MGSL BYLAWS
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ARTICLE I. NAME & ADDRESS
A. The name of the organization shall be known as the MIDLAND GIRLS SOFTBALL LEAGUE, OF MIDLAND COUNTY, MICHIGAN, HEREIN REFERRED TO AS MGSL.
B. The principal mailing address shall be MGSL PO Box 1851 Midland MI 48641.
C. The MGSL shall operate as a 501 © 3 organization as pertains to the Internal Revenue Service Tax Code.
ARTICLE II. OBJECTIVE
A. MISSION: To provide an appropriately challenging high quality recreational softball experience at a reasonable cost for all interested Midland County girls, ages 5 through 18.
B. VISION: We will have enough girls participating at each age level to have balanced, competitive divisions in each ASA age group from 5 through 18. We will have top notch facilities and equipment. All girls will have an opportunity to participate regardless of financial situation or natural ability. We will have continued growth in the program and enthusiastic support from girls, coaches, parents, team sponsors, and Midland Parks & Recreation. We will have energetic, cooperative board members who represent the interest of all age groups. Because of our efforts, many girls will develop advanced softball interest and skills, resulting in personal and team achievements not otherwise possible.
ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP
A. All girls, ages 5 through 18, and their parents and legal guardians eligible for membership in the MGSL.
B. Membership is accomplished through the annual registration process. The term of membership shall be from the time of registration to January 1st of the following year.
C. Interested parties who share the goals of MGSL are eligible for membership as determined by the Board.
ARTICLE IV. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
A. The MGSL shall be governed by a Board of Directors (“Board”), comprised of Executive Board Members and Board Members, which will be charged with administration of the Bylaws of the MGSL and have oversight of the operation of the league. The Board shall consist of no less than eight (8) and no more than twelve (12) members.
B. The Executive Board Members shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer.
C. The Midland Parks & Recreation Department may elect to appoint a Board Member to act as liaison between MGSL and the Midland Parks & Recreation Department.
D. Eligibility for Board Membership includes the requirements detailed in Article III. Applications for Board membership shall be made available to the general membership.
E. Board Membership terms start in October.
ARTICLE V. EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBER ELECTIONS
A. The Board shall elect the President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. All Executive Board Member positions shall be elected for a term of two years beginning in October. All executive board members are available for re-election at the end of their term.
B. A single person may only occupy one Executive Board position at a time.
C. A vacancy occurring more than thirty (30) days before the expiration of a term may be filled by the Board at the Board discretion. Individual Executive Board member terms may be staggered to allow for organizational continuity.
D. Elections for Executive Board Members shall be held at an annual Board Meeting in October. Elections will be held by paper ballot and all Board Members active prior to the start of the election meeting are asked to vote. Failure to vote in Executive Board Member elections may be grounds for removal of Board Membership as described in Article XVII.
E. Elections will be voted on in the following order: President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary.
F. The active Secretary, or their designee, will count all votes in full view of the Board.
G. To win an election for an Executive Board positon, a candidate must win a majority (at least 50%) of the vote. If the wining candidate fails to gain a majority vote, a runoff will be held between the top two candidates as measured by vote count.
ARTICLE VI. BOARD MEMBER ELECTIONS
A. Board Member positions shall be elected for a term of two years beginning in October.
B. A vacancy occurring more than thirty (30) days before the expiration of a term may be filled by the Board at the Board discretion. If a Board member spot is filled due to vacancy, the fill-in Member will finish out the existing term and then be eligible for reelection.
C. Elections for Board Members shall be held at an annual Board Meeting in October. Elections will be held by paper ballot and all Board Members active prior to the start of the election meeting are asked to vote.
D. Multiple candidates may run for multiple openings on the board. Each existing Board Remember will vote for as many candidates as there are openings on the board (i.e. if there are four (4) Board Memberships open and five (5) candidates, each Board Member will vote for their top four (4) choices.
E. The active Secretary, or their designee, will count all votes in full view of the Board.
F. In the event of a tie for the last Membership spots(s), a runoff election will be held amongst the tying candidates.
ARTICLE VII. OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
The President shall have general management of the operation of the MGSL and shall see that all orders and resolution of the Board are carried into effect. The President shall have responsibility for implementing all matters regarding MGSL membership eligibility and MGSL rules interpretation.
ARTICLE VIII. OFFICE OF THE VICE PRESIDENT
The Vice-President shall preside in the absence of the President.
The Secretary shall provide minutes of the proceedings of all Board meetings. The Secretary shall give all notices required by, bylaws, or resolution. The Secretary shall perform other such duties as may be delegated by the Board of Directors or by the Executive Committee.
The Treasurer shall be responsible for the maintaining of full and accurate accounts of all MGSL receipts and disbursements. The Treasurer or his designee shall deposit all monies, in the name of MGSL in such accounts as may be designated for that purpose. The Treasurer shall disburse funds of the MGSL as may be authorized by the Board and shall provide to the President and Directors every quarter at a meeting of the Board of Directors (and whenever else requested by them), an accounting of all transactions and of the financial condition of the MGSL. The Treasurer must also present an annual budget for approval by the Board in January of the current fiscal year.
A. The annual membership meeting shall normally be conducted in the month of October of each year for the reading of reports and the clarification of Board members.
B. Board meetings may be called by the President at any time or upon the written request of at least three (3) members of the Board of Directors. Notice of all meetings shall be given in writing to board members, not less than two (2) days in advance of such meetings, unless waiver of such notice is voted and approved. A majority of the members of the Board shall constitute a quorum at any meeting and a majority vote of those present shall govern. Should a majority of the Board not be present at the time of the meeting a virtual vote will be held and any resolution will be closed when 2/3 of the Board has entered a vote.
C. All Board meetings shall be open and accessible to the MGSL membership.
ARTICLE XII. FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
The Board shall decide set and vote on Committee budgets and participation fees for the current year. These budgets must be set by January 31 of that year.
A. All instruments, drafts, orders for payment, contracts and conveyances shall be signed in the name of MGSL by the treasurer and shall be countersigned by the President for expenditures exceeding $2,000.
B. Contracts, checks, deposits
1. The MGSL Board may authorize an officer or agent to enter into any contract, or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and in behalf of the MGSL, and such authority may be general or limited to specific instances.
2. Loans: No loans shall be contracted on behalf of the MGSL Board, and no evidences of indebtedness shall be issued in its name.
3. Checks, Drafts, Etc.: All checks, drafts, or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of MGSL shall be signed by such Officer or Officers of the MGSL. These items will be presented to the Board by the Treasurer quarterly along with current bank statements.
4. Deposits: All funds of the MGSL not otherwise employed shall be deposited in the name of the MGSL, in Banks, or other depositories as the MGSL Board may designate.
5. Financial Dealings Generally: All purchases or expenditures for supplies, equipment, or services for the benefit of the MGSL, whether by contract of not, shall follow and adhere to laws, policies, and general accounting standards governing purchase and expenditures by non-profit organizations. No member or officer of MGSL Board shall have any interest, financial or otherwise, direct or indirect, in any purchase or sale of goods or services by the MGSL, without timely and full disclosures thereof to the President and to the MGSL Board.
6. The fiscal year of the MGSL shall start November 1st of the previous year.
ARTICLE XIII. STANDING COMMITTEES
A. The President shall appoint all committees, both standing and special, subject to the approval of the Board. The MGSL may have among others, the following standing committees:
1. Rules of League Play
2. Fundraising
3. Equipment
4. Sponsorship
5. Event Planning
6. Publicity
7. Player Development
8. Registration, Roster, and Tournaments
9. Selection of Coaches
B. The MGSL Executive Committee shall be composed of the President, Vice President, and the appropriate committee chair. The Executive Committee shall have the authority to conduct business of the MGSL in the absence of the full MGSL. No action taken by the Executive Committee shall contradict policy established by the full MGSL Board. A report will be given at the next board meeting of the action(s) taken.
ARTICLE XIV. AMENDMENTS
A. These bylaws or any section thereof may be amended or replaced by a 2/3 vote of the Board present at any duly constituted meeting, provided that written notice of such proposed change or changes over the signature of Secretary shall be emailed to each member of the Board at least 15 days prior to the meeting at which such proposed change or changes shall be submitted to a vote.
B. Proposals for amendments may be made by petition of 20% of the general membership. The Board will take such petition under consideration as detailed in XIV (A) above.
ARTICLE XV. REMOVAL FROM MEMBERSHIP
Any member of the MGSL can be removed from membership. To do so a written complaint must be filed with the MGSL Board. The Board will notify the member of the complaint and allow 15 days for a written rebuttal response. The Board will then hold a meeting 15 days from the notice of the involved parties. If no response is submitted then the Board shall make a decision based on the facts as delivered in the complainant’s letter. All members that are subject to review of membership shall maintain their current roles except in cases where there is known illegal activity or the safety of the girls is a great concern. In these two instances the Board has the right to suspend the member from all active roles until a further investigation has been completed.
1. At the meeting of the MGSL Board where proper notice of such purpose has been given, any MGSL member may be removed from membership, with cause, by vote of two thirds (2/3) of the full Board of MGSL.
2. Any officer or Board member elected or appointed by the MGSL may be removed by the MGSL Board when in its judgment serves the best interest of the MGSL. Removal shall be effected by a vote of two thirds (2/3) of the full Board.
ARTICLE XVI. PLAYING AND ELIGIBILITY RULES
A. The MGSL Board shall develop, promulgate and maintain League Eligibility and Rules of Play as are appropriate to the League.
B. Rules, in general, will follow the current ASA Fast Pitch rules.
