ARTICLE 4:  MEMBERSHIP

There are four (4) classes of Membership:

Active Membership

Active Membership shall be open to clubs that meet the following criteria:

    are properly constituted soccer clubs
    have their headquarters in the District;
    operate within defined boundaries as set out in the Rules & Regulations;
    have all its players registered with O.S.A. through the District;
All Clubs shall have a Constitution which meets the minimum requirements for a Club Constitution in accordance with the OSA's published rules.

A Club which meets the OSA definition of:

    • professional club which operates professional team(s) only
    • club which operates both professional and amateur teams
    • social club
    • service club
    • club operated by a municipality
    • club operated by a facility
    • club running a senior recreational league
may apply in writing for an exemption from any minimum requirement for a Club Constitution, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors of the both the District Association and The OSA.

Associate Membership

Associate Membership shall be open to:

leagues governed by the District Association including:
    • District Leagues
    • Multi-Jurisdictional Club Leagues
leagues mandated by The OSA published rules, including:
    • Regional Leagues
    • Multi-Jurisdictional District Leagues
other organizations which operate soccer programmes including, but not limited, to:
    • soccer camps, schools or academies
    • school boards
    • colleges
    • universities
    • referee associations
    • coach associations
which support the objectives of, and operate within, the District Association.

Honourary Membership

The Board of Directors may confer a Honourary Membership upon an organization or a person for a period of time.

Honourary Members are afforded all rights of Membership and shall have a voice but no vote at a general meeting of the District Association.

Life Membership

The Board of Directors may confer a Life Membership upon a person.

Life Members are afforded all rights of Membership and shall have a voice but no vote at a general meeting of the District Association.

Membership Fees

Except where mandated by The OSA published rules, the annual Membership fees shall be set by the Board of Directors and ratified by the Membership at a general meeting of the District Association.

Player Registration Fees

Members shall be required to pay player registration fees which shall be set by the Board of Directors and ratified by the Membership at a general meeting of the District Association.

Approval of New Members

A Club shall be accepted into Active Membership upon:

    submitting an application form along with the other required documents and Membership fees
    obtaining the approval of the District Association Board of Directors

An organization shall be accepted into Associate Membership upon:

    submitting an application form along with the other required documents and Membership fees
    obtaining the approval of the District Association Board of Directors, where applicable

Membership Renewal

Active Members shall apply for renewal of their Membership by:

    submitting an application form along with the required documents and Membership fees to the District Association prior to the Annual General Meeting and as set out in the Rules & Regulations.
    Associate Members shall apply for renewal of their Membership prior to the Annual General Meeting and pay the entire Membership fee required for the year ending at the Annual General Meeting.

    Subject to the above conditions, renewal of Active and/or Associate Membership shall be automatic and does not require the approval of the Board of Directors.

Rights of Active and Associate Members

Active Members shall be accorded the following rights:

    · To be governed in accordance with The OSA and the District Association’s published rules,
    · To register players, administrators, team officials and referees with The OSA and the District Association,
    · To be a Member of, and register their teams with, OSA sanctioned Leagues,
    · To enter teams in OSA sanctioned competitions,
    · To participate in OSA sanctioned programs such as player, coach and referee development,
    · To participate in District Association sanctioned programs,
    · To attend and vote at all general meetings called by the District Association,
    · To operate Club Leagues in accordance with The OSA published rules,
    · To operate Player, Coach and Referee Development Programs, and
    · To participate in The OSA Insurance Plan

Associate Members shall be accorded the following rights:

    · To be governed, where applicable, in accordance with The OSA and the District Association’s published rules,
    · To register, where applicable, administrators and teams with The OSA and the District Association,
    · To enter teams, where applicable, in OSA sanctioned competitions,
    · To participate in OSA and District Association sanctioned programs, and
    · To attend and vote at all general meetings called by the District Association

Discipline of a Member

A Member may be fined, censured, suspended or expelled from Membership for cause and only after charges have been laid in accordance with the League's published rules and a hearing held in accordance with the League's and OSA's published rules. A Member whose Membership has been suspended loses all rights of Membership until the suspension has been
terminated.

Termination of Membership

Membership in the District Association shall be deemed to have been terminated:

    If the Member submits a signed letter of withdrawal to the District Association
    If the Member is expelled by the District Association
    If the Member fails to renew Membership in accordance with the By-Law.