2018 By-Laws (Approved )
BY-LAWS
OF THE
WESTERN MASS RELICS SENIOR SOFTBALL LEAGUE
ARTICLE I
NAME AND PURPOSE
Section 1
The name of this organization shall be the Western Mass Relics Senior Softball League.
Section 2
The purpose of this organization shall be:
To provide an opportunity for senior men (50 years plus), regardless of ability, experience, physical challenges or limitations to play organized softball in a recreational program that promotes competition, exercise, sportsmanship, teamwork, friendship and entertainment.
TO PARTICIPATE IS TO WIN!!!
ARTICLE II
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1
The membership of this Association shall consist of men who have attained the age of 50 or will become 50 during the year of initial participation; who are sympathetic with the above stated purpose; and who pay such fee or fees as may be required for participation set by the Board of Directors.
Section 2
All members, as defined in Section 1, shall be eligible to attend members’ meetings including the Annual Meeting of the Association and shall be eligible to vote for members of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS
Section 1
There shall be an Annual Meeting of the members at a time determined by the Board of Directors at which time the reports of the Board of Directors, Treasurer and Committees shall be presented, Officers and directors elected, and the transaction of other business as deemed necessary. The Officers and/or Directors elected at such Annual Meeting shall assume their duties at the conclusion of the Annual Meeting at which they are elected.
Section 2
Special Meetings of the members for the transaction of business may be called by the Commissioner (Chairperson of the Board of Directors) or shall be called by the Commissioner at the written request of twenty (20) members or by order of the Board of Directors.
Section 3
The Annual Meeting or any Special Meeting of the members shall be called by a notice in writing to all members dated not less than ten (10) days prior to such meeting.
Section 4
Fifty (50) Members at any Annual or Special Meeting shall constitute a quorum.
Section 5
Each member attending any meeting shall have one vote. In any election for members of the Board of Directors each member shall have one vote for each vacancy, but cumulative voting shall not be allowed.
ARTICLE IV
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
Section 1
There shall be a Board of Directors of ten (10) members, five (5) of whom shall be elected as Officers, four (4) of whom shall be elected as Directors at Large and the past commissioner, only if he remains a current member. Each Officer and Director at Large shall serve a two (2) year term. Voting for Officers shall occur in the even numbered years, e.g., 2012, 2014, etc., and Directors at Large shall be elected in the odd numbered years, e.g., 2013, 2015, etc. Each Board of Directors shall have one vote (cumulative voting shall not be allowed) except for the Commissioner. The Commissioner will only vote in the event of a tie vote on any issue duly voted upon by the Board of Directors. In the event of a vacancy occurring during the term of an Officer or Director at Large, the balance of that term shall be served by a Member nominated and elected by a majority of the Board of Directors. The following will be elected Officers: Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner, Treasurer, Registrar and Secretary. The following will be elected Directors at Large: Entertainment Committee Chairman, Public Relations Chairman, Internal Chairman Gold Division and Internal Chairman Silver Division.
Section 2
The Board of Directors shall have full power and authority to administer and control the program, including, but not limited to, the system of assignment of players to the respective teams, the appointment of individuals to coach the teams participating in the program, the setting of the annual dues for a member to participate in the program, the rules governing any individual’s continued participation in the program, the rules adopted for the playing of the games conducted by the program including the officiating thereof, and the rules governing participation of members on teams sponsored by the program and which teams participate in outside competition or tournaments not specifically governed by this organization.
Section 3
The Board of Directors has the right to disassociate itself from any member for fraud, theft, and gross moral turpitude. If the Board of Directors feels that the member is, or has had, an adverse effect and improper influence upon the organization, it may vote to have the membership terminated.
Any disciplinary action to a member must be voted on by the Board of Directors. The Commissioner or Assistant Commissioner will be responsible to investigate the incident/individual and propose action to be taken. A Board of Directors meeting will be called and information will be discussed with the present Board of Directors. A vote will be taken to determine the disciplinary action to be taken.
The member may request in writing an appeal to the Commissioner if they feel unjust action has been taken against them. Request must be received within 14 days of notification of disciplinary action. For the appeal process, a 3 member board will be selected from the current coaches. If at all possible, the coaches should not be members of the current Board of Directors and should be from the appellant’s division (Gold/Silver). The 3 member board will review the facts and the decision to ensure it was just and correct action was taken. With regard to these matters, there shall be no appeal beyond the decision of the 3 member board.
Section 4
The Board of Directors shall be responsible for the finances of the organization and the Treasurer shall make such reports from time to time as is necessary to keep the members apprised of the finances of the organization, and shall at each Annual Meeting give a report as to the state of the finances of the organization.
Section 5
The Secretary shall record the minutes and the results of the electoral processes both at the Annual Meeting of members, at any other general meetings of the membership and at any meetings of the Board of Directors.
Section 6
The Commissioner shall serve as Chairperson of the Board of Directors and be responsible for the running of any meetings of the general membership and of the Board of Directors. In addition, the Commissioner shall serve as Chief Executive Officer of the organization, and shall have sole and final decision-making authority in all matters concerning postponements, rainouts, rescheduling of games and protests relating to the officiating of any game. With regard to these matters, there shall be no appeal beyond the decision of the Commissioner.
ARTICLE V
COMMITTEES
Section 1
There shall be four (4) standing committees each of which shall be chaired by an Officer or other member of the Board of Directors. Committee Chairmen shall have authority to appoint members to each of their respected committees which shall hold meetings from time to time as necessary. In making appointments to the standing committees, the committee Chairman shall consider the importance of representation from all teams participating, representation of all age groups participating in the program and the desires of individual members to volunteer their services. The four committees shall consist of the Social Committee, a Public Relations Committee, Gold Internal Committee and Silver Internal Committee.
Section 2
The Social Committee will be chaired by the Social Committee Director at Large or an Officer. Chairman will in–turn appoint members to the social committee to assist in the social activities. The purpose of the Social Committee shall be to organize and promote the social activities conducted by the organization. All proposals for social activities sponsored by the organization are subject to approval by the majority of the Board of Directors.
Section 3
The Public Relations Committee will be chaired by the Public Relations Director at Large or an Officer. Chairman will in–turn appoint members to the Public Relations Committee to assist in the public relations activities. This Committee shall have the responsibility of assessing and promoting such needs as the organization may have in the areas of public relations, publicity, marketing sponsorship, and alternative funding sources. All proposals for the activities described in this paragraph are subject to the approval by the majority of the Board of Directors.
Section 4
There shall be a Gold & Silver Internal Committee co-chaired by the Internal Chairman of the Gold Division and the Internal Chairman of the Silver Division. Each Internal chairman will in-turn appoint members to their divisions committee. The Internal Committee shall evaluate and recommend to the Board of Directors the methodology by which players are assigned to teams, the scheduling of games, the assignment of umpires, and the conduct of players within the organization.
This Committee shall also be responsible for hearing and presenting for resolution any grievances resulting from the application of enforcement of any rules and regulations adopted to govern playing field proceedings of this league. Findings and recommendations shall be presented to the Board of Directors who shall have full and final authority for rendering any decision and for disciplining any member, as deemed appropriate, up to and including suspension from the program.
Furthermore, the organizational structure of the league will include a Rules Committee that will function as a subcommittee of the Internal Committee. Rules Committee responsibilities will include recommendations for approval by the Internal Committee, and subsequently by the Board of Directors, the rules governing the conduct of the games scheduled by the organization, whether proposed and written to be league specific or existing senior softball rules amended to current ASA Regulations.
Section 5
In addition to the standing committees, the Board of Directors shall annually appoint a Nominating Committee of not less than five (5) members of the organization, no more than two (2) of whom shall be existing Members of the Board of Directors to serve as a Nominating Committee for purposes of establishing a slate of Officers and Directors at Large to serve the organization for the terms as set forth in Article IV, Section 1. The Nominating Committee shall be appointed no later than September 1st in any year.
Section 6
In addition to the standing committees, the Board of Directors shall have the authority to establish such Ad-Hoc Committees as may be required from time to time to promote the purposes or serve the needs of the organization. In the event of the establishment of an Ad-Hoc Committee, the chair of each such committee shall be an existing Officer or a Director at Large.
ARTICLE VI
AMENDMENTS
Section 1
These By-Laws may be altered or amended by the affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the total members present at any Regular or Special Meeting of the organization, provided due notice of such proposed changes or amendments shall be given to the members by written notice dated at least fifteen (15) days before the meeting at which action will be taken.
Revised By Laws - Passed and ratified, February 22, 2018
Summary of changes
Added to Section 3, timeline for request of an appeal.