Constitution and Rules

1. Name

The name of the Club shall be the “Oranjemund Angling Club” hereinafter referred to as “the Club”.

2. Premises

The premises known as the Angling Club are the property of Namdeb Diamond Corporation (Pty) Ltd hereinafter referred to as “the Company” and are situated at Oranjemund, Namibia.

3. Objectives

The objectives of the Club shall be as follows:

  • 3.1 To promote and foster the sport of catching fish and crustaceans by approved methods, subject to local laws, regulations and ordinances.
  • 3.2 To arrange competitions, functions, outings and other activities of interest.
  • 3.3 To organise, control and regulate the conduct of such competitions, functions and outings.
  • 3.4 To purchase or otherwise acquire any property, sport, fishing equipment, badges and trophies or other items necessary for the furtherance of the Club activities or operations.
  • 3.5 To encourage an interest in the preservation of all fauna and flora and the habitats thereof.
  • 3.6 To foster and maintain the best traditions of amateur angling in all its forms.
  • 3.7 To do all things necessary for carrying out such objectives including the power to acquire, sell, hypothecate and develop movable and immovable property, without, however, the acquisition of profit for the benefit of any of its members.
  • 3.8 Club premises will be made available for recreation purposes and to other clubs for functions as decided by the ruling committee. These activities and functions will be non-political in nature, i.e. no club premises will be made available for political voting, gatherings, meetings, etc.

4. Members

  • 4.1 The Club shall consist of at least thirty-five (35) members of any race, colour or religion.
  • 4.2 Wives & children of members shall be entitled to the privileges provided by the Club, as determined by the Committee.
  • 4.3 Wives & juniors wishing to take part in Club activities on a competitive basis shall be required to join as individual members, unless otherwise decided by the committee.
  • 4.4 There shall be the following classes of members:

a) Ordinary Members

Being a Namibian or a person with a valid permanent residence of Namibia, whose application for membership has been approved by the Committee. He/she shall be entitled to all the privileges of the Club, including the right to vote at General Meetings and hold office on the Executive Committee.

b) Junior Members

Being a person residing in Namibia under the age of 16, whose application for membership has been approved by the Committee. He/she shall be entitled to all the privileges of the Club, excluding the right to vote at General Meetings and hold office on the Executive Committee.

c) Associate Members

Being a person not residing in Namibia whose application for membership has been approved by the Committee. He/she shall be entitled to all the privileges of the Club, excluding the right to vote at General Meetings and hold office on the Executive Committee.

d) Reciprocity Members

The Committee shall have the power to accord reciprocity membership, to any member of any other club with whom reciprocity is arranged, should such member reside outside a radius of sixteen (16) kilometres from the Clubhouse.

e) Temporary Members

The Committee, in its discretion, shall have the power to confer such membership, for a period not exceeding fourteen (14) days, upon:

  • (i) members of other sporting bodies or clubs visiting Oranjemund,
  • (ii) bona fide candidates for membership.

f) Honorary Members

The Committee may extend Honorary Membership to such persons as it may decide, holding such public office or having conferred significant benefit to the Club and its members, and who are bona fide candidates for membership, subject to such terms and conditions as it may decide, in its discretion. He/she shall be entitled to all the privileges of the Club, including the right to vote at General Meetings and hold office on the Executive Committee.

g) OAC Veterans

The Committee may confer OAC Veteran Membership upon members who have maintained continuous membership for twenty-five (25) years or more and who have made significant and sustained practical contributions through labour, service, and active participation in the development, maintenance, and support of the Club and its facilities. He/she shall be entitled to all the privileges of the Club, including the right to vote at General Meetings and to hold office on the Executive Committee.

5. Rules Applicable to Members

  • 5.1 Membership does not, and shall not, give any member the right, title, interest, claim or demand in or to any of the monies or assets of the Club, but confers upon such members the privilege of entering the grounds and premises of the Club, of using and enjoying the same subject to such charges and reasonable restrictions as the Committee may from time to time impose and subject to the Rules and Bye-laws in force for the time being.
  • 5.2 The liability of a member is limited to the amount of his/her unpaid subscription and any monies owing to the Club.
  • 5.3 If elected by the Committee, membership shall be granted from the date of receipt of his/her subscription by the Committee.
  • 5.4 A member may at any time, by giving notice in writing to the Secretary, resign his membership of the Club, but shall be liable for any subscription, due and unpaid at the date of resignation and for any other amounts owing to the Club.

6. Election of Members

  • 6.1 Application for membership shall be made on the form prescribed and provided by the Committee for that purpose.
  • 6.2 The completed form shall be handed to or forwarded to the Admin Officer – Membership of the Club. Applications for membership shall be posted on the OAC Electronic Notice Board for at least fourteen (14) days. Thereafter the Committee, at its next meeting, shall consider such applications which shall either be approved or rejected by a majority vote. All members so elected shall be considered bound by the Constitution of the Club, a copy of which shall be made available by the Secretary on request.
  • 6.3 Bona fide candidates, shall be elected by resolution of the Committee.

7. Subscriptions

  • 7.1 The Financial and subscription year shall run from the 1st of January to the 31st of December annually.
  • 7.2 An entrance fee shall be levied, the amount of which shall be determined by the Committee.
  • 7.3 Ordinary & Junior Members – the annual subscription shall be determined by the Committee.
  • 7.4 Any member who has not paid his subscription within one month after it becomes due shall not be allowed to continue to exercise any of his privileges of membership nor have the right to vote at any meeting while his subscription remains unpaid.
  • 7.5 Any member whose subscription has been in arrears for two calendar months shall be liable to have his name posted on the OAC Electronic Notice Board as being in arrears, and if such member shall not pay the amount due within one month from the day of his name being posted as aforesaid, the Committee shall be at liberty to remove his name from the list of members of the Club.
  • 7.6 No refund of subscriptions shall be made under any circumstances.

8. Management of the Affairs of the Club

  • 8.1 The Club shall be controlled by a Committee of 6 Ordinary Members who shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting of the Club.
  • 8.2 All nominations for election to the Committee shall be made at the Annual General Meeting and no members shall be elected who are not present in the meeting unless their prior consent to nomination in writing has been produced by his sponsor.
  • 8.3 Should there be more nominations than the number of members required, such number of members shall be elected by ballot, the mode of which shall be fixed by the Chairman.
  • 8.4 Proxy votes will not be accepted.
  • 8.5 The members of the Committee shall hold office until the next Annual General Meeting and shall be eligible for re-election or nomination.
  • 8.6 The Committee shall have the power to fill such vacancies amongst the elected members of its number as may occur during its term of office. Any person appointed shall hold office only until the next Annual General Meeting but shall be eligible for re-election.
  • 8.7 The Committee shall convene on a two monthly basis, of which meeting proper minutes shall be kept. The Chairman may, in special circumstances, authorise the postponement of any meeting. The Committee shall also correspond via the OAC Committee WhatsApp group on a as-need basis so as to ensure speedy resolutions to issues requiring resolution before the next scheduled Committee Meeting.
  • 8.8 The Secretary, on the instructions of the Chairman or on the written request of at least two members of the Committee, shall convene a Committee meeting.
  • 8.9 At all meetings of the Committee 4 members shall form a quorum.
  • 8.10 The Chairman of any meeting shall have a casting as well as a deliberative vote.
  • 8.11 The Committee shall have the power to appoint sub-committees for any purpose and to delegate to such sub-committees such powers as may be deemed desirable, which sub-committees need not comprise of members of the Committee.
  • 8.12 Any elected members of the Committee failing to attend two consecutive meetings of the Committee, without leave, shall ipso facto cease to be a member thereof.

9. Powers of the Committee

9.1 The Committee, in addition to the powers otherwise conferred upon it by these rules, shall have the power and authority to do any act, matter or thing which could or might be done by the Club, except such matters as are in these rules specially reserved to be dealt with at a General Meeting of members.

9.2 The Committee shall have the following special powers:

  • (a) To make, vary and repeal, from time to time, any bye-laws and regulations (not inconsistent with these rules) for the management and regulation of the Club’s affairs and for the conduct of members, visitors and guests and generally for the purpose of giving effect to these rules and any amendments thereto.
  • (b) The Chairman and the Treasurer shall be the purchasing officers of the Club.
  • (c) To alter or make additions to these Rules as may become necessary by virtue of any law enacted by the Legislature provided that all such alterations or additions shall be ratified at the next Annual General Meeting.
  • (d) To restrict or curtail as they deem fit, the rights and privileges of members (other than ordinary members) insofar as such curtailment or restriction shall be for the benefit of the ordinary members.

10. Management and Conduct of Business

10.1 The business and affairs of the Club shall be managed and conducted by a Committee of the following officers:

  • (a) Chairman – Stakeholder Management
  • (b) Vice Chairman – Asset Management
  • (c) Compliance Officer – Legal matters & Contracts
  • (d) Treasurer – Finances & Accounts
  • (e) Admin Officer – Membership
  • (f) House Member – Events & Associate Member matters

10.2 The Chairman shall:

  • a) if present, take the chair at all meetings of the Committee, Annual General Meeting or other official functions.
  • b) be responsible for Stakeholder Management and affairs related to the Meob agreements.

10.3 The Vice Chairman shall:

  • a) in the absence of the Chairman preside at all meetings and have voting powers as in 8.10 above.
  • b) be responsible for the Asset Management of the Club.

10.4 The Compliance Officer shall:

  • a) be responsible for the Legal Matters & Contracts of the Club.
  • b) be responsible for recording and issuing of the minutes of all General and Executive meetings.
  • c) do or cause to be done, administrative work as may be required from time to time.

10.5 The Treasurer shall:

  • a) be responsible for Finances & Accounts of the Club.
  • b) keep true accounts of all receipts, credits, payments, assets and liabilities of the Club and its equipment.
  • c) be responsible for accounting for, and arranging an audited financial statement at the end of each financial year.
  • d) prepare and present a statement of accounts at the Annual General Meeting.

10.6 The Administrative Officer

Shall be responsible for the upkeep of the membership of the Club.

10.7 The House Member

Shall assist with Events & Associate Member Matters.

All Committee Members will be responsible for the organization and publication of notices through email correspondence and the OAC Electronic Notice Board, as well as for the promotion and organization of fishing trips, as well all internal and external competitions and events nominated and supported by the Committee.

11. General Meetings

  • 11.1 The Annual General Meeting shall be held at such time and in such format as the Committee shall determine.

11.2 The business to be transacted at the Annual General Meeting shall be:

  • (a) To confirm the minutes of the previous general meeting.
  • (b) To receive the Chairman’s report.
  • (c) To receive and consider the financial statements for the year ended 31 December and to adopt same if thought fit.
  • (d) To elect the members of the Committee for the ensuing year as provided for in Rule 8.3.
  • (e) To consider any resolution concerning the affairs of the Club, of which due notice must be given.
  • (f) Any business concerning the affairs of the Club.
  • 11.3 The Committee may, however, at any General Meeting bring forward any business other than changes to these Constitutional Rules, which it considers requires the immediate decision of Ordinary Members of the Club.
  • 11.4 Notice of all Annual General Meetings shall be posted on the OAC Electronic Notice Board at least twenty one (21) days before such meeting and such notice shall constitute due and sufficient notice to all members of the Club.
  • 11.5 Notice of any motion to be proposed at an Annual General Meeting, other than the ordinary business, must be lodged with the Secretary in writing at least fourteen (14) days before the meeting.
  • 11.6 Only Ordinary Members shall have a vote at General Meetings. Members belonging to any other classes of membership may attend General Meetings, but shall not be entitled to vote or have a voice in the management of the Club’s affairs.
  • 11.7 The Committee may at any time call a Special General Meeting of members by giving not less than seven (7) days notice thereof, and specifying the objectives for which the meeting is called. The Committee shall be bound to call a Special General Meeting of members upon receipt of a requisition signed by 10 Ordinary Members of the Club which requisition shall specify the objectives for which such meeting is to be called. Such meeting shall be held within fourteen (14) days of the receipt of the requisition.
  • 11.8 Subject to the powers of the Committee referred to in Rule 11.3 no business other than that specified in the notice shall be transacted at such Special General Meeting, but any motion strictly relating to such business may be submitted to such meeting.
  • 11.9 The quorum for a General Meeting shall be ten (10) Ordinary Members, entitled to vote, provided that if no quorum is present within 15 minutes after the time fixed for the meeting, the meeting shall in the case of an Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting called by the Committee, be postponed to the same place, day and hour in the following week and at such adjourned meeting the Ordinary Members present and entitled to vote shall be deemed to be a quorum for the transaction of all the business of the meeting.
  • 11.10 In the case of a Special General Meeting called upon a requisition of members, if no quorum be present within the time specified above, the meeting shall be dissolved.
  • 11.11 All the matters at a General Meeting shall be decided by a simple majority of votes unless otherwise provided for in these Rules. All votes, except as provided for under Rule 8.3 shall be by show of hands, unless a ballot is demanded by not less than 10 Ordinary Members present and entitled to vote. The Chairman shall fix the mode of such ballot.
  • 11.12 In all cases of equality of votes at a General Meeting the Chairman shall have a casting vote. Unless a ballot is demanded as provided for in Rule 8.3, the declaration of the result by the Chairman shall be conclusive.
  • 11.13 Should both the Chairman and the Vice Chairman be absent, the Ordinary Members present and entitled to vote shall elect a Chairman for the meeting.
  • 11.14 Any new rule or alteration to an existing rule or ratification of a rule made in terms of Rule 9.2 (d) shall require the sanction of at least two-thirds of the Ordinary Members present and entitled to vote at a General Meeting.

12. Conduct of Members

If it should be brought to the notice of the Committee that a member of the Club has committed a breach of the Rules, or Bye-laws, or has been guilty of improper conduct whilst on the Club premises or representing the Club in any organized event, such occurrence shall be investigated by the Committee, or sub-committee formed for that purpose, who shall take such actions as may be thought necessary.

13. General

  • 13.1 Club notices to members shall be posted on the OAC Electronic Notice Board. Such posting shall be regarded as sufficient notice to each and every individual member.
  • 13.2 The Secretary shall keep a proper register of all the members of the Club, a copy of which shall be available on the Club premises.
  • 13.3 In the case of doubt as to the strict meaning of any Rule or Byelaw the interpretation of the Committee shall be binding on all members.
  • 13.4 All complaints and suggestions shall be made, in writing, to the Secretary.
  • 13.5 All acts done by the Committee or members thereof in the bona fide execution of their duty shall be deemed to have been done by the Club, as a whole, and the members of the Committee shall be liable for such acts only to an equal extent with other members of the Club.
  • 13.6 Any Bye-law or regulation, amended or made by the Committee, shall be posted on the OAC Electronic Notice Board, and thereafter shall have immediate effect and be binding on all persons as if it were part of these Rules until it is revoked either by the Committee or by a vote of an Annual or Special General Meeting. Any Byelaw revoked by the Committee shall cease to be operative after notice to that effect has been posted on the OAC Electronic Notice Board.
  • 13.7 The Auditor of the Club shall be a person appointed by the Committee.

14. Winding Up

In the event of the winding-up of the Club, the existing committee members holding office at such time, shall after all proceeds from the sale of any assets, after deduction of all amounts due and payable to creditors, nominate recognized charitable organization/s within Namibia.

JA Sutherland

Chairman