CONSTITUTION
OF THE
ARTICLE 1
NAME:
1. This organization shall be known as the North Waterloo Ringette League, here
in after referred to as the *NWRL*.
2. The League shall have the power to accept donations and set membership fees.
3. Upon dissolution, any funds remaining in any bank accounts in the name of
the NWRL shall be donated to such organizations that exist that further the
sport of ringette.
ARTICLE 2
AIMS and OBJECTIVES:
1. To promote, govern, and develop the playing of ringette as a mass
participation team sport within the boundaries of the NWRL, with an emphasis on
sportsmanship and fair play.
2. To provide a venue for all associations, within the boundaries of the NWRL,
to participate in the sport of ringette, regardless of the size of their
association and without regard for their players' skill level.
3. To provide levels of competition that are fair and equitable for all member
associations, in an effort to stimulate public support and spectator interest
in the game of ringette.
4. To remember at all times that ringette is a sport for the players.
5. To hold the safety and well being of the players above the outcome of any
game.
ARTICLE 3
MEMBERSHIP:
1. Membership in the NWRL is open to all associations registered and in good
standing with the Ontario Ringette Association (O.R.A.) and Regional
Associations as well as the NWRL. Any
new members who wish to apply to become members of the NWRL may do so by
applying in writing and membership will be subject to the approval of the Board
of Directors (majority vote) at the first meeting of the season.
2. NWRL players must be registered with the O.R.A.
3. An annual fee for each team participating in the NWRL will be set by the
Board of Directors at the first meeting of the season. Such fees are to be
non-transferable and non-refundable and payment is due as per deadlines set at
the first meeting of the season and no later than November 15. Any payments made after November 15 are
subject to a monetary penalty determined by the Board of Directors.
4. The Board of Directors (upon majority vote) has the right to decline or
remove any member of the NWRL for conduct that is deemed to have a negative
impact on the league and the sport of Ringette.
An association also has the option to remove themselves from the league
at any point in time but must be done so in writing detailing the reasons for
their departure.
ARTICLE 4
BOARD of DIRECTORS:
1. The Board of Directors of the NWRL shall consist of one (1) voting representatives from each of the member associations in good standing, out of which they will elect, at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), the following Executive positions: President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. These positions will have collectively one (1) vote in a tie breaking situation. The Board of Directors will also include the following non-voting members League Scheduler, Referee in Chief and Statistician (as required). Where possible, each association may only have one (1) elected representative on the Executive.
2. Term commitment for each executive position shall be for a two (2) year
term with a maximum of no more than 2 consecutive terms.
3. Vacancies on the Board of Directors may be filled by the Executive, subject
to the approval of the Board at the next regular meeting.
4. A quorum shall be deemed present when a majority of the member associations
are in attendance. The Board of Directors may hold its meetings at such time
and place as determined by the Executive. In any case, board meetings shall be
held as required but there must be a minimum of four (4) meetings throughout
the year including the AGM. All meetings are open to any member, official,
coach, player or parent of any member association.
5. All correspondence is to be channelled through the member associations'
representatives only. This includes protests, schedules, and/or rule changes ,
which may occur during the course of the season.
6. Any member of a member association may act as a temporary NWRL representative
(if the representative and alternate are unavailable) if accompanied by a
letter from that respective association's Board of Director or Association President
stating such fact. If there is no letter then said person will not be allowed
to vote.
7. Any member of a member association may speak at a meeting.
8. The Annual General Meeting is to be scheduled no later than April 30th each year.
ARTICLE 5
DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE:
1. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and is
further charged with the general management of the affairs of the NWRL. The
President shall be responsible for informing all league representatives as to
the time and place of all Board meetings. The President shall ensure that all
board members are performing their duties and may replace any that are not,
with the approval of the Board. The President is an ex-officio member of all
committees.
2. The Vice President will, in the President's absence, perform the duties of
the President with all powers and restrictions which apply to the president.
The Vice President shall be the chairperson of the Grievance Committee and as
such is charged with overseeing the administration of the committee as set out
in the Grievance Policy.
3. The Secretary shall keep an accurate record of the minutes of each Board
meeting and shall provide a copy of the previous meeting to each member
representative ten (10) days prior to the next Board meeting. The Secretary
shall be custodian of such records and/or articles belonging to the NWRL, shall
keep them safe until the term of office is expired, and is responsible for
passing such records on to the next Secretary.
4. The Treasurer shall keep full and accurate accounts of all receipts and
disbursements of the NWRL in proper books of accounts. The Treasurer shall
deposit all monies "to the credit of the NWRL." in such bank accounts
as approved by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall only issue cheques
approved by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall make reports to the
Board at each meeting and shall provide a financial report to be enclosed with
the notice of the AGM.
8. The Board of Directors may: suspend or expel a player, team, or coaching
member or association for just cause. Just cause is determined to be a total
disregard for the aims and objectives of the NWRL as well as the rules of play
of the NWRL, O.R.A. AND C.R.A.; fine any player, team or association that
refuses to accept and obey the ruling of the Board.; re-admit any team or
member under suspension by a seventy-five per cent (75%) vote in favour of such
action; vote on the recommendations of the rules committee as to rule changes,
protests, and appeals; make rulings on the eligibility of over-age players,
taking into account the ability of the player in question as well as the total
number on the team.
ARTICLE 6
COMMITTEES:
1. The Grievance Committee shall be chaired by the Vice President or any other
member of the executive in his/her absence and is charged with the handling of
all grievances and complaints by any association relating to play within the
NWRL. In addition to the Vice President
the committee will consist of two (2) non-partisan members of the Board of
Directors to be determined on a case by case basis. All Grievances must be reported to the
committee in writing as per the policy set out.
2. The Rules Committee shall consist of the Executive and will be chaired by
the President. The committee is charged
subject to the approval of the Board of Directors with : amending the rules of
play; assuring that the rules are complied with by all participants; making
special rulings in any series or playoff schedule; publishing and ensure
distribution of NWRL rules of play to all member associations within ten (10)
days of any change.
3. All committees are to keep meeting minutes and present them to the Secretary
along with their report to the Board.
ARTICLE 7
REFEREES:
Referees should attend clinics as required by the O.R.A. to ensure the highest quality of officiating. A referee may be rejected by the Referee in Chief or the Grievance Committee for repeated complaints of poor performance when no corrective action is taken. They shall be responsible for the control of any game he/she is officiating in, as outlined in the "O.R.A. Official Rules Book". Referees will be paid by their local associations.
TIMEKEEPERS, SCOREKEEPERS AND SHOT CLOCK OPERATORS:
The responsibility to supply timekeepers, scorekeepers and shot clock operators rests solely with the member associations. The NWRL will not be responsible for the assignment of these duties or payment of fees for these duties.
RULES OF PLAY:
The NWRL agrees to establish rules of play which may be changed as required
throughout the season by majority vote of the Board of Directors. Such rule
changes are to be presented to the Board by the Rules Committee. These rules
are not to be part of the constitution, but rather a separate entity onto
themselves.
ARTICLE 8
CONSTITUTION:
1. Changes to the constitution shall only be made at the Annual General Meeting
by a majority vote of the membership.
2. Proposed changes to the constitution must be submitted by March 15th to the
Secretary.
ARTICLE 9
PROTECTION OF DIRECTORS
Every Director or Executive of the Association or other person who has
undertaken or is about to undertake any liability on behalf of the NWRL and
their heirs, executors, administrators and estates and effects respectively
shall from time to time and at all times be indemnified and save harmless, out
of funds of the league from and against:
a) all cost, charges, and expenses whatsoever which such Director or other
person sustains or incurs in or about any action, suit, or proceeding which is
brought, commenced or prosecuted against him or in respect of any act or deed, matter
or thing whatsoever made, done or permitted by him in or about the execution of
the duties of his office or in respect of such liabilities.
b )all other costs, charges, and expenses which he sustains or incurs in or
about or in relation to the affairs thereof except such costs, charges or
expenses as are occasioned by his own willful neglect or default.
No Director, Executive member or Officer of the NWRL shall be liable for the
acts, receipts, neglects, or defaults of any other Director, Executive Member
or Officer or employee or for joining in any receipt or act for conformity or
for the loss, damage or expense happening to the League, or loss or damages
arising from the bankruptcy, insolvency or tortuous act of any person, firm or
corporation with whom or which any moneys, securities or effects shall be
lodged or deposited or for any loss, damage, or misfortune whatever which may
happen in respective office or trust or in relation thereto unless the same
shall happen by or through his own willful act or his own willful default.