Bylaws of Skate Virden

 

 

MEMBERSHIP

 

By-law 1:          Club Membership

Membership in the Club shall be open to all, irrespective of sex, age, creed or color.

 

By-law 2:          Skate Canada and Club By-laws, Rules and Regulations

All members shall uphold, observe and conform to the By-laws, Rules and Regulations of Skate Canada, the By-laws of the Club and such regulations as made by the Board of Directors of the Club.

 

By-law 3:          Membership Fees

Members of the Club shall be registered with Skate Canada and pay such registration and other fees to Skate Canada as set from time to time by Skate Canada. (See Skate Canada By-law 1201 (1) (c) (ix), Skate Canada By-law 1202 (1) (a), Rule 2101, Policies and Procedures.)

 

By-law 4:          Member in Good Standing

For a member of the Club to be considered in good standing with the Club, that member must pay Club fees as are stipulated by the Club Board of Directors in advance of the membership year in question.  Members will not be permitted to take part in any Club activities if these fees are not paid within 30 days of the date set for payment. Members in arrears shall be considered as having terminated their club membership.

 

By-law 5:          Setting of Club Fees, Rules and Skating Hours

Fees, skating rules and skating hours of the Club shall be as the Board of Directors decides from time to time. Club membership shall commence on the first day of the Skate Canada membership year, 1 September, or the date that fees are paid (whichever is the latter) and terminate on the last day of the Skate Canada membership year, 31 August.

 

By-law 6:          Suspension and Expulsion from the Club

The Board of Directors may suspend or expel a member of the Club for acting contrary to the By- laws, Rules and Regulations of Skate Canada or of the Club. The Club Board shall develop a suspension and expulsion policy in accordance with the Skate Canada Complaint, Suspension and Expulsion Policy and Procedure that contains a provision for suspending or expelling of any member of the Club from such membership on terms and conditions that are deemed appropriate and necessary by the Club Board of Directors. This policy shall be approved by the Club Board of Directors from time to time and it shall be in writing and made available to all members in advance of its implementation.  This policy must include an appropriate hearing  and appeal process,  which  includes  principles  of  due  process,  an  appropriate  reinstatement  application process and an appropriate graduated series of disciplinary measures. [See Skate Canada By-law

1204.]

By-law 7:          Classes of Club Membership

The classes of membership, eligibility and privileges shall be as follows:

• Individual membership: Non-skating members who have paid the fees as set by the club and are Associate Members of Skate Canada. Individual members of legal age of 18 shall be entitled to one vote at each Annual General Meeting and Special Meeting of the Club.

 

• Active Membership: All eligible skaters who participate in a Club Skating Program and who have paid the fees as set by the Club and are Associate Members of Skate Canada. All Active Members of the legal age of 18 shall be entitled to one vote at each Annual General Meeting and Special Meeting of the Club. (Underage Active Members have no vote but may be represented by Special Members)

 

• Special Membership: Parent or guardian of legally underage Active Members who have paid the fees as set by the Club and are Associate Members of Skate Canada.

 

• Partial Membership: All eligible skaters who are Associate Member or Restricted Member of Skate Canada through another Home Club and have paid a reduced fee as set by the Club.

 

• Honorary Membership: The Annual Meeting of members may elect any person an Honorary Member of the Club. An Honorary Member shall be exempt from Club dues (but not Skate Canada dues) and shall not vote at meetings of the Club unless otherwise qualified. They may have a voice at the meetings of the Club.

 

• Restricted Membership: A restricted member is an individual who is a paid employee (of the Club, Section or Association), a non-active coach, a performing professional skater or a professional dance partner. A restricted member is not permitted to hold elected office, may not vote at meetings, is not permitted to compete in competitions and is not permitted to officiate at tests or competitions. [See Skate Canada By-law 1201 (1) (c) (xi), By-law 1202 (2) and Rule 2001.]

 

• Active Member (Non-voting rights) or (Restricted Voting Rights) – An active member (Non- voting rights) is a member who meets the following criteria. This includes a class of membership with restricted voting rights. [Skate Canada By-law 1201 (1) (c) (i) and 1202 (1) (e)]

 

LIABILITY

 

By-law 8:          Liability

The Club shall not be responsible for any damages, injury or loss of property to any member, guest or visitor to the Club regardless of the reason or nature of such damage, loss or injury. Every member, guest or visitor shall use the Club facilities at his or her own risk.  The Club shall participate in the Skate Canada Club Liability and Member Accident Insurance programs [Skate Canada By-law 1201 (1) (c) (viii)].

 

CLUB MANAGEMENT

 

By-law 9:          Members of Board of Directors, Committees and Club Delegate to Skate Canada

The members of the Board of Directors and the Club Delegate to Skate Canada must be members in good standing of the Club, be registered as Associate Members of Skate Canada, be of legal age and be eligible persons (with the exception of the Coaching Representative) as defined by Skate Canada Rules.

 

By-law 10:       General Management of the Club

The general management of the club shall be vested in a Board of Director consisting of: immediate Past President, President, Vice-president, Secretary, Treasurer, four Directors at large which serve a two-year term and a Coaching Representative.

 

All Board members must be elected including the Directors at Large.  Committee Chairs will be appointed every two years under By-Law 19; however, they do not form part of the exectutive board and do not have a vote.

 

Committees will include:  CANSkate, STARSkate, COMPETITIVESkate, Test Chair, Membership, Synchro Rep, Events Committee, and Funskate Competition.  The President, the Vice President, and two Directors at Large shall be elected in even numbered years.

 

The Secretary and Treasurer and two directors at large shall be elected in odd numbered years. The Coaching Representative shall be elected annually by and from within the coaches of the Club, in accordance with Skate Canada By-laws. The Past President shall be ex-officio and shall hold office until a new President has been duly elected.

By-law 11:       Holding of Board of Directors Office

The Board of Directors shall hold office until the close of the meeting at which their successors

have been duly elected. Any member of the Board of Directors may be removed by the members by a 2/3 majority vote at a Special General Meeting duly called for that purpose.

 

By-law 12:       Voting at Board of Directors Meetings

A quorum of the Board of Directors shall consist of 5 members of the Board of Directors, including the Chair.  NOTE:   Questions arising at any meeting of the Board of Directors shall be decided by a majority of votes. The meeting chair may vote only when the vote would change the result. Therefore, the chair may vote to break a tie and thus pass the motion or to create a tie and thus defeat a motion. A majority of the Board of Directors shall form a quorum. [Skate Canada By- law 1420 (5)]

 

By-law 13:       Board of Directors Vacancies

Casual vacancy occurring between any Annual General Meeting of the Club may be filled until the next annual General Meeting by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Board of Directors or in the case of the Coaching Representative, by the coaching staff.

 

 

By-law 14:       Board of Directors Member Absenteeism

If a Board of Directors Member is absent for more than 5consecutive scheduled Board of Directors meetings, without good cause and/or without prior notification to the President or Secretary, then that office may be declared vacant by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

 

By-law 15:       Role of President

The President shall act as Chair of all Board of Directors and general meetings. In his/her absence, the Vice-president will fill this duty. The president or his/her designate will be responsible for ice bookings.

 

By-law 16:       Role of Treasurer

The Treasurer shall be responsible for the safe control  of  all  Club  funds, for  preparing  and as are required for financial review. The Treasurer is also responsible for arranging for an unaudited annual financial statement. Any two of the President, the Vice-president and the Treasurer shall sign all cheques and legal documents. Note: It is recommended that the Treasurer be one of the signatories.

 

By-law 17:       Role of Secretary

The Secretary shall deal with all correspondence, subject to the approval of the President or his/her delegate, shall issue all notices for Board of Directors and general meetings, shall take minutes at all meetings, and shall be responsible for submitting to Skate Canada and the Section such reports as are required by Skate Canada rules and other regulations.

 

By-law 18:       Committees – President as ex-officio member

The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.

 

By-law 19:       Committees - Appointment

The President shall appoint standing Committee Chairs who shall look after duties assigned to them. All Committee Chairs must submit the names of their Committee members to the President for approval.

 

By-law 20:       Committees: Eligibility to Serve

All Club Board of Directors and members of Committees shall be eligible persons and shall be of legal age (18 years). They must be members in good standing of the Club and be Associate Members of the Association. Skate Canada By-law 1201 (1) (c) (ii).

 

By-law 21:       Rules of Order

Rules of order for all meetings, General and Board of Directors, shall be as outlined in Robert’s Rules of Order in all cases in which they are applicable and consistent with the By-laws or special rules of the Association (Skate Canada By-law 1603}

 

By-Law 22    :  Dispute Resolution Policy

For the purposes of these By-Laws, the Skate Canada Manitoba policy will apply. 

(Policy B.114)

 

By-Law 23    :  Appeals Policy

For the purposes of these By-Laws, the Skate Canada Manitoba policy will apply. 

(Policy I.l0l)

 

By-Law24    :  Privacy Policy

For the purposes of these By-Laws, the Skate Canada Manitoba policy will apply. 

(Policy J.101)

 

SKATE CANADA CLUB DELEGATE AND REGION COUNCILORS

 

By-law 25

The Club Delegate to Skate Canada and/or the Section shall be appointed annually by the Board of Directors. The Delegate need not be a member of the Board of Directors. The Section and/or Skate Canada National Office shall be advised of the appointed delegate's name. The Club shall appoint a Councilor and an alternate Councilor to serve on the Region Council as required by the By-laws of the Region Council. The delegates and councilors shall report on activities at these meetings and shall be entitled to receive compensation for pre-approved expenses related to attendance at required meetings.

 

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

 

By-law 26:       Timing, Quorum, Special Meeting Request

An Annual General Meeting shall be held within 30 days of the close of the Winter Skating Season. Other general meetings may be held from time to time upon the request of the Board of Directors or upon written request of 10 per cent of Club Members. A quorum for an Annual General Meeting or Special Meeting shall be 10 per cent of the eligible-voting members. [Skate Canada By-law 1201 (1) (c) (i) requires that each club hold an annual meeting.]

 

By-law 27:       Written Notice

Written notice of all Annual General Meeting and Special Meetings shall be provided 15 days in advance to each eligible voting member. The notice shall include the time and place of the meeting, the agenda, full details of any proposed amendments to these By-laws and a complete list of the candidates nominated for elections.

 

By-law 28:       Voting on Club Elections

Voting on Club elections shall be by secret ballot and a simple majority shall elect a candidate. Voting on other matters may be by a show of hands.

 

By-law 29:       Eligibility to Vote

Voting for Club elections or on any matters pertaining to skating shall be restricted to eligible Club members who are registered as Associate Members of Skate Canada and are 18 years of age, to the Club Coaching representative(s) and to Special Members of the club voting on behalf of their underage children (who are members of the Club and registered as an Associate Member of Skate Canada). Special Members shall be restricted to one vote per family regardless of how many children are in the family.

 

By-law30:       Order of Business

The order of business at an Annual General Meeting of the Club shall be as follows:

• Reading of the Notice of Meeting
• Quorum
• Approval of Agenda
• Minutes of the preceding General/Special meeting
• Confirmation of the actions taken by the Board of Directors
• Secretary’s Report
• Treasurer’s Report (Annual Financial Statement)
• Other Reports
• Election of Board of Directors
• Amendments to the Constitution and By-laws
• Appointment of Financial Reviewer
• New Business

 

AMENDMENTS

 

By-law 31:       Right to Submit, Process for Submitting

Any member of the Club, in good standing, may propose an amendment to the Constitution or by- laws of the club. This proposal must be submitted in writing to the Club Board of Directors. The proposed amendment will be presented to the Annual General Meeting or Special Meetings. All amendments must be submitted at least 21 days before the respective meeting. No amendment to the Constitution or By-laws of the Club shall be accepted from the floor at any meeting.

 

By-law 32:       Interim Amendments

By-laws may be enacted or amended by a majority vote (50% plus 1) of the Board of Directors whenever required. Such By-laws or amendments must be presented at the next General Meeting for ratification by the members. If they fail to be ratified, they will cease to be effective and may not be re-enacted by the Board of Directors for one calendar year.

 

By-law 33:       Voting of Amendments

Any amendment, to be accepted or ratified, must pass by a vote of 2/3 of those eligible to vote and present at an Annual General Meeting of the Club.

 

By-law 34:        Effective Force of Amendments to By-laws

All amendments to the By-laws, upon receiving approval of any general or special meeting of members and upon approval of the provincial government, (if applicable) shall come into force immediately or on a date specified for same. All such amendments shall be submitted to Skate Canada. Skate Canada reserves the right of refusal of any amendment. Such refusal shall only be made if the intent of such amendment is to violate, in principle or spirit, any Skate Canada Rule and/or By-law.

 

FUNDS

 

By-law 35

The Treasurer shall deposit all funds of the Club in such banks or other institutions as may be designated by the Board of Directors.

 

By-law 36

All disbursements of club funds shall be by cheque or other auditable document.  Expenditures for any committee will be approved in principle by the executive prior to any binding contracts or purchase of goods.

 

By-law 37

A financial reviewer designated by the Board of Directors shall prepare a compilation statement of the financial transactions of the Club each year ending July 31 and the financial statements shall be made available to the membership of the Club.

 

By-law 38         Dissolution

In  the  event  that  the  club  ceases  to  exist,  the  net  assets  from  liquidation  shall  go  to  the

Town of Virden to be held in trust for any future local skating organizations.

 

 

COMMITTEES

 

By-law 39:       Registrar

The registrar shall be responsible for registering all skaters, Program Assistants and Executive members of the club with Skate Canada.  The registrar will collect fees and forms from all skaters and will ensure that the club and member information on the current Skate Canada registration website is accurate and complete. 

 

By-law 40:         Test Chair

The test chair shall be responsible for arranging all tests within the club and for skaters taking tests in other clubs following procedure outlined in the current Skate Canada Manitoba Test Chair Handbook. 

 

By-law 41:      Synchronized Skating

This committee shall be responsible for the management of Skate Virden affiliated Synchronized Skating Teams.  The Chairperson/Vice Chairperson shall sit as members of the Skate Virden Executive.  Ice Scheduling will be prepared through Skate Virden for all regular scheduled times.  This committee shall provide an annual report to the club and will ensure that all current Skate Canada and Skate Canada Manitoba rules and guidelines are followed by coaches, board members and skaters of their team (s). 

 

By-law 42:       CanSkate/StarSkate/Competitive

These committee chairs will organize and supervise their respective programs as outlined by the Executive, following Skate Canada Program Guidelines.  They will

• liase with the coach in charge of their program,
• ensure badges/ribbons/report cards or other materials are available to the coach,
• will sit on the ice show committee,
• will be responsible for conducting parent meetings along with the professional coach
• Provide reports of achievements or events to the executive
• Assist in any other club activities as required

 

By-law 43:         FunSkate Competition

The FunSkate competition chair with his/her committee is responsible for arranging the annual FunSkate following procedure outlined in the current Skate Canada Manitoba Local Organizing Committee Guidelines for Funskates. The events at the funskate will be approved by the Executive prior to submission to the Section for Sanction and will follow current Skate Canada Technical and Event Management Guidelines. 

 

By-law 44:         Ice Show

The ice show chair with his/her committee is responsible for the planning and production of the ice show.  All expenses incurred in the planning of the ice show shall be subject to Board approval.

 

By-law 45:     Bursaries/Reimbursements

These Bursaries are to be reviewed and determined annually at the Skate Virden AGM.  All bursary amounts may only be used to purchase Skate Virden programs.

• A bursary will be awarded to skaters with a podium finish at provincial and national events currently: Regionals, Sectionals, StarSkate Provincials, Challenge, and Canadians. Skaters earn shares at each of these events. 
• Coaches may apply for reimbursement for expenses incurred to upgrade/train. Annual bursary to be disbursed evenly between applicants. 
• Reimbursement for expenses incurred by delegate to attend Manitoba AGM – $200.00, ACGM - $300.00.
• Annual bursaries will be given to CanSkate and StarSkate program recipients in the amount of $50.00 each to be awarded at the annual Ice Show.