Bylaws of the Lincoln Futbol Club

BYLAW I.       GOVERNING BODY

A.        GOVERNING AUTHORITY

The governing authority of Lincoln Futbol Club shall be vested with the Board of Directors of LFC whose powers shall be delegated in the Bylaws.

B.         BOARD OF DIRECTORS

1.         The Board of Directors shall be comprised of seven Directors, each having one vote.

                        a. President

                        b. Vice President or President Elect

                        c. Secretary-Treasurer

                        d. Registrar

                        e. Director of Coaching and Player Development

                        f. Risk Management Coordinator

g. State Representative

2.                  The immediate past president of the Association may be an ex-officio member of the Board of Directors.

3.                  Additional positions maybe added in the future as the Associations sees fit.  These positions may include, but not limited to, the following.

a.       Referee Administrator

b.      Uniforms Administrator

c.       Fields and Equipment Administrator

d.      Recreational Director/Club Team Director

C.        ELECTION AND TERM OF OFFICE

1.         Officers shall be elected by majority vote of the general membership at the Association’s annual meeting.

2.         All officers shall be elected for a two-year term and shall not be restricted to a single term of office.

            3.         Candidates for association offices may be nominated by any voting member of the Association.

            4.         The President, Secretary/Treasurer, and Coaching Director, shall be elected in even number years and shall assume office on June 1 of the year in which they are elected.

            5.         The Vice President, Registrar, Risk Management Coordinator, and State Representative shall be elected in odd numbered years and shall assume office on June 1 of the year in which they are elected.

E.         MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS      

            1.         Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at least monthly.

            2.         The Board of Directors shall hold other meetings whenever the President deems it necessary or when the President is specifically instructed to call a meeting, in writing, by three or more members of the Board of Directors.

            4.         At all meetings of the Board of Directors, five members shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

            5.         If a meeting is called for the purpose of filling a vacancy in office, the quorum shall be reduced by one-half the number of vacancies to be filled.

            6.         Minutes of meetings shall be recorded by the Secretary.

            The Board of Directors shall have vested the responsibility and authority to:

            1.         Interpret and enforce the Association’s Constitution, Bylaws, and Playing Rules

            2.         Formulate and amend Rules in order to serve the best interests and objectives of Association

            3.         Reprimand, suspend, bar completely, or otherwise discipline any member, player, coach, referee, administrator, parent, or affiliated team for violations of the Association’s Constitution, Bylaws, and Rules

            4.         Budget for and administer the funds of the Association subject to ratification and approval of the membership

            5.         Hire, supervise, and terminate employees

            6.         Form standing and special committees and appoint individuals to serve on such committees

            7.         Appoint individuals to fill vacancies on the Board of Directors until the next regular election

            8.         Support a recreational program as the primary and most important function of Soccer development.  Maintain the club team program as part of the natural progression and advancement resulting from player development

            9.         The Board of Directors shall hear and decide all protests and appeals and shall decide appropriate disciplinary actions for incidents of misconduct.

BYLAW II.  DUTIES OF DIRECTORS

A.        GENERAL DUTIES OF ALL DIRECTORS

            1.         Each director shall carry out his or her duties in a responsible manner, acting only in the best interests of the Association and its membership.

            2.         Each director shall be prepared to report on his or her activities and areas of responsibility at meetings of the Board of Directors and general membership.

            3.         Each director shall follow the Association’s financial policy regarding budget proposals, expense reports, and handling of Association monies.

            4.         Each director shall be familiar with the rules of the Association, TS, USSF, and its divisions.

B          SPECIFIC DUTIES OF DIRECTORS

            1.         President

                        a. Serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors

                        b.  Presides at all meetings of the Board of Directors, and membership

                        c.  Serves as an ex-officio non-voting member of all Association committees

                        d.  Appoints committee chairmen and committee members as required

                        e.  Votes only in case of a tie vote

            2.         Vice President

                        a.  Assists the President with relationships with other groups, paperwork, and matters outside the organization of teams and the play of the game

                        b.  Presides at meetings of the Board of Directors, and membership in the absence of the President

            3a.       Secretary

                        a.  Records and distributes minutes of all meetings of the membership, Board of Directors

                        b.  Maintains lists of members in good standing and voting eligibility for meetings

                        c.  Maintains all permanent records of the Association

                        d.  Responsible for all written communications of the Association, meeting notices, communication with TS, and contact with other leagues 

            3b.       Treasurer

                        a. Prepares the annual association budget and submits it to the Board of Directors and general membership for approval

                        b.  Maintains records and receipts of all money to be deposited in a recognized bank in the name of the Association

                        c.  Pays all accounts by check with his or her signature

                        d.  Submits financial reports at least quarterly to the President and general membership

                        e.  Produces all financial records when required by the Board of Directors or Executive Committee, properly balanced, and reflecting the current financial status of the Association

                        f.   Prepares and files tax returns in a timely manner

                        g.  Prepares any and all documents pertaining to the Association’s Charter of Incorporation and tax exempt status and is authorized to obtain the services of an accountant or attorney, as appropriate; arranges for periodic audit of the Association’s books

            4.         Registrar

                        a.  Arranges for and oversees the annual registration of players

                        b.  Maintains communications with TS concerning procedures for registration of players

                        c.  Responsible for collecting fees and player forms; submitting all registration data to the state association in a timely manner; and ensuring that all players are properly registered

                        d.  Assists the Recreational and Club Team Directors and Age Group Coordinators as needed with assigning of players to teams

            5.         Director of Coaching and Player Development

                        a.  Works with the Recreational and Club Team Directors and Age Group Coordinators to procure qualified coaches for all teams

                        b.  Responsible for supervising and evaluation of Association coaches

                        c.  Arranges for periodic training and certification of coaches

                        d.  Represents the interests of the Association’s coaches on the Board of Directors

            6.         Risk Management Coordinator

                        a.  Serves as manager for the Association’s Risk Management Program

                        b.  Communicates and distributes educational material on risk management

                        c.  Obtains signed Employment/Volunteer Disclosure Statements for all coaches, managers, administrators, employees, and volunteers with exposure to youth of the Association

                        d.  Submits completed disclosure statements to the state office

                        e.  Certifies in writing that all goals, fields and grounds utilized by the Association are in compliance with TS Goal/Field Inspection Forms requirements

e.       Submits annually Goal/Field Inspection forms to state office

7.         State Representative

                        a.  Serves as the association’s voting delegate to TS district and state meetings

                        b.  Must be familiar with all the Association’s programs in order to properly represent the Association

                        c.  informs the Association and its Board of Directors of district, state, and national activities and those of other leagues as appropriate

                        d.  May serve as the Association’s liaison or representative to local civic and governmental bodies and for other functions as deemed necessary by the President or Board of Directors

BYLAW III.  STANDING COMMITTEE

 A.       GENERAL

            1.         The Association’s Board of Directors shall annually confirm the appointment of chairmen and members to serve on standing committees.

            2.         Specific duties and responsibilities of each committee, procedures for selecting committee members, and job descriptions for committee members shall be established by the Board of Directors and detailed in these Bylaws and the Association’s Rules.

            3.         Committee members who fail to carry out their duties in a responsible manner or whose actions are detrimental to the Association and/or its programs may be removed from their position by the Board of Directors.

B.         COMMITTEE RESPONSIBILITIES

            Standing Committees and their general areas of responsibility shall be as follows:

            1.         Appeals and Discipline:  The Board of Directors, with the President as Chairman, serves as the Association’s Appeals and Discipline Committee to hear protests and appeals and make decisions on appropriate disciplinary action for incidents of misconduct.

            2.         Awards:  Handles the pricing, ordering, and distribution of trophies, patches, medals, or other awards to be given

            3.         Budget and Finance:  Chaired by the Treasurer; responsible for preparation of the Association’s annual budget and presentation of the proposed budget to the Board of Directors

            4.         Coaching:  Chaired by the Coaching Director; responsible for establishing and administering programs for coaches

            5.         Concessions:  Make decisions on what, when, and where to sell concession items.  The Chairperson may organize the league’s teams (through the team managers/ mothers) so that many parents take turns manning the concession stands.  

            6.         Field Maintenance:  Chaired by the Risk Management Coordinator; responsible for maintaining the game and practice fields, goals, and nets as necessary; must be thoroughly familiar with how to lay out a field including the proper dimensions for each age group; responsible for lining the fields and maintenance of the lining equipment and supplies of chalk or other lining material.  (In some situations this committee will be responsible for mowing the fields or applications of seed and fertilizer.)

            7.         Insurance:  Is familiar with the Association’s insurance programs and claim procedures; answers questions about the coverage, maintains a supply of claim forms, and assists in filing claims with TS.  (May be the Registrar.)

            8.         Long Range Planning:  Chaired by the President or his appointee to set long-range goals for the Association and formulate plans for accomplishment

            9.         Membership:  Chaired by the Vice President, encourage non-member organizations and individuals to affiliate with the Association; reviews applications for membership and recommends appropriate action to the Board of Directors

            10.       Nominating Committee:  Formed annually prior to the Association elections to recruit qualified individuals to serve as officers and committee members

            11.       Publicity:  Maintains a good working relationship with the local newspapers, radio and TV stations, getting maximum coverage for special soccer events and for player registration

            12.       Rules and Regulations:  Chaired by the President or his or her appointee; annually reviews current and proposed rules of the Association and recommends changes in the Association’s Constitution, Bylaws, and Rules including any that may be required by state or national rules.

            13.       Special Events:  Chaired by the President or his or her designee, arranges for all tournaments, skills contests, annual meetings, or other special events of the Association; responsible for submitting applications to the state soccer association for any tournaments.

            14.       Team Organization:  Each coach will be expected to organize his/her team and its parents to handle the various tasks related to the team itself.  Positions to fill include:  Team Manager as right-hand to the coach and coordinator of all assignments not related to coaching; Assistant Coaches to help the head coach in instructing the players; Club Linesmen to help officials (referees) at the games; Telephone Chairperson for contacting players; Refreshment Chairperson to arrange for water and other drinks for games and practices; Transportation Coordinator to arrange carpools; Uniform Chairperson to wash and distribute uniforms for each game; and any others that may be appropriate for the team’s structure

BYLAW IV.  MEMBERSHIP

A.        GENERAL

            1.         The voting membership of the Association shall include individuals currently active in the association’s programs.

            2.         Non-voting membership may be granted to other organizations or individuals interested in the advancement of the sport of soccer and the Association.

B.         CLASSES OF MEMBERSHIP

            1.         Players

                        a. Shall include players currently registered with and participating in soccer programs under the jurisdiction of the Association.

                        b.  Shall be accorded one vote per player.

                        c.  Parents shall cast votes for youth players.  Adult players shall cast their own votes.

            2.         Officials

                        a.  Shall include all currently active coaches, assistant coaches, team managers, and referees.

                        b.  Shall be accorded one vote for each affiliated individual.

C.        RIGHTS OF MEMBERS

            1.         Members in good standing are granted various rights and privileges as defined by the Board of Directors in the Association’s Rules.

            2.         Rights of players and officials in good standing shall include the right to vote at the Association’s general membership meetings.

D.        TERM OF MEMBERSHIP

            1.         Term of membership shall be one seasonal year beginning on September 1 and ending on August 31.

            2.         Membership shall automatically renew each seasonal year provided the member is in good standing, has paid applicable fees, and is actively participating in the programs of the Association.

BYLAW V.  GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

A.        DATES

            The Association shall hold general membership meetings semi-annually in the months of February and August.

B.         PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES

            Robert’s Rules of Order, latest edition, shall be the parliamentary authority for all meetings of the Association, unless otherwise agreed to by the participants by a two-thirds vote.

C.        VOTING ELIGIBILITY

            1.         Voting eligibility at general meetings of the Association by affiliated voting members is determined by the class of membership.

            2.         Only those voting members of record, duly affiliated, with all fees paid and in good standing, shall be entitled to vote.

D.        VOTING BY DIRECTORS

            1.         Each member of the Board of Directors shall be entitled to one vote, except the President, who shall cast a vote only in the case of a tie.

            2.         Directors shall not vote in an election except as the representatives of an affiliated member.

E.         VOTING BY PROXY

            1.         Regular voting members and directors may vote at general membership meetings by proxy.

            2.         The proxy must designate, in writing, the name of the assistant to represent the member at the general meeting.

            3.         The proxy for any member must bear the name of the member wishing to vote by proxy, the person designated to vote, and the signature of the member.

BYLAW VI.  AMENDMENTS

A.        APPROVAL OF AMENDMENTS

            1.         Amendments to the constitution and bylaws must be approved by two-thirds of the voting members at a general membership meeting.

            2.         Members and directors may vote by proxy.

B.         AMENDMENT OF PROPOSALS

            1.         Proposed amendments may be submitted by any affiliated member.

            2.         Proposals should include the number and text of the current rule, the text of the proposed new or revised rule, and the reason for the change.

            3.         Proposals to revise or amend the Constitution and Bylaws shall be submitted, in writing, to the President at least 30 days in advance of the general meeting.

            4.         Amendment proposals shall be published and distributed to affiliated members for study at least 14 days prior to the general meeting at which the proposal will be considered.