By-Laws

GENERAL
The Thompson Okanagan Ringette League is referred to as “The League” throughout the Bylaws and Policy Manual. Pronouns that refer to common gender nouns in the same paragraph may have a feminine or masculine meaning as appropriate.

BYLAW 1 – MEMBERSHIP
1.01 GENERAL
Association membership shall only include those Ringette Associations registered with the League and the British Columbia Ringette Association within the geographical boundaries of Zone 2 as set out by the BC Winter Games Society on behalf of the Government of BC.
1.02 ADMISSION OF MEMBERS
a. Any Ringette Association within the geographical boundaries of Zone 2 may apply to the Board of Directors for membership.
b. All Associations are members in good standing except an Association who has failed to pay their current annual dues.
c. Every member shall uphold the Constitution and comply with these Bylaws.
d. An Association shall cease to be a member of the League:
i by submitting their resignation in writing to the Secretary of the League;
ii on being expelled;
iii on having been a member not in good standing for 12 consecutive months.
1.03 EXPULSION OF MEMBERS
a. A member Association may be expelled by a Special Resolution passed by a 75% majority vote of members present at the General Meeting.
b. A brief statement of the reason or reasons for the proposed expulsion shall accompany the Notice for Special Resolution for Expulsion.
c. The Association that is the subject of the proposed expulsions shall be given an opportunity to be heard at the General Meeting before the Special Resolution is put to a vote.
1.04 CONDUCT OF MEMBERS
a. The Board of Directors shall have the power to suspend or expel any Member of an Association in the League (i.e. player, official, parent, etc.) who may, in its opinion, be guilty of conduct detrimental to the interests of the League or who may have transgressed any of its Rules or Bylaws, or who has failed to cooperate with the League in its efforts to ensure its successful operation whether an Association Member or Player Member. No Member shall, however, be expelled until they have been given an opportunity of appearing
before a meeting of the Board to answer any charges made against them. A Member who has been expelled may be re-admitted to membership by resolution of the Board at a regular meeting thereof upon the offence being corrected and the payment of any sum in arrears at date of expulsion, together with a fine as set by the Board.
b. All Members are in good standing except a Member who has failed to pay their current annual membership fee or any other subscription or debt due and owing by them to the League and is not in good standing so long as the debt remains unpaid.

BYLAW 2 – GENERAL MEETINGS
2.01 The Annual General Meeting of the League shall be held at least once in every calendar year and not more than 15 months after the holding of the preceding Annual General Meeting.
2.02 The Board may, when necessary, convene a Special General Meeting. Special General Meetings shall also be convened upon a written requisition signed by not less than 10% of the voting Members. The said requisition shall set out the object of the meeting proposed to be called and shall be delivered to the Secretary of the League.
2.03 Upon receipt of such requisition, the Board shall forthwith convene a General Meeting and if it does not convene the meeting within 21 days after the receipt of the requisition, the requisitionists or a majority of them may themselves convene a General Meeting.
2.04 Not less than 14 days notice of any General Meeting (exclusive of the day on which the notice was given) specifying the place, date and hour of the Meeting and in the case of special business, the general nature of that business, shall be given in the manner hereinafter mentioned, to such persons as are entitled to receive notices from the League.
2.05 The League may give a notice of meeting to any member by sending it by first class
post to them at his address as registered with the League, by delivering in person and/or via e-mail.
2.06 No business shall be transacted at an Annual General Meeting unless a quorum of members is present at the time when the meeting proceeds to business. Unless otherwise provided herein, a quorum shall consist of not less than fifty (50%) percent plus one (1) of the Association Member’s Representatives (Delegates) entitled to vote.
2.07 If, within one hour of the time appointed for the meeting, a quorum is not present, the meeting shall be dissolved. The meeting shall stand adjourned to the same day in the next week at the same time and place. If at the adjourned meeting a quorum is not present within half an hour from the time appointed for the meeting, the Members present shall be a quorum.
2.08 The Chairperson may, with the consent of any meeting at which a quorum is present (and shall, if so directed by the meeting) adjourn the meeting from time and from place to place, but no business shall be transacted at an adjourned meeting other than the business left unfinished at the meeting when the adjournment took place.
2.09 The accidental omission to give notice of a Meeting to or the non-receipt of a notice by any of the Members entitled to receive notice does not invalidate proceedings at the Meeting.
2.10 The Annual General Meeting of the League shall be held prior to the Annual General
Meeting of the British Columbia Ringette Association.

BYLAW 3 – VOTING
3.01 Each Association Member in good standing shall be entitled to two (2) votes. The vote will be exercised by the Association Representative (s) or in their absence by an Association Member (s) appointed in writing.
3.02 The Order of Business at the Annual General Meeting shall be:
a. Call to order
b. Adoption of Agenda
c. Declaration of Voting Rights
d. Adoption of Minutes from previous AGM
e. Business arising from the Minutes
f. Correspondence
g. Reports of Directors
h. Reports of other committees
i. Amendments to Bylaws and Policy Manual
j. Election of Directors
k. New Business
l. Adjournment
3.03 The Board of Directors may, however, authorize departure from this general order of business when such change appears to be necessary or desirable.
3.04 Roberts Rules of Order shall be the parliamentary authority of this League.
3.05 Proxy votes shall not be permitted.

BYLAW 4 – BOARD OF DIRECTORS
4.01 The Board of Directors of the League shall be subscribers of the Bylaws and Policies hereto.
4.02 The Board of Directors shall manage the affairs of the League. The Board shall have full power to conduct the affairs of the League and may delegate to the Committees such duties and powers as are necessary in the opinion of the Board to carry out the purposes for which such committees are established.
4.03 At any meeting of the Board a quorum shall consist of seven (7) Members of the Board, provided one of the Members shall be the President or Vice President of the League.
4.04 The regular meetings of the Board shall be held at such a time and place and on such a date as the Board may decide. Special meetings may be called from time to time by the Secretary at the direction of the President or at the direction of three (3) members of the Board. A minimum of three days notice shall be given, by mail, e-mail, fax or telephone, to all members of the Board of all regular or Special Meetings. Special Meetings shall state the business to be considered at such a meeting.
4.05 The Board of Directors shall include the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Director of Officials, Director of Coaching, Director of Promotions, Director of Elite Programs, League Scheduler, Statistician and two representatives from each Member Association.
4.06 The Board of Directors shall have the authority to set the financial policy of the League in all respects.
4.07 The Board may appoint Committees and/or Director of Officials, Director of Coaching, Director of Promotions, Director of Elite Programs, Statistician and a League Scheduler at its discretion.
4.08 The President shall hold office for two (2) years. The Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall be elected annually. The Members may, by special resolution remove Page
an Officer and/or Director of the Board before the expiration of their term of office and may elect a successor to complete the term in office.
4.09 No Director shall be remunerated for being or acting as a Director, but a Director shall be reimbursed for all documented expenses necessarily and reasonably incurred by them while engaged in the affairs of the League.
4.10 The Past President shall be considered a non-voting member of the Board of Directors.
4.11 The Officers shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting as per Bylaw 4.08 Officers shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.
4.12 In the event of the resignation, death or removal for any cause of any Officer of the League, the Board of Directors shall elect a successor to serve until the next general meeting of the Members.

BYLAW 5 – DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
5.01 PRESIDENT
a. To be the official contact with BCRA.
b. To call and preside at all meetings of the League and be the Chairperson of the Executive Committee.
c. To be one of the signing officers.
d. To be an ex-officio member on all committees with the right to vote on that committee.
e. To undertake leadership in promoting the objectives of the League.
f. To be responsible for ensuring that all administrative procedures and communications are carried out.
g. To be responsible for ensuring that the League adheres to the policies as laid down by BCRA.
h. To assist the Vice President and Treasurer with the budget.
i. To be responsible for ensuring that the League is represented at BCRA events, such as the Annual General Meeting, BCRA Board Meetings and Workshops.
5.02 VICE PRESIDENT
a. To perform the duties of the President during the Presidents absence.
b. To be familiar with all grant programs and guidelines provided by the Government and make said programs known to all Associations.
c. To be responsible for information on blanket insurance coverage for all members of the League.
d. To coordinate the preparation of the League’s annual program, including assisting the Treasurer and President in budget preparation.
e. To be responsible for ensuring the fair distribution of ice and game scheduling for all members of the League in concert with the appointed League Scheduler.
5.03 SECRETARY
a. Keep an accurate record of all League meetings.
b. Conduct all correspondence for the League.
c. Maintain a roll of all Association members and their officers.
d. Send out notices of meetings and copies of the minutes to appropriate persons, a minimum of ten days prior to any meeting.
e. Be one of the signing officers.
5.04 TREASURER
a. To be the principal signing officer for all cheques.
b. Maintain proper financial records.
c. Collect and deposit all money belonging to the League in such bank as the Board they shall select and keep an accurate record of it.
d. Disburse funds by cheque, countersigned by the President, Vice President or Secretary.
e. Submit a financial report in writing at each Board of Directors and Executive committee meetings.
f. Send a copy of the Annual Financial Statement to each member.
g. Prepare the annual budget in concert with the President and Vice President.
h. Prepare and submit the annual report to the Registrar of Societies in concert with the President and Vice President.
i. Prepare and submit any application for grant monies in concert with the President and Vice President.
j. Prepare and issue all fees (invoices) to League Associations.
5.05 PAST PRESIDENT
a. To act as interim President in the event of the death or resignation of the President and serve as the Chairperson at the next meeting called to elect or appoint a new President.
b. To be an advisor to the Executive.
c. To assist the President.
d. Serve as Chairperson of the nominating committee for the election of officers at the Annual General Meeting.
5.06 DIRECTOR OF COACHING
a. Be TORL's liaison with the Director Of Coaching for all member Associations and BCRA.
b. Be responsible for all League coaching programs and oversee the coaching committee.
c. Along with a qualified committee, evaluate teams, as required, for provincial c"Tiering" purposes i.e. A, B, or C.
d. Be responsible for the right to recommend suspension of any Coach for conduct unbecoming of a Coach with the proviso that said Coach reserves the right to appeal such a decision to the League Board.
e. Coordinate and facilitate all Coaching Clinics to be held by the League.
f. Coordinate and facilitate in concert with the Director of Elite Programs the selection process for All-Star and BCWG Head Coach positions.
5.07 DIRECTOR OF OFFICIALS
a. Be the liaison with Directors of Officials of all member Associations and BCRA.
b. Be responsible for the ongoing development and updating of officials and ensuring evaluations are done whenever possible.
c. To assist all Officials in League play with the cooperation of the member Associations.
d. Be responsible for establishing consistency in officiating throughout the League.
e. Be the interpreter of any rules.
g. Be responsible for the right to recommend the suspension of any Official for conduct unbecoming of an Official with the proviso that said Official of the League reserves the right to appeal such a decision to the League Board.
h. Coordinate and facilitate all Referee clinics to be held by the League.
5.08 DIRECTOR OF PROMOTIONS
a. Be the liaison between the director of Promotions with member Associations and BCRA
b. Establish an annual budget.
c. Shall oversee the promotion of the sport within the League by actively seeking promotional opportunities and providing it with current articles of interest as they relate to the sport.
d. Shall facilitate the development of a communications plan, for internal and external communications.
e. Solicit advertising and/or sponsorship for the League.
5.09 DIRECTOR OF ELITE PROGRAMS
a. Be the liaison with the League All-Star and BCWG teams and the Director of Elite Programs with BCRA.
b. Facilitate the completion of all administrative requirements from BCRA with regards to Elite team programs.
c. Act as or delegate the position of BCWG Zone Rep.
d. Maintain and distribute the League "All-Star Coaches Handbook".
e. Coordinate the purchase of equipment required by the Elite programs.
f. In concert with the Director of Coaching facilitate the process of selecting the Head Coach position for the All-Star and BCWG teams.
g. In concert with the Head Coaches arrange and coordinate try-outs and practice ice times.
h. Facilitate the preparation of a "Team Budget" for review by the Board.
i. In concert with the Director of Promotions review and approve any fund raising project entered into by an Elite team.
5.09 STATISTICIAN
a. Will be responsible for the calculation of points for all league play.
b. Will produce stats toward team evaluations.
c. Has the authority to ask each Association for game stats. It is the responsibility of the home team to forward game stats to TORL Statistician and /or directly to the TORL web site.
d. Shall be able to declare winners of each division.
f. Shall submit stats to BCRA as required.
g. Shall be the liaison with the League web site provider.
5.10 LEAGUE SCHEDULER
a. In concert with the Vice President determine a League schedule for the season after consulting with the Associations regarding available ice times and the number of teams in each division. The season shall consist of exhibition and regular play. The Board will determine the number of games for each category from time to time.
b. Provide the League Statistician with the Schedule and any revisions as they occur.

BYLAW 6 – DUES
6.01 The Board of Directors shall determine the dues of Members. Any Member failing to pay the dues determined, may, at the discretion of the Board, be notified by registered mail that unless payment of all dues is made within thirty (30) days of the sending of such notice, the Board may suspend such Member from the League. The Board of Directors shall have the power to reinstate such suspended Member upon payment of the sum in arrears at the date of suspension together with such additional sum as the Board may require to be paid.
6.02 This Society shall not have borrowing powers.

BYLAW 7 – AUDIT OF ACCOUNT
7.01 The Board of Directors may, from time to time, appoint an Auditor or Auditors to hold office for such period as the Directors may determine.
7.02 Every Auditor of the League shall have a right of access at all times to all records, documents, books, accounts and vouchers of the League and is entitled to require from the Directors and Officers of the League such information and explanation as may be necessary for the performance of the duties of Auditor.

BYLAW 8 – AMENDMENTS
8.01 At any General or Special Meeting of the League, its Bylaws may be altered or added to by three quarters (3/4) majority vote of the Members present, provided that the substance of the proposed amendment shall have been submitted to the membership of the League at least twenty one (21) days prior to the meeting.
8.02 The procedure for altering or adding to the Bylaws shall be as follows:
a. The proposed enactment shall first be considered by the Board of Directors
and thereafter
b. The Secretary shall send to all of the Members a copy of the proposed
enactment to be voted upon by the full Members at a General or Special
Meeting of the League.
8.03 A three quarters (3/4) majority of the Members present shall be required to effect the
change.
8.04 All housekeeping (i.e. Table of contents, gender changes, corrections) shall be made at the Board's discretion.

BYLAW 9 – BOOKS AND ACCOUNTS
9.01 The Secretary of the League shall attend to the preparation of Minutes of proceedings of Members of the League and shall have custody of all books and records of the League unless at the direction of the Board the books and records be kept at the office of a Legal firm to be determined from time to time.
9.02 The Members may inspect the books and records of the League at a time and place as may be fixed from time to time by the Board

 

©2009 Thompson Okanagan Ringette League