OCEAN SPRINGS SOCCER ORGANIZATION P.O. Box 368 Ocean Springs, Mississippi 39566-0368 ARTICLE I: ORGANIZATION CONSTITUTION and BYLAWS A. NAME: The name of the organization will be the OCEAN SPRINGS SOCCER ORGANIZATION (OSSO). B. PURPOSE: The purpose of OSSO is the control, regulation, promotion, and development of and education for youth soccer in the Ocean Springs, Mississippi, area at all levels of play. C. HEADQUARTERS/BOUNDARIES: The headquarters of OSSO will be in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. See Figure 1 for a graphical representation of the OSSO boundary statement. Figure 1: Ocean Springs Soccer Organization Boundary Map 2012-2013 Page 1 of 12
The boundaries are the city and school district of Ocean Springs and the community and school district of St. Martin. This area is bounded by the Jackson-Harrison county line to the west, along Daisy- Vestry Road to the intersection of Tucker Road, then east to Jordan Road, south to the intersection of Seaman Road, in a line south to US I-10, following US 1-10 east, then southeast to Fort Bayou following Fort Bayou to MS Highway 57, south following the eastern boundary of the Ocean Springs School District along MS Highway 57 to Old Spanish Trail, then east including Old Shell Landing Road and southeast to the mouth of Graveline Bayou, and the Mississippi Sound and Biloxi Bay to the south. D. OPERATION: OSSO will operate as a non-profit organization and will comply with all applicable state and federal regulations. E. PARTICIPATING DIVISIONS: OSSO will be divided into three participating divisions: Recreation (Division III), Premier (Division II) and Select (Division I) if there is sufficient interest and OSSO Board approval. The objective of the RECREATION DIVISION and the PREMIER DIVISION will be to promote soccer in general with emphasis on participation, sportsmanship, physical development, and soccer skills. The objective of the Select Division will be competition. F. MOTTO: The motto of the Recreation and Premier Divisions will be PARTICIPATION. The motto of the Select Division will be COMPETITION. G. AGE GROUPS FOR TEAMS: 1. The Recreation Division III will consist of Under-5, Under-6, Under-8, Under-10, Under-12, Under-14, and Under-16 boys and girls teams. 2. The Premier Division II may consist of Under-10, Under-12, Under-14, Under-16, and Under- 19 boys and girls teams. 3. Select Division participation will be as decided in paragraph E. H. AFFILIATION: 1. OSSO is affiliated with the Mississippi Youth Soccer Association (MSA), the United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA), and the United States Soccer Federation (USSF). It will be an integral part of these Associations and will at all times recognize the authority, rules, and laws of these bodies. ARTICLE II: ADMINISTRATION A. BOARD OF DIRECTORS: OSSO will be governed by a Board of Directors consisting of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Game Coordinator, Referee Coordinator, Registrar, Director of Coaching, and Publicity Coordinator. 2012-2013 Page 2 of 12
B. STANDING COMMITTEES: The Board will be assisted in the performance of its duties by the following Standing Committees: 1. Drawdown and Fund Raising Activities 2. Coach Training 3. Bylaws Committee Members of the Standing Committee will advise and assist the Board but will not be members of the Board or have a vote on Board decisions. C. AD HOC COMMITTEES: The Board may from time to time direct the President to form additional committees to meet specific needs of the Club. Such committees will not be considered Standing Committees and will cease to exist once their intended purpose has been accomplished. An Ad Hoc committee will be formed every year at the beginning of the season to: A) Present proposed uniform style and cost of selection to board for approval B) Work with the registrar to define uniform sizes/styles and numbering C) Submit order to uniform producer D) Track progress of uniforms to support game schedule E) Received and organize distribution of uniforms Once the initial uniform order has been distributed, this committee will be disbanded and the function of uniform orders will be the responsibility of the Treasurer. D. POWERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: The Board of Directors will transact all business of OSSO and will have the power to enforce the Laws of the Game and the Constitution and Bylaws of the Organization. The Board of Directors will have the sole power to settle all disputes. 1. The Board of Directors will have the power to establish rules governing the teams, divisions, competition, and tournament participation. 2. Should the resignation or death of a member of the Board occur, the remaining Directors will appoint an individual to fill the remaining portion of the term. 3. In an emergency and in order to protect the provisions of Article I, Section (B), any OSSO policy rule may be suspended at any Board of Directors meeting by a two-thirds majority vote of the entire Board. In order for any such action to become a permanent part of this Constitution, it must be approved at the next Organizational meeting then be ratified at the next Annual General Meeting. 4. Board members whose actions run counter to the stated objectives of the organization or the implicit spirit of the game may be removed from office by a two-thirds majority vote of the entire Board. E. DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: 1. PRESIDENT: The President will: A) Preside at all meetings. B) Pass upon and approve all outstanding bills submitted to the Board. C) Appoint all committees, subject to the approval of the Board. 2012-2013 Page 3 of 12
D) Be a member of all committees, with one vote on each committee. E) Be the OSSO delegate to MSA meetings, or assign an alternate to attend MSA meetings in his place. F) Assume the responsibility of any absent Board member, or appoint an alternate to assume the responsibility of an absent Board member. G) Appoint annually an auditing committee to review the Treasurer's books and certify the financial accounts. H) Appoint a Nominating Committee to present a proposed slate of officers at the Annual General Meeting. I) Appoint a representative on an as-required basis as established by Board approval for: 1) Jackson County Soccer Association J) In addition, the outgoing President will submit an annual report on the State of the Organization at a meeting to be held each year no later than the last Thursday in June. 2. VICE-PRESIDENT: The Vice-President will: A) Act as President, with full powers and responsibilities thereof, in the absence of the President. B) Chair the Disciplinary and Protest Committee. C) Be responsible for all tournaments hosted by OSSO. D) Assist the President in assuming the responsibilities of any absent Board member. 3. SECRETARY: The Secretary will: A) Record the minutes of all Board meetings. B) Keep and maintain records of all correspondence. C) Store all relevant reports and audits at the Organization's storage facility. 4. TREASURER: The Treasurer will: A) Collect income and fees. B) Pay outstanding bills. C) Make deposits, sign checks, and maintain a detailed record of all income and expenses. D) Prepare an annual operating budget prior to the start of the soccer year. E) Maintain property inventory records. F) Manage uniform orders for late registered players. G) Report performance against budget at Board and all other meetings. H) Perform an Annual Audit. I) Prepare an Annual Report. 5. GAME COORDINATOR: The Game Coordinator will be responsible for: A) The OSSO game schedule. B) Coordination of games with teams from other soccer organizations. 6. REFEREE COORDINATOR: The Referee Coordinator will be responsible for: A) Recruiting and training referees. B) Referee schedules for OSSO games. 2012-2013 Page 4 of 12
C) Serve as OSSO representative to MSA on matters concerning officiating. D) Serve as a member of the Disciplinary and Protest Committee, or appoint a qualified referee to serve as a member of the Disciplinary and Protest Committee. E) Be responsible for the cancellation of games due to weather or field conditions. This should be the responsibility of a member of the Jackson County Soccer Complex Board of Directors or their representative. 7. DIRECTOR OF COACHING: The Director of Coaching will: A) Recruit coaches for all established teams. B) Train coaches on tactics, strategy, and rules. C) Serve on the Disciplinary and Protest Committee. D) Recruit Age Group Coordinators, one for each age group and gender. Multiple age groups and genders may be combined under one coordinator depending on the number of teams within each category. The Age Group Coordinators will report to the Director of Coaching and will be responsible for: 1. Assisting the Head Coach in recruiting coaches and managers for teams in their respective age levels. 2. Distribute information from the Board relative to their age level. 3. Relay questions and concerns back to the Board for action. 4. Other functions as agreed by the Director of Coaching and Board. 8. REGISTRAR: The Registrar will be responsible to: A) Register all players. B) Assign players to teams in accordance with the provisions of Article IV, Section (A). C) Be responsible for furnishing team rosters and all other required information to MSA. 9. PUBLICITY COORDINATOR: The Publicity Coordinator will: A) Be responsible for the publicity of all OSSO teams, both individual and as an organization. B) Be responsible for the production of a newsletter and/or web site updates. F. MEETINGS: 1. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING: An Annual General Meeting will be held once a year for the purpose of electing a Board of Directors and changing the Constitution and Bylaws. Any amendments to be considered at the AGM must be presented to the Bylaws Committee no later than 2 weeks prior to the AGM. 2. SPECIAL MEETING: A special meeting may be called by a majority of the Board. Invitees will be determined by the Board. Special meetings are called for the purpose of discussing problems, and no binding votes may take place. 3. BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETINGS: The President will call all Board meetings. Board meetings will be conducted as required throughout the soccer season. A quorum for conducting business will be a simple majority of the Board and only the Board members will have a vote. 2012-2013 Page 5 of 12
4. NOTICE OF MEETINGS: The Secretary will give seven days advance notice of above meetings. 5. PUBLIC RECORD: All Organization reports, records and historical documentation are a matter of public record and are subject to public inspection. G. ELECTIONS: The Annual General Meeting will be held each year no later than the last Thursday in May for the purpose of nominating and electing Board members. All outgoing Board members will be eligible for re-election. All persons filling official positions and adults with current registered players are eligible to vote on amendment changes and officer elections. H. TERM OF OFFICE: The term of office for each Board member will begin on the first day of July following the election and will expire on the last day of June two years subsequent. Age group coordinators will serve single year terms. To ensure board continuity, half the board will be elected in even numbered years and half will be elected in odd numbered years, as follows: 1. President: Elected in odd years 2. Vice President: Elected in even years 3. Treasurer: Elected in even years 4. Secretary: Elected in even years 5. Director of Coaching: Elected in odd years 6. Referee Coordinator: Elected in even years 7. Publicity Rep: Elected in odd years 8. Game Coordinator: Elected in even years 9. Registrar: Elected in even years I. AMENDMENTS: The Constitution and Bylaws may only be amended by a two-thirds majority vote at the Annual General Meeting. (See Paragraph F.1). J. RECONSIDERATION: Once a decision on an issue has been reached by the Board, anyone asking for a reconsideration of the issue must first obtain a two-thirds approval of the Board to re-open the issue. K. ORDER OF BUSINESS: All OSSO meetings will be conducted in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order. The following order of business will be used at all regular meetings: 1. Call to order. 2. Reading and acceptance of the minutes of the previous meeting. 3. Presentation of financial report by the Treasurer and approval of any proposed budget changes. 4. Communications. 5. Reports of the Directors. 6. Reports of Committees. 7. Unfinished business. 8. New business. 9. Miscellaneous items. 2012-2013 Page 6 of 12
10. Adjournment. Ocean Springs Soccer Organization Constitution and Bylaws L. OSSO FEES: All fees and monies collected by OSSO will be used to promote soccer participation by OSSO teams and the game in general. Registration fees will be at the discretion of the Board based on the annual operating budget requirements. All expenditures must be fully documented and approved by the Board. All checks and drafts must be approved by a majority vote of the Board prior to incurring an expense. All expenditures become a matter of public record. M. SAVINGS CLAUSE: If any word, phrase, sentence, or other provision of this Constitution and Bylaws or its application to any person or circumstance is held to be invalid, the invalidity will not affect the other words, phrases, clauses, sentences, or provisions or applications of the Constitution and Bylaws, and to this end the provisions of the Constitution and Bylaws are declared to be serviceable. N. SUBCONTRACTOR SUPPORT: The board may authorize contracted support to administer OSSO related functions. Funds used from player registration will be used to pay this administrative activity. ARTICLE III: GENERAL OPERATING POLICIES A. REGISTRATION: 1. In order to participate on an OSSO team a player must submit an application and be registered. All applications are subject to the approval of the Board. If an application is found not to be acceptable, the fee will be returned to the applicant along with written justification for the nonacceptance. 2. Proof of date of birth is required for player registration, or upon request of the Registrar. 3. Written consent of the applicant's parent or guardian is required. 4. Registration will be valid for the current MSA soccer year. 5. Registration for both Recreational and Premier divisions will close prior to team assignments (leveling) of Recreational Division teams. Registration closing date(s) and leveling date(s) will be established each year by the Board. 6. Applicants whose registrations are not received on or before the official registration closing date will not be assigned to teams but will be placed on a waiting list and assigned to a team when/if space is available. Additional fees may be charged to process late order of uniforms. B. GAMES: 1. All games played by OSSO teams will be played under the rules of FIFA, as amended by the USYSA and/or MSA for youth play. 2. All games must be authorized by the Game Coordinator. Unscheduled games must be discontinued upon the arrival of another team and its coach if sufficient practice area is not available for the third team. 3. All games will be played as scheduled. Any scheduled game canceled due to unplayable conditions may be rescheduled at the discretion of the Game Coordinator. 4. All games will begin at the scheduled time. Any team not able to field the minimum number of players shown in the following table within ten minutes of game time will forfeit the game, unless the inability to field a team is considered by the Board to be due to an "Act of God". 2012-2013 Page 7 of 12
Age Group Regular Number of Players Minimum Number of Players U5 and U6 3 3 U8 4 3 U10 6 4 U12 8 5 U14-U16 11 7 If the start of a game is delayed for any reason, the referee may, at his or her discretion, reduce the allowed playing time so that subsequent games will not be delayed. 5. Scorecards signed by both coaches and the referee will be turned in to the referee after the completion of each game. The scorecard will indicate the final score and team number of both teams. The referee will sign the score card and will turn the scorecard to the Referee Coordinator. The Referee Coordinator will submit the games card to the Treasurer. C. COACHING: 1. Each team must have at least one adult as coach or assistant coach. The minimum age for coaching at each age level will be determined by the Board. 2. All OSSO coaches will stress player participation, conduct themselves in a proper manner, encourage sportsmanship, and enforce the rules and regulations of OSSO. 3. Coaching from the sidelines, i.e., giving directions to one's own team on points of strategy and position, is permitted provided that no mechanical devices are used, the tone of voice is informative, and the instructions are positive. 4. NEGATIVE COACHING, I.E., BERATING A PLAYER, MAKING DISPARAGING REMARKS, OR BLATANT CRITICISM, IS NOT PERMITTED AND WILL NOT BE ALLOWED. IF IT OCCURS, THE COACH WILL BE WARNED BY THE REFEREE. REPEATED OCCURRENCES WILL WARRANT A CAUTION (YELLOW CARD) FROM THE REFEREE, THEN A RED CARD AND EJECTION FROM THE PLAYING FIELD. 5. The coach and substitute players will remain on the sideline and within 10 yards of either side of field centerline. D. REFEREES AND LINESMEN: 1. The OSSO-assigned center referee will sign the scorecard after the completion of each game. Scorecards will be turned in by the coaches as specified in Section (B)(5) of this Article after obtaining the required signature and adding comments. 2. In the event that an appointed referee fails to appear for a scheduled game, or becomes incapacitated during the game, a referee will be appointed by agreement between the teams. If the appointed referee is not a league-approved official, the game will be halted at the next stoppage point after the arrival of an approved referee or the return of the originally-scheduled official. 3. Each team will provide one linesman per game, if requested. Linesmen are responsible to the referee to assist him in officiating the game. In case of dispute, the referee's decision will be final. 2012-2013 Page 8 of 12
E. PARENTS AND FANS: 1. Alcohol and alcoholic beverages are prohibited from all practice and game sites. 2. Illegal and controlled substances are prohibited from all practice and game facilities. 3. Firearms are prohibited from all practice and game facilities. 4. BERATING A PLAYER, REFEREE, OR COACH, MAKING DISPARAGING REMARKS, OR BLATANT CRITICISM, IS NOT PERMITTED AND WILL NOT BE ALLOWED. IF IT OCCURS, THE PARENT OR FAN WILL BE WARNED BY THE REFEREE. A REPEATED OCCURRENCE WILL WARRANT AN EJECTION FROM THE PLAYING FIELD. F. DISCIPLINE AND PROTESTS: 1. The Disciplinary and Protest Committee will consist of the Vice-President (Chairperson), the Recreation Director of Coaching, the Referee Coordinator or his appointed representative, and two out-of-division coaches (Board members not eligible). 2. The primary responsibility of this Committee is to settle all issues regarding protests, misconduct, and violations of this Constitution and Bylaws in an expeditious and informal manner. In the event an informal settlement cannot be reached, the Committee will reduce its decision to writing and present the written decision to the person(s) involved, as appropriate. 3. The Chairperson will notify the person(s) involved of the meeting to take place. 4. Decisions by the Committee will be final unless the person(s) involved exercise their right of appeal to the Board of Directors, or unless the person(s) have had to be repeatedly disciplined under this Section. In these two cases, the person(s) will be required to appear before a Board meeting before a final decision is made regarding their status. The person(s) will have the right to present any information or witnesses who can testify to pertinent facts involved in the case. 5. All protests will be submitted in writing to the Disciplinary and Protest Committee with 48 hours after the protested game. Protests will be considered on a case-by-case basis. A nonrefundable fee of TWENTY-FIVE DOLLARS ($25.00) must accompany the written protest for it to be accepted. 6. Misconduct by players, coaches, referees, linesmen, or spectators will not be tolerated. The following items represent conduct which is considered detrimental to the best interests of OSSO and its members: A. Derogatory remarks or gestures. B. Disruptive behavior. C. Use of profanity. D. Physical assault. E. Intentional violation of OSSO's Constitution and Bylaws or the rules of FIFA, USSF, USYSA, or MSA. 7. The following penalties will automatically take effect: A. Any player, coach, or linesman who physically assaults a referee will be suspended for one calendar year from the date of the assault. This is to include all OSSO tournaments, and exhibition games in which any OSSO team or individual player participates. B. Any player removed from the field by the referee for misconduct will not be replaced 2012-2013 Page 9 of 12
for the duration of the game. C. Any misconduct by a player, coach, linesman, or spectator will be dealt with immediately by the referee or OSSO-appointed official. Initial misconduct will warrant a caution unless the referee deems the infraction serious enough to warrant more severe action. Persistent misconduct after the receipt of a caution will be dealt with by ejection of the offending person or suspension of the game, whichever is considered appropriate by the referee. In either event, a report of the circumstances will be made within 48 hours to the Disciplinary and Protest Committee for any further action which they deem appropriate. D. All ejected players, linesmen, coaches, or spectators will be noted on the scorecard, with follow-up reports to be submitted within 48 hours as noted in (C) above. ARTICLE IV: RECREATION AND PREMIER DIVISION PROGRAM A. TEAM ASSIGNMENTS (LEVELING): 1. Team assignments will be made at the close of registration using MSA approved software. Leveling will be conducted in accordance with MSA/USYSA accepted practices. 2. All Recreation Division III players will be put into a player "pool" each year. This pool may be further sub-pooled by using the elementary school to which the player attends or lives the closest. 3. A total of all players in each group will be tabulated to determine the total number of teams. It will be a goal that each team roster have a minimum of 13 and a maximum of 15 players. Exceptions to this goal will be: A. The maximum number will be exceeded if necessary to allow a registered player the opportunity to participate during the soccer season. B. The minimum number will not be met in any age group that plays a shortsided season, i.e., less than 11 team members on the field to play during a game. 4. Siblings of a given family will be assigned to the same team if in the same division. The only exceptions will be those requested by the parent or guardian. 5. The Coach s child and a single assistant coach s child(ren) will be placed on the same team. Team leveling will be performed after the blind draw, to take into consideration the age and years of experience of the coach's and assistant coach's children. 6. All players will be leveled onto a team, including coach's children (see note below), by age. Players will be assigned to an age group based on their age as of August 1 of the current soccer year. The level/grading will be performed by the MSA computer software authorized by MSA. Children that are 3 years old at the time of registration cut-off, will not be registered nor placed on a team. 7. No team or block of players may advance to a higher division as a unit. 8. Upon completion of team assignments, all teams within an age group will have approximately the same number of players by age and total years of playing experience. 9. Premier leveling - Any time there are enough players to make more than one team, they will be leveled by school, by an Open Draft or a Blind Draw, to be voted on by the coaches of the affected groups. 2012-2013 Page 10 of 12
10. Recognizing that parent, coach, and player conflict may sometimes occur, a player can only transfer from a team by meeting all of the below: A. Approval of the player and the player's parent or guardian B. Approval of both coaches, C. Approval of the Board of Directors, D. The parent or guardian is responsible for the cost of a new uniform. 11. Request to play at a higher age group must be approved by the Board. The request must be submitted, via memorandum, prior to close of walk-in registration and be submitted to the registrar. In considering such a request, the Board will only consider family ties, parent/guardian coaching responsibilities supporting the purpose of the organization. The existence of family ties to the higher age group will not constitute a reason for automatic approval. B. UNIFORMS: 1. Each player will be issued a numbered jersey. The issuing of shorts and socks will be at the discretion of the Board after yearly budget requirements and registration fees are set. Each player will be responsible for their individual shoes and shin guards. Shin guards are required. 2. Any additions or alterations to the uniforms must be approved by the Board. 3. In order to compete, a player must be dressed in the issued uniform and conform to FIFA uniform requirements. C. PRACTICES: Team practices will be limited to twice a week for a period of two hours or less. If there is no game on the weekend, a third practice session may be held in lieu of the game. Any practice or scrimmage game will constitute a practice. D. PLAYER PARTICIPATION: 1. All registered team members in attendance at scheduled games must participate by playing not less than half of the game. 2. A player who is not excused from practices or games, or who disrupts practices by not complying with the instructions of the coach, or who otherwise disrupts the efforts of the coach to teach the team the game of soccer, may be disciplined by a reduction in the required game playing time. Prior to the start of the game, such players must be identified on the scorecard and the scorecard must be signed by the referee, the coach and parent of child being disciplined. The coach must note on the back of the scorecard the reason for any player not playing the required minimum game time. E. MINIMUM NUMBER OF PLAYERS: All teams must field the minimum number of players in order to start a scheduled game. (see Article III - Section B-4). F. INJURY SUBSTITUTIONS: Substitution of an injured player during a quarter is permitted if authorized by the referee. Any player removed because of an injury will be allowed to return to the game during the same quarter if he replaces his substitute. G. DETERMINATION OF DISTRICT TEAM REPRESENTATIVES: 2012-2013 Page 11 of 12
1. At the conclusion of the regular season, an OSSO tournament will be held among teams in those age groups that will proceed to the MSA District Tournament. The winner of the tournament in each age group will be OSSO's number one team, and the runner-up will be OSSO's number two team in the Southern District Tournament. If the MSA District Tournament accepts more than two teams per age/gender group, the OSSO Board will determine if more than two teams should attend MSA District Tournament. 2. The tournament approach (round robin, best of three, double elimination, or hybrid) will be established by a Tournament Committee for the OSSO Tournament at the end of the regular season schedule for each age/gender group. 3. Tournament brackets or first round pairings will be determined by blind draw administered by the Tournament Committee. 4. Coaches will be notified of the tournament approach at a coaches meeting prior to the OSSO Tournament. H. TOURNAMENT PARTICIPATION: 1. Any tournament participation will be governed by the Laws of the Game and of OSSO. 2. All tournament participation that is not sponsored by OSSO will require authorization by the Board. 2012-2013 Page 12 of 12