North Branford Youth Basketball BYLAWS June 2020
ARTICLE 1 NAME
The name of the organization is North Branford Youth Basketball Association, LLC, hereinafter referred to as “NBYB.”
ARTICLE 2 MISSION STATEMENT/PURPOSE
It is the mission of the NBYB program to provide quality instructional, educational and competitive basketball to members in the Town of North Branford. The goal of these programs is to enhance our members’ basketball knowledge and skills, and to promote growth and healthy competition through instructional coaching. We strive to instill in young athletes respect for themselves and the game, sportsmanship, honesty, and respect for authority, by instilling a code of ethics built on responsibility and teamwork.
NBYB is organized for charitable and educational purposes and operates consistent with Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. To effectuate this intent, no part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of or be distributable to its members, officers, or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in this purpose clause. Notwithstanding any other provision in this document, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on by an organization exempt from federal income tax under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
ARTICLE 3 MEMBERS
3.1 It is a privilege not a right to serve as a player for the NBYB program, as a coach, a volunteer, a member of the NBYB Board, and a member of the Executive Committee (collectively “Members”).
3.2 Any member may have his or her membership suspended or revoked, or their privileges restricted, if they fail to act in the best interest of the NBYB program, its young athletes, or the North Branford community, or in any way harms or puts at risk of injury a NBYB player.
3.3 Non-voting members:
3.3.1 Players: Players in kindergarten through the summer following eighth grade registered to play with NBYB;
3.3.2 Volunteers (not including coaches): A parent or legal guardian of a registered player, or a member of the NBYB community, who actively volunteers to assist NBYB;
Parents and legal guardians of NBYB players, and members of the NBYB community, are expected to abide by a sportsmanlike code of conduct which includes respecting the officials and coaches, and players. Failure to serve as a positive role model and encourage sportsmanship may result in suspension from attendance at NBYB events.
3.3.3 Coaches: A parent or legal guardian of a player registered with NBYB, or a member of the NBYB community, who serves as an active coach of a team sponsored by NBYB. Coaches are selected after a successful interview with the Executive Committee of the Board;
All volunteers who serve as head or assistant coaches must complete a concussion certification, electronic background check, and code of conduct certification, and must follow a coaching ethics code. The Secretary shall maintain each year the role of membership, including coaches and volunteers.
Coaches must serve as positive role models to NBYB players, and shall model sportsmanlike behavior, including respecting the officials. Failure to act in the best interest of NBYB players, including failure to model sportsmanlike behavior, may result in suspension from NBYB.
3.3.4 Non-Resident members: The NBYB Program may accept non-resident members such as a non-resident player from a town without a basketball club or a club that does not offer a suitable age or gender appropriate team on which to play or a non-resident adult wishes to volunteer their services to the NBYB program. The decision to accept any non-resident member shall be made by a majority vote of the NBYB Board.
3.4 Voting members - NBYB Board:
3.4.1 Executive Committee Officers (as defined in Article 4.1.1);
3.4.2 Non-officer Board Members (as defined in Article 4.1.2).
3.4 Each voting member shall have one vote for matters under discussion in any meeting or special session of the NBYB Board. Any person serving as a voting member of the NBYB Board must attend at least 75% of the NBYB Board meetings annually. The Secretary shall maintain a role of attendees.
3.5 A member of the NBYB Board must request a good-cause exemption for failing to meet attendance requirements by contacting the President with good cause reasons for not meeting the annual minimum number of meeting requirements.
3.6 Regular membership shall automatically cease in the event that any NBYB Board Member shall resign or fail to meet the qualifications of membership during the previous 12-month period.
3.7 If in the event any elected member vacates his or her position during the term, by death, resignation, or otherwise, a replacement will be appointed by a majority vote of the NBYB Board to serve the remaining time of the term.
3.8 Upon the cessation of membership, all articles created for and used to advance the mission of the NBYB Board shall be returned to the NBYB Board as such items are the exclusive property of the NBYB Board.
ARTICLE 4 NBYB BOARD
4.1 Board Members:
4.1.1 The Officers of NBYB, collectively referred to as the Executive Committee, shall be as follows:
A. President: The President shall conduct the affairs of NBYB and execute the policies established by the NBYB Board; present a report of the state of NBYB at each meeting; communicate to the NBYB Board as such matters as deemed appropriate and make such suggestions as may tend to promote the welfare of NBYB and advance the mission of NBYB; and be responsible for the conduct of NBYB in strict conformity to the policies, principles, rules and regulations as agreed to under the Bylaws of NBYB. The President shall preside at all meetings of the NBYB. The President is an ex-officio member of all committees as established by NBYB.
a. Emergent Situations: The President, and in his absence, the Vice President, have the right to act unilaterally in emergent situations to protect NBYB, especially NBYB’s players, Members and Officials.
b. The emergent power to act includes the power to suspend or restrict any NBYB Member’s membership, prohibit attendance at any NBYB event or function, and contact the appropriate local authorities, if deemed necessary. The action would then be subject to review by the Executive Committee at a special session or the next regularly scheduled meeting.
B. Vice President: In the President’s absence, the Vice President shall perform all of the duties of the President, and when so acting shall be subject to the same restrictions as related to the position of the President.
C. Treasurer: The Treasurer shall have custody of all funds and maintain all bank accounts and financial statements. The Treasurer shall create a budget, coordinate all insurance needs, maintain contact with fundraising committees, write checks, arrange and make deposit of any monies received during events, such as registration, and deliver monies to the League Commissioners or Referees for each game.
D. Secretary: The Secretary shall record minutes of each meeting and is responsible for any and all correspondence on behalf of NBYB, as directed by the Executive Committee.
4.1.2 In addition to the members of the Executive Committee, the members of the NBYB Board may consist of the following:
A. Travel League Coordinator
B. Fundraising and Event Planning Coordinator
C. Rec Division Coordinator
D. Pre-Biddy Rec Coordinator
E. 2nd/3rd Grade Girls Rec Coordinator
F. 2nd/3rd Grade Boys Rec Coordinator
G. 4th/5th Grade Girls Rec Coordinator
H. 4th Grade Boys Rec Coordinator
I. 5th Grade Boys Rec Coordinator
J. 6th Grade Boys Rec Coordinator
K. 6th/7th/8th Grade Girls Rec Coordinator
L. 7th Grade Boys Rec Coordinator
M. 8th Grade Boys Rec Coordinator
N. Apparel Coordinator
O. Referee Coordinator
P. Equipment Coordinator
Q. Summer Coordinator
These positions shall be appointed at the first meeting following the annual election and will serve one year terms with the exception of the immediate Past President, who will serve a one year term upon ending his or her service as President.
4.2. The NBYB Board Members are appointed to their position by the majority vote of the voting members. These positions shall be appointed at the first meeting following the annual election and will serve one year terms.
4.3 Election. All Officers in the Executive Committee shall be elected by the voting members of the NBYB Board, annually for one year terms at May membership meeting with the exception of the President, who will serve a two-year term. All members of the NBYB Board shall be elected by a majority vote of the voting members of the Board and the Executive Committee and shall serve annually for one year terms.
4.4 Conflict of Interest. All NBYB Members, especially any Officers in the Executive Committee and members of the Board, must disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest that could adversely affect NBYB or its Purpose. The disclosure must be made to the President, who will address it with the disclosing Member of the Board and Officers, if needed.
4.4 Meetings. The monthly meetings of the NBYB Board shall be held on the second Sunday of each month, or more often, as determined by the President, at a time and place fixed by the NBYB Board. Other meetings may be called by the President, or other officer, or by a majority vote of the NBYB Board. Notice of regular meetings shall be posted on the NBYB website.
4.5 Budget. The President and Treasurer shall prepare and present for approval by the voting members an annual budget for the current fiscal year at the September meeting. Once approved, the NBYB Board shall execute the budget during the year. The NBYB Board shall vote on the approval of expenditures exceeding $500. Items not identified within the budget will require the approval of the voting members of NBYB.
4.6 Quorum and Changes in Quorum Requirement. At all meetings of the NBYB Board, a majority of NBYB Board members present shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The method for determining a quorum may be changed by two-thirds vote of the full board at a regularly scheduled meeting. Members of the Board must be present in person or by telephone as no proxy votes are accepted.
4.7 Special Meetings. The President, with approval of one other Officer, has the right to call a special meeting of the full NBYB Board or the Executive Committee with at least three (3) business days prior written notice that includes the purpose of the special meeting.
4.8 Rules of Order. Robert’s Rules of Order shall informally govern the proceedings of all meetings.
4.9 Executive Session. The NBYB Board may elect to hold discussions in Executive Session to address confidential and personal matters. Minutes will not be kept in Executive Session. Three voting members of the Executive Committee in Executive Session shall constitute a quorum. The act of a majority of the Executive Committee members present as a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE 5 PROGRAMS
5.1 Travel Basketball Program: Try outs for the Travel Basketball Program of NBYB is open to NBYB players, in grades 4 through 8, who seek a competitive basketball experience. The program is designed to provide opportunities to players who are qualified, as deemed by selection following an open try out. The program emphasizes individual basketball skills in a competitive team environment. The program provides the opportunity for NBYB players to compete against other teams from other towns.
The NBYB Travel Basketball Program is part of the Connecticut Basketball Conference. The Connecticut Basketball Conference serves as the governing body for its member teams, including the NBYB Travel Program.
As a member of the Connecticut Basketball Conference, all members of NBYB involved in the travel program must abide by the Connecticut Basketball Conference Code of Conduct.
All NBYB members involved in the Travel Basketball Program must abide by the League Rules set by the Connecticut Basketball Conference.
5.2 Recreational Basketball Program: The Recreational Basketball Program is open to all NBYB players seeking a recreational basketball experience. This program is predicated on the number of youth players seeking to play recreational basketball. The goal of this program is to introduce the game of basketball, teach the fundamentals of the game, practice good sportsmanship, and develop respect for others.
5.3 Summer Basketball Program: The Summer Basketball Program is open to all NBYB players. This instructional program runs for a series of weeks in the summer.
ARTICLE 6 DUES AND FEES
6.1 Dues and fees for player members shall be fixed at such amounts as the NBYB Board shall determine.
All or part of a player member’s due or fees may be waived, for reasons of demonstrated need, at the discretion of the President. NBYB may waive registration fees for any family that received state welfare assistance, the school lunch program, or unemployment compensation, upon verification of any of the above.
ARTICLE 7 FISCAL YEAR
7.1 Fiscal year of the NBYB league shall commence on the first day of October and end on the next succeeding September 30.
ARTICLE 8 AMENDMENTS
8.1 The Bylaws may be amended, altered or repealed and new Bylaws adopted by a two-thirds vote of the NBYB Board
ARTICLE 9 DISCIPLINE, SUSPENSION, TERMINATION
9.1 The NBYB Board shall, in the case of a player member, give notice of a discipline hearing to the coach of a team of which the player is a member, and give notice to the parents or legal guardians of the player member. The parties shall appear with the player before the NBYB Board, to be heard. The NBYB Board shall have the full power to suspend or revoke such player’s right to future participation in NBYB activities. If suspension is levied upon the player member, the full amount of any dues paid and attributable to the then current session will be refunded.
9.2 Any member who fails to pay program fees or other charges within sixty (60) days of the start of the season shall be considered “not in good standing” and shall forfeit all rights and privileges to partake in activities of NBYB upon a two-thirds vote of the NBYB Board.
9.3 Any coach or NBYB Board Member not acting to further the mission of NBYB, or acting with a conflict of interest, may be removed by a two-thirds vote of the NBYB Board.
ARTICLE 10 DISSOLUTION
10.1 NBYB may be dissolved by two-thirds vote of the entire NBYB Board, at any membership meeting called for the purpose of dissolution, provided notice of the proposed dissolution is publicly announced to the membership.
10.2 NBYB may also be dissolved by any court of proper jurisdiction.
10.3 In the event of dissolution, the assets of NBYB shall be distributed at the discretion of the NBYB Board, to one or more organized, non-profit organizations in the Town of North Branford, State of Connecticut, dedicated to the promotion of youth sports.
Approved by NBYB Board and
the Executive Committee
/s/Christopher Piercey 6/15/2020
Christopher Piercey Date
President, NBYB
