2005/2006                                                              Adopted 11/21/00

                                                         VACAVILLE UNITED SOCCER CLUB Bylaws                                             (pdf version)

 

1:01 NAME

1:01:01 The Vacaville Youth Soccer League advanced teams will play under the club banner of the" Vacaville United Soccer Club” (VUSC).   Each team will choose its own name, however, all Metro (Class III) and Competitive (Class I) teams will be named “Vacaville United (insert team name)” and be governed by the VUSC Board of Directors who shall approve team name prior to the start of the season.   The sole purpose for approval of team names is to prevent the use of inappropriate names that might be offensive to any group or individual.

1:02 PURPOSE
1:02:01 The purpose of the Vacaville United Soccer Club (VUSC) is to develop, promote, and administer the advanced teams within the boundaries of Vacaville Youth Soccer League as designated by CYSA and District VI.   The goal of the VUSC is to provide an opportunity for players whose skills are above the recreational level to play within a more competitive atmosphere, while at all times, demonstrating a high degree of sportsmanship. Anything that distracts from this atmosphere should be discouraged.
1:02:02 The club shall offer, regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, or national origin, an opportunity to participate in the club soccer program.

1:03 AFFILIATION
1:03:01 The Vacaville United Soccer Club (VUSC) club represents the Vacaville Youth Soccer League in CYSA’s District VI Competitive (Class I) and Metro (Class III) divisions and shall be governed by the VUSC Board of Directors.  VUSC Board decisions are binding unless and until overturned by the VYSL B.O.D. or higher authority. As members of the Vacaville Youth Soccer League, all players, coaches, and administration staff of VUSC teams are further bound by all VYSL, District VI, CYSA, USYSA, and USSF directives applicable to the VYSL.

1:04 BOUNDARIES
1:04:01 The boundaries of the Vacaville United Soccer Club shall be defined the same as that identified with the Vacaville Youth Soccer League. Any player from outside these boundaries who desires to participate in the Vacaville United Soccer Club must comply with all District VI inter-league/inter-district policies.

1:05 MEMBERSHIP
1:05:01 Membership in this club shall consist of players/coaches/administrative staff of affiliated teams formed under the direction of the VYSL Board of Directors.    All VUSC Advanced Teams, Competitive (Class I) and Metro (Class III), will be included in this club.  Each Team will be entitled to cast a single vote (as directed by the Head Coach) on general issues brought before the VUSC B.O.D. 

1:06 AUTHORITY
1:06:01 The Vacaville United Soccer Club (VUSC) shall be governed by these Bylaws and will conform to all directives from higher authorities.  The  VUSC Board of Directors  will have the overall responsibility for organizing and managing the advanced teams (Competitive-Class I /  Metro-Class III).   The VUSC B.O.D. will address and resolve all advanced team issues in accordance with these By-Laws and its decisions will be binding to club members unless overturned by the VYSL B.O.D. or higher authority. 
1:06:02 The Vacaville United Soccer Club will be overseen by the VUSC B.O.D. whose Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, Competitive Representative, Metro Representative, Secretary/Treasurer, Club Registrar, and Tournament Coordinator will be elected by each team’s representative (as directed by the head coach) and approved by the VYSL Executive Board.  The election will take place at the October meeting of the VUSC.  To ensure a timely and effective transition to the upcoming season, the VUSC B.O.D. should be approved by the VYSL Executive Board no later than December 1.
1:06:03 The VYSL B.O.D. 1st Vice-President will serve on the VUSC B.O.D. in a non-voting, oversight and advisory capacity, and will act as liaison between the VUSC B.O.D. and the VYSL Executive Board.  The 1st Vice-President shall immediately notify the VYSL Executive Board of any VUSC activity that conflicts with the best interests of the VYSL.   
1:06:04 The VUSC B.O.D. will have the authority investigate violations of these by-laws by members of the VUSC and shall recommend disciplinary action to the VYSL Executive Board.

1:07 VUSC Board of Directors
1:07:01 The VUSC B.O.D., whose responsibilities are defined in these Bylaws, shall be chaired by the Advanced Team Coordinator of the Vacaville Youth Soccer League.  In addition to the Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, a Competitive Representative (Class I), a Metro Representative (Class III), a Club Secretary/Treasurer, a Club Registrar, and a Tournament Coordinator will serve on the VUSC Executive Board.  The current VUSC Chairperson will present the newly elected VUSC Executive Board to the VYSL Executive Board for approval immediately after the October meeting of the VUSC.  The incoming VUSC Board term will begin on December 1.  The 1st Vice- President of the Vacaville Youth Soccer League will serve as an additional, non-voting member with oversight responsibility and will report directly to the VYSL Executive Board.  The VUSC Secretary/Treasurer will provide the VUSC Chairperson a copy of all minutes of meetings for inclusion in monthly reports to the VYSL Board of Directors.  The voting members of the VUSC Executive Board will be responsible for, but not limited to the following:
1.    VUSC Chairperson:
The VUSC Chairperson will be responsible for the overall activities of the Vacaville United Soccer Club.  The Advanced Team Coordinator of the VYSL B.O.D will become the Chairperson of the VUSC concurrent with their approval as a VYSL Board member by the Executive Committee.   The Chairperson will schedule the time and place of monthly meetings of the VUSC or when directed to do so by the VYSL President.  The Chairperson will also attend the monthly VYSL B.O.D. meeting and report all activities of the VUSC to the VYSL B.O.D.  The Chairperson will ensure that the VUSC is represented at all general meetings of the VYSL and the District VI Playing League (Competitive) and Metro League.  The VUSC Chairperson will coordinate with the VYSL B.O.D. to facilitate field assignments for all Competitive/Metro League games.  The VYSL B.O.D. will approve assignments of fields prior to release to District game schedulers.  The VUSC Chairperson will coordinate the use of lighted practice fields subject to VYSL BOD approval.
2.    VUSC Vice-Chairperson:        
The Vice-Chairperson will attend all meetings of the VUSC and will chair the VUSC Executive Board in the Chairperson’s absence and have the same responsibilities.  The Vice-Chairperson will perform other functions when required by the Chairperson.  The Vice-Chairperson will be the alternate VUSC representative at VYSL B.O.D. meetings and District meetings when required.
3.    Competitive Representative:
The Competitive Representative will attend all District level meetings of the Competitive League.  The Competitive Representative will act as a liaison between the VUSC Executive Board and all VUSC Competitive teams.  The Competitive Representative shall attend all meetings of the VUSC.
4.    Metro Representative:
The Metro Representative will attend all District level meetings of the Metro League.  The Metro Representative will act as a liaison between the VUSC Executive Board and all VUSC Metro teams.  The Metro Representative shall attend all meetings of the VUSC.
5.    VUSC Secretary/Treasurer:
The VUSC Secretary/Treasurer will attend and record the minutes of all VUSC meetings.  The Secretary/Treasurer will maintain a journal with all minutes of VUSC meetings and will make it available to the VYSL B.O.D. when requested by the VYSL President.  The Secretary/Treasurer will maintain records of all correspondence received by the VUSC.  The VUSC Secretary/Treasurer will ensure that the Bylaws of the VUSC are made available to all Coaches, Assistant Coaches, and Team Managers of all VUSC team immediately upon approval of the coaches.  The Secretary/Treasurer will maintain an accurate record of each member teams roster.  Additionally, the Secretary/Treasurer will maintain contact data for all adult members of each teams’ management to include the individuals name, position, address, and phone number. The VUSC Secretary/Treasurer will provide a suitable form to all VUSC Team Managers to facilitate the routing of sponsorship checks to the League Treasurer. 
6.    VUSC Registrar:
The VUSC Registrar will be responsible for completing registration of all VUSC players, coaches, and team management.  The VUSC Regitrar will interface with the VYSL registrar as necessary to ensure the proper registration of VUSC players/adults.  The VUSC Registrar will be responsible for coordinating and implementing the process and timelines that ALL VUSC teams will follow with respect to registration of players, adults, adds, transfers, drops, etc. 
7.    VUSC Tournament Coordinator:
The VUSC Tournament Coordinator will be responsible for oversight of the VUSC tournament application process.  In addition the VUSC Tournament Coordinator will assist the individual Tournament Directors
as necessary with preliminary administrative details in the months leading up to each tournament.  Each Tournament Director will be responsible for their respective event, however, the VUSC Tournament Coordinator will have oversight responsibility and will be an ad hoc member of each tournaments committee.
1:07:01a The following committees are to be established by the VUSC Executive Committee after all tryouts are completed and teams have been formed:
a.    Volunteer Committee – Chaired by The VUSC Treasurer
In future years this committee should be formed in June to identify people in various teams who may be interested in working on different committees. Members will be appointed annually by the VUSC Executive Board.  This committee should be made up of at least 3 people (from 3 different teams) and work closely with the team managers committee. The list of potential volunteers for committees should be given to the VUSC Executive Board within 30 days of all teams being selected.
b.    Managers Committee – Co-Chaired by the Metro/Competitive Representatives
This should consist of 3 members, including the VUSC Vice Chairmen.   The other 2 members should be managers from different teams. Once established,   new committee members should be selected after tryouts to serve until June of the following year (or once new teams have been selected) and new committee members can be picked.  They will be responsible for putting together and updating a manager’s  manual to provide to all the team managers. This committee will also keep all team managers and coaches advised of any applicable changes in regulations and impending deadlines.  The managers’ committee will provide the volunteer committee with a list of all team managers for their purpose of identifying potential committee volunteers.
c.    Soccer Development Committee
This committee will be composed of 3 members (preferably 1 coach/assistant coach and 2 adult player family volunteers.  Members should come from different teams and approved by the VUSC Board.  This committee is responsible for gathering information from teams and coaches and developing a feasible and quality training program for our teams and coaches specific to our advance team needs to offer to the coach/team membership.   Other duties include, but are not limited to review of related matters specified by the VUSC Board and provide recommendation to the Board on the committee findings.
1:07:02  When any member of the VUSC Executive Board is alleged to be remiss in his/her duties as outlined in section 1:07:01 or has allegedly conducted themselves in a manner that is detrimental to the purpose of this Club, member teams shall have, by a simple majority vote of current year teams, the authority to call for the removal of the member. Requests for removal, outlining specific cause(s), shall be made in writing, to the VYSL President.   The VYSL Executive Board shall poll all head coaches to ascertain if there is a simple majority to call for removal.  Each VUSC member team’s head coach will cast a single vote.  The VYSL Executive Board will determine the accuracy and severity of alleged misconduct and will be the final authority on any VUSC Executive Board  member’s removal.
1:07:03 The VUSC Executive Board will review written requests for individuals requesting to play up, that is, play in an age group higher than the normal registration age group as defined by CYSA.  The criteria for consideration for “playing up” on an advanced Competitive team will include:
1.    Player must be the son or daughter of the coach or assistant coach (No paper coaches, assistant coach must have applied to be the assistant during the coach selection process and take an active role), or 
2.    Appropriate age group team is not available in the VUSC, or
3.    Player was waived/not selected by the team in the appropriate age group, or
4.    Player must have played at least 1 complete year in Class I at the appropriate age group immediately preceding the request, or
5.    The VUSC Executive Board will also consider those not meeting any of the above criteria on a case by case basis.  The inclination of the Executive Board will be that players play in the appropriate age group, unless unusual circumstances warrant otherwise. (i.e. Player wants to play with friends would not meet criteria)
1:07:04 Request for playing up two years will not be allowed.    For clarification purposes, Class III Metro players wishing to play out of their normal age group will be considered playing up 2 years and will have their request denied. When special circumstances warrant, (i.e. – no appropriate age group team available), play-up situations may be appealed to the VUSC Executive Board.
1:07:05 Competitive players previously granted permission to play up will be allowed to continue with their current team provided they played at least ½ of the previous season with that team. (Grandfather Clause)

1:08 REGISTRATION
1:08:01 Registration with the Vacaville Youth Soccer League is required to permit participation in the Vacaville United Soccer Club.  The registration process will be coordinated by the VUSC Registrar or his/her designee.  All members of the VUSC will strictly observe all procedures set forth by the VUSC Registrar. The VUSC Executive Board will set forth the method of submission of registration paperwork including method of payment of league and registration fees.

1:09 FEES
1:09:01 The VUSC will set forth administration fees prior to the selection of coaches.  All members will receive notification of club membership fees prior to tryouts and team formation. Administrative fees will be the same for all teams and will not be dependent on number of players. At no time may the team administration fee exceed $25.00/team. The fee required for participation and its specific purpose will be clearly defined to all members. Fees will be payable to the VYSL prior to commencement of the teams tryouts.  The VUSC Executive Board will submit a budget to the VYSL Executive Board prior to the January meeting of the VYSL.  All disbursements of VUSC funds will be requested at the monthly VYSL BOD meeting.   Any year end surplus will be retained by the VYSL B.O.D. until the following season and will be used to reduce the VUSC Administrative fee for the upcoming season. All administrative and uniform fees must be approved by the VYSL B.O.D prior to assessment.   

1:10 TEAM MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
1:10:01 Each team within the VUSC will be required to have a Team Parent, Team Manager, Coach, at least one approved Assistant Coach, and Treasurer.  Teams may, at their discretion, allow one individual to perform two of the above functions except Coach/Assistant Coach.  Notwithstanding, a minimum of four (4) adults will comprise the Team Management Committee.  Specific duties assigned to each individual will be left to the teams to coordinate. Coaches will normally be required to have the appropriate license mandated by District VI prior to approval as Coach or Assistant Coach.  When a coach is approved without the proper license, he/she will be required to attain the appropriate license before submission of team credentials to District.  If license waivers are allowed by District, this committee will defer to District policy in regard to license requirements.
1:10:02 Each team will be required to provide the VUSC Executive Board a projected budget prior to the start of tryouts.  At the end of the season, each team will provide the VUSC Executive Board, a detailed financial report that specifies how much money the team raised and specifically how the team utilized the funds.  In addition, each team will provide projected, mid-season, and end of year financial statements to all parents/guardians of the players.
1:10:03 Each team will be required to maintain a checking account in the team name and provide the VUSC Executive Board a voided check for verification. Team checking accounts will require two signatures and will not at anytime be endorsed by two related (Blood or marriage) members.  Teams having existing accounts requiring only one signature will make required change prior to the 2001/2002 season. A minimum balance can be carried over from year to year, but may not exceed $250.  All balances above this amount are to be refunded to the players on a standard per player basis.   No deviation from this procedure will be allowed without express approval of the VUSC Executive Board and the VYSL B.O.D.
1:10:04 Team equipment purchased with team funds belongs to the team, regardless of whether the coach returns to the team or not.  Players’ uniforms, bags, warm-ups, purchased with team funds remain the property of the players.
1:10:05 All monetary donations made to VUSC teams in the name of the Vacaville Youth Soccer League or VYSL must be processed through the VUSC Secretary/Treasurer and official VYSL checking account.   Under no circumstance are teams to raise money in the name of VYSL without processing funds raised through official VYSL league accounts.  It is imperative that the integrity of the VYSL tax exempt status be maintained.  Donation or sponsorship checks will be routed through the VYSL League Treasurer for processing. A routing form will be supplied to all teams that will include procedures for submission.  Teams will provide instructions on where an acknowledgement letter and/or tax deductible information may be sent.   Check will be processed as soon as possible, but no later than the next regularly scheduled meeting of the VYSL Board of Directors provided that the checks are submitted at least 10 business days in advance of the VYSL Board meeting.  Individual Team Management is not to circumvent this procedure under any circumstance.

1:11 UNIFORMS
1:11:01 Team uniforms will be designated by the VUSC Executive Board and approved by the VYSL B.O.D.  No other uniform is allowed to be worn in any league game or in tournament play.  Player accessory equipment (Warm-ups, bags, etc.) will not be mandated by the ATC, however discounted prices may be available to VUSC members.  Accessory equipment should reflect the VYSL league colors, (Red, white, and black) but brand and type will not be specified.    

1:12 COACH SELECTION PROCESS
1:12:01 Selection of coaches for the advanced teams (Class I and Class III) will be the responsibility of the VUSC Executive Board. Final approval of VUSC coaches will be the responsibility of the VYSL B.O.D. based on VUSC Executive Board recommendation. The following criteria will be the basis of selection of all advanced team coaches. 
1.    VYSL Coaching experience
2.    High School level coaching experience,
3.    College level coaching experience,
4.    Playing experience weighted by highest level of competition,
5.    Coaching license level
6.    Referee license (All 2nd year advanced team head coaches must complete a Level 8 certification class)
7.    Interview conducted by the VUSC Executive Board 
Any information pertinent to the candidate made available to the committee will be reviewed.  The intent is to select the best possible candidate from the available coaches.  Coaches wishing to be considered for an advanced team should apply in writing to the VUSC no later than December 1.  Coach selection will be completed by January 15, to be approved at the January meeting of the VYSL B.O.D.

1:13 TRYOUTS
1:13:01 All VUSC member teams will conduct fair and impartial tryouts.  The VUSC Executive Board will be responsible for coordinating the tryout schedule within the time frame specified by District VI.  Where multiple teams in one age group exist, tryouts for both teams will be held simultaneously and will require attendance of all applicable coaches and/or their assistants.  Each tryout session will be “age pure” unless there are not multiple teams being formed in the age group.  Coaches are expected to pre-plan the activities for each tryout session.  Any disagreement between coaches within an age group will be mediated by the VUSC Executive Board.  Member teams represent the VUSC and the VYSL; all conduct involving the process of coordinating the tryouts or the tryouts themselves is subject to review by the VUSC Executive Board and/or the VYSL. 
1:13:02 All VUSC member teams will distribute VUSC approved team summaries at their respective tryout.  The VUSC Executive Board will make available sample summaries for teams to use as a guide.  Each team will submit its summary no later than 2 weeks before the first scheduled tryout for their age group.  All summaries will be reviewed, formatted and printed by the VUSC.  Cost of printing will be part of the VUSC team fee’s referenced in section 1:09 of the Bylaws.  Sufficient copies of team summaries will be available for each tryout.  Teams may distribute authorized copies of summaries outside of the tryouts prior to last tryout date.  No unauthorized team summaries are to be distributed at any time.
1:13:03 All VUSC team coaches will keep accurate records of all players who participate in each tryout.  All players who attend at least one tryout will be contacted with the disposition of their selection/non selection by the age appropriate coach.  To be selected, a player must attend at least 2 tryouts in the appropriate age group.  Players that do not tryout or only attend one tryout will not be available for selection during the initial player selection round.  Each coach, in identical order as specified in section 1:14:01, will be allowed to assess players not meeting the tryout attendance minimum. After submission of working rosters, no player will be added to a team until all age appropriate teams have had an opportunity to assess/select the player in proper order.    Where more than one team is involved in player election from a particular age group, coaches involved will divide up the non-selected players and notify them of their tryout result.  In all cases, all players selected or not selected, will be notified by phone within 2 weeks of the last tryout date.  Specific process for contacting selected players is covered in section 1:14.

1:14 PLAYER SELECTION PROCESS
1:14:01 The VUSC Executive Board will be responsible for providing clarification to all coaches about the process to be followed with respect to player selection.   When more than one coach in age group exits, the VUSC Executive Board will designate an order in which each coach will select its players.  This order will be based upon criteria defined in section 1:12.  In these cases, the first Competitive Coach to select will be referred to as the “A” Competitive Coach, followed by the second Competitive coach, referred to as the “B” Competitive Coach, and so on.  Following the Competitive coaches, the first Metro coach to select will be referred to as the “A” Metro Coach, followed by the second Metro Coach referred to as the “B” Metro Coach, and so on.  Other than order of selection, references to the phrase “A/B” coach and/or “A/B” team are strongly discouraged.
1:14:02 Immediately following the tryout period, there shall be no contact of any kind between any coach and player until the VUSC Executive Board notifies the coach that it is his/her turn to select players.  At that time, the coach who is released to select players will be given a written list of available players and players already selected by the previous coach(s).  Each coach, in previously arranged order, will contact available players they wish to select and extend and “offer to join” their team.  Each coach will be allowed 72 hours from the time they are given authority to contact prospective players, to make contact, confirm players willingness to join, and finalize initial selection of players. If a coach is unable to contact a player he/she wishes to select, that players’ name will not be released for selection by subsequent teams, until that player can be notified of his/her opportunity.  In all cases, the VUSC Executive Board will confirm that the player cannot be reached before restricting that player from subsequent teams.  The 72-hour time limit must be observed to ensure timely completion of player selection.  Coaches who fail to contact players during their allotted time will lose their position.  Coaches will contact the VUSC Chairperson as soon as their selections are complete (No later that 72 hours from release) and provide a working roster of selected players, players unable to contact, and any player declining an “offer to join”.  The VUSC Chairperson will immediately review, make a copy for committee record, update and make available, a written player list, which will include players previously selected, players declining an “offer to join”, and available players, to subsequent teams in the previously arranged order.
1:14:03 Coaches will conduct themselves in appropriate manner at all times and will comply with all VUSC and VYSL directives regarding player contact before, during, and after the tryout period.  Under no circumstance, are coaches to attempt to coerce any player to play/not play for any certain team. Upon completion of the last scheduled tryout session, NO CONTACT between coaches and prospective players is allowed until the specific team/coach is given the list of available players and is released to make his/her selections. 
Specific rules, in addition to those outlined in section 1:14:02, may be implemented to ensure fair and equitable tryouts. 

1:15 EXTENDING AN OFFER TO JOIN
1:15:01 The VUSC  maintains that it is desirable to have all VUSC players compete at the highest level within their capability,  however, the ultimate decision as to accepting an “offer to join”, rests with the player and his/her parents/guardians.
1:15:02 After the completion of tryouts, teams will extend an “offer to join” to players they wish to select in the order and manner described in section 1:14.  Players who are selected and contacted by the respective coach will have two options.  First, accept the “offer to join” and whereby commit to playing with that team for the duration of the current season.  Second, the player may decline the “offer to join” and have his/her name passed onto subsequent coaches in the order described in section 1:14.  NO PENALTY is assessed for declining an “offer to join”, nor is any guarantee made that the player will be subsequently selected by the remaining teams.
1:15:03 By accepting an “offer to join”, players are placed onto a “working roster” of the team that selected them.  Any movement of players between working rosters within the VUSC is discouraged and will occur only with VUSC Executive Board approval.  Players who tryout and are selected by any team outside of the VUSC will be released to that team only after satisfying current VYSL and District VI policy regarding such movement.

1:16 VUSC REFEREE RESPONSIBILITY
1:16:01 The VYSL Constitution was amended on December 6, 2001 to include changes adopted at that 2001 AGM that set forth requirements for VUSC teams support of the VYSL referee program.  VYSL PIM 2001-10 is included herein and is a requirement each that VUSC team must fulfill.
PIM 2001-10 PIM – Required Advanced Team Referee Support
Three approved proposals from the 2001 VYSL AGM are contained in this PIM.  Each Advanced team (Class I and Class III) will be required to have 2 certified referees in addition to the head coach.  (Head Coach is already required to be a certified referee) These individuals may be adults associated directly with the team or siblings of players on the team.  It is not the intent to have an individual meet the requirement for more than one team. Each Advanced team be required to provide support for at least 2 referee slots for VYSL games when they have a home game of their own.  These assignments will be paid according to the VYSL pay policy, and the referees’ license level.  Each VYSL Advanced team is advised that failure to comply with the intent of this policy, will result in the team being put on probation for the first offense, and held in bad standing for tournament play for any further offense.