Constitution

CONSTITUTION and BY-LAWS

of

KC METRO LEAGUE

NAME / AFFILIATION 

KC Metro League (KCML) is an affiliated member of Missouri Youth Soccer Assoc. (MYSA), and by extension the United States Youth Soccer Federation (“Federation”) As such, KCML is bound by the by-laws, policies and regulations of the Federation and MYSA to the extent required under the law of the State of Missouri, and shall abide by the Federation articles, bylaws, policies, and requirements where not in conflict with state law.  

PURPOSES  

To provide an organized soccer program for the youth of Greater Kansas City, and to promote, stimulate and expand public interest and understanding of soccer.

To encourage all individuals regardless of sex, race, color, creed, religion, or national origin to participate in the programs, functions and activities of KCML. In providing this program and opportunity for young people to participate in sports, KCML shall further the public interest in youth sports and specifically soccer, and shall also help to promote positive social values, and combat juvenile delinquency.

To form divisions in such a way as to promote evenly matched competitions. 

 GOVERNANCE

This program shall be governed by its Constitution, Bylaws, policies, and certain guidelines that may be promulgated by the Board of Directors. US Youth Soccer and Missouri Youth Soccer Bylaws, policies, and requirements shall take precedence over and supersede the governing documents and decisions of program and its members to the extent applicable under State law. This KC Metro and its members shall abide by said US Youth Soccer and Missouri Youth Soccer Bylaws, policies, and requirements. The KC Metro shall not join any organization that has requirements that conflict with said US Youth Soccer and Missouri Youth Soccer Bylaws, policies and requirements.

SEASONAL YEAR

The USYS Seasonal Year runs from September 1 through August 31 of the following calendar year and shall be comprised of two (2) KCML seasons of play, Fall and Spring. Starting and ending dates for each session are set by the KCML board.

All teams are to be scheduled eight (8) games, with a minimum of 4 home games.

Fees are set by the Board prior to each session.

Teams added or dropped after the schedule has been posted will be charged a $100 fee per team.

Teams that move divisions after the schedule is posted will be charged a $200 fee.

Player/coach registration is done only by Member League registrars, not by the KC Metro League.

RULES

KCML shall have authority to enact Rules and Regulations consistent with these By-Laws for the conduct of competitions, and the operations of KCML. In an emergency and for the good of soccer, any of the Constitution or By-Laws may be suspended or altered by a majority vote of the Executive Board. The Constitution and By-Laws and Playing Rules of KCML may be amended by a majority vote.

MEMBERSHIP

The membership of KCML shall  be open to soccer leagues organized geographically within greater Kansas City and surrounding areas.           

Each league wishing to join the KC Metro must -

Be a member in good standing with USYSA and their leagues home state     association.

Ensure that member coaches, players, and league administrators are properly registered and meet the national guidelines for a background check.

Each league wishing to join KC Metro must be able to supply a minmum number of teams, playing fields, and FIFA licensed referees for each game scheduled at their fields.

Each member league involved must provide the KC Metro with one representative whom is responsible for serving on the Board of Directors and maintaining communications with their board, coaches, and the KC Metro. This information along with the following is due by the date set each session by the KC Metro Board of Directors:

Collect team information: scheduling requests and/or conflicts, team name, coaches names and phone numbers, team color, level of play, and an alternate team contact/phone number.

Insure that all players and coaches are properly registered and in the case of coaches that they are licensed and participating in background checks as required.

Provide their rain-out number.

Provide their schedulers’ name, phone, and e-mail address.

Provide their referee assignors’ name, phone, and e-mail address.

Notify their coaches of any scheduling changes.

Notify their coaches of any upcoming KC Metro events or meetings.

Generate and/or distribute schedules, maps, contact numbers, or other documents necessary for the operation of this program.

Pay fees as instructed by the Board of Directors.

Enforce any assessments or penalties passed down by the Board of Directors.

Independent teams are welcomed but must select a member league as “home base” and must meet the requirements as required by that league.

League membership must be presented at a board meeting and voted on at the next scheduled meeting. A majority vote of the Executive Board present shall be required for admission to KCML. 

All member leagues shall enjoy equally all the rights, privileges and responsibilities of KCML membership.

Anyone registering as a coach, assistant coach or trainer, basically those who will be responsible for and/or left in the presence of the players, must complete the background check as required by MYSA.

If the team has only one (1) coach and they have not completed and submitted the required background check, that team will not be allowed, per National rules, to play. Failure to comply with the Constitution and By-Laws of this Association shall lead to the revocation of that individual or teams membership in the league.

Termination of Membership. 

Membership in KCML may be terminated either voluntarily or involuntarily.

Voluntary Termination. Any member League may terminate its membership by giving written notice to the KCML.

Involuntary Termination. A member league which fails or refuses to follow the Rules or By-Laws of KCML or which ignores or attempts to circumvent a decision rendered by the KCML Executive Board, or which in the opinion of the Board seriously damages the interests of KCML may be suspended or expelled from KCML by a majority vote of the Executive Board present at a meeting called for that purpose. A motion for suspension or expulsion may be made by any member league.

EXECUTIVE BOARD

The affairs of KCML shall be managed by its Executive Board. Each member of the Executive Board shall represent one member soccer league.

Regular Meetings.  The Executive Board may provide by resolution the time and place for the holding of regular meetings of the Board without other notice than such resolution.

Special Meetings.  Special meetings of the Executive Board may be called by the request of any two members. Notice of any special meeting of the Executive Board shall be given at least two days previously by either phone or email notification to each Member League.

Quorum.  A majority of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board.

Voting. Each Member League shall have one vote on all matters except League Playing Rules. Member Leagues will have the number of votes equal to that league’s number of teams presently playing in KCML on League Playing Rules.

Informal Action. Any action which may be taken at a regular Executive Board meeting may be taken without a meeting by e-mail setting forth the action so taken and allowing each Member League to record his or her vote thereon. Any such actions shall be confirmed at the next regularly scheduled Board meeting.

OFFICERS

The officers of this program shall consist of the representative provided by the member leagues and shall constitute the Executive Board.

Committees and Positions appointed by the board as/when needed and are non-voting:

Chairman

Treasurer

Registrar

Referee Assignor

Secretary

MYSA Rep

Voting.  No officer shall have a right to vote unless that officer is also the Member League representative.

Election and Term of Office.  The officers shall be elected by the Executive Board at a regular meeting of the Executive Board. New offices may be created and filled at any meeting of the Executive Board.  Each officer shall hold office until his/her successor shall have been duly elected.

Removal.  Any officer elected or appointed by the Executive Board may be removed by the Executive Board whenever in its judgment the best interests of KCML would be served thereby.

Vacancies.  A vacancy in any office because of resignation, death, removal, disqualification or otherwise, may be filled by the Executive Board.

Committees and appointed positions

Chairman Shall:

Facilitate all KC Metro meetings.

Call special sessions of the Board of Directors as necessary.

Co-sign final transactions of $200 or more.

Be the person of record on any legal documents and/or agreements the league enters into.

MYSA Rep Shall:

Be a non-voting position and is only required to attend meetings as requested by the Board.

Secretary Shall:

Record the minutes of all meetings.

Attend to all correspondence with the approval of the Boarde of Directors.

Arrange all protest, monthly, coaches, and/or other special meetings as instructed and send all Board members and coaches reminders of the meetings pertaining to them.

Other duties as assigned by the Chairman and/or Board of Directors.

Be a non-voting position and is required to attend all meetings.

Referee Assignor Shall:

Act as liaison between this program and the referee assignors of the member leagues and/or clubs and work to establish a cooperative relationship between the various entities.

Report to the KC Metro any complaints against coaches and/or referees.

Communicate Red Cards to the Board of Directors and league/club Assignors.

Be the KC Metros' representative to the Western District Referees meetings or appoint someone in their place.

Hold meetings or communicate with league/club Assignors any changes in the Laws of the Game as determined by the Board of Directors.

Make sure that officials are always dressed in accordance with FIFA and/or KC Metro rules. If not properly dressed communicate in writing to the member league/club.

Be a non-voting position and is required to attend all meetings.

Registrar Shall:

Coordinate all registration sessions, paperwork, registration forms, team rosters, birth certificates, and any other pertinent information and paperwork as needed for registration of direct members.

Provide rosters (team lists) as requested.

Submit all pertinent information to MYSA Registrar as required.

Attend Board meetings as a non-voting member as requested by the board.

Be a non-voting position and is required to attend all meetings.

Treasurer Shall:

Collect all monies of the Association and keep a detailed account of the income and expenditures thereof.

Submit a monthly written report of finances for approval by the Board.

Pay bills against the KC Metro that have been properly passed upon and approved by the Board of Directors. 

Deposit all moneys upon receipt in a bank account in the name of the KC Metro at a bank approved by the Board of Directors.

Be a non-voting position required to attend Board meetings as requested.

COMMITTEES

Standing Committees. The KCML shall have two standing Committees to assist the Board in the efficient administration of KCML

Rules Committee.  The Rules Committee is hereby designated as a permanent standing committee.

Disciplinary Committee.  The Disciplinary Committee is hereby designated as a permanent standing committee.

Other Committees.  Other committees may be appointed by a resolution adopted by a majority of the Member Leagues present at a meeting at which a quorum is present.

Term of Office.  Each member of a committee shall continue as such until his/her successor is appointed, or until the committee is terminated.

Chairperson.  One member of each committee shall be appointed by the Director as chairperson.

Vacancies.  Vacancies in the membership of any committee may be filled by appointments made in the same manner as provided in the case of the original appointments.

Quorum.  Unless otherwise provided in the resolution of the Executive Board designating a committee, a majority of the whole committee shall constitute a quorum and the act of a majority of the members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of a committee.

Rules.  Each committee may adopt rules for its own government not inconsistent with these bylaws or with rules adopted by the Executive Board.

RULES COMMITTEE

The Rules Committee shall have authority:

To propose and recommend to the Executive Board Rules and Regulations with regard to the operation of KCML. The power to approve By-Laws, or Rules and Regulations or changes thereto shall lie solely with the Executive Board.

Review.  The Rules Committee shall meet not less often than once a year in December and shall review all existing Rules and Regulations of KCML and make recommendations to the Executive Board as to any changes to such Rules and Regulations which the Committee deems appropriate.

Members.  Each member league of KCML shall appoint one member to serve on the Rules Committee until their successor is appointed.

DISCIPLINARY COMMITTEE

Authority.  The Disciplinary Committee shall have authority to hear all protests, appeals, and disciplinary matters involving infractions filed with regard to KCML league or tournament games as well as such other matters as may be determined by the Board, and to resolve such protests including imposing penalties on any player or coach as the committee in its sole discretion determines to be appropriate.

Chair.  The Chair of the Disciplinary Committee shall be appointed by the Director of KCML.

Members.  Each member league of KCML shall appoint one member to serve on the Disciplinary Committee until their successor is appointed.

Hearings.The Disciplinary Committee may conduct a hearing with regard to any matter before it and hear and consider any written or oral evidence presented with regard any appeal, protest or infraction before rendering its decision.

Conflicts.  No member of the Committee may vote on any decision where such member was directly associated with the team, player, or coach involved or was a witness to the events involved.

Testimony.  Oral testimony at Disciplinary Committee hearings shall be limited to the Player, coach, referee or linesman involved in the incident resulting in the hearing.

Misconduct, and Discipline. The Disciplinary Committee may issue orders of discipline as it in its discretion deems appropriate. Discipline imposed may include warnings, suspension, or permanent expulsion from the activities of KCML.

Dismissals (Red Cards).    Any person sent off (red carded) by a referee before during or following a match shall be subject to an automatic suspension from the next KCML league. The matter is subject to additional action by the Disciplinary Committee. Any person receiving 2 red cards for fighting or serious foul play in a session shall be suspended for the rest of that session.

Cautions (Yellow Cards).  Any person who is cautioned (yellow carded) by a referee three times in any season shall be suspended for the next KCML league game. Any additional yellow card received in that season will each result in an additional game suspension.

Records.  The Disciplinary Committee shall keep a formal record of all actions taken by it, and of all discipline imposed on any coach or player.

Protests. Protests of any referee's actions or other game related incidents must be given verbally by the protesting coach to the referee and the opposing coach before leaving the field.

Filing Requirements. A written protest must be mailed to the Disciplinary Chair, or any disciplinary committee member within seventy-two (72) hours of the incident.  The protest must be signed by the coach, and specify the date of the game, the field, the names of the teams involved, and their leagues, sex, and age group, the name of the referee (if known), and a description of the protested incident.

Filing Fee. Protests shall be accompanied by a $50 filing fee. If the protest is upheld, the filing fee will be refunded.

Scope of Review.  Protests involving matters within a referee's discretion will not be heard or reviewed by the Disciplinary Committee.

Appeals. The purpose of the Disciplinary Committee is to provide equitable and prompt hearing and appeal procedures to guarantee the rights of individuals to participate and compete. All grievances involving the right to participate and compete in activities organized or sponsored by KCML may be appealed to the Executive Board of KCML that shall have jurisdiction to approve, modify or reverse a decision. Any  appeal to the Executive Board must be filed with the President of KCML within seven days of the receipt of the decision from the Disciplinary Committee.  It shall be discretionary with the Board as to whether review will be accepted. Review by the Board, if granted, will be only on the record presented to the Disciplinary Committee.  No new evidence will be presented to the Board.  The Board will only consider whether the Disciplinary Committee abused its discretion in making its decision. Further appeals may be made to the next higher authority, MYSA, according to their published procedures.

CONTRACTS, CHECKS, DEPOSITS AND FUNDS

Contracts.  The Executive Board may authorize any officer or officers, agent or agents of KCML, in addition to the officers so authorized by these bylaws, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of KCML, and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. KCML may, at the discretion of the Executive Board, pay any officer, employee, or other person providing services to KCML for such service provided that such payment shall not exceed the reasonable market value for such services.

All fees collected by KCML will go into the KCML general fund.

Any expenses incurred from returned checks will be added to the amount due.

BOOKS AND RECORDS

Records.  KCML shall keep correct and complete books and records of account and shall also keep minutes of the proceedings of its members, Executive Board and committees having any of the authority of the Executive Board, and shall keep at its principal office a record giving the names and addresses of the members entitled to vote.  All books and records of KCML may be inspected by any member, or his agent or attorney, for any proper purpose at any reasonable time. 

AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS

Amendments.  These bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed and new bylaws may be adopted by an affirmative vote of sixty percent of the Member Leagues present at any regular meeting or special meeting called for such purpose, and at which a quorum is present: PROVIDED THAT the amendment must have been read and reviewed at a prior meeting which has taken place not less than thirty (30) days prior to the meeting at which the vote is taken on the amendment.