Article 1.      Name

The name of this organization shall be the Allegheny Rugby Union Inc. hereinafter referred to as ‘The Union’ or as ‘ARU’.  It shall operate in the region described as Western Pennsylvania, Western New York, Northern West Virginia and Eastern Ohio bordering Pennsylvania in the United States of America.  The Union shall be a non-profit corporation organized under the laws of the State of Pennsylvania.

Article 2.      Objectives

The objective of the Allegheny Rugby Union shall be to promote, serve, and manage The Game of Rugby Union Football (‘Rugby’) in the Allegheny area, at all levels of play.  At a minimum, the ARU shall:

1.         To encourage and promote the development and growth of Rugby among youth, high schools, colleges, and clubs in the Allegheny Rugby Union area.

2.         To advocate adherence to the Laws of the Game of Rugby as promulgated by the IRB with directives, variations, interpretations, etc. adopted by USARFU

3.         To develop and assist members in increasing their participation and knowledge of Rugby Union Football.

4.         To promote participation in and development of the game of rugby union football at its highest levels.  In the interest of the game, members shall adhere to the following order of priorities:  activities and matches sponsored by first, United States of America Rugby Football Union; second the Midwest Rugby Football Union; and third by the Allegheny Rugby Union.

5.         To support the United States of America Rugby Football Union, its objectives and purposes, in cooperation with other unions, clubs, groups, and individuals in other regions of the nation.

6.         To promote interest, study and improvement in amateur sports, encourage teamwork, physical fitness, public participation in rugby, to provide instruction to the general public; and to hold competitions and exhibitions.

7.         To do any other act incidental to or connected with or in advancement of the foregoing purposes, but not for the pecuniary profit or financial gain of the Foundation’s members, directors or officers.

8.         To promote charitable, educational, and amateur sports activities, including but not limited to receiving contributions and paying them to an organization described in Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 as now in effect or hereafter amended.  The Foundation is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code. No substantial part of the activities of the corporation shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the corporation shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

9.         To develop the finances to carry out these objectives.

The Union shall be a nonprofit organization and no remuneration shall be made to any Officer or Coordinator other than authorized expenses incurred in the performance of their duties.

Article 3.      Affiliation

The Union is organized under the auspices of the United States of America Rugby Football Union herein known as USA Rugby or USARFU and its territorial designee, the Midwest Rugby Football Union.  The ARU will abide by all rules, policies, procedures and eligibility requirements set forth by these organizations.

The Allegheny Rugby Union will have concurrent jurisdiction over its members in all matters of a local nature pertaining to the administration of rugby activities to include, but not limited to, local game scheduling, discipline, and related matters.  The ARU will designate the Allegheny Rugby Union Referees Society as its official referee division (‘ARURS’).  The ARURS will conduct all referee matters and will be chaired by the Referee Chairman.

Article 4.       Definitions

  • ARU – Allegheny Rugby Union
  • MWRFU – Midwest Rugby Football Union
  • USARFU – United States of America Rugby Football Union
  • ARURS – Allegheny Rugby Union Referees Society
  • LAU - Local Area Union (i.e. Allegheny, Michigan, CARFU, etc.)
  • TU – Territorial Union (i.e. Midwest, Mid Atlantic, Pacific, etc.)
  • IRB – International Rugby Board
  • AGM - Annual General Meeting
  • SGM -  Special General Meeting

Article 5.      Membership

Membership in The Union shall be open to any person, club, corporation, association, or other organization interested in the promotion and development of The Game of Rugby, which agrees to conform to the Bylaws of The Union.  Application for membership shall be submitted in writing to the Secretary of The Union.  The Management Committee shall decide temporary approval of membership by  a simple majority of those present:  final approval of membership shall be decided by a two-thirds majority vote of those members present who are in good  standing and eligible to vote at the AGM or SGM.  Termination of membership shall be decided by a two-thirds majority vote of those members present who are  in good standing and eligible to vote at the AGM or SGM.

Membership in The Union shall be according to one (1) of the classifications listed below.

  • Full Member: Those college and senior clubs that pay full member dues  and that are in good standing with the Union. And which are actively involved in playing Rugby and in league competition leading to a LAU, TU, or USARFU championships.  Each Full Member is eligible to execute one vote.
  • Associate Member: Those college and senior clubs paying Associate Member dues who are actively involved in playing Rugby within the Allegheny region.  These members are not eligible to compete for LAU, TU, or USARFU championships. Associate members are not eligible to vote.
  • Youth Members: Those High School or Under 19 clubs paying Youth Dues that are in good standing with the Union.  Youth members are not eligible to vote.
  • Sponsor: Any person, club, corporation, association, or other organization interested in the promotion and development of The Game of Rugby, which contribute monetary contributions, materials, or labor to help The Union meet their objectives. Sponsors may not vote
  • Honorary Member: Those clubs, persons, organizations, etc. granted an honorary member status by the Management Committee. Honorary members may not vote.

Any member of The Union is liable to suspension or termination according to The Union’s Disciplinary Code.

Good Standing:

To be in Good Standing with the ARU, a Member must meet all of the following requirements:

  1. Be current in payment of all moneys owed to the ARU.
  2. Be in compliance with all the membership requirements of USARFU including CIPP requirements.
  3. Maintain a fixture list or Agree to fully participate in a league structure to the satisfaction of the Management Committee.
  4. Conform to any directives of the ARU as to its standard of play, administration or general behavior.
  5. Follow the Bylaws of the ARU
  6. Be in compliance with all disciplinary actions taken by the ARU.

A Member not in Good Standing will, until it cures its deficiency, lose its right to:

  1. Vote at Meetings.
  2. Have its members play on any representative side.
  3. Participate in any tournament or league matches organized under the auspices of the Union.
  4. Have any members of the ARURS officiate its matches.

A Member is designated to be not in Good Standing by action of the Management  Committee as adopted by a majority vote. The finding that a Member is not in Good Standing takes effect immediately after the vote

Article 6.      Governance of the Union

The Union will be governed by The Management Committee.  The Management Committee shall be composed of Six (6) Officers as designated below. Each officer is entitled to one vote at Management Meetings.  In the event of a tied vote The President or presiding officer is entitled to execute a casting vote.

Officers:

  • President
  • Vice President Competition
  • Treasurer
  • Secretary
  • Vice President Collegiate/Collegiate Coordinator
  • Chairman, Referees Society

All officers with the exception of the Chairman of the Referees Society will be elected by a majority of the Full Members at a General Meeting. The Chairman of the Referees Society will be elected by the members of the Referees Society.

All elected Officers shall be members in good standing of a club affiliated with The Union.  Election of Officers shall be held at the AGM. Officers shall be elected for a 1 year term.

President

The President shall preside at all Union meetings and shall execute any and all decisions enacted by The Union membership.  In his/her absence at a Union meeting, a chair of the meeting shall be elected from those present.  The President shall have the authority to appoint or remove Coordinators to manage the following activities of The Union:  the administrative office, area liaisons, coaching programs, medical programs, tournaments, tours, youth programs, All Star Programs and any other activities not covered by Coordinator appointments by other Officers.

Vice President Competition

The Vice President Competition shall assist the President with all duties requested and with particular focus on competition structure and execution.

Treasurer

The Treasurer shall perform any administrative duties as required by the President, or assigned by a vote of the Management Committee.  The Treasurer  shall preserve the financial records of The Union, collect the agreed annual  dues, and disburse funds as directed by the Management Committee.

Secretary

The Secretary shall perform any administrative duties as required by the President, or assigned by a vote of the Management Committee.  The Secretary  shall have custody of all records of The Union, maintain minutes of all  meetings, serve as official correspondent of The Union, maintain corporate  records and seal, and perform any task normal to this Office.  The Secretary shall have the authority to appoint or remove Coordinators to manage the following activities of The Union:  media programs, publicity programs,  newsletter publication, and public relations.

Vice President Collegiate/Collegiate Coordinator

The Vice President Collegiate shall assist the President with all duties requested and with particular focus on the College game.

Chairman, Referees Society

The Chairman of the Referees Society will manage the activities of the Referees Society and will represent the interests of the Referees Society on the Management Committee.

The Officers shall be assisted in governance of the Union and the management and oversight of its activities by Coordinators.

Coordinator

A Coordinator shall have leadership control of the Program(s) that they manage, with the authority to set standards, recommend fines, discipline participants, and in general, run the Program(s) as they see fit, within guidelines and policies set by the Management Committee of The Union.  The Management Committee shall have authority to nullify the appointment or removal of any Coordinator by an Officer.

The Management Committee shall have the authority to remove an Officer or Coordinator with or without cause, at any duly scheduled meeting of the Management Committee at which a majority of all the Officers are present, upon approval by a majority of the Officers present.

Said cause may include, but is not limited to:  1) failure to attend duly scheduled Management Committee meetings; 2) failure to perform the duties of the Officer or Coordinator position as defined and described in the The Union’s Bylaws; 3) failure to carry out directives of the Management Committee relating to performance of said position; or 4) any other reason the Management Committee deems appropriate.  Any Officer so considered for removal shall be notified in advance of such an agenda item.  Should any Officer choose to resign at any time during their term, the Management Committee shall appoint a new member to complete the remainder of the term.

Management Committee

The Management Committee shall be The Union’s official representative at all territorial and national meetings at which representation from The Union is required or necessary.  At least one member of the Management Committee, or its appointees, shall represent The Union at such meetings.  Each member of the Management Committee may be required to attend at least one such meeting per year.

Disciplinary Committee

The Disciplinary Committee shall enforce and communicate disciplinary policies and procedures for The Union.  All members of the Disciplinary Committee shall be appointed by the Management Committee and shall serve for whatever period the Management Committee deems appropriate.  The Management Committee shall have authority over the Disciplinary Committee.

Select Side Committee

The Select Side Committee will be presided over by the All Star Coordinator and shall manage The Union’s all-star activities.  It shall be composed of a Manager, Coach, and Selectors for each Select Side.  All members of the Select Side Committee shall be appointed by the Select Side Coordinator and shall serve for whatever period the Coordinator deems appropriate.  The Management Committee shall have authority over the Select Side Committee.

Allegheny Rugby Union Referees Society

The Allegheny Rugby Union Referees Society (ARURS) is the affiliated Referees Society within the ARU.  The ARURS has its own governing body, Byelaws and Constitution.  The ARU shall have authority over the ARURS.

The Referee Society shall have responsibility for management and coordination of referees. 

Article 7.      Management Committee Meetings

  • There shall be an annual meeting of the Management Committee during the first quarter of every calendar year, at a time and place to be designated by the President.
  • All Officers in good standing shall receive written notification prior to the meeting.  Coordinators may be invited at the discretion of the Management Committee.
  • Regular meetings shall be held at periodic intervals as designated by the President or appointed representative.
  • The presence of a majority of the Management Committee shall constitute a quorum.
  • Each member of the Management Committee shall have one vote, and all matters shall be decided by a majority vote of those present.  Individuals holding more than one (1) vote shall cast only one (1) vote for each issue.

Article 8.      Member Meetings

  • The AGM of the members of The Union shall be held no later than February 28th of the applicable calendar year at a time and place designated by the Management Committee.
  • All members in good standing shall receive written notification at least three (3) weeks prior to the meeting.
  • The presence of a majority of the members in good standing and eligible to vote shall constitute a quorum.
  • An elected Officer shall represent each club, or other appointed representative properly certified with the Secretary.
  • Each Full Member club in good standing and eligible to vote shall be entitled to one (1) vote.  All matters shall be decided by a majority vote of those present.
  • The election of Officers shall take place at the AGM.  Full Members may participate in the elections for Officers.
  • Special meetings shall be called at any  time at the request of the Management Committee or by order of one-third of the membership of The Union.
  • If a vacancy occurs, new Officers shall be appointed by a majority vote of the Management Committee.  Replacements shall serve until the next general  election at the AGM or SGM.

Article 9.      Dues

Dues shall be levied on an annual basis and shall be determined by the  Management Committee, subject to ratification by member clubs in good standing and eligible to vote.  Dues shall be billed at the beginning of the applicable fiscal year for which they represent.

Article 10.  Fiscal Period

The fiscal period shall be from January 1st through December 31st.

Article 11.  Finances

No part of the net earnings of the corporations shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in Article Third hereof.

The union shall have the power to assess and collect from the Members dues, and assessments; and to accept, generate, invest and expend union funds to accomplish the objectives and purposes of the union.  Upon the dissolution of the corporation, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the principal office of the corporation is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.

Article 12.  Rules

The rules contained in Robert’s Rules of Order Revised shall govern The Union in all cases to which they are applicable in which they are not contradictory with the Bylaws of The Union.

Article 13.  Amendments

This Constitution may only be amended at the AGM or a SGM called expressly for this purpose.  Notice of the proposed amendment shall be given to the Secretary and distributed to all members at least four (4) weeks before the meeting.  A two-thirds vote of those member clubs present in good standing and eligible to vote shall be required for an amendment to the Bylaws.  Proxy votes are not admissible.

Article 14.  Discipline

The Union shall self govern all acts of misconduct by its members according to The Union’s Disciplinary Code/Code of Conduct.

Article 15.  Grievances

All grievances shall be submitted in writing to the President and presented to the Management Committee for resolution within seven (7) days of receipt of the grievance.