Constitution

Constitution of the Woodstock Men’s Christian Softball League

Article 1: Association Name

Our league is called the Woodstock Men’s Christian Softball league, also known as CSL Woodstock.

Article 2: Purpose

 CSL Woodstock was created in 1972 as a way for Christian men of Oxford County to have fellowship and glorify God, in a recreational softball setting. God is glorified in the following manner in our league:

-                      By directing a portion of our league fees towards sponsoring underprivileged children through Christian based humanitarian aid organizations

-                      By witnessing to unbelievers on and off of the field

-                      By promoting fellowship within our own churches and with other churches in Woodstock and Oxford County

-                      By opening each game with prayer

Article 3: Membership

Section 1 – Team Eligibility

Teams must be affiliated with a local church. Churches may sponsor more than one team, or multiple churches may combine to form a team.  There are no minimum requirements for the number of church members or Christians on a team, however, as a guideline; at least half of the team should be made up of members from one church that wold represent the team. 

Teams must pay dues in order to participate in the CSL. As of January 1, 2014, league fees are $650 per team. Dues must be paid in full by June 1.

Section 2 – Player Eligibility

Although men who join the league do not have to be professing Christians, they must comport themselves in a Christ-like manner. Players may play on only one team within the CSL during the year.

Section 3 – Revoking Eligibility

Teams that do not have a church affiliation will be asked to find one for the following season, or their membership will be revoked.

Individual teams make their own decisions in regards to player eligibility or ineligibility. A player who plays on more than one team during the season will be deemed ineligible for the year end tournament.

Article 4: Offices

Section 1 – Definitions

CSL Woodstock holds two official and two unofficial positions: Convenor, Treasurer, Webmaster, and Outreach Coordinator. The positions of Convenor and Treasurer are two-year terms, while the positions of Webmaster and Outreach Coordinator are indeterminate. Convenors and Treasurers may serve a maximum of two consecutive terms. All four should be members of a team.

Convenor – The Convenor is responsible for daily operation of the league. He creates the schedule, organizes fields for the year, organizes the tournaments and settles disputes.

Treasurer – The Treasurer oversees the funds for the league, and works alongside the Convener to ensure accountability and access of funds. He will prepare a yearly balance sheet for the league and present that at the first coaches meeting of the calendar year.

Webmaster – The Webmaster maintains the website cslwoodstock.blogspot.ca and handles correspondences between teams.

Outreach Coordinator – The Outreach Coordinator oversees all communication and correspondence with our sponsor children via Compassion and World Vision. He may enlist the help of others to complete this task. The Outreach Coordinator usually helps organize our annual fundraisers.

Section 2 – Nominations and Elections

The positions of Convenor and Treasurer are the only two that require any form of election.  Nominations are made during the end of year coaches meeting and are usually done on a volunteer basis. If no person steps forth for a position at the end of a term, the outgoing convenor or treasurer may nominate someone to fill the position for the following term. Election to a position is obtained by receiving 50% plus one of all votes. Voting is done by a show of hands. Coaches or their representatives may vote, but only one per team.

Players and coaches who are familiar with the league (at least two years in the CSL) are eligible to become Convenor and Treasurer.

Any executive must be 18 years of age, or older.

Section 3 – Vacancies

In the event that any executive must leave the league during the season, he shall ensure that all is in place for a successful season completion. They should also find a suitable replacement for the remainder of the year. An election will occur at the end of the season for a new two-year term.

Should a person be removed from his position during the season, the committee of coaches will collectively assume responsibility for fulfilling the duties of that position for the remainder of the season. An election will ensue at the conclusion of the year.

Article 5 – Committees

The league has one committee, made up of all of the coaches, or their representative (including all official offices). They discuss rule changes, finances, executive positions, league memberships, and other issues that may arise.

At each meeting, every team must send one representative. Any team that doesn’t send a representative forfeits their right to any votes that take place at the meeting.

Article 6 – Finance

The Treasurer is the person primarily responsible for financial operation of the league. The Treasurer must ensure that:

-                      Each team has paid their dues

-                      The league has paid their fees to the City of Woodstock

-                      Monies are sent to Compassion and World Vision

-                      Others receive their payments

All funds are filtered through a central CSL Woodstock account, which the Treasurer and Convenor have access to. Transactions under $500 require one signature, while transactions over said amount require two signatures.

Article 7 – Rules and Procedures

Section 1 – Meetings

Two meetings shall be held annually; before the season starts (February) and after the season ends (Sept. – Oct.). Meetings are usually held at the home church of the Convener in Woodstock. Meetings will be led by the Convener, or his representative.

Section 2 – Attendance

All teams must send a representative to those meetings, and any others that may arise during the year. A secretary will be appointed at the meeting, and will provide the Convenor with the notes from the meeting at a later date. Those who cannot attend must make an effort to find out what happened at the meeting.

Section 3 – Quorum

Decisions can be passed when there is a 50% plus one majority of coaches present at the meeting.  A team that is not present is said to have abstained from voting. Any decisions made by the league are binding, regardless of attendance.

Section 4 - Minutes

The Convenor will remind the committee of the issues from the previous meeting.

Article 8 – Amendments

Amendments to the Constitution of the Woodstock Men’s Christian Softball League can be made after a vote is taken on the issue. The vote can take place at the regular meetings, or in case of emergency or unscheduled meeting, voting by proxy (email) can be done.

Article 9 – Dissolution

Should the CSL need to dissolve, a meeting will be called to discuss the formal dissolution of the league, transfer of funds, closing of accounts and termination of contracts and agreements with third parties.

Article 10 – Rules of Play

The CSL Woodstock follows rules that are unique to our own league. They are found on a separate document on the website. Any rule changes must be approved by committee.

Spring 2014