WINSLOW TOWNSHIP YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION

AS AMENDED August 6, 2026

ARTICLE I:     NAME

The name of this association shall be the Winslow Township Youth Soccer Association.

ARTICLE II:    PURPOSE

The purpose of this association shall be exclusively to promote, foster, and perpetuate the game of soccer on a local and national youth level and to support and develop these amateur athletes for competition in accordance with high standards of good sportsman_ship and fair play.

ARTICLE III:   HEADQUARTERS

The association headquarters shall be within the playing area of the Winslow Township Youth Soccer Association and shall be determined by such person or persons in whom authority may be vested.

ARTICLE IV: ADMINISTRATION

Section 1.     Executive Committee.  The association shall be governed by an executive committee which shall make all of the rules, interpret the constitution and by-laws, conduct association business, and decide on matters not covered by the constitution and by-laws.

Section 2.     Executive Committee Rights.  Members of the Executive Committee shall have a vote on all matters, but they shall not have a second vote if they already have a vote as a team representative.

Section 3.     Team Representatives.

A.  The coach or a designated alternate shall hold the voting rights for each team. Coaches and alternates must be named by the October meeting.

B.  Each team has an obligation to be represented at all meetings. Recreation teams, which operate on a seasonal basis (approximately three months per season), shall maintain representation at a minimum of two meetings per season. Travel teams must maintain representation at eight meetings annually. Failure to meet these representation requirements, or failure to attend two of the last three meetings in any season, results in the team losing voting rights at the next meeting.

ARTICLE V:     GOVERNMENT

This association shall be governed by the Executive Committee in accordance with the constitution and by-laws except where this document shall conflict with the rules and regulations of the United States Soccer Federation.  The Executive Committee shall make all rules and determinations necessary for conducting the regular affairs of this association.

ARTICLE VI: LEGISLATIVE AND JUDICIAL POWERS

Section 1.     Legislative Powers.  The legislative powers in all matters presented to the membership shall be vested in the official representative or alternate representative for each team registered and the commissioners of the association.

Section 2.     Judicial Powers.  The judicial powers in all matters shall be vested in the Executive Committee except that the decisions of the Executive Committee may be overturned by the membership subject to two thirds rule.

Section 3.     Power of Team Representatives.  Each team shall have one vote which may be cast by the official team representative or his/her alternate.  Team representatives may make motions for consideration by the membership at association meetings.

Section 4.    Power of the President.  The president shall preside over association meetings.  He/she shall have no vote except to cast the deciding vote in case of a deadlock.

Section 5.        Rules of Order.  Robert's Rules of Order revised edition shall be the governing procedure at all meetings of this association.

ARTICLE VII:   OTHER ISSUES

No part of the net earnings of the organization will inure to the benefit of or be distributed to the members, trustees, officers, or other private persons.

The organization will not attempt to influence legislation or participate to any extent in a political campaign for or against any candidate for public office.

Upon the dissolution of the organization assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of  Section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code or to a state or local government for a public purpose.

The proposal for dissolution must be made by following the procedures for amendments to the constitution.

BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I:     JURISDICTION

Section 1.     Scope.  This association shall have full jurisdiction over all teams, coaches, players, and all matters concerned with soccer that the association shall conduct.

Section 2.     Power.  The association shall have power in the manner herein defined after hearings to suspend or expel for cause any person under its jurisdiction.

ARTICLE II:    HEARINGS

Section 1.     Protests and Violations.  All protests of games or of rule violations shall be heard by the Executive Committee in the presence of all concerned parties who shall be invited to appear.  The absence of concerned parties after proper notification shall not be cause for hearing cancellation.

Section 2.     Appeals.  On appeal Executive Committee decisions may be overturned by a two-thirds vote of the association meeting.  A written notice of appeal must be made to the president within 48 hours.  The president must then call a special association meeting at the earliest time convenient to the association.

ARTICLE III:   OFFICERS

Section 1.     Officers. The officers of the association who shall constitute the Executive Board shall be the President, Vice President, General secretary, Recording secretary, Treasurer, Registrar and Booster club president.

The Executive Committee will consist of the members of the Executive Board, the boys travel, girls travel and recreation commissioner, the divisional commissioners, and trustees.

Section 2.     Terms of Office.  The president, vice president, the two secretaries, the treasurer, registrar, and the Booster Club President shall be elected by a majority vote of the association at the annual meeting in January to serve for a term of two years.  The president, treasurer, Booster Club President, and the recording secretary will be elected in even numbered years and the vice president, general secretary, and registrar in the odd years.  The trustees and commissioners shall be appointed by the president subject to the approval of the Executive Board for a term of one year.

Section 3.     Duties and Powers

A.  The Executive Committee, presided over by the president, conducts or presides over conduction of all association business.  That includes approval of the Rules Committee and any other committee appointed by the president. The president shall serve as an ex officio member of all committees.

B.   The Rules Committee shall consist of the head of referees, all commissioners, and the vice president who shall be responsible for all written reports.  The duties of the Rule Committee shall include (i) the periodic review of the rules, (ii) recommendation of appropriate changes to the rules,  (iii) making decisions regarding application of the rules and protests involving disputes between member teams, (iv) recommend punishment for violations of the constitution or the Laws of Soccer, (v) making recommendations as to the replacement of officers in cases of resignation or of dereliction of duties or due to actions counter to association interests.

C.  The president presides at all association meetings, serves as chairman of the Executive Committee, appoints and serves as ex officio member of all other committees, ensures enforcement of the constitution and the by-laws and other rules and regulations as may be adopted by the association, supervises affairs of the association, signs all contracts and necessary documents with the general secretary as authorized by the association and/or the Executive Committee, and performs such other duties as may be necessary for the welfare of the association.

D.  The vice president acts as president in the absence of the president and carries out other duties assigned by the Executive Committee.

E.  The general secretary signs all contracts and documents with the president when authorized by the Executive Committee, conducts all association correspondence concerning association affairs, coordinates all business with the referees association, coordinates with the commissioners to arrange the scheduling of games. Schedules practice locations and times, orders & maintains uniforms and equipment and coordinates with the Township & School board for usage and maintenance of fields.

F.  The recording secretary records all minutes of association meetings and presents them for approval at the following meeting, ensures the delivery of the minutes to meetings from which he/she is absent, keeps records of attendance at all meetings and conducts any correspondence that may be necessary beyond the general secretary's obligations.

G.  The treasurer collects all fees and monies, deposits all money in a depository in the name of the association, keeps a record of association financial transactions, pays all bills approved by the association or its Executive Committee, signs all checks, and presents a financial report at each regular association meeting and a detailed accounting statement for the full year at the annual meeting.

H.  The registrar accepts player registrations, keeps a record of all players in the club and maintains a copy of all Travel team rosters. The registrar disperses to the recreation & travel commissioners such information as is needed to form teams and provides to the Treasurer all Monies collected at registration.

Along with the Executive Committee the registrar will schedule spring and fall registrations and arrange for distribution of forms to area schools, placement of signs and dissemination of information regarding registration.

I.   Commissioners (i) for travel, shall represent the association at all meetings for state affiliated clubs, and hold the voting rights on behalf of the association. They will be responsible for communication with the travel leagues on all aspects including registration, scheduling and information. They will communicate with the travel coaches and keep a copy of travel team rosters.

(ii) for recreation, shall coordinate with the registrar and general secretary to organize and oversee the Intramural program. Provide equipment and information to the division commissioners, produce the game schedule, keep a copy of all team rosters and carry out such duties as assigned by the Executive Committee.

(iii) for divisions, shall recruit coaches, form teams or hold a draft, communicate with and provide equipment and information to the coaches. They will keep a record of and supply team rosters for each team to recreational commissioner.

J.   The Booster Club President shall appoint, with the approval of the Executive Committee, as officers of the Booster Club, a treasurer, secretary, purchasing officer, and chairperson at large and shall organize and oversee the Booster Club in accordance with Section 4 of this article.

Section 4.    The Booster Club

A.  The purpose of the Booster Club will be to coordinate various activities and raise funds for the benefit of the children in the association.  The Booster Club will take charge of the concession stand and guide the team mothers/fathers while they work in the stand.

B.  The Booster Club treasurer will establish a checking account in the name of the WTYSA Booster Club with the Booster Club President and treasurer and the WTYSA treasurer as the signatories.  The Booster Club treasurer will keep a record of all transactions and payments and will report same to the membership at the monthly meetings.

C.  All Booster Club funds in excess of an amount necessary for concession stand start-up as approved by the WTYSA Executive Committee shall be turned over to the WTYSA treasurer for deposit in the association account at the annual meeting in January.

D.  The Booster Club will formulate its own operating policies as necessary to provide for the association newsletter, social events, concession stand operation, referee payment, and any other activity for the good and welfare of the association as approved by the Executive Committee of the WTYSA.

E.  The Booster Club will report to the Executive Committee of the WTYSA for approval of all plans and decisions not included in its operating policies.

F.  The chairperson and officers of the Booster Club shall have the same voting rights and requirements as coaches, but they shall not have a second vote if they already have a vote as a team representative.

ARTICLE IV: MEETINGS

Section 1.     Annual.  The annual meeting shall be held on the first Thursday in January.  The purpose of this meeting is to evaluate association activities for the past year, to evaluate and approve the association financial statement for the past year, and to elect officers in alternate years or when vacancies exist.

Section 2.     General.  Regular membership meetings shall be held on the first Thursday of each month except January to conduct association affairs.

Section 3.     Special membership meetings may be convened by the president to hear appeals or to conduct other pressing association business that cannot be conducted at the Executive Committee level.

Section 4.     Executive Committee meetings shall be held as determined by the president or the majority of the committee.

Section 5.     The president shall notify the Executive Committee and the commissioners shall notify all coaches or team representatives of all meetings at least two (2) days in advance of the meeting.

ARTICLE V:     FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year for this association shall be January 1 to December 31.

ARTICLE VI: FEES

Registration fees to cover operating expenses shall be determined by the Executive Committee subject to approval by a general meeting.

ARTICLE VII:   ORDER OF BUSINESS

Section 1.     Annual Meeting

A.  Roll call

B.  Minutes of previous annual meeting

C.  Report of Executive Committee

D.  Report of treasurer

E.  Report of general secretary

F.  Reports of committees

G.  Unfinished business

H.  Release of officers (in election year)

I.  Nomination of officers

J.  Elections

K.  Instatement of new officers

L.  New business

M.  Good of soccer

Section 2.     Regular and Special Meetings

A.  Roll call

B.  Minutes of previous meeting

C.  Report of Executive Committee

D.  Report of treasurer

E.  Report of general secretary

F.  Reports of committees

G.  Communications

H.  Old business

I.  New business

J.  Good and welfare

K.  Miscellaneous

ARTICLE VIII: AMENDMENTS

Amendments proposed to the constitution, by-laws, and rules must be submitted in writing to the Executive Committee.  The proposed amendment must be read at the following regular meeting.  Following the first reading, the amendment must be read again at the second regular meeting.  The proposal shall be put to a vote following the second reading.  A three-quarter approval of the members present is necessary for approval.

ARTICLE XI: GOOD AND WELFARE

Section 1.     Scope of Constitution.  Both the letter and the spirit of this constitution are binding on all teams and all personnel related to teams regardless of their function.

Section 2.     Application of Constitution.  Ignorance of the terms, provisions, requirements, and intents of this constitution are not acceptable as an excuse for violation.

ARTICLE XII:   INSURANCE

Section 1.     Insurance will be provided for all players registered in the association.

Section 2.     The insurance will be a deductible policy and will protect the players at games and practices.  It will also protect players traveling to and from games.

ARTCLE XIII    TRAVEL

Section 1 – Travel Committee

There will be a travel committee consisting of the following members:

Boys Travel Commissioner
Girls Travel Commissioner
3 current travel coaches

The travel committee will meet no less than four times per calendar year, report to the Executive Committee, and carry out the following duties:

1. Organize the club wide tryouts
2. Review the annual reports of each travel team
3. Make recommendations to the Executive Committee to maintain a successful travel program.

Section 2 – Age Requirements

A.   All travel teams will roster players in accordance with the rules laid out by the appropriate league with regards to age limitations and roster size.

Section 3 - Tryouts – Boys and Girls

A.  Club wide tryouts will be held each year during the spring rec season to recruit players for the following fall season. Tryouts will be organized by the travel committee in conjunction with all existing travel coaches with the intention of attracting additional players to enhance or create competitive travel teams.

B.  Girls will be considered first for an age appropriate girls team, but if such a team does not exist they will be allowed to play on a boy’s team. An Exception to this rule will apply if a parent of a female player is coaching an age appropriate boy’s team.

C.  Individual teams are free to organize separate tryouts when recruiting players for the spring season or during the fall season.

Section 4 - Coaches

A.  Any person wishing to coach a travel team is required to make an application to the Executive Committee outlining their coaching philosophy, background in coaching, intentions for the team, and demonstrate that they have the minimum required coaching license. Once approved each coach is required to present to the travel committee an annual summary of the season and outline their plans for the next year. This summary should include, but not limited to, information regarding team strategy, player development, financial reports, or other information as defined by the travel committee.

B.  New coaches will be assigned a mentor from amongst the current travel coaches to assist with league registration, team preparation, and club responsibilities.

C.  All coaches are required to attend 50% of all general membership meetings (the coach may be represented by an assistant coach or parent from the team). Attendance is also required to retain voting rights on travel issues.

D.  Failure to attend or be represented can lead to removal as coach or the team by Executive Committee with a Hearing first.

E.   The Executive Committee will review league conduct reports and parent feedback each year to determine if action or assistance is required with respect to individual coaches.

F.  In the event that there are enough players for more than one team in any age group coaches of each team will be free to make offers during the spring tryouts to players not currently playing for another team within the club. If a coach intends to cut a player from the team they should notify the other relevant coaches of the availability of the player. Teams should be evenly balanced in terms of roster size with the intention of maintaining teams with players of similar ability to ensure that player development and game time is not hindered.

Section 5 - Players

A.  Players selected for a travel team during the spring tryouts will be guaranteed a place for the full seasonal year, but will be required to undertake a successful tryout each year to remain on the team.

B.   Players have the right to play for any team they choose if there is more than one team in the age group for their gender.

C.   All players are required to register through the club website and pay the appropriate fee covering club and league registration. Failure to pay the fee before the beginning of the season will result in that player losing their place on the team.