NPLA Constitution (North Perth Outlaws Lacrosse)

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NORTH PERTH OUTLAWS LACROSSE

CONSTITUTION AND  BY LAWS

(REVISED 2023)












 


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NORTH PERTH OUTLAWS LACROSSE ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION

Table of Contents

IDENTIFICATION

Article 1. NAME AND LOGO ........................................................................................ 4

Article 2. DEFINITION………........................................................................................ 4 

Article 3. OBJECTIVES……......................................................................................... 4

Article 4. ORGANIZATION……………... ...................................................................... 4 

Article 5. PURPOSE………… …………….................................................................... 4

Article 6. AFFILIATION………………………………………........................................... 4

MEMBERS

 Article 7. CLASSES OF MEMBERS.............................................................................5

Article 8. CESSATION OF MEMBERSHIP ...................................................................5

Article 9. INSURANCE  ………………………….........................................…………….5

GOVERNING STRUCTURE

Article 10. BOARD OF DIRECTORS ......................................................................... 5

Article 11. ELECTION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS.................................................. 6 

Article 12.VACANCIES ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS  ..................................... 6 

Article 13. SUSPENSIONS ………………………….................................................... 6

Article 14. APPEALS .................................................................................................. 7

MEETINGS

Article 15. ANNUAL MEETING ..................................................................................... 7 

Article 16. SPECIAL MEETINGS .................................................................................. 7

Article 17. ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS…………………………………………………..7

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NORTH PERTH OUTLAWS LACROSSE ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION

 

 

FINANCES

Article 18. BANKING………………………………………………………………………….8

Article 19. FISCAL YEAR…………………………………………………………………….8

Article 20. FINANCIAL REPORT…………………………………………………………….8

Article 21. EXPENDITURES………………………………………………………………….8

Article 22. PROTECTION OF MEMBERS………………….……………………………….8

Article 23. DISSOLUTION……………….…………………………………………..……….8

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

Article 24. AMENDMENTS OF THE CONSTITUTION……………………………..……….9

Article 25. AMENDMENTS OF THE BY-LAWS…………………….………………..……….9

OTHER REGULATIONS

Article 27. PLAYING RULES…………………………..……………………………………….9

Article 28. OTHER RULES AND REGULATIONS…………………………………..……….9

Article 94. USE OF ASSOCIATION LOGO……………………………..…………………….9

 

 

 

 

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NORTH PERTH OUTLAWS LACROSSE ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION

IDENTIFICATION

ARTICLE 1. NAME AND LOGO

The name of the association shall be “North Perth Lacrosse Association” hereinafter referred to as the Association and the official logo shall be “North Perth Outlaws” as shown on the cover of the constitution.

ARTICLE 2. DEFINITION 

The Association shall be a non-profit organization, which is the sport governing body for Minor lacrosse in the area known as the township of North Perth and surrounding areas and shall operate as a Branch of the Ontario Lacrosse Association.

ARTICLE 3. OBJECTIVES 

The objectives of the Association shall be to promote, develop and govern minor lacrosse within the Township Of North Perth and surrounding areas.

ARTICLE 4. ORGANIZATION

The Association shall be composed of members as hereinafter set out and shall be managed by an Executive Board of Directors as outlined in the Constitution of By-Laws.

ARTICLE 5. PURPOSE

  1. To promote organized lacrosse for children

  2. To teach fair play and sportsmanship

ARTICLE 6. AFFILIATION 

The Association shall seek membership in and affiliate itself with the Ontario Lacrosse Association and it’s local/zone league. 








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NORTH PERTH OUTLAWS LACROSSE ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION

Members

ARTICLE 7. CLASSES OF MEMBERS

The Association shall have two classes of membership, namely: Playing Members and Adult Members:

  1. Playing Members shall be all members who have properly registered to participate in the activities of the Association

  2. An Adult Member shall be minimum of eighteen years of age and a parent/guardian of a playing member(s), bench personnel, executive member, or a referee registered with the Association

ARTICLE 8.CESSATION OF MEMBERSHIP

Any member who shall resign or be suspended as a member of the Association shall immediately return to the Association all books or other property of the Association which they might have in their care.

ARTICLE 9. INSURANCE 

All of the Association playing members shall be insured through the Ontario Lacrosse Association insurance. All coaches shall be insured through the Coaching Association Of Canada Liability Insurance Plan.

GOVERNING STRUCTURE 

ARTICLE 10. BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  1. The Board of Directors shall conduct the Affairs of the Association.

  2. The  Board of Directors prior to any action or amendment concerning such decision must ratify all Association decisions. 

  3. The Board shall meet once every month or as directed by the President through the Secretary.

  4. Six members of the Board plus one constitutes a quorum at the Board meeting.

  5. Except for the President, every Board member shall have a vote in all decisions.

  6. The President shall have a casting vote only in the event of a tie on motions.

  7. Other duties of the Board members shall be outlined in this Constitution and in the By-laws.

 

 

 

 

 

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NORTH PERTH OUTLAWS LACROSSE ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE 11. ELECTION OF THE BOARD OF MEMBERS 

  1. The Associations Board of Directors shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting by a secret ballot and shall govern for the given fiscal year.

  2. A non-Board member shall chair the elections at the Annual General Meeting.

  3. Two members-at-large shall act as the scrutinizers for the election.

  4. To be elected to a Board position, a member must obtain a majority of the votes cast and be at least eighteen years of age.

  5. All board of director positions, except for Past President shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting in order as follows:  



Even Year                                                                            Odd Year 

President                                                                                Vice President  

Treasurer                                                                                Scheduler 

Secretary                                                                                Director of Player Development  

Equipment Manager                                                                 Director of Registrar  

Director of Fundraising and Sponsorships                                   Director of Managers and Parent Liaison

Director at Large 1                                                                   Webmaster 

(Appointed position of Referee-In-Chief)                                    (Appointed position of Privacy Officer)  


ARTICLE 12. VACANCIES ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  1. The Board of Directors may appoint any adult member to fill a vacancy until the next Annual Meeting

  2. The absence of any executive member from two consecutive regularly scheduled meetings without due cause, shall constitute a vacancy and the absentee must be notified in writing of such action.

ARTICLE 13. SUSPENSIONS

The Board of Directors may suspend, cancel the affiliation of, or accept the resignation of any member at any time for it deems as a “just cause”. Any such suspension shall require a two-thirds (⅔) majority vote of the Board of Directors in attendance at the meeting where the action is proposed. Any member that is removed from the board with “just cause” shall be unable to hold any position on the Board of Directors for a period of two years beginning the season of the suspension.

 

 

 

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NORTH PERTH OUTLAWS LACROSSE ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE 14. APPEALS

A suspended member shall have seven (7) days from receiving by registered mail written notice of their suspension to advise the Past President of their intention to appeal the suspension. Such notice of appeal shall also be in writing with a copy sent to the Associations Secretary. Upon an appeal of a suspension, the Past President shall call a meeting of the Grievance Committee to review the action taken. The Grievance Committee shall make a recommendation of its findings to the Board of Directors fourteen (14) days after the members appeal. After having considered the recommendation of the Grievance Committee, the Board of Directors shall render a final decision of the appeal within seven (7) days of receiving the recommendation. All decisions of the board of Directors shall then be final and binding.

MEETINGS 

ARTICLE 15. ANNUAL MEETING

  1. The Association shall conduct an Annual Meeting on or before the fourth Sunday of October.

  2. Notice of the Annual Meeting shall appear on the NPLA website and a notice emailed to all members of the Association at least three weeks prior to the meeting.

  3. The current President shall chair all aspects of the Annual Meeting except for elections.

  4. Six voting adult members shall form a quorum.

  5. All current Board Members and adult members of the Association shall be entitled to vote as are playing members who are 18 years of age or older. Any past member of the Association shall be entitled to petition the Grievance Committee for a special dispensation for voting privileges. There shall be no proxy votes.

  6. Any previous fines not paid in full shall automatically disqualify that individual from voting at the Annual Meeting or participating in any subsequent games as a player or bench personnel. The individual fined shall be permitted to proceed through the existing grievance procedure with the full understanding that the decision of the Board of Directors is final.

  7. Changes or amendments to the Constitution or its By-laws, must be given to the Secretary at least 3 weeks prior to the date of the Annual Meeting. 

ARTICLE 16. SPECIAL MEETINGS

A Special Meeting of the Association shall be called within fourteen days by the Board upon its own motion or by a petition, which is submitted to the Secretary with the signatures of more than thirty adult members of the Association. Only the business for which a Special Meeting has been called shall be dealt with, except with the unanimous consent of those present.

  ARTICLE 17. ATTENDANCE AT MEETINGS

  1. All members of the Association shall be entitled to attend any of the Associations meetings. Such non-committee members can participate only at the pleasure of the meeting Chairman. Any such member shall not be permitted to vote, make motions, or second motions, except at the Annual Meeting or at any Special Meetings of the Association. 

  2. Minutes of the executive meetings will not be copied or given out. Members may approach the Secretary and an appointment will be made to view the minutes.

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NORTH PERTH OUTLAWS LACROSSE ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION

FINANCES 

  ARTICLE 18. BANKING

  1. The funds of the Association shall be deposited at the discretion of the Board in an appropriate legal financial institution for the best benefit of the Association in the name of the Association.

  2. The Treasurer plus any one out of the three Executive Board shall sign all the cheques.

  3. The Association has the power to accept donations, gifts, legacies and bequests.

 ARTICLE 19. FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year of the Association shall end on the 30th day of September

ARTICLE 20. FINANCIAL REPORT

  1. The financial statement of the Association shall be presented to each member present at the Associations Annual Meeting

  2. All financial records of the Association shall be audited in December of each year if directed by a majority vote of the membership at the Annual Meeting.

ARTICLE 21. EXPENDITURES

All of the Associations expenditures shall first be approved by the Executive Board of Directors

ARTICLE 22. PROTECTION OF MEMBERS

The Board members and their heirs shall at all times be completely indemnified out of the funds of the Association, for all costs, charges, and expenses which such Board member sustains or incurs as a result of any proceeding which is brought against them for any act or omission by them relating to the execution of the duties of their office, and for all cost charges and expenses such as costs, charges and expenses occasioned by their own wilful neglect or default.

ARTICLE 23. DISSOLUTION

The Association shall not be dissolved unless all liabilities have been discharged and a motion has been passed by the majority of votes recorded at a general meeting convened for the purpose of dissolving the Association. Upon dissolution, surplus money shall be donated to a charitable organization, decided by the majority at the Special Meeting, which carries out its work solely in Ontario.

 

 

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NORTH PERTH OUTLAWS LACROSSE ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

ARTICLE 24. AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

Amendments may only be proposed at the Annual Meeting in the form of a written notice of motion. Voting on any such amendment shall be done by a show of hands unless a secret ballot is requested. A two-thirds majority vote of members present will be necessary to pass any amendments.

ARTICLE 25. AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS

Amendments may only be proposed at an Annual Meeting, a special meeting (for such purpose), or Board Meeting in the form of a notice of motion. Voting on any such amendment shall be done by a show of hands unless a secret ballot is requested. A majority vote will be necessary to pass any amendments.

ARTICLE 26. INTERPRETATION OF THE CONSTITUTION

In this Constitution and in the By-laws of the Association, unless the context otherwise specified or requires;

  1. The singular shall include the plural and the plural singular.

  2. “Person” shall include individuals, bodies incorporated, syndicates, trusts, unincorporated organizations and any number of aggregate persons.

OTHER REGULATIONS

ARTICLE 27. PLAYING RULES

The Association shall at all times abide by the Rules and Regulations of the Canadian Lacrosse Association and the Ontario Lacrosse Association

ARTICLE 28. OTHER RULES AND REGULATIONS

  1. The Association may make such Rules and Regulations as may be deemed necessary to promote, develop and govern the sport of Lacrosse in the Township of North Perth and surrounding areas.

  2. The Association may impose such other regulatory measures, as it deems necessary for the efficient administration of the competitive structure of the sport within its jurisdiction.  

  3. No such regulation may violate the individual's rights and freedom except as may be required to protect the rights and freedom of any other individual and to ensure the stability of the basic structure of the sport. 

ARTICLE 29. USE OF THE ASSOCIATION LOGO

  1. The “Outlaws” shall be used on Association letterhead, official documents, newsletter, notices and clothing (including player shirts) as required by the Board (see cover page)

  2. The North Perth Outlaws logo cannot be used in any way unless written permission is granted by the Board. Failure to do so may result in a suspension to the coach(es) and or player(s).

 

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NORTH PERTH OUTLAWS LACROSSE ASSOCIATION BY-LAWS

 

 

Table of Contents

GOVERNING STRUCTURE  

Article 1. DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.......................................... 11-13

CODE OF ETHICS.............................................................................................. 14

Revision Section.............................................................................................. 15

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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NORTH PERTH OUTLAWS LACROSSE ASSOCIATION BY-LAWS

GOVERNING STRUCTURE

ARTICLE 1.  DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  1. The President shall;

  1. Chair all Association, Executive, Board, Annual and Special Meetings.

  2. Oversee all the Associations business to see that it is conducted as directed by the Board.

  3. Lead the Association towards the goals and objectives it has set for itself.

  4. Be a signing officer of the NPLA, in conjunction with the Secretary, devise and prepare an agenda for circulation to the Board of Directors in advance of the next meeting.

  5. Attend all Zone and OLA meetings on behalf of the Association

b) The Past President shall;

  1. Advise the Board of past decisions history 

  2. Be responsible for the NPLA Grievance Committee 

  3. Be responsible for all aspects of the Annual Meeting

  4. Assist the President as and when requested

c) The vice-President shall;

  1. Be responsible for overseeing the Director of Managers and Executive Liaisons.

  2. Assist the President as and when requested.

  3. Head an executive committee to review and recruit candidates to stand for elections for positions on the Board of Directors 

  4. Be the backup person to attend Zone Meetings

  5. Be a part of the Selection Committee for Rep and House League coaches.

d) The Secretary shall;

  1. Receive and disburse all  correspondence.

  2. Record and distribute minutes of all Executive, Board, Annual and Special Meetings of the NPLA

  3. Assist other Board members with correspondence.

  4. Schedule and advise all Board members of meeting dates, times, locations, etc.

  5. In conjunction with the President, devise, prepare and distribute an agenda in advance of the meeting.

e) The Treasurer shall;

  1. Be responsible for all financial accounting of the NPLA.

  2. Sign all financial documents of the NPLA.

  3. Be responsible for the budget.

  4. Be responsible for registering all members needed for insurance as required by the Constitution.

 

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NORTH PERTH OUTLAWS LACROSSE ASSOCIATION BY-LAWS

f) The Scheduler shall;

  1. Be part of the selection committee for the Zone Coaches.

  2. Be responsible for all aspects of the NPLA Rep Programs.

  3. To do the scheduling for all games and practices involving floor time.

  4. Inform the coaches and the Arena Manager of any schedule changes.

  5. Be part of the Disciplinary Committee.

  6. Update any changes to the schedule on the website.

  7. Schedule all timekeepers for tournaments.

g ) The Player Development Director Shall;

  1.  Be part of the Selection Committee for coaches.

  2. Be responsible for arranging and conducting courses and/or clinics for players and coaches.

  3.  Work with the team coaches, trainers, and managers to help better the player development skills.

  4. Organize coaches information night.

h) The Referee-in-Chief shall;

  1. Assure all home games have referees.

  2. Be responsible for officials and courses and on-going instruction, education and upgrading of officials.

  3. Report any suspension of a player or coach to the Zone 8 Rep ASAP.

  4. Be a part of the Disciplinary Committee.

i) The Director of Registration shall;

  1. Be responsible for the NPLA Annual Registration.

  2. Be responsible for the NPLA teams players cards.

  3. Be responsible for submitting the players database and rosters to OLA.

  4. Be part of the Grievance and Coaches Selection Committees.

j) The Director of Managers and Executive Liaisons 

  1. Have a manager and executive liaison assigned to every team.

  2. Be responsible for handing out any information from the Executive or the Scheduler to each team manager or executive liaison.

 

 

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NORTH PERTH OUTLAWS LACROSSE ASSOCIATION BY-LAWS

 

k) The Director of Sponsorship and Fundraising shall;

  1. Be responsible for all aspects of sponsorship, including solicitation of House League and Rep team sponsors, as well as tournament sponsors.

  2. Distribute Appreciation pictures/plaques to all NPLA sponsors.

  3. Be responsible for suggesting various major fundraisers  for the Boards consideration.

  4. Be responsible for any and all fundraising activities.

  5. The Director of Fundraising shall be specifically responsible for one or two major fundraising projects as determined by NPLA.

  6. Coordinate all areas of publicity, advertising and public relations of the NPLA.

  7. Develop and institute a promotional campaign to develop increased awareness of minor Lacrosse.

l) The Director of Equipment shall;

  1. Be responsible for equipment purchases, assignments, distribution, pick-up and storage.

  2. Be responsible for all trophy purchases.

  3. Obtain quotes and order sweaters, jackets, hats, etc as required by NPLA.

m) The Director at Large #1

  1. Assist the President as and when requested.

n) The Director at Large #2

  1. Assist the President as and when requested.

o) Executive of Liaisons 

  1. Assume responsibility as the official liaison between the parents, coaching staff and NPLA.

  2. Become the first step in resolving grievances between parents and coaches.

  3. Maintain a neutral and unbiased position in arbitrating grievances.

  4. Offer advice and support to the coach and parents.

  5. Relay information to their team from the executive when needed.

  6. Supply contact information to all parents and team officials for contact throughout the season.

 

 

 

 

 

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NORTH PERTH OUTLAWS LACROSSE ASSOCIATION BY-LAWS

CODE OF ETHICS

All members of the North Perth Lacrosse Association Board of Directors shall represent the NPLA in a professional and dignified manner in all Lacrosse related areas whether as a recognized delegate of the NPLA or in any other unofficial capacity such as Coach, Assistant Coach, Manager, Official or even as a fan.

It is recognized that the NPLA is a relatively small organization and that many of our members will represent our organization at more than one level. It is imperative that the primary responsibility of a Board Member is to the Board. While it is recognized and encouraged that our Board Members may also be involved in areas such as coaching and officiating, etc., it is of paramount importance that all Board Members recognize that their responsibility is the long and broad view. Their allegiance covers the complete spectrum from Paperweight to Intermediate, both House league and Rep.

Discussions and difference of opinion at Board and Committee meetings will be inevitable but all Board Members must commit to NPLA policy once it is passed. If a policy is passed with which a Board Member does not agree the Board Member has the following options: support the policy, disagree with it in silence, or resign!

While all Board and Committee meetings are open to the general membership, it is imperative in order to encourage open discussion and participation, that such discussions remain privy to those in attendance. Discussions of policy outside these environments will take place but specific positions or quotes from other Board Members should not be discussed. Violation of the principles of these guidelines may result in suspension of the offending Board Member in accordance with Article 13 and Article 14 of the NPLA Constitution.

 

 

 

Revision Section

October 2013, Date revision 

October 2023, Date revision 

 

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