By-Laws

 

BROOKLINE HOLLIS YOUTH SOCCER LEAGUE
PO Box 658
Brookline, NH  03033
www.BYSL.org


MISSION STATEMENT  
The BROOKLINE HOLLIS YOUTH SOCCER LEAGUE (BHYSL) is dedicated to providing an economical, recreational soccer program for children of Brookline and Hollis. This soccer program includes the development of a healthy attitude toward sportsmanship and respect for authority together with instruction in soccer rules, skills and elements of team play. To provide the necessary support for the program, the BHYSL will recruit and provide training for coaches, referees and board members who share similar attitudes and philosophies about recreational soccer. The BHYSL believes there is a need for progressive challenges in the program for both players and coaches, however, the club does recognize in certain instances these challenges might be better met in more competitive programs offered in other local soccer leagues (e.g., Hollis Atlantic Soccer Club, Amherst Soccer Club, Nashua World Cup etc).

BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I CLUB STRUCTURE
 SECTION l BROOKLINE HOLLIS YOUTH SOCCER LEAGUE - The Brookline Hollis Youth Soccer League (BHYSL) is an independent volunteer non-profit corporation providing for the education of recreational soccer players in the Brookline / Hollis community. It was founded in 1992 and has grown to a player membership of over 600. The towns of Brookline and Hollis, and the school districts, which serve the towns, provide fields for the program.   The spring season is usually played on Nichols Field in Hollis, and the fall season is usually played at the Brookline Ball Park.  A one-week summer soccer camp is sponsored that is usually held at the Brookline Ball Park.  The league through its many volunteers provides the administration, coaching, refereeing, and training.  

ARTICLE II BASIC POLICIES
 SECTION 1 - The Brookline Hollis Youth Soccer League shall not directly or indirectly participate or intervene (in any way, including the publishing or distributing of statements) in any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate.  The Brookline Hollis Youth Soccer League shall not attempt to influence legislation.

SECTION 2 - The name of the Brookline Hollis Youth Soccer League or the names of any members in their official capacities shall not be used in any connection with a commercial concern or with any partisan interest or for any purposes not appropriately related to promotion of the objectives of the Brookline Youth Soccer League.

SECTION 3 DISSOLUTION - can only be completed by a 2/3rds majority vote at an Annual Meeting.  In the event of the dissolution of the League all assets remaining after meeting all liabilities shall be distributed to one or more New Hampshire organizations, qualified as tax exempt organizations under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code as now or here after amended, or of similar section in any successor federal tax code, as selected by affirmative vote of a majority of the voting members present.

ARTICLE III JURISDICTION
 SECTION 1 BOUNDARIES - The Brookline Youth Soccer League, henceforth referred to as the Brookline Hollis Youth Soccer League or BHYSL, will be open to participants who reside within Brookline and Hollis regardless of race, creed, gender or financial ability to participate.  Non-resident exceptions can be made by the discretion of the league.

ARTICLE IV MEMBERSHIP
 SECTION 1 ELIGIBILITY - The eligible ages will be based on the age as of July 31st in that calendar year, or will conform to any other date that may be set by the Board of the BHYSL at the start of the soccer season. The age grouping for the calendar year will be determined as of the beginning of the calendar year.


 SECTION 2 PARENTS/LEGAL GUARDIANS - The parents or legal guardians of any youth enrolled as a participant in the BHYSL shall automatically become registered members of the club upon payment of the registration fee for such participant.


 SECTION 3 SPECIAL - Any person serving in the capacity of coach, assistant coach, referee or volunteer, who does not have a youth in the program, shall automatically become a registered member of the BHYSL.


 SECTION 4 VOTING MEMBERS - Voting members are all registered members of the BHYSL who have reached their 18th year of age, and have acknowledged the by-laws of the BHYSL.


 SECTION 5 TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP - Members whose actions are judged to be damaging to the BHYSL may have their membership and all other association with the club terminated by a 2/3rds vote of the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting.

ARTICLE V MEMBERSHIP MEETING
 SECTION l MEMBERSHIP MEETING - The annual meeting of members shall be held in October of each year on a date and at a time and place designated by the Board of Directors.


 SECTION 2 MEETING NOTICE - Notice shall be published in the news media not less than two weeks prior to meeting date.


 SECTION 3 QUORUM - A quorum shall consist of the number of voting members present at the time of a meeting properly called. A simple majority of the voting membership present at any meeting, properly called, shall be sufficient to conduct the transaction of any business.

ARTICLE VI SPECIAL MEETING
 SECTION l SPECIAL MEETING - Special meetings may be called if deemed necessary by the Board of Directors at such time and place as the President, with the approval of the Board of Directors, may designate. 

ARTICLE VII BOARD OF DIRECTORS
 SECTION l MEMBERS OF THE BOARD - The Board of Directors shall consist of:

Officers:

  1. President
  2. Vice President
  3. Treasurer
  4. Secretary
Directors:
  1. Age Divisions
  2. Registration
  3. Equipment
  4. Fields
  5. Concession Stand
  6. Referees
  7. Publicity
  8. Education


SECTION 2 ELECTION OF BOARD MEMBERS - Election of officers shall be by ballot and winners will be determined by highest number of votes received from voting members present. Elections shall be held at the annual meeting of the BHYSL and newly elected officers will assume their respective duties immediately upon election.
SECTION 3 QUALIFICATIONS FOR BOARD OF DIRECTORS - Shall be a voting member of the BHYSL.
SECTION 4 TERM OF OFFICE OF BOARD MEMBERS

  • Officers: 2 years
  • Directors: 1 year

SECTION 5 MEMBERSHIP VACANCIES ON BOARD

  1. If a vacancy occurs in the Presidency, the Vice President shall assume the office until the term expires. 

  2. If a vacancy occurs in any other position, the Board shall appoint (by a majority vote at a special meeting) a club member to assume the position until the term expires.


SECTION 6 VOTING RIGHTS OF MEMBERS - Each Board member has one vote. A majority vote by Board members present at any meeting shall prevail.


 SECTION 7 QUORUM – 2 of the BHYSL officers and 2 of the BHYSL Directors shall constitute a quorum. Proxy voting is not permitted at Board Meetings.


 SECTION 8 GENERAL DUTIES OF BOARD MEMBERS - The Board Members shall meet as often as deemed necessary by the Board of Directors, and shall adopt such rules consistent with these by-laws as it may deem necessary to govern the BHYSL; and shall have final decision on all appointments made by Directors.


 SECTION 9 SPECIFIC DUTIES OF BOARD MEMBERS

Officers:

    A. President

  1. Shall be Chief Executive Officer of the BHYSL.
  2. Shall preside at all meetings of the Board and General Membership.
  3. Upon vacancy, shall appoint all Directors and committees with approval of the Board.
  4. Shall be an ex-officio member of all standing committees, except nominating and election committees.

    B. Vice President

  1. Shall, in the absence of the President, perform all the duties of the President.
  2. Shall assist the President in all matters.
  3. Shall arrange and supervise the annual summer soccer camp or delegate another person to do so.

    C. Treasurer

  1. Shall receive and deposit to the account(s) of the BHYSL all funds, and issue checks.
  2. Submit a financial report at all meetings of the Board and Membership, or upon special request from the Board of Directors.
  3. Shall be responsible for the disbursement of all BHYSL funds.
  4. Shall have books in order for examination by the auditing committee one month prior to the Annual Meeting.

    D. Secretary

  1. Shall take minutes of the meetings.
  2. Shall collect and maintain in the Book of Minutes a record of all proceedings of regularly scheduled meetings of the BHYSL.
  3. Shall notify members of the Board of Directors of all such meetings.
  4. Shall handle the correspondence of the BHYSL.
  5. Shall maintain, or arrange for maintenance, of the BHYSL web site.

Directors:

    E. Age Divisions

  1. Shall appoint a Coordinator for each age group.  The Division Coordinators shall be responsible for assigning registered players to specific teams in accordance with the Standing Rules Article III.
  2. Shall appoint a coach for each team or delegate to Division Coordinators.

    F. Registration

  1. Shall arrange for registration of all players.
  2. Shall arrange for places and time for registration.
  3. Shall implement late registration policy as approved by the Board of Directors.
  4. Shall issue registration summaries to the Director of Age Divisions for team assignments.
  5. Shall set up a committee, as necessary, to handle registration on the dates and times appointed.

    G. Equipment

  1. Shall arrange for the purchase and/or the availability of equipment or supplies deemed necessary by the Board of Directors.
  2. Shall issue equipment to Division Coordinators with supervision by the League Coordinator for distribution to team coaches and keep a permanent record of equipment used.
  3. Shall regain possession of equipment at the end of each soccer season, as necessary, and be responsible for the storage of this equipment.
  4. Shall submit a report of the BHYSL equipment at all regular meetings or as the board deems necessary.

    H. Fields

  1. Shall arrange for fields with the proper authorities; supervise layout and the marking of fields.
  2. Shall resolve field use conflicts when other sports organizations are involved.
  3. Shall assign game and practice fields in cooperation with the League and Division.

    I. Concession Stand

  1. Shall arrange, coordinate and schedule the running of the concession stand at all scheduled BHYSL games.
  2. Shall be responsible for determining the amount and types of goods sold in the concession stand.
  3. Shall maintain an inventory of concession goods.

    J. Referee

  1. Shall be the Director in charge of arranging, coordinating and scheduling all referee activities.
  2. Shall maintain a directory of instructional resource material.
  3. Shall maintain a directory of Referee’s (complete with address, telephone number and email) and their qualifications.

    K. Publicity

  1. Shall disseminate proper advance notice of all general membership meetings.
  2. Shall disseminate proper advance notice of registration dates to news media.
  3. Shall maintain a scrapbook of all news items and advertisements concerning the BHYSL.
  4. Shall submit a report of the activities of the BHYSL at the annual meeting each year.
  5. Shall maintain a sufficient inventory of published club literature (e.g. programs).

    L. Education

  1. Shall be responsible for planning and organizing all coaching and referee clinics per season
  2. Shall maintain a directory of instructional resource material


SECTION 10 CONFLICT OF INTEREST STATEMENT - 

  1. Each director, prior to taking his position on the Board, and all present Directors shall submit in writing to the President of the Board a list of all businesses or other organizations of which he is an officer, director, trustee, member, owner *either a sole proprietor or partner), shareholder, employee or agent, with which the Corporation has, or might reasonably in the future enter into, a relationship or a transaction in which the Director would have conflicting interests.  The President of the Board shall become familiar with the statements of all Directors in order to guide his conduct should a conflict arise.

  2. At such time as any matter comes before the board in such a way as to give rise to a conflict of interest, the affected director shall make known the potential conflict, whether disclosed by his written statement or not, and after answering any questions that may be asked of him, shall withdraw from the meeting for so long as the matter shall continue under discussion.  Should the matter be brought to a vote, neither the affected director nor any other director with a pecuniary benefit transaction with the corporation shall vote on it.

  3. The board will comply with all the requirements of NH law where conflict of interest are involved, including but not limited to the requirements of a 2/3rds vote where the financial benefit to the director or trustee is between $500 - $5000 in a fiscal year, and to the requirement of a 2/3rds vote and publication in the required newspaper where the financial benefit exceeds $5000 in a fiscal year.  The NH statutory requirements are incorporated into and made a part of this conflict policy.

 

SECTION 11 LIMIT OF LIABILITY STATEMENT - 

To the fullest extent permitted by law, no member of this organization shall be personally liable to the organization for monetary damages for breach of any duty owed to the organization.  A member may be held personally liable for (i) breaches of duty of loyalty, (ii) acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) a transaction from which the member derives an improper personal benefit.


ARTICLE VIII COMMITTEES
 SECTION l ARBITRATION COMMITTEE - The Arbitration Committee shall consist of the President, Vice President, and at least three other members jointly selected by the President, Vice President and complaining party (plaintiff), whose duty it shall be to arbitrate and settle any problem relating to player placement, field assignments, or other activities of the BHYSL.


 SECTION 2 SPECIAL COMMITTEES - There shall be such special committees created as may be necessary or desirable at any time. The President shall, with the approval of the Board, appoint these committees from the membership.

ARTICLE IX CONTRACTS, LEASES
 SECTION 1 CONTRACTS, LEASES ET AL. - No contract, lease, mortgage, deed, pledge or other instrument conveying or encumbering any of the BHYSL's property, or obligating the BHYSL in any manner (other than payments of any obligations for usual operating and maintenance expenses) shall be binding, upon or enforceable against, the BHYSL, unless it shall be in writing, executed by the President in the name of the BHYSL.

ARTICLE X AMENDMENTS AND CHANGES
 SECTION 1 PROPOSED AMENDMENTS - Proposed amendments of by-laws may be submitted by any voting member of the BHYSL, in writing to the Board of Directors, thirty (30) days prior to the annual meeting. The Board of Directors will notify members as to the proposed amendment.


SECTION 2 VOTING - The proposed amendment to the by-laws will be valid by the assenting vote of a majority of the voting members of the BHYSL who cast their ballots at the Annual Meeting and club elections.

ARTICLE XI PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURE
Roberts' Rules of Orders, Revised, shall govern matters of parliamentary procedure at all meetings.

ARTICLE XII FISCAL YEAR
The Brookline Hollis Youth Soccer League Fiscal Year shall be from July 1 - June 30.

ARTICLE XIII STANDING RULES
 Standing Rules can be adopted by a majority vote of the Board of Directors at any of their (Board) meetings. After they have been adopted, they cannot be modified or rescinded/suspended during current playing season without Board approval. No standing rule or resolution can be adopted that conflicts with the by-laws.