BY-LAWS
OF
THE AHWATUKEE LACROSSE CLUB
ARTICLE 1
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1. NAME
The name of the corporation is Ahwatukee Lacrosse, Inc., hereinafter referred to as “the Club.”
Section 2. LOCATION
The Club does not maintain a physical office. The address of record for the Club is the same as the current address of the Articles of Incorporation.
Section 3. BY-LAWS
The Board and all Club Members will abide by the guidance set out in these By-Laws. Amendments to the By-Laws may be presented to the Club by any Member, including the Board, by submitting a written proposal. The proposal will then be submitted at a regular meeting of the Club for vote. Any amendments to the By-Laws require a 2/3 majority of votes cast by eligible voting members to to pass. Votes may be given in person at regular meetings or received via email (or other electronic means) if authorized in advance.
ARTICLE II
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
Section 1. NON-PROFIT STATUS
The Club is organized and shall be operated and maintained as a non-profit corporation under the laws of the State of Arizona, exclusively for one or more of the purposes described within Section 501(C)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue law (the “Code”).
Section 2. PURPOSE
The primary purpose of the Club is to support the growth and development of boys’ youth lacrosse in the Ahwatukee area. The Club will operate under the affiliation of US Lacrosse (“USL”) and its local representative, the Arizona Youth Lacrosse League (“AYL”). The Club will abide by the regulations of USL and AYL. This purpose includes the following:
- To financially and administratively support the formation of boys’ youth lacrosse teams;
- To promote and develop in youth lacrosse players the qualities of sportsmanship, teamwork, and respect for coaches, officials, and players;
- To develop, promote, and provide opportunities for coaches to receive training on the rules and skills of lacrosse and the skills necessary to enable coaches to serve as positive role models for boys participating in the sport of lacrosse, with an emphasis on the positive qualities of sportsmanship, teamwork and the building of character; and
- In general, to do all things as may be appropriate to promote and accomplish any of the foregoing purposes.
ARTICLE III
PLAYER ELIGIBILITY & CLUB MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. PLAYER ELIGIBILITY
- Registration as a Player with the Club is open to any boy between the ages of five (5) and fifteen (15), or grades kindergarten through 8th, who resides within the Club boundaries, as determined by the AYL, and is a member in good standing of USL. All players must adhere to the eligibility rules as established by the AYL and USL.
- Players who reside outside of the AYL-determined boundaries must obtain an approved out-of-boundary waiver or exemption from the AYL.
Section 2. DETERMINATION OF MEMBERS
The Membership of the Club is comprised of Voting and Non-Voting Members.
- A “Voting Member” is defined as any parent or legal guardian of an in-boundary player (i) who is or has been registered in the calendar year the vote is cast; (ii) is in good standing with regard to dues and other obligations; and (iii) is not under any disciplinary action or in violation of the Code of Conduct.
- A “Non-Voting Member” is defined as any parent or guardian of an out-of-boundary player who receives a waiver or exemption from the AYL OR any Coach who is not the parent or guardian of a registered player. Players are also ineligible to vote.
Section 3. MEMBERSHIP DUES
Membership dues are considered to be included as part of the Spring Season player registration fees. Dues must be paid in full by the first day of the Spring Season, as determined by the Board of Directors, to remain a member in good standing.
Section 4. VOTING RIGHTS
Each individual Voting Member shall be eligible to cast a vote on matters brought up for vote by the general membership, including election of members of the Board. Non-Voting Members are not eligible to cast a vote on any matters.
ARTICLE IV
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. POWERS
The Club is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors (referred to as “the Board”), who are responsible for the overall management of all business of the Club, and for the formulation, review, and enforcement of all policies and practices of the Club. The Board shall adopt such rules and regulations covering policy, organization, procedure, coaching, employment, team organization, and eligibility.
Section 2. COMPOSITION
The Board is comprised of four Officers of the Board and up to five members at-large. The minimum size of the Board is five members; the maximum size of the Board is nine members.
Section 3. TENURE
- Members of the Board will serve a minimum one-year term, beginning May 1.
- Members of the Board who wish to continue their term must inform the Secretary of their intention by March 1 so that election of new members of the Board may be conducted, if necessary.
Section 4. MEETINGS OF THE BOARD
The Club will abide by the standards as set forth in Robert’s Rules of Order.
- The Board will hold Regular Meetings on a monthly basis from August to May to conduct the administration of the Club. Quorum for Monthly Meetings shall be a simple majority of the Board.
- The Regular Meetings are open to all Voting Members of the Club. Any Voting Member may bring a proposal before the board for consideration. For a vote to occur, a second must be made.
- To pass a proposal, a majority of the eligible voting Members present at the meeting must vote in favor.
- Special Meetings of the board may be called by the President as needed. All members of the Board will be notified of Special Meetings. Quorum for Special Meetings shall be at least two Officers.
- The Board will hold an Annual Meeting open to all Members of the Club following the conclusion of the Spring Season. Notice of the Annual Meeting will be distributed to the Members at least two weeks prior. Quorum for the Annual Meeting is a simple majority of the Board.
Section 5. RESPONSIBILITIES & OBLIGATIONS
All members of the Board will adhere to the following requirements:
- All members of the Board will sign a Conflict of Interest Statement.
- No member of the Board will receive compensation of any kind for his or her services.
- Members of the Board are required to attend all Regular Meetings.
- Members of the Board will respect that some topics are confidential should not be discussed outside of the Regular Meetings or Special Meetings.
Section 6. OFFICERS
The Board will be led by four Officers:
- The President will preside over all Board meetings, provide a pre-published written agenda, and follow standard Rules of Order. He or she will ensure that the Board follows 501(c)(3) requirements, AYL regulations, and the By-Laws. The President will serve as the primary representative of the Club to the AYL.
- The Vice-President will assist the President in all duties. He or she will also be the liaison between committee chairs and the Board and will present committee reports when necessary. The Vice-President will serve as chair of the Nominating Committee.
- The Secretary will take minutes at each meeting and distribute them to Board members for approval before distribution to the Members in a timely manner. He or she shall see that the reports, statements, and other documents required by law are properly kept or filed.
- The Treasurer will maintain the Club accounts and provide a written statement of transactions and current balance at each meeting. The Treasurer will chair the Finance Committee.
Section 7. ELECTION
- The nomination of Members to the Board is conducted by the Nominating Committee, which is chaired by the Vice-President and comprised of at least two other Board members. The Nominating Committee will identify candidates in March of each year.
- To be eligible for nomination to the Board, all candidates must be Voting Members in good standing.
- The Nominating Committee will present a slate of candidates to the Board for review before the Annual meeting; the Board will review and vote on the slate of candidates prior to the annual meeting. Candidates who receive approval of the majority of the board will be presented to the Voting Members for election. The Secretary will inform the nominees of their status prior to the annual meeting.
- Election of Board members occurs at the Annual Meeting of the Club. Election of members of the Board will be based on the collection of votes from the Members (as outlined in Article II, Section 3). Votes may be cast in person at the Annual Meeting or by electronic means, as determined by the Board. Depending on the number of candidates, the President may opt to allow more than one vote per Voting Member. The candidate who receives the most votes will be elected to the Board. Additional vacancies on the Board will be filled by the remaining candidates in descending order of number of votes received.
Section 8. SELECTION & TENURE OF OFFICERS
- The Officer positions will be filled by members of the Board.
- The Officers are selected by a simple majority vote of the Board at the Regular Meeting of the Board in May. Candidates are nominated by members of the Board (including self-nomination). Candidates may vote for themselves.
- Officers may continue in their positions as long as they are eligible to serve on the Board.
Section 9. VACANCIES & REMOVALS
- In the event of a temporary absence of the President, the Vice-President shall serve as President for the duration of the absence.
- In the event of a permanent absence of the President, the Vice-President shall ascend to the presidency.
- In the event of a permanent absence of other Officers, the Board may select a replacement from the remaining Members of the Board. Alternatively, the President may call for nominations from the Members for the vacant position. Nominees who receive a simple majority of votes cast are elected to the Officer position.
- Any Officer or member of the Board may resign at any time by providing notice of his or her resignation to the President or Secretary.
- Removal of an Officer or Board member may occur with a two-thirds vote by the eligible voting members, with or without cause, whenever it is judged to be in the best interest of the Club.
Section 10. STANDING COMMITTEES
- The Nominations Committee identifies and recommends candidates for election to the Board. The committee is chaired by the Vice-President and is comprised of two at-large members of the Board.
- The Finance Committee creates the annual budget for the operating expenses of the Club. It is chaired by the Treasurer and is comprised of at least one other members of the Board. The Treasurer may include general Members on the Finance Committee, at his or her discretion.
- The Board may appoint other Committees as needed to conduct the administration of the Club.
ARTICLE V
CODE OF CONDUCT
The Board has established a Code of Conduct that is required to be signed by all Coaches, Players, and Members. Any Coaches, Players, or Members who violate the Code of Conduct are subject to disciplinary action at the discretion of the Board, including suspension or expulsion from the Club. The Code of Conduct will be annually reviewed by the Board and revised as necessary to remain compliant with both AYL and USL codes of conduct.
ARTICLE VI
NONLIABILITY OF DIRECTORS
The Board shall not be personally liable for the debts, liabilities, or other obligations of the Club.
ARTICLE VII
FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
The Club shall not assume, nor be liable for, the debts and/or the financial responsibilities, either implied or incurred, of any Player, Coach, Manager, Club Official, or Referee from any Member Team, Club or Organization without prior approval of the Club's Board of Directors.
ARTICLE VIII
DISSOLUTION
Should the Club be dissolved, all assets after the payment of legal debts and liabilities shall be turned over to a nonprofit fund, organization, or foundation which operates exclusively for the development of youth lacrosse.