ICCA Constitution

2 The objectives of the International Cadet Class Association are:
2.1 To administer the International Cadet Class in accordance with ISAF requirements and to maintain the class rules.
2.2 To promote the Cadet dinghy and National Cadet Class Associations internationally.
2.3 To support and defend the interests of sailors and/or sport associations owning the Cadet.
2.4 To establish Guidelines for the International Cadet Class World and Continental Championships and determine where these championships shall be held.
2.5 To supervise and license Cadet boat-builders all over the world to maintain the Cadet as a one design dinghy.

3. Terms and Definitions
3.1 “ICCA” shall mean the International Cadet Class Association.
3.2 “EXCOM” shall mean the Executive Committee of the ICCA, (consisting of duly elected and any co-opted members).
3.3 “NCCA” shall mean National Cadet Class Associations recognised by the General Assembly.
3.4 “The Class” shall mean the class of sailing dinghies originally designed by Jack Holt and known as International Cadets.
3.5 “The Officers” shall mean the Chairman, Vice-Chairmen, Executive Secretary, Treasurer and Class Chief Measurer.

4. Structure
4.1 The Class is recognised by ISAF as a self administered International Class.
4.2 The Association shall consist of the National Cadet Class Associations, the General Assembly and the Executive Committee (EXCOM).
4.3 The General Assembly shall consist of one Representative appointed by each NCCA who shall each have one vote, and the members of the EXCOM and the Officers of Honour, who shall have no vote.
4.4 The NCCAs shall be responsible to the EXCOM for the organisation and promotion of the Class in their respective countries.
4.5 The EXCOM shall take all reasonable steps to develop Cadet sailing in any country not having a NCCA or other recognised organising body.
4.6 The Association shall be based in the United Kingdom and the official language shall be English.

5. Management
5.1 The affairs of the ICCA shall be managed by the EXCOM.
5.2 The EXCOM shall consist of not less than 7, and not more than 14 members including the Officers. The members of EXCOM shall be elected for a term of three years at the Annual General Meeting of the ICCA General Assembly. The Officers of EXCOM shall be appointed by EXCOM.
5.3 Each elected member of EXCOM shall have one vote. There shall be a maximum of three voting members from any one Country.
5.4 The EXCOM shall have powers to co-opt any persons to assist it, whether a Member of a National Association or not, but such persons shall have no vote in EXCOM.
5.5 No member shall serve on the EXCOM as an elected Member for more than nine years, at the end of which period they shall retire, but shall be eligible for re-election after an interval of one year, and may be co-opted at any time.
5.6 The EXCOM may fill a vacancy arising on the EXCOM unless the total number of EXCOM Members has dropped below seven when it shall appoint enough members to bring the total number of EXCOM Members to at least seven. Any members appointed to fill vacancies shall remain in office until the following AGM, and shall have voting rights.
5.7. The EXCOM shall appoint and fix any remuneration of the Executive Secretary and of all such other staff as may in its opinion be necessary, and has the power to delegate the management and secretarial duties of the Association under its control.
5.8. The EXCOM shall appoint up to four Vice-chairmen. One shall be the Chairman of the Technical Committee, one shall be responsible for international events, one shall be responsible for Public Relations and one shall have special responsibilities as laid down from time to time by EXCOM.
5.9. The EXCOM shall appoint a Technical Committee to consist of a Chairman, the Class Chief Measurer and no more than 2 other persons. The remaining members may be appointed ad hoc by the chairman subject to the approval of EXCOM. The committee shall report annually to the AGM of the General Assembly.
5.10. The EXCOM may appoint such further special or standing Sub-Committees as may be deemed necessary by the EXCOM and shall determine their terms of reference, powers, duration and composition. All acts and proceedings of such special or standing Committees shall be reported back to the EXCOM as soon as possible.
5.11. All correspondence with the EXCOM of the ICCA shall be in English and shall be conducted through the Executive Secretary.
5.12. At meetings of the EXCOM four members shall form a quorum and resolutions shall be passed by a simple majority vote of all voting members taking part in the meeting. The Chairman shall also have a casting vote.
5.13. The EXCOM is authorised to utilise for meetings electronic communications providing all participants can hear and participate in all communications.
5.14. If any member of the EXCOM does not attend four consecutive EXCOM meetings then in the absence of a satisfactory explanation to the EXCOM, which they find acceptable, they shall be deemed to have resigned from the EXCOM if so resolved by the EXCOM.

6. Power of the EXCOM
Subject to the provision of these rules, and in particular to the objects of the ICCA as expressed in Para 2, the EXCOM shall be empowered to perform all functions of management and administration. The making of payments and receipt of monies shall be validly evidenced only by the signature of the Treasurer (or his Deputy) and payments of monies exceeding the sum of €400.00 shall require the signature of any two of the following: the Chairman, the Executive Secretary or the Treasurer.

7. Conduct of Meetings of the ICCA General Assembly
7.1. The AGM shall be held annually at the World Championships unless it was agreed at the previous World Championships that it should be held elsewhere.
7.2. The meeting shall be chaired by the Chairman of EXCOM. If the Chairman is not present, the meeting shall elect a Chairman from the members present.
7.3. A Special General Meeting shall be called within eight weeks by the Chairman or by the Executive Secretary upon receipt of a written request by not less than one third of the members of the General Assembly.
7.4. At least six weeks written notice shall be given to all members of the General Assembly of any General Meeting including its Agenda.
7.5. The Agenda shall include:
7.5.1. Report from the Chairman
7.5.2. Report from the Technical Committee
7.5.3. Presentation and acceptance of the annual accounts (AGM only).
7.5.4. To agree the dues from NCCAs and the cost of Boat Plaques and Sail Labels (AGM only).
7.5.5. Proposals from the Executive Committee
7.5.6. Proposals from the Technical Committee
7.5.7. Proposals from the NCCAs which must be submitted at least eight weeks before the General Assembly date.
7.5.8. To agree the venue for the International Cadet Class World and Continental championships two years ahead, and confirm the venue and dates for these championships one year ahead.
7.5.9. Information from ISAF meetings.
7.5.10. Election of Members of the Executive Committee
7.6. At any General Meeting discussions shall be invited on matters on the Agenda and shall be carried by a simple majority vote of members or their proxies. Votes shall be by a show of hands unless a poll is demanded by not fewer than four of the members present. If there is a tied vote the status quo shall prevail.
7.7. If matters not on the Agenda are discussed and voted upon, they shall be carried only if two thirds of those present and entitled to vote at the meeting support the proposal.
7.8. Decisions on proposals to change the Class Rules and Regulations made at General Meetings are not binding as they are subject to the provisions of Para 12
7.9. At any General Meeting of the General Assembly one third of the voting members shall form a quorum.

8. Financial Matters
8.1. The association shall be funded by:
8.1.1. Dues from NCCAs.
8.1.2. Profit on the sale of ISAF Plaques.
8.1.3. Profit on the sale of Sail Labels.
8.1.4. A share of the Entrance Fee of World and Continental Championships, negotiated between the EXCOM and the Organisers of the event.
8.1.5. Any other revenue negotiated and accepted by the Executive Committee.
8.2. The ICCA financial year shall run from 1st January to 31st December.
8.3. NCCA dues shall be paid annually, on or before the 30th June, by each NCCA to the Treasurer.
8.4. Members of any NCCA whose dues are unpaid by the first day of the World Championships shall not be allowed to compete.
8.5. Representatives of any NCCA whose dues are unpaid at the date of General Meeting shall have no vote.

9. Accounts
9.1 The EXCOM shall cause true accounts to be kept giving full particulars of:
9.1.1. All monies, assets and liabilities of the ICCA
9.1.2. All monies received and expended by the ICCA and the reasons for such receipt and expenditure.
9.1.3. All sales and purchases by the ICCA.
9.2. The EXCOM shall cause the annual financial statement to be prepared and sent out with the Agenda for every Annual General Meeting of the General Assembly of the ICCA.
9.3. The EXCOM shall appoint an Auditor who shall certify the annual financial statement.

10. Jurisdiction
10.1 Subject to the regulations of ISAF for Self Administered International Classes, the General Assembly shall have jurisdiction over all matters relating to the International Cadet One Design Boat and Class Sailing.
10.2 The Class Rules and Measurement Regulations shall be accepted as binding on all NCCAs and their members.
10.3 NCCAs are responsible for the administration of the Class in their own countries. Their adopted Articles of Association or Constitution shall be approved by the ICCA when the NCCA is recognised, and any variation required shall be submitted to EXCOM for approval in the light of this Constitution, the Class Rules & Regulations and ISAF Rules and Regulations.
10.4 All Cadet Class boats shall conform to the current rules and regulations.
10.4 The EXCOM shall be responsible for reviewing this Constitution, the Class Rules and Measurement Regulations and proposing changes to the General Assembly.

11. International Championships
11.1 The EXCOM shall be the responsible body for the promotion and organisation of the World Championships and other International Events and shall publish guidelines including Standard Sailing Instructions for such events.
11.2 Organisations which wish to run approved events must follow the guidelines and the detailed program and Sailing Instructions must be approved by EXCOM at least 3 months before the Event.

12. Class Rules and Regulations
12.1 Proposals to change the Class Rules and Regulations shall be submitted to the Executive Secretary by NCCAs by 1st April each year.
12.2 The Executive Secretary shall circulate the rule changes proposed by NCCAs, the Technical Committee and EXCOM to all the NCCA Secretaries by 1st June each year together with comments and a recommendation on each proposal from the Technical Committee.
12.3 Each NCCA Secretary shall ensure that the Executive Secretary receives their Association’s vote on each proposal by 7th August each year.
12.4 For a proposal to be carried it must be supported by two thirds of the votes cast.
12.5 The Executive Secretary shall publish the result of each vote, including the names of all Associations who voted for or against each proposal by 1st October each year, preferably on the class website.
12.6 Approved changes to the Class Rules and Regulations shall be submitted to ISAF for ratification before their adoption, as required by the regulations of ISAF.

13. Squadrons
13.1 Where three or more International Cadet dinghies exist in a locality a Squadron may be formed, if approved and accepted by the NCCA or ICCA.
13.2 A Squadron Captain shall be appointed annually by the Club or institution to which the Squadron is attached. The Squadron Captain shall be responsible for the organisation and administration of the Squadron in accordance with the Articles of Association, rules, regulations and bye-laws of the Class. The Squadron may if it wishes appoint a deputy Squadron Captain.
13.3 A Measurer shall be appointed to each Squadron. Measurers shall be persons approved and appointed by the NCCA or appointed by ISAF or the National Authority. No person under 18 years of age shall be appointed a measurer.
13.4. On formation in accordance with paragraphs 13.1 to 13.3 above, a new Squadron shall be granted a Charter and consecutive number on application to the EXCOM through the NCCA.
13.5 A Squadron within a yacht club may append to the Squadron number the name of the club in parenthesis e.g. 2 Squadron (Barnt Green Sailing Club).
13.6 A Squadron may be suspended or removed only by a simple majority vote of EXCOM on the recommendation of the respective NCCA. A representative appointed by the Squadron shall be given the opportunity to present their case to EXCOM before a vote is taken.
13.7 Squadrons may be combined to form Fleets within a NCCA where it is desirable to do so for geographical or other administrative reasons. NCCAs may choose the administrative structure which best suits the operation of its Fleets.

14 National Associations
14.1. Application may be made to the Executive Secretary for International recognition of their National Association by the General Assembly from any Country where Cadets are sailed.
14.2. Each application to the Executive Secretary for recognition shall include a copy of their Class Association’s Articles of Association or Constitution.
14.3. Each NCCA shall appoint a member as Secretary who shall be the only official channel of communication and whose address shall be the official address of that NCCA until the Executive Secretary is advised, in writing, by that NCCA of any change of member and/or address.
14.4. Each NCCA shall be bound by this Constitution, and duly enacted amendments thereto and shall comply with all resolutions and regulations made in accordance with this Constitution. NCCAs shall use their best endeavours to ensure that individual members also comply with such resolutions and directions.
14.5. Each NCCA shall submit an annual report to the Executive Secretary by 31st March each year listing the major events of the previous 12 months, the number of boats attending each, the results, the number of members of their Association and the name and address of the Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and Measurer.
14.6. Each NCCA shall appoint a representative to the ICCA General Assembly annually.
14.7. NCCAs may be suspended or removed only by a simple majority vote by the General Assembly. The NCCA representative shall be given the opportunity to present its case to the Assembly before a vote is taken.

15. Technical Committee The role of the Technical Committee is to:
15.1. Study the International Cadet Class Rules, measurement diagrams and measurements regulations.
15.2. Examine any proposal from a NCCA for amendments or interpretations.
15.3. Maintain close liaison with ISAF and request interpretations from ISAF as considered advisable.
15.4. Make proposals to the General Assembly after consultation with the EXCOM.
15.5. Comment and make a recommendation on any proposed Rule changes to the General Assembly.
15.6. Prescribe procedures for measurement during the International Cadet Class events and to act as the authority on any issue as to the interpretation or application of the Class Rules under ISAF RRS Rule 64.3(b)
15.7. Work with ISAF to support licensed builders.

16. Officers of Honour
16.1. The General Assembly may, as a mark of respect or appreciation for past services to the International Cadet Class Association, elect any distinguished person from the Cadet World to an Office of Honour.
16.2. Officers of Honour may include that of President of Honour, Vice-President of Honour, or such title of Honour as the General Assembly may at the time of the election prescribe.
16.3. Unless otherwise prescribed by the General Assembly at the time of election a person elected to an Office of Honour shall hold such an Office for the remainder of his/her life.
16.4. An Officer of Honour shall be entitled to attend and to participate in the deliberations of the General Assembly, but shall not be entitled to vote.

17. Right to Property
17.1. Members may use ICCA property but may not knowingly remove, injure, destroy or damage any Association property and shall make restitution of the same or pay the reasonable costs of hire, replacement or repair if so directed by the EXCOM.
17.2. Any member who ceases to be a member of the Association shall forfeit any and all rights and claims upon the Assets of the Association.

18. Dissolution
18.1. If at any general meeting of the General Assembly a resolution for the dissolution of the ICCA shall be passed by two thirds of the members present entitled to vote and at a special general meeting held not less than eight weeks thereafter and not less than six weeks after a written notice shall have been posted to each NCCA, that resolution shall be confirmed by a resolution passed by two thirds of members present entitled to vote, the EXCOM shall thereupon, or at such future date as shall be specified in such a resolution, proceed to realise the assets of the Association and after the discharge of all liabilities shall distribute the assets as directed by the general meeting, and upon completion of such distribution the Association shall be dissolved

19. Proper Law and Jurisdiction
19.1 The proper law of the ICCA shall be English law and this Constitution shall be construed, take effect and be enforced accordingly.
19.2 The decision of the EXCOM shall be final in matters of the management of the Association and only if the actions or decisions of the EXCOM are disputed formally in writing by any NCCA or group of NCCAs shall a decision be reviewed, in which case it shall be subject to the decision of the General Assembly. The decision of the General Assembly shall be final, subject to the judgement of a court of proper jurisdiction in the circumstances applying English law as provided in Article 19.1.

Signed: William Sudell, Chairman.
Date: September 2003