By-Laws
Wildcats Pride By-laws
Article 1 Name
1.01 The official name of the organization is Wildcats Pride ("The Pride").
Article 2 Purpose
2.01 The purpose of "The Pride" is to promote the Wildcats Hockey Team ("The Wildcats", "The Organization") to engage in charitable, civic, and social activities that promote attendance to the games and raise the morale of the team.
Article 3 Membership
3.01 "The Pride" shall have two classes of members, Active and Honorary. Any person interested in promoting the Wildcats may become an Active member of "The Pride" by applying for membership, paying applicable dues and complying with these By-Laws and any rules and regulations of "The Pride" which may be adopted time to time. Membership year shall begin August 1st and end July 31st of the following year.
3.02 Active membership dues are payable annually without regard to date of payment and are as follows:
1. A single membership (1 person 16+ or a minor with parental approval) will be $15.00 each year and will receive 1 vote per single membership.
2. A couple’s membership (2 persons 16+ no children, or 2 minors with parental approval) will be $20.00 each year and will receive 2 votes per couple membership.
3. A family membership (2 persons 16+ & children) will be $30.00 each year and will receive a maximum of four votes per family membership.
4. If a member resigns his/her membership to the booster club at any time during the year, that member should be entitled to receive a refund of the booster club annual dues paid by the member of the current year at a prorated basis.
5. If a member resigns his/her membership to the booster club and elects not to have membership dues refunded as set forth under number 4 Article 3 Section 3.02, then the booster club would consider the membership dues paid by that member to be a contribution/donation to the booster club and that the member shall be removed from all the booster club contact lists and shall not be privy to any booster club business.
6. If a member who has resigned his/her membership and whose dues were not refunded, wishes to rescind his/her resignation from the booster club, that former member shall present a request to resume membership in writing to one of the four officers. The membership shall remain in good standing until the expiration of the current term.
7. Members who have resigned his/her membership and have received a refund of the annual dues paid shall be required to pay full annual dues in order to rejoin the booster club.
3.03 Honorary member is the member status reserved for player's parents. There are no dues for this member ranking. They are entitled to all member perks except voting. If an Honorary member requests to become an Active member, they may do so by paying the normal dues.
3.04 Active Membership is entitled to certain rights and privileges, including:
1. The right to vote in the election of officers and on other matters of "The Pride" that are put to a vote provided the member is at least 16 years old.
2. The right to amend these Bylaws as set forth in Article 9.
3. The right to volunteer for committee work.
4. The right to recommend expenditures for consideration by the Membership.
5. The right to attend meetings and functions of "The Pride".
6. The privilege to vote for player recognition awards.
7. The responsibility to uphold and support the principles and purposes of "The Pride".
8. New members shall receive a current copy of "The Pride" By-Laws and the option to purchase a membership T-shirt.
3.05 Membership may be terminated by:
1. Voluntary written resignation addressed to the Vice-President and/or President.
2. Failure to pay the annual dues.
3. Expulsion from "The Pride" as per violation of Article 8.
Article 4 Member Meetings
4.01 Regular monthly meetings of the members shall be held during the first week of each month at 7:00 p.m. on a day and at a place agreed upon at the end of each prior meeting. The purpose of each monthly meeting is for the transaction of such other business as may come before the meeting with elections at the May meeting.
4.02 A special meeting of the members for any purpose(s) may be called by the President or Vice-President or by the President at the request of no less than ten percent (10%) of all voting members of "The Pride".
4.03 Notice will be given to all members two (2) weeks before the meeting date, and again three (3) days prior to said meeting as to the time, place and agenda. The notice will be by phone, e-mail, or both.
4.04 Quorum: will consist of two (2) officers, and no less than twenty percent (20%) of Active members. The business discussed and passed will stand. The meeting may be recessed or adjourned at any time by the Membership.
4.05 Each Active member of "The Pride" present at a meeting shall be entitled to one vote upon each matter submitted to a vote. All matters, except for Bylaw changes as set forth in Article 9, which are submitted to a vote, shall be determined by a simple majority of the Active members present.
Article 5 Officers
5.01 The officers of "The Pride" will be as follows: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. No person may hold more than one office. Officers may not act as committee heads, but may assist in any task within a committee.
5.02 Duties of the President
1. The President shall preside at all meetings of "The Pride" and shall enforce all the rules established by the Bylaws.
2. Appoint the Standing Committee Chairs.
5.03 Duties of the Vice President
1. The Vice-President, in the absence of the President, shall perform all the duties of the President.
2. The Vice-President will perform all duties requested of him/her by the President.
3. The Vice-President shall be responsible for the processing of incoming membership requests and the maintenance and verification of the membership database.
4. The Vice-President shall be the contact for the committees as needed.
5.04 Duties of the Treasurer
1. The Treasurer shall receive and be responsible for all monies belonging to "The Pride", keeping true and accurate records of all such collections.
2. The Treasurer shall pay all bills presented and authorized by the Membership.
3. The Treasurer, with assistance from the Secretary if necessary, will give members receipts for all funds being turned into the treasury.
4. All funds disbursed by the Treasurer must be pre-approved by the membership of "The Pride" and exchanged for the original business invoice or receipt which has been signed by the member requesting funds. Said invoices and receipts are to be kept with the Treasurer's records. If any member requests reimbursement for funds spent without prior approval of "The Pride", prior to receiving funds from the Treasurer, that member will request approval for reimbursement during the next meeting of "The Pride" and may or may not receive the requested approval. "The Pride" may authorize disbursement of funds by either authorizing an exact amount or a project with an estimated amount. If the actual amount is more than $25.00 over the estimated amount, that portion of the reimbursement will be withheld by the Treasurer until such time as approval is made by "The Pride".
5. The Treasurer shall be in charge of the monthly meetings and special meetings in the absence of the President and the Vice-President.
6. Funds of "The Pride" shall be kept in an account approved by the Officers.
7. The President, Vice-President and Treasurer are authorized to sign checks drawn against the funds of "The Pride" and two signatures are required on each check. The Treasurer shall ensure that signature cards are kept up to date and shall immediately submit a new signature card upon the resignation of any of the officers authorized to sign "The Pride" checks.
8. The Treasurer shall prepare the annual Pride budget and present it to the Officers at the last meeting of each year for preliminary approval. The budget shall cover the period from August to July of the following year. The Treasurer shall present the budget to the membership at the August meeting of each new year for final approval.
9. When a new Treasurer is elected or appointed, the outgoing Treasurer shall be responsible for working with the new Treasurer, an Active Member selected by means of agreement by the membership, and the Secretary until the audit is complete and accepted by the President and Vice- President.
10. The Treasurer shall prepare a financial statement each month and present it to the membership at the monthly meeting. If the statement is in question an audit may be ordered, and performed by the President, Vice-President, and three (3) members that are selected by the membership.
5.05 Duties of the Secretary
1. The Secretary shall take the minutes at the monthly and special meetings of "The Pride".
2. The Secretary shall maintain and have available at all meetings the current Bylaws of "The Pride".
3. The Secretary shall maintain at least seven (7) years of past and current By-Laws in a safe place. In the event of audit or other governmental action, the Secretary shall produce all records for review. In the event "The Pride" has not existed for seven (7) years, the Secretary will keep all years available.
4. The Secretary shall email out monthly minutes within seven (7) days of meeting.
5.06 Terms
1. Officers shall serve for a period of one (1) year beginning after the May meeting.
2. The Officers of "The Pride" shall be elected at the May meeting of each year.
3. No member shall be elected to the same office for more that two (2) consecutive terms, except for the Treasurer. If, however, at the close of nominations at the meeting prior to the elections there are no candidates nominated for a position, the incumbent may then be nominated for election to another term, regardless of the number of consecutive terms he or she has already served in that office.
4. The term for the Standing Committee Chairs will consist of one (1) year and there is to be no limit on the number of consecutive years an Active Member may chair a committee if appointed by each successive President.
5.07 A Vacancy in an office, for any reason, may be filled by any member that wishes to take on said responsibility. In the event of multiple members expressing interest in taking on the responsibility, there shall be a vote to fill the vacancy as stated in Article 7.0 Article
6 Committees
6.01 "The Pride" shall consist of groups of members that are organized into Standing Committees to undertake activities. The Committee Chair shall be an Active Member appointed by the President. At anytime the members, by majority vote, may create a new committee with the approval of the officers and "The Organization". When creating a committee the members that wish to create said committee must provide a statement of the committee's purpose. In the event that a Standing Committee is not longer desired, the membership may vote to disband said committee.
6.02 The Card Committee's task is to make the players feel like their contribution to the team is appreciated. If injured, a player needs to feel that although he may not be on the ice, he is not forgotten and he is supported as if he were on the ice. Example: getting a get well card signed by "The Pride" and giving the card to said injured player. Birthday cards and sympathy cards are also tools to be used by the Card Committee
6.03 The Road Trip Committee's task is to schedule road trips to away arenas. They are responsible for acquiring group seating for the members attending the away games and are also responsible for scheduling a mode of transportation to said away game.
6.04 The Player Goodie Bag Committee's task is to prepare a snack/activity bag for the players to take on long bus trips to away games. Notes from Elementary grade students, a piece of fruit or PowerBar, and a PowerAde, with a crossword puzzle or word search are suggestions.
6.05 The Sign Committee's task is to create and maintain signs that energize the fans and players. They are also responsible for the placing and removing the signs from the arena before and after games.
6.06 Sponsorship/Fundraiser Committee's duties will include organizing donation request from corporate sponsors and coordinating Fundraiser events.
6.07 The nominating committee shall be a temporary committee created in April consisting of three volunteer members whose task is to propose a slate of officers for the new year.
Article 7 Elections and Voting
7.01 The officers of "The Pride" shall be elected by the members of "The Pride" at the May meeting of each year. Each officer shall hold office until his or her successor has been duly elected, or until his/her death, resignation, or until he/she has been removed as provided herein.
7.02 Voting of officers will be done by written ballot. A ballot will be handed to each member at the beginning of each meeting where a vote/election is going to be held. When filling a mid-term vacancy when only one member expresses an interest in the vacant position, a voice vote may be held.
7.03 All elections will be decided by simple majority.
7.04 Absentee voting will be done by proxy in writing and received by US mail, Email or personally handed to one of the officers in a sealed envelope and submitted prior to 5:00 p.m. on the day of election.
7.05 All voting will be done through voice vote, unless the members wish a written ballot.
Article 8 Code of Conduct
8.01 As a member of The Wildcats Pride, I/We do hereby agree to a code of Conduct. I/We promise to uphold the By-Laws of the Wildcats Pride and promise to treat our fellow members and the Wildcats Hockey Team with respect and dress appropriately at any Wildcats charity function we maybe involved in or be attending. I/We promise not to use abusive language and behavior toward our fellow members, promise not to "stalk" players after practices and games as well as other booster club members. All violations of the above statements and others that may seem to disrupt a human being's life, not covered by this Code of Conduct, will be reviewed by the Officers to determine whether or not that conduct falls into the parameters set forth above and will be grounds for immediate dismissal from the Wildcats Pride.
8.02 As a member of The Wildcats Pride, I/We promise to not share privileged information with non-members, and will not share personal views about members and/or Wildcats Team Personnel that are in direct conflict with the stated purpose of "The Pride" with non-members. Any "leaks" will be reviewed by the Officers to determine whether or not that conduct falls into the parameters set forth above and will be grounds for immediate dismissal from The Wildcats Pride.
Article 9 Amendments
9.01 These By-Laws shall be adopted by the members of "The Pride", and the power to alter, amend or repeal the By-Laws, or to adopt new By-Laws is vested in the members as follows:
1. All proposals regarding change in By-Laws must be signed by at least three (3) Active members and submitted in writing to any officer at a monthly or special meeting. The amendment will be read at the meeting by "The Pride" President.
2. Written notification of proposed amendments must be submitted to the members through e-mail or through special mailing.
3. Discussion on the proposed amendments shall be held at the next general members meeting after member notification.
4. Voting will occur at the same meeting as the general discussion. A two-thirds (2/3) hand-count vote will add the proposal to the By-Laws.
5. The President shall cast the deciding vote only in the event of a tie.
Updated 11/1/07 |
