PULLMAN SOCCER CLUB

BY-LAWS

Table of Contents:

Section 1     Purpose

Section 2     Membership

Section 3     Meetings of Members of the Club

Section 4     Board of Directors

Section 5     Duties of the Officers of the Board of Directors

Section 6     Indemnification of Directors

Section 7     Judicial Committee

Section 8     Operating Procedures

Section 9     Teams and Rosters

Section 10   Balancing Individual Player Development and Team Development

Section 11   Fees and Fund Raising

Section 12   Uniforms

Section 13   Codes of Conduct

Section 14   Certification of Coaches and Referees

Section 15   By-Laws

SECTION 1

PURPOSE

1.01 General Purpose: The general purpose of the Pullman Soccer Club (hereinafter referred to as the Club), will be to organize and promulgate the game of Soccer at all levels, for the benefit of all persons regardless of race, color, creed, national origin, age or sex.

1.02 Specific Purposes: Specific Purposes of the Club will be:

1.02.01 To serve as the exclusive representative of the Washington State Youth Soccer Association (WSYSA) in the promotion of, teaching, and playing of recreational and competitive soccer in the region around Pullman, Washington, USA.

1.02.02 To serve as the representative and liaison to the WSYSA on behalf of all persons in the Region interested in the development and advancement of competitive youth soccer in the Region.

          1.02.03 To properly administer the competitive youth soccer program in the Region including:

1.02.03.01 Representing the Club in any leagues, divisions or regions in which Club teams compete, subject to all applicable rules promulgated by the WSYSA & Idaho Youth Soccer Association.

                   1.02.03.02 Supervision and training of referees and coaches.

                   1.02.03.03 Training and development of a pool of competitive soccer players for local High School soccer programs.

                   1.02.03.04 Providing opportunities for soccer players to develop and prepare for intercollegiate competition.

          1.02.04 To foster a spirit of pride, unity, cooperation and good sportsmanship among soccer       players, parents, guardians and other persons interested in competitive soccer in the Region.

1.03 Laws of the Game. The Club will conduct its activities in conformance with the Laws of the Game as articulated in the FEDERATION INTERNATIONAL DE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION, hereinafter referred to as “FIFA and variations adopted by relevant state associations."

SECTION 2

2.01 Classes: There will be three classes of membership: Active Players, Parents or Guardians of Active Players, and Associate Members. The qualifications of admission to membership as players, and parents or guardians of players in the Club will be identical and simultaneous pursuant to Section 2.02 of the Club Bylaws. Associate Members will consist of members of the Board of Directors and all Coaches, Assistant Coaches, and Team Managers. When the Board approves Coaches, Assistant Coaches and Team Managers, Associate Membership is automatic. Election to the Board of Directors automatically grants Board members the status of Associate Member.   Associate members shall have one vote but not to exceed the voting privileges as a player/parent-guardian entity (one vote total per player/parent-guardian entity).

2.02 Qualification For Membership: At the beginning of each season and following tryouts (if any), a player must pay a fee designated by the board. Payment of the fee will result in automatic membership in the Club for the player and his/her parents or guardians. Each player/parent-guardian entity will have one vote at the Annual Club Membership Meeting. Each player/parent-guardian entity may nominate themselves or others for a position on the Board of Directors as Team Representative or as an Officer.

SECTION 3

MEETINGS OF MEMBERS OF THE CLUB

3.01 Types of Meetings: The Club will conduct three types of meetings:

          3.01.01 Annual Club Membership Meeting,

          3.01.02 Board of Directors Meetings, and

          3.01.03 Special Club Meetings.

3.02 Annual Meeting: The Annual Club meeting will occur in the Spring following the conclusion of league competition to be scheduled no sooner than the week following the season nor later than the third week following the Spring season. The agenda for the Spring meeting will include, at a minimum, the following items:

          3.02.01 A financial accounting of the status of the Club,

          3.02.02 Nomination for new Board of Director vacant positions and,

3.02.03 Election and installation of a new Board of Directors as outlined in Section 4.02.

3.03 Notification: At least two weeks before the Annual meeting the Registrar will notify the Members by mail, e-mail or another type of notice.

3.04 Board of Directors Meetings: The Board will meet a minimum of four times per year. The Board, at its discretion, will meet from time to time to consider matters of immediate concern. Attendance at meetings of the Board of Directors will be limited to members of the Board of Directors. Team Managers and Head Coaches may be invited to attend, particularly during team selection periods. Any party may attend a Board Meeting if invited by a Director. No less than one week prior to the meeting, the Assistant Registrar/Secretary will give notice of a Board meeting to the other Directors and to the Team Managers. Notice can be by phone, fax, mail, or e-mail.

3.05 Special Club Meetings: The President, or any Director, may call special meetings of the Club, at such time and place as the President or the Director may prescribe. Five or more Members of the voting membership may call for a Special Meeting at a time and place that the President may prescribe, but in no case more than 30 days from the time of the request by the members.

3.06 Executive Sessions: The Board may, go into Executive Session to consider personnel, legal, or property matters. All votes on all matters before the Board, however, will occur in open session. Executive sessions may occur at Annual, Regular, or Special meetings. 

SECTION 4

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

4.01 Powers and Qualifications: A Board of Directors consisting of team representatives and eight officers manages the affairs of the Club.   The Board shall consist of at least one representative from each competitive (traveling) team, based upon teams fielded in the Spring season together with any teams planning to register for the Fall season, together with additional Directors to fill each of the eight officer's positions.  No more than three Board Directors are to be parents/guardians from a particular competitive team.  Team representation is limited to one Representative with up to three Officers (In this case the team Representative would also be an Officer.).  A team's Representative may also be an Officer.

4.02 Election and Composition of the Board: The general membership will nominate Representatives/Officers to fill vacant Board of Directors positions prior to or during the Annual Meeting.  Election and installation of new board Representatives and Officers shall be completed by vote of the existing Board of Directors during the Annual meeting.  Thus the membership nominates Board Directors and the existing board votes for and confirms the nominations. Unless specifically requested by the membership present at the Annual Meeting the election will be by a show of hands. 

4.03 Term: Each Director will serve for two years. A Director may succeed her/him-self up to a maximum of two terms. A Director that has served two terms must step down for a minimum of one year before becoming eligible to serve again on the Board. The terms of the Board will be staggered so that at least two and no more than six Directors are up for election each year: the goal being at least half of the Board of Directors is seasoned for at least one year.

4.04 Composition of the Board:  The Board will consist of Directors with the following Officer titles: President, Vice President, Director of Coaches/Managers, Director of Fields/Scheduling/Referees, Director of Equipment, Registrar, Assistant Registrar/Secretary and Treasurer together with representatives from each competitive team as indicated in Section 4.01 above.

4.05 Quorum: A quorum of the Board is 2/3 of the Board of Directors rounded up.

4.06 Voting: Directors each have one vote. In the case of a tie, the issue on the table will fail. For changes in the By-Laws, a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the Board of Directors present is required.

4.07 Proxy Voting: Directors can vote by proxy. A proxy vote is not valid unless the person giving the proxy writes a letter to the Board giving another Director his/her proxy. Proxy votes are limited to a specific issue on the agenda for a regular or special meeting of the Board.

4.08 Subcommittees: The Board may establish subcommittees of the Board. Each subcommittee must have a Director as chair.

4.09 Removal of Directors:

          4.08.01 A Director can be removed by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the entire Board of Directors.

          4.09.02 A Director can also be removed by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the membership        present at the Special Meeting of the Club. The minimum number of members present at the Special Meeting will be one-third (1/3) of the total membership of the Club.

4.10 Vacancy in Office: If any Director resigns, dies, or is removed from office pursuant to Section 4 of the Bylaws, the Board of Directors will appoint a Club member to fill the open position and term.

4.11 Budget: The Board of Directors will approve a budget for the fall season and the spring season.

SECTION 5

DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

5.01 President: The President is the chief executive officer of the Board of Directors. The President is responsible for the general administration of the Board, the setting of the agenda for each meeting, and for chairing the meetings of the Board. The President is the representative to the Washington State Youth Soccer Association, any league, organization or tournament where a Club team may compete. The President may delegate responsibility for being the Club representative.  The President shall be a signator on bank accounts.

5.02 Vice-President:  In the absence of the President, the Vice President will assume all the responsibilities of the President.  The V.P. will assist the President in the general administration of the Club and work closely with him/her in the day-to-day operations of the Club.  He/she will assist the Director of Fields/Scheduling/Referees in attending scheduling meetings at the district and local levels.  League game scheduling will be conducted by the Vice-President and Director of Fields/Scheduling/Referees to ensure little or no errors.  This individual will also be the Club representative and contact at the District level for the scheduling process. 

5.03 Director of Coaches/Managers:  The Director of Coaches/Managers will oversee the operations of the teams, working closely with the team coaches and managers to provide direction in procedures, operations, and team development.  When conflicts arise between players, coaches, manager or parents, the Director will be the first contact and assist in resolving the conflict.  If no satisfactory resolution is found, the problem will then be presented to the Board of Directors Judicial Committee, as defined in Section 7.01 below, for resolution.  He/she will aid in player/coach development by providing information regarding additional opportunities for attendance in organized player’s or coach’s clinics, tournaments or soccer camps.   He/she will assist teams in finding coaches or managers as needed.  

5.04 Director of Fields/Scheduling/Referees:  The Director of Fields/Scheduling and Referees will take a leadership position in acquiring and maintaining quality soccer fields for use by the Club teams.  The Director will work with the appropriate officials at the local school districts, universities, and recreation departments in securing access to fields for club use and  have a clear understanding of use regulations.  It will be the responsibility of the Director to convey field use limitations and expectations to players, parents, coaches and managers.  He/she will work closely with the Equipment Director to organize goal placement and field lining prior to each season.  He/she will work closely with the Vice President to attend scheduling meetings at the district and local levels.  League game scheduling will be conducted by the Director of Fields/Scheduling/Referees and the Vice President to ensure little or no errors.  The Director will work with the President of the local referee association in scheduling of referees for club home games.  This individual will also prepare practice schedules and make practice schedule field selection. Practice schedule changes agreed upon by team managers or coaches will be coordinated through the Director. He/she will be the sole contact in making changes in game schedules, field use and referees as needed.

5.05 Director of Equipment:  The Director of Equipment will take a leadership position in acquiring and maintaining quality game and practice equipment for the teams fielded by the Club.  The Director of Equipment will develop and maintain a system of inventory, checkout, replacement and repair of Club uniforms and equipment.  He/she will organize goal placement, field lining and portable lavatories prior to each season, communicating regularly with the Director of Fields/Scheduling/Referees.  This individual will also have the responsibility of organizing Team Managers to complete the task of placing, removing and storing field corner flags before and after each home league game on fields where this is necessary.

5.06 Registrar: The Registrar will register all players with the appropriate WSYSA and other organizations and will take a leadership role in developing and maintaining complete and accurate rosters of player pools for the Club. The Registrar will work closely with the President and with Team managers in performing the duties of the Registrar.  In addition the Registrar will assist team managers in preparation for tournament participation which will include the processing of travel papers and team rosters in a timely manner.

 5.07 Secretary/Assistant Registrar: As Secretary, he/she will establish and maintain the official record of the affairs of the Club, including publishing the agenda and minutes of all club meetings. In addition the secretary with the President should write and closely monitor the need for the preparation and mailing of Thank you and Appreciation notes to appropriate club members and non members in recognition of their contributions to the club.  It is expected that the secretary will attend all club meetings. As Assistant Registrar he/she will assist the Registrar in preparing team rosters at the beginning of each season.  It is expected that the Assistant registrar will assume the responsibilities of the Registrar, upon completion of the Registrar's term, if that is deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors.  To that end the Assistant Registrar will work closely with the Registrar to ensure a smooth transition.

5.08 Treasurer: The Treasurer will perform and maintain appropriate records on the accounting and banking activities of the Club. The account structure will provide for provide for easy accumulation of financial data for all teams fielded by the Club. Dues will be payable to the Club and all expenditures will be by Club check. The Treasurer will provide financial reports to the Board at the Club’s Annual Meeting and at regular meetings of the Board. The Treasurer will prepare a budget for both the fall and spring seasons. He/she will also be the source for the determination of fees for the Club.  The Treasurer will be a signator on bank accounts.

SECTION 6

INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS

6.01 Indemnification of Directors: The Club will indemnify any director, or former director, against expenses actually and necessarily incurred him/her in connection with the defense of any action, suit or proceeding in which he/she is made a party because of being or having been a Director. The Director, or former Director will not be indemnified if proven to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of duty. Indemnification will not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which such director may be entitled under any By-Laws, agreements, vote of the Board of Directors, or by membership in the Washington State Youth Soccer Association.

6.02 Officers and Directors Insurance: The Club will provide Officer’s and Director’s Insurance for the Board of Directors, Coaches, and Team Managers of the Club. This coverage may be through Club purchased insurance or via the Washington State Youth Soccer Association.

SECTION 7

JUDICIAL COMMITTEE

7.01 Judicial Committee:

7.01.01 The Board of Directors will establish and maintain a Judicial Committee consisting of at least three (3) members of the current Board of Directors; said committee members will be recommended and approved by majority vote of the Board of Directors. Each Judicial Committee member will serve a one-year term, which is renewable for another term.

7.01.02 The Judicial Committee will have original jurisdiction of charges submitted against Directors, Coaches, Team Managers, parents, spectators or players.

7.01.02.01 The Judicial Committee will conduct an investigation of all charges submitted to it and will have the power to require the appearance before it of the accused and the accuser.
7.01.02.02 The Judicial Committee will render a written decision on all charges submitted to it and will have the power to recommend proper actions regarding the accused.

7.01.03 The accused can appeal a decision of the Judicial Committee to the Board of Directors by submitting a notice of appeal within sixty (60) days of the Judicial Committee's decision. The decision of the Board is final except for additional processes available through the district and regional soccer organizations.

7.02 Charges Against a Member of the Judicial Committee: If the charges are submitted against an individual who is a member of the Judicial Committee, the President will appoint a special committee to act upon the charges.

SECTION 8

OPERATING PROCEDURES

8.01 Operating Procedures: In addition to the operating procedures of the Board of Directors and the Club, the Club may, from time to time develop and implement operating procedures for specific activities. The Club will develop procedures for (1) Team Managers, (2) Coaches, (3) Directors, (4) Codes of Conduct for coaches, players, and parents, (5) Team development and evaluation, and (6) Player development and evaluation. The procedures will be developed pursuant to the Club By-Laws, FIFA, and the rules of the relevant state associations and/or leagues.

SECTION 9

TEAMS AND ROSTERS

9.01 Number of Teams: The Club will field the maximum number of teams by age group and as permitted by the leagues and state soccer associations.

9.02 Roster Size: Team rosters for 11 vs. 11 teams can not be more than 18 but can be limited to 16 active players, per a coach’s request. Team rosters for 8 vs. 8 teams will be limited to 14 active players.

SECTION 10

BALANCING INDIVIDUAL PLAYER DEVELOPMENT AND TEAM DEVELOPMENT

10.01 To balance the sometimes conflicting needs of developing individual players and competitive teams, the Board of Directors has adopted a Player and Team Development Philosophy and corresponding procedures. (Section 1 of the Pullman Soccer Club Operating Guidelines)

10.02 Based on these Guidelines, the decision/s of the Board of Directors will be final.

SECTION 11

FEES AND FUND RAISING

11.01 Fees: The Board of Directors of the Club will set player fees and special fees consistent with the limitations set forth in Section 11.02. Player fees will be set each spring.

11.02 Fundraising: The Board may develop and implement, or approve, fundraising projects and related procedures for the benefit of an individual team or for the whole Club.

SECTION 12

UNIFORMS

12.01 Establishing Standards For Team Uniforms: The Board will establish standard color and type of uniforms for teams fielded by the Club.

SECTION 13

CODES OF CONDUCT

13.01 Codes of Conduct: The Board will develop Codes of Conduct for players, parents/guardians, and coaches.

13.02 Format of Codes: The Codes of Conduct will be in the form of a standardized written pledge signed by each player and parent-guardian, and a standardized pledge signed by each coach.

SECTION 14

CERTIFICATION OF COACHES AND REFEREES

14.01 Certification of Coaches: The long-term goal of the Club is to require minimum certification as a prerequisite for coaching teams fielded by the Club.

14.02 Certification of Referees: It is a requirement of the Club that all referees hold current certifications sufficient to referee matches sponsored by the Washington State Youth Soccer Association.

SECTION 15

BY-LAWS

15.01  Amendment of By-laws:  These by-laws are amendable by the Board of Directors as referred to in section 4.06 above.

As amended 11/27/06.