FVCSL 2010

Constitution of the Fraser Valley Christian Soccer League

(Version 3 – amended March 6, 2008)

Contents:

Name and Mission Statement
Objectives
Membership
Directors
Meetings of the Executive
General Committee
Annual General Meeting
Special General Meeting
Meetings Generally
Finance
Game Laws and Rules
Dispute Process
Suspension and Expulsion
Dissolution
Amendments to Constitution

1. Name and Mission Statement

The name of the League shall be the Fraser Valley Christian Soccer League (the “League"). The League shall, until such time as the membership decides otherwise, be an unincorporated entity.

The Mission Statement of the League is:
Members of the Fraser Valley Christian Soccer League, as image-bearers of Christ, strive to love both God and the neighbour in all we do, to the ultimate glory of our Creator. (Col. 3: 9-17)

2. Objectives

The objectives of the League are to:

Promote, administer and encourage the playing of organized co-ed soccer in accordance with the Mission Statement;
Provide an opportunity to enjoy wholesome competition in the fellowship of Christian believers

(the “Objectives”)

3. Membership

A Member is a person who:
- is of the age of 16 years at the annual Submission Date;
- is on the roster of a team that has been admitted into the League by the Executive and is in good standing, or is in the Player Pool maintained by the League; and
- has not been expelled from the league
Only teams that:
- Support, subscribe to, and conduct themselves in accordance with, the Mission Statement and the spirit of the League; and
- Submit a roster and pay the Team Dues determined by the Executive by the date stipulated in the League By-laws; and
- Have not been expelled from the league
- ...will be considered in good standing and thus may participate in the League.
The participation of teams in the League shall be at the discretion of the Executive, which discretion shall be exercised in accordance with the Mission Statement. Teams desiring to enter a team in the League shall apply to the Executive for permission to do so.
The Executive shall determine the annual Submission Date and Team Dues and shall inform the team representatives of them at least one month prior to that date.
Only teams and Members of the League in good standing may play during a soccer game sanctioned by the League. The Executive shall have the authority to expel or suspend any team or Member that conducts itself contrary to the Mission statement or spirit of the League.

4. Directors

The Directors shall form the Executive of the League and shall have the following duties:
- To administer the League in accordance with the stated Objectives;
- To make such financial arrangements as are necessary to carry out the Objectives;
- To determine and enforce the By-laws and other policies of the League;
- To rule on disciplinary matters when necessary; and
- To generally do all things necessary and conducive to the attainment of the Objectives.
In addition to any other duties that the Executive may from time to time assign the Directors, the respective functions of the Directors are as follows:
- The President shall:
  - Preside at all meetings of the Executive and at all meetings of the General Committee;
  - Supervise the other Directors in the execution of their duties;
  - Represent the Executive at meetings of the General Committee when called upon to make clear or explain its actions; and
  - If necessary, cast the deciding vote at meetings of the Executive.
- The Vice-President shall:
  - In the absence of the President, carry out the duties of the President; and
  - Provide such assistance as is required by the Commissioner in the carrying out of his duties.
- The Secretary shall:
  - Conduct all official correspondence of the League;
  - Prepare, issue and publish notice of meetings of the General Committee;
  - Keep minutes at all meetings of the Executive and of the General Committee; and
  - Maintain a current register of Teams and Members.
- The Treasurer shall:
  - Collect Team Dues;
  - Manage the finances of the League in a prudent fashion;
  - Keep all necessary financial records; and
  - Render an account of the finances of the League at all Annual Meetings, and as requested by the Executive.
- The Commissioner shall:
  - Coordinate the annual schedule of games sanctioned by the League;
  - Coordinate the refereeing of games sanctioned by the League; and
  - Seeking the advice of the Executive as required, and considering precedent where possible, address disputes and resolve them in accordance with the Constitution and by-laws of the League.
At the Annual General Meeting, the General Committee shall select five Directors from among themselves after potential Directors have been appropriately nominated at the meeting. At the first meeting of the Executive, the elected Directors shall then decide among themselves who shall fill what position on the Executive.
Directors may allow their names to stand for re-election to consecutive terms, with no limit on the number of consecutive years that they may serve.
A Director who is absent from three consecutive published meetings of the Executive without valid excuse shall be deemed to have vacated their office.
A Director may be removed from the Executive at any time by a two-thirds vote of the General Committee.
In the case of vacancies on the Executive:
- If 3 or more Directors remain, the Executive may, at its discretion:
  - Request that the General Committee convene a Special Meeting to fill the vacancy; or
  - Allow the position to remain vacant until the next Annual General Meeting, re-assigning the duties of the vacant Director’s position to an existing Board member in the interim.
- If fewer than 3 Directors remain, the Executive shall call a Special Meeting of the General Committee to elect as many new Directors as are required to fill the vacancies.
Directors shall not be remunerated but may be reimbursed for expenses reasonably incurred in the affairs of the League.

5. Meetings of the Executive

Directors shall be given at least 7 days’ notice of a meeting of the Executive. Meetings shall be called by the President or by written petition of any three members of the Executive.
60% of the Directors shall form a quorum at an Executive Meeting.
The agenda of a proposed Executive Meeting shall be sent to all Directors no less than 3 days prior to the Meeting.
The Executive shall meet as often as necessary during the Playing Season.
Each Director shall have one vote at each meeting of the Executive or the General Committee.

6. General Committee

The General Committee shall consist of one Member from each team in the League, as selected by that team (a “Team Representative”).
In addition to the Annual General Meeting, meetings of the General Committee (“General Meetings”) shall be held at least once during the year
At any General Meeting, a quorum shall be no less than 60% of the General Committee. If a team representative is unable to be present at such meeting, they may select another member to represent that team
Decisions of the General Committee must be passed by a 60% vote of the Team Representatives present.
At least 7 days’ notice must be given to the General Committee members prior to any General Meeting.

7. Annual General Meeting

An Annual General Meeting shall be held in the month of September or October of each year on a date to be set by the Executive.
The Executive shall provide the Team Representatives at least 14 days’ notice of the Annual General Meeting.
The agenda for the Annual General Meeting shall include:
- Christian opening
- Confirmation of minutes and matters arising
- Presentation of the financial statement
- Election of Directors
- General business
- Closing

8. Special General Meeting

A Special General Meeting of the General Committee may be called by resolution of the Executive Committee, or by written petition of 60% of the General Committee.
At least 7 days’ notice of a Special General Meeting must be given to the Team Representatives.

9. Meetings Generally

Minutes shall be kept of all meetings, and shall be adopted and signed at the subsequent meeting.
Minutes of the meetings of the General Committee shall be open to inspection by any member at any time convenient to the Secretary.
If at any meeting the required quorum is not met within 20 minutes of the meeting start time, the meeting shall be adjourned.

10. Finance

A balance sheet containing an annual summary of assets and liabilities of the League shall be presented by the Treasurer at the Annual General Meeting.
No monies may be drawn from the League’s accounts without the approval of two Directors, one of whom must be the Treasurer.
The accounts shall be open for inspection by any Team Representative upon giving reasonable notice to the Treasurer.

11. Game Laws and Rules

Games shall be refereed according to FIFA regulations except where these have been modified either by addition, deletion or substitution by the League.
All modifications to the FIFA regulations and League by-laws are to be published and distributed to Team Representatives prior to the commencement of the Playing Season.

12. Dispute Process

In the event of disputes or complaints arising between Members or Teams during a game, where possible the matter shall be resolved by approaching the officiating referee.
If the matter cannot be satisfactorily resolved on game day, the disputing party may file a written complaint with the Commissioner, providing independent witness(es) to the matter being disputed.
The Commissioner shall invite the response of the opposing party and the advice of the officiating referee, and shall make a recommendation to the Executive for the resolution of the matter. The Executive shall then finally determine the matter and provide the affected parties with its conclusive reasoned decision on the matter.
This Constitution and the by-laws of the game shall form the terms of reference for the Dispute Process.

13. Suspension and Expulsion

The Executive may suspend or expel a Member or Team from the League:
- based on the recommendation of the Commissioner;
- who fails to observe the rules of the League; or
- whose conduct is in conflict with the Mission Statement and Spirit of the League.
Prior to any expulsion or suspension, the Member or Team involved shall have the opportunity to be heard by the Executive.
The Executive shall stipulate the length of the suspension or expulsion, as the case may be. Expelled members or teams may apply for readmission to the league.

14. Dissolution

The League may be dissolved or wound up by a two-thirds vote at a General Meeting.
If upon dissolution or winding up there remain any monies or assets after all debts and liabilities have been satisfactorily settled, these shall be donated to a charitable organization selected at the same General Meeting.

15. Amendments to Constitution

Proposed amendments to this Constitution and the League By-laws shall be circulated to the Team Representatives at least one week prior to a scheduled Special General Meeting.
Constitutional amendments may only be made by a 75% vote at a Special General Meeting.

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