The Minnesota Rugby Union is the governing body for the sport of Rugby in the state of Minnesota and is recognized by USARFU and the Midwest Rugby Union as the Local Area Union that organizes, administers, and promotes the growth of rugby in the state of Minnesota. The elected officers of the Minnesota Rugby Union shall represent its members before other administrative bodies on a regional, national and international level and will administer rugby games between regional bodies and visiting clubs as appropriate. The Minnesota Rugby Union has exclusive jurisdiction over its members in matters pertaining to the administration of rugby in Minnesota.
Name and Objectives
Membership
Competitive Structure
Management
Board of Directors Procedures
Meetings
1. The Union will hold at least one meeting of the entire membership each year. The annual general meeting (AGM) of the membership will be held in January of each year.
2. The secretary at the president's request may call an extraordinary meeting.
3. Members shall be notified in writing 30 days in advance of any meeting.
4. A good faith effort will be made to notify members of all executive committee meetings.
5. All meetings of the Union are open to any members.
6. At the general meeting of the membership a quorum will consist of a majority of the elected officers of the Union and delegates or their proxies from a majority of the member clubs. Each member is allowed to have one member speak for and vote on behalf of the member club.
7. Proxies must be delivered to the secretary in writing.
8. Each member club shall have one vote.
9. All matters, except those concerning the constitution shall be decided by a simple majority. In the case of a tie, the president shall cast a vote.
Dues
1. MN Union dues shall be voted on each year at the annual general meeting of the membership. The budget will define the payments to be made by member clubs.
2. Referee Society fees not do need approval by the membership. All clubs will also be responsible for the payment of fees to the Referee Society each year.
3. All clubs will also be responsible for the payment of dues to the MWRFU and USARFU each year.
Alteration to the Constitution
1. The constitution may be altered by 2/3-majority vote of the members.
2. Members will be notified in writing of any proposed alterations to the constitution at least 14 days in advance of the scheduled meeting where such alteration will be considered.
The by-laws will serve as a guide for officers and members on how the Union will conduct its affairs. By-laws can be adopted and modified by a simple majority of the members at a general meeting where a quorum is present.
Committee Procedures
1. The Union can form standing, temporary, and sub-committees as appropriate. Each committee will have at least two members.
2. Unless indicated below, membership on a standing committee requires approval of the executive committee.
3. Each committee will prepare plans as applicable as well as a yearly budget for their activities. These committees shall keep minutes, correspondence, and files of their activities and provide to the secretary for publication in a timely manner.
4. Committees may create sub-committees to assist them in specified portions of their duties.
Committee Structure
The following are the standing committees of the Union:
1. Finance Committee. The treasurer will chair the finance committee and including the vice-president will prepare the budget for the Union and review all committee budgets. The finance committee must approve all expenditures greater than $500. The finance committee will monitor the enrollment of clubs and individuals in the payment of dues.
2. Select-Side team Committees. The technical director will chair these committees. There will be a committee for each Minnesota select-side team. The representative select-side committees for collegiate teams shall include the appropriate collegiate liaison. The committees shall select coaches and team managers and will oversee the administration of each select-side program. The technical director is encouraged to include former select-side players on each of the committees.
3. Disciplinary Committee. The disciplinary committee shall be chaired by the disciplinarian and including the technical director this committee will develop and administer the disciplinary policy covering actions on the field and between clubs in establishing and honoring fixtures scheduled. The Union will adhere to the disciplinary policies of the MWRFU and USARFU. All member clubs shall receive copies of the Union's disciplinary policies and procedures at the annual general meeting of the membership.
4. Communication and Publicity. The secretary will chair the communications and publicity committee and will develop and publish a newsletter and publicity plan for the Union. The secretary will also be responsible for a handbook for all members.
5. Strategic Planning. The strategic planning committee will be chaired by the president and will monitor and report on the strategic planning activities of the larger rugby community for the benefit of the Union members.
Policies
1. Membership.
2. Members-at-large. For the purposes of recognizing, honoring, and including individual members who have aided the efforts of the Union, a membership-at-large may be extended. Such members will be nominated by the executive committee and approved at a general meeting of the membership. Such membership may be for one or two years and will be exempt from dues. In all other respects, the individual member will have the full rights and duties of all other members.
3. Collegiate Eligibility. The Union will generally follow the collegiate eligibility rules as prescribed by USARFU. Deviations from these rules will only be allowed with the approval of the appropriate collegiate liaison after consultation with the executive committee.
4. Men's and Women's Collegiate League Championships. The Men's and Women's collegiate league champions will be determined by league play. The following are the general rules for these leagues.
5. All-Minnesota Tournament. The Union shall host the All-Minnesota Tournament in the fall of each year. There shall be no other matches of Union collegiate teams on this weekend. If the executive committee so decides, the tournament may be operated by another entity by bid.
6. Insurance. The Union shall abide by all liability and health insurance requirements of the MWRFU and USARFU. All members will have health insurance and liability coverage to participate in matches played in Minnesota.
7. Tournament Policy. Any team wishing to host more than two other clubs on the same date must apply to the vice-president to host such a tournament. Such application shall give the general description of the event. Clubs hosting without such approval will be subject to disciplinary action.
8. Tours. The vice-president must approve all incoming and outgoing tours. The vice-president will then forward all such requests to USARFU for their approval.
9. Fields and Kits.
Last updated February 2000
No changes at 1/01 AGM