Rules

Rules of the OLD SANDBACHIANS’ ASSOCIATION (Adopted 2023)

1. NAME
The Association shall be called “THE OLD SANDBACHIANS’ ASSOCIATION” or abbreviated to “OSA”.

2. MISSION
The Old Sandbachians’ Association exists to uphold the traditional values and character of Sandbach School, through the maintenance of friendships past and present and the provision of beneficial support to the School by mutual agreement with the School.
The Committee shall organise activities and events to enable such beneficial support to the School. Events maybe for Members only or for all former pupils and teachers, in both cases with or without guests at the discretion of the Committee.

3. MEMBERSHIP
Any past pupils and teachers of Sandbach School shall be eligible for membership.
The Head Teacher shall be a de facto Honorary Member for the duration of their engagement.
The Committee shall have power to elect other Honorary Members or Honorary Life Members in recognition of their service to the School and or the Association.

4. FINANCE & ACCOUNTING PERIOD AND FINANCE
4.1. From 2023, the OSA accounting period shall be from 1st January to 31st December of each year.
4.2. The Committee shall be responsible for the appropriate use of all monies raised from Membership and profit from activities and events or donations to the OSA.
4.3. On an annual basis the OSA shall make a donation to the Head Teachers’ discretionary fund, such sum to be proposed by the Committee and where agreed at the AGM and
4.4. Additionally the OSA may make further donations to specific School projects or activities as agreed by the Committee, provided always that any such donation does not cause the OSA financial distress.

5. JOINING FEE AND ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP
5.1. Membership applications shall be made via the OSA website or through a written application. All Members shall be offered access to the Members Only area of the website and agree to comply with the terms of use of the website.

5.2. The Joining Fee and Annual Membership shall be as follows:

  • From 1 January 2024 the Joining Fee shall be £20 and the Annual Membership shall be £15;
  • From 1 January 2025 the Joining Fee shall be £25 and the Annual Membership shall be £15;
  • From 1 January 2026 the Joining Fee shall be £25 and the Annual Membership shall be £20; and
  • Thereafter at each AGM the Treasurer shall make a recommendation for any changes to the Joining Fee and the Annual Membership, which shall be implemented once approved at the next AGM or EGM.

5.3. If a Member joins the Association between January 1st and 30th September in any year then the first annual Membership Fee shall be due on 1st January of the following year. If a Member joins the Association between October 1st and 31st December in any year then the first annual Membership Fee shall be due on 1st January of the second year.
Examples

  • A new Member signs up and pays on the 2nd March 2024. The first Annual Membership Fee is due on the 1st January 2025.
  • A new Member signs up and pays on the 2nd October 2024. The first Annual Membership Fee is due on the 1st January 2026.

5.4. Any School leavers who go on to full time further education shall, upon application, become Student Members of the Association for a period of up to 4 years from the date of leaving School. Student Members shall have equal rights as all other Members save that the Joining Fee and Annual Membership shall only be payable at the end of the relevant period in further education.

5.5. Save for the exception for new Student Members, payment of the Annual Membership is a condition of continued membership. If a Member fails to pay his Membership in 1 year the following will apply.

  • After 3 months the Member will no longer be entitled to Member discounts and
  • After 12 months the Member will cease to be a Member and lose all Member Benefits until the current Annual Membership is paid by the Member. For the avoidance of doubt there will be no requirement to pay the Joining Fee, only to make the Annual Membership payment.

6. MEMBER BENEFITS
6.1. Members shall be entitled to

  • vote at AGMs and Special AGMs;
  • any discounted rates available for OSA events and activities;
  • have access to Members Only area of the OSA website;
  • attend any Member only events and activities; and
  • other benefits as offered by the OSA from time to time.

6.2. Honorary Members shall be entitled to

  • any discounted rates available for OSA events and activities;
  • have access to Members Only area of the OSA website;
  • attend any Member only events and activities; and
  • other benefits as offered by the OSA from time to time.

6.3. Student Members shall be entitled to

  • vote at AGMs and Special AGMs;
  • any discounted rates available for OSA events and activities;
  • have access to Members Only area of the OSA website;
  • attend any Member only events and activities; and
  • other benefits as offered by the OSA from time to time.

7. MANAGEMENT
7.1. The Association shall be managed by a General Committee consisting of the following:

  • Officers:
    President,
    Immediate Past President,
    Vice-President,
    Secretary,
    Treasurer,
    (Media & Communications Officer – if activities carried out by a specific individual)
    Where practical and / or necessary any Officer other than the President may hold a maximum of two (2) offices.
  • Ex Officio:
    One or more representatives of the School Head Boy and Head Girl Team,
    one member of School Staff and
    one representative of Sandbach Rugby Union Football Club
  • Committee Members:
    Up to ten other members representing all Old Sandbachians.

7.2. The Committee shall be elected annually at the AGM. The Committee shall have the power to fill any vacancy that may occur.

7.3. Retiring Officers shall be eligible for election, subject to the office of President not being held for more than three years in succession by the same member.

7.4. At General Meetings 15 members shall form a quorum. At Committee Meetings 5 members shall form a quorum.

7.5. At Committee Meetings and General Meeting the President, Vice President or Past President shall preside. In their absence, a member shall be elected to preside and the person presiding shall have a second or casting vote in the event of equality of votes.

7.6. The Committee may from time to time appoint such sub-committees as may be deemed necessary and may depute or refer to them such powers and duties as the Committee may determine.

8. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Committee shall determine a date for the AGM, and publicise this to all Members and other former pupils of the School.
Any alteration to these rules can only be made at the AGM or a Special AGM. A Special AGM may be held virtually Any proposed rule changes shall be agreed by the Committee and circulated by the Secretary to all Members at least 4 weeks prior to the AGM or the Special AGM. Members may vote either in person at the AGM or through formal communication as required by the Secretary in the issued notice of change. A simple majority of those returned votes shall carry any changes proposed by the committee