OUR LADY OF LOURDES
ATHLETIC CLUB
BY-LAWS
The name of the organization shall be “Our Lady of Lourdes Athletic Club” (OLLAC).
OUR LADY OF LOURDES ATHLETIC CLUB (OLLAC)
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the OLLAC is to provide the best child centered athletic programs possible for the student-athletes of OLL School and Parish. The OLLAC considers athletics to be an important part of the Christian formation and education process, and each student-athlete should “grow” through our athletic programs.
The OLLAC will accomplish this mission by:
1. Offering athletic programs that will benefit all student-athletes and provide fun and opportunity for personal growth and development.
2. Develop in the student athlete:
a.) Self-esteem and self-confidence
b.) Loyalty
c.) Discipline
d.) Teamwork
e.) Good sportsmanship
f.) A drive to do their best in all endeavors at all times.
3. Ensure fair treatment for all student-athletes.
4. Provide the resources for all student-athletes to learn the discipline of the sport they choose.
5. Encourage an environment where all members:
a.) Feel welcome
b.) Are able to communicate and participate
c.) Are able to share their ideas and concerns
6. Project a visible sign to the parish community and the general community that Lourdes athletic teams (players, coaches & parents) maintain a Christ-like attitude to all with whom they come in contact.
June 5, 1997
The OLLAC believes it is important to respect the variations in talents, skills, and developmental levels of the student-athlete and to design our programs accordingly.
ARTICLE I
SECTION 1.
All members of the OLL Parish or parents and/or guardians of children attending the OLL School are eligible to become members of the club. However, only members who have attained the age of 18 are permitted to vote on issues or to hold office.
SECTION 2.
Anyone who coaches a sport for OLLAC is considered a member of the club. All coaches must be approved by the appropriate commissioner. All coaches must attend the archdiocesan Decree of Child Abuse. Anyone who wishes to coach or volunteer should contact a commissioner or a member of the Executive Board.
SECTION 3.
The annual dues shall be thirty five dollars ($35.00) per family payable by September 30th of each year. A family shall consist of the parents or guardians and all their children under age 18. Any member failing to pay these dues as stated above will be automatically dropped from membership in this club. The Executive Board shall have the authority to waive dues, fees, or any other conditions for membership in unusual or special cases.
Membership Levels- Amended: August 2003
-Membership to Athletic Club
-½ page ad in the All Sports Program
-Family pass to both boys & girls basketball tournament
-OLL golf shirt
-Name placed on sponsor board
Blue Level $225.00
-Membership to Athletic Club
-1/4 page ad in the All Sports Program
-Family pass to both boys & girls basketball tournament
-Name placed on sponsor board
White Level $110.00
-Membership to Athletic Club
-Name placed on sponsor board
Spirit Level $35.00
-Membership to Athletic Club
ARTICLE II
SECTION 1.
This club shall be governed by an Executive Board composed of the President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, and three Directors.
SECTION 2.
At the regular meeting of the fourth Thursday in October, a nominating committee of two members shall be appointed by the President. It shall be the duty of this committee to nominate candidates for the offices to be filled at the annual meeting in January. The nominating committee shall report at the regular meeting in December. Also, at the December meeting, additional nominations from the floor shall be permitted. Elections shall take place at the annual meeting in January.
SECTION 3.
The Officers shall be elected by ballot to serve for two years or until their successors are elected. Their term of office shall begin prior to any new business at the annual meeting.
SECTION 4.
The Vice-President shall be elected annually and will assume the office of President for his/her second year in office. The Treasurer and two of the Directors shall be elected at the annual meeting in each uneven numbered year. The Secretary and the other Director shall be elected at the annual meeting in each even numbered year.
SECTION 5.
No member shall hold more than one office on the Executive Board at a time.
SECTION 6.
Vacancies on the Executive Board shall be filled within two regular meetings of the club from date of vacancy, for the unexpired term, by said Board.
SECTION 7.
The Executive Board shall manage and control the business of this club, enforce the by-laws, and shall make all appropriations from its funds. It shall have no power to make the club liable for any debt or debts to an amount, which shall exceed annual income.
The Executive Board shall meet a minimum of four times per year, unless otherwise
ordered by the President. A minimum of five Executive Board members constitutes a quorum.
The Executive Board shall review and approve each sports budget before any funds are expended for that sport.
The Executive Board shall be subjected to the order of the club and none of its acts shall conflict with actions taken by the club.
ARTICLE III
SECTION 1.
The regular meeting of the club shall be held on the fourth Thursday of each month unless otherwise ordered by the President.
SECTION 2.
The regular meeting on the fourth Thursday in January shall be known as the annual meeting and shall be for the purpose of electing officers, receiving reports of officers and committees, and any other business that may arise.
SECTION 3.
Special meetings can be called by the President or by the Executive Board and shall be called upon written request of at least ten members of the club. The purpose of the meeting shall be stated in the call. The meeting shall be held within seven days of the receipt of the request by the President, and announced to the membership.
Amended: August 1999
The number of members attending a regular meeting shall constitute a quorum.
Amended: March 28, 2002
ARTICLE IV
SECTION 1.
Within thirty days after the President assumes office, the Executive Board shall appoint Standing Committees, as needed (i.e. Finance, Ways and Means, Membership, Grievance, Nominating).
Such other committees, standing or special, shall be appointed by the President as the club or the Executive Board shall from time to time deem necessary for the betterment of the club.
SECTION 2.
The Commissioner of each sport shall be elected by the Executive Board. A Commissioner will serve a term of four years. A Commissioner can serve an unlimited number of terms.
Amended: January 25, 2001
The Executive Board will elect commissioners at the end of the season prior to the last years of that commissioner’s term. The commissioner elect will serve as an assistant commissioner during the last year of the current commissioner’s term.
December Football, Soccer
March Boys Basketball, Girls Volleyball
May Girls Basketball
August Knothole, Girls Softball, Boys Volleyball, Track
The Executive Board will announce upcoming commissioner elections two meetings prior to that particular election. Any member may run for a commissioner by submitting a written application to the Executive Board.
A quorum of Executive Board members is needed to elect a commissioner.
Current Commissioners will continue to hold their position if they so desire until the 1999-2000 school year. (December, 1999 will begin the elections of Commissioner.)
Any current Executive Board member who is also a sport commissioner may if they so desire hold both positions until their term on the Executive Board expires.
If a Commissioner resigns prior to the end of his/her term, the Executive Board will elect a replacement within two meetings.
It shall be the duty of each sport’s Commissioner to appoint any necessary assistants, managers, and coaches. The Commissioner shall supervise the scheduling, team selection, purchasing, and operations of their sport. The Commissioners shall submit a budget for their sport by the February meeting each year. The Commissioner should attend or appoint representatives to attend the sport’s league meetings.
The Commissioner should attend all general meetings of the OLLAC, and any “Executive Board-Commissioner” meetings, or should be represented at those meetings by an appointed person.
The Commissioners are subject to an annual review by the Executive Board.
ARTICLE V
SECTION 1. (Revised March 2006)
Football shall charge a $40.00 sign-up fee for each student-athlete. All other sports shall charge a $35.00 sign-up fee for each student-athlete involved in that sport. Sign-up fees are due at sign-ups.
Members who have more than three (3) student-athletes participation in sports during a “season” will have a cap of the three (3) greater sport participation fees due for that “season”.
If a student-athlete participates in more that one sport per season then the cap does not apply.
Seasons are:
1. Football & Soccer
2. Boys Basketball & Girls Volleyball
3. Girls Basketball & Boys Volleyball
4. Knothole, Girls Softball, & Track
Commissioners may, at their discretion, in certain circumstances waive sign-up fees.
ARTICLE VI
SECTION 1.
The President shall have on file a current copy of league rules for all sports.
SECTION 2.
Every member of the Athletic Club (parents, coaches, players) will abide by league rules. Any violation of league rules will be reviewed by the Executive Board or the Grievance Committee and the violator could be subject to disciplinary action.
SECTION 3.
The OLLAC at the direction of its members and through the OLLAC league representatives, propose amendments to any leagues by-laws.
ARTICLE VII
SECTION 1.
The Commissioners of each sport should ensure that resources of the Athletic Club designated for that sport are divided equitably by grade level to teams and participants of that sport.
Resources include – uniforms and equipment, gym, or field practice time.
The OLLAC Executive Board and Commissioners will strive for gender equality.
ARTICLE VIII
SECTION 1. (Revised Oct. 2003)
The OLLAC believes that participation on a "Lourdes"
sports team promotes loyalty and dedication to teammates and
coaches. Therefore, any student-athlete who makes a commitment to play on a
Lourdes team and misses a Lourdes team's game or practice to attend any
activity not related to illness, church, school or family, will be subject to
the following rules.
1) For missing Lourdes team games, the team member’s:
1st Missed Game - Play
only the minimum time as defined by that sport's league rules for the Lourdes
team's next game attended.
2nd Missed Game - Player is suspended for one game for next game
attended.
2) When a team member misses a Lourdes team's practice
1st missed practice - Playing
time in next game reduced 50%.
2nd Missed Practice - Suspended from next game attended
SECTION 2.
Continued disregards by the student-athlete to the “Lourdes team” and his/her teammates as noted in Section 1 could result in dismissal from the “Lourdes team” or other disciplinary action upon review by the Executive Board.
SECTION 3.
A Commissioner or coaches disregard for Section 1 must also be reviewed by the Executive Board for disciplinary action.
SECTION 4. (Revised Oct. 2003)
No person shall be permitted to be the head coach of more than one team in the same sport (excluding high school sports or when approved by that sports commissioner).
ARTICLE IX
SECTION 1.
When a club member has a complaint regarding the actions or decisions of a coach, or a coach has a complaint regarding another club member, the member will take the matter up with the coach or the coach with the member. If the complaint is not resolved to the satisfaction of the member or the coach within a reasonable time (approximately one week), the member or coach should then proceed to Section 2.
SECTION 2.
If the Section 1 of the grievance process was completed without a resolution the member or coach should contact the Commissioner of the affected sport. The Commissioner will investigate the complaint and report back to the club member or coach within one week. The Commissioner will do all possible to resolve the complaint at this level. If the club member or coach is still not satisfied with the result of the Commissioner’s investigation and mediation the club member or coach may proceed with Section 3.
SECTION 3.
If the club member or coach requests in writing to the affected Commissioner, stating the nature of the complaint and why the club member or coach is not satisfied, the commissioner of the affected sport will request a meeting of the Grievance Board.
The Grievance Board will convene a meeting and invite both parties of the dispute. Upon hearing all pertinent information, the Board will render a decision (reviewed by the President of OLLAC to ensure consistency and compliance with by-laws) within three days. A majority vote of the Board is required. The Grievance Board’s decision is final.
The Grievance Board will consist of two Commissioners from sports not affected, one at- large board member, and four volunteers from the general membership. (If more than four members volunteer then they will serve on the grievance Board on a rotating basis.)
Volunteers from the general membership will be accepted annually (January-election night) or as needed. Commissioners and the board members will be rotating for each grievance filed.
ARTICLE X
SECTION 1.
OLLAC uniform colors are navy blue and white.
SECTION 2.
The Tiger is the team mascot for the OLLAC.
SECTION 3.
All equipment must be returned at the end of the season unless otherwise designated. Equipment such as hats, mouthpiece, kneepads, and socks are paid for in excess of sign-up fee. If the equipment is not turned in or paid for, the Commissioner has the right to recommend disciplinary action to the Athletic Club Board.
SECTION 4.
SECTION 5.
No form of individual awards or gifts such as trophies, plaques, trips, jackets, or shirts shall be made to or accepted by the participant’s coaches, or managers unless approved by the Executive Board.
ARTICLE XI
The rules contained in the current edition of “ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER” shall govern the club in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these by-laws and any special rules of order the club may adopt.
The President shall have a copy of this authority at every regular and special meeting.
ARTICLE XII
These by-laws can be amended at any regular meeting of the club by a two-thirds vote, provided that the amendment has been submitted in writing at the previous regular meeting.
*Original By-Laws were approved and signed on September 18, 1997.
**New revisions approved by OLLAC Board members in August 2002.
ARTICLE XIII
CODE OF CONDUCT
AND DISCIPLINARY ACTION
SECTION 1.
Code of Conduct
The OLLAC will follow the abuse guidelines of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati with regard to conduct. In addition, the OLLAC states that it is extremely important that players, coaches and parents realize they represent the parish at athletic activities, on and off the OLL campus.
As the players compete and practice, their demeanor, along with that of the coaches,
parents and spectators will be interpreted by the general public as an extension of the parish. The OLLAC expressly states the following behaviors are not acceptable by players, coaches, parents and supporters:
a. Foul and abusive language and/or behavior
b. Embarrassing a player by reprimanding him/her in front of peers and spectators.
c. Demeaning comments to, or yelling at, umpires, referees, coaches, players, etc. This undermining of authority and lack of respect is inappropriate.
d. Physical abuse or threat of physical abuse.
SECTION 2.
Disciplinary Action
The OLLAC Executive Board may, based on a formal written complaint or violation, investigate and review any violations of SECTION 1. The Executive Board shall have the sole authority to determine if an OLL player, coach, parent or spectator has violated the Code of Conduct in SECTION 1.
The Executive Board, at their sole discretion, may determine to place an OLL player, coach, parent or spectator on probation with or without conditions for a period of time as determined by the Board. The Executive Board, at their sole discretion, may determine to suspend an OLL player, coach, parent or spectator for an amount of time as determined by the Board. Terms of said suspension will be determined by the Executive Board.
The Commissioner of the affected sport shall be part of the Executive Board’s investigation and review of violations of the Code of Conduct but will not have a vote on any disciplinary action.