CANADIAN TUG OF WAR ASSOCIATION
CONSTITUTION
INDEX:
ARTICLE
1
Founding
.
3
ARTICLE 2 Interpretation
Clause
3
ARTICLE 3 Objects and General
Provisions
...
4
ARTICLE 4
Headquarters
.
5
ARTICLE 5
Members
6
ARTICLE 6
Council
...
6
ARTICLE 7 Council
Power
...
6
ARTICLE 8
Quorum
..
7
ARTICLE 9 Voting
Election
7
2.
ARTICLE
10 - Extra-ordinary Council
8
ARTICLE 11 - The Executive
Committee
9
ARTICLE
12 - Executive Committee Powers
..
9
ARTICLE 13 - Committees and
Commissions
.
9
ARTICLE 14 - Affiliation
Fee
9
ARTICLE 15
Fees
10
ARTICLE 16 - Financial
Year
..
10
ARTICLE
17 - Auditors
report
.
10
ARTICLE 18 - Resignations, Suspensions and
Expulsions
10
ARTICLE 19 - Official
Languages
...
11
ARTICLE 20 - Legal Advisor and
Arbitrators
11
ARTICLE 21
Modifications
12
ARTICLE 22 - Special Provisions- Non-Amateurs
and Professionals
. 12
ARTICLE 23
Dissolution
12
ARTICLE 24 - Any Other
Matters
..
13
ARTICLE 25 - Date of Acceptance and
Inception
.
13
3.
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE
1
- Founding
The Canadian Tug of War Association is the National governing body for the
sport of tug of war in Canada. It was founded and Incorporated in February
of the year 2000, and will be further referred to as "CATOWA".
CATOWA is
affiliated with, and recognized by the Tug of War International
Federation, that will further be referred to as TWIF the World
governing body for the sport.
The Tug of
War International Federation is affiliated with, the General Association
of International Sport Federations, the International World Games
Association and is recognized by the International Olympic Committee.
CATOWA
follows the principles and policies of the TWIF, the Canadian Olympic
Association and Sport Canada, in its activities.
ARTICLE
2
- Interpretation Clause
In
interpreting the Constitution and Rules of the Canadian Tug-of-War
Association; the following definitions apply:
(a) TWIF
refers to the Tug of War International Federation, the world governing
body for the sport of tug of war.
(b)
CATOWA refers to the Canadian Tug of War Association,
the governing body for the sport of tug of war in Canada.
(c) The
Associations refers to the National Associations that control Tug of
War in their respective countries.
4.
(d)
Class E member , refers to those persons designated by CATOWA as
their representative with the Canadian Olympic Association (COA) and the
Canadian Olympic Committee (COC).
(e)
Executive refers to the Executive Committee of CATOWA.
(f)
Member means a provincial amateur association with similar objects that
has received approval from the Board of Directors as an affiliate member.
(g)
Non-Voting member, means provincial amateur associations, societies,
partnerships or individuals that have not yet received approval of the
Board of Directors.
(h)
Province or Provincial, the Yukon, North-West Territories and
Nunavut shall be considered one province.
(i)
Candidate member means a Club Team not yet a full member of CATOWA.
(j)
COA and the COC refer to the Canadian Olympic
Association and the Canadian Olympic Committee.
(k)
Official is a recognized referee of CATOWA.
ARTICLE
3
Objects and General Provisions
The
objectives and purpose of CATOWA is:
1. to
encourage, promote and control National Competition between Members. To
work together, develop International competition, and strive for the
re-inclusion of the sport in the Olympic Games.
2. To
develop friendship and co-operation between CATOWA and its members within
Canada as well as other Associations throughout the World.
3.
To ensure uniformity and control of the rules of Tug of War; and
set up a panel of National Tug-of-War Judges.
5.
4. To
regulate and maintain exclusive control of the technical and sporting
basis in the National Championships within Canada.
5.
That CATOWA complies with, the provisions of the By-Laws of the
Canadian Olympic Committee (COC), Sport Canada, and cause its members to
comply with their By-Laws.
6.
CATOWA is committed to the implementation of the
National Coaching Certificate Program, and the Coaching Code of Conduct as
set out by the Coaching Association of Canada, and the 3M Program.
7. CATOWA is
formally committed to and has adopted the Canadian policy on penalties for
doping. CATOWA will strive to
deter those members who might engage in the use of banned substances and
practices in the Sport of Tug of War and to protect those who commit
themselves to the Sport based on the principles of fair play.
8.
CATOWA is committed to gender equity and access for women as
athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and leaders in the sport of tug
of war.
9. CATOWA is
committed to equity and access to persons with a disability as athletes,
coaches, officials, volunteers and leaders, in the sport of tug of war.
10. CATOWA
is committed to the principals of access for aboriginal athletes, and for
visible minorities as athletes, coaches, officials, volunteers and leaders
in the sport of tug of war.
11. CATOWA
is committed to the develop of a formal policy on harassment and abuse,
including procedures for reporting and investigation of complaints.
12. To
promote the participation of youth in the Sport of Tug of War and develop
programs that encourage junior divisions.
ARTICLE
4
- Headquarters
The
Headquarters of the CATOWA shall be determined by Resolution of Council.
For the time being it shall be in Windsor, Ontario and can be transferred
to another location by a two-third majority vote of Council.
6.
ARTICLE
5
Members
1. CATOWA
shall consist of affiliated Members, which are recognised as the only
organizations controlling Tug of War in their respective Provinces or
Territories. Only one affiliate member shall be permitted in each
province.
2.
Nonvoting members are members that have shown an interest in becoming
an affiliated member but have not yet met all requirements.
3.
A Provincial Association which, after having applied for membership with
CATOWA, that has not complied with all requirements for affiliation, may,
on decision of Council, be granted the Status of Candidate Member.
4.National
Associations shall recognise each other as the ONLY organizations
controlling Tug of War in their respective counties, to the exclusions of
all others.
ARTICLE
6
Council
Council, which is the highest power of CATOWA, is formed by the affiliated Members. Each Member may be represented by one delegate, to represent the interest of that organization and its members. Candidate Members may attend the meetings of CATOWA and participate in the discussions; however, they have no rights of Membership or vote.
CATOWA
Council will have the power:
(a) To
decide on the affiliation of new Members and acceptance of Candidate
Members.
(b) To elect
the Executive.
(c)
To elect Special Committees and Commissions.
7.
(d) To
change the Constitution and the Rules of CATOWA.
(e) To
decide on the Suspension and Expulsion of Members and the Dissolution of
CATOWA.
(f) To
decide on special funds and fees.
ARTICLE
8
- Quorum
The Quorum necessary for holding a meeting of Council is 60% of the Affiliated Members. If fewer members attend, only a Meeting of the Members can be held, without the powers of Council.
Voting
Each
Affiliated Member has one vote only. Unless otherwise specified in this
Constitution, voting of Council must be approved by a simple majority
(e.g. 50%+1) of the valid votes taken. If the result of voting is equal,
the Presiding Officer may give the casting vote. Voting by proxy is
permitted, if either time or situation do not allow for the organization
of an Extra-ordinary Council Meeting. The Executive may hold a vote by
letter.
Election.
Elections will be by secret ballot.
The
Executive Committee may, at any time, and must at the written request of
two-thirds of the Members of CATOWA, call an Extra-ordinary Council
Meeting.
8.
ARTICLE
11
The Executive Committee
1. The
following volunteer officials shall be elected by the Members to act as
the Executive for a 4 year duration:
(a) President
(b) 1st
Vice President
(c)
2nd Vice
President
(d)
Secretary
(e)
Treasurer
( f ) International
Representative
( g ) Youth
Representative
2. The
positions of:
(a)
Media/Communications Officer,
(b)
Referee in Chief
(c)
Womens Representative
shall be by
appointment. The duration of their appointment shall be bi-annually. After
this period the officials can be reselected by Council.
3. The
position of President, 2nd Vice President, Treasurer, and the
Youth Representative will stand for election in odd years, while the 1st
Vice President, Secretary, and the International Representative will shall
stand for election in even years.
4. When,
during the period mentioned in paragraph 1 of this Article, an official
resigns from the Executive or is no longer available to act as an
official, the Executive may appoint an official to act in the vacant
office, until the next Annual Council Meeting.
9.
5. The
position of :
(a)
National Head Coach
will be by appointment and addressed on an annual basis, or selected when necessary.
The
Executive Committee is the Administrative Body of CATOWA. It manages the
affairs of CATOWA according to the Rules, and will report its activities
at the Annual General Meeting which it also has to prepare. It represents
CATOWA at all occasions. The Executive can appoint ad interim officials in
case of resignation of officials.
The
Executive has the authority to propose the assignment of a Legal Advisor
and/or Arbitrators. If necessary, the assignment of the legal advisor and
arbitrators shall be approved by Council.
The Executive can, when needed for a special task or liaison, co-opt up to a maximum of two (2) officials, which term of office will end on the termination of the special task or liaison.
The Committees and Commissions necessary shall be proposed by the Executive and elected by Council.
The
Affiliation Fee is payable in the month of June each year. A member which
does not pay the affiliation fee for the current year stands suspended
from Membership and any funds, trophies, awards or plaques will be given
to that member until the affiliation fee is fully paid.
ARTICLE
15
Fees
The rules
may stipulate the fees necessary for the financial needs of CATOWA such as
the Permit Fees for Competitions.
ARTICLE
16
Financial Year
The
Financial Year shall run from the 1st January until 31st
December. The finances of CATOWA shall be vested in the Executive. The
Treasurer will submit certified accounts and balance sheet to the Annual
Meeting of Council.
ARTICLE
17
Auditors report
The Treasurer will submit the Accounts and Balance Sheet, three months prior to Council to a firm of Chartered Accountants for their inspection and they in turn, will submit a written report (Auditors report) on their inspection to Council.
Resignation:
A Member may
resign at any time, provided that at the time of resignation the Member
has no outstanding liabilities to the Association and is at the time a
fully paid-up Member. Such resignation shall take effect immediately upon
receipt by the Secretary of a Notice of Resignation signed by two Members
of the Executive Committee of the Member and shall be reported at the next
Annual Meeting of Council by the Secretary.
Suspension:
A member may
be suspended from Membership by a recommendation of the Executive and a
75% majority decision of the Annual Meeting of Council for the following
reasons:
(a)
Non-payment of any liabilities to the CATOWA.
11.
(b) Failure
to comply with the provisions of these Articles.
(c) Action
liable to bring the sport of tug of war into disrepute, as agreed by the
Executive.
Expulsion:
A member may
be expelled from Membership of the CATOWA on a resolution passed by a 75%
majority of the Association Members present at an Annual Meeting of
Council or an Extra-ordinary meeting of Council specially convened, for
the following reasons:
(a) Refusal
to pay any liabilities due to CATOWA.
(b) Refusal
to comply with the provisions of these Articles.
(c) Persistent action liable to bring the sport of tug of war into disrepute as agreed by the Executive Committee.
CATOWAs formal policy on Languages will comply with existing Treasury Board and Sport Canada Guidelines, to ensure that English and French enjoy equal status. The proceedings at Council Meetings shall be conducted in English. One interpreter for each other group requiring such assistance will be admitted to Council Meetings.
In case of a
dispute arising from interpretation of the Constitution or Rules, the
legal advisor, when so requested by the Executive or two Members, has to
be consulted before any decision is taken by Council.
When
assigned by Council for the purpose of solving a dispute arising from a
conflict between Members or between members and Executive, the assigned
Arbitrators decision shall be final.
12.
For any dispute in these matters, the English text shall apply.
Modifications
of any Articles of this Constitution may only be effected by the Annual
Meeting of the Board or an Extraordinary Council Meeting convened
especially for that purpose. The majority has to be 75% at any ballot.
ARTICLE
22
Special Provisions Non-Amateurs and Professionals
The Canadian
Tug-of-War Association, as the Controlling body for Tug of War
throughout Canada, may, if Council approves, and without prejudice to the
foregoing Articles, take under its jurisdiction and control non-amateurs
and professionals. Non-amateurs and professionals shall be subject to
special registration with CATOWA which means they will be listed in the
Records of Control with CATOWA.
ARTICLE
23
- Dissolution
The intended
dissolution of CATOWA shall require an Extra-ordinary meeting of Council
at which sole item on the Agenda shall be the business of dissolution. The
quorum for dissolution shall be 75% of the Membership and the vote for
dissolution shall require a majority of 75% of the Voting Members present.
If, upon
dissolution of the Association there remains after satisfaction of all its
debts and liabilities, any property whatsoever, the same shall not be paid
to or distributed among Members of the Association, but shall be applied
to the furtherance of any object or objects as may be determined by the
Association, at or before the dissolution, and, in so far as effect cannot
be given the foregoing provisions, then to some charitable object.
13.
ARTICLE
24
- Any Other Matters
Any other matters which are not covered by the Constitution, Rules and Rules of Competition of CATOWA must be referred to the Executive Committee prior to any discussion being allowed by Council.
These Articles making up this Constitution were approved by the Annual Meeting of Council at Embro, Ontario, on October 27, 2002 and came into force immediately.
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