May 10, 2008

Constitution

ARTICLE I. Name
The name of this organization shall be the: Traverse City Elementary Athletic Members ( T.E.A.M. ) and shall be an affiliate organization of the Trojan Athletic Boosters Club a nonprofit corporation.

ARTICLE II. Purpose
The objectives of the T.E.A.M. shall be:
1. To promote the welfare of youth in home, school, and the community.
2. To develop between this organization and the community such united efforts as will secure for every child the highest advantages in all sports.
3. To teach the fundamentals of each sport, as well as teamwork and sportsmanship. Each athlete will participate despite the level of his or her ability. This is not a "WIN AT ALL COST" program.
4. To secure and distribute funds to enhance the elementary athletic opportunities in our community.

ARTICLE III: Basic Policies
Section 1 -
This organization shall cooperate with the Trojan Athletic Boosters Clubs to support the improvement of athletics in ways that will not interfere with the administration of the schools and shall not seek to control their policies.
• A.The program will be funded by a pay to play fee per student per sport.
• B.Funds will also be raised in cooperation with the Trojan Athletic Boosters Club and any fund raising in the community.
• C.No child shall be denied participation for financial hardship.
• D. Basketball and Volleyball will be limited to fifth and sixth graders. Cross Country and Track & Field will be limited to fourth, fifth, and sixth graders

ARTICLE IV: Affiliate Organization
The Traverse City Elementary Athletic Members exists as an affiliate member of the Trojan Athletic Boosters Club.
The organizations structure, bylaws, and financial reports of the organization shall be consistent with the parent organization and subject to the approval of the Board of Directors of the corporation. Not later than thirty (30) days following the close of the parent organization corporate fiscal year, the organization shall submit to the Board of' Directors the financial reports of Inclusion In the corporate 990 tax return.
The Board of Directors of the parent organization reserves the right to recognize the affiliate organization formed for the purpose of giving special emphasis and support to the Traverse City Area Public Schools athletic teams. Affiliate status may be withdrawn by action of the Board of Directors of the Trojan Athletic Boosters Club by two thirds (2/3) vote in the event that the affiliate falls to comply with the fundamental requirements of the affiliate status.
Membership in any one of the recognized affiliate organizations of the Trojan Athletic Boosters Club shall entitle an individual to full membership in the Trojan Athletic Boosters Club and entitle such person to full membership and voting status in the corporation upon payment of the annual dues as set forth in the constitution and by-laws of the Trojan Athletic Boosters Club.

ARTICLE V: Board of Directors and Representatives
The Board of Directors of the Traverse City Elementary Athletic Members shall consist of a minimum of eighteen (18) members including one member from each of the Traverse City Area Public Schools elementary schools. The members shall be appointed annually by the school principal or by the PTO and shall be a member for a period of one year.
The Board of Directors shall be responsible for establishing and implementing the policies of the T.E.A.M. and shall have and exercise all general powers of nonprofit corporations and its affiliates under Michigan law including the authorization for disbursement of corporate funds. The Board of Directors shall hold regular monthly meetings during the school year. A majority vote of the Board members present shall govern except as otherwise provided. The Board shall be empowered to affiliate with other organizations as it determines appropriate in the interest of the total elementary athletic program.
Representatives - The Representative from each school shall be responsible for finding coaches, attending and voting at board meetings. It is their responsibility keep in close contact with the Coordinator. All representatives or alternates are to attend all Board meetings.

ARTICLE VI: Officers and Executive Board
The officers of this organization shall be a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and an Assistant Treasurer. Officers shall be elected from the Board of Directors and shall be known as the Executive Board and work under the authority of the Trojan Athletic Boosters Club.
Section 1 -
The President shall be the executive officer of the organization and shall preside at all meetings. All standing committees shall be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Board of Directors, and the President shall appoint special committees at his/her sole discretion. The President shall act as an ex-officio member of all committees. The President is empowered to call special meetings of the Board of Directors or the Executive Board at any time at his/her discretion.
The Vice President if for any reason the President is unable to perform his/her duties shall accept his/her position under the same authority as the President. If the office of the President shall become vacant, the Vice President shall succeed in office, and the vacancy created shall be filled by the Board of Directors. The Vice President is responsible for all fund raising activities determined by the Board of Directors. He/She is to chair or supervise a standing committee.
The Secretary shall be in charge of all records of the organization and shall have the responsibility of keeping and preserving minutes of all meetings and shall be responsible for preparing official correspondence.
The Treasurer shall be the principal financial officer of the organization and shall keep all financial records, issue and retain receipts. He/She shall furnish financial reports as requested by the President and the Board of Directors and shall submit an annual financial report which shall bc available to the membership at the end of his/her term of office.
The Assistant Treasurer shall work with the Treasurer in paying bills, sending bills, and turning all money over to the Treasurer. The Assistant Treasurer shall keep track of all paying and scholarship athletes.
Section 2 -
All officers shall serve two (2) year terms with the President and Treasurer elections to be held in odd years and the Vice President, Secretary, and Assistant Treasurer elections to be held in even years. Vacancies in the board positions shall be elected annually at the May Board meeting and new board members shall assume their official duties on July 1st.
Section 3 -
Retiring officers and incoming officers shall have a minimum of one joint Executive Board meeting prior to July 1st.
Section 4 -
All officers shall deliver to their successors all official material within ten (10) days following the expiration of their term in office
Section 5 -
A person shall not be eligible to serve more than two (2) consecutive terms in the same office.
Section 6 -
Duties of the Executive Board shall be:
• A.To transact necessary business in the intervals between organizational meetings and such other business as may be referred to it by the organization
• B.To approve plans of the standing committees.
• C.To appoint a budget committee to prepare and submit to the organization for approval a budget for the fiscal year. This is to be approved by the President and Treasurer. The President and the Treasurer shall have sole veto power.
• D.To hire/fire the paid coordinator.
• E.To have final approval of hiring coaches and referees.

ARTICLE VII: Coordinator
The hired coordinator shall hire/fire the referees, coordinate the games, shall make sure each coach for each sport has registration forms, game rules, schedules, guidelines for injuries. The coordinator shall be paid and will oversee the sports at all sports sites. He/She shall schedule the use of all facilities. The coordinator shall be a non voting member of the board.

ARTICLE VIII: Meetings
Section 1 -
Regular meetings of the organization shall be held on each month during the school year unless otherwise directed by the board.
Section 2 -
Special meetings may be called by the president or upon petition of one-third of the directors, not less than seven (7) days notice must be given.
Section 3 -
Meetings of this organization shall be open to the public, but the privilege of holding office, making motions or voting shall be limited to board members.
Section 4 -
Fifty (50) percent of the Executive Board present shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business in any meeting of this organization.
Section 5 -
Each school shall be entitled to one vote.

ARTICLE IX: Annual Elections
A nominating committee appointed by the President shall nominate a slate of candidates annually to fill the vacancies of Directors whose term expire. Elections of candidates shall be by written ballots with sufficient space for write-in candidates in the spring of each year. Elected officers shall assume their responsibilities on July 1 Balloting shall occur no later than June 1 of each year.

ARTICLE X: Committees
Standing Committees - These committees function throughout the year. The chairman of each standing committee shall be a member of the Board of Directors.
Section 1 -
Such standing committees shall be created by the Board of Directors, as may be required to promote the objectives and interests of this organization. Other standing committees may be appointed as deemed necessary by the Board of Directors. No member shall serve as chairman of the same committee for more than two years.
Section 2 -
The Chairman of all standing committees shall present plans of work to the board for approval, and no committee shall be undertaken without approval of the board. The chairman of all standing committees shall be appointed by the President.
Section 3 -
Standing committees shall include but not be limited to:
• A.Fund raising
• B.Budget
• C. Communications Special Committees - These committees are appointed or elected at a board meeting following a motion to perform some special task or obtain more information and bring back a report or recommendation to the board. These committees are temporary and cease to function when they have completed their duties and presented their reports to the Executive Board.

ARTICLE XI: Amendments
Section 1 -
These by-laws may be amended at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present. Providing a notice of the vote on the proposed amendment was given at the prior month's board meeting.
Section 2 -
A committee may be appointed to submit a revised set of by-laws as a substitute for these by-laws. The procedure for action on amendments in Section I of Article XI should be followed.

ARTICLE XII: Fiscal Year
The fiscal year of this organization shall be from July 1st through June 30th of the succeeding year.

ARTICLE XIII: Dissolution
Upon dissolution, the assets of the organization shall only be distributed to a charitable or educational institution exempt under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code, specifically Section 501 (c) (3), as designated by the Board of Directors of the organization.