08 December 2009
Please note the following in relation to rules governing membership in 2010:
1: The GAA on-line registration system is the only acceptable method of registering players and members in 2010.
Note: Almost 1,000 clubs used this system for registration in 2009. Training will be provided for all clubs in early 2010 and details of this will be forwarded to clubs in early 2010 by their county IT officer.
2: The new membership year for the GAA now runs from April 1st to March 31st in the following year.
3: In order to be entitled to the rights of a full member, a person must have their fees paid to the club on a date before March 31st and be registered by the club on the online system in order to have a vote in the upcoming membership year. Therefore, the old August 1st date no longer exists for any clubs and club constitutions should be amended accordingly.
Rules 2.1 to 2.3 of the Official Guide
2.1 Membership
(a) There shall be two types of Membership of the
Association:
(i) Full Membership, for persons who have reached the age of eighteen years.
(ii) Youth Membership, for persons who have not reached the age of eighteen years.
(b) M embership of the Association shall be granted only by a Club, to persons who subscribe to and undertake to further the aims and objects of the Gaelic Athletic Association, as stated in the Official Guide.
(c) A person becomes a Full or Youth Member of the Association when he is approved as a Full or Youth Member respectively of a Club. Once granted, Full Membership of the Association shall continue for life, and Youth Membership shall continue until the member’s eighteenth birthday unless the member resigns in writing, or is expelled in accordance with the Official Guide.
(d) The rights of a Member of the Association shall be conditional upon the member complying with the Rules and Regulations of the Association and Club, including payment of any Annual Membership Fees and Levies. Such rights may be withheld, restricted or suspended in accordance with the Rules of the Association and Club. Subject to the foregoing, only Registered Full Members shall be entitled to vote at Club Meetings, including the Annual General Meeting.
(e) The Rules and Regulations governing application for Membership shall be set out in the Official Club Constitution.
(f) The Membership of the Gaelic Athletic Association shall run from April 1st to March 31st in the following year.
2.2 Registration of Members
(a) Before April 1st, a Club Registrar shall submit annually to Central Council, by the process Electronic Registration, a list, in the Irish Language (except as provided for in Rule 1.7) of Full Members who have fulfilled their Annual Subscription requirement in accordance with Rule 6.2 of the Club Constitution and Rules. This list shall include the full name and address of each Full Member. A copy of the Club’s Registration shall be forwarded by e-mail by Central Council to the County Secretary and Divisional Secretary, where applicable.
(b) Before April 1st, a Club Registrar shall submit annually to the Central Council, by the process of Electronic Registration a list, in the Irish Language (except as provided for in Rule 1.7) of Youth Members of all ages Under 18 years who have fulfilled their Annual Subscription requirement in accordance with Rule 6.2 of the Club Constitution and Rules. This list shall include the full name, address and date of birth of each Youth Member. A copy of the Club’s Registration shall be forwarded by e-mail to the County Secretary, and where applicable to the Secretaries of Divisional, County Minor and County Juvenile Committees.
(c) It is optional to have the addresses of Full and Youth Members registered in either Irish or English.
(d) Clubs shall submit by April 1st, through the County Secretary, an annual fee of e2 for every Full Member who has paid his Club Membership fee for the year.
(e) Each Member shall be allocated a Registration Number by Central Council. The member shall retain this number while a member of the Gaelic Athletic Association.
2.3 Registration of Players
(a) A Club Registrar shall submit annually to Central Council, by the process of Electronic Registration, separate Registers in the Irish Language (except as provided for in Rule 1.7) of the Club’s Adult, Under 21, Minor and Juvenile (all grades) players. A player is to be included in only one of the Registers.
Rule 6:2 - Club Constitution
The determined Annual Subscription shall be payable on election and thereafter annually, in advance of the date and in the manner decided by the Executive Committee. The date set shall be a date prior to March 31st each year.
