Rules of Etelä-Karjalan Luistelutähdet ry
(Valid from April 30, 2025)
1 § Name and Domicile of the Association
The name of the association is Etelä-Karjalan Luistelutähdet ry.
Its domicile is the City of Imatra.
In these rules, the association is referred to as “the club.”
2 § Purpose of the Club
The purpose of the club is to promote and maintain competitive and recreational figure skating activities.
The club’s operations are based on ethical values of physical activity, the principles of fair play, and tolerance.
Its goal is to promote a diverse, equal, environmentally sustainable, and culturally inclusive sports culture.
3 § Implementation of Purpose
To fulfill its purpose, the club shall:
- Provide:
- basic skating instruction, especially for children and youth;
- training and coaching on ice and in off-ice sessions;
- participation in competitions;
- exhibitions;
- guided activities;
- fitness and health-oriented sports;
- communications and public relations activities;
- educational programs.
- Engage in dialogue with local authorities and organizations on figure skating and physical activity.
- Influence the development of sports in the region and the acquisition and maintenance of necessary training venues and equipment.
- Promote equality, tolerance, cultural diversity, and environmental sustainability through sports.
To support its operations, the club may:
- Engage in related publishing activities.
- Distribute, without profit, sports-related equipment, attire, and supplies to members.
- Conduct minor business activities directly related to its purpose or financially insignificant.
- Organize entertainment events, goods and fundraising drives, and lotteries.
- Accept grants, donations, and bequests.
- Own or manage real estate, securities, or other assets necessary for its operations.
4 § Club Memberships
The club is a member of the Finnish Figure Skating Association (Suomen Taitoluisteluliitto ry) and follows its binding rules.
The club may also belong to other relevant organizations as needed.
5 § Members of the Club
Club members include full members, family members, honorary members, and supporting members.
- The board may accept as a full member any individual who agrees to follow the club’s rules and decisions. Members must also comply with the rules of the Finnish Figure Skating Association and other sports bodies the club belongs to.
- Individuals aged 18 or older can be accepted as full members.
- Individuals under 18 can be accepted as junior members with guardian consent. A junior member becomes a full member upon turning 18.
- The club meeting may grant honorary membership to individuals who have significantly contributed to the club. Honorary membership is for life and exempt from fees.
- The meeting may appoint an honorary chairperson for meritorious service. This title is lifelong and free of fees.
- The board may accept individuals or legal entities as supporting members if they pay an annual or one-time supporting fee. Supporting members have speaking rights but no voting rights.
Members must pay the entrance and annual membership fees as decided in the autumn meeting, along with other potential fees such as for competitions or shows.
6 § Resignation from the Club
A member can resign by informing the board or its chairperson in writing or by declaring it in a club meeting for the minutes.
Resignation takes effect one month after the notification, during which time all outstanding dues must be settled.
7 § Deemed Resignation
The board may consider a member resigned if they fail to pay their membership fee for 24 months after it becomes due.
8 § Member Expulsion and Disciplinary Actions
8.1 General Principle
The board may expel a member under the conditions of the Finnish Associations Act (§14), or if the member:
- acts against the club’s purpose,
- violates the rules or decisions of the club,
- fails to pay dues,
- commits a doping violation, or
- repeatedly or grossly violates ethical principles of sports.
The reason must be stated in the expulsion decision. The member must be heard before a decision is made, except in cases of unpaid dues. Notification must be sent via registered letter within 7 days, considered received after 5 days.
The decision may be appealed to the board within 30 days and further to the Sports Fairness Board, if applicable.
8.2 Anti-Doping Violations
Members must follow the anti-doping rules of the Finnish Center for Integrity in Sports (SUEK), relevant international sports federations, and the International Olympic Committee.
Violations include:
- Positive test or use of prohibited substances or methods,
- Refusal to undergo testing,
- Evading or failing to provide whereabouts,
- Tampering with tests,
- Possession or trafficking of prohibited substances,
- Promoting doping.
If a violation occurs during a club event, sanctions may include:
- Disqualification of results,
- Voiding of event outcomes,
- Competition bans,
- Written warnings.
Damages may be charged to the member. National or international federations may also impose sanctions.
8.3 Breaches of Sports Ethics
Examples include:
- Use of inappropriate substances:
- Drugs, doping,
- Intoxication during training/competitions,
- Use of tobacco during sports events.
- Misconduct:
- Abusive language, unfair criticism, misleading officials,
- Bullying (verbal threats, exclusion, online harassment),
- Violence or sexual harassment,
- Creating danger to self or others.
- Cheating:
- Manipulating equipment or outcomes,
- Pre-arranged results.
- Betting:
- On one’s own competitions.
- Bribery:
- Attempting to influence outcomes by bribing judges or others.
Sanctions can include warnings or bans up to 2 months. Severe or repeated cases may lead to expulsion.
Coaches may immediately remove athletes from training or competition for safety reasons (e.g., substance use), and must report to the chairperson.
9 § Governing Bodies
The governing bodies are the club meeting, the board, and any necessary committees appointed by the board.
10 § Club Meetings
Two regular meetings are held annually:
- Spring meeting by end of April.
- Autumn meeting by end of December.
Extraordinary meetings can be called by the board, by decision of a club meeting, or if 1/10 of voting members submit a written request.
The notice must specify the reason for the meeting and be posted at least 14 days in advance on the website, by written invitation, email, or in a local newspaper.
Members must submit proposals for the agenda at least 30 days before the meeting.
11 § Spring and Autumn Meetings
Spring Meeting Agenda:
- Opening
- Election of meeting officials
- Legality and quorum confirmation
- Approval of agenda
- Approval of action plan, budget, and fees
- Election of chairperson (if term ends)
- Decision on board size
- Election of board members to replace those leaving
- Approval of auditors’ fees
- Election of two auditors and their deputies
- Other agenda items
Autumn Meeting Agenda:
- Opening
- Election of meeting officials
- Legality and quorum confirmation
- Approval of agenda
- Presentation of financial statements and reports
- Decision on financial statement approval and discharge of liability
- Other agenda items
Proposals for the meeting must be submitted in writing three weeks before.
12 § Meeting Minutes
Minutes must be kept for all club, board, and committee meetings.
Board meeting minutes must be signed by the chairperson and two appointed board members.
13 § Voting
Decisions are made by a majority of votes.
In elections, the candidates with the most votes are elected. Ties in elections are resolved by drawing lots; in other matters, the chairperson’s vote decides.
Voting is by secret ballot if requested.
Each full member (18+), family member, honorary member, and honorary chair has one vote.
Supporting members have no voting rights.
Voting by proxy is not allowed.
14 § Club Governance
The board manages the club’s affairs and finances. It consists of:
- One chairperson elected for one year, and
- Six board members elected for two years, with half replaced annually.
The board elects a vice-chair and appoints a secretary, treasurer, and other needed officers (who may be non-board members).
Meetings are convened by the chair (or vice-chair in their absence) or if half of the board requests one in writing.
A quorum requires the chair or vice-chair plus at least two members.
Decisions are made by a simple majority. In case of a tie, the chair decides (or a lot in elections).
Duties of the Board include:
- Accepting/expelling members and maintaining the register,
- Managing finances, assets, and bookkeeping,
- Preparing action plans and budgets,
- Setting payment policies,
- Drafting reports and financial statements,
- Calling meetings and implementing decisions,
- Addressing rule violations and disputes,
- Appointing external representatives,
- Granting honorary titles and awards,
- Forming committees,
- Hiring/dismissing employees and setting their terms,
- Guiding local figure skating development,
- Taking necessary actions for the club’s interest.
15 § Right to Sign for the Club
The club’s name is signed by the chair or vice-chair together with a board member, or by authorized officers in day-to-day matters.
16 § Financial Year
The club’s financial and operational year is the calendar year [May 1 – April 30].
17 § Auditing
The club’s financial records and documents must be submitted to the auditors by March 15.
Auditors must submit their report to the chair by March 31.
18 § Working Groups
The board may form working groups. These groups can decide their internal procedures, but all legal actions require board approval.
19 § Amendments to Rules
Changes to the rules require a 3/4 majority vote at a club meeting. The meeting notice must mention the proposed changes.
20 § Dissolution of the Club
Dissolution requires a 3/4 majority vote at a meeting. The notice must mention the proposed dissolution.
If dissolved, the club’s assets must be used for the promotion of figure skating, as specified in the decision.
The meeting appoints one or more liquidators.
The dissolution must be reported to the association register.
21 § General Provisions
In addition to these rules, the provisions of the current Finnish Associations Act shall apply.