BYLAWS OF THE NORTHRIDGE YOUTH ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
ARTICLE I
PROGRAM PURPOSE
The Northridge Youth Athletic Association shall be established with the joining of the ViKids Sports Association, Alexandria Sports League and the Homer Youth League. This programs purpose is to provide the youth of the Northridge Community a learning experience in good sportsmanship, teamwork and the fundamentals of baseball, softball, basketball, football, cheerleading, wrestling, or soccer. This program shall be operated with the intent to develop and enhance pride and involvement in the Northridge community.
ARTICLE II
DEFINITIONS
GENERAL:
1) Youth- Children of ages 5 through 14.
2) Members- Any person 18 years of age older, who has a child participating in the NYAA.
3) Voting Members- Any member who attends 4 meetings in a calendar year.
4) Committee Chairperson- Any person 18 years of age or older, who has a child participating in the NYAA, volunteers to donate his/her time to one or more of the committees formed by the program officials and does not hold an Officers position in NYAA or any other youth program.
5) Commissioners- Any person 18 years of age or older, who has a child participating in the NYAA, and is appointed to head a specific activity or group within an activity. Commissioners are allowed to vote on issues given they are present at the meeting when the vote is held. Commissioners will also serve on the ACTING BODY when called on to do so. Officers cannot hold a Commissioner's position.
6) Officers- Person 18 years of age or older, who has a child participating in the NYAA, and has been a voting member, elected by voting members. Officers include the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. (Officers cannot be Commissioners.)
7) Coaches and Assistant Coaches- Persons 18 years of age or older and have been approved by the officers and commissioners to manage a NYAA activity. Coaches will be responsible for assisting the Commissioner(s) in day-to-day operations and attend regularly scheduled meetings.
8) Acting Body- Group comprised of the officers and the commissioner(s) of the involved activity convened to hear points of fact on a code of conduct infraction or age restriction issues.
BASEBALL
9) Major League: Teams with players whose ages are at least 11, but no older than 12, as of August 1st of the playing year. A player may play down but will be restricted from pitiching.
10) Minor League: Teams with players whose ages are at least 9, but no older than 10, as of August 1st of the playing year.
11) Coach-Pitch: Teams with players whose ages are at least 7, but no older than 8, as of August 1st of the playing year.
12) T-Ball: Teams with players whose ages are at least 5, but no older than 6, as of August 1st of the playing year.
SOFTBALL
13) Pony League (U14): Teams with players whose ages are at least 13, but not older than 14, as of August 1st of the playing year.
14) Major League Softball (U12): Teams made up of girls whose ages are at least 11, but no older than 12, as of August 1st of the playing year.
15) Minor League Softball (U10): Teams made up of girls whose ages are at least 9, but no older than 10, as of August 1st of the playing year.
BASKETBALL
16) Boys: Divided into two levels. One consisting of 3rd and 4th graders. The other level to be comprised of 5th and 6th graders.
17) Girls: Divided into two levels. One consisting of 3rd and 4th graders. The other level to be comprised of 5th and 6th graders.
FOOTBALL
18) To be divided into three levels. One consisting of 1st and 2nd graders (Mini's); one consisting of 3rd and 4th graders (Juniors); and one consisting of 5th and 6th graders (Seniors).
CHEERLEADING
19) To be divided into three levels. One consisting of 1st and 2nd graders (Mini's); one consisting of 3rd and 4th graders (Juniors); and one consisting of 5th and 6th graders (Seniors).
WRESTLING
20) Available to children in grades K-6. To be divided into levels dependent upon factors including age and weight.
SOCCER
21) To be dividing into four levels. One consisting of Pre-K and K. One consisting of 1st and 2nd graders. One consisting of 3rd and 4th graders. And one consisting of 5th and 6th graders. Spring Soccer is the grade you are in at the start of the season. Fall Soccer is the grade you are going into at the start of the season.
Article III
Program Operation
1) Basic Policies: This Program shall be not-for-profit, nonsectarian, and non-partisan. The NYAA name shall not be used in connection with any commerical concern, partisan or sectarian interests, or for any purpose not appropriately related to the promotion of the Program purpose.
2) Player Registration: This Program will conduct player registration for all activities to be concluded no later than 1 month prior to the draft of the applicable activity. Registration notifications must be provided to all eligible youth within the Northridge Community no later than 2 months prior to the draft of the applicable activity. Registration of players after the deadline of the applicable sport will be subject to a late fee to cover the extra costs of the uniforms.
3) Age Restrictions: Any player wishing to play outside of their age group must have approval of the Acting Body.
4) Team Selections shall be held each year as follows:
a. Major and Minor League and Girls Softball: Prior to selecting teams, sessions shall be held for the purpose of teaching baseball or softball skills and evaluating the athletic skills of the players. Those individuals selected to be coaches for the up coming playing year will monitor these sessions. Coaches will then draft players based on the player's ability. The only exception is that brothers and/or sisters of the same age group will be placed on the same team. Players shall not be chosen because of the location of their residence or school that they attend.
b. Coach Pitch and T-Ball: These teams are to be selected based on locations within the Northridge community that correspond to the Alexandria, Croton and Homer areas. If any particular location can field multiple teams of the same age group, a draft of players based on skills shall be performed. Players wishing to play outside of the elementary school area they attend must have approval of the Acting Body.
c. Basketball: Open sessions will be held to emphasis basic skills. An open draft will be held prior to the start of activities by the coaches based on ability of the participants. The only exception is that brothers and/or sisters of the same age group will be placed on the same team. Players shall not be chosen because of the location of their residence or school they attend.
d. Football: Prior to selecting teams, sessions shall be held for the purpose of teaching football skills and evaluating the athletic skills of the players. Those individuals selected to be coaches for the upcoming playing year will monitor these sessions. Coaches will then draft players based on the player's ability. The only exception is that brothers of the same age group will be placed on the same team. Players shall not be chosen because of the location of their residence or school that they attend.
e. NYAA must approve all team names decided on by the team sponser. Team names will not reference any individual communities.
5) Participation in other Leagues: It is the intent of the Program to have a self-managed and self-sustaining sports program residing within the Northridge community. However, until such time that the Program has enough players and teams to be self-sustaining, participation in leagues at other locations is required.
6) Rules of play, location of play, and other arrangements necessary for participation in other leagues shall be as agreed to by the officers and commissioners of this Program and those representatives of the other League. However, team selection of Northridge Youth shall not deviate from those stated in Article III, paragraph 3, nor shall the participation in any other league diminish the purpose of this league as described in Article I.
7) Playing locations:
a. It is the intent of this Program to have centralized playing fields for Girls Softball, Major League and Minor League teams. Until such time that centralized playing fields are available, arrangements shall be made to utilize those fields available within the Alexandria, Hartford and Homer areas, and Northridge Middle and High School communities. Arrangement for field usage is also required for T-Ball and Coach Pitch Teams. The arrangements for use of fields shall be as agreed to by the Program Officers and Commissioners and those local communities.
b. Basketball: Court arrangements to house activities will be made by the officers and commissioners at Hartford, Homer, Alexandria, NMS, and NHS.
Article IV
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERS, COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS, COMMISSIONERS AND OFFICERS.
1) Members: Any person 18 years of age or older, who has a child participating in this Program, or has been selected as a coach, and attends at least 4 meetings per calendar year, is considered a member. By registering a child to participate, the member agrees to abide by the Bylaws of this Program during Program activities. Members have the right to vote for Officers at the annual elections, volunteer to serve as Program Trustees, or run for an Officers position.
2) Committee Chairpersons: Any person 18 years of age or older, who has a child participating in this Program and has volunteered to participate in Program meetings, committees, and activities. Volunteers for Committee Chairperson positions shall be identified at the annual meeting selecting new officers held in September and October. If more than 1 member has volunteered for a Committee Chair position, a vote will be held to select the Committee Chair. This person will be charged with maintaining the day-to-day operation of this committee. At anytime he/she may seek the advice of the officers. A report on all activities within the committee will be forwarded to the VP before each monthly meeting for review. Term of service shall begin at the 1st meeting of the new year. All records and information shall be passed on the the new chair at this meeting or at a time convienent for both individuals.
3) Commissioners: Any person 18 years of age or older, who has a child participating in the NYAA and has been nominated and approved by the voting members to head an activity or group in an activity. This person will manage the day-to-day business of this activity and present these at the monthly meetins. Commissioners are allowed to vote issues given they are present at the meeting when the vote is held. At any time he/she may seek the advice of the officers. Term of office shall begin within one month of the conclusion of the involved sporting activity. All records and information shall be passed on the the new commissioner at the monthly meeting or at a convienent time for both individuals. Some sports will require more than one Commissioner. Each will share in the duty of organizing that sport. The decision to add more than one Commissioner will be voted on.
4) Officers: The Officers of this Program shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Officers shall be at least 18 years of age and be elected according to the requirements of Article IV of these Bylaws. The term of office shall begin at the 1st meeting of the New Year and will last for a period of 12 months. The duties of each office are as follows.
a. President: The President shall preside over all meetings of officers, commissioners and committee chairpersons, and sign the record thereof. It is his/her responsibility to ensure that the ARticles of these Bylaws be fulfilled and that a Program Execution Plan and Budget for the playing year are developed and approved by the officers, commissioners and committee chairpersons. The President has the authority to establish committees and appoint a person or persons to audit the Treasurers Books at the conclusion of each sports activity for that sport only.
b. Vice President: The Vice President shall perform all the duties of the President in case of his/her absence. This progression shall delegate to all officers.
c. Secretary: The Secretary shall keep minutes of the proceedings of all meetings, and make a proper record of the same. The Secretary shall present these minutes for approval at the next meeting. The Secretary shall maintain all current year records for submittal to the future year Secretary.
d. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall receive and have charge of all monies and securities belonging to each sports activity, and shall disburse these as directed by majority vote of the Officers, Commissioners and Committee Chairperson. The Treasurer shall keep an accurate account of and report on all monies received and disbursed. The current Treasurer shall provide the furture year Treasurer a complete account of all existing monies, securities and disbursements.
Article V
MEETINGS
1) Regular monthly meetings shall be held on the 2nd Sunday of each month, except in June and July. Meetings shall be typically held in the Northridge High School and will start at 7:00 pm. Notive shall not be given of these meetings unless they are scheduled for a different time or location. The order of business at all regular meetings shall be as follows:
a. Reading and approval of minutes of the last regular meeting.
b. Financial report by Treasurer.
c. Commissioners reports.
d. Old business
e. New business
2) Unscheduled meetings may be called by the President or upon the request of five members of the Program. Notice of such meetings shall be given orally or in writing not less than five days prior to the meeting.
3) At all meetings, six voting members shall constitute a quorum. Each quorum shall be comprised of at least three officers.
4) An annual election meeting shall be held in the month of November. This meeting will be announced at least three weeks in advance. All officers shall be transferred at the first meeting of the new year.
ARTICLE VI
ANNUAL ELECTION OF OFFICERS
1) A nominating committee consisting of the current year officers, commissioners and committee chairpersons not seeking an officers' position in the following year shall be established to identify qualified candidates for office. This committee will attempt to provide multiple candidates for each office. This committee will submit these names to the Program members at the annual elections meeting. Nominations are to be held in September and October, elections will be held in November.
2) During the annual election meeting, nominations and volunteers to run for office shall be heard. Nominations can come from any member and not just the nominating committee. Nominations are to be held in September and October, elections will be held in November.
3) Elections of all officers shall occur annually but there is no limit to the number of terms that can be served. Program members shall elect officers on majority vote.
ARTICLE VII
CODE OF CONDUCT
1) YOUTH: All participants in this program are to maintain a high level of sportsmanship with his/her teammates and/or coaches. Any youth in violation of the generally accepted code of conduct is subject to disciplinary action such as is deemed necessary by the coaching staff and approved by the Acting Body.
2) MEMBERS: All members of this Program are expected to abide by the same principles of sportsmanship as the youth. In addition, all members are to accept the decisions of the coaches and Acting Body. Any concerns or complaints of such decisions should be brought to the attention of the Acting Body at the next immediate meeting or if needed, at a specially convened hearing to address all concerns and complaints.
3) COACHES: Coaches are to handle themselves in a manner above reproach. This is to be applied with youth and parents as well as spectators. This manner of conduct includes language both body and verbal.
4) OFFICERS, COMMISSIONERS & COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON: All officers, commissioners and committee chairpersons are expected to follow the same guidelines as above and further expected to set fourth the professionalism such a position demands.
ARTICLE VIII
CONDUCT INFRACTION GUIDELINES
Any infraction of the Code of Conduct should be reported up through the chain of command. The incident shall be handled as follows and in a timely manner. Verbal warnings will be handled by coaches or commissioners and reported back to the Acting Body. Any infraction beyond a verbal warning will be reported to, and handled by the Acting Body.
The Acting Body may use the following guidelines when handling a verbal or physical infraction. The Acting Body reserves the right to deviate from these guidelines and impose other punishment(s) if the Acting Body deems it necessary. Any deviation from these guidelines must be approved by a 2/3 voted of the ACting Body. The Acting Body, by a unanimous decision reserves the right to temporarily suspend any member until a hearing can be arranged between the Acting Body and the offender.
The following is a guideline on how to handle any verbal or physical infractions. Punishment handed down by the Acting Body may include, but not be limited to, the following:
Verbal Infraction: 1st offense Verbal Warning
2nd offense 1-3 Game Suspension
3rd offense Suspension From Sport
4th offense Calendar Year Suspension
5th offense Removed From Program
Physical Infraction: 1st offense 1-3 Game Suspension
2nd offense Calendar Year Suspension
3rd offense Permanent removal from all NYAA
Sports
NOTE: These rules apply to players, coaches, commissioners, officers, parents and spectators.
CHAIN OF COMMAND
1) Coach
2) Commissioner
3) Acting Body
HEARING BY THE ACTING BODY
The Acting Body will review any infractions of the Code of Conduct written above and a decision will be handed down for any disciplinary action needed, if such a hearing is requested. This section is only to guide the Acting Body in the search for the facts of any infraction that occurs, it in no way limits the said body's ability for the search of said facts.
1) Once a violation has been reported to the Acting Body, any inquiry will be made into the possible witnesses to said violation.
2) The Acting Body will request written/typed description of the events leading up to and including the infraction to be submitted by the involved parties.
3) The Acting Body will review said submittals and if all facts are found to be the same in both, a decision will be made on how to progress. If facts vary in these submittals, a date will be set for a forum style review and all witnesses as well as the involved parties will be asked to be in attendance so that they may present the facts in person to the Actiny Body. Upon completion of the forum, a decision will be made on the infraction and a decision will be handed down.
a) Witnesses will be called first and will be questioned on the incident.
b) Involved parties will be called last and also will be questioned on the incident.
c) This meeting will be closed to all members not involved directly.
d) The contents will be recorded and transcribed for further precedent.
e) Minimum decision to be a 1-3 game suspension (consecutive) from all activities under this organization bound.
f) Maximum decision will be permanent suspension from all NYAA activities.
The Acting Body will be comprised of the officers and the head commissioner of the involved activity.
A member of the Acting Body, who is involved in the incident, either personally or by family ties, shall be excluded from the Acting Body's decision making process. However, he/she will be allowed to speak in front of the Acting Body if they have facts pertaining to the incident.
ARTICLE IX
AMMENDMENTS
Ammendments will be made to the Bylaws to allow for additional sports to be added to the NYAA. These amendments will be prepared and presented to a quorum for review and ratification by an officer or appointed member of the Bylaws committee. This is to be used as a tool to aid in the ease of expanding this Program to better serve the children in the community, and to keep from continually having to ratify an existing document accepted by the membership.
Each amendment shall be assigned an article number and dated as to the date it was ratified into the existing Bylaws and the preparing official will have his/her name entered into the minutes of the meeting in which it was ratified.
Approved 02/13/02