Milton Ladies Softball League
Constitution

Created January 2008

Articles

1. Name
This organization will be known as the MILTON LADIES SOFTBALL LEAGUE and referred to as the M.L.S.L.

2. Aims and Objectives
2.1 To foster the opportunity for women to participate in softball with regard to the facilities available.
2.2 To develop and encourage sportsmanship and good fellowship between all participants for the betterment of their physical, mental and social well-being.
2.3 To sponsor and promote such athletic, social and other activities that contribute to the moral and financial welfare of the league.

3. Affiliation
3.1 The M.L.S.L. shall co-operate with the Town of Milton Recreation and Parks Department with respect to their guidance, provision of services, and playing facilities. All liaisons with this department shall be conducted through the President of the league. 

4. Eligibility
4.1 Membership in the M.L.S.L. shall be open to women 18 years of age or older
4.2 The M.L.S.L. shall have the authority to impose suspension on any player, who affiliates with another team, league or play-off series against the wishes of the M.L.S.L. executive.

5. Organization
5.1 The executive officers of the M.L.S.L. for any season shall be:
·  President
·  Vice President
·  Secretary
·  Treasurer
·  Statistician
The executive shall have the authority to combine or divide positions as to suit the number of applicants/nominees.

6. Elections
6.1 All league players are eligible for nomination to the M.L.S.L. executive. 
6.2 All nominations are accepted until the final game of playoffs.
6.3 Voting shall be conducted at the year-end banquet. At this time, if there are insufficient candidates, then nominations can be made at the banquet.
6.4 The names of the nominees shall be posted in visible fashion at the Voters’ registration desk.
6.5 Voting shall be conducted by means of a secret ballot. Each registered M.L.S.L. player shall receive only one ballot, and must complete her selection before leaving the polling station.

7. Tenure of Office
7.1 Executive officers shall hold their position in office for a two-year term.
7.2 The term of office will end at a meeting held, after the banquet, between the outgoing and incoming executive, where a transition of officers takes place.

8. Management
8.1 The management and administration of the M.L.S.L. shall be vested in the executive. This executive shall have full power to take any reasonable action necessary within the terms of the Constitution and By-laws and to enforce compliance with the Rules and Regulations, as appended hereto.
8.2 THE PRESIDENT SHALL:
·  Appoint committees, officials, and other personnel considered necessary for the efficient
administration and operation of the M.L.S.L.
·  Have the power to investigate and render decisions on any matter not specifically covered in the Constitution and By-laws, or the Rules and Regulations of the M.L.S.L.

9. Executive Meetings
9.1 In order to conduct a meeting, quorum must be had. 60% of the total number of executive members will constitute quorum. No executive voting may take place without quorum.
9.2 The President shall make no motion or amendment and shall not vote unless it is to break a deadlock, at which time, she shall cast the deciding vote. Executive members are not entitled to a vote.  
9.3 Each meeting shall use the below Agenda as a guideline for the operation of meetings:
·  Reading and approval of minutes from previous meeting
·  Correspondence
·  Business arising from minutes and unfinished business
·  Treasurer’s report
·  Reports from committees
·  Appointment of personnel (as required)
·  New business
·  Setting next meeting date and time
·  Adjournment

10. Duties of the Executive
10.1 PRESIDENT shall call all meetings as deemed, by her, necessary, or when requested to do so by at least half of the executive personnel. She shall enforce, personally or by delegated authority, due to observance of order and conformance with the Rules and Regulations, as appended hereto. She shall be signing officer together with the Secretary and/or Treasurer on all contracts and other legal matters. In addition, her duties shall include the official League Schedule, maintenance of a current register of all current players in the league, and scheduling of rainout games. 
10.2 VICE PRESIDENT shall be the assistant to the President, and shall assume related responsibilities in the absence of the President. In the absence of the President, the Vice President shall be empowered to act as the signing officer together with the Secretary and/or Treasurer on all contracts and other legal matters. She shall conduct and act as chairperson for periodic executive and league meetings, as required. 
10.3 SECRETARY shall work with the President to:
·  Maintain accurate records of the proceedings of the M.L.S.L.
·  Maintain a current register of all-executive personnel, league coaches and managers, including
addresses and phone numbers.
·  Maintain a current record of all decisions and appointments.
·  Conduct all correspondence to the president.
·  Confirm assigned duties, in writing as required.
·  Give notice of all meetings. She may employ the administrative facilities and other available
resources of the Town of Milton Recreation and Parks Development, as required.
·  As well as any other duties as delegated by the executive.
10.4 TREASURER shall work with the President to:
·  Conduct and properly record all financial transactions of the M.L.S.L.
·  Affix her own signature and obtain the President’s and or Secretary’s signature on all cheques.
·  Prepare and submit an interim financial report for the Executive Meetings.
·  As well as any other duties as delegated by the executive.
10.5 STATISTICIAN shall make sure that all game sheets are collected at the completion of each game. She shall keep track of all standings and other pertinent information the M.L.S.L. deems necessary, as well as any other duties as delegated by the executive.

11. Duties of Team Representatives
11.1 TEAM REPRESENTATIVES shall:
· Act as a liaison between coaches, teams and executive members (It is recommended that at least one captain not be related to any member of the coaching staff as conflicts of interest may arise)
· Convey the information obtained at league meeting to all of their team members
· Attend all M.L.S.L. meetings, or send a representative in their place
· Vote on any issues brought forth for decision at league meetings
· Assist with the implementation of the league tournament and year-end banquet. Jobs (if needed) will be delegated by the Executive. 

12. Suspension of Executive Officers
Any executive member can be suspended or removed from the office for any of the following reasons:
12.1 Failure to fulfill or gross mismanagement of duties as stated in Article 10 of the Constitution.
12.2 Destruction or abuse or theft of property belonging to the M.L.S.L.
12.3 Any executive member missing three consecutive meetings without due cause. Suspension will be decided by the Advisory Committee (Executive, team representatives and the Umpire in Chief), whenever the suspension takes place. The decision of the committee on such an appeal is final and binding.
 
13. Resignation of Executive Officers
13.1 Any executive officer wishing to resign must do so in writing. The dated and signed letter of resignation must be submitted to the executive.

14. Replacement of Executive Officers
14.1 In the event of a vacancy of office, the vacancy will be offered to a league member, who will be appointed by the current executive.

15. Qualifications of Coaches
15.1 Coaches must be 18 years of age or older.
15.2 Coaches can be members of the M.L.S.L. in the current playing year, and are considered to be personnel of the M.L.S.L.
15.3 Coaches can fulfill the role of team representative.

16. Umpire in Chief
16.1 Shall be responsible for the recruiting, training, general conduct and performance of umpires.
16.2 Shall prepare monthly schedules, in accordance to the M.L.S.L. schedule, and ensure that all umpires are aware of their scheduled games. The umpiring schedule shall be submitted to the M.L.S.L. executive prior to the first of the month. 

17. Protests
17.1 Any game that is played under protest must be indicated on the score sheet and declared to the umpire during the game.
17.2 Any game protest must be submitted and delivered, in writing to the league President within 24 hours after the game has been played.
17.3 Protests are to be settled by the Executive.
	17.4 Umpire judgement calls (i.e., balls/strikes, out/safe) may not be protested. 

18. Advisory Committee
18.1 The Advisory Committee shall include the Umpire in Chief and/or team representatives and/or Representative of the Town of Milton Recreation and Parks Department and/or Executive, as deemed necessary.

19. Registration and Team Representative Meeting
19.1 A general league registration, in conjunction with a league meeting, will take place no later than the first Saturday of March of the same playing year.
19.2 The registration and meeting dates may be advertised in the local newspapers, and will be posted on the website: www.geocities.com/miltonladiessoftball.
19.3 The financial report from the previous season will be presented to the members.
19.4 Nominations and elections of Directors and/or any other vacant executive position will take place, if required.
19.5 Any changes or revisions to the Constitution, By-laws and/or General Rules will be presented and voted on.

20. Amendments and Additions to the Constitution
20.1 All amendments and additions to the constitution shall be made only by league members and must be submitted, in writing, prior to the league registration.
20.2 Amendments and additions can only be voted on at the meeting and can only be constituted if accepted by 2/3 of the present team representatives.

21. Banking
21.1 All funds of the league shall be kept in a Chartered Bank or Trust Company.

22. All M.L.S.L. personnel and participants shall be subject to and comply with the Rules and Regulations and By-Laws, as appended to this Constitution.