DCSA CONSTITUTION
1.1 Name, Purpose, and Affiliation
1.1.1 Name: This organization shall be the Desoto County
Soccer Association, (DCSA), Incorporated.
1.1.2 Purpose: The Association's purpose shall be
the control, regulation, promotion, and development of and education for soccer
in the County of Desoto at all playing levels of competition, i.e., Division
III (Recreational). Division II (Intermediate), Division I (State Division),
and Adult Divisions. In order to accomplish its purpose, the Association shall
have jurisdiction over all affiliated members within its territory.
1.1.3 Affiliation: This Association shall be
associated with the Mississippi Youth Soccer Association (MYSA). United States
Youth Soccer Association (U.S. Youth Soccer Association), Incorporated and the
United States Soccer Federation (USSF): shall be an integral part of these
Associations; and shall at all times recognize the authority, rules, and laws
of these bodies.
2.1 Territory
and Headquarters
2.1.1 Territory: The territory shall be the County
of Desoto.
2.1.2 Headquarters: The legal headquarters,
domicile, and residence shall be in the County; Judicial District, if any; and
the city, if any, of the residence of the President. The Council may designate
other business headquarters as appropriate.
2.3 Administration
and Rules Suspension
2.3.1 Administration: This Association shall be
governed by its Constitution, By-laws, Rules, and Regulations as supplemented
by the USSF and U.S. Youth Soccer Association Constitution and all their
regulations. In the event of any conflict, the USSF and U.S. Youth Soccer
Association documents and regulations shall apply.
2.3.2 Rules Suspension: Any rule may be suspended
at any Council meeting by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members in order to
deal with an emergency and to protect the purpose of the Association (Paragraph
2.1.2).
2.4 Disaffiliation, Savings Clause, and
Amendments
2.4.1 Disaffiliation: This Association shall rot
disband or withdraw from MYSA, U.S. Youth Soccer Association and USSF except on
a two-thirds (213) vote of DCSA members-in-good standing present at any
business meeting as defined in the DCSA By-Laws.
2.4.2 Savings Clause: If any word, phrase,
sentence, or other provision of this Constitution or its application to any
person or circumstances is held invalid, the invalidity shall not affect the
other words, phrases, clauses, sentences, and provisions or applications of
this Constitution, and to this end, the provisions of this Constitution are
declared to be severable.
2.4.3
Amendments: This Constitution shall only be
amended at the AGM by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the voting members present
acting on proposed amendments which are submitted to the AGM in accordance with
the established DCSA Rules and Revisions Process.
3.1 DCSA Council
3.1.1
Members: DCSA shall be administered and
operated by a Council of elected officers as specified herein. The Council
shall consist of an Executive Council, who are the nine (9) officers elected by
the membership at the Annual General Meeting; and the Immediate Past President
as an ex-officio member. The Executive Council members are the President. First
Vice-President. Second Vice-President Third Vice-President Secretary,
Registrar, Treasurer, Head Coach and Head Referee.
3.1.2 Voting Policies: The Council practices will ensure
that:
3.1.2.1 Each member may cast one vole in all properly presented and
considered matters.
3.1.2.2 Each member may advocate, represent a members views, and/or
vote on a proposed resolution to any member grievance, which must be resolved
by the Council. However, a member must abstain from acting on behalf of their
team or club and voting on the resolution motion for any grievance involving
their own team or club.
3.1.2.3 All matters are determined by a majority vote of the meeting
quorum, except where designated differently in the constitution and these
By-Laws.
3.1.2.4 The Executive Council members shall have no voting alternate
at any DCSA meetings.
3.1.2.5 Members must be present to vote.
3.1.3 Authority: The Council shall have the authority
to:
3.1.3.1 Transact all business of this Association.
3.1.3.2 Delegate its authority to such person or persons whom it may
determine should accomplish one or more of its delegated responsibilities.
3.1.3.3 Enforce the Constitution, By-Laws, and Administrative rules
of the USSF, U.S. Youth Soccer Association, MYSA and DCSA
3.1.3.4 Arrange games of any nature whatsoever in its own name, and
to that end, it may request the memberships support and/or their affiliated
organizations and personnel.
3.1.3.5 Create and manage the establishment of special funds such as
injured players, trips. and/or any organization which it may deem expedient for
the welfare of The Game. This authority may be delegated to others under the
direction of the Council.
3.1.3.6 Suspend, expel, and/or impose such fines or penalties upon
any organization and/or person under its jurisdiction who violates or breaches
the Constitution, By-Laws, and Administrative Rules of USS F, U.S. Youth Soccer
Association, MYSA and/or DCSA.
3.1.3.7 Settle all disputes between two or more DCSA Members.
3.1.3.8 Make the final decision on all controversial matters subject
to the MYSA, U.S. Youth Soccer Association and USSF Appeals and Decisions
Process.
3.1.3.9 May bestow the title of Honorary President upon any person
who has performed meritorious service to DCSA The Council may vest in that
person such rights and privileges as it deems appropriate. This individual shall
not have voting power.
3.2 Officers
3.2.1 Term of Office: The Officers of this Association shall hold office for two years, or until their successors have been elected and installed as per section 3.2.2 of these By-Laws. The President, 1st Vice President. Treasurer, Secretary, and Registrar shall be elected at the odd years AGM to their two year terms, effective 1994. The 2nd Vice President, 3rd Vice President, Head Coach and Head Referee shall be elected at the even years AGM to their two year terms, effective 1 995. Any elected officer who must vacate their position temporarily during the seasonal year, may assume the positions duties from their duly appointed successor at the end of the temporary period. There shall be no term limits and officers are eligible to succeed themselves.
3.2.2 Election of Officers: The Executive Council shall be elected in the following manner. All elected individuals must be a member - in- good standing and must receive a majority of the cast votes. The Head Coach and Head Referee must be licensed officials to be eligible for election.
3.2.2.1 The entire membership shall elect the Executive Council by secret ballot.
3.2.2.2 Officers will be elected at the mid - season General
Membership Meeting (section 3.4.1 this document). The Officers - Elect will
attend meetings and aid the sitting Council until they assume full
responsibility when they are installed on or prior to June 1.
3.2.3 Removal from Office: Any elected or appointed
Council member who misses twelve (12) regularly scheduled Council meetings in a
seasonal year shall be automatically removed from office. Further, any member
may be impeached and removed from office by seventy-five (75%) percent of the
total DCSA members-in-good standing.
3.2.4 Officer Duties: Each officer shall accomplish the
following tasks.
3.2.4.1 The President shall:
3.2.4.1.1 Preside at all DCSA meetings.
3.2.4.1.2 Pass upon and approve all incurred DCSA bills.
3.2.4.1.3 Appoint all DCSA non-elected DCSA Council positions,
committees, and appeal boards with the goal of equitable representation among
the member teams or clubs.
3.2.4.1.4 Serve and cast one vote as an ex-officio member of all
appointed DCSA committees and appeal boards.
3.2.4.1.5 Serve as or appoint to all Association Committees, a nonvoting
ex-officio member.
3.2.4.1.6 Have access to all member team meetings.
3.2.4.1.7
Serve
as the DCSA delegate to all MYSA, U.S. Youth Soccer Association and USSF meetings unless he/she chooses to appoint an
alternate delegate due to the inability to fulfill the obligation.
3.2.4.1.8 Appoint a temporary successor for any vacant officers position
except the President until the next general membership business meeting when
the membership shall fill the position in the manner prescribed for officer
elections.
3.2.4.1.9 Be responsible for the Association operations and personnel.
3.2.4.2 The Vice-President For Division Ill (Recreation) and
Division II (Intermediate) Affairs. (First Vice-President) shall:
3.2.4.2.1 Assume the duties of the President in his/her absence.
3.2.4.2.2 Administer both divisions' business which includes, but is not
limited to:
3.2.4.2.2.2
Scheduling
practice times and field availability:
3.2.4.2.2.3
Organization
and direction of all DCSA sponsored Tournaments, Cups, and Games except those specifically the responsibility
of the Second Vice-President.
3.2.4.3 The Vice-president for Division I (State Division)
Affairs (Second Vice-president) shall:
3.2.4.3.1 Assume the duties of the President in the absence of this
individual and the First Vice- President
3.2.4.3.2 Administer the division's business which includes, but is not
limited to:
3.2.4.3.2.1 Serve as the Association Representative to the Memphis Shelby
Soccer Federation (MSSF) and to the Division I members. Organization and
management of the DCSA Division I (State Division) league play.
3.2.4.3.2.2 Organization and direction of the DCSA
sponsored Division I Tournaments, that may be
awarded to DCSA.
3.2.4.4 The Vice-President for Girls Division Affairs (Third
Vice-President) shall:
3.2.4.4.1 Assume the duties of the President in the absence of this
individual and the First Vice-President and Second Vice Presidents
3.2.4.4.2 Administer the Girls Divisions business which includes, but
is not limited to:
3.2.4.4.2.1 Serve as the Association Representative to
the Memphis Shelby Soccer Federation (MSSF) Girls Divisions and the Girls
Division members. Organization and management of the DCSA Girls divisions in
inter - league and State League play.
3.2.4.4.2.2 Organization and direction of any DCSA
sponsored Girls Tournaments, that may be awarded to DCSA.
3.2.4.5 The Secretary shall:
3.2.4.5.1 Record and distribute the minutes of all DCSA and Council
minutes.
3.2.4.5.2 Maintain copies of all DCSA records and mailing
lists.
3.2.4.5.3 Distribute routine correspondence to the Council and general
mailings to the membership.
3.2.4.5.4 Maintain and distribute changes to the DCSA Constitution,.
By-Laws or Rules and Regulations
3.2.4.5.5 Respond to correspondence directed to DCSA.
3.2.4.5.6 Provide administrative assistance to the Council.
3.2.4.5.7 Serve as the DCSA Polling Committee for all general and
special elections.
3.2.4.5.8 Provide its most recent status report delivered to the Secretary of State under Mississippi Statutes, Section 79-1 1 -391
3.2.4.5.9
Maintain
an alphabetical list of voting members. This shall include the members address.
3.2.4.5.10
All
records must be maintained for a minimum period of 3 years
3.2.4.6 The Registrar Shall:
3.2.4.6.1 Administer all USSF, U.S. Youth Soccer Association, MYSA and
DCSA rules and regulations for player registration.
3.2.4.6.2 Maintain records and detailed reports an the number of
player registrations.
3.2.4.6.3 Respond to all routine correspondence about DCSA
registration matters.
3.2.4.6.4 Serve as the Registrar for all DCSA sponsored tournaments.
3.2.4.6.5 Accomplish all required DCSA approval/disapproval actions on
all player registration -related actions such as player passes, player
releases, player transfers player drops, etc.
3.2.4.6.6 Maintain and provide to the Secretary, an alphabetical list of
all its members that are entitled to vote. The list must show the address of
each member.
3.2.4.7 The Treasurer shall:
3.2.4.7.1 Keep records on all DCSA property
3.2.4.7.2 Maintain a detailed accounting of income and expenditures
thereof.
3.2.4-7.3 Deposit all funds upon receipt into the established DCSA
account.
3.2.4.7.4 Prepare a complete financial report for all MYSA Business and
Council Meetings.
3.2.4.7.5 Sign all DCSA checks with a co-signature of the President or
other Executive Council members.
3.2.4.7.6 Help prepare the annual DCSA budget.
3.2.4.7.7 Maintain all records/reports for DCSA funded clinics.
3.2.4.7.8 Respond to all routine correspondence about DCSA financial
matters.
3.2.4.7.9 Serve as a DCSA Tournament Official when required.
3.2.4.8 The Head Coach shall:
3.2.4.8.1 Be responsible for providing youth coach training to all
DCSA Coaches
3.2.4.8.2 Serve as immediate liaison to coaches on training and
fitness related issues
3.2.4.8.3 Aid the Secretary in disseminating information,
correspondence and policies to the DCSA coaches.
3.2.4.8.4 Respond to all routine correspondence about DCSA Coaching matters.
3.2.4.8.5 Have been, or is currently, a DCSA registered soccer coach
and a USSF licensed coach.
3.2.4.9 The Head Referee shall:
3.2.4.9.1 Provide the referees of DCSA with the necessary training in the abilities, knowledge, and skills of the Game in order that they may provide the proper and safe playing environment for the players
3.2.4.9.2.
Schedule
and administer the referee program within DCSA.
3.2.4.9.3 Schedule annual assessments for and verify the abilities of
referees within the program.
3.2.4.9.4 Respond to all routine correspondence about DCSA referee
matters.