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posted December 10, 2008
METHUEN EAST LITTLE LEAGUE CONSTITUTIONLEAGUE ID# 2-21-14-11 (Initially Approved by Little League Headquarters in 11/98) ARTICLE I - NAME This organization shall be known as Methuen East Little League (MELL). ARTICLE II – OBJECTIVE Section 1: Players The objective of the MELL 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: Implementation To achieve this objective, the MELL 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; the molding of future citizens is of prime importance. In accordance with Section 501-©-(3) of the Federal Internal Revenue Code, the MELL 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 of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and which does not participate in, or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office. ARTICLE III – MEMBERSHIP Section 1: EligibilityAny person sincerely interested in active participation to affect the objective of the MELL may apply to become a member. Section 2: ClassesThere shall be the following classes of members: (a) Player members. Any player candidate meeting the requirements of Little League Regulation IV and who resides within the authorized boundaries of the MELL shall be eligible to compete for participation but shall have no rights, duties or obligations in the management or in the property of MELL. (b) Regular members: Any adult person actively interested in furthering the objectives of the MELL may become a regular member upon selection as herein provided. The secretary shall maintain the roll of membership to qualify voting members. Only Regular members in good standing are eligible to vote at General Membership meetings. Regular members of the MELL include all current Managers and Coaches and Team Parents, Board Members, any parent whose child meets Article III, Section 2(a) who completes 6 hours of volunteer work shall be considered a regular member for one year in the MELL and any other volunteer who completes 6 hours of volunteer work shall be considered a regular member for one year in the MELL. (c) Honorary members: Any person may be elected as and 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 MELL (d) Sustaining members: Any person not a regular member who make financial or other contribution to the local league may, by a majority vote of the Board of Directors, become a sustaining member; but such person shall have no rights, duties or obligations in the management or in the property of MELL. As used hereinafter, the word “member” shall mean a regular member unless otherwise stated. Section 3: Other AffiliationsMembers, whether regular or player, shall not be required to be affiliated with another organization or group to qualify as members of the MELL. Section 4: Suspension of Termination Membership may be terminated by resignation or action of the Board of Directors.(a) The Board of Directors, by a two-thirds vote at any duly-constituted 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 MELL and/or Little League Baseball, Incorporated. The member involved shall be given seven (7) days advance notice of such meeting, informed of the general nature of the charges, and given an opportunity to appear at the meeting to answer such charges.(b) In the case of a player member, the Board of Directors shall give notice to the manager of the team of which the player is a member. Said manager shall appear, in the capacity of advisor, with the player before the Board of Directors which shall have full power to suspend or revoke said player’s right to future participation by a two-thirds vote of those present at any duly-constituted meeting. ARTICLE IV – MEETINGSSection 1: Annual MeetingThe annual meeting of the members of the MELL shall be held in October of each year for the purpose of electing a Board of Directors, receiving reports (including the President’s report on the condition of the MELL and the Treasurer’s report), and for the transaction of such business as may properly come before the meeting. This business shall including nominations for the board by regular members. Notice of said meeting shall be delivered personally or by mail or by email at least ten days prior to the meeting to all members in good standing). At least 25 members must be present to conduct the business of the meeting. Section 2: Special Members MeetingsSpecial meetings of the members may be called by the Board of Directors or upon the written request by a majority of the members. No business other than that specified in the notice of the meeting shall be transacted. Notice and quorum shall be as in Article V, Section 1, above. Section 3: General MeetingsThe President will inform managers of all teams by email and conspicuously post to the MELL website at least ten days in advance of the date, time and location of general meetings for all parents and other interested parties. The purpose of these meetings is to discuss the condition of the MELL and to encourage advice and suggestions to the MELL President and Board of Directors. Section 4: Regular Meetings of the Board of DirectorsRegular meetings of the MELL Board of Directors (MELLBD) shall be held immediately after the Annual Meeting and on such days as thereafter determined by the MELLBD. Section 5: Robert’s Rules of OrderRobert’s Rules of Order shall govern the proceedings of all meetings, including the MELL Board of Directors’ meetings, except where it conflicts with this Constitution of MELL. ARTICLE V – BOARD OF DIRECTORSSection 1: ElectionsThe management of the property and affairs of the MELL shall be vested in the Board of Directors (MELLBD), consisting of 18 members who will serve two-year terms with one-half of the Board elected each October by the general membership at the Annual Meeting. The previous year President will be automatically one of the 18 members if he or she accepts the position. For implementation purposes the members with the top nine votes will be given two-year terms and the next eight vote getters will be given one-year terms.Section 2: VacanciesIf any vacancy occurs in the MELLBD by death, resignation or otherwise, it will be filled by a majority vote of the remaining MELLBD.Section 3: Meetings, Notice and QuorumSee Article V, Section 4. The President or the Secretary shall, at the request in writing of five directors, issue a call for a special meeting of the Board. In the case of special meetings, such notice shall include the purpose of the meeting and no matters not so stated may be acted upon at the meeting. The Secretary shall give notice of each meeting to each director at least seven days prior to the meeting. All meetings of the MELLBD shall be posted in advance. The quorum shall be one-half of the members.Section 4: Duties and PowersThe MELLBD shall have the power to appoint such standing committees chaired by directors as it shall determine appropriate and to delegate such powers to them as the Board shall deem advisable. The Board may adopt such rules and policies for the management of the MELL as it may deem proper, provided such does not conflict with this Constitution. Included are rules and/or policies to promote active volunteerism among parents of players in the league. The Board as a whole shall act as the Nominating Committee to nominate members for election to the Board at the Annual Meeting. Board members will endeavor to have a volunteer umpire on the MELLBD at all times. The Board shall have the power by a two-thirds vote of the Board (12 members) at any regular or special meeting to discipline, suspend or remove any League Director, Officer or Committee Member of the MELL in accordance with the procedure set for in Article III, Section 4. ARTICLE VI – OFFICERS, DUTIES AND POWERSSection 1: OfficersThe officers of the MELL shall consist of a President, Vice President, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Secretary, Player Agent, Safety Officer, Umpire-in-Chief, Fundraising Chairperson,, Concession Purchasing Manager, Equipment Manager, MELL In-House Tournament Director, Travel (Out of Town) Tournaments Director, and the following League Directors: Summer League Director, Majors Softball Director, Minors Softball Director, Major League Baseball Director, Minor League Baseball Director, Nine-Year-Old Baseball Director , and Eight-Year-Old Baseball Director and any other such Officers as the MELLBD may deem necessary. These positions shall be appointed annually from the MELLBD membership by the MELLBD. Appointed officers shall have no vote on actions taken by the MELLBD unless such individuals are MELLBD members as defined in Article VI, Section 1.Section 2: The PresidentThe president shall:(a) Conduct the affairs of the MELL and execute the policies established by the Board of Directors.(b) Present a report of the condition of the MELL at the annual meeting.(c) Communicate to the MELLBD suggestions promoting the welfare of the MELL and other such matters as deemed appropriate.(d) Be responsible for the conduct of the MELL in strict conformity to the policies, principles, and Rules and Regulations of Little League Baseball, Incorporated, as agreed to under the conditions of charter issued to the MELL by that organization.(e) Investigate complaints, irregularities and conditions detrimental to the MELL and report thereon to the Board as circumstances warrant.(f) With the assistant of MELL league directors, appoint managers and coaches, including tournament managers and committees, all subject to the approval of the MELLBD.(g) With the assistance of the Player Agent, examine the application and supporting proof-of-age documents of every player candidate and certify residence and age eligibility before the player is accepted for tryouts and selection.(h) The President shall not be a manger, coach or team parent on any MELL baseball or softball team.Section 3: Vice PresidentIn case of the absence or disability of the President, and provided s/he is authorized by the President or MELLBD so to act, the Vice President shall perform the duties of the President, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of that office and shall have such other duties as from time-to-time may be assigned by the MELLBD or the President. Section 4: SecretaryThe secretary shall:(a) Be responsible for recording the activities of the MELL 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 MELLBD.(c) Maintain a list of all regular, sustaining and honorary members, directors and committee members and give notice of all meetings.(d) Keep the minutes of the members meetings, MELLBD meetings, and general meetings.(e) Conduct all correspondence not otherwise specifically delegated in connection with said meetings and 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: TreasurerThe treasurer shall:(a) Prepare a budget each year for approval by the MELLBD.(b) Record the amount and source of all deposits made by the Assistant Treasurer and/or the Financial Committee.(c) Prepare all financial reports for the League, including the annual financial report for the membership at the annual meeting.(d) Pay all the League’s bills in a timely manner.(e) The Treasurer will also maintain a scholarship escrow account which can be only used for awarding scholarships by the MELLBD.Section 6: Player AgentThe 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 checking residence and age eligibility.(c) Conduct the tryouts.(d) Assist the league directors in the draft. For the purpose of the MELL’s team drafts, sons and daughters of managers will be rated by Player Agent, President and League Director by majority vote as to which round they must be selected in if the manager of the team requests the player to be on his or her team. This also applies to Little League’s sibling rule, e.g the brother rule and the sister rule.(e) Prepare for the president’s signature and submission to Little League Headquarters team rosters, including players claimed and the tournament team eligibility affidavit. Section 7: The safety officer shall:(a) Be responsible to create awareness, through education and information, of the opportunities to provide a safer environment for youngsters and all participants of Little League Baseball.(b) Develop and implement a plan for increasing safety of activities, equipment and facilities through education, compliance and reporting.(c) Be responsible for the care and maintenance of the playing fields.(d) The safety officer shall enforce the no on-deck batter and MELL’s no slashing rule (A player can not show bunt, pull the bat back, and then hit away. Any player who does it shall be immediately called out by the umpire and all runners returned to their bases before the swing was made.)Section 8: League DirectorsThere will be an 8-year-old league director, a 9-year-old league director, a minor league director , a majors softball league director, a minors softball director, and a majors baseball director. There will also be a in-house tournament director, a travel tournaments director, and a summer league director. Section 9: Umpire in ChiefThe MELLBD will appoint an umpire in chief and an assistant umpire in chief from the general MELL membership. They shall enforce our MELL rule that for our play-offs the same person cannot umpire home-plate in more than one game of each two out of three playoff round, unless agreed to by both team managers. Section 10: Concession Committee:The Concession Committee shall consist of the Concessions Purchasing Manager, and four other members appointed by the MELLBD. The Committee will schedule cooks and stand help for the regular season and for the East Tournament. They will use volunteers whenever possible, but are authorized to pay individuals , if necessary. The Committee is responsible for opening and closing the stand, including putting money in the cash register to start the stand, and taking the money out of the cash reigister at the end of the night placing it in the safe, Section 11: Financial Committee:The Assistant Treasurer and/or the Financial Committee will receive all monies for the League and deposit them in the bank. The Assistant Treasurer and Financial Committee members must be members of the MELLBD. They will receive all monies for the League and deposit them in the League’s bank accounts. They will report each week to the Treasurer all deposits made and from what source it came from (concessions, registrations, fundraiser, etc.) and will retain all deposit slips which at the end of the fiscal year will be filed with the financial reports of the League by the Treasurer. Section 12: Fundraising Committee:There shall be a Fundraising Committee to assist the Fundraising Chairperson in raising money for the League, particularly for team sponsors and sign sponsors ARTICLE VII – OTHER COMMITTEES The MELL Board of Directors will appoint other committees as necessary. ARTICLE VIII – AFFILIATIONSection 1: CharterThe MELL shall annually apply for a charter from Little League Baseball, Incorporated, and shall do all things necessary to obtain and maintain said charter.Section 2: Rules and RegulationsThe official playing rules and regulations as published by Little League Baseball, Incorporated, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, shall be binding on MELL.Section 3: Local League RulesThe local rules of the MELL shall be adopted by the Board of Directors at a meeting to be held not less than one month prior to the first scheduled game of the season. ARTICLE IX – FINANCIAL AND ACCOUNTINGSection 1: FinancesThe Board of Directors shall decide all matters pertaining to the finances of MELL, and it shall place all income in a common treasury, directing the expenditure of same in such manner as to give no individual or team an advantage over those in competition with such individual or team.Section 2: FundraisingThe Board shall not permit the solicitation of funds in the name of Little League Baseball unless all the funds so raised are used solely for the MELL.Section 3: Disbursement of FundsThe Board shall not permit the disbursement of funds for other than the conduct of Little League activities in accordance with the rules and policies of Little League Baseball, Inc.Section 4: CompensationNo Director, Officer or MELL Board Member shall receive, directly or indirectly, any salary, compensation or emolument from the local league for services rendered as Director, Officer or MELL Board Member.Section 5: AuditThe MELL Board will provide for the audit of all MELL monies and securities every three years and whenever the Treasurer changes.Section 6: Equipment and SuppliesThe MELL Board will provide for the annual audit of all equipment and supplies.Section 7: Fiscal YearThe fiscal year begins October 1.Section 8: Distribution of Property upon Dissolution.Upon dissolution of the MELL and after all outstanding debts and claims have been satisfied, the Members shall direct the remaining property of the MELL 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 X – AMENDMENTS This Constitution and By-Laws 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. The above amendments in bold were approved by the General Membership at the 2008 Annual Meeting on 10/16/08. President’s Name: Jim Dawe Signature: ________________________ Date 10/16/2008Little League ID #: 2-21-14-11 (Methuen East Little League, Methuen, Massachusetts) |
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