IRISH SOUTH ROAD FEDERATION - PROPOSED GENERAL RULES

1. The Name of the Federation shall be "Irish South Road Federation of Racing Pigeon Clubs". Here and after referred to as the Federation.

2. The address of the Federation shall be, Care of Secretary of the Federation.

3. That the Federation be affiliated to and governed by the rules of the Irish Homing Union.

4. That the Federation be a non-profit making organisation.

5. The Federations objectives are as follows:
    a) The transportation of racing pigeons and all matters connected there with
    b) To provide facilities for the convoying of racing pigeons
    c) The promotion and development of activities connected with and relating to the sport of racing pigeons
    d) To provide benefits for its members
    e) To do all such things as may be deemed incidental or conductive to the attainment of the foregoing objects or any of them.

6. The Federation shall operate in the area from Drogheda to Bray and 15mls Inland .The Federations area of operations may be varied by a resolution of the members at Federations Annual General Meeting.

7. That the entire management of the Federation be invested in the Officials and the Committee who will be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting and will be referred to as the General Committee. The General Committee shall have power to decide all day to day matters relating to the objectives and activities of the Federation and shall have powers to resolve members’ disputes subject to the member’s right to appeal to the Irish Homing Union.

8. That the Annual General Meeting of the Federation will be held on the 2nd weekend in January unless circumstances determine otherwise. All members to be notified.

9. That the members shall at the Annual General Meeting elect from the members present a President, Vice President, Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, General Committee, Press Officers, IHU Delegates, Auditors and Race Controllers.

10. All members of the General committee shall be elected annually and shall hold office until the conclusion of the previous year’s business at the Annual General Meeting. At this point a temporary Chairman and Secretary shall be proposed and seconded and elected by a simple / majority of the members present and entitled to vote. The temporary Chairman and Secretary shall then conduct the election for the following years General Committee.

11. Any committee member missing three consecutive meetings will be dropped and somebody else co-opted on.

12. All paid up members shall be entitled to attend and vote at General Meetings only.

13. The quorum necessary for a General Meeting shall be 50 members. No business can be transacted at any meeting unless a quorum is present.

14. No member shall be entitled to vote at General Meetings by proxy.

15. Resolutions at General Meetings shall be passed by a simple majority of the members present entitled to vote.

16. To be eligible for nomination for election to the General Committee a candidate must have been a member of the Federation for a continuous period of not less than three years prior to the Annual General Meeting.

17. No affiliated club may have more than two members on the Federation General committee at any one time.

18. A candidate for election to the General committee must be proposed and seconded at the Annual General Meeting by members of the Federation present and entitled to vote. Where there is more than one candidate for a particular office a vote shall be taken of those present and entitled to vote by a show of hands. Election shall be conducted under straight vote system.

19. That all propositions for the Annual General Meeting must be submitted by the Secretary of the Federation before the 28th November and proposed by an affiliated club. Representatives of the club must be in attendance at the Annual General Meeting. No individual can submit a proposition for the Annual General Meeting.

20. All applications from new clubs to the Federation will be read out at the start of the AGM.

21. That any club wishing to join the Federation must have at least 5 racing members and agree to remain in the Federation for a period of at least 3 years. The General Committee reserve the right to recommend to the Annual General Meeting the rejection/expulsion of any club not competing with or intending to compete with the Federation on a regular basis.

22. A club applying for affiliation must give notice in writing to the Secretary at least twenty-one days prior to the Annual General Meeting. To become affiliated, a club must be proposed and seconded at the Annual General Meeting and elected by simple majority of the members present entitled to vote.

23. A person may become a member of the Federation if he is a racing member of an affiliated racing pigeon club.

24. A full list of member’s names and address must be submitted to the Federation by each club applying for affiliation and annually with club and members subscriptions.

25. That any affiliated member’s name/s must be that of the said individual/s and no loft or stud name shall be accepted for racing or otherwise.

26. That Clubs wishing to resign from the Federation must do so in writing on or before the 3rd Saturday in November. Failure to comply with this will result in the Club being liable for club subscription plus all members’ fees as agreed at the previous Annual General Meeting.

27. Any alterations to the Federation radius or section boundaries must be approved by the Federation General Committee and passed at the Federation Annual General Meeting.

28. That only one fee be accepted from each loft address.

29. The ISRF club fee be based on the number of members in each club. Fee 1 euro per member.

30. The annual subscription to the Federation must be paid by the end of February in each year. Late payments may be accepted to the end of March subject to payment of double the membership subscription for that year. It must be paid through his club and there shall be no crate allowance for such member.

31. Old age pensioners who are members for at least 10 years are entitled to a reduction of €20 in their membership fee.

32. Honorary Life membership may be conferred on members who have served the Federation with distinction, this to be conferred by resolution at the Annual General Meeting.

33. An Extraordinary General Meeting may be convened by the General Committee at any time. Notice of such meetings shall be published in at least one evening newspaper fourteen days prior to the meeting and such notice shall state the matter to be considered by the meeting. No other business shall be transacted at the meeting.

34. The quorum for meetings of the General committee shall be seven. No business can be transacted at any meeting unless a quorum is present.

35. The Chairman may accept for discussion at any meeting matters raised by the members that do not relate to motions before the meeting. In relation to those matters the Chairman’s decision is final.

36. The Secretary shall keep a record of all resolutions adopted at meetings together with names of movers and seconders and result of voting. The minutes to be passed at next meeting and signed by the chairman.

37. Any member having a grievance may appeal to the Federation en¬closing a fee of Fifty euro which shall be forfeited if the appeal is lost

38. No appeal will be allowed where Federation rules have not been fully adhered to.

39. All affiliated clubs and members agree to be bound by Federation rules and decisions of the Federation general committee. No club may enact a rule which contravenes a Federation rule or decision of the Federation general committee. If any member or affiliated club of the Federation shall be guilty of any dishonorable conduct in connection with the sport, or sport generally, or willlfully break the rules of the Federation or of his club, or is guilty of conduct detrimental to the interests of the Federation, or refuses to comply with any decision of the General Committee in any matter affecting the sport, the General Committee may fine or suspend such member or club from the privileges of membership for such periods as the General Committee shall determine. Any member making malicious statements about Federation officials or affairs and subsequently found to be incorrect shall be brought before the Committee and if found to be guilty shall be suspended for a period as determined by the Committee.

40. Any member found guilty of fraud or theft in relation to Federation activities shall be expelled and any previous positions, pools or prize money won shall be forfeit.

41. That any member of the ISRF caught cheating must re-apply to the ISRF at the AGM once the suspension is lifted so everyone is aware that they are trying to race again.

42. Any member aggrieved by a decision of the General Committee may appeal to the Irish Homing Pigeon Union Southern Region. A written notice of such appeal must be sent to the Secretary of the Federation by registered post within fourteen days of the date the decision being appealed was made.

43. An internal audit of the Federation’s accounts shall be carried out each year and the results thereof reported to the Annual General Meeting. The General Committee may decide that an external audit be carried out at any time.

44. No profits or income shall accrue to any member of the Federation as a result of the Federations activities. However, this provision shall not prevent a reasonable sum being paid to the Secretary and the Treasurer in consideration of their work for the Federation, the amount of such payments to be decided.

45. The funds of the Federation shall be used for the carrying out of the Federation’s objects and activities.

46. The books and accounts of the Federation may be inspected at any time by any member of the Committee or any other person approved by the General Committee.

47. The Federation may open and keep accounts with banks or other financial institutions as may be decided by the General Committee. Withdrawals may be made by the Treasurer up to a level as may be fixed from time to time by the General Committee. Withdrawals over such level as may be fixed by the General Committee shall require the signature of the Treasurer to be counter signed by the Secretary and the President.

48. In the event of funds being required to finance the activities or objects of the Federation, a levy may be made on members by resolution of the Annual General Meeting or an Extraordinary General Meeting called for that purpose.

49. That the General Committee of the Federation is empowered to set birdage and fees on an annual basis, and to impose levies when it is deemed necessary.

50. Payments for crates and open races. Each club to submit to the treasurer 14 blank cheques signed and crossed made out to the I S R F. 10 cheques for the payment of open races 4 cheques for the payment of crates.

51. The Federation reserves the right to test for drugs or any other illegal performance enhancing substance on any pigeon competing in any race organized by the Irish South Road Federation. Any member or nominee refusing or impeding the collection of samples will be reported and disciplined. Authorised officials will remove droppings, swab, or feathers or all three for testing and placed in containers in the presence of their owner or nominee. The testing will be carried out at a time and place decided by the officials. Two samples will be taken A & B for the test. Container B will be retained by the nominated testing laboratory at the required temperature. Both containers will be labelled and sealed in the presence of the owner or nominee. Should the result prove positive notification to the owner would be by recorded delivery. Within five working days following receipt of the notification the owner or nominee can demand also by recorded delivery a further test on the B sample held at the laboratory. Should the owner not request the B sample test the first test will be considered final and there will be no appeal.

52. That the General Committee in extreme circumstances have the authority to amend the Race Programme and the members to be notified at any given time through their Club Secretary.

53. Each member can only pay 1fee therefore he/she can only enter his/her birds through the club to which this fee is paid.

54. The General Committee may decide as they think fit on any matter not provided for in this Rule Book, subject to the right of any member aggrieved by any such decision to appeal to the Irish Homing Pigeon Union Southern Region. Notice of such appeal must be given in writing and sent to the Secretary of the Federation within fourteen days of the making of the decision complained of.

55. An Extraordinary General Meeting may be convened at any time on requisitions signed by at least one third of the members entitled to attend and vote, and who sign a requisition to that effect. Notice of such meeting must be published in at least one evening newspaper, fourteen days prior to the meeting and such notice shall state the business to be conducted at the meeting. No other business then that stated in the notice shall be conducted at the meeting

56. The rules may be amended by a resolution passed at an Annual General Meeting or at an Extraordinary General Meeting called for the purpose and in either case by a two- thirds majority of those members present and entitled to vote.

57. Each member shall be entitled to a copy of the Rules Free of charge through his club Secretary. Replacement copies can be had for free.

58. The Federation may at any time be dissolved by a two-third majority vote of members who have had five years continuous full membership and who are present at the Extraordinary General Meeting call for that purpose and of which fourteen days notice has been given by publication in at least one evening newspaper. A further meeting shall be held to confirm such resolution.

59. Any surplus left after payment of all the Federations’ just debts and liabilities upon dissolution shall be applied to such charitable purposes as the General Committee may decide. No member of the Federation shall be entitled to any share in any such surplus.
 

IRISH SOUTH ROAD FEDERATION - RACING RULES

1. That all members must time in their birds by means of an automatic timing clock (henceforth referred to as clock) or Electronic Timing System (henceforth referred to as ETS). Use of clocks and ETS shall be subject to compliance with Irish Homing Union rules. Two methods of timing are not permitted in any race.

2. That all clocks be three way tested annually in accordance with the IHU rule 65, (upright in box-flat face down- flat face up), records of the test must be kept and a copy to be forwarded to the Federation Secretary prior to the commencement of racing each year.

3. The 3-way test certificate must be issued annually for clocks, which have been successfully tested. Under no circumstances must a certificate be issued to a clock which has failed the test.

4. All clocks being used in Federation races must be accompanied by a current three-way-test certificate.

5. All Federation Clubs must keep a clock/Electronic Timing System record book in which clock details and signed Electronic Timing System printouts will be kept on a weekly basis during the racing season. The clock/Electronic Timing System record book must be made available to the Federation General Committee if requested. All signed Electronic Timing System printouts must be retained by the club until the following AGM.

6. The make and serial number of ETS club systems and clocks must be registered with the Federation. No unregistered system may be used for any race flown under Federation rules.

7. All master timers for clocks must be set via Speaking Clock for all races before any clocks can be set, the same conditions apply to the run off. Clock officials must also ensure that they cross check with their nominated club before any clocks are run-off. Clocks may also be set or checked using ETS club systems provided the ETS club system has itself been set using Radio Clock or GPS AND provides a printout of same which must be signed by a station official.

8. ETS club systems must be set using GPS or radio clocks which have received an up to date time signal. ETS printouts showing a manual setting must produce evidence of being set from a Master Timer or they will be excluded from Federation results.

9. No member shall be allowed to set or strike off his or her own clock.

10. Clocks and ETS must be checked in the same clock station in which they were set unless permission is given by Federation Secretary or President.

11. For clocks any number of rubbers may be put in a thimble or container where approved by union rules.

12. No Federation member shall be permitted to race mark his/her own birds. While electronic race registration is taking place, apart from the officials engaged in the registration, to ensure security all other persons must remain at least one metre from the Club system. No person may act as an official while his or her own birds are being recorded or clock timings are checked.

13. Each member will be issued with a verification envelope at clock station setting, this envelope to be filled in completely by competitor and returned with clock or ETS for checking. Envelopes must have distance completed or the clock will not be checked. If a member arrives at the clock station without his envelope or with the envelope incorrectly filled out he will be given an agreed time to comply provided he is co-operative. In the case of a genuine mistake no member shall be disqualified. Clock station official must note the arrival time of the clock or ETS on this envelope in case of dispute.

14. After checking of times all information pertaining to the clock or ETS including printouts and rubbers where used must be placed in the members verification envelope, sealed and signed by the checking official.

15. For Open races except France all members using E.T.S and timing before 4.00pm on day of liberation must return to stations between 5.00pm & 6.00pm or 2 hours after clocking if timing after 4.00pm. NO ETS CLOCKS to have printouts done before 5.00pm. All members using non ETS clocks to be struck off at 6pm or 2 hours after clocking if timing after 4pm on day of liberation. In the event of a late liberation or no competitor timing before 4pm on day of release checking will commence 2 hours after first bird is clocked and stations will remain open for 1 hour. Any bird clocked after this time on the day of the race must be verified to the federation secretary to be eligible for federation positions, these to be checked on the following night at 7.00pm. In the event of weekday liberations checking times to be between 7.00pm and 8.00pm.
For French Open race the winner must have their clock or ETS checked within 2 hours of timing as per rule to compete for the Millar Gold Cup. Members timing within 3 hours of the winner to be checked 2 hours after clocking. All other birds timed to be checked on the following night at 7.00pm and each day thereafter until the close of the race.
Failure to adhere to this rule member to be given the time that the clock or ETS is presented at the clock station, this time to be verified by striking of the station master timer and production of this printout signed by the station master.

16. Should a clock have varied at more than a rate of five seconds per hour, a fast clock will be regarded as correct, a slow clock shall have double the proportionate lost time added. Should member’s clocks stop through not being properly wound up or set, the said member shall have his entry fee and pools monies returned in full. Any Electronic Timing System clock that varies by 3 second or more per day must be returned to the manufacturer for testing. Any pigeons recorded on this clock will not be accepted for inclusion in the race result until the manufacturers test report has been approved.

17. If a member tops the Federation inland race by more then 100 ypm from the second member, said member will be disqualified as having recorded an improbable velocity.

18. That all Federation crates must carry a label stating club name, sex of birds in crate, and number of birds in crate.

19. That all Federation crates must be secured with two numbered metal seals.

20. That race results must be with the Federation secretary not later than three days following the close of any race.

21. That members must ensure that before competing in any race or show all rings are registered in their name and pigeons bearing these rings have been vaccinated in accordance with the Department of Agriculture and Rural development directive.

22. Those members claiming awards must do so not later than the stipulated date issued by the Federation secretary. It is the responsibility of the claimants to ensure their Club Secretary submits the claim.

23. That all Federation members are pinpointed with the Global Positioning System and the measurement calculated by the IHU.

24. All Federation inland races are one day races. Clocks for these races must be checked/ struck off on the day of the race. Channel races up to Sennen Cove are two day races, the French race is a three day race unless all positions are filled prior to this.

25. The General Committee of the Federation are empowered to stamp, re-ring or otherwise mark any bird, or take any other necessary action to ensure all is in order.

26. Objections to any Federation result must be lodged to the secretary in writing within seven days of publication.

27. That the General Committee reserve the right to send representatives to oversee race marking, clock setting, or any other procedure they wish to observe at affiliated clubs.

28. When race marking birds for races at least five individual members must be present before such race marking can commence (a partnership equals one member).

29. To compete for Federation honours a Club must have at least five individual Competing Members in any given race (a partnership equals one member).

30. It is permitted for members to buy their own crate provided they can fill the crate with the required number of birds as laid down by the Federation.

31. No competitor can compete in the Federation races unless he is a member of the Irish Homing Pigeon Union.

32. All birds must be bona fide property of the member whose name they are entered in. All birds winning Federation positions will be verified with the Irish Homing Pigeon Union. Proof of transfer of non IHU rings must be produced before clocking times are checked. .

33. No Young Birds will be basketed with Old Birds.

34. The Secretary makes out the time schedule for each race, all clubs to be notified of these times.

35. The committee have the power to send one or two representatives bearing a letter of authority passed at a quorum of committee, quorum being five , and signed by the Federation Secretary to any loft to check either the arrival of a bird or the clock in any way they think fit. Such representatives to have the right to bring away clock with them for the purpose of verification, any member causing any obstruction to this rule to be expelled.

36. Any club caught carrying birds that do not belong to a member of the Federation shall be fined €150 and the member who entered same on race sheet shall be suspended for one year from the date of race.

37. The Secretary has the authority to distribute the crates according to the amount of members in each club after deducting fifty for use by well supported clubs.

38. All crates to be dressed properly, any crate not complying with same shall be refused collection by Transport Manager. Only sawdust must be used as dressing, wood chipping is not acceptable.

39. In the event of not enough pool birds being timed in any Open Race the remainder of pools to be divided equally to the time pooled birds. If no bird home in any pools or nom, such monies to be returned to competitors.

40. Hours of darkness are from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise unless a bird should be clocked in after the former or before the latter when such time will be taken as start or finish.

41. Liberating Committee have the power to bring back birds from all races to a nearer race point to home if they see fit to do so. They may also change the marking date, time or racepoint in the event of an adverse weather forecast.Also they are the only people who decide whether or not to liberate birds. Liberating committee to consist of the Liberator, President and Secretary of the Federation.

42. The seal number, setting time and first available cell number of each clock will be recorded in a book at each Open Race clock setting.

43. All transporters will carry a log book into which will be recorded all items relating to each race. Such details to include time of departure and arrival at race point and details of any stops made for feeding/ watering purposes. This log book to be produced on request from the Federation President or Secretary.

44. That the federation be divided into 6 section. All lofts to be allocated to a section by the federation committee. Fanciers who are outside the section their club is allocated to be assigned to a section that suits where they live.

45. That there be Federation awards for the following categories, results to be based on points scored in the top 100 positions of the Federation each week: best club, best fancier, champion old bird, champion young bird, champion channel bird, best fancier old bird racing, best fancier young bird racing, best fancier channel racing, best fancier open races, best fancier derby races.

46. Any Bird achieving three Open Positions from Federation French Race will receive an award (gold medal).

47. A Meritorious Award will be given to one Old Bird and one Young Bird each year, this must be applied for by the member and judged by three committee members, This applies to Federation Open Races only.

48. Each club must send a list of club seals with their clock setters for Open Races and that club have somebody on hand to record seals leaving station after clock setting.

49. Each club to send two members to assist at marking and setting of clocks for Open Races. Any club failing to send two members to the marking or clock setting will be fined €100. Also to help at the loading of transporters.

50. That there be no open pools for open races. Each section have their own open pools.

51. Pools are as follows: 50 cent, €1.00, €2.00,and €2.00 nom with 6 divides in each section 30%,24%,16%,12%.10%,8%. Nom won out right.

52. That the ETS sheets be accepted as official Race Sheets in open races by the Federation.

53. That the Prize money be €1000.00 for the winner of open races.

54. All clubs in the Federation have to verify all winning pigeons.

55. That clocks be set on the same day of the marking of birds for open races where possible.

56. All members Racing in open races must have their name, and name of club clearly marked on their clocks.

57. That there be awards for a fancier of the year and best novice of the year winners of the award to be nominated by their club.

58. That the number of birds per crate be as follows: Inland Federation 20 old birds 22 young birds, Open races 18 birds, Channel races 16 birds, France race 14 birds.

59. Race program to be decided at a meeting attended by club secretaries and Presidents, said meeting to take place at least 28 days before the Annual General Meeting and communicated at least 14 days in advance via text message to club secretaries. Suggested race programs to be submitted to the Federation secretary in writing at least 7 days before this meeting.

60. Federation winning pigeons to be verified by club or Federation officials. This process to include liberation of the winning pigeon and re-entry to their loft being observed, also inspection of ETS trapping systems per IHU ETS rule 19 where applicable.

61. Any competitor found by ISRF committee to be racing sick pigeons to be suspended from racing for the following 3 weekends.

62. That there be a 50 bird limit for all ISRF races.

63. Any club submitting a cheque for the entry of any race without sufficient funds to cover it will be deemed as not having entered the said race. The said club will meet all cost incurred. The General Committee will discipline habitual offenders.

64. Should a fault occur with a members clock this clock must be brought to the clock station official. Any member who opens his clock to re-clock into another clock will be disqualified and the member suspended for 2 weekends.