|
ARTICLE 1: NAME
AND ADDRESS
SECTION 1: The name of the organization shall be the
Nazareth Soccer Club
SECTION 2: The address shall be:
Nazareth Soccer Club
P.O. Box 614
Nazareth, PA 18064
ARTICLE 2:
MISSION
SECTION 1: The purpose of the club is to promote and develop an
interest in soccer among the young people in the Nazareth area by
sponsoring, organizing and operating competitive and developmental
soccer teams for children under the age of 19, to teach the children
about the sport of soccer and to help them develop their soccer
skills through active participation on a competitive youth soccer
team. It is organized exclusively for charitable and educational
purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code.
ARTICLE 3: POLICY
STATEMENTS
SECTION 1: SPORTSMANSHIP
Emphasis shall be placed upon good sportsmanship, soccer skill
development, club and team spirit.
SECTION 2: PLAYING TIME
Players should play a minimum of l /3 of the game if possible.
SECTION 3: ATTENDANCE
Players are expected to be present for all practices and all games.
Players who miss practices or games due to conflicts with other
soccer teams should not be penalized. Practice sessions are a vital
part of the team effort and absence will not be condoned. Only the
coach may authorize a player's absence from a practice or a game.
SECTION 4: DISCIPLINE
Soccer is a tough but clean sport. Fighting and other dangerous
behavior will not be tolerated. Any player, or coach, may be
suspended for actions deemed detrimental to the club. The coach of
each team is responsible for the actions of its spectators.
SECTION 5: COACHING PHILOSOPHY
Coaches have a great latitude in decisions regarding playing time,
position assignment, frequency of practices and other areas of team
management.
SECTION 6: SELECTION OF PLAYERS
Only children under the age of 19 may actively participate as
players. A child may be regarded as being under the age of 19 if he
or she will not attain the age of 19 by August 1st.
SECTION 7: PARENTAL PARTICIPATION
Parents are expected to support club activities and their children
by assisting in fund raising activities, field setup, committee
assignments, general membership meetings and other activities to
assist the coaches.
SECTION 8: REFEREES
Spectators, managers, coaches, parents, and players must demonstrate
respect for the referees, at all times.
ARTICLE 4:
AFFILIATION
SECTION 1: The Nazareth Soccer Club is an independent soccer club
which sponsors soccer teams to compete on either a recreational,
intramural or competitive basis.
SECTION 2: The board of directors of the Nazareth Soccer Club
reserves the right to have club teams participate in soccer games
scheduled and sanctioned by any youth soccer organization which it
deems fit to serve the needs and skills of the children in the
Nazareth Soccer Club.
ARTICLE 5: BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
SECTION 1: THE BOARD
The general membership shall elect a board of directors, which shall
administer the affairs of the club. The board shall consist of the
following members plus the support personnel as shown in the
Nazareth Soccer Club Organizational Chart:
A. President
B. Vice President
C. Treasurer (Officer)
D. Secretary (Officer)
E. Travel League Director
F. Fund Raising and Special Events Director
G. Intramural League Director
H. Fields Director
I. Communications Director
J. Club Registrar
K. Team Equipment Director
L. Technology Director
M. Volunteer Coordinator
SECTION 2: TERMS OF OFFICE
A. The term of office for all members of the board of directors
shall be two (2) years from the date of installation on the board,
or for the balance of their term of office if replacing a member of
the board
B. The offices of President, Secretary, Fund Raising and Special
Events Director, Intramural League Director, and Travel League
Director shall be elected during odd number calendar years.
C. The offices of Club Registrar, Treasurer, Communications
Director, Team Equipment Director, Fields Director, Technology
Director, Volunteer Coordinator, and Vice President shall be elected
during even number calendar years.
SECTION 3: ELECTION OF BOARD
A. The President shall administer the election and notify the
general membership thirty (30) days prior to the date of the
election.
B. Votes shall be cast by secret ballot or by show of hands and the
election decided by a simple majority of the qualified general
membership present and voting.
C. Elections shall be held in the month of October for offices
opening November 1st.
D. If not otherwise restricted by the by-laws, any general member
may run for an office. No one can hold, or run for, more than one
office at a time. Only one spouse from a family may hold an office
at the same time.
E. If a vacancy occurs on the board, an election shall be held at
the next general membership meeting to fill the open office. ln the
interim, the President may appoint someone to fill the vacancy. This
appointment must be ratified by the board at their next monthly
meeting by a simple majority.
F. A general member is entitled to one vote.
SECTION 4: RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES OF OFFICE
A. PRESIDENT
The President shall be responsible for the overall operation of the
club, preside at all general membership meetings, board of directors
meetings, appoint all committees, and be the general representative
of the club in all legal and other matters. The President is an
ex-officio member of all committees. The President shall select,
with the approval of the board, a committee, to audit the books and
accounts of the Treasurer, and to provide a written report annually
to the general membership. The President, or the Vice President, as
designee, shall attend each monthly meeting of the Nazareth Soccer
Club. In addition to club officers and directors, the club president
may appoint the following support personnel which report to the
board as required:
1. Bushkill Township Liaison
2. Nazareth Borough Liaison
3. Lower Nazareth Liaison
4. Upper Nazareth Liaison
B VICE PRESIDENT
The Vice President shall monitor and participate in all committee
activities as an ex-officio member, and report the recommendations
or findings to the board. In the absence of the President, the Vice
President shall preside at all meetings. The Vice President shall
succeed the President, pro temper, if the President resigns or if,
in the judgment of the board, the President cannot fulfill the
duties of the office. The Vice President shall also be responsible
for the set up and coordination of the Micro Soccer (u5 through u7)
program.
C. TREASURER
The Treasurer shall maintain the financial records and shall provide
a detailed income and expense report at each meeting. The Treasurer
shall make all disbursements by check. All checks must be counter
signed by the President or Vice President. The Treasurer shall
prepare a budget for each fiscal year. The budget shall be presented
to the board, for approval
D. SECRETARY
The Secretary shall be responsible for all club correspondence and
documents. The Secretary shall record the minutes of each meeting
and present the minutes for approval at the following meeting.
E. TRAVEL LEAGUE DIRECTOR
The Travel League Director, shall be the club coordinator for player
and team placement in travel leagues within PA. The Travel League
Director shall oversee and contribute to player evaluation and
proper placement of players on travel teams. The Travel League
Director shall help seek out and develop parent volunteers to become
licensed coaches in accordance with Travel League rules. The Travel
League Director is responsible for the management of the coaches
participating in the Travel League(s) and shall investigate all
complaints, grievances, requests of suspension, censure or expulsion
of any player, coach, or team and recommend the appropriate action
of the board of directors.
F. FUND RAISING and SPECIAL EVENTS DIRECTOR
The Fund Raising Director shall be responsible for all fund raising
activity at the club level. In addition, the Fund Raising and
Special Events Director shall promote and setup special activities
such as e.g. appearances by professional teams, players and coaches,
for the benefit of Nazareth Soccer Club players.
G. INTRAMURAL LEAGUE DIRECTOR
The Intramural League Director, shall be the club coordinator for
player and team placement in Intramural leagues within PA. The
Intramural League Director shall oversee and contribute to player
evaluation and proper placement of players on intramural teams. The
Intramural League Director shall help seek out and develop parent
volunteers to become coaches in accordance with Intramural League
rules. The Intramural League Director is responsible for the
management of the coaches participating in the Intramural League(s)
and shall investigate all complaints, grievances, requests of
suspension, censure or expulsion of any player, coach, or team and
recommend the appropriate action of the board of directors.
H FIELDS DIRECTOR
The Field Director shall be responsible for home field acquisition,
Field setup, care and maintenance, and the scheduling of fields for
practice and games. The fields director is also responsible for
managing the insurance forms for all fields utilized by the club.
The Fields Director is supported by the following appointed
positions:
• Field Maintenance Manager
• Field Assignor
I. COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
The Communications Director shall be responsible for providing
communication of the activities of the club, to include at a
minimum, input to the website, distribution of newsletters and
notice of registration.
J. CLUB REGISTRAR
The Club Registrar shall be responsible for coordinating all
registration activities for the club.
K. TEAM EQUIPMENT DIRECTOR
The Team Equipment Director shall be responsible for the ordering
of, storage, inventory, maintenance, and distribution of Team
uniforms, coaching supplies and medical equipment for use by all
club players and coaches.
L. TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR
The Technology Director shall maintain the club website and provide
technical oversight of all club hardware and software assets. As
webmaster for the club, the Technology Director shall provide timely
updates to the club web site as required.
M. VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
The Volunteer Coordinator shall work with fellow board members to
utilize parent volunteers for the benefit of club activities such
as: field setup and maintenance, registration, coach acquisition,
etc…. The Volunteer Coordinator will help solicit parents and
maintain a file to help to efficiently manage club volunteers.
SECTION 5: VOTING RIGHTS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Each board member shall have one vote on all matters requiring a
vote by the board of directors except where they are personally
involved. Votes shall be decided by a simple majority of those in
attendance. A quorum of the board, 6 members, must be present for
the vote to be valid.
SECTION 6: AUTHORITY OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The board shall operate only within the framework of the by-laws.
The annual budget must be approved by the board of directors.
SECTION 7: SELECTION OF MANAGERS AND COACHES
Managers and coaches are selected, suspended, or dismissed by a
simple majority vote of the board of directors.
SECTION 8: BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS
A. Board of directors meetings shall be scheduled on a regular basis
as required by the President or a majority of the board
B. The order of business for all meetings shall be:
1. Call to order
2. Minutes of previous meeting
3. Treasurer's report
4. Old business
5. New business
6. Adjournment
ARTICLE 6:
MEMBERSHIP
SECTION 1:
A. There shall be two classes of membership in the Nazareth Soccer
Club. The first shall be the "general membership", and the second
shall be called the "player participant membership".
B. General members of the club shall include all persons who are
elected or appointed to its board of directors, all persons selected
as managers or coaches, parents of player participants and other
officials appointed by the board of directors. Each person in this
group shall have voting privileges and be known as a "general
member".
C. Player participant members shall consist of all candidates
selected to play. Each selected candidate shall be known as a
"player member". This category of membership is non-voting.
D. Except for members of the board of directors, the term of
membership shall be for the duration of the playing year.
E. The playing year of the club shall be from August 1st through
July 31st of the subsequent year.
F. On all matters requiring attention by the general membership,
each general member shall have one vote.
G. A general member must be present to vote.
SECTION 2: RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES OF MEMBERS
A. All members agree, as a condition of membership, to abide by the
club by-laws.
SECTION 3: GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS
A. General membership meetings shall be scheduled in October.
B. All general membership meetings shall be governed by the rules of
parliamentary procedures "Roberts Rules of Order".
C. The order of business for all meetings shall be:
1. Call to order
2. Minutes of previous meeting
3. Treasurer's report
4. Old business
5. New business
6. Adjournment
ARTICLE 7: FUNDING
SECTION 1: POLICY STATEMENTS
A. The club shall be a non-profit organization.
B. The fiscal year of the club shall end on July 3l st
C. The club shall fund itself by accepting contributions from
members, sponsors, other interest parties, and from fund raising
activities. The club may charge a registration fee for children
participating on club teams, in such amounts as determined from time
to time by the board of directors, provided that such a fee will be
reduced or eliminated if it would impose a financial hardship on a
child's family. The club will charge a late fee for all players
registering after the registration dates set by the Club Registrar.
The late fee may be waived by the board for new residents that move
into the area subsequent to the regular registration.
D. All contributions received, and all amounts raised through fund
raising events shall be used only to accomplish club objectives
sanctioned by the board of directors.
E. All contributions received shall be deposited in the Nazareth
Soccer Club checking account, and managed by the club treasurer.
Excess amounts in checking may be transferred to a savings account
or other interest bearing certificate or account.
F. In the event of dissolution, all assets, real and personal, shall
be distributed to such organizations as are qualified as tax-exempt
under Section 501(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, as
amended or the corresponding provisions of a future United States
revenue law.
G. All disbursements shall be made through the Nazareth Soccer Club
checking account.
H. All disbursements, and drafts shall be signed by the Treasurer
and co-signed by the President or Vice President.
I. The club shall establish a savings/checking account at a
Nazareth, PA. area bank.
J. The club shall establish a privacy policy pertaining to
safe-guarding, distribution, and usage of personal information which
is collected during all phases of club operation. This information
could pertain to players as well as adult volunteers.
ARTICLE 8:
AMENDMENTS
SECTION l: POLICY STATEMENTS
A. The general membership can amend the by-laws by a 2/3 vote of the
general members present. Amendments to these by-laws must be
submitted, in writing to the board of directors at their September
meeting for review. The amendments will then be submitted to the
general membership meeting to be voted upon. The results will be
noted in the official minutes of the meeting.
B. These by-laws shall be kept up-to-date and in compliance with
changes required due to the growth of the club.
ARTICLE 9:
COMMITTEES
A. The following committees may be established and chaired by the
appropriate board member:
1. Player & Coach Development
2. Player Evaluation & Team Placement
3. Long Range Planning
B. Ad hoc committees can be formed at the discretion of the
President, with the approval of the board.
ARTICLE 10: CLUB
PLAYING RULES
A. All Nazareth Soccer Club games shall be played by the rules of
the United States Youth Soccer Federation, except as hereinafter
modified.
B. All games played under the jurisdiction of another soccer club or
league shall be governed by the rules of said club or league.
SECTION 1: TEAM FORMATION POLICES
A. The Nazareth Soccer Club will generally develop teams with
players having the same year of birth.
However, requests for a player to play in an older age group will be
entertained, but must be submitted prior to or during evaluations or
tryouts. Decisions about playing up will be governed by the rules of
the evaluation process for those age groups which are subject to the
club’s evaluation policy.
B. The Nazareth Soccer Club will attempt to field at least one
traveling team within each of the following age groups:
Under Nine U-9,Under Ten U- 10, Under Eleven U- 11,Under Twelve
U-12, Under Thirteen U-13,Under Fourteen U-14, Under Fifteen U-15,
Under Sixteen U-16, Under Nineteen U-19
The Nazareth Soccer Club will attempt to field other teams to
compete at their level of ability.
C. Each team shall have a unique name within the Nazareth Soccer
Club, such as Titans, Comets, Rangers, etc.
SECTION 2: SELECTING MANAGERS AND COACHES
A. Coaches are selected for a team for one playing year, generally
starting on June 1st and ending no later than August 31st of the
subsequent year.
B. Responsibility for selection, suspension or dismissal of a coach
rests solely with the board of directors. The coach being suspended
or dismissed is entitled to reinstatement or exoneration through a
special hearing by the board of directors. It is the prerogative of
the board to determine whether this special hearing will be prior or
subsequent to the suspension or dismissal.
C. All coaches must have or be actively seeking a coaches license or
certificate recognized by the Nazareth Soccer Club board of
directors.
D. Interim appointments will terminate at the end of the team
playing year, but is no case later then August 31st.
E. All coaches must agree to submit to a background check. The
method for this background check will be determined by the Board of
Directors, and may include State Police Criminal Record Check,
Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance, FBI check, or other methods
chosen by the Board. All information gathered will be safe-guarded
pursuant to the Privacy Policy of the Nazareth Soccer Club.
SECTION 3: PLAYER REGISTRATION
A. All registration materials shall be submitted to, verified and
maintained by the Registration Director.
B. The League Directors are responsible for registering teams and
players in leagues and tournaments sanctioned by the Nazareth Soccer
Club.
C. Registration and late fees will be determined by the board of
directors prior to August 1st of each year.
D. Requests for refund of registration fees must be in writing and
in the possession of the President before player is placed on a
team. The only exception will be for unforeseeable circumstances
such as a season ending injury or moving out of the area. This
exception may be approved by the board on a case by case basis after
the board has received a written request. There will be neither
refund of fund raising money nor late fees.
E. Each player will be required to submit the following:
1. Completed registration form
2. Two school or passport type pictures
3. Copy of birth certificate
4. Release of liability - signed by parent/guardian
5. Social Security number
6. Parent Volunteer Form
F. Willfully falsifying player registration information shall result
in player suspension for the remainder of the current season. The
same shall apply to any player who signs their parent's or
guardian's name to the registration form or the release of liability
form.
SECTION 4: PLAYER EVALUATION AND TEAM PLACEMENT COMMITTEE
A The player advisory committee shall consist of the League
Directors and qualified general members or board members.
Participants should have playing or coaching experience or possess a
coaching license recognized by USYS. In addition, the coaches
representing each age group are expected to participate in the
evaluation and placement process.
B The League Directors shall be an ex officio member of the player
advisory committee.
C The primary function of the player evaluation and team placement
committee shall be to assist in tryouts, to help select players
based on the results of the tryouts, and to establish each team's
roster.
D. The board may select an appropriate committee/outside
organization to conduct player evaluations/tryouts.
SECTION 5: EQUIPMENT
A. It is mandatory that the coach returns all equipment to the
Equipment Director at the time agreed upon by the board.
B. The Equipment Director shall refurbish all equipment, make all
necessary repairs, and petition the board for any new equipment
requirements.
C. Except as specified below, all advertising on club uniforms is
prohibited:
1) Alternate team shirts funded through parent contribution or
sponsorships shall comply with FIFA rules and are subject to board
approval. Such alternate shirts must display "Nazareth" or some
other reference to the club.
2) Sponsor advertising on sweat shirts, gym bags, or other
ancillary equipment will be allowed with prior approval of the Board
of Directors.
D. Shin guards must be worn by all players in all outdoor games and
practices. Soccer cleats are recommended and must not have a cleat
or spike at the toe of the shoe. For all indoor games and practices,
gym shoes and shin guards must be worn by all players. Mouth guards
are recommended for all players. Athletic cups are recommended for
male players.
E. To ensure that uniforms are returned, a uniform deposit will be
collected prior to the start of the season. The amount of the
deposit will be based on the cost of the uniforms.
SECTION 6: TEAM TERMINATION
A. The board reserves the right to disband disassociate or
disassemble a team at any time.
B. In the event that a team is disassembled, the board shall
determine the disposition of the players.
SECTION 7: SUSPENSION
A. Any player member or general member may be suspended and/or
barred from further participation in the club for words or actions
deemed detrimental to the club or its activities.
B. If during the course of a game or tournament a player or coach is
given a red card or ejected from the contest, the coach or a team
representative must fill out a game report and file it with the club
President within 72 hours of the end of the game or tournament.
Failure to do so may result in suspension from participation in club
sponsored events.
C. Any coach or player receiving a red card, or being ejected from a
contest shall be suspended from the next contest, or the next
tournament game. These rules will defer to tournament rules that may
define the limits on participation. If suspension is enforced by the
tournament, the club will take no further action on a first offense.
D. If a coach receives a game ejection and is the only licensed
approved coach available for continuation of the tournament, the
suspension may be delayed. If local rules preclude the coache’s
continuation, the coach should not continue.
E. Any player or coach receiving more than one red card or game
ejection in a season, fall, indoor, spring, shall be indefinitely
suspended until the board of directors can meet to review the
incidents and reach a decision concerning the length of the
suspension.
F. Only the board of directors may suspend a player, coach or
member.
G. Any person or persons who are members of the club may request the
suspension of a member by sending a letter to the club President
stating the specific reason why the member should be suspended.
H. Upon receipt of a request for suspension, but no later than the
next scheduled board of directors meeting, the President shall call
a board meeting to decide on a course of action. Should the letter
request the suspension of a member or members of the board of
directors, the members shall lose their vote on the board of
directors until the matter of the member's suspension is settled.
I. A coach may remove a player from the game or from a practice for
misconduct. For more severe disciplinary action the coach must
submit to the board of directors, in writing, a request for further
disciplinary action.
ARTICLE 11:
MISCELLANEOUS
A. If a situation arises which is not adequately covered by the
by-laws of the Nazareth Soccer Club, the board of directors has
absolute authority over such matters.
These amended by-laws of the Nazareth Soccer Club passed by a
unanimous vote at the General Membership Meeting on October 16,
2007.
Signed: Date: 10/16/2007
Stephen Ryan, President
|
