EAST LANSING AMATEUR SOFTBALL CLUB

BY-LAWS AND RULES APPROVED AUGUST 2023

Table of Contents
Article I            Organization
Article II           Purpose
Article III          Player Registration
Article IV          General Rules
Article V           Board of Directors
Article VI          Duties of the Officers of the Board of Directors
Article VII        Amendments to the By-Laws
Article VIII       Adoption of the By-Laws

Article I– Organization

Section 1-Name:The name of the organization shall be East Lansing Amateur Softball Club (ELASC). Such name may referred to as EL Softball or ELASC in informal communications. The registered office is 427 Midvale Ave Lansing, MI 48912 Ingham county or such other place as the Board may designate from time to time hereafter.

Article II– Purpose 

Section 1– Purpose: The purpose of the East Lansing Amateur Softball League is to provide a recreational - competitive softball league for girls. Emphasis of the program shall be the development of qualities of sportsmanship, new friendships, responsible citizens, leadership abilities, and recognition through a directed recreational - competitive softball program.

Section 2– ELASC : ELASC is a non-profit community based recreational program. Girls and young women from the ages of seven (7) through fourteen (14) are eligible to participate in the league. All participants are based on the player age as of September 1st 2023.

Section 3– Affiliation: The league is a East Lansing community wide volunteer program. The league shall be affiliated with the Mason Pony and Delhi League for the benefit of insurance and rules.

Section 4– Dissolution: In the event of dissolution of the organization, all of its property and finances will be transferred to a similar nonprofit or community organization as the Board sees fit.

Section 5- Use of Funds: In accordance with Section 501(c)(3) of the Federal Internal Revenue Code, the ELASC shall operate exclusively as a non-profit educational organization providing a supervised program of competitive softball games. No part of the net earnings shall inure to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual. All funds collected and raised will be reinvested into the league. No part of the funds of ELASC shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributive to, its members, directors, officers, or private persons, except that the board authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth herein. No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the ELASC shall not participate in or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

Article III– Player Registration:

 Section 1– Registration: A player is a registered member of the East Lansing Softball League (ELASC)  when registration has been submitted and paid via the online system. Yearly membership extends from the date of submitted registration through the end of each playing season (August 31). First priority shall be given to youths who reside or go to school within the boundaries of the city of East Lansing and youths who were on a roster in the prior season.  Membership of the parents/ guardians whose children are registered players of ELASC is automatic, as long as the player is in good standing with the league. The League President will conduct registration.

Section 2– Requirements: ELASC requires each player and player’s parent/guardian to sign a code of conduct form, a statement releasing ELASC from liability for any injuries in conjunction with ELASC activities, and a concussion form during the registration process. The registration fee will cover the League’s financial expense of umpires, equipment, insurance, league membership and other program related expenses.

Section 3- Refunds: Requests for membership fee refunds must be submitted to the President prior to the leagues playing season and are at the boards discretion.

Section 4-Rosters: Teams are limited to 12-14 registered players; however, ELASC may adjust roster numbers as required to balance teams.  Players will not be assigned to a team until their registration has been completed , all forms signed and registration is paid in full.

Section 5– Coach Requests: Coach Requests – Players may request a coach they would like to play with. If there are too many requests for a specific coach, the following criteria will be used to assign players:
1. Player has played previously with requested coach.
2. Registration date.
3. Player attends the same school as most of the team.
4. Player has specific transportation hardships that may require carpooling with another player/family.

Article IV– General Rules

Section 1– Age Requirements: Players must be 14 years of age or younger on January 1 of the current playing year.

Section 2– Safety: Due to insurance coverage, coaches, scorekeeper, batboy/batgirls and players are the only individuals allowed in the team dugout or bench during the game.

Section 3-Conduct: Any league member who is physically or verbally abusive will be warned and subject to suspension for the remainder of the season.  League members under the influence of drugs or alcohol are not allowed at games or practices. Violators will be required to leave the area immediately. Foul language will not be tolerated about the playing field by coaches, umpires,
players or spectators. It is the responsibility of all members to ensure the best interests of the players is maintained at all times.  It is also the responsibility of the members to take corrective action when those interests have been violated.

Section 4-  Equipment: Players must wear safety equipment at all games and practices. Issued league uniforms are mandatory at all  games. No alterations of league uniforms is allowed.

Section 5 Sportsmanship – Coaches and players shall maintain good sportsmanship at all times, including at all practices, games and any functions of the ELASC.  Coaches and players shall treat all  umpires with courtesy and respect.

Article V– Board Members

 All business, property and affairs pertaining to the East Lansing Amateur Softball Club (ELASC) will be governed by a Board of Directors. All decisions concerning East Lansing Amateur Softball Club (ELASC) will be voted on by all members in attendance at meetings (simple majority prevails).
President—Diane Tubbs
Vice President—Keith Cravotta
Secretary—Laurie Johnson
Treasurer—Matt Shea
Trustee– Jennifer Jockheck
Trustee– Casey Elhert
Trustee– Aaron David

Article VI– Board Rules and Regulations

Section 1– General Duties: The Board shall be members in good standing with the League and shall number no less than four(4) and no more the seven (7). The Board is made up of volunteers without term limits however, the regulation and management of the ELASC, including the control and disposition of its property and funds, shall be vested in a Board of Directors.  It shall be the duty of the Board to manage all activities related to ELASC for proper operation, safety and security during all scheduled practices and softball games. The Board shall promote communication on ELASC activities.

Section 2– Meetings: The Board shall hold meetings no more than once a month between January 15th & August 30th of each year. The Board shall meet annually, prior to October, for the purpose of planning. The meetings dates & times will be posted on the league  Facebook page and website for the general public. A member may participate in a membership meeting by telephone or any
communications equipment through which all persons in the meeting can hear each other.

Section 3– Compensation: The Board or League members shall not receive any stated salary for their services, however, nothing herein shall be construed to preclude any Board Member or Members from servicing the League in any other capacity and in receiving compensation thereof.

Section 4– Use of Funds: The Board shall designate a bank in which the League shall deposit the funds of the League. The Board shall designate the manner in which checks on the banks accounts shall be signed and endorsed. There will be no less than two(2) board members on the account.

Section 5– Budget: The Board shall be responsible for reviewing budgets for the purpose of establishing an annual budget to be in place before the start of the League’s fiscal year on January 1st.

Section 6– Sponsors: The Board may accept on behalf of the ELASC any contribution, or gift for the general purposes or from any special purpose of the league. ELASC may solicit sponsorships to aid in the financial support of the League. League sponsors can be selected from a variety of potential sponsors, such as service clubs, civic groups, fraternal organizations, local merchants, etc.

Section 7–Trustee Duties: Trustee's duties shall include the obligation to consider matters referred to it by the members.  The Trustees shall have the authority to take action on its own initiative.  Trustees shall have full authority and discretion to make all policy, set budgets, and implement the on-going business of ELASC consistent with the bylaws.

Section 8– Discrimination: In rendering its functions and in exercising its purposes, the Board, it’s Trustee’s or league members shall not allow or practice or permit discrimination on the basis of sex, age, race, national origin, religion, physical handicap, or disability.

Article VII– Duties of the Board Of Directors

President-The President shall be the head of the board and the league. The President will promote the  league mission and goals.
1. Serve as the Chairperson of the Board. Conduct the affairs of the ELASC and execute the policies  established by the Board.

  1. Preside over league matters and shall act as the primary representative of the league to the city of East Lansing Parks and Recreation Department, the community at large and all sponsors to ensure a successful and safe environment for all players.
  2. Identify and execute activities that strengthen the organization.
  3. Provide organizational communications to the coaches, players and families.
  4. Communicate to the Board /Members such matters as deemed appropriate, and make suggestions to promote the ELASC.
  5. Have power to make and execute for/and in the name of the ELASC contracts and leases.
  6. Prepare an annual budget to the Board and be responsible for the proper execution of funds.
  7. Examine the documents of every player and certify residency and age eligibility before the player may be accepted.
  8. Preside over board, general, and special meetings of the League and encourage active participation of non-board members at all meetings.
  9. Ensure that all official state, county, and city reports such as association fees and tax returns are reported and filed on time.
  10. The President shall have the charge, custody of and be responsible for all funds of the organization, receive and give receipts for monies due and payable, and deposit all monies in the name of the organization in Dart Bank.

Vice President– Community Coordinator. The Vice Presidents primary focus is to ensure the smooth transition of personal and          coaching staff. The Vice President shall also have the title of “Community Coordinator” with the Mason Pony and Delhi League regarding rules, regulations and scheduling games.

1.Perform the duties of the  resident in the absence or disability of the President. When so acting, the VP shall have all the powers                of that office.

2.Assist and oversee specific efforts and projects aimed at improving the organization.

3.Work on improving on processes and procedures associated with running the organization.

4.Secure playing and practice fields. Is responsible for decisions to cancel or postpone games, practices due to weather conditions.

5. Be responsible for safety training for managers, coaches, and volunteers.

6.Administer a process to assure that safety incidents are appropriately recorded and reported.

7.Act as liaison between any Committees the President and/or the Board may have created.

Secretary.- The Secretary shall foster good communications, inform members of meetings and other
important dates.

  1. Be responsible for recording the activities of the ELASC, maintain appropriate files, mailing lists and necessary records.
  2. Record the minutes of all ELASC meetings.
  3. Solicit agenda items, prepare and distribute agenda, meeting minutes, and information necessary for all meetings as well as confirming attendance of Board members and those with agenda items.
  4. Monitor web site and other on-line presence for appropriate postings. Ensure that club news and scores are updated on a regular basis.
  5. Assign access to on-line resources to coaches, volunteers and players, as appropriate.
  6. Takes care of correspondences and materials related to the ELASC.
  7. Participates in specific efforts and projects aimed at improving ELASC teams.

8. Perform other such duties as may be assigned by the Board of Directors.

Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have access and share responsibilities for all funds of the league.

  1. Shall be an additional account holder/ signer on the bank account located at Dart Bank.
  2. Can withdraw funds from or make deposits into the leagues bank account.
  3. Give receipts for monies due and payable to the league and can deposit all monies in the name of the league.
  4. Shall disburse all monies in the form of check or debit card. All payments must be made out to a business or organization name, unless the board has agreed in advance to pay an individual in cash or through an app such as Venmo or Cash app.
  5. All disbursements by over $1,000 must have verbal concurrence of a second board member.
  6. Makes all records, receipts, and accounts available to the Board upon request.
  7. Provide budget to any member that would like to review the leagues finances by written request.

Trustees: Trustees are active members who are familiar with the history and events of the league. Their purpose is to help oversee and govern in the best interest of the league and to ensure public trust. Assist the board/members with decisions pertaining to the future growth of the league.

Article VIII– Amendment to the By-Laws

             Section 1– The Bylaws can be amended or repealed, in whole or in part, by a two-thirds majority vote of the directors then in office.

Article IX– Adoption of Bylaws
             Section 1–  Please note that the President and all members of the Board of Directors of East Lansing Amateur Softball Club, do hereby certify that the foregoing By-law's were adopted at the August 18th, 2023 board meeting.