1 Name
The Association will be known as ‘The West of Ireland Offshore Racing Association’, (WIORA).
2 Objectives
WIORA will be an association for members with objectives to
Promote an annual programme of yacht racing for the West Coast of Ireland. Such racing shall be for yachts with valid racing certificates under IRC, ECHO and any other racing or rating rules as may be adopted from time to time.
Encourage and promote participation in and knowledge of racing and seamanship in ways the association may consider proper.
Encourage the study of the design and building of yachts and the navigation and sailing of same.
Help develop yacht racing including offshore within and between clubs on the west coast of Ireland by including special races in the annual programme as appropriate.
3. Participating Regions
Membership of WIORA is open to members of yacht clubs located on the west coast of Ireland ie. from Mizen Head to Malin Head, and the waters of Lough Derg and Lough Ree, and sailors from outside these areas who may wish to participate at the WIORA annual regatta.
4. Membership
All participating sailors at the WIORA annual regatta will be members of the Association. The annual subscription shall be paid before racing commences and any yacht participating with sailors who have not paid a subscription may not receive a result. The committee shall decide the annual subscription. Non- participants may also become or remain members on payment of an annual subscription. Participants who are aged under 18 years or over 65 years on the opening day of the annual regatta are exempted from paying an annual subscription.
5. Committee and Officers
The officers of WIORA will be Commodore, Hon. Secretary and Hon. Treasurer .The committee will comprise of not less than 5 other members and may not number more than 12 persons in total. Should committee positions remain unfilled or should a vacancy arise then the committee will have the power to co-opt members to serve on committee. The officers and committee will also have the power to co-opt extra non-voting members to committee for special purposes. Outside of the officers not more than 2 voting committee members will be members of any one club. Appointment of officers and committee members will be by vote at the AGM and proposals must be notified in writing or by electronic means (email or sms text), with a seconder, to the Hon. Secretary not less than 14 days before the AGM. All candidates for positions of officer or committee member must be current members of WIORA and must be proposed and seconded by current members of WIORA. The committee may appoint an Administrative Assistant who may be paid for their services to WIORA.
6. Voting Powers
In the matter of election of officers, committee members, and the proposal of any other motions at the AGM; all members who have paid a subscription for the year in which the AGM takes place may vote.
A vote shall be taken on the selection of the venue for the next annual West Coast Championships (WIORA) regatta on the following basis:
• An EGM will be held at a time chosen by the Committee during the Regatta.
• Each boat participating in the regatta will be allocated one vote
• A non-participating boat which participated in the previous year may vote.
• Participating boats may be allowed to vote by proxy but only under extreme unforseen circumstances and at the discretion of the committee.
• The venue will selected by majority vote except that any one venue cannot host The annual West Coast Championships regatta (WIORA) more than once in any three year period.
7. WIORA Colours and Insignia
The Burgee of WIORA will be a pennant with a background of St. Patrick’s Blue and overlaid with an insignia of St. Brendan’s Cross which will be of saffron in colour. The copyright of the burgee remains with the association and permission for its use may only be used at the discretion of the committee
8. Annual General Meeting
The AGM of WIORA will be held in October or November at a time and venue to be selected by the committee. Notice of the meeting will be issued 21 days in advance. Nominations for officers and committee and notice of motions (proposed and seconded by paid up members) must reach the Hon. Secretary not less than 14 days before the meeting. Seven members, comprising of members of at least three clubs shall be deemed to form a quorum.
The AGM will be chaired by the Commodore, or if absent, by an officer or committee member. The Chairman, or acting chairman will have the casting vote.
Any issue not expressly provided for by the constitution will require a change, amendment or addition to the constitution. Changes, amendments or additions to the constitution of WIORA can only be passed by a majority of two thirds of members voting acceptance at a General Meeting.
In the event of insufficient nominations for officers and or committee being received in advance then nominations may be accepted at the AGM at the discretion of the Commodore. All legal duties of the AGM will be covered at the AGM.
Notice of an AGM will be deemed to have been sent when it is distributed to the members by email.
• 9. Extraordinary General Meeting
An EGM may be called for a special purpose upon the written request, or a request submitted by electronic means (email or sms), of three committee members or ten ordinary members. The arrangements for an EGM will be the same as for an AGM.
10. Committee meetings
The Hon. Secretary will notify committee members 7 days in advance stating the business to be attended to. Four committee members where at least three are each from a different club will suffice as a quorum.
13. Auditors
The committee may appoint auditors to WIORA. In the event of auditors resigning then the committee may appoint alternative auditors in which case this appointment must be ratified at the next AGM.
14. Loans and Fundraising
The committee will have the power to raise funding for the development of the objectives of WIORA. Loans may be raised with the approval of an AGM or EGM.
15. Assets
The assets of WIORA will include trophies, it’s events and any intellectual or other property rights pertaining to names, titles, logos, insignias etc.. These assets will be vested in the Trustees of WIORA who will be the officers of the association.
16. Affiliations
WIORA will be affiliated to the ISA, ICRA and any other sailing authority or body as may be decided at a General Meeting.
17.Acceptance
This constitution has been accepted at an EGM