Current Section
Broomfield Youth Football Association By-Laws
BROOMFIELD YOUTH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
OFFICIAL BY-LAWS
2011 Season
ARTICLE I: NAME
The name of this organization shall be the Broomfield Youth Football Association, hereafter referred to as BYFA.
ARTICLE II: PURPOSE
To teach the fundamentals of the game of football while offering the opportunity for players of all skill levels to enhance physical conditioning, learn sportsmanship, and build personal character.
ARTICLE III: POLICY AND INTERPRETATION
Section 1. The rules of play will be those of, but not limited to, the National Federation of High School Athletic Association, except as modified by BYFA.
Section 2. All references to male include the female, and the masculine pronoun includes the feminine.
Section 3. Ensuring that all members of all teams have a chance to play is BYFA’s primary goal; winning games is secondary.
Section 4. Any player who qualifies by age, weight, grade, and physical conditioning may join the BYFA football program.
Section 5. Through attendance at practices, practice games and general attitude, the player shall earn the right to play in every game, regardless of athletic ability. Nothing in this section or ARTICLE shall be construed to prevent the Coach from keeping a player out of a game for disciplinary measures.
ARTICLE IV DEFINITIONS
(1) “Board member” means a person, nominated and elected by a majority vote of the governing board members at the January, February, or March board meeting.
(2) “Credited coach” means a coach who is approved by the board.
(3) “Board” and “governing board” means collectively the group of individuals who have been elected as board members for the given year and are in good standing.
(4) “eligible individual” means a board member, in good standing, from the previous year or a non-board member who has recorded attendance at a minimum of five (5) regular board meetings during the previous year.
(5) “Head coach” means an individual, approved by majority vote of the board and who has signed a Coaches Code of Conduct.
(6) “Coach” mean all those individuals who have been approved by the head coach and who have signed a Coaches Code of Conduct.
(7) “Assigned player” means a credited coach’s or assistant coach’s child or relative.
(8) “Designated child” means a non-relative of credited coach or assistant coach claimed prior to the PAC (with written permission from the parent(s)).
ARTICLE V: GOVERNING BOARD AND MEMBERSHIP
Any parent, coach, or other interested citizen who is willing to support the BYFA with their time, talent and/or financial resources is eligible to become a board member.
Section1. The Board shall consist of a maximum of 10 board members (exclusive of the Director). No two board members may be from the same family. The Information Officer and Secretary of the BYFA will be among these board members. The Director shall vote only in cases of ties. A full term of office will consist of one calendar year. (January - December)
Potential Board Members must serve a 1 year Advocate status prior to being considered for Board membership.
Section 2. The Board shall have the power to take any action the BYFA can take and which should be taken prior to the next regular meeting of the BYFA. Matters referred to the Board by the Director or any committee chairpersons shall take precedence over all matters before the board.
Section 3. The Board shall see that all members, officers, or others who are not entitled to remain in the Board meetings shall retire after they have been heard and submitted their business to the Board.
Section 4. The Board shall act as the trial Board, hearing all charges and trying all BYFA participants, coaches, and board members for any violations. The Board’s power under this rule shall include, but not be limited to, violations of these By-Laws , all rules of the BYFA, Coaches Code of Conduct, and Participants Code of Conduct. The following are among the specific violations the Board shall attend to:
a. Having knowledge of the violations of any provision of these By-laws or rules of the BYFA, yet failing to file charges against the offender or to notify the proper officers of the BYFA.
b. Entering, or being present at any meeting of the BYFA, it’s Board or any of its committees on or near any football field in use by the BYFA while games or practices are in progress while intoxicated with liquor or drugs.
c. Disturbing the peace and harmony of any BYFA meeting using abusive language, creating or participating in any disturbance at a meeting place for the BYFA or any playing field that is being used by the BYFA for practice or game.
d. Fraudulently receiving or misappropriating any monies of the BYFA.
e. Disobeying any rule relating to a player or player’s safety while under practice or game conditions.
f. Violations of the Coaches’ Code of Conduct or the Participants Code of Conduct. The Board shall hear from the coach, parent, or participant accused before a decision is reached. The Board shall submit a report of its actions and findings at each general meeting of the BYFA.
Section 5. The Board shall cooperate fully with other officers of the BYFA to the end that the interests of the BYFA may be properly protected and advanced. The Board shall perform such other duties as are outlined or as may be provided for in the By-Laws of the BYFA.
Section 6. Any Board member missing 2 Board meetings in a row or 3 meetings in one year without a legitimate reason* will not be allowed to remain on the Board. No new Board members shall be allowed on the Board after the March meeting.
*The Director will determine if the reasons are legitimate.
Section 7. Vacancies shall be approved by the Board.
ARTICLE VI: OFFICERS
Section 1. The governing board shall elect a Director, Information Officer, and a Treasurer. The Director, Treasurer, and the Information Officer shall be elected from the board members. The Assistant Director will be appointed by the Director from the governing board.
Section 2. Duties of Officers
DIRECTOR
The Director shall be elected by the Board each year. He shall be held responsible for the strict enforcement of the By-Laws and rules herein. He shall have the responsibility to hold and conduct orderly meetings. He is empowered but not limited to the following:
a. Preside at the meetings of the BYFA
b. Decide all questions of order according to the rules stated herein and have the deciding vote only in case of a tie.
c. Appoint all committees, act as an ex-officio member of the committees, and appoint or ask for volunteers as chairpersons for committees.
d. See that all committees perform the duties assigned to them within a reasonable time, promptly remove any chairperson not performing his or her duties, and appoint another chairperson.
e. With the Board, audit and inspect the bankbooks or the Treasurer to see that monies turned over to the Treasurer have been properly deposited in the name of the BYFA.
f. Cooperate with members of the BYFA.
h. Perform such other duties as are prescribed or assigned to him by the Board and any other necessary actions when such actions are not in conflict with these By-Laws.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR
a. To assist the Director and to preside over Board meetings in the absence of the Director. Thus having the same duties as listed for the Director.
b. The Assistant Director may vote unless he is filling in for the Director. If the Assistant Director is acting as the Director, in the Director’s absence, he may have a tiebreaker vote only.
INFORMATION OFFICER
a. The Information Officer shall keep correct printed or typed minutes of each meeting of the BYFA. These minutes will be available to board members and others, as available, at each meeting. The Information Officer will perform other duties as are directed by the Director or required by the By-Laws of the BYFA. The Information Officer will preside over meetings in the absence of the Director and the Assistant Director.
TREASURER
a. The Treasurer shall receive from the Information Officer or other board members all monies collected or the bank record of money deposited in the BYFA bank account and give proper receipt for it. The Treasurer shall deposit all BYFA monies turned over to him in the bank designated by the Board in the name of BYFA.
b. The Treasurer shall make no disbursements without sanction of the Board except for payments of regular outstanding bills such a rent, salaries, and concessions, which do not require a vote of the Board members and upon an order signed by the Director. The Treasurer shall submit the books and records for inspection or audit when called upon by the Director, the BYFA or the governing board.
ARTICLE VII: NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS
Section 1 Nominations may be submitted in writing prior to the elections or be nominated from the floor at the first meeting each January, which will be designated as the ANNUAL MEETING.
Section 2. Elections-- All eligible individuals may vote at the Annual Meeting held in January.
a. the ultimate goal is to have 50% continuing membership of Board members.
b. rules of elections will be as conditions warrant, e.g. numbers in attendance at Annual meeting, numbers of nominees, etc.
c. proxies will not be allowed at the Annual Meeting.
ARTICLE VIII MEETINGS OF THE BYFA
Section 1. Regular meetings will normally be held on the first Monday of each month, except the month of December and holidays when the first Monday falls on a holiday.
Section 2. Special meetings may be called by any board member, or by the Director. An attempt must be made to contact all board members and the Director prior to the Special Meeting. An attempt to avoid a Special Board Meeting will be made if possible.
a. Director will attempt to discuss problems with parties involved and attempt a resolution outside of a Board Meeting.
b. Director will attempt to call all board members and attempt to resolve the issue by telephone or:
c. Treat the issue as a protest; parties involved shall pay a fee and immediate action by the board is required.
d. Director shall have final say if all other options have been exhausted.
Section 3. A quorum must be present in order for any official business to be conducted.
Section 4. A quorum is defined to consist of 50% of the board members plus one (1), exclusive of the Director.
Section 5. Meetings will normally be presided over by the Director, in his absence, the Assistant Director (1st), the Information Officer (2nd), or the Treasurer (3rd) will preside.
Section 6. No one may speak more than three (3) minutes to any question until all that wish to speak has done so.
Section 7. All Motions of any length shall be made in written form.
ARTICLE IX: VOTING AND PROXIES
Governing Board members must be present or participating via conference call (if out of town) to vote. Proxies will not be allowed.
ARTICLE X: COMMITTEES OF BYFA
Section 1. Examples of Committee’s:
Equipment
Pictures
Rules and By-laws
Trophies
Registration
Sponsors
Field Set-up
Advertising
Officiating
Background Check
Section 2 Any other committee that is deemed necessary by the Governing Board or the Director.
ARTICLE XI: COACHES
Section 1. The Board will evaluate and vote on new applicants and prior coaches for acceptance as coaches prior to assigning teams.
Section 2. The Board reserves the right to deny any coaching tandems that are deemed unfair based on assigned or designated players.
Section 3. The first two credited coaches of a team shall be established before teams are assigned, but after the Mini, Minor and Major criteria are established.
Section 4. Husband and wife may coach in the BYFA, but one must be designated as the third assistant, regardless of the division the coaches are in.
Section 5. All coaches shall sign and follow the Coaches Code of Conduct; (all Code of conducts shall be signed and submitted to the Director by the first game.)
ARTICLE XII PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised, shall govern the BYFA whenever they are applicable and not inconsistent with these By-Laws.
ARTICLE XIII AMENDMENT OF BY-LAWS and RULES
Section 1. Any amended By-Laws or rule changes will stay in effect for the calendar year and cannot be rescinded until the following calendar year.
Section 2. Adoption of By-Law amendments require affirmation of at least 2/3 of the total Board
Section 3. Adoption of BYFA Rule changes requires a majority vote.
(Article XIV Officiating removed)
AMENDMENT I
GAME FORFEITURE
If a coach causes a game to be forfeited, he will be subject to a two (2) week suspension from all Broomfield Youth Football Association activities. He must petition the Board within seven (7) days of the forfeiture in order to be reinstated as a coach.
Violation of the suspension will result in an *automatic and indefinite suspension.*
*Refer to ARTICLE V, Section 4.
AMENDMENT II
Violations of the Coaches Code of Conduct
Any coach or coaches who cause a violation of The Coaches Code of Conduct Section 2b (fighting, hitting, pushing, or shoving), shall be dismissed from the program pending a hearing of the Board, ARTICLE V, Section 2,3,4. A hearing will be held within forty-eight hours of the violation.
AMENDMENT III
Any player desiring to drop down a league may be permitted to do so by vote of the Board. The Board shall also determine if such player shall be allowed to carry the ball, if weight limits permits him to do so.
AMENDMENT IV
Any coach deemed unfit to coach by the Background Check Committee has the right to come before the full board for a hearing to present their case.
