General principles
Nottinghamshire CCC’s membership consists of individuals from a diverse range of communities, united by a love of cricket and for our club.
It is vital that the club’s proposed new board listens to its supporters, which is why a strong, vibrant and representative Members’ Committee is crucial. The General Committee wishes the Members’ Committee to be an effective conduit between the membership and the board and a voice that is important in the decision-making process within the Club.
The Members’ Committee will not overlap with or replace the club’s current sub-committee structure.
It will be predominantly advisory in nature but could hold decision-making authority in specific areas.
It will have terms of reference, designed collaboratively by the Governance Working Group and members. It would maintain formal agendas and minutes.
The club wants to hear from people representing the full range of communities that it serves, including those who can speak confidently on behalf of young people, women and the numerous ethnic and cultural groups that make up Nottinghamshire.
The club is actively seeking new ideas and perspectives.
The aims of the Members’ Committee are:
• Ensure that the views of members are heard and considered by the proposed new board, which will have overall responsibility for the governance of the Club and its business.
• Safeguard and promote the vision and culture of the club.
• Protect, preserve and celebrate the history and tradition of Nottinghamshire CCC.
• Protect, maintain and, where appropriate, develop ideas and make suggestions to improve members’ rights, facilities and benefits.
Constitution
The structure proposed by the General Committee is that the Members’ Committee could have eight elected members who would have a duty to act in the best interests of the club and in accordance with the club’s Constitution.
The elected members of the Members’ Committee would be elected at the club’s AGM. They would initially be appointed for a three- year term, renewable for two further terms, consistent with those for the proposed new Board (serving a maximum 9-year term, with time served on the current General Committee counting towards that).
In addition, two non-executive directors (NEDs) from the club’s proposed new Board would be members of the Members’ Committee. One of those NEDs would be a member-elected member of the Board, and the other an appointed member of the Board. One of these would act as Chair of the Members’ Committee.
The function of the Members’ Committee is to be the mechanism by which the views of members of the Club are promoted and represented and their interests taken into account, and this would be set out in the Club Rules. The Members’ Committee would operate along the lines of collective responsibility and this, too, would be enshrined in the Rules.
Exclusions
The Members’ Committee is not a sub-committee of the Board;
There would be no power to make any decision on behalf of the club apart from where specific decision-making responsibility is agreed in the terms of reference;
There would be no power to change or override any decision of the Board or the Executive.
Obligations
Members of the Committee will be expected to attend regular meetings and to observe and promote the Club’s values, which are as set out in the Club’s EDI strategy.
Rights
The right to be consulted when strategic plans for the club are being developed or reviewed.
The right to be consulted by the Board before any change is made to membership categories or the member experience.
Members’ Committee Design questions:
The right for members to form a Members Committee will be set out in the Rules, along with details on how it is constituted, exclusions, obligations and rights.
Questions which we would like members to consider in the formation of these rules include:
· What eligibility criteria should we put in place for the right to stand for election to the Members’ Committee?
· Should the need to ensure those on the Members’ Committee bring the necessary skills and experience be enshrined in the rules?
· Is there a role for the Nominations Panel in the election process?
· Should the Club Rules include details on how an individual may become ineligible to sit on the Members’ Committee (such as by ceasing to be a member, not attending meetings, being disqualified as a director etc)
· Should the Rules set out how the Chair of the Members’ Committee is appointed, and their term length?
· Should the Rules include a conflict-of-interest Rule for the Members’ Committee?
· Assuming that the Club Rules include the details of how the Members’ Committee is constituted, and any exclusions, obligations and rights, what areas need to be covered by the terms of reference?
· What should the Terms of Reference include as key duties for the Members’ Committee?
· What attendance level will establish a quorate meeting?
· How will voting rights be determined, and what will the threshold for a decision-making majority be?
· Should the detailed terms of reference sit outside of the Rules, at least in the early stages of the existence of the Members’ Committee to allow for flexibility and learning?