By-Laws

ARTICLE I — NAME

1. The organization shall be known as the North Kingstown Soccer Association, Inc. (hereafter NKSA), and is a nonprofit corporation.
2. The mailing address of NKSA shall be designated by the Executive Committee after each election.
3. NKSA will include the members and duties of the North Kingstown Soccer Club (hereafter NKSC) which manages the annual spring soccer program and the North Kingstown Father’s Day Classic Tournament.

ARTICLE II — AFFILIATIONS

NKSA will be associated with the United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA) through Soccer Rhode Island (SRI) and with other bodies such as Rhode Island Youth Super Liga, having similar aims, purposes or accreditation, as determined by the Board of Directors. Affiliation with USYSA and SRI will cause NKSA and NKSC to follow the Laws of the Game as written and amended by the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), further altered by USYSA and SRI by age group for the spring competitive program, and further altered by NKSA and NKSC for all recreational programs to fit the membership demographics each season and provide a soccer environment consistent with the Statement of Philosophy of NKSA. Affiliation with SRI will also cause NKSA and NKSC to complete background checks of all coaching candidates and other individuals having regular contact with playing members in the capacity of running a team. NKSA and NKSC will further ensure that coaching candidates achieve the level of licensure required by SRI at each age level.

ARTICLE III — MEMBERSHIP AND PRIVILEGES

1. Initial Members: The members of NKSA shall consist initially of the incorporators. Thereafter, the members shall consist of the individuals initially elected to the Executive Committee by the incorporators. After the election of the first Executive Committee, the membership shall be expanded to include Playing Members and Regular Members.
2. Playing Members:
   • Recreational Program Playing Members: Any playing age youth, defined as U4 through U19 eligible, who is a resident of the Town of North Kingstown, Rhode Island may become a recreational program playing member in the fall and/or spring recreational programs upon application with NKSA or NKSC and payment of the registration fee. In certain hardship situations the Executive Committee may waive the registration fee. Any playing members previously registered with NKSA or NKSC, regardless of their current town of residence, may continue to be recreational program playing members. In addition any playing age youth (as defined above) who is not a resident of the Town of North Kingstown, Rhode Island may become a recreational program playing member if their local club does not offer a program comparable to NKSA/NKSC, or if they were not accepted to membership of their local club, or the location of their local club is not geographically convenient for them to attend.
   • Competitive Program Playing Members: Competitive program playing members are determined by a process of team try-outs, SRI/RIYSL roster limits, the SRI 3-community rule, and team RIYSL division placement. All recreational program playing members are encouraged to try-out for NKSC teams in the spring competitive program and all have equal opportunity to obtain a roster spot subject to the conditions specified in the previous sentence. Playing member eligibility standards for spring competitive players are the responsibility and jurisdiction of the North Kingstown Soccer Club. NKSC will ensure spring competitive rosters follow the rules set forth by SRI and the RIYSL.
   • Other: Playing members are not eligible to vote in electing officers to the Executive Committee of NKSA or on fundamental policy matters.
3. Regular Members: Any parent or other interested adult who has made a meaningful contribution of time and effort to NKSA’s organization, management, or activities may be nominated by a member of the Executive Committee as a regular member. Regular members may include but not be limited to: coaches, assistant coaches, adult referees (18 years or older), publicity reporters, coordinators, team mothers, committee members, sponsors, ex-board members from the previous three (3) years, and other individuals recommended by the Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall elect the regular members by a majority vote of Executive Committee members present at an Executive Committee meeting. Regular members are eligible to vote in electing officers to the Executive Committee, and in deciding all matters brought before the general membership at annual or special meetings. Regular membership shall be for duration of one (1) year.
4. Revocation: Any playing member or regular member, after being given ten (10) days written notice, may have his/her membership revoked at a special or regular meeting of the regular membership by a 2/3 vote of the regular members in attendance, only because of refusal to accept and adhere to the By-laws of the North Kingstown Soccer Association or its General Rules or Playing Rules and only after the regular members have been given advance notification that consideration of revocation of a membership was to be one of the matters on the agenda for the meeting.
   • Any member of the North Kingstown Soccer Association who uses abusive (profane) language or makes obscene gestures at the soccer fields during practices or games shall be subject to immediate dismissal by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Executive Committee.
5. Voting: Regular members will be entitled to one (1) vote, which may be cast only if the member is present at a meeting of the membership.
6. Registration Fees: Registration fees of playing members shall be determined by the Executive Committee prior to registration for each subsequent season of play.

ARTICLE IV — OFFICERS

1. Officers: NKSA shall have the following officers: President, Vice-President, Treasurer, and Secretary. The President and the Secretary shall not hold more than one (1) office concurrently.
2. President: The President shall preside at all meetings of the membership and the Executive Committee. He/she shall appoint all committees subject to confirmation by the Executive Committee. He/she shall be an ex-official member of all committees except the Nominating Committee. The President of the North Kingstown Soccer Association shall be a resident of North Kingstown. The President or his/her designee shall attend all meetings of organizations NKSA is a member of such as SRI and RI Youth SuperLiga (RIYSL). The President shall make the NKSA Executive Committee aware of issues to be voted on at SRI and RIYSL meetings so the NKSA Executive Committee can determine the NKSA vote as a group.
3. Vice President: Vice-President shall, in the absence of the President assume the duties of the President. He/she shall also insure that all business transactions of NKSA are in full compliance with these By-laws and with the aims and purposes of NKSA. The Vice President of NKSA shall be a resident of North Kingstown.
4. Secretary Duties:
   • Record and keep the minutes of all meetings of NKSA and of the Executive Committee and the results of votes taken at such meetings.
   • Keep a current list of the names and addresses of all members of NKSA
   • Inform the members and/or Executive Committee members of all regularly scheduled and special meetings.
   • Prepare an agenda for all NKSA Executive Committee and General Membership meetings and carry-forward unresolved issues on the agenda until such time the issues are resolved.
   • The secretary shall be a resident of North Kingstown.
5. Treasurer Duties: The Treasurers position and duties include the following:
   • Collect all money due NKSA and NKSC and to deposit such funds in the name and to the credit of NKSA or NKSC in such bank or banks as, in his/her judgment, is proper, or as he/she shall be directed by the Executive Committee.
   • Pay, upon approval of and in a manner designated by the Executive Committee, all bills owed by NKSA and NKSC.
   • File annual reports according to State and IRS regulations.
   • Maintain current records of all financial transactions of NKSA and NKSC.
   • Submit a report of the financial standing of NKSA and NKSC at each regular meeting, including the annual meeting, or at any time such a report is asked for by the Executive Committee.
   • Prepare a budget proposal for the subsequent year to be presented to the Executive Committee for its approval at least sixty (60) days before the start of the next program season so the Executive Committee can determine the program fees to be charged for the upcoming season.
   • Submit all financial records to the Finance Committee for its own internal examination on an as determined basis.
   • The Treasurer shall insure that all checks, drafts, or other orders for payment of money, issued in the name of, or payable to the NKSA shall be signed or endorsed by such person or persons and in such manner as, from time to time, shall be determined by resolution of the Executive Committee. Checks written in excess of $1,000 shall require two authorized signatures. Oversight of this responsibility will be accepted by the Finance Committee.
   • The Treasurer shall be a resident of North Kingstown.

ARTICLE V— MEETINGS

1. Annual Meeting: The President shall be required to call at least the following general membership meetings each year:
   • The annual meeting, to be held in November or December each year for the purpose of electing new officers and such other business as may be required.
   • The pre-season planning meeting, to be held at least sixty days (60) prior to the start of the season (fall and spring), for the purpose of organizing and planning the soccer activities for the following season of play.
2. Special Meetings: The President may call additional special membership meetings by his/her own initiative as he/she sees a need for them.
   • The President shall be required to call a special membership meeting within thirty (30) days after ten (10) members request such a meeting. Written notice of such meeting, including agenda, shall be sent via mail or e-mail to each member’s residence at least ten (10) days prior to the date of such meeting.
3. Executive Meetings: The President may call Executive Committee meetings by his/her own initiative as he/she sees a need for them.
   • The President shall be required to call an Executive Committee Meeting when three (3) or more members of the Executive Committee request such a meeting.
4. Meeting Procedures: During all meetings the “Robert’s Rules of Order” shall resolve all controversies over proper parliamentary procedure.
5. Quorum: Twenty (20) members or 20% of the total membership, whichever is lesser, shall constitute a quorum at all regular or special membership meetings, for the transaction of business of the NKSA, providing all members have been notified prior to the meeting.

ARTICLE VI — EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

1. Powers: The Executive Committee shall be the governing body of the NKSA. It shall have full power to transact all business for the NKSA that falls within the scope and purpose of the NKSA.
2. Communication: All communications sent to the NKSA shall be presented in writing to the Secretary, who in turn shall present them to the Executive Committee.
3. Quorum: Eight (8) members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. A majority vote of those present shall be required for all decisions involving fundamental policy matters. A quorum will be achieved by a seventy-five (75%) majority response from the Committee.
4. Elections: At the annual meeting of the Association, the members shall elect an Executive Committee. The immediate past President shall be an ex-officio member of the Executive Committee for a duration of one (1) year starting January 1 or until their successors are elected, whichever is later. Terms of officers shall be limited to two (2) consecutive one (1) year terms for the Executive Committee regardless of position held and terms of officers should be staggered as appropriate to avoid complete turnover at the same time. In addition to the Officers noted in Article IV of these Bylaws, the Executive Committee should include eight (8) members at large to be elected at the annual meeting of the NKSA. These At- Large members of the Executive Committee will be appointed to fill the Director positions of Fields, Referee Coordinator, Coaching, Publicity & Sponsorship, Concessions, Uniforms & Equipment, Registrar, Father’s Day Classic Tournament Director(s), and any other positions deemed necessary by the Executive Committee from time to time. See ARTICLE VII below.
5. Extensions to Terms of Office: If, for any cause, there shall be a vacancy on the Executive Committee, in any of the offices of the organization, the Executive Committee shall, by nomination and election, fill each vacancy for the unexpired term. If no one puts forth a name for nomination, the Executive Committee may consider granting an extension to the current officer regardless of the number of terms previously held.
6. Obligations: The Executive Committee shall not have the power to incur any obligation on behalf of the NKSA which is (1) in excess of the total cash assets then held by the Treasurer and not otherwise pledged or required to meet other fixed or current obligations or (2) in excess of the annual budget as approved by the membership. Any and all potential obligations of the NKSA must be approved by a majority of a quorum of the Executive Committee.
7. Responsibilities: The Executive Committee shall adopt playing and general rules from time to time which shall be binding on all members and players.
8. Removal from Office: Any member of the Executive Committee who is absent without excusable cause for four (4) consecutive meetings, or for any reason, a total of six (6) meetings of the Executive Committee shall forfeit upon simple majority vote of the Board his/her right to hold his/her respective office for the unexpired term. The subject Executive Committee member will be excluded from voting due to the inherent conflict of interest.
9. Telephone and E-mail Voting: The Executive Committee shall not conduct a vote via the telephone. The Executive Committee may conduct a vote via e-mail by agreement and, when necessary by waiver except in the case of incurring a financial obligation of the NKSA. The Secretary must verify all e-mail votes with Executive Committee members and maintain a hard copy of the votes for inspection and Executive Committee voting members shall agree to email receipt verification. Silence/omission of reply is not a vote – it is abstention.

ARTICLE VII — ASSOCIATION STRUCTURE

1. In accordance with changes authorized and adopted by the NKSA Executive Committee at a general membership meeting held August 9, 1992, the Executive Committee established two operating divisions - the Recreational soccer division to be run directly by the NKSA and the Competitive soccer division to be run by the subordinate North Kingstown Soccer Club. Due to duplication of efforts, the NKSC Executive Committee has since merged with the NKSA Executive Committee and all programs and operations are run by the combined committee. The NKSA and NKSC are also a combined entity for all IRS and State reporting purposes.
2. Each year the President of the Association shall, as soon as possible after his/her term commences, appoint at least one (1) member of the Executive Committee to serve on each of the following standing committees:
   • Registration
   • Fields
   • Referee Coordinator
   • Coaching
   • Publicity & Sponsorship
   • Concessions
   • Uniforms & Equipment
   • Finance Committee: This Finance Committee shall consist of the President, Treasurer, and two (2) other persons selected by the president whose duties include reviewing financials and preparation and filing of Form 990 tax form on a regular basis
   • Father’s Day Classic Invitational Tournament
   • Scholarship Committee: The Scholarship Committee shall consist of a director of the committee to be appointed by the president and the director will obtain three (3) volunteers from the North Kingstown community, outside of the organization and without prejudice or conflict, to do the work of obtaining and reviewing scholarship applications as well as determining the two (2) scholarship awards.
3. Team Rosters, playing rules, general rules, playing fields, game schedules, and coaching staffs shall be defined in writing prior to the start of the game schedule.
4. All standing committees shall work with the Executive Committee.
5. The president shall appoint additional committees as he/she deems necessary.
6. A Director or Co-Directors will be established for the purpose of running the Father’s Day Classic Invitational Soccer Tournament. The director(s) shall form a Tournament Committee to run the tournament and report to the Executive Committee of the NKSA.

ARTICLE VIII — ELECTIONS

1. Nominating Committee: At least eight (8) weeks before the annual meeting of the Association, the President shall appoint a Nominating Committee of three (3) members. Two (2) members shall be members of the Executive Committee. One (1) member shall be a regular member who is not on the Executive Committee. This committee shall attempt to make or garner nominations of at least one (1) candidate for each elected position on the Executive Committee. The interest of nominees shall be verified prior to the nomination becoming official. Nominees shall be officially notified of their nomination at least two (2) weeks prior to the election.
   • The Nominating Committee shall present its written report to the Secretary two (2) weeks prior to the annual meeting of the Association.
2. Ballots: The Secretary shall prepare a ballot containing the names of those nominated, plus sufficient blank spaces for write-in candidates. Nominations from the floor shall be submitted to the general membership at the annual meeting. Regular members shall be notified of the ballot one (1) week prior to the vote at the annual meeting.
   • A plurality of the members of the NKSA present shall elect the new officers and members of the Executive Committee for one (1) year, or until their successors are elected, whichever is later.

ARTICLE IX — AMENDMENTS

1. Amendments: Proposed amendments to these By-laws, when signed by at least six (6) regular members, may be submitted in writing to the Secretary. The President shall cause such proposed amendments to be voted upon the next meeting of the general membership occurring not more than thirty (30) days from the date of receipt of said petition by the Secretary.
   • These By-laws maybe amended at any meeting of the regular membership, duly called, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the ballots cast provided that any and all changes to be voted upon have been delivered to each member via e-mail attachment or e-mail notification of the proposed amendments on the NKSA website at least ten (10) days prior to the date of such meeting.

ARTICLE X — MISCELLANEOUS
GENERAL RULES

As an attached exhibit hereto, NKSA shall adopt, maintain, verify, modify general rules and procedures to be reviewed from time-to-time by the NKSA. Said rules may be changed by a majority vote of the Executive Committee and NKSA shall ensure said rules and procedures are followed by its organization and are in compliance with the terms of the Kid’s Safe Program set forth by SRI, USYSA and NKSA. The North Kingstown Soccer Association will follow all the coaching rules and all rules set out by USYSA. NKSA players will abide by all playing rules prescribed by USYSA for all games and playoffs.