Membership Policy
Policy # 7.1
Applies to: All Members
Implementation Date: August 13, 2023
Policy Statement
Orillia Figure Skating Club (OFSC) is a membership-based organization recognized by Skate Ontario, the governing body for the Orillia Figure Skating Club and by Skate Canada, which is the governing body of Skate Ontario.
The purpose of this policy is to contribute to the growth and development of skating for our community in a safe sporting environment by providing our OFSC members with rules and requirements, including Member obligations, fees and the terms and conditions of Membership.
This Policy strives to provide increased accountability to both parties and provide a mechanism for transparency, identification of governance issues and an enhanced commitment to safe sport.
Scope
This Policy applies to all registered members of the Orillia Figure Skating Club.
Fees
The member shall pay the appropriate membership fee as listed by the Orillia Figure Skating Club for the program they are registering for. This membership fee is for the provisions of the services and associated costs to the club.
Payment of the membership fees is to be paid at the time of registration or on the payment schedule offered by the Orillia Figure Skating Club. The Board must approve any deviation from the provided payment schedule for the current membership year. See Current By-laws Section 2.7.
Requests for refunds and/or credits are evaluated on a case-by-case basis as outlined in the Payment and Cancellation Policy.
General
By purchasing a membership, OFSC members are agreeing to adhere to and act in accordance of our bylaws and Orillia Figure Skating Club procedures.
Members remain in good standing unless,
(a) A member has failed to pay the membership dues when due and owing, including Skate Canada fees
(b) A member who has been suspended from membership or has otherwise been declared not to be in good standing pursuant to a disciplinary proceeding in accordance with the By-laws
(c) A member who has failed to commit, execute and remit, as applicable, all documentation required by the Orillia Figure Skating Club. See OFSC Current By-laws Section 2.9
Members will register with the Orillia Figure Skating Club annually and payments will be made on the schedule set by the OFSC.
The annual fee will be calculated based on the number of skaters registered from September 1 to August 31 of the last membership year that the club was active combined with the current year’s operational costs.
The per skater registration fee will be announced by the Orillia Figure Skating Club once registration opens each season and will be included in the registration package provided to the public.
Membership Class
Each eligible member that has attained the legal age of 18 and is in good standing, shall be entitled to one (1) vote per membership which must be cast in person or by proxy at any AGM and/or Special General Meeting of the Club.
The classes of membership, eligibility and privileges shall be as follows:
Voting Class:
· Individual Membership:
§ Non-skating members who have paid their fees as set by the Orillia FSC and are Associate Members of Skate Canada.
§ Individual members, which shall include the Orillia Figure Skating Club Board, Skate Canada Officials (Judges, Accountants) and other adults serving on Orillia Figure Skating Club Committees.
§ All Individual members of the legal age of 18 shall be entitled to one (1) vote.
· Active Membership:
§ All eligible skaters who participate in an Orillia Figure Skating Club Program and who have paid the fees as set by the Orillia Figure Skating Club and are Associate Members of Skate Canada.
§ All Active Members of the legal age of 18 shall be entitled to one (1) vote each.
**Underage Active Members have no vote but may be represented by a Special Member (see below)
· Special Membership:
§ Parent or legal guardian of legally underage Active Member who has paid the fees as set by the Orillia Figure Skating Club and are Associate Members of Skate Canada.
§ As per Section II Membership of the Orillia Figure Skating Club bylaws – 2.5(c) a Parent or Legal Guardian whose child (children) is (are) under the age of 18 and is (are) registered as a Skater(s) with the Club, for the duration of the current Skating Year. There is one (1) vote for every member.
Non-Voting Class:
· Associate Membership:
§ Associate Members are eligible skaters representing another home club that skate at the Orillia Figure Skating Club and pay a reduced fee as set by the Club.
§ Associate Members are not entitled to a vote at any AGM and/or Special General Meeting of the Orillia Figure Skating Club.
§ Parents and legal guardians of Associate Members do not qualify as Special Members and may not vote at any AGM and/or Special General Meeting of the Orillia Figure Skating Club.
· Honorary Life-Time Membership:
§ The Orillia Figure Skating Club Board of Directors may grant an annual honorary life-time membership to any person who rendered outstanding services to the Club or to a skater for their achievements.
§ Skaters receiving this annual honorary life-time membership have their dues remitted to Skate Canada by the Orillia Figure Skating Club.
§ Honorary members shall carry all the privileges of a membership without the payment of Orillia Figure Skating Club fees.
§ Honorary members shall be considered active members.
§ Life memberships previously in place will be honored.
§ The Orillia Figure Skating Club board of Directors may grant a Life-Time Membership to an individual upon resolution passed by the Board and with a majority approval of the membership in attendance at the AGM.
· Professional Skaters/Coaches: Are not eligible to vote.
· Guests
§ Members, with the permission of the head coach, have the right to bring a guest, if the guest skater is a current Skate Canada member and follows OFSC Skater Code of Conduct
§ Any person whose membership has been terminated by resolution of the Directors shall be ineligible as a guest at the Club.
§ All guest skating fees must be paid online prior to going on the ice.
Other Restrictions:
Coaches:
§ If a professional coach is a parent, they may attend the AGM and may cast one (1) vote as an active member. As per Section II Membership of the Orillia Figure Skating Club bylaws – 2.5(c) a Parent or Legal Guardian whose child (children) is (are) under the age of 18 and is (are) registered as a Skater(s) with the Club, for the duration of the current Skating Year. There is one vote for every member.
§ Coaches are not permitted unless by special invitation to attend the Orillia Figure Skating Board meetings unless they are the Coaches Representative or a duly elected member of the Board.
§ A professional coach may run as a board member and hold one (1) voting position. (as per 4.2d of the OFSC bylaws)
Policy Administration
This Policy will by maintained by the Orillia Figure Skating Club and will be reviewed on an annual basis.