Club Constitution

Constitution and By-laws
Revised:  May 6, 2026 – AGM

ARTICLE 1: NAME OF CLUB
The Name of the Club shall be Woodbridge Figure Skating Club, here~~ in~~after called the Club.
ARTICLE 2: SKATE CANADA
a) The Club is a not-for-profit figure skating club that is a member of Skate Canada and is managed by a volunteer board of directors for the purpose of providing Skate Canada programs for its members [Skate Canada By-law 1100(3)].
b) The Club shall pay such fees and other charges as required of clubs from time to time by Skate Canada. [Skate Canada By-law 1201(1)(c)(ii), 1201(1)(c)(viii), 1201(1)(c)(ix)]
c) The Club shall abide by all Skate Canada By-laws, rules and regulations. [Skate Canada By-law 1201(1)(c)(iv)]

d) The Club is located in the Central Ontario Section of Skate Canada. [Skate Canada By-law 1503]. 

ARTICLE 3: PURPOSE OF THE CLUB
a) The purpose of the Club shall be to encourage the instruction, practice, enjoyment and advancement of its members in all aspects of skating in accordance with the Rules, Policies and Procedures of Skate Canada.
b) The Club, with regard to any aspect of its operations, is to be managed and operated by eligible persons who are duly registered as Associate Members of Skate Canada. [Skate Canada By-law 1201(1)(c)(iv)]
c) The Club shall protect the eligible status of its members. The Club shall not take or omit any action that would knowingly jeopardize the eligible status of its members.
d) The Club shall operate only Skate Canada figure skating and skating programs.
e) Only Skate Canada Professional Coaches are permitted to teach figure skating in the Club.

ARTICLE 4: BY-LAWS OF THE CLUB
a) The By-laws, appended to this Constitution, shall describe the organization and functions of the Club, and the means by which members of the Club may elect the Club Board of Directors and control the property and activities of the Club.
b) The By-laws, Rules and Regulations of Skate Canada and those of the Section in which the Club operates shall take precedence over any Club By-laws. [Skate Canada By-law 1201(1)(c)(iv)].
c) Any Club By-law contrary to the By-laws, Rules and Regulations of Skate Canada, or those of the Section, shall be invalid. It is acknowledged that any applicable provincial statute governing the Club has precedence over any inconsistent by-law. [Skate Canada
By-law 1201(1)(c)(iv)].

BY-LAWS of the Woodbridge Figure Skating Club
MEMBERSHIP
By-law 1: Club Membership – Membership in the Club shall be open to all, irrespective of sex, age, creed or colour, subject to registration and payment of fees as set by the Club. Membership is not transferable.
By-law 2: Skate Canada and Club Rules – All members shall uphold, observe and conform to the By-laws, Rules and Regulations of Skate Canada, those of the Club, and such regulations as made by the Club’s Board of Directors.
By-law 3: Membership Fees – Members of the Club shall be registered with Skate Canada and pay such registration and other fees to Skate Canada as set from time to time by Skate
Canada. (See Skate Canada By-law 1201(1)(c)(ix); 1202(1)(a); Rule 2101, etc.)
By-law 4: Member in Good Standing – To be in good standing, a member must have paid all Club fees as set by the Board of Directors for the membership year. Members will not be
permitted to take part in any Club activities if fees are not paid within 10 days of the due date set for payment. Members remaining in arrears shall be considered as having terminated their Club membership (resigned due to non-payment).
By-law 5: Club Fees, Rules and Skating Hours – Fees, skating rules and skating hours shall be determined by the Board of Directors from time to time. Club membership shall commence on the first day of the Skate Canada membership year, September 1 (or when
fees are paid, if later) and terminate on the last day of the Skate Canada membership year, August 31, unless otherwise specified.

By-law 6: Suspension and Expulsion from the Club – The Board of Directors may suspend or expel any member of the Club for acting contrary to the Club or Skate Canada By-laws, Rules or Regulations, provided such action is undertaken in good faith and in a fair and
reasonable manner in accordance with ONCA. In general, before a member is expelled or suspended for longer than 30 days, the member shall receive 15 days’ written notice of the proposed discipline with reasons, and shall have an opportunity to be heard (in
writing or in person) by the Board at least 5 days before the decision takes effect. The Club Board shall develop a suspension and expulsion policy in accordance with the Skate Canada Complaint, Suspension and Expulsion Policy and Procedure. This policy shall include an appropriate hearing and appeal process, including principles of due process, a reinstatement application process, and a graduated series of disciplinary measures. (See Skate Canada By-law 1204.)
By-law 7: Classes of Club Membership – The classes of membership, eligibility and privileges shall be as follows:
• Individual Membership: Non-skating members who have paid the fees set by the Club and are Associate Members of Skate Canada. Individual members 18 years of age or older are entitled to one vote at each Annual or Special Meeting of the Club.
• Active Membership: All eligible skaters who participate in a Club skating program and have paid the fees set by the Club and are Associate Members of Skate Canada. Active Members 18 or older are entitled to one vote at each Annual or Special Meeting. (Underage Active Members have no vote but may be represented by a Special Member.)
• Special Membership: Parent or guardian of an underage Active Member, who has paid the fees set by the Club and is an Associate Member of Skate Canada. A Special Member is entitled to one vote per family (regardless of number of skaters).
• Partial Membership: An eligible skater who is an Associate Member of Skate Canada through another HOME club and has paid a reduced fee as set by the Club. Partial Members must provide proof of membership at their home club. Partial Members
have no voting rights, and home club members have priority for Club programs and lessons.
• Restricted Membership: A restricted member is an individual who is a paid employee (of the Club, Section or Skate Canada), a non-active coach, a performing professional skater, or a professional dance partner. A Restricted Member is not permitted to hold elected office, may not vote at meetings, and is not permitted to compete in tests or competitions or officiate at tests/competitions. [Skate Canada By-law 1201(1)(c)(xi); 1202(2); Rule 2001.]
By-law 8: Liability – The Club shall not be responsible for any damages, injury, or loss of property to any member, guest or visitor, whether occurring on or off Club ice. Every member, guest or visitor shall use the Club facilities at their own risk. The Club shall participate in the Skate Canada Club Liability and Member Accident Insurance programs. [Skate Canada By-law 1201(1)(c)(viii)].
CLUB MANAGEMENT
By-law 9: Board of Directors – Eligibility – Members of the Board of Directors, committee members, and the Club’s Delegate to Skate Canada must be members in good standing of the Club, be registered as Associate Members of Skate Canada, be of legal age (18+), and be eligible persons as defined by Skate Canada Rule (exception: the Coaching Representative may be a professional coach). No person who is an undischarged bankrupt or who has been declared mentally incapable by a court may serve as a Director.
By-law 10: General Management of the Club – The general management of the Club shall be vested in a Board of Directors consisting of: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Test Chair, three Directors-at-Large, and a Coaching Representative. The
President, Secretary, and Treasurer shall be elected for 2-year terms in even-numbered years at the AGM. The Vice-President and Test Chair shall be elected for 2-year terms in odd-numbered years at the AGM. The Directors-at-Large shall be elected annually at the AGM. The Coaching Representative shall be elected annually by and from within the coaches of the Club. The immediate Past President shall be considered ex-officio (non-voting) and shall hold that advisory office until a new President has been duly elected (one-year term). Note: A Board member should preferably have served at least one year on the Board  before being elected as President.  The Coaching Representative shall be elected as per Skate Canada by-laws.
By-law 11: Term of Office and Successors – The Board of Directors shall hold office until the close of the meeting at which their successors have been duly elected (or until their term expires and they are not re-elected). Any Director may be removed by the members by asimple majority (50% + 1) vote at a Special General Meeting duly called for that purpose. A vacancy created by such removal may be filled at the same meeting by election of a replacement Director for the remainder of the term, or, if not filled at that
meeting, may be filled by the Board as per By-law 13.
By-law 12: Board Meetings and Voting – A quorum of the Board of Directors shall consist of 50% of the Board members plus 1. Questions arising at any meeting of the Board shall be decided by a majority of votes. Each Director, including the Chair, may vote on every motion. In the event of a tie vote, the motion is defeated. Meetings of the Board may be held in person or by
teleconference/videoconference or similar electronic means, provided all participants can hear each other simultaneously. Directors must attend Board meetings personally (including via authorized electronic link); proxy voting or attendance by delegate is not permitted at Board meetings.
By-law 13: Board Vacancies – Casual vacancy on the Board may be filled until the next Annual General Meeting by a majority vote of the remaining Board members. In the case of a Coaching Representative vacancy, the coaching staff may elect a new representative
for the remainder of the term, subject to ratification by the Board. If an AGM election fails to fill all available Board positions, the Board may appoint additional Directors after the AGM to reach the desired number, provided that the number of Directors so appointed does not exceed one-third of the number of Directors elected at the AGM. Each person appointed by the Board to fill a vacancy or
additional seat holds office until the next AGM, at which time the position shall be filled by the membership.
By-law 14: Board Member Absenteeism – If a Board member is absent for more than 3 consecutive scheduled Board meetings, without good cause and/or without prior notification to the President or Secretary, then the Board may declare that the member is
not meeting their obligations. In such case, the Board may recommend that the individual resign, or may call a Special Meeting of members to consider removing that Director
from the Board (per By-law 11). The Board itself cannot remove an elected Director. 
By-law 15: Role of President – The President shall act as Chair of all Board of Directors and general meetings. In his/her absence, the Vice-President will assume this duty.

By-law 16: Role of Treasurer – The Treasurer shall be responsible for the safe control of all Club funds, for preparing and submitting to the Board an annual budget, and for keeping such records as are required for financial review. The Treasurer is also responsible for
arranging for an annual financial statement (with audit or review engagement as applicable) and presenting the financial status to the Board and members. Any two of the President, the Vice-President, the Secretary and the Treasurer shall sign all cheques
and legal documents on behalf of the Club. (It is recommended that the Treasurer be one of the signatories on financial instruments.)
By-law 17: Role of Secretary – The Secretary shall deal with all correspondence subject to the direction of the President or their delegate, shall issue all notices for Board and General meetings, shall take minutes at all meetings, and shall be responsible for maintaining the
Club’s records and submitting to Skate Canada and the Section such reports as required by Skate Canada rules or other regulations.
By-law 18: President as ex-officio – The President shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.
By-law 19: Committees – Appointment – The President shall, with Board approval, appoint committee chairs as needed to carry out Club functions. All Committee Chairs must submit the names of their committee members to the President (or Board) for approval.
By-law 20: Committees – Eligibility to Serve – All Club Board members and committee members must be eligible persons of legal age (18+), members in good standing of the Club, and Associate Members of Skate Canada. [Skate Canada By-law 1201(1)(c)(ii)].
By-law 21: Rules of Order – All meetings of the Club (General and Board) shall be conducted following Robert’s Rules of Order in all cases in which they are applicable and consistent with the By-laws or any special rules of Skate Canada. [Skate Canada By-law
1603].
SKATE CANADA CLUB DELEGATE AND REGION COUNCIL
By-law 22: The Club’s Delegate to Skate Canada and/or the Section shall be appointed annually by the Board of Directors. The Delegate need not be a Board member. The Section and/or Skate Canada National Office shall be advised of the delegate’s name. The Club
shall also appoint a Region Council Representative and an alternate as required by the Region. The Delegate and Councilor(s) shall report on their respective meetings and shall be entitled to receive compensation for pre-approved expenses related to attending required meetings.

ANNUAL GENERAL AND SPECIAL MEETINGS

By-law 23: Annual General Meeting (AGM) – Timing and Quorum – An Annual General Meeting shall be held each year within 15 months of the previous AGM and no later than 6 months after the end of the Club’s fiscal year (as per ONCA requirements). Other general meetings (Special Meetings) may be held from time to time upon the request of the Board of Directors or upon written request of 10% of the voting members of the Club. A quorum for an Annual or Special Meeting shall be 10% of the eligible voting members, present in person or by proxy. [Skate Canada By-law 1201(1)(c)(i) requires an annual meeting; Skate Ontario recommends 10% quorum if not otherwise set].
By-law 24: Notice of Meetings – Written notice of all Annual General Meetings and Special Meetings shall be provided to each eligible voting member at least 15 days in advance (but not more than 50 days in advance). The notice shall specify the date, time and place of
the meeting (or instructions for attending electronically), and shall include the agenda, full details of any proposed amendments to the Constitution or By-laws, and a complete list of the candidates nominated for election. Notice may be given by electronic means
(e.g., email to the member’s last known email address) or by mail, in accordance with the Club’s preferred communications and any applicable privacy laws.
By-law 25: Voting on Club Business – Voting for Club elections shall be by secret ballot (unless a position is uncontested and won by acclamation), and a simple majority shall elect a candidate. Voting on other matters shall be by a show of hands (or equivalent
electronic indication) unless a secret ballot is requested by a member or directed by the Chair. An ordinary resolution of the members (50% + 1 of votes cast) is sufficient to decide any issue unless otherwise required by these By-laws or by law.
By-law 26: Eligibility to Vote – Voting for Club elections or other Club matters at a General Meeting shall be restricted to Club members in good standing who are registered as Associate Members of Skate Canada and are 18 years of age or older, to the Club Coaching
Representative(s), and to Special Members voting on behalf of their underage children (who are Club members and Skate Canada members). Special Members shall be restricted to one vote per family, regardless of how many children are in the family.
By-law 27: Order of Business – The order of business at an Annual General Meeting shall be as follows:
• Reading of the Notice of Meeting
• Confirmation of quorum
• Approval of Agenda

• Minutes of the preceding General/Special Meeting
• Confirmation of actions taken by the Board of Directors
• Secretary’s Report
• Treasurer’s Report (Annual Financial Statement)
• Other Reports (e.g., Coaches, Committee Chairs)
• Election of Board of Directors
• Amendments to the Constitution and By-laws
• Appointment of Auditors (or dispensing of audit, as applicable)
• New Business
By-law 28: Amendments – Submission and Notice – Any member of the Club, in good standing, may propose an amendment to the Constitution or By-laws of the Club. This proposal must be submitted in writing to the Club Board of Directors. The Board shall
include all valid proposals in the Notice of Meeting for the next General Meeting as appropriate. All proposed amendments to the Constitution/By-laws must be submitted at least 21 days before the meeting at which they are to be considered, so that notice of the
amendments can be given to the membership. No amendment from the floor of the meeting shall be permitted.
Member Proposals: In addition to by-law amendments, any voting member may propose other business to be discussed or voted on at an AGM (for example, a member resolution or a nomination). To require inclusion of such a proposal in the official AGM agenda, the member must send the proposal to the Board at least 60 days before the meeting. The Board shall review member proposals and, if they meet the requirements of ONCA and these By-laws, circulate them to the membership with the AGM notice.
(This right is in accordance with ONCA Section 56 – member proposals.)
By-law 29: Interim Amendments by Board – The Board of Directors may, between General Meetings, enact or amend by-laws as required. Such by-laws or amendments are effective only until the next General Meeting, at which they must be presented for ratification by the
members. If a Board-enacted by-law or amendment fails to be ratified by the members, it ceases to have effect and may not be re-enacted by the Board for one calendar year (unless approved by members in the interim).
By-law 30: Voting on Amendments – Any amendment to the Constitution or By-laws, to be adopted or ratified at a General Meeting, must pass by a vote of 2/3 of those eligible to vote and present (in person or by proxy) at the meeting.

By-law 31: Effective Date of Amendments – All amendments to the Constitution and By-laws, upon receiving approval of the membership at a General or Special Meeting, shall come into force immediately or on a date specified by the resolution. All such amendments
shall be submitted to Skate Canada as required. Skate Canada reserves the right to refuse any amendment if its intent is contrary to Skate Canada rules or by-laws.
FUNDS AND FINANCE
By-law 32: Deposit of Funds – The Treasurer shall deposit all funds of the Club in such banks or other financial institutions as may be designated by the Board of Directors.
By-law 33: Disbursement of Funds – All disbursements of Club funds shall be made by cheque or other auditable document (including electronic payments) from the Club’s account. All cheques or payment orders must bear signatures/approval from any two
of the designated signing officers (see By-law 16).
By-law 34: Annual Financial Statements and Audit – The Club’s financial statements for each fiscal year shall be prepared by the Treasurer and approved by the Board of Directors. The Board shall approve the annual financial statements no later than 6
months after the fiscal year end. The financial statements shall be made available to the membership and presented at the Annual General Meeting for information.
If the Club qualifies for a review engagement or audit waiver under ONCA (for example, due to lower annual revenue and Public Benefit status), the members may pass an appropriate resolution to waive the audit requirement or to require a review engagement in lieu of an audit for that year. If no Public Accountant is appointed because of a waiver, the Club shall still ensure an independent review of the financial transactions is carried out (e.g., by two members or an outside party) and report the results to the members.
By-law 35: Dissolution – In the event that the Club ceases to exist, the net assets from liquidation shall go to Skate Canada – Central Ontario (or its successor) or to another not-for-profit sporting organization as required by Skate Canada and law.

By-law 36: Delegated member(s) of the board shall be responsible for preparing the Club’s annual budget and supervising the finances of the Club, including the presentation of an independently reviewed or audited annual statement of revenues and expenditures to the members at the Annual Meeting.
By-law 37: Delegated member(s) of the board shall be responsible for arranging and supervising all Skate Canada test days, obtaining judges or evaluators for tests, keeping Club test records, and submitting test results to Skate Canada. The Test Chair liaises with Skate Canada and Section officials as necessary regarding tests, competitions, and judging matters.
By-law 38: Delegated member(s) of the board shall be responsible for promoting and developing membership in the Club, ensuring that club and member registrations are submitted to Skate Canada,
and overseeing club publicity and communications (including maintaining bulletin boards and social media with current Club information and events).

By-law 39: Delegated member(s) of the board in consultation with the Club’s coaching staff, coordinates and oversees the implementation of all Skate Canada skating programs run by the Club (e.g., CanSkate,
STARSkate, CompetitiveSkate, Synchro, etc.). Sub-committees may be formed for specific programs as needed (e.g., CanSkate committee).
By-law 40: Delegated member(s) of the board shall be responsible for organizing fundraising activities and special events to support the Club’s programs (e.g., competitions, ice shows, exhibitions,
holiday events). The Fundraising Chair also acts as a liaison with Club sponsors and donors.