Club Constitution

Constitution and By-laws
Revised May 1st, 2018

ARTICLE 1: NAME OF CLUB

The Name of the Club shall be Woodbridge Figure Skating Club here in after called the Club.

ARTICLE 2: SKATE CANADA

a) A not-for-profit figure skating or skating club, or the figure skating or skating section of a not-for-profit club, that is a member of Skate Canada and is managed by a volunteer board of directors for the general purpose of providing Skate Canada figure skating or skating programs for Skate Canada members [Skate Canada By-law 1100 (3)].

b) The Club shall pay such fees and such other charges as shall be required of clubs from time to time by Skate Canada. [Skate Canada By-law 1201 (1) (c) (ii), 1201 (1) (c) (viii) and 1201 (1) (c) (ix)]

c) The Club shall abide by all Skate Canada By-laws, rules and regulations as per Skate Canada By-law 1201 (1) (c) (iv).

d) The Club is located in the Central Ontario Section of Skate Canada. See Skate Canada By-law 1503 for definition of Sections.

ARTICLE 3: PURPOSE OF THE CLUB

a) The purpose of the Club shall be to encourage the instruction, practice, enjoyment and advancement of its members in all aspects of skating in accordance with the Rules, Policies and Procedures of Skate Canada.

b) The Club, with regard to any aspect of its operation is to be managed and operated by eligible persons who are duly registered as Associate Members of Skate Canada [By-law 1201 (1) (c) (iv)]

c) The Club shall protect the eligibility status of its members. The Club shall not take or omit any action that would knowingly jeopardize the eligible status of its members.

d) The Club shall operate only Skate Canada figure skating and skating programs.

e) Only Skate Canada Professional Coaches are permitted to teach figure skating and skating in the Club.

ARTICLE 4: BY-LAWS OF THE CLUB

a) The By-laws, appended to this Constitution, shall describe the organization and functions of the Club, and the means by which members of the Club may elect the Club Board of Directors and control the property and activities of the Club.

b) The By-laws, Rules and Regulations of Skate Canada and those of the Section in which the Club operates shall take precedence over any Club By-laws [Skate Canada By-law 1201 (1) (c) (iv)].

c) Any Club By-law contrary to the By-laws, Rules and Regulations of Skate Canada and those of the Section shall be invalid. It is acknowledged that any provincial statute governing a club has precedence over any inconsistent Skate Canada by-law relating to that club. [Skate Canada by-law 1201 (1) (c) (iv).]

BY-LAWS OF THE

Woodbridge Figure Skating Club
(Name of club)

MEMBERSHIP

By-law 1: Club Membership
Membership in the Club shall be open to all, irrespective of sex, age, creed or colour.

By-law 2: Skate Canada and Club By-laws, Rules and Regulations
All members shall uphold, observe and conform to the By-laws, Rules and Regulations of Skate Canada, the By-laws of the Club and such regulations as made by the Board of Directors of the Club.

By-law 3: Membership Fees
Members of the Club shall be registered with Skate Canada and pay such registration and other fees to Skate Canada as set from time to time by Skate Canada. (See Skate Canada By-law 1201 (1) (c) (ix), Skate Canada By-law 1202 (1) (a), Rule 2101, Policies and Procedures.)

By-law 4: Member in Good Standing
For a member of the Club to be considered in good standing with the Club, that member must pay Club fees as are stipulated by the Club Board of Directors in advance of the membership year in question. Members will not be permitted to take part in any Club activities if these fees are not paid within 10 days of the date set for payment. Members in arrears shall be considered as having terminated their club membership.

By-law 5: Setting of Club Fees, Rules and Skating Hours
Fees, skating rules and skating hours of the Club shall be as the Board of Directors decides from time to time. Club membership shall commence on the first day of the Skate Canada membership year, September 1, or the date that fees are paid (whichever is the latter) and terminate on the last day of the Skate Canada membership year, August 31.

By-law 6: Suspension and Expulsion from the Club
The Board of Directors may suspend or expel a member of the club for acting contrary to the By-laws, Rules and Regulations of Skate Canada or of the Club. The Club Board shall develop a suspension and expulsion policy in accordance with the Skate Canada Complaint, Suspension and Expulsion Policy and Procedure that contains a provision for suspending or expelling of any member of the Club from such membership on terms and conditions that are deemed appropriate and necessary by the Club Board of Directors. This policy shall be approved by the Club Board of Directors from time to time and it shall be in writing and made available to all members in advance of its implementation. This policy must include an appropriate hearing and appeal process, which includes principles of due process, an appropriate reinstatement application process and an appropriate graduated series of disciplinary measures. See Skate Canada By-law 1204.

By-law 7: Classes of Club Membership
The classes of membership, eligibility and privileges shall be as follows:

• Individual membership: Non-skating members who have paid the fees as set by the club and are Associate Members of Skate Canada. Individual members of legal age of 18 shall be entitled to one vote at each Annual General Meeting and Special Meeting of the Club.

• Active Membership: All eligible skaters who participate in a Club Skating Program and who have paid the fees as set by the club and are Associate Members of Skate Canada. All Active Members of the legal age of 18 shall be entitled to one vote at each Annual General Meeting and Special Meeting of the Club. (Underage Active Members have no vote but may be represented by Special Members) Note that if rights and privileges differ between members of different Skating Programs, this differentiation must be clearly specified.

• Special Membership: Parent or guardian of legally underage Active Members who have paid the fees as set by the Club and are Associate Members of Skate Canada.

• Partial Membership: All eligible skaters who are Associate Member or Restricted Member of Skate Canada through another HOME club and have paid a reduced fee as set by the Club. NOTE: Partial Members must prove membership at another home club, do not have voting rights, will be permitted ice time for practices – home members will be provided preference for lessons.

• Restricted Membership: A restricted member is an individual who is a paid employee (of the club, Section or Association), a non-active coach, a performing professional skater or a professional dance partner. A restricted member is not permitted to hold elected office, may not vote at meetings, is not permitted to compete in competitions, and is not permitted to officiate at tests or competitions. See Skate Canada By-law 1201 (1) (c) (xi), By-law 1202 (2) and Rule 2001.

• Active Member (Non voting rights) or (Restricted Voting Rights) – An active member (Non-Voting rights) is a member who meets the following criteria. This includes a class of membership with restricted voting rights. [Skate Canada By-law 1201 (1) (c) (i) and 1202 (1) (e)]

LIABILITY

By-law 8: Liability
The Club shall not be responsible for any damages, injury, or loss of property to any member, guest or visitor to the Club regardless of the reason or nature of such damage, loss or injury. Every member, guest or visitor shall use the Club facilities at his or her own risk. The Club shall participate in the Skate Canada Club Liability and Member Accident Insurance programs [Skate Canada By-law 1201 (1) (c) (viii)].

CLUB MANAGEMENT

By-law 9: Members of Board of Directors, Committees and Club Delegate to Skate Canada
The members of the Board of Directors, members and Chairs of committees, and the Club Delegate to Skate Canada must be members in good standing of the Club, be registered as Associate Members of Skate Canada, be of legal age, and be eligible persons (with the exception of the Coaching Representative) as defined by Skate Canada Rules.

By-law 10: General Management of the Club
The general management of the club shall be vested in a Board of Directors consisting of:
President, Vice-President, Test Chair, three Directors at large and a Coaching Representative. The President, Secretary, Treasurer shall be elected for 2 year terms in even numbered years at the Annual General Meeting. The Vice-President, Test Chair shall be elected for 2 year terms in odd numbered years at the Annual General Meeting. The three Directors at Large shall be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting. The Coaching Representative shall be elected annually by and from within the coaches of the club. The Past President shall be considered ex-officio and shall hold office until a new President has been duly elected. A board member must be a member at large for one year prior to becoming President.

The Coaching Representative shall be elected as per Skate Canada By-laws.

By-law 11: Holding of Board of Directors Office
The Board of Directors shall hold office until the close of the meeting at which their successors have been duly elected. Any member of the Board of Directors may be removed by the members by a 2/3 majority vote at a Special General Meeting duly called for that purpose.

By-law 12: Voting at Board of Directors Meetings
A quorum of the Board of Directors shall consist of 50% of the Board of Directors members, plus 1, including the Chair. NOTE: Questions arising at any meeting of the Board of Directors shall be decided by a majority of votes. The meeting chair may vote only when the vote would change the result. Therefore the chair may vote to break a tie, and thus pass the motion, or to create a tie, and thus defeat a motion. A majority of the Board of Directors shall form a quorum. [Skate Canada By-law 1420 (5)]

By-law 13: Board of Directors Vacancies
Casual vacancy occurring between any Annual General Meeting of the Club, may be filled, until the next annual General Meeting by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Board of Directors or in the case of the Coaching Representative, by the coaching staff.

By-law 14: Board of Directors Member Absenteeism
If a Board of Directors Member is absent for more than 3 consecutive scheduled Board of Directors meetings, without good cause and/or without prior notification to the President or Secretary, then that office may be declared vacant by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

By-law 15: Role of President
The President shall act as Chair of all Board of Directors and general meetings. In his/her absence, the Vice-president will fill this duty.

By-law 16: Role of Treasurer
The Treasurer shall be responsible for the safe control of all club funds, for preparing and submitting to the Board of Directors on a regular basis an annual budget and keeping such records as are required for financial review. The Treasurer is also responsible for arranging for an unaudited annual financial statement. Any two of the President, the Vice-president, the Secretary and the Treasurer shall sign all cheques and legal documents. Note: It is recommended that the Treasurer be one of the signatories.

By-law 17: Role of Secretary
The Secretary shall deal with all correspondence subject to the approval of the President or his/her delegate, shall issue all notices for Board of Directors and general meetings, shall take minutes at all meetings, and shall be responsible for submitting to Skate Canada and the Section such reports as are required by Skate Canada rules and other regulations.

By-law 18: Committees – President as ex-officio member
The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.

By-law 19: Committees – Appointment
The President shall appoint standing committee Chairs whom shall look after duties assigned to them. All Committee Chairs must submit the names of their committee members to the President for approval.

By-law 20: Committees: Eligibility to Serve
All Club Board of Directors and members of Committees shall be eligible persons and shall be of legal age (18 years). They must be members in good standing of the club and be Associate Members of the Association. Skate Canada By-law 1201 (1) (c) (ii).

By-law 21: Rules of Order
Rules of order for all meetings, General and Board of Directors, shall be as outlined in Roberts Rules of Order in all cases in which they are applicable and consistent with the by-laws or special rules of the Association (Skate Canada By-law 1603).

SKATE CANADA CLUB DELEGATE AND REGION COUNCILORS

By-law 22
The Club Delegate to Skate Canada and/or the Section shall be appointed annually by the Board of Directors. The Delegate need not be a member of the Board of Directors. The Section and/or Skate Canada National Office shall be advised of the appointed delegate’s name. The Club shall appoint a Councilor and an alternate Councilor to serve on the Region Council as required by the By-laws of the Region Council. The delegates and councilors shall report on activities at these meetings and shall be entitled to receive compensation for pre-approved expenses related to attendance at required meetings.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

By-law 23: Timing, Quorum, Special Meeting Request
An Annual General Meeting shall be held within 60 days of the close of the club’s skating season. Other general meetings may be held from time to time upon the request of the Board of Directors or upon written request of 10% per cent of Club Members. A quorum for an Annual General Meeting or Special Meeting shall be 10% per cent of the eligible-voting members. Skate Canada By-law 1201 (1) (c) (i) requires that each club hold an annual meeting. Note that the required quorum should be 10% of the voting membership.

By-law 24: Written Notice
Written notice of all Annual General Meeting and Special Meetings shall be provided 15 days in advance to each eligible voting member. The notice shall include the time and place of the meeting, the agenda, full details of any proposed amendments to these By-laws, and a complete list of the candidates nominated for elections.

By-law 25: Voting on Club Elections
Voting on Club elections shall be by secret ballot and a simple majority shall elect a candidate. Voting on other matters may be by a show of hands.

By-law 26: Eligibility to Vote
Voting for club elections or on any matters pertaining to skating shall be restricted to eligible club members who are registered as Associate Members of Skate Canada and are 18 years of age, to the club Coaching representative(s) and to Special Members of the club voting on behalf of their underage children (who are members of the club and registered as an Associate Member of Skate Canada).

Special Members shall be restricted to one vote per family regardless of how many children are in the family.

By-law 27: Order of Business
The order of business at an Annual General Meeting of the Club shall be as follows:

• Reading of the Notice of Meeting
• Quorum
• Approval of Agenda
• Minutes of the preceding General/Special meeting
• Confirmation of the actions taken by the Board of Directors
• Secretary’s Report
• Treasurer’s Report (Annual Financial Statement)
• Other Reports
• Election of Board of Directors
• Amendments to the Constitution and By-laws
• Appointment of Auditors (as applicable)
• New Business

AMENDMENTS

By-law 28: Right to Submit, Process for Submitting
Any member of the Club, in good standing, may propose an amendment to the Constitution or by-laws of the club. This proposal must be submitted in writing to the Club Board of Directors. The proposed amendment will be presented to the Annual General Meeting or Special Meetings. All amendments must be submitted at least 21 days before the respective meeting. No amendment to the Constitution or By-laws of the Club shall be accepted from the floor at any meeting.

By-law 29: Interim Amendments
By-laws may be enacted or amended by a majority vote (50% plus 1) of the Board of Directors whenever required. Such by-laws or amendments must be presented at the next General Meeting for ratification by the members. If they fail to be ratified, they will cease to be effective and may not be re-enacted by the Board of Directors for one calendar year.

By-law 30: Voting of Amendments
Any amendment, to be accepted or ratified, must pass by a vote of 2/3 of those eligible to vote and present at an Annual General Meeting of the Club.

By-law 31: Effective Force of Amendments to By-laws
All amendments to the by-laws upon receiving approval of any general or special meeting of members and upon approval of the provincial government (if applicable) shall come into force immediately or on a date specified for same. All such amendments shall be submitted to Skate Canada. Skate Canada reserves the right of refusal of any amendment. Such refusal shall only be made if the intent of such amendment is to violate, in principle or spirit, any Skate Canada rule and/or by-law.

FUNDS

By-law 32
The Treasurer shall deposit all funds of the Club in such banks or other institutions as may be designated by the Board of Directors.

By-law 33
All disbursements of club funds shall be by cheque or other auditable document.

By-law 34
A person designated by the Board of Directors shall make a review of the financial transactions of the Club each year and the financial statements shall be made available to the membership of the Club.

By-law 35 Dissolution
In the event that the club ceases to exist, the net assets from liquidation shall go to the Skate Canada, Central Ontario Office.

COMMITTEES

By-law 36: Finance Committee/Chair
This committee shall be responsible for preparing the Club’s annual budget and supervising the finances of the club including the presentation of an independently reviewed annual statement of revenues and expenditures to its members.

By-law 37: Test Committee/Chair
This committee shall be responsible for arranging and supervising all tests (in consultation with the appointed referees), obtaining judges for Skate Canada tests and competitions, keeping Club records of tests, and preparing Test records for forwarding to Skate Canada. The Test Chair shall also liaise with Skate Canada as necessary regarding tests, competitions, and judging.

By-law 38: Membership/Promotions Committee/Chair
This committee is responsible for promoting and developing membership in the club and for ensuring submission of club and member registrations to Skate Canada. In addition, this committee will be responsible for updating bulletin boards with club promotional materials and current club activities.

By-law 39: Skating Programs Committee/Chair
In consultation with the club coaching staff the committee shall coordinate and oversee implementation and delivery of all Skate Canada skating programs including but not limited to CanSkate, CanPowerSkate, Synchronized Skating, STARSkate, Competitive Skate, and Talent Identification and Development. Reporting to the skating programs committee is the recreational skating programs sub-committee.

By-law 40: Fund Raising/Special Events Committee/Chair
This committee shall be responsible for programs and activities to raise funds to support or subsidize Club operations and for organizing special events for the skaters (e.g. holiday events). The Fundraising Chair shall also act as the Club’s liaison with Club sponsors and donors.

Note: The following special program sub-committees as deemed necessary by the club may be formed. These sub-committees may include but are not limited to:

• Carnival/IceShow Committee/Chair
• Ice Committee/Chair
• Test Committee/Chair
• Music Committee/Chair
• Club Competition Committee/Chair
• Synchronized Committee/Chair
• Recreation Program Committee/Chair