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Important SSA Organizational Updates
2017-05-19A summary of the SSA AGM, updates to Bylaws and changes to Membership Categories, updates to Section 2, and new Member Organization approvals.
The following is an organizational update that was circulated to membership on May 19, 2017.
Summary of the SSA AGM
Thank you to everyone in attendance this year's Annual General Meeting & Member Session. You can find the presentations on our website, as well as review a list of the 2017 Board of Directors.
A huge thanks to the Swift Current Soccer Association for their assistance in hosting the weekend's events. The Board, Staff, and membership greatly appreciate your hospitality and the hospitality of the Living Skies Casino.
Updated Bylaws & Changes to Membership Categories
Updates to Section 2: Member Rights and Responsibilities
SSA is pleased to release an update to Section 2 - Member Rights and Responsibilities, to complement the newly approved bylaws. This policy is in effect as of today, May 19, 2017, and is located on the Bylaws & Policies page of the SSA website. Within the policy, items identified with (0517) have been updated and SSA highly recommends members to review the entire policy. If you have any questions or comments related to the updated policy, please contact Lara Schroeder, Coordinator of Member Services.
The following points highlight what the bylaws and policy changes mean for SSA Member Organizations:
Freedom of Choice: The SSA is a participant-centred, membership-based organization which respects that all participants and organizations should have choices in how they participate and achieve their goals in soccer.
SSA has updated the listing of 2017 Member Organizations on the website. As well, SSA would like to welcome the following organizations to membership:
Summary of the SSA AGM
Thank you to everyone in attendance this year's Annual General Meeting & Member Session. You can find the presentations on our website, as well as review a list of the 2017 Board of Directors.
A huge thanks to the Swift Current Soccer Association for their assistance in hosting the weekend's events. The Board, Staff, and membership greatly appreciate your hospitality and the hospitality of the Living Skies Casino.
Updated Bylaws & Changes to Membership Categories
In response to the 2012-2015 Strategic Plan, the SSA has worked over the last 2 years to consult with membership to develop a new membership structure. Extensive consultations held in 2016 led to a proposal for membership reform that was supported through proposed amendments to the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the SSA. On March 18, 2017 at the Annual General Meeting, these amendments, along with amendments put forward by Saskatoon Youth Soccer Inc/Saskatoon Adult Soccer were put forth for final consideration by the membership and were approved.
The result is successful in ensuring all Member Organizations that register players now have the right to vote regardless of their size. In addition, these amendments have brought academies, futsal, private operators, and non-profit organizations onto a level playing field as voting Regular Members. As well, the Entity class was removed from the Articles and Bylaws - this clarifies that organizations that are subordinate to approved Regular Members derive their authority to operate soccer programs directly and solely from their governing body. Saskatchewan is the first province in Canada to have made these changes and we have received praise from across Canada as a role model for other provinces. The newly approved bylaws are now in effect and can be found on the SSA website.
The result is successful in ensuring all Member Organizations that register players now have the right to vote regardless of their size. In addition, these amendments have brought academies, futsal, private operators, and non-profit organizations onto a level playing field as voting Regular Members. As well, the Entity class was removed from the Articles and Bylaws - this clarifies that organizations that are subordinate to approved Regular Members derive their authority to operate soccer programs directly and solely from their governing body. Saskatchewan is the first province in Canada to have made these changes and we have received praise from across Canada as a role model for other provinces. The newly approved bylaws are now in effect and can be found on the SSA website.
Updates to Section 2: Member Rights and Responsibilities
SSA is pleased to release an update to Section 2 - Member Rights and Responsibilities, to complement the newly approved bylaws. This policy is in effect as of today, May 19, 2017, and is located on the Bylaws & Policies page of the SSA website. Within the policy, items identified with (0517) have been updated and SSA highly recommends members to review the entire policy. If you have any questions or comments related to the updated policy, please contact Lara Schroeder, Coordinator of Member Services.
The following points highlight what the bylaws and policy changes mean for SSA Member Organizations:
Freedom of Choice: The SSA is a participant-centred, membership-based organization which respects that all participants and organizations should have choices in how they participate and achieve their goals in soccer.
Conditions of Membership: All Member Organizations are governed by Conditions of Membership (Conditions of Membership are defined in the Bylaws as the goals and objectives, geographic area of service, and programming that is offered by a Member Organization) and those Conditions of Membership or proposed changes to Conditions of Membership must receive prior approval by the SSA Board.
Changes to Membership Categories: Associate Members who register players are now classified as Regular Members in the SSA.
MO Affiliation Fees: Starting in 2018, Regular Member affiliation fees will be $75.00 annually. Associate Member affiliation fees will remain at $50.00 annually.
MAP Grant: Member Organizations in attendance at the AGM will receive priority in funding allocations under the Member Assistance Program (MAP). Further details will be confirmed ahead of the 2018 MAP Grant program.
Vote by Proxy: Starting in 2018, Regular Members with more than one vote may send less representatives than the total number of votes they qualify for, and those representatives may vote by proxy for the total number of votes.
Entity Members: Entity Members will work through their Regular Member to operate soccer programs, under that Regular Member's governing authority.
Consultation with Existing Membership: When the Board receives applications for membership or changes to conditions of membership, the Board shall engage in consultations where applications may impact existing membership and where local support has not been established.
Player Movement/Member Transfer: Between seasons, players have the right to move from one MO to another and will require a release confirming good standing before registering with another MO. During a season, players who wish to move from one MO to another will require a transfer.
Other: There have also been updates made to the compliance section and travel permits (teams travelling internationally to a country other than the United States require the approval of Canada Soccer).
New Membership ApprovalsChanges to Membership Categories: Associate Members who register players are now classified as Regular Members in the SSA.
MO Affiliation Fees: Starting in 2018, Regular Member affiliation fees will be $75.00 annually. Associate Member affiliation fees will remain at $50.00 annually.
MAP Grant: Member Organizations in attendance at the AGM will receive priority in funding allocations under the Member Assistance Program (MAP). Further details will be confirmed ahead of the 2018 MAP Grant program.
Vote by Proxy: Starting in 2018, Regular Members with more than one vote may send less representatives than the total number of votes they qualify for, and those representatives may vote by proxy for the total number of votes.
Entity Members: Entity Members will work through their Regular Member to operate soccer programs, under that Regular Member's governing authority.
Consultation with Existing Membership: When the Board receives applications for membership or changes to conditions of membership, the Board shall engage in consultations where applications may impact existing membership and where local support has not been established.
Player Movement/Member Transfer: Between seasons, players have the right to move from one MO to another and will require a release confirming good standing before registering with another MO. During a season, players who wish to move from one MO to another will require a transfer.
Other: There have also been updates made to the compliance section and travel permits (teams travelling internationally to a country other than the United States require the approval of Canada Soccer).
SSA has updated the listing of 2017 Member Organizations on the website. As well, SSA would like to welcome the following organizations to membership:
- Carnduff Minor Sports
- Rosetown Soccer Association
- Town of Eston
- Humboldt & District Soccer Association
- Ile a la Crosse Friendship Centre
- JJ Soccer
- Kennedy/Langbank Soccer
- La Loche Minor Sports
- Lanigan & District Soccer Association
- Regina United Futsal Federation
- Saskatoon Futsal