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Winnipeg Touch Football League Constitution

By-Laws

Article 1 - Head Office

1.1 The head office of the Winnipeg Touch Football League (WTFL) shall be located in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Article 2 - Affiliation

2.1 Being primarily a recreational function, the WTFL shall operate as an independent league with membership in the Manitoba Amateur Football Association and the Canadian Amateur Football Association.

2.2 Any proposed affiliation of the WTFL with other football leagues shall be at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

Article 3 - Membership

3.1 Membership Categories

• 3.1.1 Team Membership
• 3.1.2 Junior Team Member
• 3.1.3 Individual Members
• 3.1.4 Junior Members
• 3.1.5 Officials

3.2 To become a WTFL member team, the following criteria must be adhered to:

• 3.2.1 Must pay their team registration by 2 days after the May League meeting.
• 3.2.2 Must be comprised of at least 10 players.
• 3.2.3 Must be a member in good standing.

3.3 to become a WTFL Junior member team, the following criteria must be adhered to:

• 3.3.1 Must pay their team registration by a date to be determined by the Executive Committee.
• 3.3.2 Must be comprised of at least 12 members.
• 3.3.3 Must be a member in good standing.

3.4 To become a individual member of the WTFL the following must be adhered to:

• 3.4.1 Be named on the roster of a member team as a player or coach.
• 3.4.2 Be insured through the Manitoba Amateur Football Association.
• 3.4.3 Have completed the necessary waiver and registration forms.
• 3.4.4 All team members under the age of 18 years of age by June 1 of the year of operation must submit written parental consent to the Secretary.
• 3.4.5 Must be a member in good standing.

3.5 To become a Junior Member of the WTFL, the Following must be adhered to:

• 3.5.1 Be named on the roster of a member team as a player or coach.
• 3.5.2 Must not have reached 20 years of age prior to June 1 of that season.
• 3.5.3 Be insured through the Manitoba Amateur Football Association.
• 3.5.4 Have completed the necessary waiver and registration forms.
• 3.4.5 Must be a member in good standing.

3.6 To become a an official of the WTFL the following must be adhered to:

• 3.6.1 Have completed the necessary waiver and registration forms.
• 3.6.2 Be insured through the Manitoba Amateur Football Association.

3.7 Rights of Membership

• 3.7.1 Member Teams
  
  
  • 3.7.1.1 To participate in all WTFL programs.
  • 3.7.1.2 To receive through the Board of Directors, appropriate notices and minutes from/concerning the WTFL.
    
    
• 3.7.2 Junior Member Teams
  
  
  • 3.7.2.1 To participate in all WTFL Junior programs.
  • 3.7.2.2 To have a voting representative from their individual division on the Board of Directors.
  • 3.7.2.3 To Receive through the Board of Directors, appropriate notices and minutes from/concerning the WTFL.
    
    
• 3.7.3 Individual Members.
  
  
  • 3.7.3.1 To participate in all WTFL programs.
    
    
• 3.7.4 Individual Junior Members.
  
  
  • 3.7.4.1 To participate in all Junior WTFL programs.
    
    

Article 4 - Meeting of the WTFL

4.1 The President shall call an Executive Committee Meeting if at least 2 member teams request such a meeting. This meeting will be held within 72 hours of the request or at another mutually agreed time.

4.2 The Executive may call a special General Meeting whenever they deem necessary, at such time and place they may appoint.

4.3 The Executive shall call a Special General Meeting if a written request, stating clearly the nature of the business, is signed by not less than 5 member team representatives.

4.4 Notice of any General (Board of Directors) Meeting of the WTFL shall state clearly the business to be transacted and will be delivered by mail, to the Board Members at least 7 days prior to the holding of the meeting.

4.5 The proceedings of any General Meeting shall be invalidated by non-receipt of a notice.

4.6 Voting at General Meetings

• 4.6.1 All voting members of the Board of Directors shall have one vote.
• 4.6.2 The Chairperson, as a member, shall not be entitled to vote on all issues.
• 4.6.3 Any individual may only have one vote.

4.7 In the event of a tie vote, the motion shall be declared lost.

4.8 A Constitution, By-Law or resolution vote shall be declared by a show of hands unless a ballot is demanded by simple majority vote.

Article 5 - Meetings of the Officials

5.1 The officials will meet prior to the commencement of the playing season.

5.2 The purpose of the first meeting are:

• 5.2.1 Drafting of officiating assignments for the year.

5.3 The Officials shall meet once a month from May to September.

Article 6 - General Powers of the WTFL Executive

6.1 To determine where the bank account of the WTFL shall be kept.

6.2 All financial business shall be processed through the WTFL Treasurer, including all grants or levies, fees, charges, expenses, allowances, purchases or any other related business.

6.3. To determine, receive reports from, continue or dissolve committees as it may find necessary.

6.4 To monitor the operations of all committees of the WTFL and to approve all matters concerning the monies and activities of the WTFL.

6.5 To maintain the books and records of the WTFL Such books and records may be opened for inspection by the members, given 7 business days written notice.

6.6 Each member of the Board is obligated to perform duties as assigned.

6.7 The Board of Directors will manage the affairs of the WTFL.

6.8 The Board of Directors will determine the league fees on a per team basis, to meet league operating expenses.

6.9 The Board of Directors will approve the league's operating budget. All approved budgets must not show a loss.

Article 7 - Discipline Committee

7.1 The Discipline Committee will consist of the Vice-President (Chairperson), or an Executive Committee appointee if the Vice-President is involved, and 1 player representative from each division chosen, approved by the Executive, and 1 uninvolved referee.

7.2 The Discipline Committee shall have jurisdiction over all disputes involving members.

7.3 The Chairperson has the responsibility to convene a Disciplinary Committee meeting upon either the receipt of a written request by the aggrieved party or the request of the Executive of the WTFL.

7.4 The Disciplinary Committee shall insure to the best of its ability, that each side of the dispute has an equal opportunity to present its case.

7.5 The ChairPerson, as a member, shall be entitled to one vote on all issues. The Chairperson may participate fully in deliberation leading to a pronounce.

7.6 The Chairperson is charged with issuing the final Decision.

7.7 Suspensions from playing or officiating, shall be for such time as the Discipline Committee deems appropriate.

7.8 Violence

• 7.8.1 In the event of any deliberate act of violence occurring in a game, the Head Referee or crew member of that game must submit a verbal report to the Vice-President within 48 hours of the occurrence and a written report to the Board of Directors within 7 days.
• 7.8.2 The Board of Directors will then decide if the occurrence has been fairly dealt with or if evidence, appropriate notices and minutes from/concerning the WTFL.
• 7.8.3 On the day appointed, the Disciplinary Committee shall meet to the review the circumstances of the occurrence with respect to written and oral evidence and submissions.
• 7.8.4 The member alleged to have committed the act of violence has the right to representation at the review as he considers appropriate.
• 7.8.5 The Disciplinary Committee shall, in determining the appropriate action in the case, bear in mid the aims and objectives of the League and such matters as provocation and self defence.
• 7.8.6 Upon completing the review, the Disciplinary Committee will render its decision.
  
  
  • 7.8.6.1 The incident does not merit any further action than what occurred during the game.
  • 7.8.6.2 The player will be suspended. The length of the suspension will be from one game suspension to a permanent suspension, depending on the severity of the act.
  • 7.8.6.3 The team, of which the player committing the act of violence is a member, may be fined or suspended.
  • 7.8.6.4 Both a fine and a suspension may be applied.
    
    
• 7.8.7 The Decision of the Disciplinary Committee will be issued, by registered letter, to a member in question, by the Vice-President, within 48 hours of said decision. The team contact will be notified by telephone, of the decision within the same 48 hours.

Article 8 - Appeals Committee

8.1 In the event of dissatisfaction with the decision of the Disciplinary Committee, a case may be taken to the Appeals Committee if a written re quest is received by the Executive within 14 days of the decision by the Disciplinary Committee being issued. A $50.00 per player fee must accompany the appeal request. The fee will be refunded if the decision is revoked.

8.2 The Appeals Committee will be comprised of three neutral individuals that meet the approval of both parties.

8.3 The Appeals Committee will convene within 21 days after a request for the appeal has been received by the Executive.

8.4 The Appeals Committee will weigh all evidence presented to it by all parties involved.

8.5 The Appeals Committee will render its decision, in writing, within 7 days of the conclusion of the hearing, to the head of the Disciplinary Committee.

Article 9 - Protests

9.1 A protest may be lodged when a recognized team thinks that it has been the victim of prejudice during a match. The prejudice must have been caused by an infraction of the rules of play, by the improper application of the rules and/or regulations or by an irregularity in the organization of the competition.

9.2 All protests must be submitted to the Head Referee and must be registered on the score sheet simultaneously with the lodging of the process.

9.3 The person, or persons, lodging the complaint must forward a copy of the protest, by registered mail, to the Executive within 24 hours of the incident.

9.4 The Head Referee must file a verbal report within 48 hours to the Officials Co-ordinator. The Official's Co-ordinator is charged with presenting the report to the Executive Committee.

9.5 The Executive Committee is charged with the responsibility of hearing the protest and rendering a decision within 7 days of the incident. The Decision will be forward to all parties involved within 24 hours of the decision.

9.6 If no decision has been rendered, or if any party considers the decision unfair, an appeal may be placed with the Discipline Committee.

9.7 Any player, team or referee can appeal any league sanction or decision by writing to the Vice-president within 3 days of the sanction or decision to a request hearing. A $100.00 bond must accompany the appeal. This will be refunded if the appeal is won.

Article 10 - Conduct

10.1 In promoting the enjoyment of the game of touch football, a certain code of player conduct has been established by the C.A.F.A this code of conduct is clearly outlined in the Canadian Touch Football Rule Book. Players are urged to familiarize themselves with said conduct code. The WTFL recognizes the following additions to the Rule Book.

Article 11 - League Operations

11.1 A team may send one, non-voting member to any Board Meeting.

11.2 Teams must provide officials for each officiating assignment. Failure to provide the necessary officials will result in a $25.00 fine per missing official and a 2 point deduction form the team's standings.

11.3 Teams have the right to pay for the exclusion of officials's assignment for their team for the entire year of operation.

11.4 Teams must show up for their scheduled games. Defaulting a game will result in a fine of $50.00 and a 2 point deduction from the team's standings.

11.5 All registration fees must be in at the May League Meeting. Teams will not be considered eligible for the play in that year if fees are not received on time. The Insurance will not be part of the team fee. Insurance for any member not on the initial team roster must be paid individually to the Manitoba Amateur Football Association Office. Along with the Necessary completed forms, at least 24 hours of playing of this member's first game.

11.6 On August 1 of the operating year, the Secretary will submit an updated roster to each of the teams. Each team will have until August 15 to submit any updates or changes to their roster in writing to the Secretary. This, then, will constitute the final team roster. Any member not on the final team playoff roster as of August 15 will be ineligible to participate in playoff games. The final playoff roster will made available to all members teams at the September Playoff Meeting.

11.7 By-Law to be restructured.

11.8 A player who qualifies, by age, as either a Master or Junior Division player, may sign with and play for a Masters team and one non-Masters team. The player may participate on both teams for playoffs.

11.9 The Head Referees are responsible for submitting all game cards to the WTFL by Friday of each week. All cards must be verified by the official. All teams are responsible to ensure statistics are recorded by the official on the game card.

11.10 Any team defaulting more than 6 points during the season will automatically be ineligible for the WTFL playoff competition and be considered a member not in good standing.

• 11.10.1 Any team defaulting a game must post a $100.00 performance bond following their initial default.
• 11.10.2 Following any subsequent default, the defaulting team must re-post its' performance bond
• 11.10.3 The league reserves the right to re-schedule games, when it benefits the league.

11.11 Process for game re-scheduling. All teams may only initiate one re-schedule game during the season, based on the following process. The requirements that follow must be met by the team that wants to re-schedule the game.

• 11.11.1 Team must receive consent from scheduled opponent.
• 11.11.2 Team must notify the league in writing 48 hours in advance of league scheduled game of re-scheduling. Prior to this 48 hours notice, the team must have obtained the following:
  
  
  • 11.11.2.1 Consent of three league referees for the new game time.
  • 11.11.2.2 A field, date, and time for the new game, approved by the other team, and be within the regular season time frame.
    
    
• 11.11.3 The team listed first on the original schedule is responsible fo bringing the pads, regardless of which team desired the re-scheduling; and the team listed second on the original schedule is responsible for returning the pads.
• 11.11.4 Failure to notify the league 48 hours prior to the original game result in a default.

Article 12 - Playing Rules

12.1 The playing rules recognized by the WTFL are those of the C.A.F.A (Touch Football Section). Regulation size fields are considered preferable but not essential.

12.2 Only Score sheets approved by the WTFL will be used during the games. The First initial or name and family name, as well as the jersey number, will be entered on the score sheet before the start of each game. All points scored, interceptions, and quarterback sacks will be entered on the score sheets beside the appropriate player.

12.3 The Head Referee is to insure that the score forms are completed accurately and that the only names on the card truly represents those individuals that are present.

12.4 Any team that plays a player that has not submitted his insurance fee and forms to the M.A.F.A at least 24 hours prior to the game in question will have that game defaulted.

12.5 The standings of the teams will be determined in the following manner:

• Game Won = Two(2) points to the winner.
• Game Tied = One(1) point to each team.
• Game Lost = Zero(0) points to the loser.
• Game Default = Two(2) points deducted from the defaulting team.

12.6 Ties in the final league standings will be broken as follows:

• 12.6.1 The win-loss record in head to head competition.
• 12.6.2 If a tie remains, the difference of points for and against in head to head competition.
• 12.6.3 If a tie remains, the difference of points for and against in all regular season play.
• 12.6.4 If a tie remains, the toss of a coin.

12.7 Only the Head Referee can end or annul a game once it has started. A game stopped by weather while in the first half of play will be re-scheduled. A game stopped by weather after the completion of the first half of play will be considered as complete. All re-scheduled games are to be complete at least one week prior to the end of the last regular season game.

12.8 Playoff format is to be decided at the June Board of Directors Meetings.

12.9 All fines must be paid by the offending member team to a League Representative or Designate prior to the playing next Scheduled game.

12.10 Any fine monies that are to be refunded to teams will be done so within 7 days of the Annual General Meeting (AGM).