Monroe Special Sports

ABOUT US

Monroe Special Sports is a 501(c) (3) public charity that is located in Monroe Township, NJ.  We are a group of enthusiastic parents, family, friends and community members that provide a place for Monroe Twp. special needs athletes to play and socialize. Our Executive Board is made up of a director, treasurer, secretary and nine parent/community volunteers. We organize five different sports programs (basketball, baseball, soccer, track and bowling) for special needs athletes and their families in Monroe Township.

We recruit volunteers from local schools and surrounding areas. We offer volunteer community service hours for middle- and high-school students.  Our volunteers work under direct supervision with our athletes and assist in administrative duties. We have Monroe resident parent volunteers who help organize our programs and keep them up and running. New volunteers (including outside Monroe Twp.) are always welcome; we are constantly out recruiting new volunteers to help better our childrens’ lives.

We invite community members (fire department, police department, etc.) to join us and bring activities to our children. Some of these activities help to assist in making the children more comfortable with what is sometimes a scary situation (fire trucks, police cars, etc.). We want our children to be comfortable if they are ever in a situation where they need help and to know who is there to help them and what they look like. The fun activities they bring make our children excited and not scared as some previously were.  We also take field trips each year as a group to the Octoberfest community festival, National Night Out, Etsche Farm, and Lakewood BlueClaws baseball stadium to stress the importance of community involvement beyond our games and to increase our exposure to the general public.

We accept any and all charitable donations. These donations help improve and expand our programs. They enable us to give the children and families wonderful and memorable experiences. We thank every group that has donated and bettered our children’s lives. 

1. Name- The name of the association shall be Monroe Special Sports.
2. Board Members: Director, Secretary, Treasurer, Community/Sponsorship, and Coaching Support 
1. The Board Members shall serve without pay and work with the Parent/ Volunteers.         
2. All board members must be knowledgeable, involved, and available year-round. 
3. Vacancies to the board shall be filled by vote, with the recommendations of the Executive Board.
4. Board members with many absences or unable to complete the duties shall be removed from their position as deemed by the Executive Board. 
3. Officers 
1. The Officers of the Association shall consist of a Director, Secretary, Treasurer, Community Member/Sponsorship and Coaching/ Support 
2. Officers shall volunteer, or be nominated by the group, and shall serve at least one year. 
3. The Director, Community Sponsorship, Coaching Support should attend all board meetings and perform other duties as associated with the office.  The Secretary shall be responsible for the minutes of the meetings, send out copies of the minutes, as well as the meeting agendas and forward to the Ex. Board.  The Treasurer shall keep record of the organization’s financial affairs and prepare financial reports as needed. 
4. Committees
1. The Board may appoint standing and ad hoc committees.
5. Meetings 
1. Regular meetings shall be held before each sport for registrations or as needed year-round. 
2. Special meetings may be called at any time when necessary by the Director or the majority of the Board.  
3. Agendas shall be provided at least 5 days in advance by the secretary. Anyone wishing to contribute to the agenda should notify secretary 7 days in advance of meeting. 
6. Voting
1. (a) A majority of board members constitutes a quorum. (b) In absence of a quorum, no formal action shall be taken except to adjourn the meeting to a subsequent date. 
2. Passage of a motion requires a simple majority (More than 50 % of those in attendance). 
3. In the event of a tie vote the Director vote carries. 
4. Elections into office take place during the general membership meeting held in October during the Basketball session through a simple vote, show of hands. 
7. Conflict of Interest

1. Any member of the board who has a financial, personal, or official interest in, or conflict (or appearance of a conflict) with any matter pending before the Board, of such nature that it prevents or may prevent that member from acting on the matter in an impartial manner, will offer to the Board to voluntarily excuse him/herself and will vacate his seat and refrain from discussion and voting on said item.

1. Fiscal Policies

1. The fiscal period of the board shall be the calendar year. 
1. Amendments 
1. These by-laws may be amended by a two-third vote of Board members present at any meeting, provided a quorum is present and provide a copy of the proposed amendment(s) are provided to each Board member at least one week prior to said meeting.

These by-laws have been adopted this day by majority vote.  

Susan L. Reiser                                                    Elaine Schiavone 

Director                                                               Treasurer 

___________________                                         _____________________

Karen Grossman                                            Edward J. Smith 

Secretary                                                        Community/Sponsorship 

___________________                                        _____________________

Steven Close

Coaching/ Support 

___________________                    

Date reviewed and amended:   March 29th 2022