Below you will find the full and current Rules of the Durham County Referees’ Association, approved at our most recent AGM. These rules guide the structure, responsibilities, and governance of the Association and its members. Please review them carefully.
If you have any questions or need further clarification, please contact the County Secretary.
Durham County Referees’ Association Rules (May 2025)
⚖️ 1. Name
The Society shall be called the Durham County Society of Association Football Referees, hereinafter referred to as the County Society.
🎯 2. Objectives
The aims of the County Society are to:
a) Improve the standard and status of refereeing.
b) Assist local Branch Societies in their educational and general work.
c) Protect members from injustice and unfair treatment.
d) Promote closer relationships between referees, the Football Association, and related bodies.
e) Make representations to appropriate football governing bodies for the good of the game and the benefit of referees.
f) Support the general objectives of the Referees’ Association.
🏛️ 3. Constitution
Membership of the County Society shall consist of:
- Members of local Branch Societies located within the Durham County FA area.
- Independent members of the National Referees’ Association who wish to affiliate with the County Society, upon payment of the current membership fee.
All members must be, or have been, registered referees under the jurisdiction of the Football Association.
💷 4. Affiliation Fees
- Branches must submit all affiliation fees collected from members to the County Treasurer by the last day of each month (June–May).
- Each submission must include the full name of each member.
- Fees are determined annually at the AGM.
👥 5. Officers of the County Society
a) Officers shall include:
- President
- Vice President(s)
- Chairperson
- Vice Chairperson
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Any Durham County member serving on the National RA Board (ex-officio).
b) Vice President:
This honorary role is awarded to members who have contributed significantly to the RA at County level, with at least 10 years of service.
🗂️ 6. Executive Committee
a) Composition:
The Executive Committee shall consist of the Officers plus one Representative from each Branch.
b) Voting:
Voting at County meetings shall be by show of hands or secret ballot (if requested by an Officer or Branch). Only Officers and Branch Representatives may vote.
c) Expenses:
- Reasonable travel expenses for Officers are covered by County funds.
- Branch Representatives’ expenses are covered by their Branch.
d) Sub-Committees:
The County Society may establish sub-committees and invite members to attend Executive meetings as needed.
e) Finance:
- The Treasurer maintains accurate Accounts and provides a report at each County meeting.
- Annual Accounts close on March 31 and must be audited by two auditors (not Officers or Executive members) appointed at the previous AGM.
- Any deficit must be covered equally by all Branches.
📅 7. Meetings
- At least one meeting shall be held in February, or more frequently if needed.
- The Annual General Meeting (AGM) takes place in May.
- The Executive Committee decides the date, time, and venue for all meetings.
a) Attendance:
All Branches must be represented at County meetings, including the AGM. Non-attendance results in a £10 fine, payable within 14 days.
b) Attendance Register:
The Secretary keeps a register of all attendees from May to February inclusive.
Quorum:
A quorum consists of at least 2 Officers plus Representatives from at least 2 different Branches.
c) Expenses:
Same rules apply as in Rule 6(c).
🏆 8. Long Service Awards
Branches may apply for long service awards for full members with 15, 30, or 50 years of aggregated service.
Applications must be sent to the County Secretary by the first week in August. Recipients will receive a framed certificate.
🗳️ 9. Election of Officers
- All Officers retire annually.
- Vice Presidents are appointed by the Executive Committee at the February meeting.
- Branches must nominate all other Officers by the last day of February.
- Branches must submit their Branch Ballot votes by April 30, using the prescribed forms.
✏️ 10. Alterations to Rules
- Motions and proposed rule changes must reach the Secretary by the last day of February.
- The Secretary sends copies to Officers and Branches before the third Saturday in March.
- Any amendments must be received by the third Saturday in April to be included on the AGM agenda.
- Rules can only be changed at the AGM or an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) called for that purpose.
⚡ 11. Extraordinary General Meetings
- An EGM may be called by resolution of the Officers or by at least 5% of the membership.
- At least 28 days’ notice must be given to the Secretary.
- 5% of the membership forms a quorum.
- The Secretary must notify Officers and Branches of the EGM date, time, place, and business to be discussed at least 14 days before the meeting.
- At AGMs and EGMs, all fully paid-up members present have one vote each.
Contact
If you have any questions about these rules, please contact the County Secretary at secretary@durhamcountyra.co.uk.