1. Name:

The name of the Association is ‘The Shipman Association’ and the class burgee is a white triangle edged in green with the Shipman insignia inserted.

2. Objectives

a) The fostering and development of the Shipman class in the best interests of present and future owners.

b) The promotion of interest in cruising and racing.

c) To foster friendship among all those who sail in Shipmans.

d) To lay down and enforce rules and class regulations.

3. Membership
a) Full membership is open to only the owners or part-owners of a Shipman
b) Associate membership is open to any other person with an interest in Shipmans.
c) Honorary membership to be at the Committee’s discretion.
d) Election will be by the Committee who reserve the right to decline any application without giving reason.
e) Each member on joining the Association implicitly agrees to comply with the Rules and Class Regulations as set out or amended from time to time.
f) The rate of subscription shall be fixed from time to time by the Committee subject to ratification at the next A.G.M.
g) The Committee have the right to request a member to terminate his/her membership or call upon him/her to resign.

4. Subscriptions
a) The annual subscription is payable with membership application by the 1st February each year and shall, for the year commencing February 2024 be:
   Full Membership       €30.00
   Associate Membership  €15.00

5. Management
a) The Committee of the Association shall consist of a Commodore, Vice Commodore, Secretary, Treasurer and six other members who shall be elected each year at the A.G.M. Three further members may be co-opted by the Committee (insofar as is practical) from areas where Shipmans are sailed. All elected Committee members are eligible for re-election.
b) The Committee shall be responsible for the management of the affairs of the Association and the Committee shall also have power to make Bye-Laws (not in contravention of these rules) including Class Regulations and Class Racing Regulations which shall have effect until altered or revoked at a General Meeting of the Association.
c) Three will constitute a quorum at Committee meetings.
d) The Committee shall have the power to co-opt members to fill vacancies in it’s membership on a permanent or casual basis.
e) The Committee shall have the power to appoint Sub-Committees and to confer on them the powers necessary for the discharge of their functions. Each such Sub-Committee shall retire at the next following A.G.M. after its appointment or (if earlier) at the prior completion of its function or activity.

6. General Meetings
a) The Committee may, on giving 14 days notice, call a General Meeting of the Association for any specific business, the nature of which shall be stated in the notice convening the meeting and any decisions taken must relate only to the stated business.
b) The Committee shall convene a General Meeting on the written request of 10 full members.
c) An A.G.M. will be held each year on a date fixed by the Committee preferably during the Winter months.
d) At a General Meeting, 10 full members will constitute a quorum.
e) Voting rights at a General Meeting shall be on the basis of one vote per boat. Decisions will be arrived at by simple majority unless relating to Rules and Class Regulations when 2/3 majority of those present is required.
f) The Commodore has, at his discretion, the right to a casting vote.

7. Finance
a) Bankers for the Association will be nominated by the Committee from time to time as they see fit.
b) The Treasurer shall have charge of all funds of the Association and make disbursements as required by the affairs of the Association.
c) Cheque signatories shall be two Committee members.
d) The Treasurer shall keep an accurate record of all the Associations’ financial affairs and submit audited accounts to the membership for adoption at the A.G.M.

8. Rules and Class Regulations
a) The Committee shall interpret the rules to deal with exceptional circumstances and will report to the next General Meeting
b) The Committee shall have power from time to time to make and alter Bye-Laws and regulations in relation to all Shipman events.

9. Disclaimer
It shall be the sole responsibility of each yacht to decide whether or not to start or to continue to take part in each and every event or race where the Association is involved or partly involved in arrangements made for such event or race and each owner/helmsman shall sail and/or race entirely at his/her own risk and the Association, its Committee, Officers and Organisers and their representatives shall not be liable, in any way whatsoever, in the event of any claim for any incident, mishap or accident, irrespective of the cause thereof. All yachts shall be adequately covered by appropriate liability insurance and the attention of all skippers/owners is drawn to the provisions of this Disclaimer and the provisions of the safety recommendations referred to in this Handbook. All skippers/owners shall be deemed to have accepted the provisions hereof and by participation in any such event or race confirm such acceptance.