SSSL Constitution

THE SAULT SENIOR SOCCER LEAGUE BY-LAW (2009) Nov. 30, 2009.

ARTICLE 1: NAME

The name of the League shall be Sault Senior Soccer League Inc. hereinafter referred to as the League

The League shall be headquartered in the City of Sault Ste. Marie Ontario.

ARTICLE 2: OBJECTIVES

The League shall have the following objectives.

To operate under a Board of Directors

To provide league competition for teams within the District boundaries as covered by Sault Amateur Soccer Association hereinafter referred to as S.A.S.A.

To operate the League based on the terms of League Operations approved by S.A.S.A.

To develop and encourage sportsmanship, community spirit, and good fellowship among participants to the betterment of their physical, mental and social well being.

To provide the opportunity for youth players having graduated from a youth system to continue playing soccer on a recreational basis.

ARTICLE 3: AFFILIATIONS

The League shall be a member of S.A.S.A. and shall follow the rules of the Ontario Soccer Association hereinafter referred to as O.S.A. The League is subject to the published rules in declining order of authority of the following governing bodies to which it is affiliated

The Canadian Soccer Association

O.S.A.

S.A.S.A. if applicable

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 O.S.A. Pyramid for Play and with O.S.A. published rules governing leagues.

A club must apply for membership and pay a membership fee to the league.

The League shall be composed of teams from clubs that are active members of S.A.SA.

Clubs may enter one team in each division.

Clubs must apply for membership and pay membership fees to the League.

Membership fees shall be set by the Board of Directors and ratified by the members at the A.G.M.

Each team shall be required to renew its membership at the A.G.M. each year. Renewal applications shall be submitted prior to or at the A.G.M.

New Members: A club shall become eligible to be a new Member if one or more of its teams become eligible to play in the league.

New teams shall apply 14 fourteen days prior to the A.G.M. New team applications shall include the name of the club, its officials, a proposed roster with a minimum of 14 fourteen players and proposed team colors

Acceptance of new teams shall be at the A.G.M. or a Special General Meeting called for that purpose. Acceptance of new teams will require a 2/3 majority vote.

Rights of Members

Members shall be accorded the following rights.

To be governed in accordance with the O.S.A. and the Leagues published rules.

To participate in League sanctioned competitions.

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

To enter teams in the League in accordance with the O.S.A. published rules.

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 rules and regulations and a hearing held in accordance with those rules and regulations and the O.S.A. published rules. A Member whose membership has been suspended loses all rights of Membership until the suspension has been terminated

Termination of Membership

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

(a) If the Member submits a signed letter of withdrawal to the League.

(b) If the Member is expelled by the League

ARTICLE 5: BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

The League shall be governed by a Board of Directors which shall consist of:

President

Vice President

Secretary

Treasurer

Referee Scheduler

Game Scheduler
.
Discipline Liaison

Statistician

A Director may hold more than one position

A Director shall be eighteen (18 ) years of age or older.

A Director shall serve for a term of one year or until his or her successor is elected or
appointed.

Director Vacancy

A Director has the right to resign his or her position by submitting a signed letter of resignation to the League.

A vacancy on the Board of Directors caused by death or resignation which has been accepted by the Board of Directors, shall be filled by a majority vote of the board of Directors. The successor Director shall hold the incumbents position for the remainder of the term .

Removal of Director.

No member of the Board of Directors shall be removed for arbitrary reasons but may be removed if:

The Director is unable to perform the duties expected of the position due to, but not limited to any of the following reasons:

If he/she becomes incapable of performing the business of the League

If he/she is absent from two or more meetings of the Board without satisfactory reason.

If he/she no longer resides in reasonable proximity to the League.

If he/she becomes, or is discovered to be an undischarged bankrupt.

The Director has compromised the integrity of the League due to, but not limited to, any of the following reasons:

If he/she has been found guilty of an offence under the Harassment Policy of the O.S.A.

If he/she has been found guilty of an offence involving violence under the Discipline Policy of the O.S.A.

If he/she has failed to properly account for monies or other property belonging to the League

If he/she has been found guilty of a criminal offence regardless of whether or not the offence directly affected the League.

If he/she has been found guilty of failing to act in accordance with the Conflict of Interest Policy of the O.S.A.

Conflict of Interest and Standards of Conduct.

The Directors shall be subject to the Conflict of Interest Policy in the O.S.A. published rules

Duties of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors 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 the rules and regulations of the League.

The Board of Directors 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 within the Leagues operations. Such appointments shall based on procedures outlined in the League rules and regulations.

Duties of Directors

President

Except as provided for in the Dispute Resolution Policy of the O.S.A.,and where the chairperson delegates the responsibility to another person.
The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings and be the League`s spokesperson and the League`s delegate at S.A.S.A.`s A.G.M. and at S.A.S.A.`s General Meetings

Vice President

The Vice Chairperson shall in the absence of the Chairperson, preside at all meetings and shall have other duties as assigned by the Board.

Secretary

The Secretary shall keep an accurate record of all meetings and correspondence, shall notify all Directors of meetings and of any protests and/or disputes immediately.
The Secretary will also notify all Members of all General meetings of the League
He / She shall maintain record books in which the Bylaw, Rules and Regulations and Minutes are entered and to have the current record books available at each meeting.

Treasurer.

The Treasurer shall ensure that a full and accurate record is kept of the accounts of the League; shall report to the Board of Directors at least once per quarter; and shall submit an Annual Report at the Annual General Meeting.

Game Scheduler

The Game Scheduler shall compile the League playing schedules and present them at a meeting prior to the beginning of the season, for acceptance. The League Scheduler is responsible for re-scheduling games and shall obtain field allocations from S.A.S.A.

Referee Scheduler.

The Referee Scheduler shall schedule game officials from the list of registered referees for all League, Mid-season, and Playoff games

Discipline Liaison

To act as liaison Between the S.A.S.A. office and the Clubs in Membership with the Sault Senior Soccer League to ensure that D.B.R. is being adhered to on the parts of the Clubs, the teams and the players.

Other Directors Positions

The duties of other Director positions shall be determined by the Board of Directors.

Nominations and Elections

Nominations for positions on the Board of Directors may be made by any Member at the Annual General Meeting or at a Special General Meeting called for that purpose
Nominations and elections for positions open shall be held in order of the positions listed in the Bylaw.

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.

A majority of votes cast shall be required to elect Directors. 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.

All Directors positions are for a one year term.

ARTICLE 6 MEETINGS.

General Meetings

An official notice of each meeting shall be given to all Members at least 14 days prior to the meeting being held. Notification of these meetings shall be by
Email
Telephone

Fifty percent of the voting Membership shall form a quorum at all general meetings of the League.
Any question shall be decided by a majority of the votes unless otherwise required by this Bylaw.

Annual General Meeting;

The League shall hold it’s A.G.M. not later than the 31st of March of the following year. The agenda of the A.G.M. shall be as follows;

Roll call
Team Membership renewal
Minutes of previous A.G.M.
Business arising from minutes
Chairpersons address
Secretaries report
Treasurers report
Auditors report
Appointment of Auditors
Other reports
Unfinished business
Amendments To Bylaw
Elections
Any other business

Adjournment.

Special General Meeting

A Special General Meeting of the League

May be called by the Board of Directors, or
Shall be called by the Board of Directors upon written receipt of a written request to the League submitted by hand delivery or email, signed by not less than 25% of the voting Membership, setting out the items of business to be conducted at the Special General Meeting. The Special General Meeting shall be held within thirty days of receipt of the written request from the Members.
Only the business set out in the notice of the Special General meeting shall be considered.

League General Meeting;

A League General Meeting shall be called by the Board of Directors to deal with regular business of the League.

Voting at General Meeting:

At an A.G.M. or at a Special General Meeting, each Member is entitled to one vote for each team it has playing in the League.

At a League General Meeting:
One vote for each team it has playing in the League, or
If the matter being dealt with is specific to only one Division ,then the Member shall have a vote for their team in that Division.
Members not in good standing shall have a voice but no vote at League meetings.

Budget Meeting;

A Budget meeting shall be held as soon as possible after the A.G.M. (2 weeks maximum)

Board of Directors Meeting

The Board of Directors shall meet at least 4 times per year, upon notice being given by the President and Secretary.
A majority of the members of the Board of Directors shall form a quorum at all meetings of the Board. Questions arising at any meeting shall be decided by a majority of votes where each Director is entitled to cast one vote.

ARTICLE 7; COMMITTEES

The membership at any General Meeting, or the Board of Directors at any meeting of the Board, may establish a standing committee or a special committee to carry out specific business or programs of the League.

ARTICLE 8 PROCEDURES GOVERNING MEETINGS

All meetings of the League shall be conducted in accordance with the most recently published Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised except as may be otherwise stipulated in this ByLaw or other Rules and Regulations of the League

ARTCLE 9 DELEGATES

Each team shall be entitled to one delegate and one vote.

Delegates and alternatives shall be named.

Teams from the same club may select the same delegate to represent each team. In such instances the delegate will have 2 votes

Teams are required to have a delegate at all meetings. Any team not complying with this requirement shall be fined $20.00 twenty dollars per absence.

Where neither the named delegate or the named alternate is able to attend a meeting, a nominee shall represent the team. In such circumstances the nominee shall have a voice but no vote.

The Director of Senior Soccer (S.A.S.A) may be invited to League meetings and shall have a voice but no vote.

ARTICLE 10 AMENDMENTS TO THE BY- LAWS

Amendments to the Bylaws shall be made at the A.G.M. or at a Special General Meeting called for that purpose.

All proposed amendments to the By-Laws shall be made in writing or in person to the Secretary or the Chairperson.

Amendments to the By- Laws will require a 2/3 majority vote of those delegates present at the meeting

Amendments become effective at the end of the meeting called for such amendments unless the motion of amendment specifies otherwise

Amendments must be submitted fifteen (15) days prior to the meeting called for
dealing with them.

ARTICLE 11 AMENDMENTS TO RULES AND REGULATIONS

Rules and regulations may be amended at any League meeting. Any rule which is passed or amended may not be reconsidered until the end of the season.

Amendments to the Rules and Regulations will require a 2/3 majority vote of those delegates present.

Amendments become effective at the end of the meeting called for such amendments unless the motion of amendment specifies otherwise.

ARTICLE 12; RULES AND REGULATIONS

The Board of Directors and the Members may approve and publish Rules and Regulations which are not inconsistent with this By- Law and not inconsistent with the Rules and Regulations of a higher level of governing organization.

ARTICLE 13 INDEMNITY

Members of the Board of Directors 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 on or about the discharge of their respective duties, except such as happens from their own respective willful neglect or default

ARTICLE 14; FINANCE

The accounts of the League shall be reviewed annually through a Financial Review Engagement completed by a Certified General Accountant, Certified Management Accountant or Certified Accountant, .if the annual gross revenue is $30,000 or less.

The accounts of the League shall with the consent of all its Members, be exempt from any external audit or Financial Review Engagement if the Annual Gross Revenue is less than $10,000.
An internal audit shall be held annually by the auditor appointed at the A.G.M.

The fiscal year of the League shall be Jan. 1to Dec. 31 of each year , unless otherwise ordered .by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE 15; DISPUTE RESOLUTION

The League shall adhere to the Dispute Resolution process as published and approved by the O.S.A. from time to time.

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

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

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

ARTICLE 16; HARASSMENT

The League shall adhere to the Harassment Policy as published and approved by the O.S.A. from time to time.
The harassment Policy shall apply to all employees, directors, officers, volunteers, coaches, game officials, administrators, players, Members and registrants of the League.

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.

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

ATRICLE 17; APPEALS

Any registrant or registered organization directly affected by a decision of the League may appeal such decision. The denial of Membership in the League may be appealed by a non Member.

(b) A decision of the League may be appealed to S.A.S.A. with which the League is
affiliated.

The appeal shall be conducted in accordance with O.S.A. published rules

c)An individual shall not appeal a decision made by the Board of Directors regarding the appointment, non-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.

ARTICLE18; 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 Board of Directors to one or more not-for-profit soccer related organizations or to a childrens charity chosen by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE19; MONIES OWING

(a) All monies owing to the League are due and payable upon notification, at the next
League meeting, unless otherwise stated, Members owing outstanding money shall be considered not in good standing and, shall remain so until all outstanding monies are remitted.
Members not in good standing shall not participate in League activities.

There shall be a $20.00 service charge for any cheque paid by a club to the League that is returned by the bank (N.S.F.)

SAULT SENIOR SOCCER LEAGUE

RULES AND REGULATIONS

Rule 1 Membership

All members will respect the objectives and comply with the Constitution of the League.

Membership renewals to the League shall be made annually on a form to be provided by the League. The renewal must be accompanied by the required membership fee.

At the A.G.M., each member shall notify the League of the names of its delegate and alternate; any changes to the delegate or alternate must be reported to the Secretary seven (7) days before the next meeting

Rule2 Teams

The League will consider accepting into membership, teams sponsored by Clubs . . that are Active Members of S.A.S.A.

Definition

A team is composed of players registered on forms supplied by the O.S.A.

Classification

Each team shall be classified as follows, and may include only such players as permitted in these Rules and Regulations.

Teams shall compete in only one of the Divisions of the League, and shall be

Classified as Senior (open) age Divisions

Definition of Age Division

Teams may contain players of any age according to current O.S.A. registration

policy.

Player Limit

a) Teams shall consist of no more than twenty (20) registered at any one time in the
First Division, and twenty two (22) in the Second Division.

b) Teams may dress and play up to nineteen (19) players in both divisions.

Eligibility

Any team playing an ineligible player shall be subject to disciplinary action and will forfeit any games in which the player participated.

Composition of Teams

Each team shall register not less than fourteen (14) players.

In any one First Division game, a maximum of three (3) youth players registered

with the Clubs affiliated youth team,may play without trial permits, providing such
players fulfill their obligation to their youth team.

First Division teams that are not affiliated with a youth team may draw from any

Youth team. However,if the affiliated First Division team is playing on the same
night, the affiliated team will have first choice before the non-affiliated team.

Player movement between teams within the same Club

Players registered with a Second Division team may play a maximum of eight

(8) games on trial forms for their First Division team, providing such players fulfill
their obligation to their Second Division team.

A maximum of five (5) non- roster players may be brought up for any First

Division game.

Players registered in the First Division shall not play in the Second Division

unless a transfer occurs. Such players shall lose their playing rights in the First
Division for the rest of the season.

Team Officials

i ) All teams shall have team officials appointed by the Club and should include
at least one of the following: coach, manager, trainer.

ii ) Such team officials shall be responsible for the team during the game.

Rule 3 Player

All players in the League must be registered on forms supplied by the O.S.A. and obtained from S.A.S.A..Such registrations shall be done annually.

Eligibility

Players may register in one division only.

ii)    Any player who plays for a team for which he is not eligible, commits an offence
.      and shall be subject to disciplinary action.

iii) League Competition

No player shall be deemed registered for league competition unless his registration
form is in the hands of the District Association twenty four (24) hours before
participation.

iv) Playoff (Cup) Competition

No player shall be deemed registered for any competition unless his registration
and required fee is in the hands of the League ten (10) days before participation.

c) Obligation

The obligation of a registered player terminates at the end of the current season,
with the following exceptions

i) Any player registered for a team which has, with the consent of the club which
operates the team, and S.A.S.A., ceased to operate or been declared defunct, shall . be entitled to re- register with another team at any time.

ii) Any player registered for a team which declared him surplus shall be allowed to
re-register with another team prior to July 31st of the current year or after that
date with the permission of S.A.S.A

iii) Any player transferred in accordance with O.S.A.Policies and Procedures

Rule4 Player Registration

a) Initial Registration

i) The League shall appoint a Registrar from whom the teams will obtain their
obtain their registration forms.

ii) Team registration fees shall be set by the League.

iii) Completed registration forms shall be forwarded to S.A.S.A..

b) Registration Changes

Players registered with any team in the League may transfer such registration in
accordance with S.A.S.A. Constitution.

Rule 5 Discipline

Players reported for misconduct shall be disciplined according to the O.S.A.
Discipline by Review for those misconduct types defined in policy 6.2 and 6.3.
All other offences shall be dealt with by the S.A.S.A. Discipline Committee.

Rule 6 Protests

a) Protests shall be dealt with by the League, except protests resulting from O.S.A.
games

b) All protests shall be submitted in writing, by registered mail or delivery recorded
by the Chairperson or the League Secretary and shall be accompanied by a twenty
five (25) dollar protest fee.

c) The protesting party shall forward a true copy of the protest to the party being
protested against.

d) Protests resulting from a league game shall be made within forty-eight (48 ) hours
of the game to which it relates. Protests resulting from a cup game shall be made
within twenty-four (24) hours of the game to which it relates.

e) In the event that the protest is not upheld, the protest fee shall be forfeited.

f) A League meeting to deal with a cup game protest shall be convened upon receipt
of the protest.

Rule7 Appeals

Appeals against decisions by the League shall be submitted in writing ,by registered
mail or delivery that is recorded by a member of the Executive or staff of S.A.S.A.
A copy of the letter of appeal shall be sent by registered mail or recorded delivery to
the Chairperson or the Secretary of the League. The appeal should be accompanied
by the appropriate fees.

Rule 8 Tournaments

Tournaments shall be in accordance with O.S.A. Policies and Procedures.

Rule 9 Exhibition Games

Exhibition games may be allowed provided they are approved by the District and are
played according to O.S.A. Policies and Procedures

Rule 10 Team Travel

Team travel shall be in accordance with O.S.A. Policies and Procedures

Rule 11 General

a) In all League games three (3) points shall be awarded for a win and one (1) point for
a tie.

b) If at the end of League competition teams are tied for points, a winner shall be
determined by the following criteria, in order.

i) record between the two (2) teams

ii) goal differential between the two (2) teams,

iii) most league wins

iv) if still tied, first place shall be determined by a match under playoff (cup)
game regulations,

v) all other finishes shall be determined by a coin toss by the League Scheduler in
the presence of a representative from each team.

c) In the event of a team not completing its League schedule or withdrawing from the
League before completion, the records of all games played by that team shall be
expunged from the League standings.

d) Each team shall present to the referee, fifteen (15) minutes before the start of the game,
the official game sheet with a list of players that they propose to use during the game.
Only players listed present shall be listed. If a player is late, his name shall be added to
the game sheet with notification to the other team.

e) In all games, the team designated as the home team shall be responsible for providing
the game ball.

f) Any team failing to take the field with seven players or more within fifteen (15) after
the scheduled start time shall, default the game and be fined the equivalent of the
officials’ fee, and field fees.

g) Any team defaulting three (3) games during the current season shall have its
membership revoked. No refund of any registration fees shall be paid to the
defaulting team.

h) In the event of a defaulted game,the opposing team shall be credited with a 2:0 win
and receive three (3) points. The goals shall not be credited to any individual for the
purpose of statistics.

i) A request for the postponement of a game shall be considered when made in writing
anytime before seven (7) days of the game. Postponed games shall be re-scheduled by
the League Scheduler, in consultation with the two teams involved.

j) In the case of a tie in a playoff game, two fifteen (15) minute halves shall be played. If
the game is still tied, the winner shall be determined by penalty kicks as per F.I.F.A.
rules.

k) Unlimited substitution shall be allowed in each game as follows:

i) when a goal is scored
ii) at a goal kick
iii) at half time and at the beginning of the first and second overtime halves
iv) at the referees discretion for injury.

l) Team colors must be approved by the League. The home team shall be responsible for
ensuring that colors do not clash. Away teams must wear their approved colors. A
twenty (20) dollar fine will be assessed against the offending team that fails to abide by
this rule

m) If an official fails to show for a game:

i) Teams can appoint a team referee and each will officiate one half of the game, or one
referee can do the entire game. Note whoever referees the game must be registered
with the O.S.A. in some capacity.

ii) If team referees cannot be agreed upon, then the game will be postponed

iii) The home team shall notify the League in writing within forty-eight (48) hours of the
official’s failure to attend the game.

iv) The official will be fined an amount equal to his/her fee for that game.

n) The winning team’s Team Official will be responsible for reporting the results of the
game to the media. In the case of a tie, the home team shall report the results to the
media.

o) All games shall be played under the current F.I.F.A. rules or approved League rules.

p) All League trophies shall be returned on or before July 1 of the current year.

q) The Officers and Life Members of S.A.S.A.shall be admitted to all games of the
League without charge.

r) If a senior team uses youth players when the said players have a youth game
scheduled at the same time or on the same evening, the senior team will lose three (3)
points if the game is won, and will also be fined twenty five (25.00) dollars.

s) Punishment for contravention of the By- laws and Rules and Regulations unless
specifically stated in the Constitution, shall be determined by a majority vote at any
League and carried out at the next League meeting. Furthermore, punishment for
any contravention of the By-Law and Rules and Regulations is not subject only to the
protest mechanism, but may be acted upon after any method of notification.

t) Game abandonments shall be dealt with in accordance with S.A.S.A.Policies and
Procedures

Rule 12 Game Cancellation Procedure

a) All teams shall be ready to play at scheduled times despite climatic conditions.

b) Games may be cancelled by the referee or by mutual agreement of both teams’
Team Officials, with the referee’s consent, within one half (1/2) hour of the official
start time.

c) Any cancelled games, including those rescheduled according to league Rule 11 i)
shall follow this procedure for rescheduling:

i) The home teams’ Team Official shall notify the game Scheduler of the games
cancellation within twenty four (24) hours.

ii) The Scheduler shall reschedule any cancelled game as soon as possible and shall
notify both teams and the referee scheduler of the time and place of the rescheduled
game.

iii) The Schedulers’ decision regarding the time and place of the rescheduled game is
final

iv) The Referee Scheduler shall schedule referees and notify them of the time and place
of the rescheduled game.