PREAMBLE
We, the members of Colonial Coast Rugby Incorporated, to fully realize our purpose, do hereby adopt and establish this Constitution and Bylaws as the guiding instrument of our organization.
1) NAME
1.1 This organization shall be called Colonial Coast Rugby Incorporated. (Here after, The Conference).
2) AFFILIATION
2.1 The Conference and its members will observe and be immediately governed through its affiliation with USA Rugby, the National Governing body. 2.2 The Conference will have concurrent jurisdiction over its members in all matters pertaining to the administration of rugby activities to include, but not restricted to; competitions, discipline, player & team eligibility, and related matters.
3) MISSION
3.1 The mission of The Conference shall be to encourage the introduction, teaching, promotion, and understanding of the sport of Collegiate Union Rugby throughout The Conference, and to undertake other activities incidental or conducive to the furtherance of the mission. 3.2 The Conference is committed to encouraging the highest ethical standards. All teams involved in The Conference should conduct themselves with integrity, transparency, accountability, and in a fair and equitable manner consistent with the USA Rugby Code of Conduct.
4) MEMBERSHIP
4.1 The membership of The Conference shall be limited to rugby teams in good standing with their respective college or university. 4.2 Team membership shall consist of the following statuses: A. Full Membership A Full Member shall have full voting rights and shall hold one seat on the Board of Directors (here after The Board). B. Associate Membership An Associate Member shall have no voting rights, but will maintain access to certain other services as approved by policy of The Board. 4.3 Members shall pay membership fees as determined in the annual budget. 4.4 All members joining The Conference shall be deemed to accept the terms of this Constitution and Bylaws, and are required to conduct themselves in accordance with The Conference's ethical framework. 4.5 Any team seeking to join The Conference shall submit a request to The Board. Members shall be admitted based on a twothirds vote from The Board.
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4.6 A team may resign from The Conference with or without cause by submitting a written or electronic notice to the Conference Commissioner at least 1 year prior to the resignation taking affect. Mid season resignations will not be accepted. The resigning team shall remain liable for any pending financial obligations to The Conference and its members.
5) MANAGEMENT
5.1 The affairs of The Conference shall be conducted by a Board of Directors. A. The preferred mode of communication shall be electronic mail and/or telephone. 5.2 The members of The Board shall consist of the following:
COMMISSIONER
The Conference Commissioner shall have charge of, and be responsible for all areas in relation to conference development, communication, and organization. Other duties may be assigned to him/her by members of The Board and/or the Bylaws of The Conference. A. Chief of Staff: The Conference Administrator shall have general and active supervision over the business of The Conference and serve as the Chairman of The Board. B. Representation: Responsible for providing communication with governing affiliations, member teams, referee organizations, and any partnering organizations. C. Organization: Responsible for scheduling, maintaining conference records and official documents, presiding over conference meetings, and is responsible for the general welfare of The Conference and its members.
TREASURER
The Treasurer shall have charge of, and be responsible for all areas in relation to financial administration of The Conference. The Treasurer shall administer over the following areas as well as other duties that may be assigned to him/her by members of The Board and/or the Bylaws of The Conference: A. Budget: Responsible for maintaining the budget, as well as having the authority to set & collect fines, fees, and assessments from time to time as may be required. B. Sponsorship & Marketing: Responsibilities include soliciting and coordinating all sponsorship activities while serving as the chief representative of The Conference when engaged in such marketing relations.
SECRETARY
The Secretary shall have charge of, and be responsible for all areas in relation to documentation of official conference business. The Secretary shall administer over the following areas as well as other duties that may be assigned to him/her by members of The Board and/or the Bylaws of The Conference: A. Meeting Minutes: Responsible for keeping the minutes of all conference meetings and making them available to the Board within 14 days of the conclusion of the meeting. B. Record Retention: Responsible for setting and maintaining a record retention policy, including keeping the official copy of all conference documents and filings.
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6) TENURE
6.1 Appointments A. Member Delegates shall be appointed by their respective teams. B. The Conference Commissioner and Treasurer shall be appointed at the Annual General Meeting by a majority vote of the Full Member Delegates present at the meeting. 6.2 Terms A. Member Delegates can be appointed by their respective teams at any time. B. The Conference Commissioner and Treasurer shall hold such positions for approximately one (1) year. Their terms shall begin following their appointment at the Annual General Meeting and will end at the conclusion of the next Annual General Meeting unless re-elected. There are no limits on the number of terms any individual can serve on either post.
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6.3 Removal & Vacancies A. The removal of a member of The Board shall be resolved by a two thirds vote at a General Meeting. B. A member of The Board may resign at any time with or without cause. If the position of Commissioner or Treasurer should fall vacant, The Board shall have the power to fill the vacancy until the current term concludes by a majority vote. If the vacancy is a Full Member Delegate, the respective team shall appoint a new Delegate.
7) MEETINGS
7.1 Annual General Meeting The Conference shall hold an Annual General Meeting (here after, AGM) each year during the month of June in order to: Elect officers Receive individual reports from members of The Board Vote on a budget for the following year Consider changes to the Constitution and Bylaws Address other relevant business
7.2 General Meetings The Conference shall hold a minimum of three (3) General Meetings each year in addition to the AGM. The first General Meeting will be scheduled at the AGM. All subsequent General Meetings will be scheduled at the first scheduled General Meeting. General Meetings are held in order to: Receive individual reports from members of The Board Consider changes to the Constitution and Bylaws Address other relevant business 7.3 Quorum A quorum shall only be established when the Commissioner and more than 50% of all eligible voters are in attendance. All meetings are open to all members of The Conference and interested persons. 7.4 Notices At least a fourteen (14) day notice of the time, place, and agenda shall be given to all voting members of any General Meeting if a vote of high importance, as deemed so by The Board, is to be taken. No business shall be conducted unless fair notice thereof is contained in the agenda. 7.5 Voting A. All decisions shall be resolved by eligible voters comprised only of The Board that are present at the meeting. Each member shall be entitled to one vote. Only members present may vote. B. The Conference Commissioner shall only cast a vote in the event of a tie decision. 7.6 Rules At meetings of The Board, Roberts Rules of Order, newly revised, shall be followed unless altered by the Bylaws.
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7.7 Changes to the Constitution A. Any change to the Constitution and Bylaws shall be resolved by a two thirds majority at a General Meeting. B. A proposal to change the Constitution and Bylaws must be submitted in writing to the Conference Commissioner who shall circulate the proposal to all members and allow fourteen (14) days for submission of any amendments before calling a meeting in accordance with rule 7.6 above. All amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws become effective immediately unless otherwise noted.
9) DISSOLUTION
9.1 In the event of dissolution or other termination of The Conference, The Board of Directors shall, after paying or making provision for the payment of all of the liabilities of The Conference, distribute all of the net assets of The Conference, in accordance with Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 180, Section 11A, to one or more organization, which themselves are exempt as organizations pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (or any corresponding provisions of any future United States Internal Revenue law), or to federal, state, or local government exclusively for public purposes.
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