Article 1:

Revised Date

The League shall be a Member of the Huronia District Soccer Association and shall follow the published rules of The Ontario Soccer Association, hereinafter referred to as The OSA. The League is subject to the published rules in declining order of authority of the following governing organizations to which it is affiliated:

1. The Canadian Soccer Association

2. The OSA

3. District Association

MEMBERSHIP

Any properly recognized soccer club within the league boundaries, may become a member.  Eligibility for Membership in the league shall be in accordance with the OSA's Pyramid For Play and with the OSA's published rules governing leagues.

Acceptance Into Membership

To be deemed properly recognized, a club must follow the OSA definition of a club: as an organization operating four or more youth teams under a common executive.  Clubs with less than 4 teams may apply to the District for affiliation.

Membership Fees

A one-time fee must be paid by all new clubs wishing to join the league as set out in the Rules and Regulations Schedule of Fines and Fees of the League.

A one-time Bond as set out in the Rules and Regulations Schedule of Fines and Fees is paid by all clubs belonging to the league at the first General Meeting in February.  It will be put into a separate account and be used towards any outstanding fines & fees if the club resigns from the league with the following provisions:

• is fully refundable to the Club if they have left the League in good standing with no outstanding fines & fees

• no partial refund if any of this monies has been applied to outstanding fines and fees and the Club did not notify the League that they were no longer being a part of the League

Approval of New Members

A club shall become eligible to be a new Member if one or more of its teams becomes eligible to play in the league based on the OSA's Pyramid For Play in accordance with the OSA's published rules.

The Membership application must be approved by the League's Board of Directors.

Membership Renewal

Membership will be reviewed annually by the League Executive.  It is available to those properly recognized clubs that has no unpaid charges, as set out in the Rules and Regulations of the league.  In order to be in good standing, a club must have no outstanding league fines and be a member in good standing with the District and OSA.

Rights of Members

Members shall be accorded the following rights:

• To be governed in accordance with The OSA and the League's published rules,

• To participate in League sanctioned competitions,

• To attend and vote at all general meetings called by the League,

• To enter teams in the league in accordance with the OSA's published rules.

Discipline of a Member

A Member may be fined, censured, suspended or expelled from Membership for cause and only after charges have been laid in accordance with the League's rules and regulations and a hearing held in accordance with the League's rules and regulations and the OSA's published rules. A Member whose Membership has been suspended loses all rights of Membership until the suspension has been terminated.

Termination of Membership

Membership in the League shall be deemed to have been terminated:

• If the Member submits a signed letter of withdrawal to the League,

• If the Member is expelled by the League.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The League shall be governed by a Board of Directors which shall consist of at least four (4) individuals, or such number not be less than three (3), as may be amended from time to time in accordance with the League's By-Laws.  These individuals shall hold the positions:

• On the elected Board Executive Council of:

  1. President

  2. Vice-President

  3. Secretary

  4. Treasurer

• And other elected Board Directors of:

  5. Convenor/Discipline Chair

  6. Protest Chair

  7. Trophy Chair

  8. Referee-in-Chief

  9. Tournament Chair

• And other Directors appointed as representatives:

  1. League Representative to the District Association

A Director may hold more than one position.

A Director shall be 18 years of age or older and shall not be an undischarged bankrupt.

A Director shall serve for a term of two years or until his or her successor is elected or appointed.

The number of Board Members elected or appointed associated with the same Club, will not exceed two.

After a initial Board of Directors has been appointed, the positions of President, Treasurer, Convenor/Discipline Chair, Protest Chair and Tournament Chair shall be elected in even numbered years while the positions of Vice President, Secretary, Trophy Chair and Referee-in-Chief shall be elected in odd numbered years.

1. the Director is unable to perform the duties expected of the position due to, but not limited to, any of the following reasons:

• if she/he becomes incapable of performing the business of the League
• if she/he is absent from two or more meetings of the Board without satisfactory reason
• if she/he no longer resides in reasonable proximity to the League
• if she/he becomes, or is discovered to be, an undischarged bankrupt; or

2. the Director has compromised the integrity of the League due to, but not limited to, any of the following reasons:

• if she/he has been found guilty of an offence under the Harassment Policy of The OSA
• if she/he has been found guilty of an offence involving violence under the Discipline Policy of The OSA
• if she/he has failed to properly account for monies or other property belonging to the League
• if she/he has been found guilty of a criminal offence regardless of whether or not the offence directly affected the League
• if she/he has been found guilty of failing to act in accordance with the Conflict of Interest Policy of The OSA

A member of the Board of Directors holding his or her respective position(s), as Director or other position(s), may be removed from office by the Board of Directors for good and sufficient cause by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors present, provided notice to remove the Director has been given to all Directors of the League.  If a Director is removed by the Board of Directors, the Board of Directors may appoint a successor to the incumbent's position(s) for the remainder of the term being filled.

A member of the Board of Directors may also be removed from office for good and sufficient cause at a meeting of the Members of the League provided notice to remove the Director has been given to persons entitled to attend the Members' meeting.  If a Director is removed at a Members' meeting, the Members entitled to vote may elect a successor to fill all position(s) held by the removal Director for the remainder of his or her term being filled.

The Board of Directors shall be responsible for the appointment and renewal of appointments of all positions within the League except for those positions elected by the Membership of the League. This shall include the appointment of volunteer and paid positions for coach and administrator positions within the League's operations. The selection process and the appointments shall be based on procedures outlined in the League's rules and regulations.

The Board of Directors may also revoke, for cause, any appointment providing that it has followed the procedures for revoking an appointment as outlined in the League's rules and regulations.

Except:  1. as provided for the Dispute Resolution Policy of the OSA, and
            2.  where the President delegates the responsibility to another person,

The President shall preside at all general meetings of the League and of the Board of Directors. The President shall be ex officio a member of all committees, except any nominations committee; shall appoint all chairs of standing and special committees subject to ratification by the Board; coordinate all duties of the Board, committees, staff; and shall be the spokesperson for the League. The President can be one of the co-signers of the SCYSL cheques.

Vice- President

The Vice President shall act in the absence of the President and shall have other powers as assigned by the Board.  The Vice President can be one of the co-signers of the SCYSL cheques.

Treasurer

The Treasurer shall ensure that full and accurate records are kept of the accounts of the League; shall report to the Board of Directors at least once per quarter; and shall submit an Annual Report to the Annual General Meeting. The treasurer shall maintain records to support the financial position of the SCYSL, reconcile the bank account(s) monthly, organize the auditing of the financial position of the SCYSL prior to the AGM, set-up and maintain the League bank account at an accredited financial institution and be one of the signers of the SCYSL cheques. The treasurer will invest League funds as good business practice dictates for the financial benefit of the league, when approved at a general meeting. The treasurer will prepare an annual budget by February of each year. The treasurer will submit a notice two weeks prior to each meeting to all the clubs with outstanding fines. Major expenditures (over $500) must have three quotes, the lowest of which will not necessarily be accepted.

Secretary

The Secretary shall keep a record of all minutes of the organization; keep on file all committee reports; notify officers and committee members of their election or appointment; furnish committees with those documents required to perform their duties; sign all certified copies of acts of the organization, unless otherwise specified in the League's rules and regulations; maintain record books in which the constitution, rules and regulations and minutes are entered and to have the current record books available at each meeting; to send out to the Membership a notice of each general meeting; to send out to the board notice of each meeting; conduct the general correspondence of the organization that is not the proper function of another office or committee; prepare, prior to each meeting in consultation with the presiding officer, an order of business; and in the absence of the president and vice-president to preside until the immediate election or appointment of a new presiding officer.

Convenor & Discipline Chair

The Convenor Chair will split divisions when deemed appropriate, will arrange play-off games with pitch location as necessary, will supply reports monthly to all the clubs of their teams standings, fines and fees pertaining to their teams.

The Director of Discipline and Appeals shall call discipline meetings as required and according to the Rules and Regulations of the OSA; audit a District League's Discipline Committee and its records for discipline and represent the SCYSL, as required at HDSA discipline hearings.  They shall tally red and yellow cards for players, will follow the rule for Team Discipline found in the Rules and Regulations, will present a report at the end of the season to all the clubs of any discipline carryovers to the next season, will inform clubs of the penalties handed out to the players and coaches, and any other discipline towards anyone associated with that Club.

Referee-in-Chief

The Referee-in-Chief will co-ordinate referee clinics with the HDSA, and will maintain a list of all carded referees for use when a neutral official is required. The Referee-in-Chief will appoint officials as required by Rules & Regulations. Will co-ordinate officials for play-off and cup games and will monitor grievances relating to/from the officials, reprimanding or suspending if necessary.

Protest Chair

The Protest Chair will chair all hearings regarding any properly presented protest as per the League guidelines and will form committees of three neutrals from the Executive Board to hear each case.

Trophy Chair

The Trophy Chair will ensure all Clubs have League & PYC trophies, will arrange for the replacement/repair of any trophies, and will purchase any required trophies as authorized by the League.

Tournament Chair

The Tournament Chair will set guidelines for competitions, particularly the PYC, will work closely with organizers of tournaments and cup games, and will develop an annual tournament calendar.

Nominations and elections for positions open shall be held in the order of the positions listed in the Constitution.

Election shall be by secret ballot, but in the event only one candidate is nominated, no vote is required and the nominated candidate shall be declared elected by acclamation.

A majority of the votes cast shall be required to elect Directors.  In the event no candidate receives a majority, the candidate with the least votes shall be dropped from the ballot and another vote shall be held.

An official notice of each meeting shall be given to all Members at least 14 days before the meeting is to be held, at such place, and at such date as the Board of Directors may determine. Such notification shall be any of the following: email, regular mail, fax, website notice, newspaper announcement, public notice, posting at League office, and any other method determined by the Members.

Annual General Meeting:

The League shall hold its Annual General meeting not later than January 31 of the following year.  The agenda of the Annual General meeting shall include:

1. Roll Call
2. Credentials Reports
3. Minutes of Previous Annual General Meeting
4. President's Address
5. Officers' Reports
6. Treasurer's Report
7. Auditor's Report
8. Appointment of Auditors
9. Other Reports
10. Unfinished Business
11. Amendments to the By-Laws
12. Roll Call
13. Election of Officers and Directors
14. Any Other Business
15. Adjournment

A copy of all motions and proposed amendments to the Constitution to be brought to a vote at the AGM will be sent to member clubs three weeks prior to the meeting along with the minutes of the previous AGM.  Club presidents will be given 3 weeks notice in writing of the time and location of the AGM.

Special General Meeting:

A Special General Meeting of the League:

1. may be called by the Board of Directors, or
2. shall be called by the Board of Directors upon receipt of a written request submitted to the League by registered mail, certified mail, trace mail, courier service, hand delivery, fax or email, signed by not less than 50% of the voting Membership, setting out the items of business to be conducted at the Special General Meeting.  The Special General meeting shall be held within 30 days of receipt of the written request from the Members.

Only the business set out in the notice of the Special General Meeting shall be considered.

At an Annual General Meeting, League General Meeting or at a Special General Meeting, each Member is entitled to one vote provided they are in good standings with the League and as described in Article 4 of the constitution and having no unpaid fees.

The Treasurer shall, at the beginning of each meeting, read out those clubs having unpaid charges and shall monitor that they do not exercise a vote.

The Board or League Executive cannot represent a club, and as such shall have no voting privileges at any General Meetings.

Nov 25, 2007

(b) All Members entitled to vote shall be notified with the League’s notice of the said Members’ meeting about Rules and Regulations referred to in (a) and proposed By-Laws or amendments referred to in (b). Such notification shall be any of the following: email, regular mail, fax, website notice, newspaper announcement, public notice, posting at League office, and any other method determined by the Members.

Only a league constitution as amended and signed by the president of the League will be considered a true copy. Such copy will be kept in the League’s designated head office and will be available upon request.

Nov 25, 2007

1. discipline of a Member: summary of charges regarding misconduct
2. discipline of a Member: procedures for discipline hearing
3. duties of Board of Directors: authority granted to Board regarding the business being conducted
4. duties of Board of Directors: selection process and appointment process for the appointment and renewal of appointments to the League's paid and volunteer positions
5. duties of Board of Directors: process for revoking appointments
6. voting at General Meeting:  format for the proxy, and the issue, or issues, for which the proxy may be cast

The Board of Directors may approve and publish Rules and Regulations which are not inconsistent with this By-Law and not inconsistent with the Rules and Regulations of a higher level governing organization.

Any clause in the Rules and Regulations may be interpreted and clarified at any time by the Board of Directors.  Amendments to the Rules and Regulations may be made by a majority vote of the Board of Directors or the Members at an Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting called for that purpose.  If the rules and regulations are amended by the Board of Directors the amendment shall be presented for ratification at the next Annual General Meeting or a Special General Meeting called for that purpose.  If the amendment is not ratified, it is of no effect and the previous Rules and Regulations are then in effect.

1. be audited annually by a Chartered Accountant if the annual Gross Revenue is greater than $30,000.00; or
2. be reviewed annually through a Financial Review Engagement completed by a Certified General Accountant, Certified Management Accountant or Certified Accountant, if the Annual Gross Revenue is $30,000.00 or less; or
3. with the consent of all its Members, be exempt from any audit or Financial Review Engagement if the Annual Gross Revenue is less than $10,000

The Audit or the Financial Review Engagement statement shall be presented to the Annual General Meeting for adoption.

At the Annual General Meeting of the League, a Chartered Accountant firm shall be appointed to perform the Audit or the Financial Review Engagement.

The fiscal year of the League shall end on October 31 of each year, unless otherwise ordered by the Board of Directors.

1. Any registrant or registered organization directly affected by a decision of the League may appeal such decision.  The denial or termination of Membership in the League may be appealed by a non-Member.
2. A decision of the League may be appealed to the Huronia District Soccer Association with which the League is affiliated. The appeal shall be conducted in accordance with The OSA's published rules.
3. An individual shall not appeal a decision made by the Board of Directors regarding the appointment, non-appointment, re-appointment or revocation of appointment of an individual to any coach or administrator position within the League's operations, except where the selection, appointment and revocation process outlined in the League's rules and regulations has not been followed.