Royal Air Force Fencing Union
General Rules
1. The Union shall be called the Royal Air Force Fencing Union, hereinafter called the Union.
Objects
2. The primary objects of the Union shall be to promote the efficiency of the RAF by providing an opportunity of taking part in fencing, thereby encouraging physical fitness among its members. In order to attain such primary object the subsidiary objects of the Union shall be:
a. Encouraging and raising the standard of fencing in the Royal Air Force.
b. Advising Commanders-in-Chief on matters concerning fencing.
c. Promoting and arranging Royal Air Force championships and representative matches.
d. Selecting Royal Air Force teams for the Inter-Service and other representative matches.
e. To act as the central body for control and appeal within the Royal Air Force.
3. In the event of the Union be dissolved, surplus assets will be returned to the RAF Central Fund.
Membership
4. Full Membership. Full membership is open to:
a. All serving members of the Royal Air Force.
b. Members of other Armed Forces of the Crown serving with the RAF.
c. Personnel of Commonwealth and Allied Forces serving under RAF command.
5. Associate Membership. Associate membership is open to:
a. Members of other Armed Forces of the Crown not serving with the RAF.
b. Members of the Reserve Forces of the RAF, University Air Squadrons and Combined Cadet Force (Air Element).
c. Ex-Service personnel of the Armed Forces of the Crown.
d. Service Dependents.
e. Personnel of Commonwealth and Allied Forces serving under the command of other Armed Forces of the Crown.
f. Civilians who offer their services as instructors or who provide specialist advice and equipment for general use.
6. Associate Membership Rights
a. Associate members have no voting rights.
b. With the exception of Service dependents and Reserve Forces on full time contracts, civilians’ subscriptions and other charges are to be higher than those for full members.
c. Associate members must be in the minority in the Association.
Officials
7. President. A president is appointed by the Director of the RAF Sports Board (DSB(RAF)) on the advice of interested parties including the outgoing President and Chairman.
8. Vice-President. Vice-Presidents and Life Vice-Presidents may be elected by members at an Annual General Meeting (AGM).
9. Chairman. A Chairman is appointed by (DSB(RAF)) on the advice of interested parties including the President and the outgoing chairman. The Chairman shall take the chair at the AGM and at Executive Meetings (ECM). In the case of an equal vote at these meetings, the Chairman shall have the casting vote.
10. Honorary Members. Honorary members may be elected by the AGM. Serving members are not eligible for honorary membership. Honorary members have no vote.
Annual General Meeting
11. An AGM shall be called by the Chairman annually and the agenda published 4 weeks before the meeting. All self-accounting Units in the UK shall be eligible to send one representative to the meeting. A quorum for the AGM is 10 participants.
12. The AGM shall elect an executive committee comprising the following members:
a. Deputy Chairman.
b. Honorary Secretary.
c. Honorary Treasurer.
d. Captain of RAF Fencing.
e. Vice-Captain of RAF Fencing.
f. Honorary Match Secretary.
g. RAFW Representative.
h. Director of Combats.
i. Armourer.
j. Training member.
k. Juniors Member (Male).
l. Juniors Member (Female).
m. Representative from each Command at Home.
Note: The posts of Captain and Vice-Captain of RAF Fencing may be held concurrently with one of the other posts.
13. Co-opted Members. Personnel may be co-opted to assist the Executive Committee as required. Co-opted members who are deputy office holders must be elected by the AGM.
14. Committee. The government and direction of the RAFFU is vested in the Executive Committee. The day-to-day management of RAFFU affairs is delegated by the Executive Committee to the Management Committee and the Selection Committee.
15. Responsibilities of the Committees. The composition and responsibilities of the Committees are as follows:
a. Executive Committee. The Executive Committee will meet at least twice per year to discuss ongoing business and develop policy. A quorum shall be 6 members.
b. Management Committee. The Management Committee is responsible to the Executive Committee for the day-to-day affairs of the RAFFU. The Committee will meet at least twice per year, more if required by the Chairman. The Committee consists of:
(1) Chairman.
(2) Women's Representative.
(3) Honorary Treasurer.
(4) Honorary Secretary.
(5) Captain of RAF Fencing.
c. Selection Committee. The Selection Committee is responsible to the Management Committee for the selection of teams to represent the Royal Air Force. The Committee is chaired by the Captain of RAF Fencing. Two other members will be selected at the AGM such that there is at least one officer and one airman on the committee. The Women's Captain is co-opted for the selection of the RAF Women's Team.
16. Extraordinary Meetings. The Executive or Management Committee may convene an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) when necessary. A written notice together with a copy of the business agenda must be submitted to the Executive Committee and to all affiliated Units at least 7 days before the EGM. No business shall be transacted at the EGM other than that specified in the agenda.
Finance
17. The financial year of the Union is from April to March. All Union accounts are to be presented to the RAF Sports Board for audit within 6 weeks of the end of the financial year.
General Rules
18. Affiliation. The RAFFU is affiliated to the Amateur Fencing Association (AFA) and to the Combined Services Fencing Association (CSFA). The RAFFU is represented on the AFA Committee by a member of the CSFA Executive Committee.
19. AFA Membership. All members of RAFFU must join the AFA or another national fencing body. Membership is compulsory for participation in all RAFFU run competitions.
20. RAF Colours. The RAF Fencing badge, usually referred to as "colours", is awarded to all team members on the first occasion they represent the RAF in the Inter-Services Triangular Match. The colours will be a cloth brassard made as follows:
a. Top - ½ inch band in light blue.
b. Upper Centre - 1 inch band in dark blue.
c. Lower Centre - 1 inch band in maroon.
d. Bottom - ½ inch band in light blue.
embroidered in gold with a circle and the words "Royal Air Force Fencing Union". In the circle are crossed swords in silver and gold wire and an embroidered golden eagle superimposed over the title. The whole is surmounted by an embroidered crown.
21. Representative Certificate. Fencers who have represented the RAFFU on a number of occasions, but have not gained colours, may be awarded a representative certificate on the recommendation of the Selection Committee.
22. Travel Expenses. Travelling expenses are allowed in accordance with QR 2484 provided that prior authority has been obtained from the RAF Sports Board. The authority, which must be quoted on all warrants and claims, will be promulgated for each competition or event together with any provisos that may apply. No claims for subsistence will be allowed from Public Funds.
Rules Governing Competitions
23. General. RAF Fencing is governed by the rules of the Federation Internationale d'Escrime (FIE) as adopted by the AFA. Competitors and officials should make a careful study of the current edition of "The Rules for Competitions" as translated by the AFA for use in Great Britain. It is presumed that everyone is cognizant with the rules. By entering RAFFU competitions, fencers pledge themselves to honor the regulations and abide by the decisions of the officials.
24. Application of the Rules. The current edition of AFA Rules for competitions as amended is obligatory for all competitions. With the unanimous agreement of the Executive Committee rules may be excepted for specific competitions provided the exceptions are published in advance. However, the technical rules and those governing safety are inviolate.
25. Eligibility. All Units are automatically affiliated to the RAFFU and may therefore enter team events. All personnel serving on a Unit including attachees, those on exchange. Otherwise, RAFFU competitions are open to all eligible personnel in accordance with the rules of the RAF Sports Board, although certain personnel may be excluded from specific competitions; usually due to age or experience. Exclusions will be notified when entry forms and details of the competition are promulgated.