SECTION 1.00: NAME AND ADDRESS

The principal office of the Corporation shall be located in the Township of Mahwah, County of Bergen and State of New Jersey. The Corporation may also have such offices at such other places within the State as the Executive Committee may from time to time determine.

SECTION 1.01: INCORPORATION

The MRSC is a not-for-profit corporation and is so incorporated under Section 501(a) of the Internal Revenue Code as an organization described in Section 501(c)(3).

The MRSC is not organized for pecuniary profit or financial gain, and no part of its assets, income or profits shall be distributable to or inure to the benefit of its members, directors or officers.

The officers and directors of the Club shall not be individually liable for the Club’s debts or other liabilities and the private property of such individuals shall be exempt from any corporate debts or liabilities.

SECTION 1.02: PURPOSE

The purpose of the Club shall be to promote and further the playing and enjoying the game of soccer among people in the Township of Mahwah and neighboring communities in the County of Bergen and State of New Jersey. The club shall conduct business with the spirit of soccer in mind and for the benefit of the players on the Club teams.

It is the intent of the Club to have all of its teams compete on a Club basis in the Northern Counties Soccer Association or a league that can provide a comparable competitive environment. In addition, it is intended that the club be affiliated with the New Jersey State Youth Soccer Association and the United States Youth Soccer Association, the U. S. Soccer Federation, and the Federacion Internacional Futbol Asociacion (FIFA). The club will at all times conduct business on a non-profit basis

SECTION 1.03: SEASONAL YEAR

The seasonal year of the MRSC shall begin on August 1st and end on July 31st of the following calendar year.

SECTION 2.00: AFFILIATIONS

The MRSC, its officers and members will be affiliated with and governed by these bylaws and by the rules and regulations of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), the United States Youth Soccer Association (USYSA). The MRSC is currently affiliated with the Northern Counties Soccer Association (NCSA). This affiliation is subject to change at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 3.00: FINANCIAL OWNERSHIP

All moneys paid as player dues or assessments or as team dues or assessments or raised by any fund raising activity under the name of MRSC or any of its member teams, is the property of MRSC and cannot be dispersed in any manner inconsistent with these bylaws.

The Board of Directors, hereinafter referred to as “the Board,” shall decide on any questions regarding ownership or disbursement of MRSC moneys.

The Treasurer shall open and maintain such checking and/or savings and/or investment accounts in the name of MRSC at a bank or other accredited financial institution as may be approved by the Board.

The Treasurer shall be designated as the primary agent of MRSC on all club accounts.

The President shall be designated as the secondary agent on all club accounts.

The Treasurer shall track all club accounts on a monthly basis and shall report the status of the same at each Board meeting,

The Treasurer shall report and make available at the annual meeting a review of prior year receipts and disbursements.

SECTION 4.00: FUND RAISING

Fund raising projects or events or other activities sponsored by the MRSC or by member teams must be approved by the Board.

Proposals for MRSC or team member fund raising activities must be presented to the Board in writing. Proposals shall be submitted no later than two (2) months prior to the event or commencement of the activity.

SECTION 5.00: MEMBERSHIP

The membership of the Mahwah Raiders Soccer Club consists of players, parents of players and coaches. Teams are comprised of boys or girls ages 7 to 19, born between January 1st and December 31st of the Calendar Year. All players must hold a player pass for their appropriate age group. All Raider players must be registered to the Club. Secondary player passes are permitted in the Mahwah Raider Soccer Club. All Coaches must hold a current NJSYSA/US Club Coaches pass.

SECTION 6.00: TEAM MAKEUP

All Raider teams shall be allowed a maximum of Twenty-Six (26) registered players at any given time and will be required to carry a minimum of fourteen (7) players. Note, NCSA has the right to amend these roster rules and sizes in Article 4.1 of their RULES OF COMPETITION Documents. http://www.ncsanj.com/formsView.cfm?form_id=224

Any player registered to a team is bound to that team for the entire year unless a transfer is requested of and granted by the Board and Training Organization. No player may obtain a release from a Raider team, play for another team and return to a Raider team within the same seasonal year. No tryouts will be permitted other than those scheduled and approved by the Board.

If there are openings on a team after tryouts for whatever reason, additional players may be added at the discretion of the coach with the approval of the Board.

Player “play-ups” are permitted following NCSA Rules of Competition, article 4.5.

During every seasonal year, it is the intent that at least 85+% of the players registered to Club teams shall reside in the Town of Mahwah. If a team submits a roster composed of players, more than 15% of whom do not live in the Town of Mahwah, the coach of said team must explain why to the satisfaction of the Executive Committee before the registrar will register the team. Notwithstanding the proceeding, it is recognized that teams may find it necessary to use players who do not reside in the Town of Mahwah.

Section 6:01 PLAYER SELECTION:

Players for club teams will be selected on the basis of competitive tryouts annually. Tryout dates and times shall be arranged by the coaches, subject to the approval of the Executive Committee. Multiple tryouts may be held if time permits and adequate field space is available. Tryouts shall be announced via newspaper advertisements, letters, post card Internet Sites, NCSA Site, etc. Tryouts shall be structured to include skill drills, a scrimmage and other events which adequately test a candidate’s level of competence. The Club is required to enlist the aid of at least two outside trainers or coaches in player evaluation. No candidate shall be denied the opportunity to participate based on his race, color or religion. Upon completion of player rankings, the Board will complete a cursory grid to place players into appropriate teams based on tryout rankings. A player IS REQUIRED to tryout with his/her “age appropriate” group. If player seems to be at the “top 3rd” of his/her group, they MAY tryout with older group as well. It is the policy of the MRSC to have players play in their “age appropriate” group. If a player is ranked in the TOP 3rd of the higher age group, they may be given the opportunity to play for the”older” team, as well as age appropriate.

SECTION 7.00: DUES

Each player shall be responsible for payment of Club dues for each year in which he or she participates. Dues assist in the payment of costs of team registration, training, field maintenance, and Club operating expenses. Dues do not cover team or individual travel expenses, uniforms, tournament fees, or any other additional expenses brought about by team or individual participation in any outside soccer related events. No player shall be permitted to participate in any Club matches until full payment of dues is received or a payment program is approved. The Board has the right to grant partial or full scholarships for any player who petitions the Club and needs financial aid. For families having three (3) or more players participating in the RSC, annual dues will be as follows:

1. The two (2) youngest children will each be required to pay the full annual dues.
2. Each additional child will pay dues at a discounted rate as determined by the Board prior to each year.

SECTION 8.01: COACHING REQUIREMENTS

Head coaches, assistant coaches, managers, trainers and team-parent representatives must be over twenty-one (21) years of age unless approved by the Board. These folks must also pass and receive 100% clearance following the NCSA required background check process.

All MRSC head coaches, assistant coaches and trainers must be approved by the Board. All MRSC coaches are evaluated by the Board at the end of each season At those points, the Board will review the Team’s and Coaches performance before re-appointing the Coach for play.

The Board shall have exclusive discretion to appoint coaches to teams prior to the commencement of a new fall season and may, in its sole discretion, decide not to reappoint a coach previously carded to a team.

Any MRSC head coach or assistant coach may be removed during a season from his/her position for reasonable cause by the Board after a hearing at which he/she has had a reasonable opportunity to oppose such action. Grounds for removal may include, but are not limited to, violation of the Raiders Soccer Club Coaches Code of Conduct, failure to abide by Club rules and regulations and failure to attend Coaches meetings. Trainers may be removed or terminated at the will of the club and with or without prior notice.

Any MRSC head coach may add, remove or change an assistant coach for his or her team with the prior approval of the board. Any replacement assistant coach must meet the MRSC requirements for coaching eligibility as specified in the Bylaws.

All coaches and trainers must complete a coaches training course and must comply with or complete such USSF U.S.Y.S.A. and designated league of play certifications and other procedures as those bodies may require from time to time.

Every Raider Coach will attempt to maintain, with a balance of training and education, an atmosphere that will provide all players the opportunity to excel in the sport of soccer within the spirit of fair play.

A team may not hold a practice or play a match unless a Board approved, U.S.S.F. carded coach is in attendance and assuming responsibility for coaching the team.

All Raider teams will participate in the league of play designated by the Club (currently the NCSA). The league of play may be changed at any time by the Board. No team may participate in a different league or any additional leagues without prior written approval of the Board.

Any team wishing to play in a league flight other than their age- and gender-appropriate flight must first obtain permission from the Board.

SECTION 8.02: TRAINERS

Any MRSC team wishing to use a trainer must receive prior approval from the Director of Coaching and the Board. No team may negotiate a fee with a trainer or coach without prior approval of the Director of Coaching and/or Board Member.

SECTION 10.00: OFFICERS QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates for the MRSC Board must be members in good standing and over twenty-one (21) years of age, and candidates for particular officer positions must meet the criteria set forth below.

SECTION 10.01: SELECTION

All MRSC Board members, as hereinafter set forth, shall be nominated at the June coaches meeting by a nominating committee appointed by the Club President and shall be elected at the July coaches meeting by a vote of the teams. Each registered team is entitled to one vote. Nominations shall also be accepted from the floor at the June coaches meeting only.

SECTION 10.02: TERM OF OFFICE

Board Members shall serve a term of three (3) years commencing August 1 in the year of election, and expiring on July 31 three (3) years following. The Board will operate with staggered terms such that no more than three (3) members will have scheduled term end dates in any one (1) year.

SECTION 10.03: RESIGNATION

Board members may resign by submitting a written notice to the Board. Unless otherwise specified in the notice, the resignation shall take effect upon receipt thereof by the Board. Acceptance of the resignation by the Board shall not be necessary to make it effective.

SECTION 10.04: REMOVAL FROM OFFICE

Officers may be removed from his or her position for reasonable cause by the Board after a hearing at which they have reasonable opportunity to oppose such action. Any Board member missing three (3) consecutive meetings will have his/her membership reviewed at the next Board meeting for further action.

SECTION 10.05: REPLACEMENT

In the event that an officer other than the President resigns or is removed from office prior to the normal end of the current term of office, the Board shall appoint a Club member who will serve for the time remaining in the current term.

In the event that the President resigns or is removed from office prior to the normal end of the current term, the Vice-President shall assume all the duties of the President for the balance of the current term.

SECTION 10.06: MEMBERSHIP

The Board shall be comprised of seven (7) voting members, elected from the current club membership. The President shall be chosen by the Board. The President shall appoint each of the other Board members to one of the following positions:

• PRESIDENT
• VICE PRESIDENT- Boys
• VICE PRESIDENT- Girls
• CLUB ADMINISTRATOR-REP
• TREASURER
• PARENT AUXILARY
• SECRETARY

SECTION 10.07: DUTIES

The duties of the Board will be detailed in Sections 10.08 through 10.14.

SECTION 10.08: PRESIDENT

The President will be required to have at least four (3) years membership in the MRSC including at least two (2) full years as a Coach and at least one (1) year of service on the Board. The duties and responsibilities of the President shall include the following:

• To preside at all meetings of the membership and the Board and serve as Chair (the President shall maintain the tie breaking vote on all matters).
• To establish committees and to appoint committee chairs as required to administer and manage the programs and business of this organization, subject to approval of the Board.
• To serve as the liaison between the MRSC and other organizations.
• To serve as the general representative of the MRSC in all matters.
• To carry out such other and further duties as from time to time are assigned by the Board.

SECTION 10.09: VICE-PRESIDENTS

The Vice-President will be required to have at least four (3) years membership in the MRSC including at least two (2) full years as a Coach and at least one (1) year of service on the Board. The duties and responsibilities of the Vice-President shall include the following:

• To assist the President as necessary.
• To exercise the duties and responsibilities of the President in the absence of the President.
• To oversee the running of each respective boys and girls divisions.
• To carry out such other and further duties as from time to time are assigned by the President.

SECTION 10.10: SECRETARY

The Secretary will be required to have at least two (2) years membership in the MRSC . The secretary generally has excellent organizational and communication skills needed to work alongside a club president, vice president and treasurer.

The duties and responsibilities of the Secretary shall include the following:

• To record and publish minutes of all Club and Board meetings.
• To give proper notice of all membership meetings and other organized events.
• To attend to and be custodian of all office assets, correspondence and records of the organization.
• To publish and distribute minutes, notices and other communication as requested.
• To procure all insurance certificates needed for the TSC’s use of area facilities.
• To coordinate and procure the Club’s coverage, including medical coverage insurance coverage and the processing of all claims.
• To carry out such other and further duties as from time to time are assigned by the President.
• All By-law changes must be recorded and published in minutes.

SECTION 10.13: PARENT REPRESENTATIVE

There are no previous membership requirements for the parent representative. The duties and responsibilities of the Parent Representative shall include the following:

• To serve as a liaison to all Club parents.
• To develop and oversee a Parents Council which reports to the Board.
• To oversee the selection and presentation of all MRSC awards and scholarships.
• To oversee the running of Raider Soccer Club dinners.
• To oversee the running of the Raider Soccer Club Publicity Program.
• To collect data and publicity information from coaches and teams for publication in the local newspapers, such as game statistics and team reports.
• To carry out such other and further duties as from time to time are assigned by the President.

SECTION 10.14: REGISTRAR

There are no previous membership requirements for the Registrar. The duties and responsibilities of the Registrar shall include the following:

• To coordinate and record the registration of all MRSC members.
• To coordinate the publication of the Raiders Roster Book (?)
• To oversee the upkeep of the Raiders Web page.
• To assist in maintaining all information required by the hotels used at the annual Virginian Soccer Tournament. (new event for 2010)
• To carry out such other and further duties as from time to time are assigned by the President.

SECTION 11.00: MEETINGS

The MRSC will hold a minimum of 2 Annual coaches meetings. These meetings are open to all MRSC members. The order of business shall generally be as follows:

1. Roll Call
2. Acceptance of Minutes of Last Meeting
3. Correspondence
4. Treasurer Report
5. Executive Committee Reports
6. New Business
7. Special Agenda Items
8. Adjournment

Any member wishing to address the coaches at a coaches meeting may do so by notifying the Board in writing no less than seven (7) days in advance of the meeting.

Regular Board meetings shall be held every month and special meetings may be called by the President or by a quorum of the Board.

Any member wishing to address the Board at a Board meeting may do so by notifying the Board in writing no less than seven (7) days in advance of the meeting.

Board meetings shall be held every month and special meetings may be called by the President or by a quorum of the Board.

A minimum of three (3) days’ notice is required for Board meeting and seven (7) days’ notice is required for Coaches meetings.

The To oversee the upkeep of the Raiders Web page. will hold one (1) Annual General Meeting open to all Club members including players, parents and coaches. This meeting will include a State of the Club report by the President as well as a financial report by the Treasurer.

SECTION 12.00: PROTEST AND APPEALS PROCEDURE

The purpose of the protest and appeals procedure shall be to hear protests and appeals resulting from the game of soccer among players registered to the MRSC and to hear protests and appeals pertaining to the MRSC bylaws, actions, rules, regulations and policies

Any individual member, team member, player, coach or team manager may present a protest or appeal to the Board.

The objective of the protest and appeals procedure shall be to provide fair, expedient and just hearing for all protests and appeals. The MRSC Board shall hear and pass judgment on all protests and appeals and their decision will be final.

The protest or appeal must be in writing, must describe in detail the grounds for the protest or appeal, and must be presented to the President a minimum of seven (7) days prior to the next scheduled Board meeting.

The Board shall review the protest or appeal and shall schedule a hearing within two (2) weeks of the receipt of the protest or appeal.

SECTION 13.00: INSURANCE

All Club teams shall have in effect a NJYSA approved medical insurance program covering its players for the Seasonal Year. No player shall compete in any game, scrimmage or practice session who is not covered by such program. No team shall compete in any game, scrimmage, or practice session with or against a team that does not have medical insurance approved by NJSYSA. The Club shall procure insurance coverage for members of the Executive Committee, coaches and assistant coaches covering them against personal liability for performing acts and duties related to Club activities. Such insurance will be considered in force when the players are effectively registered and card for the club team.

Each team will be supplied by the Club with a first aid kit. Any accident or injury by any player must be reported by the coach to the registrar within 24 hours of the occurrence. The Registrar shall keep a supply of insurance claim forms and provide proper procedure to the injured player’s family for insurance reimbursement.

The Board of the MRSC also will be insured by the Club’s current insurance carrier.

SECTION 14.00 FINES

The actions of a player, coach, assistant coach or spectator may result in disciplinary actions and fines being levied against the Club by the league. The Club assumes no responsibility for payment of such fines. It is the coaches responsibility to pay such fines. Failure to do so will result in the termination of his or her coaching position. A coach shall, however, be given an opportunity to present an account of the action leading up to the fine and the Executive Committee may authorize the Club to reimburse the coach if it feels such reimbursement is appropriate.

SECTION 15.00: AMENDMENTS AND CONFLICTS

Proposals to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws may be made by any member, in writing, at membership meetings, or by any member of the Board at a Board meeting.

Bylaws may be adopted, amended or repealed only by majority vote of the registered teams at a regularly scheduled coaches meeting. Each registered team shall have one (1) vote.

The voting will take place no sooner than the Tri Annual meeting following the meeting in which the proposal was presented.

If there are any actual conflicts between these bylaws and the RSC Certificate of Incorporation, the latter shall govern and these bylaws shall be deemed invalid insofar as they are inconsistent with the certificate of incorporation. To the extent possible, these bylaws and the Certificate of Incorporation shall be interpreted so as to be consistent with each other.

These Bylaws are effective as of June 1 2017 and replace and supersede any and all prior Bylaws.