Eastside Little League: Constitution

LITTLE LEAGUE CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE 1 – NAME

This organization shall be known as the Eastside Little League, hereinafter referred to as

“Local League.”

ARTICLE 2 – OBJECTIVE

SECTION 1

The objective of the Local League shall be to implant firmly in the children of the community

the ideals of good sportsmanship, honesty, loyalty, courage and respect for authority, so that

they may be well adjusted, stronger and happier children and will grow to be good, decent,

healthy and trustworthy citizens.

SECTION 2

To achieve this objective, the Local League will provide a supervised program under the Rules

and Regulations of Little League Baseball, Incorporated. All Directors, Officers and Members

shall bear in mind that the attainment of exceptional athletic skill or the winning of games is

secondary, and the molding of future citizens is of prime importance. In accordance with

Section 501-(c)-(3) of the Federal Internal Revenue Code, the Local League shall operate

exclusively as a non-profit educational organization providing a supervised program of

competitive baseball and softball games. No part of the net earnings shall inure to the benefit

of any private shareholder or individual; no substantial part of the activities of which is

carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and which does not

participate in or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public

office.

ARTICLE 3 – MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1

Eligibility. Any person sincerely interested in active participation to further the objective of this

Local League may apply to become a Member.

SECTION 2

Classes. There shall be the following classes of Members:

(a) Player Members. Any player candidate meeting the requirements of Little League

Regulation IV shall be eligible to compete for participation. Player Members shall have no

rights, duties or obligations in the management or in the property of the Local League.

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(b) Regular Members. Any adult person actively interested in furthering the objectives of the

Local League may become a Regular Member. Regular Members may be issued a card

numbered in sequential order annually. The secretary shall maintain the roll of membership to

qualify voting members. Only Regular Members in good standing are eligible to vote for a new

Board of Directors at the Annual Membership meeting. All Officers, Board Members,

Committee Members, Managers, Coaches, Volunteer Umpires and other elected or appointed

officials must be active Regular Members in good standing.

Note: Regular Members of the league automatically include all current Managers, Coaches,

Volunteer Adult Umpires, Board Members, Officers of the Board and any other person who is

recognized by the Board as a volunteer in the Local League, including those volunteers with

the following titles (Examples: Team Parent, Field Maintenance, etc.):

• Coach

• Assistant Coach

• Team Parent

• Committee Members

• Adult Volunteer Umpires

(c) Honorary Members (Optional). Any person may be elected as Honorary Member by the

unanimous vote of all Directors present at any duly held meeting of the Board of Directors but

shall have no rights, duties or obligations in the management or in the property of the Local

League.

(d) Sustaining Members (Optional). Any person not a Regular Member who makes financial

or other contribution to the Local League may become, by a majority vote of the Board of

Directors, a Sustaining Member, but such person shall have no right, duties or obligations in

the management or in the property of the Local League.

(e) As used hereinafter, the word “Member” shall mean a Regular Member unless otherwise

stated.

SECTION 3

Other Affiliations.

(a) Members, whether Regular or Player, shall not be required to be affiliated with another

organization or group to qualify as members of the Local League.

(b) Regular Members should not be actively engaged in the promotion and/or operation of

any other baseball/softball program available to boys of the ages 5 through 12.

SECTION 4

Suspension or Termination. Membership may be terminated by resignation or action of the

Board of Directors as follows.

(a) The Board of Directors, by a two-thirds vote of those present at any duly constituted

Board meeting, shall have the authority to discipline or suspend or terminate the membership

of any Member of any class, including managers and coaches, when the conduct of such

person is considered detrimental to the best interests of the Local League and/or Little League

Baseball. The Member involved shall be notified of such meeting, informed of the general

nature of the charges and given an opportunity to appear at the meeting to answer such

charges.

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(b) The Board of Directors shall, in case of a Player Member, give notice to the manager of

the team for which the player is a Player Member. Said manager shall appear, in the capacity

of an advisor, with the player before the Board of Directors or a duly appointed committee of

the Board of Directors. The player’s parent(s) or legal guardian(s) may also be present. The

Board of Directors shall have full power to suspend or revoke such player’s right to future

participation by two-thirds vote of those present at any duly constituted meeting (quorum is

required).

ARTICLE 4 – GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS

SECTION 1

Definition. A General Membership Meeting is any meeting of the membership of the league

(including Special General Membership Meetings, Section 7). A minimum of one annual

meeting per year (see Section 6) is required.

SECTION 2

Notice of Meeting. Notice of each General Membership Meeting shall be delivered personally,

electronically or by mail to each Member at the last recorded address at least five (5) days in

advance of the meeting, setting forth the place, time and purpose of the meeting. In lieu of

the above methods, notice may be given in such form as may be authorized by the Members,

from time to time, at a regularly convened General Membership Meeting.

SECTION 3

Quorum. At any General Membership Meeting, the presence in person or representation by

absentee ballot of fifty percent (50%) of the Board of Directors and their committee members

attendance will be required to constitute a quorum). If a quorum is not present, no business

shall be conducted.

SECTION 4

Voting. Only the primary Board of Directors (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer,

Player Agent, Safety Officer, Information Officer, Rule Commissioner) shall be entitled to make

motions and vote at General Membership Meetings. However, the Board of Directors may

invite, admit and recognize guests for presentations or comments during General Membership

Meetings. (Those eligible to take part at meetings of the Board of Directors are described in

Article VI, Section 4).

SECTION 5

Absentee Ballot. For the expressed purpose of accommodating a Regular Member in good

standing who cannot be in attendance at the Annual Meeting, or any General Membership

Meeting at which new Board members will be elected, an absentee ballot may be requested

and obtained from the Secretary of the League. The absentee ballot shall be properly

completed, signed and returned in a sealed envelope to the Secretary prior to the date of the

election. The Secretary shall present all absentee ballots to the Election Chairman (appointed

at the meeting) on the date of the meeting, prior to the voting portion of the election process.

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SECTION 6

Annual Meeting of the Members. The Annual Meeting of the Members of the Local League shall

the purpose of electing new Members, electing the Board of Directors, receiving reports,

reviewing the Constitution, appointing committees, and for the transaction of such business as

may properly come before the meeting.

(a) The Membership shall have available to them at the Annual Meeting of the Members of

the Local League a report, verified by the President and Treasurer, or by a majority of the

Directors, showing:

(1) The condition of the Local League, to be presented by the President or his/her designate;

(2) A general summary of funds received and expended by the local league for the previous

year, the amount of funds currently in possession of the local league, and the name of the

financial institution in which such funds are maintained.

(3) The whole amount of real and personal property owned by the Local League, where

located, and where and how invested.

(4) For the year immediately preceding, the amount and nature of the property acquired,

with the date of the report and the manner of the acquisition, the amount applied,

appropriated or expended, and the purposes, objects or persons to or for which such

applications, appropriations or expenditures have been made.

(5) The names of the persons who have been admitted to regular membership in the Local

League during such year. This report shall be filed with the records of the Local League and

entered in the minutes of the proceedings of the Annual Meeting. A copy of such report shall

be forwarded to Little League Headquarters.

(b) At the Annual Meeting, the Members shall determine the number of Directors to be

elected for the ensuing year and shall elect such number of Directors. The number of Directors

elected shall be not less than six (6).

(c) After the Board of Directors is elected, the Board shall meet to elect the officers. After

the election, the Board of Directors shall assume the performance of its duties on the 2nd

and qualified under this section.

(d) The Officers of the Board of Directors shall include, at a minimum, the President, one or

more Vice Presidents, Treasurer, Secretary, and one Player Agent.

SECTION 7

Special General Membership Meetings. Special General Membership Meetings of the Members

may be called by the Board of Directors or by the Secretary or President at their discretion.

Upon the written request of one (1) Member, the President or Secretary shall call a Special

General Membership Meeting to consider the subject specified in the request. No business

other than that specified in the notice of the meeting shall be transacted at any Special

General Membership Meeting. Such Special General Membership Meeting shall be scheduled to

take place not less than five (5) days after the request is received by the President or

Secretary.

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SECTION 8

Rules of Order for General Membership Meetings. Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the

proceedings of all General Membership Meetings, except where same conflicts with this

Constitution of the Local League.

ARTICLE 5 – BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SECTION 1

Authority. The management of the property and affairs of the Local league shall be vested in

the Board of Directors.

SECTION 2

Increase in number. The number of Board of Directors so fixed at the Annual Meeting may be

increased at any General Membership Meeting or Special Meeting of the Members. If the

number is increased, the additional Directors may be elected at the meeting at which the

increase is voted, or at any subsequent General Membership Meeting. All elections of

additional Directors shall be by majority vote of all Regular Members present or represented

by a properly executed and signed absentee ballot filed with the Secretary prior to the election

meeting.

SECTION 3

Vacancies. If any vacancy occurs in the Board of Directors, by death, resignation or otherwise,

it may be filled by a majority vote of the remaining Directors at any regular Board meeting or

at any Special Board Meeting called for that purpose.

SECTION 4

Board Meetings, Notice and Quorum. Regular meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held

immediately following the Annual Meeting and on such days thereafter as shall be determined

by the Board.

(a) The President or the Secretary may, whenever they deem it advisable, or the Secretary

shall at the request in writing of one (1) Director, issue a call for a Special Board Meeting, In

the case of Special Board Meetings, such notice shall include the purpose of the meeting and

no matters not so stated may be acted upon at the meeting.

(b) Notice of each Board meeting shall be given by the Secretary personally, electronically or

by mail to each Director at least one (1) day before the time appointed for the meeting to the

last recorded address of each Director.

(c) A majority of members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the

transaction of business. If a quorum is not present, no business shall be conducted.

(d) Only members of the Board of Directors may make motions and vote at meetings of the

Board of Directors. However, the Board of Directors may invite, admit and recognize guests

for presentations or comments during Board meetings.

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SECTION 5

Duties and Powers. The Board of Directors shall have the power to appoint such standing

committees as it shall determine appropriate and to delegate such powers to them as the

Board shall deem advisable and which it may properly delegate.

The Board may adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of its meetings and the

management of the Local League as it may deem proper, provided such rules and regulations

do not conflict with this Constitution.

The Board shall have the power by a two-thirds vote of those present at any regular Board or

Special Board Meeting to discipline, suspend or remove any Director or Officer or Committee

member of the Local League in accordance with the procedure set forth in Article III, Section 4

(a, b).

SECTION 6

Rules of Order for Board Meetings. Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the proceedings of all

Board of Directors meetings, except where same conflicts with this Constitution of the Local

League.

SECTION 7

Term. Each Director or Officer shall be elected for one year or baseball season. So long as the

Director or Officer of the Board of Directors (Board) is in good standing, the term shall

officially end after the following season’s new elections.

SECTION 8

Board Eligibility.

a. The elected Director or Officer shall remain in office with voting rights, as long as they

are in good standing.

b. Elected Directors or Officers may not miss more than three (3) regularly scheduled full

Board meetings during their term to remain in good standing. A Board member’s office

Officer loses all voting rights.

a. The Board member that lost the office may not vote again until reelected or

reinstated. The Board member may be reinstated by a majority vote of the

Board.

b. To refill a vacancy on the Board of Directors, the above procedures in Article

VI, Section 3 must be followed.

c. The Board of Directors may appoint a non-voting Officer to fill the vacancy

following procedures in Article VII, Section 1.

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SECTION 9

Election/Nomination Eligibility.

a. All Directors and Commissioners in good standing from the prior season.

b. All Board members must have either:

· a child participating in the upcoming Eastside Little League Season, or

· served on the Board for consecutive terms without any lapse, or

· served as a volunteer/member of the league for 3 consecutive terms

c. Any new perspective member, not having served as a non-voting Director or

Commissioner must:

1. have fulfilled their ELL volunteer position in the immediately preceding year,

and

2. be nominated or sponsored by an existing member of the Board.

d. Each member of the Board may only nominate or sponsor one (1) new perspective

member per annual election.

ARTICLE 6 – DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE BOARD

SECTION 1

Appointments. The Board of Directors may appoint such other officers or agents as it may

deem necessary or desirable, and may prescribe the powers and duties of each. Appointed

officers or agents shall have no vote on actions taken by the Board of Directors unless such

individuals have been elected to the Board by the membership or have been elected to fill a

vacancy on the Board.

SECTION 2

President. The President shall:

(a) Conduct the affairs of the Local League and execute the policies established by the Board

of Directors.

(b) Present a report of the condition of the Local League at the Annual Meeting.

(c) Communicate to the Board of Directors such matters as deemed appropriate, and make

such suggestions as may tend to promote the welfare of the Local League.

(d) Be responsible for the conduct of the Local League in strict conformity to the policies,

principles, Rules and Regulations of Little League Baseball, Incorporated, as agreed to under

the conditions of charter issued to the Local League by that organization.

(e) Designate in writing other officers, if necessary, to have power to make and execute

for/and in the name of the Local League such contracts and leases they may receive and

which have had prior approval of the Board.

(f) Investigate complaints, irregularities and conditions detrimental to the Local League and

report thereon to the Board or Executive Committee as circumstances warrant.

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(g) Prepare and submit an annual budget to the Board of Directors and be responsible for the

proper execution thereof.

(h) With the assistance of the Player Agent, examine the application and support proof-ofage

documents of every player candidate and certify to residence and age eligibility before the

player may be accepted for tryouts and selection.

SECTION 3

Vice President. The Vice President shall:

(a) Perform the duties of the President in the absence or disability of the President, provided

he or she is authorized by the President or Board so to act. When so acting, the Vice President

shall have all the powers of that office.

(b) Perform such duties as from time to time may be assigned by the Board of Directors or

by the President.

SECTION 4

Secretary. The Secretary shall:

(a) Be responsible for recording the activities of the Local League and maintain appropriate

files, mailing lists and necessary records.

(b) Perform such duties as are herein specifically set forth, in addition to such other duties as

are customarily incident to the office of Secretary or as may be assigned by the Board of

Directors.

(c) Maintain a list of all Regular, Sustaining and Honorary Members, Directors and

committee members and give notice of all meetings of the Local League, the Board of

Directors and Committees.

(d) Keep the minutes of the meetings of the Members, the Board of Directors and the

Executive Committee, and cause them to be recorded in a book kept for that purpose.

(e) Conduct all correspondence not otherwise specifically delegated in connection with said

meeting and shall be responsible for carrying out all orders, votes and resolutions not

otherwise committed.

(f) Notify Members, Directors, Officers and committee members of their election or

appointment.

SECTION 5

Treasurer. The Treasurer shall:

(a) Perform such duties as are herein set forth and such other duties as are customarily

incident to the Office of Treasurer or may be assigned by the Board of Directors.

(b) Receive all monies and securities, and deposit same in a depository approved by the

Board of Directors.

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(c) Keep records for the receipt and disbursement of all monies and securities of the Local

League, including the Auxiliary, approve all payments from allotted funds and draw checks

therefore in agreement with policies established in advance of such actions by the Board of

Directors.

(d) Prepare an annual budget, under the direction of the President, for submission to the

Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting.

(e) Prepare an annual financial report, under the direction of the President, for submission to

the Membership and Board of Directors at the Annual Meeting, and to Little League

Headquarters.

SECTION 6

Player Agent. The Player Agent shall:

(a) Record all player transactions and maintain an accurate and up-to-date record thereof.

(b) Receive and review applications for player candidates and assist the President in verifying

residence and age eligibility.

(c) Conduct the tryouts, the player draft and all other player transaction or selection

meetings.

(d) Prepare the Player Agent’s list.

(e) Prepare for the President’s signature and submission to Little League Headquarters, team

rosters, including players’ claimed, and the tournament team eligibility affidavit.

(f) Notify Little League Headquarters of any subsequent player replacements or trades.

SECTION 7

Other Officers or Commissioners. Safety Officer, Rules Commissioner.

ARTICLE 7 – COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SECTION 1

Awards Committee Majors Try-Outs Committee

Challenger League Committee Opening Season Committee

Closing Season Committee Registration Committee

Coaches Committee Rules Committee

Coaches Clinic Committee Safety Guidelines Committee

Communications Committee Schedulers Committee

Concessions Committee Score Keeping Committee

Equipment Committee Sponsorships Committee

Field Maintenance Committee Umpires Committee

Field Procurement Committee Uniforms Committee

Fundraising Committee Web site Committee

Grievance Committee

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ARTICLE 8 – Other Committees

None.

ARTICLE 9 – AFFILIATION

SECTION 1

Charter. The Local League shall annually apply for a charter from Little League Baseball,

Incorporated, and shall do all things necessary to obtain and maintain such charter. The Local

League shall devote its entire energies to the activities authorized by such charter and it shall

not be affiliated with any other program or organization or operate any other program.

SECTION 2

Rules and Regulations. The Official Playing Rules and Regulations as published by Little League

Baseball, Incorporated, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, shall be binding on this Local League.

SECTION 3

Local Rules, Ground Rules and/or Bylaws. The local rules, ground rules and/or bylaws of this

Local League shall be adopted by the Board of Directors at a meeting to be held not less than

one month previous to the first scheduled game of the season, but shall in no way conflict with

the Rules, Regulations and Policies of Little League Baseball, Incorporated, nor shall they

conflict with this Constitution. The local rules, ground rules and/or bylaws of this Local League

shall expire at the end of each fiscal year, and are not considered part of this Constitution.

(See Article XI, Section 7 for fiscal year of this league.)

ARTICLE 10 – FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING

SECTION 1

Authority. The Board of Directors shall decide all matters pertaining to the finances of the

Local League and it shall place-all income including Auxiliary funds, in a common league

treasury, directing the expenditure of funds in such manner as will give no individual or team

an advantage over those in competition with such individual or team.

SECTION 2

Contributions. The Board shall not permit the contribution of funds or property to individual

teams but shall solicit funds for the common treasury of the Local League, thereby to

discourage favoritism among teams and to endeavor to equalize the benefits of the Local

League.

SECTION 3

Solicitations. The Board shall not permit the solicitations of funds in the name of Little League

Baseball unless all of the funds so raised be placed in the Local League treasury.

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SECTION 4

Disbursement of Funds. The Board shall not permit the disbursement of Local League funds for

other than the conduct of Little League activities in accordance with the rules, regulations and

policies of Little League Baseball, Incorporated. All disbursements shall be made by check. All

checks shall be signed by the Local League Treasurer, President, or Vice President.

SECTION 5

Compensation. No Director, Officer or Member of the Local League shall receive, directly or

indirectly any salary, compensation or emolument from the Local League for services rendered

as Director, Officer or Member.

SECTION 6

Deposits. All monies received, including Auxiliary Funds, shall be deposited to the credit of the

Local League to the following accounts:

SECTION 7

Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Local League shall begin on October 1 and shall end on

September 30.

SECTION 8

Distribution of Property upon Dissolution. Upon dissolution of the Local League and after all

outstanding debts and claims have been satisfied, the Members shall direct the remaining

property of the Local League to another Federally Incorporated entity which maintains the

same objectives as set forth in Article II of this Constitution, which are or may be entitled to

exemption under Section 501-(c)-(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or any future

corresponding provision.

ARTICLE 11 – AMENDMENTS

This Constitution may be amended, repealed or altered in whole or in part by a majority vote

at any duly organized meeting of the Members provided notice of the proposed change is

included in the notice of such meeting. Draft of all proposed amendments shall be submitted

to Little League Baseball, Incorporated, for approval before implementation.

This Constitution was approved by the Eastside Little League Board of Directors on November

7, 2007.