BYLAWS OF CHICO UNITED F.C. ARTICLE I Name
Section 1. The name of this corporation shall be the Chico United Futbol Club. Hereinafter this corporation is referred to as “club,” “CUFC,” or “Chico FC.” For purposes of club registration in US Club Soccer, NorCal Premier or similar body, teams may also register under the name of “Chico United FC.”
ARTICLE II Purposes
Section 1. The purposes of this club are as follows:
a. To promote general appreciation for the sport of soccer;
b. To develop young people and teammates;
c. To provide an atmosphere that stresses hard work, sportsmanship, commitment, skilled soccer play, and fun;
d. To offer the opportunity to participate in Club activities without regard to any person's race, color, religion, age (except as required for US CLUB SOCCER or US Club registration purposes, e.g. as a player), sex, or national origin.
ARTICLE III Membership
Section 1. Membership in this club shall either be direct or through affiliated teams.
Section 2. An affiliated team is a youth soccer team approved by the Board of Directors, which is properly registered at any age bracket with the US Club Soccer ("US CLUB SOCCER.") and located within the territory designated in Section 3 of this Article III. Teams may, or may not, also be registered with California Youth Soccer Association.
Section 3. Teams will be based in Chico and formed and players grouped by a common age according to US CLUB SOCCER guidelines. No later than March 1 of each year, the Board of Directors will determine which teams are to be formed that year, except that the Board of Directors may make a later determination where there is no existing team in the given age group. The Board of Directors may consider such recommendations of interested persons as the Board of Directors deems appropriate in making these determinations.
Section 4. If there is more than one team in a given age grouping, the several teams shall agree upon the format for tryouts for that age group and the manner of player selection. Such agreement will be subject to the approval of the Board of Directors. If the teams cannot agree on the format for tryouts or the manner of player selection, the Board of Directors will establish such matters.
ARTICLE IV Fees and Assessments
Section 1. Fees and frequency shall be fixed by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. The Board of Directors shall have the power to levy and collect from members such assessments as it shall deem to be to the best interest of the club. Notice of an assessment shall be communicated to the members via email and/or other electronic means of communication as adopted by the club.
Section 3. The Board of Directors may set such rules of eligibility for members in connection with the payment of fees and assessments as the Board may deem appropriate.
ARTICLE V Membership Meetings
Section 1. The President shall call for an annual general meeting to be held each year. Items for the agenda must be received by the Board of Directors no later than 30 days in advance of the annual general meeting. At the annual meeting any proposed amendments to these bylaws will be discussed, together with such other business as may come before the meeting.
Section 2. Special meetings of teams may be called by the Board of Directors, the President, or by the representatives of two affiliated teams, by written request delivered in person or mailed by first class mail, addressed to the President, Vice President or the Secretary. The request should state the general nature of the business proposed to be transacted at the meeting. The representative of a team for these purposes shall be elected by the team as the team deems appropriate.
A special meeting called by request shall be set by the Board of Directors on a date not less than 35 nor more than 90 days after the receipt of the request. Within 30 days after receipt of the request, the officer who receives it shall cause notice to be given to all members of the place, date and time of the meeting and the general nature of the business to be transacted at the meeting.
Section 3. Except as provided in Article XV, Section 1, all notices of meetings shall be delivered not less than 15 days or such longer period as may be set by law or more than 90 days before the date of the meeting. The notice shall specify the place, date and time of the meeting and (i) in the case of a special meeting, the general nature of the business to be transacted, or (ii) in the case of the regular annual meeting, those matters that the Board of Directors, at the time of giving the notice, intends to present to the members.
If action is proposed to be taken at any meeting for approval of (i) removal of Directors from office, (ii) filling vacancies on the Board of Directors, (iii) approval of contracts between the Club and a Director or a corporation, firm or association in which a Director is also a Director, (iv) amendment of the Articles of Incorporation, (v) an amendment to the Bylaws, or (vi) changing the distribution rights of the members if the Club is winding up and dissolving, the notice shall also state the general nature of that proposal, and if the meeting is being called to consider an amendment to the Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws, the exact language of the proposed amendment.
Section 4. The presence in person of the majority of officers at any membership meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The officers present at a duly called or held meeting at which a quorum is present may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough officers to leave less than a quorum, if any action taken (other than adjournment) is approved by at least a majority of the officers required to constitute a quorum.
Section 5. Any meeting of members, whether the regular annual meeting or a special meeting, and whether or not a quorum is present, may be adjourned from time to time by the vote of a majority of the officers present at the meeting, but no other business may be transacted, if there is less than a quorum, except as provided where a quorum is present and the withdrawal of members leaves less than a quorum. At any reconvened meeting, the Club may transact any business that might have been transacted at the original meeting.
If the time and place of an adjourned meeting are not announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken, or if the adjournment is for more than 45 days or if after the adjournment, a new record date is fixed for determining the persons entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to all members entitled to vote at that meeting, in accordance with the provisions of this section pertaining to notice of an original meeting.
Section 6. Any action, except election of officers, that may be taken at any annual regular meeting or special meeting of members may be taken without a meeting and without notice, if a written ballot is distributed to every officer. Such distribution of written ballots shall be in the manner provided for giving notice of a meeting of members.
The written ballot shall (i) set forth the proposed action, (ii) provide an opportunity to specify approval or disapproval of any proposal, (iii) provide a reasonable time within which to return the ballot to the Club, (iv) indicate the number of responses needed to meet the quorum requirement, (v) state the percentage of approvals necessary to pass the measure submitted and (vi) specify the time by which the ballot must be received by the Club to be counted. A matter shall be approved by written ballot if the number of votes by written ballot received within the time period specified equals or exceeds the quorum required to be present at a meeting authorizing the proposed action and the number of approvals received equals or exceeds the number of votes which is required for approval at a meeting at which the total number of votes cast is the same as the number of votes cast by written ballot. Any written ballot received by the Club may not be revoked. All written ballots shall be filed with the Secretary of the Club and maintained in the records of the Club. The result of the written ballot shall be stated in the minutes of the next meeting of the Board of Directors and in the Club's next mailing to members.
ARTICLE VI Board of Directors
Section 1. The Club shall have a Board of Directors consisting of the President, the Vice President, the Treasurer, the Secretary, the Registrar, and four (4) Members at Large. The Directors shall be elected for an indefinite term and shall serve until he or she shall resign and a successor shall be elected.
Section 2. A Director for the first or a succeeding term shall be elected by the Club as the Club deems appropriate prior to the commencement of such term.
Section 3. Subject to the duties of Directors as prescribed by these Bylaws and subject to the limitations of the Articles of Incorporation, the Bylaws and the California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporations Law as to action to be authorized or approved by the members, all corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the authority of, and the business and affairs of the Club shall be controlled by, the Board of Directors.
Section 4. Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at any place within the City of Chico which has been designated from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors. In the absence of such designation, regular meetings shall be held as directed by the President. Any meeting, regular or special, may be held without the physical presence of some or all the Directors by conference telephone or similar communications equipment, as long as all the Directors participating in the meeting can hear one another.
Section 5. Immediately after the annual general meeting the Board shall hold a regular meeting for the purposes of organization, the election of officers, the review of any proposed amendments to these bylaws and the transaction of other business. No notice of such meeting need be given.
Section 6. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors will be held at a time and place specified by the Board of Directors.
Section 7. Special meetings of the Board of Directors for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the President, Vice President or Secretary or any two (2) other Directors.
Section 8. Notice of the time and place of special meetings and the business to be covered and of the time and place of regular meetings, or of change in the time or place of regular or special meetings shall be given personally, by email, or by telephone to the Directors or sent to each Director. Notice shall be given at least four (4) days prior to the date of the holding of said meeting. Personal and telephone notice shall be given at least forty- eight (48) hours before the meeting.
The transactions of any meetings of the Board of Directors, however called and noticed or wherever held, shall be as valid as though had at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum be present and if, either before or after the meeting, each of the Directors not present signs a written waiver of notice or a consent to holding such meeting or an approval of the minutes thereof. All such waivers, consents, or approvals shall be filed with the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting.
Section 9. A Director may be removed from the Board of Directors in accordance with the California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporations Law. In the event of a vacancy for any cause in the office of a team Director, the team shall select the replacement Director. Officer Director vacancies shall be filled by the Board of Directors subject to Article VII, Section 1.
Section 10. A majority of the Board Officers shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Every act or decision done or made by a majority of the Directors present at a meeting duly held, at which a quorum was present, shall be regarded as the act of the Board of Directors, unless a greater number be required by law. A meeting at which a quorum is initially present may continue to transact business notwithstanding the withdrawal of Directors, if any action taken is approved by at least a majority of the required quorum for the meeting.
Section 11. A majority of the Directors present, whether or not a quorum, may adjourn any meeting to another time and place. If the meeting is adjourned for more than 24 hours, notice of any adjournment to another time or place shall be given before the time of the adjourned meeting to the Directors who were not present at the time of the adjournment.
Section 12. Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Board individually or collectively consent in writing to that action. Such action by written consent shall have the same force and effect as a unanimous vote of the Board. Such written consent or consents shall be filed with the Minutes of the Board.
Section 13. Members of the Board may participate in a regular or special meeting through use of a conference telephone or similar communications equipment, so long as all members participating in such meeting can hear one another. Participation in a meeting pursuant to this section constitutes presence in person at such meeting.
Section 14. Directors shall not receive any salary for their services as Directors. Directors and other persons may be reimbursed in such amounts as may be determined from time to time by the Board for personal expenses paid while acting on behalf of the Club.
Section 15. Every Director shall have the absolute right at any time to inspect and copy all books, records and documents of every kind and to inspect the physical properties of the Club.
ARTICLE VII Officers
Section 1. In the event of a vacancy for any cause in the office of the President, the Vice President shall succeed to the vacant office. The President shall oversee the activities of the Club and the work of the officers and serve as chairperson at all annual and Board meetings. The President shall see that all policy rules and regulations of the Club are executed.
Section 4. The Vice President shall perform the duties of the President in the absence of the President and shall have such other powers and perform other duties as directed by the Board. The Vice President shall oversee the Club play, including but not limited to the field availability and quality, referees, scheduling and reporting scores to District officials.
Section 5. The Treasurer shall deposit all monies and other valuables in the name and to the credit of the Club with the bank, savings and loan or other institution designated by the Board. The Treasurer and/or Bookkeeper shall keep and maintain adequate and correct books and records of the Club's account in written form and shall give to the President and Board, whenever requested, an account of all the transactions of the Treasurer and of the financial condition of the Club. All amounts paid from the Club account must be paid by check, which shall be signed by the Treasurer and/or Bookkeeper, the President or other Director designated by the Board, in which case the check shall be signed by the Treasurer and one other designated Director.
Section 6. The Secretary shall keep, or cause to be kept, a book of minutes in written form of the proceedings of the Board. The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given, a notice of all meetings of the Board.
Section 7. The Registrar shall be responsible for the registration of players and teams and shall keep a roster of active team members.
Section 8. No person may hold more than one (1) office.
Section 9. The Board may choose persons to perform the following responsibilities (one individual may hold two (2) or more of these positions):
a. Head Coach. The Head Coach shall chair the soccer development committee.
b. Protest and Disciplinary (PAD) Chairperson. The PAD chairperson shall be the President or the Vice President and shall chair the PAD committee.
c. Chief Referee. The chief referee shall be responsible for recruiting, training and assisting in the assignment of referees.
d. Equipment Chairperson. The equipment chairperson shall be responsible for coordinating the purchase, inventory, maintenance and replacement of Club equipment including goals, nets and other equipment.
e. Field Chairperson. The field chairperson shall be responsible for obtaining fields for games and providing the equipment necessary to make the field playable. The field chairperson shall also represent the Club in meeting with the City of Chico or other entities which own, use or maintain the fields.
ARTICLE VIII Committees
Section 1. The following standing committees may be appointed by the President, subject to ratification of the Board of Directors:
a. Fundraising Committee
b. PAD Committee
c. Rules and Revision Committee
d. Tournament Committee
e. Referee Committee
f. Scholarship Committee
Section 2. Fundraising Committee. The committee is responsible to develop programs for raising funds beyond those of fees paid by members for the benefit of the Club and its members.
Section 3. PAD Committee. The committee will have the responsibilities specified in the rules of participation.
Section 4. Rules and Revision Committee. This committee shall be responsible for the maintenance and updating of these bylaws. Any and all suggested amendments to the above shall be submitted to the rules and revisions committee by the Board of Directors. This committee shall consider the request and report back to the Board with its recommendations. It may also, on its own initiative, prepare prior to the annual general meeting, and in conformance with the appropriate time limitations, propose changes to the constitution and bylaws and rules of participation for discussion at the annual general meeting.
Section 5. Tournament Committee. The tournament committee will be responsible for obtaining US CLUB SOCCER., or US Club, sanctioning of any tournament sponsored by the Chico United F.C.. It shall be responsible for the promotion and organization of each tournament including but not limited to field use, referees, programs and snack bars. It will also be responsible for reporting to US CLUB SOCCER., or US Club, any and all information requested by US CLUB SOCCER., or US Club, following said tournaments.
Section 6. Referee Committee. The referee committee shall work with the referee chairperson and be responsible for the ongoing recruitment and training of referees within C.U.F.C.
Section 7. Scholarship Committee. The committee shall hear and consider requests for Club scholarships due to financial hardship. Confidentiality of the names of the player requesting the scholarship assistance shall be maintained by those on the committee.
Section 8. Executive Committee. There shall be an Executive Committee consisting of the officers set forth in Article VII, Section 2, and such other person or persons as the Board may designate. The Executive Committee shall have such duties and responsibilities as the Board shall specify.
Nominees for the executive offices shall be selected in accordance with the following criteria:
(1) Ability to perform the functions of the office to which they are nominated; (2) Commitment to the Club as demonstrated through a history of participation; (3) Willingness to put Club interests above those of any individual team.
Section 10. The Board may appoint other committees, as it deems appropriate.
ARTICLE IX Colors
Section 1. The representative colors for this club shall be white, red (and once readily available, cardinal red) and black.
ARTICLE X Affiliations
Section 1. This club shall be an affiliated branch of, and comply with, the authority of the US CLUB SOCCER., the United States Youth Soccer Association, the United States Soccer Federation and the Federation Internationale de Football Association.
ARTICLE XI Authorities
Section 1. This club shall be governed by these bylaws except when these are superseded by the bylaws and any specific rules and procedures adopted by US CLUB SOCCER. or US Club.
ARTICLE XII Status
Section 1. The Club is not organized, nor shall it be operated, for pecuniary gain or profit, and it does not contemplate the distribution of gains, profits or dividends to the members thereof, and is organized solely for non-profit, charitable purposes.
Section 2. The assets, profits and net income of this club are irrevocably dedicated to social welfare purposes, and no part of the profits or net income of this club shall ever inure to the benefit of any Director or officer hereof or any other individual.
Section 3. On the dissolution or winding up of this club, its assets remaining after payment of or provision for payment of all debts and liabilities of this club shall be distributed to a fund, foundation, association or corporation (either municipal or private), which is organized and operated exclusively for non-profit purposes and which supports or sponsors youth soccer programs.
ARTICLE XIII Financial Responsibility
Section 1. This club shall not assume, nor be liable for the debts nor the financial responsibilities, either implied or incurred, of any of its affiliated teams.
Section 2. Any player whose account is substantially in arrears during the playing year shall also not be eligible to continue play until all debts are paid. In these circumstances, a team may request, through its appointed representatives, that the Club remove a player from the team's roster. The requirements for notification, hearing and appeal are the same as described above except that, in all cases, the Executive Committee will hold a hearing and render a written decision within twenty days of the team's request to remove the player from the roster. Any player declared ineligible to play shall be reported to US Club Soccer.
Section 3. At the beginning of each playing year, the Club shall adopt an estimated budget of expenses and anticipated sources of revenue. The budget shall be revised as necessary to reflect changes in income and expenses of the team.
Financial information required by the Club shall be in the format specified by the Club Treasurer.
ARTICLE XIV Rules of Order
Section 1. Robert's Rules of Order shall be deemed as adopted at all meetings for this club unless otherwise agreed to by the participants.
ARTICLE XV Amendments to Bylaws
Section 1. Any amendments to these bylaws may be made only at the organizational meeting, or at a special meeting of the Directors or Members duly called and noticed solely for such purpose of which not less than 30 days notice is given.
Section 2. An amendment to these bylaws adopted by the Board shall be deemed adopted by an affirmative vote of two thirds of the Directors at the organizational meeting or special meeting called to consider the amendment. Any amendment to these Bylaws adopted by the Members at a special meeting will be deemed adopted by an affirmative vote of two thirds of the Members attending at the special meeting called to consider the amendment.
Section 3. Any amendment to these bylaws shall become effective immediately following the meeting at which adopted.
The following sections describe the "RULES OF PARTICIPATION"
ARTICLE XVI Authorities Governing Team Play
Section 1. The rules contained herein shall govern members of the Chico United F.C. in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with the bylaws of the C.U.F.C., the rules of the US Club Soccer ("US CLUB SOCCER."), or those of California Youth Soccer Association.
Section 2. Said governing authority extends to include not only Club players, coaches, referees and Board members but also player parents and spectators associated with the Club.
Section 3. It is the responsibility of the team head coach and manager to be informed of their responsibilities and to conform to all governing rules and regulations not only of the CUFC but US CLUB SOCCER and US Club.
Section 4. Ultimately it is the team's head coach that shall be responsible for the conduct of his/her players, coaches, parents and spectators associated with the Club to ensure that their actions on or off the soccer field do not bring disrespect upon the Club.
ARTICLE XVII Rules of Play
Section 1. The rules of play shall be the "laws of the game" as established by Federation Internationale de Football Association ("F.I.F.A."). All contests sanctioned by this club shall abide by the "laws of the game" and any modifications published by this club and US CLUB SOCCER or US Club, depending on the organizing body sponsoring the game being played.
Section 2. No CUFC team may prohibit or restrict any player's participation on such team because of the player's participation in high school soccer.
Section 3. Subject to the right of a team, the Club or the District to suspend a player for nonpayment of fees or for disciplinary or attendance issues, each Class 1 player on a U11 through U14 team must play in an average of one-third of each Club game he or she attends.
Section 4. U-10 through U-12 Policies Principles.
1. Individual skill training is a higher priority than team tactical training. Expectation: Training emphasizes individual skill. Coaches are especially instructive and supportive rather than negative.
2. Player development is a higher priority than winning every single game. Expectation: Player development and winning often go hand-in-hand. Sometimes, however, they conflict. Winning is the result of sound development of players. The coach should place a player's long-term welfare over short-term fix in coach's decision making.
3. Young players benefit from experiencing more than one field position. Expectation: Coaches are encouraged to challenge their players with new experiences. At this young age players should be exposed to both offensive and defensive roles. Teaching transition (all are offensive players when your team possesses the ball, all are defenders when the other team possesses the ball) at any moment in the game is a key concept at this age.
4. Game time is integral to player development. Expectation: Playing under the intensity of game conditions is a key part of player development and satisfaction. If a player is in good team standing (attendance and attitude), he/she is expected to play. Some weaker younger players emerge as strong older players but they must be given a reasonable opportunity.
ARTICLE XVIII Coaching
Section 1.All CUFC coaches* (see below) will be selected by a vote of the Board of Directors.
Section 2 In selecting coaches, the Board will:
a. Use such guidelines as are adopted by the Board
b. Consider evaluations submitted by parents of prior years' teams, and
c. Seek applications from coaches within CUFC, the Chico community and surrounding areas, and
Section 3. Coaches may be removed prior to the end of their contract by a two-thirds vote of the Board of Directors. The Board will consider any requests by parents of a particular team that a coach be removed.
Section 4. The Board will determine all coaches' salaries.
Section 5. Coaching license reimbursement. Subject to the availability of funds budgeted for coaching clinics, the Chief Coach, after consultation with the Soccer Development Committee, or, in the absence of the Chief Coach, the Board, may agree to reimburse coaches for United States Soccer Federation coaching license course fees based on the following priorities:
1. Current Club head coaches seeking a license required by US CLUB SOCCER or District VI to serve as a head coach (required license.) 2. Individuals not currently Club coaches seeking a required license provided they have contracted to coach a Club team. 3. Current Club assistant coaches seeking a required license to serve as a head coach. 4. Current Club head coaches seeking a license higher than a required license. Within this category, priority should be based on years served as a Club coach and a commitment to continuing coaching in the Club. 5. These priorities are intended as general guidelines. The Board of Directors may agree to reimburse coaches not strictly in compliance with these priorities to serve the purposes of the Club.
Reimbursement is subject to costs will be reimbursed only after proof of successful completion of the course and certification is presented to the Board.
Section 6. United States Soccer Federation ("U.S.S.F") coaching course fees may be reimbursed by CUFC to any current coach in the Club after proof of certification is presented to the Board.
ARTICLE XIX Team Operations
Section 1. Teams shall be formed initially following tryouts organized by the Club. Thereafter a team will hold annual tryouts. It is the policy of the CUFC to encourage the development of the most competitive team possible in each age and gender group and to foster the development of competitive soccer players residing within the geographic boundaries of the Club.
Section 2. Notice of tryouts shall be made through advertisements, school flyers directed to appropriate age groups and any other form or forms of notice selected by the team and reasonably designed to provide adequate notice of the US CLUB SOCCER. soccer opportunity to potentially interested youth players. The Club will organize tryouts for new teams in conjunction with the Soccer Development Committee. Whenever possible, the Board of Directors will have previously approved a coach for the team with the advice of the Committee. The best players who indicate an ability to integrate into a CUFC team will be offered positions on the team until the roster is filled or the pool of qualified players is exhausted.
Section 3. Subject to Article III, Section 5 of the Bylaws, the timing of tryouts will be set to allow adequate time to complete in a timely manner US CLUB SOCCER.'s requirements for team registration. Each CUFC team will conduct an open tryout annually. No current player is guaranteed a position on the roster of next year's team, and, in general, it is expected that candidates who are more qualified will be chosen over current players who are less qualified. The preference for choosing a more skilled candidate rather than a current member of the team, where it is not possible or desirable to choose both, reflects the goal of fostering the highest level of competition and the inequity of denying a candidate the CUFC experience for reasons other than merit. However, especially in cases where the difference in skills is not dramatic, qualifications for selection or reselection may also include game play, attitude of the player, the ability to accept team rules and to function as part of a team, long-term potential for development of the player, whether or not the player resides within the boundaries of the Club or any valid reason that seems in the best interests of the team or the Club. Also to further this goal, the team head coach, who elects to do so, must enlist independent evaluator(s) to assist him/her in the selection of players. No parent of a player trying out for the team may act as an independent evaluator.
Section 4. Each team shall hold a parent meeting (in conjunction with Club officials designated by the President in the case of a new team) at a time which will allow the team to establish a team seasonal soccer program and determine the extent of each player's financial commitment sufficiently prior to commencement of the team's activities to allow for an orderly year's program.
Section 5. New Teams, U-11 & Younger. a. The Board will consider recommendations from the Executive Board and from the
Soccer Development Committee for coaches for new U-11 or younger teams which will be formed in March. A vote to select a specific coach for each of these teams prior to the U-11 tryouts will be taken in sufficient time to permit the coach to prepare for and conduct tryouts.
b. The coach's fee will be paid by C.U.F.C. The specific fee to be paid that coach will be based on the coach's credentials and on fees paid by comparable teams in C.U.F.C. and will be published to the Board at the time of the selection vote. Pursuant to Article IV, each team subject to this section shall make equal monthly payments from April through December to C.U.F.C. in an amount sufficient to cover the coach's fee. Teams not meeting this financial obligation will be placed in bad standing and precluded from further participation in any Club, District or US CLUB SOCCER. activities and from use of C.U.F.C. facilities until payment is made.
c. The coach's term of service will be from June until the end of the May, excluding two months, referred to as dead period. The coach's services can be terminated prior to the end of May by a vote of the C.U.F.C. Board. A request for consideration of such action must comply with the notice requirements of Article VI, Sec. 9.
d. The team assumes authority over the retention or replacement of a coach as of the completion of that team's participation in State Cup.
Section 6. In general, it is the policy of CUFC to have only one team per age and gender group and that team will be a competitive team (Class I). Following consultation with the Soccer Development Committee, the Board of Directors may authorize the formation of a competitive "B" team (Class I) or Class III team in an age and gender group. Any such additional teams may be formed in hierarchical order or not as determined by the Board after consultation with the Committee. In all tryouts, the Class I teams will choose players first. Any Class III team will select players after the Class I teams are constituted and in such order as the Board may specify following consultation with the Committee.
It is the policy of CUFC to form two teams per age and gender group for U11, U12, U13 and U14. The first team will be a competitive (class 1) team. The second team will seek to play in the most challenging Club the coach (with approval from the Soccer Development Committee) thinks is appropriate for their level of play and soccer development. The level of the second team may be comp (class 1) or metro (class 3). CUFC's goal is to align the “comp” and “metro” programs to provide the smoothest, most effective player development program possible.
The coach of the "comp" team and the coach of the "metro" team (U11-U14) will work together to determine which players are selected for the two teams in that age group. Each coach will have the final say over the selection of players for their team, with the "comp" selection being determined first.
The following conditions for U11-U14 will apply: a. Selection of both teams in a specific age & gender group will be done by one head coach, with input from other coaches and independent evaluators. b. The head coach is responsible for both teams' player development, training sessions, and other duties normally carried out by a CUFC head coach. c. There will be one (or more) additional coaches for each age & gender group. d. Additional coaches will assist with tryouts, training sessions and game coaching. If there are difficulties with having enough qualified players for two teams in a particular age group, the head coach for that age group will work with the head coach of the adjacent age group (either one year older or younger) and the CUFC President to form the most appropriate team(s) for continued player development.
Section 7. All CUFC comp (class 1) teams should participate in a minimum of 5 tournaments during any twelve-month period. These tournaments would include:
i. the CUFC sponsored tournament for their age group
ii. State Cup In addition, for age groups U14 and above, teams should aspire to participate in one "out of state" tournament. (Southern California is "out of state".)
ARTICLE XX Registration
Section 1. Player registration shall take place within time frames established by the Board of Directors.
Section 2. All coaches, managers and referees shall register with the Club without payment of fees.
ARTICLE XXI Violations and Appeals
Section 1. The PAD Committee will ensure that the purpose of the Club as regards to courtesy, conduct and respect for authority by the players, officials and spectators on and off the playing field is fulfilled. Attitudes and actions which represent violations of the Bylaws or rules of participation in this regard will be brought before the committee for prompt and fair adjudication and disciplinary correction. The decisions of the committee shall be restricted to complaints about behavior of players, referees, coaches and spectators and the committee shall not concern itself with protests as to the outcome of games.
Section 2. The authority of the committee shall extend to permit suspension from activities of the C.U.F.C. All such actions are subject to the appeal and review by the Board of Directors.
Section 3. Red cards issued to players or coaches shall be reviewed by the committee. After the review and decision, the committee may request that the violators come before the committee to explain their actions.
Section 4. The principals involved in the complaint will be notified of the time and place to meet with the committee. In cases involving players, the parents/guardians will also be notified and expected to attend the meeting with the player. The intent is for the involved parties to participate in the fact-finding portion of the deliberations. The committee may make its decision in a closed session; however, the decision must be made before adjourning the meeting.
Section 5. Decisions of the PAD committee will be based upon applicable rules of participation and accepted standards of behavior. Decisions must be made by a clear majority of the committee present and transmitted in writing to the involved parties within two days of the meeting.
Section 6. Appeals of the PAD committee decisions may be petitioned in writing to the Board within three days after receipt of the committee findings by contact through any member of the Board. The appeal shall be in writing with a copy to the secretary along with a $25 check which will be refunded in the event of a successful appeal. Actions must be taken by the Board at the next meeting following the appeal. The results of that appeal will be filed with the secretary.
Section 7. A permanent record of all written reports and actions taken by the PAD committee shall be maintained. A copy of each written decision will be sent to the Secretary and be incorporated as part of the Board's monthly minutes.
Section 8. Falsification of records shall be grounds for disbarment from future participation and/or membership in the Club.
Section 9. A plea of ignorance of the Club Bylaws and/or rules of participation or other governing rules and regulations is not a sufficient excuse.
ARTICLE XXII Uniforms and Player Equipment
Section 1. All uniforms shall be consistent with F.I.F.A. rules. Only the uniform approved by the Club shall be worn in scheduled games. This uniform consists of jersey, shorts and socks. The approved uniforms shall incorporate the Club's representative colors of white, black and red. The Board, after providing notice and an opportunity to be heard, may terminate or suspend a team's membership in the Club, fine or otherwise sanction a team that violates this rule.
Section 2. All players must furnish their own shoes which shall be consistent with F.I.F.A. rules. Approved shin guards are mandatory for all games and practices.
Section 3. Teams may determine that uniforms belong to teams rather than players and that when a player leaves a team, he or she will, upon the team's request, return the uniform to the team.
ARTICLE XXIII Referee Assignment
Section 1. The Chief Referee shall make available to each team manager a list of qualified neutral referees for that age division. To the extent that the District VI referee pool does not supply referees for the C.U.F.C. games, the Chief Referee shall assign only certified and currently registered U.S.S.F. or equivalent referees to the center referee position.
Section 2. Only certified and currently registered U.S.S.F. referee Class II (grade 8) or higher referees may be paid for their referee service by the Club.
ARTICLE XXIV Field Assignment and Usage
Section 1. It is the preference of the Club that the older aged teams play on fields that are at least 65 yards by 110 yards long.
Section 2. Whenever a conflict occurs in this objective, it may be necessary to move the younger teams to the nearest smaller field. The Competitive Club Manager shall work with all teams to best match the size of the field with the age of the players.
Section 3. The Field Chairman shall obtain field use permits from the City of Chico Parks and Recreation Department for all scheduled Club and district games.
Section 4. It is the responsibility of each team manager to be informed of the City of Chico Parks and Recreation Department policy concerning unplayable field conditions. Questions concerning field use should be directed to the Parks and Recreation Department Monday through Friday after 3:30 p.m. or, on weekends, to the C.U.F.C. Field Chairman. If in doubt, don't play. Deliberate use of an unplayable field shall be taken up by the Board of Directors and/or the City of Chico.
ARTICLE XXV Sponsorship
Section 1. Recognizing the continued growth of soccer will require the development of facilities and additional equipment, it shall be the policy of C.U.F.C. to seek sponsorship for the Club from individuals and private, fraternal or public organizations in the form of financial grants, use of property or other assistance.
Section 2. All sponsorships shall accrue to the Club and funds shall be allocated by the Board to foster the goals and objectives of the Club.
Section 3. The support provided to individual teams directly or indirectly by its parents, guardians and relatives of the players on those teams is excluded from this policy.
ARTICLE XXVI [Reserved]
ARTICLE XXVII Extra Season Play
Section 1. C.U.F.C. may authorize and support play between C.U.F.C. teams for training and social purposes.
ARTICLE XXVIII Scholarships
Section 1. C.U.F.C. may offer limited financial assistance scholarships to team players in need of such financial assistance. To apply for such a scholarship, a team coach or manager should contact a scholarship committee member directly.
Section 2. The committee in its evaluation of such a request must know what efforts the team has made to meet the financial needs of its player.
Section 3. The maximum scholarship amount available to any team shall be established by the Board. The use of such scholarship funds shall also be established by the Board.
ARTICLE XXIX Amendments to Rules of Participation
Section 1. Any amendments to the rules of participation may be made only at the organizational meeting, or at a special meeting of the Board of Directors called solely for such purpose of which not less than 30 days notice is given and shall be effective upon adoption.
Section 2. An amendment to the rules of participation shall be deemed adopted by an affirmative vote of a majority of the Directors attending at the organizational meeting or special meeting called to consider the amendment.
Revision date: February 20, 2017
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