Downhill Only Club
Proposed Changes to
The Articles of Association
Introduction:-
Members of the Downhill Only Club will know that the Board of Directors and Main Committee embarked on a Strategic Review in the Spring of 2024. The main piece of work that has been completed over the summer months has been to review the Structures of the Board of Directors and Main Committee ensuring that they are able to deliver the future strategy of the Club taking account of the results of the survey carried out in the summer of 2024.
Membership of the Board:-
The Board of Directors, play a pivotal role in ensuring the success and longevity of the Club. The primary goal of the Board is to ensure the organization is run consistently with the best interests of those it represents.
The Board has considered the position of the Company Secretary since the retirement of Edward Perrott earlier this year.. After seeking advice, it is the Boards view that this position should be kept vacant until a suitable candidate comes forward. Until such time, a nominated Board member will include in their remit links with Companies House as and when required. Article 8.1 and Article 17.4. Where legal advice is required, the Board will seek advice of a Solicitor appointed by the Board.
In the introductory paragraph of Article 13, it previously stated that in addition to the three nominated Directors that an additional Director could be nominated from representatives of the Main Committee. With an increase in Joint meetings of the Board and Committee it is no longer felt necessary for this position to remain. It is therefore proposed to remove this position from the Board.
Main Committee:-
In reviewing the current Committee structure, it is recognized that there is a need to increase its membership acknowledging findings of the Membership Survey. These are shown in Article 15.1:-
- Lead for Youth Development – It was possible to filter the responses from our younger members or family members and this position would ensure that the views and needs of this cohort of members is addressed. In addition there is a need to increase our younger population in the club.
- Social/Events Co–ordinator – From the survey, as well as the views of members of the Board and Committee,, it is acknowledged that improvements to the co-ordination of activities is required. Climate change is already triggering changes to both the winter and summer seasons and we must embrace summer alpine potential
- Wengen Treasurer – The decision that had to be taken that the Club would no longer have a Wengen Manager for the winter seasons, led to one of the Committee members taking over the responsibility of the financial affairs transacted in Wengen. This is an important role and enables the required link between the Treasurer of the DHO and the proposed Wengen Treasurer position.
Tenure of Board and Committee members:-
It is never easy to recruit members to either the Board or Committee and in making changes to the tenure of members, job satisfaction and succession planning has been reflected in the proposed changes.
Article 14.9 and Article 15.5 refers to length of tenures of Board and Committee members. Taking account of the views of current post holders, it is proposed to make changes to the time period of positions held. This will ensure that the professional expertise of Board and Committee members is maximized.
Briefly, Article 14.9 proposes that the President will have a term of 3 years (currently 5 years) and may with agreement serve one further term of 3 years.
The tenure of the Treasurer to be increased to five years and can be offered further terms.
Vice Presidents and all other Directors to serve 3 years with the opportunity to seek a further one term of three years.
Article 15.5 proposes changes to the length of tenure of Committee Secretary, Membership Secretary, Chief of British Schoolboy’s Championships and the Wengen Treasurer to five years and that may elect to serve further terms..
The Honorary Editor, Advertising Manager and designated Leads tenure to be three years and they may serve further terms.
All other committee members tenure will be three years and they may serve one further term.
All renewals will be subject to agreement of the Board/Committee.
Additional changes:-
Article 5 provides the Mission and Vision statements which have been developed as part of the DHO strategy.
Members are asked to approve these proposed changes
Sarah Hoyle
President DHO
September 2025