BYLAWS
Articles I
Name
The incorporated name of the Club shall be “Pottstown Soccer Club”. This name can be commonly abbreviated to “Pottstown Soccer”, “Pottstown SC”, or simply “PSC”.
Article II
Purpose
The purpose of this Club, a Pennsylvania 501 © (3) non-profit corporation, shall be to provide the following:
(a)provide soccer recreational activities for the local Pottstown community;
(b) develop and promote soccer programs that stress academic achievements, physical wellness and community service;
(c) receive gifts or donations to promote the health, welfare and recreation of the general public through the sport of soccer;
(d) shall not profit from its operations and shall be a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization incorporated under Pennsylvania state law.
No part of the net earnings of the corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes described in section 501(c)(3). No substantial part of the activities of the corporation shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the corporation shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of these articles, the corporation shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a corporation exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by a corporation, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
Article III
Boundaries
While predominantly serving communities in the local Pottstown area and local surrounding communities in the tri-counties, PSC recognizes no official boundaries.
Article IV
Membership
Section I – Members
Membership in the Pottstown Soccer Club is automatically awarded to:
The Child and the Parents or guardians who have registered and paid for enrolled in any PSC program.
Any adult who has registered with the Club as a coach or assistant coach
Any active member of the Club Board
Section II – Membership Rights
Members can expect a safe, well-maintained environment where their children can learn, compete and enjoy the game of soccer. Members can expect PSC to hold coaches and trainers to high standards of sportsmanship and competence (as outlined in PSC’s “Coaches Code of Conduct”).
Members can expect PSC to hold parents and spectators to high standards of sportsmanship and decency (as outlined in PSC’s “Parent Code of Conduct”). Members can expect the training, competition, and program provided by PSC to comply with U.S. Youth Soccer (USYS) recommendations (within reasonable limits) and to be age-appropriate for the participating youth players. Members have the right to be recognized and heard by the Executive Council via electronic or verbal communication or more formally at PSC board meetings with advanced notice.
Section III – Additional Membership Rules
All forms of membership will be open to any individual without regard to his or her sex, race, color, religion, country of origin or sexual orientation.
PSC reserves the right to revoke or deny membership based on failure to conduct oneself by the Club’s published codes of conduct, as determined by the Board.
Article V
Board of Directors
Section I – Composition
The business of PSC shall be managed by the Board of Directors, consisting of an Executive Council, Directors and Officers
Section II of Structure
The Board of Director is comprised of Executive Council and voting and non-voting Officers, Directors, and general Board members. Voting rights are reserved for volunteer (non-paid) members of the Board.
Section III – Executive Council
The Executive Council shall consist of designated voting members of the Board of Directors, including the President, Vice-President, and at least one (but no more than two) additional Director or Officers, as assigned by the President and Vice President (with majority Board approval). The purpose of the Executive Council is to deliberate and conduct PSC business as required; assign and appoint duties to Directors and volunteers; and bring proposals and club business to the Board of Directors for discussion and vote, when necessary.
Article VI
Officers and Directors
Section I – Officers and Directors
The Board of Directors of PSC shall be solely responsible for all policies which govern the
functioning of the Club. Officers and Directors shall serve a three-year term.
Section II – Election of Officers and Directors
Elections shall be presided over by the President of the Club, assisted by the Vice President.
Eligible persons seeking a position on the PSC Board shall attend at least two meetings prior to
nomination. They are then eligible for nomination at the next Board meeting, and a vote will be
taken at the meeting following nomination. A majority vote will determine whether the nominee is
awarded the position. In the case of a tie, a second ballot will be cast involving the person with tied
votes. Elected officers shall take office upon the confirmation of a majority vote.
Section III- Eligibility for Office
To be eligible for election to the PSC Board, a person must be 21 years or older, be nominated by
a voting member of the Board, and have that nomination seconded by another voting Board
member. A person is eligible for a maximum of two consecutive three-year terms in a given
position. Special cases for extensions or additional terms will be considered on a case-by-case basis
by the Executive Council.
Section IV – Qualifications of Officers and Directors
No elected PSC Board member with voting rights shall be eligible to draw a salary from the Club
as either an employee or as an independent contractor. If a Board member chooses to take a paid
position in the Club, he or she must give up the right to vote. That person can then forfeit his or her
Board position or be nominated to retain a non-voting position. The position is retained with a
majority vote.
Section V – President Duties and Powers
The President shall preside at all Board meetings of this Club, call such meetings, supervise the
affairs of PSC, and perform such other duties as the membership may from time to time direct.
The President shall have the power to call meetings of this Club upon twenty-four (24) hours notice
to all concerned. Contracts and agreements with vendors and other parties, as authorized by the
Executive Council, will be signed by the President (and at least one other voting member of the
Board).
Section VI – Vice President Duties and Powers
The Vice-President shall perform all the duties and exercise all the powers of the President during
the President’s absence. The Vice-President will also have distinct responsibilities in the
administration of the Club, as directed by the Executive Council.
Section VII – Removal of Officers and Directors
Any Officer who fails to adequately perform his or her duties may be removed by a two-thirds (2/3)
majority vote of all voting members of the PSC Board of Directors upon motion and seconding by
voting board members. Any vacancy created by such a removal will require a replacement be voted
in by the means previously prescribed. A temporary, non-voting replacement can be nominated by
the President and voted to office with a majority vote of the Board immediately following the
removal of an Officer or Director.
ARTICLE VII
Committees
The President of the Club shall have the power to appoint special committees as needed.
ARTICLE VIII
Meetings
Section I – Regular Meetings of the Executive Council
The Executive Council shall meet as deemed necessary and shall submit a verbal report of its
activities at each Club Board meeting. The report shall be based on the work and finances of the
Club. Failure to attend two consecutive Executive Council meetings shall be subject to review by all members of the Board of Directors.
The Executive Council may make such rules and regulations covering its meetings as it may in its discretion determine necessary.
Section II – Regular Meetings of the Board of Directors
Board of Director meetings of this Club shall be held monthly, if possible, but no fewer than eight
times per calendar year, and at least once per quarter, as set by the President. The President shall
cause notice of each Board of Director meeting to be given to the Board members.
The Board may make such rules and regulations covering its meetings as it may in its discretion
determine necessary.
A quorum of at least six Board members shall be present to hold a Board meeting and vote on any
motions.
ARTICLE IX
Amendments
In order to amend the Bylaws of the Club, the article(s) in question must be read out at one meeting
and voted on at the next meeting and passed by two thirds (2/3) of all voting Board members.
ARTICLE X
Fees of Registration
Section I – Seasonal/Program Fees
The seasonal/program fee shall be fixed by a majority of the Board of Directors based on the current
economic environment and the anticipated costs to run a quality program.
Section II – Classes of Player Fees
Multiple classes of players can be defined by PSC and each class of player can have a different
registration fee. Classes of players include, but are not limited to Intramural, Travel, Recreation, and
Soccer Starters. Discounts may be extended to members as determined by the Board, e.g. a sliding fee
scale for members with multiple children participating in PSC programs.
Section III – Fee Collection
The Club shall collect all fees at the time of registration. The Treasurer shall deposit checks and cash in the Club accounts in a timely manner. The Treasurer shall record credit card and online payments in a timely manner.
Section IV – Financial Qualification
No one shall be denied membership because of his or her inability to meet the fee requirements. Any member may request a membership fee waiver or discount.
The waiver of any fees shall be a decision of the Executive Council or those persons so vested with the authority by the Executive Council.
Section VI – Dissolution
Upon the dissolution of this organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose.
