Long Island Cheerleading Coaches Association: LICCA Constitution

LONG ISLAND CHEERLEADING COACHES ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION

WHERE AS, The Long Island Cheerleading Coaches Association, know from here on as LICCA, has found the need for a set of rules and procedures to supplement and support the yearly published LICCA Handbook, and

WHERE AS, A founding member, along with the Executive Board members of LICCA, has met to compile said roles and procedures, and has presented a constitution to a quorum of LICCA members, and

WHERE AS, The voting quorum has ratified and adopted said constitution, be it

RESOLVED, That LICCA is an association founded to promote and support cheer coaches, their teams, ideals and rights. Long Island cheerleading has evolved into a serious sport requiring qualified dedicated Cheerleading Coaches. It is the coach's responsibility to foster the promotion and enthusiasm necessary for cheerleading. Furthermore, it is imperative that LICCA coaches promote safety and good sportsmanship for their student athletes.

ARTICLE 1        DEFINITION FOR MEMBERSHIP

A. A LICCA Member

A LICCA member is an active or retired coach of a youth Group, All Star Team, Middle School, Freshman, ]unior Varsity, Varsity, or College/University; or any affiliate such as Professional Cheer companies or communication resources. Cheer Program Directors that assist coaches, and are paid employees of their schools are eligible for membership. A LICCA member has the right to all privileges that the Association offers. A LICCA member must be a member in good standing to enjoy said privileges. All dues and monies (i.e. competition fees, library use, sundry purchases of LICCA sales) must be paid to date. Membership shall run from May to May.

B. An Active Member

An active member is one who attends regular and Ad Hoc meetings whenever possible, offers to serve on committees, volunteers to help at clinics and competitions, takes advantage of instructional/ continuing education courses, and / or brings his/her team to a minimum of two LlCCA competitions per season. Active membership is encourages and previous commitments should be brought to the attention of the President or Vice-president to show good intent. An active coach (usually the Program Director/Varsity Coach) should make sure that at least one representative from his/her school district is present at these events. Active coaches shall be considered first in the awarding of competition host.
C. Rights and Privileges

1. The right to attend regular meetings, make motions, debate, and cast a vote.
2. The right to apply as a host school for competitions.
3. The right to compete in a LICCA Competitions after having fulfilled Safety Clinic obligations and to qualify for Finals.
4. The right to name a junior or senior high school cheerleader or a college cheerleader for LICCA All-Stars.
5. The right to nominate a college bound senior for a LICCA scholarship.
6. The right to be eligible for a coach's award.
ARTICLE II         ETHICAL STANDARDS
LICCA exists to give coaches a foundation for sportsmanlike behavior, techniques and procedures. This foundation in effect for all other sports through New York State Athletic Association for High Schools, and enforced by Section VIII and XI. LICCA strives to follow their rules for student athletes. A coach is expected to know these rules, which shall not be here stated in detail. Selective Classification tests for 7th and 8th graders, "playing down", one competition per day, are all examples of Section rules that LICCA endorses and enforces. Rules are found in the LICCA yearly Handbook and coaches should share said rules with his/her team. Good and sportsmanlike behavior is taught to student athletes through role model behavior and strict adherence to the rules. Ethical standards shall be strictly enforced by LICCA.
ARTICLE III         COMPETITIVE TEAM GUIDELINES
A. LICCA Endorsements
LICCA endorses competitions and is not a sponsor of them. All liability is the responsibility of the competing team's school and the host school.
B. Host School
A host school shall be a member in good standing. Applicants must return the Host School application form to the President by a date set each year (in April). Applicants may request either MS/Stunt or JV /V Divisions. The completed form shall be reviewed by the Executive Board, and competition dates for host schools shall be announced a May meeting. A balance of "fair share" will be the goal of the Executive Board. Experience, dependability and size of a facility will be a factor. Finals shall be awarded with special concerns considered. A separate Junior Varsity and Varsity site is more desirable and is best suited to a successful day. A Host School Instruction Packet will be given out at a host school meeting in June and/ or at the Safety Clinics. The rules in the packet must be followed.
C. Competing Teams –Definition

Athletes may compete at different levels. A bona fide student is an enrolled student under the jurisdiction of a school district, on official attendance register and is in good standing. The student represents that school on the Freshman, JV or Varsity level.
1. Youth Groups
A Youth Group is a team of any combination of 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th graders from
the same school district, but not necessarily the same school. Generally, they are organized by a town/parent based not-for-profit organization. A Youth Group competes on the Middle School level if comprised of 6th 7th, and 8th graders. If one (1) 9th grader is on the team, they are considered a Freshman team. Youth Groups are limited to 18 members.
2. All-Star
An All-Star team is under the jurisdiction of a hired coach by a private money making entity. Members of the team may attend different school districts. They
will compete against similar age groups; an All-Star division may be included when there are three teams to compete.
3. Rookie Team
A Rookie team is one that has not qualified for Finals in the previous year and/ or has a majority of new team members and/ or has a new coach. "Rookie" status must be cleared by the President and shall be taken on an individual basis. Any level may be considered a "Rookie" team. There shall be at least one “Rookie" Competition each year.
4. Middle School
A Middle School is a team of bona fide 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. They are organized as a team under the jurisdiction of a school district A middle school competes on the Middle School level, and is limited to 18 members.
5. Club Team
A Club Team is a team of 9-12th graders competing as Freshman, JV or Varsity. These extra teams are not recognized by NYSPHSAA.
6. Freshman
A Freshman team is a team under the jurisdiction of a school district of 9th grade athletes. If a Middle school team has one (1) 9th grade athlete, they must compete on this level. As necessary, each competition that hosts the Middle Schools shall provide for this division even though there may not be competitive registration. Freshman teams may choose to compete on the Junior Varsity level. Freshman is limited to 18 members. Freshman must follow all high school eligibility rules.

7. Junior Varsity
A Junior Varsity team is a team of any grade of bona fide athletes up to, but not including 12th grade. A Junior Varsity team is limited to 18 athletes.         

8. Varsity
A Varsity team is a team of 7-12th grade bona fide athletes with the following stipulation:

a. Small Varsity -shall be limited to no more than 16 athletes         
b. Large Varsity -shall be limited to no more than 20 athletes
c. Selective Classification –7th and 8th graders competing at the Varsity level must successfully pass the Selective Classification test as given by their school district and under the guidance and jurisdiction of their Athletic Director. They may not comprise the majority of the team. Results of that test must be submitted to the President prior to the start of the competition calendar.
d. Co-Ed -Three or more male members of a team. These members shall be considered in all disciplines of the routine. There will be a separate competitive division when at least three teams compete.

9. Finals
Eligibility for Finals for Varsity teams is based upon the division level that the team qualified in. A Varsity team may move from one division to another during the season, but compete in Finals in the division and with the team they qualified with. This qualification is for one team per school.

ARTICLE IV MEETINGS

A. Dates

1. Safety Clinics

Safety Clinics are to be held On a Wednesday and Thursday in September. There will be one in Section VIII and one in Section XI. They are to be sponsored by the Sections and run by a reputable member of a Professional Cheerleading company- ex. The National Cheerleaders Association (NCA) or Universal Cheerleaders Association (UCA), or as the National Federation of High School Sports notes as an expert i11 the field of Cheerleading safety. If necessary, private clinics may be given by AACCA accredited/LICCA approved personnel.

2. General Membership

General membership meetings shall be held at host schools on a Wednesday in October, January and May. Meetings are called to order at 7:30pm. Membership meetings are to be posted in the Handbook and announced regularly throughout the season to encourage attendance. The May meeting shall be the venue for membership dues, assignment of competition dates and the planning for all events for the new season. It shall be considered the most important meeting of the year. Robert's Rules of Order shall be the benchmark for procedure.

3. Executive Board Meeting
There will be an Executive Board meeting in December and April. The Executive
Board meeting must be attended by all members and chairpersons of the various committees.

B. Meeting Call to Order: Order of Business
1. Call to Order
The presiding officer shall open the meeting after determining that a quorum is present.
The presiding officer shall be the President. A quorum should approximate the largest number that can be depended on to attend any meeting and does not have to be a majority of total membership. These present members may transact business.
2. Agenda
The agenda shall be prepared by the President, in consultation with the Executive Board and shall be posted or handed out in copy form. If possible, agenda should be mailed if a mailing for other business is scheduled.
ARTICLE V ELECTIONS
A. All officers shall serve for two (2) year tenures. All officers are eligible for reelection. If an officer has to vacate his/her position during tenure that office shall be appointed by the Executive Board. If an officer cannot fulfill all duties and obligations that officer shall tender a letter of resignation to the President or Vice-President.
B. A ballot of nomination will be sent to the membership in the mailing that precedes the May meeting. A maximum of three (3) persons per office will be presented at the May meeting
where secret balloting will determine the winner.

C. Only bona fide members (see Article I, Section A) may vote, or be elected. Nominations must be active members for two years, served on a committee, and have been available for volunteering to assist at LICCA functions.
ARTICLE VI RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD
Executive board members are expected to attend all scheduled and Ad Hoc meetings, both safety clinics, special events and when possible, the competition calendar. Full support of LICCA events is expected. Chairpersons or a representative of committees shall also follow above attendance rules. Executive Board members shall consider themselves representatives of all LICCA coaches and the association. The LICCA membership shall present any concerns and appeals to the Board for consideration. The Board will then resolve any differences in a fair and equitable manner.
A. President
The President shall be the presiding officer of the organization.

B. Vice-President

The Vice President shall assist the President and head any long-range planning committees for further projects. The Vice President will assume the duties of President when he/ she is unable to preside.

C. Treasurer

The Treasurer shall report on all monies transacted. The Treasurer has custody of the funds of the association, receiving all fees (excepting competition entry fees), keeping an account of the same, and giving a year-end report in copy form to the Executive Board at the April meeting, and report the accounting at the May general membership meeting.

D. Recording Secretary

The Recording Secretary shall keep the minutes of the association meetings. A copy of the minutes shall be prepared and mailed to the Executive Board in copy form. A copy shall also be sent the manager of the LICCA webpage. The Recording Secretary shall act as Historian.

E. Corresponding Secretary

The Corresponding Secretary shall contact all organizations that LICCA is affiliated with, or has business with at the beginning of each year (May). This contact letter should include LICCA plans for the coming season, and ask for any changes that would affect LICCA's contact with these affiliates or businesses. The Corresponding Secretary will present any mail received to the membership at each regular membership meeting.

F. Safety Liaison

The Safety liaison shall be Sergeant at Arms at membership meetings. The Safety Liaison shall advise the membership of safety concerns and trends in Cheerleading. The Safety Liaison shall have working knowledge of National Federation Rules and update the membership annually.
The Safety liaison shall assist in organization of Safety Clinics and continuing education. Special attention will be made to educate newly hired coaches/members and Athletic Directors.

This constitution may be amended as needed. Amendment proposals shall be considered at any meeting and brought to a vote following Roberts Rules of Order.

This constitution is written and intended for the benefit of all entitled coaches who are looking to a future of respect and recognition for themselves and their student-athletes. LICCA exists as a resource for the education of coaches so they may be more effective teachers of the sport in their school Individually, a coach can make a difference to his/her team; together LICCA can work towards a common goal .

Ratified this 9th day of May 2001

Signed by members of the Executive Board and the Ratification Delegates. See Handbook for verification.

Ammendments to the Constitution

I Clarification of Company Representatives and Team Choreographers
    Representative: A representatice and/or salesperson of a product and/or service company.
          Role: May attend a meeting and be introduced; but may not use the meeting as a platform. Members will be invited to stay after the meeting to speak to representatives. Representatives will be invited to set up a table at Finals for a $100.00 donation.

    Choreographer: Any person(s) hired by a COACH to assist in the planning and/or execution of ANY aspect of a competition routine. (Note: A choreographer is not considered an employee of the school district).

Therefore, the above-mentioned parties may not attend nor participate in any coaches' meetings.


II    There shall be no retired coach's at pre and post competition meetings. Assistant coaches are permitted if they are bonafide coaches paid by the school district.

    Only the coaches of that division may attend.

III    Competitions are restricted to grades 7-12. No 6th grade student may compete on any level, exhibition included.

IV    L.I.C.C.A meetings are for the purpose of conducting business that pertains to bonafide students of a school team. Only coaches (including retired) may conduct this business. L,I.C.C.A members may not bring business to the floor that relates to outside entities. Concerns, other than the above may be mailed to the Corresponding Secretary for consideration and resolution.

May, 2007
1.        At competitions spotters may only be Varsity or College Cheerleaders. NO all-stars, or clubs. Competing schools may use their own spotters (cheerleaders from their school)
2.        No outside exhibitions. Host schools may only have other levels of their school’s teams exhibit.
3.        Middle School, Freshmen, JV and Large Varsity Teams may each have a maximum of 22 member at LICCA endorsed competitions.

4. Competition team divisions may change as the need arises.  The levels (MS, Freshmen, JV, Varsity) will be addressed individually, and should reflect school populations.  There should be a minimum of seven (7) teams to compete at LICCA.