VANCOUVER MINOR LACROSSE ASSOCIATION

CONSTITUTION

Article 1

This organization shall be known as the Vancouver Minor Lacrosse Association, hereafter referred to as the Association.

Article 2

The purposes of the Association are:
a) To promote and encourage good citizenship and sportsmanship among the members of the Association.
b) To establish, maintain, conduct, and promote among the members of the Association and others an active interest in amateur lacrosse.

Article 3

This Association shall be affiliated with the British Columbia Lacrosse Association and the Killarney Community Centre Society.

BY-LAWS

By-Law 1 – Membership

1. The following may be members of the Association, provided they have applied for registration and paid fees for the current season:
   a. Any parent or guardian of a player.
   b. Any person 18 years of age or older who is actively involved in the general work of the Association.

2. Every member shall uphold the Constitution and comply with these By-Laws, rules, and regulations.

3. A person shall cease to be a member of the Association:
   a. By delivering written resignation to the Secretary, or
   b. Upon death, or
   c. Upon expulsion.

4. A member may, at the discretion of the Executive, be removed from membership for conduct deemed improper, unbecoming, or likely to endanger the interests or reputation of the Association, or for willful breach of the Constitution or By-Laws.

5. Members are in good standing except those who have failed to pay current annual membership fees or other debts owing to the Association.

By-Law 2 – Player Registration Fees

1. Each player registered with the Association shall pay an annual registration fee, set by the Executive prior to the registration period. This fee includes any assessments from the B.C. Lacrosse Association.

2. The Executive may, at its discretion, waive player registration fees in exceptional circumstances.

By-Law 3 – Meetings

1. The Association shall provide not less than 14 days’ written notice of a General Meeting. Members may unanimously agree in writing to waive or shorten this notice.

2. The Annual General Meeting (AGM) shall be held in October.

3. General Meetings may be called by the President.

4. Executive Committee meetings shall be held monthly or as called by the President.

5. Quorum:

   • Executive meetings – 7 members

   • General or Annual General Meetings – 10 members

6. Order of Business at the AGM:
   a. Reading and approval of previous minutes
   b. Reception of credentials
   c. Correspondence
   d. Treasurer’s report
   e. Committee reports
   f. Unfinished business
   g. Election of officers
   h. New business
   i. Adjournment

By-Law 4 – Voting

1. Each member present at a General or Annual Meeting is entitled to one vote. No proxy votes.

2. The President shall have a casting vote in the event of a tie.

3. Voting is by show of hands unless a ballot is requested.

4. Decisions are made by majority vote unless otherwise specified.

By-Law 5 – Officers, Duties, and Powers

1. Officers of the Association: Immediate Past President, President, Vice President(s), Secretary, Treasurer, and Registrar.

2. Officers are elected at the AGM for terms not exceeding one year.

3. Nominations shall be made by a Nominating Committee or from the floor at the AGM.

4. The Executive may raise, secure, or repay funds as required. No debenture shall be issued without a special resolution.

President

1. Presides at all meetings of the Association and performs duties customary to the office.

2. Following each AGM, the President shall:
   a. Set the date for the first Executive Meeting.
   b. Appoint a Finance Committee.
   c. Appoint a Discipline Committee.

3. The President may suspend any team, player, or official for misconduct or violations pending review by the Discipline Committee.

Vice President(s)

1. Act in place of the President when absent and perform related duties.

Secretary

1. Records minutes of all meetings.

2. Manages correspondence and related duties.

Treasurer

1. Works with the Killarney Community Centre Society to maintain financial records.

2. Presents reports at each Executive Meeting and a full statement at the AGM.

Registrar

1. Manages registration of members and players, and files player registrations with the B.C. Lacrosse Association.

By-Law 6 – Committees, Duties, and Powers

Standing Committees:
a. Executive Committee
b. Finance Committee
c. Discipline Committee
d. Appeals Committee

Executive Committee

1. Consists of the Officers plus positions such as Equipment Manager, Head Coach, Head Referee, Concession Director, Scheduler, Booster Club Director, KCCS Liaison, Intermediate Liaison, Publicity Director, Bingo Coordinator, and Fundraising Director.

2. Follows Robert’s Rules of Order (Newly Revised) unless inconsistent with these By-Laws.

3. Finance Committee reviews finances and recommends actions to the Executive.

4. Finance Committee prepares and circulates the annual budget.

5. All funds shall be deposited with the Killarney Community Centre Society except petty cash, Booster Club, or Concession accounts.

6. The Booster Club and Concession shall maintain separate accounts.

7. Expenditures shall be made through KCCS except as above.

Discipline Committee

1. Consists of the President (Chair), Vice Presidents, and two appointed members (including the Head Referee).

2. Reviews disciplinary matters and misconduct penalties and determines appropriate actions.

Appeals Committee

1. Consists of the Officers of the Association.

2. Hears appeals from the Discipline Committee and may uphold, modify, or overturn its decisions.

By-Law 7 – Appeal Procedure

1. Any team, player, official, or referee may appeal a Discipline Committee decision.

2. Appeals must be submitted in writing to the Secretary within 7 days of notification.

3. Appeals shall be heard within 7 days of receipt.

Executive Committee Appeal

1. A further appeal may be made to the Executive Committee.

2. Written appeals must be submitted to the Secretary within 7 days of receiving the Appeals Committee decision.

3. Appeals will be heard at the next Executive Meeting.

By-Law 8 – Amendments

1. Amendments to the Constitution or By-Laws may only be made at the AGM.

2. Changes require approval by 75% of members present.

By-Law 9 – Dissolution

Upon dissolution, all remaining assets after payment of debts shall be distributed to another minor lacrosse charitable organization in British Columbia.

Signatories

Signed for the Vancouver Killarney Minor Lacrosse Association
(March 22, 1990)

Constitutional Amendments

1. By-Law 9 (Dissolution): Updated to clarify asset distribution to another minor lacrosse charitable organization in B.C. (May 4, 2000)

2. By-Law 6-1: Revised to expand Executive Committee composition. (Oct 24, 2005)

3. Adoption of Robert’s Rules of Order (Newly Revised) for governance. (Oct 24, 2005)

4. By-Law 6-1 (continued): Added nomination and voting process for Executive Committee members. (Oct 26, 2006)

5. Updated all references from Vancouver Killarney Minor Lacrosse Association (VKMLA) to Vancouver Minor Lacrosse Association (VMLA). (Oct 28, 2015)