BYLAWS

ARTICLE 1.

Section 1.
Name

The legal name of the organization shall be Iranian Canadian Sports Society (henceforth ICSS).

Section 2.
Definition   

ICSS is a not-for-profit community organization.
ICSS is not affiliated with any political party (provincial or federal), government or religious organization or any other institution or organization.

Section 3.
Purpose   

The general purpose of this corporation is to provide not-for-profit services for the Iranian-Canadian community of Canada. ICSS may provide such services by organizing sports events, cultural events, social and/or other community events that would unite and protect the integrity and interests of the Iranian Canadian community. 

Section 4.
Financial

All commercial and financial activities of this corporation shall be for the purpose of funding its not-for-profit services that are provided for the community.
The ICSS is prohibited from receiving donations in any amount and in any form from any non-Canadian governmental authority.
Commercial purposes, are intended only to advance or support one or more of the not-for-profit purposes of ICSS. No part of the profits resulting from ICSS activities or of its property or accretions to the value of the property may be distributed, directly or indirectly, to a member, a director or an officer of ICSS.

 

ARTICLE 2.

SECTION 1.
Principal office

The principal office of the national ICSS for conducting its business will be determined by the board of directors on an annual basis. 
The board of directors may change the principal office from one location to another if necessary.

 

SECTION 2.
Regions

ICSS will conduct business in Canada, as an Ontario-based not for profit corporation. Members (regular, board of directors and advisory board) of ICSS may be from all regions of Canada.

 

ARTICLE 3.

SECTION 1.
Board of Directors

The organizational structure of the ICSS consists of a Board of Directors which is composed of 8 board members.
The first board of directors consists of the original members who initiated creating ICSS. This board will stay in charge of the organization until ICSS has a strong presence in the community and finds its financial stability to be able to provide the community services it has set as its objectives and purpose.
Once ICSS has reached this level of stability, the original board of directors may decide to replace some or all board members with new board members.

SECTION 2.
Vacancies on Board of Directors

The position of one or more director shall be considered vacant due to one or more of the following reasons:

Death, resignation, incapability of conducting duties, removal by majority vote.

SECTION 3.
Filling Vacancies on Board of Directors

Filling vacancies can be done by introducing new members by the existing board members or by suggestions from advisory board; and shall need the approval of a majority vote by the current board members.
 

SECTION 4.
Special Circumstances

Under special circumstances (determined by the existing board of directors), selecting new board members could be achieved by holding a general election.
If an election is to be held, only registered members of ICSS can vote and/or become candidate for the board of directors.
All individuals who are interested in participating in the election as candidates must be registered members. They must also present their intention to run for the board member in writing, at least 30 days prior to the election date and by filling out an election registration form that will be provided to them by the existing board of directors.
The existing board of directors may set special criteria for participating in the election.
It is mandatory for all candidates to provide the existing board of directors with an official Criminal Record Check Report (provided by OPP).

SECTION 5.
Advisory Board

The advisory board of the ICSS is composed of 2 to 10 board members. The advisory board members are selected by the board of directors and could be experts and professionals in their own fields or respected members of the community. The members of the advisory board can attend the board meetings if requested by the board of directors but cannot vote. The board of directors may consult the advisory board.

SECTION 6.
Duties

Members of board of directors are obligated to make sure all objectives of ICSS are achieved in the best way possible and to do their best to promote the activities of ICSS.
Members of the advisory board are obligated to provide best advices to the board of directors in regards to ICSS activities and how to achieve its objectives. They should also do their best to promote ICSS activities through their contacts and links to other active groups or individuals.
The board of directors shall designate at least 3 of its members for the following positions: Secretary, Treasurer, Spokesperson.

SECTION 7.
Terms of Office

Each board member may stay on the board for a maximum of 2 years. After the 2-year period, the member is replaced or his/her status may be reinstated by a vote of confidence by majority of board members.
A replacement of one or more board members could be necessary if they are not capable of conducting their assigned duties (determined by a unanimous vote), or they are voluntarily requesting to leave the board.
 

SECTION 8.
Compensation

Directors shall serve without compensation and shall not receive (directly or indirectly) any profit from ICSS activities and/or resources. 

SECTION 9.
Regular Meetings of the Board of Directors

Directors shall hold at least one meeting per month. At each meeting the board of directors confirms the date and the agenda of the next meeting.
The advisory board members could attend the board meetings on the board of directors request.

SECTION 10.
Quorum

A quorum for the meetings of the board of directors is 6. Resolutions must be passed by a minimum of 5 board members present at the meeting.
Minutes of the meeting shall be prepared by secretary of the board and kept to be available for future references.

SECTION 11.
Absences

Any board member who has 3 unjustified absences from meetings of the board of directors shall be removed from their position as a board member.

SECTION 12.
Indemnification and Non-Liability

Members of the board of directors and advisory board, and also employees and agents of ICSS shall not be personally liable for the debts, liabilities, or other obligations of the ICSS, and shall be indemnified from any and all lawsuits and/or liabilities that directly or indirectly involve ICSS.   

 

ARTICLE 4.

SECTION 1.
Eligibility

Individuals who apply to become a registered member of ICSS shall meet the following criteria:

Must be 18 years of age or older.
Must be Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Must have lived in Canada for at least three years.
Must have not been convicted of a criminal offence.

SECTION 2.
Fees

The fee for general membership can not exceed $50 per annum. The existing board of directors may set the fee ($0 - $50) at the beginning of every year (the month of January) and announce it.

 

ARTICLE 5.

SECTION 1.
Amendment

The articles of this constitution may be amended and/or new articles may be added, only by a unanimous vote of board of directors.

SECTION 2.
Exception

Article 1 cannot be amended under any circumstances and shall stay the same until dissolution of ICSS.

 

ARTICLE 6.

Upon the dissolution of the ICSS, all its assets remaining after paying off all its debts, shall be donated to one or more Canadian not for profit organizations that serve the Iranian Canadian Community. The board of directors shall determine what organization will receive the remaining assets after dissolution of ICSS.