THISTLE F.C.
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| THISTLE BY-LAWS |
| ARTICLE I AI- Section 1 Name This Association shall be known as THISTLE FOOTBALL CLUB, also referred to as THISTLE F.C., and hereinafter referred to as the "Association." Section 2 Incorporation The Association is a not-for-profit corporation and is so incorporated under section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue code as an organization described in Section 501(c)(3). The Association is not organized for pecuniary profit or financial gain, and no part of its assets, income, or profits shall be distributable to or inure to the benefit of its members, directors, or officers. The officers and directors of the Association shall not be individually liable for the Association's debts or other liabilities and the private property of such individuals shall be exempt from any corporate debts or liabilities. ARTICLE II Purpose The purpose of the Association shall be to develop, promote and govern the game of soccer within the community by encouraging maximum competitiveness within the League or Leagues that the Association participates in and to provide an opportunity for the players to express themselves on the field and excel in life. ARTICLE III AIII- Section 1 Executive Committee The Executive Committee of the Association shall be the duly elected Officers of the Association, hereinafter referred to as the "Executive Committee." The elected Officers of the Association shall be the President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer. AIII-Section 2 Executive Board The Governing Body of this Association shall be the Executive Committee and the appointed officers of the Association collectively hereinafter referred to as the Executive Board. The Executive Committee shall appoint the following officers of the Association to complete the Executive Board: Director of Coaching, Club Representative and Field Coordinator(s). The Executive Board shall have the general supervision and full authority over the affairs of the Association including but not limited to 2.1 Enforce the bylaws and Policies and Procedures of the Association 2.2 Act in the best interest of the Association to establish rules or regulations, for specific cases or situations, not provided for in the by-laws 2.3 Determine the number of teams to represent the Association 2.4 Grant or deny approval to any of the Association's teams relative to participation in any international, national, interstate or intrastate tournaments and/or non- league games. 2.5 Determine any and all fund raising events of the Association including but not limited to Association sponsorships and Association fundraisers. 2.6 Grant or deny approval to any team of the Association relative to individual sponsorships and/or individual fundraisers. 2.7 Discipline any team, coach, team representative or player for any action which is in violation of the Association's bylaws, rules, regulations, or if said action is judged by the Executive Board to be contrary to the best interest of the Association. AIII-Section 3 Policies and Procedures 3.1 Creation of Policies and Procedures It shall be the responsibility of the Executive Board to propose, draft and implement annually, the policies and procedures of the Association, to be in effect for one (1) seasonal year, including but not limited to the following: 3.1.a Goals of the Association, including long term and current year. 3.1.b Uniforms and Equipment 3.1.c Tournaments 3.1.d Tryouts (Date/Time/Place/Registrations) 3.1.e Seasonal year of the Association 3.1.f League Affiliation 3.1.g Insurance (Liability/Medical) 3.1.h Divisional Play (Team Composition/ number of teams/residency requirement) 3.1.i Selection of Players 3.1.j Selection of Coaches and their responsibilities 3.1.k Hardship Scholarships 3.1.l Team Trainers 3.1.m Player Registration Fees 3.1.n Team Reimbursements 3.1.o Team Funds 3.1.p Association Awards 3.1.q Sponsors 3.1.r Annual Budget 3.1.s In-Club Transfers. Any player requiring a transfer to another team within the Club must have the parent/guardian make a request to the Board. At the Board discretion of the board the approval may be approved, denied or may opt to have the player sit out any number of games but not to exceed the amount defined by State of New Jersey governing body player transfer policy for that season. The Board should approve such request by majority rule 3.1.t Coaches Fines. Coaches are responsible for fines levied on them from misconduct, improperly checking equipment, or negligence. The Club will not reimburse those fines and can withhold referee fee refunds due to the coach in order to cover the payment by the club of those fines. Fines such as not calling in the scores after a game within 4 hours, excessive scoring, coaches yellow or red cards, forfeit of game, abandoned games, smoking or consuming alcoholic beverages, field and equipment infringement, etc... 3.2 Adoption of Policies and Procedures All policies and procedures shall be adopted by a simple majority vote of the voting membership at a general meeting. 3.3 Revisions of Policies and Procedures It shall be the responsibility of the Executive Board to propose, draft and implement all revisions to any Policy and Procedure currently in effect. ARTICLE IV AIV-Section 1 Duties of the Elected Officers 1.1 President - The President shall preside over all meetings of the Executive Board and all general meetings of the Association. The President shall be responsible for the supervision of all activities of the Association, as well as, the responsibilities of the other Officers of the Association, various Committees that the Executive Board may from time to time appoint, and the Association's coaches. The President shall be the Association's general representative on all matters, and shall serve as the Chairman of the Executive Board and as a member of all Committees appointed by the Executive Board. The President shall be charged with upholding the bylaws of the Association and carrying out the policies and programs adopted and approved by the Executive Board. 1.2 Vice President - The Vice President shall have and exercise such power and duties as shall be conferred upon him by the Executive Board. In the event of the absence or incapacity of the President, the Vice President shall have and exercise all the powers and duties of the President. 1.3 Treasurer - The Treasurer's duties and responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to : 1.3.a . Receipt and disbursement of all funds generated by the Association. 1.3.b. All financial matters of the Association 1.3.c . Maintaining the Association's books and records related to all financial transactions 1.3.d. Preparation of financial statements and reports for all meetings of the Executive Board and the Association. 1.3.e. Preparation and filing of all income tax returns and/or reports with appropriate state and federal agencies. 1.3.f. Making available all books and records for audit purposes as may be required periodically by the Executive Board. 1.3.g. Other financially related duties as requested by the President. 1.4 Secretary - The Secretary’s duties and responsibilities shall include, but not be limited to : 1.4.a The recording, publishing and distribution of minutes of all meetings of the Executive Board and the Association 1.4.b The custodian of all minutes, bylaws, correspondence and records of the Association. All records of the Association must be retained for a minimum of three (3) years. 1.4.c Giving written notice of all meetings of the Executive Board and the Association and other organized events. All notices shall be made seven (7) days prior to the meetings. 1.4.d Other duties as requested by the President. AIV-Section 2 Duties of the Appointed Officers 2.1 Director of Coaching - The duties of the Director of Coaching shall include but not be limited to the following: 2.1.a Coordinate all tryouts for the Association 2.1.b. Coordinate the methodology and selection of all team players 2.1.c. Coordinate the methodology and selection of all team coaches 2.1.d. Develop strategies to improve the level of competition of the Association on the league, state and national levels. 2.1.e. Other duties as requested by the President. 2.2 Club Representative - The duties of the Club Representative shall be that as liaison between the Association and the league(s) in which the Association may be participating. Responsibilities shall include but not be limited to 2.2.a. Communicate all league correspondence to the Executive Board as it relates to the overall functioning of the Association 2.2.b. Communicate all changes pertaining to rescheduled games to the league games chairman and the respective coaches of the Association for the teams affected, according to the guidelines set forth by the league. 2.2.c. Coordinate with the Treasurer for the purchase of league registration packets. 2.2.d. Obtain all registration packets from the league and distribute to the team coaches of the Association. 2.2.e. Other duties as requested by the President. 2.3 Field Coordinator(s) The duties of the Field Coordinator(s) shall include but not be limited to the following: 2.3.a Obtain all necessary field permits from the Kearny Recreation Department for use by the Association, to accommodate all games, practices, tournaments and other events as may be directed by the Executive Board. 2.3.b Report and coordinate with the league, all permitted field times for use in scheduling all Association home games. 2.3.c. Control all permitted field times and coordinate the rescheduling of individual games, with the respective coaches of the Association, as may be needed. 2.3.d. Obtain from the Kearny Recreation Department all permits for the use of the town indoor facilities to accommodate the teams of the Association for indoor training, scrimmages and tournaments. 2.3.e Control all indoor permits and allocate time to all teams of the Association as directed by the Executive Board. 2.3.f. Other duties as requested by the President Section 3 Duties of Committee Chairpersons From time to time the Executive Board shall appoint Committee Chairpersons to assist in carrying out the functions and/or desired events of the Association. The Chairperson will be responsible for forming a committee to effectuate the above and will report to the Executive Board as requested. ARTICLE V AV-Section 1 Membership The membership of the Association shall consist of: 1.1 Playing Members All individuals registered as players by the Association during the seasonal year shall be Playing Members of the Association. 1.2 Active Members All Officers of the Association, Coaches and Assistant Coaches registered by the Association during the seasonal year shall be Active Members of the Association. 1.3 Associate Members The parents or guardians of all registered players and other individuals providing services to the Association during the seasonal year shall be Associate Members of the Association. AV-Section 2 Voting Membership Executive Board members and one (1) head coach per team per team shall constitute the voting membership of the Association; however, at no time shall any individual have more than one (1) vote. In the instance where a Board Member is also a head coach, his or her team shall be entitled to one (1) vote through a team respresentative appointed by the said head coach. AV-Section 3 Voting Procedures of the Association Where a vote is required, the voting membership in attendance shall vote. There shall be no proxy votes. There shall be one (1) vote per member. A team representative in attendance may exercise the right to vote for a head coach in absence. However, no team may have more than one (1) vote per member. A team representative in attendance may exercise the right to vote for a head coach in absence. In the instance where a Board Member is also a head coach, his or her team shall be entitled to one (1) vote through a team respresentative appointed by the said head coach. No team shall have more than one (1) vote. AV - Section 4 Voting Procedures for the Annual General Meeting (AGM) Voting for the Executive Committee positions (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer) shall be done through a balloting system. All members with voting privileges in attendance at the AGM will complete a ballot prepared by the Secretary indicating the person of choice for each open position. Each voting member shall complete one (1) ballot. All ballots will be collected and counted by a teller appointed by and agreed upon by the majority of the Executive Board, in the presence of the voting membership. ARTICLE VI AVI- Section 1 Quorum At all general meetings of the Association, a quorum shall be twenty-five percent (25%) of the voting membership for the transaction of business; however, a simple majority of the membership of the Executive Board shall be required to constitute a quorum for all meetings of the Executive Board. AVI- Section 2 Executive Board Meetings Executive Board Meetings shall be held monthly and/or whenever the President deems it necessary or when the President is requested to do so by a simple majority of the Executive Board. AVI-Section 3 General Meetings General Meetings of the active members of the Association shall be held once every other month, as a minimum, or when called by the President. AVI-Section 4 Annual General Meeting The Annual General Meeting (AGM) shall be held between May 1 and June 30. The purpose of the AGM shall be to review the Association's fiscal period financial report, elect the Officers of the Association. AVI-Section 5 Executive Committee Reorganization Meeting The Executive Committee Meeting shall be held by the Officers Elect at a time between the AGM and September 1 of the year that they are elected. The purpose of the meeting shall be to create the Executive Board. ARTICLE VII AVII-Section 1 Election of Officers The Officers of the Association shall be elected at the AGM. AVII-Section 2 Terms of the Officers of the Association The term of the Officers of the Association shall be one (2) years and shall commence on July 1 and terminate on June 30. AVII-Section 3 Resignation of Officers The resignation of any Officer of the Association shall be made in writing to the Executive Board. The Officer's written resignation shall be made available to the membership upon request. AVII - Section 4 Vacancies The Executive Board, at their discretion, shall appoint a replacement for any officer, with the exception of the President, who resigns prior to the completion of the term of that officer. AVII - Section 5 Nomination Procedures for the Executive Committee Positions Members running for the position of President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer must submit their names in writing or by e-mail, no later than April 30th, to the current Executive Committee. A single member can only be nominated for one (1) position. The Secretary will create a ballot and notify the Voting Membership via e-mail of the candidates running for positions at least seven (7) days prior to the AGM. No nominations in any form received after the said deadline will be accepted. ARTICLE VIII AVIII-Section 1 Player Conduct Each player shall represent the Association appropriately by demonstrating good sportsmanship, team spirit, self-discipline and respect for others. The following code of conduct shall be adhered to at all times. 1.1 Respects the officials and accepts their decisions without gesture or comment 1.2 Plays hard, but plays within the rules of the game of soccer. 1.3 Treats opponents and coaches with respect 1.4 Demonstrates self-control 1.5 Remembers that it is a privilege to represent the Thistle F.C. Association AVIII-Section 2 Coaches' Conduct 2.1 All Coaches of the Association shall adhere to the following code of conduct 2.1.a. Treats all players, parents, officials and opponents with respect. 2.2.b. Teaches and inspires soccer players to love the game and instills the desire to compete fairly 2.3.c. Recognizes that he/she is a role model for the players 2.4.d. Sets high standards of performance and conduct. Maintains control and discipline of the team at all times. 2.5.e. Respects the judgment and interpretation of the rules by the officials. 2.6.f. Realizes that he/she is a teacher/coach and therefore understands the game and proper soccer behavior at all times. 2.2.While representing the Association at any function including but not limited to games, practice, tournaments and/or events, the use of tobacco, alcohol or any controlled dangerous substance shall be expressly prohibited. AVIII-Section 3 Removal of Coaches Coaches may be removed from coaching any team in the Association for reasonable cause and only by due process by the Executive Board. However, this action may only be implemented after a hearing by the Executive Board at which time the subject coach shall have a reasonable opportunity to oppose such action. A recommendation by the Executive Board to remove a coach must be presented at a general meeting where a vote of a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the voting membership present shall be required. ARTICLE IX AIX-Section 1 Presentation of Proposed Bylaw Changes Bylaw changes may be proposed by committee or by an active member. The proposed changes must be read at two (2) consecutive general meetings. The proposed changes shall be read to the members in draft form for approval, comment or amendment at the first and second meeting. Upon completion of the second reading, the proposal (s) shall be finalized with a vote, at which time, if accepted by the voting membership, the changes will immediately go into effect. AIX - Section 2 Robert's Rules of Order Robert's Rules of Order shall be the Association's authoritative reference for any and all matters not covered in the current bylaws of the Thistle Football Club. ARTICLE X AX-Section 1 Dissolution Upon dissolution of the Association, any and all assets remaining after payment of all debts shall be distributed to a similar 501 ( c ) (3 ) organization as stated in the Association's filed Certificate of Non-Profit Incorporation dtd 1/21/99 in accordance with NJSA 15A:2-8 et. seq. |