Moosic RedWings Girls Softball Association

BY-LAWS

The sole purpose of this association is for:

1. Offering the help and support necessary to uphold the principals of good sportsmanship.
2. Promoting public interest in the proper administration of sporting events for girls ages 5 through 16 years of age, with age 16 being as of January 1 of the current year.
3. Fostering a cooperative and understanding relationship between the general public, the girls participating in sporting events, the parents, the general membership, the officers and coaches. With the objective of obtaining and maintaining for the children of said community, sporting facility, equipment and events inferior to none.
4. Inviting any civic organization and/or any citizen in the above community, the offer for help and support necessary to accomplish the above said goals.

Section 1. Name

The name of this association will be "Moosic RedWings Girls Softball Association" (hereinafter referred to as "RedWings"), also referred to as "Moosic Girls Softball" for the purposes of tournament play. No one will use the name of "Moosic RedWings Girls Softball Association", without the approval of the Governing Body.

Section 1. Individual Membership

Any person who is at least 18 years of age will be eligible to be a member in the RedWings regardless of race, creed, color, or national origin.

Section 2. General Membership

General membership is open to all residents, 18 years and older, of the Triboro and surrounding areas, and to parents of participating girls outside of the Triboro and surrounding areas. Members are invited to all RedWings monthly meetings. The general membership will elect Officers of the RedWings, as set forth in Article IV, Section 1. The general membership may submit any recommendations for coaches. Members may, at the discretion of the Governing Body, inspect any books, records, and accounts of the RedWings at such reasonable times as the Governing Body may, by resolution, designate.

Section 3. Registration

No girl will be refused participation in the RedWings as long as the registration fee is paid, within the designated registration period. After registrations are closed, if a player is to be added, the request must be brought before the Governing Body for approval prior to the evening the teams are chosen.

Section 1. Governing Body

The Governing Body will consist of all Officers, as set forth in Article IV, Section 1, in addition to the Head Coaches from each T-Ball, Rookie, 10U, 12U & 16U team.

Section 2. Duties and Powers

1. The business and property of the RedWings will be managed and conducted by the Governing Body.
2. The Governing Body will act on all recommendations made at general membership meetings, and report its decisions at the next general membership meeting.
3. The Head Coaches, for all athletic activities, will be voted on by the Governing Body each year. Assistant coaches and helpers, with head Coach recommendation, will be voted on, after the player draft, by majority of the Governing Body. The Governing Body will elect one (1) Head Coach, two (2) Assistant Coaches and one (1) Scorekeeper per team. All-Star Coaches will be chosen in the manner described above, and will be subject to the same guidelines as set forth in Article VI.
4. Members of the Governing Body are required to attend all RedWings monthly meetings. In the event a Head Coach cannot attend said meeting(s), he/she will designate a team representative to attend. Each team is allowed one (1) vote.
5. Any member of the Governing Body has the right to inspect the books, accounts and records of the RedWings at any time, not being subject to a resolution by the Governing Body.
6. The Governing Body has the power to suspend or dismiss any coach cited for disciplinary action, or who has been penalized during a game for unsportsmanlike conduct.
7. The Governing Body will set forth and review, as necessary, a guideline for disciplinary action against any member of the coaching staff, who has committed a flagrant offense toward any player, parent, coach or umpire. Such flagrant offence being any physical or verbal abuse, intoxication, profanity directed to or in the vicinity of the players, any violent display of temper demonstrated on or around the field complex. Such offenses will be reviewed by the Governing Body and upon consensus will result in disciplinary action being taken against the individual.
8. A quorum of the Governing Body, or the President, may adjourn a RedWings meeting in the event of any unnecessary disturbance.
9. All decisions of the Governing Body will be final.

Section 1. Officers

The officers of the RedWings will be President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer. They will have the responsibility to enforce the provisions of the by-laws.

Section 2. Elections

1. Elections will be held every odd numbered year. The election of Officers will be held during the first monthly meeting in January of an election year. The Secretary will see that the meeting day is publicized well in advance in all local newspapers. The Secretary will notify all Officers and Coaches advising them of the meeting for the election of Officers.
2. The general membership will elect the Officers set forth in Article IV, Section 1. Nominations will be presented at the last meeting of the fiscal year prior to elections at the January meeting. Nothing contained herein will prevent nominations from being added or deleted from the nomination list prior to the January meeting.
3. The term of office of all Officers will be for two (2) years.
4. The ballot for the election of Officers of the RedWings will be closed, written ballot.

Section 3. Vacancies

In the event that the office of any official or member of the Governing Body become vacant, the remaining members of the Governing Body will, by election, promptly fill such vacancy for the unexpired term.

Section 4. Duties and Powers.

1. Officers are allowed one (1) vote. In the event that a Head Coach is also an Officer, he/she will only be allowed one (1) vote.
2. In the event of a tie vote, the President’s vote will determine the outcome.
3. In the event that the Head Coach is the President, he/she will, at the beginning of their term of office, designate a team representative allowing said representative the power to vote while the Head Coach retains the Office of President.
4. The Officers will submit a proposed budget to the Governing Body for approval. The budget will be reviewed throughout the year by the Governing Body, and revised as needed.
5. Any Officer absent from three (3) monthly meetings of the RedWings during the fiscal year will be deprived of his/her office. No Officer will be deprived of his/her office because of sickness, or because his/her employment prevents him/her from attending meetings.

Section 5. President.

The president shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the RedWings. The President will preside at all meetings of the members and Governing Body. The President will have general and active management of the business of the RedWings. The President will see that all orders and resolutions of the Governing Body are carried out. The President will appoint all managers of the RedWings as provided in Article V, Section 1. The President will be a member of all standing committees. The President will submit a report of the operations of the RedWings for the fiscal year to the Governing Body at the last meeting all matters within his/her knowledge that may affect the RedWings.

Section 6. Vice-President

The Vice-President will assist the President in carrying out the duties of the RedWings. The Vice-President will attend all RedWings meetings. The Vice-President will preside at RedWings meeting and assume the authority of the President in the event of the President’s absence. The Vice-President will be responsible for promoting the RedWings, by providing information to schools, and to the public relations manager, if one has been appointed. The Vice-President will be responsible for creating and maintaining a field schedule. The Vice-President must approve any field schedule changes, such as practices and rescheduled games. The Vice-President will contact the Concession Manager concerning rescheduled games.

Section 7. Secretary.

The Secretary will attend all meeting of the redwings and sit as clerk thereof and record all votes and minutes of all proceedings in a book to be kept for that purpose. The Secretary will be custodian of all books and records of the RedWings, except as otherwise provided. The Secretary will announce all RedWings monthly meetings in the local newspaper in a timely manner. The Secretary will collect sponsor fees, notify sponsors of opening day activities, and invite sponsors to the RedWings annual banquet.

Section 8. Treasurer.

The Treasurer will have charge of all funds of the RedWings and will deposit the same in the name of the RedWings. The Treasurer will pay all vouchers or orders properly attested by the President, Vice-President and Secretary, and will make a complete and accurate report of the finances at each monthly meeting of the RedWings, or at any time upon request of the Governing Body. All checks signed by The Treasurer will have the signature of one other appointed authorized signature in effect at the bank of the RedWings.

Section 1. Appointed Managers

The Appointed Managers will, but not exclusively, be Fund-Raising Manager, Concession Stand Manager, Field Manager, and Equipment Manager. Additional personnel may be added at the discretion of the Governing Body.

Section 2. Duties and Powers

The appointed managers will attend all RedWings meetings, but will not have voting privileges unless as a team representative.

Section 3. Fund-Raising Manager

The Fund-Raising Manager will be in charge of all fund-raising for the RedWings. The Manager will present fund-raising programs and suggestions to the Governing Body, and upon approval, organize and implement the programs. The Manager will be responsible for announcing, tracking, and collecting monies, etc. from coaches in regard to any fund-raising activities. The Manager will keep accurate records of all fund-raising activities, and present a written report at the RedWings monthly meetings, when applicable. The Manager will see that all funds are properly turned over to the RedWings Treasurer in a timely manner.

Section 4. Equipment Manager

The Equipment Manager will be responsible for all athletic equipment and make recommendations to the Governing Body for the purchase of new equipment. The Manager will be responsible, pending approval from the Governing Body, for the ordering of team uniforms. The Manager will supply each team with a complete first-aid kit at the beginning of the year, and restock kits as needed. The Manager will keep accurate inventory records, and make a report to the Governing Body, upon request. The Manager will submit a list of unreturned equipment at the last meeting, if necessary.

Section 5. Field Managers

The Field Managers will be the Coaches of each age group (T-Ball, Rookie, 10U, 12U & 16U) and are responsible for the upkeep of fields and surrounding property for play. The Managers will be responsible for lining the fields before their respective games. Grass cutting and maintenance will be on a rotating schedule. Field Managers will make recommendations to the Governing Body on maintenance and improvements necessary to maintain said fields.

Section 6. Concession Stand manager

The Concession Stand Manager will be responsible for stocking and maintaining the concession stand for all games and special events, including, but not limited to, tournaments, fund-raising activities, etc. The Manager will be responsible for keeping accurate records of all inventory and submit a report to the Treasurer prior to the RedWings monthly meetings.

Section 1. Duties

1. Coaches will work under the direction of the Governing Body.
2. The coaching year will be from March 1 to February 28.
3. All Coaches will be required to sign a copy of the RedWings by-laws each year and a record of signatures will be kept by the Secretary.
4. Uncertified Coaches and Assistants will be required to fill out a Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance and Pennsylvania State Police Record Check. Any fees for clearance will be paid by the RedWings. Coaches must be cleared by the State in order to be eligible to obtain a coaching position with the RedWings. Coaches will be approved by the Governing Body upon clearance.
5. Each team must have a representative at all RedWings monthly meetings. Failure to have representation at three (3) monthly meetings during a fiscal year will result in the Head Coach forfeiting his/her coaching position.
6. Coaches are to set a proper example for players to follow, which include, but not limited to, no use of tobacco, no use of alcohol, and no use of profanity on the field or in the dugouts.
7. Coaches will give sponsors a copy of team schedules, and inform sponsors of the team color.
8. Coaches must participate in workdays, opening days and special activities unless; due to his/her occupation or illness prevents participation.
9. Coaches must obtain approval from the Vice-President in regard to any changes in the teams’ practice schedule and rescheduled games as to avoid field overbooking.
10. Coaches will be held accountable for the team equipment and players receiving uniforms. An inventory list of the teams’ equipment and any unused team uniform purchased by the RedWings, not including uniforms purchased by the team sponsor, must be turned in to the Equipment Manager at the end of the season.
11. There will be no practice or game without the presence of a RedWings Coach or Assistant. Players will not be left alone at a playing or practice field with anyone other than a RedWings Coach or Assistant.
12. Coaches will allow for adequate practice time for the team, and provide each player with a practice and game schedule.
13. Coaches will have a complete first-aid kit for all games and practices. Kits must be kept with team equipment and turned in to the Equipment Manager at the end of the season.
14. Coaches are responsible for all players to wear regulation sliding shorts or uniform pants/shorts of the same color when batting. All players must also be required to wear batting helmet chinstraps. Players must wear a catchers mask while warming up a pitcher. Players must wear a batting helmet when coaching a base.
15. If a Coach purposely tells a healthy girl to stay home for a particular game for the sake of winning a game, that Coach will be immediately dismissed.
16. Coaches are encouraged to report scored and game highlights to the Scranton paper.
17. Coaches and Assistants will be responsible for cleaning both dugouts, concession stand, and surrounding area after practices and games.
18. Coaches MUST encourage the player’s parents to sign up to work in the concession stand during home games.

Section 1. Team Rosters

After registrations have been closed, the Governing Body will determine the number of teams that will play according to the number of registered girls. A limit will be set per team as to the number of players on each team. If a team reaches the set limit of players prior to adding to their roster, that team will step aside to allow the remaining teams to fill their rosters via the rotation process described in Article VII, Section 3.

Section 2. Sisters

Sisters are automatically added to the team roster. The sister is not considered a pick, but must be added immediately to the roster prior to the beginning of the rotation procedure in order to determine the team’s eligibility to choose players due to established number of players on any particular team.

Section 3. Rotation Procedure

It will be determined that the team with the least number of wins the previous year will pick first from the player draft. The team with the second least number of wins will choose next from the player draft, and so on. The rotation will continue until all names have been chosen. If a name is added after registration closes and has been approved by the Governing Body, and all teams equal number of players, then picks will start with the original rotation. If two or more teams end the previous years’ season with a tied record, then head to head loss picks first.

Section 4. Player Draft

The names of all incoming players, whether being from the T-Ball, Rookie, 10U, 12U, 16U levels or new players, will be put into a player draft. The established teams will choose a player’s name to add to their team roster in the rotation procedure described in Article VII, Section 3.

Section 5. Re-alignment of Teams

In the event that there are not enough girls to fill the rosters of the previous years’ established teams, or there are enough girls to support an additional team, the division must be re-aligned. The Governing Body will choose the Head Coaches to coach the number of teams designated for that year. All players, existing and new, will be put into a player draft. The Head Coaches will draw a number to establish an order to begin choosing teams, with the rotation process in effect, as described in Article VII, Section 3.

Section 1. Monthly Meetings

A general membership meeting shall be held on the First Sunday of every month at a time and place designated by the President, with exceptions of November and December. The Secretary will notify local newspapers of the meetings at least one (1) week in advance for publication. The Secretary will be informed of all meetings at least two (2) weeks in advance. The Governing Body will be notified of meetings.

Section 2. Special Meetings

In the event the Officers find it necessary to meet in Executive Committee, it will be deemed for discussion purposes only. No vote will be allowed to be taken.

Section 3. Quorum

The majority of the Governing Body constitutes a quorum.

Section 4. Vote

The plurality vote rules on all voting at RedWings monthly meetings, and for election of Officers. Members may abstain from voting, if personal reasons require such action.

Section 1. Trophies

Participation trophies, bought by the organization or Coaches, may be awarded at the Banquet. In the event a team places in the League, Championship trophies may be awarded at the annual banquet.

Section 2. Special Awards

Gifts purchased by the team for a coach may be presented at the annual banquet, but this must be done without excessive fanfare for one particular coach and after each player from that team has received her award(s).

Section 1. Dinner

Free dinners include players and a guest speaker with one (1) guest. If anyone is to be added to this list it is to be voted on at a regular monthly meeting prior to the annual banquet.

Section 1. Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of the RedWings will begin on February 1 and end on January 31.

Section 2. Amendments

If amendments to the by-laws are necessary, proposed changes must be presented in writing at the by-laws meeting, which will be held during the month of January. Proposed changes will be discussed at the meeting. Amendments will be reviewed in February. Final adoption of the amendments will take place in March.

Section 3. Dissolution

In the event the RedWings disband for any unforeseen reason, all properties, money, and equipment of the RedWings will be donated to a charity, charities, or other association in the Triboro and surrounding areas. The Governing Body will, by a majority, determine the above within a time period not to exceed one (1) year of disbanding.

These By-Laws were voted on and approved on ___________________________, 2006.

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