Bylaws

Bylaws Roller Derby League The Parliament of Pain

Version 2025.1

Introduction

This document contains the Huishoudelijk Reglement (hereafter: The Bylaws) of Den Haag Roller Derby League The Parliament of Pain (hereafter: The League). These are rules that apply in addition to the rules set in the Statuten. In case of conflict, the rules set in the Statuten take precedence.

Title 1 - The league

The Statutes define the name and goals of The League in Artikel 1-3. The Bylaws provide the following additional policies.

Article 1 Language

1. All official communication of the League is in English, unless

a. Required otherwise by law, or

b. In exception cases, at the Boards’ discretion.

2. In cases where official communication is not in English, an English translation is provided by the Board upon request.

Article 2 Liability

1. The League is not responsible for damage or injuries caused by Members to their or others’ property, to themselves, or to others.

2. All Members understand that Roller Derby has risks and accept full liability for any costs or damages incurred during their participation in activities organised by The League.

3. The Parent(s) and/or Legal Guardian(s) of Junior Members are responsible for the health and well-being of the Junior Member during activities organised by The League.

Title 2 - The members

The Statutes defines membership, membership rights, membership obligations, membership

termination and suspension in Artikel 4-9. The Bylaws provide the following additional policies.

Article 3 Junior Members

1. Junior Members are Members under the age of 18.

2. In Articles 1 to 3 inclusive, and 9 to 16 inclusive, the term “Member” in this document also applies to the Parent(s) and/or Legal Guardian(s) of the Junior Member.

Article 4 Non-Members

1. Non-Members are those who are not a member of The League.

2. Non-Members may participate in League Activities at any Board Member’s discretion.

3. Non-Members participating in or visiting League Activities are expected to follow these Bylaws.

4. The Board may ban Non-Members from participating in League Activities.

Article 5 Roles

1. As Member, you can participate in The League in one of the following roles:

• Skaters

• Officials

• Temporary Inactive

2. Skaters and Officials can request to become Temporary Inactive if they are unable to participate in League activities for a prolonged period.

3. Changes to role must be made to the Secretary in writing.

Article 6 Membership fees

1. The Membership Fee is set at: 

• €32.50 per month for Skaters 

• €10.00 per month for Officials

• €5.00 per month for Temporary Inactive Members 

2. The Membership Fee must be paid before the first of the month to The League’s bank account.

Article 7 Rights

1. All Members have access to the Official Communication Channel.

2. All Members are allowed to participate in training sessions off-skates.

3. Skaters and Officials are allowed to join training sessions on-skates.

• The Board may set further requirements to join specific training sessions.

• Non-Skaters may be allowed to join at any Board Member’s discretion.

4. Skaters are allowed to play in Scrimmages and Games.

• The Board may set further requirements to join specific scrimmages and games.

• Non-Skaters may be allowed to join at any Board Member’s discretion.

5. This article does not apply to suspended Members.

Article 8 Derby Names and Numbers

1. All Members have the right to register a Derby Name and Number with the Secretary.

2. The Board publishes a list of all registered Derby Names and Numbers through the Official Channel.

3. Derby Number 1 cannot be used. 

4. The Derby Name and Number stay registered as long as the Member is a Member of The League. 

5. No duplicate Derby Numbers are allowed within the League. 

• Exceptions can be made at The Board’s discretion. 

Title 3 - Behaviour

Article 9 Protective gear

1. Members must wear protective gear (wrist guards, elbow pads, knee pads, helmet) while on-skates during League activities 

• Exceptions can be made at any Board Member’s discretion. 

2. Members must wear a mouthguard while on-skates during League activities. Exceptions apply when: 

• The member is acting as Referee, 

• The mouthguard impedes communication, and there is no risk of impact, 

• At any Board Member’s discretion.

Article 10 Substances and impairment

1. Members may not actively participate in any derby activity, on or off skates, while impaired. This includes being under the influence of any substance that affects or impairs that person’s judgment, ability, and/or motor skills.

2. Persons using substances to treat acute or chronic medical conditions (therapeutic use are not prohibited so long as:

• they do not impair a person’s judgment, ability, and/or motor skills beyond what is considered their normal state of health following treatment, and

• the absence of the substance would result in serious impairment to the health of the person.

3. Members may not participate in any League activity while under the influence of a significant amount of alcohol.

• This does not apply to unofficial activities (e.g., after-parties).

Article 11 Unacceptable behaviour

1. Members must not display unacceptable behaviour. 

2. Unacceptable behaviour includes, but is not limited to: 

• Fighting or threatening violence. 

• Stealing, damaging, or interfering with another's property.

• Using their position in the League for personal benefit, e.g., for money, status, or gratification, especially when at the expense of other people or the League.

• Offensive or defamatory language or images, e.g., mockery, slander, libel. 

• Intimidation, harassment or bullying. 

• Sexual assault or sexual harassment, including unwelcome sexual advances, jokes, or innuendos. This includes, but is not limited to, situations in which: 

1. the victim could not have given consent e.g., when intoxicated, coerced or underage, or 

2. the victim has not specifically said 'No' to sexual behaviour.

• Discrimination against people on the basis of categories irrelevant to roller derby, e.g., race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability and mental health. 

• Unethical sports behaviour, such as match-fixing and using doping. 

• Retaliation against Members who (intend to) make a genuine complaint about unacceptable behaviour. 

• False accusations of unacceptable behaviour against other Members.

Article 12 Illegal behaviour

1. Members must obey Dutch and local law during League activities. 

2. Members may not offer alcohol, cigarettes, or drugs to minors during League activities or League-related activities. 

3. Violation of this Article may lead to immediate Suspension or Removal from Membership. 

Article 13 Disciplinary Actions

1. The Board may take Disciplinary Actions against a Member when the Member acts in violation of the Statutes or Bylaws. 

2. Disciplinary Actions the board can take include, but are not limited to: 

• Mediation 

• Official Warnings 

• Suspension (per Statutes, article 8)

• Removal from Membership (per Statutes, article 7.4) 

3. The Board will meet with the Member to discuss the circumstances before the Disciplinary Action is taken. 

4. A record of the Disciplinary Action is provided to the Member in writing. 

5. A record of the Disciplinary Action is kept by the Board.

Article 14 Official Warnings

1. After three Official Warnings have been issued, The Board has to meet to discuss consequences of further misbehaviour, including Suspension and Removal from Membership.

2. The Member will be informed of further consequences in writing.

Article 15 Complaints Procedure

1. Members have the right to file Complaints.

2. Deadlines defined in this Article may be deviated from with agreement of all affected parties.

3. The Board informs the Member within 24 hours whether the Board will proceed with the complaints procedure.

4. Within 24 hours after receiving a complaint, the Board will discuss the matter, decide whether to proceed and notify the Members involved.

5. The Board may suspend a Members’ membership while the complaint is being investigated (maximum period of one month).

6. Within 7 days after receiving a complaint, at least two Board Members will meet with the Members involved to hear their perspectives and discuss the matter further.

• Communication may take place in person, online, or as a written statement.

• Any involved party bring a consultant or mediator into the discussion.

7. Within 7 days after this meeting, The Board will decide on the action to be taken and will notify the Members involved. 

8. The Board may request further information and seek internal or external advice. 

9. The Board keeps a private record of discussions, decisions and actions taken as a result of a Complaint. 

Title 4 - The Organisation

The Statutes define the bodies within The League and their rights and obligations in Artikel 10-17. The Bylaws provide the following additional policies.

Article 16 The General Meetings

1. The Board publishes minutes of General Meetings in the Official Channel within two weeks.

Article 17 The Board

1. The Board appoints three of its members as President, Secretary and Treasurer. Other board members are designated General Board Members.

2. The Board publishes the appointments in the Official Channel. 

3. All Board Members can perform any tasks for the board, including those typically performed by President, Secretary or Treasurer, except as specified in Statutes, Article 16.1.

Article 18 Board Elections

1. The current Board will place a call for candidate registration at least five weeks before a General Meeting in which board members will be elected. 

2. Members register their interest to become Board Member with the Board. 

3. The Board will publish a list of candidates at least one week before the GM.

Article 19 Board Meetings

1. Board Meetings are held when at least one Board Member deems this necessary. 

2. Board Meetings are held in The Hague or in a venue agreed to by all Board Members.

3. The Board keeps private minutes of Board Meetings.

Article 20 Board Committees

1. Board Committees and their responsibilities are defined by The Board.

2. Board Committee members are appointed by The Board.

3. The Board has the final responsibility for actions of Board Committees.

Article 21 Ministries

1. Ministries and their responsibilities are defined by The Board.

2. A Ministry consists of a Minister and Ministry Members, or two Co-Ministers and Ministry Members. The term “Minister” applies to both Co-Ministers.

3. The Minister has final responsibility for actions of the Ministry.

4. If the Minister is unable to perform their duties, their responsibilities are taken over by The Board.

5. Ministry Members are appointed by the Minister. 

• Every member may apply to join a Ministry. 

6. The Minister reports on the Ministry’s activities during the AGM.

Article 22 Election of Ministers

1. Ministers are elected by the GM.

• Co-Ministers are elected jointly.

2. Members register their interest to become Minister or co-Ministers with the Board.

3. The Board will distribute a candidate list one week before the GM.

4. Ministers are elected until the next AGM.

5. Ministers are immediately eligible for re-election.

Article 23 Ministry Meetings

1. Ministries hold Ministry Meetings to discuss outstanding matters.

2. Ministry Meetings are open to:

• all Ministry Members,

• all Board Members,

• anyone, at the Minister’s or any Board Member’s discretion.

3. The Minister, or another person appointed by the Minister, takes minutes of the meeting.

• The Minister, or a person appointed by the Minister, will provide a short summary per subject of online text-based meetings.

4. The Minister provides minutes of the Ministry Meetings to The Board within two weeks.

5. The Board publishes minutes of Ministry Meetings in the Official Channel within a week of receipt.

Article 24 Board & Minister Meetings

1. Board & Minister Meetings are open to

• Ministers,

• Board Members,

• anyone, at any Board Member’s discretion.

2. The Secretary, or another person appointed by the Board, takes minutes of the meeting.

3. The Board publishes minutes of Board & Minister meetings in the Official Channel within two weeks.

Article 25 Confidential Advisor

1.  The League has at least one Confidential Advisor.

2.  The appointment process follows the process defined for Ministers.

3.  The Board publishes information on the Confidential Advisor(s) on the Official Channel.

4. Members may request a privileged meeting with the Confidential Advisor.

• The Confidential Advisor may not share information from a privileged meeting, unless (1) requested by the Member, or (2) required by law.