GOVERNING BY LAWS OF THE GATEWAY FOOTBALL LEAGUE Approved April 9, 2014 Page 1 of 11
ARTICLE I NAME This organization shall be known as the Gateway Football League (hereinafter referred to as the GFL ). A. General Purpose: ARTICLE II PURPOSE The GFL is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, religious or scientific purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. B. Organizational Objective: The GFL was established to bring member organizations together to develop regional football programs that teach the great sport of football. As a developmental organization, our focus is directed toward the following goals: 1. Teach the fundamentals of the game; 2. Encourage teamwork and sportsmanship at all times; 3. Learn the value of athletic competition; and 4. Create a fun environment for all players. The success of our member organizations will not be measured by wins or losses but rather on how they meet these goals. C. Upon dissolution of the GFL, the GFL shall, after paying or making provisions for payment of all the liabilities of the GFL, dispose of all the assets of the GFL in such manner, or to such organization(s) organized exclusively for charitable, educational, religious or scientific purposes under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code as the Executive Board shall determine. Any such assets not so disposed shall be disposed of by the Circuit Court of the county in which the principal office of the GFL is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization(s) as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for charitable, educational, religious or scientific purposes under Section 501(c)(3). ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP The GFL Board of Directors shall be comprised of an Executive Board of Directors, as defined in Article IV, infra, and Member Organizations, as defined in Article V, infra. Page 2 of 11
ARTICLE IV EXECUTIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS The Executive Board of Directors ( GFL Executive Board ) shall include the following positions: A. President 1. The position of President is an elected position and shall be elected at the April GFL Board meeting in odd-numbered years. 2. The President shall preside over all GFL Board meetings and shall call regular meetings in accordance with these By-Laws and any special meetings that he/she may deem necessary. 3. The President shall see that duties of all other Executive Board members are fully-executed. 4. The President shall enforce these bylaws and perform all duties incidental to the office of President. 5. The President, along with the Vice-President of Operations and Vice-President of Compliance, assign a By-Laws committee annually which shall review all minutes of the GFL Board meetings and submit possible By-Law amendments based on the same. 6. The President may dismiss any Executive Board member or League Representative who is absent from three consecutive meetings and call for a special election to replace the same. 7. The President shall be a member ex officio of all committees. 8. The President shall only cast a vote in the case of a tie on all Executive Board decisions. B. Vice-President of Operations 1. The position of Vice-President of Operations is an elected position and shall be elected at the April Board meeting in even-numbered years. 2. During the absence or inability (including resignation) of the President to perform or exercise his/her powers as set forth in these By-Laws, the same shall be performed and exercised by the Vice-President of Operations. When so acting, he/she shall have all powers and be subject to all responsibilities incumbent upon the office of the President. 3. The Vice-President of Operations shall perform any other duties as directed by the President with no limitations. 4. The Vice-President of Operations shall oversee and preside over all committees dealing with the administration of the GFL. 5. The Vice-President of Operations shall prepare a meeting agenda for all regularlyscheduled GFL meetings. 6. The Vice-President of Operations shall cast one vote on all Executive Board decisions. C. Vice-President of Compliance Page 3 of 11
1. The position of Vice-President of Compliance is an elected position and shall be elected at the April Board meeting in odd-numbered years. 2. The Vice-President of Compliance shall maintain order at the GFL Board meetings and perform other such duties as directed by the President. 3. The Vice-President of Compliance shall investigate any and all reports of violations of the GFL bylaws or standing rules and shall report his/her findings regarding the same to the Executive Board. In carrying out this duty, the Vice- President of Compliance may appoint or employee assistants to aid in his/her investigations. Provided, however, that no monetary compensation may be paid to said employed assistants without the approval of a majority of the Executive Board. 4. The Vice-President of Compliance shall oversee and preside over all committees dealing with organizational compliance with GFL rules. 5. The Vice-President of Compliance will coordinate all discipline of and fines issued to the Member organizations. 6. The Vice-President of Compliance shall cast one vote on all Executive Board decisions. D. Recording Secretary 1. The position of Recording Secretary is an appointed position, and shall be appointed annually at the April GFL Board meeting by a majority vote of the President, Vice-President of Operations and Vice-President of Compliance. 2. The Recording Secretary shall maintain all records pertaining to the GFL, such records to include the name and address of the Executive Board members and the League Representatives for each Member Organization. 3. The Recording Secretary shall keep a written record of all meetings and shall forward an electronic copy of same to the Vice-President of Operations for review and distribution to the Member Organizations. 4. The Recording Secretary shall assist the Vice-President of Operations in preparing an agenda for each regularly-scheduled GFL Board meeting. 5. The Recording Secretary shall maintain minutes of all motions acted upon by the GFL Board. 6. The Recording Secretary shall keep an attendance record for regularly-scheduled meetings. 7. The Recording Secretary shall perform all other duties that may be incidental to the office or that the other Executive Board Members may assign. E. Treasurer 1. The position of Treasurer is an appointed position and shall be appointed annually at the April GFL Board meeting by a majority vote of the President, Vice- President of Operations and Vice-President of Compliance. 2. The Treasurer shall be responsible for all GFL funds, and maintain all financial records of the same. 3. The Treasurer shall deposit all funds in a bank in the name of the GFL and write all GFL checks from said account. Page 4 of 11
4. The Treasurer shall prepare and distribute a semi-annual financial report to the Executive Board. 5. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the collection of all Annual Registration Fees, as well as other fees and assessments owed by the Member Organizations. 6. The Treasurer, in conjunction with the other Executive Board members, shall prepare an annual budget for the GFL. 7. The Treasurer shall perform all other duties that may be incidental to the office or that the other Executive Board members may assign. ARTICLE V MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS A. Member Organizations shall be defined as a junior football organization within the Greater St. Louis area with at least one team enrolled in the GFL, which is in goodstanding with the GFL. B. In order to be considered in good-standing with the GFL, the Member Organization must: 1. Show evidence, as requested by the Executive Board, of a functioning Board of Directors with a mission statement that is consistent with the mission statement of the GFL, as set forth in Article II, supra. 2. Show evidence, as requested by the Executive Board, that the Member Organization holds regular Board of Director meetings and that information including, but not limited to the GFL By-Laws, game-day rules, grade and age requirements, zip code and out-of-area roster rules, and information discussed at monthly GFL Board meetings (hereinafter collectively referred to as Pertinent Information ), provided by the GFL is distributed to, discussed with and understood by said Board of Directors. 3. Show evidence, as requested by the Executive Board, that all Pertinent Information provided by the GFL is disseminated throughout the Member Organization to insure compliance therewith by all head coaches, assistant coaches, other team personnel, parents, players and fans. 4. Pay, prior to August 15 th of each year, the Annual Registration Fee owed by the Member Organization, as prescribed in Article X, infra. 5. Submit a verified number of teams, including the head coach information for each team, to the Executive Board no later than July 1 st of each year. 6. Have the ability to submit all team, coach and roster information required by the Executive Board through the GFL website, as instructed. C. Each Member Organization shall be represented at GFL Board meetings by a League Representative. Said League Representative must be a member of the Member Organizations Board of Directors. D. A Member Organization in good-standing shall be entitled to cast one vote on all matters as outlined in Article XI, infra. E. Failure to comply with the requirements in Article V, Section A, supra, will preclude the Member Organization from voting in GFL Board matters and in the sole discretion of the Page 5 of 11
Executive Board, may subject the Member Organization to sanctions and/or removal of the organization from the GFL. ARTICLE VI RULES OF PLAY A. The GFL shall follow the rules of the Missouri State High School Athletic Association (MSHSAA) as modified by the GFL Local Rules. B. GFL Local Rules shall be contained in Standing Rules, adopted annually as provided in Paragraph C. below. These Standing Rules include, but shall not be limited to: 1. GFL Standing Rule No. 1, Player Eligibility Rules 2. GFL Standing Rule No. 2, Team Eligibility Rules 3. GFL Standing Rule No. 3, Division Placement 4. GFL Standing Rule No. 4, Field Marshall Duties C. The GFL Local Rules shall be adopted annually by the GFL Executive Board at the April meeting, after input from the Member Organizations with regard to proposed changes, additions, etc. 1. Within two weeks of the adoption of the GFL Local Rules at the April meeting, the GFL Local Rules for the upcoming season shall be electronicallydisseminated to the League Representative for each Member Organization (for further dissemination among the Member Organization, and shall also be posted to the GFL website. 2. The Secretary shall keep a copy of each season s GFL Local Rules with general records of the GFL, and shall furnish said GFL Local Rules within seven (7) days of receiving a request for said GFL Local Rules. ARTICLE VII IMPEACHMENT OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS Any act that is deemed unbecoming conduct for an officer may be grounds for impeachment. The Executive Board has the power to conduct investigations to determine the existence of cause for impeachment and, by the vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Member Organizations present to impeach any elected or appointed Executive Officers. Examples of unbecoming conduct include, but are not limited to: 1. Having more than three (3) unexcused absences from any GFL Board meeting; 2. With respect to elected Executive Board members, accepting any form of compensation in connection with services rendered to the GFL; 3. Discriminating against any person on the grounds of race, color, religion, National origin, disability, age, sex, marital status or sexual orientation; 4. Engaging in any form of harassment, including offensive or degrading remarks or conduct; 5. Threatening the property or physical well-being of any person; Page 6 of 11
6. Imbibing any alcoholic beverage, intoxicant or recreational drug while attending any GFL activity; 7. Using GFL property, including stationery, participant and/or sponsor lists and equipment, without GFL Executive Board approval; and 8. Engaging in any activity prohibited by federal, state or local criminal law. An impeached Executive Officer may not be reconsidered for an elected position to the GFL Executive Board for five (5) years from the date of said officer s impeachment. ARTICLE VIII RESIGNATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS Any Executive Board Member may resign at any given time by giving written notice to the GFL President. ARTICLE IX COMPENSATION No elected Executive Board member shall receive compensation for services rendered to the GFL. Appointed Executive Board members may, in the sole discretion of the Executive Board, receive reasonable compensation for services rendered to the GFL. Assistants employed by the Vice-President of Compliance to aid in the investigation of possible rule infractions, may, in the sole discretion of the Executive Board, receive reasonable compensation for services rendered to the GFL. Referees shall receive reasonable compensation for services rendered to the GFL. ARTICLE X FUNDING AND AUDITS The GFL shall be funded and audited in the following manner: A. Funding 1. At the April meeting, the GFL Executive Board shall set a League Fee Factor to be used to determine that year s Annual Registration Fee to be paid by each Member Organization. 2. Said Annual Registration Fee shall be determined by multiplying the number of teams in a particular Member Organization by the League Fee Factor. B. Each Member Organization shall pay its Annual Registration Fee no later than August 15 th of each year. Page 7 of 11
C. For illustration purposes only, if the GFL Executive Board sets the League Fee Factor as $120.00, and a Member Organization has fourteen (14) teams, then the Annual Registration Fee for that Member Organization is $1680.00 (14 x $120.00). D. Auditing 1. The financial status of the GFL is subject at any time to a financial audit. 2. Authorization for an audit, other than the end-of-the-fiscal-year audit, shall be determined by a majority vote with a quorum (50%) of Member Organizations present. A. By-Law Amendment and Notice ARTICLE XI - OPERATING RULES 1. The GFL By-Laws may be amended by the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Member Organizations, with a quorum (50%) of Member Organizations present. 2. Whenever an amendment or new by-law is adopted, a hard copy shall be kept in the book of By-Laws with the GFL s original By-Laws. An electronic copy of said amendment or new By-Law shall be posted on the GFL website within thirty (30) days of said By-Law s adoption. B. Election of Elected Executive Board Members 1. The election of Elected Executive Board Members shall occur each calendar year at the April board meeting. 2. The Secretary shall gather nominations for the open Elected Executive Board positions from all Member Organizations in good-standing. 3. At the April meeting: a. The Secretary shall bring ballots with all nominations received prior to the meeting. b. If there are any more nominations or self-nominations, they may be made at this time. c. Each Member Organization in good-standing, as well as the elected GFL Executive Board (with the exception of the President), shall have one vote for each open position. The President shall only cast a vote in the event of a tie between candidates. d. There shall be no absentee and/or proxy voting. Page 8 of 11
e. Voting shall begin with the most senior position up for re-election (as determined by the order the Elected Executive Board positions are listed in Article IV, supra). f. Each candidate running for the position being elected shall leave the meeting room, at which time a discussion shall take place wherein the candidates are reviewed by the Member Organizations present at the meeting. g. Once the Member Organizations have reviewed the candidates, the Secretary shall ask said candidates to return to the meeting room so they are present for the voting process. h. Each Member Organization in good-standing, the Vice-President of Operations and the Vice-President of Compliance shall submit to the Secretary a ballot with the written name of said voter s choice for the Board position being determined. i. If more than one (1) candidate is seeking election for the Board position being determined, the candidate who receives a simple majority of the votes cast shall be declared the winner. j. The President shall notify the newly-elected Executive Board members of their election to the GFL Executive Board. C. Voting on Non-Election Matters 1. Each Member Organization in good-standing shall have the right to vote with regard to any issues being voted upon at regular and special meetings of the GFL Board. 2. Each Member Organization and elected Executive Board member shall have one vote, except for the President, whose vote shall only be taken in the event of a tie. 3. Voting shall take place by voice, show of hands or by any other method called for with the approval of a majority present. 4. There shall be no absentee and/or proxy voting. 5. A quorum shall be declared if 50% or more of those entitled to vote are present. 6. A motion shall pass upon a yes vote by a simple majority of the quorum. D. Meetings 1. Regular Board meetings will be held monthly and shall be governed by Robert s Rules of Order. 2. Each board meeting shall be held on the second Wednesday of each month, unless changed by the President. ARTICLE X CONDUCT, PROBATION, SUSPENSION & APPEALS A. Conduct 1. All conduct of the Head Coach, assistant coaches, players, parents or fans is ultimately the responsibility of each individual team s Head Coach and the associated Member Organization. 2. Any person(s) who are associated with a Member Organization s team must follow the rules of not only the Member Organization, but the GFL as well. Page 9 of 11
3. The Head Coach and/or Field Marshall shall work with the League Representative of their Member Organization and the GFL Executive Board, as required, in the resolution of any issues. 4. Any person(s) who fail to follow the Member Organization s and/or GFL Rules shall be asked to leave the premises. If said person refuses to leave, all activity shall be halted and the local authorities shall be called. In the event this occurs at a game, the game will be forfeited by the team associated with the disturbance. 5. Reports of disturbances and/or issues shall be made to the President of the home field Member Organization. Reports should be made by Head Coaches and/or the Field Marshall. 6. Reports of disturbances shall be turned into the Vice-President of Compliance within 48 hours of the occurrence of the incident. 7. Player and coach ejections must be turned into the GFL with score reporting on Monday morning. In the event of a mid-week game, ejections must be turned in within 24 hours of the game s conclusion. 8. The severity of each individual incident shall determine the manner in which it is handled: a. Less severe incidents shall be handled by the Member Organization, however the League Representative of said Member Organization must report the disciplinary action taken to the GFL Executive Board. b. The GFL Executive Board may override a Member Organization s decision if the punish is deemed unsatisfactory. c. More severe incidents shall be handled directly by the GFL Executive Board. In such event, the GFL Executive Board shall communicate with the Membership Organization s League Representative before arriving at an appropriate disciplinary action. d. The severity of an incident shall be determined in the sole discretion of the GFL Executive Board. 9. Disciplinary actions shall be determined as quickly as practicable. Factors affecting determination time include, but are not limited to, the severity of the incident and how long it takes the GFL Executive Board to have a full understanding before the GFL Executive Board may make a final determination. Until a final determination is made, the person(s) under review shall not be allowed at GFL events. 10. If an incident occurs outside of GFL events but still affects the GFL or persons associated with the GFL (as determined in the sole discretion of the GFL Executive Board), the GFL Executive Board retains the right to discipline the person(s) involved as if the incident had occurred at a GFL event. B. Probation, Suspension and/or Fines 1. The GFL may place a person or Member Organization may be placed on probation when the GFL Executive Board deems such a punishment is warranted. 2. The GFL Executive Board and/or Member Organizations may suspend a person(s) or Member Organization when such punishment is warranted. The length of said suspension shall be determined by the GFL Executive Board. 3. Fines and or sanctions This is being worked on by Jeff Johnston and Tom Lansing to bring further clarification Page 10 of 11
C. Appeals 1. Appeals shall begin within the individual or team s Member Organization. 2. Appeals must be in writing, and include an explanation as to the conduct, punishment being appealed, and why it is believed that a different punishment is warranted. 3. Appeals must be filed with the Member Organization within twenty (20) days of the punishment being rendered. 4. Appeals must be turned into the President of the GFL. 5. The GFL Executive Board shall investigate the appeal and provide a hearing date within twenty (20) days of receiving the appeal. 6. A final decision, in writing, shall be made by the GFL Executive Board within twenty-four (24) hours of a hearing on the matter. Page 11 of 11