Constitution 

The name of the organization shall be " Friends of Soccer, North Alabama" hereafter referred to as the "FOSNA".

The FOSNA is a non-profit organization that provides a federation for unifying the voice of Northern Alabama soccer organizations and clubs. The FOSNA is intended to bind the mutual interests of recreational, select soccer (clubs), school soccer promoters (booster clubs), collegiate soccer organizations, and suppliers. The FOSNA will promote and support the sport of soccer and intend to cultivate the soccer industry's present and future leaders throughout North Alabama.

The FOSNA members share a commitment to encourage participation in the sport, seek publicity and recognition for the athletes, foster enthusiasm, recognize scholarship, raise funds, and volunteer time and money to accomplish these objectives. All activities of the FOSNA will be in strict accordance with the rules governing such organizations in the State of Alabama.

The FOSNA are advocates for the rights of soccer organizations and clubs within the Federation and support the education of policy makers, the news media and the general public on the value that soccer brings to the wellbeing and overall development of our youth.

Membership is available to any organization, anyone, any business, or entity that supports the FOSNA program.

The control and management of the FOSNA shall be vested in a board of officers, which shall consist of the elected officers plus additional members. Such board of officers shall be elected to serve by the affiliated members using proxy votes and members votes cast at an Annual Membership meeting. The elected board of officers shall be:

President

Treasurer

V.P. of Media Relations

V.P. of Membership

V.P. of Program Development

Secretary

 

Such offices shall be elected by a majority of the active members at the Annual Membership Meeting each year, a quorum being present at such meeting. The FOSNA shall have such additional committees or positions as is determined by the Board of officers for efficient operation and provision of support to the FOSNA membership. The succession of offices shall be determined in the By Laws of the FOSNA.

The board of officers shall have all powers necessary to control and manage the business of the FOSNA. These include:

Establishing membership dues,

Collecting and disbursing funds,

Maintaining bank accounts and records within acceptable accounting practices,

Appointing Officers and members of the Board of officers to fill vacancies,

Revoking the membership of any members whose actions are prejudicial to the FOSNA, and

Applying for and maintaining tax-exempt status for the FOSNA.

 

 

Section 1. Annual Membership Meeting: The Annual Membership Meeting of the membership of the FOSNA for the election of Officers and to conduct such business of the FOSNA as is properly brought before the meeting shall be held in February of each calendar year.

Section 2. Other meetings: Other meetings shall be held as determined in the By Laws of the FOSNA.

 

Bylaws shall be adopted to carry out the provisions of these articles of the Constitution. The Bylaws may be amended by the majority of the active members present at any meeting when a quorum is present, provided that a copy of any proposed amendment(s) is circulated to all of the members at least 7 days prior to such meeting.

The Constitution may be amended by an affirmative vote of a majority of the Active members present at any meeting, at which a quorum is present, provided that a copy of any proposed amendment(s) is circulated to the members at least seven (7) days prior to such meeting. The majority of the Active Members shall constitute a quorum for the purposes of conducting a meeting.

Section 1. Board of Officers of the Friends of Soccer, North Alabama shall be:

President

Treasurer

V.P. of Media Relations

V.P. of Membership

V.P. of Program Development

Secretary

Such officers shall be elected by the a majority vote of the active members present at the Annual membership meeting or a special meeting called for the purpose of electing Officers, a quorum being present at such meetings(s). Each officer shall automatically serve as a member of the board of officers.

Section 2. The officers shall serve a term beginning at the Annual Membership Meeting at which they are elected and continuing for a one-year period or until they are replaced by election. The term of office for all elected officers ends with the election of new officers.

 

Section 1. President. The President shall:

Preside over all meetings of the membership, the board of officers and executive committees;

Perform such duties that customarily pertain to the office of the President, or as may be directed to perform by resolution of the board of officers;

Appoint the membership of all committees, and is an ex officio member of all committees, except the nominating committee;

Present ideas and solutions to the Board for forum discussion and enact resolutions voted for approval by a Board quorum;

Establish cognizant relationships with government officials involved with the development of parks and recreational facilities;

Promote the Federation and it's goals.

 

Section 2. Secretary of the Board. The Secretary shall:

Keep transcripts and maintain the meeting records of the board that includes an accurate list(s) of members, directors, and officers of the board;

Cause to be distributed notice of all meetings and shall keep minutes of all meetings, reproduce the minutes in electronic format and distribute the minutes after the President approves the minutes for release;

Electronic mail and/or telephone calls will suffice as sufficient notification of an impending meeting 5 days prior to the meeting date the notification will state the business agenda of the meeting including issue(s) which a member has requested, will be placed on the Agenda. Other than routine business of the Board, no matter shall be addressed at a meeting of the members unless such business has been submitted as a part of the proposed Agenda for such a meeting. Copies of all correspondence issued in the name of the Board shall be filed with the Secretary;

Schedule a meeting place for the board;

Promote the Federation and it's goals.

 

Section 3. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall:

Assist the President in carrying out the functions of the President's office and shall perform other duties as assigned by the Board of officers;

Be responsible for all the fiscal matters of the FOSNA;

Be responsible for the application, submission, receipt, and maintenance of the tax-exempt status of the FOSNA;

Receive revenues, make deposits, make payments, keep records and receipts of all financial transactions, as authorized by the board of officers, and shall maintain the records in an manner that would support an audit inspection;

Ensure all tax records are prepared and maintained in accordance with local, state and federal requirements;

Prepare a financial statement for presentation at all Annual meetings.

 

Section 4. Vice-President of Media Relations. The VP of Media Relations shall:

Assist the President in carrying out the functions of the President's office and shall perform other duties as assigned by the Board of officers;

Establish contact with entities capable of producing and maintaining an FOSNA web page;

Establish and maintain a membership relationship that promotes a member's agenda be it organizational data, advertising, announcements, promotions, and the like;

Assist members in preparing articles of release to the local news media (newspaper, radio, television, etc.);

Ensure upcoming events are announced in appropriate media sources and posted on the FOSNA web page;

Be in close coordination with other board members on all media matters via email or telephone;

Maintain all records (hardcopy or electronic) of subject matter presented by FOSNA members;

Maintain a telephone with an answering service containing soccer organization information for school, classic, premier, league, youth, club members and an announcement to look at our FOSNA brochure available at the City and State Chamber of Commerce Visitor Centers;

Develop a FOSNA brochure for Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center distribution;

Promote member sponsored local, state, and regional level tournaments;

Promote and announce member sponsored clinics, classes, training dates, instruction that supports the objectives outlined in the FOSNA charter.

Section 5. Vice-President of Membership. The VP of Membership shall:

Assume the duties and authority of the President in the President's absence;

Assist the President in carrying out the functions of the President's office and shall perform other duties as assigned by the Board of officers;

Actively seek to contact and encourage membership of all soccer supporting clubs, organizations, high school soccer booster clubs, city, county, and state recreational clubs/organizations, colleges, independent entities (e.g., Kiwanis, Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), American Legion, Lions Club, The Rotary Club, etc.), suppliers and marketers of soccer products, as well as private individuals and organizations;

Be responsible for establishing and administering a FOSNA scholarship fund;

Develop sales packages that contribute to the advertising of member organizations in the FOSNA promotion brochure;

Assist members with the development of a short telephone announcement for their organizations, web-page information, and brochure information;

Pursue renewal membership support.

Section 5. Vice President of Program Development. The VP of Program Development shall:

Assist the President in carrying out the functions of the President's office and shall perform other duties as assigned by the board of officers;

Be responsible to establish relationships with governmental entities (city, county, state, and national) responsible for the promotion of recreational facilities, soccer, and other functions beneficial to the FOSNA;

Make contact with and maintain relationship with the Chambers of Commerce in North Alabama Communities;

Prepare documentation supporting the acquisition of scholarship awards from governmental agencies, private contributors, or other sources;

Assist local officials in the development, operation, and maintenance of soccer facilities, soccer programs, and other soccer related activities.

 

Section 1. Committee(s) may be formed, as the Board of officers deemed necessary to conduct the business of the FOSNA. The Committee Coordinator shall be appointed by the members of the Committee and approved by the Board.

Section 2. Tournament Committee. The board of officers may authorize the sponsorship or the operation of an annual or semi-annual soccer tournament. The board of officers may appoint an FOSNA Tournament Committee, who in-turn may select a Tournament Coordinator with the approval of the board. The Tournament Coordinator shall be responsible for coordinating all tournament activities and responsibilities under the oversight and approval of the Tournament Committee. The Tournament Coordinator will maintain all financial records in accordance with FOSNA standard record keeping practices.

Section 3. Fees Committee. The board of officers will appoint a Fees Structure Committee who in-turn will appoint a Fees Coordinator. The Committees' responsibilities is to ensure that the FOSNA incurred costs and fees charged by age group and competitive level maintains the FOSNA in a solvent state. The Fees Coordinator will present the Fees structure at the Annual Membership Meeting and the list of present and future potential expenses and expected income.

Section 4. Nominating Committee. This is a 3-member committee. It shall be formed and shall be responsible for providing the FOSNA with a slate of proposed nominations for the officer positions to be submitted to the active membership at the Annual Membership Meeting. The members of the Nominating Committee are nominated by the board or by any active member of the FOSNA. Each member is confirmed to the committee by a minimum 2/3 vote affirmative vote of the officers when a quorum is present. Other nominations may be received from the floor during the Annual Membership Meeting. The Nominating Committee is responsible for providing a list of the nominations to the Board 7 working days prior to the Annual Membership meeting. The List of Nominations will be posted on the web sited 3 working days prior to the Annual Membership meeting.

Section 5. Construction Committee. This is a multi-member committee designed to assist local officials with the development of soccer facilities and complexes

 

Section 1. The FOSNA organization shall be managed by a board of officers. The officers consist of the President, the Secretary, the Treasurer, the Vice-President of Media Relations, the Vice-President of Membership, and the Vice-President of Program Development. The officers are volunteers. The officers must contribute to FOSNA either through organizational recognized membership or by personal donation. Only one member of any household may serve as an officer at any one time. It is recommended but not mandatory, that a officer serves no more than 2 years as an elected member of the board. An officer may serve no more than four (4) consecutive years on the board.

Section 2. The officers shall preside over the selection of committees from the active members and approve the selection of the Committee Coordinator.

Section 3. The officers shall manage and control the business of the FOSNA. They shall make plans, establish a budget, coordinate with the Fees Committee, Coordinate with the Tournament Committee, approve fundraising activities, approve membership applications, and perform other duties as they reasonably determine are required for efficient management of the FOSNA.

 

Section 1. An officer may ask to resign. An officer may be removed from a position in the event the member fails to attend three regular meetings of the board in one year; or otherwise fails to perform the duties of that position as an officer of the Board. The remaining members of the board (minimum of two-thirds (2/3) vote of the remaining board members) may elect a replacement to fill the vacated position. Any board officer who is the subject of removal, is granted an opportunity to a hearing with the Board prior to the Board's action being taken to vacate the position.

Section 2. Vacancies among officers shall be filled between annual by an affirmative two-thirds (2/3) vote of the remaining Board members.

 

Section 1. Officers may be reimbursed for such out-of-pocket expenditures made on behalf of the FOSNA as is approved by the board, but shall not otherwise be compensated.

Section 1. Membership is open to those who wish to support the FOSNA. The board may reject any membership application of persons or organization whose support they do not wish to have.

Section 2. Membership is considered to be an active membership under this Article when

annual dues/fees are paid in full.

Section 3. There shall be 3 classes of membership: Active, Inactive, Honorary.

Section 4. An Active Member. Shall be open to any individual, family, or organization that have paid the full amount of dues/fees for the current fiscal year. Such membership shall extend to include all members of an organization that have paid their fees/dues in full to their parent organizations. An active member can be classified in one of the following categories:

Active Organization

Active Family

Active Contributor

Active Individual Member

Each Active Member is authorized one vote. It is conceivable that an Active Organization may be Active Family members and Contributors; however, the individual entity is authorized one-vote.

Section 6. An Inactive Member. An Inactive member is one that has not paid all dues/fees in full with either a parent organization or the FOSNA. An Inactive is not entitled to vote.

Section 7. An Honorary Member. An Honorary member is selected by majority vote of the board of officers. Honorary members shall be privileged to attend all meetings, but shall not be entitled to vote. They shall not be subject to dues.

Section 8. The Term of Membership shall be for 1 year commencing with the beginning of the FOSNA fiscal year and ending after twelve months. Memberships will not be partial or pro-rated since all Active Members are voting members, all shall have contributed their appropriate fees and dues for the entire fiscal year. Payment of the Fees/Dues are due in full once the board approves an application for membership.

 

Section 1. The Dues/Fees committee shall establish the Proposed Fees/Dues Schedule for each Active Membership category. The Committee shall present the Proposed Fees/Dues Schedule at one of the Director's meetings prior to the Annual Membership Meeting. The Board will vote to approve/disapprove the Proposed Dues/Fees Schedule. If disapproved, the approved Dues/Fees Schedule will remain in effect for the previous year.

Section 2. Approved Dues/Fees Schedule will be posted on the web site.

Section 1. The Annual Members Meeting Shall be held in February of each calendar year for the purpose of electing Board/Officers members and conducting other business.

Section 2. The announcement of this meeting is the responsibility of the Secretary and it must be announced 10 working days in advance of the meeting. The Sectary will coordinate with the VP of Media to post the announcement on the web site.

Section 1. The board shall meet a minimum of 3 times per year exclusive of the Annual Membership meeting. A majority of the board of officers will constitute a quorum. Issues will be decided by a majority of the board of officers present, if a quorum is present.

Section 2. The President or any 5 officers can all a board meeting.

Section 1. The FOSNA funds will be deposited only in the national bank, state bank, or trust company operating in accordance with the laws of the State of Alabama and only in institutions where the deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

Section 2. The funds may not be loaned to or invested with a board officer, and may not be waved to any other person, entity, agency, or government instrumentality.

Section 3. All disbursements shall be made by checks signed by the Treasurer. However, the President of the Board may establish a petty cash fund not exceeding $500 for the defraying of expenses of the FOSNA.

Section 4. All monies received by the FOSNA are the property of the FOSNA and are not returnable in part or full to the contributor.

Section 5. The board may appoint an auditor to review the financial records of the FOSNA. The auditor shall not be a member of the board. The outgoing Treasurer and incoming Treasurer shall review the financial status of the FOSNA funds at the time of the change of office and shall submit a statement as to the condition of the FOSNA finances to the board.