Revised: August 2022
Mulvane Jr. League Football By-Laws
The purpose and responsibility of Mulvane Jr League Football shall be to provide leadership, guidance, training, fundamentals, sportsmanship, and fun playing the sport of football. To guide the governing board a mission statement was created to focus direction such that the purpose of the league would be achieved.
Name:
The name of the organization is Mulvane Jr. League Football.
Purpose:
This document is intended to provide the set of laws by which the Mulvane Jr League Football (MJLF) program will operate.
Principal Office:
The principal office of the organization shall be located at (Address of Director).
Mission Statement:
Provide a Mulvane football program that effectively teaches football skills teamwork, commitment, and sportsmanship to area youth between the ages of 1st thru 6th grades.
Scope:
This document will be limited to definition of league management and operation. The following by-laws are established and approved by the MJLF board for the purpose of managing the league.
League Management Methodology:
The MJLF Program will be managed by a governing board. This board will be comprised of 9 members; Four (4) officer positions, and five (5) at large positions. Board officer positions are defined as:
Director: The league director shall oversee all league activity and provide leadership. Responsibilities - Document season plan and schedules - Oversee all planning activity - Chair meetings - Provide all communications with outside organizations
Vice President: This member will serve as assistant to the Director and provide administration and leadership in the event the Director is not available. Support all board members in planning and development of recommendations. - Produce game schedules - Concession schedules - Field preparation and management - Chair meetings in absence of Director - Support season planning activity
Treasurer: The financial responsibility will include accounting of funds, and budget planning/recommendations. Financial status will be available at each board meeting and regular presentation of the league financial position will be made visible. - Document budget - Make financial management recommendations - Prepare budget forecast - Participate in meetings - Support season planning activity
Secretary: The secretary will provide documentation of league activity and provide administrative support. - Provide meeting minutes - Produce forms, programs, rosters, and charts - Administrate check in/checkout accounting - Participate in meetings
Voting:
Each board position will have one vote. The Director will only vote in the event of a tie. All board members are expected to attending board meetings on a regular basis.
Board Member Responsibilities:
All board members are responsible for all operations of MJFL including but not limited to coach selection, board selection, equipment managements, gameday setup, gameday management, gameday cleanup, concession management, fundraising and sponsorships etc.
Board Member Removal:
Board members can be removed by a majority vote where there has been neglect, failure to attend board meetings, misrepresentation of the league, behavior does not reflect proper sportsmanship and respect. Board member behavior must follow Mid State Football League guidelines.
Board Member Term: The term for an at large board member will be 1 (one) year. The term for a board officer will be 2 (two) years. Elections will be at the end of each season (January). The Director and Treasurer will be scheduled for election on odd numbered years. The Vice president and Secretary will be scheduled on even numbered years. In the event a board position is left vacant, the board will appoint/fill the position with available volunteers.
Business and Accounting:
Accounting Method: The organization shall keep its accounting books and records and shall report its income for tax purposes on such method of accounting as determined by the board of directors. Said approved method shall be in conformity with generally recognized accounting principles and/or as may be required by any lawful authority or financial institution from which project financing may be obtained, if any.
Books and Records: Books and records of the organization, shall be always maintained. All board members shall have the right, during ordinary business hours, to inspect such books and records.
Fiscal Year: The fiscal year of the organization shall be the calendar year.
Signatories: The Director and Treasurer jointly, shall have the authority open any deposit account(s) in the name of the Organization and to endorse checks and orders for the payment of money or otherwise withdrawn or transfer funds on deposit with a financial institution. Any expense more than $2,000.00 shall require the approval of the board of directors.
Donations: All donations shall be applied to the general fund unless otherwise designated by the donor and approved by the board of directors.
Dissolution of Organization:
Upon the dissolution of the organization, the organization’s books shall be closed as of the day of the dissolving event, as if such day were the last day of the Company year. Following the occurrence of a dissolving event, the organization’s activities shall be strictly limited to winding up its affairs and satisfy the Company’s outstanding unpaid obligations. The Organization’s net assets, after satisfaction of its liabilities and expenses shall be donated to the Mulvane Recreation Commission contingent upon the Mulvane Recreation Commission’s commitment to continue the junior league football program. In the event Mulvane Recreation Commission refuses or is unable to continue the junior league football program, all of the Organization’s net assets shall be donated to the USD#263 Athletic Department. Behavior Policy The league shall maintain a behavior policy to provide direction and management of issues related to behavior and sportsmanship. This policy shall be enforced by the MJLF board.
On field policy:
Parents are not allowed on the game field without permission from the Director. The only time a parent is allowed on the game field is if their player is injured. Parents are to remain in the stands. If a parent does not comply with MJLF on field policies, their player may be removed from Mulvane JR Football without a refund.
Game Rules:
MJLF shall maintain a documented set of rules as maintained by Mid-States Junior Football League. https://www.midstatefootball.com/page/show/2515221-resources
Team Selection Process:
Team selection will be managed to align players in the same grade category. A team shall be allowed a minimum of 17 players (recommended only) and a maximum of 33 players. If an organization has two teams within an age group, the maximum number of players per team shall be 30. Exceptions to the maximum player rule will be handled on a case-by-case basis by the board of directors. If MJLF has two or more teams in an age group, the teams will be divided by a draft. Every attempt shall be made to divide talent equally. If a coach has a more than on child playing in the respective grade they are coaching, the child/children will not be eligible during the draft and will be assigned to play on the team in which their parent is coaching.
Player Policies:
Participating players must come from their respective school districts (USD 263) unless the player in question lives within a district not affiliated with any Mid-States organization. In the event a team is has more than 24 players, out of district players will not be allowed to join the team. MJLF prioritizes USD 263 players.
The board will have the discretion to allow any 2nd grader that wishes to “play up” to the 3rd grade division. Following the first year of “playing up,” that player must play with his/her own class. In the event a team has more than 24 players, no second-grade players be allowed to play up.
Coaches Policies:
It is the responsibility of the coaches to teach and instruct the players in good football tactics, good sportsmanship and team spirit and unity. A coach must always maintain an attitude above reproach. Profane language will not be tolerated at any time. Only good, clean football shall be taught. Any coach known to teach underhanded or dirty plays shall be relieved of his/her duties.
Build and maintaining a strong football program that encompasses all levels of football from junior league through high school is a top priority for MJLF program. All coaches are required to maintain consistency with Mulvane Middle School and Mulvane High School Football methods and tactics.
All coaches are required to pass a background check and USA Football coaches certification, or any other certification or background check the board of directors or Mid State Football League deems necessary. Coaches will not be allowed to practice or attend games in the capacity of a coach until all background checks and certifications are completed.
Each team is limited to six (6) coaches. Only six (6) coaches will be allowed on the field on gameday.
It is at the discretion of the head coach of each grade to determine the amount of playing time in games as well as disciplinary actions due to absences, tardiness, misbehavior, etc. Each player is required a minimum of four (4) plays per half. Coaches are strongly encouraged to exceed minimum playing requirements for all players.
Coach Selection:
Selection of coaches will be accomplished by recommendation of the Director and/or Vice President and approved by the board of directors. Recommendations will be considered from volunteer requests, sign up forms, or recommendations from other coaches or board members.
Criteria used for coach selection:
Playing or coaching experience is preferred of candidates but is not required. The candidate must demonstrate knowledge of football and have ability to teach and communicate with young athletes. The candidate must be able to place the needs of a player far ahead of the need to win games. The candidate must set a good example demonstrating work ethic, teamwork, sportsmanship, and a positive attitude. Bad language, poor attitude or sportsmanship are not acceptable attributes of a coach.
Supervision of Athletes and Participants
One-On-One Interactions
Appropriate One-On-One Interactions:
Individual Meetings An individual meeting may be necessary to address an athlete’s concerns, training program, or competition schedule. Under these circumstances coaches are to observe the following guidelines: 1) Any individual meeting should occur when others are present and where interactions can be easily observed 2) Where possible, an individual meeting should take place in a publicly visible and open area 3) If an individual meeting is to take place in an office, the door should remain unlocked and open 4) If a closed-door meeting is necessary, coaches must inform another coach or MJFL board member and ensure the door remains unlocked Individual Training Sessions. An individual training session(s) with an athlete or participant may also be desired or necessary. Under these circumstances, coaches encourage parents or guardians of a minor athlete to attend the training session.
Prohibited One-On-One Interactions:
Except as set forth above, minor athletes and participants will not be left unattended or unsupervised during Football activities and coaches are prohibited from being alone with an individual athlete or participant in any room or building.
Physical Contact with Athletes:
Appropriate physical contact between athletes and coaches, is a productive and inevitable part of football. Athletes are more likely to acquire advanced physical skills through appropriate physical contact. However, guidelines for appropriate physical contact reduce the potential for misconduct. Mulvane Junior Football adheres to the following principles and guidelines regarding physical contact with athletes: Common Criteria for Appropriate Physical Contact Physical contact with athletes – for safety, consolation, and celebration – has multiple criteria in common which make them both safe and appropriate. These include: 1) the physical contact takes place in public 2) there is no potential for, or actual, physical, or sexual intimacies during the physical contact; and 3) the physical contact is for the benefit of the athlete, not to meet an emotional or other need of an adult.
Prohibited Physical Contact:
Prohibited forms of physical contact, which shall be reported immediately under the Mulvane Junior Football Reporting Policy include, without limitation: 1) asking or having an athlete sit in the lap of any coach 2) lingering or repeated embraces of athletes that go beyond the criteria set forth above for acceptable physical contact 3) slapping, hitting, punching, kicking or any other physical contact meant to discipline, punish or achieve compliance from an athlete 4) “cuddling” or maintaining prolonged physical contact during any aspect of training, travel or overnight stay 5) playful, yet inappropriate contact that is not a part of regular training, (e.g., tickling or “horseplay” wrestling) 6) continued physical contact that makes an athlete obviously uncomfortable, whether expressed or not 7) any contact that is contrary to a previously expressed personal desire for decreased or no physical contact, where such decreased contact is feasible in a competitive training environment.
Violations:
Violations of this policy must be reported to the Mulvane Junior Football League Board of Directors.
