SECTION 6.01: EXECUTIVE BOARD

The Executive Board shall consist of the following Executive Officer positions:

1.    President

2.    Vice-President

3.    Treasurer

4.    Secretary

5.    Director of Coaching

SECTION 6.02: SELECTION

All Executive Officers shall be nominated at the March meeting by a nominating committee appointed by the Club President and shall be elected at the May meeting by a vote of the Executive & Advisory Board. Nominations shall also be accepted from the floor. The nominating committee will consist of five (5) members appointed by the Club President and approved by the Executive Board.

Co-positions for any Executive Officer or Advisory Board position can be approved at the discretion of the Executive Board.

SECTION 6.03: TERM OF OFFICE

All Executive Officers shall serve a term commencing August 1 in the year of election and expiring on July 31, two (2) years following. The Executive Officers will operate with staggered terms such that no more than four (4) members will have scheduled term end dates in any one (1) year. There are no term limits.

SECTION 6.04: EXECUTIVE BOARD DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The duties and responsibilities of the Executive Board shall include but are not limited to the following:

•              To conduct all Club business in accordance with the Club certificate of incorporation, bylaws, and all other rules and regulations as may be adopted by the Executive Board from time to time.

•              To confirm a nominating committee appointed by the President and to present a list of potential Executive Officers at the annual meeting.

•              To hear and pass judgment on all requests, protests, and appeals brought forth by any member, officer, or committee, including any request seeking suspension of any Executive Officers, or Club Officers. member, coach member, or general member.

•              To approve the annual head coaches and trainers list

•              To have full power to deal with any situation not expressly provided for in the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.

•      Approve annual budgets in consultation with the Club Officers.

SECTION 6.05: ACTIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The presence of two-thirds (2/3) of all voting members shall constitute a quorum at a regular and published meeting time and date or at a special session proposed by the President for an extraordinary reason(s) and shall be necessary for the transaction of business or of any specified item of business.

·         If a quorum is present, the vote of a majority of the Executive Board shall be the act of the Executive Officers.

·         In votes incorporating the Advisory Board. A two-thirds (2/3) a quorum of voting members of the Executive Board is required, and the vote of the majority of the Executive Board and Advisory Board shall be the act of such.

·         In all instances of voting, each member of the Executive Board and Advisory Board shall have one vote. Each member must be present at the meeting to vote — proxies are allowed if provided in writing to the President prior to the meeting. All actions of the Executive Board and Advisory Board shall be final.

All actions of the Executive Board and Advisory Board shall be final.

SECTION 6.06: FISCAL RESTRICTIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The Executive Board may not approve fiscal expenditures or enter into multi-year contracts without a majority vote held by the Executive Board and Advisory Board.

The Executive Board must formally propose the expenditure or contract at a meeting and have it approved by a simple majority of the eligible voting members who are present.

SECTION 6.06: FISCAL RESTRICTIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

The Executive Board may not approve fiscal expenditures or enter into multi-year contracts without a majority vote held by the Executive Board and Advisory Board.

The Executive Board must formally propose the expenditure or contract at a meeting and have it approved by a simple majority of the eligible voting members who are present.

SECTION 6.0 7: RESIGNATION

Executive Board and Advisory Board members may resign by submitting a written notice to the President. Unless otherwise specified in the notice, the resignation shall take effect upon receipt thereof by the Executive Board and Advisory Board. Acceptance of the resignation by the Executive Board and Advisory Board shall not be necessary to make it effective.

SECTION 6.08: REMOVAL FROM OFFICE

An Executive Officer may be removed from his or her position for reasonable cause and by due process, with a majority vote, by the Executive Board and Advisory Board after a hearing at which they have a reasonable opportunity to oppose such action. Any Executive Officer missing three (3) consecutive meetings will have his/her membership reviewed at the next Executive Board and Advisory Board meeting for further action.

SECTION 6.09: REPLACEMENT

In the event that the President resigns or is removed from office prior to the normal end of the current term, the Vice-President shall assume all the duties of the President for the balance of the current term.

In the event that an officer other than the President resigns or is removed from office prior to the normal end of the current term of office, the President shall appoint, and the Executive Board will approve, a Club member who will serve for the time remaining in the current term.

SECTION 6.11: CRITERIA and DUTIES of the OFFICERS of the CLUB

The duties of the Executive Officers are outlined within Sections 6.12 through 6.16.

 SECTION 6.12: PRESIDENT

The President will be required to have at least three (3) years of membership in the Club, at least one (1) year of service on the Executive Board or Advisory Board, and be an actively licensed Coach. The duties and responsibilities of the President shall include the following:

•              To preside at all meetings of the membership and the Executive Board and serve as Chair.

•              To establish committees and to appoint committee chairs as required to administer and manage the programs and business of this organization, subject to the approval of the Executive Board and Advisory Board.

•              To serve as the liaison between the Club and other organizations.

•              To serve as the general representative of the Club in all matters.

•              To carry out such other and further duties as from time to time are assigned by the Executive Board and Advisory Board.

SECTION 6.13: VICE-PRESIDENT

The Vice-President will be required to have at least two (2) years of membership in the Club, including at least one (1) full year as a Coach and at least one (1) year of service on the Executive Board or Advisory Board. The duties and responsibilities of the Vice-President shall include the following:

• To assist the President as necessary.

•              To exercise the duties and responsibilities of the President in the absence of the President.

•              To carry out such other and further duties as from time to time are assigned by the President.

•              To serve as an ex-officio member of all established club committees.

SECTION 6.14: SECRETARY

The Secretary is required to have a minimum of 1 (one) year of involvement with the Club as a volunteer or working on one of the Club Committees (e.g., Registrar, League Contact, etc.) The duties and responsibilities of the Secretary shall include the following:

•              To record and publish minutes of all Club and Executive Board meetings.

•              To give proper notice of all membership meetings and other organized events.

•              To attend to and be the custodian of all office assets, correspondence, and records of the organization.

•              To publish and distribute minutes, notices, and other communication as requested.

•              To procure all insurance certificates needed for the Club's use of area facilities.

•              To coordinate and procure the Club's coverage, including medical coverage insurance coverage and the processing of all claims.

•              To carry out such other and further duties as from time to time are assigned by the President.

SECTION 6.15: TREASURER

The Treasurer is required to have a minimum of 1 (one) year of involvement with the Club as a volunteer or working on one of the Club committees (e.g., Registrar, League Contact, etc.) The duties and responsibilities of the Treasurer shall include the following:

•              To prepare an annual budget and present same to the Executive Board and Advisory Board for approval.

•              To keep a detailed account of the income and expenses of the Club.

•              To submit appropriate financial statements at the Club and Executive Board meetings.

•              To ensure the filing of all income tax returns and/or reports with appropriate state and federal agencies.

•              To carry out such other and further duties as from time to time are assigned by the President.

Section 6.16: Director of Coaching                

The Director of Coaching [DoC] is required to have a minimum of 1 (one) year of involvement with the Club as a volunteer or working on one of the Club Committee (e.g., Registrar, League Contact, etc.).  At least two

(2) full years as a Coach and hold an active coaching license. It is recommended that the DoC hold advanced coaching certifications beyond the NJ State Certificate.

The duties and responsibilities of the Director of Coaching shall include the following:

●     Recommend Coaching assignments for all club teams

●     Ensure all coaches are properly licensed and registered with the club

●     Provide ongoing training for club coaches

●     Collaborate with any external coaching or training entities on coaches' training and resources

 SECTION 7.00: ADVISORY BOARD

An ADVISORY BOARD will support the Executive Board in the running of the Club. While no member of the Executive Board may hold more than one Executive Officer position, a member of the ADVISORY BOARD may hold more than one Club Committee position and an Executive Officer may also serve as a member of the ADVISORY BOARD.

The ADVISORY BOARD shall consist of the following positions and the head coach of each club team.

The Advisory Board positions include:

Recreation Liaison (Ringwood)

Recreation Liaison (Wanaque)

Equipment Coordinator

Club Registrar

Field Scheduler

League Contact

Social Media Coordinator

Fundraising Coordinator

Snack-Stand Coordinator

Director of Player Recruitment (Wanaque/Haskell)

Director of Player Recruitment (Ringwood)

SECTION 7.01: QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates for the ADVISORY BOARD must be members in good standing and over twenty-one (21) years of age.

SECTION 7.02: SELECTION

All ADVISORY BOARD members, as hereinafter set forth, shall be appointed by President with the approval of a majority vote of a quorum of the Executive Board.

SECTION 7.03: TERM OF OFFICE

All ADVISORY BOARD members shall serve a twelve (12) month term from August 1 through July 31. ADVISORY BOARD members may serve concurrent terms subject to the discretion of the Executive Board.

SECTION 7.04: RESIGNATION

ADVISORY BOARD members may resign by submitting a written notice to the President. Unless otherwise specified in the notice, the resignation shall take effect upon receipt thereof by the Executive Board. Acceptance of the resignation by the Executive Board shall not be necessary to make it effective.

SECTION 7.05: REMOVAL FROM OFFICE

ADVISORY BOARD members may be removed from his or her position for reasonable cause and by the due process by the Executive Board after a hearing at which they have a reasonable opportunity to oppose such action.

SECTION 7.06: REPLACEMENT

In the event that an ADVISORY BOARD member is removed from office prior to the normal end of the current term of office, the President shall appoint, with the approval of a majority of the Executive Board, a replacement who will serve for the time remaining in the current term.

 SECTION 7.07: Advisory Board Duties

The duties of the Advisory Board are to support the Executive Board in the general operations of the Club. Specific responsibilities of Advisory Board members are outlined in Section 7.08 through Section 7.16.

SECTION 7.08: RECREATION LIAISONS

The Recreation Liaisons will be required to have at least one (1) year membership in the Club. The duties and responsibilities of the Recreation Liaisons shall include the following:

To represent the Club in dealings with agencies on matters concerning facilities for use by the Club, including practice and game fields and gymnasiums.

To ensure that game fields are in proper game condition, including field lining.

To carry out such other and further duties as from time to time are assigned by the President.

To coordinate correspondence between the club and recreation agencies within the jurisdiction of the the Clubs operations (Ringwood/Wanaque/Haskell).

SECTION 7.09: EQUIPMENT COORDINATOR

The Equipment Coordinator will be required to have at least one-year (1) membership in the Club. The duties and responsibilities of the Equipment Coordinator shall include the following:

•              To represent the Club in dealings with agencies on matters concerning equipment for use by the Club.

•              To ensure that game fields are equipped with goals, nets, and corner flags.

•              To handle the procurement and distribution of all necessary Club-supplied equipment, including balls, medical kits, and Club patches.

•              To oversee the approval of all clothing and related supplies, including, but not limited to, uniforms, bags, and warm-ups.

•              To carry out such other and further duties as from time to time are assigned by the President.

•              To research, procure and maintain soccer-training aids such as videotapes, files, etc.,

•      To serve as the primary point of contact for the Clubs uniform and equipment vendors.

SECTION 7.10: FUNDRAISING COORDINATOR

Fundraising Coordinator will be required to have at least one-year (1) membership in the Club. The duties and responsibilities of the Fundraising Coordinator shall include the following:

•              To identify potential fundraising activities for the entire Club

•              Work with Parents to initiate Fundraising activities and events.

•              Coordinate fundraising activities as identified by individual teams.

•              To serve as a liaison to all Club parents.

•              To develop and oversee a Fundraising Committee that reports to the Executive Board.

SECTION 7.11: LEAGUE CONTACT

The League Contact will be required to have at least one-year (1) membership in the Club. The duties and responsibilities of the League Contact shall include the following:

•              To Attend and represent the Club at all league meetings and functions.

•              To complete all forms and paperwork required to have the Club represented in the league.

•              To satisfy the responsibilities of a Club Representative as defined by the MCYSA or any other league the club may affiliate with. To carry out such other and further duties as from time to time are assigned by the President.

•              Bringing league, NJSYSA, and USSF information back to the Club

•              Acting as the first line of dispute resolution between Clubs

SECTION 7.12: REGISTRAR

There are no previous membership requirements for the Registrar. The duties and responsibilities of the Registrar shall include the following:

•              To coordinate and record the registration of all Club members.

•              To coordinate with the Treasurer the prompt payment of all club membership payments.

•              To oversee the compliance of the Lakeland Jr. Soccer Club with the N.J.S.Y.S.A..

•              To ensure all players and coaches are properly carded with NJYSA.

•              To oversee the process of Secondary carding with the club.

•              To carry out such other and further duties as from time to time are assigned by the President.

SECTION 7.13: FIELD SCHEDULER

•              To schedule all indoor and outdoor practice times.

•              To interface with MCYSA officers and head coaches to schedule all home games.

SECTION 7.14: DIRECTORS OF PLAYER RECRUITMENT

•              To oversee such activities relating to attracting new players to the club.

SECTION 7.15: SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

●     To oversee and maintain the club’s social media channels in relation to public relations and community outreach.

SECTION 7.16: Snack-Stand Coordinator

●     To oversee the operations of any Snack-Stand operated by the club.

●     To serve as the chair of the Snack-Stand Committee.

SECTION 8.00: CLUB Guidelines

The following outlines the Club's standing guidelines regarding player assignments, team composition, and player regulations.

SECTION 8.01 AGE APPROPRIATE PLAY

•              All participants must participate in annual player evaluations. Exceptions can be approved by the Executive Board for late registrations or on a case-by-case basis.

•              The preference of the club is to have all players play for their age-appropriate team unless they have played for a non-age-appropriate team in the past season or the club is unable to provide an age-appropriate team.

•              Requests for players to be assigned to teams above their age-appropriate level must be approved by the Executive and Advisory Board.

•              Any other exceptions must be approved by the Executive Board.

SECTION 8.02: TEAM MAKEUP

Player Evaluations are held between March-May, and players are assigned for the entire year (fall and spring seasons). Returning players must attend evaluations each year.

Maximum roster sizes are established by NJYS and may also be further outlined by the league. The club cannot exceed roster limits under any circumstances. With the approval of the Executive Board, in instances where a team has reached the maximum roster limit, players can be assigned as provisional players and allowed to practice with a designated team.

Any player registered to a team is bound to that team for the entire year unless a transfer is requested by the parent and granted by the Executive and Advisory Board.

SECTION 8.03: ADULT TEAM

The club may, from time to time, organize an adult team. Any adult team will follow the appropriate rules for the Club and the league in which it plays.SECTION 9.00: PLAYER REGULATIONS

Lakeland Jr. Soccer Club Player & Parent Code of Conduct is established and approved annually by the Executive and Advisory Board. It is subsequently posted to the Club website and embedded within the club registration system requiring all club members to acknowledge acceptance of the Code of Conduct before acceptance as a Club Member.

SECTION 9.01 SECONDARY CARDING & Guest Players

•      Secondary Cards are cards permitting a player who is primary carded within the NJYS system to a different soccer club but is requesting permission to play as a Secondary player with LjSC. Secondary Players are permitted in accordance with the league rules the club currently plays and with the approval of the Executive Board. Secondary players must register with the Club and participate in annual player evaluations.

•      Guest Players are a mechanism to aid teams in successfully participating in games when circumstances may inhibit the availability of their primary players. The Guest Player Policy for LjSC is built on the premise that Guest players are used only when necessary and do not egregiously impact the playing time of a team's primary players.

•      Guest players within the club are allowed in accordance with league policy and with the following restrictions.

A team is allowed to "call up" guest players if they do not have enough players to play or have an inadequate number of substitutions. The Primary Coach of the guest player must be notified prior to a guest player being allowed to play for another LjSC team. The printing of a copy of the player's Primary Card for the purposes of extended Guest play may only be provided by the Registrar with the approval of the Executive Board.

SECTION 10.0: Registration Costs

Each player shall be responsible for payment of Club registration fees for each year in which he or she participates. Fees cover the payment of player registration, player insurance, team registration, referee fees, training, equipment, field maintenance, tournaments, Indoor league play, and Club operating expenses. Fees do not cover team, or individual travel expenses, uniforms, or any other additional expenses brought about by team or individual participation in any outside soccer-related events. No player shall be permitted to participate in any Club matches until full payment of fees is received. The Executive Board and Advisory Board have the right to grant partial or full scholarships for any player who petitions the Club and needs financial aid. The Club will evaluate the annual fees at its May meeting and will adopt a new fee schedule for the following year if that is deemed appropriate by the EXECUTIVE Board and ADVISORY BOARD.

Current fee structures will be published on the Club website.

SECTION 11.0: BEHAVIOR

Any parent, player, or coach who fails to adhere to the Player & Parent Code of conduct, posts negative comments online about another player or coach, or exhibits sideline behavior inconsistent with NJYS, League, or Club policies is subject to suspension from the team, and no refund shall be issued. The decision is exclusively within the discretion of the Executive Board, and every player, parent, and coach agree to be bound by the decision.

SECTION 11.01: ATTENDANCE

Each player is expected to attend all games and practice sessions and to work on skill development outside of regular team practice sessions. Players are encouraged to attend off-season soccer camps. Players who fail to attend or participate in regular soccer practices or games may receive a reduction in playing time at the discretion of the team coach.

SECTION 11.02: REMOVAL

Players cannot be removed from a team during a regular season except for disciplinary reasons, including poor attendance. Removal for such disciplinary reasons must be approved by a majority vote of the Executive Board.

Any removal of a player from a team roster must also adhere to N.J.Y.S.A.'s established policies.

SECTION 12.0: COACHING REGULATIONS

Lakeland Jr. Soccer Club shall establish a Coaches Code of Conduct. The Code shall be annually approved by the Executive and Advisory Board and will be enforced by the Director of Coaching. The enforcement of any violation of the Code of Conduct by the DoC can be appealed and overturned by a majority vote of the Executive Board.

SECTION 12.01: COACHING REQUIREMENTS

Head coaches, assistant coaches, managers, trainers, and team-parent representatives must be over twenty-one (21) years of age unless approved by the Executive Board and Advisory Board.

All Club coaches must be approved by the Executive Board and Advisory Board. All Club coaches are evaluated by the Executive Board and Advisory Board upon completing the seasonal play. At those points, the Executive Board and Advisory Board will review the Team's and Coaches' performance before re-appointing the Coach.

The Executive Board may remove any Club coach from his/her position for reasonable cause after a hearing at which he/she has had a reasonable opportunity to oppose such action. Grounds for removal may include but are not limited to violation of the Coaches Code of Conduct, failure to abide by Club rules and regulations, violation of league policy or repeated infractions resulting in referee-issued cautions or ejections, and failure to attend Coaches meetings. Any Head Coach may request the DoC approve the addition, removal, or change of an assistant coach subject to the approval of the Executive Board and Advisory Board. In addition, any replacement assistant coach must meet the Club requirements for coaching eligibility as specified by NJYS, the league, and these bylaws.

SECTION 13.0 RULES OF PARTICIPATION

A team may not hold a practice or play a match unless an Executive Board and Advisory Board approved U.S.Y.S/NJYS Licensed and current League (MCYSA) carded coach is in attendance and assumes responsibility for coaching the team.

All Club teams will participate in the league of play designated by the Club. The league of play may be changed at any time by a vote of the Executive Board and Advisory Board. No team may participate in a different league or any additional leagues without the prior written approval of the Executive Board and Advisory Board.

Any team wishing to play in a league flight other than their age- and gender-appropriate flight must first obtain permission from the Executive Board and Advisory Board.

Any team wishing to participate in a travel tournament must obtain permission from the Vice-President before applying to the tournament. No team attending a travel tournament will be permitted to bring guest players from outside of the Club to a tournament without the prior approval of the Vice-President.

The number of tournaments each individual team enters, as well as the number of practice sessions each team holds, is at the discretion of the Coach, subject to the approval of the Executive Board and Advisory Board.

All Club coaches are responsible for any fines incurred by their teams and /or parents, spectators, etc. All fines must be paid at the conclusion of each season. The Club reserves the right to deactivate the license of any Coach who has outstanding fines.

In addition to all outstanding fines being paid, all Club-required paperwork, including Club roster forms, must be completed before any team is permitted to be registered.

SECTION 14.0 FIELD USE

Club Teams may only use designated fields at the designated time as confirmed by Club Field Scheduler. Any unauthorized use of fields could result in a specific team losing field practice rights.

SECTION 15.0: TRAINERS

The club may enter into an agreement with a Soccer Training service or entity with the approval of the Executive and Advisory Board. Any Club team wishing to use a trainer not assigned by the Executive Board must receive prior approval from the Executive Board and Advisory Board. No team may select a trainer (regardless of whether or not they wish to be compensated by the Club) without prior approval of the Executive Board and Advisory Board. No team may negotiate a fee with a trainer or coach without prior approval of the Executive Board. In addition, per NJYS Rules, all Non-Volunteer Paid trainers must have Proof of State Certification on file with Club prior to any training sessions being scheduled.

SECTION 16.0: UNIFORMS

All Club teams will wear the designated uniforms for the Club as approved by the Executive Board. Official Club jerseys and uniforms are to be worn to all games and tournaments with the exception of summer tournaments. The Executive Board and Advisory Board must approve any and all exceptions. SECTION 17.00: FUNDRAISING

Fundraising projects or events, or other activities sponsored by the Club or by member teams must be approved by the Executive Board and Advisory Board.

Proposals for Club or team member fundraising activities must be presented to the Executive Board in writing. Proposals shall be submitted no later than one (1)) month prior to the event unless specifically authorized by the Club.

SECTION 18.00: TEAM SPONSORS

The Club permits individual teams to obtain outside funding for their teams. All funding is subject to the following provisions:

1.            All Team Sponsors must be approved by the Executive Board and Advisory Board each year.

2.            All proceeds from Team Sponsors are disbursed as follows: 25% to the Club, 75% to the individual team.

The Executive Board and Advisory Board reserve the right to reject any sponsor for any reason at any time.

SECTION 19.00: PROTEST AND APPEALS PROCEDURE

The purpose of the protest and appeals procedure shall be to hear protests and appeals resulting from the game of soccer among players registered to the Club and to hear protests and appeals pertaining to the Club bylaws, actions, rules, regulations, and policies as may from time to time be in effect.

Any individual member, team member, player, coach, or team manager may present a protest or appeal to the Executive Board and Advisory Board.

The objective of the protest and appeals procedure shall be to provide fair, expedient, and just hearing for all protests and appeals. The Executive Board and Advisory Board shall hear and pass judgment on all protests and appeals, and their decision will be final.

The protest or appeal must be in writing, must describe in detail the grounds for the protest or appeal, and must be presented to the President a minimum of seven (7) days prior to the next scheduled meeting.

The Executive Board and Advisory Board shall review the protest or appeal and shall schedule a hearing within two (2) weeks of the receipt of the protest or appeal.

SECTION 20.0: AMENDMENTS AND CONFLICTS

Proposals to amend these bylaws may be made by any member, in writing, at membership meetings, or by any member of the Executive Board at a meeting.

Bylaws may be adopted, amended, or repealed only by a majority vote of the EXECUTIVE Board and ADVISORY BOARD at a regularly scheduled meeting.

The voting will take place no sooner than the monthly meeting following the meeting in which the proposal was presented.

If there are any actual conflicts between these bylaws and the Club Certificate of Incorporation, the latter shall govern, and these bylaws shall be deemed invalid insofar as they are inconsistent with the certificate of incorporation. To the extent possible, these bylaws and the Certificate of Incorporation shall be interpreted so as to be consistent with each other.

Code of Conduct

These By-laws are effective as of February 5, 2023.