South Shore Soccer League Bylaws

Article 1 – Name

 1.1             The name of the league shall be the South Shore Soccer League (SSSL.)

 1.2             The headquarters of the South Shore Soccer League shall be in the hometown of the South Shore Soccer League President. 

Article 2 – Purpose 

2.1             It shall be the purpose of the South Shore Soccer League to foster, promote and advance the good of soccer within its jurisdictional boundaries. 

2.2             It shall also guard the interest of the member Associations and those teams under the South Shore Soccer League jurisdiction, promoting fair and equitable play among members, resolving disputes between members and administrating the affairs of the South Shore Soccer League.

Article 3 – Membership and Voting Privileges

 3.1             The South Shore Soccer League shall recognize only one (1) member Association from each town.

 3.2             No member Association shall be allowed to withdraw from the South Shore Soccer League without the approval of a majority of current member Associations in good standing and the permission of the Executive Board.

3.3             Any Soccer Association may apply for membership to the South Shore Soccer League by submitting an application for membership to the Executive Board of the South Shore Soccer League.  The Executive Board may set reasonable entry and/or security fees.  Membership shall be granted with the approval of the majority of current member Associations in good standing and the Executive Board.  Upon approval, the new member shall receive a copy of the Bylaws and the Rules of Play.  This shall be deemed as sufficient notice of its obligations and liabilities.

 3.4             Associations joining the South Shore Soccer League shall submit their proposed team colors to the Executive Board for approval to minimize conflicts with current Association members.  Member Associations may only change team colors with approval of the Executive Board.

3.5             In order for member Associations to remain in good standing, they shall be responsible for all financial obligations incurred by the Association to the South Shore Soccer League and Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association.  The member Associations shall also be responsible for the conduct and actions of all players, coaches, spectators or other persons associated with their Association.

 3.6             Each member Association shall be represented by delegates at regular South Shore Soccer League meetings.  Up to three (3) delegates (maximum) from each Association in good standing along with the South Shore Soccer League Executive Board shall be allowed to vote on issues and the election of officers.  Votes by the South Shore Soccer League Executive Board (Officers and At-Large Members) shall not be counted against the number of delegates representing any Association.

 3.7             No voting delegate representing an Association or the Executive Board shall cast more than one (1) vote per issue or office.

Article 4 – Executive Board

 4.1             The Executive Board shall consist of the following Officers:  President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, (Immediate Past President) and five (5) At-Large Members.

 4.2             The Executive Board shall transact all business of the South Shore Soccer League and shall have the power to enforce the South Shore Soccer League Bylaws, South Shore Soccer League Rules of Play and the FIFA Laws of the Game.

 4.3             The Executive Board shall have the authority to fine an Association or suspend any of its teams for failing to meet their obligations as a member of the South Shore Soccer League.

 4.4             The Executive Board shall have the authority to suspend any registered participants from League activities for actions contrary to the principles and standards of fair play and good sportsmanship.  The Executive Board shall hold the Association accountable for enforcement of disciplinary action taken against and Association’s member(s).  Appropriate disciplinary action may be any or all of the following:  fines, probation or suspension from League activities. 

4.5             All Executive Board Officers and At-Large Board Members shall hold office for a two (2) year period.  The election of Executive Board Officers and At-Large Board Members shall be by ballot at the Annual General Meeting in May and be staggered on the following basis:  even number years for President and three (3) At-Large Members (plus the Immediate Past President may serve a two year period in that capacity); odd number years for Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and two (2) At-Large Members.

 4.6             If an Executive Board member misses three (3) consecutive South Shore Soccer League meetings without just cause, the Executive Board may declare the position vacant at their discretion and notify the Associations accordingly.  Similar notification will be provided to the Associations for a vacancy caused by resignation.  Voting delegates shall elect a replacement at the next regular South Shore Soccer League meeting to finish out the remainder of the original term.

4.7             An Executive Board Meeting may be called by the South Shore Soccer League President or by a majority of Executive Board members and may be held anywhere at any time with a majority of Executive Board members present constituting a quorum for the meeting.  

Article 5 – President 

5.1             The South Shore Soccer League President shall assure that the purpose and governing principles of the South Shore Soccer League are upheld.

 5.2             The South Shore Soccer League President shall preside at all South Shore Soccer League Meetings and events.  In the event of a tie vote at a League or Executive Board Meeting, the President may cast the deciding vote or may waive the right to do so.

 5.3             The South Shore Soccer League President shall represent or appoint a representative for the South Shore Soccer League for all external functions that the South Shore Soccer League is required or requested to be present at.

 5.4             The South Shore Soccer League President shall provide a report of the “State of the South Shore Soccer League” at the Annual General Meeting.

5.5             The South Shore Soccer League President shall approve for payment all bills presented to the South Shore Soccer League.

 5.6             The South Shore Soccer League President shall appoint an Auditing Committee to examine the South Shore Soccer League Treasurer’s records and certify the South Shore Soccer League Treasurer’s financial report.

 5.7             The South Shore Soccer League President shall appoint a Game Scheduler and/or Game Results Recorder.  The Game Scheduler shall be responsible for scheduling all League games before the beginning of each spring season and during the season as needed in the event of a team disbanding, revised team placement, and/or other reasons as warranted.  The Game Results Recorder shall be responsible for collecting, tabulating and reporting results and standings of all scheduled games played within the South Shore Soccer League, and shall provide to the South Shore Soccer League Treasurer all fines resulting from forfeits.

 5.8             The South Shore Soccer League President shall appoint a Referee Administrator.  The Referee Administrator shall be responsible for overseeing, assigning, evaluating and disciplining referees within the South Shore Soccer League.  The South Shore Soccer League Referee Administrator may appoint a Referee Assignor (Scheduler), with the approval of the South Shore Soccer League President, who shall be responsible for assigning referees for all results-oriented games.  Duties of the Referee Administrator are set forth in Article 10.13 of these Bylaws. 

Article 6 – Vice-President

 6.1             The South Shore Soccer League Vice-President shall succeed to the powers of the South Shore Soccer League President in the absence of the President at any South Shore Soccer League meeting and/or event or through resignation of the President.

 6.2             The South Shore Soccer League Vice-President shall have full power to post the schedule of all games generated by the Game Scheduler before the start of the spring season, and full power to schedule or reschedule all postponed games during the spring season.

 6.3             The South Shore Soccer League Vice-President shall perform other duties and/or render assistance as directed by the President. 

Article 7 – Secretary

 7.1             The South Shore Soccer League Secretary shall have charge of all South Shore Soccer League records and correspondence, and maintain a current listing of all member South Shore Soccer League Association’s Town Administration including but not limited to their President, Registrar, Referee Contact, U10 Contact and Voting Delegates.

 7.2             The South Shore Soccer League Secretary shall be responsible for notifying all member Associations of upcoming South Shore Soccer League Meetings and shall also be responsible for recording all minutes of said meetings and subsequent distribution to the member Associations prior to the next meeting.

 7.3             The South Shore Soccer League Secretary may appoint an Assistant Secretary with the approval of the South Shore Soccer League President to help with the aforementioned duties.

 7.4             The South Shore Soccer League Secretary shall be responsible for the registration of all South Shore Soccer League teams, coaches, players and their respective rosters.  The South Shore Soccer League Secretary may appoint a Registrar with the approval of the South Shore Soccer League President to help with these duties.

Article 8 – Treasurer

 8.1             The South Shore Soccer League Treasurer shall have charge of all monies and properties of the South Shore Soccer League and ensure that proper forms and filings are done to maintain the South Shore Soccer League’s non-profit standing.

 8.2             The South Shore Soccer League Treasurer shall keep a detailed financial account of all incomes and expenditures of the South Shore Soccer League.  The South Shore Soccer League fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30.

 8.3             The South Shore Soccer League Treasurer shall assure the collections of all fines and fees approved by the South Shore Soccer League Executive Board from the Associations. 

8.4             The South Shore Soccer League Treasurer shall pay all bills approved by the South Shore Soccer League President for payment. 

Article 9 – Meetings 

9.1             Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern for all South Shore Soccer League Meetings. 

9.2             Except as expressly provided for within these Bylaws, all issues or elections shall be decided by a majority of valid votes cast. 

9.3             A minimum of ten (10) delegates or their substitute representative(s), each from a different Association, shall constitute a quorum for a South Shore Soccer League Meeting. 

9.4             The monthly South Shore Soccer League Meeting shall be held the third Monday of each month (except in July, August and December when there are no meetings) unless the third Monday falls on a legal holiday.  In that case, the meeting shall be held at the discretion of the South Shore Soccer League Executive Board.

 9.5             The May Meeting is designated the Annual General Meeting and will include the election of officers.  Voting shall be in accordance with Articles 3.6 and 3.7 and quorum provisions per Article 9.3 of these Bylaws. 

9.6             There shall be a $50.00 fine for any Association not represented at the March Meeting or the May Annual General Meeting.  The Schedule Books for each spring season are distributed to each Association at the March Meeting. 

9.7             The South Shore Soccer League President shall convene a Special Meeting upon written request from five (5) different Associations for the express purpose of the written request. 

9.8             The order of business for South Shore Soccer League Meetings shall be:

A.                 Roll Call

B.                 Minutes of Previous Meeting

C.                Treasurer’s Report

D.                Communications

E.                 Reports of Committees

F.                 Reports of Delegates from Associated Leagues

G.                Special Reports

H.                 Unfinished Business

I.                     New Business

J.                  For the Good of Soccer

K.                 Adjournment 

Article 10 – Organization of Play

 10.1         These Bylaws shall be the highest authority of the South Shore Soccer League, followed by the South Shore Soccer League Rules of Play and then the decisions of the South Shore Soccer League Executive Board.

10.2         The South Shore Soccer League Rules of Play for fair and equitable play among Association teams shall be provided to each coach in the Spring Schedule Book.

 10.3         The South Shore Soccer League President shall appoint a Rules Committee, which shall submit proposed changes to the South Shore Soccer League Rules of Play for the upcoming spring season.  These proposed changes will be presented and discussed only at the May and/or June Meetings and shall be formally voted upon only at the September Meeting.  The Associations may elect to hold over the voting on some or all proposed changes to the Rules of Play to a future meeting if further consideration is needed.  Only those specific changes and/or amendments to those changes shall be voted upon at the subsequent South Shore Soccer League Meeting.  Approval shall be by a majority of the voting delegates present and voting.  Once adopted, these Rules of Play shall be in effect for the following spring season.

 10.4         Situations not specifically covered by these Bylaws or the South Shore Soccer League Rules of Play shall be governed pursuant to a decision of the South Shore Soccer League Executive Board.

 10.5         Only those teams registered for play with the South Shore Soccer League shall be eligible to represent the South Shore Soccer League at the Massachusetts Tournament of Champions (MTOC).

 10.6    All players on teams eligible to represent the South Shore Soccer League at the Massachusetts Tournament of Champions shall reside in member towns of the South Shore Soccer League.  A player residing in one town can play for a team in another town only when both towns agree on the move and it has been approved by the South Shore Soccer League Executive Board.  (A signed letter from the town President receiving the player shall be sent to the town President of the town releasing the player.  This letter signed by both town Presidents shall be forwarded to the South Shore Soccer League Executive Board for approval.)  If either town is opposed to the player movement, the player will be required to play with the team from the town that he/she resides in.  NOTE:  If there is no team available for the player in his/her town, he/she can play on the team of his/her choice.  Any player, who wishes to transfer from one league to another league, must have a written agreement signed by both town Presidents and both league Presidents for the transfer to be valid for MTOC eligible teams.  If a town, decides to move a player of one town not wanting the move, that town’s teams will not be eligible for MTOC competition.  If a team decides to accept a player in spite of the town does not want the move, that team will not be eligible for MTOC play.    Any violations shall be subjected to following penalties:           

A    Forfeiture of all games that the player played.

B.     Two (2) year suspension of the coaches using the player, and

C.    Fifty (50) dollar fine to member Association will be assessed that registered the player.

 10.7Divisional Play Structure:  Placement of teams will be based upon the Category assigned to Town Associations as follows.  Category 1 Associations will be Braintree, Bridgewater, Brockton, Easton, Quincy and Weymouth.  Category 2 Associations will be Abington, East Bridgewater, Hanson, Holbrook, Raynham, Rockland, Sharon, South Boston, Stoughton, West Bridgewater and Whitman. 

10.7.1  Placement of Category 1 Association Teams:  The first team of an Association, in all results-oriented age groups, will be placed into Division 1.  The second team of an Association for that age group will be placed into Division 2B and subsequent teams for that Association will be placed into Division 2C.  All other teams for that Association in that age group should be placed into Division 3. 

10.7.2  Placement of Category 2 Association Teams:   The first team of an Association, in all results-oriented age groups, will be placed into Division 2A.  The second team of an Association for that age group will be placed into Division 2B or 2C depending upon the number of teams in that age group.  All other teams for that Association in that age group should be placed into Division 3. 

10.7.3  Appeals of Placement for Association Teams:  Appeals for placement of the teams of a Category 1 or Category 2 Association Team, to be placed in a lower or higher division, will be considered by the South Shore Soccer League Executive Board using prior year results and by following the appeals process in accordance with Article 10.8 of these Bylaws and Section 2 of the South Shore Soccer League Rules of Play.  Placement in Division 3 does not require an appeal. 

10.8         An Association may appeal to the South Shore Soccer League Executive Board for relief from placement of their team(s) as noted in Article 10.7.3 of these Bylaws.  This appeal(s) shall be in writing and submitted prior to December 1^st  with a roster(s) containing a minimum of sixteen (16) players for the team(s) appealing placement.  All decisions by the Executive Board in regards to appeals of team placement shall be final.  To maintain appeal relief, the Executive Board must approve any transfers (drop/adds) for each team granted relief from placement.

 10.9         The South Shore Soccer League Executive Board reserves the right to move the placement of Category 1 or 2 Association Teams up or down based upon performance (e.g. standing, goals scored, goals allowed, goal differential, shutouts and roster history) in the prior year on a case-by-case basis.

 10.10    The South Shore Soccer League, when officially notified, shall recognize player suspensions or similar rulings issued by co-equal bodies.

 10.11    Referees approved by the South Shore Soccer League shall be assigned by the Referee Assignor (Scheduler) to officiate all results-oriented games under League jurisdiction.  The Executive Board, before the start of the season, shall set the schedule of fees for referees.

 10.12    The Referee Administrator shall receive all game reports, hold referee meetings, schedule entry level and advanced referee courses sponsored by the South Shore Soccer League.  The Referee Administrator shall inform the Executive Board of all players with three (3) or more cautions and/or two (2) ejections or any combination of the proceeding for possible disciplinary action.  Also notice of the game-issued suspensions will be provided to the appropriate Executive Board Age Group Administrator.  The Referee Administrator shall also keep the Executive Board informed of any extraordinary circumstances that occur before, during or after any South Shore Soccer League game by a player, coach, team or spectator that may warrant further investigation.

 10.13    Referees shall report to the Referee Administrator on such forms as the South Shore Soccer League may provide, the results of the game, the participants of the game and any violations of the rules or regulations by either team or team officials.  This report shall be mailed within twenty-four (24) hours of the game.

 10.14    It shall be the responsibility of the South Shore Soccer League President to establish a procedure for Referee evaluation and discipline. 

10.15    Any team member who leaves the technical area (bench) to take part in a fracas and is ejected by the referee shall be suspended from all South Shore Soccer League activities for the remainder of the season. 

Article 11 – Amendments 

11.1         Proposed amendments to these Bylaws shall be submitted in writing to the Executive Board and discussed at any South Shore Soccer League Meeting, but not voted upon until the following South Shore Soccer League Meeting.  A copy of the proposed amendment(s) shall be supplied to each Member Association at least fourteen (14) days before the next South Shore Soccer League Meeting.  The approval of two-thirds of those Voting Delegates present and voting shall be required for passage of an Amendment to these Bylaws. 

Article 12 – Appeals of Decisions

12.1         No decision made in the opinion of a South Shore Soccer League Referee in performance of their duties as a referee for the South Shore Soccer League may be appealed.

 12.2         Any decision of the South Shore Soccer League Executive Board may be appealed in writing to the South Shore Soccer League Appeals Board.  Appeals filed to the South Shore Soccer League Appeals Board shall be accompanied by a $50.00 deposit which shall be forfeited should the appeal not be sustained.  The South Shore Soccer League Appeals Board shall consist of three (3) neutral members appointed by the President or Executive Board.

 12.3         Any decision of the South Shore Soccer League Appeals Board may be appealed to Massachusetts Youth Soccer Association (MYSA) following the procedures for appeals set forth by MYSA. 

Article 13 – Indemnification 

13.1         The South Shore Soccer League Executive Board and/or their appointed designees shall not be personally liable for any debt, liability or obligations of the South Shore Soccer League.  All persons, corporations or other entities extending credit to, contracting with, or having any claim against the South Shore Soccer League may look only to the funds and property of the South Shore Soccer League for payment of any such contract, claims, or for payment of debts, damages, judgments or decrees, or any other monies that otherwise may become due or payable to them from the South Shore Soccer League.