ONTARIO PROVINCIAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE CONSTITUTION and BYLAWS Revised November 30, 2020
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ONTARIO PROVINCIAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS Revised November 30, 2020 CONSTITUTION NAME 1. The name of the society is the “Ontario Provincial Football League”, henceforth referred to in this document as the “OPFL” 2. The Head office of the League is at 830 Cataraqui Woods Drive Kingston, ON K7P 2P7 OBJECTIVES The Objectives of the league are: 1. To promote and encourage the game of youth community football, for tackle, touch and flag groups and in connection therewith to encourage improvement in physical, educational and scholastic standings and standards 2. To promote and foster co-operation, sportsmanship, and good relationships between all member bodies playing youth football 3. To promote and foster co-operation and good relationships with the CFL, OFA, OUA, CIS, CJFL, all Junior and Senior Leagues, all High Schools and minor football organizations. 4. To provide the guidelines, structure and support for football played throughout Ontario. 5. Provide one league, tiered for all teams to play within their appropriate playing level to foster the development of players at all levels and promote the enjoyment the game. 6. To operate the league in a businesslike manner. 7. To conduct its affairs in accordance with the "Canadian Amateur Rule Book for Tackle Football" as established and amended from time to time by Football Canada. The guiding principles of the OPFL: 1. The player – To act on the best interests of what is best for the player. The player will be at the forefront of the league actions. 2. Competition – Strive to create and foster an equally balanced and competitive environment for all teams and participants involved. 3. Sportsmanship – Promote and foster an appreciation and respect for all participants. Members will be encouraged to place the utmost value on sportsmanship principles. 4. Simplification – Provide the members with simplified administrative policies and processes. DISTRIBUTION The Constitution will be available electronically in PDF format to all Members and non-members alike. It will be available on the OPFL official website. BYLAWS ARTICLE 1 - DEFINITIONS & INTERPRETATIONS 1. DEFINITIONS a) “Bylaws” refer to the rules and regulations of the league. b) “Constitution” refers to the organizational set up, executive make up and procedural make up of the “OPFL” c) “Executive Council” refers to the elected individuals who serve to organize, legislate and uphold the constitution and bylaws of the league – as described in Article 3 of the Bylaws. d) “Members” refer to the Club Centers, Governors, League Executives, as described in Article 2 of the Bylaws. e) “Club Centers” refers to the collection of teams operating by one group under one branded name. f) “League” refers to the make up of the Executive Council and all members of the Ontario Provincial Football League g) “Team” refers to a football team organized to participate in the league during the season, as designated by the executive. h) “Team Voting Group” refers to representatives of each team who will vote at the Annual General Meeting and Special Meetings. i) “Coaches Council” refers to the head coaches of each team who will advise and give recommendations to the Executive Council concerning the management of the league. j) “OFA” refers to the Ontario Football Alliance. The recognized Provincial Sport Organization (PSO) governing body. k) “FC” refers to Football Canada, The recognized National Sports Organization (NSO) governing body. l) “OPFL” refers to the Ontario Provincial Football League m) “AGM” refers to Annual General Meeting. n) “OFL” refers to the Ontario Football League o) “Special Meeting” refers to a meeting specifically addressing issues of a Constitutional or By- Law matter 2. INTERPETATION In the Constitution and By-Laws of the OPFL, the singular shall include the plural and the plural, the singular, the word "person" shall include firms and corporations, and the masculine shall include the feminine. Whatever reference is made to any statute or section thereof; such reference shall be deemed to extend to apply to any amendment or to re-enactment of the said statute or section. ARTICLE 2 - MEMBERSHIP 1. FOUNDERS a) Founders are Mike Circelli, Richard Karikari, Bert McCallum, Glen Mills, Sean O’Neill, Alexandra Reyes-Walsh. b) The original Founders will be granted the privilege to approve any new teams into the Ontario Provincial Football League. Each founding member will have one vote and a majority of votes will be required to approve a new team. c) If a Founding member leaves the OPFL, or is found not in good standing they will forfeit their vote. The vote will not be replaced. d) One Founder will be selected to represent the Founders Council at the Executive Council. e) the Executive Council will have the duty to legislate and uphold the Constitution and Bylaws of the league as well as ensure that the integrity of the league is protected. f) Founders will meet (4) times per calendar year, or when business warrants. The meeting may be in person, telephonic, or by electronic means. 2. ADMISSION OF MEMBERSHIP a) Submission of an application for membership must be submitted to the Founders with a completed OPFL approved request for membership form. b) The Founders will review all applications and rule on acceptance into the OPFL. c) The Founders may, at their discretion, set forth probationary clauses for any newly approved applicant. d) Club Centres applications located within a 50 km radius (city hall/town centre administration) of a current member will require the impacted current member to provide an impact statement. The affected member will be part of the application discussion. This includes both Premier and Regional Rep centres 3. MEMBERS a) The membership of the league is comprised of all Club Centers and their Club appointed Governors, the Executive Council, both elected and/or appointed, and the Founders. b) Club Centers must be members in good standing. Members must have all fees and financial duties up to date in order to have any voting privileges. c) Members have a duty to comply with the Constitution, By-Laws, Administration Rules and the processes of the OPFL. d) A Club Center will cease to be a member in good standing of the OPFL, i. on providing written notice to the OPFL of its withdrawal; ii. on dissolution of its Club Center; iii. for not paying any applicable fees by established deadlines of the Executive Council; iv. A Club Center can be expelled from the OPFL by a resolution at the AGM for just cause. v. The notice of resolution for expulsion must be accompanied by a brief statement of reasons for the proposed Club Center expulsion. vi. The Club Center Owner or President whose team is the subject of the resolution for expulsion shall be given an opportunity to be heard at the AGM before the resolution is put to a vote. vii. Expulsion of a team from the OPFL shall require the approval of two-thirds of the votes cast at the AGM. e) PREMIER LEAGUE DIVISION: All Club Centers must declare entering into each division of the OPFL to the Executive Council at the AGM so that a schedule can be developed. f) REGIONAL AA/A DIVISION: All Club Centers must declare the teams entering into each division of the OPFL to the Executive Council by April 1st so that a schedule can be developed. Any team that removes itself from the division after April 1st will forfeit the team fee as a financial penalty. g) All Club Centers entered into the “Premier League” must fully support the OPFL Premier League as their number one league. Club Centers at the Premier League levels will field a team in the OPFL Premier League, any secondary teams at any age level will be entered in the Regional Rep. Divisions prior to fielding a team at any corresponding level in any other league. h) Club Center representative serving as an Executive on any other League Board, cannot act as the Club Center's representative with the OPFL. 4. MEMBERSHIP FEES a) The Executive Council shall determine registration fees for the league. b) Registration fees shall be payable in full prior to participating in any activity associated with the league. 5. MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS a) The Annual General Meeting of the OPFL shall be held no later than the last day of November of each year. All members as described in Bylaw Article 2.3.a. may attend the Annual General Meeting. All members are expected to be represented at the Annual General Meeting in person. b) A Special Meeting, to address Constitutional or By-Law matters, can be called at any time by 50 percent of Club Centers or by the Executive Council. The time and location of the Special Meeting shall be agreed to by a majority of the Executive Council and must be held no later than 14 days after the meeting is called. c) The Annual General Meeting, and all other meetings called, including Special Meetings, may be held in person, or via telephonic or any electronic means. Any person entitled to attend a meeting of the members may participate in the meeting by telephonic or electronic means that permits all participants to communicate adequately with each other during the meeting if such means are available. A person so participating in a meeting is deemed to be present at the meeting. d) The Annual General Meeting or Special Meetings requires a quorum of 25% of members to be present, either in person or by proxy. If a quorum is present at the opening of a meeting of members, the members present may proceed with the business of the meeting even if a quorum is not present throughout the meeting.