A League of Our Own!

METRO DETROIT SOFTBALL LEAGUE

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE 1

NAME OF ORGANIZATION

            The name of the organization shall be the Metro Detroit Softball League (M.D.S.L.) and shall be a non-profit organization.

ARTICLE 2

PURPOSE

            The purpose of the organization shall be to promote sports and encourage a closer and more enjoyable community in an atmosphere o friendly competition.

ARTICLE 3

MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1                Membership shall consist of active, associate and honorary members.

            a.                     Active membership shall be granted all persons on an official recognized team roster and payment of the annual membership fee.

            b.                     Associate membership may be granted to any individual who shows an active interest in the League by contributing of time and effort in the League and by paying the annual membership fee.  The Associate Membership is subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.

            c.                     Honorary membership shall be bestowed by the Board of Directors upon persons who have supported the purpose of the League.

            d.                     Only active and Associate members shall have voting rights.

SECTION 2                A member may be expelled from membership for conduct unbecoming a member of the League.

            a.                     Charges shall be submitted in writing to an officer of the League for consideration and investigation by the Board of Directors.

            b.                     The member so accused shall be notified within one week of the receipt of the written charges, with the nature of the accusations.

            c.                     The Commissioner, or in the event he is involved, the Vice-Commissioner, shall give all parties involved at least three days notice of the date, time, and place of the meeting set up the hear the charges.  All directly involved parties have a right to attend said meeting and present their case.

  SECTION 2

            d.                     The Executive Committee shall decide all cases by a two-thirds (2/3) vote.  Officers have the right to decide to impose a probationary period, rather than a suspension.

ARTICLE 4

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SECTION 1                RESPONSIBILITIES

                                    The Board of Directors has the responsibility of carrying out the objectives and policies of the League in the management of the affairs, funds, and general operation of the League as set down by this Constitution and/or as determined by its membership.

SECTION 2                MEMBERSHIP

                                    The Board of Directors shall consist of....

a.         The manager or team representative of each team, with the manager having preference

b.         Chair of standing committees

c.         Elected officers of the League

SECTION 3                The Board of Directors shall serve from the date the intent to sponsor fee is due till the end of the regular season or the end of the seasons business.

SECTION 4                MEETINGS

                                    Meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Commissioner or at the request of one third (1/3) of the Board Members.  Meetings called by the Board must take place within two weeks of the request.

                                    A five day notice shall be given in writing or telephone of Board meetings with such information available about the topic(s) of the meeting.

SECTION 5                Quorum

                                    A quorum shall constitute a simple majority of the Board of Directors and the actions of the quorum shall constitute action of the Board, with one body, one vote.

SECTION 6                The Board of Directors may create such standing and ad hoc committees not already stated in this Constitution  as it considers desirable and fix the duties and responsibilities of each committee, its size, term and method of appointing the committees members and officers.  Each committee shall report its activities to the Board at reasonable intervals and may be requested by any member of the Board to do so at a meeting of the Board.

SECTION 7                Any action of the Board shall be brought to the general membership for a vote upon presentation of a petition by 33% of the League members.  The petition must be presented no later than two (2) weeks after the disputed action.  Said general membership meeting shall take place no later than one month from the date the petition was presented.  A one week notice must be given the membership of it meetings.

ARTICLE 5

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

SECTION 1                The Executive Committee shall be make up of the elected officers of the League, and standing committee chair and 3 other persons elected to office by vote of the Board of Directors.

            a.                     The Executive Committee shall have the responsibility of carrying out the objectives of the policies of the M.D.S.L. As set down in this Constitution when the Board is not in session or at times when an emergency arises.

            b.                     Any action of the Executive Committee may be brought to the Board of Directors for review by a 2/3 vote of the Board.

            c.                     The officers of the League shall be the officers of the Executive Committee.

SECTION 2                OFFICERS

            a.                     The officers of the League are;  President/Commissioner.  Assistant Commissioner, Secretary and Treasurer.  The Board may decide to combine the duties of secretary and treasurer into one position.

            b.                     Duties of officers...

                                    1.         The President/Commissioner shall...

            (a)        call and preside at all meetings of the League

            (b)        represent the League on proper occasions

            (c)        perform duties as may be deemed necessary for the proper and efficient conduct of the League

            (d)        act on behalf of the League in any matter of emergency that is not covered in the Constitution

            (e)        appoint committees as may be necessary with Board approval

            (f)         appoint an individual to act as Parliamentarian at League meetings

            (g)        shall be ex-official of all committees

2.         Assistant Commissioner

            (a)        shall preside and assume all other such duties at meeting of the membership and the Board in the absence of the Commissioner

            (b)        shall assist the Commissioner in the performance of his/her duties

            (c)        shall perform such other duties assigned by the Commissioner and the Board of Directors

            (d)        assume the position of Acting Commissioner in the event of a vacancy in the position of Commissioner of the League until the vacancy can be filled.

3.         The Treasurer

            (a)        be responsible for and the collection of the funds of the organization and disburse them according to the decisions of the membership and/or Board of Directors.

            (b)        shall keep an accurate record of receipts and expenditures by an acceptable method of accounting

            (c)        shall make regular financial reports to the membership, the Board of Directors or when called upon by the Commissioner

            (d)        shall recommend and/or direct fund raising programs

            (e)        shall present for Executive Committee approval an audited annual report by the end of the term of office

            (f)         shall establish and maintain an account in a local bank, requiring two signatures for withdrawal, and deposit League finances in same

            (g)        shall in conjunction with the Commissioner propose a budget before the season starts to the Board of Directors

            (h)        shall perform such other duties as assigned by the Commissioner and the Board of Directors

4.         The Secretary

            (a)        shall keep, publish and distribute a record of all meetings of the Board of Directors and general membership

            (b)        shall give or cause to be given all required notices of meetings

            (c)        shall maintain a list of eligible team members on team rosters

            (d)        shall maintain the official files and conduct the external business correspondence of the organization

            (e)        shall perform all other functions attributed to that office and as assigned by the Commissioner and the Board of Directors.

SECTION 3                TERM OF OFFICE

                                    The term of office shall be for one year, from October 1 of the year to the end of September of the following year.

SECTION 4                REMOVAL FROM OFFICE

                                    Any officer who does not perform the assigned duties of office to the satisfaction of the Board of Directors, may be removed or suspended or re-instated from/to office by said Board at a called meeting, with the intent provided to all members at least one week in advance (time frame to be the same as found in Article 3 Section 2a, b,c,d.)by a 2/3 vote of those present.  Any such vacancy caused may be filled by the Board of Directors at the same meeting pursuant to the approval of the general membership.  Any suspension action must carry with it length of suspension.

SECTION 5                NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS

            a.                     The Executive Committee shall by majority vote appoint a nomination and an election committee of at least three members at least 60 days before the end of the regular season.

**        b.                     The Nomination Committee shall cause to have published to the membership of its acceptance of nominations to office(s) and thereafter shall present a slate of one or more candidates for each office including those nominated by the general membership one month before the end of the season and shall notify all candidates of their nomination.

            c.                     The Board of Directors shall establish the date, time and place for the elections and handle any disputes therein.

            d.                     A space for write in candidate will be provided on the ballot for each position.

            e.                     The winner shall be any person who receives a majority of votes.  In the event no one person received a majority, a run-off election will take place between the two candidates with the highest number of votes.  In the case of a run-off election a write in space will not be provided.

            f.                      Absentee ballots will not be allowed

            g.                     The Election Committee will print, distribute and count the ballots and present the results to the Board of Directors and cause to published the same.

            h.                     No person running for office may count ballots in an election.

** changed by the 1992 Board of Directors on May 31, 1992

ARTICLE 6

STANDING COMMITTEES

            The following shall be the Standing Committees of M.D.S.L.....

SECTION 1                FUNDRAISING

            a.                     The Chair of the fundraising committee shall be appointed by the Commissioner with the approval of the Executive Board.

            b.                     The Treasurer shall be a member of the fundraising committee.

            c.                     Its purpose shall be to develop, plan and supervise all Board approved fund raising activities.

SECTION 2                PUBLIC RELATIONS

            a.                     The chair shall be appointed by the Commissioner with the approval of the Board of Directors.

            b.                     The purpose shall be...

1.         to develop relationships with the media of the area

2.         to be the official voice of the League to the media

3.         to publish the events and activities of the League

4.         to investigate ways the League may become actively involved in projects for the community

5.         to plan, organize and supervise said Board approved community involvement

SECTION 3                SOCIAL EVENTS

            a.                     The chair of the social events committee shall be appointed by the Commissioner with approval of the Board of Directors.

            b.                     The purpose shall be to...

1.         Develop, plan and supervise all banquets or award presentations deemed necessary by the Board of Directors.

2.         Develop, plan and supervise all social activities deemed by the Board of Directors.

3.         Plan and supervise "BAR OF THE WEEK" activities.

SECTION 4                All standing Committee chairs hold their position at the discretion of the Commissioner and the Board of Directors.

SECTION 5                All standing Committee chairs shall hold a voting position on the Board.

SECTION 6                All chairs shall report to the Board of the activities of their committees at regular intervals.

ARTICLE 7

FISCAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 1                The fiscal year shall correspond with the term of office.

SECTION 2                Funds of the League on deposit with and financial institution shall be subjected to withdrawal on the signatures of such persons as may be determined from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors.  All withdrawals will require signatures of two (2) persons approved by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 3                The Board of Directors shall secure a blanket fidelity bond with adequate coverage to protect the League against losses resulting from any negligent or illegal action of an officer having fund or property responsibility.

SECTION 4                The Board of Directors shall secure an indemnity bond with adequate coverage to provide assurance to League officers and directors from any liability resulting from League action.

ARTICLE 8

DUES AND FEES

SECTION 1                The amount of annual dues or fees for membership and team fees shall be set by a vote of the Executive Committee.

SECTION 2                A nonrefundable "intent to sponsor a team" shall be paid to the treasurer by the date set by the Executive Committee.  This amount will count towards total team fees and membership fees.

SECTION 3                Total team fees and membership fees shall be paid to the treasurer by the date set by the Executive Committee

SECTION 4                Teams that have not paid their fees and membership charges by the date set by the Executive Committee shall be refused admittance to the League.

ARTICLE 9

TOURNAMENTS

            Whenever M.D.S.L. hosts a tournament or sponsors a team for a tournament the Board of Directors shall appoint a committee to run all aspects of said tournament or sponsorship.  The Committee shall make regular reports to the Board of Directors and be subject to the Board approval.

ARTICLE 10

AMMENDMENTS

SECTIOIN 1               All proposed amendments to this Constitution shall be submitted in writing to the Board of Directors 15 days before consideration.

SECTION 2                A two thirds (2/3) majority of votes cast by the Board of Directors shall be necessary for any ratification of amendments.

Approved by the Board of Directors on          4/18/88             

Article 5 Section 5b changed by the Board of Directors 1992 on May 31, 1992.