South Park Soccer Association

By-Laws

 

 

Elected Officer, Commissioners Duties and Responsibilities:

The Total Board Membership shall consist of the following sixteen board voting positions. All positions are two-year terms effective July 1st of either an odd year or even year as indicated below. All elections are to be held at the regularly scheduled June Association meeting, unless otherwise indicated below:

 

Board Members:

President – elected in odd years.

Vice-President – elected in even years.

Secretary –elected in odd years.

Treasurer –elected in even years.

Registrar – elected in even years.**

U5/U6 In-House Commissioner– elected in even years.

U8 In-House Commissioner – elected in even years.

U10 In-House Commissioner – elected in odd years.

U12/15 In-House Commissioner – elected in odd years.

Girls’ Travel Commissioner – elected in even years.*

Boys’ Travel Commissioner – elected in odd years.*

Procurement Commissioner – elected in even years.

Travel Referee Commissioner – elected in odd years.

In-House Referee Commissioner – elected in even years.

Fields & Structures Commissioner- elected in odd years.

Coach & Player Development Commissioner – elected in even years.

Past President (Immediate) - Non-voting board member who may remain on the board in an advisory position as long as the Past President and present Board consider this to be beneficial to the organization. The Board may terminate this arrangement with a majority vote of the total Board membership.

 

*Elections to be held during the April meeting to permit newly elected Commissioner to participate and work with current commissioner in player evaluations and team formations for the following soccer season.  Voting rights and responsibilities are effective July 1.

 

**Election to be held during the April meeting to allow for new Registrar to participate with current Registrar during spring registration(s) for following soccer season.

 

Duties and Responsibilities of Board Members:

The President shall:

·        Organize, arrange for meeting places, and preside at all Association meetings.

·        Represent the Association in all activities requiring the official presence of the Association (or may appoint a representative for such activities). Such activities would include PA West meetings, meetings with township or school district officials, and meetings with other organizations.

·        Co-sign checks for the Association

·        Temporarily appoint any vacancy occurring on the Board during the year, as stated in the Constitution.

·        Call Board meetings when needed.

·        Coordinate (with help from the Vice-President) the activities of all Board Members in carrying out the Association’s activities. Generally, unless otherwise agreed upon by both the President and Vice President, the President will coordinate the activities of the Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Procurement Commissioner, Registrar, Fields & Structures Commissioner, and Coach & Player Development Commissioner.

·        Prepare a yearly budget.

 

The Vice-President shall:

·        Assume the President’s duties whenever the President is unable to do so.

·        Cosign checks for the Association when either the Treasurer or President is unable to do so.

·        Assist the President in coordinating the activities of all Board Members in carrying out the Association’s activities. Generally, unless otherwise agreed upon by both the President and Vice-President, the Vice-President will help the President by coordinating the activities of the In-House Commissioners, Travel Commissioners, and Referee Commissioners.

·        Prepare a yearly budget.

 

The Secretary shall:

·        Keep accurate records of the minutes of the Association’s meetings.

·        Attend to all correspondence of the Association and keep accurate records of such.

·        Keep and maintain all of the official documents of the Association including but not limited to the official copies of the Constitution, By-Laws, Rules and Regulations, and all PA West Rules and Regulations.

 

The Treasurer shall:

·        Process vouchers, collect debts and fees owed the Association, maintain bookkeeping records and cosign checks for the Association.

·        Maintain the necessary bank accounts as authorized by the membership.

·        Prepare and submit financial reports to the membership at each regular meeting.

·        Prepare an overall Association budget based on input from all Board Members.

·        Submit all financial records of the Association for independent review upon completion of each seasonal year.

·        Be bonded through a ‘dishonesty bond.’

 

The Registrar shall:

·        Be responsible for collecting player registration forms, verifying birth dates, approving player and registration forms ensuring that all registration matters are consistent with PA West rules and policies and registering all players and coaches with PA West.

·        Organize player registration information into a database that will easily allow extraction of data needed by In-House and Travel Commissioners to organize teams, select coaches, order shirts, etc.

·        Maintain copies of birth certificates of all players.

·        Maintain Volunteer Disclosure Statements for all coaches and adults working with the players.

·        Keep Association voter registration records throughout the seasonal year.

·        Prepare a yearly budget.

 

The In-House Commissioners shall:

·        Organize and coordinate all In-House teams ensuring adherence to the Association and PA West Rules and Regulations.

·        Recommend all In-House teams and In-House team coaches to the Board for their approval.

·        Produce practice and game schedules, coordinating with Travel Commissioners on practice schedule.

·        Prepare, collect, and process player evaluation forms filled out by coaches at the end of each spring season.

·        Communicate information needed by In-House coaches on a regular basis.

·        Arrange for field preparation for In-House games.

·        Arrange for concession stand volunteers during In-House games.

·        Prepare a yearly budget

 

The Travel Commissioners shall:

·        Organize and coordinate all travel teams ensuring adherence to the Association and PA West Rules and Regulations.

·        Recommend all travel teams, travel team coaches and assistant coaches to the Board for their approval.

·        Coordinate practice schedule needed by travel teams with In-House Commissioners.

·        Work with coaches on team rosters and establishing their playing schedules.

·        Communicate information needed by travel coaches on a regular basis.

·        Organize player evaluation sessions each spring season if needed.

·        Arrange for field preparation for travel games.

·        Arrange for concession stand volunteers during travel games.

·        Prepare a yearly budget.

 

The Procurement Commissioner shall:

·        Order all uniforms and organize them by teams as directed by the In-House and travel commissioners.

·        Order balls, equipment, field paint, trophies, medals, etc. as directed by the Board.

·        Order and stock supplies for the concession stand. Maintain financial records for the concession stand and prepare financial reports after each playing season indicating revenue, expenditures, and operating profit during the season.

·        Pay In-House referees throughout each season using profits from the concession stand, as instructed by the In-House Referee Commissioner.

·        Prepare a yearly budget.

 

The Travel Referee Commissioner shall:

·        Recruit referees for the Travel Program

·        Schedule all referees for Travel games as the Chief Assignor

·        Must be a registered USSF Assignor

·        Recommend a Travel referee fee structure to the Board

·        Review all Association and PA West playing rules and regulations with all coaches

·        Coordinate Travel pay schedules with the Treasurer in order for referees can be compensated in a timely manner.

·        Prepare a yearly budget.

 

The In-House Referee Commissioner shall:

·        Be responsible for recruiting and training Club Referees for the In-House program

·        Schedule all referees for In-House games (Chief Assignor) or may delegate these responsibilities

·        Recommend an In-House referee fee structure to the Board

·        Review all Association playing rules and regulations with all In-House coaches

·        Submit In-House pay schedules to the Procurement Commissioner and Treasurer so referees can be compensated in a timely manner.

·        Prepare a yearly budget and a yearly report of all expenses to the Treasurer.

 

The Fields & Structures Commissioner shall:

·        Determine and submit for approval to the Board a yearly budget for maintaining and improving playing field areas and structures.

·        Determine what work needs to be done on playing field areas, parking areas, and structures and recommend to the Board how best to accomplish the work. If volunteer help from the membership is needed, submit manpower needs to In-House and Travel Commissioners who will assign requirements to teams.

·        Recommend how field areas are to be used throughout the season.

·        Along with the president, interface with the township Public Works department and/or school district concerning playing field areas and structures.

·        Recommend a multi-year maintenance and improvement plan to the Board.

·        Prepare a yearly budget.

 

The Coach & Player Development Commissioner shall:

·        Be responsible for coordinating programs that strive to improve knowledge of the game and skill development for both coaches and players at the In-House and travel levels. This would include, but not be limited to, taking advantage of PAWest resources and local resources such as programs with the high school.

·        Assist In-House Commissioners in recommending In-House coaches.

·        Assist Travel Commissioners in recommending Travel coaches and performing travel player evaluations.

·        Oversee the purchase and maintenance of any related library materials.

·        Prepare a yearly budget.

·        This position requires a minimum “E” coaching license, or equivalent. Equivalent being higher level playing experience plus coaching experience.

 

The Hearing and Appeals Committee (HAC):

·        Shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Travel and In-House Referee Commissioners, and In-House and/or Travel Commissioners depending on whether the offense is related to In-House or Travel, respectively. It will consist of a minimum of four members.

·        A Board Member may not be a member of the HAC if such Member is the subject of such hearing or action.  In such instance, the President, Vice-President, Treasurer, or Secretary, in that order, shall appoint another Board Member to replace such Officer.

·        Shall have the right and authority to suspend, expel or otherwise discipline an individual (player, coach, parent or team) for matters provided for in Association and PA West Rules and Regulations and the Association Constitution and By-Laws.

 

The Risk Management Committee:

·        Shall consist of the Vice-President, Treasurer, Registrar, and one Travel Commissioner, and two In-House Commissioners.

·        This Committee will oversee the implementation and adherence to the Association’s risk management guidelines, as well as continue the development and improvement of the Association’s risk management program.

 

The Players of the Association:

1.      Are eligible to be registered with the Association if they are a resident of South Park Township or neighboring communities (for in-house).

2.      Are eligible provided either of the parents/guardians resides in South Park Township.

3.      Who are not residents of South Park Township, travel players must obtain a signed release from their home soccer club before being permitted to register with the Association. As a courtesy, the SPSA will approach their home club for permission.

 

The Members of the Association:

1.      Parents/guardians of players registered with South Park Soccer Association, provided either the parents/guardians or the player resides in South Park Township, are members of the Association.

2.      Players registered with South Park Soccer Association, provided the players are at least 18 years of age.

3.      The Board, though a majority vote of all Board members at a regularly scheduled Association meeting, may extend guest membership to individuals not meeting the criteria in item 1. Such guest membership shall last until the Board votes in a similar manner to end the membership. A maximum of twelve guest memberships may exist simultaneously. Guest members will not have voting rights at the meeting that they are granted guest membership.

4.      Members of the Association must not have been convicted of a criminal activity that the State of Pennsylvania considers injurious or harmful to working with children.

5.      There will be no limit to the number of members of the Association.

6.      The members are not personally liable for the debts, liabilities or obligations of the Association.

7.      Members of the Association may coach and vote.

8.      A Member may register to vote at any regular scheduled meeting or during the main In-House or Travel coaches meetings held twice annually just prior to the start of each playing season.

9.      Members of the Association who are also residents of South Park Township may also hold office. A member of the Association may vote or run for office if he or she has registered to vote at a previous meeting during the current seasonal year defined as August 1st through July 31st of the following year.

 

Meetings:

1.      Meetings of the Association shall be held on a regular monthly basis, with the exception of the months of January, July, and December. Meeting places, dates, and times shall be scheduled for the entire year prior to the start of the calendar year and advertised in material such as a newsletter that is accessible to all members. All meetings must be held within the boundaries of South Park Township.

2.      The date, time and place of the monthly meetings may only be changed if the scheduled meeting place is no longer adequate to hold the meeting or other conditions such as poor weather make it difficult to hold the meeting. Under such circumstances, signs indicating the new meeting time or place must be posted at the original site of the meeting indicating the alternative site, date, and time

3.      The agenda for each meeting shall be determined by the Board and can include the following:

  1. Call to Order
  2. Secretary’s Report or reading of previous minutes
  3. Treasurers Report
  4. Reports of President, Commissioners, other committees, Board
  5. Unfinished Business
  6. New Business
  7. Good of the Order
  8. Adjournment

4.      Matters not included on the Agenda may be brought to the floor during any meeting provided two-thirds of the members present agree to do so.

5.      The Board may call special meetings.

 

Risk Management:

·        All Board members, coaches, referees and assistant coaches must supply the Association with the Volunteer Disclosure form before being permitted to work with players. Failure to submit this form shall disqualify the candidate.

·        Individuals supplying forms without affirmative responses shall be cleared to work with players.

·        Individuals supplying forms with affirmative responses shall be subject to review by the Risk Management Committee to determine status. All decisions of the Risk Management Committee may be appealed to the Board. The Risk Management Committee shall define and publish the guidelines for clearance of individuals with affirmative documents.

·        All coaches, referees and volunteers must have at least one adult with them at all time when working with players.

·        The Association shall use the following safety standards for all games and practices:

·        All goals shall be anchored at all times when in use. Goals shall be properly stored and secured when not in use. Coaches caught in violation of this process shall be subject to disciplinary action.

·        The field shall be checked for debris and uneven playing surface. Debris shall be cleared before use; playing surface issues shall be directed to the Fields & Structures Commissioner and activity moved away from the dangerous area.

·        The area surrounding the field shall also be checked for potential hazards.

·        Coaches and Referees shall monitor the weather; at the first sound of lightning or rumble of thunder, all players should be moved to a safe place or to vehicles. Resumption of activities may occur thirty minutes after the last lightning strike or sound of thunder.

·        The Association shall work with an outside agent (preferably a CPA)  to develop and implement a financial policy to insure safe handling and recording of all club monies and assets.

 

Hearings and Appeals:

·        The Association recognizes the rights of its members to have a fair hearing regarding any matter of discipline.

·        The Disciplinary Actions and Appeals Committee (DAAC) shall afford the accused the timely notification as to the date, time, location and reason for the hearing. The notice shall also include any witnesses who shall testify against the accused. The notice shall be sent be certified mail and postmarked no less than 14 days prior to the scheduled date. The accused shall have the right to present evidence in defense, use the help of counsel and confront their accuser(s). The decision of the DAAC shall be mailed by certified mail within ten days of the hearing date. The decision should include all evidence considered and the reasoning for the decision.

·        Appeal of disciplinary hearings shall be held using the following procedures:

·        Appeals of disciplinary matters shall be made in writing by certified mail the Association Board  within ten days upon receipt of the DAAC findings.

·        The Board must schedule the appeal hearing within thirty days of receipt of the appeal.

·        The appeal hearing must afford all parties involved the same privileges as outlined in the disciplinary hearings section of this item. The appeal hearing will not be held to reexamine the evidence, but to insure that the hearing examined all evidence presented and was conducted according to procedure set forth in the above paragraph.

·        The findings of the appeal hearing shall be mailed by certified mail within ten days of the hearing date.

·        The decision should include all evidence considered and the reasoning for the decision.

·        All decisions of the Board will be final.

·        Appeals of non-disciplinary decisions will be heard using the following procedures:

·        A hearing shall be heard by a panel of composed of at least three members of the Board.

·        The appeal must be made in writing by certified mail to the Board.

·        The letter should include the reason for the appeal and any evidence believed to be relevant to the issue at hand.

·        A hearing shall be scheduled within thirty days of receipt of the appeal; issues that are subject to a deadline must be dealt with prior to that deadline.

·        The appeal hearing must allow all parties to present evidence on their behalf and requires that both parties provide the other with a list of witnesses and evidence to be presented against them.

·        The finding of the appeal hearing shall be mailed by certified mail within ten days of the hearing date.

·        The decision should include all evidence considered and the reasoning for the decision.

·        All decisions of the Board will be final.

 

Amendments:

The By-Laws may be amended or repealed, in whole or in part, by a two-thirds vote of the existing elected Board membership at any regularly scheduled meeting.  Proposals for amendment or repeal of the constitution must be made in writing and be submitted to the Secretary to be advertised at a regularly scheduled meeting. The amendments will then be voted upon by the elected Board members at a subsequent regularly scheduled meeting. Association members present at that same meeting, having met the voting registration requirements, must then ratify the changes with a simple majority vote of those voting members present. The By-Laws should be reviewed at least once every two years.

 

 

Amended:      11 November 2002

                        14 February 2005

 



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