2000 AGM AGENDA & PROXY BALLOT
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II. Roll Call

V. Treasurer’s Report (Proposed Budget)

1. Atlantic Terry Vinyard and Tom Hamill
2. Heartland Paul LaVasseur and Bob Okvirk 
3. Mountain Brad Mikkelsen and Allen Bailey 
4. Pacific Terry Luxembourger and Lynn Nelson

VII. Committee Reports

8. Constitution and Bylaws

• Require teams to host two games 
• Make twelve team Sectionals where possible 
• Eliminate team transfers 
• Player transfer proposal 
• Add a 4.0 classification 
• Canada inclusion in USQRA 

9. Rule Change

X. Old Business

• Lakeshore proposal

XI. New Business

• USQRA Restructuring Presentation (Page 7)
• Name Change to "USA Wheelchair Rugby" (Page 7)

XII. Elections

XIII. Regional, Sectional, and National Bids

Proposals to Discuss and Vote on

Article I, Section 1 of the Bylaws shall be amended to add the following:

6. (i) All National Member Teams shall host at least two registered games prior to post season tournaments to be eligible during the 2000-2001 season. Thereafter, all National Member Teams shall host at least four registered games prior to post season tournaments to be eligible. This requirement shall be considered met upon the granting of a Team's bid to host a post season tournament. Two teams, but no more, may combine their resources to meet their hosting requirements, provided that the total number of games hosted equals the sum of each team's individual hosting requirement.

(ii) The Commissioner may, upon consultation with the local RAC and at its discretion, waive this requirement for a team that has made a good faith attempt to meet its hosting requirement. A good faith attempt shall at least include, but not be limited to, contacting three other teams, two referees and two facilities at least one month prior to the proposed tournament.

7. Following the 2000-2001 season, the first sentence of "f", the word "thereafter" and "g." shall be deleted from this Section.

Explanation: The total number of available tournaments has been decreasing over the last few years. In 1997-98 there were 18 tournaments prior to post season play listed on the USQRA Scoreboard. In 1999-2000 there were 14. As a result, there is a large disparity in number of games played between the teams that are able to travel to large tournaments and those that aren't. This Amendment is intended to promote local competitions and the number of games during the season for all players and teams. This Amendment provides a minimal hosting requirement in order to be eligible for post season play. The hosting requirement can be easily met in one day and does not require the hosting team to play in all games. For teams that have agreed to host post season play and have submitted a successful bid, their hosting requirement is met. Teams that are absolutely unable to meet their hosting requirement with their own resources may combine resources with one other team to hold a tournament where the combined hosting requirement of both teams are met.

There is a safety-valve provision for a team that tries to meet it's hosting requirement but is unable to do so.

This Amendment is intended to phase in over two seasons and automatically change the Bylaw language to reflect the change.

END

• Proposal to change Bylaw - Article VI, section 1, 4, 6.

Purpose: Due to the fact that regions in some sections have only 5 or 6 teams, these regional tournaments are held three or four weeks prior to sectionals only to determine which one or two teams may not move on. When teams are decided, they often struggle to find affordable transportation to the sectional tournament due to the short time span. I believe teams need to budget for post season play, but it should be reasonable, and for teams that do not know if they will advance or not it is hard to budget an extra $3000+ for a tournament.

Though this may always be a difficulty in some way, we can ease it by letting the teams in each section choose whether to only have only Sectionals and avoid Regionals when there are a manageable number of teams (6 or less in a region). In some sections this may not be possible, however if the teams in the Section determine that it is possible, and agree to a larger Sectional tournament, it should be allowed. Many times it may not be a problem for someone to have a 10 or 12 team tournament rather than eight (such as Sarasota did in their tournament this year, growing from 8 to 10 teams due to team interest). There may not be any sections that can do this next year, and the USQRA may grow two-fold in the next few years, but it should be a choice each section can make on their own.

I have been a part of USQRA for 5 years now, and there always seems to be problems in Regionals and Sectionals. Sometimes teams drop out to help out, or because of financial reasons, and this can be a way to avoid problems and help post season play happen smoother and more affordably.

New sections:

Section 1 Regional playoffs

c. Executive Committee may transfer teams within a Section.

Section 4 Structure of Sectional playoffs

Qualifying for Sectionals: The top four finishers in the Regional tournaments of that Section will qualify for Sectional play (unless it has been determined to have a larger sectional tournament up to 12 teams). The top four finishers in each Sectional competition (first two being division one, second two teams being division two) will qualify for Nationals.

END

Section 6 Option to Transfer

• Proposal to abolish Article VI - Section 6 a) through f).

Change Article VI Section 6 to read Teams may only qualify for Nationals through the Regional and/or Sectional tournaments within their own Section. No teams will be allowed to transfer to different Section for post season playoffs. No bye will be granted to any team for Regional or Sectional play.

END

• Player Transfer Proposal

Any player in the USQRA may transfer to another team if they wish. However, if a player chooses to transfer, both the player, and the team they transfer to, must agree to the following guidelines:

1. The proposed transfer must take place prior to October 1st of the upcoming rugby season.
   
2. The transferring player must notify the Commissioner and Secretary’s office in writing of the proposed transfer no later than October 1st.
   
3. A written resignation letter must be given to the current team’s coach or representative by September 15th. Copies of that resignation letter must also be sent to the Commissioner and Secretary’s office, and be received no later than October 1st.
   
4. The transferring player must take up permanent residence within 150 miles of the city in which the team they are transferring to is located. Furthermore, the transferring player must obtain, and maintain, a valid driver’s license from the state that they are transferring to. The license must show their new address of record. A copy of the new driver’s license must be provided to the Commissioner and Secretary’s office by December 15th of the year in which the transfer takes place.
   
5. The transferring player will not be allowed to play in any USQRA post-season tournaments such as Regionals, Sectionals or Nationals in the first full season of their transfer.
   
6. The transferring player can participate in unsanctioned tournaments with his new team in the first year of play. Results from tournaments where the transferring player has participated may, or may not, be considered when ranking teams, or seeding tournaments for the USQRA post season.
   
7. Any player that has transferred to a team in the past must abide by the 150-mile rule, and must also hold a valid driver’s license from the state in which they live and play. The driver’s license must show their current address of record, and may be asked for at anytime by a board member as proof of compliance. Failure to comply can result in an immediate temporary suspension pending a formal hearing.
   
8. International players must abide by these same rules with the exception of taking up residence, and obtaining a local driver’s license. If an international player chooses to change teams at the end of a season, and the team they are transferring from has no objections, an exemption allowing post season play the next season may be allowed by the Commissioner’s office. International players must continue to meet dates and specifications currently outlined in the bylaws.
   
9. The Commissioner will consider special situations upon request, and must give final approval of all transfers.

END

• Proposal for a 4.0 classification.

Article III PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

Section 1 Player Classification

a. All team players must be deemed eligible according to the USQRA classification system. Consideration shall be given to the special needs and requirements of the sport of quad rugby.

The 4.0 classification is to encourage individuals with upper extremity impairment that are currently ineligible to have the opportunity to compete in Rugby. With improvements in medical technology, more quadriplegics are getting more functional return in their hands. In order for a 4.0 player to be eligible, that player must have upper extremity involvement.

Team balance will still be based on the 8.0 system, so if a team uses a 4.0 player they account for ½ of the total allowed on the court.

4.0 Classification

END

• Proposal for inclusion of Canada
  

Quebec has requested permanent membership with full membership privileges in the USQRA. British Columbia has formally requested to become a member team of our association. The Ontario team has shown an interest in becoming a member, but has not made a formal request at this time. The board feels that there are three possible options for resolution on this proposal as noted below. The topic will be discussed in detail at the AGM.

1. Allow Quebec membership in USQRA
2. Allow Quebec and British Columbia membership in USQRA
3. Allow interested teams in Canada membership in USQRA
   

END

• Restructuring of USQRA Constitution and Bylaws, and Operating Structure

The USQRA is currently in the process of reworking the structure from which our association operates. This is a long and tedious process, which involves looking at every aspect of our business structure to evaluate if we are as effective and efficient as we desire to be. Much of the new structure is complete, but there is still quite a bit of work to be done. During the rebuilding process it has become apparent that much of the current USQRA Constitution and Bylaws will need to be rewritten as a result of proposed changes being made. The process of change is expected to take 12 to 24 months to fully complete.

The USQRA board is asking its members to give temporary approval for the board to operate under the new and developing structure in the interim, and also for permission to modify the USQRA Constitution and Bylaws during this period of change. All modifications and changes will be noted on the USQRA website as they take place. Furthermore, the board will not make any permanent changes without the consent of its membership. Once all changes in our structure, and the USQRA Constitution and Bylaws are complete, a complete package will be presented to the membership for review and approval.

In short, the board is working hard to restructure our entire organization for the future. If we are to succeed in this matter we will need the trust and cooperation of our membership so that we can move forward with the process. Our objective as a board is to do what is in the best interest of the United States Quad Rugby Association, and the sport of quad rugby.

END

• Proposal for Association Name change

The United States Quad Rugby Association is a name that has served this organization well during its first twelve years of existence. However, we are now operating in a different atmosphere regarding marketing and publicity. We need a name that would be more descriptive of our sport and require less explanation to potential sponsors. "USA Wheelchair Rugby" would do this for us while also bringing us in line with the terminology used by the rest of the world. Therefore, I propose changing the name of our organization from The United States Quad Rugby Association to USA Wheelchair Rugby.

END

END OF WRITTEN PROPOSALS

Proxy Ballet for the United States Quad Rugby Association's
2000 Annual General Meeting

Your name                                                        Teams name                                                                   

Your phone                                                       E-mail                                                                             

Date                              Your signature                                                                                                     

1. Proposal for inclusion of Canada into Unites States Quad Rugby Association. (select one)

q Allow Quebec q Allow Quebec and British Columbia q Allow all of Canada


2. Proposal to require teams to host two games.
   
   q Yes, I agree q No, I disagree
   
3. Proposal for 12 team Sectional when possible.
   
   q Yes, I agree q No, I disagree
   
   
4. Proposal to eliminate team transfers.

q Yes, I agree q No, I disagree


5. Proposal for player transfers.
   
   q Yes, I agree q No, I disagree
   
   
6. Proposal to add 4.0 classification.
   
   q Yes, I agree q No, I disagree
   
   
7. Proposal to change USQRA name to "USA Wheelchair Rugby"
   
   q Yes, I agree q No, I disagree
   

Optional Question

8. Is your team willing/able to host a post season tournament in the 2000-2001 season? q Yes q No
   If yes, which tournament? q Regional q Sectional q Div I National q Div II National q Both DI & DII

ELECTIONS

The following positions are up for election on the USQRA Board. The board members currently holding these positions are the only candidates that have notified the USQRA of their intent to run for these positions. If you wish to vote fore someone other than the current candidate, please write that name in the appropriate place.

• For President I vote for:
   Ed Suhr           
  Other                                                                
  
  
• For 1st Vice President I vote for:
  Wendy Gumbert            
  Other                                                                 
  
  
• For Secretary I vote for:
  Bob Jackson           
  Other                                                                    

END OF DOCUMENT