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CONSTITUTION |
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ARTICLE
1 - Founding
ARTICLE 2 -
Interpretation Clause
ARTICLE 3 -
Objects and General Provisions
ARTICLE 4 -
Headquarters
ARTICLE 5 -
Members
ARTICLE 6 -
Council
ARTICLE 7 -
Council Power
ARTICLE 8 -
Quorum
ARTICLE 9 -
Voting - Election
ARTICLE 10 -
Extra-ordinary Council
ARTICLE 11 -
The Executive Committee
ARTICLE 12 -
Executive Committee Powers
ARTICLE 13 -
Committees and Commissions
ARTICLE 14 -
Affiliation Fee
ARTICLE 15 -
Fees
ARTICLE 16 -
Financial Year
ARTICLE 17 -
Auditors report
ARTICLE 18 -
Resignations, Suspensions and Expulsions
ARTICLE 19 -
Official Languages
ARTICLE 20 -
Legal Advisor and Arbitrators
ARTICLE 21 -
Modifications
ARTICLE 22 -
Special Provisions- Non-Amateurs and Professionals
ARTICLE 23 -
Dissolution
ARTICLE 24 -
Any Other Matters
ARTICLE 25 -
Date of Acceptance and Inception
ARTICLE 1 - Founding
The Ontario Tug-of-War Association is an Amateur Association founded in 1997,
further referred to as "OTOWA". It is affiliated to the Canadian Amateur
Tug-of-War Association and the Tug of War International Federation which in turn
is affiliated with the General Association of International Sports Federation
and follows the Olympic Principles in its activities. 
ARTICLE 2 - Interpretation Clause
In interpreting the Constitution and Rules of the Ontario Tug-of-War Association; the following definitions apply:
(a) "The Teams" refers to the Team members of the tug-of-war communities.
(b) "Member" means a Local Tug of War Team or Team of Officials which is in membership of "OTOWA".
(c) "Executive" refers to the Executive Committee of OTOWA.
(d) "Candidate Member" means a Team not yet a full member of OTOWA.
(e) "Official" is a recognized referee of OTOWA
ARTICLE 3 - Objects and General Provisions
The objective and purpose of OTOWA is:
1. To encourage, promote and control Provincial Competition between Members, to work together to develop competition in Tug of War and to strive for the re-inclusion of the sport in the Olympic Games.
2. To develop and intensify friendship and co-operation between the Association and all their Members as well as between other associations within Canada and the World.
3. To set up Rules for Tug of War to ensure uniformity of control; to hold courses and examinations to set up a Provincial Panel of Tug-of-War Judges.
4. To regulate and control exclusively on the technical and sporting basis in
cooperation with the Canadian Amateur Tug-of-War Association and Tug of War
International Federation, all Tug-of-War competitions, District, Provincial or
National Championships, matches, etc. within the province of Ontario.
ARTICLE 4 - Headquarters
The Headquarters of the OTOWA shall be determined by Resolution of Council.
For the time being it shall be in Breslau, Ontario and can be transferred to
another location by a two-third majority vote of Council.
ARTICLE 5 - Members
1. OTOWA shall consist of affiliated Members, which are recognised as the only organization controlling Tug of War in their community.
2. The Association in Membership with OTOWA shall recognise each other as the ONLY organizations controlling Tug of War in their respective communities, to the exclusions of all others.
3. A Tug of War Team which, after having applied for membership of OTOWA, is
not complying with all requirements for affiliation, may, on decision of
Council, be granted the Status of Candidate Member.
ARTICLE 6 - Council
Council, which is the highest power of OTOWA, 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 OTOWA and participate in the discussions without, however, the
rights of Membership or vote.
ARTICLE 7 - Council Power
OTOWA 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.
(d) To change the Rules of Competition of OTOWA.
(e) To change the Constitution and the Rules of OTOWA.
(f) To decide on the Suspension and Expulsion of Members and the Dissolution of OTOWA.
(g) 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 less members attend, only a Meeting of the Members can be
held, without the powers of Council.
ARTICLE 9 - Voting - Election
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 voting by letter.
Election.
Elections will be by secret ballot.
ARTICLE 10 - Extra-ordinary Council Meeting
The Executive Committee may, at any time, and must at the written request of
two-thirds of the Members of OTOWA, call an Extra-ordinary Council Meeting.
ARTICLE 11 - The Executive Committee
1. The following officials shall be elected by the Members and appointed to act as the Executive:
(a) President
(b) Vice President
(c) Secretary
(d) Treasurer
2. The duration of their appointment shall be four years. After this period the officials can be reselected by Council.
3. When, during the period mentioned in paragraph 2 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 for
the duration of the period.( until the next Annual Council Meeting)
ARTICLE 12 - Executive Committee Powers
The Executive Committee is the Administrative Body of OTOWA. It manages the affairs of OTOWA according to the Rules. It has to report its activities to the Annual Council Meeting which it also has to prepare. It represents OTOWA at all occasions. The Executive can appoint ad interim officials in case of resignation of officials.
The Executive proposes 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.
ARTICLE 13 - Committees and Commissions
The Committees and Commissions necessary shall be proposed by the Executive
and elected by Council.
ARTICLE 14 - Affiliation Fee
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 no 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 OTOWA
such as the Permit Fees for Competitions.
ARTICLE 16 - Financial Year
The Financial Year shall run from 1st November until 31st October. The
finance of OTOWA 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.
ARTICLE 18 - Resignations, Suspensions and Expulsions
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 OTOWA.
(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 OTOWA 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 OTOWA.
(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.
ARTICLE 19- Official Languages
The official languages of OTOWA are ENGLISH, and FRENCH. 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.
ARTICLE 20 - Legal Advisor and Arbitrators
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.
For any dispute in these matters, the English text shall apply.
ARTICLE 21 - Modifications
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 Ontario Tug-of-War Association, as the Controlling body for Tug of War
throughout the province of Ontario 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 OTOWA which means they will be listed in the
Records of Control with OTOWA.
ARTICLE 23 - Dissolution
The intended dissolution of OTOWA 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.
ARTICLE 24 - Any Other Matters
Any other matters which are not covered by the Constitution, Rules and Rules
of Competition of OTOWA must be referred to the Executive Committee prior to any
discussion being allowed by Council.
ARTICLE 25 - Date of Acceptance and Inception
These Articles making up this Constitution were approved by the Annual
Meeting of Council at Woodstock, Ontario, on April 6th, 1997 and came into force
immediately.
