES

Annual membership fees shall be set by the Committee and approved and adopted at each Annual General Meeting.

ARTICLE 7 — MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS

(a) Each club wishing to renew their status for the upcoming year shall pay its membership fees at the date set by the Committee as a deadline.

(b) If an application meets the criteria laid down by the Association, the Committee shall admit the applicant to membership.

(c) Membership shall be conditional on membership fees being paid in full and on the necessary membership form being returned with the declaration that the member club will abide by the constitution having been duly signed and all such details as are requested in relation to club members having been completed. All signed and returned membership forms and general correspondence to be held on file for a specified time in compliance with GDPR regulations.

(d) Any member club that owes money to the Association shall not be permitted to renew its membership of the Association until such time as its debts are paid.

ARTICLE 8 – MEETINGS OF THE ASSOCIATION

(a) Meetings of the Association shall take place not less than twice annually.

(b) Such meetings shall be rotated on a province-by-province basis and hosted each time by a different club in each province.

(d) Each club is expected to attend at least two delegates’ meetings per year (i.e. between one A.G.M. and the next) and if a club does not do so then the committee reserves the right to refuse to renew that club’s membership.

ARTICLE 9 — ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

(a) The Annual General Meeting of the Association shall be held on a date to be set by the Committee.

(b) All members shall receive twenty-one (21) days notice of the date, time and location of the Annual General Meeting.

Introductory Comments

Minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting

Chairman’s Address

Secretary’s Report

Treasurer’s Report and Financial Statement

Other Reports

Amendments to the Constitution

Election of Officers

Any Other Business

Adjournment

(d) The Chairman may, at his/her discretion, introduce any special business for discussion after the approval of the minutes.

ARTICLE 10 — SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING

(a) A Special General Meeting may be called by the Committee by its own motion.

(b) A Special General Meeting shall be called within thirty (30) days following the receipt of a written request signed by executive members of clubs representing not less than one-third (1/3) of the Association membership.

(d) Only the business for which a Special General Meeting has been called will be dealt with, except with the unanimous consent of the voting members present.

ARTICLE 11 — QUORUM

A majority of Member’s votes shall form a quorum at all Meetings.

ARTICLE 12 — VOTING

(a) Those who shall be qualified to vote and take part at all Meetings of the Association shall be the designated delegates of clubs in membership.

(b) At all meetings of the Association voting shall be a show of hands, unless a poll is requested.

(d) If a poll is required, appointed scrutineers (who shall be members of the host club) shall total the votes and report same to the Chairman of the Association, who shall announce the results to the assembly for the record.

(e) The Chairman shall have a casting vote only.

(f) Any club which cannot attend any meeting of the Association is entitled to vote by proxy. This can only be done if the following conditions are fulfilled:-

(g) The secretary of the club that will be absent from the meeting must send that club’s apologies in writing to the Secretary of the Association and in that letter nominate the club which it wishes to represent it at the meeting of the Association.

(h) No member club may exercise more than one proxy vote at any meeting of the Association.

ARTICLE 13 — COMMITTEE

(a) The business of the Association shall be conducted by a Committee comprised of an Executive Committee and a Working Committee.

(b) The Executive Committee shall be comprised of the following officers:

Chairman

Secretary

Treasurer

(b) The Executive Committee shall be assisted by a Working Committee comprised of the following officers:

Assistant Secretary

Assistant Chairman

Assistant Treasurer

Public Relations Officer

Assistant Public Relations Officer

Transport Officer

Assistant Transport Officer

Merchandise Officer

Assistant Merchandise Officer

Ticket Co-ordinator

Assistant Ticket Co-ordinator

Those Representatives elected in accordance with Article 15

(c) Candidates for the above offices shall be members of the Association proposed by a member club and seconded by another member club, neither of which shall be that candidate’s own club.

(d) No person may be eligible for election to the Executive Committee if that person is not an existing member of the Committee.

(e) The Committee shall have the power to co-opt any member of the Association to fill, pending an election at the first available opportunity, any office in the event of no person having been elected to that office or an office becoming vacant in the period intervening between delegates’ meetings.

(f) The election of these officers shall be by secret ballot at the Association’s Annual General Meeting.

(g) The following officers shall be elected for a period of two years: the Chairman, Treasurer, Public Relations Officer, Assistant Secretary, Assistant Transport Officer, Assistant Merchandise Officer and Ticket Co-ordinator in odd numbered years and the Assistant Chairman, Assistant Treasurer, Secretary, Transport Officer, Assistant Public Relations Officer, Merchandise Officer and Assistant Ticket Co-ordinator in even numbered years.

(h) Should any business be conducted involving a club with which any Committee Member is associated, said member shall absent himself (herself) until that part of the business is completed.

(i) The Committee shall meet not less than three times annually.

(j) A majority of members shall form a quorum at all meetings.

(k) Any individual being considered for a Committee position of the Association shall be a member in good standing of their own particular club.

(l) Officers of the Committee shall be entitled to all such reasonable expenses as shall be agreed at the annual general meeting. Any dispute over expenses shall be referred to the next available delegates’ meeting.

(m) Any officers of the Committee not fulfilling their duties during his / her term of office may be removed from their position at the discretion of the executive committee.

(n) Any officer of the Committee who misses three consecutive committee meetings without good cause may be removed from their position at the discretion of the executive committee.

(0) Nominees seeking election (or re-election) shall present themselves at the Annual General Meeting of the Association. Any nominee not present without good cause shall have his/her nomination declared null and void.

(p) Any officers of the Committee who cease to be a member of the Association shall be required to vacate his/her seat.

ARTICLE 14 — DUTIES OF THE COMMITTEE

(a) The Chairman shall preside at all meetings of the Association and he/she shall give a casting vote only. He/she will act as spokesman for the Association and will delegate such responsibilities when required.

(b) The Assistant Chairman shall be the senior officer of the Association next to the Chairman and he/she shall preside at all meetings in the Chairman’s absence. He/she shall have other duties as proscribed.

(c) The Secretary shall be responsible for the corporate affairs of the Association, for taking the minutes of delegates’ meetings and meetings of the Committee, for distributing the latter and for communicating with members and external bodies.

(d) The Treasurer shall be responsible for the financial affairs of the Association.

(e) The Public Relations Officer shall be responsible for liaising with the media and the general public and for promoting the Association.

(f) The Transport Officer shall be responsible for organising Association trips and other related areas.

(g) The Merchandise Officer shall be responsible for the sale of Association-related merchandise.

(h) The Ticket Co-ordinator shall be responsible dealing with ticket enquiries from member clubs and co-ordinating efforts to help clubs procure match tickets.

ARTICLE 15 – PROVINCIAL REPRESENTATIVES

(a) Each province of Ireland (i.e. Ulster, Munster, Leinster and Connacht) shall choose a Representative who shall be elected by a meeting of all the member clubs in within that province.

(b) The Representative shall be elected for a period of two years at the A.G.M. and the term of office will be deemed to run from that date forward.

(c) The Representatives for Ulster and Leinster shall be elected in even numbered years and the Representatives for Munster and Connacht in odd numbered years.

(d) Articles 10 and 11 apply to provincial meetings.

(e) Subject to the wishes of the member clubs, a provincial Committee may also be elected.

(f) The Representative shall be responsible for liaising with the Committee on behalf of the member clubs in his or her province and for assisting in the business of the Association as the Committee may require.

(g) All individuals being considered for Provincial Representative shall be a member in good standing of their own particular club.

(h) The candidates for the position of Provincial Representative shall be proposed by a member club and seconded by another member club, neither of which shall be that candidate’s own club.

(i) A Provincial Representative who ceases to be a member of the Association shall be required to vacate his/her position.

(j) Article 13 (k) and (l), (m), (n) and (o) shall apply to Provincial Representatives.

ARTICLE 16 — AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

(a) All proposed amendments to the constitution shall be forwarded in writing to the Association no later than fourteen (14) days prior to the Annual General Meeting or fourteen (14) days prior to a Special General Meeting called for that purpose.

(b) Amendments to the constitution will require a simple majority of the delegates’ votes present.

ARTICLE 17 – ASSOCIATION FUNDS

(a) All monies subscribed by members to the Association shall be the property of the Association and not that of the individual member clubs with the exception of ticket fund money.

(b) Members shall be entitled to examine the books and records of all financial transactions of the Association after 14 days written notice of a request to do so.

(d) All real and/or personal estate whatsoever belonging to the Association shall be vested in the Trustees for the time being of the Association and Members thereof.

ARTICLE 18 – DEALINGS WITH MEDIA ORGANISATIONS

(a) The Public Relations Officer, in conjunction and consultation with the Secretary, is responsible for all matters relating to the media. All requests and enquiries from the media are to be directed to the P.R.O..

(b) Any committee member responsible for unauthorised contact or supply of information to the media will have breached committee rules and be amenable to disciplinary procedures and/or dismissal from office.

(c) Any committee member facing such disciplinary measures shall have the right of appeal to a delegates meeting as in Article 5 (d) to (g).

ARTICLE 19 – CODE OF CONDUCT

(a) A Code of Conduct (see Schedule B) applies to member clubs attending trips organised by the Association.

ARTICLE 20 – DISSOLUTION

(a) The Association shall not be dissolved without the consent of two-thirds of its Members present at a meeting specifically convened for that purpose and only on the terms and conditions that the Members may determine.

(b) All monies and/or proceeds of sale of real and/or personal estate belonging to the Association at the time of dissolution shall be donated to a charity selected and approved by two-thirds of the Association’s Members at a meeting of the type described in (a).

SCHEDULE A

Celtic

Social Mission Statement

Introduction

Celtic Football Club is legendary and as with most legends as much myth as fact surrounds its history and what the Club stands for today. The Social Mission Statement aims to simply define what the Club stands for and seeks to promote within society.

History

Celtic Football Club was founded in 1888. Its principal founder was a Marist Brother named Walfrid. The Club had two principal aims:

The first aim was to raise funds to provide food for the poor of the East End of Glasgow, an area of the City that was greatly impoverished and had a high rate of infant mortality.

Within the East End was a large Irish community and friction was growing between the native Glaswegians and the new influx of Irish. Brother Walfrid saw the need for social integration and his vision was a football club that Scottish and Irish, Protestants and Catholics alike could support. A new football club would be a vehicle to bring the communities together and this was the second aim. The Marist brother sought for the Club to have both a Scottish and Irish identity and hence, the Club’s name “Celtic” came about, representing a bridge of cultures across the Irish sea.

Current Positioning of Celtic Football Club

Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club with proud Irish links. The primary business of Celtic is as a football club. It is run on a professional business basis with no political agenda. However, the Club has a wider role and the responsibility of being a major Scottish social institution promoting health, well-being and social integration.

Who is Celtic Football Club For?

Celtic Football Club is for people who want to support a football club that strives for excellence in Scotland and in Europe, is proud of its history, supportive of its local community and seeks to support the following aims:
“To maximise all opportunities to disassociate the Club from sectarianism and bigotry of any kind. To promote Celtic as a club for all people, regardless of sex, age, religion, race or ability.”

Summary

Celtic is a club for everyone who believes in football as a medium for healthy pleasure, entertainment and social integration. The Club always has been and always will simply aim to be the team of the people.

SCHEDULE B

A.I.C.S.C. – CODE OF CONDUCT

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this document is to set out how supporters travelling on trips organised by the Association of Irish Celtic Supporters Clubs (A.I.C.S.C.) are expected to conduct themselves.

BACKGROUND

The A.I.C.S.C. was established in 1998.

Article 2(a) of the A.I.C.S.C. constitution states that the body’s objectives are:

“to organise and unite the existing Celtic Supporters Clubs in Ireland and to encourage and promote the formation of new clubs within the boundaries of Ireland. It will also be a non-profit, non-political and non-sectarian organisation.”

We value the high esteem in which all Celtic supporters are held worldwide and the reputation we have for good behaviour everywhere we travel. The “Fair Play” award presented by U.E.F.A. in August 2003 further enhanced this reputation. We wish to continue to this noble tradition and ensure that all members of the A.I.C.S.C. realise they are ambassadors for Ireland, Celtic and the A.I.C.S.C. itself when they travel to support Celtic.

PRINCIPLES

Any member club that books one of its members on any Association trip shall be responsible for the behaviour of that person during the trip and for making him/her aware of the standards of conduct expected of Celtic supporters in general and members of the A.I.C.S.C. in particular.

Members should be aware that alcohol is not to be consumed on buses travelling to domestic away games.

Members are expected to abide by the rules laid down by any airline with which the A.I.C.S.C. may travel, including rules on consumption of alcohol, smoking and general behaviour when travelling.

Members are expected to co-operate with A.I.C.S.C. committee members or other representatives of the A.I.C.S.C. when travelling with the A.I.C.S.C..

Members are expected not to engage in any loutish behaviour which threatens to bring the good name of Celtic or the A.I.C.S.C. into disrepute.

Any club whose members breach these rule are liable to be reprimanded and disciplined. The committee reserves the right to suspend or ban such clubs and/or individuals from future A.I.C.S.C. trips. The committee also reserves the right to suspend or ban such clubs and/or individuals from membership of the A.I.C.S.C..

Any clubs whose members actions result in damage being done to property for which the A.I.C.S.C. is subsequently invoiced will be required to pay for that damage.

However, the committee hopes never to have to resort to such measures and remains confident that all A.I.C.S.C. trips will be happy and memorable occasions for all concerned.

THE COMMITTEE OF THE A.I.C.S.C. (DATED: SEPTEMBER 2018)