Re: Club membership and Life membership
Dear Club Members,
The purpose of this communication is to clarify the different types of Club membership available and what it entitles you to within the club and address the issue of Life Membership that took central stage at our annual Club AGM in December. The incoming committee of Ballybrown GAA Club has set a priority this year to mark and honour the support of those members living and deceased, that over the years, would have supported the club’s fundraising efforts for major projects.
In the past, there has been a series of life membership opportunities provided to club members and the new club committee has endeavoured to complete an accurate list to acknowledge those that have supported Ballybrown GAA when called upon in time of need. As you can appreciate, we are working on reports and lists that are in some cases, over 30 years old. We are acutely aware that we may in some instances, have missed out on a club member or members who generously supported our cause, should this be the case, please be assured this is a genuine mistake on our part and one that we are very happy to rectify as soon as it is brought to our attention. If you or a family member should be included in this list can you please contact the Secretary of the Club, Gerry Grififn at Secretary.ballybrown.limerick@gaa.ie by phone, 0872321774 and it will be treated with the upmost respect and urgency that it deserves.
Ballybrown GAA Club would like to again thank the many supporters of the various life membership calls; their support has been the foundation stone of so much club developments works over the years.
We have been asked on numerous occasions as to what Life Membership actually means, well firstly it means that those patrons are members of our club, they are entitled to access to the club grounds, club bar and club facilities, subject to availability, it is also our intention to mark them with a list of names that will be put up in the club for all to view. We have also been asked if it entitles the bearer to a vote, unfortunately due to a change in the GAA regulations as laid out in the current Gaelic Athletic Association Official Guide Section 2.1 (g), by which we as a Club are bound to, the following rule is in place for Voting:
“Only a Full Member who has paid his annual Club subscription by the due date set by the Executive Committee of the Club. (which shall be prior to March 31st each year) shall be eligible to vote at, nominate for, or seek election to the Executive Committee at any following General Meeting of the Club held up to and including the due date for payment of the annual Club subscription in the following Membership Year.”
These rules of the Association are adopted by Ballybrown G.A.A Club yearly.
It is also a policy of our club that any person seeking to play, coach, join committee’s etc. or act in any capacity in relation to hurling and football must pay full Adult or Family membership (whichever is applicable) to the club in order to partake in these roles, regardless of “Life Membership” status.
In relation to accessing match tickets, Full Members of the club will take priority and thereafter all other groups will be considered for the remaining available tickets if they become available.
It is our plan upon the re-opening of the clubhouse later this year subject to changes to Covid restrictions, to put a draft Life Member List up in the Club hallway, this will be for review by all, changes can be then requested through the Club secretary, the draft will be left for a period of 3 months and thereafter, we will get the final document produced and framed and mounted in the clubhouse.
The proposed Membership Categories and their Entitlements for Ballybrown GAA Club for 2021 are outlined here:
Full Member €120
For all adult players, coaches, mentors, Club officers, Club committee members, Sub-committee members and any person out of full-time education and under the age of 66 requiring full voting rights at Club AGM, Club general meetings and priority inclusion in ticket draws (subject to availability); also free message service on upcoming club events etc.
Family Membership €150
2 adults “Husband/ Wife, Partners etc.” and can include up to 2 children U-17 €150 (max €170 for 3 or more children u-17).
Full individual adult rate applies to adults without u-17 dependents in the same household, however, where a family consists of a husband/wife, partners only without children u-17, they can qualify under family membership.
Adults paying Family Membership can act as coaches, mentors, officers, Club Committee members, Sub-committee members will have full voting rights at Club AGM and priority inclusion in match ticket draws, (subject to availability); free message service on upcoming club events etc. Juveniles do not hold voting rights and do not hold priority in ticket draws.
Student Membership €70.00
This covers students over the age of 18 and older in full time education, training or apprenticeships, internships etc. Player membership, can act as coaches, mentors, officers, Club Committee members, Sub-committee members and will have full voting rights at Club AGM and priority inclusion in match ticket draws (subject to availability); free message service on upcoming club events etc.
Under 17 Membership €50.00
All Club players up to the age of 17 years– Playing membership of Juvenile and Senior club as appropriate, Under 17’s will have no voting rights and no priority in Match ticket draws (subject to availability)
Social membership €50.00
Access to club Bar and Hall facilities (subject to availability & for one off social events), no voting rights, no priority in Match ticket draws (subject to availability); free message service on upcoming club events etc. is available.
OAP membership €50.00
Those over the age of 66 years can act as coaches, mentors, Club Officers, Club Committee members, Sub-committee members, having full voting rights and priority inclusion in Match ticket draws (subject to availability); free message service on upcoming club events etc. is available.
Existing Life Members
Access to Club Bar and Hall facilities (subject to availability), no voting rights, no priority to Match ticket draws (subject to availability), however, a registration charge of €60 can be paid so that full voting rights and priority inclusion in Match ticket draws (subject to availability); free message service on upcoming club events etc. is included. This registration charge is line with the motion passed at our Club AGM in 2015.
Yours in Sport,
Ballybrown Senior Club Committee 2023