The Canadian Pitch and Putt Association has created this draft constitution to govern our organization and activities.

 1    Organization

The organization shall be known as the Canadian Pitch and Putt Association or in abbreviated form, CPPA.  CPPA is a non-profit association established to promote the game of Pitch and Putt throughout Canada.

 2    Objectives

1. To promote the game of Pitch and Putt through communications, assistance to existing and new courses and organization of youth programs.

2.   To organize and regulate competition between member clubs and individual players at the regional, provincial and national level.

3.   To promote close cooperative and constructive relations with national and international golf federations, while maintaining Pitch and Putt's separate and independent identity.

4.   To participate in the exchange of information between other Pitch and Putt associations in other countries. 

5.   To conduct our operations with integrity and promote:

a.     Fair play and respect for fellow competitors.

b.     Respect and protection of children.

c.      An anti-doping environment. 

d.     Respect all participants with regard to gender, race, ability and age.

 3       Affiliations 

The CPPA will be affiliated with, or form partnerships with, the following organizations:

1.   Federation of International Pitch and Putt Associations – FIPPA.

2.   Royal Canadian Golf Association – RCGA.

3.   Canadian Professional Golf Association – CPGA.

4.   Local golf associations who are committed to promoting the game of golf at the youth level.

 4     Definition of Pitch and Putt

Pitch and Putt is defined as follows

1.    Distances for all international competitions:

     a.    Length of individual hole is a maximum of 90 meters.

     b.    Length of 18-hole course is a maximum of 1,200 meters.

2.    Maximum of three clubs, one of which must be a putter, permitted for use.

3.    Use of tees on the teeing ground is mandatory.

The above rules of Pitch and Putt may only be changed with the unanimous agreement of all member countries that are affiliated with FIPPA.

Canadian member courses may vary with respect to rule #1 that defines the official distances for individual holes and overall course length although it is recommended that they be as close as possible to the international standard.

 5    Membership

1.  Voting Members – Membership with voting privileges shall be open to any golf course that operates according to the definitions outlined in section 4.  Potential members must complete an application form, be approved by the CPPA and pay the current membership fees on an annual basis.  Voting Members will be Directors and will have 1 vote for any motions or election of officers at regular CPPA meetings or at the Annual General Meeting.  (Note: a limited number of Individual Members will be selected as Voting Members, representing regions across Canada.  The selection method will be determined by the CPPA Executive).

2.   Individual Membership – Individual players may join CPPA by contacting the organization and paying the current membership fee on an annual basis.  Membership is mandatory to qualify for all CPPA recognized tournaments and to be approved to participate in the FIPPA World Cup.

3.   Associate Membership – An organization, which does not as yet have a recognized Pitch and Putt course, may apply for associate membership with the CPPA.  Associate members must complete an application form, be approved by the CPPA and pay the current membership fees on an annual basis.  Associate members will have no voting rights but when such organizations operate a recognized Pitch and Putt course, it may apply for full voting membership.

 6       Management

1.      Executive – The Executive of the CPPA will be elected at the Annual General Meeting and shall be made up of the following officers:     

• President – The President will be in attendance at all meetings of the CPPA Executive. He or she shall call all meetings as deemed by him or her to be necessary, or when requested to do so by half or more of the Executive personnel. He or she shall enforce, personally or by delegated authority, due observance of the CPPA Constitution, to decide questions or orders and conformance with the CPPA objectives.  He or she shall be a signing officer together with the Treasurer on all contracts or other legal matters. The President shall appoint, subject to the approval of the Executive, individuals to fill vacancies in the Executive that occur before the end of their term of office.

• 1st Vice-President, Operations – The 1st Vice-President will oversee the Tournament Committee that will approve and officiate at all CPPA sanctioned tournaments. He or she will also oversee the application process for Voting Membership in the CPPA and bringing forward potential candidates for approval by the Executive.  In the President’s absence, the 1st Vice-President shall be empowered to act as a signing officer together with the Treasurer on all contracts and other legal matters.

• 2nd Vice-President – The 2nd Vice-President will oversee the Marketing and Communications Committee which is responsible for delivering information on all CPPA activities, creating awareness and developing sponsorships or relationships that promote Pitch and Putt in Canada.  He or she will also be responsible for communications and interaction with FIPPA or those associations affiliated with the international organization.  

• Treasurer – The Treasurer will conduct and properly record all financial transactions of the CPPA.  He or she will also preside over the committee designated to prepare the annual Budget to be presented and approved by the Executive.  They will prepare and submit an annual statement of CPPA finances to Executive and Directors at the Annual General Meeting, and submit interim reports at other times as requested. 

       2.  Secretary – The Secretary will maintain accurate records of the proceedings of the CPPA, including:

• Maintain current contact information of Executive, Directors (Voting Members), Associate Members and Individual Members

• Administer all incoming and outgoing correspondence of the CPPA.

• Maintain an accurate record of all meetings, including discussions, decisions, motions and appointments.

3.   Past President – The Past President will serve as a member of the Executive for a period of 2 years, or longer at the request of the Executive, and will be empowered to participate in the deliberation of the CPPA with voting power and in general act in an advisory capacity.

The President will serve for a term of 4 years and can only be re-elected for an additional 4 years.  The only exception to a total of 8 years of service will be if a motion is made at the Annual General Meeting to re-elect for a longer term, beyond the allowed 8 years, and is passed by 75% of the voting members,

The Vice-President and Treasurer positions will serve a term of 2 years and there are no restrictions on how many terms they can serve.  The Secretary is can be a volunteer position, with the term identical to the Vice-President or Treasurer position, or paid position reporting to the President.  The decision to make this a paid position will be made by unanimous decision of the Executive and will be reviewed on an annual basis at the budget meeting.

Directors – All Voting Members will form the bulk of the management of the CPPA.  Any committees created by the CPPA Executive will be filled from the pool of Directors on a volunteer basis. 

Associate Members - The remainder of the management team will be made up of Associate Members.  They may serve as active participants on committees but will not have any voting rights.

 7    Operations

 The Executive shall:

• Appoint standing committees, officials and personnel considered necessary for the efficient administration and co-operation of the CPPA.

• Conduct 6 Executive meetings per year, or more as required or requested by the Executive

• Communicate all meeting minutes to Directors and Associate Members within 2 weeks after the most recent meeting.

• Have the power to investigate and render decision on any matter not specifically covered in the Constitution of the CPPA.

 Conduct of Executive Meeting

• Quorum: 50% or more of current Executive in attendance.

• Voting: Each member of the Executive shall have a single vote, except the President. The President shall make no motion of amendment while in the chair, however, the President shall have the right to pass the duties of the chair over to the Vice-President and be able to make a motion or recommendation as part of the Executive, having the same voting privileges as any Executive member. While in the chair, the President or Vice-President, shall not vote unless the vote is equally divided, at which time he or she cast the deciding vote.

• The order of Business shall be:

o        Call meeting to order.

o        Reading of the minutes of the previous meeting.

o        Correspondence.

o        Business arising out of the minutes.  

o        Unfinished business.

o        Appointments of personnel, as required.

o        Treasurer's report.

o        Reports of committees. 

o        Other reports. 

o        New business.

o        Adjournment

Annual General Meeting

• The annual meeting of the CPPA shall be held no later then January 31st of each year, to report on the previous playing season. The President shall prepare the proper agenda for this meeting and provide copies for those in attendance.

• Notices of motions or Constitutional amendments for consideration at the annual meeting shall be submitted in writing to the Secretary and received by him/her 30 days prior to the annual general meeting. Correspondence or other matters for consideration at the annual general meeting shall be submitted in writing to the Secretary and received by him/her prior to the annual general meeting.

• No article or law of this Constitution shall be altered or rescinded or a new one introduced except at the annual meeting and then only by consent of two-thirds majority of the eligible voting members present.

• Eligible voting members are Executive Members and Directors.

• Elections for Executive will be conducted as follows:

o     Those Directors or Associate Members who have been members in good standing for 2 consecutive years shall be eligible for election to the Executive.

o     Those interested in running must notify the Secretary 30 days prior to the AGM.

o     Members running for office will be allowed to send a communication outlining their experience and plans, through the Secretary’s office, to all voting members.  This communication will be posted on the CPPA website.

o     If no members declare interest for an open Executive position then the President will ask for anyone interested to step forward at the Annual General Meeting.  Those individuals who declare interest will be given the opportunity to speak.

o     If no one steps forward to fill an open positions then the Executive will make a recommendation during their first regular meeting on how fill the open position.

• Voting for all Executives will be conducted by means of a secret ballot for each of the Executive.

• The President shall be responsible for calling the first meeting of the new Executive following the annual meeting.

 8    Appeals

The President shall establish an Appeals Committee consisting of 3 Executive members who shall rule on any and all appeals.

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