The Guild is organised into ten Sections and is accepted at both national and local levels as the negotiating body for travelling showmen. Through it's parliamentary agent, the Guild contests any proposed legislation that discriminates against its members; or seeks concessions when legislation threatens their ability to make a living. In matters involving local authorities a delegation of officers will usually be called upon to represent member's interests.

Each Section is managed by a Committee of Members who are elected annually by secret ballot.

The number of members elected to serve on the Committee is determined by a show
of hands at the Annual General Meeting of Members. Once the ballot has taken place,
the new Committee then elect a Chairman and officials:

Officials
Chairman
Vice Chairman
Treasurer
Sergeant at Arms
Deputy Sergeant at Arms
Secretary
Assistant Secretary

For a number of years the Members of the Yorkshire Section have elected a Committee of 14, the remaining 8 make up the rest of the Committee.

In most cases the Secretary is not a member of the Guild and therefore is not
included in the figure of 14.

The Committee is responsible for carrying out the objects of the Guild in their own Section.

Their duties include the control and running of fairs, breaches of the rules of the Guild
as well as negotiations with local authorities.

Central Council

The Policy of the Guild is determined by the Central Council, whose officials are:

The President
Two Vice President
Past Presidents
Treasurer
General Secretary
Sergeant at Arms

The remainder of the Central Council is made up from the Chairman of each Section of the Guild and three other delegates appointed by each Section.

The General Secretary is not a Member of the Guild

The Central Council meets in January. Before the meeting, each Section holds an Extraordinary General Meeting of Members and takes voting instructions from them on matters listed on the Central Council Agenda.

Most of the decisions of the Central Council are made by a show of hands but any variation in the Guild Rules has to be approved by a card vote. Each Section vote is
equal to their membership. Any proposed alteration to Rule must have a vote of at least two-thirds majority.

There are three other main Committees within the Guild, they are:

The President, Vice Presidents,
Treasurer,
General Secretary and the
Chairman of each Section serve on this Committee.

They are responsible for the financial affairs of the Guild. They make recommendations on matters, which are to be brought before the Central Council.

Safety Committee
There are 9 Members on the Safety Committee. The Senior Vice President chairs this Committee; they deal with safety at fairgrounds. The Committee meets regularly with the Health & Safety Executive. The Guild played a very large part in the drafting of the 'Code of Safe Practice at Fairs' published by the Health & Safety in 1984, the Technical Annexe published in 1988 and more recently 'Fairgrounds and Amusement Parks - Guidance on Safe Practice (HSG175) published in 1997.

All Guild Members have to have their equipment tested annually. Independent engineers who are registered with the National Association for Leisure Industry Certification (NAFLIC) carry out this test.

The President, Vice Presidents, General Secretary and a delegate from each Section of the Guild make up the Appeals Committee.

Should any member feel that another member or Section has infringed his interests, on his complaint form he must quote the Rules of the Guild that he considers have been broken.

His complaint is brought before the appropriate Section Committee. After the Committee have heard all the evidence, they will come to a decision, if the case is found to be proven, the Committee will impose penalties.
Any member may appeal against the decision of the Section Committee.

The Appeals Committee will then review the case. Should the judgement of the Appeals Committee be unacceptable, the objector has the right to refer the case to an Appeals Tribunal.

An Appeal Tribunal consists of a Barrister and two Past Presidents of the Guild.
This is the final court of Appeal within the Guild.