USA GYMNASTICS
TRAMPOLINE & TUMBLING REGION 6
BYLAWS
Section I. Purpose
To advance the mission of the USA Gymnastics Trampoline and Tumbling Program in those States designated by USAG as Region 6, these Bylaws establish, define and describe the participants and offices responsible for the organization and administration of Regional USAG Trampoline and Tumbling activities.
Section II. Table of Authorities
A. Hierarchy of Governing Authorities
Region 6 organization, rules, general policies and specific directives shall conform and give deference to a hierarchy of governing authorities:
1. First to National directives which may update, supercede, suspend or correct published National Rules and Polices,
2. Second, to published USAG Rules and Policies.
3. Third, to Region 6 Bylaws
4. Fourth, to the Standing Rules, Policies and Orders of the Regional Board
5. Fifth, to the Special Rules, Policies and Orders of the Regional Board and
6. Sixth, Special Directives of the Regional Chair
B. Exceptions
Lower directives may not supercede higher directives with regard to rules and policies within the higher directives’ purview without consent of the higher directors. Meet directors may not overrule their State Board, State Boards may not overrule Regional Boards, Regional Boards may not overrule National rules, policies and directives. Exceptions to rules will be granted when those exceptions do not violate safety, serve the athletes or programs and do not hinder participation at higher levels of competition.
Section III. Membership
A. Class of Membership
USA Gymnastics Trampoline and Tumbling Region 6 shall have six classes of members. The designation of each class and the qualifications of the members of each class shall be as follows: States, Teams, Coaches, Judges, Athletes, and Associate Members
1. States
Eligible Region 6 Member States as determined by USAG are: Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania Rhode Island, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. In order to be represented with a voting member on the Regional Board of Directors a member State must:
a. Have at least one each active Team, Coach and Athlete as defined in sections 3,4,5 below.
b. Must have established State Bylaws which define the State Board of Directors, its officers, election and policy making procedures. A copy of each States’ Bylaws shall be filed with the Regional Chair. New participating States or States with less than three consistently active teams are exempt from the State Bylaw requirement.
c. Must have an elected State Chairman for Trampoline and Tumbling who is a Professional Member of USAG Trampoline and Tumbling. Interim State Chairman can be appointed by the Regional Chair or National Program Director. Interim State Chair must meet the qualifications of Coach or Judge detailed in paragraphs 3 and 5 below.
2. Teams
a. Region 6 Member Trampoline and Tumbling Teams must have their training facility within the geographic borders of Region 6,
b. Be currently registered with and recognized by USAG with a valid USAG club number,
c. Have at least one affiliated and designated active Head Coach as defined in paragraph 3 and
d. One affiliated active Athlete as defined in paragraph 4, and
e. Paid all applicable dues and fees.
3. Coaches
a. Coaches and assistant coaches shall be active and current Professional members of USA Gymnastics,
b. Have successfully completed the USA Gymnastics Trampoline and Tumbling Level One Coaches course. New coaches shall have up to a year to complete the course requirement.
c. Be currently employed by an active and affiliated Region 6 USAG Tramp and Tumbling Team as defined in paragraph 2 above.
d. Paid all applicable dues.
4. Athletes
a. Athletes shall be currently registered with USA Gymnastics with sport designation of Trampoline and Tumbling Athlete,
b. Are a member of an affiliated Region 6 Team as defined above in paragraph 2 and
c. Paid all applicable dues.
5. Judges
a. Judges shall be current Professional members of USAG
b. Have attended a USA Gymnastics certified Trampoline and Tumbling Judging clinic, passed the appropriate test and
c. Paid all membership fees.
d. Judge’s team affiliation shall be declared with their USAG Professional Membership information when registering with the Region.
6. Associate Members
a. Those who wish to be a member of the Region but do not fall under the heading of team, coach, athlete or judge.
b. Associate members must have paid the appropriate dues.
B. Termination of Regional Membership
1. The Regional Board of Directors, by affirmative vote of two-thirds of all members of the Board, may suspend or expel any member of any class of Regional membership for cause.
a. That member is first entitled to such due process as
1) a written detailed listing of the impeachment charges and instructions for responding including the time frame for responding and
2) an opportunity for themselves and or their designated representative, in person or in writing, to rebut any and all charges of impeachable offense.
b. After hearing both charge and rebuttal or after the expiration of allotted time for rebuttal the board may finalize its decision to suspend or expel a member for cause.
2. The Board of Directors may by a majority vote of the quorum present at any regularly constituted meeting terminate the membership of any member who
a. Becomes ineligible for membership, or
b. Suspend or expel any member who shall be in default of the payment of dues or fees.
3. Resignation
a. Any member may resign at any time by filing a written resignation with the Regional Director. Email will suffice for written notice.
b. This resignation shall not relieve the member of the obligation to pay any dues, assessments, or other financial charges accrued and unpaid during the time of membership.
C. Reinstatement
1. Upon written request signed by a former member and filed with the Regional Chairman, the Board of Directors may by affirmative vote of two thirds of the members of the Board reinstate a former member to membership upon such terms as the Board of Directors may deem appropriate and consequently
2. The reinstated member is considering in good standing with the organization and eligible for all duties, privileges and offices to which their membership entitles them.
Section IV. Region 6 Board of Directors
A. General Powers
The Regional Chairman shall manage the affairs of Region 6 with the assistance of the Board of Directors and in accord with the directions of the Board.
B. Qualifications and Tenure
1. In order to hold office on the Region 6 Board of Directors one must be a member in good standing as defined under the membership rules in Section 3 of these bylaws.
2. Each director shall hold office for a two year term or until his/her successor has been elected and qualified at the end of a term.
3. There is no limit to the number of consecutive terms a director or board officer may hold.
C. Participation and Limitations of Regional Board Members
The Board of Directors shall consist of the following classes of members: Voting, Appointed and Advisory.
1. Voting Members of the Regional Board
Voting members of the Regional Board must have been elected to their positions by their representative constituencies as outlined here and in accord with National Rules and Policies. The voting members of the Region 6 Board of Directors shall be: The college of individual State Chairs, the Regional Coaches Representative, the Regional Technical Representative and the elected Regional Athlete Representative. The Regional Chair shall vote to break ties.
a. State Chairmen
1) Only States with active teams may have representation on the Regional Board.
2) States elect their Chairman according to their own bylaws.
3) States without bylaws or single team states may have their Chairman appointed by:
a) The Regional Chair with the advice and consent of the Regional Board, or
b) The National Program Director.
4) Appointed State Chairs should meet minimum qualifications for Coach or Judge as described herein.
5) States without active teams or qualified chairs don’t get a vote on the Regional Board of Directors.
b. Regional Coaches Committee Chairman
1) The Regional Coaches Committee shall elect a Chairman to serve on the Regional Board of Directors and assist the Regional Chair in the discharge of duties.
a) Must be a member coach in good standing of Region 6 as defined in Section 3 of these bylaws
b) Must not be a current voting member of the Regional Board.
c) Serves two years concurrent with the present election cycle of State Chairs (2005,2007,2009,2011 etc.).
c. Regional Technical Committee Chairman
1) The Regional Technical Chairman shall be elected by and from the Regional Technical Committee.
a) Must be hold a minimum Category One rating in any discipline and be a member judge in good standing with Region 6 as defined in Section 3 of these bylaws.
b) Must not be a current voting member of the Regional Board.
c) Serves two years concurrent with the election cycle of State Chairs.
2) The Technical Representative shall assign judges for the Region 6 Championships and other competitions that may take place within the region and/or are sponsored by the Region.
3) He/she will also assist the Regional Chair in the organization and conduct regional judging clinics.
4) The Technical Representative shall oversee, and delegate responsibilities to the State Judging Chairmen.
5) The Technical Representative shall represent Region 6 to the USAG National Technical Committee.
d. Athlete Representative
1) The Regional Athlete Representative to the Board of Directors shall be elected by and from the Regional Athletes’ Council.
2) They must not be a current voting member of the Regional Board.
3) The Athlete Representative shall assist the Regional Chair in the discharge of duties.
4) If the Regional Athlete Representative to the Board of Directors needs be confirmed in appointment by the National Athletes’ Council, the regional position shall be provisional until confirmation is obtained. The Regional Chair shall submit the nominee to the National Athlete Council for approval.
5) If a Regional Athlete Representative is appointed first by the National Athletes Council but not yet confirmed by Regional election, they may participate in discussion but not vote on matters requiring the approval of the Board.
e. Regional Chairman
1) Regional Chairmen shall serve a term of two (2) years: 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, etc.
2) Elected by the recognized head coaches of the region as defined within these bylaws
a) One vote per team
b) Individuals who may be head coaches of more than one team receive only one vote, not one per represented team.
3) Regional Chair elections shall be conducted by and or with the oversight of the National Office according to National Program Rules and Policies.
f. Voting Rules, Proxies, and Limitations
1) Unless otherwise noted, a simple majority of a duly constituted quorum consisting of at least 51% of the eligible voting body shall qualify as an act of the committee.
2) One vote per person
a) regardless of number of voting positions concurrently held.
b) specifically assigned proxies with prior approval excluded from this limitation.
3) Chairmen may assign proxies from their respective committees and boards to specific meetings
a) proxies must be otherwise qualified in order to vote
b) advance notice to the meeting’s Chair is required for proxies to be recognized
2. Appointed Members of the Regional Board
The Region 6 Board of Directors or the Regional Chair with the advice and consent of the Board may appoint officers and special committee chairman to assist in the administration of Regional business or oversee special projects. These appointments shall:
a. have all authority necessary to their duties,
b. participate in board meetings but
c. may not vote on any motion requiring the approval of the Board unless they are already otherwise vested with voting privileges.
4. Advisory Members of the Regional Board
The Board of Directors or the Regional Chair may invite participation in Board, Committee and General Membership meetings or appoint to advisory positions anyone deemed helpful or necessary such as Ex-officio board members, National Staff or regional event host committee organizers not already on the board. These advisors may freely participate in discussions but may not vote on any motion requiring approval of any body of which they are not already a voting member.
D. Officers of the Region 6 Board of Directors
1. Regional Chairman
a. Overview – The Regional Chairman shall be the principal member of the organization. Subject to the direction of the Board of Directors the Regional Chair shall be in charge of the business and affairs of the organization. They shall see that the resolutions and directives of the Board of Directors are carried out except in those instances where the Board of Directors assigns that responsibility to another person. They shall discharge all duties incident to the office of Regional Chair and other duties that may be prescribed by the Board of Directors. Except in those instances in which the authority to execute is expressly prescribed by the Board of Directors or these bylaws, they may execute for the organization any contracts, deeds, mortgages, bonds or other instruments which the Board of Directors has authorized. They shall fulfill any duties that arise to represent USAG Region 6 and the National Office. They may accomplish this without other notice than such resolution.
b. Responsibilities of the Region 6 Chairman include but are not limited to:
1) Call and preside over the annual Regional Association meeting.
2) Serve on the Regional Board. Decide regional matters in concurrence with the Regional Board. Develop policies and procedures governing activities and events in the region.
3) Maintain close contact with the State Chairs of the region, passing on all pertinent information and acting as liaison between the State Chairs and the Program Office. Provide leadership to the State Chairs and advise on administrative questions.
4) Provide information to the Regional Board on sites for Regional Championships. Upon approval by the Regional Board, contract the necessary facilities, vendors and services to run the Regional Championships. Serve as Meet Director for Regional Championships.
5) Conduct the USA Gymnastics Regional Championship Meet and insure that all official rules and regulations are met.
6) Oversee the naming of the Regional All-Star team and the sizing and distribution of uniforms for the team.
7) Conduct an annual Regional Clinic, notifying the Program Office. Plan the site and date of this clinic in cooperation with the Program Office. The specific content of the clinic should correspond with the priorities of the Region.
8) Maintain an open line of communication between his/her office and National Office. The Regional Chair shall actively gather information regarding trampoline & tumbling in his/her region throughout the year. They shall immediately pass on information to Professional Members from the National Office or Program Office through broadcast e-mail, web site, newsletter, meetings, etc.
9) Be responsible for the promotional and public relations development of the trampoline and tumbling programs within the region.
10) Open and maintain the regional USA Gymnastics bank account. Provide USA Gymnastics a yearly report on disbursement of funds. Funds to be used for the newsletter, Regional Chair's travel to clinics, workshops, promotions and other projects as approved by the Regional Board.
11) Have charge and custody of all funds and assets of the Regional Board, and be responsible for the receipt and disbursement of funds.
12) Prepare an Annual Financial Report and Budget by Oct 1st for review, adjustment and approval by the Regional Board. Report to show all previous year income and expenditures. Budget to include expected amounts, income and expense, for Clinic, Championships, Regional office expenditures such as administration or travel and athlete support.
2. Regional Secretary
a. Qualifications and Selection
1) Must be a member in good standing of Region 6 as defined in Section 3 of these bylaws.
2) May or may not be a current voting member of the Regional Board
3) Elected by majority vote of Regional Board.
4) Serves two years concurrent with the election cycle of State Chairs.
5) In the event that the Secretary becomes the new Regional Chair or Chair elect, the Board will determine how best to the assign the Secretary’s duties for the remainder of the term.
b. Duties
1) Attend and record the minutes of the Regional meetings and meetings of the Regional Board of Directors.
2) Work with the Regional Chair to keep an accurate database and mailing list of all member teams and participant officials within the Region.
3) Assist the Regional Chair with the publishing of the newsletter.
4) Of itself, the office of Regional Secretary is not a voting position on the Regional Board. A secretary not already a voting member of the Board may not vote on any motion requiring the approval of the Board.
3. Term of Office
Except where prescribed differently, the officers of Region 6 shall be elected every other year and assume the duties of their office on conclusion of the election with results announced. Vacancies may be filled by the Board of Directors at any meeting of the Board of Directors. Each officer shall hold office until his successor is duly elected or until their resignation or removal prematurely vacates the office.
E. Removal from Office
1. Any member or officer of the Region 6 Board of Directors may be removed from the board by the Board of Directors or the appropriate constituent membership whenever in their judgment the best interest of the Region would be served.
2. Committee Chairmen
a. Individual committees, standing or special, may recall their own chairman by majority appeal to the Regional Chairman.
b. The Regional Chairman may dismiss a committee chairman who is not fulfilling the responsibilities and roles required by his/her position including the responsibility to participate in appointed Regional Board meetings.
c. Should the Regional Chairman determine dismissal is warranted, with the advice and consent of the Board the Regional Chairman will appoint an interim committee chairman and if also directed by the Board conduct a special election among the constituent committee members to select a replacement who will then serve the remainder of the term.
3. State Chairmen
a. Individual States may have their own procedure for the recall of their State Chairman. The Regional Board will respect the actions of it member States.
b. In consultation with the Senior Director of the Trampoline & Tumbling Program, the Regional Chairman may dismiss a State Chairman who is not fulfilling the responsibilities and roles required by his/her position.
c. Should the Regional Chairman determine dismissal of a State Chair is warranted, the Regional Chairman will administer a statewide election to select a replacement.
4. Regional Chairman
a. The Senior Director of the National Trampoline & Tumbling Program may dismiss a Regional Chairman who is not fulfilling the responsibilities and roles required by his/her position. Dismissal may be based on the Senior Director’s assessment of the Regional Chairman's performance or on a letter of recommendation from the State Chairmen.
b. A “no confidence” vote by a two-thirds majority of the entire Region 6 Board of Directors will establish the will of the Board in requesting the intervention of the Senior Program Director for the initiation of special election for Regional Chair.
1) special election to be held within 45 days of the no-confidence vote.
2) Sitting Regional Chair is eligible to run
3) Voting shall conform to same one vote per team rules as for regular chairman elections.
4) Votes returned to and tabulated by the board as a whole or a designated Special Election Master which may be the National Program Office.
5) Results announced within 3 days of election deadline.
6) New Chair immediately assumes duties and responsibilities
F. Vacancies
The Board of Directors shall fill any vacancy occurring in the Board of Directors or any directorship needing to be filled by reason of an increase in the number of Directors. A director elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected for the unexpired term of his predecessor.
G. Committees
1. Standing Committees
These committees are a permanent part of the Regional structure. Their individual memberships may change according to the election cycles but these committees shall stand without need for renewing authorization.
a. Coaches Committee
1) Comprised of the Coaches Representatives from each States’ Board of Directors selected in accordance with the various Bylaws of each member State.
2) The Regional Coaches Committee will select its’ own Chairman to serve a voting position on the Regional Board as described above.
b. Technical Committee
1) Comprised of the Judges Representatives from each States’ Board of Directors selected in accordance with the various Bylaws of each member State.
2) Shall elect a Chairman from its membership to serve a voting position on the Regional Board as described above.
c. Regional Athletes Council
1) Comprised of the Athlete Representatives from each States’ Board of Directors selected in accordance with the various Bylaws of each member State.
2) Shall elect a Chairman from its membership to serve a voting position on the Regional Board as described above.
d. New standing committees
1) Can be formed whenever deemed necessary at the discretion of the Board, but
2) Newly created committee chairs shall not be voting members of the Regional Board without amending these bylaws.
2. Special Committees
a. From time to time the Regional Board or the Regional Chair with the advice and consent of the Board may appoint committees and assign their chair to investigate or oversee specific and unique areas of interest to the Region.
b. The term of a special committee office shall not exceed one year without a renewing authorization of the Regional Board of Directors.
H. Compensation
1. Directors shall not receive any stated salaries for their services; but
2. By resolution of the Board of Directors, office and ancillary expenses of Region 6 (phone calls, postage, etc.) if any, may be allowed provided adequate receipts are submitted.
Section V. Meetings
A. Regional Board Meetings
An annual meeting of the Board members of USAG Region 6 shall be held on a day determined by the Regional Chair and approved by the Board for the purpose of transacting such business as may come before the Board.
B. Special Meetings
Special meetings of the board members or the general members of Region 6 may be called by either the Regional Chair or the Board of Directors.
C. Location
The Regional Chair or Board of Directors may designate any place of meeting for board meetings or any special meetings. It should be placed at a location that will be central to all voting board members or at a competition where board members or Region 6 members will be present.
D. Notice
Written notice stating the place, date, and hour of any meeting of the members shall be delivered to each member entitled to vote at such meetings not less than seven days before the date of the meeting. In case of a special meeting or when required by statute or by these bylaws, the purpose for which the meeting is called shall be stated in the notice. If mailed, the notice of a meeting shall be deemed delivered when deposited in the United States mail addressed to the member at his address as it appears on the records of Region 6, with postage thereon prepaid. Email notification shall count for written notice when transmitted to the email address of record.
E. Informal Action
Any action required to be taken at a meeting of the Board of Directors of Region 6, or any other action which may be taken at a meeting of the general membership, may be taken without a formal meeting by means of a mail-in-vote, or by email vote. Each voting member must receive a written explanation of the matter and be given a reasonable amount of time to vote. (Not less than 48 hours) Each voting member must respond “yes” or “no” to the Regional Chair or designated Special Master. The majority will rule unless otherwise stipulated in the proposal or elsewhere in these Bylaws. Changes, additions, deletions or amendments to the proposal are not allowed as write-in votes. The Regional Chair or Special Master will notify the board members within three days of the outcome.
F. Rules of Order
Roberts Rules of Order shall be the general guide and reference for the conduct of all meetings except where specifically contradicted by provision of the Board or these Bylaws.
Bylaws