New Lenox Youth Football Association BYLAWS

Transcription

1 (Updated 22 Jan 2015) New Lenox Youth Football Association Article I. Name of Corporation BYLAWS The name of this organization shall be New Lenox Youth Football Association, hereafter referred to as NLYFA. NLYFA is a member of the River Valley Football League and, where applicable, is governed by the rules and regulations of the River Valley Football League. Article II. Office The corporation shall maintain a State of Illinois registered office and a registered agent. The registered agent will be appointed by the President of the NLYFA. The address of the NLYFA will be a maintained PO Box. The key holders of this PO Box are later defined in these by laws. Article III. Board of Directors GENERAL POWERS The affairs of the corporation shall be managed by its Board of Directors. NUMBER, TENURE AND QUALIFICATIONS The number of directors shall be between 18 eighteen and twenty-five (25). Each director shall hold office until the end of their designated term as defined later in these bylaws. The number of directors may be decreased to fewer than 18 eighteen, or increased to more than twenty- five (25) from time to time by amendment of this section, unless the articles of incorporation provide that a change in the number of directors shall be made only by amendment of the articles of incorporation. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS The appropriate Directors shall be elected according to the term limitations, and position that is being held in election therefore. Election of a director shall not in and of itself create contractual rights. No board member that is either up for reelection or has resigned their position will be allowed to vote in the subsequent election, unless said director is intending to return to the board in a position unopposed. A minimum of one year served on the board in any position will be required in order to fill the President, Vice President, Treasurer, or Secretary positions. DIRECTOR TERM LIMITATIONS beginning with the December, 2014 election, all board positions are a 2 year term. For the purpose of creating staggered terms, elections are to be held every December meeting according to the following: Even years Vice President, Treasurer, Cheer AD, Knights Asst. AD, Warriors Asst. Cheer, Warriors Equipment, Knights Player Personnel, NLYFA Spirit Wear, NLYFA Fundraising, NLYFA Registration, Warrior Volunteer

2 Odd years President, Secretary, Football AD, Warrior Asst. AD, Knights Asst. Cheer, Warrior Player Personnel, Knights Equipment, Cheer Equipment, Knights Volunteer, NLYFA Concessions Any other vacancies, not handled through the election process, including but not limited to the removal of a director or resignations, shall require a board member to nominate a replacement and a majority vote the board of directors. NLYFA ALUMNI ADVISORY BOARD The NLYFA Alumni Advisory Board is comprised of NLYFA founding members, as well as past board members who have served a minimum of 4 years as an active NLYFA board member. The Alumni Advisory Board is comprised of both football and cheerleading Alumni. The NLYFA President will keep a current list of all Alumni Advisory Board members, and will present at any board of directors request. The Primary function of the Alumni Board is to act as a committee to select recipients for the NLYFA Alumni Scholarship Fund. The Alumni Advisory Board will present their final selections to the NLYFA board of directors for review and final approval. The secondary function of the Alumni Advisory Board is to act in an advisory role to the current NLYFA board of Directors. Membership of the NLYFA Alumni Advisory Board is defined above. There are no elections, and no scheduled meetings. Membership as an Alumni Advisory Board Member is not binding, and is voluntary. VOTING RIGHTS - Each director shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote of directors. The exception to this is the President. The President will only vote in the case of a tie. The Presidents vote will then decide the issue before the board. REMOVAL OF A DIRECTOR - The Board of Directors may, by a majority of the directors, suspend or expel a director for cause after an appropriate meeting. An appropriate meeting would be considered a monthly general board meeting, or a special meeting called in accordance with these bylaws. The NLYFA President will have the authority to suspend any board member effective at their discretion. In the event the NLYFA President does invoke the right to suspend a board member the President must then call a special meeting, at which time the general board will be informed of the suspension. The President will work with the appropriate board members to thoroughly investigate the incident. In the event a director is suspended pending an investigation the board of directors will hear the investigating parties and decide if the removal of the director is the appropriate action. In the event removal is deemed necessary a majority vote of the members present at the appropriate meeting will be required. RESIGNATION - Any director may resign his/her position by filing a written resignation with the Executive Board. An electronic mail is an acceptable written resignation. VACANCIES Any vacancy occurring in the Board to be filled by reason of an increase in the number of directors shall be filled by the Board unless the articles of incorporation, a statute, or these bylaws provide that a vacancy shall be filled in some other manner, in which case such provision shall control. A director elected to fill a vacancy shall be elected for the unexpired term of his predecessor in office or until the next annual meeting.

3 REINSTATEMENT - Upon written request signed by the removed director and filed with the Secretary, the Board of Directors may by a majority vote reinstate such former director to directorship upon such terms as the Board of Directors may deem appropriate. In the event this vacancy has been filled by the President the reinstatement process will not be accepted, however the former Director may run for the position at the next annual meeting. COMPENSATION Directors shall not receive any compensation for services. Article IV. Board Meetings ANNUAL MEETING An annual meeting of the Board of Directors shall be held in the month of DECEMBER of each year for the purpose of electing the designated directors and for the transaction of such other business as may come before the Board. REGULAR MEETINGS Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held eleven (11) times per year (exclusive of the December meeting), on the 1 st Tuesday of the month, unless otherwise determined by the President. Directors are required to attend eight (8) of the eleven (11) regularly scheduled meetings per year. Failure to do so may result in removal from the Board. A Director may sit in a meeting via conference call. This will constitute a member as present. Any Director can vote via telephone conference call. SPECIAL MEETINGS Special meetings of the Board may be called by the President, or not less than one-fourth of the members having voting rights. PLACE OF MEETINGS The Board of Directors may designate any place as the place of meeting for any annual, regular, or special meeting called by the Board of Directors. NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETINGS Written notice stating the place, date, and hour of any special meeting of directors shall be delivered to each director entitled to vote at such meeting not less than five days before the date of such meeting. E mail is an acceptable written notice. If mailed, the notice of the special meeting shall be deemed delivered when deposited in the United States mail addressed to the director at his/her address as it appears on the records of the corporation. INFORMAL ACTION BY DIRECTORS Any action required to be taken at a meeting of the directors of the corporation, or any other action which may be taken at a meeting of directors, may be taken without a meeting if consents, in writing, setting forth the action so taken, are signed by all of the directors entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter thereof. Electronic mail is an acceptable form of consent. QUORUM A majority of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board, provided that, if a quorum is not present at any meeting of members, a majority of the members present may adjourn the meeting at any time without further notice. MANNER OF ACTING - The act of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board, unless the act of a greater number is required by statue, these bylaws, or the articles of incorporation.

4 PROXIES Each director entitled to vote at a meeting of directors or to express consent or dissent to corporate action in writing without a meeting may authorize another Director or Executive Board Member to act for him/her by proxy, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after twelve months from its date, unless the proxy provided for a longer period. An Executive Board member or a Director may sit in a meeting via conference call; this will constitute a member as present and will have their full voting rights. Article V. Overview of Program NLYFA is governed by a Board of Directors as well as the River Valley League, which sets the rules for registration and competition. Illinois High School Association rules are followed with exceptions, which have been developed to maintain equality in a learning environment. NLYFA consists of two (2) set of four (4) teams, which are divided by age, and weight of the players. Each team has a squad of Cheerleaders associated with it. The age and weight divisions shall be titled Super light, Lightweight, Junior Varsity, and Varsity. The age and weight requirements for these divisions are determined on an annual basis by the River Valley League. In the event the NLYFA does not have sufficient enrollment at a certain level the River Valley Youth Football league shall be notified by the appropriate Athletic Directors. The NLYFA and the River Valley will come to an agreement that is satisfactory for both parties. Article VI. Purpose and Aims To teach and instruct youth in the basic skills of competitive football. To teach and instruct youth in the basic skills of cheerleading and poms. To inspire youth to practice the ideals of teamwork. To inspire youth to practice the ideals of sportsmanship. To develop physical fitness within a safe environment. To accept adversity without complaint. To respect authority. To respect ones teammates. To respect ones opponents. To develop self-confidence and a feeling of accomplishment. Article VII. Roles The Board of Directors shall include of the following positions: President Vice-President Secretary Treasurer Football Athletic Director Jr Knight Athletic Assistant Director Jr Warrior Athletic Assistant Director Cheerleading Director Jr Knight Cheerleading Assistant Director

5 Jr Warrior Cheerleading Assistant Director Jr Knight Volunteer Director Jr Warrior Volunteer Director Jr Knight Equipment Director Jr Warrior Equipment Director Cheer Equipment Director NLYFA Fundraising Director NLYFA Concessions Director NLYFA Spirit Wear Director Jr Knight Player / Personnel Director Jr Warrior Player / Personnel Director NLYFA Registration Director THE DUTIES OF EACH BOARD POSITION ARE AS FOLLOWS: The President shall: Provide overall leadership. Conduct monthly meetings. Approve and provide information to be posted on NLYFA Web Site. Shall vote only in case of a tie. Assign duties of vacant board positions to other board members Send a monthly letter to the Player Personnel to be forwarded to the families of the NLYFA about current events/changes/ fundraising/ answers to what appear to be frequently asked questions. Assist in any Game Day security issues. In the event the NLYFA board of directors requires a background check on any members of the organization the NLYFA President will maintain this information. This information will be kept confidential, it will be the discretion of the NLYFA President on the removal of any person they deem necessary. President shall be responsible deciding on the qualification for any hardships along with the VP and Treasurer. The Vice-President shall: Assume the duties of the President in his/her absence. Direct all matters relating to insurance. Maintain Park District affiliation. Be responsible for practice and game facilities. Attend River Valley meetings in absence of Athletic Directors. Serve as the Lincoln Way High School Liaison. Keep and allocate all keys that involve any and all NLYFA property. This includes, but is not limited to the equipment building, trailers, High Schools, and the P.O box. These keys shall be returned to the Vice President at the December meeting. Serve as Francis Field liaison regarding long term solutions to practice facilities.

6 Coordinate game day security personnel. Arrange for security guards to be scheduled for each NLYFA home game. Oversee all maintenance to NLYFA buildings, and trailers. The Secretary shall: Maintain a record of all NLYFA meetings. Be responsible for Board Meeting minutes. These minutes will be posted for the board of directors 7 days prior to the next board meeting. Be responsible for special board meeting minutes. These minutes will be posted for the board of directors within 7 days after the special meeting. Assist with registration. Assist in game day security issues. Maintain all NLYFA leases, and maintain all paperwork pertaining to insurance policies. Review code of conduct, bylaws and other relevant documentation. Present any revisions at January meeting to be voted on by full incoming board. The Treasurer shall: Maintain a working ledger of all expenses and income. If possible the NLYFA Treasurer should be licensed, bonded and insured. Pay items that were approved in the annual budget, after receiving approval from the appropriate party placing the order. Deposits and checks can be done at any time. Maintain a tax-exempt status and proper filing of required tax forms. Prepare a year-end statement with proposed expenditures and recommendations for the following year s budget. Schedule and prepare an audit as required, to be conducted by an independent Certified Public Accountant. Secure monies in a bank depository. Assist in game day security issues. Assign a person to be responsible for monies collected at any NLYFA function when the Treasurer is not present. Present a current income statement. This includes the annual budget amount with the year to date expenses. Responsible for checking Post Office Box. File monthly tax reports. Perform monthly bank reconciliations and present cash balance at regular monthly meetings. The Football Athletic Director shall: Receive all Head Coaching applications. Receive all assistant coaching applications and distribute to the appropriate Assistant Athletic Director. Handle the game day security assignments. Work with the Assistant Athletic Directors, and provide for the proper selection of Head Coaches, and respective coaching positions. Present Head Coaches for approval at the February Board Meeting.

7 In the event an Assistant Athletic Director cannot attend an appropriate meeting, the football Athletic Director will fill that position. Assist all Directors with their appropriate budgetary items pertaining to football. Budget will include but not limited to ice packs, footballs, athletic tape, first aid kits, kicking tees, mouth pieces, etc. Ensure the proper conduct of all coaches during practices and games. Oversee all football decisions made during registration. This will include but is not limited to placement of football players on the appropriate side of the organization. This is based on siblings, roster sizes, and the compliance of River Valley Rules. In the event of a disciplinary issue, inform the appropriate Assistant Athletic Director make an informed decision regarding the appropriate action. In the event any coach has been found to be in violation of the coaches code of conduct the Athletic Director may have the coach suspended or removed from any NLYFA sanctioned event. Inform the board as to any disciplinary action taken on NLYFA members as it relates to violation of the code of conduct, on a monthly basis. Help enforce the volunteer policy when necessary pulling a players helmet. Assist the Cheerleading Athletic Directors at all NLYFA Sanctioned events. The Athletic Director must have 1football coaches meeting prior the start of the 1 st practice. Any injury resulting in practice/or game time loss should be documented through the Head Football Coaches to the Assistant Athletic Directors. The Athletic Director should have a copy of the injury and status of the players. Assist in game day security issues. Attend all RVYFC monthly meetings and report back any changes in rules/policies to the NLYFA general board. THE JR. Warriors Assistant FOOTBALL Athletic Director & JR. Knights Assistant FOOTBALL Athletic Director shall: Provide for the proper selection of assistant coaches by submitting a list of names and respective coaching positions. This selection shall be completed by the May NLYFA board meeting. If more time is required, notification to the board is required. Ensure the proper conduct of coaches per NLYFA and River Valley guidelines. Be available to supervise their respective coaches during practices and games. Be responsible for the proper team alignments at registrations and draft pools based on the guidelines set by the River Valley League. Serve as a liaison between the Board and coaches. Enforce volunteer policy when necessary by pulling helmet. Be responsible or delegate responsibility for providing the payment for officials to the football commissioners on home game days/wednesday Night games. In the event any coach has been found to be in violation of the coaches code of conduct the Assistant Football Athletic Director may have the coach suspended or removed from any NLYFA sanctioned event pending an investigation. Keep the Athletic Football Director informed of any and all issues regarding NLYFA business.

8 All Head Football Coaches will report any injuries to the Assistant Football Athletic Directors. A file will be kept, and forwarded to the Athletic Director. Assist in all game day security issues Attend the RVYFC monthly meetings. Coordinate all game day football operations. Including unlocking facilities, printing rosters, conducting weigh ins, and providing documentation to booth. Assume responsibility for AED s, scales, and other NLYFA equipment for home games. The Cheerleading Director shall: Submit and Manage cheer budget to NLYFA Treasurer. Receive and review all head coaching applications. Submit head coaches to NLYFA board for approval for May meeting. Work with the Assistant Athletic Directors, to select assistant cheer and junior cheer coaches. In the event an assistant Athletic Director cannot attend an appropriate meeting, the cheerleading Athletic Director will fill that position. Assist Cheer Equipment Director with obtaining price quotes, based on budget and design information, with various vendors. Assist Cheer Equipment Director with distributing coach s bags and ensuring they contain proper first aid items. Assist Cheer Equipment Director in sizing each cheerleader for uniforms and cheer equipment. Assist Assistant and Equipment Cheer directors in the transportation of relevant cheer equipment for home games. Work with Assistant Cheer directors in selecting cheer competition(s), including all registration and paperwork responsibilities. Work with NLYFA VP in securing and scheduling indoor practice space for all cheer squads. Ensure the proper conduct of all coaches during practice and games. Be able to supervise and assist all coaches during practice and games. Oversee all Cheerleading decisions made during registration. This includes, but is not limited to placement of cheerleaders on the appropriate side of the organization. This is based on siblings, and roster sizes. It will be the goal of the NLYFA to have comparable sized cheer squads on each level. In the event of a disciplinary issue, inform the appropriate Assistant Athletic Director make an informed decision regarding the appropriate action. In the event any coach has been found to be in violation of the coaches code of conduct the Athletic Director may have the coach suspended or removed from any NLYFA sanctioned event. Help enforce the volunteer policy when necessary pulling a cheerleaders poms. Have 1 cheerleading coaches meeting prior the start of the 1 st practice. Assist in all game day security issues. Maintain and update cheer page on NLYFA website.

9 The Jr Knights Assistant Cheerleading Director & Jr Warriors Assistant Cheerleading Director shall: Work with their respective Head Cheer coaches and Cheer Athletic Director on selection of all assistant, coaches and junior cheer coaches. This selection will be completed by the June NLYFA board meeting. Ensure the proper conduct of coaches per NLYFA guidelines. Assist Cheer Equipment Director in sizing each cheerleader for uniforms and cheer equipment. Be available to supervise their respective coaches during practice and games. Be responsible for proper team alignments during registration. This includes, but is not limited to placement of cheerleaders on the appropriate side of the organization. This is based on siblings, and roster sizes. It will be the goal of the NLYFA to have comparable sized cheer squads at each level. Observe and guide when required any cheer squad in need of attention and provide direction that will benefit in a positive way. Hold 1 coaches clinic to inform all coaches of NLYFA policies regarding safety, and review the coaches code of conduct. Act as a liaison between the board and the coaches. Enforce volunteer policy when necessary pulling poms. In the event any coach is found to be in violation of the coaches code of conduct the assistant Cheer Athletic Director may have the coach suspended or removed from any NLYFA sanctioned event pending an investigation. Keep the Cheerleading Athletic Director informed of any and all issues regarding NLYFA business. Any and all issues regarding Jr. Cheer coaches should be reported to the appropriate Assistant Athletic Director. All Head Cheerleading Coaches will report any injuries to the Cheerleading Assistant Athletic Director. A file will be kept and forwarded to the Cheerleading Athletic Director. Assist in all game day security issues. The Jr. Knights Volunteer Director & Jr. Warriors Volunteer Director shall: Serve as a liaison between the Board and parents. Be responsible for coordinating parents to perform all necessary duties at games both home and away. Communicate with coach s team parents and directors to be aware of their needs. Assist the player personnel director with the registration process. Maintain appropriate records of parent volunteers on a regular basis and submit to assistant Athletic Directors any delinquencies Secure chairpersons for End of Year parties, Homecoming & Picture Day and assist as needed with those events. Assist in game day security issues. The Jr. Knights Equipment Director & Jr. Warriors Equipment Director Shall: Be responsible for providing a safe and continuing upgrade of equipment. Be responsible for trailer placement, storage and maintenance.

10 Provide the Board with updates on expenditures and recommendations for equipment purchases. This includes, but is not limited to all football budget items. Be responsible for the proper fitting and suiting up of players prior to the start of practice and provide proper maintenance throughout the season. Be responsible for collection of equipment at the end of the season. Be responsible for the proper storage of all equipment. Provide a detailed inventory at end of year to the Board of all equipment and recommendations for purchases for the following year. Assist in game day security issues. The Cheer Equipment Director shall: Be responsible for obtaining price quotes based on budget and design information from Cheer Directors on warm ups, shoes, socks, briefs and bows (cheer equipment) from various vendors. Assist Cheer Directors in sizing each cheerleader for uniforms and all cheer equipment. Be responsible for placing cheer uniform, cheer equipment and coaches shirt orders with various vendors. Be responsible for picking up cheer equipment from various vendors. Assist Cheer Directors with sorting and distribution of uniforms and cheer equipment. Be responsible for ensuring proper fit of all uniforms and cheer equipment and taking proper steps to rectify all fitting and/or ordering problems while working with Cheer Directors. Be responsible for distributing coaches bags and ensuring they are filled with the proper first aid items. Be responsible for transportation of stunting mats on home game days while working with Cheer Directors. Ensure each squad has poms on game days and at practices as needed. Be responsible for collection of uniforms and cheer equipment at the end of the season. Be responsible for maintaining inventory records and at the end of the season provide the Cheer Directors with a detailed inventory of all cheer equipment. Be responsible for proper storage of uniforms. The NLYFA Fundraising Director shall: Be responsible for any and all fund raisers and provide a timely and detailed report at next scheduled Board Meeting. Assist in game day security issues. The NLYFA Concessions Director shall: Be responsible for the purchasing of product and running or delegating the running of the concession stand at all home games. Provide the Board with updates on expenditures and recommendations for concessions purchases. The concessions inventory will be consistent within the NLYFA organization. All pricing and inventory will be brought to the board of directors for annual approval.

11 Assist in game day security issues. The NLYFA Spirit Wear Director shall: Be responsible for sportswear sales and provide a detailed inventory at end of year to the Board and recommendations for purchases for the following year. Review invoices for all purchases provide these invoices to the treasurer for monthly board approval. Provide the treasurer and the board with updates on expenditures, and recommendations for spirit wear purchases. Be present at all registrations, equipment hand-outs, first week of practice, and game days. Assist in game day security issues. Any and all spirit wear items regarding the NLYFA must be approved through the NLYFA Spirit Wear Directors. Be responsible for ordering and distributing all coaches shirts. The Jr. Knights Player/Personnel Director & Jr. Warriors Player/Personnel Director shall: Responsible for mailings pertaining to registration. Organize and coordinate the registration process (setup) this will include having all appropriate documents available at registration for parents to read and sign. Assist in game day security Compile a data base of their specific side of their organization. The appropriate Player Personnel Director will forward a monthly from the President. This E mail will consist of anything regarding former, current, or future events involving the NLYFA. Update and maintain a binder for each team. This binder will include a team roster, birth certificate, current physical, release of liability waiver, parent code of conduct form, and registration refund policy. The player personnel director will send out postcards to invite alumni back to the Knights/ Warriors games. The player personnel will be in charge of working with the Alumni Advisory Board. This will include sending the appropriate information out to all eligible Alumni. The NLYFA Registration Director shall: Responsible for the overall look of the League website. Will update website on approval from the President. This includes maintenance of the website address and domain. Responsible for maintaining and updating electronic addresses of NLYFA members for the purpose of sending out electronic s required by the Board of Directors and the River Valley Youth Football League. Responsible for setting and maintaining the electronic registration and collection of registration fees. Will work closely with the Player/Personal Directors and the Treasurer. Works with the Board of Directors to keep the community informed of all actions such as: Sign-ups, Fundraisers, etc.

12 Responsible for maintaining league schedules on the website. Assist in game day security issues. Be responsible for the NLYFA Hudl account. Article VIII. Registration and Fees Registration is open to any and all football players and cheerleaders; however the NLYFA will maintain the minimum in resident requirements to maintain park district affiliation. The executive board will determine the date, time and location for registration. At registration, players will weigh in. It is recommended that players wear T-shirts, shorts, socks, and shoes. A parent/legal guardian of each participant must provide a copy of the participant s birth certificate, physical, and all required forms at the time of registration. It will be required that parents sign off & acknowledge the NLYFA bylaws & code of conduct. Refund Policy: Refund requests must be submitted in writing to the board of directors. requests will suffice. Refunds will be granted according to the following: - Refund requests received prior to 1 st May will be 100% refunded. - Refund requests received after 1 st May but before 1 st July will be 50% refunded. - Refund requests received after 1 st July will not be granted. Any exceptions to the above policy will require review and approval by the board of directors. Hardship Family Allowance: At no time will a football player or cheerleader be removed from the NLYFA for the family s inability to pay. The family must contact any Director and inform that sitting Board member of a hardship situation. At that time the Director will direct all communication regarding this hardship to the NLYFA President. The President, Vice-President, and Treasurer will collectively have the authority to make a decision regarding a family hardship without the consent or approval of the NLYFA general board. The proceeding minutes to the general board regarding any and all hardship cases will not state any names. They will simply state we have the designated number of hardship cases and they will be handled by the officers as stated above. NLYFA Family Cap: The NLYFA has a family cap policy. This policy states no family will have to pay for more than 3 children who are currently involved in the NLYFA at the same time. This policy does not include Alumni. Family cap includes registration fees only. This does not include fundraising fees. The NLYFA family cap does not change the requirements of any family to fulfil any and all volunteer duties. Article IX. Basic Policies for All Football Players and Cheerleaders The following are basic policies of the NLYFA in common with those of the River Valley League.

13 The only post-season team activities that are acceptable to NLYFA are those that are of a group nature. All Board Members, coaches, parents/legal guardians and any other adults connected with NLYFA must realize that the organization is designed for the benefit of the young people who participate in it. The role of the adults is to teach and assist the participants. Participants are expected to perform in rain or other inclement weather. If threatening conditions occur, the parent/guardian should take their child to their vehicle and await a decision by the commissioners to either resume or cancel the practice or game. All decisions about whether a practice or a game will be cancelled will be determined at the field by the head coach. If deemed appropriate, cancellation decisions can be made by the Football and Cheer ADs which MUST be adhered to by every NLYFA team. Game uniforms will be worn on game days only unless otherwise directed by a coach. Regarding rules of play: 1. Every football player must have at least five days of practice prior to being allowed to participate in a game. It is not required that the five days occur in succession. 2. To ensure complete participation and instructional attitudes, the NLYFA Board has adhered to the River Valley Youth Football League rule. This rule states every player on any level will play a minimum of 5 plays in 5 quarters of football. In the event there is no 5th quarter all players will play a minimum of 5 plays in the regular game. All older lighter players on each respective team must play a minimum of 5 plays in the regular game. Each participant and their parent/legal guardian are responsible for their uniform, its appearance, its maintenance and prompt return of a clean and complete uniform by required turn in dates designated by Equipment Manager or Cheer Directors. Failure to do so will result in being charged the full cost of a set of equipment or uniform and will be payable by the December general board meeting of the current season or participant will be ineligible for returning participant alumni status and volunteer deposit will not be refunded (NO EXCEPTIONS). No jewelry of any sort is to be worn by participants at both practices and games. (This is per Illinois High School Association requirements.) Refreshment bottles brought to either practices or games must contain water or a sports performance beverage such as Gatorade, PowerAde, etc. No pop, orange juice or other fruit juices are allowed. Special consideration will be made for those participants with medical needs. Gum chewing and/or eating while at practice or during game participation is not allowed. Participants must be picked up promptly at the conclusion of practices. It is the coaches responsibility to make sure that each participant is picked up at the end of practice. Neither parents nor players from other teams will be on the side-lines during a game unless allowed by the Athletic Director.

14 Article X. Rules Specific to Cheerleading/Poms All girls are expected to attend and participate in all practices and games. If attendance is not possible, the coach must be notified prior to the practice or game by a parent/guardian. It is the Head Cheer coach s decision whether a cheerleader will be allowed to participate in practice or game day activities. It is the Head Cheer Coach s decision whether under liners will be worn under shells or not or if warm ups will be worn for each game. Gum chewing and/or eating while at practice or during game participation is not allowed. Gym shoes must be worn at all practices. The NLYFA does reserve the right to dictate what constitutes game day shoes. Girls are required to practice at least thirty (30) minutes prior to game time and will be notified prior to game date of any change in schedule. Hair is to be secured away from the face and off the shoulders during all practice and games. Cheerleaders can move one level to accommodate a family however this will be at the discretion of that respective head cheer coach as well as the appropriate assistant athletic director. It would only be for 2 nd, 4 th, and 6 th grades. All cheer teams will be required to practice 4 days a week for the first 3 weeks of the season. At the start of the 4th week the cheer teams will drop to a 2 or 3 night practice schedule. The Wed night game may constitute a practice. Article XI. Rules Specific to Football Players Players are required to wear an athletic supporter and protective cup, mouthpiece rubber molded cleats to all practices and games. Players will be required to report by at least halftime of the game preceding theirs on game days for the required weigh in to be eligible to participate. Super lights are required to report one (1) hour prior to their scheduled starting time unless otherwise notified by the Head Coach. Unexcused absence may result in a game suspension. The practice schedule for all NLYFA football players is dictated by the RVYFC, as well as the IHSA. Players who miss 2 practice sessions the week before a game may be required to sit out a pre-determined part of the next game. This is at the discretion of the Head Coach. Article XII. Rules Specific to Coaches All potential coaches or helpers will be screened by the Athletic Directors and approved by the Board. All potential coaches must be registered with the Board and agree to abide by the decisions of the league officials. Each team must have one person who will be designated by the Athletic Directors as the Head Coach. This person is responsible for all matters concerning his/her team, its participants, coaches, fans and equipment.

15 The NLYFA will conform to the River Valley rules and not limit the number of coaches per football team. The NLYFA will however have a standing policy that the superlight football and lightweight football teams be limited to 10 coaches who will receive the appropriate volunteer credit. The Junior Varsity team will be allowed 8 coaches who will receive volunteer credits. The Varsity team will be allowed 6 coaches who will receive volunteer credits. It will be the responsibility of each respective Athletic Director to submit the list of coaches to the volunteer director that will be fulfilling their volunteer commitment. The NLYFA is the governing body for the rules regarding the number of coaches for each respective cheer team. The NLYFA will have a standing policy that each cheer squad will consist of 1 Head Coach 1 assistant coach, and 2 junior cheer coaches. In the event a cheer squad s numbers increase past 20 cheerleaders, this will allow for 1 additional assistant coach for each 10 cheerleaders on that respective squad. This assistant coach is allowed volunteer credits. All coaches must refrain from the following: o Scolding players in a loud and degrading manner. o Baiting officials and disputing their calls. All coaches will receive NLYFA bylaws and Coaching expectations prior to the start of the season. The Athletic Director has the authority to remove any coach from his/her position who in the Director s opinion is causing either physical or emotional injury to a participant, openly defies NLYFA Board directives, fails to conform to the standards set forth by the NLYFA and River Valley League Boards and the Illinois High School Association. The assistant Athletic Directors as well as the Athletic Directors will follow procedure as defined by the code of conduct for any violation. The NLYFA reserves the right to reselect every coaching position annually. This includes all Head Football coaches all Head Cheerleading coaches, as well as all assistant football/cheer coaches, and junior cheer coaches. All junior cheer coaches are high school students. All coaches must be certified with USA Football. Article XIII. NLYFA Specialty Teams In the event the NLYFA board of Directors makes a decision to sanction a specialty football team/ cheerleading squad these teams are not intended to interfere with the regular NLYFA practice schedules or game schedules. The example of this would be a post season tournament football team, a stunting competition cheerleading team. The NLYFA bylaws and rules regarding too will be in effect for these specialty teams. The NLYFA general budget will not be used to fund any specialty teams. The specialty teams will have a separate budget specific to that individual team. These specific teams will be self-funded, any and all fundraising must be approved by the NLYFA board of directors. The NLYFA will supply the equipment, however this will only include equipment currently owned by the NLYFA, and the use of this equipment will in no way interfere with the regular NLYFA practice/game schedule.

16 Article XIV. Contracts, Checks, Deposits, & Gifts CONTRACTS The Board may authorize any board member of the corporation within these by-laws to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the corporation and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. CHECKS, DRAFTS, ETC. All checks, drafts or other orders for payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness issued in the name of the corporation, shall be signed by the President or Treasurer. Any checks accepted by the NLYFA which have been returned NSF & represented a 2nd time to the bank & do not clear; the NLYFA will only accept cash for payments for registration fees due. For all checks returned NSF there will be a $10 return fee to be paid to the NLYFA. DEPOSITS All funds of the corporation shall be deposited from time to time to the credit of the corporation in such banks or other depositaries as the Board may select. GIFTS The Board may accept on behalf of the corporation any contributions, gifts, bequest, or devise for the general purposes or for any special purpose of the corporation. Article XV. Books & Records The corporation shall keep correct and complete books and records of accounts by the Treasurer and the Secretary shall keep the minutes of the proceedings of its Board meetings as well as keep the records of names of directors and addresses entitled to vote. All books and records of the corporation may be inspected by any member or attorney for proper purpose at any reasonable time. The recommended audit shall be completed by an Independent Accounting Firm. Article XVI. Fiscal Year The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed by the Board. Signed: Board Secretary