BYLAWS OF NORCAL PREMIER SOCCER
I. NAME
The corporation shall be known as NorCal Premier Soccer (“this league”).
II. PURPOSE
The goal of this league is to provide a playing opportunity for players with advanced soccer skills and a desire to play with and against others with similar skills and desires.
We believe that:
A primary focus of a successful soccer program should be the individual player and the player’s family.
A primary focus of soccer coaches, teams and clubs should be the development of a child as a person first and player second.
Individual player development should be a soccer club’s primary focus, with team success a secondary, but important, goal.
Those who are exceptions to these views will benefit from involvement in a league that promotes and expects such behavior from its participants.
We believe that NorCal Premier Soccer offers a league supporting the players, parents, coaches and clubs in this endeavor.
High-level competition with multiple divisions of play, promotion and relegation
Players, teams and clubs seeking high-level competition should have a place to play.
A league should have promotion and relegation to ensure that players and teams are, as much as possible, playing against appropriate levels of competition.
A league should be governed by simple administrative procedures, providing players, teams and clubs essential flexibility in the player development process.
Clubs should have the ability to move players up and down within their club using a club player pass.
Clubs should have the ability to make changes, game to game, due to illness, injury, vacation, changing ability, practice attendance, commitment or because a player has dedicated the summer to practicing on the player’s own.
Having a flexible roster is not only healthy for players, teams, clubs and families, but also reflects a realistic understanding of the changes that occur over a 12 month period.
The soccer world has shown weekly competition, combined with weekly practices and appropriate breaks, provide the best opportunity for player development.
It is beneficial, less costly, more enjoyable, more family friendly and better for player development, to compete in a year round league.
Playing league games each weekend against opponents of similar strength will limit the staggering sums of money that would otherwise be spent on food, lodging and travel in connection with tournament play.
Playing two competitive games in a day is not ideal, but at times necessary, given the geographic reach and travel logistics of this league.
Pursuit of a high level activity should be encouraged and soccer is a healthy choice.
Pursuit of high level athletics helps teenagers excel in school, stay fit, avoid drugs and alcohol, and build self esteem.
Encouraging full, intense, involvement with soccer increases the likelihood a young person will remain in the sport for the rest of the person’s life.
It is common sense that parents are best suited to choose their own child’s level and location of participation in any activity including soccer.
Children placed by parental choice under the guidance of professional soccer coaches, benefit immensely from the lessons offered by participation in an intense, high level sporting environment.
A league dedicated to supporting clubs that embrace these concepts of player development, is ethical and necessary.
We believe that soccer is a kick in the grass, a blast, loads of fun, the cat’s meow, the bee’s knees, and the world’s favorite pastime and should be played, watched, enjoyed and read about daily.
III. PROGRAM
To accomplish these objectives, this league has established a supervised program of competitive soccer games. This league shall focus on developing skills of the game and sportsmanship. This league shall make every effort to provide equal benefits to all registered members. Team admission to this league shall be without regard to race, creed, or gender. The members, including officers, board members, coordinators, and coaches, shall maintain first and foremost, this league’s goal of developing a child as a person first and a player second.
IV. EXECUTIVE BOARD
The Executive Board shall consist of officers, the President, Vice President, Technical Director, Treasurer, and Secretary, selected annually by majority vote of the members of the Executive Board at a duly convened meeting during the month of January. If an officer vacancy occurs, the Executive Board shall be authorized, by majority vote, to appoint a replacement for the remainder of the unexpired term.
The President shall: (a) preside over all meetings of this league and represent this league in all matters; (b) be responsible for setting the agenda for all meetings; (c) be responsible for overall operation of this league; (d) call special meetings as deemed necessary; (e) oversee the appointment of all committees and monitor their progress; (f) upon request, assist other members of the Executive Board in the performance of their duties; (g) pursue sponsors as necessary to meet this league’s needs; and (h) assist the Vice President with scheduling of games.
The Vice-President shall: (a) serve in the absence of the President; and (b) supervise scheduling of games.
The Technical Director shall: (a) assist the President and Vice-President in developing communication for this league; and (b) develop and implement rules for this league.
The Treasurer shall: (a) be responsible for safely keeping and distributing all monies received by this league; (b) deposit all funds into a chartered bank in the name of this league; (c) file annually or as required by law, a statement of non-profit corporation with the Internal Revenue Service; (d) prepare and present a complete financial statement upon request of the President; and (e) maintain records for all monies received and disbursed.
The Secretary shall: (a) be responsible for all correspondence received or initiated by the Executive Board; (b) serve as official custodian of the By-Laws; (c) record minutes of all meetings of the Executive Board and maintain a historical record of all meeting minutes; (d) conduct all correspondence not otherwise delegated in connection with this league; and (e) assure that results of all votes are recorded.
All authority shall be vested in the Executive Board which shall be empowered, by majority vote of members of the Executive Board present at a duly constituted meeting, to conduct all of this league’s business, including without limitation: (a) filling vacancies on the Executive Board; (b) soliciting contributions or sponsorships; (c) making and enforcing rules; and (d) establishing special committees as deemed appropriate. All meetings of the Executive Board require at least 3 members of the Executive Board to be present to constitute a quorum. A quorum is necessary to conduct any business pertaining to this league. Minutes of all Executive Board meetings shall be recorded. Meetings of the Executive Board shall be closed, except when the President deems an agenda item necessitates outside attendance. The President has the authority to call an Emergency Meeting of the Executive Board at anytime.
The Executive Board, by a majority vote of the members of the Executive Board present at a duly constituted meeting, shall have the authority to suspend, discipline, or terminate membership of any participant in this league, including members of the Executive Board, when the conduct of such person is considered detrimental to the objectives of this league. If any of the above actions are to be considered, the Executive Board shall: (a) notify the member(s) involved of the nature of the charges against them in writing by Secretary; (b) establish a date, time and location of the meeting where the Executive Board intends to convene to discuss action(s) to be taken; (c) invite the member(s) involved to attend said meeting to provide an explanation; and (d) document the decision in writing and distribute the decision to all parties involved.
The Executive Board, by a 3/4 vote of the members of the Executive Board present at a duly constituted meeting, shall have the authority to amend these By-Laws, provided said amendments are submitted in writing to all members of the Executive Board at least 15 calendar days prior to the meeting.
No member of the Executive Board shall receive compensation, other than reimbursement for expenses, for services or goods provided this league, unless the transaction is approved by the Executive Board, pursuant to a vote from which the member in question has abstained.
