The U of T Karate Club operates in accordance with its club constitution which was drafted in April of 1997. It was submitted to Student Affairs, U of T as part of the process to designate the UTKC as a Recognized Campus Group in accordance with the University's Policy on the Recognition of Campus Groups.
The University of Toronto Karate Club (hereinafter "the Club") seeks to promote karate within the University of Toronto (hereinafter "U of T") and to raise the profile of U of T within the karate community. The Club provides an atmosphere in which personal growth and discipline are cultivated. Members have the opportunity to practice karate and to receive quality instruction. The Club strives to provide members with both recreational and competitive opportunities. For interested members the Club provides access to competition at the inter-university, provincial, national, and/or international levels.
The Club maintains recognized standing in Ontario and in Canada through affiliation with Karate Ontario. Technical quality is assured through membership in Jinbukai Canada.
Any member of the Athletic Centre, including but not limited to students and alumni, is eligible for membership in the Club. Membership in the Club may be withheld or revoked by the Executive Committee for unacceptable and/or inappropriate behavior. The Club uses, but is not limited to, the guidelines set out in the University of Toronto Code of Student Conduct.
All registered members of the Club are voting members. A registered member of the Club is any member who has paid all applicable fees levied by the Club. Membership in the Club automatically includes membership in Jinbukai Canada and Karate Ontario.
The Club shall have a Chief Instructor, or Sensei, appointed by the Kaichyo of Jinbukai Canada.
All registered Club members holding a black belt recognized by Jinbukai Canada are members of the Club Council, or Yudansha. All Yudansha have the right to attend and speak at meetings of the Executive Committee.
The Sensei may from time to time confer on a member of the Yudansha the title of Senior Black Belt. Normally a Senior Black Belt holds the belt rank of 2nd degree (Nidan) or higher, and has been an active member of the Club for at least five years. The Senior Black Belts, including the Sensei, are responsible for the technical direction of the Club, including curriculum, training policy and procedures, and the maintenance of the highest possible standards in all aspects of Karate-do.
The administration of the Club is the responsibility of the Executive Committee, which consists of five voting members: a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, a Treasurer and the Sensei.
There are four Directors, appointed by the Executive Committee, as follows: a Membership Director, a Director of Publicity and Promotions, a Director of Social Events and a Tournament Director. In addition, the Executive may from time to time appoint a Director or Directors from among the members of the Club, to perform such duties as the Executive may specify. Directors may attend and speak at meetings of the Executive Committee, but do not vote.
The President presides over meetings and club operations, and maintains consistent communication with the appropriate representative of the Faculty of Physical Education and Health.
The Vice President assists the President, and presides at meetings in the absence of the President.
The Treasurer, in cooperation with the Financial Officer of the Faculty of Physical Education and Health, maintains accurate and up- to-date financial records. S/he makes regular reports to the Executive Committee, and has primary responsibility for fundraising.
The Secretary assists the President and the Vice-President, and is responsible for both current and archival Club records. These include, but are not limited to, membership rolls, tournament results, the Club constitution, the Club handbook, and the Club tournament rules.
The Membership Director has primary responsibility for maintaining an accurate and up-to-date membership list, and for collecting any applicable membership fees. S/he also ensures that Club members are in good standing with the Club, the Faculty of Physical Education and Health, Jinbukai Canada, Karate Ontario, and any other organizations the Club is affiliated with.
The Director of Publicity and Promotions has primary responsibility for maintaining the visibility of the Club within the University Community, to ensure a healthy level of recruitment of new members. This includes, but is not limited to, the creation and distribution of posters, the maintenance of the Club's website, and the organization of Club participation in various University events.
The Director of Social Events has primary responsibility for organizing all Club social events. These include, but are not limited to, Kagami Biraki (the Japanese Martial Arts New Year's celebration) and Gasshuku (Summer Camp).
The Tournament Director is responsible for informing the membership about tournaments, registering members to compete in tournaments, and maintaining contact with tournament organizers. In addition, s/he has overall responsibility for organizing any tournaments hosted by the Club.
All Club members are encouraged to participate in the organizational activities of the Club. Executive Committee members and Directors are encouraged to enlist other members to aid them in carrying out their duties.
As part of an effort to streamline club administration some positions have been combined. The current administrative structure of the club now consists of the following positions:
The Annual General Meeting is held in April or May. The executive is responsible for publicizing, in a timely fashion, the date, time and location of the Annual General Meeting. The quorum for an Annual General Meeting is 10. Other General Meetings, called Special General Meetings, may be called from time to time by the Executive Committee, or upon written request by 20 registered members. The quorum for a Special General Meeting is 20. Each registered member, including members of the Executive Committee, is entitled to one vote on any matter at a General Meeting. With the exception of constitutional amendments, motions at a General Meeting may be passed by a simple majority of those present and voting.
Meetings of the Executive Committee are held several times per year. A meeting of the Executive Committee can be called by the Sensei, by any other member of the Executive Committee, or by a Senior Black Belt. The quorum for an Executive Committee meeting is three voting members. Each member of the Executive Committee, including the Sensei, is entitled to one vote at Executive Committee Meetings, subject to the proviso that the Sensei has final authority on matters pertaining to the proper practice of Karate-do. The Sensei also has the authority to decide which matters pertain to the proper practice of Karate-do.
With the exception of the Sensei, who is automatically a voting member of the Executive Committee, the members of the Executive Committee are elected each year at the Annual General Meeting. Any registered member may stand for election to the Executive Committee upon being nominated by two other registered members. In an election, the candidate receiving the largest number of votes (a simple plurality) for any given position is elected to that position. If, at the end of an Annual General Meeting, any position on the Executive Committee remains vacant, the other members of the Executive Committee may appoint a Club member to fill that position.
Constitutional amendments must be brought to the Executive Committee, and circulated to the full membership, at least two months in advance of the Annual General Meeting. They are voted on at the Annual General Meeting. In order for a constitutional amendment to be voted on, at least 50% of the currently registered members of the Club must be present. Constitutional amendments may be passed by a 75% majority of those present and voting.