Hingham Youth Football

ARTICLE I: Name and Objective

Section 1: This organization shall be known as the Old Colony Youth Football League, hereinafter referred to as the League.

The League is comprised of independent, youth football organizations that represent communities or grouping of communities that hereinafter are referred to as Town(s). When Towns enter into the League their community affiliation is established and remains in effect as long as they are active members. [97]

Section 2: The objective of the League shall be to implant firmly in the participants the ideals of good sportsmanship, honesty, loyalty, courage, and reverence, so that they will grow to be well adjusted, strong and happy youngsters; thereby aiding them to be good, clean, healthy and trustworthy adults.

Section 3: The objective will be accomplished by providing supervised competitive football games. The supervisors shall bear in mind that the attainment of exceptional individual athletic skills and the winning of games will be secondary to the psychological well being of all players, on both sidelines.

Section 4: The League neither supports nor endorses any individuals or company’s products or services, nor obligates any member town to purchase equipment or services from specific individuals or companies. It is strictly a non-profit organization. Member towns make their individual purchasing and fund raising decisions on their own.
League purchases will be reviewed with the membership and reflected in the Treasurer's records.
All member communities should be aware of people wishing to use logos, selling video tapes, endorsing products, etc. and not enter into any agreement that suggests such activities are League supported. A town may wish to engage in fund raising that involves businesses but it should never be associated with the League's objectives. [96]

ARTICLE II: Membership

Section 1a: Any town may become a new League member by agreeing to uphold the constitution, the By-laws, and standing rules of the League, and by having its membership approved by two-thirds of the member towns at a regular or special League meeting. However, towns applying for membership, after schedule approval, must wait until the following season or until a vacancy occur.

1b: Any new member town shall be required to pay a non-refundable registration fee of five hundred dollars ($500.00) and be on probation for one year with no voting rights. The probation period may be extended or the town may be expelled, as recommended by the Executive Committee. A 2/3rd vote of all member towns will be necessary to accept, extend or expel.
1c: All member towns will field 3 teams, one in each age group, Mite - PeeWee - Midget.

Section 2: Each town in the League shall have one representative; this representative (or alternate) shall be the only one to speak or vote at League Meetings.

Section 3: If the representative is unable to attend a League meeting, he/she may designate an alternate from the same town who will identify him/herself as the alternate during the roll call.


ARTICLE III: Officers; Their Elections and Duties

Section 1a: The officers of the League shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary and a Treasurer.

1b: The President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer and three Commissioners shall constitute the Executive Committee.


Section 2a: Nominations and elections for officers and commissioners shall be held at a meeting chosen by the League at which time nominations shall be taken from the floor. Qualifications for officers and commissioners are set forth in the By-laws. Normally nominations will take place in November and elections in February.

2b: Each of the officers shall serve until the next annual election.

2c: The results of all elections held by secret ballot are to be viewed by three
board members. This membership to consist of two commissioners who
are not up for re-election and one executive board member who is running unopposed.[01]

2d: If an officer or Commissioner does not complete the term to which they are elected, nominations shall be accepted from the floor at the next regular or special League meeting. Said officials, so elected, shall serve only until the next annual election.

2e: The President or Vice President may not hold the same office for more than two consecutive terms.

2f: Any elected official, for due cause, can be removed from office with a 3/4 vote of member towns. Notification of intent must be submitted, in writing, 7 days prior to either a regular or special League meeting.


Officer's Responsibilities

Section 3a: The President will preside at all League meetings and be responsible for the proper conduct, according to Robert's Rules of Order. It shall be his/her responsibility to inform the League members on all aspects of League rules, regulations and policies.

3b: The Vice President shall preside in the absence of the President. He/she shall also perform duties assigned by the President.

3c: The Secretary shall keep an accurate account of all meetings and notify each town representative, officer and commissioner of meetings as specified in the By-laws. Meeting minutes will be sent to League Representatives within 1 week of said meeting, for them to review with their respective, local organizations, prior to the next league meeting. The secretary will receive, route and maintain all League correspondence and files.

3d: The Treasurer shall receive assessments from the member towns and be responsible for maintaining an accurate account of the League's receipts and disbursements.


Commissioner's Responsibilities

Section 4a: There shall be three commissioners.

4b: The Commissioner who has served the longest, current, continuous term shall be termed the "Senior Commissioner". If there are two or more commissioners who have the same length of continuous terms, the commissioner whose term expires the earliest shall be the Senior Commissioner.

4c: The commissioners must approve all actions of the town representatives and executive committee. No rule or regulation shall be binding until approved by a majority of the commissioners, except that motions approved by the League representatives, but disapproved by the commissioners may be brought up for reconsideration at the next regular or special League meeting. If 2/3 of the total League representatives at a quorum meeting, re-approve the original action it shall be binding regardless of the commissioners’ vote.

4d: The commissioners shall be responsible for discipline of League members, as set forth in the By-laws.

4e: League Commissioners shall not hold any Town, coaching or authoritative position, during the term that they are serving as an OCYFL Commissioner. [97]


ARTICLE IV: Meetings

Section 1a: Meetings of the League will be held on the second Monday of February, March, April, May, June, August, October and November. If a holiday falls on the second Monday of the month, the League has the option to schedule the meeting to the first Monday of the month. This option must be voted at the previous meeting, passed by the majority. The September meeting will be held on the Wednesday prior to the first scheduled game. There are no regularly scheduled meetings in the months of January, July, or December. All meetings will begin at 7:30 PM, unless otherwise notified. [96] [98]

1b: Any town may request a special meeting by calling a member of the executive board.

1c: The League has the right to cancel meetings based upon a recommendation from the executive committee and approved by a majority vote of member towns.

1d: The Executive Committee will conduct a mandatory meeting for town weigh-in officials each year, before the season begins. Missing this meeting will result in a $100 fine.

1e: An annual meeting of coaches and the Executive Board shall be held during the month of August for the purpose of reviewing League rules and regulations. There should be one (1) coach per level (maximum of three (3) per town). The League Representative is also encouraged to attend.
If warranted, a referee may also be invited. [99]


ARTICLE V: Constitutional Amendments

Section 1: The constitution may be amended by a vote of 3/4 of those towns present at a meeting of the League. All towns must receive the amendment changes in writing at least 30 days before the meeting. Voting on amendments to the constitution shall be conducted by polling each member town at the meeting.