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Constitution of the Free Reformed Soccer Association
as ammended at the AGM on 31 March 2004 (item 9.1)
1. Name
The name shall be called the FREE REFORMED SOCCER ASSOCIATION, hereafter referred to as "the Association".
2. Objectives
The objectives of the Association are to:
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I.
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Promote, administer, and encourage the playing of soccer within a Christian environment.
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II.
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To provide opportunity to practise wholesome competition with added emphasis on participation rather than outcome.
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III.
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To assist in the promotion and development of specific skills associated with soccer at a junior level.
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IV.
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To do all such things as well as act conductive to advance the objectives and interests of the Association.
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Property
The property and income of the Association shall be applied solely towards the promotion of the objectives of the Association, and no part of that property or income may be paid or otherwise distributed, directly or indirectly, to members, except for the sole purpose of promoting the objectives of the Association.
3. Powers of the Association
For the purpose of achieving and furthering these objectives, the Association shall have the power:
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I.
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To purchase, sell, hold, lease or rent real or personal property.
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II.
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To borrow, raise or secure the payment of money to secure the repayments or performance of any debt, liability, contract or guarantee incurred or to be entered into by the Association.
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III.
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To enter into any arrangement with any arrangement with any government or local authority or instrumentality.
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IV.
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To emply, hire or engage managers, clerks, secretaries, workmen, curators, coaches or other persons.
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V.
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To invest the monies of the Association.
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VI.
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To generally do all things necedssary and conducive to the attainment of the objectives of the Association.
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4. Membership
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I.
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Membership of the Association shall be open to all persons, who are communicant or non-communicant members of the Free Reformed Churches of Western Australia, or those holding a valid and current attestation of one of our sister churches.
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II.
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The classes of membership shall be:
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A.
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Player membership
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B.
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Non-playing membership
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III.
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A member shall cease to be a member if:
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A.
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They resign.
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B.
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They fail to pay any subscription due.
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C.
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They are expelled or suspended.
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IV.
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Membership fees:
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A.
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All members shall pay an annual fee as determined by the Committee each year.
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B.
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All membership fees become payable before the soccer season commences.
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C.
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A player shall be financial before his selection in a team.
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D.
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The committee of the year has the power to override section III in the case of financial hardship. Each case shall be treated on its merits and precedents need not influence a decision.
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5. Office Bearers
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I.
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The office bearers of the Association are:
- President/Chairman
- Vice Chairman
- Secretary
- Treasurer
- Umpires Co-ordinator
- Property Manager
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II.
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Additional office bearers may be appointed for sub-committees of the Association should it be considered necessary.
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III.
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The position of vice chairman may be filled by the secretary or treasurer.
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6. Executive Committee
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I.
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This should consist of the following:
President/Chairman
Vice Chairman
Secretary
Treasurer
Umpires Co-ordinator
Two members of the Association not being from the same club. (One of which may fulfill the duties of vice-chairman.)
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II.
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The executive committee is expected to meet at least every six weeks during the playing season.
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III.
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At an executive committee meeting a quorum shall be no less than 60% of the committee.
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7. General Committee
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I.
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This should consist of the following:
President of Association
Secretary of Association
Treasurer of Association
One member from each club, elected by that club
One member representing each additional body e.g. Juniors, mini-league, ladies, etc
Referees representative
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II.
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The club representatives may also have a dual role of being on the executive committee.
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III.
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During the playing season general meetings are to be held at least once every six weeks.
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IV.
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At a General committee meeting a quorum shall be no less than 60% of the general committee.
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8. Election of Office Bearers
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I.
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The election of members of the executive committee shall be by secret ballot at the Annual General Meeting, All members are to serve a three year term.
The umpires co-ordinator is elected from among the umpires and serves for one year.
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II.
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Nominations must be proposed and seconded by members of the Association.
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III.
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All offices are to be decided internally by the executive committee immediately after the Annual General Meeting.
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IV.
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The newly elected members shall take their respective offices immediately following the close of the Annual General Meeting.
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V.
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All committee members are to be adult members only.
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VI.
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Any elected member who is absent from three consecutive meetings without giving good reason shall by his/her actions have vacated his/her office.
It is within the power of the Committee to fill such a vacancy at the next general committee meeting.
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9. Annual General Meeting
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I.
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The Annual General Meeting it to be held in the month of February or March each year on a date to be set by the Executive Committee.
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II.
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The Quorum shall consist of twenty five financial members of the Association.
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III.
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The business of the Annual General Meeting shall include:
Christian opening
Chairman's report
Confirmation of minutes and matters arising
Treasurers financial year report including auditors report
Election of committee members
General business
Closing
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IV.
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At least 14 days notice shall be given of the Annual General Meeting.
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10. Extraordinary General Meeting
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I.
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An extraordinary general meeting may be called in one of the following ways:
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A.
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By resolution of the committee.
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B.
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By petition in writing by at least 25 members of the association. At least two thirds of the petitioners must be present at each meeting or the meeting shall lapse.
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II.
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The Quorum shall be 20 financial members of the association.
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III.
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The Chairman shall preside at any Extraordinary meeting.
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IV.
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In the absence of the chairman the vice-chairman shall chair the meeting.
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V.
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At least 7 days notice must be given of an extraordinary meeting.
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11. Notice of Meeting
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I.
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At least 14 days notice must be given prior to the Annual General Meeting.
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II.
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At least 7 days notice must be given prior to an Extraordinary meeting.
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III.
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At least 7 days notice must be given prior to any Executive or General Committee meeting.
If there is no quorum within 30 minutes of the appointed time the meeting shall be adjourned for a period not exceeding 14 days.
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IV.
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If at any Annual General Meeting or Extraordinary General meeting there be no quorum within 30 minutes of time appointed for the meeting then the meeting shall be adjourned to a date no later than 14 days after initial date.
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V.
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If there be no quorum within 30 minutes after the time appointed for such an adjourned meeting the meeting shall lapse and refer back to a general committee meeting.
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12. Minutes of Meetings
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I.
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The secretary, or in his absence, another member shall keep minutes of all General meetings and committee meetings. All such minutes are to be adopted and signed at the subsequent meeting.
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II.
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Subject to the discretion of the chairman, minutes of all meetings shall be open to inspection by any member at any time convenient to the secretary.
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III.
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An agenda of a proposed meeting is to be sent to all committee members no less than 3 days prior to commencement of meeting.
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13. Finance
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I.
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The financial year of the association shall be from the first day of January to the 31st day of December.
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II.
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The treasurer shall be responsible that a true account is kept of all monies received and expended.
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III.
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A balance sheet containing a summary of assets and liabilities of the Association at the end of its financial year, together with a statement of profit and loss for the preceding year, shall be made out and submitted at the next Annual General Meeting.
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IV.
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The accounts shall be audited by two qualified persons.
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V.
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The Association shall conduct its financial affairs through a reputable financial institution.
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VI.
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No monies may be drawn from the Associations accounts without the consent of the committee, or in urgency by the approval of both the chairman and treasurer.
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VII.
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The accounts shall be open for inspection by any member upon giving reasonable notice to the treasurer at a time and place convenient to the treasurer.
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14. Game Laws and Rules
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I.
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These are to be in accordance with F.I.F.A. regulations except where they have been modified by the Association.
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II.
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All variations to F.I.F.A. rules and Associations by-laws are to be published and distributed to Association members prior to commencement of season.
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15. Disputes Panel / Tribunal
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I.
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This panel shall be an independent body comprising of 3 people and appointed by the executive committee. If one or more of the above due to extenuating circumstances are unable to be present when required, then the president/chairman has the power to appoint any member of the executive committee to form the disputes panel/tribunal.
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II.
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Any protests or disputes that arise other than on match day are to be directed to the executive committee, as soon as is practicable and from this point the executive committee may deal with the matter or further it to the tribunal.
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III.
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Terms and references of the disputes tribunal are to be found in the by-laws of the game.
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16. Suspension and Expulsion
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I.
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Any member of the Association who fails to observe the rules of the Association, or whose conduct in the opinion of the Committee is in conflict with the interests of the association may be suspended or expelled from the membership of the Association, by a majority of at least two thirds of the general committee present at a meeting which has been called for that purpose and of which 7 days notice has been given to the member involved.
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II.
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The member to whom it is proposed to suspend or expel may attend such a meeting for the purpose of being heard and offering an explanation for his alleged conduct if he so desires.
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III.
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An appeal shall lie to an extraordinary meeting of the executive committee together with the appeals tribunal requested in writing by the appellate within 7 days of the committee's decision. Any decision made by this committee shall be binding.
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IV.
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Any member who is suspended or expelled is not entitled to any refund of subscription.
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V.
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Where a member has been suspended or expelled, his suspension shall not affect the membership of any other persons who may compromise a family membership.
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VI.
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Where a member is suspended, such a member shall be deemed not to be a member during the period of suspension until such time as the suspension is lifted.
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17. Resignation
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I.
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Any person who wishes to resign his membership shall do so in writing by letter to the secretary.
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18. Dissolution
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I.
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The association may at any time with the consent of a majority two thirds of the members present at a general meeting or at a special general meeting called for such a purpose be dissolved or wound up.
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II.
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If upon dissolution there remain any monies or assets after all debts and liabilities have been satisfactorily settled, these shall not be transferred, distributed or given to any members of the association. Monies shall be given to some charitable organization within the Free Reformed Churches determined by the members of the association at or before the time of dissolution. Assets may also be sold or donated to the John Calvin Schools .and proceeds from such sales distributed to charitable organizations within the Free Reformed Churches.
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19. Amendments to Constitution
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I.
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Amendments to the constitution can only be made with the approval of 75% of a general meeting of members present. Subject to 30 days prior written notice.
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