Granby Athletic Association

GRANBY ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION Granby, Massachusetts 01033

BY – LAWS

POLICIES

Reprinted March 11, 2007 2 BY-LAWS OF THE GRANBY ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION GRANBY, MASSACHUSETTS

Article I : Name

This corporation will be known as the Granby Athletic Association, Inc., and referred to as the G A A

Article II : Purpose

This corporation is to provide for and sponsor athletic teams and events for the benefit of Granby youth.

All property, charters and resources of this corporation are reserved to this beneficial use.

Article III : Endorsements

The G A A shall be non-commercial and non-partisan. No commercial enterprises or political candidates will be endorsed by this organization.

Article IV : Membership

Sec. 1 All parents and guardians of youth actively engaged in the GAA sports program, (having paid any fees assessed), are automatically members of this organization for the twelve month period beginning with the completed registration of said youth(s). All persons other than the above mentioned who actively participate in any phase of any program shall also be considered a member in good standing. Such status contingent on the plurality vote of approval of the Board of Directors. The above members, Sec 1, to be seated with voice only.

Sec. 2 Each active sponsor is a member in good standing of the GAA to be seated with voice only at all regular meetings, (if their fees are paid for the current season). Each active sponsor is a member in good standing of the GAA to be seated with voice and vote at all annual meetings.

3 Sec. 3 Ex Officio membership is dependent on nomination by a voting member of the Board plus the approval of the Executive Board of Directors. (Majority vote of approval from both assemblies) a. Ex Officio membership is available to all past members actively participating in some phase of GAA activity for a period of not less than five (5) calendar years, provided such member continues to maintain their relationship with the GAA by attending at least one (1) meeting per quarter each calendar year. b. Ex Officio members shall be seated with voice and vote at all GAA meetings when qualifications are met. Refer Art. V, Sec 12.

Sec 4. All voting members of the Board of Directors are seated with voice and vote. Refer Art V, Sec 12.

Article V Sec. 1 The Board of Directors shall consist of: All Officers, all managers in Baseball, all coaches in Basketball and Soccer, a delegate from St. Hyasinth’s Seminary, plus all managers and league directors from any other activity, (including active committees), provided said member has attended 3 of 4 of the past meetings.

Sec. 2 All new applicants for managerial positions shall be approved by a Majority vote of the Board of Directors. Voice vote to be taken, (unless a Ballot vote is requested by a member of the Board). Ballot vote then shall prevail. Any number of persons may apply for any vacant position, (but the policy order of preference is to be adhered to), and that position may only be filled by the expression of the will of the Directors made known through a majority vote of concurrent.

Sec. 3 Program Directors must be accepted for their positions by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. Voting Procedure – Voice or Ballot Program Directors shall formulate and implement all programs assigned to them by the President in accordance with the governing charters and franchises if such are held in the program of which he/she is the Director. Only the Program Director may cancel or reschedule games. Disputes within a league, after referral to the Program Director in written form, are referable to the Designated Arbitrator, and the Executive Board by the disputant.

4 Refer to Article X Sec. 10, 11

Sec. 4 All managers, coaches, league directors, officials, participants, and members must exhibit proper decorum at practices, games and all GAA events. Any breach shall render that person guilty of misconduct and subject to disciplinary action by the Program Director of the Executive Board of Directors.

OFFICERS

Article VI Sec 1 The officers of the GAA are the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Program Directors of: Soccer, Basketball, Baseball, Wrestling, Bingo Fundraising, plus Sports-Complex, and the Senior active member of the Board of Directors.

Sec. 2 All Officers are members of the Board of Directors and shall serve the Executive Board of Directors performing all duties of the Executive branch. Refer to: Article VII.

Sec. 3 The term of office for all officers is one (1) year from the date of their election.

Sec. 4 In order to qualify for nomination to any office and for service of the designated term, the following must be met: a. The nominee must not have been disqualified from a managerial, coaching, or committee chairmanship by any action by the Board of Directors or Executive Board.

Sec. 5 Election of Officers

a. The election of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Program Directors of Bingo, Fundraising, Sports-Complex and Sponsorship shall take place at the annual meeting of the GAA in January. b. The election of Program Directors of each sport shall take place at the regular meeting of the Board of Directors at the close of that sport’s session.

5 Article VII Executive Board of Directors

Sec. 1 The Executive Board shall be composed of the Officers of the GAA. Refer to Article VI, Sec. 1.

Sec. 2 The Executive Board shall be the policy making body of the GAA.

Sec. 3 The duty of this Board is to oversee and evaluate all functions of the GAA.

Sec. 4 This Board is the ultimate authority to which all referrals for redress of grievances, and interpretations of GAA rules, regulations, By- Laws and policies are to be made.

Sec. 5 This Board may investigate the conduct of any member when such conduct is referred to it by any person as possibly detrimental to GAA aims, image, purposes, responsibilities, or corporate identity.

Sec. 6 This Board shall have the power to expel any member of the Board of Directors or Executive Board for unbecoming conduct, non- participation in GAA activities, attendance (refer Article X, Sec. 6), or conduct tending to incur legal liability or impose a moral obligation or commitment when such of the above mentioned has not previously been approved by either Board seated in a duly constituted meeting.

Article VIII Conduct of Members and Participants

Sec. 1 Members and participants shall conduct themselves in decorous manner at any and all GAA sponsored events or at any time they represent the GAA in any capacity.

Sec. 2 Members must devote themselves to the business at hand during any meeting, giving careful observance to the rules of order under which meeting are conducted.

Sec. 3 Any member who willfully or negligently causes damage to any property belonging to the GAA shall immediately have the property repaired or replaced at their own expense.

6 Sec. 4 Players shall conduct themselves in a sportsmanship – like manner at all times whether engaged as contestants in or spectators at any GAA event. During games, the contestants will not fight, curse, throw equipment, or engage in unnecessary roughness. Any player violating these rules will be subject to the following penalties: 1. If found in violation, the player will be suspended, for a period of time. The Program Director shall execute the length of suspension. The League Arbitrator will determine if the player is in violation. 2. A second offense will mean automatic expulsion for the remainder of the season. Any player expelled for the remainder of the season may be allowed to rejoin his former team the following year if the Executive Board approves such a petition made to it by the player or the manager/coach. Any player not placed on his/her former team may be put back in the pool for

Article IX Meetings, Regular & Special

Sec. 1 Meetings shall be held at such time and place as is suitable to the requirements and effective operations of the GAA. Notification of such meetings shall be given to all Board members involved. This notification shall be sent to each Board member by the Secretary through the United States Postal Service. All notifications of such meetings shall be sent to each member so that he/she will receive this document no later than Forty-either (48) hours before these meetings. Meeting shall be called by the President.

Sec. 2 A Quorum for all regular and special meetings of the Board of Directors and the Executive Board of which the Directors have had personal notice (see Sec. 1), shall consist of those members who appear at such meeting at the appointed time. Sec. 3 All Committee Meetings shall be held at such time and place as suitable to the requirements and effective operation of the GAA. All members involved on a committee shall have not less than Forty-either (48) hours advance notice of such a meeting either by the President or Committee Chairperson.

7 Sec. 4 The Annual Meetings of the GAA shall be held at the first regular meeting in January.

Sec. 5 The Board of Directors shall meet not less than nine (9) times per year.

Sec. 6 Any Director who misses any three consecutive meetings of the Board of Directors, (unless excused by the President) shall be dropped as a member of the Board of Directors.

Article X Duties of the President

Sec. 1 Shall preside and maintain order at all meetings, using parliamentary procedure.

Sec. 2 Shall enforce the provisions of the By – Laws and Policies.

Sec. 3 Shall sign all notes, deeds, mortgages, or other instruments and documents permitted by law as within the scope of the corporate powers, when these pertain to the affairs of the GAA and are approved by the Board of Directors when in an amount in excess of $500.00.

Sec. 4 Shall be ever ready and alert to advance and promote the aims of the GAA.

Sec. 5 Shall call all meetings regular or special on his/her own authority, when deemed necessary.

Sec. 6 Shall appoint all committees, and be a member of all committees seated with voice and vote. [Non-Board of Directors appointed to committees shall have a voice and vote, at committee level only].

Sec. 7 Shall have the power in case of emergency to fill vacancies created by any reason, subject to the approval of such appointment by the majority of the Board at the next regularly scheduled monthly meeting.

Sec. 8 Shall conduct himself/herself in a manner worthy of the trust imposed on him/her.

8 Sec. 9 Shall appoint a By – Law/Policy Committee for the purpose of reviewing and amending the By-laws and Policies of the GAA. This committee shall meet yearly or when-ever deemed necessary by the President.

Sec. 10 Shall appoint for each sport an objective arbitrator who will handle all grievances, disputes, or protest within that designated sport. [Qualification of Arbitrator, see Sec. 11]

Sec. 11 The Arbitrator for each sport shall be a person who is a member of the Board of Directors but not connected in any way with that sport.

Sec. 12 Shall restrain members, when engaged in debate, within the rules of order, to enforce on all occasions the observance of order and decorum among the members all questions of order, and to inform the assembly when necessary, or when referred to for the purpose on the point of order or practice.

Sec. 13 Shall recruit and refer workers to the Program Director of Bingo, and refer person(s) interested in managing, coaching, etc., to the Program Director of such sport or activity.

Sec. 14 The President may vote to make a tie, unless the vote is by Ballot. Tie vote sustains the President. See Exception Article XX Sec. 2

Article XI Duties of the Vice – President

Sec. 1 Shall serve as the chairman during any absence or disability of the President with full power and authority to perform any and all duties of the Presidency.

Sec. 2 Shall succeed to the Presidential term if the President is unable to complete the term for any reason.

Sec. 3 Shall assist the President in whatever capacity deemed necessary by the President.

9 Sec. 4 Shall over see Registrations, in conjunction with the Program Directors, and collect all registration fees as well as provide the Treasurer with complete and updated lists of registrants and fees paid, plus provide for refunds of such fees, where appropriate.

Sec. 5 Mantains liaison with appropriate town officials to ensure cooperation in availability, use and maintenance of facilities and participation in appropriate special community events.

Sec. 6 Shall coordinate all banquets and award ceremonies with regard to the policies and/or by-laws.

Sec. 7 See Article X Sec. 13.

Article XII Duties of the Secretary

Sec. 1 Shall keep the minutes of General, Board of Directors, and Executive Board of Directors meetings.

Sec. 2 Shall keep a roll of the Board membership with their addresses and telephone numbers.

Sec. 3 Shall notify all Board members of the time, location and nature of all meetings. All Board members must have in hand, this notification no later than forty-either (48) hours before such meeting.

Sec. 4 Shall attend to all correspondence of the GAA (unless specified otherw8ise in the by-laws)

Sec. 5 Shall take roll at all meetings.

Sec. 6 Shall supervise all publicity of the GAA, requiring a copy of all such matter be submitted to and approved by him/her prior to its release to the public media.

Sec. 7 Provide each Program Director with sufficient copies of the GAA By-Laws and Policies, appropriate charter and/or franchise rules and regulations.

10 Sec. 8 Shall present a copy of the GAA By-Laws and Policies to each new Director of the GAA and attend the signature of that Director upon receiving such matter, for the purpose of binding each Director to the corporate responsibility. The above information will be kept on file by the Secretary.

Article XIII Duties of the Treasurer

Sec. 1 Shall receive all monies of the GAA and deposit all funds in a bank or other financial institution designated by the Board of Directors into the account also designated by the Board.

Sec. 2 Shall prepare for payment by the receipt method all duly authorized bills deemed by him/her to be payable by the GAA.

Sec. 3 Shall submit a financial report of each sport to the Board of Directors specifically within the two (2) months of the close of that sport.

Sec. 4 Shall keep all records, prepare and furnish a statement of the financial condition of the GAA after completion of the annual CPA report.

Sec. 5 Shall pay all bills of the GAA when they are submitted to him/her in proper form.

Sec. 6 All checks signed by him/her must be co-signed by the President or Vice-President of the GAA.

Sec. 7 Shall at the President’s direction, appoint three (3) members to audit the financial records of the GAA prior to submission of such financial reports required by him/her.

Article XIV Program Director of Bingo Sec. 1 Shall act as the official liaison person between the GAA and the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church.

11 Sec. 2 Shall appoint the GAA members of the joint GAA/IHM Bingo Committee.

Sec. 3 Shall appoint all captains, assign all workers and coordinate the performance of all duties.

Sec. 4 Serve as chairman of the GAA Bingo Committee.

Sec. 5 Recruit, train and assign Bingo workers in sufficient numbers to assure the proper and efficient conduct of this activity.

Sec. 6 Shall report receipts from the Bingo at each meeting of the Board of Directors.

Sec. 7 Shall perform any and all duties appropriate to the proper and efficient conduct of the Bingo and continued cooperation between the GAA and IHM.

Article XV Program Director of Fundraising

Sec. 1 Shall plan and coordinate all league and/or special Fundraising events with regard to the policies and/or By-Laws.

Sec. 2 All plans and pertinent information, along with an estimated budget, must be presented to the Board of Directors before any commitment or start of a specific program can begin, at a regular scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors, for approval.

Sec. 3 Maintain all records of each Fund-raiser and report all receipts of each individual event to the Board of Directors, no later than thirty days after the close of such.

Sec. 4 Shall be responsible for all collections of monies connected with these events.

Sec. 5 Shall serve as Chairman of the Fundraising Committee.

12 Sec. 6 Assume over – all responsibility for the conduct of this program.

Article XVI Program Director of the Sports Complex

Sec. 1 Shall act as liaison person between the GAA and the Friars minor Conventual.

Sec. 2 Shall act as the representative of the GAA in all matters concerning the development, planning maintenance, use, programming, etc of the Sports Complex between the GAA and any person or body however constituted.

Sec. 3 Shall serve as the Chairman of the Sports Complex Development Program Committee.

Sec. 4 Shall nominate persons for committee purposes in this program.

Sec. 5 Shall assume overall responsibility for the conduct of the program.

Sec. 6 Shall perform any and all duties appropriate to the proper and efficient conduct of this program and the continual cooperation between the GAA and the Order of Friars Minor.

Sec. 7 Shall report on all activities of this program to the Board of Directors.

Sec. 8 Shall maintain all records pertaining to this program, but not limited to, correspondence, contracts, proposals, requests for bids, drawings, applications for funding or any other instruments which are or could be indicative of the activities undertaken with regard to the Sports Complex.

Sec. 9 Shall prepare an annual funding requirement for presentation to the Board of Directors.

13 Article XVII Sports Program Directors

Sec. 1 Shall approve the candidates for managerial and coaching positions prior to their presentation to the Board of Directors for final approval. Managers and Coaches will not become official until approved by the Board of Directors (Ballot vote).

Sec. 2 Shall prepare and present the budget for the program not less than three (3) months before the anticipated start of the season for that sport.

Sec. 3 Voucher the expenditures made pursuant to the approved budget to the Treasurer for payment of all such approved bills.

Sec. 4 Shall assume overall responsibility for the conduct of programs according to applicable charters, franchises, and the By-laws and Policies of the GAA.

Sec. 5 Shall establish league schedules.

Sec. 6 Shall maintain contact with sponsors by sending copies of league schedules, notices of special league events and invitations pertaining to league activities.

Sec. 7 Shall recruit, train, and assign officials to the games.

Sec. 8 Shall coordinate the billing and collection of sponsorship fees through the Treasurer.

Sec. 9 Shall establish and maintain contact with all organizations which charter or franchise any level of the sport.

Sec. 10 Shall preside over and keep minutes of all general meetings of the sport and attend all league level meetings of that sport.

Sec. 11 Shall maintain a current list of all league Directors, managers, sponsors, and officials in each level of the sport.

Sec. 12 Shall receive (in written notice) all grievances, disputes, or protest within that sport. He/She shall immediately turn over such

14 disputes/grievances to the arbitrator for that sport, designated by the President of the GAA. Refer to Article X Sec. 10 & 11. The Arbitrator shall render the decision but the Program Director shall determine the penalty and handing it out.

Sec. 13 Shall make a full report of all expenses and receipts of the sport to the Board of Directors within sixty (60) days of the close of that season.

Sec. 14 Shall perform any and all duties appropriate to the proper conduct of the sport to advance that sport’s program as a credit to the GAA and of benefit to the personal and athletic development of its participants.

Article XVIII Chain of Command

Sec. 1 During any absence or disability of the presiding President of the GAA, the following order of command with full power and authority to perform any and all duties shall be:

First in Line – Vice President Second - Secretary Third - Treasurer Fourth - Senior Active Member/GAA Board of Directors

Sec. 2 Upon decline for the Presidency, as described in Sec. 1, after the fourth in line, the Chair shall be open to the next senior active member/GAA Board Director on down.

Article XIX Amending of By-Laws and Policies

Sec. 1 These By-laws may be altered or amended only by a two- thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Directors present at a meeting called for the purpose of amending the By-Laws.

Sec. 2 A meeting for considering amendments to the By-Laws may be held when deemed necessary by the By-Laws Committee.

15 Sec. 3 Notice of such a meeting, together with a copy of the proposed amendment shall be sent through the Post Office by the Secretary to each member of the Board of Directors at least two (2) weeks before such meeting.

Article XX Methods of voting and Procedures

Sec. 1 Tie vote. The motion is lost. a. Via voice vote: yeas and nays, raising of hands, etc. b. General Consent: It is used by the Chair, when routine business or minor matters are concerned to avoid the formality of taking the vote when there seems to be no objections to the question; unless someone objects. Then a vote must be taken. No second needed. c. Ballot Vote: A ballot vote may be requested by a voting member of the assembly on any issue which may arise, unless specified in a Section of an Article. Object of this vote is that it will be secret. If specified a Ballot Vote, unbeatable. If not specified, but requested, requires a second and majority vote in favor before it can be allowed. d. Proxy Vote: Not applicable under GAA By-Laws. e. Voting by Mail: Not applicable under GAA By-Laws. f. Plurality Vote: Largest vote of any Candidate. Plurality never elects, except if a rule has been made to that effect. g. Abstention: This type of vote is a declaration vote, neither for nor against. Those who abstain, their abstention vote is not counted in deciding whether it is a majority, two-thirds, or unanimous vote. All blank ballots are ignored, and are not reported or counted in the tally. No member can be compelled to vote. h. Appeal: Object, to object to a decision of the Chair, or to relieve the Chairman of the responsibility of a decision requires:

A Motion of Appeal - - then Two Seconds - - plus - - Majority Vote

1. Not debatable when a motion relates to: Rules of speaking, decorum in debate, priority of business while an undebatable question is pending.

16 2. Questions of order must be decided by the Chair without debate, unless the Chair submits the question to the assembly for decision, in that case, Debatable. 3. Until the Chair has ruled, no Appeal can be taken. 4. An answer to parliamentary inquiry or announcement to a vote is not a decision of the Chair, therefore an Appeal is out of order.

Policies

Sec. 1 These Polices may be altered or amended only by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Board of Directors present at a meeting called for the purpose of amending the Policies.

Sec. 2 A meeting for considering amendments to the Policies may be held when deemed necessary by the By-Law/Policy Committee.

Sec. 3 Notice of such meeting, together with a copy of the proposed amendment shall be sent through the Post Office by the Secretary to each member of the Board of Directors at least two (2) weeks before such meeting.

17 GAA Red Sox Ticket Policy

The following policy will apply for the purchase of tickets effective with the 2005 and for subsequent baseball seasons. Purchase of tickets will be based on eligibility as a board of director member (as defined in the by-laws) and a current attendance requirement.

Regular Season: To qualify for ticket purchase, the eligible member must have attended 3 of the 4 GAA scheduled meetings prior to the start of the Red Sox season. Any excused absence(s) must be authorized by the President or (his)(her) designee. Once the eligible member have made their selection (by lottery, as in prior years), any available tickets may be purchased via lottery by other attendees at the April meeting.

Post-Season: Any post-season tickets will be made available to Board of Director member who purchased regular season tickets and attended 7 of the 10 meetings scheduled prior to the lottery drawing in October. Excused absences must also be authorized in the same manner as for the regular season.

The Secretary will maintain and provide the President with a list of eligible members prior to ticket selections. It will be used as a guide to determine eligibility for the purchase of both regular and post-season tickets. All tickets must be paid for on the night of the drawing. Scalping of tickets will be considered a violation subject to a loss of rights to purchase tickets in the future.