Membership Policy

Purpose

Describes Categories, Conditions and Voting Rights of Members – This policy establishes the criteria for membership in World Kickboxing Federation as outlined in its Bylaws and specifies the voting rights of members and membership dues.

Policy Statement

Maintains Non-Profit Status and Fulfills Constitution of World Kickboxing Federation – This policy ensures that World Kickboxing Federation meets the membership requirements under its Bylaws and Canada Corporations Act and that the membership has the qualifications and ability to fulfill the objects of World Kickboxing Federation Canada Inc.’s Constitution.

Ensures Fairness of Process – World Kickboxing Federation is committed to ensuring applicants are assigned to the correct membership category, admission and termination of members are based solely on the criteria stated in this policy and voting rights are clearly defined.

Criteria for Membership

Membership is a privilege, not a right subject to WKF policies and regulations. To earn and maintain that privilege, all members must adhere to the World Kickboxing Federation Code of Conduct, polices and regulations.

Admission is conditional on meeting requirements.

Applicants, whether an individual or a Club must meet the conditions of membership stated in this policy:

  • Application for membership must follows procedures.
  • The application for admission must be approved.
  • Members will read, understand and comply with the rules of World Kickboxing Federations Canada Inc. as applicable to the sports being participated in and ensure that these rules are adhered to.
  • Dues are paid.

 Membership Dues

Dues Determined by Board – The Board of Directors shall determine:

  • the membership year; Membership is annual and valid for the calendar year in which it is paid, running from January 1 to December 31. Membership dues are not pro-rated and must be renewed each year.
  • the dues for all categories of Members; and
  • the deadline date by which membership dues must be paid – Dues payments are to be paid by January 31. If a Member does not pay membership dues by the deadline date, the Member will no longer be entitled to any of the benefits or rights of membership and will be considered to have resigned from World Kickboxing Federations Canada Inc.

 Categories of Membership

Active Member Club

An Active Member Club is a club that has Active Members and:

  • at least one of the Active Members is recognized by WKF as a coach according to their discipline or under a listed; and
  • has bylaws and policies consistent with those of World Kickboxing Federation Canada Inc.

Active Member Clubs may appoint one (1) representative from their club, in order for each Active Member Club entitlement to one vote at a meeting of members.

Form submission is now available online HERE and all clubs are encouraged to use the online tools for registration and payment.  This eases the tasks of, but are not limited to, reconciliation, visibility, disputes and audit purposes.

Associate Member Club

Not Eligible for Active Club – An Associate Member Club is a club that does not fulfill the requirements of an Active Member Club.   Associate Member Clubs are not entitled to vote.

Form submission is now available online at HERE and all clubs are encouraged to use the online tools for registration and payment.  This eases the tasks of, but are not limited to, reconciliation, visibility, disputes and audit purposes.

Active Member

Actively Engaged – An Active Member is an individual who is actively engaged in at least one of the amateur disciplines represented under World Kickboxing Federation Canada Inc. as a competitor, coach or official.   Active Members are not entitled to vote.

Form submission is now available online at HERE and all clubs are encouraged to use the online tools for registration and payment.  This eases the tasks of, but are not limited to, reconciliation, visibility, disputes and audit purposes.

 

Officials:

Information for officials is updated in their Officials licence when they renew each calendar year.

 

Coaches:

WKF Canada is actively developing a national coaching certification program to further enhance the coaches and participants experience in combat sports.

 

Being in Good Standing

Definition of “Member in Good Standing”

Member in Good Standing Meets Criteria – A Member of World Kickboxing Federation Canada Inc. will be in good standing provided the Member:

  • Has paid his or her annual membership dues for the current year.
  • Have no other amounts owing to World Kickboxing Federation Canada Inc.
  • Has not resigned.
  • Has not been suspended or expelled from Membership.
  • Has no membership restrictions or sanctions imposed.
  • Is not subject to a disciplinary investigation or action by World Kickboxing Federation Canada Inc.
  • If applicable, has fulfilled all terms and conditions of a prior disciplinary investigation or action to the satisfaction of World Kickboxing Federation Canada Inc.
  • Has complied with the Constitution, Bylaws, policies and rules of World Kickboxing Federation Canada Inc.

Eligible for Benefits of Membership – Members in good standing are entitled to the benefits of membership including, but not limited to, participation in all World Kickboxing Federation Canada Inc. events, clinics, training etc.  Many of these can be found listed on www.wkfcanada.com

Consequences of Not Being in Good Standing

No Longer Entitled to Be a Delegate or Have Other Benefits – If a member ceases to be in good standing, he or she will not be entitled to vote as a delegate at meetings of Members and will not be entitled to the benefits and privileges of Membership.   If the Member is a Director, he or she will not be eligible to vote at directors’ meetings.   When the Board is satisfied the Member once again meets the definition of good standing, his or her voting rights, benefits and privileges will be restored.

Voting Rights

Each Active Member Club is entitled to one (1) vote per club.

Each director is entitled to one (1) vote.

World Kickboxing Federation Canada Inc. does not permit its members to vote by absentee voting, this includes the following types of absentee voting:

Voting by proxy;

Voting by mailed-in ballots; and

Voting by means of a telephonic, electronic or other communication facility.

Admission of Members and Dues

  • Membership Is Annual
  • Re-apply Each Year – Members must re-apply for membership each year.
  • Criteria for Admission
  • Follow World Kickboxing Federation rules and procedures and meet criteria

To qualify for admission or re-admission, an applicant or returning member must:

  • Follow the application procedure.
  • Have his or her application approved.
  • Fulfill the criteria for a member in good standing.
  • If re-applying, have been a member in good standing at the time he or she ceased being a member
  • Have paid dues according to this policy.

 Disagreement Regarding Category or Admission

Board Decision Is Final – If a candidate or renewing member disagrees with the category of membership assigned or where the candidate or member is not admitted or re-admitted, the candidate or member may make an appeal to the Board to review the decision.  An appeal must be in writing and sent to the Executive Director at World Kickboxing Federation by surface mail or email. The Board will review the request and provide written reasons for the decision by surface mail.   All decisions by the Board are final.

Approving Dues

Board Sets Dues – The Board of Directors approves the annual membership dues for each member category.

Payment of Dues

Dues – Dues must be paid annually and membership runs from January 1 to December 31 of each year.

Termination of Membership

Resignation

Resignation Must Be Written – A Member may resign from World Kickboxing Federation by giving his or her notice in writing to the Executive Director by email or surface mail or email.

Disciplinary Action – If a Member who is under a disciplinary investigation or action resigns, he or she will still be subject to sanctions or consequences that are a result of the disciplinary investigation or action.

Arrears

Payment Due Within 30 Days – If a Member does not pay membership dues within 30 days of the deadline date, he or she will no longer be entitled to any of the benefits or rights of membership and will be considered to have resigned from World Kickboxing Federation. – note this includes member clubs

Affiliation with Other Combat Sports Organizations (CSO)

World Kickboxing Federation is an official sanctioning body for Point Fighting, Light Contact and Kick Light, Full Contact, Low Kick, K-1, Thai Boxing (Muay Thai), and MMA and as such, any World Kickboxing Federation Active Member Club or Active Member who is, or becomes, a member of any other Combat Sports Organization must provide full disclosure of all involvement, including all combat experience, suspensions, disciplinary action or otherwise.  The Active Member Club or Active Member will disclose updated information to World Kickboxing Federation Canada as information changes.  Active Member Club or Active Member must understand that it must reported and fully disclose of any medical changes and/or fighting history to the World Kickboxing Federation Canada, including those that may indirectly or directly impact my history for the safety of the sport.