Why we are incorporated

Did you know that the Tansey Park Sports Club Inc. runs and maintains the complex we play at? That the Logan Cobras Junior AFL Inc. are tenants of the sporting club? The senior footy club is a tenant too? and the cricket club is also? We are all separately incorporated. Why? Before our move to Tansey Park we were all under the one umbrella: seniors, juniors, sports club. All our revenue went into one kitty. The cricketers were tenants but ran their own budget and finances, and maybe even their own bar (not quite sure there! but thats irrelevant to what I’m getting to). Before our move to Tansey Park, the then President of the sports club advised the junior and senior football committees to incorporate separately as clubs. And that the canteen and bar facilities proceeds would go to the Sports club and The Clubs (Senior footy, Junior footy, Cricket) could apply for grants from the sports club annually. And the clubs promptly incorporated in readiness for the shift to the new Tansey Park complex.

Why incorporate? Incorporation provides relatively inexpensive protection for management committee members against the possibility of being personally responsible for the organisation’s debts and liabilities, eg- owing money and having to repay money to the local shorts manufacturer from whom we purchased shorts etc….. . Although this protection is not absolute, it does offer protection to management committee members who carry out their responsibilities in good faith and with care, diligence and skill.

So, to incorporate we needed to adopt “model rules” or guidelines as required by the Department of Fair Trading in Queensland. President of the day Hartmut (Rysh) Rhyshka, and former committee member David Rokesky were responsible for writing our constitution using the Logan City Sports Clubs’ (now known as our own “Tansey Park SportsCclub”) constitution as a guide. Our constitution is currently under revue, some very minor wordings are being altered, nothing more. It is very important that everyone is aware of how the club and committee are structured.
A copy of The Constitution is required to be in clubhouse at all times, and “Financial Members” of the club are to be permitted access to the constitution booklet at all times, if they wish to to peruse it. Which brings us to “Financial Members”…

Financial Members - According to the Junior football club’s constitution at least one parent/guardian is required to be a Financial member of the Junior club. And in addition at least one parent/guardian is required to be a financial member of the “Tansey Park Sports Club Inc.” Why the need to be a member? - As was put to us by a former Sports Club President- It gives you a voice, a say! in your club. You are able to Vote at AGM’s. For instance- A number of years ago (mid 90’s), a move was made to change the club footy jumpers to Collingwood’s black and white design. At the AGM a number of members turned out, lots of proxy votes were made too, it was rejected. I emphasize the importance of being a member. And, it makes good sense to pay a few bucks extra and include your partner. And not just for the junior football club, but also the Sports Club. It is a must, the more members we have, the more voice you have! you can have a say in matters, when there are important issues to be dealt with. And remember to read the constitution.