BY-LAWS
OF
THE GEORGETOWN ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION BASKETBALL AUTHORITY
The purpose of the Georgetown Athletic Association Basketball Authority (GAABA) shall be to promote the game of basketball for the youth of Georgetown, Massachusetts by providing a safe, enjoyable, and instructional experience for all eligible players desiring to participate in the sport.
The fiscal year of the GAABA will begin on April 1 of each calendar year and end on March 31 of the following calendar year.
A. Annual Meeting. The GAABA shall hold an annual meeting prior to the end of each fiscal year.
B. Pre-Season Meeting. The GAABA shall hold a meeting prior to the start of each season.
C. Special Meetings. Special GAABA meetings may be called by the GAABA Commissioner or by consensus of the GAABA Board of Directors.
D. Notices. Notice of any meeting of the GAABA shall be presented to each member of the GAABA by mail or email; or by delivering such notice by hand or by telegram, tele-copy, or telex; or by giving notice to such member in person or by telephone, or by being posted on the GAA web-site at least forty eight (48) hours in advance of the meeting. The notice shall state the date, time, purpose, and location of such meeting. The presence of a member at any meeting shall be deemed a waiver of actual notice unless the member shall protest the lack of notice at such meeting, and notice of any meeting may be waived by a member either before or after the action for which notice is required.
E. Place of Meetings. Each meeting of the GAABA shall be held either at the Georgetown Middle-High School or the Georgetown VFW hall unless an alternate location is specified in the notice of the meeting.
The commissioner of the Basketball Authority shall submit a budget for approval at a general GAA meeting prior to the start of each season.
The goal of the basketball authority shall be to maximize play for all players. Each player shall be listed in the official score book and shall play, as near as practical, a minimum of half of each game.
Each player shall be given the opportunity to play each position. Coach’s discretion may be used to limit time at specific positions due to safety or ability concerns.
A player will be considered eligible for play from September 1st of their first-grade year to the adjournment of the annual GAABA meeting occurring in their eighth-grade year.
A. Any individual who is serving or has served as a GAABA coach or assistant coach in the current or previous fiscal year shall qualify as a member of the GAABA in good standing.
B. Any individual who is serving or has served as a GAABA officer or director in the current or previous fiscal year shall qualify as a member of the GAABA in good standing.
C. A parent or legal guardian of each eligible player shall qualify as a member of the GAABA in good standing provided that the player’s registration fee has been paid in full for the current or previous fiscal year and such parent or legal guardian has no outstanding debt with the GAABA.
D. Any individual, not meeting other qualification, may petition the GAABA Board of Directors for membership in the GAABA; and upon receiving a majority vote from the GAABA Board of Directors in favor of such petition shall qualify as a member of the GAABA in good standing.
E. An individual who has been expelled from the GAABA membership or is currently under suspension from the GAABA membership shall not qualify as a member of the GAABA in good standing.
A. At any GAABA meeting each member shall be entitled to one vote. No member shall be permitted to cast a vote by proxy and any proxy vote attempted shall be ineffectual.
B. Unless specifically indicated in these By-laws to the contrary, all votes by the GAABA membership shall be by majority vote of those members present at the meeting in which the vote is held.
To take effective action on any issue related to elections, member removal, suspension or reinstatement, or change to the GAABA by-laws, there must be no less than ten (10) GAABA members present at the meeting in which the vote is held.
A member of the GAABA may resign at any time by giving written notice to the GAABA Commissioner. Unless otherwise specified in such notice, the resignation shall take effect upon receipt of the written notice.
A GAABA member may be suspended for a period of up to one (1) year, for good and sufficient cause, by a unanimous vote of the GAABA Board of Directors at a special meeting called for such purpose. In any such event, the GAABA member whose suspension is at issue shall be afforded a full and fair opportunity to be heard at the special meeting prior to the vote.
A. A GAABA member may be expelled or otherwise disciplined, for good and sufficient cause, provided that two-thirds of the GAABA membership, present at a special meeting called for such purpose, vote in favor of expelling the member in question. In any such event, the GAABA member whose expulsion is at issue shall be afforded a full and fair opportunity to be heard at the special meeting prior to the vote.
B. An individual who is expelled from the GAABA membership may petition for reinstatement in the GAABA membership after a period of one (1) year from the time of expulsion. The individual in question must provide a written request for a special reinstatement meeting to the GAABA Commissioner. At such meeting, the individual in question shall be afforded a full and fair opportunity to be heard. Provided that two-thirds of the GAABA members present at the meeting vote in favor of reinstating the individual in question, and provided that the individual meets all other GAABA membership qualifications, the individual shall be reinstated as a member in good standing of the GAABA. If denied reinstatement in the GAABA membership, the individual must wait a period of one (1) year before reapplying for reinstatement in the GAABA membership.
All GAABA members serve a one-year term beginning at the adjournment of the annual meeting in the current fiscal year and concluding with the adjournment of the annual meeting in the following fiscal year.
The GAABA members shall have the overall power to run the Authority through their elected representatives.
The GAABA members shall have the power to nominate and elect the Board of Directors at the annual GAABA meeting.
The GAABA members shall have the power to nominate and elect the GAABA Commissioner at the annual GAABA meeting in March.
The GAABA members shall have the power to amend, change, or remove any by-law herein following a hearing and upon a two-thirds majority vote of members present.
Section 3.2 Powers
The GAABA Board of Directors shall have the entire charge, control, and management of the GAABA and its property and may exercise all or any of its powers through their own action or by their appointed officers.
The GAABA Board of Directors shall maintain a set of operating rules, which shall be amended, removed, or otherwise changed by a majority vote of the GAABA Board of Directors. The operating rules shall contain, but not be limited to:
a. Selection criteria for coaches, age-group directors, and player evaluators.
b. Player eligibility and evaluation criteria for any GAABA team that is formed through tryouts in which players must compete for a limited number of team positions.
c. Conduct and disciplinary rules for players and coaches.
d. Rules of play for each age group of participating players
At its discretion, the GAABA Board of Directors may refer any decision before it to a vote of the GAABA Members present at the meeting in which the matter is discussed.
Board Member 2 and Board Member 4 shall serve a term beginning at the adjournment of the annual GAABA meeting in which they are elected and concluding with the adjournment of the annual GAABA meeting held in the next even numbered year.
Section 3.6 Chair
The GAABA Commissioner shall supervise the discussion at all meetings; the Commissioner shall have no additional power over any other director except that he may break any tie votes on any matter before the Board.
At any meeting of the GAABA Board of Directors a majority of the directors then in office shall constitute a quorum for transaction of business
A. At any GAABA Board of Directors meeting each director shall be entitled to one vote. No director shall be permitted to cast a vote by proxy and any proxy vote attempted shall be ineffectual.
B. Unless specifically indicated in these By-laws to the contrary, all votes by the GAABA Board of Directors shall be by majority vote of all the directors then in office, whether present at or absence from the meeting in which the vote is held.
Any action by the GAABA Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if a written consent thereto is signed by all the Directors and filed with the records of the GAABA Board of Directors meetings. Such consent shall be treated as a vote of the GAABA Board of Directors.
Any member of the GAABA Board of Directors, including the Commissioner, may be removed from the Board or otherwise disciplined for good and sufficient cause by a two-thirds majority vote of the GAABA Membership at a special meeting called for such purpose. In any such event, the Director or Commissioner whose removal is at issue shall be afforded a full and fair opportunity to be heard at the special meeting prior to the removal vote. Removal from the GAABA Board of Directors shall not constitute removal from the GAABA Membership.
A Director may resign from the GAABA Board of Directors by delivering written notice to the GAABA Commissioner. Unless otherwise specified in such notice, the resignation shall take effect upon receipt of the written notice.
Any vacancy in the GAABA Board of Directors shall be filled by appointment following a majority vote of the remaining members of the GAABA Board of Directors. The appointed director shall serve a term no longer than the original term of the director being replaced.
The GAABA shall have one elected Commissioner and a number of appointed officers including, but not limited to, a Secretary, Treasurer, Age-Group Directors, Referee Coordinator, Equipment Manager, Communications Director, and Player Development Director.
GAABA officers shall be appointed, by majority vote, by the GAABA Board of Directors prior to the start of each season. Each officer shall serve a term from the date of appointment until the adjournment of the next annual GAABA meeting.
The officers shall have the power to run the day-to-day operation of the GAABA, and to implement the policies and procedures as dictated by the GAABA Board of Directors and the GAA.
Any officer of the GAABA, including the Commissioner, may be removed from office or otherwise disciplined for good and sufficient cause by a two-thirds majority vote of the GAABA Membership present at a special meeting called for such purpose. In any such event, the officer whose removal is at issue shall be afforded a full and fair opportunity to be heard at the special meeting prior to the removal vote. Removal of a GAABA officer shall not constitute that individual’s removal from the GAABA Membership.
A GAABA officer may resign from their position by delivering written notice to the GAABA Commissioner. Unless otherwise specified in such notice, the resignation shall take effect upon receipt of the written notice.
Any vacant GAABA officer position shall be filled by appointment, by majority vote, by the GAABA Board of Directors.
The GAABA Commissioner shall be the chief executive officer of the GAABA and, subject to the control of the GAA and the GAABA Board of Directors, shall have control and supervision of the affairs of the GAABA. It shall be the responsibility of the Commissioner to oversee the signup and registration process, apply for school gymnasium permits, prepare a budget, attend league meetings, and supervise the activities of the officers of the GAABA. The GAABA Commissioner shall be elected by the general GAABA membership and shall serve a two-year term. The election shall take place at the annual membership meeting held in every even numbered year. The Commissioner’s term shall begin at the adjournment of the annual membership held in every even numbered year and conclude with the adjournment of the annual membership meeting in the next even numbered year.
There shall be at least one Director for each age group of players within the GAABA. Each Age Group Director shall perform those duties that ordinarily pertain to the age group of a nonprofit youth basketball organization, and shall perform such duties and have such powers, additional to the foregoing, as the GAABA Board of Directors shall designate.
The GAABA Referee Coordinator shall be responsible for training, scheduling, supervising, and paying the referees for all home games. The GAABA Referee Coordinator shall perform such duties and have such powers, additional to the foregoing, as the GAABA Board of Directors shall designate
The GAABA Equipment Manager shall be responsible for supplying, distributing and collecting the equipment. New equipment shall be purchased to replace missing or damaged equipment or to support the expansion of the number of teams fielded. The equipment manager shall be responsible for performing these duties within the constraints of the approved equipment budget. The GAABA Equipment Manager shall perform such duties and have such powers, additional to the foregoing, as the GAABA Board of Directors shall designate.
The GAABA CommunicationsDirector shall be responsible for all internal and public notices pertaining to business of the GAABA, the organization and coordination of special GAABA events and programs, and all matters related to public relations. The GAABA CommunicationsDirector shall perform such duties and have such powers, additional to the foregoing, as the GGABA Board of Directors shall designate.
The GAABA Secretary shall record in books kept for the purpose all votes and proceedings of the GAABA members and of the GAABA Board of Directors at their meetings. The GAABA Secretary shall perform such duties and have such powers, additional to the foregoing, as the GAABA Board of Directors shall designate.
The GAABA Treasurer shall be responsible for all financial matters concerning the GAABA including but not limited to cash and check deposits, budget creation, bill payments, and receivable accounts. The GAABA Treasurer shall perform such duties and have such powers, additional to the foregoing, as the GAABA Board of Directors shall designate.
The GAABA Player Development Director shall be responsible for all matters concerning the development of fundamental, basketball skills in each player within the GAABA, including but not limited to defining the basic skills to be taught, training coaches, developing drills and practice structure, and monitoring player developmental progress. The GAABA Player Development Director shall perform such duties and have such powers, additional to the foregoing, as the GGABA Board of Directors shall designate.
Books, accounts, documents, and records of the GAABA shall be open to inspection by any GAABA director at all times during the usual hours of business. The original or attested copies of by-laws and records of all meetings of the GAABA members and membership records, which shall contain the names of all members and their record addresses, shall be kept in Massachusetts at the principal office of the GAABA, or at an office of the GAABA Secretary or the GAABA Commissioner. Said copies and records need not all be kept in the same office. They shall be available at all reasonable times for inspection by any GAABA member for any proper purpose, but not to secure a list of GAABA members or other information for the purpose of selling said information or copies thereof; or of using the same for a purpose other than in the interest of the applicant, as a member, relative to the affairs of the GAABA.
The GAABA shall, to the extent legally permissible, and only to the extent that the status of the GAABA as an organization exempt under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Code is not affected thereby, indemnify each of its directors, officers, and other agents (and the heirs, executors, and administrators of such persons) against all liabilities and expenses, including amounts paid in satisfaction of judgements, in compromise of actions, suits, claims, or other proceedings, as fines or penalties, or as counsel fees, which they have reasonably paid or incurred in connection with the defense or disposition of any action or threatened action, suit or other proceedings, whether civil or criminal, in which said person may be involved or with which they may be threatened, while in office of thereafter, by reason of membership in the GAABA, on the GAABA Board of Directors or on a committee of the GAABA, except with respect to any matter as to which such person shall have been adjudicated in any proceedings not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that such action was in the best interest of the GAABA; provided that any payment by way of settlement, compromise, or consent decree shall be indemnified hereunder only to the extent that shall be determined by the GAABA Board of Directors to have been in the best interest of the GAABA. Nothing contained in this section shall effect any rights of indemnification to which directors, officers, and other agents of the GAABA may be entitled by contract or otherwise by law.