Getting Started 

The RYA is here to help Clubs and Associations get started and continue to develop.

Formation:

It is advised that interested persons should get in touch with the RYA Regional Association in the area for help and advice. The address of the RYA Regional Representative may be obtained from the Clubs and Associations Contacts section of RYA website.

A club, being an unincorporated association, is easily established and can be, depending on the terms of the constitution, easily disbanded. Usually a small group of people wishing to form a new club meets together, calling a public meeting for the purpose of electing a Steering Committee. The public meeting should be given the widest possible publicity, being open to all individuals, clubs and other bodies. The Steering Committee should be elected in a democratic manner.

It is recommended that the classes to be sailed by the proposed club should be resolved later, when there will have been time for the Steering Committee to have made the necessary enquiries.

Membership of Steering Committee:

Membership of the Steering Committee should not exceed ten persons. If leasing of water is contemplated then a representative of the landlord should be invited to sit on the Steering Committee.

Before proceeding to the election of the Steering Committee it should be emphasised at the public meeting that all candidates should be experienced in the sport, and prepared to undertake a considerable amount of work. Local organisations with knowledge of boats and sailing can normally provide persons for the Steering Committee, but it should be made clear that once elected to the Steering Committee those persons no longer represent that local organisation.

It is important that all members of the Steering Committee should be free to act and advise in what they consider to be the best interests of the new club, and should not be inhibited by their loyalty or interest in another body. Some internal disagreement cannot be avoided in these early stages.

Terms of Reference of Steering Committee:

The basic terms of reference for the Steering Committee should be to negotiate with owners of water (where inland) and land giving access to water (beach) in order to establish sailing rights. Draft agreements should be prepared for submission to and approval by a second public meeting, when the club will be formally established, the Flag Officers and committee can be elected and the Steering Committee disbanded.

The Steering Committee should,
(a) Draft a club constitution including subscription rates for adult and junior members, a model for which is in this section. The constitution is the most important part of the club's organisation and should be carefully prepared to take in all foreseeable eventualities.
(b) Prepare a provisional list of members with a record of boats owned.
(c) Recommend classes bearing in mind boats owned by provisional members.
(d) Prepare a list of necessary shore facilities.
(e) Draft an agreement with the owners of the water or the owners of land giving access to water, where appropriate, covering sailing rights and shore facilities.
(f) Prepare plans for onshore facilities and financial arrangements for their provision.
(g) Draft bye-laws for approval by the owners of the water or land to which the club members will be subject.
(h) Investigate the possibility of loans and grants from local authorities and other sources.
(i) Consider a provision for the affiliation to the club of schools, disabled and sea scout sailing sections.
(j) Enable the maximum possible exploitation of facilities by schools, disabled and sea scout sections, particularly during week days; it is important that a club should avoid making any agreement limiting the maximum number of boats owned by its members. Any agreement, if at all, should be based on the maximum number of boats on the water at any one time, if the owner of the water insists on such a provision.

Second Public Meeting:

Having drafted a constitution to suit the embryonic club, the Steering Committee should call a second public meeting, at which the accuracy of the draft constitution should be carefully considered and it be ensured that all local conditions are covered.

All potential members should be invited to the second public meeting and invited to adopt the constitution. Those adopting the constitution become members of the club and those who do not adopt the constitution will not become members of the club.

From those adopting the constitution must be elected the committee and flag officers of the club as provided for in the constitution. The Steering Committee can then be dissolved.

Sole use of reservoirs for sailing or powerboating:

On inland waters such as reservoirs, it is best practice that not more than one club should be formed with direct responsibilities to the owners of the water, thereby ensuring adequate discipline relating to regulations and maximum use of the facility not lost through competition.

The RYA appreciates that sole recreational rights can be desirable but nevertheless wishes to emphasis that they are not essential. The interests of recreational activities other than sailing should be taken into account. One advantage of sharing a water area is that non-exclusive use cannot give rise to a charge for rates.

The RYA Council recognises that no recreational interest is more or less entitled than any other to the limited recreational facilities which may be available .

If you require further assistance please do not hesitate to contact the Legal Team Tel:  0844 5569519  Email: legal@rya.org.uk.