Writing a club constitution can seem complicated, especially when you’re starting from a blank page.

A constitution sets out the rules, structure and basic governance arrangements for a club. It explains how the organisation is run, who can become a member, how decisions are made and what happens when important matters need to be approved.

The good news is that you don’t have to create one from scratch.

This guide explains what a club constitution should contain, how to structure one and the key points to consider when creating or updating your club’s constitution.

If you want a ready-made starting point, you can also use our Club Constitution Template and adapt it to suit your organisation.

What Is a Club Constitution?

A club constitution is the governing document that sets out the basic rules for how a club operates.

It typically establishes:

• The name and objectives of the club
• Who can become a member
• The rights and responsibilities of members
• How the club is managed
• The roles of officers and committee members
• How meetings are conducted
• How decisions and votes are handled
• How the club’s finances are managed
• How the constitution can be changed
• What happens if the club is dissolved

The constitution provides a framework for running the organisation and helps members understand how important decisions should be made.

Why Does a Club Need a Constitution?

A written constitution gives a club a clear set of agreed rules.

This can be particularly important when there is disagreement about how the club should operate. Rather than relying on informal arrangements or assumptions, the committee and members can refer back to the club’s governing document.

A good constitution can help provide clarity around:

Membership
Who can join and what rights members have.

Committee structure
Who is responsible for managing the club and what different officers do.

Decision-making
How meetings, votes and resolutions are handled.

Financial management
How the club’s money is managed and who is responsible for it.

Changes to the rules
How members can approve amendments to the constitution.

Dissolution
What happens to the club’s assets if the organisation closes.

What Should a Club Constitution Include?

There is no single constitution that will be suitable for every UK club.

The appropriate contents will depend on the type of organisation, its legal structure, its governing body and its particular circumstances.

However, most club constitutions will cover a number of common areas.

1. Name of the Club

Start by stating the official name of the organisation.

For example:

The name of the organisation shall be [FULL CLUB NAME], hereafter referred to as “the Club”.

Make sure the name is consistent with any existing registration, governing-body affiliation or other official documentation.

2. Objectives of the Club

The constitution should explain why the club exists and what it aims to achieve.

For example, a sports club might state that its objectives include promoting participation in a particular sport, providing opportunities for members to train and compete, and supporting the development of the sport within the local community.

Keep the objectives clear and specific enough to describe the purpose of the organisation.

3. Membership

The constitution should explain who can become a member and how membership operates.

This section might cover:

• Eligibility for membership
• Categories of membership
• How applications are made
• Membership fees
• Members’ rights
• Members’ responsibilities
• Suspension or termination of membership

If the club has different categories of members, such as playing, social, junior or honorary members, these should be clearly explained.

4. Management and Committee Structure

Explain how the club is managed.

This will normally include details of the committee and the main officers responsible for running the organisation.

Common roles include:

• Chairperson
• Secretary
• Treasurer
• Ordinary committee members

The constitution should explain the responsibilities of these roles at an appropriate level.

You may also want to specify:

• How committee members are appointed or elected
• How long they serve
• Whether they can be re-elected
• How vacancies are dealt with
• How committee members can be removed

5. General Meetings

The constitution should establish how the club’s general meetings operate.

This may include provisions covering:

• Annual General Meetings (AGMs)
• Extraordinary or Special General Meetings
• Notice periods
• Who can attend
• Voting rights
• Quorum
• Motions and resolutions
• Minutes

The rules should be clear enough that members understand how important decisions are made.

6. Annual General Meeting

If the club holds an AGM, the constitution should set out the basic requirements.

This may include:

• When the AGM must be held
• How members are notified
• What business must be considered
• How officers are elected
• How financial reports are presented
• How motions are submitted
• How constitutional amendments are considered

The exact requirements should reflect the club’s circumstances and any applicable rules.

You can use our [AGM resources] for practical templates and procedures relating to club AGMs.

7. Voting

The constitution should explain how decisions are made by members and, where relevant, by the committee.

You may need to specify:

• Who has voting rights
• Whether voting is by show of hands or secret ballot
• Whether proxy voting is permitted
• How a tied vote is handled
• Whether the Chairperson has a casting vote
• What majority is required for different types of decisions

Some decisions may require a simple majority, while constitutional amendments or other significant matters may require a higher threshold.

The rules should make these distinctions clear.

8. Committee Meetings

If the club has a management committee, the constitution should establish how committee meetings operate.

This may include:

• How meetings are called
• How often meetings take place
• Who can attend
• The committee quorum
• How committee decisions are made
• How decisions are recorded

Detailed meeting procedures can sit outside the constitution if appropriate. The constitution needs to provide the underlying framework rather than every operational detail.

9. Finance

A constitution should establish basic financial controls for the organisation.

This may cover:

• Who is responsible for the club’s finances
• Where club funds are held
• Who can authorise payments
• How accounts are maintained
• Financial reporting to members
• Examination or audit of accounts where applicable
• The club’s financial year

The appropriate provisions will depend on the club’s legal and financial arrangements.

10. Conflicts of Interest

It can be useful to include provisions dealing with conflicts of interest.

Committee members and officers may sometimes have a personal or financial interest in a matter being considered by the club.

The constitution or associated policies can establish how such conflicts should be declared and managed.

11. Discipline and Conduct

Depending on the nature of the club, you may need provisions dealing with member conduct and disciplinary matters.

These could cover:

• Standards of behaviour
• Complaints
• Disciplinary procedures
• Suspension
• Termination of membership
• Appeals

For more detailed rules, a separate disciplinary or code of conduct policy may be more appropriate.

12. Changes to the Constitution

The constitution should explain how it can be amended.

This is particularly important because a constitution should not be changed informally by the committee unless the existing rules specifically allow it.

The amendment section should explain:

• Who can propose an amendment
• How much notice must be given
• Who can vote
• What majority is required
• When an approved amendment takes effect

Always check the existing constitution before attempting to change it.

13. Dissolution

The constitution should explain what happens if the club is wound up or dissolved.

This will generally include provisions dealing with any remaining assets after the club’s liabilities have been settled.

The appropriate wording can depend heavily on the club’s legal status and whether it is a charity, CASC or other incorporated or regulated organisation.

How to Write a Club Constitution Step by Step

If you’re creating a constitution from scratch, the following process can make the job much easier.

Step 1: Establish the Club’s Structure

Before writing the document, establish what type of organisation you are creating or operating.

Consider whether the club is:

• An unincorporated association
• An incorporated organisation
• A charity
• A Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC)
• Affiliated to a governing body
• Subject to specific funding or regulatory requirements

This matters because different structures can have different legal and governance requirements.

Step 2: Agree the Club’s Purpose

Write down what the club exists to do.

Your objectives should accurately reflect the organisation’s purpose and activities.

Step 3: Decide How Membership Will Work

Establish who can become a member, whether there will be different membership categories and what rights members will have.

Step 4: Define the Committee

Decide which officers and committee positions the club needs and how they will be appointed or elected.

Don’t create unnecessary positions simply because they appear in another club’s constitution.

Step 5: Establish Meeting Rules

Set out the basic rules for AGMs, general meetings and committee meetings.

Make sure the provisions covering notice, quorum and voting are clear.

Step 6: Establish Financial Rules

Set out the basic financial responsibilities and controls appropriate to your organisation.

Step 7: Include Amendment and Dissolution Provisions

Make sure the constitution explains how its own rules can be changed and what happens if the club is eventually dissolved.

Step 8: Review the Complete Document

Once you’ve drafted the constitution, review it as a complete document rather than simply checking individual clauses.

Look for:

• Contradictions
• Missing procedures
• Unclear voting provisions
• Inconsistent terminology
• Conflicting notice periods
• Undefined terms
• Responsibilities that have not been allocated

Step 9: Have the Constitution Reviewed

Where appropriate, have the proposed constitution reviewed by someone with relevant legal, governance or sector expertise.

This is particularly important where the club has a specific legal structure, charitable status, significant assets or regulatory obligations.

Step 10: Approve the Constitution

The final step should follow the appropriate process for formally adopting the constitution.

For an existing club, this may require approval by members at a general meeting.

Keep a record of the meeting and the date on which the constitution was approved.

Keep Your Constitution Clear and Practical

A constitution doesn’t need to be unnecessarily complicated.

The best constitutions provide clear rules for the important decisions without trying to document every aspect of day-to-day club management.

If a provision is too vague, it can create uncertainty. If it is unnecessarily detailed, it can make the constitution difficult to manage and amend.

A useful approach is to put the fundamental governance rules in the constitution and use separate policies, procedures and regulations for more detailed operational matters.

Club Constitution Template

If you don’t want to start with a blank document, our Club Constitution Template provides a structured example that you can use as a starting point.

It covers the main areas commonly found in a club constitution and can be adapted to reflect your organisation’s own structure, membership arrangements and governance requirements.

[VIEW THE CLUB CONSTITUTION TEMPLATE →]

Remember that a template is a starting point, not a substitute for checking the requirements that apply to your particular club.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I write my own club constitution?

Yes. Many clubs develop their own constitution using a template or example as a starting point. You should make sure the finished document reflects your club’s structure and complies with any applicable legal, governing-body or regulatory requirements.

How long should a club constitution be?

There is no fixed length. A constitution should contain enough detail to establish clear rules for membership, governance, meetings, voting, finances, amendments and dissolution without becoming unnecessarily complicated.

Does every club need a constitution?

The requirements depend on the club’s legal structure and circumstances. Many member-run clubs use a constitution as their governing document, while incorporated organisations may have additional constitutional documents and legal requirements.

Can a club change its constitution?

Usually, a club can amend its constitution by following the amendment procedure contained within the existing document. This commonly involves putting a proposed amendment to members for approval at a general meeting.

Who should approve a club constitution?

The appropriate approval process depends on the club and its existing rules. For many member-run clubs, the constitution is formally adopted or amended by the membership at a general meeting.

Should a club constitution be reviewed by a solicitor?

Professional legal advice is not necessarily required for every club, but it can be valuable where the organisation has a complex legal structure, significant assets, charitable status, regulatory requirements or other circumstances requiring specialist advice.

Create Your Club Constitution

Writing a constitution is much easier when you have a clear structure to work from.

Use our Club Constitution Template as a practical starting point, adapt it to your organisation and make sure the finished document reflects the rules and requirements that apply to your club.

VIEW CLUB CONSTITUTION TEMPLATE