Constitution

As amended at the 2003 AGM

ARTICLE 1
NAME:

1. This organization shall be known as the Talbot Trail Ringette League, here in after referred to as the *T.T.R.L*.

2. The League shall have the power to accept donations and set membership fees.

3. Upon dissolution, any fund remaining in any bank accounts in the name of the T.T.R.L. shall be donated to such organizations that exist that further the sport of ringette.

ARTICLE 2
AIMS and OBJECTIVES:

1. To promote, govern, and develop the playing of ringette as a mass participation team sport within the boundaries of the T.T.R.L., with an emphasis on sportsmanship and fair play.

2. To provide a venue for all associations, within the boundaries of the T.T.R.L., to participate in the sport of ringette, regardless of the size of their association and without regard for their players' skill level.

3. To provide levels of competition that are fair and equitable for all member associations, in an effort to stimulate public support and spectator interest in the game of ringette.

4. To remember at all times that ringette is a sport for the players.

5. To hold the safety and well being of the players above the outcome of any game.

ARTICLE 3
MEMBERSHIP:
 

1. Membership in the T.T.R.L. is open to all associations registered within the Ontario Ringette League (O.R.A.), subject to the approval of the Board of Directors (majority vote) and upon payment of a forfeiture bond of one hundred dollars ($100.00), which if returned, must be paid prior to the first game each year.

2. T.T.R.L. players must be registered with the O.R.A.

3. An annual fee for each team participating in the T.T.R.L. will be set by the Board of Directors at the first meeting of the season. Such fees are to be non-transferable and non-refundable.

ARTICLE 4
BOARD of DIRECTORS:
 

1. The Board of Directors of the T.T.R.L. shall consist of two (2) voting representatives from each of the member associations in good standing, out of which they will elect, at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), the following Executive positions: President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, League Scheduler, Referee in Chief and Division Statisticians (as required). Where possible, each association may only have one (1) elected representative on the Executive.

2. Vacancies on the Board of Directors may be filled by the President, subject to the approval of the Board at the next regular meeting.

3. A quorum shall be deemed present when a majority of the member associations are in attendance as well as a majority of the Executive. The Board of Directors may hold its meetings at such time and place as determined by the President. In any case, board meetings shall be held at least every two (2) months during the playing season or six (6) times per year. All meetings are open to any member, who is eighteen (18) or over, of any member association. Player representatives excluded from age restriction.

4. Any Association missing two consecutive regularly scheduled meetings shall be fined $15.00.

5. Member associations are to advise the Board of Directors, through the Secretary, each year (at least 10 days prior to the AGM), as to the names, addresses and telephone numbers of their T.T.R.L. representatives. Names, addresses and telephone numbers of the Presidents and alternate T.T.R.L. representatives of member associations should be submitted to the T.T.R.L. secretary each year by September 30th.

6. All correspondence is to be channelled through the member associations' representatives only. This includes protests, schedules, and/or rule changes , which may occur during the course of the season.

7. All members of the Board may have a vote except the President, or in case of a committee meeting, the chairperson, who shall not vote unless such vote is required to break a tie. Voting will be by show of hands unless a ballot vote is requested by any member association in good standing.

8. Any member of a member association may act as a temporary T.T.R.L. representative (if the representative and alternate are unavailable) if accompanied by a letter from that respective association's secretary or president stating such fact. If there is no letter then said person will not be allowed to vole.

9. Any member of a member association may speak at a meeting if the T.T.R.L. Secretary is informed of the reason, preferably in writing, prior to the scheduled meeting. The Secretary will immediately inform the President.

The Annual General Meeting is to be scheduled no later than May 30th each year.ARTICLE 5

DUTIES OF THE EXECUTIVE:

1. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and is further charged with the general management of the affairs of the T.T.R.L. The President shall be responsible for informing all league representatives as to the time and place of all Board meetings. The President shall ensure that all board members are performing their duties and may replace any that are not, with the approval of the Board. The President is an ex-officio member of all committees.

2. The Vice President will, in the President's absence, perform the duties of the President with all powers and restrictions which apply to the president. The Vice President shall be the chairperson of the Rules Committee and as such is charged with overseeing the administration of the "Rules of Play" of the T.T.R.L., the O.R.A. and the Canada Ringette Association (C.R.A.), ensuring that all associations are advised of any league rulings. The Vice President may serve on any committee, except the Finance Committee.

3. The Secretary shall keep an accurate record of the minutes of each Board meeting and shall provide a copy of the previous meeting to each member representative ten (10) days prior to the next Board meeting. The Secretary shall be custodian of such records and/or articles belonging to the T.T.R.L., shall keep them safe until the term of office is expired, and is responsible for passing such records on the next Secretary.

4. The Treasurer shall keep full and accurate accounts of all receipts and disbursements of the T.T.R.L. in proper books of accounts. The Treasurer shall deposit all monies "to the credit of the T.T.R.L." is such bank accounts as approved by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall only issue cheques approved by the Board of Directors and cosigned by the President or Secretary. The Treasurer shall make reports to the Board at each meeting and shall provide a financial report to be enclosed with the notice of the AGM.

5. The Division Statistician (for each division of play or as required) shall receive reports and publish (as determined by the Rules Committee) an accounting of the outcome of the scheduled games. He/she shall assist the Vice President on the Rules Committee.

6. The Past President is automatically a non-voting member of the Board and Executive and shall serve on the Rules Committee. He/she shall be asked to serve on any other committee as required.

7. The League Scheduler shall be responsible for scheduling all league and playoff games.

8. The Board of Directors may:
suspend or expel a player, team, or coaching member or association for just cause. Just cause is determined to be a total disregard for the aims and objectives of the T.T.R.L. as well as the rules of play of the T.T.R.L., O.R.A. AND C.R.A.; fine any player, team or association that refuses to accept and obey the ruling of the Board. Such fines are to come immediately from the forfeiture bond and must be replaced within ten (10) days or the association will be expelled for the balance off the season without appeal; re-admit any team or member under suspension by a seventy-five per cent (75%) vote in favour of such action; vote on the recommendations of the rules committee as to rule changes, protests, and appeals; make rulings on the eligibility of over-age players, taking into account the ability of the player in question as well as the total number on the team.

ARTICLE 6
COMMITTEES:

1. The Finance Committee shall be chaired by the Treasurer and is charged with the setting of fees to be paid by teams to participate in regular league play as well as the playoffs, taking into account the expenses to be incurred by the T.T.R.L. for the administration of the same. Such fees are subject to the approval by the Board of Directors. It is further charged to undertake such fund raising activities as required to ensure that the T.T.R.L. remains solvent.

2. The Rules Committee shall consist of the Division Statisticians, Past President, Referee-in-Chief and Vice President, who will act as chairperson. The Rules Committee is charged, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors, with: amending the rules of play;assuring that the rules are complied with by all participants;hearing and resolving all protests and reporting the outcome to the Board;making special rulings in any series or playoff schedule; publishing and ensure distribution of T.T.R.L. rules of play to all member associations within ten (10) days of any change; scheduling of all league games, including playoffs, taking into account the travel time required by teams to comply with the schedule, as well as weather conditions to be expected during the season; hearing and addressing complaints relative to officiating and making such complaints known to the Referee-in-Chief involved; empowered to restrict a referee from officiating in league games where warranted (where three (3) complaints have
been received and no corrective action has been taken by the local association involved).

3. All committees are to keep meeting minutes and present them to the Secretary along with their report to the Board.

ARTICLE 7
REFEREES:
 

Referees should attend clinics annually to ensure the highest quality of officiating. A referee may be rejected by the Rules Committee for repeated complaints of poor performance when no corrective action is taken. The referee may eject any player, coaching staff member, or fan from any arena where a T.T.R.L. game is being played, for actions deemed detrimental to the sport of ringette. They shall be responsible for the control of any game he/she is officiating in, as outlined in the "O.R.A. Official Rules Book".

RULES OF PLAY:

The T.T.R.L. agrees to establish rules of play which may be changed as required throughout the season by majority vote of the Board of Directors. Such rule changes are to be presented to the Board by the Rules Committee. These rules are not to be part of the constitution, but rather a separate entity onto themselves.

ARTICLE 8
CONSTITUTION:

1. Changes to the constitution shall only be made at the Annual General Meeting by a majority vote of the membership (two (2) votes per association).

2. Proposed changes to the constitution must be submitted by March 15th to the Secretary.

ARTICLE 9
PROTECTION OF DIRECTORS

Every Director or Executive of the Association or other person who has undertaken or is about to undertake any liability on behalf of the T.T.R.L. and their heirs, executors, administrators and estates and effects respectively shall from time to time and at all times be indemnified and save harmless, out of funds of the league from and against:

a)all cost, charges, and expenses whatsoever which such Director or other person sustains or incurs in or about any action, suit, or proceeding which is brought, commenced or prosecuted against him or in respect of any act or deed, matter or thing whatsoever made, done or permitted by him in or about the execution of the duties of his office or in respect of such liabilities.

b)all other costs, charges, and expenses which he sustains or incurs in or about or in relation to the affairs thereof except such costs, charges or expenses as are occasioned by his own willful neglect or default.

No Director, Executive member or Officer for the time being of the Association shall be liable for the acts, receipts, neglects, or defaults of any other Director or Officer or employee or for joining in any receipt or act for conformity or for the loss, damage or expense happening to the Association, or loss or damages arising from the bankruptcy, insolvency or tortuous act of any person, firm or corporation with whom or which any moneys, securities or effects shall be lodged or deposited or for any loss, damage, or misfortune whatever which may happen in respective office or trust or in relation thereto unless the same shall happen by or through his own willful act or his own willful default.