About

Club bylaws

The objectives of the Gracanica Serbs Soccer Club are to:

· Provide an opportunity to learn and play recreational soccer in an atmosphere of friendly and safe competition. The development of sportsmanship, teamwork, and enjoyment of the game are primary goals of the Club. The Club, and its representatives, has a duty to administer and promote these activities in a responsible manner.

ARTICLE II - BOUNDARIES

· Boundaries: Lake County and nearby Wisconsin townships.

ARTICLE III - AFFILIATIONS

· This Club is affiliated with the Serbian Orthodox Church, St. Basil of Ostrog, Lake Forest, Illinois, USA

ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP

· All registered players, parents of registered players, or other persons who pay the registration fee and persons who participate directly in responsibilities involved with the club, are members of the Gracanica Serbs Club. Members also must be a member of any Serbian Orthodox Church and/or parish.

ARTICLE V - MEETINGS

· General meeting: The general meeting will be held annually in March. It is open to all members. Election of officers will take place at this meeting. Newly elected officers will take office one month later.

· Board meeting: The Board of Directors shall meet on the second Monday of the month. A quorum is necessary for any official business of the Board and shall consist of all board members present.

· Special meetings: May be called anytime by the President or any one of the Board Members providing that ten days prior notice is given.

ARTICLE VI – BOARD MEMBERSHIP

A. The Gracanica Serbs Soccer Club shall have a Board of Directors consisting of:

1. President

2. Past-President (Fund Raiser Coordinator)

3. Vice-President

4. Secretary

5. Treasurer

B. Members of the Board of Directors must be members of the Gracanica Serbs Soccer Club and be at least 18 years of age.

The four Club officers are to be elected from a list presented to the Board by the nominating committee or any other club member.

Nominations from the floor at the general meeting; they are to be elected at the general meeting. The nominee for President must be someone who has been a member of the Board for a minimum of two years and is currently serving on the Board. The nominee for Vice-President must be someone who has been a member for a minimum of one year and is currently serving on the Board. They shall serve a term of one calendar year. The Executive Board officers shall carry out the management of programs according to instructions and principles defined by the Board of Directors.

C. Vacancies - Will be filled by the remaining board members for the remainder of the term.

D. The following are duties of the Board of Directors:

1. President - calls and presides over meetings, prepares yearly calendar of events and represents the club. The President maintains the Policy Manual, and is responsible for the monthly agenda. The President or his appointee will attend parish Board meetings.

2. Past-President - (Fund Raising Coordinator) may serve on the Board of Directors as an ex-officio member if he or she so chooses. He will also conduct evaluations for possible fund raising activities.

3. Vice-President - Oversees collection of equipment at end of spring season; procures quality uniforms and equipment at the best possible value; helps to establish priorities for fund raising and consults with parish President.

4. Secretary - keeps minutes of Board of Directors, Executive Committee and open meetings; the secretary will mail minutes of all meetings to the Board of Directors within two weeks after meetings.

5. Treasurer - keeps financial record and prepares monthly reports: pays bills, insurance, taxes, etc.; invests funds properly; develops annual budget; consults with Vice-President (Fund Raising Coordinator).

Club Board General Duties & Responsibilities:

Work is performed under the executive direction of the Club President. In accordance with the Bylaws of the Gracanica Serbs Soccer Club.

Essential Functions/ Types of work performed (This list is not comprehensive but indicates duties and responsibilities which may be redefined pursuant to Club needs):

a. Directs and develops long and short-range plans for department operations and capital improvements.

b. Establishes and implements Club rules, regulations, work priorities, and work methods including development of written procedural manuals.

c. Authorizes and approves the hiring, assignment, evaluation of volunteers in the Club, and initiates action as appropriate. The Executive Board reserves the right to review or override any decision that results in disciplinary action or termination.

d. Directs efforts to secure available grant monies for various Club activities and programs.

e. Coordinates the activities of the recreational and competitive tournaments.

f. Prepares and administrates annual budget.

g. Provides a liaison to the St. Basil of Ostrog Parish Board.

h. Attend and participate in church and public functions and meetings to present, explain and promote Gracanica Serbs Soccer Club programs.

i. Prepare quarterly newsletter for the parish membership, to promote participation and understanding of Club activities.

j. Prepares report for presentation to the Board of Directors monthly meeting.

k. Study the needs of the recreational members in relation to availability and development of practice sites and facilities.

l. Maintain and improve communication throughout the Serbian and American soccer community.

m. Development and implementation of Gracanica Serbs Youth Club.

n. Perform related duties as needed or

assigned by the Club President.

o. Promote a healthy recreational atmosphere of friendly and safe competition

ARTICLE VII – HEAD AND ASSISTANT COACH

The coach (s) have control of the activities, conduct and welfare of the team while on the practice and playing field.
A coach will conduct himself at all times as an adult and in a dignified manner.
The coach is the club's representative to the players and their families. Good sportsmanship, fairness, obedience to rules and a positive attitude at all times must be evident in a coach.
The player’s well-being, training, and soccer experience must be the top priority in all efforts by the coach.
It is the coach's responsibility to follow and support all programs developed and adopted by the Club Board of Directors.
The coach of a player involved in a disciplinary action shall be present at the designated League Meeting where the action will be reviewed.
Coaches will be responsible for all uniforms and equipment issued to them by the Club.
All club-owned equipment and uniform items must be returned to club.
Reimbursement to the Club for equipment not returned to the Club shall be the responsibility of the assistant coach.
Responsible to uphold club bylaws including player code of conduct during games and practices.
Has the authority to coordinate team line-ups prior to the commencement of each game.
Has the authority to remove a player or players from field of play whether it be a game or practice.
Will coordinate and have full and final authority on all substitutions.

ARTICLE VIII – CLUB COMMITTEES

Committees are proposed by board members, and approved by the Board of Directors by majority vote as necessary to plan and implement club activities.

a. The board member whose area of responsibility the committee has been assigned shall appoint a chairperson.

b. The chairperson shall present activity plans to the assigned board member. If they approve, the assigned board member will present to the Club Board of Directors for approval prior to the commencement/implementation of the plan (s).

ARTICLE VIX –CODE OF CONDUCT

a. The use and/or consumption of any alcoholic beverage immediately before or during soccer game of this Club are expressly prohibited and are so stated.

b. Smoking by players or spectators is prohibited within 50 feet of any Gracanica Serbs Club soccer field during warm-up or game play.

c. Any player and/or Club Official who violates these prohibitions shall be subject to disciplinary action and/or suspension by this Club Board or Directors.

d. ANY PLAYER/CLUB MEMBER USING PROFANITY OR NEGATIVE CRITICISMS DIRECTED TOWARDS OFFICIALS OR OTHER PLAYERS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. ALL PLAYERS/MEMBERS OF THE CLUB WILL BE TREATED WITH RESPECT AT ALL TIMES. ANY VIOLATIONS OF THIS ARTICLE CAN RESULT OF IMMEDIATE SUSPENSION OR EXPULSION FROM TEAM/CLUB.

ARTICLE X - BYLAWS

a. Each member of the Board and Coaches will be given a copy of these By-Laws when accepted to the position. Coaches will be given a copy of the Gracanica Serbs Soccer Club Agreement, which they must sign and return to Gracanica Serbs Soccer Club prior to being issued their team roster and coach pass. Players will be given a copy of the Gracanica Serbs Soccer Club at the time of registration, which they must sign and return to Gracanica Serbs Club prior to their player(s) being officially registered for the season. Members too will receive a copy of these bylaws at the time of the membership.

b. Any proposal to make changes to the Club Bylaws must be submitted in writing to the Board of Directors by the last scheduled Board meeting. The proposal must be approved by a 2/3 majority vote of the membership present at the annual meeting before any changes are made to the Bylaws.

c. The By-Laws shall become effective immediately after their adoption. At that time, any and all By-Laws of the Gracanica Soccer Club, of the St. Czar Lazar Parish, theretofore adopted, are hereby repealed.

d. The Club Board of Directors shall approve any and all contracts executed in the name of the Gracanica Soccer Club.