Jefferson Falcons Lacrosse  

By-Laws

Falcons Youth Lacrosse Constitution and By-Laws

Adopted August 27th, 2006

Updated October 15, 2016

Constitution

 

Falcons Youth Lacrosse

Article I.        Title:

Section 1.       The name of the organization shall be called “Falcons Youth Lacrosse” and shall herein after be referred to as the “Club” or “FYL”.

 

Article II.       Purpose:

Section 1.       The Club is organized to provide amateur lacrosse players, in organized age groups up to age 18/still in high school and/or age classification as prescribed by US Lacrosse, to stimulate an interest in lacrosse for a high school team. To provide opportunities to improve their proficiency and attend character traits by providing physical facilities, instructors and coaching personnel, and coordinating competition among local teams as well as with teams outside the northern New Jersey area.

 Section 2.       To accomplish the above stated purpose, this shall be a club organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational and scientific purposes including for such purposes the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501 (C) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding the section of any future federal tax code.

 Section 3.       To achieve said purpose, the Club shall have, but not be limited to the following:

  1. To generate the interest of the public generally in individual and group participation programs and activities which serve to promote general purposes of the Club.
  2. To accept donations from the public generally and from individual private sources.
  3. To sponsor fund-raising activities to acquire necessary funds.
  4. To invest and re-invest funds collected.
  5. To distribute funds in the normal cause of business according to the resolution of the Board of Trustees.

 

Article III.     Membership Classes and Qualifications:

Section 1.       To qualify as a Player Member, a lacrosse player must:

  1. Be a registered team player of any Jefferson Youth Lacrosse Team.
  2. Meet other participation standards passed by the Board of Trustees and made a part of the By-Laws of the Club.
  3. Meet the requirements of age classifications as prescribed by US Lacrosse.

Section 2.       To qualify as a Non-Player Member, a person must demonstrate an interest in amateur lacrosse as an interested parent of a player, instructor, coach or member of the Board of Trustees.

 Section 3.       All members of the Governing Body of the Club shall be at least 19 years of age.

 

Article IV.     Location and Meetings:

Section 1.       The principle meeting place shall be at the Jefferson Township Library, Weldon road, Oak Ridge, New Jersey on the first Wednesday evening of each month at 7:30 pm.

Section 2.       The President, at his/her discretion may call special meetings at any time or upon written request of any three board members. Members shall be notified in advance whenever possible. The advance notice shall state the purpose of the special meeting.

Section 3.       Six voting members present shall constitute a quorum at any meeting.

Section 4.       To receive credit for the meeting attendance, the member must arrive before unfinished business and remain through new business.

Section 5.       The Club shall designate a principal office at the annual October meeting.

 

Article V.       Officers:

Section 1.       The Officers of the Club shall consist of a President, Vice-President Boys – Liaison & Scheduling, Vice-President Girls – Liaison & Scheduling, Secretary, Treasurer, Equipment Manager, Fund Raising Coordinator, Web Master, and Character Counts Coordinator.

Section 2.       The Treasurer shall be bonded at the expense of the club.

 

Article VI.     Committees:

Section 1.       The standing committees of the Club shall be as follows and such other committees as the President may, from time to time, designate:

  1. Auditing
  2. By-Laws

 

Article VII.    Elections:

 Section 1.       Nominations for all offices shall be held at the September meeting. 

Section 2.       Voting for all nominees will be held at the October meeting and all positions will become effective immediately following the election.

Section 3.       Those members eligible to vote for the election of officers shall have attended a minimum of 30% of the regular scheduled meetings.

Section 4.       Any non-player member is eligible to run for an officer’s position.

Section 5.       The year shall run from October 1st, through September 30th.

Section 6.       Length of elected and appointed terms shall be as follows:

  1. Elected Two year terms – President, Vice-Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer.
  2. Elected One year terms – Equipment Manager, Fund Raising Coordinator.
  3. Appointed One year terms - Web Master, Character Counts Coordinator.

Section 7.       Should an elected office become vacant, the President shall appoint an active member to fill the vacant office for the balance of the term with the approval of the Trustees.

Section 8.       Should the office of the President become vacant, the Vice-President – Liaison from the group with the majority of the player members in the program shall advance to the higher office for the unexpired term and shall appoint an active member to fill the lower office with the consent of the Trustees.

Section 9.       A vote of Confidence shall apply to all members as deemed necessary by the majority. At any time, any member may bring forth a legitimate concern for viewing by the Trustees. Upon review, a determination will be made and voted upon.

 

Article VIII.  Registered Agent:

Section 1.       The name and post office address of the registered agent upon whom process against the Club may be served shall be that of the President.


Article IX.     Trustees:

Section 1.       The Club shall be managed by a board composed of Trustees. The term of the office shall be as follows:

  1. Two year terms – President, Vice-Presidents, Secretary, Treasurer
  2. One year terms – Equipment Manager, Fund Raising Coordinator, Web Master, Character Counts Coordinator

And the Trustee shall have the following qualifications:

  1. Active membership in the Club including attending a minimum of 50% of the scheduled meetings.
  2. Be elected to the Board by a majority of the votes cast at the annual meeting in a manner set forth by the By-Laws.

 

Article X.       Limitations:

Section 1.       No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in further of the purposes set forth in the purpose clause hereof.

Section 2.       No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation and the organization shall not participate in, or intervene (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

Section 3.       Not withstanding any other provision of this document, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by an organization exempt from Federal Income Tax under section 501 (C) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

Section 4.       JYL is not or will ever be authorized to issue stock to any member, officers, trustees or other private persons. JYL has not issued any stock to date and chooses not to do so in the future.

 

Article XI.     Dissolution:

Section 1.       Upon the dissolution of the organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for public purpose. Any such assets not disposed of shall be disposed of by the court of common pleas of the county in which the principal office of the organization is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.

 

Article XII.    US Lacrosse:

Section 1.       The constitution and By-Laws of the Club shall be in conformity with all rules and regulations of US Lacrosse except as herein otherwise provided for serious reasons.


Article XIII.  Discrimination:

Section 1.       All wording in the Constitution and By-Laws shall be considered to apply equally to members of either sex.

 

Article XIV.  Amendments:

Section 1.       This Constitution and By-Laws may be altered or amended at any meeting of the Club by a two-thirds vote of the membership present, provided the Secretary advertised its proposal for such alteration, or amendment at least thirty days prior to the meeting for its consideration. Said proposal may arise from any member of the Club.


By-Laws 

Falcons Youth Lacrosse

 

Article 1.        Duties of Members:

 Section 1.       It shall be the duty of each member of the Club to attend meetings and special meetings and to take an active part in committee work for the better of the Club.

 Section 2.       It shall be the duty of the player member to attend and take an active part in all practice sessions and games and to represent the Club and township in adherence to character counts.

 Section 3.       Player members must meet minimum requirements of participation in accordance with US Lacrosse rules and regulations.

 

Article II.       Duties of Officers:

 Section 1.        President is an elected two year position and shall have the following duties:

  1. Preside at all Club meetings.
  2. Exercise general supervision of the Club’s affairs.
  3. Impartial enforce the Constitution and By-Laws.
  4. The President shall also see that justice is accorded to every member and require a Board of Inquiry to review any member who has not met the requirements of the “Duties of Members” prior to the annual meeting each year.
  5. Call special meetings.
  6. Shall appoint annually, at the next meeting, after the election of officers, all committees which shall provide for by resolution of a stated meeting.
  7. In the absence of the Secretary, shall appoint some member to act as the same.
  8. Complete monthly league and township reports as required.
  9. Compile and present a report for the township’s review on program activities as required.
  10. File permits for field space.
  11. Create relationships with other sports association’s Presidents that operate in the same season.
  12. Sign teams up for tournaments.
  13. Help create out of season programs.
  14. Annually appoint the positions of Web Master and Character Counts Coordinator.

 

Section 2.  Vice-President Girls – Liaison is an elected two year position and shall have the following duties:

  1. Preside at all meetings in the absence of the President if they are from the group with the majority of the player members in the program.
  2. Assist the President in filling his duties.
  3.      Establish clear coaches’ expectations.
  4.      Organize coaches’ clinics.
  5.      Recruit coaches.
  6.      Establish high school helper program.
  7.      Fulfill any US Lacrosse requirements applicable to the position.
  8.      Develop and maintain a beginner clinic.
  9.     Attend any necessary workshops and/or meetings to more

    Effectively fulfill duties

  1.      Create girls schedules for games.
  2.      Create girls practice schedule
  3.      Schedule make-up games and practices.
  4.      Coordinate with the arbiter in order to attain officials.
  5.      Fulfill any US Lacrosse requirements applicable to the position.

 

 Section 3.        Vice-President Boys – Liaison is an elected two year position and shall have the following duties:

a.        Preside at all meetings in the absence of the President if they are from the group with the majority of the player members in the program.

                       b.        Assist the President in filling his duties.

                       c.        Establish clear coaches’ expectations.

                       d.        Organize coaches’ clinics.

                       e.        Recruit coaches.

                       f.         Establish and maintain high school helper program.

                       g.        Fulfill any US Lacrosse requirements applicable to the position.

                       h.        Develop and maintain a beginner clinic.

i.         Attend any necessary workshops and/or meetings to more effectively fulfill duties.

  1.       Create boys schedule for games.
  2.       Create boys practice schedule.
  3.       Schedule make-up games and practices.
  4.       Coordinate with the arbiter in order to attain officials
  5.       Fulfill any US Lacrosse requirements applicable to the position.

 

 Section 4.  Secretary – is an elected two year position and shall have the following duties:

  1. Keep a correct roll of the Club, and to call the roll promptly at the hour appointed for the meeting of the Club.
  2. Keep a true record of the proceedings at each meeting.
  3. Keep on file all documents relating to the business of the Club including recording all memos and committee reports.
  4. Shall perform correspondence as decided by the Club.
  5. Notify members of special meetings to be called at least five days prior to such meetings.
  6. Will be responsible for placing advertisements into various media outlets.
  7. Will be responsible to have public notices placed into various media outlets.

 

Section 5.        Treasurer – is an elected two year position and shall have the following duties:

  1. Receive all monies belonging to the Club and to deposit the same in the name of the Club in such banks or savings and loans as may be designated.
  2. Disburse the same upon warrant drawn by the Treasurer and countersigned by the President.
  3. Prior to elections, shall give a complete verbal financial report to the members present.
  4. Maintain an accurate record of Accounts payable.
  5. Maintain an accurate record of Accounts receivable.
  6. Maintain an accurate record of Fund Raising activities.
  7. Maintain an accurate record of Registration fees.
  8. Maintain an accurate record of any other income or expenses.
  9. Make an itemized statement at each regular meeting of all money received and paid out.
  10. Submit the books and vouchers for inspection at any time when called upon.
  11. Advise the Officers and Trustees on money matters.
  12. Advise the Officers and Trustees on registration fees.
  13. Be responsible to maintain 501 (c) (3) status through proper and updated filing with the Internal Revenue Service.

 

Section 6.        Equipment Manager – is an elected one year position and shall have the following duties:

  1. Keeping an updated inventory of uniforms.
  2. Keeping an updated inventory of equipment.
  3. Making sure that equipment is certified if applicable.
  4. Uniform distribution and collection.
  5. Equipment distribution and collection.
  6. Collecting uniform deposit checks.
  7. Organizing storage container.
  8. Ordering equipment with board approval.
  9. Ordering new uniforms with board approval.
  10. Organizing equipment donation drives.

 

Section 7.        Fund Raising Coordinator – is an elected one year position and shall have the following duties:

  1. Responsible for fundraising to support the Club.
  2. Decide on the type of fund raising for the Club with approval from the board.
  3. Appoint committees to help organize and run fundraisers.
  4. Report the status of the fundraisers to the board.
  5. Maintain accurate records including the collection of all monies.
  6. Turn over to the Treasurer all records for audit, and all money received for deposit within one week of the end of the fundraiser.
  7. Attain sponsorships for the program.
  8. Organize the pictures for the program.

 

Section 8.        Web Master – is an appointed one year position and shall have the following duties:

  1. Maintaining the JYL website.
  2. Communicating messages from the JYL Board to the community through the website.
  3. Developing a board approved registration form and registering player-members through the website.
  4. Adding board approved additions to the website.
  5. Place each player with his/her proper age grouped team.
  6. Provide access codes for coaches and board members to access rosters and information for all team levels.

 

Section 9.  Character Counts Coordinator – is an appointed one year position and shall have the following duties:

  1. Document any concerns with regard to Character Counts violations that are brought to their attention by Trustees, Non-Player Members and Player Members.
  2. Investigate any allegations of Character Counts violations and present the findings to the President and Vice President of both Boys and Girls divisions.
  3. Make determination pertaining to the allegations, and in concert with the President and Vice President of the opposite division, adjudicate appropriately.
  4. If there is a conflict with any of those adjudicating the case they can ask to be replaced by another member of the Board.
  5. Notify the offending party(ies) of decision in writing
  6. The party(ies) can appeal the decision, in writing, requesting a hearing with a three person non-biased Player Members panel, selected by the Character Counts Coordinator, The Character Counts Coordinator will oversee the hearing and the three person panel will make recommendations based on the outcome of the hearing to the Character Counts Coordinator. The outcome of the hearing will be presented to the Board and it will be binding for all parties involved.
  7. While the hearing is being conducted the board has the right to remove the party(ies) involved from the FYL activities.
  8. Consideration should be given to but not limited by Article XVIII, XX and XXIII, along with the Pillars of Character counts, when rendering a decision.


Article III.     Duties of Committees:

 Section 1.       Auditing:

  1. The committee shall superintend the financial affairs of the Club, and inspect and audit the books of the Treasurer yearly.
  2. Make an audit of the accounts of all other committees charged with the receipt of expenditure of monies belonging to the Club.
  3. Periodically review the financial affairs of the Club and make recommendations to the Club.

Section 2.       By-Laws

  1. It shall be the duty of the By-Laws committee to review, update, amend, and submit for adoption any changes requested and/or recommended.

 

Article IV.     Violations:

 Section 1.       Any officer or member, coach or manager, player or non-player of the Club shall be subject to reprimand, suspension or dismissal according to the report of the Board of Inquiry, as to the nature of the aggravation of his/her offense, for any of the following causes, or for any violations of the rules or regulations of the Club.

  1.  Not performing their duty.
  2. Under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  3. Bringing intoxicating liquor or drugs into the activity area.
  4. Willful disobedience of directions.
  5. Disrespect to the coach.
  6. Conviction of any criminal offense.
  7. Unbecoming conduct including, but not limited to, physical altercations with other team members.
  8. Conduct subversive of good order and discipline of the Club.
  9. Willfully destroying equipment.
  10. Willfully not wearing equipment as required by the Club rules or US Lacrosse rules.
  11. Incapacity, either mental or physical, lack of energy or gross ignorance of the regulations of the Club.
  12. Publicly commenting on any official action of the Club.
  13. Not keeping current with Club fees.

 

Article V:       Committee Meetings:

 Section 1.       All committees shall meet at such times and place as may be designated in a call issued by the Chairman. A majority of the members present of the committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of its business. If, for any reason, the Chairman of any committee shall fail to call a meeting, the President of the Club shall have the power to call such meeting. Provided, however, that a notice be sent to each member of the committee five days prior to said meeting.

 

Article VI.     Coaches and Assistants:

 Section 1.       Letters of Intent:

  1. A yearly letter of intent must be submitted prior to the November meeting stating qualifications and what team level they wish to coach.
  2. A vote shall be taken by the Board prior to the start of the season, March 15th, to determine who the coaching staff will be.
  3. No coach from the prior season will automatically be placed in a coaching position for the new season without submitting a letter of intent and being voted into that position.
  4. Coaches may be voted in at a later date if all the positions have not been filled by the November meeting.
  5. A history of Character Counts violations may prohibit one’s ability to be appointed a coach.

 Section 2.       Emphasis shall be placed upon the following:

  1. Sportsmanship
  2. Team Play
  3. Team Spirit
  4. Discipline
  5. Increased knowledge of the game of lacrosse
  6. Increased skill level
  7. Adhering to the principles of Character Counts

Section 3.       Attend all games and practices unless there is an outstanding circumstance.

Section 4.       Responsible for the conduct of the team on and off the field at any event.

Section 5.       To elect game captains prior to each game.

Section 6.       It shall be immediate cause for dismissal if the Board of Inquiry shall find a coach or assistant coach guilty of any form of money tampering including, but not limited to:

  1. Collection of money from parents unnecessarily
  2. Obtaining fundraising money and not forwarding said money to the Treasurer for deposit.
  3. A coach or Player Member shall not prosper from Trustees and/or other Player Members of the league, for any outside activities (including but not limited to T-shirt sales, fitness centers, fitness training, etc.) they are affiliated without the approval from the Board.

 

Article VII. Team Rules and Procedures

Section 1.      Practices will start no earlier than March 15 and the season will end on June 15 including all practices, games and tournaments for  Spring season teams.

Section 2.      The players will each have a minimum play time of 12 minutes per game. At the elementary level the players will have minimal

playtime every quarter. At the secondary level players will have the minimal playtime amount spread out per each half.

This can be lessened by current board discipline and attendance policy.

           Section 3.      Splitting of large teams

  1. Once a team has hit the designated number of 34 players the teams will be split into 2 separate teams.
  2. Every effort will be made to make the split team even by using ratings, input from prior coaches and the advice of the Vice President of Boys/Girls.
  3. There will be Head coaches appointed to both teams.
  4. If the number of players at a specific level has reached 24 players the team will remain 1 team, but will then be split into 3 sections- labeled A, B & C. The 3 sections will then practice and play games on a rotating schedule.
  5. The Vice President will adjust the scheduling to make sure the players play an even amount of practices and games.
  6. In this instance this team will be scheduled for three tournaments for equal playtime of all players.

 

Article VIII.  Awards Ceremonies:

            Section 1.       Establish time, date, place and costs.

            Section 2.       Collection of all monies from the families attending.

            Section 3.       Send invitations to special guests such as the Mayor, Council, etc.

            Section 4.       Acquire estimates for the purchase of trophies.

Section 5.       Provide the Treasurer with a list of all expenses and also a ledger with the names of all those who are attending and have paid.

 

Article IX.     Equipment:

Section 1.       All male players must wear a helmet, with attached mouth piece, cup, chest/shoulder pads, elbow pads, gloves and all other protective equipment as periodically required by the Club or US Lacrosse.

Section 2.       All female players must wear eye mask/goggles, and mouth piece and all other protective equipment as periodically required by the Club or US Lacrosse.

Section 3.       All uniform shirts and shorts/skirts for games shall be of the same color and shirts shall be marked with a large number on the back as assigned by the Club. The Club colors shall be navy, blue, gold and white.

Section 4.       Players are required to wear the uniform issued by the Club.

 Section 5.       Equipment is a personal responsibility and the player is required to wear adequate (for competition level) properly fitted protective equipment that is approved for league play.

 Section 6.       Player members must wear full equipment including mouth guard on the field at all times.

 Section 7.       All protective equipment must be worn under uniforms at all times. Failure to do so will call for ejection from the game.

 Section 8.       Refer to the official rulebook of the US Lacrosse for any equipment rules not covered above.

 Section 9.       All issued lacrosse equipment will be collected by the coaches at the end of the season and returned to the equipment committee.

 

Article X.       Penalties:

Section 1.       All games are played under US Lacrosse rules.

  1.       The board reserves the right to eject any player from the Club for

     any reason they decide serious enough to endanger the success of

     the Club or its members.

  1.       A suspended player member shall not receive a refund.
  2. Refer to the official US Lacrosse rule book for any penalty regulations.

 

Article XI.     Rules of Order:

Section 1.       All business transacted by the Club shall be according to the parliamentary procedure as set forth in Robert’s Rules of Order.

 

Article XII.    Order of Business:

Section 1.       The following shall be the order of business at the meetings of the Club:

  1. Call to order
  2. Roll call
  3. Secretary’s Reading of the minutes of the previous meeting
  4. Treasurer’s report
  5. Report of the Coaches
  6. Report of the Committees
  7. Report of the Board Members
  8. Unfinished business
  9. Reading of communications by the Secretary
  10. New business
  11. Reading of new bills
  12. Balloting of officers
  13. Adjournment

 

The Constitution and By-Laws, as revised, amended and passed by the Falcons Youth Lacrosse Board have been adopted at the regular meeting of the Club on October 5, 2016.

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