By-Laws

BY-LAWS

Lockport Junior Miss Softball

A NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION

Updated and Approved by the Board of Directors on December 21, 2021

ARTICLE I - NAME

The name of this organization shall Lockport Junior Miss Softball (hereinafter

referred to as the LJMS).

ARTICLE II - AFFILIATIONS

The LJMS shall be affiliated with one or multiple leagues per year depending on current status.

ARTICLE III - PURPOSE

The purposes for which the LJMS is organized are:

1. The purpose of the LJMS is to promote, train, teach, and develop the sport of organized girls Softball at the amateur level for all members and to encourage and assist in the development and growth of girls Softball.

2. To develop the physical, mental, and social well-being of the youth who participate in our program.

3. To associate and cooperate with other softball associations desirous of developing and strengthening the sport of softball.

ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP

Membership is open to any girl starting at the age of 5. Team rosters, eligibility requirements, and team levels will be governed by league regulations. The current levels are as follows:6u,8u,10u,12u. A copy of the by-laws will be made available to all members at the time of registration or shortly thereafter.

ARTICLE V - BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1. General Powers. The affairs of the Club shall be managed by its Board of Directors. The members of the Board of Directors (the “Directors”) may also be designated trustees.

Section 2. Terms of Membership. Membership shall be open to all who have a child currently playing for Lockport Junior Miss Softball, and is a minimum of 21 years of age, the only exception to this rule being Past President. However, a one-year extension can also be granted to the current President and Vice President if a candidate cannot be found or approved for the upcoming season. The Board of Directors will consist of not less than four (4) members or more than eight (8) who will be approved by a majority vote of the existing board. Each member shall hold office until his or her successor has been elected and approved or until his/her resignation.

Section 3. Meetings. LJMS shall hold meetings for the Board of Directors throughout the year, these meetings will have both a closed session and an open session. At all meetings of the Board of Directors, a simple majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum. Each regular member shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote of the members. Any single position held by two members (e.g., website/social media) will only carry one vote total. Any multi-person position) will carry one vote per person. Copies of the minutes of all meetings shall be made available on the LJMS website. At all meetings of the Board of Directors, voting shall be by a show of hands (or by voice vote) unless the participating members decide upon a ballot. A decision at a meeting shall be made by the majority of the votes cast.

Section 4. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by or at the request of the president or any Director. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may name any place, either within or without the State of Illinois, as the place for holding any special meetings of the Board of Directors called by them.

Section 5. Quorum. A majority of the Directors then in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors.

Section 6. Vacancies. The Board of Directors shall fill any vacancy occurring in the

Board of Directors. Current board members will be given the opportunity to fill the vacated spot, followed by an open post to parents of current players.

Section 7. Informal Action. Any action required to be taken by the LJMS Board outside of a monthly meeting may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by all board members entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter thereof. Such consents may be given in writing on and/or by email, facsimiles, copies or other reproduction or counterpart of the resolution stating the action to which consent is given.

Section 8. Resignation and Removal. A board member may resign at any time upon written notice to the President, the Secretary, or the Board of Directors; provided, however, if such a resignation would cause the number of board members to be less than four, such resignation shall be effective until a successor is elected by the LJMS Board. A board member may be removed by the majority of board members at a meeting in respect of which adequate notice is given with cause as specified by statute or these Bylaws. “Cause” shall include, but not be limited to, (a) three (3) consecutive unexcused absences from meetings of the LJMS Board, (b) the degradation or defamation of the LJMS, ( c) intentional or malicious interference in the activities or programs of the Club, and (d) the failure to abide by resolutions of the LJMS Board.

Section 9. Compensation. Board Members shall serve without compensation.

ARTICLE VI - OFFICERS

Section 1. Officers. The officers of LJMS may be a President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Registrar and other such officers as may be elected in accordance with the provisions of Article V. The Board of Directors may elect or appoint such other officers, including one or more Vice presidents and Assistant secretaries and one or more Assistant Treasurers, as it shall deem desirable, such officers to have the authority and perform the duties prescribed, from time to time, by the Board of Directors.

Section 2. Election and Term. The officers of the Corporation shall be approved annually by the LJMS Board. Each member of the Board of Directors shall serve a yearly term. Nominations shall be held at the end of the fall season and elections shall be held at the October board meeting following nominations or whatever date the Board deems reasonable so as to provide for a smooth transition of board members and officers. If more than one person seeks the same position, a vote would go to the returning membership. In the event of a tie, the current Board, excluding any candidates, would vote to break that tie.

Section 3. Removal. The President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, or any other member may be removed from office as specified in Article V, section 8.

Section 4. Vacancies. A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or otherwise may be filled by the Board of Directors for the unexpired portion of the term.

Section 5. President. The duties and powers of the president shall be as follows:

Be the principal executive officer of the corporation.
Preside over all board meetings.
Act as liaison between LJMs and other clubs and leagues.
Negotiate field times for the up-and-coming season.
Appear before League and Lockport Park District boards as needed.
Make sure members attend clinics and are screened as needed.
Schedule games.
Ensure league and club rules are enforced.
Work with theTreasurer to ensure club is financially sound.

Section 6. Past President. One-year term, non-voting Board member. This position is advisory in nature and allows the out-going President to remain on the board to provide a cohesive transition between the departing and incoming Board members. The Past President will be available to clarify previous motions, offer background/history, and assist the new President whenever necessary.

Section 7. Vice President. The Vice President will assist the President in all capacities listed above and, in the absence of the President or in the event of his or her inability to act, the Vice President shall perform the duties of the President.

Section 8. Treasurer. The treasurer ensures the safety and welfare of the Club’s financial interests.

Handle all financial statements, including tax preparation, for the Club and its members.
Pay Club bills and deposit club funds.
Collect fees and send out past due notices when needed.
Prepare and give financial reports at board meetings.
Work with the President and Vice President to set season fees.
Manage fundraising profits and coordinate uniform fittings.
Help at Club events and committees, as needed.
Manage fundraising profits.

Section 9. Secretary. The duties of the Secretary shall be as follows:

Provide an accurate written record of the Board of Directors meetings to be published on the Club's website.
Ensure that the actions of the organization are in accordance with the Club's by-laws.
Keeps records and non-financial legal documents (by-laws, articles of incorporation, minutes of historical meetings, official letters, etc.
Help at club events and committees, as needed.

Keep records of the names and contact information of all persons playing on teams developed by LJMS.

Section 10. Player Representative. The duties of the Player Representative shall be as follows:

Attend games and tournaments.
Recommend appropriate disciplinary measures, such as suspension, as needed.
Appear before league board and Lockport Park District.
Work with coaches to ensure all League and Club rules are followed.
Help at Club events and committees, as needed.
Ensure all Club and ASA/USA rules are followed.
Coordinate rescheduled games with Director of Fields.

Section 11. Website and Social Media. The duties of the Website and Social Media Officer shall be as follows:

Updates the LJMS website on a regular basis (updating team calendars, inputting game stats, taking and uploading photos)
Promotes Club activities and accomplishments (team and individual) via social media and the LJMS website.
Help at Club events and committees, as needed.
Write material for media releases.
Plan and direct public relation program.
Raise funds for club.

Section 12. Equipment manager. The duties of the Equipment Manager shall be as follows:

All players have proper equipment.
Make sure all equipment is up to safety standards
Help at Club events and committees, as needed.
Keep a running inventory of all equipment of LJMS.
Distribute and collect all equipment of LJMS.
Conduct such other duties customarily incidental to this position.
Order uniforms and trophies as needed.

Section 13. Director of Fields. The duties of the Director of fields shall be as follows:

Coordinate field maintenance with park district.
Make decision if field is playable due to inclement weather.
Help at Club events and committees, as needed.
Coordinate rescheduled games with player representative.
Assign field maintenance responsibilities to coaches to help prepare for games.
Conduct such other duties customarily incidental to this position.

ARTICLE XII - PLAYER ELIGIBILITY

Player eligibility is to be governed by the applicable rules of the LJMS organization.
Each player must be registered, and current on all fees.

ARTICLE XIII - COACH ELIGIBILITY

All coaches and assistant coaches approved by the LJMS must fulfill all eligibility requirements of the Club, and SafeSport.

ARTICLE XIV - AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS

These by-laws may be altered, amended, or repealed and new by-laws may be adopted by a majority of the Directors present at any meeting, providing that at least four (4) days written notice is given of the intention to alter, amend or repeal or to adopt new by-laws at such meeting. by-laws shall be updated and approved every two (2) years.

Revised/Approved Date __December 22, 2021__________________________________________

President, Lockport Junior Miss Softball (LJMS) Michael Heinrich___________________________

Vice President, Lockport Junior Miss Softball (LJMS) Sean Young____________________________

Secretary, Lockport Junior Miss Softball (LJMS) Melissa Wilson________________________________