CONSTITUTION

Great Plains Rugby Football Union

 

ARTICLE I - NAME, LOCATION AND NATURE

The Union is and shall be called Great Plains Rugby Football Union (hereafter referred to as the Union). The principal office and place of business of the Union shall be Omaha, Nebraska, or such other place as may be designated by the majority of the Board of Governors. The Union shall be composed of individuals, including clubs, who have banded together in order to develop and advance the amateur sport of rugby union football within the Midwestern area of the United States of America, which encompasses Nebraska and South Dakota.

ARTICLE II - OBJECTS AND PURPOSES

The objects and purposes of the Union are:

   1. To foster and promote the growth and development of rugby in the Great Plains Rugby Union; to increase the awareness of rugby, its traditions and dedication to amateurism; to adhere to the Laws of the Game and the Regulations Relating to Amateurism as framed by the International Rugby Board and adopted by the United States of America Rugby Football Union; and generally to advance interest, education and participation in rugby nationally and internationally.

   2. To promote interest, study and improvement in amateur sports, to provide instruction to the general public; and to hold competitions and exhibitions.

   3. To do any other act incidental to or connected with or in advancement of the foregoing purposes, but not for the pecuniary profit or financial gain of the Union's members, directors or officers.

   4. To purchase, receive, take by grant, gift, device, bequest or otherwise acquire, own, hold, improve, employ, use or deal with real or personal property, or any other interest therein, wherever situated; and to sell, convey, lease, exchange, transfer or otherwise dispose of, mortgage, or pledge any of the Union's property and assets or any interests therein, wherever situated.

   5. To possess and exercise all the posers and privileges granted by the Nebraska Corporations code, any other laws of Nebraska, or this Constitution, together with any powers incidental thereto, insofar as such powers and privileges are necessary or convenient to the conduct, promotion, or attainment of the activities or purposes of the Union.

   6. To promote charitable, educational, and amateur sports activities, including but not limited to receiving contributions and paying them to an organization described in Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 as now in effect or hereafter amended. The Union shall not attempt to influence legislation by propaganda or otherwise, or to participate in or intervene in political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

   7. To promote participation in and development of the game of rugby union football at its highest levels. In the interest of the game, members shall adhere to the following order of priorities: activities and matches sponsored by first, the United States of America Rugby Football Union; second by the Western Rugby Football Union: and third, by this Union.

   8. To support the United States of America Rugby Football Union, its objectives and purposes, in cooperation with other unions, clubs, groups, and individuals in other regions of the nation.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP

Section 1: The Union
All the persons involved in playing, administering, coaching, and organizing of the sport of rugby union football in the Nebraska and South Dakota area shall be under the authority of the Union and shall adhere to this constitution, Bylaws, Rules and Regulations, and any other directives of the Union. There shall be Full, Associate, and Honorary Members (hereafter referred to as Members) of the Union.

Section 2: Full Membership
   (1) Full members are: Those Associate Members who may subsequently be elected to full membership, provided that such Members be in good standing with the Union and have paid all Union fees, subscriptions, fines & levies.

 

   (2) Election to full membership shall be by a simple majority vote of those Full Members present at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Governors. Only Full Members may vote at Board of Governors meeting on any and all Union issues.

Section 3: Associate Membership
   (1) Associate Members are other groups, including newly formed rugby clubs that have not yet been elected to full membership.

   (2) Election to associate membership shall be by a simple majority vote of those present at a properly scheduled meeting of the Executive Committee, whose vote shall be reviewed and approved or disapproved by a simple majority of those Full Members present at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Governors. Associate Members shall be eligible for election to full membership after having existed, operated and assisted the Union for at least one year. Associate Members have no voting rights.

Section 4: Honorary Membership
   (1) Honorary Members are:
      a. Members of other rugby unions who are invited to play in Union-sanctioned games or tournaments during their period of stay in the Nebraska or South Dakota area for the purpose of playing rugby;
      b. Any past player or person of distinction whom the Board of Governors desires to honor by election to honorary membership; and
      c. Any club, society, or group, and the individuals therein, who have banded together to advance the game of rugby union football in the Nebraska and South Dakota area and who are not eligible for full or associate membership.

   (2) Election to honorary membership shall be by a simple majority vote of those Full Members present at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Governors.

Section 5 Suspension:
   (1) A Member may be suspended by a simple majority vote of those present at a properly scheduled executive Committee meeting. The suspension shall be in effect until it is reviewed at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Governors. In addition, the Board of Governors may suspend or terminate any Member by a simple majority vote of Full Members present at any of its regularly scheduled meetings.

   (2) Any Member shall be liable to suspension by the Executive Committee, or suspension or termination by the Board of Governors, if:
      a. The Member's subscription, fees, fines or levies due to the Union are in arrears; or
      b. The Member does not maintain and honor a fixture list to the satisfaction of the Executive Committee or the Board of Governors; or
      c. The Member participates in activities or behavior which may be deemed detrimental to the image and reputation of the union and its membership; or
   d. The member fails to follow the Constitution, Bylaws, Rules and Regulations, or any directive, guideline, or ruling by the Board of Governors, Executive Committee, or other committees formed by this Union.

ARTICLE IV - ADMINISTRATION

Section 1: The Board of Governors
The affairs of the Union shall be administered by the Board of Governors. The Board's membership shall be composed of one representative from each Full Member in good standing as well as the Youth Rugby Officer. The President of the Union is an ex officio member of the Board of Governors.

Section 2: Meetings
   (1) The Board of Governors shall hold one regularly scheduled Annual General Meeting in January of each year. There shall be no requirement for a quorum. Written notices shall be mailed standard or electronically to each Full and Associate Member not less that twenty-one (21) or more than (30) days in advance of the meeting. If the purpose of the meeting is to vote an initiative, an electronic vote is acceptable.

   (2) The Union President shall be the chairman of all meetings of the Board of Governors. In their absence the Vice President will assume the function of conducting the meeting.

   (3) The Union President may call a Special General Meeting of the Board of Governors if the need arises. A Special General Meeting shall be called by the President upon receiving written requests from one-third of the Full Members or upon majority vote of the Executive Committee. Such meeting shall be called within not less than twenty-one (21) not more than thirty (30) days.

Section 3: Voting
Each Full Member of the Union shall have a single vote. The chairman of the meeting shall vote, which will be used only to break an otherwise tied vote. If the chairman is also serving as a representative for a Full Member, he may not vote twice. All votes of the Board of Governors will be decided by a simply majority except for those requiring special majorities as noted in this Constitution. There shall be no proxy voting.

Section 4: Committees
   (1) There shall be permanent and temporary committees. Permanent committees will have a continuing existence. Temporary committees will be appointed to handle a specific project anticipated to be accomplished in a given period of time.

   (2) The nature, responsibilities, and authority of all committees shall be as set forth in the Constitution and Bylaws. In general, committees may not take any action on behalf of the Union or the Board of Governors unless such action is specifically authorized by the Constitution, the Bylaws, or a resolution of the Board of Governors.

   (3) Among the permanent committees shall be an Executive Committee with the power to act on the behalf of the Board of Governor between meetings of the Board provided that such actions are not in contravention of the Constitution, the Bylaws, or specific directives by the Board of Governors. There shall also be a permanent Disciplinary Committee with authority and powers as set forth in the Bylaws.

ARTICLE V - OFFICERS

Section 1: Titles and Duties:
The officers of the Union shall be as follows:

   (1) President: The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Union. They shall have general and active supervision over the business of the Union and its officers; call and preside over all meetings of the Board of Governors and Executive Committee; and have such other duties, responsibilities, and authority as are conveyed by this Constitution, the Bylaws, and the Board of Governors.

   (2) Vice President: The Vice President shall have duties, responsibilities as are conveyed by this Constitution, the Bylaws, the Board of Governors, and the President.

   (3) Secretary: The Secretary shall keep the minutes of Annual and Special General Meetings and see that all notes are duly given; be custodian of appropriate Union records: conduct and have charge of relevant Union correspondence; be responsible for coordinating and publishing of the Master Schedule; and in general perform all duties incidental to the office of Secretary with such other duties, responsibilities, and authority as are conveyed by this Constitution, the Bylaws, the Board of Governors, and the President.

   (4) Treasurer: The Treasurer shall have charge and custody of and be responsible for all Union funds; collect dues, deposits, fees, fines, assessments, and other charges owed to the Union and its committees; pay all dues, deposits, fees, fines, assessments, and other debts owed by the Union, make financial statements to be presented to the Board of Governors at the Annual General Meeting and have such other duties, responsibilities, and authority as are conveyed by this Constitution, the Bylaws, the Board of Governors, and the President.

(5)Youth Director: The Youth Director will serves as a liaison between the GPYRA Board of Directors and the Nebraska Youth Rugby Association Board of Directors.

Section 2: Election and Terms of Office
All Officers, with exception to the Youth Director, shall be elected by the Board of Governors at the Annual General Meeting. The Youth Director will be the current Executive Director within the Nebraska Youth Rugby Association. Officers shall take office after election and shall hold such office for a period of one year. Each person may only hold one office at a given time.

Section 3: Vacancy
If an office becomes vacant between meetings of the Board of Governors, the President shall appoint an individual to fill the office until the next meeting, at which the Board of Governors will elect a replacement. If the office of the President becomes vacant between meetings of the Board of Governors, the Vice President shall assume the powers and responsibilities of the office of President until the next meeting. The Vice President shall be defined as the one receiving the most votes in the election of Vice President. If no vote or a tied vote occurred, the Vice President shall be the one nominated first.

ARTICLE VI - SCHEDULING

There shall be a Master schedule of all rugby events to be held within the Union, which shall be followed and adhered to by all Members. The Secretary shall prepare and publish the Master Schedule as set forth in the Bylaws. Penalties shall be assessed against any Member who fails to conform to the Master Schedule as set forth in the Bylaws.

ARTICLE VII - FINANCES

The Union shall have the power to assess and collect from the Members dues, fees, fines, and assessments; and to accept, generate, invest and expend Union funds to accomplish the objectives and purposes of the Union. In the event of dissolution, the remaining assets and property of the Union, after necessary expenses, shall be distributed to an organization in Section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue code of 1954 as now in effect of hereafter amended.

ARTICLE VIII - AMENDMENTS

Amendments to this Constitution or the Bylaws shall be made at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Governors, by two-thirds vote of the Full Members attending the meeting. Proposed amendments must be submitted in writing to the President at least sixty (60) days before the meeting at which they are to be considered. The details of any proposed amendments shall be circulated to all Members with the notice for the meeting at which the vote is to be taken, not less that twenty-one (21) days or more than thirty (30) days in advance. Upon approval, amendments shall be recorded in the Constitution or Bylaws by the Secretary who shall send copies of the amendments to all Members and officers.

(This is the Constitution of the Great Plains Rugby Football Union as published on January 17, 2009)