Members Club

colbee

Hi,
Not sure if this is the right board for this, or even if it is a suitable question for MSE.
I belong to a members club (sometimes referred to as a working men's club although there are male & female members)which is incorporated under the Friendly Societies Act and the Industrial & Provident Societies Act.
Membership is renewable each January. Failure to renew leads to being barred from the premises for 12 months and the incurrence of a 'new member' fee as well as the standard membership fee at any subsequent membership application.
The names and addresses of members who fail to renew are published under the heading 'Defaulters' and displayed on club noticeboards which has, on occasion, inadvertently led to a deceased person being named as a defaulter.
Club officers say that the defaulters list is a legal requirement 'under the legislation', but I have my doubts.
Does anyone have any expertise in this area?

DVardysShadow

You need a fuller explanation, but I think it would be along the lines of a requirement to notify anyone whose membership is about to lapse, so they have an opportunity to remain in membership. This will stop officers gerrymandering by not informing some members, in the hope that their membership runs out, thus enabling them to painlessly expel people whom they dislike.

In your case, I don't think it is a legal requirement to do it the way you describe, it is probably how they have chosen to fulfill a legal requirement. It looks spiteful, but it does seem to spring from a sound requirement to manage affairs properly.

I suggest you ask for a copy of the constitution and the rules of your club, to research further.

colbee

DVardysShadow wrote: »

You need a fuller explanation, but I think it would be along the lines of a requirement to notify anyone whose membership is about to lapse, so they have an opportunity to remain in membership. This will stop officers gerrymandering by not informing some members, in the hope that their membership runs out, thus enabling them to painlessly expel people whom they dislike.

In your case, I don't think it is a legal requirement to do it the way you describe, it is probably how they have chosen to fulfill a legal requirement. It looks spiteful, but it does seem to spring from a sound requirement to manage affairs properly.

I suggest you ask for a copy of the constitution and the rules of your club, to research further.

Thanks,
I take your point and agree that more research is called for.