Norfolk Ladies County Golf Association
Incorporation
As previously advised, the Norfolk Ladies’ County Golf Association (NLCGA) is proposing to incorporate in order to future-proof the organisation and ensure its continued strength and stability.
England Golf encourages all County Associations and Unions to incorporate to secure legal and financial protection. Many counties have now incorporated; of which Norfolk will be the last Association in the East to take this step.
Currently, as an association, the executive are personally responsible and liable for the actions and legal consequences of anything that the County Association does.
Becoming incorporated protects the individuals, will make it easier to attract new volunteers to run the county, provide a more robust governance structure, and create an independent entity separate from individual members.
A Q&A outlining what is being proposed may be found below.
What are the generic differences between an incorporated company and an association?
An incorporated company has:
Limited liability - current and future members and committee are protected. If the association owes money or gets sued, the individuals aren’t personally responsible (beyond what they’ve agreed to contribute).
Legal status - everything is done in the company’s name rather than that of the individuals.
Continuity - it keeps going even if members or leaders change.
Credibility and funding - incorporated companies are often taken more seriously by funders, partners, and government bodies.
What are the key changes for Norfolk Ladies becoming incorporated
NLCGA will be registered at Companies House and become a Ltd company.
Statutory accounts, annual financial statement will be submitted to company house.
The current Rules of the Association become Articles and Regulations become Rules.
These documents are written using templates provided by England Golf and then proofed by our own lawyer.
The Executive Committee will become the Board of Directors.
Club Delegate role will become the Voting Member role, three general meetings a year will be held (replacing delegates meetings) for them to attend where they will be required to vote on behalf of their club on all county policies, including affiliation fees, board appointments etc.
There will be one vote per club making this a fairer process rather than who/how many people attend from a club at the AGM.
An AGM will still take place and be open to all affiliated playing members.
Are there any other changes being made?
Introduction of two new roles to the board (executive):
Governance Director for greater focus on regulations, policies and procedures.
Chair of the board to be a specific role to provide leadership and strategic focus.
Elected member role, will become an Elected Director. The applicants will need to be willing to contribute time to projects and be interested in taking up one of the working roles when they are more familiar with the organisation.
Moving of a couple of roles off the board (executive):
The Second Team captain will move to the sub- committee Teams & Training which is led by the County Captain
The Handicap Advisor will become an officer of the company so does not have a seat on the board.
We are also proposing to change the organisation name from
Norfolk Ladies’ Golf to Norfolk Women’s Golf which brings a move towards greater respect and equality and is in line with England Golf and Sport England.
Clubs become the voting member
Nominate an individual to vote their behalf at general meetings.
This replaces the Delegate role.
How have you gone about it?
Following the England Golf guidance and support documents we have:
COMPLETED
Executive Committee agree to pursue in the best interests of NLCGA.
Advised members through communication to their Captains and Delegates of our intent to incorporate.
Set up steering group to lead the process.
Develop new Rules and proposed Articles, using England Golf legally prepared templates, consulted with other counties who have gone through the process and gained support from England Golf Regional Manager.
Agreement from Executive to proceed with these.
IN PROGRESS
Sourcing of a local legal company to proofread the Articles and Rules.
NEXT STEPS
Share documents with clubs and to call a consultation meeting so that members (the clubs) will have a chance to review and raise questions.
Call an EGM to vote on the proposal.
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