LDSA CODE OF CONDUCT

The LDSA believes that all individuals involved with our work should respect one another and work constructively to achieve our common goals. We therefore ask that all those connected with or acting on behalf of the LDSA take personal responsibility for undertaking the following:

- To be a positive ambassador for the LDSA, and ensure that you take no purposeful action or make any comment, which might damage the LDSA.
- To show respect to all and commitment to access and inclusion for all individuals connected to the LDSA, understanding that no form of harassment will be tolerated.
- To recognise that the LDSA is a democratic organisation, and to abide by decisions made by its elected committee, and to work with others to resolve any conflicts that may arise.
- To respect and understand the need for confidentiality.
- To take all reasonable steps to ensure the health and safety of yourself, others and property of the LDSA.
- To be committed and reliable in your role(s) within the LDSA, and not to use your position to pursue personal issues, or policies which conflict with those of the LDSA.
- To accept the need for reasonable training, guidance and support relating to your role(s) within the LDSA.

This code is a statement of the values that we will uphold in all our dealings and that we will expect others to maintain when working with us.

As members of the LDSA we will endeavour to work with LFC in accordance with the Level Playing Field guidelines.

LDSA CONSTITUTION 2010 to date

A. Name
The name of the Association is: Liverpool Disabled Supporters Association (LDSA)

B. Administration
Subject to the matters set out below the LDSA shall be administered and managed in accordance with this constitution by the members of the Committee.

C. Aims & Objectives
The LDSA will act in partnership with Liverpool Football Club (LFC) to address issues affecting disabled supporters relating to stadium access, pitch view, parking, disabled toilet and catering facilities, and any other matters relating to facilities for disabled people. The aims and objectives of the LDSA are to raise the standard of facilities offered to disabled people in that:
(1) All supporters must be able to enjoy a parity of experiences when attending a football match or event.
(2) LFC staff and officials should have received disability equality training.
(3) LFC should maintain the appointment of a dedicated Disability Liaison Officer (DLO).
(4) LFC should have a disability policy that details the clubs’ policies, practices and procedures for all aspects of the club's operations.
(5) LFC should have fully accessible information services that include web sites, TV channels, and information that is available in alternative formats upon request.
(6) A senior member of the management board of LFC to have a responsibility for all disability issues.
(7) The club to meet every aspect of Accessible Stadia.
(8) The club to meet the 'Green Guide' recommendations for numbers of disabled people in every category.

MINIMUM STANDARDS

- Every disabled supporter to have the opportunity to sit with/alongside own supporters.
- All disabled people to be treated with respect by all members of the club staff and match day stewards.
- Wheelchair users: unobstructed view of pitch at all times, to have shelter from the weather, all seating areas to be positioned in safe areas.
- Visually Impaired: the choice to sit anywhere in the ground; LFC to ensure the provision of a dedicated audio descriptive commentary with suitable equipment; clubs to make provisions for Guide Dogs; information available in alternative formats upon request.
- Hearing Impaired: the choice to sit anywhere in the ground; a text phone in ticket office; an induction loop in ground.
- Ambulant disabled: a recognised definition of what constitutes an ambulant disability; accessible seating, with good sightlines and extra legroom.

(9) With a view to promoting friendship and awareness, the LDSA will also organise occasional social events and sporting activities for its members, friends and families. Such occasions might be used for fund raising.

D. Powers
The Committee may exercise the following powers:
(1) Power to raise funds and to invite and receive contributions provided that in raising funds the Committee shall not undertake any substantial permanent trading activities and shall conform to any relevant requirements of the law.
(2) Power to co-operate with other charities, voluntary bodies and statutory authorities operating in furtherance of the objects or of similar charitable purposes and to exchange information and advice with them.
(3) Power to appoint and constitute such advisory committees as the Committee may think fit.
(4) Power to do all such other lawful things as are necessary for the achievement of the objectives.

E. LDSA Membership
(1) Membership of the LDSA shall be open to any person interested in furthering the objectives and who has paid the annual subscription.
(2) For those Liverpool supporters with disabilities and/or impairments, there is a membership fee payable on renewal date of membership..
(3) An associated membership is available to the support workers, carers, and families of LDSA members. Associated membership will require annual renewal with an optional fee. The cost of both membership schemes will be reviewed annually and can be altered by a majority decision at Committee level.
(4) The Committee may unanimously and for good reason terminate the membership of any individual, provided that the individual concerned has broken the code of conduct (see attached). The individual concerned shall have the right to be heard by the Committee, accompanied by a friend, before a final decision is made.

F. LDSA Management Committee
(1) There are 10 members of the Committee including the LFC Disability Liaison Officer who is a permanent member. There are FOUR key positions on the Committee; they are Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Funding Coordinator, All Committee positions are voluntary; the occupants of these positions are not to receive any payment, benefits, or preferential treatment above non-committee members.
(2) Other than the Chairperson who’s term of office is for Four Years, each of
the other three key positions will be selected from members of the committee who will serve within the term of office they are selected for, for the three year period they sit on the committee, unless there is a vote of no confidence towards them.
(3) For the LDSA Committee to function effectively, committee members are expected to attend seventy five per cent of committee meetings. Failure to attend, seventy five percent of meetings without mitigating circumstances could lead to the removal of that person from the committee. If a committee member decides to resign from the committee without any mitigating circumstances or valid reason, this will forfeit their right to apply for a future position on the LDSA committee.
(4) Annual elections are to take place to appoint people to the committee positions that are up for re-election each year.
(5) Only LDSA members are permitted to vote and only LDSA members can nominate themselves as candidates for the Committee positions. Elections will be conducted during the pre-season period; LDSA members will receive a form containing a list of candidates via the post, which they will be asked to return with a tick next to their preferred candidate’s name.
(6) Members of the Committee shall retire from office at the end of their three-year term but they may be re-elected or re-appointed.
(7) The proceedings of the Committee shall not be invalidated by any vacancy among their number or by any failure to appoint.
(8) The Chairperson shall be carried out by a member of the committee, who is duly elected by members of the committee.  The Chairperson shall sit for a period of not more than Four years, from the date of being elected as chair, and at the end of the term, (4yrs) can stand for election as chairperson, if re-elected as a committee member.
(9) The Vice Chairperson will be elected from within the committee.
(10) There will be tasks that will be identified by the committee. Once a task has been identified, a member of the committee will be appointed to undertake that task.  The committee member will carry out that task for the duration of their term of office or until the task has been completed. These tasks will be identified after the annual elections, when the new committee first meets and the tasks will be identified.

G. Meetings and proceedings of the LDSA Committee
(1) The Committee shall meet monthly with scope to call additional meetings when deemed necessary. The current Liverpool Disability Liaison Officer will always be present at committee meetings.
(2) The chair shall act as chair at meetings of the Committee.
If the chair is absent from any meeting, the Vice Chair shall Chair the meeting.
(3) There shall be a quorum when at least one half of the number of members of the Committee, are present at a meeting.
(4) Every matter shall be determined by a majority of votes of the members of the Committee present, but in the case of equality of votes the chair of the meeting shall have a second or casting vote. The Liverpool Disability Liaison Officer is not entitled to vote
(5) The Committee shall keep minutes of the proceedings at meetings.
(6) The Committee may appoint one or more individuals from the wider membership for the purpose of performing any function or duty, which in the opinion of the Committee would be more conveniently undertaken or carried out separately. All acts and proceedings of any group(s) shall be fully and promptly reported to the Committee.
(7) Any issues and specific problems previously reported to the Committee or to the Disability Liaison Officer are to be discussed. Certain issues will need to be discussed with, or brought to the attention of those in positions of authority at Liverpool Football Club. These persons will attend committee meetings if they are available or will be contacted via the LFC Disability Liaison Officer. The outcomes of any decisions will be forwarded to members or those individuals concerned by post or email.
(8) A special committee meeting may be called at any time by the chair or by any two members of the Committee upon not less than 4 days’ notice being given to the other members of the Committee.
(9) The Chairperson, Vice Chair, and Funding Coordinator are executive officers of the LDSA committee.  These officers will represent the LDSA at the annual LDSA Executive Meeting with senior representatives of Liverpool football club.  None- executive committee members may be invited to attend an LDSA executive meeting if they are identified as having a specific expertise relevant to that meeting.
(10) No LDSA committee member should organize a meeting on behalf of the LDSA or claim to represent the LDSA at any meeting without the approval of the LDSA committee.

H. Receipts and expenditure
(1) The funds of the LDSA, including all donations contributions and bequests, shall be paid into an account operated by the Committee in the name of the LDSA.
(2) The LDSA is a self-sufficient non-profit organisation, and is willing to accept donations from groups or individuals. The LDSA will also organise various fund raising events and activities.
(3) Finances will be held in a non-profit account with two signatories required to make any transactions. The signatories will be the Funding Coordinator and the LFC Disability Liaison Officer. The Funding Coordinator will give financial reports at committee meetings highlighting and accounting for all transactions.
(4) When the LDSA bank balance is in excess of the amount required to sustain its expenditure, the LDSA will make charitable donations to an organisation(s) chosen by the committee. 

I. General meetings
(1) There shall be two general meetings for LDSA members each year.
(2) General meetings will be called by the Committee. At least 21 days’ notice should be given to members of the LDSA. All members shall be entitled to attend and vote at the meeting.
(3) The chair shall be the chair of the general meetings, but if he/she is not present, the Committee members present shall appoint a chair for the meeting.

J. Alterations to the Constitution
This constitution may be altered by a resolution passed by not less than two thirds of the Committee.

K. Dissolution
In the event of the dissolution of the LDSA, any funds will be donated to a local charity.