THE RULES OF THE LIBERAL DEMOCRAT CHRISTMAS DRAW

  1. Introduction
    1. These rules are supplemental to the Constitution of The Liberal Democrat Christmas Draw and should be read in conjunction with it.
  2. ADMINISTRATORS
    1. The policy of the Draw shall be vested in a panel of not less than four nor more than seven Administrators.
    2. Elections shall be held in March in each year for the elected members. Elected and co-opted members shall retire on 31st March in each year. The term of office shall be from 1st April to 31st March.
    3. At the first meeting after 31st January in each year, the Panel of Administrators shall appoint a chairman and shall appoint an independent examiner.
    4. Seven days notice in writing shall be given of meetings of the Panel of Administrators.
    5. For the purposes of decision making, any three voting Administrators shall form a quorum.
    6. In the event of a tie, the Chairman shall have a second and casting vote.
    7. The Administrators shall have the power to appoint paid assistant(s) for specific tasks, as they see fit.
  3. ORGANISATION
    1. The Promoter may delegate all or any of these powers to the Panel of Administrators but shall retain responsibility for ensuring that the Draw is conducted in accordance with the rules of the Gaming Board as amended from time to time.
  4. PARTICIPATION
    1. For the purpose of these Rules, an organisation shall be considered as a Participating Organisation in any year from the date of receipt of an order for books of tickets for the Draw for that year from the Participating Organisation until the last day of February in the following year.
    2. The Administrators shall have the right to refuse any such organisation’s participation in any year.
    3. No later than 15th March in each year, the Administrators shall determine the formula by which Participating Organisations shall benefit from the sale of Draw tickets in the coming year.
    4. Rule deleted(8/3/2004)
  5. SPONSORS
    1. No later than 1st February in each year, the Administrators shall agree which organisations shall be invited to be Sponsors for that year.
    2. Sponsors shall be required to make an interest free loan to the Administrators of the Draw no later than 8th March in the relevant year.
    3. All Sponsor Organisations shall receive reports of the meetings of the Panel of Administrators.
  6. BANK ACCOUNT
    1. A bank account shall be maintained which shall require the signatures of the Promoter or the Chair, and one other Administrator.
  7. DISTRIBUTION OF PROCEEDS
    1. Within one calendar month of the published date of the Draw, each Sponsor is entitled to receive a full refund of their loan.
    2. Within three calendar months of the date of the Draw, each Sponsoring organisation shall be allocated an equal share of the net proceeds of that year’s Draw after deducting payment of expenses including uninsured losses and any additional distribution agreed by the sponsors and payouts to participating organisations in accordance with the formula determined as defined in 4.3 above and to the party's national by election fund. A reserve not exceeding £250.00 may be retained each year for contingencies and administrative expenses.
  8. ANNUAL REPORT
    1. The Financial Year of the Draw shall end on the last day in February in each year.
    2. Summaries of the accounts may be made available to any Participating Organisation requesting these in writing and to The Gaming Board for Great Britain.
  9. AVAILABILITY OF RULES
    1. Copies of these Rules may be issued to any Participating Organisation, on receipt of a request in writing to the Administrators.
  10. AMENDMENTS TO RULES
    1. These Rules may be amended at any time by the Administrators. A two-thirds majority of those present and voting is required for such amendments. Amendments shall be subject to ratification by the President of the Federal Party or their nominee. Each Participating Organisation at the time shall be notified of such amendments within 14 days.
  11. EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETINGS
    1. An extraordinary general meeting of the Panel of Administrators must be held within 14 days following receipt of a written request to the Chair from at least 50% of the Sponsor Organisations.
8th March 2004