The Committee have approved the following Bye-Laws:-

1.1 Name:

The body shall be called “ The Kuwait Offshore Sailing Association ”

1.2 Flag :

The flag and burgee shall consist of a white background upon which is superimposed a formalised silhouette view of a yacht in full sail

1.3 Objective:

The objective of the Kuwait Offshore Sailing Association is to encourage and promote interest in amateur offshore sailing in Kuwait .

2. Administration

2.1 Officers:

The Officers shall be comprised of: Commodore, Vice Commodore, Rear Commodore, (collectively known as the ‘Flag Officers'), Treasurer, Secretary and Social Secretary, all of whom shall be members of the Association and elected at the Annual General Meeting, and who will retire annually but shall be eligible for re-election. The term of office shall run for each calendar year from 1 January to 31 December. The retiring and elected Officers will arrange a joint Committee meeting after the AGM and prior to 31 December to effect a full and complete handover The Flag officers may not serve more than three consecutive terms of office.

Note: Should none of the above be boat owners then a boat owner shall be co-opted as an owner's representative on the main committee. He shall have no committee voting rights.

2.2 Executive Committee:

An Executive Committee consisting of the officers mentioned above will manage the general affairs of the Association . Four voting members shall form a quorum.

2.3 Substitutes :

In the event of the resignation or long-term absence of any member of the Executive Committee, the remaining committee members may appoint a substitute for the absent member on a temporary basis. The substitute shall have the same rights and responsibilities as the elected member whom he replaces This appointment shall be voted and approved by a simple majority of ratified members at the next monthly meeting. If this is not approved then an EGM must be called to elect a new Committee member. Should more than two elected members of the executive committee resign within the same year then an EGM must be called to elect the third and any subsequent replacement .

2.4 Race Committee :

The Race Committee shall consist of the Commodore, Vice Commodore and Rear Commodore and a representative of the Boat Owners.

2..5 Sub-Committees :

Sub-Committees may be formed as required to cover (for example) Social, Marketing, Boat Owners, Training. Their objectives will be set by the executive committee.

2.6  By-Laws

The Executive Committee shall have the power to make and alter by-laws from time to time to assist in the day to day administration and affairs of the association. Such by-laws shall be binding until rescinded by the Executive Committee or by the members at a General Meeting but will not alter or replace the constitution. Notice of any such by-laws shall be promptly published.

2.7 Standing Sailing Instructions :

The Race Committee shall have the power to make and alter from time to time as they may think fit, the standing sailing instructions to govern racing and sailing organised by KOSA. Alterations to the standing sailing instructions shall be promptly published.

2.8 Reference to the Executive Committee :

Matters not covered in the General Rules or any current by-laws shall be referred to the Executive Committee whose decision shall be final. However, any change to the General Rules shall only be by way of Meetings defined in 2.9 and 2.10 below.

2.9 Annual General Meeting :

2.9.1        An Annual General Meeting shall be held each year during the month of December at such time and place as the Executive Committee shall appoint. The Annual general Meeting will include (but not be limited to) the following:

a)      Any alteration to the General Rules may be proposed and voted on.

b)      The Officers will be elected for the following year

c) The schedule for the following year

 2.9.2 A simple majority having regard to valid proxy votes shall carry all resolutions. The Chairman shall have a second and casting vote in the event of a tie.

 2.9.3 The Secretary shall give 21 days notice of the time and place of such meeting.

 2.9.4 No alteration or addition shall be made to any General Rules except at a the Annual General or Extraordinary General Meeting and 7 days notice of such proposed alteration or addition shall be given

2.9.5 Not less than twenty-five (25) percent of the current paid-up members shall constitute a General Meeting.

2.10 Extraordinary General Meeting

The Secretary shall summon an Extraordinary General Meeting of the members as required to elect new officers under Section 2.3. An EGM may also be called by the Executive Committee. The specific resolution (s) to be voted on must be clearly stated. The Secretary/Treasurer shall give 14 days notice to all members of any such meeting and no resolution shall be passed unless there is a two-thirds majority.

2.10          Chairman:

The Senior Officer present shall take the Chair at all General or Executive meetings. In the event that no Officer is present, the meeting shall elect the Chairman.

2.12 Voting Rights

2.12.1 Only ratified members will have the right to vote at General Meetings and there will be only one vote per Membership Class as defined in Paragraph 3.2. A family membership is allowed one vote. Proxy votes are allowed only on specific motions and then only if in writing, signed, dated and in the hands of the Chairman at the beginning of the meeting.

2.12.2 At the commencement of the General Meeting, a count will be made of the persons present with voting rights and that count will be disclosed to the persons present. At the same time, the Chairman will disclose the number of proxy votes held by him and the matters to which those proxy votes relate

2.12.3 Where any proposal is put to the vote at any General Meeting inviting a selection from more than two alternatives, a preliminary vote will be held at the meeting between the alternatives. Those two alternatives, which receive the highest number of votes, will immediately thereafter be put to the voting members present and a choice between those two alternatives shall be made by a second final vote. Proxy votes shall be recognised for both preliminary and final votes .

3. Membership

3.1 Election of Members

Candidates for membership must be proposed and seconded by members in good standing. New members shall be ratified by a majority of the Executive Committee at the Executive meeting following the application.

3.2 Classes of Membership:

3.2.1 Ordinary Membership.

This is open to all persons interested in sailing who are resident in the State of Kuwait, or a person having previously been a member of KOSA, who wishes to continue with membership after leaving Kuwait .

3.2.2 Family Membership :

Family Membership shall be granted to Ordinary members and shall apply to the member together with his/her spouse and children under 18 years of age. This category of membership permits one vote at General Meetings.

3.2.3 Honorary Membership:

Any member who has contributed 10 years to KOSA membership fees and is resident in Kuwait may be recommended for Honorary Membership which, if granted shall be free of any membership fees.

3.2.4 Honorary Life Membership :

Honorary Life Membership shall only be granted to a person who, in the opinion of the Executive Committee, has made an outstanding contribution in promoting the sport of sailing both nationally and internationally. Such members shall have no voting or “winding up” rights under Paragraphs 2.11 and 5 of the KOSA Constitution.

3.2.5Overseas Membership :

This is open to any person who is resident outside the State of Kuwait and who has previously been a member of KOSA. Such accepted members shall have no voting or “winding up” rights under paragraphs 2.11 and 5 of the KOSA Constitution.

3.2.6Group Membership :

The committee may from time to time offer group membership on special terms where other classes of membership are not suitable e.g. for aircrew from the Al-Salem air base who are only in Kuwait for short periods. Such members shall have no voting or ”winding up” rights .

3.3 Members Bound by Rules :

No member shall vote upon any question or be entitled to the amenities of KOSA until the subscription has been paid and ratified, such payment shall be taken as a distinct acknowledgement of and acquiescence of the rules of KOSA as contained within the Constitution. A copy of the Constitution shall be made available to members on request to any member of the Executive Committee:

3.4 Expulsion of Members :

3.4.1 Should the conduct of any member be, in the opinion of the Executive Committee, or any six members of KOSA (who shall certify the same to the Executive Committee in writing), injurious to the character, interest and good order of KOSA, or should any member positively refuse to conform to any rule or to any regulation which may from time to time be made, the Executive Committee may request such a member to resign.

3.4.2 The decision of the Committee shall be final:

3.4.3 Any application to join KOSA from a member previously expelled will only be considered by the Executive Committee after a period of one year has elapsed from the date of expulsion.

3.5 Withdrawal of Membership:

Should any member wish to withdraw from KOSA, he/she should signify his/her intent in writing to the Secretary/Treasurer. Subsequent use of KOSA facilities shall constitute liability for the full subscription.

3.6 Claim :

Any member ceasing to belong to KOSA by dismissal or otherwise, shall have no claim upon any of the effects or property belonging to KOSA or any winding up rights.

4. Accounts and Financial

4.1 Accounts:

The accounts of KOSA shall be closed at the 30th November each year and audited by an auditor appointed by the Executive Committee. A Statement of Account, duly audited and covering the previous financial year shall be presented to each annual General Meeting for approval.

4.2 Annual Subscriptions :

The Annual Subscriptions shall be reviewed at the meeting prior to the end of the season in June and voted on at that time. The Committee shall submit a justification for any change at least three weeks prior to this meeting.

5. Winding Up

Should the activities of KOSA be curtailed in a manner, which makes resumption unlikely within a reasonable period, the Executive Committee shall call an Extraordinary General Meeting to dispose of the assets of the Association. Material assets shall be offered for sale initially to the members.

Financial residues from the sale together with all other monies belonging to the Association shall be disposed of at the discretion of the total current membership on a two-thirds majority-voting basis. All monies and assets so realised shall not be passed to the members but to an agreed charity or organisation solely for the support and promotion of sailing

6. Job Descriptions

The elected and appointed Officers of the Association shall perform the following functions:

6.1 Commodore:

6.1.1 The Commodore shall represent the Association at all formal and informal functions and alone shall act as spokesperson in all matters pertinent to the Association activities unless he/she otherwise delegates.

6.1.2 The Commodore shall carry out the general administrative duties required to co-ordinate and monitor the responsibilities of the other elected officers.

6.1.3        The Commodore shall be responsible for liaison with the other sailing organisations active in Kuwait and the Arabian Gulf with a view to exchange of information, awareness of policies and activities and co-ordination of programmes. However, this responsibility may be delegated in whole or in part.

6.1.4        The Commodore is to act as Public Relations Officer for the Association and shall identify and implement publicity and promotional opportunities from which KOSA may benefit.

6.1.5        The Commodore will ensure the proactive marketing of the association both internally and externally.

6.1.6        The Commodore shall be responsible for maintaining the KOSA website, a responsibility that may be delegated in whole.

6.2 Vice Commodore:

6.2.1 The Vice Commodore shall substitute for the Commodore in his absence and assist in any of the functions defined above at the request of the Commodore. 

6.2.2 The Vice Commodore shall be responsible for the overall management of the club owned boats and moorings. Deputies such as bosun, bookings officer etc. will be appointed subject to committee agreement.

6.2.3 The Vice Commodore shall be responsible for safety.

6.2.4 The Vice Commodore shall be responsible for training and shall co-ordinate the activities of the Training Committee

6.2.5 The Vice Commodore shall prepare and maintain Minutes of all meetings of the Race Committee.

6.2.6        The Vice Commodore shall be responsible for financial control for promotional, and safety functions within the budget established by the Executive Committee.

6.3 Rear Commodore

6.3.1 The Rear Commodore shall be in charge of all matters relating to regattas and racing and any other activity that may take place on the water. He will encourage and arrange all aspects of these activities .

6.3.2 The Rear Commodore shall be responsible for compiling and maintaining the Standing Sailing Instructions and also preparing the Notice of Race for each competition or series.

6.3.3 The Rear Commodore shall make available, by Email, KOSA website posting, or by fax , the results of every race to all members as soon as possible after each race and not later than the next race.

6.3.4 The Rear Commodore shall maintain and make available to the members through the KOSA website race results summaries showing the series positions in all race series in progress.

6.3.5 The Rear Commodore shall be the CHS Co-ordinator for KOSA

6.3.6 The Rear Commodore shall be responsible for financial control of the racing functions within the budget established by the Executive Committee.

6.4 Treasurer:

6.4.1 Treasurer shall be responsible for preparation of a budget at the commencement of each year for submission, amendment and acceptance by the Executive Committee, and the Treasurer shall be responsible for controlling the financial affairs within the budget, so far as is reasonably practical.

6.4.2 The Treasurer shall operate the financial accounts of KOSA as authorised by the Executive committee and shall be responsible for preparing the annual accounts for submission to auditors as required by the Constitution. Further, the Treasurer shall ensure the account is co-signed at the bank for full access rights with another committee member, whose date of departure from Kuwait does not coincide with his/her own, such member to be selected by the Treasurer and assigned by the committee itself. In the event the co-signer must gain access to the accounts, a report with transaction slips will be submitted to the committee and the Treasurer

6.4.3 The Treasurer shall establish and maintain an Asset Register detailing the fixed and moveable assets of KOSA and shall maintain a record showing distribution of those assets.

6.4.4        The Treasurer shall prepare a brief financial statement to be submitted in writing at each Committee Meeting and to form part of the Minutes of that meeting.

6.4.5        The Treasurer shall be responsible for maintaining an up-to-date register of all paid-up members.

6.4.6        The Treasurer shall be responsible for the collection of subscriptions and the issue of Membership Cards.

6.4.7        The Treasurer, given due notice, shall make sufficient club funds available in advance of any club activity to cover the cost of the event. After such an event, the Treasurer shall collect all pertinent receipts, invoices and remaining funds to update the accounts.

6.5 Secretary :

6.5.1 The Secretary shall attend all committees and club meetings. In the event of his absence the senior executive officer present will nominate a substitute.

6.5.2        The Secretary shall keep correct minutes of the proceedings of executive committee meetings and shall maintain them in a file which shall be made available, with reasonable notice, to any member and which shall also be produced at any General Meeting.

6.5.3        The Secretary shall be responsible for communication to members of all relevant information , including notice of meetings .

6.6 Social Secretary:

6.6.1 The Social Secretary will be responsible for all social arrangements. 

6.6.2 The Social Secretary shall convene and co-ordinate the activities of Social Sub-Committees as required.

7. Annual Subscriptions

7.1 Membership Fee :

The Membership Fee is KD25 per individual or KD40 per family except for Overseas Membership which shall be KD10.

7.2 Due Date

Subscriptions shall be payable on the 1st September of each year. Any member failing to pay the Annual Subscription by the AGM . This fee shall be reduced by ½ after 1 March .

8. Monthly Meetings and the KOSA Programme

Meetings will be held on the first Tuesday of each month throughout the season, October to June. Changes may be made in the event of a conflict with Eid holidays or for the AGM, which will replace the December Meeting. The KOSA programme will be announced at the October meeting for at least three months in advance. Thereafter, it will be updated at each subsequent meeting as necessary. The KOSA Website will be regularly updated to keep the membership informed.

8.1 Notice of Meeting

Where the Executive Committee is required to publish notice of meetings then it shall be sufficient to announce this at a monthly meeting and e-mail all members. Members who wish to have fax notification should inform the Secretary who will arrange this.

9. Amendment to Sailing Instructions or Introduction of By-Laws .

Any amendment to Sailing Instructions or the introduction of any By-laws shall be published as in 8.1 above. Any amendment to the Sailing Instructions shall be issued in writing at the next pre-race briefing.

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