Jackson Liberty Ice Hockey Club By-Laws

 

Article I: Name

 

The name of the legal name of the non-profit organization is the Jackson Liberty Ice Hockey Club herein referred to as “The Club”.

 

Article II: Purpose of Club

 

To field Varsity and Junior Varsity ice hockey teams for interscholastic competition and all things incidental to that purpose.  To teach and develop fundamental and advanced ice hockey skills and sportsmanship.  To encourage and coordinate ice hockey as a competitive sport for the benefit of eligible students of the Jackson Liberty High School District pursuant to the School Board Policy then in effect, the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association and the Shore Conference and or their successors.  The Club is established within the IRS Publication 557 section 501(c)(3) organization of the IRS code 1986.

 

Article III: Offices

 

The principal office of the Corporation/organization shall be located at 766 Green Valley Road, Jackson, NJ  08527.

 

Article IV: Assets

 

The properties and assets of the Corporation/Organization are irrevocably dedicated to and for non-profit purposes only.  No part of the net earnings, properties or assets of this Corporation/Organization on dissolution or otherwise, shall inure to the benefit of any person or any member, director, or officers of this Corporation/Organization.  On Liquidation or dissolution, all remaining properties and assets of the Corporation/Organization shall be distributed and paid over to an organization dedicated to non-profit purposes which has established it tax-exempt status pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Code.

 

Article V: Membership

 

The membership of The Club will consist of the Coaches, Board Members and Parents or Guardians of all players of all teams of The Club who remain in good standing by fulfilling their financial and participatory obligations. 

 

Article VI: Board of Governors

 

Parents or Guardians of The Club shall elect six (6) people to the Board of Governors to govern The Club.  They are the President, Vice-President, Secretary (a non-voting position), Treasurer and two (2) Trustees.  The Board of Governors shall be the governing body of The Club.  There shall be a minimum of 5 and a maximum of 7 members on the Board at all times.

 

A member may serve a maximum of 4 consecutive terms unless the Board appoints the member by a simple majority vote.  The member will be eligible again for office after 1 year absence from the board.

 

A member may miss a maximum of 3 consecutive meetings and annually 5 meetings.

 

A Board member may be removed by a simple majority vote of the Board of Governors.

 

There will be no paid members on the Board.

 

There must 5 members together to call a special meeting and there shall be a minimum notice of 3 business days to hold a special meeting.  The minimum number of Board members to constitute a quorum is 5.

 

The President, Vice President and Treasurer shall have the ability to sign checks and endorse formal contracts.  All checks and contracts require the signature of at least 2 of the preceding board members.

 

They shall, by majority vote, render all decisions on matters brought before them or originated by them and any and all matters concerning the best interest of the Jackson Liberty Ice Hockey Club.  Each Member of the Board of Governors (Executive Committee) shall have one (1) vote.

 

Executive Committee

 

President, Vice-President, Treasurer and two (2) Trustees.

 

Article VII: Elections

 

A)  Elections for the Board of Governors will be held at the general membership meeting in March or as soon after that as practical and subject to the simple majority vote (excluding coaches) by way of secret ballot.  Board Members shall serve a two (2) year term.  Positions will be filled on a staggered basis to prevent a turnover of the entire Board.  The incoming Board Members will take office April 1.

 

B)  Candidates for election to the Board of Governors are required to have a child currently participating or a child that has participated with The Club.

 

C)  No more than one family member can serve on the Executive Committee in the same given year.

 

D)  The Board of Governors shall fill any vacancies on the Executive Committee within seven (7) days by majority vote, after notifying the general membership of such vacancy at least three (3) days prior to the Board vote.

 

E)  Parents or guardians are entitled to one (1) vote per family, but coaches are ineligible to vote.

 

Article VIII: Definition of Responsibility

 

A)  President:  Shall have the overall responsibility for the wellbeing and operation of the Club.  The President shall see to it that the mandates of the Board of Governors are implemented and carried out according to the Board and will represent the Club at all meetings that need representation.

 

B)  Vice-President:  Shall assist the President and assume the President’s duties if the President is absent.  The Vice-President shall preside over all fund raising activities for the Club and other duties that may be determined by the Board.

 

C)  Treasurer:  Shall be responsible for financial status reports and collection of money.  

 

D)  Secretary:  Shall record minutes of meetings and other duties that may be determined by the Board.

 

E)  Trustees:  Shall be responsible for helping with any and all duties that may be assigned by the Board.

 

F)  There shall be a Fundraising Committee which consists of the Vice-President, two (2) Trustees and two (2) General Members appointed by the Board.

 

Article IX: Fees

 

A)  Before the start of each season, the Board of Governors shall determine the cost of participation per player.  This will consist of:

 

1.  League fee per player

 

2.  Cost of practice ice per player

 

3.  Coaches fees

 

Varsity Head Coach paid for by Jackson Township Board of Education

 

Varsity Assistant Coach paid for by the Board of Governors

 

4.  Referee fees

 

5.  Bus fees

 

6.  Tournament fees

 

7.  General fund fees

 

B)  Fees will be due and payable after the Board is able to determine the number of players the teams will field in a given year.  The first payment will be due before the start of the season at a date to be determined.

 

C)  Fees will not include jerseys, socks, shells or any other equipment.  This will be paid for by the player.

 

D)  If fees are not paid by the date determined by the Board, a player may be suspended until such fees are paid.

 

Article X:  General Meetings

 

General Meetings will take place twice a season, once in the beginning and once near the end of the season.  Additional meetings will be scheduled as needed.  The Board can call a special meeting for any reason it deems necessary.  All General Meetings will be recorded.  Meeting Minutes will delivered to the board members within 5 business days following a meeting.  Board decisions may be made via email vote and will be accepted without a physical meeting of the Board members as needed.

 

A minimum of 3 Board members is needed for an executive committee.  An audit committee has not been established for this board.

 

The fiscal year for the club will end on June 30^th.  The Club must make financial statements available within 30 days of the end of the fiscal year.

 

 

 

Article XI: Ice Time and Team Placement

 

There is no guarantee of placement on a team or of the amount of ice time a player receives.  Team placement and ice time is at the total discretion of the Coaches and the Board has no authority over this.

 

Article XII: Complaint Procedure

 

A)  Members having comments or complaints concerning financing, fundraising or by-laws should wait 24 hours before voicing their complaint.  If after having waited the 24 hours there is still a complaint, a member may ask any Board Member for a meeting of which at least two (2) Board Members must be present to hear the complaint.  After the complaint is heard, a Board Meeting will take place to act upon the complaint in a timely fashion.

 

B)  Any and all other comments, concerns or complaints should be presented to the Coaches and/or the Athletic Director.

 

Article XIII: Participation Commitment

 

A)  All players on all teams of The Club are expected to attend all practices and scheduled games for their team.  Failure to meet this obligation may result in disciplinary action at the discretion of the Coach.

 

B)  No Member should act on behalf of the Club without the approval of the Board of Governors.

 

Article XIV: Hold Harmless

 

It is understood that The Board of Governors acts solely for the good of The Club and shall not be subject to or named in any legal action brought against the Club.  The Jackson Liberty Ice Hockey Club will pay for the defense of its Board members in the event a lawsuit is brought upon them due to their actions while on the Board and serving the interest of the Club.

 

Article XV: Coaches Parent Code of Conduct

 

I shall show respect and positive support for all coaches, officials and players, prior to, during and after the game.

 

I will ensure my child behaves in a sportsmanlike manner.

 

I will be mindful of the need for player development over a need to win.

 

I will insist that my child plays in a safe and healthy environment.

 

I will ensure that my child does not use performance enhancing drugs.

 

I will be mindful of my role at all times, provide support, not openly instruct during the game or openly interrupt the game.

 

I will abide by the rulings of the officials and coaches and league administrators during and after the game.

 

I will demand and demonstrate a healthy sports environment by refraining from drug, alcohol and tobacco use during all sporting events.

 

Any parent has the right to go to the Board of Governors about misconduct, harassment or bullying of a player by any player or parent that takes place before, during or after a game.

 

Yearly, Coaches will provide a Parent Code of Conduct.

 

Article XVI: Coaches Player Code of Conduct

 

No player shall argue, show disrespect or use abusive language to any referee, league official, player or parent.

 

No player shall take any action with the intention of injuring an opposing player.

 

No player shall use any illegal drugs, tobacco or alcohol.

 

The coach has the right to bench or suspend an individual based on the severity of the offense.

 

Yearly, Coaches will provide a Player Code of Conduct.

 

Article XVII: Amendments to the By-Laws

 

Any Member may propose to amend the By-Laws.  An amendment to adopt or change existing By-Laws must be approved by majority vote of the General Membership.  In the case of members not casting a vote at an election, the simple majority vote of the Board of Governors will be accepted.

 

The current Board secretary is Joanne Meyer.  These By-Laws will be adopted on November 23, 2015.

 

Article XVIII: Article of Incorporation

 

This Clubs Articles of Incorporation are hereby included as part of these by-laws as a 501(c)(3) organization.

 

Article XIX:  Periodic Reviews

 

To ensure the Organization operates in a manner consistent with charitable purposes and does not engage in activities that could jeopardize its tax-exempt status, periodic reviews shall be conducted. The periodic reviews shall, at a minimum, include the following:   Whether partnerships, joint ventures, and arrangements with management organizations are properly recorded and reflect reasonable payments for goods and services.

 

 

When conducting the periodic reviews, the Organization may, but need not, use outside advisors. If outside experts are used, their use shall not relieve the governing board of its responsibility for ensuring periodic reviews are conducted.  As per New Jersey state law, this satisfies the requirements of section 508(e) relating to private foundation governing instruments.

 

 

 

 

 

Revised: August 30, 2016