Constitution

ISSUED: JANUARY 1999
AMENDED: FEBRUARY 2000

SECTION ONE: - By-laws

ARTICLE 1. NAME

ARTICLE 2. OBJECTIVES

ARTICLE 3. HEAD OFFICE

ARTICLE 4. CREST

ARTICLE 5. ORGANIZATION

ARTICLE 6. MEMBERSHIP

A	Active membership, which shall be open to all properly registered players, coaches, assistant coaches, trainers, managers, administrators and other applicants accepted by the Board of directors.
B	Life Membership, which shall be open to any person unanimously elected by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE 7. MEMBERSHIP FEES

ARTICLE 8. MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS

ARTICLE 9. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

A	The A.G.M. of the Club shall be held on the second Sunday of the month of January.
B	All members shall receive fourteen days notice of the date, time and location of the A.G.M.
C	Order of business at the A.G.M. shall be as follows:
	Roll Call of Members
	Read minutes of the previous A.G.M.
	Annual Reports from the Officers.
	Reports of Other Committees.
	Amendments to the constitution.
	Election of Officers.
	New Business
	Presidential Address.
	Adjournment.

ARTICLE 10. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS

A	A Special General Meeting may be called by the board of Directors by it's own motion.
B	A Special general Meeting shall be called within thirty days following receipt of a written request signed by not less than two-thirds (2/3) of Adult Active Members.
C	All Members shall receive fourteen days notice of the date, time and location of such a meeting.
D	Only the business for which a Special General Meeting has been called will be dealt with, except with the unanimous consent of those present.

ARTICLE 11. RULES OF ORDER

ARTICLE 12. PRESIDING OFFICER

ARTICLE 13. QUORUM

ARTICLE 14. VOTING

A	Players properly registered for teams within the Club shall have one voice and one vote per team at general Meetings. For youth teams, a parent designated by the Club may exercise the team vote.
B	All other Active Members shall have one voice and one vote at General Meetings.

ARTICLE 15. DELEGATES RESERVED

ARTICLE 16. EXPENSES

ARTICLE 17. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

	President
	Vice-President
	Secretary
	Treasurer
	Registrar
	Six Directors

ARTICLE 18. TENURE AND ELECTION

A	The following shall be elected for a two-year term at the A.G.M. held in odd numbered years: -President, Treasurer and three Directors.
B	The following shall be elected for a two-year term at the A.G.M. held in even numbered years: Vice President, Secretary and three Directors.

ARTICLE 19. MEETINGS OF THE BOARD

ARTICLE 20. DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

A	The President shall preside at all meetings of the Club and he/she shall have a casting vote only.
B	The Vice-President shall be the senior officer in the President's absence. He/she shall have such other duties as prescribed.
C	The Secretary shall be responsible for the Corporate affairs of the Club, the keeping of minutes and the receipt and distribution of all correspondence.
D	The Treasurer shall be responsible for the Fiscal affairs of the Club.
E	The Registrar shall be responsible for all aspects of player registrations and transfers.
F	The Directors shall be official representatives of the Club and shall have such duties as prescribed.

ARTICLE 21. VACANCIES

A	The office of a member of the Board of Directors shall be vacated:
	1. Upon resignation in writing.
	2. If he/she becomes incapable of performing the business of the Club.
	3. If he/she is absent from three or more meetings of the Board without satisfactory reason.
	4. If he/she should be removed by resolution of the Club for good and sufficient cause.
B	Should a vacancy occur on the Board of Directors, the Board may appoint a person to fill the vacancy until the next A.G.M.

ARTICLE 22. OTHER REGULATIONS

ARTICLE 23. MONIES OWING

ARTICLE 24. AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

A	All proposed amendments to the constitution shall be forwarded in writing to the club no later than fourteen days prior to the A.G.M. or S.G.M. called for that purpose.
B	Amendments to the Constitution will require a two-thirds (2/3)-majority vote of those delegates present at the A.G.M. unless otherwise required by Corporation Law.

ARTICLE 25.

SECTION TWO:

1	CLUB AFFILIATION The Club shall be affiliated with the Essex County Soccer Association, hereinafter termed the ECSA.
2	MINUTES OF MEETINGS Minutes of all Board Meetings shall be available to all members upon request.
3	DISCIPLINE The Board of Directors reserves the right to discipline Club members for just and sufficient cause for Club purposes only.
4	GENERAL RULES
	a	Upon completion of a player's obligation to the Club, the player shall be responsible for returning to the Club all equipment issued to him/her.
	b	The player shall sign a voucher confirming receipt of the equipment issued for his/her use while playing with the Club. The Coach is responsible for keeping records of the distribution of equipment.
	c	Teams must participate in Club sanctioned tournaments if competition is offered in their age and gender grouping or if so directed by the Club.
	d	Teams must apply to the Club for permission to participate in tournaments not hosted by the Club. This must be done prior to submitting applications to the host club.
	e	Coaches are to return all Club issued equipment at the completion of the season or sooner if asked to do so by the Club. Honoraria will be issued upon return of all equipment.
	f	All fund raising activities by teams are exempt from Club responsibility. All funds raised must be held in account pertaining to the appropriate team with two signing officers. If the team is discontinued, all funds and purchases become the property of the Club.
	g	All players practicing with Provincial and National teams shall be reimbursed twenty five percent (25%) of travel and accommodation expenses. Proper receipts must accompany all claims in order to qualify.
	h	The Club will pay entry fees for a maximum of three tournaments. Travel and accommodation expenses will be reimbursed according to the financial status of the team. Application may be made for an expense allowance prior to the tournament. Along with this application will be a detailed statement of fund raising activities and account balances. This information will help the board to make any reimbursement decision.
	i	The Club will reimburse all travel and accommodation expenses for regular league competition. Proper receipts must accompany all claims in order to qualify.
	j	All teams must participate in the Ontario Cup competition if so directed by the Club. Only teams whose assigned coaches have the appropriate credentials can be so directed.
	k	Entry fees for the Ontario Cup shall be paid by the Club. Travel reimbursement will be according to the attached rules regarding tournaments and/or indoor leagues.
	l	All players, coaches and club officials are to conduct themselves in accordance with the Club Code of Conduct, as reviewed annually by the Board and presented at a mandatory Coaches' meeting.
	m	Teams will be selected by annual try-outs conducted by the Club and at subsequent pre-season practices. Players not selected are to be informed in sufficient time for them to pursue other playing options. All players intending to return or to join the Club must attend the try-outs unless excused due to extenuating circumstances. Players must complete a waiver form provided by the Club before participating in try-outs or practices.
	n	Players will play in their own age group unless an age group is unavailable or a determination to place the player in a higher age group is made by the Board of Directors after consultation with the player, his/her parents and the coaches for both teams affected by the decision. Such a determination shall be made only in exceptional circumstances, such as selection to play for a Provincial team or the player having previously played successfully in a higher age group. The decision will be made in the interests of the player and the general good of both teams involved. The decision will be binding. Players placed in their own age group may play "up" on a trial permit basis with the approval of the Board of Directors.
	o	Coaching selections will be made annually by the Board of Directors according to adopted criteria (see attached). In the event of the resignation or dismissal of a coach, the Board will appoint the best available coach as a replacement for the duration of the season.
	p	Players and parents, when applicable, will complete and sign the following documents provided by the Club:
		i Club registration form.
		ii Association registration form.
		iii Medical questionnaire.
		iv Medical/travel waiver form for notarization
		v Other documents as may be required for particular tournaments or leagues
	q	Registration fees for players shall be set annually by the Board of Directors, and shall vary according to the level and cost of competition in which a team is entered. Raffle tickets issued by the Club are also to be paid for at the time of registration, and may be retained by the player's family or resold. The raffle will be conducted at the Annual Club Tournament. Family rates may yet be set. Registration fees may be pro-rated for late signees (e.g.. fall league).
	r	Honoraria may be set annually by the Board of Directors for a Business Manager, Technical Director and other offices deemed necessary. Holders of these offices may be appointed by the Board of Directors for one year terms.
	s	Coaches and team officials are to attend coaches' meetings when called by the Board of Directors. It is the coach's responsibility to ensure that a person represents his or her team if the coach is unable to attend due to a significant conflict. Non compliance may result in forfeiture of honoraria, and if habitual, by dismissal from the Club.
	t	The Club shall provide each coach with a copy of the constitution and the Club's code of conduct, and with notice of meetings at which attendance is required (including league or association meetings). The Club shall provide each coach with a list of the Club's officers and coaches and a list of the assignments of duties of Club officials.
	u	The Club shall hold an annual award banquet and present each player with a Club Yearbook.
	v	The Club shall accept sponsorship as required and offered from individuals and/or organizations whose goals are not contrary to the principals of the Club and the good of the game of soccer.
	w	Coaches are responsible for informing the Club and the local media in a timely manner of the results of their teams.
	x	The Club may approve the reimbursement of wages lost by a coach or Club official participating in Club business providing appropriate documentation is presented.
	y	The Club will arrange access to and payment for gymnasium for winter practices for each team.
	z	The Club will sponsor teams in the local house league, and make annual application to sponsor boys and girls house league select teams as a means of promoting the Club.
	aa	The Club will enter its teams at the highest level of competition available and affordable, which is appropriate to the calibre of its teams.
	ab	The Club will seek playing-out rights for all its teams on an annual basis in order to comply with rule "aa".
	ac	Notwithstanding rule "aa", the Club will enter teams in local district leagues upon request to ensure the viability of those leagues.
	ad	After participating for two years in the Club's teams, a player may retain the issued track suit and gym bag. After participating for one year, a player may purchase these items for half price. Shorts and socks will become the player's property after one year. Shirts remain the property of the Club unless determined by the Club.

Gjl 011799020300-Articles 17 and 18 changed to include six directors