Burlington Old Timers Soccer Club
The Constitution reflects ammendments made at the 2009 AGM


Club Constitution

ARTICLE 1: Organization Name
  1. Full Name
    This organization (hereinafter referred to as the “Club”) shall be known as the “Burlington Old-Timers Soccer Club Inc.”
  2. Abbreviation.
    The accepted abbreviation for the Club shall be “BOTSC”
  3. Domain Name.
    The Club’s Internet domain name shall be “botsc.ca”.
ARTICLE 2: Aims & Objectives

The aims and objectives of this Club shall be as follows:

  1. To develop and encourage the sportsmanship, community spirit, and good fellowship among all participants to the betterment of their physical, mental and social well being.
  2. To establish a club which enables adults to enjoy playing the game of soccer for recreation.
  3. To place all playing members, who are in good standing per the Club’s Constitution, on the Club’s Players List.
  4. To draft all members on the Club’s Players List into teams at the annual draft; such drafting to be carried out by the Team Convenors.
  5. To disallow team entries.
ARTICLE 3: Club Composition

The Club shall be composed of members as hereinafter set out, and shall be managed by an Executive Committee as stated in these Articles.

ARTICLE 4: Membership
  1. Membership shall be open to those persons who support the aims and objectives of the Club, subject to their subject to the requirements of By-Law 1: Eligibility for Membership.
  2. Members of the Club shall agree to abide by the by-law’s of the Municipality of the City of Burlington as they pertain to the Club.
  3. Any member of the club who is older than 65 years of age as of January 1st of that playing year, and who has played for the club for the last 
  4. Five (5) years, shall become an Honorary Life Member of the Club and have his annual fee reduced by 50% of the regular Registration Fee.
ARTICLE 5: Executive Committee
  1. The day to day business of the Club shall be conducted by an Executive Committee.
  2. The Executive Committee shall include the Past-President, President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Match Secretary, Secretary, Social Convenor, and all of the Team Convenors.
  3. The Executive Committee shall be presided over by the President.
  4. The outgoing President, on completion of his term of office, shall occupy the position of Past President.
  5. The Past-President position shall exist solely for the purposes of continuity and advisement.
  6. All committee members are responsible to the Executive Committee
ARTICLE 6: Election of the Executive Committee
  1. Terms of Office:
    Terms of office for the members of the Executive Committee shall be:
    1. Non-annual Position
      1. President – 2 years, starting in an even year.
      2. Past President – 2 years, starting on completion of the term of office as President.
      3. Vice-President – 2 years, starting in an even year.
      4. Treasurer – 2 years, starting in an odd year.
      5. Secretary – 2 years, starting in an odd year.
      6. Match Secretary – 2 years, starting in an odd year.
    2. Annual Positions:
      1. Social Convenor – 1 year.
      2. Team Convenors (1 per team) – 1 year.
  2. Nominations:
    1. Non-annual Positions:
      1. Prior to the Annual General Meeting (AGM) for the previously completed playing year, the Executive Committee shall make nominations for each of the non-annual positions, excluding Past President, which are becoming vacant.
      2. Any nominations for the non-annual positions, excluding Past President, which are becoming vacant, from the Club membership shall be submitted to the Secretary at least 2 weeks prior to the AGM.
      3. If required, voting shall take place at the AGM.
    2. Annual Positions:
      1. The following Executive Committee positions shall be open for election annually, at the AGM:
        • Social Convenor
        • Team Convenors (1 per team).
  3. Eligibility to vote at the Annual General Meeting:
    Members of the Club for the previously completed playing year, who remain in good standing at the time of the AGM, shall be eligible to vote.
  4. Casting of Votes:
    1. Each eligible member shall have one vote.
    2. Voting by proxy shall not be permitted.
    3. The counting of votes shall be the responsibility of the Chairman of the AGM.
ARTICLE 7: Appointed Positions
  1. The Executive Committee shall appoint the following positions:
    1. Burlington Soccer Council Representative.
    2. Communications Coordinator.
    3. Disciplinary Committee Chairman.
    4. Equipment Manager.
    5. Referee Coordinator.
    6. Sponsorship Chairman.
    7. Tournament Coordinator.
  2. Appointees shall be considered members of the Executive Committee.
  3. Appointees shall be preferably from amongst the active member list.
  4. If no member accepts an appointed position, the position may be filled by an individual known by and acceptable to members.
ARTICLE 8: Completion of Term of Office
  1. In the event any member of the Executive Committee resigns, or, for any other reason, cannot complete his Term of Office, the Executive Committee shall appoint a replacement for that position to complete the term of the vacated position.
  2. Any player who accepts a role on the Executive Committee is expected to serve the full term of office (AGM to AGM), even if he does not intend to stand for election the following term.  Extenuating circumstances shall be taken into account.
ARTICLE 9: Duties of the Executive Officers
    PRESIDENT:
  • The President shall preside over all meetings of the Executive.
  • During an absence of the Discipline Chairman, the President shall chair the Discipline Committee.
  • The President can be a signing Officer for the Club.
  • The President shall arrange for the presentation of the accounting records and bank statement at the Annual General Meeting.
    • VICE-PRESIDENT:
  • During an absence of the President, the Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President.
  • The Vice-President can be a signing Officer of the Club.
  • The Vice-President shall act as the Club’s Registrar.
  • As Registrar, the Vice-President shall:
  • Chair the Registration Committee.
  • Monitor the draft.
  • Maintain a Waiting List of persons interested in playing in the Club.
    TREASURER:
  • The Treasurer shall be responsible and accountable for all financial matters concerning the Club.
  • The Treasurer shall keep an up-to-date record of all financial transactions of the Club.
  • When requested by the Executive Committee, the Treasurer shall provide a written financial report.
  • The Treasurer can be a signing Officer of the Club.
    SECRETARY:
  • The Secretary shall be responsible for notification of Club meetings.
  • The Secretary shall be responsible for Club newsletters.
  • The Secretary shall act as recording secretary for all Club meetings.
  • The Secretary shall act as custodian of all inactive Club records, files, and financial documents.
  • The Secretary can be a signing Officer of the Club.
    MATCH SECRETARY
  • The Match Secretary shall be responsible for arranging fixture lists and venues.
  • The Match Secretary shall be one of the Clubs’ appointees to the Burlington Soccer Council.
    SOCIAL CONVENOR:
  • The Social Convenor shall be responsible for organizing all social activities of the Club under guidance of the Executive Committee.
  • The Social Convenor may establish a Social Committee with the responsibility of scheduling and organizing such activities.
    TEAM CONVENOR:
  • Each Team Convenor shall be responsible for the selection, operation and control of a Soccer Team comprised of eligible playing members.
ARTICLE 10: Duties of Appointed Positions
    BURLINGTON SOCCER COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVE
  • The Burlington Soccer Council Representative shall attend meetings of the Burlington Soccer Council.
    COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR
  • The Communications Coordinator shall be responsible for Club communications such as the Club newsletter.
    DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
  • The Disciplinary Committee Chairman shall chair the Discipline Committee.
    EQUIPMENT MANAGER
  • The Equipment manager shall consult with the Team Convenors regarding uniform requirements.
  • The Equipment Manager shall consult with the Team Convenors regarding equipment requirements ( e.g. nets, ties, pegs, stepladders, corner flags, linesman flags, balls, equipment bags).
  • The Equipment Manager shall order uniforms from a supplier approved by the Executive Committee.
  • The Equipment Manager shall ensure that uniforms are available by the scheduled “Uniform Day”.
    REFEREE CO-ORDINATOR
  • The Referee Coordinator shall be responsible for the scheduling of Referees for all games played by Club Teams.
  • The Referee Coordinator can be a signing officer for the Club.
    SPONSORSHIP CHAIRMAN
  • The Sponsorship Chairman shall arrange for a sponsor for each of the teams3
  • The Sponsorship Chairman shall liaise with other prospective sponsors who wish to contribute to Club events, but who do not wish to sponsor a particular team.
  • The Sponsorship Chairman shall ensure that sponsors contribute the agreed financial amount to the Club.
  • The Sponsorship Chairman, in conjunction with the Treasurer, shall provide sponsors with a receipt.
    TOURNAMENT COORDINATOR:
  • The Tournament Coordinator shall be responsible for organizing the International Series, the Rowly Bowl, and any other Tournaments approved by the Club.
  • The Tournament Coordinator may establish a Committee to assist in the scheduling and organizing of these events.
ARTICLE 11: Discipline  
  1. Any player ejected from any Club sanctioned game for receiving a red or two yellow cards shall be referred to the Discipline Committee by the match referee by way of e-mail or other report.
  2. The Discipline Committee shall use the DBR (discipline by review) system. Upon written notification by the Discipline Committee that the referees report has been received, the accused will have two response days to request, in writing, to the Discipline Committee Chairman, a hearing under the DBH (discipline by hearing) system.
  3. After formal notification is received by the Committee from the match referee, thata player was ejected for cause or on receipt of third yellow card, that player shallserve a minimum one game suspension to be served the next club sanctioned game, regardless of whether the Committee has met with the player. The Team Convenor shall be responsible for ensuring that this procedure is followed.
  4. All cards shall be reported by the Referee to the Discipline Committee by e-mail or other written means within 3 days of the offence.
  5. With respect to discipline concerning any off-field action contravening the aims and objectives of the Club: Such action may be registered in writing to the Executive Committee and shall be heard, investigated and acted upon by the Executive Committee at the first available Executive Committee meeting.
  6. Players accumulating cards of 3 yellows or more, or 2 reds or more during the seasonwill be contacted by the Discipline Committee. Additional sanctionwill be issued per the attached guidelines or increased after review of the Committee.
ARTICLE 12: Executive Meetings
  1. Meetings of the Executive shall take place at such time and locations as determined by the President.
  2. Notice of an Executive Committee meeting shall be given to each Executive Officer not less than seven (7) days prior to such a meeting.
  3. At an Executive meeting, a quorum shall consist of 50% of the Executive Officers plus one.
ARTICLE 13: Executive Voting Procedures

The voting procedure at Executive Committee Meetings shall be as follows:

  1. Each Executive Committee member, with the exception of the Past-President, shall have one vote.
  2. The Past-President shall have no vote.
  3. If an individual holds multiple Executive Committee positions, that individual shall have only one vote.
  4. In order for a motion to be carried, a simple majority vote is required. In the event of a tie, the President shall cast the deciding vote.
ARTICLE 14: Amendments
  1. Any proposed amendments to the Articles or By-Laws shall be made in writing .
  2. Proposed amendments shall be voted on at a General Meeting.
  3. Proposed amendments shall be delivered to the Secretary at least two weeks prior to the General Meeting.
  4. Proposed amendments shall be posted at a convenient location, for viewing by Club members, at least one week prior to the General Meeting.
  5. A simple majority vote at the General Meeting shall be required to pass amendments.
ARTICLE 15: Annual General Meeting (AGM)
  1. The Annual General Meeting (AGM) shall be held after the end of the playing season and prior to the Club registration date for the next season.
  2. The President shall appoint a Chairman to conduct the AGM.
ARTICLE 16: Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM)
  1. An Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) shall be held at the request of at least 25% of the members.
  2. A request for an EGM shall be made, in writing, to the Secretary.
  3. The Secretary shall arrange for the EGM to be held approximately two weeks after the request has been received.
  4. Information regarding the EGM shall be posted at a convenient location, for viewing by Club members, at least one week prior to the EGM.
  5. At an EGM, a quorum shall consist of 25% of the members.
  6. The President shall appoint a Chairman to conduct the EGM.
  7. To pass motions raised at an EGM, a simple majority vote shall be required.
BY-LAW 1: Eligibility for Membership
  1. Playing Members:
    1. All Players in good standing per the Clubs’ By-Laws, shall be eligible to apply for membership, subject to Club capacity as determined by the Executive Committee.
    2. If the Club is affiliated with the OSA, all players must be in good standing with that organization to be eligible for membership in the Club.
  2. Social Members:
    1. All other persons who agree to abide by and foster the aims and objectives of the Club shall be eligible to apply for Social Membership.  Social Members wishing to participate in a sanctioned fixture game shall be subject to qualification under By-Law 1 (a) and By-Law 2.
    2. Social Members shall be eligible to play in league fixtures as temporary players only.  They shall not play entire games if team members, or other willing full playing members, are on the side lines.
    3. Playing members, who leave their team during the season to become a Social Member, shall not be eligible to play for that team for the balance of the season.
    4. Social members shall not be eligible to play in the Play-offs.
BY-LAW 2: Registration
  1. Registration matters shall be conducted by a Sub-Committee of the Executive.
  2. All Club members registered in the previous playing year, who, since their registration, have participated in at least 60% of the scheduled games, shall have the right to be included in the player draft for the current year. Players who fail the 60% attendance rule during the current playing season shall have their membership terminated, subject to a review by the Executive Committee.
  3. All participants shall be registered on designated Club registration forms and shall be 45 years of age or over as of May 1st of the playing year. All players that were registered in the 2009 or earlier playing season will be grandfathered and allowed to play. Anyone on the waiting list as of Nov 22 who is 40 and over can remain on the waiting list.
  4. The Registration deadline shall be determined by the Registration Sub-committee.
  5. If, prior to the playoffs, a registered player is unable to complete that playing year, then the player’s team shall be allowed to add a replacement player, from the Club Waiting List , provided that the team's roster would drop below the minimum roster as specified by the Executive Committee.
  6. Replacement players shall be selected from the Club Waiting List in the following sequence:
    1. The person who is highest on the Waiting List, for the same grade as that of the player being replaced, and who is available to play.
    2. The person who is highest on the Waiting List, for the grade higher than that of the player being replaced, and who is available to play.
    3. The person who is highest on the Waiting List, for the grade lower than that of the player being replaced, and who is available to play.
  7. Prospective players on the Waiting List, who are invited to register and decline, shall be moved to the bottom of the Waiting List. Players on the waiting list who do register as replacement players during a playing season, are registered for the current season only. However, replacement players who are included  during the draft, or between the draft and  the season start, shall be granted full membership status.
  8. Players who are who are replaced by a replacement player, by reason of injury, shall be entitled to be included in the following year's draft.
  9. All applicants for Registration shall furnish proof of age (e.g. birth certificate, drivers’ license, etc) and one passport size photograph.
  10. Players that leave active playing status shall receive refunds as follows:
    1. before July 1st., a full refund of the registration fee
    2. on or after July 1st., a partial refund of the registration fee, based on the time remaining in the season
  11. Replacement players shall pay registration fees as follows:
    1. before July 1st., the full registration fee
    2. on or after July 1st., a partial registration fee, based on the time remaining in the season
BY-LAW 3:  Team Selection/Player Draft
  1. All eligible Players in good standing within the Club shall be placed on the Club’s Players List.
  2. All players on the Club’s Players List shall be drafted by the Team Convenors at the Annual Draft.
  3. Under the direction of the Vice-President, Team Convenors shall draft eligible players, as defined in By-Laws 1 and 2, with the objective of creating Club Teams which are balanced in playing talent.
BY-LAW 4:  Transfer of Players
  1. The transfer of any player from one team to another must have unanimous approval of all Team Convenors and the Vice-President/Registrar.
  2. In the event that teams have to be balanced, and the Team Convenors plus the Vice-President/Registrar cannot reach unanimous decision, then the Executive Committee will decide upon the transfer with a simple majority vote.
BY-LAW 5:  Uniforms and Footwear and Equipment
  1. Rules regarding uniforms, footwear and equipment shall be as covered by F.I.F.A.
BY-LAW 6:   Conduct and Discipline – per FIFA Laws of the Game and rulings adopted by the Club
  1. If a member of the Club is found to have deliberately contravened, in any way, the Articles and/or By-Laws of the Club, then that member shall be referred to the Discipline Committee. After review the Committee will report findings and recommendations to the Executive Committee for possible action.
  2. Subject to ARTICLE 11 (a), a majority decision of the Disciplinary Committee shall determine the disciplinary action and/or suspension applicable to any Member found guilty of an on-field offense.
  3. Any Player who willfully plays, or any Team representative who allows a Player to play, who is found to be ineligible, shall be subject to disciplinary action.
  4. Any Player who participates in any club, tournament, or exhibition game while under suspension shall be subject to further disciplinary action.
  5. If the accused member has not requested a “Discipline By Hearing” (DBH) per Article 11 (c), then a “Discipline By Review” (DBR) meeting shall be held.
  6. Decisions made under the DBR system cannot be appealed.
BY-LAW 7:  Discipline Committee
  1. The Discipline Committee shall consist of three Club Members picked by the Chairman of the Discipline Committee.
  2. Disciplinary meetings shall be held when found necessary by the Discipline Committee Chairman.
  3. A quorum of three Club Members shall be present at all Discipline Committee meetings.
  4. If necessary, the Discipline Committee Chairman shall cast the deciding vote.
BY-LAW 8: Discipline Committee Appeals
  1. Appeals may be made against decisions rendered by the Club’s Discipline Committee.
  2. Appeals shall be made to the Clubs’ Executive, or per the By-Laws of an organization that the Club may be affiliated with.
BY-LAW 9:  Referees
  1. Referees shall be assigned to each game.
  2. If a referee is not available, or the assigned referee fails to show, then the Team Convenors or their delegates shall assume full responsibility for the refereeing with a Team Convenor or delegate from each Team refereeing one half of the game.
  3. Acting referees shall be eligible to issue cautions or ejection’s if necessary as per By-Law #6; decisions made by the acting referee are final, as if made by an assigned referee, and shall not be challenged by any player.
  4. If a referee does not show for a game, both Team Convenors shall inform the Referee Coordinator.
  5. The Referee Coordinator shall take whatever measures are necessary to correct a problem with assigned referees not showing up.
  6. The Referee Coordinator shall inform the Treasurer of the number of games missed by assigned Referees.
BY-LAW 10:  Linesmen

Each Team shall furnish a Linesman for each game.

BY-LAW 11:  Shortage of Players at Game Time

The two Team Convenors or Team Captains shall resolve to balance the Teams in order to play a game.

BY-LAW 12:  Substitutions

The Burlington Old-Timers Soccer Club Inc. will be governed by the rules of F.I.F.A. except as indicated in the Constitution and:

  1. Unlimited substitutions will be allowed at any stoppage of play.
BY-LAW 13:  Non-Club Tournaments and Indoor Soccer Teams
  1. The Club does not financially, or in any other way, support players playing in any soccer games other than as outlined in the Club’s fixture list plus the Club’s Tournament.
  2. Players shall not let other soccer games conflict with the Club’s scheduled games.
BY-LAW 14:  Cup Tournament Trophies
  1. The Cup Tournament Trophies shall be loaned to winning sponsors one month after Cup Final Day.
  2. The Cup Tournament Trophies shall be returned prior to the beginning of the playoffs for the following season.
BY-LAW 15:  Cup Tournament
  1. The Cup Tournament format shall consist of two (2) divisions, named the “Priseman” and “Wylie” divisions.
  2. Each Cup Tournament division shall consist of an equal number of teams.
  3. The Cup Tournament draw (i.e. which teams are in which Cup division) shall be held by the  Team Convenors, immediately following the regular season draft.
  4. he qualifying rounds of the Cup Tournament shall consist of a single, round-robin series of games between teams in each of the Cup divisions.
  5. In the qualifying (i.e. round-robin) games, the points awarded shall be as follows:
    1. 3 for a win.
    2. 1 for a draw.
    3. 0 for a loss.
  6. In the event of a defaulted game the score shall be recorded as a 3-0 win for the non- defaulting team. A team is in default if it has seven or less players. Eight or more players requires that the game be played.
  7. At the end of the qualifying rounds a tie between two or more teams in a cup division shall be broken as follows:
    1. Head to Head (who won between the two teams),
    2. Goal difference between the tied teams (goals  for minus goals against ),
    3. Most goals for,
    4. Last goals against,
    5. Replay,
    6. Replay of game(s)
  8. The top two (2) teams from each Cup division shall advance to the Cup semi-finals.
  9. If the Cup semi-finals or final end in a tie, two (2) ten minute overtime halves will be played. Should a game result in a tie after overtime, penalty kicks will be taken as follows:
    1. Only those players on the field at the conclusion of the overtime period shall be eligible to take part in the taking of penalty kicks.
    2. With the exception of both goalkeepers and the players taking the penalty kicks, all players shall remain within the center circle.
    3. Five penalty kicks will be taken alternately by different players of the teams.  If, after five (5) kicks, the teams are still tied, each team shall take alternate kicks by members who have not taken a penalty kick, until one team has scored and the other  misses.
BY-LAW 16: Wooden Spoon Rules:
  1. The bottom two (2) teams from each Cup division shall qualify for the Wooden Spoon.
  2. The Wooden Spoon knockout draw shall be as follows:
    1. Priseman last vs. Wylie penultimate.
    2. Priseman penultimate vs. Wylie last.
  3. If both teams in a Wooden Spoon knockout game have guest players, then play continues as normal.
  4. If only one of the teams in a Wooden Spoon knockout game has guest players, then that team advances to the Wooden Spoon final.
  5. In the event of a tie in the Wooden Spoon knockout games, penalty kicks shall be taken (as per By-Law 15 (h) (i) – (iii)).
  6. The losing team in each of the Wooden Spoon knockout games shall advance to the Wooden Spoon final.
  7. If both teams in the Wooden Spoon final have guest players, then play continues as normal.
  8. If only one of the teams in the Wooden Spoon final has guest players, then that team wins the Wooden Spoon.
  9. In the event of a tie in the Wooden Spoon final, penalty kicks shall be taken (as per By-Law 15 (h) (i) – (iii)).
  10. The losing team in the Wooden Spoon final wins the Wooden Spoon trophy.
BY-LAW 17: Abandoned Games
  1. If any game, during the play-offs, has to be abandoned,  then  the Team Convenors involved shall meet with a quorum of the Executive within 48 hours to determine a result of that game. This meeting shall take place prior to any further games.
BY-LAW 18: Cheque Signing Authority
  1. Any two of the following Executives shall be authorized to sign cheques on behalf of the Club:
    • President
    • Vice-President/Registrar
    • Secretary
    • Treasurer
    • Referee Coordinator
  2. Cheques will be presented to the monthly Executive committee by the Treasurer for review and signing.
  3. Should a cheque be required to be issued at any other time, either the President or Treasurer MUST be one of the signators
BY-LAW 19: Club Sanctioned events
  1. The Club shall recognize an International series of games and the Rowly Bowl, with all registered players eligible for selection.
  2. Rules for the International series and Rowly Bowl shall be established by the Executive and posted for members prior to registration for the playing season.
  3. All finances with respect to these events shall be run through the Club’s Treasurer
  4. Any club players or teams who take part  in out-of-town, or out-of-league soccer games which are not sanctioned by the Club, do so on their own cognizance, and shall not imply or otherwise infer Club approval.
BY-LAW 20: Registered Players’ Responsibilities
  1. It is the responsibility of each registered player to honour the commitment made to the Club and to his assigned team.
  2. All Players will conduct themselves in accordance with the aims, objectives and spirit of the Club.
  3. All players must inform their particular Convenor of anticipated absences, whether this be due to injury, work or vacation. Failure to report will be regarded as a "no-show" and will be recorded with respect to the 60% rule.
  4. All players will endeavour to support Club sanctioned events e.g. the Rowly Bowl, the steak night, the golf tournament, the Annual Banquet and the Annual General Meeting.
  5. All players will endeavour to support the Club sponsors, in particular, the player's assigned team sponsor.
  6. All players should recognize, and value, the efforts of the Club on their behalf. Players should give consideration to future volunteer activity in the Executive Committee.
BY-LAW 21

No member may commit the Club to any financial or other obligation without authorization of the Executive Committee. All events that require financial support or commitment of the Club must be submitted to the Executive with detailed budget not less than 2 Executive meetings prior to the event.