St. Mary’s Youth Soccer Constitution
as of September 27, 2002
ARTICLE I - NAME
The name of this organization will be St. Mary’s Youth Soccer Incorporated, also known as SMYS.
ARTICLE II - PURPOSE
SMYS, an independent league, is affiliated with the Maryland State Youth Soccer Association (MSYSA) and the St. Mary’s County Department of Recreation and Parks to provide soccer programs to help county children develop and grow through participation in soccer. SMYS shall adhere to the rules and regulations of the MSYSA. The organization is designed to teach children the fundamentals of soccer, the principles of good sportsmanship, the responsibility of team participation, and to have fun. SMYS is a non-profit organization.
ARTICLE III - PROGRAMS
There are four programs that SMYS sponsors: a kiddie kick program, a recreational league, a recreation plus league, and a select, or travel, league. These programs emphasize having fun, teaching and developing soccer skills and tactics, and promoting good sportsmanship. The SMYS seasonal year shall conform to the MSYSA seasonal year. Each league, or club, shall be divided and administered as follows:
Kiddie Kick Program – The Kiddie Kick program was established for four year old players to get their first taste of soccer. The program is all about fun and friendship, and letting the youngest players get a chance to experience the game. Kiddie kick runs on a shorter schedule than the other programs, providing a six-week clinic format with no organized teams or practices. Kiddie kick will run for one hour during six weeks of the regular SMYS season. The program fee will be less than that of the other SMYS programs, and parental supervision is required for all participants.
Recreational League - The recreational component of SMYS, an intra-club league, will emphasis fun and the development of basic soccer skills. The intent of this league is to maximize player touches during games and practice in a pressure-free, fun environment. SMYS shall administer all aspects of this league as follows:
(1) Any and all participants shall be accepted by SMYS (subject to rules of registration).
(2) The league shall be divided into divisions for different age groups as may be necessary for the development of players.
(3) The use of tryouts, invitations, recruiting or any like process to roster players selectively to any team on the basis of talent or ability it prohibited.
(4) All players must play one-half (1/2) of each official game except for reasons of injury, illness, or discipline.
(5) League participants shall abide by regulations outlined in the Recreational By-laws.
Recreation Plus League - The recreation plus component of SMYS, an intra-club league, will emphasis fun and the development of basic soccer skills, while providing a more competitive environment than the recreation league. The intent of this league is to maximize player touches during games and practice in a pressure-free, fun environment. SMYS shall administer all aspects of this league as follows:
(1) The league shall be divided into two divisions for different age groups as follows: 3rd and 4th grade division, and 5th and 6th grade. Other school age based divisions may be added as necessary for the further development of players.
(2) Skills evaluations shall be used to roster players selectively to a particular division on the basis of talent or ability. If a child is not selected to play on a Rec Plus team, he/she shall be placed on a team in the appropriate Recreation division. All players registered to SMYS and accepted according to the rules of registration will be placed on appropriate teams.
(3) All players must play one-half (1/2) of each official game except for reasons of injury, illness, or discipline.
(4)Division participants shall abide by regulations outlined in the SMYS By-laws.
Select League - An inter-club select league component of the SMYS will emphasis fun at the competitive level to include advanced skills and techniques, tactical awareness, and sportsmanship. The select program component of SMYS shall be known as St. Mary’s United Soccer Club. These teams shall participate in travel league(s) and tournaments outside of SMYS administration. The intent of this club is to give players of greater experience, ability, and/or desire the opportunity to further their development and enjoyment of soccer by providing the opportunity to compete against similar teams and to present such players increased soccer knowledge. The United shall be administered as follows:
(1) Teams and players shall be rostered in accordance with the age groups and rules applicable in the league or tournament in which they shall play.
(2) The use of tryouts, invitations, recruiting or any like process to roster players selectively to any team on the basis of talent is permitted as described in the SMYS United By-laws.
(3) Any and all SMYS participants should be accepted for at least one tryout, subject to the rules of registration.
(4) United coaches will be selected and voted-on by the The United Club and submitted to the SMYS Executive board for acceptance.
(5) The United participants will abide by additional regulations outlined in the United By-laws.
ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP
Membership in SMYS shall consist of elected and appointed officers, coaches, assistant coaches, and parents or guardians, of the players. Players shall not be considered as members. Players fees shall be collected at the beginning of each season and used for the operating expenses of the organization. Members will be invited to attend "general" meetings. These meetings are defined in Article IX.
ARTICLE V - SMYS GOVERNING BOARD
SMYS shall be governed by a Governing Board. The Board shall be responsible for financial administration, schedules, fund raising, field assignment, field preparation, providing referees, publication of information of league interest, special events, liaison with MSYSA, the St. Mary’s County Department of Recreation and Parks, and any other organization that may be necessary. In addition, the Board shall serve as the nominating committee for league officers for the following year.
The Board shall consist of both elected and appointed officers. All officers shall be voting members of the Board. Individuals may hold more than one position on the Board. In cases where individuals hold more than one position, they shall be entitled to only one Board vote. Board meetings and voting procedures are defined in Article IX.
In the case of a change in board membership at the end of the year, the outgoing Board shall, for the incoming Board, establish recommended dates for the following year for ordering shirts, registration days, and the first game of each season. Elected officials shall be designated as the Executive Board for SMYS.
ARTICLE VI - ELECTED OFFICERS/EXECUTIVE BOARD
The following officers shall be elected by the general membership at a general meeting held at the end of the Spring season: Each officer will serve a term of two years, with the President and Secretary being voted in on odd-numbered years, and the two Vice Presidents and treasurer being voted on in even-numbered years. No SMYS President shall elected without having prior Governing Board service. The St. Mary’s United Vice President shall be elected in accordance with SMU by-laws and shall be the only candidate eligible for election at this position.
President - schedules and presides at meetings, is responsible for liaison with the MSYSA, the St. Mary’s County Department of Recreation and Parks, and any other organizations as necessary, publicity and public relations, and coordinates all aspects of the program. Approves league expenditures, signs checks drawn on SMYS checking accounts, and signs documents on behalf of SMYS.
Vice President (Recreation League) - Assumes the duties of the President in his or her absence, supervises fund raising, handles special projects such as team pictures, parent/coach games, end of season special events or league parties, and is in charge of registration.
Vice President (United Club) - responsible for liaison with SMYS and the league in which United teams shall play and any other organization as necessary for select programs. He or she shall coordinate all aspects of the United program.
Secretary - takes minutes at all meetings, coordinates internal communications, handles correspondence, organizes registration,produces the SMYS Newsletter, maintains current addresses and telephones of league officials, and maintains the official roster of each team.
Treasurer - oversees budget, orders and purchases equipment (goals, nets, balls, patches, uniforms, field lining supplies, etc.), ensures sufficient uniforms and other items are on hand prior to each seasons first game day, reports the league financial status to the President of the first day of the month during each soccer season, submits financial reports at all general meetings, provides recommendations for establishing fees necessary to sustain the league prior to registration each season, maintains the SMYS accounting records, ensures approved league expenses are promptly paid, and signs checks drawn on all SMYS checking accounts.
These officers shall be elected at the last general meeting of the Spring Season. Terms of all officers shall be for two seasons or approximately one year and begin 30 days following election. Officers may be reelected to the same or another position. No individual may hold more than one elected position.
ARTICLE VII - APPOINTED OFFICERS
The following officers shall be appointed by the President to serve on the Executive Board:
Division Managers - assist the Vice President (Recreation Division) in the registration of players, obtain necessary coaches, form teams within their division, develop game schedules, and distribute and collect league equipment provided to coaches.
Head Referee - recruits and trains referees, , and resolves disputes.
Referee Scheduler - Schedules referees for games, calculates referee pay and reports it for disbursement, coordinates scheduling of ref training and assists in resolving issues with SMYS referees. This is the only compensated position on the SMYS Governing Board.
Director of Fields - ensure game fields are maintained, marked, and ready for play. Coordinate use of equipment required to maintain fields.
Equipment Manager - maintains an inventory of all league equipment, coordinating with Division Managers for equipment in their custody. Provide requirements for additional equipment purchases to the Treasurer.
Director of Coach and Player Education - set up and coordinate all coach and player clinics sponsored by SMYS, and maintain records of coaches’ credentials and experience.
Past President - provide advice and guidance to the Executive Board.
ARTICLE VIII - REPLACEMENT OF ELECTED OR APPOINTED OFFICERS
In the event that any elected or appointed officer is unable to complete the full term of office, replacements may be made as follows. An elected officer may be replaced, through election, at the first Board meeting following the resignation of the officer, by a simple majority of the Board members present. For an appointed officer, the President may make the new appointment and advise the Board at the next scheduled Board meeting.
In addition, the President may request the resignation of any officer for failure to perform duties, failure to attend at least three Executive Board meetings if that officer is involved directly in a red card incident, or if results of a subsequent investigation reveal that the officer has acted in a manner inappropriate to SMYS, illegal in anyway, or detrimental to the youth in the program. In the event the President wishes to dismiss an officer from the Board, he or she shall notify all members of the Board in writing, at least seven days in advanced of the scheduled Board meeting. The individual in question shall be the opportunity to speak to the Board in his or her defense. The Board may dismiss the individual by a 3/4 vote of the Board members present.
The President may, at his or her discretion, appoint an interim officer at any time a position is vacant to perform the duties of the office until the next scheduled Board meeting.
ARTICLE IX - INVESTIGATIONS
The SMYS Executive Board shall be empowered to conduct such investigations of members of this league to establish that they are in compliance with all the financial obligations and the fair and equitable promotions, development and administration of soccer as written in the SMYS Constitution and by-laws. If such investigation reveals that the member has not complied with the rules of this League, the SMYS Executive Board shall adjudge the member to be NOT in good standing and shall impose such penalties and sanctions to bring the member into compliance with the precepts of this league.
The President has authority to take any of the following action(s) for any violation of the SMYS Constitution/By-Laws or in response to a red carded Player, Coach or member as deemed appropriate:
a. Initiate an investigation by one or more members of the Executive Board (excluding the President).
b. Convene a three member or more Review Board using Executive Board members (excluding the President) to review the incident or review the findings and recommendations of other investigative individuals or committees initiated by the President as stated above.
c. Convene the Executive Board at a special meeting to review, investigate, or impose such penalties, sanctions, and or training requirements necessary to make the Parent, Player or Coach aware of the fundamental responsibilities they must adhere to as a member of SMYS.
ARTICLE X - MEETINGS
General - General meetings shall be open to all members of the organization as defined in Article IV, including interested members of the community. At least two general meetings shall be held each season, for a total of four per year. One meeting shall occur prior to the start of play for the season and the other at or near the end of play. The general meeting shall be called by the President and the times and places of the meeting shall be posted on the SMYS Web site at least 7 days in advance of the scheduled meeting date.
The agenda for the meeting will be established by the President and the President shall preside over the meeting. Any individual or organization desiring to introduce new business shall notify the Secretary or President at least fourteen days in advance of the scheduled meeting.
Officers will be elected at the last meeting of the Spring season, which will normally occur in May. Only members may vote for officers and each family shall have one vote. The Executive Board will make nominations for officers although additional nominations may come from the floor. Election of officers shall be by simple majority vote.
Governing Board - Board meetings will be monthly during each season. Additional meetings may be held at the president's discretion in order to resolve specific issues. They shall be called by the President and he or she will set the agenda for the meeting. Only members of the Board need be notified of the time, date, and location of the meetings. If a member other than the Board wishes to attend a Board meeting, he or she shall contact the President who may, at his or her discretion, allow outside participation.
Board members will focus on schedules, finances, fee setting, relations with the MSYSA and St. Mary’s County Department of Recreation and Parks, and other business which may need to be brought before a general meeting. It shall be the responsibility of the Board to maintain the financial solvency of the SMYS and focus on the primary purpose of the SMYS as defined in Article II.
ARTICLE XI - DISSOLUTION OF SMYS
In the event of dissolution of SMYS, the residual assets of the organization shall be remitted to the St. Mary’s County Department of Recreation and Parks. Should this organization be followed by another organization which adheres to the same purpose as SMYS, it shall be the responsibility of that organization to petition St. Mary’s County for control of those residual assets.
ARTICLE XII - AMENDMENTS
Constitution - Any proposals to modify or motions to change this constitution shall be presented to the Secretary in writing not less than 30 days prior to a general meeting. The proposed amendment shall be advertised to the general membership not less than 7 days in advance of the general meeting through the SMYS Newsletter, as well as on the SMYS website. The proposed amendment must be read aloud at the general meeting and may be accompanied by a comment from the Executive Board. A vote of three-fourths (3/4) of the members present will be required to carry the amendment.