Article 1. General Information

1.1. The Greater Toronto Chess League, hereinafter referred to as GTCL, is a non-profit organization.

1.2. The area of GTCL is defined by the Ontario Chess Association, (OCA).

1.3. This Constitution includes 9 Articles and it was discussed and voted by the GTCL Executive on June 22, 2006 and is subject to ratification by the Board of Directors of GTCL at the General Meeting of April 2007. The previous version was approved at the April 2003 General Meeting and published in the GTCL website in June 2003.

Article 2. The Objectives

The Objectives of GTCL shall be:

2.1. To promote interest and participation in chess at all levels for the purpose of increasing the popularity of the game.

2.2. To co-ordinate and harmonize chess activities in the league area.

2.3. To be the sanctioning and administrative body for the annual organization of the Chess events and tournaments, as listed in By-law #1.

2.4. To aid and co-operate with other chess organizations whose interest is to promote chess in this region.

Article 3.  The Board

3.1. Board Composition

•  The Board consists of the following: Ex-Officio members, Club representatives, chess Organization representatives, and at large members. The Board shall include six executive members elected at the Annual Meeting of the League.

• Members of the GTCL executive, members of the OCA executive resident in the GTCL area and members of the Chess Federation of Canada (CFC) executive resident in the GTCL area are ex  officio members during their term of office.

• Chess Clubs, which have regularly scheduled meetings and Chess Organizations operating in the GTCL area, may propose a representative as a member of the Board. The term of office shall run from the date the Board accepts credentials (presented in person by the nominee) till the next following Annual Meeting of the League. The Board may establish conditions under which a Club may nominate more than one representative.

• The Board may include up to three at large members, appointed by the executive at the Annual Meeting from among applicants, who are CFC members and residents of the GTCL area. The term of office runs from the incoming Annual Meeting to the next outgoing Annual Meeting.

 3.2. Conduct of Board Meetings

• Quorum for a meeting is three executive members of which one shall be the President or Vice-P resident

• Any CFC member may attend a GTCL Board Meeting. 

• Non -– Board members may address the meeting at the invitation of the chair but shall have no vote.

• Non-Board members shall be given the opportunity to speak on all matters appearing on the GTCL agenda, and any additional matters regarding GTCL business. 

• At Board Meetings the President has a vote plus a second tie- breaking vote when required.

• A Board Meeting could be conducted by e-mail, including the entire process of making/seconding a Motion, debating and finally voting on the Motion

Article 4. The Executive  

4.1. The officers of GTCL, constituting the Executive shall be: President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, Director of Communications, and Club / Team Coordinator.  

4.2. The Executive shall conduct the affairs of the League between Annual Meetings.  

4.3. The term of office shall be approximately one year (between Annual Meetings of the League).  

Article 5. Duties of the Executive  

5.1. The duties of the President shall be:

• To give leadership and to administer within the laws of this constitution, the affairs of GTCL.

• To act as the Chairman at all meetings of the Board.

• To convene all meetings of the Board and the Annual Meeting.  

5.2. The duties of the Vice- President shall be:

• To assist the President in the discharge of his duties, whenever requested by the President. 

• To maintain an up-to-date list of all member clubs within GTCL

• The Vice-President shall be the first Acting President.

5.3. The duties of the Treasurer shall be: 

To budget the finances and prepare and present a financial statement on a monthly basis and at the Annual Meeting. 

5.4. The duties of the Secretary shall be: 

• To record and distribute the minutes of all meetings of the Board and the Annual Meeting.

•  To record and distribute all decisions of the GTCL executive and the Board.

5.5. The duties of the Director of Communications shall be:

• To maintain an updated contact information of the Chess Clubs operating in the GTCL area and other Chess Organizations.

• To communicate with the Chess Clubs, other Chess Organizations and public on GTCL matters.

• To maintain the GTCL website.

5.6. The duties of the Club / Team Coordinator shall be:

• To organize the Greater Toronto Chess League Team Competitions annually.

•  To hold GTCL team events on a regular basis.

•  To maintain and distribute results of all GTCL team events.  

Article 6. Financial Structure  

6.1. GTCL is one of the member organizations in the Ontario Chess Association.  

6.2. GTCL is funded by proceeds from the collection of OCA dues, rebates from CFC memberships collected in GTCL sanctioned tournaments, sponsorship and donations.  

6.3. The executive members of GTCL shall not be paid by the organization.  

Article 7. The Annual Meeting  

7.1. The election of executive members shall be held at the Annual Meeting. 

7.2. The Annual Meeting shall be held within a month of the end of the fiscal year. The GTCL fiscal year is from April 1 to March 31. 

7.3. Notification of the meeting shall be published at least three weeks prior to the meeting.  

7.4. All CFC members in good standing residing within the GTCL boundaries may attend this meeting. Only members of the Board may vote on all motions. 

7.5. A quorum at the Annual Meeting shall consist of seven individuals of whom at least three should be members of the Outgoing Executive.  

7.6. The executive members of GTCL shall present a report of their activities during the year. 

7.7. Amendments to the Constitution, previously approved at a regular Board Meeting, must be ratified at the Annual Meeting.  

7.8. Amendments, not previously adopted by the Board, may be voted on at the Annual Meeting,, provided that a notice of motion has been presented to the Secretary or President at least 30 days prior to the Annual Meeting.

Article 8. Proxies  

8.1. A proxy is valid, if signed by the grantor and witnessed by someone, other than the grantee or grantor. 

8.2. At Board Meetings a maximum of two votes (self vote plus discretionary proxy vote) may be cast by any individual. At Annual Meetings a maximum of three votes (self and two discretionary proxies, or three discretionary proxies) may be cast by any individual. Directed proxies (i.e. calling for a particular opinion on a particular issue) are passed to the Secretary and voted by the Secretary.  

8.3. Whether a proxy may be voted or not, the grantee may express the views of the grantor. 

Article 9. Amendments and By-laws

9.1. The Board shall have the power to amend the constitution temporarily, provided that the notification of proposed amendments is presented to the members of the Board at a previous meeting or by e-mail at least one week before the vote. 

All proposed amendments to the Constitution and/or By-laws need approval by two thirds of Board members present.  

9.2. The Executive may, whenever required, create and/or amend specific by-laws, which will define the GTCL’s policy in handling specific issues. These by-laws, (which cannot contravene any Article of the Constitution), become effective upon approval by a simple majority of the Executive, but require final ratification at the next AGM.

9.3. This is the last paragraph of the last Article of the Constitution.

 GTCL Constitution Last Updated June 2006

By-law # 1. Annual Tournaments sponsored by GTCL.

• The Toronto Closed and Reserves Championships (January-March)

• The Toronto Open Championship (April)

• The Toronto Active Championship (May)

• The Toronto Blitz Championship (June)

• The Toronto Women’s Championship (September-December)

• The Toronto Junior Championship (September-December)

• The Toronto Senior Championship (September-December)

• GTCL Team Competitions (September to June)

• GTCL Grand Prix Competitions (January to December)

• Other tournaments, matches, exhibitions and lectures for the benefit of chess players in the GTCL area

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