LEHIGH VALLEY SOCCER LEAGUE

LEHIGH VALLEY SOCCER LEAGUE

Affiliated with the United States Soccer Federation

Approved: April 6, 1977

Revised: February 5, 1991

BYLAWS OF THE

LEHIGH VALLEY SOCCER LEAGUE

I. NAME

This Association shall bear the name LEHIGH VALLEY SOCCER LEAGUE (hereafter called

League).

II. PURPOSE

The purpose of the League shall be to promote, foster and perpetuate the game of soccer in the

Lehigh Valley, and for the accomplishment of this purpose, this League shall therein posses

and exercise supreme governmental control and representation of said game, except in those

matters reserved or granted to the EPSA, EPYSA and the USSF.

III. AFFILIATION

The LEHIGH VALLEY SOCCER LEAGUE is a member of the Eastern Pennsylvania Soccer

Association (EPSA) and the United States Soccer Federation (USSF). The League will make all

attempts to work within the frameworks of these organizations. Any occurrence not specifically

covered by the Bylaws of the LVSL or its various rules shall be covered by the rules of the EPSA

or the USSF.

IV. TERRITORY

The League territory will include the area of a thirty mile radius using Bethlehem as the center

point. Teams outside this area may be accepted for membership with a 2/3 approval vote of the

League.

V. OFFICERS

A. Executive Board

1. The elected officers of this League shall constitute the Executive Board. The

immediate Past President and Referee Assignor of the League will also be

voting members of the board.

2. The Executive Board and their order of succession shall be:

(a) President

(b) Vice President

(d) Treasurer

(e) Games Chairman

(f) Registration Chairman

(g) Publicity Chairman

(h) Recording Secretary

(i) Referee Assignor

(j) Past President

B. Duties of Officers

1. President

The President shall preside at all meetings of the League and Executive Board.

He is the general representative of the League in all legal matters. He may

appoint committees and is an ex-officio of all committees. He shall be the

League delegate to the EPSA or be represented by an appointee. In his absence

the Vice President shall succeed to the powers of the President. He shall

appoint a committee of three (3) representatives, of which none may be

officers, to audit books and accounts of the Treasurer and provide a written

report annually to the membership. He shall also appoint an Arbitration

Board and a Referee Assignor.

2. Vice President

The Vice President shall supervise all committees and shall appoint committees

by direction and approval of the President. In the absence, death or resignation

of the President, he shall succeed to the powers of the President.

3. Correspondence Secretary

The Correspondence Secretary shall attend to all correspondence other than

that which pertains to the scheduling of League games and registration of

players and matters connected therewith. He shall produce the League

Directory in August, with revisions when needed. He shall distribute all

League documents to the proper authorities.

4. Treasurer

The Treasurer shall have charge of the finances of the League. He is respon-

sible for keeping accurate financial records, and shall present a detailed

report of the financial position at each meeting. All disbursements from the

funds of the League shall be approved and countersigned by the President

or Vice President. At the end of his term, he shall turn all records over to

the Audit Committee for auditing purposes. He will be responsible for

ordering all chargeable forms.

5. Games Chairman

The Games Chairman shall arrange all scheduling of League games, set kick

off times, request referees and have the standings available for publication at

least once a month. The Games Chairman shall make the League schedule

available at least one month before the start of each season. He shall receive

all referee’s reports and shall assign penalties for violations as specified by

the Rules of Play. If a conflict of interest arises, he shall notify the President,

or acting President, as per Section V, A-2. The Games Chairman shall be

notified a minimum of 72 hours in advance of an exhibition or special game.

The Games Chairman may deny permission of any game which would jeop-

ardize the status of the League. He shall notify the Registration Chairman

and teams of all suspensions and/or cautions.

6. Registration Chairman

The Registration Chairman is in charge of all player registrations. He shall

keep a permanent record of all suspensions and/or cautions. The Registration

Chairman shall have the right to set registration hours to fit his schedule, and

must notify the League of those hours at the beginning of his term of office.

7. Publicity Chairman

The Publicity Chairman shall furnish promotional matters to the news media

and radio stations for publication and announcement. He shall also furnish

schedules and results of games to the news media.

8. Recording Secretary

The Recording Secretary shall record the minutes of all meetings. These

minutes shall be presented for approval at the following meeting. He shall pro-

duce and update Standing Rules of the League along with the ByLaws, Rules

of Play and Arbitration Rules, and forward them to the Correspondence

Secretary for distribution.

9. Referee Assignor

The Referee Assignor shall assign referees for all games approved by the

Games Chairman. He will be paid a fee to be determined at the start of each

season.

10. Past President

The immediate Past President shall be granted the title of Honorary President,

and shall be entitled to all privileges of the Executive Board, including the

privilege to vote.

C. Members of the Executive Board may offer motions, second motions or vote.

D. Powers of the Executive Board.

1. The Executive Board shall have the responsibility of the League during the

period between League meetings.

2. Any action taken by the Executive Board can be accepted or rejected at the

next League meeting.

3. Premature withdrawal of members of the Executive Board.

When an officer of the League resigns or dies before the end of his term, the

Executive Board shall fill the vacancy by means of an election immediately.

In the event no candidate is available, the President has the power to appoint

a successor.

4. Meetings of the Executive Board

The meetings schedule of the Executive Board shall be determined by the

League President at the start of his term of office. He shall have the right to

call special meetings of the board upon three (3) days of notice. The meetings

of the Executive Board shall have a quorum when at least one-half of the

qualified members of the Board are present. All decisions shall be determined

by the majority vote. The presiding Chairman shall vote in case of a tie. No

officer shall have the right to represent his own club or vote in matters where

his club is involved.

5. Elections

The elected officers of this League, elected at the May meeting shall be

President, Vice President, Correspondence Secretary, Treasurer, Games

Chairman, Registration Chairman, Publicity Chairman and Recording

Secretary. The President, Correspondence Secretary, Games Chairman and

Publicity Chairman shall be elected in the even years. The Vice President,

Treasurer, Registration Chairman and Recording Secretary will be elected

in the odd years. All officers shall be elected for a term of two years or

until their successors have been elected. Any person in good standing, not

necessarily one who is affiliated with this League and/or one of its sub-

ordinate organizations, shall be eligible for election to office provided they

are personally present, or have filed written notice expressing interest to the

Correspondence Secretary. All elections shall be by secret ballot, with each

member team having one vote. All nominations are subject to individual

acceptance.

E. Removal of Officers for just cause.

1. As determined by the League, Executive Board Member(s) not adequately

performing said duties (Article V, Paragraph B, Sections 1 - 10), may be

expelled from office by a 2/3 majority vote of member clubs present at any

properly scheduled League meeting.

a. Not excused absence from a total of three (3) scheduled Executive

Board, special or regular League meetings in a given year in office

shall be reason to expel.

b. Failure to act in the best interest of the League shall be reason to

expel.

c. Other reasons as may be determined by the League.

VI. MEMBERSHIP

A. New Membership.

Application for membership shall be submitted in writing to the Correspondence

Secretary. The application must include the current yearly membership fee, the first half

of the necessary security bond and a written commitment for the playing field. The

Correspondence Secretary shall supply copies of the latest ByLaws, Standing Rules,

Rules of Play, Financial Obligations and Directory of Members upon acceptance.

B. Acceptance of Application.

The Executive Board shall rule upon all applications for membership. Acceptance shall

be ratified by at least 2/3 of all member clubs at the next general meeting of the League.

Upon acceptance by the League, and payment of all fees due, the club shall immediately

be eligible to participate in games scheduled by the League, but not included in the

League standings until the beginning of a full season starting in September.

C. Transfer from other Associations.

Clubs which transfer their membership from other leagues to this League shall be

required to present a written release by their former league.

D. Mergers.

In case of a merger, the new club shall be responsible for all obligations incurred under

these rules by the old clubs.

E. Withdrawal.

Application for withdrawal shall be presented in writing. Such applications shall be

accepted only if the club has fulfilled its obligations to this League. With the

acceptance of the withdrawal, the club forfeits all future rights to the property of the

League. Any club which withdraws prior to completing the league year, forfeits

its security bond.

F. Expulsion.

Clubs which attempt to circumvent a decision rendered, or which seriously damage

the interests of this League, may be expelled at a special meeting called for this

purpose. A motion for expulsion shall require the approval of at least 2/3 of all member

clubs in order to be effective.

G. Duties and Administration of Clubs.

1. The home club is responsible for the conduct of its players, officials and

spectators. It is required to take all precautions necessary to prevent spec-

tators or players threatening or assaulting referees or players before, during

or after the conclusion of the game. Failure to do so could result in a fine or

penalty, the amount of which to be determined by the Executive Board.

2. Each club shall have one vote for each Senior Division team. No club shall

be entitled to vote if its financial obligations to the League have not been

met. If any club’s eligibility is to be questioned, it must be done prior to

such vote or vote shall stand.

3. In case of a tie vote, the presiding officer shall cast the deciding ballot.

Members of the Executive Board shall have a vote only if he/she either does

not belong to any member club, or he/she is the delegate of a club.

H. League Meetings.

1. Regular Meetings

(a) Representatives from each member club shall attend, without

further notice, a regular League Meeting on the first Wednesday of

each month at 7:30 PM.

(b) The site of each meeting shall be announced at the preceding two

(2) meetings.

to conduct League business.

(d) Fines and absence. Any club which is not represented at the regular

monthly League meeting without an excuse, shall be fined $10.00.

2. Special Meetings.

These meetings may only be called by the President or acting President, notific-

ation in writing to each member club to be received at least five (5) days prior

to scheduled meeting.

3. Executive Board Meetings.

These meetings may only be called by the President or acting President, notific-

ation to each officer to be received at least three (3) days prior to scheduled

meeting.

VII. PLAYER REGISTRATION

The rules regarding player registration and release shall be drafted by the Registration Chairman

and presented to the League one (1) month before the start of the fall season.

VIII. GAMES REGULATIONS

The rules regarding the games within this League will be drafted by the Games Chairman and

presented to the League one month before the start of the fall season.

IX. PLAYER SUSPENSIONS AND PROTESTS

The Games Chairman shall decide if a player is to be suspended following the report of a referee

as specified by the Rules of Play. Any ruling by an officer or committee may be appealed. The

Arbitration Board shall review all team protests. If a team wishes to appeal a suspension or

submit a protest, it must submit a letter of appeal to the Correspondence Secretary, Arbitration

Board Chairman and Games Chairman within 72 hours of the game, giving detailed reasons,

and accompanied by a fee of $50.00 (see Arbitration Board Rules, Article V for more details).

The League may vote to overrule the decision of the Arbitration Board by a majority of all

member clubs. If the appeal is upheld, even in part, the $50.00 fee is forfeited.

X. PLAYER ACTIONS DETRIMENTAL TO THE WELFARE OF THE LEAGUE

The Executive Board and the Arbitration Board may make recommendations to the League re-

garding additional suspensions of a player and/or club fines. Reasons for justifying this action

are:

1. Chronic violators of the rules whose actions are detrimental to the League and/or its

players, to include: ungentlemanly conduct, fighting, foul language, harassment of

referees, and violent conduct.

2. Players or coaches who threaten an opponent, referee or spectator with the intent of

bodily harm.

3. Players or coaches who threaten an opponent, referee or spectator with use of a weapon.

XI. PARLIAMENTARY PROCEDURES

Robert’s Rule of Order shall govern in all cases wherein they do not conflict with these ByLaws.

XII. COMMITTEES

Arbitration Board

The purpose of the Arbitration Board is to take prompt action on all protests and appeals. The

rules regarding protests and appeals shall be drafted by the Arbitration Board and approved by

the League one (1) month before the start of the season.

Audit Committee

The purpose of the Audit Committee is to audit the accounts of the League and submit a

written report to the general membership at the end of each Executive term.

Ways and Means Committee

The purpose of the Ways and Means Committee is to oversee and coordinate all financial

obligations of the League. Any League committee involved in raising or spending League money

shall , prior to undertaking such activities, secure approval by this committee of all projected

budgets and financial plans in written form.

XIII. ADOPTION OF BYLAWS AND EFFECTIVE DATE

No action may be taken to approve or disapprove these Bylaws until they are in possession of

each member club for at least one (1) month. Voting shall be by secret ballot with an

affirmative vote of two-thirds of all qualified representatives present and voting to adopt these

Bylaws. These Bylaws shall become effective immediately upon their adoption.

XIV. AMENDMENTS TO THE BYLAWS

Proposed amendments to these Bylaws shall be presented in writing at two (2) successive

League meetings (regular and/or special), and after the second presentation shall be considered

a part of these Bylaws, if approved by two-thirds vote of member clubs present.

Rev. 2/5/91