TEANECK STINGRAYS SC SOCCER CLUB Bylaws Revised: November 2007 P.O. Box 3278 Teaneck, NJ 07666 ARTICLE I: NAME The Club shall be known as Teaneck Stingrays Soccer Club. Hereafter in this document, Teaneck Stingrays Soccer Club shall be referred to as Stingrays SC. ARTICLE II: OBJECTIVE The objective of the Stingrays SC is to provide the children of Teaneck an opportunity to learn and play soccer at the club level. Games will be governed under the rules and policies of the Stingrays SC. ARTICLE III: BOARD OF TRUSTEES Section 1 The Board The Board of Trustees will govern the Stingrays SC. The Board will include trustees, coaches and the members of the executive committee. Hereafter, in this document, the term "Board" includes the executive committee and the other trustees unless otherwise noted. Section 2 Duties and Powers The Board shall be responsible for the direction of the affairs of the Stingrays SC. Its primary aim is to further the objective of the Stingrays SC. To accomplish this objective, the Board may make all rules and regulations it deems necessary and appropriate. All of the Stingrays SC property, including funds and equipment, shall be vested in the Board. The Board shall have all such powers and authority as may be necessary or appropriate to carry out its objective. The Board will apply the following, including, but not limited to: 1. All prescribing standards of conduct that which members of the Board, other officials, coaches, and players, including parents of players, spectators and all other persons involved in Stingrays SC activities must comply. 2. The authority to create and appoint members of standing or special other committees as the board deems appropriate from among its members or by selection of appropriate nonmembers. Page 1 of 8 11/12/2009
3. Taking disciplinary actions which may include suspension or termination of Stingrays SC privileges for any such persons who are adjudged to have failed to comply with the standards of conduct. Section 3 Membership The number of trustees will be no less than (5) five and no more than (9) nine, (including the officers). Membership eligibility for election to the Board of Trustees is open to all. Section 4 Term of Office Each member of the Board shall serve a term of three years. No member of the Board will serve in the same capacity for more than two consecutive terms. When a successor has not been found, a trustee who has completed a term can be asked to serve as an appointed trustee until a new trustee is found. Terms of the trustees will be staggered so that no more than 1/3 of the trustee positions will be up for election in any given year. The term of elected officers and trustees begins on July 1. Those trustees appointed will serve for the unexpired term of the trustee they were appointed to replace. Section 5 Elections of Trustees Persons entitled to vote for trustees will consist of all current members of the Board of Trustees. The winners shall be declared as a result of their obtaining the most votes cast by those voting. Voting for trustees is by secret ballot. In the event of a tie, a runoff vote will be held at that time. In the event that there is only one candidate for an open trustee position, the election can be by unanimous consent of the quorum present at the time of the election. Section 6 Officers / Executive Committee The Officers of the Board are: President, Vice-Presidents, Secretary, assistant-secretary and Treasurer. The officers form the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees. Section 7 Elections of Officers Persons entitled to vote for officers will consist of all trustees of the Board. The winners will be declared as a result of obtaining a simple majority of the quorum present. In the event of a tie, a runoff vote will be held at that time. Voting for the Executive Committee is by secret ballot. In the event that an office has only 1 candidate, election can be by unanimous consent of the quorum present at the time of the election. The President and Vice President will be elected in the same year The Treasurer will be elected the year after the President and Vice President Page 2 of 8 11/12/2009
The Secretary shall be elected in the year following the Treasurer Section 8 - Duties and Powers of Officers President The President or designee is the Stingrays SC representative to the NCSA League, Township and all outside organizations. The President shall be responsible for conducting meetings, and along with the Executive Committee, conduct the affairs of the Stingrays SC between scheduled meeting of the board and to ensure the correct execution of the policies and procedures established by the Board. The President shall report to the Board at each board meeting or more frequently as required by electronic means at such times as he/she or the Board will deem necessary or appropriate regarding issues affecting the Stingrays SC and its relationships with the Township and other organizations. The President shall communicate to the Board such matters, and make suggestions as may, in his/her opinion, tend to promote the welfare of the Stingrays SC. The President shall be responsible for supervising the conduct of all persons connected with the Stingrays SC in strict conformity with the principles, rules, regulations and philosophy of the Stingrays SC. The President or designee shall preside at all Stingrays SC meetings and prepare the agenda for all such meetings. The president shall have the authority, together with such other officers or members as he/she may designate with the consent approval of the Board, to make and execute, for, and in the name of the Stingrays SC, contracts, leases applications, submissions, and other written commitments as may be approved by the Board. The President shall investigate complaints, irregularities and conditions detrimental to the Stingrays SC and report, thereon to the Board as circumstance warrants. The President shall have such other duties and responsibilities as may be designated or assigned by the Board. Vice-President The Vice-President or designee shall, in the absence of the president, preside at all meetings of the Board and perform such other duties and functions of the President as may seem necessary or appropriate. The Vice-President shall have such other duties and functions as may be requested or directed by the Board or the President. Secretary The Secretary shall record the activities of the Stingrays SC, including the Minutes of the Board, and shall maintain appropriate mailing lists and files, including correspondence and records. He/she shall maintain the official; list of all trustees, officers, committee members and task coordinators and give notice of all meetings. The Secretary shall conduct all correspondence not otherwise specifically delegated to another person. The Secretary shall record in permanent form all resolutions, policies, votes and standing decisions made, determined, or agreed to by the Board, and keep the same readily available for research and consultation. The Secretary shall perform such other duties as are customarily incident to the office of the Secretary. Page 3 of 8 11/12/2009
Treasurer The Treasurer shall maintain all records of the receipts and disbursements of the monies of the Stingrays SC and shall direct the deposit of all monies received by the Stingrays SC into one or more accounts approved by the Board. The Treasurer is responsible for filing all appropriate or required tax information forms and supporting records as well as presenting regular financial statements to the Board, especially at the year-end. The Treasurer shall maintain accounts that are federally insured. The Treasurer, on a monthly basis shall present to the board a status of accounts report for approval. Section 9 Board Vacancies If a vacancy occurs on the Board, the remaining trustees shall elect a replacement at the next regular meeting or, if deemed necessary, at a special meeting called specifically for this purpose. Section 10 Standing Committees Fundraising: The Fundraising Committee duties shall include planning and coordinating all fundraising activities and reporting back to the Board. Nominating: The Nominating Committee shall consist of 3 trustees not up for re-election. The chair of the Nominating Committee shall be an officer not up for election. The Nominating Committee shall make nominations in November so that elections can take place in December. These nominees for the board must have consented to serve prior to their nomination. Field Maintenance and Equipment: The Field Maintenance and Equipment Committee duties shall include taking pre- and postseason inventory of equipment and reporting back to the Executive Committee. This committee also coordinates the distribution of field and team equipment prior to the opening day of the season. The committee also coordinates the return of said equipment for inventory and storage and. keeps appropriate records of equipment distributed and returned. This committee oversees all field maintenance activities with the President and Vice-President. They inspect all fields and assess field conditions. It reports assessment findings with recommendations to the Board. It identifies and corrects or reports on safety hazards. It coordinates the safety and first-aid procedures. The committee reviews all accidents to determine whether fields or equipment contributed to the accident. If necessary, corrective measures may need to be considered and implemented by the Board. In the event that the safety Page 4 of 8 11/12/2009
issue requires an immediate decision, the President or designee alone shall make the decision and report via e-mail to all Board members immediately. Coaching: The Coaching Committee coordinates soccer training through seminars, meetings, outside instruction or videotape as well as the coordination and confirmation of coaching certification appropriate for insurance purposes prior to the start of the season. It develops a program that shall assist coaches at all levels and is responsible for its implementation. The committee reviews training procedures and utilize whatever services are necessary to promote the skill of coaches as well as to further a positive, effective coaching style. Members are available for coaches to discuss problems that might arise as a result of coaching style or because of a problematic player or parent. Along with the President, the committee will be available to mediate between parents and coaches if an incident or complaint arises. It arranges for F level or equivalent and higher coaching courses. Section 11 Board Members in Good Standing Board members in good standing are those who adhere to all points of the Board approved Code of Conduct and Section 12 Board Member Appeal Process A terminated member of the board can appeal the decision by placing a request in either written or e-mail form to the President, along with any additional information no later than 7 days after having been notified of the termination. A special meeting will then be called to discuss and vote on the appeal. Action on the member s status as a board member will be communicated to the member in writing or e-mail by the President ARTICLE IV: MEETINGS Section 1 Regular Meetings Regular meetings will be held monthly during each season of play and in additional months as the board or President determines. The President may determine that a particular monthly meeting may not be necessary or needs to have the date changed due to a lack of a quorum. The President will then try to give seven (7) days notice of cancellation prior to the scheduled meeting. Notification by the President will be by the most efficient means possible to give trustees time to determine their availability Section 2 Special Meetings Page 5 of 8 11/12/2009
Special meetings of the Board may be called with 72 hours notice given by the President or a majority of the Board by electronic means. These meetings would be called only to consider a special subject. Section 3 Quorum The presence of greater than 50% of the voting Board members will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Section 4 Voting Duly elected members of the Board and registered coaches will each have one vote. Proxy voting is not permitted. Voting may be open unless otherwise stipulated in these bylaws. When necessary, and with no objection from any board member, a vote can be taken electronically for non-election/personnel issues. These votes will be reported immediately to the Board. Section 5 Rules of Order Robert s Rules of Order will govern all meetings. No procedure or rule may conflict with these Bylaws. Note The revised Bylaws of the Stingrays SC will not, however, invalidate the Articles of Incorporation. Section 3 Selection and General Duties Those appointed will be chosen either from board members or other individuals interested in serving. They will be responsible for the following areas: Field Maintenance and Safety, Coaching, Rules, Equipment and other tasks as necessary. ARTICLE VI: COACHES Section 1 Selection Coaches will be required to be at least F licensed certified or equivalent. Section 2 - Trainers & Specialty Coaches All Trainers & Specialty Coaches must be approved by Coaching Committee (or Stingrays SC Board). The Committee or Board must have copies of their Soccer Training Licenses & Insurance certificates on file. Section 3 Responsibilities The coaches are responsible for teaching soccer, and, together with the Board, for accomplishing the objective of the Stingrays SC. Each coach is required to undergo a Page 6 of 8 11/12/2009
background check by US Club Soccer and to submit a completed Kids Safe Form to the kid safe coordinator prior to the start of the season. No parent may assist in coaching or be a team parent without doing the background check and submitting a Kids Safe form submitted to the Stingrays SC. ARTICLE VII: FINANCES AND ACCOUNTING Section 1 Board Decision Making The Board will decide all matters pertaining to the finances of the Stingrays SC treasury and will expressly direct the expenditure for any non-operating/extraordinary expense. Section 2 Compensation No trustee or officer, will directly, or indirectly, receive any salary or compensation for services rendered to the Stingrays SC. However, any person who, properly trained, provides specialize training to a Stingrays SC team may receive the same compensation that would be paid to any official not otherwise associated with the Stingrays SC. In addition, any person may be reimbursed for expenses incurred on behalf of the Stingrays SC. Section 3 Disbursements All disbursements will be made by check. Receipts will be kept for all purchases. Section 4 Expense Reimbursement Each board member will submit to the Treasurer expenses related directly to the operation of the Stingrays SC that are personally incurred. Section 5 Fiscal Year The fiscal year of the Stingrays SC will begin on the first day of the month of July of any given year and will end on the thirtieth day of June of that same year. Section 6 Team Finances All team financial arrangement must be executed according to the Stingray SC financial Policy ARTICLE VIII: AMENDMENT AND REPAIR These Bylaws can be changed or repealed by a vote of two-thirds of the Board. Changes will normally become effective immediately. Changes made that affect league play after the opening day of any Stingrays SC season will NOT become effective until the following season, unless the ongoing running of the Stingrays SC or the safety of the players depends on those changes. Residency: Page 7 of 8 11/12/2009
All team must be composed of at least 80% Teaneck residents, exception to this can only be made by majority vote of the Board of Trustees. Page 8 of 8 11/12/2009