CT DISTRICT 12 ELITE SOFTBALL PROGRAM
CONSTITUTION

This organization shall be known as the CT District 12 Little League, hereinafter referred to as "Local League"

ARTICLE II - OBJECTIVE
SECTION 1
The objective of the CT District 122 Little League shall be to implant firmly in the children of the community the ideals of good sportsmanship, honesty, loyalty, courage and respect for authority, so that they may be well adjusted, stronger and happier children and will grow to be good, decent, healthy and trustworthy citizens.

SECTION 2

To achieve this objective the CT District 12 Little League will provide a supervised program under the Rules and Regulations of Little League Baseball, Incorporated. All Directors, Officers and Members shall bear in mind that the attainment of exceptional athletic skill or the winning of games is secondary, and the molding of future citizens is of prime importance. In accordance with Section 501-(c)-(3) of the Federal Internal Revenue Code, the CT District 12 Little League 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; no substantial part of the activities of which is carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and which does not participate in or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

ARTICLE III - MEMBERSHIP
SECTION1
Eligibility-Any person sincerely interested in active participation to effect the objective of this Local League may apply to become a member

SECTION 2
Classes. There shall be the following classes of Members:

(a) Player Members. Any player candidate meeting the eligibility requirements of Little League Regulation IV and who resides within the authorized boundaries of the Local League shall be eligible to compete for participation but shall have no rights, duties or obligations in the management or in the property of the Local League.

(b) Regular Members. Any adult person actively interested in furthering the objectives of the Local League may become a regular member upon election as hereinafter provided. The secretary shall maintain the roll of membership to qualify voting members. Only regular members in good standing are eligible to vote at the annual meeting and other General Membership meetings. Regular Members are all Officers, Board Members, Committee Members, Managers. . Additional Regular members can be individually approved by the Board.

(c) Honorary Members. Any person may be elected as Honorary Member by the unanimous vote of all Directors present at any duly held meeting of the Board of Directors but shall have no rights, duties or obligations in the management or in the property of the league.

(d)Sustaining Members. Any person not a Regular Member who makes financial or other contribution to the Local League may by a majority vote of the Board of Directors become a Sustaining Member, but such person shall have no rights, duties or obligations in the management or in the property of the Local League.

(e) As used hereinafter, the word "Member" shall mean a Regular Member unless otherwise stated.

SECTION3 Other Affiliations.

(a) Members, whether Regular or Player, shall not be required to be affiliated with another organization or group to qualify as members of the Local League

(b) Regular or Player Members shall not be actively engaged in the promotion and/or operation of any other baseball or softball program without Little League District Administrator approval.

SECTION 4
Suspension or Termination. Membership may be terminated by resignation or action of the Board of Directors.

(a) The Board of Directors, by a two-thirds vote of those present at any duly constituted meeting, shall have the authority to discipline or suspend or terminate the membership of any Member of any class when the conduct of such person is considered detrimental to the best interests of the Local League and/or Little League Baseball. The member involved shall be notified of such meeting, informed of the general nature of the charges and given an opportunity to appear at the meeting to answer such charges

(b) The Board of Directors shall, in case of a Player Member, give notice to the manager of the team of which the player is a member. Said manager shall appear, in the capacity of an advisor, with the player before a duly appointed committee of the Board of Directors, which shall have full power, to suspend or revoke such player's right to future participation.

ARTICLE IV - MEETINGS
SECTION 1
Definition. A General Membership Meeting is any meeting of the membership of the league (including Special General Membership Meetings, Section 7). A minimum of one per year (Annual Meeting, see Section 6) is required.

SECTION 2
Notice of Meeting. Notice of each General Membership Meeting will be posted to the CT District 12 Little League website at least 10 days in advance of the meeting setting forth the place, time and purpose of the meeting; or in lieu thereof, notice may be given in such form as may be authorized by the Members, from time to time, at a regularly convened General Membership meeting.

SECTION 3
Quorum.At any General Membership meeting, the presence in person or representation by absentee ballot of 25% of the members on the Secretary’s membership role (as defined in Article III) shall be necessary to constitute a quorum. If a quorum is not present, no business shall be conducted.

SECTION 4
Voting. Only Regular Members (Article III, Section 2 (b) shall be entitled to make motions and vote at General Membership meetings. However, the Board of Directors may invite, admit or recognize guests for presentations or comments during General Membership meetings.

SECTION 5
Absentee Ballot. For the expressed purpose of accommodating a regular member in good standing who cannot be in attendance at the annual meeting or other General Membership meeting, an absentee ballot may be requested and obtained from the Secretary of the League. The absentee ballot shall be properly completed, signed and returned in a sealed envelope to the Secretary prior to the date of the meeting and the election of members to the Board of Directors. The Secretary shall present all absentee ballots to the Election Chairman (appointed at the meeting) on the date of the annual meeting prior to the conduct of the election process.

SECTION 6
Annual Meeting.The annual meeting of the Members of the Local League shall be held each August. A different day and time can be scheduled and announced in the Board minutes at least 30 days prior to the meeting. The purpose of Annual Meeting is to elect Board of Directors and Members, receiving reports and for the transaction of such business as may properly come before the meeting. The Membership shall receive at the annual meeting of the Members of the Local League a report verified by the President and Treasurer, or by a majority of the Directors, showing the whole amount of real and personal property owned by the Local League, where located, and where and how invested, the amount and nature of the property acquired during the year immediately proceeding, the date of the report and the manner of the acquisition; the amount applied, appropriated or expended during the year immediately preceding such date, and the purposes, objects or persons to or for which such applications, appropriations or expenditures have been made; and the names and places of residence of the persons who have been admitted to membership in the Local League during such year, which report shall be filed with the records of the Local League and an abstract thereof entered in the minutes of the proceedings of the annual meeting. A copy of such report shall be forwarded to Little League Headquarters.

After the Board of Directors is elected, the board shall meet to elect the officers. The Officers of the Board of Directors shall include, at a minimum, the President, one or more Vice Presidents, Treasurer, Secretary, one or more Player Agents and a Safety Officer. Term of office for all Officers (except President) and Directors is one year.

SECTION 7
Special General Membership Meetings. Special General Membership meetings of the Members may be called by the Board of Directors or by the Secretary or President at their discretion. Upon written request of 20 Members, the President or Secretary shall call a Special General Membership Meeting to consider the subject specified in the request. No business other than that specified in the notice of the meeting shall be transacted at any Special General Membership meeting. Such Special General Membership meeting shall be scheduled to take place not less than 10 days after the request is received by the President or Secretary.

SECTION 8
Rule of Order for General Membership Meetings. Robert’s Rule of Order shall govern the proceedings of all General Membership meeting, except where same conflicts with this Constitution of the Local League.

ARTICLE V-BOARD OF DIRECTORS
SECTION 1
Authority.The management of the property and affairs of the Local League shall be vested in the Board of Directors. The number of Directors shall be not less than five (5) nor more than twenty five

(25). The Directors shall upon election immediately enter upon the performance of their duties and shall continue in office until their successors shall have been duly elected and qualified

SECTION2
Increase in number. The number of Board of Directors so fixed at the Annual Meeting may be increased at any General Membership meeting or Special Meeting of the Members. If the number is increased, the additional Directors may be elected at the meeting at which the increase is voted, or at any subsequent General Membership meeting. All elections of additional Directors shall be by majority vote of all Regular Members present or represented by a properly executed and signed absentee ballot filed with the Secretary prior to the election meeting.

SECTION 3
Vacancies. If any vacancy occurs in the Board of Directors, by death, resignation or otherwise, it may be filled by a majority vote of the remaining Directors at any regular Board meeting or any Special Board meeting called for that purpose.

SECTION 4
Board Meetings, Notice and Quorum. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held immediately following the annual election and on such days thereafter, as shall be determined by the Board. The President or the Secretary may, whenever they deem it advisable or the Secretary shall at the request in writing of five (5) Directors issue a call for a special meeting of the Board. Notice of each meeting shall be given by the Secretary to each Director either by mail/email at least (3) days before the time appointed for the meeting to the last recorded address of each Director, or by telephone or personal notice twenty-four hours preceding the meeting. In the case of special meetings, such notice shall include the purpose of the meeting and no matters not so stated may be acted upon at the meeting. Five (5) members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

SECTION 5
Duties and Powers.The Board of Directors shall have the power to appoint such standing committees as it shall determine appropriate and to delegate such powers to them as the Board shall deem advisable and which it may properly delegate.

The Board my adopt such rules and regulations for the conduct of its meetings and the management of the Local League as it may deem proper.

The Board shall have the power by a two-thirds vote of those present at any regular or special meeting to discipline, suspend or remove any Director or Officer or Committee Member of the Local League in accordance with the procedure set forth in Article III, Section 4 (a).

SECTION 6
Rule of Order for Board Meetings. Robert’s Rule of Order shall govern the proceedings of all Board of Directors meetings, except where same conflicts with this Constitution of the Local League.

ARTICLE VI– DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE BOARD
SECTION 1
Appointment.The Board of Directors may appoint such other officers or agents as it may deem necessary or desirable, and may prescribe the power and duties of each. Appointed officers or agents shall have no vote on action taken by the Board of Directors unless such individuals have been elected to the Board by the membership or have been elected to fill a vacancy on the Board.

SECTION 2
President. The President shall:

Conduct the affairs of the Local League and execute the policies established by the Board of Directors.

Present a report of the condition of the Local League at the annual meeting.

Communicate to the Board of Directors, such matters as deemed appropriate, and make such suggestions as may tend to promote the welfare of the Local League.

Be responsible for the conduct of the Local League in strict conformity to the policies, principles, Rules and Regulations of Little League Baseball, Incorporated, as agreed to under the conditions of charter issued by the Local League by that organization.

Designate in writing, other officers if necessary, to have power to make and execute for /and in the name of the Local League such contracts and leases they may receive and which have had prior approval of the Board.

Investigate complaints, irregularities and conditions detrimental to the Local League and report thereon to the Board or Executive Committee as circumstances warrant.

Prepare and submit an annual budget to the Board of Directors and be responsible for the proper executive thereof.

Appoint all Managers of District Travel Program Teams.

SECTION 3
Vice-President(s). In case of the absence or disability of the President, and provided he is authorized by the President or Board so to act, the Vice-President shall perform the duties of the President, and when so acting, shall have all the powers of that office, and shall have such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the Board of Directors of by the President.

SECTION 4
Secretary.The Secretary shall:

Be responsible for recording the activities of the Local League and maintain appropriate files, mailing lists and necessary records.

Perform such duties as are herein specifically set forth, in addition to such other duties as are customarily incident to the office of Secretary or as may be assigned by the Board of Directors. 

Maintain a list of all Regular, Sustaining and Honorary Members, Directors and committee members and give notice of all meetings of the Local League, the Board of Directors and Committees.

Keep the minutes of the meetings of the Members, the Board of Directors and the Executive Board, and cause them to be recorded in a book kept for that purpose.

Shall conduct all correspondence not otherwise specifically delegated in connection with said meetings

and shall be responsible for carrying out all orders, votes and resolutions not otherwise committed. 

Notify Members, Directors, Officers and committee members of their election or appointment.

SECTION 5
Treasurer.The Treasurer shall: 

Perform such duties as are herein specifically set forth and such other duties as are customarily incident to the Office of Treasurer or may be assigned by the Board of Directors.

Receive all monies and securities, and deposit same in a depository approved by the Board of Directors.

Keep records for the receipt and disbursement of all monies and securities of the Local League, including the Auxiliary, approve all payments from allotted funds and draw checks therefore in agreement with policies established in advance of such actions by the Board of Directors.

Prepare an annual budget, under the direction of the President, for submission to the Board of Directors.

Prepare an annual financial report, under the direction of the President, for submission to the Membership and Board of Directors at the annual meeting.

ARTICLE VII –EXECUTIVE BOARD
SECTION 1
Composition. The Executive Board will be comprised of:

President

Secretary

Treasurer

SECTION 2
Role. The Executive Board’s role is solicit feedback from the Board and vote on matters brought before the Board. The purpose of the Executive Board is to allow the Executive Board to focus on general operations and administrative functions of the league as a whole, while the rest of the Board is focused on daily baseball/softball operations. All votes require an 80% quorum from the Executive Board and majority vote. The Executive board will be made up of the all the Team Managers in the District 12 Travel Elite Softball Program.

ARTICLE IX - AFFILIATION
SECTION 1
Charter.The Local League shall annually apply for a charter from Little League Baseball, Incorporated, and shall do all things necessary to obtain and maintain such charter. The Local League shall devote its entire energies to the activities authorized by such charter and it shall not be affiliated with any other program or organization or operate any other program except as provided for under Article III, Section 3(b).

SECTION2
Rules and Regulations. The Official Playing Rules and Regulations as published by Little League Baseball, Incorporated, Williamsport, Pennsylvania, shall be binding on this Local League.

SECTION 3
Local League Rules. The local rules of the Local League shall be adopted by the Board of Directors at a meeting to be held not less than one month previous to the first scheduled game of the season, but shall in no way conflict with the Rules and Regulations of Little League Baseball, Incorporated.

ARTICLE X - FINANCIAL AND ACCOUNTING
SECTION 1
The Board of Directors shall decide all matters pertaining to the finances of the Local League and it shall place all income including Auxiliary funds, in a common league treasury, directing the expenditure of same in such manner as will give no individual or team an advantage over those in competition with such individual or team.

SECTION 2
The Board shall not permit the contribution of funds of property to individual teams but shall solicit for common treasurer of the Local League, thereby to discourage favoritism among teams and to endeavor to equalize the benefits of the Local League.

SECTION 3

The Board shall not permit the solicitation of funds in the name of Little League Baseball unless all of the funds so raised be placed in the Local League treasury.

SECTION 4

The Board shall not permit the disbursement of Local League funds for other than the conduct of Little League activities in accordance with the rules and policies of Little League Baseball, Incorporated.

SECTION 5
No Director, Officer or Member of the Local League shall receive, directly or indirectly any salary, compensation or emolument from the Local League for services tendered as Director, Officer or Member.

SECTION 6

All monies received, including Auxiliary Funds, shall be deposited to the credit of the Local League in the League’s bank account and all disbursements to vendors shall be made by check. All checks shall be signed by the Local League Treasurer or other officer as the Board of Directors shall determine.

SECTION 7
The fiscal year of the Local League shall begin on the first day of October and shall end on the last day of September. The tax reporting period is a calendar year.

SECTION 8
Distribution of Property upon Dissolution. Upon dissolution of the Local League and after all outstanding debts and claims have been satisfied, the Members shall direct the remaining property of the Local League to another Federally Incorporated entity which maintains the same objectives as set forth herein, which are or may be entitled to exemption under Section 501(c) (3) or (4) of the Internal Revenue Code or any further corresponding provision.

ARTICLE XI - MANAGERS, COACHES AND UMPIRES
SECTION 1
Team Managers and Coaches shall be approved by the President.

To become eligible for selection as a manager, coach or umpire, the volunteer must fill out a Little League Volunteer Application Form, and must successfully pass a background check.No person can manage, coach or umpire without the President appointing that person to that position. ALL managerial and coaching are annual. As such, a President and/or Executive Board does not need to give a reason to a person if that person is not re-appointed or re-approved as a manager, coach or umpire for the coming season. IMPORTANT: No manager, coach or umpire has any tenure whatsoever, regardless of the years of service.

SECTION 3

A President may manage, coach or umpire, provided he/she does not serve on the protest committee. A Vice President may manage, coach or umpire, provided they do not serve on the protest committee.

ARTICLE XII - TRYOUTS AND DRAFTS
SECTION 1
Each Division (10u, 12u & 16u) will conduct annual tryouts in August and the Draft to be held in late-August. Tryout and Draft conditions are set in the bylaws.

ARTICLE XVI - AMENDMENTS

This Constitution and By-Laws may be amended, repealed or altered in whole or in part by a majority vote at any duly organized meeting of the Members provided notice of the proposed change is included in the notice of such meeting. Draft of all proposed amendments shall be submitted to Little League Baseball, Incorporated, for approval.