Last modified: September 14, 2009
All copyrights reserved
Constitution
Article I The name of the Society shall be the Vancouver Island Soccer Referees’ Association (the "Association").
Article II The purposes of the Association are:
Article III In the event of the dissolution of the Association any assets remaining after payment of all debts and obligations shall be distributed to another non-profit soccer oriented or conservation-recreation oriented society in that order in Victoria or British Columbia in that order. This clause is unalterable.
Bylaw 1: Interpretation
1.01
(a) "Society Act" means the Society Act of the Province of British Columbia from time to time in force and all amendments to it.
(b) "Active Member" means all Ordinary Members, Associate Members, Life Member and Youth Members.
1.02
The definitions in the Society Act on the date these Bylaws become effective
apply to these Bylaws.
1.03
"BCSRA" means the British Columbia Soccer Referees’ Association.
1.04
"CSRA" means the Canadian Soccer Referees’ Association.
1.05
"BCSA" means the British Columbia Soccer Association.
1.06
"CSA" means the Canadian Soccer Association.
1.07
Robert’s Rules of Order, shall, insofar as it is practicable, apply to all meetings
of the Association.
2.01
All members shall uphold the Constitution and comply with these Bylaws.
2.02
(a) All members shall submit to the Association an application and payment of an annual fee based upon their present referee classification with BCSA. Upon acceptance by the directors of the Association, the respective member shall become a registered member of the Association.
(b) All classification of members presently in good standing shall have voting rights.
2.03 A person shall cease to be a member of the Association:
(a) by providing written notification of their resignation to the Secretary of the Association; or
(b) upon their death; or
(c) upon being expelled; or
(d) upon having been a member not in good standing.
Ordinary Members
2.04
All members except those classed as Associate, Life, Honourary or Youth shall
hold status of Ordinary Member.
Associate Members
2.05
Associate Members shall be those members who have retired from active refereeing
but wish to continue to support the practice of refereeing.
Life Members and Honourary Members
2.06
Life Members and Honourary Members shall be those members especially distinguished
for their attainments in or contributions to the field of soccer refereeing.These
referees may be Life Members or Honourary Members of either the Association
or BCSRA.
2.07
Life Members shall be members who have been an Active Member of the Association
for a minimum of ten (10) years and shall be a minimum age of fifty (50) years.
They shall be nominated by the Executive a minimum of ninety (90) days prior
to the Annual General Meeting and shall be elected by a ¾ majority at
the Annual General Meeting.
Youth Members
2.08
Youth Members shall be those members officiating in youth competitions only.
(a) A Youth Member may participate in all business and activities of the Association.
(b) A Youth Member shall not hold an elective office of the Association.
Bylaw 3: Officers and Elections
Officers
3.01
The Officers of the Association shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting.
3.02
The Officers of the Association, hereinafter referred to as the "Executive",
shall consist of the following positions:
(a) President;
(b) Vice-President;
(c) Secretary;
(d) Treasurer;
(e) Director 1;
(f) Director 2.
3.03
(a) The President, Treasurer and Director 1 shall be elected for a two (2) year term every odd-numbered year.
(b) The Vice-President, Secretary and Director 2 shall be elected for a two (2) year term every even-numbered year.
3.04 Any of the Officers of the Association may be removed from office for failure to carry out the duties of their respective office or upon being declared a member not in good standing. Removal from office is by a majority vote of the members. A successor shall be elected to complete the term of office.
Elections
3.05
All Ordinary, Associate, Life and Honourary Members in good standing are eligible
to stand for election at the Annual General Meeting.
3.06
Nomination in absentia will be accepted provided a letter of nomination acceptance
is in the hands of the Secretary seven (7) days prior to the Annual General
Meeting.
3.07
In the event of an unforeseen vacancy in the Executive Committee, nomination
and voting will be carried out at the next regular meeting.
3.08
Election of members to the Executive shall be by secret ballot. All Ordinary,
Associate, Life and Youth Members in good standing are eligible to cast their
ballot.
3.09
At the Annual General Meeting the President shall appoint two (2) scrutineers
from the Ordinary, Associate, Life or Youth Members of the Association, to supervise
the balloting.
3.10
The nominees receiving the most votes shall be duly elected. In the event of
a tie, subclause 8.01(d) shall apply.
Bylaw 4: Meetings, Quorum, Discussion, Attendance and Rules of Order
Annual General Meetings
4.01
At the February regular meeting, the executive will announce the date, time,
and place of the annual general meeting. A minimum fourteen (14) days written
notice of general meetings will be delivered to every member. The Association
year end will be March 31, with the annual meeting date to follow.
4.02
The election of the Executive shall take place at this Annual General Meeting.
4.03 The
annual reports of the Executive shall be submitted at this Annual General Meeting.
Regular Meetings
4.04
A regular meeting of the Association shall take place on a selected day of the
thirdweek of each month from August to May inclusive. The date, time and location
of themonthly meeting shall be announced to the membership at the preceding
monthlymeeting. The meeting information shall also be distributed to the membership
alongwith an agenda and minutes of the previous monthly meeting during the first
week ofthe month. Meeting shall not be held on Friday, Saturday or Sunday evenings.
(as amended Aug 17 2009)
Special or Extraordinary Meetings
4.05
Special or Extraordinary Meetings of the Association may be called at the discretion
of the Executive or by a majority request of the members in good standing. A
letter requesting a Special or Extraordinary Meeting must be in the hands of
the Secretary twenty-one (21) days prior to the meeting and is to be signed
by no less than ten percent (10%) of the members in good standing.
Executive Meetings
4.06
Executive Meetings will be held at the discretion of the President.
Quorum
4.07
A quorum at any meeting of the Association, except at an Executive Meeting,
shall be a minimum of nine (9) Active Members in good standing including at
least three (3) of the Executive.
Discussion
4.08
No motion shall be received unless moved by a member and duly seconded by another
member. Every member, when speaking, shall address themselves to the chair.
4.09
A member who will be absent from a meeting may speak by a letter in favour of
or against a motion or resolution by having the letter read prior to the question
being called.
Attendance
4.10
All members are required to attend the meetings of the Association. Members
unable to attend any particular meeting are to notify a member of the Executive.
4.11 All members having attended all regular meetings during the year of the Association shall be recognized at the Annual General Meeting.
Rules of Order
4.12 The rules of order for all regular meetings of the Association shall be:
(a) reading of the minutes of the previous meeting;
(b) reading of received and forwarded correspondence;
(c) reports of committees;
(d) old business;
(e) new business;
(f) adjournment.
4.13 The rules of order for the Annual General Meeting of the Association shall be:
(a) minutes of the previous Annual General Meeting;
(b) Executive reports.
(c) area reports;
(d) old business;
(e) new business;
(f) election of officers for the upcoming year;
(g) adjournment.
Bylaw 5: Amendments to Constitution and Bylaws
5.01 The Constitution and Bylaws of the Association shall not be altered or added to except by a special resolution or notice of motion submitted at the Annual General Meeting or Extraordinary Meeting. Notice of any proposed amendment shall be given in writing to the Secretary and read or published for at least three (3) regular meetings prior to the Annual General Meeting or Extraordinary Meeting.
Bylaw 6: Signing Authority, Borrowing Power and Fees
Signing Authority
6.01
The financial signing authority for the Association shall be any two of either
the President, Vice-President or Treasurer.
6.02
The President shall appoint two (2) members of the Association at the November
regular meeting to carry out an audit of the accounts of the Association for
the Annual General Meeting.
Borrowing Power
6.03
The Executive of the Association shall not have borrowing power for any monies
in the name of this Association.
Fees
6.04
When the need arises, the Executive may, with consent of the membership, impose
a levy to the membership to meet extraordinary expenses required to operate
the Association.
Bylaw 7: Members in Good Standing, Powers to Discipline and Appeal Process
Members in Good Standing
7.01 Members
adhering to the Constitution and Bylaws governing their personal conduct on
and off the playing field to bring credit to themselves as referees and the
Association shall be declared members in good standing.
7.02
Failure of an individual to comply with any or all of the constituted bylaws
of the Association shall cause the Executive of the Association to take steps
to declare the member "not in good standing". Some examples of a member
not in good standing are:
(a) Attendance in accordance with Bylaw 4.10;
(b) Failure to pay current annual membership fees or any other subscription, assessment, levy or debt due and owing to the Association, BCSRA, CSRA, BCSA or CSA;
(c) An Active Member who, in the opinion of the Executive or upon a recommendation to the Executive from the Ethics Committee, has been found guilty of behaviour which is detrimental to the Association.
Powers to Discipline
7.03
The Executive may make a motion to the membership to discipline a member of
the Association or its affiliates only upon the receipt of a report of misconduct
from the Ethics Committee.
7.04
Disciplinary action proposed in the motion may take the form of:
(a) a non-acceptance of membership;
(b) a termination of membership;
(c) a suspension of membership for a specific time period;
(d) a reprimand.
7.05
The motion to discipline must be passed by a majority of members.
7.06
In the case of termination, no re-admission to the Association shall take place
save with the majority consent of the membership at an Annual General Meeting.
7.07
The Executive shall not invoke disciplinary action unless:
(a) at least four (4) days’ notice of the motion has been given to each member of the Executive;
(b) the member concerned has had at least fifteen (15) days’ clear notice that said motion is on the Agenda of the next regular meeting;
(c) the member has been apprised of the appeal opportunity available;
(d) the motion is passed by a two-thirds majority at a regular meeting.
Appeal Process
7.08 A
member being declared as "not in good standing" or who has been sentenced
with disciplinary action in accordance with Bylaw 7.03 shall have the right
to appeal. The procedure for any such appeal shall be as follows:
(a) the appeal shall be in writing;
(b) the sum of $35.00 shall be forwarded with the appeal;
(c) the appeal shall be in the hands of the Secretary within four (4) weeks of the declaration or sentencing;
(d) the appeal shall be forwarded to BCSRA for disposition.
7.09 Appealing the Charge is covered under Ethics Committee, Bylaw 11.22.
The President
8.01
The President shall:
(a) be the presiding officer of the Association and shall have general supervision of all matters and affairs of the Association;
(b) ensure that the Constitution and Bylaws are strictly upheld;
(c) attend the BCSRA Council Meeting on behalf of the Association;
(d) in matters of the Association requiring a vote, in the event of a tie, have the power to cast the deciding vote;
(e) prepare an Annual Report.
The Vice-President
8.02
The Vice-President shall:
(a) assist the President in the performance of his/her duties;
(b) in the absence of the President, exercise all powers and perform all the duties associated with that position;
(c) perform the duties of a committee member.
The Secretary
8.03
The Secretary shall:
(a) prepare and preserve a record of all meetings and shall sign and execute all instruments in the name of the Association when authorized to do so by the Association or the Executive;
(b) monitor and record attendance at all meetings;
(c) prepare minutes of all meetings and distribute the minutes as required;
(d) perform the duties of a committee member;
(e) prepare an annual report;
(f) be responsible for the library of the Association;
(g) perform other related duties as required.
The Treasurer
8.04
The Treasurer shall:
(a) ensure all monies of the Association are deposited in an approved financial institution, and that the funds of the Association shall not be transferred from one financial institution to another without the approval of the Association;
(b) maintain a record of all receipts and expenditures, assets and liabilities of the Association;
(c) prepare an audited financial report for the Annual General Meeting of the Association;
(d) have available a financial statement for each regular meeting.
Director 1 and Director 2
8.05 Director
1 and Director 2 shall:
(a) in the absence of any of the Executive exercise all powers and perform all duties associated with that position;
(b) attend any or all meetings as directed by the President on behalf of the Association;
(c) research and complete any special projects on behalf of the Association;
(d) perform the duties of a committee member.
Bylaw 9: Duties of
Members
9.01
All members are required to attend all meetings of the Association.
9.02
All members having accepted an appointment as a game official are expected to
fulfill that obligation.
9.03
Any member unable to fulfill an assignment for just cause shall notify the appropriate
scheduler at least six (6) hours prior to the scheduled start of the assignment.
9.04
All game officials shall be properly dressed in accordance with the Canadian
Soccer Association standard. When three (3) officials are appointed for a game,
it shall be the responsibility of the referee to set the uniformity of dress.
9.05
All participating officials shall be conversant with the Laws of the Game and
any league directives dealing with specific games and competitions, and they
shall endorse these directives provided they are not at odds with the Laws of
the Game or the Association Constitution or Bylaws.
Bylaw 10: The Executive and
Executive Representatives
The Executive
10.01
The Executive shall:
(a) subject to the action of a general meeting of the Association, exercise all the powers of the Association;
(b) give direction and supervision to the members of the Association of its business and in the conduct of the affairs of the Association;
(c) negotiate with management of councils of the National, Provincial, Local and Youth Associations of Commissions with which the membership is affiliated or serves in regards to the welfare and conduct required to or by the members;
(d) negotiate and establish match expenses for the ensuing season;
(e) ensure that the Association Constitution and Bylaws are strictly upheld;
(f) establish and maintain a Code of Ethics for its members;
(g) maintain a committee structure in order that the Association may join in the business of the Association in certain areas, namely:
- Education
- Ways and Means
- Fitness
- Ethics
- Mentor (System);
(h) provide the opportunity for members of the Association to develop to their full potential as referees;
(i) when meeting as an executive body, a quorum shall consist of at least three (3) members in addition to the President.
Executive Representatives
10.02
In order to represent the business and affairs of the Association, the Executive
may appoint Executive Representatives in those geographic centres deemed necessary
to have such representation provided that:
(a) such appointments are made with the consent of those so appointed;
(b) such appointments shall be for the duration of a one (1) year period;
(c) such appointments may be revoked at any time by the Executive for just cause.
10.03
The duties of the Executive Representative will be delegated when the appointment
is made.
10.04
No fee shall be awarded for acting in an office, but reimbursement for actual
expenses necessarily and reasonably incurred may be given.
10.05
A chapter of the Association may be authorized in designated geographical centres.
Education Committee
11.01
This committee shall be charged with the improvement of refereeing standards
within the Association. The committee shall inform members of any changes in
the Laws of the Game and appropriate applications.
11.02
This committee may invite guest speakers to regular meetings.
11.03
A regular period of time shall be set aside at each monthly meeting for this
committee to serve the membership.
11.04
A member of the Executive shall serve on this committee.
11.05
This committee is directly responsible to the Executive.
Ways and Means Committee
11.06 Members
of this committee shall be co-opted from the membership. There shall be no limit
to the number of members.
11.07
The committee shall be concerned with the following:
(a) organizing social events;
(b) selling equipment to members;
(c) assisting in the general welfare of the Association;
(d) fund-raising.
11.08
Funds raised by this committee shall be used for the general good of the Association.
11.09
This committee shall prepare a report for each monthly meeting and the Annual
General Meeting.
11.10
A member of the Executive shall serve on this committee.
11.11
This committee is directly responsible to the Executive.
Fitness Committee
11.12 This
committee shall encourage members to maintain optimum fitness and provide opportunity
for regular testing.
11.13
Testing shall take place prior to the month of May, July and September of each
year.
11.14
This committee may organize fitness sessions.
11.15
This committee shall prepare a report for each monthly meeting.
11.16
A member of the Executive shall serve on this committee.
11.17
This committee is directly responsible to the Executive.
Ethics Committee
11.18
This committee shall be chaired by a member of the Executive and consist of
two (2) additional members co-opted from the general membership. A record of
Ethics Committee meetings will be kept and made available to the Executive upon
request.
11.19
Under the direction of the Executive, the Ethics Committee shall hear and investigate
all aspects of any written complaints regarding the conduct of a member of this
Association or an affiliated association member.
11.20
The Ethics Committee shall report its findings and any recommendations in confidence
and in writing directly to the Executive for consideration.
11.21
Only the Executive shall have the right to invoke discipline and only then in
accordance with Bylaw 7.
11.22
Any member, upon receipt of knowledge concerning a motion for disciplinary action,
may:
(a) meet with the Ethics Committee at a mutually convenient time and place with seven (7) days of receipt of correspondence and fifteen (15) days in advance of the next regular meeting;
(b) discuss the nature of the offence and possible disciplinary action to be taken;
(c) present to the Ethics Committee new information pertinent to the offence;
(d) request an advocate to speak on the member’s behalf.
Mentor (System) Committee
11.23
The purpose of this committee is to organize, coordinate and monitor the "pairing
off" of members (as mentors) with both young and new inexperienced members.
11.24
This committee shall prepare a report for each monthly meeting.
11.25
This committee is directly responsible to the Executive.
Bylaw 12: Liaison Officer(s)
12.01
The Liaison Officer(s) shall be a member in good standing and shall prior to
the January regular meeting be appointed by the Executive for a one (1) year
term.
12.02
The Liaison Officer(s) will deal with real or perceived problems relating to
on-field activities of the Association’s Members and shall report directly to
the Executive.
12.03 In the conduct
of his/her duties, the Liaison Officer(s) is authorized to deal with:
(a) individual members;
(b) league referee scheduler(s);
(c) league disciplinary chairperson(s).
Bylaw 13: Scheduling of
Games
13.01
No referee who is not an Ordinary Member of the Association shall be permitted
to officiate at any senior game under the auspices of the Canadian Soccer Association
and/or the British Columbia Soccer Association unless he is a member of a similar
association with which this Association has a reciprocal agreement.
13.02
The Executive is to be formally informed of any scheduling of games by a member
of this Association.
Bylaw 14: The Association
Colours
14.01
The Association colors may be green and gold, and the Association crest may
be a shield quartered bearing a tincture vert quartered. The upper left charge
may carry three lions (representing England as the home of the game); the upper
right a soccer ball blanc; the lower left the Dogwood flower (representing British
Columbia); the lower right three maple leaves on a scroll bearing the title
"Vancouver Island Soccer Referees’ Association".
14.02
Alternately, the Association colours shall be consistent with those determined
by CSA from time to time.
Dated at Victoria, British Columbia, this day of
1997.
Signed on behalf of
VANCOUVER ISLAND SOCCER REFEREES’ ASSOCIATION
by the President WERNER SCHWAN
Amendments:
Oct 1999 - Revised 4.01 to reflect AGM date change.
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