SHEFFIELD - SHEFFIELD LAKE YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION
CONSTITUTION
Revised April 2004

               SHEFFIELD - SHEFFIELD LAKE YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION is an organization of players,  parents, guardians or
                custodians and interested adults whose purpose is to conduct youth soccer activities.
                Our basic philosophy is:

                DEVELOPING MIND, BODY AND SELF-ESTEEM THROUGH SPORTSMANSHIP, EDUCATION, SKILL,
                TEAMWORK, EXERCISE AND ENJOYMENT.

               A YOUTH PROGRAM SHALL BE JUST THAT.   TO WIN AT ANY COST IS NOT ACCEPTABLE.

               A COMMITMENT TO BENEFIT THE MAJORITY OS SHEFFIELD - SHEFFIELD LAKE YOUTH,
                NOT THE TALENTED FEW.  THUS, OUR PROGRAMS SHALL STRESS MAXIMUM PARTICIPATION,
                REGARDLESS OF ABILITY, AND AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE, EVENLY BALANCED COMPETITION.

               INSURE MINIMUM PRESSURE ON YOUTH PLAYERS FROM COACHES, SPECTATORS AND PARENTS.

                DE-EMPHASIZE TROPHIES AND AWARDS.

 
ARTICLE I
 
Name

               The name of the organization shall be called the Sheffield - Sheffield Lake Youth Soccer Association.


ARTICLE II
 
Provisions

                1. The SSLYSA shall be non-profit.
               2. The SSLYSA shall provide adult supervised, organized soccer for the youth residing in, but not restricted to Sheffield - Sheffield Lake.
               3. The SSLYSA shall be charitable through the volunteer cooperation of adults teaching and training youth in the game of soccer.
               4. SSLYSA income shall be used for operating expenses and no part of the income will incur to the benefit of officers or members.
               5. SSLYSA is non-political and shall not attempt to participate in, or influence political campaigns or legislation.
               6. SSLYSA shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed or religion.


ARTICLE III
 
Membership

               1. Voting membership in SSLYSA shall consist of parents, and/or guardians of registered players.
               2. All coaches of SSLYSA and all registered referees shall be voting members of SSLYSA providing they have reached 18 years or over.
               3. All persons in active participation in promoting youth soccer in Sheffield and Sheffield Lake are welcome to be members of SSLYSA.
               4. Voting membership in SSLYSA entitles the person to vote on the selection of officers and otherwise as provided herein.


ARTICLE IV
 
Officers and Duties

               1. SSLYSA shall be governed by a Board of the following elected officials:
                   President                          Vice-President                 Treasurer
                     In-House Director              General Manager               Registrar
                   Sponsor Chairman              Secretary                        Ways and Means Chairman
                     Public Relations Director       
               2. Board officials duties shall include but not be limited to the following:


                   ** See attached Job Descriptions in Appendix A **


ARTICLE V
 
Official Terms and Conditions

               1. All officials shall serve for two (2) years.  They will be elected by a general meeting to be held before April 30. 
                    The term of each office will expire with the current season.  Positions shall be elected as follows:  in odd years the President,
                 Treasurer, Secretary, Sponsor Chairman and Ways and Means shall be up for elections;  in even years the Vice-President,
                    General Manager Public Relations Director, Registrar and In-House Director.
               2. Any special committees shall expire with the END of the Presidents term.  Committee and Trustee recommendations shall be
                    subject to Board approval.
               3. SSLYSA officials shall be removed for activities violating the intent, philosophy or rules of this organization.  Removal shall be
                 subject to two-thirds vote of the elected Board after a hearing of charges and defense.
               4. In the event a SSLYSA official is unable to complete his/her term in office, or fulfill the responsibilities of his/her office, the
                    SSLYSA Board will, by a simple majority vote elect an SSLYSA member to the vacated office for the remainder of the current term.


Board Conduct

               1. Board meetings shall be held monthly.  The second Wednesday of each month. (revised 4/04)
               2. The SSLYSA Secretary shall notify each Board member at least 48 hours prior to each meeting.
               3. Board actions and approvals require a simple majority.
               4. Roberts Rules of Order shall apply at all Board and general meetings.
                5. General meetings may be called by the Board.
               6. The order of business at all meetings shall be roll call, reading of minutes of previous meetings, officers reports,
                    old business, new business, date of next meeting, adjournment.
               7. Traveling teams shall be under the sole authority of the SSLYSA Board.
               8. Protests and disciplinary actions shall be presented to the President for arbitration.  The President shall issue findings
                 after a hearing of charges and defense.  Findings may be appealed to the Board in written from.  The Board decisions
                    are in accordance with items 3 and 4 above.
               9. The use of In-House team standings and the issue of trophies are at the discretion of the Board.


ARTICLE VI
 
Coaches and Conduct

               1. Coaches for the respective programs shall be recommended for Board approval by the Registrar or the In-House Director.
                    The head coach shall be 18 years of age or older.
               2. Coaches are responsible for team practices and games.  Coaches shall work with the In-House Director/Registrar.
               3. Coaches may be suspended for actions violating the intent, philosophy or rules of this organization pending appeal and decision from the Board.
               4. Coaches may be removed for actions violating the intent, philosophy or rules of this organization by two-thirds majority vote of the Board.
               5. Coaches shall be required to attend one (1) pre-season coach's clinic prior to each season.


ARTICLE VII
 
Referees and Conduct

               1. Referees for the In-House program shall submit their wish to do so in writing to the In-House Director for approval.
               2. Referees are responsible for the conduct of all In-House games and the enforcement of all In-House rules.
               3. Referees may select linesmen to assist during the conduct of a game.
               4. Referees may be removed for actions violating the inent, philosophy and the rules of this organization by two-thirds majority
                    vote of the Board.
               5. Referees for the In-House program shall attend a pre-season referee clinic prior to each session in order to get paid.
                   In-House referees shall notify coaches and In-House Director of any unacceptable actions or behavior prior to, during or after the game.


ARTICLE VIII
 
Players

               1. All SSLYSA players shall have on record registration papers including:
                   a. Parental or guardian permission.
                   b. A release of SSLYSA from all injury claims.
               2. Players shall participate on assigned teams as determined by the In-House Director and Registrar, and as approved by the Board.
               3. Players may be removed from SSLYSA play for actions violating the intent, philosophy and rules of this organization.


ARTICLE IX
 
Teams

               1. In-House teams and Travel team age classifications will be determined by the In-House Director and Registrar based
                    on the number of registered players in each age group.
               2. A travel team players age as of August 1 will be utilized for the purpose of group and team assignments.


ARTICLE X
 
General Rules

                Roster
               In-House team and travel team roster size will be established at the discretion of the In-House Director and Registrar.

                Playing Time
               In-House game ties shall not be resolved by extra playing time during regular season games.
              Each In-House player shall play a minimum of  ½ the game except as determined by the Board for disciplinary
                reasons or injury.  Coaches shall notify the referee of any current disciplinary actions prior to the start of any game.

                Seasons
               There shall be a spring season for a minimum of six (6) games.
               There shall be a fall season for a minimum of six (6) games.

                Practice
               For the In-House program, a maximum of two (2) one hour practices per week, excluding games, is permitted.  Scrimmages
                count as a practice.  No practice session or scrimmage may exceed 1½ hours (ninety minutes).

                Substitutions
               To facilitate maximum In-House participation, substitutions may be made on a goal kick, a corner kick, after a goal, throw-in or between periods.

                Timing
               The referee and both In-House coaches shall be present at the filed fifteen (15) minutes prior to the scheduled kickoff.  In the
                event that a team has not arrived at the scheduled start, that team shall forfeit the game.  In the event that the referee has not
                arrived by fifteen (15) minutes past the scheduled start, the coaches of the two teams shall appoint an acting referee and play
                the game.  Full sized field teams must have a minimum of 5 players to start with no more than 7 players on the field at one time. 
                This is subject to the standards of team size set by the In-House Director at the start of the season.  Small field teams must have a
                minimum of 4 players to start the game.  Coaches must play with the same number of players if the other team is short handed. 
                There shall be a maximum of 12 players on a U8 roster and a maximum of 9 players on a U6 roster. 

                Field Unplayable
               Either the General Manager or referee shall decide if the field is unplayable on the day of the match.  The In-House Director is responsible
                for scheduling makeup games.

                Inclement Weather
               The In-House Director or referee will be the only ones who can call a game due to inclement weather.

                Conduct
               Except as noted herein, the Laws of the OYSAN shall apply.
               Coaching shall be restricted to the sideline between the penalty area and center line on each teams respective side of the field
                except in U6 games.  U6 coaches are permitted on his teams defending side of the field and is not to cross the center line and is
                not to enter the goal area.  There shall be no coaches or spectators permitted behind the goal line.  The referee shall halt play until
                the area is cleared.  Coaches shall support the referee and assist him/her in maintaining order before, during and after the game.  This
                does not prejudice either teams right to protest after the game.  Coaches shall not make calls (hand balls, etc.) during the game.  This
                is a referee function.  No spectators are to be on the players side of the field.  Only the players and carded coaches are allowed. 
                Teams must vacate the players area promptly after the game is over.


ARTICLE XI
 
Amendments

               1. Amendments to this document may be offered by any member of the SSLYSA.
               2. Notice of proposed amendments shall be publicly delivered by notification to the SSLYSA membership 30 days prior to the
                    semi-annual meetings. Notification will consist of the newspaper, flyers and minutes. (revised 4/04)
               3. Amendments can only be adopted by a two-thirds vote of the SSLYSA voting membership present at the semi-annual meeting.
                    The semi-annual meeting shall be held no later than the 30th day of April and the 30th day of September. (revised 4/04)


ARTICLE XII
 
Dissolution

               In the event of dissolution of this organization by two-thirds vote of the executive Board, the assets of the said organization
                including equipment and cash reserves shall be donated to the Sheffield - Sheffield Lake City Schools for the purpose of furthering
                youth sports activities.



 
 
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