Article I – Name
The name of this organization shall be the Mankato United Soccer Club.
Article II – Purpose
The Mankato United Soccer Club shall promote the game of soccer as a positive youth sports experience which combines enjoyment with opportunities for personal growth and development. To this end, the Club shall:
1. Organize and administer programs that make the sport of soccer available to interested players under 19 years of age in the Mankato Area.
2. Provide opportunities for education, training, and competition to assist players coaches, and referees to reach their potential.
3. Promote fair play, healthy competition, and positive values for all participants.
4. Encourage cooperation among soccer organizations at the local, state, national, and international levels, and maintain affiliation with the Minnesota Youth Soccer Association, the United States Youth Soccer Association, the United State Soccer Federation, and the Federation Internationale de Football Association.
Article III – Membership
Members of the Mankato United Soccer Club shall include:
1. Players registered as members of teams sponsored the Club.
2. Parents and guardians of registered players.
3. Other persons who are active in the Club programs (coaches, referees, administrators, etc.)
Article IV – Meetings
The annual membership meeting of the Mankato United Soccer Club shall be held in August, at a time and place determined by the Board of Directors. The business of the meeting shall include:
1. Reports of Club activities and programs during the previous year.
2. Review of Club finances.
3. Planning for the coming year.
4. Election of officers and directors for the coming year.
Special membership meeting may be called by the Board of Directors or upon request of at least five voting members.
A quorum for any annual or special membership meeting shall consist of ten voting members.
Written notice of the annual meeting and any special meeting shall be mailed to Club members at their last known addresses at least ten days prior to the meeting. Such notice shall include the time and place of the meeting and in the case of a special meeting, its purpose.
Article V – Board of Directors
The Board of Directors shall consist of the Club’s elected officers and at least three, but not more than six, at-large directors. Officers and directors shall serve terms of one year (i.e., until the next annual meeting).
The Board shall meet as often as necessary to carry out Club Business, and shall have authority to act for the Club during the intervals between annual meetings. A majority of the Board’s members must be present to conduct business on behalf of the Club.
The general duties and powers of the Board shall include:
1. Establishing Club policies and procedures.
2. Determining the nature and scope of Club problems.
3. Preparing the annual budget.
4. Selecting coaches.
5. Team development
Article VI – Officers
The Club’s elected officers and their duties shall include:
1. President
· Convenes and presides at all meetings.
· Prepares meeting agendas in collaboration with club secretary.
· Appoints individuals and committees as needed.
2. Secretary
· Records minutes of all meetings; maintains permanent files includes meeting minutes, committee reports, membership lists, and By – Laws
· Distributes notices of meetings and copies of meeting minutes to Club members.
3. Treasurer
· Receives all monies paid or donated to the Club.
· Pays all bills and debts incurred by the Club.
· Maintains complete and accurate records of club finances.
4. Vice President of Administration
· Maintains excellent communication to facilitate the core missions of the Mankato United Soccer Club.
· Ensures committees and board positions are filled and functioning.
5. Vice President of Development
· Provides opportunities for coaches and players to improve their abilities.
· Identifies quality coaches for competitive teams.
· Coordinates with the Vice President of League Play for coaching assignments.
6. Vice President of Competitive League Play
· Oversees MUSC competitive team formation and successful participation in league play (C1, C2, C3, and Premier).
· Facilitates the process for the annual fall All – City Team selection.
Appointed positions may include:
Field coordinator
· Supervises maintenance of fields.
· Assists in scheduling of practices and home games to prevent schedule conflicts and overuse of fields.
Fundraising/Publicity
· Directs fundraising activities to provide financial support for Club programs.
· Develops and directs publicity activities of the club.
Referee Coordinator
· Assists in scheduling of home games to ensure that certified officials are available.
· Determines referee game assignments.
Registration Coordinator
· Prepares player registration data for submission to MYSA State Office.
District Representative
· Attends District meetings.
· Facilitates communication between District and Club.
Recreational Plus Coordinator
· Oversees the formation of Rec Plus teams.
· Identifies coaches and organizes coach meetings.
· Promotes training for coaches.
· Prepares game schedules.
Recreation Coordinator
· Oversees the formation of Rec teams.
· Identifies coaches and organizes coach meetings.
· Promotes training for coaches.
· Prepares game schedules.
Field Development Coordinator
· Oversees field development in the greater Mankato Area.
Article VII – Ratification and Amendments
These By – Laws shall take effect when ratified by at least 2/3 of the members voting at any annual or special meeting.
Amendments to these By – Laws shall take effect when approved by at least 2/3 of the members voting at any annual or special meeting.
Written notice, as approved in Article IV, must be given before voting to ratify or amend these By – Laws may take place. Such notice shall include a copy of the proposed By – Laws or amendments.
Any board member may be removed any time with or without cause from the Mankato United Soccer Club by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the board of directors at a scheduled board meeting. A quorum must be present at the meeting.
Possible grounds for removal of a director are:
Mankato United Soccer Club Standards of Conduct
The sport of soccer derives much of its appeal from the values of fair play and respect for self and other that have been an integral part of the games for more than a century. These values, often referred to as the “Spirit of the Game”, place competition and the desire to win in proper perspective and provide the foundation for the rules by which soccer is played.
The Board of Directors of the Mankato United Soccer Club recognizes the importance of these values and believes that encouraging their development is a crucial part of the Club’s mission. At its meeting of May 18, 1992, the Board adopted the following standards of conduct for players, coaches, spectators, and officials:
The Board urges all club members and officials to support these standards of conduct and to assist one another in promoting a more enjoyable sporting environment for all concerned.
1. Players, coaches, and spectators affiliated with the Mankato United Soccer Club and its teams shall promote fair play, healthy competition, and positive attitudes at all matches.
· Coaches shall serve as positive role models for players and spectators.
· Substitutes, coaches, and spectators may offer encouragement and praise to the players on the field, but shall refrain from trying to direct the players’ movements while the ball is in play.
· Players, coaches, and spectators shall treat one another with courtesy and respect.
· Players, coaches, and spectators shall treat officials with courtesy and respect, and accept their decisions without dissent.
· No Mankato United player, coach, or spectator shall taunt, harass, or direct foul or abusive language at any other participant in a match.
· The Board of Directors of the Mankato United Soccer Club shall support referees’ decisions to caution or send off players for unsporting conduct and to suspend or terminate matches for persistent interference by coaches or spectators. The Board may impose its own sanctions (for example, suspension for one or more matches) on Club members who violate these standards.
2. Referees employed by the Mankato United Soccer Club to officiate its matches shall administer the rules so as to promote safety, fair play, and enjoyment of the game.
· Officials shall treat players, coaches, and spectators with courtesy and respect, and admonish them calmly for infractions of the rules.
· Officials shall not engage in arguments or debates with players, coaches, and spectators regarding decisions.
· The Board of Directors of the Mankato United Soccer Club may dispense of the services of officials who violate these standards.