The Capital Rugby Union’s Annual General Meeting was held on Sunday, July 25, 2021, at 5 pm, via Zoom.
Reports received (PDFs):
2021 Capital Strategic Plan
Senior Club Council Report
Treasurer’s Report
MAC
Agenda:
Roll Call – Secretary
Welcome & President’s report – Matt
Board Reports
Referee organization updates – RSV, Potomac
Treasurer report & 2021-2022 budget proposal – David Chapman
Budget vote – membership
MAC Committee nominations & election – membership (current contacts can be viewed at https://macrugby.org/about/)
Bylaw revision & vote – Matt (Article II Section 2.01 “Members”)
The current bylaw reads:
Following the adoption of these By-Laws, additional member clubs shall be elected to the Union by a majority of full members at a general meeting upon nomination by a member club and a second by another member club. By terms of the motion made and seconded for membership, clubs may be admitted for membership on a probationary basis for one (1) year. Clubs admitted on a probationary basis have all of the rights and obligations of non-probationary members; however, the “Executive Committee” (as hereinafter defined) may suspend any probationary club if the Executive Committee determines that (i) the probationary club is unable or unwilling to conform to the rules and regulations of the Union, (ii) the continued participation of the probationary club in Union affairs presents a danger to other member clubs, and (iii) the continued participation of the probationary club represents an unacceptable liability to the Union or threatens the integrity of the Union or the game of Rugby Union Football. Probationary clubs may be admitted to non-probationary membership status after one (1) year of probationary status upon a simple majority vote of the members upon a motion made and seconded by member clubs at an Annual General Meeting of the members.
Approved Bylaw proposal (new wording is in italics):
Following the adoption of these By-Laws, additional member clubs shall be elected to the Union by a majority of full members at a general meeting upon nomination by a member club and a second by another member club. By terms of the motion made and seconded for membership, clubs may be admitted for membership on a probationary basis for one (1) year. Clubs admitted on a probationary basis have all of the rights and obligations of non-probationary members; however, the “Executive Committee” (as hereinafter defined) may suspend any probationary club if the Executive Committee determines that (i) the probationary club is unable or unwilling to conform to the rules and regulations of the Union, (ii) the continued participation of the probationary club in Union affairs presents a danger to other member clubs, and (iii) the continued participation of the probationary club represents an unacceptable liability to the Union or threatens the integrity of the Union or the game of Rugby Union Football. Probationary clubs may be admitted to non-probationary membership status after one (1) year of probationary status upon a simple majority vote of the members upon a motion made and seconded by member clubs at an Annual General Meeting of the members. Clubs requesting membership during the Union’s operating year will be required to complete the Capital Rugby Union Club Participation Request form found at http://www.rugby.org or by contacting the Union Secretary. The Union Secretary will review the request for accuracy and ensure all required fields are completed. Once the Secretary accepts the request three elected officials, Capital Rugby Union Vice President, one from MAC leadership, and one from RSV leadership, will be appointed to review the application and approve/deny the club’s request to join prior to the next general meeting of the membership. Clubs requesting to join league competition must submit their request no later than 5-months prior to the start of 15s competition or 2-months prior to 7s competition. Clubs requesting to join to play non-league matches must submit their request no later than 2-months prior to the spring or summer season. Clubs forming for specific events/tournaments are still required to complete the request.
Meeting notes from Matt Robinette (published on Facebook on 07/27/2021):
The members of the Capital Rugby Union held our Annual General Meeting on Sunday, July 25, 2021. At least 21 clubs attended the meeting which was enough to establish a quorum. The following information/summary was sourced from my notes of the meeting. Please review and provide any feedback/edits. I attempted to record the Zoom meeting but screwed it up somehow and cannot find the recording.
- Robinette welcomed the group
- Ames conducted a roll call. 19 clubs were present at the beginning of the meeting with at least two clubs joining before any votes were taken. 21 total clubs in attendance.
- Our referee partners provided updates to the Union about their efforts. A discussion took place surrounding the importance and responsibility of clubs to recruit new referees and reduce/eliminate referee abuse. THE LACK OF REFEREES IS AN IMMEDIATE CRISIS. Referees are assigned based on a first-come-first-serve basis – SUBMIT YOUR SCHEDULES IMMEDIATELY!
- The discipline Chair reported four red cards and two yellow cards have been issued/adjudicated from the spring/summer.
- High Performance reported that not much is happening right now.
- Secretary requested that clubs update their contact information on the spreadsheet sent via email. If you are a club contact and did not receive that request please contact Lacy Ames immediately.
- Simon Smith reported on USA Rugby restructure and the Senior Club Council. Full report can be found above.
- Treasurer reported on Union financials. Full report can be found above.
- The 2021-2022 budget, including the reduced Union fee of $20/registration, was unanimously approved by the members.
- The President reported on 2021-2022 Strategic Plan. The full plan can be found above.
- One change to the Union’s bylaws was unanimously approved by the members. The following statement was added to Section 2.01 Members: Clubs requesting membership during the Union’s operating year will be required to complete the Capital Rugby Union Club Participation Request form found at www.rugby.org or by contacting the Union Secretary. The Union Secretary will review the request for accuracy and ensure all required fields are completed. Once the Secretary accepts the request three elected officials, Capital Rugby Union Vice President, one from MAC leadership, and one from RSV & PRS leadership will be appointed to review the application and approve/deny the club’s request to join prior to the next general meeting of the membership. Clubs requesting to join league competition must submit their request no later than 5-months prior to the start of 15s competition or 2-months prior to 7s competition. Clubs requesting to join to play non-league matches must submit their request no later than 2-months prior to the spring or summer season. Clubs forming for specific events/tournaments are still required to complete the request.
- The meeting was adjourned at 7 pm
Thanks to all who attended! I look forward to a great year on and off the field. Please take care of each other, get the vaccine, and have fun playing the greatest sport on the planet!
Gratefully,
Matthew Robinette
President
Capital Rugby Union