1. NAME
1.1. The organization shall be known as the Golden Horseshoe (Burlington) Touch Football Association
2. AFFILIATIONS
2.1. The GHTFA shall be a member of Football Ontario, which in turn is a member of the National Association governing touch football
2.2. The GHTFA may be a member of the Federation of International Touch (FIT)
2.3. Due to our affiliation with provincial, national, and international touch football organizations, any team in good standing within a member league of the GHTFA, can be sanctioned to compete at one, or all of these three various competitions
3. OBJECTIVES
3.1. To increase the participation of Touch Football for all players, managers, coaches and volunteers throughout the Golden Horseshoe Region
3.2. To improve the caliber of play in the game
3.3. To establish conditions conducive to safety, and enjoyment for all participants
3.4. To obtain sufficient funds for the successful on going operation of the association. The GHTFA shall be a non-profit organization
4. MEMBERSHIP
4.1. The GHTFA shall have men's, women's leagues as members
4.2. Players must be 17 years of age, or older to participate
4.3. All returning teams are subject to review at the association Annual General Meeting. Teams on probation are subject to any, or all of the following measures
4.3.1. double performance bond
4.3.2. loss of voting status for one year
4.3.3. a non refundable initiation fee as per new members
4.4. New teams will make presentations, and be voted on for acceptance at the association Annual General Meeting
5. VOTING
5.1. General Meetings - All member teams (in good standing) of leagues within the association shall have voting rights (one per team). The association President will only vote to break a tie
5.2. Executive Meetings - All members of the executive shall have one vote. The association President will only vote to break a tie
5.3. League Meetings - Each member teams (in good standing) will have a vote at their league meetings. The league President will only vote to break a tie
5.4. At all levels of meetings a quorum of 50% of voting delegates must be present to initiate voting, with majority deciding the motion. Votes by written proxy are accepted
6. EXECUTIVE
6.1. The association executive elected annually at the Annual General Meeting
6.1.1. Association President
6.1.2. Association Past President
6.1.3. President of each member league
6.1.4. Secretary
6.1.5. Treasurer
6.2. The following non voting executive positions are elected annually at the Annual General Meeting
6.2.1. Public Relations Director
6.2.2. Rescheduled Games Coordinator
6.2.3. Equipment Manager / Registrar
6.2.4. Director of Ways and Means (Banquet)
6.3. League Presidents may appoint sub committees as required
6.4. The association executive will decide on disciplinary action for any player, or team. The player or team will have the right the action to a league meeting, from which the direction to uphold an appeal, based on voting of the league delegates, would be brought back to the association executive with recommendations fro reconsideration of the incident. During the intervening period, the disciplinary decisions of the executive will be in place
7. SIGNING OFFICER
7.1. The President of the association and/or Treasurer are authorized to sing cheques in the name of GHTFL or GHTFA, and to transfer other financial business necessary for the association
8. MEMBERSHIP FEES
8.1. League fees are set by the association annually, and apply to all teams. Once schedules, and an annual budget is completed, entry fees are determined
8.2. An initiation charge is applied to all new teams. This cost will be the responsibility of the team to purchase one set of goal post pads, and four end zone pylons. This equipment will be used by that team as long as they are members of the association, and is secured by their performance bond
8.3. A performance bond of $150.00 (amount subject to review annually) is deposited with the association by each existing team. The purpose of this bond is to ensure that the rules, and regulations of the association are followed. The bond may be refunded to the team following the completion or our year end schedule, and banquet festivities. Balance due from the performance bonds will be paid following payment of team fines, any rescheduled game charges, banquet commitments, and surrendering all league equipment (including annual trophies and pads). New teams will pay double
8.4. All teams will be required to assume responsibility of one of the league task, as outlined annually. Failure to fulfill these duties will result in the team forfeiting their performance bond
9. RULES OF PLAY
9.1. The GHTFA will play under the rules published in the most recent version of the "Touch Rules & Case Book", updated by any interim rule changes approved by the National Touch Association, currently the "National Football Federation of Canada"
10. TEAM GUIDELINES
10.1. Rescheduling of games requires two weeks advance notice, and the approval of both teams playing. This must be done through the appropriate league Presidents, and rescheduling games coordinator so necessary facility rentals, and referee assignments can be made. Failure to provide two weeks notice could result in forfeiture of the game, a fine, and deduction of two points from the league standings. The team that requests the rescheduling is responsible for any additional cost. It is responsibility of all teams who have canceled games to complete any make up games prior to playoffs, players on those teams forfeit any chance to improve their statistics, or count attendance towards minimum eligibility requirements for the playoffs
10.2. Should the association officiate our own games, it is the responsibility of each team to supply referees as required
10.3. Team rosters are filed as per the first league game stats sheet. Additions may be made up to the mid way point of each league schedule. Once a team has played 50% plus on game, their team roster is frozen, with no more additions allowed. The maximum roster for men's teams is 21 players, and 25 maximum for women's teams. Player movement within the same league will be allowed only if the player has played 3 or less games, and upon the league Presidents approval. No more that two players from the same team may transfer to another team. Any roster changes must be confirmed with the completion of the appropriate provincial player transfer form. Players must physically be present at the game to be recorded on that game roster
10.4. Any new player is subject to review at league meetings. Ineligible players from other leagues will not be allowed to play in the GHTFA without approval of the association executive
10.5. Stat sheets need to be signed by the referee, and the opposing team manager to be valid
10.6. Teams are accountable for equipment issued to them
10.7. Team fines are payable prior to their next scheduled game
10.8. Any team fined three times during the season is automatically placed on probation, and will be subject to further discipline as determined by the executive
10.9. Any fighting on the same property as association games are played, whether before, during or after the game, will result in suspension and fine. Assault charges may follow. Suspension will be a minimum of two years
10.10. Any harassment or demeaning remarks to the association executive by a team members, will be subject to fines, probation and suspension
10.11. Baiting with the intent to start a fight, while covered in the rule book, will be subject to additional fines and suspension
10.12. If a player is disqualified from a game on three occasions during the season, that player will be suspended for the balance of the year, subject to review for the next year
10.13. A player must attend a minimum of 50% of their league games to be eligible for participation in the playoffs. Injured players must be at their games in order to have their names put on the roster. Any other extenuating circumstances must have league approval (by written request) at the time of the circumstance
10.14. Inclement weather - Any game that is interrupted by storms that create unsafe playing conditions (i.e. lightning) should be delayed 30 minutes until the unsafe condition passes. Once this time period has elapsed, all pertinent game information should be recorded (time remaining, score, scrimmage location, down, and team with possession) so the game can be completed at a later date
11. FINES
11.1. All fines will be reviewed by the association executive for further disciplinary action such as probation, or suspension
11.1.1. $100.00
11.1.1.1. Punching, deliberate intent to injure
11.1.1.2. Baiting, goading another player to fight
11.1.1.3. Deliberately falsifying a stats sheet
11.1.1.4. Team using an ineligible player (also forfeit any game he/she played)
11.1.2. $ 75.00
11.1.2.1. Forfeiting a game. Equal to referee costs (to increase as refs costs do)
11.1.3. $ 50.00
11.1.3.1. Any player disqualified from a game
11.1.3.2. Failure to supply referees when assigned ($50.00 per referee)
11.1.4. $ 25.00
11.1.4.1. Missed Meeting
11.1.4.2. Late roster submission
11.1.4.3. Incomplete registration form & late payment of deposits / fees
11.1.5. $ 5.00
11.1.5.1. Late or missing game sheet
11.1.5.2. Failure to report game score to Public Relations Director within 24 hours
12. INJURIES
12.1. The GHTFA and it's executive will not be responsible for any injury, or loss of personal property
13. PROTESTS
13.1. Any protest must be submitted in writing to the league President within seven (7) days of the incident. The protest will be reviewed by the association executive for a decision. A protest bond of $25.00 will be refunded if the protest is upheld. Appeals of a league Presidents decision may be made to the association executive, with a designate appointed to handle the grievance process
14. CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
14.1. Amendments to this constitution can only be made at the Annual General Meeting. A 75% majority vote is required to to approve a revision. Written submission of items to be revised must be made to the association President two weeks prior to the AGM
Monday, August 21, 2006 04:41:31 PM