CHOBA Membership
Definition of Christ’s Hospital Old Blues’ Association Membership
(Agreed by the Board on 6/3/2010)
Christ’s Hospital Old Blues’ Association Membership
The Christ’s Hospital Old Blues’ Association (CHOBA) has the following categories of membership
- Full Member – receiving the full benefits of membership
- Associate Member – receiving a separately defined set of benefits of membership
Both categories of Membership may be achieved automatically or by election
1. Full Christ’s Hospital Old Blues’ Association Membership - Automatic
The Christ’s Hospital Old Blues’ Association offers an automatic, free, life long membership to the following, unless the individuals have been explicitly excluded (see Section 8):
1.1 Old Blues
All those who have been Blues i.e. scholars of Christ’s Hospital, irrespective of method of entry, school site attended, time spent at the school, leaving circumstances, what has happened to them since leaving CH, etc.
1.2 Former CH Club Members
All former CH Club Members, whether Old Blue or Non-Old Blue
1.3 Almoners & Governors
All current and past Almoners and Governors, irrespective of time spent serving the school or Foundation, leaving circumstances, etc.
2. Full Christ’s Hospital Old Blues’ Association Membership – Automatic on Request
The Christ’s Hospital Old Blues’ Association will automatically grant full, free, life long membership to the following on an individual basis should they request it, unless the individuals have been specifically excluded (see Section 8).
2.1 Current & Former Staff
Membership will be granted to all current and former academic teaching staff, Foundation employees, school administration and estates staff, irrespective of time spent at the school, leaving circumstances, what has happened to them since leaving CH, etc.
For the avoidance of doubt, a simple phone call or e-mail to the CHOBA Administrator and recorded on the file will constitute an adequate request and no specific separate decision will be required by the CHOBA Board
3. Associate Christ’s Hospital Old Blues’ Association Membership - Automatic on Request
3.1 Widows and Widowers of CHOBA Full Members
On the death of a CHOBA Full Member, their widow or widower may request Associate Membership of the CHA and this will be automatically granted.
For the avoidance of doubt, a simple phone call or e-mail to the CHOBA Administrator and recorded on the file will constitute an adequate request and no specific separate decision will be required by the Board.
4. Associate Christ’s Hospital Old Blues’ Association Membership - Elected
Those who, in the opinion of the CHOBA Board have demonstrated commitment to the ethos of Christ’s Hospital that deserves recognition. It is the expectation of the Board that Associate Members will number from 20 to 30 people at any time
5. Clarification of Membership
There is no automatic qualification for Christ’s Hospital Old Blues’ Association Membership for the following (although they may qualify under any of categories 1 – 4 above):
- Past or current parents
- Spouses of current Old Blues
For clarification, an individual could be recorded on the database of the Development Office, receiving a range of benefits, but only the specific individuals identified as CHOBA members will receive CHOBA Member benefits.
6. Election
Individuals may be elected by the CHOBA Board to Associate Membership – Elected, by the following procedure:
- An application form being circulated to the CHOBA Board by the Secretary to the CHOBA Board or by a Board member at least 10 days before one of the scheduled CHOBA Board meetings throughout the year.
- This form should contain the details of the applicant (as being required from time to time).
- Each application should be nominated and seconded by two Full Members of the CHOBA, each of whom have been members for at least twelve months.
- Decisions on applications will be determined in the same manner as all other Board decisions.
- Within two weeks of a Board meeting that considered applications for Associate Membership, the Secretary to the CHOBA Board or another person designated by the Board will write to the applicant to inform them of the outcome of their application and confirm the benefits available to those candidates whose applications have been successful.
7. The Privileges of Christ’s Hospital Old Blues’ Association Membership
7.1 Full Membership
CHOBA Full Members will enjoy the privileges of the Association without charge as determined from time to time by the CHOBA Board. This can be varied by the Board without notice from time to time. They may include
- A copy of the Old Blue
- Invitations to selected Old Blue events
- Purchase and display of Old Blue memorabilia
At any time a Member may elect not to receive any publications or other communications from the CHOBA, without impact on their Membership status
7.2 Associate Membership
CHOBA Associate Members will similarly enjoy the same privileges of the Association without charge, as determined from time to time by the CHOBA Board.
At any time an Associate Member may elect not to receive any publications or other communications from CHOBA, without impact on their Membership status.
8. Exclusions and Appeals
8.1 Exclusions
At its sole discretion, the CHOBA Board (properly constituted and following voting procedures laid down) may remove a member from Full or Associate Membership of CHOBA.
Circumstances may include, but are not limited to, Members who are subject to criminal proceedings and Members who, in the opinion of the CHOBA Board, harm the good name or reputation of Christ’s Hospital.
Any Application to Exclude a Full or Associate Member:
- Should be made in writing to the CHOBA Board at least 10 days before it meets to consider it.
- The Application to Exclude needs to be proposed and seconded by two CHOBA Board Members.
- The Member subject to the Application to Exclude shall be notified of the intention to consider the application at least 5 days prior to the meeting, but shall not be allowed to be present at the CHOBA Board meeting where the application is considered.
- Within two weeks of the CHOBA Board meeting which considered the Application to Exclude, the Secretary to the CHOBA Board or another person designated by the Board will write to the subject informing them of the outcome and, in the case of exclusion, the basis of that decision.
8.2 Appeals
A right to appeal exists in the event that:
- A person believes that they should qualify for CHOBA Membership automatically or by election but this is not recognised by the CHOBA Board; or
- A person has been Excluded and believes that this was an incorrect decision;
The Appeal must be considered within three months of it being lodged in writing with the Secretary to the CHOBA Board
- The Appeal will be considered by an Appeals Committee comprising three Old Blues appointed by the Treasurer of the Foundation at the time, one of whom shall be the Chair of the CHOBA Board or an alternate CHOBA Board member nominated by them.
- The decision of such an Appeals Committee will be final and can be reached by a majority verdict