Pine Richland Junior Wrestling (PRJW) Constitution and By-Laws
ARTICLE I ORGANIZATION
Section 1 – the organization shall be known as Pine Richland Junior Wrestling (PRJW) located in Pine Township, State of Pennsylvania.
Section 2 – PRJW is a volunteer based non-profit organization based within but not under the control of Pine Richland School District.
ARTICLE II PURPOSE
Section 1 - The objective of PRJW will be to coordinate, instruct, and condition participants mentally and physically, while instilling ideals of good sportsmanship with an emphasis on fun and team camaraderie.
Section 2 - This objective will be achieved through coaches and parents working together to provide instructional and competitive practices, positive feedback, and organized league matches. The association will bear in mind that the attainment of exceptional athletic skills or the winning of matches and tournaments is secondary to the primary goal of instruction and development of youth wrestlers.
Section 3 - Provide a means of financial support through fundraising activities to help reduce the cost to athletes.
ARTICLE III MEMBERSHIP
Section 1 – Youth desiring active membership will be registered at registration events offered in the fall.
Section 2 – Youth eligible for active membership should be in grades K-6.
Section 3 – Active membership requires the payment of PRJW fees and volunteer requirements for parents of wrestlers.
Section 4 – Families with more than one wrestler enrolled shall receive a decreased registration fees for subsequent siblings enrolled.
Section 5 – Membership period shall be from the first practice until the final season- ending awards banquet.
Section 6 – PRJW is independent from Pine Richland School District, and does not limit membership to athletes enrolled in Pine Richland School District.
ARTICLE IV OFFICERS
The officers shall be voting members of PRJW in good standing and shall be the governing body of PRJW.
Section 1 – the officers must include: President, Vice-President, and Treasurer
Additional Board Members may include, Head Coach, Area Representative, Bout Coordinator, Equipment Manager, Boosters/Fundraising Chair, Secretary, Program Advisor (from PRW)
Section 2 – Officers shall hold office until (a) a successor is voted upon by the board (b) death or disability, (c) resignation, or (d) removed from office by voting members.
Section 3 – A vacancy for any reason shall be filled by appointment of the remaining officers.
Section 4 – The goal of this Board of Directors is to carry out the purposes of the Association, to have loyalty to the entire organization, to promote a positive attitude for the group and to conduct itself in the spirit of good sportsmanship. The Board of Directors shall have the power to conduct all financial business of the Association, direct and make appointments for referees and coaches and oversee duties of the officers. The officers shall report to and be subject to all decisions by the Board of Directors. Any board member may be removed from office by a ¾ majority vote of all Board members.
Section 5 - No Board member may vote upon a matter in which he or she has a direct financial interest or conflict of interest. No Board member may vote upon a matter in which he or she has a business interest or family relationship not common to all members. Immediately upon becoming aware that such a conflict exists, a Board member must disclose such, withdraw from further deliberation, and refrain from voting on the matter.
Section 6 – In the event of more than one Board member to a family, votes are counted per family, not per member.
Section 7 – A Board member may be expulsed or suspended by a simple majority vote. A Board member may be expelled or suspended for any of the following reasons:
i. Substantial violations of the PRJW bylaws, especially if it brings a negative reflection on our program.
ii. When their actions are unsportsmanlike or detrimental to PRJW.
iii. Use of illegal substances while involved in a PRJW activity.
ARTICLE V DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Section 1 – President – The President shall supervise all the business affairs and enforce all rules of PRJW. He/she shall preside at all business meetings and assure that an orderly and complete meeting is conducted.
Section 2 – Vice-President – Vice-President shall assist the president in the performance of his/her duties. In the absence of the president, the Vice-Presidents shall perform the duties of the President. The Vice-Presidents shall also perform other duties as assigned by the President (such as, planning banquet, website management, team communication, etc…)
Section 3 – Treasurer – Maintains financial records of PRJW and prepare checks as directed by the Board or President. The Treasurer shall make deposits and give a current financial report at each meeting. The Treasurer should be a signer on all checks issued on behalf of PRJW.
Section 4 – Secretary – Records all minutes of meetings, report on the review of the prior meeting’s minutes at meetings, and handle various correspondence that is distributed throughout the season. The Secretary will also act as Web Master for the PRJW website.
Section 5 - Area 7 Representative – The Area Representative shall attend Area VII meetings, observe PRJW athletes to assist with seeding, and organize PRJW involvement in Area 7 tournaments and events. The Area 7 Representative shall also perform other duties as assigned by the President.
Section 6 – Boosters/Fundraising Chair - Coordinate fundraising (t-shirt, sales, Night Out, etc) and oversee fundraising committees and volunteers. Contact businesses for sponsorship renewals and order sponsor signage.
Section 7 – Bout Coordinator - Observe wrestlers to determine abilities and work together with opposing team coordinator to determine match pairings assisted by pairing software. Also, collect age, weights, and abilities of all athletes to develop roster, type bout sheets and distribute to table volunteers, develop master bout sheet to be posted for all wrestlers.
Section 8 – Equipment Manager - Oversee mat cleaning volunteers and match set up. Instruct volunteers on time clock and scoring procedures. Order, distribute, and collect singlets.
Section 9 – Head Coach (in case this role is not filled by a VP in the future) Coordinate, organize and guide volunteer coaches, schedule referees for home matches, communicate to parents on behalf of all coaches.
ARTICLE VI MEETINGS
Section 1 – PRJW Board shall meet as necessary to conduct the orderly business of the club.
Section 2 – The President or Secretary shall notify all board members by phone or email of the time and place of the scheduled meeting.
Section 3 – All board meetings shall be run in an orderly manner. Roberts Rules of Order should be followed as closely as possible.
Section 4 – Written minutes shall be kept of all meetings of the Board. The minutes shall include:
a) Time and place of meeting
b) Members present
c) Substance of all official actions and a roll call of votes recorded
Section 5 – An open meeting of all PRJW members will be held at the beginning of each season.
ARTICLE VII QUORUM
Section 1 – a quorum shall consist of 50% of the members present to conduct ordinary business. A 2/3 majority vote is necessary to amend, add, or replace any article in these by-laws.
ARTICLE VIII FINANCES
Section 1 – Contracts – Only the Board of Directors may authorize contracts on the part of the club.
Section 2 – Loans – No loans may be contracted on behalf of PRJW unless authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors.
Section 3 – Checks – All checks shall be signed by the Treasurer. All checks over $500 require two signatures.
Section 4 – Deposits – All funds from PRJW not otherwise employed for its’ purpose shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of PRJW in banks selected by the Board of Directors.
APPENDIX A
Coaching Guidelines
Section 1 – Rules for Coaching
1.) Theft or other misappropriation of PRJW property is not permitted.
2.) Profanity is not to be expressed at any league match, tournament, practice or meeting.
3.) Unreasonable or excessive verbal abuse of an athlete is not permitted. Coaches are urged to use common sense in use of harsh language as a motivating tactic.
4.) Physical abuse of an athlete is not permitted. Common coaching punishments such as running extra laps or doing push ups, etc. is NOT considered physical abuse. Coaches, again, should use common sense.
5.) Extreme caution should be taken with all injuries especially those that involve the head, neck or back.
6.) Physical abuse and/or fighting with a parent, official or opposing coach is not permitted.
7.) Smoking while on the practice or game field or on any Pine
Richland School District property is not permitted.
8.) Alcohol consumption prior to or during any match, tournament, or practice is not permitted.
9.) Coaches should refrain from expressing their views with the children on subjects including, but not limited to, race, religion or political issues.
10.) Assistant coaches shall abide by the decisions of the head coach; Head coaches shall abide by the decisions of the Board of Directors.
11) The use of headgear is recommended but not mandatory. Coaches should encourage the use of headgear for all wrestlers.
12) All camps affiliated with PRJW must be organized and conducted by active PRJW Board Members and/or coaches or together with an active member of PRW.
13) Coaches must abide by these bylaws and the points specifically covered in the Coaches Code of Conduct (see Attachment 1). Coaches who fail to comply with these requirements risk expulsion or suspension from PRJW. The expulsion or suspension will be determined by a simple majority Board vote. A coach may be expelled or suspended for the following reasons:
i. Substantial violations of the PRJW bylaws, especially if it brings a negative reflection on our program.
ii. When their actions are unsportsmanlike or detrimental to PRJW.
iii. Use of illegal substances while involved in a PRJW activity.
Section 2 – Guidelines for Proper Conduct
1.) Any and all disputes between coaches or between coaches and parents or officials MUST be handled off of the mat away from the athletes.
2.) Treat athletes, parents, coaches, officials and opponents with respect and teach the athletes to do the same.
3.) Any issues that remain unresolved at the individual level between coaches and parents, or between coaches and coaching staffs should be referred to the Head Coach and then escalated to the President and/or Board of Directors if necessary.
4.) Exhibit an attitude of teamwork with the association, the coaching staff and the league.
5.) Teach sportsmanship and respect for the sport, teammates, coaches, opponents and officials to the best of yourability.
Section 3 – Guidelines for Safety
1.) Teach proper technique for drills and skills.
2.) Monitor activities before and after practice to ensure roughhousing does not result in injury.
3.) Report any significant injury to a Board member before the next practice or game. Provide note that lists the athlete’s name, date of injury and medical procedures administered if any.
4.) Discourage admittance onto the mat of any unregistered child or adult. Only sanctioned athletes and coaches should be on the mats while practice and matches are in session.
5.) A sanctioned coach or team parent must remain with a child until a parent or designated guardian accepts responsibility for them after a practice or game. The last adult in the room (coach or board member) assumes responsibility for the child until a parent arrives.
6.) Familiarize yourself with any pre-existing physical or mental limitation of the athletes under your supervision.
7.) Gauge the level of physical contact and exertion based on physical capabilities of the athletes.
8.) All coaches must submit to a Criminal & Child Abuse Background Check.
9) All coaches must sign and date an official Coaches Code of Conduct form at the beginning of each season. (see attached)
Section 4 – Female Wrestlers
1) Communicate with parents that wrestling is a contact sport and that boys and girls will practice and compete together.
2) Wrestlers with specific religious or personal beliefs will not be forced to wrestle or compete against those of the opposite sex.
3) Male coaches demonstrating a technique on a female student should ask if it is ok to touch before they do so.
4) A male coach should never be instructing a female wrestler in the absence of other wrestlers/coaches/parents.
5) Alternative arrangements should be made for female wrestlers during weigh-ins.
6) Encourage female wrestlers to wear a fitted shirt under their singlets.
7) Female wrestlers should keep hair pinned back with hair bands.
*Failure to comply with these rules and regulations is ground for the Board of Directors to immediately review the specific action and circumstances surrounding it. The Board
of Directors has the right to act upon these failures and can reprimand, place involved
parties on probation, or dismiss the party depending on the severity, at the discretion of
the Board of Directors.
Attachment 1:
PRJW COACHES CODE OF CONDUCT:
- I will always keep youth wrestling a positive and fun experience for my team.
- I will encourage good sportsmanship by demonstrating positive support of all players, coaches, and officials at every game, practice or other youth wrestling events.
- I will place the emotional and physical well-being and safety of my team above all other considerations.
- I will practice positive reinforcement at all times with my team, and will reward them for their accomplishments.
- I will read and seek to be informed about the rules of the sport I coach.
- I will always speak to game officials with respect at all times, on and off the mat.
- I will be respectful in victory and defeat
- I will keep an open line of communication between myself and other coaches, parents, and board members.
- I will set a high level of commitment that I will encourage my team to follow.
- I will be on the mats at all times during practice. Discussions with parents or spectators will be held before or after practice unless absolutely necessary.
- I will attend practices regularly in order to understand what the team has worked on, so that I may effectively coach at tournaments.
- I will support and promote the PRJW and not engage in any activities that conflicts with the best interests and goals of the club.
- I will refrain from using profanity at any games, practices or any other youth wrestling events.
- I will refrain from using or being under the influence of drugs, tobacco or alcohol while attending games, practices or any other youth wrestling events.
- I will remember that the game is for youth, not for adults.
- I will submit a Criminal and Child Abuse Background Check at the beginning of each season.
*Violation of this code of conduct will result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the team.
SIGNATURE: __________________________________________________
PRINT NAME: _________________________________________________
DATE: ______________________________________
APPENDIX B
Wrestler Expectations
Attachment 2:
WRESTLERS CODE OF CONDUCT:
- No wrestler is to physically or verbally abuse any coach or fellow wrestler.
- Wrestlers must listen to and follow the directions of all coaches. Wrestlers will
be expected to work hard at practice or will be asked to sit. Wrestlers are not to
be disruptive during practice or competitions. - If a wrestler is disruptive during practice, a parent will be required to attend all
practices until the wrestler can act appropriately. - At all times, wrestlers must conduct themselves in a mature and respectful manner.
a. No unsportsmanlike yelling or cheering if a wrestler is hurt.
b. Win or lose, wrestlers MUST shake hands and congratulate their opponent.
c. No vulgar or obscene gestures of any kind should ever be made by a wrestler. - No wrestler is to use abusive and/or profane language before anyone connected with a PRJW function (practices, tournaments, meets, etc.).
- Wrestlers should make every effort to attend all practices and matches. Club wrestlers may be permitted to attend one PRJW practice per week. Excusal from practice pending coach approval.
- Wrestlers are not permitted in the wrestling room without a parent until a coach is present.
- All wrestlers are to treat all PRJW property and equipment with respect
- The PRJW practice facility and any school where competitions are held, are to be respected.
- Wrestlers must respect officials and their calls.
- Wrestlers must show proper respect to visiting teams, their coaches, their fans, and officials.
- Wrestlers must practice proper hygiene by washing with antibacterial soap after practices and matches.
- Wrestlers must make themselves available to wrestle during weekly matches to be considered part of the team.
- Wrestlers must be weighed at the beginning of the season and sporadically throughout the season to determine a safe weight for weeknight match opponents. Wrestlers will not be responsible to lose weight to fit into a weight category.
*Violation of this code of conduct will result in disciplinary action up to and including suspension or dismissal from the team.
APPENDIX 3
Parent Expectations
Attachment 3:
PARENTS CODE OF CONDUCT:
- No parent or fan is to physically or verbally abuse another parent, fan, coach, wrestler or referee. If a parent has a problem, concern or issue with a fan, wrestler or another parent, the only proper venue for discussion is with a Division Director in private at an appropriate time.
- All parents are to conduct themselves in a sportsmanlike manner:
a. No unsportsmanlike yelling, such as: booing, teasing, or cheering if a wrestler is hurt or losing. No instructions to take specific advantage of any injury incurred
by an opponent while wrestling.
b. No unsportsmanlike gestures of any kind will be allowed. - Parents should foster enthusiasm in the sport of wrestling, especially when a wrestler is struggling.
- Please see that you are prompt in picking up your child after practice. The coaches will try to finish practice as close to the designated time as possible.
- Please remember that this program is for our youth, but in no way is it to be used as an excuse for unfinished homework or other responsibilities. Explain this to your child so he/she can plan his/her time wisely.
- Parents need to notify the bout coordinator as soon as possible in the event of an absence from a scheduled meet to allow coordinators to plan accordingly
- Parents must show proper respect to wrestlers, visiting teams, their coaches, their fans, our coaches and referees.
- Parents and family members must be respectful of officials and their calls.
- Parents are encouraged to use a child’s involvement in wrestling as an opportunity to learn and develop in dealing with injustices, missed calls, hurt feelings, finding balance in life and other facets of wrestling.
- Parents are expected to volunteer their time at our tournaments and matches. The strength of PRJW A requires this. We are an all-volunteer organization striving to make great experiences for wrestlers and their families. In order to do this each and every one of us must not only pay our fees but contribute our time some way. There are a variety of opportunities to assist.
- Teach your child that this sport is not a sprint, it is a marathon. Every child’s learning curve is different, so be patient. With determination and hard work success will come.
- Realize that this sport gives values beyond wrestling and it will prepare your child for the sport of life.
*Parents, as well as their athletes, will be held responsible for compliance with their Code of Conduct. Failure to comply could result in expulsion or termination of their wrestler from the team.
