Approved June 18, 2021

CONSTITUTION OF SECTION III ATHLETICS

ARTICLE I – NAME

The name shall be the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Section III Athletics (“Section III”).

ARTICLE II – OBJECT

Section 1: Objectives of Section III A. To organize and administer the interscholastic athletic program for member schools of Section III of the NYSPHSAA. B. To support and interpret the rules and regulations of the Commissioner of Education, the NYSPHSAA, and Section III. C. To continually strive to strengthen programs and improve athletic opportunities for all students in grades 7-12.

ARTICLE III – MEMBERS

Section 1: Membership A. The membership of Section III shall consist of the member schools of NYSPHSAA, Inc. which are located within the geographic boundaries of section III as defined by NYSPHSAA, Inc. and which are also members of NYSPHSAA Section III, Inc.

Section 2: Duties and Rights of Membership A. Member schools must agree to abide by all Commissioner of Education, NYSPHSAA, and Section III rules, regulations and procedures. B. Participation in any tournament, meet, or invitational conducted by Section III shall be open to all member schools in good standing with Section III and NYSPHSAA, provided the school and/or individual meets all required standards. C. Sportsmanship is a fundamental element of the educational and athletic process. Schools participating in sectional activities will be held strictly responsible for the conduct of their participants, coaches, faculty members and spectators. Conduct which is detrimental to the educational experience of athletic activities may be deemed just cause for the school’s censure, probation, suspension from a particular sport or suspension from all Sectional activities. D. Section III schools will be subject to NYSPHSAA and Section III penalties for rules violations. E. Section III is not responsible for school and league rules and athletic programs planned and controlled by leagues and their personnel. All Section III schools must abide by game rulebooks, Section III and NYSPHSAA adopted variations.

Section 3: Business Year A. The Business Year of Section III shall be August 1 through July 31.

ARTICLE IV – ATHLETIC COUNCIL

Section 1: Operations A. The business of Section III will be conducted by its Athletic Council (“Council”), which is comprised of: 1. League/School Representatives 2. Officers 3. NYSPHSAA Central Committee Representatives 4. Sport Coordinators 5. Standing Committee Chairs

Section 2: Selection of Representatives A. League/School Representatives 1. Each league will be allotted one (1) representative for every five (5) schools that are in their league. An additional representative is added when the number is above a multiple of five (5). For example, 1-5 schools = 1 representative, 6-10 schools = 2 representatives, 11-15 schools = 3 representatives, etc. 2. Independent schools (those not in a league) will be allotted one (1) representative for every five (5) independent schools. An additional representative is added when the number is above a multiple of five (5). For example, 1-5 schools = 1 representative, 6-10 schools = 2 representatives, 11-15 schools = 3 representatives, etc. 3. The schools within each league, and the independent schools, shall designate their representatives for the following school year by the end of the current school year. a. Schools will designate an equal number of male and female representatives. b. In the event that there are an odd number of representatives, the schools within each league will determine the gender of the odd representative. 4. The term of office is one (1) year with a starting date of July 1st. a. If a vacancy occurs during the school year, the affected league, or independent schools, shall desginate a representative to fill the vacant position for the remainder of the school year. B. Officers 1. The officers of Section III shall be the President, President-Elect, Immediate Past-President, Vice-President of Boys Sports, and Vice-President of Girls Sports. 2. Officers shall be employed by a Section III member school, or associated with a Section III member school. 3. Nominations a. The Nominating Committee shall review, evaluate, and recommend to the Executive Committee in February no more than three (3) candidates for the positions of President, President-Elect, Vice-Presidents of Boys (male candidates) and Girls (female candidates) Sports. b. The Executive Committee shall endorse any or all of the candidates to stand for election, such endorsement not to be unreasonably withheld. 4. An election for these positions will be held by all member schools of Section III. a. Candidates may provide a cover letter and resume to be distributed to member schools prior to the election. b. A special ballot shall be sent to all schools via e-mail and/or USPS with one or more candidates on the ballot and with a line for a write-in vote. c. In order to be valid, the returned ballot must be signed by the Chief School Officer, Principal, and Athletic Director. 5. The term of office is two (2) years with a starting date of August 1st of the election year. a. If a vacancy occurs during the term of office, the Executive Committee, with the advice of the Nominating Committee, shall appoint a qualified person for the remainder of the unfilled term. C. NYSPHSAA Central Committee Representatives 1. Representatives to the NYSPHSAA Central Committee shall be: one Chief School Officer (CSO); one Principal; one Male Representative of Athletics; and one Female Representative of Athletics. 2. Representatives to the NYSPHSAA Central Committee shall be actively employed by a section III school district. 3. The Nominating Committee shall review, evaluate, and recommend to the Executive Committee at its Winter meeting no more than three (3) candidates for the positions of Chief School Officer (CSO), Principal, Male Representative of Athletics, and Female Representative of Athletics. 4. An election for these positions will be held by all member schools of Section III. a. Candidates may provide a cover letter and resume to be distributed to member schools prior to the election. b. A special ballot shall be sent to all schools via e-mail and/or USPS with one or more candidates on the ballot and with a line for a write-in vote. c. In order to be valid, the returned ballot must be signed by the Chief School Officer, Principal, and Athletic Director. 5. The term of office is four (4) years with a starting date of September 1st and ending date of August 31th. a. If a vacancy occurs during the term of office, the Executive Committee, with the advice of the Nominating Committee, shall appoint a qualified person, from that position of service in which the vacancy occurred, for the remainder of the unfilled term. D. Sport Coordinators 1. Each Sports Committee is allotted one Sport Coordinator as the representative. 2. Sports Coordinators will be elected by majority vote of that committee’s members. a. These appointments will be reviewed and approved annually by the Executive Committee. 3. The term of office is three (3) years. a. If a vacancy occurs during the term of office the Committee will elected a new Sports Coordinator to serve for the balance of the original term. E. Standing Committee Chairs 1. The Chair of each Standing Committee of Section III shall be a representative. 2. The Chair of each Standing Committee is selected per Article VIII.

Section 3: Meetings A. The Athletic Council shall hold at least five (5) regular meetings per year, the time and place of which shall be designated by the President. Special meetings may be called by the President. 1. Attendance at Athletic Council meetings shall be open to anyone, however, only members may make motions or vote.

Section 4: Motions A. Motions may be presented at all Athletic Council meetings by any member of the Council. B. Regular Motions are those motions presented to the Athletic Council to be voted upon at the next Athletic Council meeting. C. Any member of the Council may make a motion to turn a Regular Motion into a Special Motion requiring a written vote of the full Section III membership. Such a motion must be seconded and approved by two-thirds (2/3) of the eligible voting Council members in attendance. 1. All Special Motions to be voted upon and mailed to schools shall contain only the motion and notes the Executive Committee deems necessary for clarification. D. Emergency Motions are those motions presented to the Athletic Council which, due to the timely urgency of the issue, as deemed necessary by the President, are to be voted on the first time they are presented to the Athletic Council. E. All action taken upon motions shall be final for one calendar year unless new information is presented to the Athletic Council, which causes the Council to reconsider the specific action taken previously.

Section 5: Discussion A. Discussion at all Athletic Council meetings shall be limited to members of the Council, school administrators, and others recognized by the presiding officer.

Section 6: Methods of Voting A. Regular Motions will be voted upon by the full Section III membership, as reported by designated League and Independent representatives in attendance. 1. League representatives shall report the total of the votes of each of their member schools. 2. Independent representatives shall report the total of the votes of each of the independent schools. 3. If no League or Independent representative is in attendance, then their member schools are deemed not to be in attendance for purposes of voting. B. Special Motions will have a deadline date and must be signed by the Chief School Officer, High School Principal, and Athletic Director in order to be valid. 1. There is to be no tabulation or recording of the ballots, or of schools submitting ballots, until after the established voting deadline. C. Emergency Motions, as deemed necessary by the President due to the timely urgency of the issue, may be voted upon the first time they are presented to the Athletic Council. 1. Only the following people may vote on an Emergency Motion at an Athletic Council meeting: a. Each Executive Committee member in attendance. b. Each League Representative in attendance. c. Each Independent School Representative in attendance. d. Sports Coordinators directly involved and in attendance. e. Standing Committee Chairs directly involved and in attendance. 2. If an individual in attendance is a member of more than one (1) voting category, s/he may only submit one (1) vote, in total, and must specify in which capacity s/he is voting.

Section 7: Adoption of Motions A. All motions must be passed by a majority of the votes cast unless noted elsewhere.

Section 8: Quorum A. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the League and Independent Representatives plus the Executive Committee members on the Council.

ARTICLE V – DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section1: President A. The President shall: 1. Preside at all meetings of the Athletic Council, Executive Committee, and Athletic Director meetings. 2. Call special meetings whenever they are deemed necessary. 3. Appoint all Sectional and State level proxies. 4. Nominate Committee Chairs as required. 5. Be an ex-officio, non-voting member of all committees and update the committee representatives on relevant Section III issues. 6. Perform the duties as designated by the Athletic Council and Executive Committee.

Section 2: President-Elect A. The President-Elect shall: 1. Preside at all meetings in the absence of the President. 2. Assume the responsibilities of the office of President, if necessary. 3. Succeed to the Presidency and leadership of Section III.

Section 3: Immediate Past-President A. The Immediate Past-President shall: 1. Preside at all meetings in the absence of the President or President-Elect. 2. Assume the responsibilities of the President, if the President or President-Elect is not available. 3. Serve as chairperson of the Nominating Committee. B. If the Immediate Past-President is unable to serve, the preceeding Past-Presidents will be polled, in order beginning with the most recent, until the position is filled.

Section 4: Vice-Presidents for Boys and Girls Sports A. The Vice-Presidents for Boys and Girls Sports shall: 1. Be responsible for the supervision and direction of all Section III Sports Coordinators and Sports Committees. 2. Update sports reports to the Athletic Council, Executive Committee, and Athletic Directors’ meetings. 3. Assistant Vice-Presidents may be appointed by the Executive Committee to assist the Vice- Presidents with their duties a. The Assistant Vice-Presidents may attend Athletic Council and Executive Committee meetings but do not have a vote.

ARTICLE VI – EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1: Composition A. Voting Members of the Executive Committee shall include: 1. President 2. President-Elect 3. Vice-President of Boys Sports 4. Vice President of Girls Sports 5. The four (4) elected members of the NYSPHSAA Central Committee 6. Immediate Past President B. Additional Voting Members 1. At the beginning of each business year (August 1 to July 31), the Nominating Committee shall review the composition of the voting members of the Executive Committee per VI(1)(A). 2. If the Voting Members per VI(1)(A) do not include at least three (3) members of each gender, then in the interest of gender equity one (1) additional voting member of the lesser- represented gender may be added to the Executive Committee. Such member shall be presented by the Nominating Committee to the Executive Committee and voted upon by the full Section III membership by written ballot. The term of office of this position is one (1) year with a starting date of August 1 of the election year. 3. If the Voting Members per VI(1)(A) do not include at least one (1) member of each league in Section III, then one (1) additional voting member of each unrepresented league will be added to the Executive Committee. Such member shall be presented by the Nominating Committee to the Executive Committee and voted upon by the full Section III membership by written ballot. The term of office of this position is one (1) year with a starting date of August 1 of the election year. C. Ex-officio, non-voting Members of the Executive Committee shall include the: 1. Executive Director 2. Assistant Executive Director(s) 3. Treasurer 4. Secretary 5. Assistant Vice-Presidents of Boys and Girls Sports 6. Past Presidents

Section 2: Duties of the Executive Committee A. The Executive Committee shall act on all matters not provided for in this Constitution and/or Section III Handbook, and such emergency business as may arise between regular meetings of the Athletic Council.

ARTICLE VII – NYSPHSAA CENTRAL COMMITTEE REPRESENTATIVES

Section 1: Duties of the NYSPHSAA Central Committee Representatives A. Represent Section III at the respective NYSPHSAA committee meetings. B. Serve on the Section III Executive Committee. C. Report to the Athletic Council.

Section 2: NYSPHSAA Executive Committee Representatives A. The following will represent Section III on the NYSPHSAA Executive Committee: 1. The Female Representative of Athletics, and 2. One (1) of the remaining three NYSPHSAA Central Committee Representatives as determined by the Executive Committee.

Section 3: Representative Authority A. Sectional concerns and action items to be presented at NYSPHSAA meetings require Athletic Council discussion and direction. B. If an issue comes to the floor of the NYSPHSAA Central Committee or Executive Committee for vote, in the absence of direction from the Athletic Council the Representatives should use their best judgement in representing the interests of Section III.

ARTICLE VIII – STANDING COMMITTEES

Section 1: General A. The failure of any appointing body to make appointments to a committee shall not invalidate the work of the Committee. B. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the Committee members seated. C. All motions must be passed by a majority of the votes cast, unless noted elsewhere. 1. The Committee Chair/Co-Chair shall not vote except in the case of a tie, in which case the Chair/Co-Chair may vote, but is not required to do so.

Section 2: Championship Committee A. Composition 1. This committee includes the President, Vice-President of Boys Sports, Vice-President of Girls Sports, and all Sports Coordinators. B. Manner of Selection 1. Members a. By virtue of the positions they hold. 2. Chair a. This Committee is Co-Chaired by the Vice-Presidents of Boys and Girls Sports. C. Duties 1. Assure all championship Section III tournaments and contests are consistent, equitable and fair to all participating schools and their student athletes. 2. Assure that all Section III tournaments and competition is planned, programmed, administered and staged at the highest level possible. 3. Report to the Athletic Council. D. Schedule 1. As needed.

Section 3: Classification Committee A. Composition 1. For the purpose of determining Public School representation, each league will be allotted one (1) representative for every five (5) public schools that are in their league. An additional representative is added when the number is above a multiple of five (5). 2. Non-Public/Charter schools will have representation based on the allotment of one (1) representative for every five (5) Non-Public/Charter schools in the Section. An additional representative is added when the number is above a multiple of five (5). B. Manner of Selection 1. Members a. Public and Non-Public/Charter schools determine who will be their representatives. 2. Chair a. The President will nominate a Chair, from any Section III member school, with recommendation(s) from the Committee. b. The Executive Committee will appoint the Chair after considering the President’s nomination. C. Duties 1. Establish the class placement of all Non-Public schools for post season play including Sectional, Regional, or State competition in accordance with the Section III Classification Policy. 2. Report to the Athletic Council. D. Schedule 1. Every two (2) years. 2. As needed.

Section 4: Constitution & Handbook Committee A. Composition 1. One representative from each League and one representative of Independent Schools. B. Manner of Selection 1. Members a. Each League and the Independent Schools determines who will be its representative to the Committee. 2. Chair a. This Committee is chaired by the Principal representative to the NYSPHSAA Central Committee. C. Duties 1. Meet as needed to review the Constitution and Section III Handbook. 2.The Committee will evaluate new policy proposals, review policies for possible modification of practices/rules/guidelines if inconsistent with current institutional environment, and recommend any revisions, modifications or amendments required to meet current legal guidelines. 3. Report to the Athletic Council. D. Schedule 1. As needed.

Section 5: Chief School Officer (“CSO”) Committee A. Composition 1. Consists of two (2) Superintendents representing each Section III BOCES. B. Manner of Selection 1. Members a. The Chief School Officers within each BOCES will determine a Primary Representative and an Alternate Representative to the Committee. b. The Primary Representative will be the voting representative when both representatives are in attendance. In the absence of the Primary Representative, the Alternate Representative will be the voting representative. 2. Chair a. This Committee is chaired by the Chief School Officer representative to the NYSPHSAA Central Committee. C. Duties 1. Disseminate SED, NYSPHSAA and Section III information to CSO’s within their BOCES and facilitate discussion as needed. 2. Provide advice, counsel, and direction in regard to Section III policies, procedures, and practices. 3. Make recommendations to the Athletic Council through the chair of the CSO Committee. 4. Report to the Athletic Council.

D. Schedule 1. Whenever possible, CSO Committee meetings will be scheduled prior to Athletic Council meetings to assure that the CSO Committee is informed of issues scheduled to be addressed by the Athletic Council.

Section 6: Extended Eligibility Committee A. Composition 1. One representative from each League and one representative of Independent Schools. 2. The Principal Representative to the NYSPHSAA Central Committee, or his/her designee. B. Manner of Selection 1. Members a. Each League and the Independent Schools determines who will be its representative to the committee. b. Principal Representative by virtue of the position s/he holds or by designation. 2. Chair a. The President will nominate a Chair, from any Section III member school, with recommendation(s) from the Committee. b. The Executive Committee will appoint the Chair after considering the President’s nomination. C. Duties 1. Hear and rule on all cases of extended eligibility for all schools and leagues in Section III based on the rules as set forth by the Commissioner of Education. 2. Report to the Athletic Council. D. Schedule 1. As needed.

Section 7: Facility Committee A. Composition 1. One representative from each League and one representative of Independent Schools. B. Manner of Selection 1. Members a. Each League and the Independent Schools determines who will be its representative to the committee. 2. Chair a. The President will nominate a Chair, from any Section III member school, with recommendation(s) from the Committee. b. The Executive Committee will appoint the Chair after considering the President’s nomination. C. Duties 1. The primary responsibility of this committee is to work with the sport coordinator/committee in locating potential high school venues for designated site contests in post-season tournaments, normally semi-finals, finals and regional contests. a. The objective is to minimize travel for the competing schools and maximize the convenience for the spectators to attend. 2. Report to the Athletic Council. D. Schedule 1. As needed.

Section 8: Officiating Committee A. Composition 1. Each of the following sports shall be represented by an Official’s Representative, the Section III Sport Coordinator, and a Section III Representative: , , Football, Field Hockey, , , Girls Soccer, Boys Soccer, Girls , Boys Basketball, Girls , Boys Gymnastics, Girls , Boys Swimming, Girls , Boys Volleyball, Girls , Boys Lacrosse, Girls Track & Field/X-Country, Boys Track & Field/X-Country. 2. The Executive Director, or his/her designee, will be an ex-officio, non-voting member of this committee. B. Manner of Selection 1. Members a. Official’s Representatives are chosen in the following manner: i. Within each sport, each geographic Board will designate a representative. ii. The geographic Boards will then designate one of their representatives to serve on this Committee. iii. If the Boards cannot agree on a Committee representative, the Chair of this Committeee will make the final decision with an attempt to equalize geographic representation from all boards. b. Sport Coordinators by virtue of the positions they hold. c. Section III Representatives are chosen from Athletic Directors and then approved by the Executive Committee. i. Representatives are solicited on a voluntary basis. ii. If no Athletic Director volunteers, then the Athletic Director from the school of the Sport Coordinator will serve. iii. If a Sport Coordinator is not affiliated with a school district, the Executive Committee will appoint an Athletic Director to serve. 2. Chair/Co-Chairs a. The President will nominate a Chair or Co-Chairs, from any Section III member school or Official’s Board, with recommendation(s) from the Committee. b. The Executive Committee will appoint the Chair or Co-Chairs after considering the President’s nomination(s). C. Duties 1. Resolve serious officiating complaints regarding a Section III sponsored activity. 2. Provide an avenue for Official’s Boards and member schools to cooperate in making recommendations to the Athletic Council. 3. Maintain good working relationships between Official’s Boards and all agencies/individuals connected with Section III interscholastic sports. 4. Report to the Athletic Council. D. Schedule 1. Once per season. 2. As needed.

Section 9: Sports Committees A. Composition 1. Each league will be allotted one (1) representative for every five (5) schools in their league which participate in a given sport. An additional representative is added when the number is above a multiple of five (5). For example, 1-5 schools = 1 representative, 6-10 schools = 2 representatives, 11-15 schools = 3 representatives, etc. 2. Independent schools (those not in a league) will be allotted one (1) representative for every five (5) independent schools which participate in a given sport. An additional representative is added when the number is above a multiple of five (5). For example, 1-5 schools = 1 representative, 6-10 schools = 2 representatives, 11-15 schools = 3 representatives, etc. 3. One Athletic Director. 4. Voting members of Sports Committees are the official league and independent school representatives in attendance. A Coordinator that serves, as a representative will vote. If a Coordinator is not a representative, s/he will vote only in the case of a tie. Co-coordinators and assistants who are not league representatives shall have no vote. B. Manner of Selection 1. Members a. League and Independent School Representatives i. The schools within each League, and the independent schools, shall designate their representatives b. Athletic Directors i. Representatives are solicited on a voluntary basis. ii. If no Athletic Director volunteers, then the Athletic Director from the school of the Sport Coordinator will serve. iii. If a Sport Coordinator is not affiliated with a school district, the Executive Committee will appoint and Athletic Director to serve. 2. Chairs (Sport Coordinators) a. Sports Coordinators will be elected by majority vote of that committee’s members. i. These appointments will be reviewed and approved annually by the Executive Committee. b. All sports coordinators shall be appointed for three (3) year terms. c. Co-Coordinators/Assistants must be recommended for appointment to the Executive Committee by the Sports Coordinator. C. Duties 1. Plan and stage championship events by establishing guidelines for tournaments which guarantee fair and equitable competition. 2. Represent Section III on NYSPHSAA Committees. 3. Provide updates to the Section III website, as necessary. 4. Report to the Athletic Council. D. Schedule 1. Pre-season and post-season. 2. As needed.

Section 10: Transfer Committee A. Composition 1. One representative from each League and one representative of Independent Schools. B. Manner of Selection 1. Members a. Each League and the Independent Schools determines who will be its representative to the committee. 2. Chair a. The President will nominate a Chair, from any Section III member school, with recommendation(s) from the Committee. b. The Executive Committee will appoint the Chair after considering the President’s nomination. C. Duties 1. Examine and make rulings on requests for eligibility waivers. 2. Report to the Athletic Council. D. Schedule 1. As needed.

Section 11: Mixed Competition Committee A. Composition 1. One representative from each League and one representative of Independent Schools. B. Manner of Selection 1. Members a. Each League and the Independent Schools determines who will be its representative to the committee. 2. Chair a. The President will nominate a Chair, from any Section III member school, with recommendation(s) from the Committee. b. The Executive Committee will appoint the Chair after considering the President’s nomination. C. Duties 1. Review applications for a student to tryout for a team of the opposite gender. a. The Mixed Competition Committee may schedule an observation or individual case review with the district(s) making the application(s) if needed. 2. Report to the Athletic Council.

D. Schedule 1. As needed.

Section 12: Committee for Modified Athletics, Grades 7, 8, 9 (NYSPHSAA Committee) A. Composition 1. One representative from each League and one representative of Independent Schools. B. Manner of Selection 1. Members a. Each League and the Independent Schools determines who will be its representative to the committee. 2. Chair a. The President will nominate a Chair, from any Section III member school, with recommendation(s) from the Committee. b. The Executive Committee will appoint the Chair after considering the President’s nomination. C. Duties 1. Provide leadership for Modified Sports programs in Section III. 2. One male and one female representative participate actively on the NYSPHSAA State Committee on Modified Athletics. 3. Report to the Athletic Council to clarify policies and programs. D. Schedule 1. As needed.

Section 13: Safety Committee (NYSPHSAA Committee) A. Composition 1. One representative from each League and one representative of Independent Schools. B. Manner of Selection 1. Members a. Each League and the Independent Schools determines who will be its representative to the committee. 2. Chair a. The President will nominate a Chair, from any Section III member school, with recommendation(s) from the Committee. b. The Executive Committee will appoint the Chair after considering the President’s nomination. C. Duties 1. Provide leadership for safety issues and programs in Section III. 2. Solicit/schedule Athletic Trainers for Section III events. 3. Chair participates actively on the NYSPHSAA Safety Committee. 4. Report to the Athletic Council to clarify policies and programs. D. Schedule 1. As needed.

Section 14: Sportsmanship Committee (NYSPHSAA Committee) A. Composition 1. One representative from each League and one representative of Independent Schools. B. Manner of Selection 1. Members a. Each League and the Independent Schools determines who will be its representative to the committee. 2. Chair a. The President will nominate a Chair, from any Section III member school, with recommendation(s) from the Committee. b. The Executive Committee will appoint the Chair after considering the President’s nomination. C. Duties 1. Provide leadership for sportsmanship issues and programs in Section III. 2. Participate actively on the NYSPHSAA Sportsmanship Committee. 3. Report to the Athletic Council to clarify policies and programs. D. Schedule 1. As needed

Section 15: Nominating Committee A. Composition 1. One representative from each League and one representative of Independent Schools. 2. One (1) Past President, 3. Two (2) Executive Committee members, 4. Two (2) Athletic Council members, and 5. the Immediate Past President. B. Manner of Selection 1. Members a. Appointed by the President. b. Immediate Past President by virtue of the position s/he holds. 2. Chair a. The Immediate Past President shall chair this Committee. C. Duties 1. Review, evaluate, and recommend no more than three (3) candidates to the Executive Committee for the positions of: President, President-Elect, Vice-President of Boys Sports (male candidates), Vice-President of Girls Sports (female candidates), elected members of the NYSPHSAA Central Committee and the Gender Equity Representative. 2. All nominations for officers and Central Committee representatives must be presented to the Executive Committee in February. 3. All nominations for equity representatives must be presented to the Executive Committee as soon as practicable. D. Schedule 1. As needed.

ARTICLE IX – AD HOC COMMITTEES

Section 1: General A. At the discretion of the President, an ad hoc committee may be appointed whenever a specific issue needs to be addressed.

Section 2: League President’s Committee A. Composition 1. The President of each League and one representative of Independent Schools. B. Manner of Selection 1. Members a. League Presidents by virtue of the positions they hold. b. The Independent Schools will determine their representative to the committee. 2. Chair a. The Section III President will chair this Committee. C. Duties 1. Provide advice, counsel, and direction in regard to Section III policies, procedures, and practices. 2. Make recommendations to the Athletic Council through the chair of the League President’s Committee. D. Schedule 1. As needed

ARTICLE X – PARLIAMENTARY PRINCIPLES

Section 1: Authority A. Roberts Rules of Order will be used as the basis for the rules for conducting business and the rights of the members.

Section 2: Process A. All procedures should be exhausted at the most basic level before seeking resolution from a higher authority. (ie: School, League, Section, State).

ARTICLE XI – AMENDMENTS

Section 1: Constitutional Amendments Proposal and Voting A. Proposal 1. Proposed amendments to the Constitution must be presented in writing at an Athletic Council meeting, and discussed at a second consecutive meeting. a. Proposed amendments to the Constitution should specify an effective start date.

B. Voting 1. Proposed amendments must be voted on by special e-mail and/or USPS ballot and must be signed by the Chief School Officer, High School Principal, and Athletic Director in order to be valid. 2. In order to pass, a proposed amendment must be voted on by more than 75% of member schools and must be approved by 2/3 of all schools voting.