ONTARIO INDOOR SOCCER LEAGUE

CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

2007

Article 1           Name

The name of this League shall be the Ontario Indoor Soccer League, hereinafter referred to as the League. The headquarters of the League shall be in the Province of Ontario.

Article 2           Objects

The League shall have the following objects:  to provide a level of competition in accordance with The OSA's Pyramid For Play;  to provide indoor league competition within the Province of Ontario; to operate the league based on the Terms Of League Operations approved by The OSA; to provide higher skilled players the opportunity to improve at a higher level of competition.

Article 3           Affiliations

The League shall be a Member of The Ontario 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: The Canadian Soccer Association; The OSA.

Article 4           Membership

The Membership of the league shall be each Club with one or more teams playing in the league. 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.

4.1 Acceptance Into Membership

A Club must apply for Membership and pay Membership fees to the league.

4.2 Membership Fees

The annual Membership fees shall be set by the League Executive Committee and ratified by the Membership at a general meeting of the League.

4.3 Approval of New Members

4.3.1    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.

4.3.2    The Membership application shall be approved by the League Executive Committee.

4.4 Membership Renewal

A Club will renew its Membership by completing the required forms for Membership renewal, providing that it still has a team eligible to play in the league based.

4.5 Rights of Members

Members shall be accorded the following rights:

4.5.1 To be governed in accordance with The OSA and the League’s published rules,

4.5.2 To participate in League sanctioned competitions,

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

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

4.6 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.

4.7 Termination of Membership

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

4.7.1 If the Member submits to the League a signed letter of withdrawal

4.7.2 If the Member is expelled by the League.

4.7.3 If the Member fails to renew Membership in accordance with the By-Laws.

4.8       Honourary Membership

The League may confer on an individual or an organization the following honourary memberships:

4.8.1    Honourary Member

This honour may be granted to an individual, group of individuals or an organization for a limited time period

4.8.2 Honourary Life Member

This honour may be granted to an individual only

Article 5           League Executive Committee

5.1       The League shall be governed by a League Executive Committee which shall consist of the following officers:

President
Vice-President
Secretary
Treasurer
Discipline Chair

Referee Coordinator

3 Directors at Large

5.2       An Officer may hold more than one position.

5.3       An Officer shall be 18 years of age or older and shall not be an undischarged bankrupt.

5.4       An Officer shall serve for a term of two years or until his or her successor is elected or appointed.

5.5       President will be elected for a 2 year term in Odd Year

Vice President will be elected for a 2 year term in Even Year

Secretary will be elected for a 2 year term in Even Year

Treasurer will be elected for a 2 year term in Even Year

Discipline Chair will be elected for a 2 year term in Odd Year

Referee Coordinator will be elected for a 2 year term in Odd Year

Two Directors at Large will be elected for a 2 year term in Even Year

One Director at Large will be elected for a 2 year term in Odd Year

5.6       Officer Vacancy

5.6.1    An Officer has the right to resign her or his position by submitting a signed letter of resignation to the League.

5.6.2    A vacancy on the League Executive Committee and the respective position held, caused by death, or resignation which has been accepted by the League Executive Committee, shall be filled by a majority vote of the League Executive Committee. The successor Officer shall hold his or her incumbent's position for the remainder of the term being filled.

5.7 Removal of Officer

No member of the League Executive Committee shall be removed for arbitrary reasons but may be removed if:

5.7.1    the Officer 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 League Executive Committee 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

5.7.2 the Officer 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

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

5.7.4 A member of the League Executive Committee 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 Officer has been given to persons entitled to attend the Members' meeting. If an Officer is removed at a Members' meeting, the Members entitled to vote may elect a successor to fill all position(s) held by the removed Officer for the remainder of his or her term.

5.8       Conflict of Interest and Standards of Conduct

The Officers shall be subject to the Conflict of Interest Policy in The OSA's published rules.

5.9       Duties of the League Executive Committee

5.9.1 The League Executive Committee shall conduct the business of the League during the periods between general meetings of the League and in accordance with the authority granted to it in this bylaw and in the rules and regulations of the League.

5.9.2    The League Executive Committee 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.

5.9.3    The League Executive Committee 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.

5.10     Duties of Officers

5.10.1  President

Except:

a) as provided for in the Dispute Resolution Policy of The OSA, and

b) where the President delegates the responsibility to another person,

the President shall preside at all general meetings of the League and of the League Executive Committee. 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 League Executive Committee; coordinate all duties of the League Executive Committee, committees, staff; and shall be the spokesperson for the League.

5.10.2  Vice-President

The Vice President shall act in the absence of the President and shall have other powers as assigned by the League Executive Committee.

5.10.3  Treasurer

The Treasurer shall ensure that full and accurate records are kept of the accounts of the League; shall report to the League Executive Committee at least once per quarter; and shall submit an Annual Report to the Annual General Meeting.

5.10.4  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 League Executive Committee 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.

5.10.5  Other Officer Positions

The duties of other Officer positions shall be determined by the League Executive Committee.

5.11     Nominations and Elections

5.11.1 Nominations for positions on the League Executive Committee may be made by any Member at the annual general meeting or at a Special General Meeting called for that purpose.

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

5.11.3 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.

5.11.4 A majority of the votes cast shall be required to elect Officers. 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.

Article 6           Meetings

6.1       General Meetings:

6.1.1    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 League Executive Committee may determine. Such notification shall be by one of the following methods or combination of methods: regular postal mail, email, fax or website notice, posting at the League office; and any other method determined by the Members.

6.1.2    Twenty five voting Members or 25% of the voting Membership, whichever is less, shall form a quorum at all general meetings of the League. Any question shall be decided by a majority of the votes cast unless otherwise required by this By-Law or other law.

6.1.3    At any General Meeting each Member is entitled to one vote for each team it has playing in the league.

6.2       Annual General Meeting:

The League shall hold its Annual General Meeting not later than September 30 of each year. The agenda of the Annual General meeting shall include:

1. Roll Call
2. Credentials Report
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

6.3       Special General Meeting:

6.3.1    A Special General Meeting of the League:

a) may be called by the League Executive Committee by its own motion, or

b) shall be called by the League Executive Committee upon receipt of a written request submitted to the League by registered mail, certified mail, trace mail, courier service, hand delivery, fax or e-mail, signed by not less than 25 Members or 25% of the voting Membership, whichever is less, 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.

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

6.4       League General Meeting:

A League General Meeting shall be called by the League Executive Committee to deal with the regular business of the league.

6.5       Proxy Voting at General Meeting:

6.5.1    Every member entitled to vote at a meeting of Members may by means of a proxy appoint another Member or a person as the member's nominee to attend and act at the meeting in the manner, to the extent and with the power conferred by the proxy.

6.5.2    A Member and/or its delegates, may only hold in total one (1) proxy. A non-Member may only hold one proxy.

6.5.3    The format for the proxy, and the issue, or issues, for which the proxy may be cast are as defined in the Rules and Regulations.

6.6       League Executive Committee Meeting:

6.6.1    The League Executive Committee shall meet at least 4 times per year, upon 14 days notice given by the President and Secretary, at such place and time as the League Executive Committee may determine.

6.6.2    A majority of the members of the League Executive Committee shall form a quorum at all meetings of the Committee. Questions arising at any meeting shall be decided by a majority of votes where each officer is entitled to cast one vote.

Article 7           Committees

The Membership at any general meeting, or the League Executive Committee at any meeting of the Committee, may establish a standing committee or special committee to carry out specific business or programs of the League.

Article 8           Procedure Governing Meetings

All meetings of the League shall be conducted in accordance with the most recently published Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised except as may be otherwise stipulated in this By-Law or other Rules and Regulations of the League.

Article 9           Bylaws and Amendments

9.1       Bylaw amendments may be proposed by the League Executive, or submitted by a Member to the League in writing at least 21 days prior to a general meeting of the League; and must be approved by a majority vote of the League Executive Committee, and ratified by a 2/3 vote of the Membership voting in person or by proxy at a General Meeting of the League duly called for that purpose.

9.2       All Members entitled to vote shall be notified of specific proposed bylaw amendments in the notice of meeting for the General Meeting at which the bylaw amendments shall be considered,

Article 10         Rules and Regulations

10.1 The League shall have Rules and Regulations which shall include, but is not limited to, the following:

10.1.1  discipline of a Member: summary of charges regarding misconduct

10.1.2  discipline of a Member: procedures for discipline hearing

duties of League Executive Committee: authority granted to Committee regarding the business being conducted

10.1.3  duties of League Executive Committee: selection process and appointment process for the appointment and renewal of appointments to the League's paid and volunteer positions

10.1.4  duties of League Executive Committee: process for revoking appointments

10.1.5  voting at General Meeting: format for the proxy, and the issue, or issues, for which the proxy may be cast

10.2     The League Executive Committee may approve and publish Rules and Regulations which are not inconsistent with this Bylaw and not inconsistent with the Rules and Regulations of a higher level governing organization.

10.3     Amendments to the Rules and Regulations may be made by a majority vote of the League Executive Committee or the Members at an Annual General Meeting or Special General Meeting. If the rules and regulations are amended by the League Executive Committee 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.

Article 11         Indemnity

Members of the League Executive Committee or other servants to the League, their heirs, executors, administrators and estate and effects respectively shall be indemnified and saved harmless at all times by the League against all costs, losses and expenses incurred by them respectively in or about the discharge of their respective duties, except such as happens from their own respective willful neglect or default.

Article 12         Finance

12.1     The accounts of the League shall audited annually by a Chartered Accountant.

12.2     The Audit statement shall be presented to the Annual General Meeting for adoption.

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

12.4     The fiscal year of the League shall end on June 30 of each year, unless otherwise ordered by the League Executive Committee.

Article 13         Dispute Resolution

13.1     The League shall adhere to the Dispute Resolution process as published and approved by The OSA from time to time.

13.2     Any Member of the League may initiate the Dispute Resolution process by communicating in writing to The OSA, with a copy to the League, the nature and facts of the dispute. The OSA, at its discretion, may proceed with the Dispute Resolution process by assigning one or more neutral persons to the dispute.

13.3     The Dispute Resolution process shall not to be used for game discipline which follows the normal discipline and appeals process.

13.4     The League shall make available to any Member the Dispute Resolution process when requested.

Article 14         Harassment

14.1     The League shall adhere to the Harassment Policy as published and approved by The OSA from time to time.

14.2     The Harassment Policy shall apply to all employees, directors, officers, volunteers, coaches, game officials, administrators, players, Members and registrants of the League.

14.3     Harassment is defined as any comment, conduct, or gesture directed toward an individual or group of individuals which is insulting, intimidating, humiliating, malicious, degrading or offensive. It includes, but is not limited to, sexual harassment.

14.4     The League shall make available to any Member the Harassment Policy when requested.

Article 15         Appeals

15.1     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.

15.2     A decision of the League may be appealed to the Ontario Soccer Association. The appeal shall be conducted in accordance with The OSA's published rules.

15.3     An individual shall not appeal a decision made by the League Management Committee regarding the appointment, non-appointment, re-appointment or revocation of an 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.

Article 16         Dissolution

In the event of dissolution of the League, and after payment of all debts and liabilities, its remaining property shall be distributed or disposed of by the League Executive Committee to Clubs in OISL in good standings for the past ten years or to not-for-profit soccer related organizations which is (are) registered with The OSA.

Article 17         Definitions/Terminology

Terminology used in this Bylaw shall have the same meaning as used by The OSA in its letters patent, Bylaws and published rules.