Date of Approval: December 11, 1990

I. Philosophy, Purpose and Membership

II. Board Of Directors

III. Coaches

IV. Protests and Appeals

V. Teams

VI. Equipment and Uniforms

VII. Conduct

VIII. General Rules of Play

IX. Club Finances

X. Amendments

1. The organization shall be known as the Great Teays Soccer Club (referred to as the Club in the bylaws) and will abide by these bylaws.
2. Club membership will consist of players, coaches, assistant coaches, referees, parents (or guardians) and Directors.
3. All guidelines, rules and regulations shall be governed by FIFA and USSF except where amended by USYSA, WVSA or the parent league (currently KVSL), unless otherwise specified in these bylaws. (In some cases where rules are specified by these authorities, the text may be labeled with the name of the organization.)
4. The bylaws will insure the orderly conduct of club business by creating a climate that promotes teamwork and fosters cooperation among all Club members.
5. The bylaws will provide a uniform and consistent policy of operational conduct for the Club.
6. Interpretation of the bylaws should reflect moderation, fairness and sound judgment, with conscious consideration given to the total needs of the members.
7. The goal of the Club shall be the improvement of mental, social and physical education of boys and girls through their participation in the sport of soccer within the bounds of our jurisdiction, particularly between the ages of 4 and 18.
8. The Club philosophy is a democratic approach to the organization, operation and expansion of a recreational youth soccer club emphasizing fairness, sportsmanship and impartiality. In addition, competitive soccer is also encouraged, and teams will be approved and supported subject to the approval of the Board.
9. Voting members will be all club members who have reached the age of eighteen (18). Voting members may vote in the election of Directors and in the recall of same.

1. The Directors shall be elected by the voting members prior to July 31 of each year at a general election meeting. Term of office shall be one calendar year with no restrictions on the number of terms. A nomination committee of three (3) members will be appointed by the Board prior to April 30 of each year. This committee will offer a full slate of Director nominations to the Board by November 30. Open nominations will also be taken at the general election meeting. A nominee may run for more than one position but can be elected to only one position.
2. Each Director shall have one vote in Club policy decisions. The Directors shall have and exercise all the power necessary to control the scheduling, operation, grievances, protests and policies of the Club.
3. The Directors are: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Registrar, Referee Coordinator, Assistant Registrar, Equipment Manager, Coaching Coordinator, Fundraiser, Parent League (KVSL) Representative and four At Large Directors (in order of procession).

1. Meetings:

1. A properly called Board meeting is required to conduct business. Meetings will normally be called monthly. Robert’s Rules of Order will be followed unless specified otherwise in these Bylaws.
2. Directors and other interested parties must be notified at least one week before the meeting or a meeting notice placed in a local newspaper one week before the meeting. The notification period does not apply to special meetings where those persons involved are notified and agree to a meeting schedule.
3. A quorum of six Directors of the Board as denoted in Section II.C above is required to make appointments, pass or revise rules, approve expenditures and conduct any other business requiring a Board vote.
4. Decisions will be by a majority vote of the Directors present except for votes to expel or suspend members from the Club which require a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Directors present.
5. At any meeting for disciplinary actions the attendance will be limited to those persons directly involved.

1. A Director vacancy for the unexpired term will be filled by a Board appointment at the next Board meeting.
1. Directors may be removed from office by a two-thirds (2/3), majority vote of voting members at a properly called, open, special, recall meeting.
2. Board Duties and Responsibilities:

1. Supervise all functions relating to the registration of players, team formation, game scheduling, practice scheduling and post season awards.
2. Perform administrative functions that are necessary for the conduct of Club business.
3. May appoint other non-Board voting positions to conduct business such as grounds keeper, event chairman, etc. who may or may not be Club members.
4. Maintain a liaison with the various school districts, park departments and other organizations to procure contracts for playing fields.
5. Supervise the publishing and distribution of the Club newsletter.
6. Supervise all promotional activities including Club ceremonies, team pictures, social events and promotional games and clinics.
7. Supervise the recruitment, appointment and training of coaches and area coordinators.
8. Be responsible for all functions relating to the purchase, storage, issue and return (as necessary) of all uniforms, balls, nets and equipment.
9. Supervise the construction and maintenance of new and existing playing fields and facilities.

1. Directors’ Duties And Responsibilities:

1. President: Conducts the Club business within the framework of the bylaws; maintains a close liaison with the Directors and coordinates activities through the Board; schedules and presides over general and Board meetings; and calls special meetings.
2. Vice-President: Coordinates field maintenance and construction including mowing; prepares field schedule for setup and take down of field equipment and layout or lining of fields.
3. Treasurer: Keeps all funds, securities, evidence of indebtedness and other valuable documents in the name of the Club; deposits funds and securities in the name and to the credit of the Club in a bank or depository; keeps in appropriate books, an account of all money received and paid out; renders annual reports of the funds, receipts and disbursements of the Club at an annual general meeting just prior to the election of Directors and as requested by the Board; collects fees; pays expenses; has available an oral or written financial report at each Board meeting; submits the financial records for an audit at the discretion of the Board; and conducts a reconciliation at the end of each Treasurer’s term of office to the satisfaction of the Board.
4. Secretary: Keeps minutes of all meetings and presents them at the Board meetings for approval; issues notices of meetings; prepares and issues correspondence and newsletters; maintains players and coaches lists.
5. Registrar: Schedules, promotes and conducts registration; forms teams and assists the Coaching Coordinator in recommending coaches for Board approval; determines eligibility of players; provides the parent league with registration information; and issues the official team rosters.
6. Referee Coordinator: Promotes clinics in conjunction with the Coaching Coordinator to educate coaches, players and parents on the rules of the game; schedules referees for all home games not scheduled by the parent league; interprets and communicates current rules of play and serves as a resource for rule clarification; recruits new referees; arranges certification training for new referees; arranges re-certification for existing referees; approves Club referees; and maintains Club referee list.
7. Assistant registrar: Aids in registration; and supervises all functions relating to the administration of the league insurance program.
8. Equipment Manager: Purchases with Board approval and issues all uniforms and equipment; and makes arrangements for all equipment maintenance, repairs and storage.
9. Fund Raiser: Identifies potential fund raising activities and obtains Board approval for implementation; and promotes, organizes and supervises Club fundraising activities.

1. Coaching Coordinator: Recruits and recommends coaches for Board approval; promotes clinics for improvement of coaching and player skills; informs coaches of applicable rule changes from State (or higher) and parent league; and promotes clinics in conjunction with the Referee Coordinator to educate coaches, players and parents on the rules of the game.
2. Parent League (currently KVSL) Representative: Attends parent league meetings on behalf of GTSC. Acts as a liaison between GTSC and the parent league. Helps insure compliance with parent league rules and guidelines.
3. At Large Directors: For general support of the Club, participation on various Board appointed committees, and to support various needs including; player registrations, mailings, fundraisers, field maintenance, etc.

1. Selection of Coaches:

1. All coaches must obtain the age-specific coaching license for the age group they are coaching. This license must be obtained within one year of becoming a head coach. Coaches are not required to obtain any license beyond a state "E" or "U-12" license. A state "D" license is recommended for those coaching U-14 and older players.
2. Anyone desiring to be a coach must advise the Board in writing by filling out a coaches application no later than the final day of player open registration. Included in this application should be name, address, phone number, age group, coaching experience, coaching license attained. The board will select and approve coaches based on the applicants’ coaching experience, coaching license attained, and other factors the Board considers appropriate. The Coaching Coordinator will advise the applicant of the Board’s decision no later than the coaches meeting which will be held no earlier than three weeks before the season starts.
3. Coaches who participate in the immediate past season (either the fall or spring season) will be given first consideration of particular teams as long as they are applying for the same team in the same birth year age group. Consideration will also be dependent upon the coach’s record in upholding the Club’s philosophy and goals and executing the Club’s coaching responsibilities. If two or more teams with returning coaches are combined, the Board will select a coach and continue all of the coaches’ participation for that season. Otherwise, applications will be considered in order of date received.
4. Coaches must apply to and be approved by the Board by a majority vote each season.
5. It is the policy of the Club to pay the registration fee for all coaches who successfully complete any coaching clinic, including but not limited to the "G", "F", "E", "D", "U-6", "U-8", U-10", U-12", and Goal Keeping (GK) clinics.

B. Responsibilities:

1. The coach will have maximum amount of latitude to function in an atmosphere that fosters cooperation and ensures compliance in the spirit and the letter of the rules, regulations, bylaws and objectives of the club and parent soccer organizations.
2. A coach shall be responsible for the conduct of himself/herself, the players and parents of team members.
3. A coach shall ensure that his/her team has the highest regard for "gentlemanly conduct" and for the game officials.
4. Coaches or other persons shall not enter the field of play unless requested by the referee.
5. The coaches are permitted to provide "positive team encouragement" from the touchline. The coach and assistant coaches must remain on the same side of the field. A spectator/player/coach line should run parallel with and six (6) feet back from the touchline.* This will ensure free movement by players taking throw-ins. In the absence of this line, the coach will advise the spectators and players of this requirement. No one except participating players will be permitted to stand at or near the goal line during the play of the game.*
6. The playing of an ineligible player shall constitute a forfeit. The offending team shall lose by a score of 9-0.
7. It is the Club policy that coaches will provide an opportunity for every eligible player to play at least half of every game unless an unusual situation exists.*
8. A coach may bench or reduce playing time of a player for disciplinary reasons, including not attending practice.
9. If a coach is sent off during a game for either his or a spectator’s behavior, he shall be required to report to the Board for examination and possible disciplinary action.
10. When it is necessary that a coach be disciplined by the Board for his/her actions on more than one occasion in any one season, he/she shall be subject to suspension for the remainder of that season. If a new coach cannot be found to take over the team, the team will be disbanded, and a partial refund will be given to each player, the amount of which will be determined by the Board.
11. The coach will keep an official roster as supplied by the Registrar at each game.

1. All protests and appeals concerning Club issues must be submitted to any Board member within ten (10) days after the event that caused the protest or appeal. Parent league protests and appeals will be handled by using league procedures [KVSL allows two (2) days to file].
2. All Club protests and appeals will be investigated by the President or someone appointed by the President to gather as many facts as possible.
3. Club protests and appeals are to be submitted in writing to a specially called Board meeting. The protesters will be given ten (10) minutes to present their side of the issue. This time will be supervised by someone appointed by the President. The Board will concern themselves only with protests dealing with field conditions, league or Club rules, player eligibility and disciplinary actions and not the aspects of any judgment decision made by a referee.

A. Registration:

1. The Registrar is responsible for ensuring the eligibility of players on teams. All players must turn in a copy of their birth certificate to the Club at time of registration. This is a one time per player requirement. The certificates will be maintained on file by the Registrar for future reference.
2. No player may register without the written consent of a parent or guardian.
3. A player becomes an official team member only after payment of required registration fee and acceptance of registration form. Scholarships for deserving players will be available as determined by the Board.
4. No refunds shall be given without the approval of the Board and without filling out a player withdrawal form.
5. No registration of players will be accepted after the published cutoff date unless players are needed to fill out existing teams. The Board and/or Registrar will approve all of these late registrations.
6. The age groups will be determined by State and parent league guidelines unless modified by the Board.
7. The minimum age will be four (4) before August 1 prior to the upcoming season.

B. Formation of Teams:

1. When Division 1 (U-07) and up players return from the previous season a team was fielded in their age group, they shall remain on the same team unless they request an assignment by blind draw or their team has been disbanded. For purposes of player distribution, returning players that register after the published cutoff date will be considered as new players.
2. When moving up in the fall from the Colt Division (U-06), all players (returning and new) will be divided among the teams by a blind draw. Fall team coaches’ children may be placed as per Section V.B.8 following.
3. New players to the Club or those that did not register for the previous season will be divided among the teams by a blind draw.
4. No player will be allowed to play in any age group other than his/her own unless the Board/registrar approves a parent’s or guardian’s written request to the Club before the close of open registration or at the time of late registration for players registering late. The Registrar may move a player to another age group because of insufficient players in a given age group.* The Board, parent or guardian and parent league must approve the moves. Colt Division (U-06) players may not play up to the next division. Additional play up restrictions may apply depending on State or parent league rulings. All players in the colt division (U-5 & U-6) will be lumped together in one age group.
5. A player can be a member of only one recreational team.*

1. Minimum and maximum number of players on a roster (unless minimum otherwise approved by the Board) will be:

Small sided games for the colt, U-7 and U-8 divisions will be in accordance

1. Brothers and sisters in the same age division may be placed on the same team by the Registrar if requested by a parent or guardian, although boys may not be placed on a girl’s team. If the request involves two different age divisions, then a written request must be submitted and approved by the Board.
1. The children of the head coach and two assistants may be placed on the same team by the Registrar providing only one age division is involved. If more than one age division is involved, then a written request must be submitted and approved by the Board.
2. Girls will be assigned to mixed (boys and girls) teams if requested by a parent or guardian. If no request is made, then they will automatically be assigned to a girl’s team.
3. A player may transfer to another team if both coaches, a parent or guardian and the Board approve, up until the deadline for submitting the rosters to the parent league.
4. The Board will approve all changes in team rosters.

1. Club: Players are responsible for the return of Club owned uniforms and equipment to the Club via their coach. The coach is responsible for the return of uniforms and equipment to the Club.
2. Player:

1. Each player shall be properly dressed in a Club uniform while on the field of play for official games. During inclement weather additional clothing may be worn under the uniform.
2. Shin guards, covered completely by socks, must be worn at all practices and games. It is also recommended that players wear eyeglass restraints.* Players not properly equipped shall not practice or play.
3. Players will not be allowed to play or practice with a cast or splint.*
4. Watches, rings, earrings, chains, jewelry or "hard" hair control devices will not be worn during games or practices.* Band aids and/or tape covering

1. It shall be the duty of each player, coach, parent, guardian and spectator to conduct him/her in a manner becoming a good sportsman.
2. If a red card or a second yellow card is received, the referee may order the offending person to leave the immediate area of the field.* If this person refuses, the referee may terminate the game.* In the event that a game is terminated, the referee will file a written report with the Board within 48 hours giving the circumstances and the score of the game.* The Board will then decide the outcome of the game.
3. Any unseemly conduct of a coach, player, parent guardian, or spectator resulting in a red card will be brought before the Board for review and possible disciplinary action. A player receiving a red card is automatically ineligible to participate in the team’s next 2 games.*
4. Serious or continued misconduct can result in a suspension from the Club by the Board with a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Directors present.
5. Fighting or unacceptable language among players, coaches, parents, guardians or spectators could result in instant dismissal from participation from the rest of the game and the following game. The Board may impose additional disciplinary action after the investigation.
6. At the conclusion of each game, each team will line up to exchange gestures of good sportsmanship unless waived by the referee. Any misconduct in the line will be dealt with by the referee, coach or by the Board if any coaches are involved. A coach may bench a player for all or part of the next game for an infraction. Ejected players will not participate in this activity.*
7. Club referees will forward copies of all reports of ejection to the Referee Coordinator who will advise the Board of the situation. The team coach is responsible to report any ejection to the Referee Coordinator that occurs at away games and to enforce the non-playing rule for his/her own team.
8. Alcoholic beverages are prohibited at matches.*

1. Regularly scheduled league games must be played. In case of a failure to play a regularly scheduled game, the forfeiting team shall lose the game by a score as determined by the parent league scoring rules. However, the opposing coach has the option of taking the forfeit or rescheduling the game unless parent league rules dictate otherwise.

1. In inclement weather the games shall be played as scheduled. Only the Referee Coordinator, president or the field referee may cancel a game. The deciding factors will be the player’s safety and the damage that may be done to the fields. If possible the Referee Coordinator or president will make a decision on the expected field conditions in advance of the games and notify the appropriate people to cancel the games at the affected fields. The President will be notified and will assist in notifying others as requested by the Referee Coordinator. A representative of the owner of the field may also cancel games.
1. Any injury to a Club member must be reported to the Assistant Registrar (responsible for the insurance program).
2. Any damage to Club equipment must be reported to the Equipment Manager by the coach.
3. Any damage caused by a Club member to any non-Club equipment must be reported to the President by the coach.
6. Tournament play, including local, State and interstate tournaments, will be conducted at the discretion of the Board. It is the participating team’s or coach’s responsibility to adhere to the rules and regulations of any tournament. The Club will assist where possible to contact organizers and to provide information on tournaments.

1. Operating funds will be derived from gifts, donations, sponsorship, registration fees, fund raisers and tournaments.
2. A financial report will be provided at each monthly Board meeting.
3. The Club will have only one checking account for financial operations, with the exception of petty cash not to exceed one hundred ($100) dollars for the operation of a concession stand, registration, etc.
4. Three (3) authorized Board of Director signatures must be filed with the bank, two (2) of which must be the President and Treasurer. Checks in excess of one thousand ($1,000) dollars must have two (2) of these signatures.
5. All expenditures above one thousand ($1,000) dollars must have prior approval of the Board.
6. The Club will not typically pay fees or registrations for tournament play for teams but may act as a temporary clearing house if required by the tournament. Where practical, the teams will reimburse the Club prior to the Club forwarding any moneys.
7. No one can conduct fund-raisers in the name of the Club or Club team without the approval of the Board.
   

1. Any Club member who wishes to change the bylaws must submit those changes in writing to the Board for consideration. The Board must act upon this request in a timely manner. The bylaws may be changed or amended by a majority vote of the Directors present at a properly called meeting.