By Laws
WATERFORD YOUTH LACROSSE ASSOCIATION, INC.
BY-LAWS
Article 1 – Name
The name of the organization shall be Waterford Youth Lacrosse Association, Inc. hereinafter referred to as “Association.”
Article 2 – Purpose
The purpose of the Association shall be to:
1. Create structure and organization to allow for the formation of youth boys/girls teams (elementary and middle school) and helps to develop leadership ability and foster team spirit among the athletes of the Association. All students (and parents) must abide by the expectation list that shall include the following:
§ Will abide by Waterford School District guidelines regarding “no pass/no play” rule.
§ Will abstain from the use of illegal substances.
§ Will exhibit sportsmanlike conduct at all times during practices and games.
§ Will exhibit personal responsibility.
§ Will adhere to the Waterford School District’s Policy Statement on the Athlete Code of Conduct.
§ Will cooperate with Waterford Parks and Recreation guidelines when using their facilities.
2. Provide financial support and assist the members with fund raising activities to support the costs of equipment, uniforms, referees, and other associated expenses.
3. These funds will be used exclusively for the benefit of the Association. The Association prior to the execution of the activity must approve all fund raising activities.
No earnings or assets of the Association shall be distributed to its members, officers or other private persons, except that the Association shall be empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered for the purposes set forth in Article 2 herein.
The Association will waive the player fees for one child of a head Coach and one child of an Executive Board member due to the commitment these volunteers provide to the Association.
In the case of financial hardship of an Association player, a portion of the equipment costs can be loaned to the player for that season. The loan will be repaid to the Association in the form of work credits (the assignment of work to be determined by the Executive Board) in that season. The amount of the loan shall be determined by the Executive Board on a case by case basis. he/she may qualify for a scholarship paid for by the Association. Eligibility determined and voted on by the Executive Board. *Amended 2/6/12
4. Increase the visibility of lacrosse as a sport and facilitate communication between the club, Waterford Parks and Recreation, Waterford School District, the coach, and the community.
5. Cooperate with Waterford Parks and Recreation, Waterford School District, The Michigan Youth Lacrosse Association, and the Michigan High School Athletic Association in pursuit of these objectives.
Article 3 – Membership
1. The Membership in the Association shall be limited to those athletes and their parents who live within the Waterford School District boundaries or surrounding communities that do not currently provide a program or whose current program is no longer taking applications in any given season.
2. Membership dues for the Association shall be set by the Executive Board each year and the costs will be per player payable by a date determined by the Executive Board. No member will be eligible to vote or hold office unless the dues of that member are paid in full and they are a member in good standing of the Association.
3. All students playing lacrosse for the Association must have their payment of dues/registration current, and be members in good standing with the Association in order to preserve the status of the sport as a Club sport. If approved by members of the Executive Board, Association dues/registration for one player, or more than one player, may be paid by the Association if the Association can afford it and that decision shall be in the sole discretion of the Executive Board.
Article 4 – Elected Officers Executive Board *Amended 2/6/12
1. The Association shall be represented by an Executive Board consisting of four (4) elected officers comprised of parents and/or guardians of current players who are in good standing with the Association, elected by, and in good standing with the Association players. The elected officers must consist of at least one (1) member from each the boys/girls team (i.e. 3 boys parents/1 girls parent, 2 boys parents/2 girls parents, etc.). In an ideal situation, the elected officers should consist of at least one (1) member from each of the teams (i.e. 3 boys parents {3rd/4th, 5th/6th, 7th/8th} / 1 girls parent). In this situation, no more than 2 persons can hold one (1) Executive Board position. Should two (2) persons hold the same position on the Executive Board, they will each count for 1/2 a vote. *Amended 2/6/12. The elected officers shall be the President Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.
2. Officers shall be elected for a term of 1 year. The term of office shall be from August 1 to July 31. No member shall hold more than one office at a time.
3. Vacancies occurring in an elected office shall be filled by appointment by the Executive Board. In the event the office of the President becomes vacant, the Vice President shall serve as President for the remainder of the term.
Article 5 – Election Procedure of Officers
1. By May 1, the Executive Board will develop a slate of officers for the following term. The slate of officers will be presented to the membership of the Association for approval.
2. Before July 1, a general meeting of the Association shall be held for the election of officers. The Executive Board will present their nomination for each office. Nominations will also be taken from the floor. In the event of a nomination from the floor, a closed ballot vote will be held at that time to select the winner.
Article 6 – Officer’s Responsibilities
1. President – The president shall preside over all business meetings of the Executive Board. He/she shall be an ex-officio member of all committees and shall represent the Association as necessary. The President shall have the authority to sign checks in the absence of the Treasurer. The President will appoint a chairperson for all committees that may be established as needed from time to time.
2. Vice President – The Vice President shall assume all duties of the President during his/her absence. He/she shall work with Waterford Parks and Recreation and the Waterford School District to assist students in facilitating communications, fund raising activities, conflict resolution, community service and developing goals for the Association.
3. Secretary – The Secretary shall keep a record of all Executive Board and Association meetings. The Secretary shall be responsible for advertising, newsletters, player handbooks, telephone committeesand communications i.e. email, phone, web site updates, etc. *Amended 2/6/12. The Secretary shall maintain a database of player information.
4. Treasurer – The Treasurer shall be responsible for the recording of all income and expenditures. He/she shall write checks as necessary, keep records of the membership of the Association and monitor all Association funds. The Treasurer shall also be responsible for obtaining and maintaining any necessary tax exemptions or other legal requirements essential to the operations of the Association.
Article 7 – Annual Budget
1. The fiscal year of the Association shall be from August 1 to July 31.
2. The budget shall be developed by the President and the Treasurer with the input of the Executive Board and/or any other source solicited by the President. Once approved by the Executive Board, the budget shall be presented to the membership of the Association for ratification.
3. The budget must be ratified by a majority vote of the membership present at a general meeting of the Association before any funds disbursed.
4. Expenditures of funds belonging to the Association for any incidental (not budgeted) expenses not exceeding Two Hundred Fifty ($250.00) dollars may be authorized by the Executive Board. All expenditures exceeding Two Hundred Fifty ($250.00) dollars must be approved by a majority of those members of the Association who are present at a general or regular meeting of the Association.
Article 8 – Meetings
1. The Executive Board should meet monthly during its term except for the months of July and August.
2. A general meeting of the Association is required before July 1 for the election of officers.
3. A general meeting of the Association is required for the ratification of the budget or amendments to these By-Laws. Other meetings of the Association may be called by the President as required to discuss other business.
Article 9 – Amendments
These By-Laws may be amended after approval of the Executive Board and two-thirds (2/3) vote of the membership of the Association present at a general meeting.
Article 10 – Parliamentary Authority
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order (Newly revised) shall govern the Association in all cases to which they are applicable.
Article 11 – Dissoluti