National Constitution

(As amended at the 43rd Annual General Meeting, in Brampton, Ontario, April 4, 2009.)

ARTICLE I - NAME

This Organization shall be known as:
THE CANADIAN POSTAL EMPLOYEES CURLING CLASSIC
LA CLASSIQUE CANADIENNE DE CURLING DES EMPLOYÉ(ES) DES POSTES

ARTICLE II - HEAD OFFICE

The head office of this organization shall be the Canadian community wherein the National Chairperson resides or at such place therein as the Chairperson may from time to time decide.

ARTICLE III - OBJECTIVES

To promote the game of curling within Canada Post Corporation throughout Canada by staging a Canadian Postal Curling Championship Bonspiel annually, as may be authorized by the National Committee.

ARTICLE IV - RULES OF ELIGIBILITY

Areas shall be established according to the zones set out for the Canadian Curling Championship.
Only one team from each declared area shall be allowed into the final championships.
All members of competing teams, or the National Committee shall be:

Full-time and part-time indeterminate employees of Canada Post Corporation as of December 1, of the current curling season, or;
Superannuated Postal Employees of Canada Post Corporation, or;
Term, and casual employees of CPC occupying continuing positions and perform for a minimum of four (4) hours per week, and have a minimum of six (6) months continuous service prior to December 1, of the current curling season and must be active in the SAP system.
Revenue Postmasters Group 1-6 (Summer Offices included).
Members of the Canadian Forces Postal Corps will be allowed to participate in the Canadian Postal Employees Curling Classic. Postal Corps members will not be eligible to hold any position or office within the Classic’s framework.
NOTE: Any employee who terminates or leaves the employment of Canada Post Corporation, or Canadian Postal Corps whether on assignment to another Government department or outside industry, shall NOT be eligible for any type of competition relative to the Canadian Postal Employees Curling Classic.
On-call, temporary employees who work a minimum of 200 hours per year and who shall have a minimum of six (6) months of service prior to December 1, of the current curling season and must be active in the SAP system.
RR contractors, SS contractors and CUS (Combined Urban Services) employees whose name is on the contract and perform the duties. Currently under contract for at least one (1) year prior to December 1, of the current curling season.
Full-time and part-time employees who work for Purolator and Innovapost (Innovapost employees must have been former employees of Canada Post Corp. to be eligible), who are occupying continuing positions and who perform for a minimum of twenty (20) hours per week, and who shall have a minimum of six (6) months continuous service prior to December 1, of the current curling season. Employees who are part of Purolator will not be allowed to hold a position on the National Committee. Article IV(4) is to be followed.
CPAA Continuous Term employees who work a minimum of 1 hour per month and have a minimum of six (6) months continuous service prior to December 1, of the current curling season.

Team members must reside or work within the declared area they represent. The only exception to this rule will be an employee who is transferred to another province after having won. He or she has the right to represent the Province resided in prior to being transferred. Employee must declare to what area he or she will compete in.
All areas wishing to declare a representative, MUST register their intent in writing, on or before the first (1st) day of March of the calendar year, with the Chairperson of the host area through the Provincial or Area Coordinator.
Zone or area representatives must be declared by local playdowns (see Article XIV - Duties of the Provincial or Area Coordinator).
Names of declared members of Provincial or Area teams eligible to compete in the championship round-robin and the names of Provincial or Area Coordinators must be submitted in writing to the host city area and to the National Vice Chairperson thirty (30) days prior to the commencement of the championships.
If a Province or Territory does not hold a Playdown, to declare a representative to the National Championship, they are only allowed to send four (4) players which includes the Coordinator.

ARTICLE V - SUBSTITUTION

If a Province/Territory does not have a play down and the Co-ordinator does not curl, the team will come to the National with three (3) players and pick up a player/alternate from the host "pool" to play either lead or second position. The visiting Province/Territory team must bring a jacket for the supplied alternate player.
If the visiting Province/Territory team wants to pay land or air expenses for another player from their same area, the visiting Province/Territory team can come to the National with four (4) curlers, plus Co-ordinator.

The host city for the Classic must provide a pool of a least six (6) personnel who would be on standby to curl as a substitute for any one of the twelve (12) teams if the situation arises. All pool players must qualify under the Rules of Eligibility (Article IV). Such substitutes will be selected by the Skip from the pool if and when required.
Should a player be unable to play for whatever reason, the team may continue to play with three (3) players which the first two players throwing three stones apiece or, with the prior permission of the Coordinator or Chairperson in charge, select and play with a substitute subject to the following:

Temporary Substitute
If a player is unable to start a game because of injury, death or serious illness to the player or his/her family, or for reasons deemed acceptable by the Host Committee and National Executive or is called to attend a meeting of the Canada Post Corporation, the team will be permitted a temporary substitute. This substitute must play the lead position only. The indisposed player may rejoin the team at the start of any future game in the Classic.
Permanent Substitute
If a player chooses and declares NOT to play for any reason other than stated above and the team chooses to select a substitute for that player, the original player shall be disqualified from further play in that competition for that year. The substitute will be considered permanent and this permanent substitute will be allowed to play the position of the indisposed player or a lower position.
Alternate Player
Must be declared prior to the start of the Classic, and must qualify under the Rules of Eligibility (Article IV). After the start of the Classic, if one or more players of a competing team are unable to continue play for reasons deemed acceptable by the “Rules Committee”, then the alternate player shall be used. If the alternate player enters the Classic at the start of a game, he/she may play any position. Should the alternate player enter the Classic when a game is in progress, he/she shall enter the game in place of the player leaving, or at lead. No other substitution other than the alternate player will be allowed, unless the alternate player has entered the competition and a temporary substitute is still required, maximum of two (2) substitutes.
General

The substitute must be a member of the same Province or Area as the team, except if she/he is a pool substitute.
Must be a member of a registered playdown team in that competition.
Is committed to the team he/she substitutes for until the indisposed player has physically returned to the ice.
Must NOT have played in that level of playdowns for which the substitution will take place but may have played and been eliminated from previous level.
Once a substitute becomes a permanent member of the team, in case of illness or some unforeseen circumstance that one member of the team is unable to play, the team will be allowed a temporary substitute or alternate.
Not withstanding rule 1 above, an alternate player shall replace a temporary pool substitute at the start of any game.
If a Province supplies an alternate player or fifth (5th) person and is registered with the team, he/she would be allowed to play if needed by the team for whatever reason. The alternate player could be the Coordinator or any other employee in Article IV traveling with the team. If the alternate is not the Coordinator, there would be no added costs to the competition or Host Committee. He/she would be responsible for all expenses. The alternate will be registered at the start of the competition as part of the team. The alternate player can be substituted as desired, prior to the start of any game.

ARTICLE VI - ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES

National Executive
The National Executive Committee consists of a: Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Campaign Chairperson, *Secretary-Treasurer, and a *Public Relations Chairperson who must be: (a) a member of the National Committee, or (b) a past member of the National Committee, who shall be elected by ballot for a period of, but not to exceed, two (2) years, as follows:

Elections for the positions of National Chairperson and National Campaign Chairperson will be held in the even numbered years.
Elections for Vice-Chairperson, Secretary-Treasurer and Public Relations Chairperson will be held in the odd numbered years.
Note:
- Public Relations position is not filled at present.
- Public Relations duties are currently performed by the Campaign Chairperson.

National Committee
The National Committee shall consist of the National Executive Committee and all Provincial or Area Coordinators. Members of this Committee shall NOT hold more than one position on the Committee at any one time.
Nominating Committee
A Committee consisting of the incoming Host Provincial Coordinator (who shall act as Chairperson) and two (2) Provincial Coordinators, 1-East and 1-West, shall be appointed at the Annual General Meeting each year following the election of officers for the purpose of obtaining names of the National Committee members who would let their names stand for up-coming elections for the National Executive. This Committee’s report shall be presented prior to the election of officers at the next Annual Meeting.
Financial Audit Committee
ACommittee of two (2) who are not signing officers on cheques shall be appointed each year to perform a financial audit of the National Postal Curling Books.
Other Committees
Other additional committees shall be set up as considered necessary.

ARTICLE VII - THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE AND NATIONAL COMMITTEE

The National Executive Committee and National Committee shall be present and attend the Annual Meeting called by the National Chairperson [Article IX(1b)], in order to conduct business and administration matters relating to the championship, discuss and cast one vote each per committee member, except the National Chairperson, on contentious or controversial matters brought before the meeting: cast one vote each per committee member on any proposed changes or amendments to the Constitution and elect, by ballot, a National Executive Committee from the National Committee.
The National Executive shall be responsible, providing adequate funds are available, to provide the cost of the most economical form of air travel from the nearest airport on the National Air Transportation system, to and from the National Championship for the National Committee, participants, one incoming Host Chair Person and inductees into the Hall of Fame. However, other modes such as public land transportation will be used if it is more economical and the distance is less than 500 miles to the championship site. If private vehicle is used, only the equivalent of the most economical public land transportation fare will be applicable.
The National Executive will be responsible for the cost of awards presented to the All-Star Team and most Sportsmanship Team, providing funds are available.
In the event that a curler is required to stay over the allotted time needed for championship play because of air travel arrangements made by the National Executive, the National Executive will be responsible for any additional costs.
If a participant chooses to use any other form of travel than what the Vice Chairperson has arranged, the National Executive will only reimburse him/her any out of pocket money, up to the equivalent of the most economical public land transportation.
All transportation of competitors, National Executive and National Committee must be approved by the National Vice Chairperson, prior to any funds being released.
Fees Payable

National Competition Fee: All participants attending the national competition (curlers, provincial coordinators, national executive) shall pay a participant fee of $ 200.00 to the host committee. This fee must be received by the host city committee no later than March 1, of the current year.
Air Travel Expense Offset: To help offset Air / Ground Transportation, each Province / Territory (excluding the Hosting Province) is responsible to pay to the National Committee, $ 100.00 per person attending the National Playdowns. This fee is also payable by each member of the National Executive.
Host City Fee: The Host City will receive $ 6,000.00 from the National Committee, to help offset national playdown expenses. The Host City Fee is in addition to the Prior Years Fee Rebate (see below) if applicable.
Participation Rebate: Each Province / Territory will receive from the National Committee a participation fee of $ 20.00 for each eligible curler (per Article IV) who competes in the local Provincial / Territory playdowns, which leads to the selection of the winning team who will attend the National Playdowns.
Prior Years Fee Rebate: The Provinces identified below, will receive a rebate for prior years fees paid. This rebate will be paid at the start of the hosting year: 2009, ON $3600.00; 2010, SK $2400.00; 2011, NB $2400.00; 2012, BC $2400.00; 2013, NS $1800.00; 2014, PEI $1500.00. (If the Provinces identified above do not host the national playdown in that year, the Prior Years Fee Rebate Fee is not paid, and is lost forever.)

ARTICLE VIII - THE RULES COMMITTEE

The Rules Committee consists of the: National Chairperson, National Vice-Chairperson, National Campaign Chairperson, Host City Coordinator, and the incoming Host City Coordinator. If any of the above is curling in the playdowns, they will be replaced by a coordinator who is not curling. (The Rules Committee must have five (5) members.)

The general rules shall be those published from time to time by the Canadian Curling Association.
Teams may consist of any gender make-up, within the rules of eligibility.
The Rules Committee will have final authority on rules pertaining to the CPECC Championships, interpretation and application.
The Rules Committee will liaise with the Host City regarding ice rental, curling facilities, draws, times of draws, and any other matters concerning the functioning of the Championship.

ARTICLE IX - THE NATIONAL CHAIRPERSON

The National Chairperson shall:

Preside over and Chair the Annual General Meeting.
Call an Annual General Meeting in the morning of the day preceding the first game of the round-robin, or at any convenient or suitable time.
Ensure the Chairperson of the Host City is provided with a copy of the Canadian Postal Employees Classic guidelines manual.
Cast the deciding vote, in case of a tie, on all matters brought before the Annual General Meeting.
Receive recommendations for zoning of Provinces or areas and the appointment of Zone Coordinators, for ratification by the National Committee.
Be the sole contact for Classic matters with National Sponsors and Canada Post headquarters. He/she may appoint a designate in his/her absence.

ARTICLE X - THE NATIONAL VICE- CHAIRPERSON

The National Vice Chairperson shall:

In the absence of the National Chairperson, conduct the Annual General Meeting and all other business meetings relative to the National Committee and its Executive.
Assist the National Campaign Chairperson in every way possible during the fund raising program.
Receive and account for all monies in the care of the National Executive or transferred to the National Executive treasury.
Be responsible for and will ensure that an accurate record is kept of all annual meetings or other business meetings.
Mail copies of minutes of meetings to each member of the National Committee.
Be responsible for all transportation arrangements to and from the Host City, except those undertaken by the Host City ( ie., from the airport, railway station or bus depots to the accommodation areas and return).

ARTICLE XI - THE NATIONAL SECRETARY-TREASURER

The National Secretary-Treasurer shall:

Conduct all correspondence relative to the National Executive business and National Committee business.
Receive all notices of recommended and proposed amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws in writing not later than the last day of February of the current year.
NOTE: Proposed amendments received subsequent to this date will not be considered at the Annual General Meeting.
Mail copies of notices for all proposed amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws to each member of the National Committee during the first week of March of the current year.
Observers of the Annual General Meeting must submit in writing to the National Secretary of their wish to be recognized by the Chairperson to speak at the Meeting, indicating the subject matter.

ARTICLE XII - THE NATIONAL PUBLIC RELATIONS CHAIRPERSON

The National Public Relations Chairperson shall:

In cooperation with the Host City Committee, conduct publicity relative to the Classic.
Conduct publicity relative to the improvement and image of the Canadian Postal Employees Curling Classic.
Assist the National Campaign Chairperson and the National Vice Chairperson in every way possible during the fund raising program.
Be responsible for keeping the history of all events and submit names to the National Committee for approval to the Postal Curling Hall of Fame.
Publish newsletters during curling season and distribute to the National Executive and Coordinators.

ARTICLE XIII - THE NATIONAL CAMPAIGN CHAIRPERSON

The National Campaign Chairperson shall:

Be responsible for conducting an annual fund raising program and to receive the tickets prior to draw date of the last Friday in February.
Account to the National Committee and National Secretary-Treasurer immediately following the campaign for all monies received from the annual fundraising program.

ARTICLE XIV - THE PROVINCIAL OR AREA COORDINATOR

The Provincial or Area Coordinator shall:

Be responsible for zoning of the Province or Area under his/her jurisdiction and the appointing of Zone Coordinators as necessary.
Forward the above information to the National Chairperson for approval.
Establish places and publicize throughout the area for which he/she is responsible, accept entries/fees and arrange for time and dates for playdowns.
Provide the Chairperson of the Host City and the National Chairperson with a list of names of teams competing in his/her area.
Be responsible for determining and applying the rules and regulations covering the declaration of an Area representative.
NOTE: Area and or Zone representatives must be declared through the process of elimination system. (it is suggested that the modified progressive double knock-out form of competition be used). If only one team is entered in any Zone or Area, they can be declared Zone or Area representative.
Advise the Host City Chairperson, National Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson the names of the winning or declared team from his/her area by March 1st.
Rule on replacements necessary due to illness, injury or other cause during Zone playdowns in conjunction with appointed Zone Coordinators (see Article V - Substitution).
Be present and attend all meetings of the National Committee (see Article VII - Duties of the National Executive Committee and National Committee).
In the event he/she is unable to attend a National Meeting, an alternate may be approved by the National Chairperson.
Work in close liaison with Post Office personnel through the National Chairperson as to any questions regarding leave, etc., and if possible, transportation to and from the National Championships.
Undertake a local fund raising campaign to assist the declared Provincial or Area team to attend and participate in the National Championships.
Ensure that a current Provincial Constitution is maintained, based on the National Constitution and that a copy is forwarded to the National Secretary-Treasurer.
Ensure that all persons from his/her Area that require accommodation at the National Championship inform him/her of this requirement so that he/she may in turn notify the Host Chairperson by March 1st. Such notification shall include arrival date and time as well as the means of transportation to be used by visitors and participants to the Host City.
Coordinators shall be elected by their respective Provincial or Area organizations. The results of such elections shall be ratified by the National Committee, and the National Chairperson will inform Canada Post officials of the election.

ARTICLE XV - THE HOST CHAIRPERSON

The Host Chairperson shall:

Obtain the Canadian Postal Employees Curling Classic guideline manual from the National Chairperson.
Be responsible for the selection and appointment of local committees as required.
Conduct meetings when necessary to ensure that all business of each Committee's responsibility is coordinated.
Be the liaison with local sponsors.
Receive from Provincial or Area Coordinators a list of the names of teams competing in his/her Province or Area, which shall include the names of the declared representative by March 1st.
Present a Provincial budget of reasonable accuracy concerning accommodation, meals, entertainment, etc., in person to the National Committee at the annual meeting one year in advance of hosting the National Championships, for discussion and ratification by the National Committee.
Ensure that the Host Accommodations Chairperson is aware that his/her committee is responsible for accommodation changes for competitors and the National Committee from check in time the day preceding the start of the National Championships to check out time on the day following the close of the Championships. Any accommodation changes outside this period or any additional charges above the actual room rental shall be the responsibility of the individual(s) involved, unless such accommodations is dictated by the National Vice Chairperson because of air travel arrangements, in which case the additional costs shall be borne by the National.
The incoming Host Chairperson shall be a guest of the National Committee at the Annual General Meeting and for the duration of that year's championships one year prior to hosting the event. He/she shall have no voting privileges at the meeting.
Ensure a meeting room large enough to host the Annual General Meeting is secured for the Saturday prior to the commencement of the Classic.
Acquire an individual who is available and capable of recording and reproducing the Minutes of the Annual General Meeting.

ARTICLE XVI - THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

In the National Championships

The draw shall consist of declared Provincial or Area representatives based on, where possible, the Tankard zoning system.
The competition shall be held between the first (1st) and fifteenth (15th) day of April of each calendar year, beginning on a Sunday, subject to special considerations by the National Committee one year prior to the Classic the Host Committee may request a date other than stated above.
All teams shall complete ten (10) ends of play, except where the game is obviously one-sided, the losing team may concede after six (6) ends have been played.
The use of time clocks is optional. If and when used, each team will be allowed eighty (80) minutes and two (2) one minute time outs per 10 ends; also 10 minutes per team for each extra end.
Teams shall play with the same personnel who start the first draw. Substitutions may be allowed as indicated in Article V.
The runner-up will be the losing team in the play-off final.
Draw times shall be set by the Host Committee.

Playoffs

Following the conclusion of the round robin involving 12 teams eligible for the competition, the top four teams shall participate in the playoffs.
In the first round, the third place team shall play the fourth place team with the winner advancing to the semi-final and the loser eliminated from further competition. In the second round, the first place team shall play the second place team with the winner advancing to the final and the loser advancing to the semi-final. The semi-final is sudden death, the winner advancing to the final, also a sudden death game.
In playoff games, last rock advantage and choice of rock handle color shall be awarded to the team with the best win-loss record during the round robin. If the teams had an equal win-loss record, the team ranked higher shall have their choice of first end last rock advantage or choice of rock handle color. When the four playoff positions have been determined, if necessary, the appropriate team(s) shall be asked to choose between first end last rock advantage and choice of rock handle color.
Election of stones shall be done before the pre-game practice has started. The appropriate teams shall then be asked to select their choice of rock handle color and the teams shall provide their selection within 15 minutes of being asked. Failure to comply shall result in stones being assigned. At the conclusion of each playoff game, the above process shall be implemented again.
The rule committee shall make all final decisions with regard to the administration of playoffs.

Ties

Teams that complete the round robin with identical win-loss records are considered to be tied.
Teams tied for a playoff position can only be eliminated from the playoffs by playing a tie-breaking game(s).
The only playoff position that shall involve tie-breaker games is the fourth and final playoff position.
The rules committee will make all final decisions with regard to the administration of tie breakers.

Tie-Breaking Process

When teams are tied for a play-off position, the round robin win-loss record of those teams against each other shall be used to determine their ranking and therefore how the teams are positioned in the playoff draw or tie-breaker game(s). If a complete ranking of the tied teams cannot be established by a single comparison of win-loss record of all tied teams, and ties still remain, a second comparison for ranking shall be made utilizing the win-loss records of only remaining tied teams.
When the ranking of tied teams eligible for playoffs cannot be established by successive comparisons of win-loss records as defined in Rule 8(15)(a) of the CCA Rules, only those teams that remain tied after such comparisons shall be ranked by implementing the Skill Based Team Ranking Process as defined in Rule 9(16) of the CCA Rules.
When the round robin win-loss record of the two teams involved in a playoff or tie breaker game(s) is the same, the team that won the game between the two during the round robin shall have choice of either last rock or rock handle color. The declaration of last rock or rock handle color shall be made within 15 minutes of being asked to do so by the official.
All tie-breakers shall be played with the rocks from the sheet assigned. The rock handles shall not be changed from one set of rocks to another.

Skill Based Team Ranking Process
Prior to pre-competition practice, each of the four team members shall deliver one draw shot to the tee with sweeping allowed. Each individual's rock that can be measured shall be measured to determine its distance from the tee up to the distance of 6 feet (1.829 meters) then the rock shall be removed from play. Stones that cannot be measured due to their close proximity to the tee shall be assigned a distance of 0. Stones that are located outside the perimeter shall be assigned a distance of 6 feet 1 inch (1.854 meters).

The team’s accumulated distance shall receive the highest ranking and so on until ranking is completed. In the case of a three player team, the first player to deliver a stone for his/her team shall also deliver the final stone for his/her team.

Teams who quality or may qualify for the play-off round and as a result may have to participate in the skill based ranking process shall complete the ranking process at the conclusion of their round robin games.

Tie-breaker and playoff charts are available through your Provincial/Territorial curling association or from the Canadian Curling Association.
The final authority rests with the National Rules Committee (Article VIII).

ARTICLE XVII - HOST ROTATION

The Host City and alternates shall be declared at least four (4) years in advance to allow ample time for the necessary arrangements to be made relative to the National Championships.
The Hosting Province of the Canadian Postal Employees Curling Classic with the year established as follows:
2009   Ontario                   2015   Northern Ontario
2010   Saskatchewan         2016   Manitoba
2011   New Brunswick      2017   Alberta
2012   British Columbia   2018   Quebec
2013   Nova Scotia           2019   NewFoundland
2014   Prince Edward Island

Once this cycle is complete, it reverts back to Ontario and continues through the rotation.

Note: At the April 05, 2003 Annual General Meeting, the NWT/Yukon was removed from the rotation due to prohibitive travel costs in Northern Canada.
If for some reason any one Province cannot keep its obligation to hosting, that Province must notify the National Executive four years in advance with good and sufficient reasons for same. This information must be in written form.
The Host Province shall alternate annually, from East to West and the Northern Ontario/Ontario border shall serve as the divisional line.
All trophies and/or awards donated to the National Championships for presentation to winning teams or individual participants must be approved by the National Committee.

ARTICLE XVIII - BY-LAWS

A copy of these By-Laws will be forwarded to the Manager, Employee Recognition Programs, in Ottawa, Ontario.

ARTICLE XIX - WAIVER

The Canadian Postal Employees Curling Classic releases Canada Post Corporation from any liability directly or indirectly connected with the actions of its memberships.