Welcome to Fort Bend Adult Soccer Association

"FBASA Constitution, Rules & Procedures"
FORT BEND ADULT SOCCER ASSOCIATION, 2006

ARTICLE I: NAME

A. The name of this organization shall be the Fort Bend Adult Soccer Association, hereinafter referred to as "FBASA" or the "League". This league is and shall be a non-profit organization.

B.The principle office of FBASA in Texas shall be located in Fort Bend County. FBASA may have such other offices within Texas as the Board of Directors may determine or as the affairs of FBASA may require from time to time.

C.FBASA shall have, and will continuously maintain in Texas, a registered office and registered agent as required by The Texas Non-Profit Corporation Act. The registered office may be but need not be the principle office of FBASA in Texas and the address of the registered office may be changed from time to time by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE

A.The purpose of FBASA shall be to teach, govern and promote the game of soccer for players, primarily over the age of 30 in Fort Bend County.

B.It is the intent of this organization to teach good sportsmanship, educate all participants and sponsor in the fundamentals of the game, promote the game through sponsorships of regularly scheduled competition and conduct other educational activities as appropriate.

C.Except as otherwise noted herein, or where local conditions prevent as determined by FBASA, the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) "Laws of the Game and Universal Guide for Referees" shall provide the basic rules and regulations for the soccer games sponsored by FBASA.

ARTICLE III: FISCAL POLICIES

A.The fiscal year shall be September 1st through August 31st.

The books of the League s hall be presented for audit to the FBASA Board of Directors within seven (7) days of the close of the season.
Seasonal fees shall be payable during the registration period in an amount determined by the Board of Directors prior to each bi annual playing season.
The books of FBASA shall be available for inspection by any member of FBASA at any time.

ARTICLE IV: BOARD OF DIRECTORS

A. The Board of Directors of FBASA shall consist of the League Officers and Team Representatives:

LEAGUE OFFICERS

a. The Officers of the League shall consist of:

i. President

ii. Vice President Men’s League

iii. Vice President Women’s League

iv. Secretary

v. Treasurer

b. In the event any Officer of FBASA should fail in his/her responsibilities and obligations (as defined in the By-Laws attached hereto) to FBASA and its membership, or resign, management of FBASA may be assumed by the Board of Directors of FBASA.

i. The President at his/her discretion may appoint a temporary officer to carry out the duties of the office as needed.

ii. A notice will be sent to all team representatives for nominations to be presented at the next General Meeting with election of this officer to take place at the following General Meeting.

iii. The offices of President and Vice Presidents are determined via voting by the Board of Directors (League Officers, and Team Representatives). Proxy votes are not allowed. A simple majority vote is required.

2. TEAM REPRESENTATIVES

a. Each sanctioned team in FBASA shall be entitled to two (2) voting members referred to hereinafter as Team Representatives.

b. Team Representatives must be registered Player Members of that team.

c. In the event that only one Team Representative is present, the second vote may only be cast by written proxy.

d. The Team Representatives do not necessarily always have to be the same individuals.

3. COMMISSIONERS

a. Shall have no vote on the Board of Directors.

b. The Commissioners of the League may consist of but need not be limited to:

i. Fields/Scheduling/Equipment Commissioner

ii. Publicity/Fundraising Commissioner

iii. Any and all others as deemed necessary

c. In the event any Commissioner of FBASA should fail in his/her responsibilities and obligations (as defined in the By-Laws attached hereto) to FBASA and its membership, or resign, management of FBASA may be assumed by the Board of Directors of FBASA.

i. The President at his/her discretion may appoint a temporary commissioner to carry out the duties of the office as needed.

ii. A notice will be sent to all team representatives for nominations to be presented at the next General Meeting with election of this commissioner to take place at the following General Meeting.

iii. Voting for the election of said commissioner will be done by the Board of Directors. The minimum vote required is a simple majority vote of the League Officers.

3. REFEREE COORDINATOR

a. Shall be appointed by the League Officers of FBASA.

b. Shall have no vote on the Board of Directors.

c. Must be USSF qualified.

5. LEAGUE REGISTRAR

a. Shall have no vote on the Board of Directors.

b. FBASA shall have a League Registrar who is a paid employee of the League.

c. The Registrar is elected at the Annual Meeting along with Officers and Commissioners.

B.The Board of Directors shall abide by the following guidelines:

1. All members of the Board of Directors shall have a vote on all matters presented before the Board with the following exceptions:

a. The Referee Coordinator has no vote on the Board of Directors.

b. If any member of the League is both a Team Representative and an Officer or Commissioner of the Board, then he/she is entitled to only one (1) vote.

c. In the event of a grievance involving a team on which an Officer(s), Commissioners, or the Registrar is a registered member, they shall have no voice or vote on the grievance; however, Team Representatives for the team involved shall have both voice and vote a s well as the other members of the Board of Directors.

d. Changes, additions, or deletions to the FBASA Rules of Play will be decided by a vote of the Board of Directors (League Officers and Team Representative’s). The minimum vote required is a simple majority vote of the League Officers.

2. Any member of the Board of Directors is entitled to vote by proxy executed in writing by the member or by the duly authorized attorney in fact at General Meetings. Proxies are not acceptable at Special Meetings or the Annual Meeting, as defined hereafter.

3. The Board of Directors may suspend or terminate any member for cause after an appropriate hearing. The minimum vote required is a simple majority vote of the League Officers.

a. Suspension requires a simple majority vote of a quorum of the members of the Board of Directors.
b. Terminations require a simple majority vote of a quorum of the members of the Board of Directors.

4. Any three (3) consecutive uninformed absences of Board Members from General Meetings, shall warrant removal of that member from the Board of Directors.

5. Each Board Member shall hold office until the next Annual Meeting and election of Board of Directors.

6. The Board of Directors responsibilities shall pass to the newly elected Board of Directors effective midnight May 31st of each year.

7. Officers, Commissioners and League Registrar shall prepare and submit a working budget for the fiscal year in their designated areas of responsibility.

a. Approval will be by simple majority vote of the Board of Directors.

b. Any expenditure in excess of Two -Hundred ($200.00) Dollars of each approved budget must be approved by simple majority vote of the Board of Directors.

8. All checks, drafts or order for payment of money, notes or other indebtedness issued in the name of FBASA must be:

a. Approved by the Treasurer and the President.

b. Signed by two (2) League Officers.

C. The Executive Committee shall consist of all elected Officers and Commissioners of FBASA.

ARTICLE V: MEMBERSHIP

A. FBASA membership consists of Player Members who pay the seasonal fee to become a member of FBASA and are on a current roster active or injured reserve.

B. FBASA membership is also awarded to those volunteers elected to the Board of Directors, and their voting rights are as defined in Article IV.

C. All Player Members shall have one vote at the Annual Meeting for the election of Officers.

D. The Board of Directors may suspend or terminate any Member for cause after an appropriate hearing.

1. Suspension requires a simple majority vote of a quorum of members of the Board of Directors. The minimum vote required is a simple majority vote of the League Officers.

2. Termination requires an affirmative vote of a simple majority of a quorum of the Board of Directors. The minimum vote required is a simple majority vote of the League Officers.

ARTICLE VI: MEETINGS

A. GENERAL MEETINGS

1. General Meetings are held for the purpose of conducting the business of FBASA.

2. General Meetings will take place in Fort Bend County. The meeting place shall be at the registered office of FBASA, or at any designation determined by the Board of Directors, on a monthly basis.

3. General Meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Robert's Rules of Order.

4. Notification of the General Meeting place and time shall be made to all members of the Board of Directors at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting.

5. The minimum vote required is a simple majority vote of the League Officers at the General Meetings.

6. General Meetings are open to anyone interested in attending. However, they cannot speak unless included on the agenda prior to the meeting.

B. ANNUAL MEETINGS

1. An Annual Meeting of FBASA shall be held in May or June for the purposes of:

a. Establishing the purpose of the positions of the Officers and Commissioners

b. Changing additional rules. Rule changes can be made at any time during the year. A simple majority vote of the Board of Directors is required. The minimum vote required is a simple majority vote of the League Officers.

c. Amending the Constitution as necessary: The Constitution can be changed at any time during the year. A simple majority vote of the Board of Directors is required. The minimum vote required is a simple majority vote of the League Officers.

d. Electing Officers, Commissioners and League Registrar

e. Attending to general FBASA business and to business deemed necessary to have the vote of the entire Voting Membership.

2. Notification of the logistics of the Annual Meeting shall be supplied to all player/Voting Members in writing thirty (30) days prior to the Annual Meeting by the Corporate Secretary.

3. Fourteen (14) days prior to the Annual Meeting, each Player/Voting Member of FBASA will be mailed through the United States Post Office an Agenda of the upcoming meeting, as well as a Ballot which will reflect all candidates whose names have been submitted to the Corporate Secretary by the Nominating Committee. These ballots may be cast in person or by mail. Posted ballots must be received one day prior to the Annual Meeting to be considered valid.

5. Voting by proxy is unacceptable at the Annual Meeting.

6. Other business which shall be discussed at the Annual Meeting shall include, but not be limited to, Annual Reports from all elected officials of the League.

C. SPECIAL MEETINGS

1. Special Meetings may be held at the discretion of the President, Board of Directors or the League Officers. Special Meetings must be requested in writing with petition signatures and forwarded to the Secretary with logistics included.

2. Voting by proxy is unacceptable at Special Meetings.

D. EXECUTIVE MEETINGS

1. Executive Meetings may be held at the discretion of the President for whatever purpose he/she deems necessary.

2. These meetings may include League Officers, Commissioners, League Registrar, Texas State Officials and/or others as the President deems necessary.

ARTICLE VII: AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

A. The Constitution can be changed at any time during the year. A simple majority vote of the Board of Directors is required. The minimum vote required is a simple majority vote of the League Officers.

1. All proposed amendments to the Constitution or By-Laws must be submitted in writing to the Secretary at least thirty (30) days prior to the Annual Meeting.

2. Rule changes can be made at any time during the year. A simple majority vote of the Board of Directors is required. The minimum vote required is a simple majority vote of the League Officers.

B. Amendments to the Constitution or By-Laws require a simple majority vote of the quorum of the Board of Directors. The minimum vote required is a simple majority vote of the League Officers.

C. Amendments approved at a General Meeting by the Board of Directors and posted in the form of a League Notice will take effect immediately, and shall take precedent over a conflict with the Constitution, By-Laws or Rules & Procedures.

D. Any FBASA League Notice effected during the term(s) preceding the Annual Meeting may be approved by the Board of Directors for permanent inclusion in the Constitution, By-Laws, or Rules & Procedures at the Annual meeting “as is”.

ARTICLE VIII: DEFINITIONS

Board of Directors: Made up of League Officers and Team Representatives.

League Officer: Non paid position elected annually by all members.

Commissioner: Non paid position elected annually by BOD.

Executive Committee: Made up of all elected League Officers and Commissioners.

Disciplinary Administration: Discipline sanctions to be posted on the website. Discipline administration outside of the posted sanctions are to be administered by the League Officers.

League Notice : Official notification to members of approved BOD actions including approved mid term exceptions to the Constitution and By-Laws, and any changes to the Rule s & Procedures.

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FBASA BY-LAWS
ARTICLE 1 DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS

A. PRESIDENT

1. The President is the general representative of FBASA. The President shall supervise all activities of FBASA and the work of the Officers.

2. The President shall have no vote except in the case of a tie vote of the Board of Directors.

3. The President's duties shall include:

a. Preside over all meetings of FBASA

i. Be the Chairman of the Board of Directors

ii. Be the Chairman of the FBASA Annual Meeting

iii. Be the Chairman of all FBASA Special Meetings

b. Approve bills for payment with the Treasurer

c. Present policies for Board of Directors approval

d. Present concepts for Board of Directors approval

e. Present committee appointments for Board of Directors approval

f. Be responsible for the administration of FBASA g. Represent FBASA representative at official functions

h.Solicit input for and prepare monthly meeting agenda

B. VICE-PRESIDENT(S)

1. In the absence of the President or in the event of the inability or refusal to act, the Vice -President shall perform the duties of the President.

a. The Vice -President, when so acting, shall have all the powers of and be subject to all the restrictions upon the President.

b. The Vice -President shall perform such other duties that from time to time may be assigned by the President or Board of Directors.

2. The Vice -President's duties shall include:

a. Be responsible for the handling of all FBASA discipline and protest problems

b. Handle all matters of insurance for FBASA

c. Be the commissioner for his / her respective men’s / women’s league.

C. SECRETARY

1. The Secretary shall be responsible for and custodian of all FBASA correspondence.

2. The Secretary shall develop and maintain a correspondence file system for FBASA.

3. The Secretary shall properly record all meetings of FBASA and present minutes at each meeting.

4. The Secretary be responsible for recording and distributing official League Notices.

5. The Secretary shall be responsible for recording all amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws of FBASA.

6. The Secretary shall organize and administer the Election of Officers and Commissioners each year.

7. The Secretary shall be responsible for recording and properly dispersing all written requests for Constitution and By-Law Amendments and Rule Changes.

D. TREASURER

1. The Treasurer shall control all moneys of FBASA and shall keep records of all income and expenditures.

2. The Treasurer shall submit a written financial statement at all General and Annual meetings.

3. All disbursements of funds shall be authorized by two League Officers.

4. The Treasurer shall be responsible for all finances of FBASA.

a. Pay all bills

b. Handle all financial reports, income tax and related matters

c. Deposit all funds of FBASA in the federally insured depository selected by the Board

of Directors.

ARTICLE II COMMISSIONERS/COORDINATOR/REGISTRAR

A. COMMISSIONERS

1. Commissioners are voted in by Board of Directors of FBASA.

2. Commissioners, like Officers have the privilege of voting on business presented to the Board of Directors except when the vote is related to Rules of Play or involves disciplinary action with their affiliated team.

B. REFEREE COORDINATOR

1. Shall be an actively participating USSF Referee.

2. Shall report to the respective Vice -Presidents for men’s and women’s league issues.

3. Shall be responsible for:

a. Assigning referees and linesmen for all FBASA games.

b. Ensuring that all referees are USSF qualified.

c. Publishing a schedule of referee assignments at least one week prior to games.

d. Acting as Chairman of the Rules Committee.

e. Representing referees at all meetings.

4. Shall receive no remuneration for the position.

C. REGISTRAR

1. The Registrar shall be responsible for:

a. Matters pertaining to the registration of all players

b. Maintaining a file on all players

c. Requiring affiliated teams to supply the necessary information to pursue the duties of this position.

2. Attendance at Board of Directors meetings is required.

3. This position is reviewed by the Board once a year.

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FBASA RULES AND PROCEDURES

ARTICLE I REGISTRATION

A. PROCEDURES

1. FBASA registration procedures are carried out in accordance with rules established by the United States Soccer Federation and the Texas State Soccer Association-South.

2. FBASA's playing year is from September 1st through August 31st. However, members of the Women’s league must register twice a year to be eligible to play Spring and Fall Seasons. The Men’s league will have an annual registration.

3. Player registration fees shall cover all costs set by the Texas State Soccer Association-South and any additional costs determined by the FBASA Board of Directors.

B. REGISTRATION OF NEW PLAYERS

1. No person may participate in any FBASA game unless he/she has fully completed the following required registration procedures

a. Each new player must complete the FBASA Player Registration Form provided by the Registrar. The form must be completed legibly and be signed and dated by the applicant player.

b. Each new player must submit a photocopy of a picture identification card which includes their name and birth date and one current photograph, approximately 1.5 inches by 2 inches.

i. Photos must be trimmed so that they will not obscure any of the pertinent information on the Player I.D. Card.

ii. Photo and photo -i.d. must be attached to the Player Registration Form before it is submitted to the Registrar.

c. The Player I.D. Card must be completed and signed by the player and signed and laminated by the FBASA Registrar before it is a valid I.D. Each player is required to have a valid Player I.D. Card available for inspection at every game.

d. The Player Identification Number is the player's Social Security Number. If a player does not have a Social Security Number, FBASA Registrar will assign a Player Identification Number according to procedures established by TSSAS.

2. Each returning team will be supplied with the necessary paperwork/information in order to re-register their team for the following season.

3. A registration deadline well be set by the League Officers and the Registrar and a late fee assigned for all returning players.

4. No new player registrations will be accepted after any team has completed seven weeks of the current Playing season as determined by the scheduler.

ARTICLE II PLAYER TRANSFERS

A. Player transfers

1. Player transfers within the FBASA require:

a. Submission of the transferring player's I.D. to the Registrar along with a $10 transfer fee.

b. Payment of any TSSAS transfer fees.

c. Submission of a Player Transfer Form by the FBASA Registrar to the State Registrar.

d. Only one transfer per player per season shall be allowed without the permission of the Executive Committee.

e. Player transfers may not be made after the last game of the regular season and prior to any end of season tournament.

f. The Registrar shall n otify both teams involved and return the Player I.D. card to the new team.

2. Transfers from teams outside the FBASA are handled as new registrations.

ARTICLE III TEAM ROSTERS / PLAYER CARDS

A. Each team must submit a Team Roster of Player Members for each season. There is no limit on players per roster.

B. A player must be at least thirty (30) years of age by the start of the Fall Season, September first, to be included on a team roster with the following exceptions:

1. Eleven (11) A Side teams may have a maximum of three (3) players less than thirty (30) years of age and at least twenty-seven (27) years old prior to September 1 of the Fall season (Women’s League only). For the Men’s League, only those players who were registered and on their respective team active roster the previous year are eligible to play in FBASA. No new players under the age of 30 are allowed.

C. No player may appear on more than one team roster in FBASA.

D. Rosters will be open for additions during the playing season prior to the last game of that season) with fees for registration as determined by FBASA at the beginning of the season.

E. A team roster and player cards must be presented by each team to the match officials prior to game commencement. Referee shall verify each player listed on the roster against an FBASA player Card.

F. Should a registered player or players show up for a game without a current FBASA player card, in order to allow that player to partake in the game a signed statement is to be given to the referee by the team representative, stating that the player is registered but not in possession of his/her card. The players identity must be validated to the referee by production of an official picture ID (eg Drivers licence) of that player. The statement will be attached to the game report by the referee. If found later that the player in question is illegal the issue will be addressed by a disciplinary committee.

ARTICLE IV UNIFORM REQUIREMENTS

A. Each team must choose a uniform.

1. Players must wear matching shirts, shorts, and stockings for all FBASA games.

2. Numbers on the backs of the shirts must be printed or painted, clearly visible, and eight (8) inches high.

3. No zippers or items that may be similarly dangerous will be permitted as part of a uniform.

B. Each player must wear soccer or turf -style shoes with shin guards. No other shoes will be permitted.

C. Shin guards must be covered entirely by socks.

D. The goalkeeper shall wear colors that distinguish him from the other players and from the referee.

ARTICLE V DISCIPLINE ADMINISTRATION

Discipline sanctions to be posted on the website. Discipline administration outside of the posted sanctions are to be administered by the League Officers.

ARTICLE VI RULES OF PLAY.

A. Warnings, yellow cards and red cards are issued in FBASA with an emphasis on sportsmanlike conduct and safe play.

1. Yellow/Red Cards, General & Sanctions

1. Intentionally using illegal players (Not registered or Red Carded) Automatic Forfeit

2. Intentionally using an illegal player second time Automatic Forfeit, $50

3. Intentionally using an illegal player third time Team disqualified for remaining of the season

4. Verbal abuse towards referees and/or racial comments 3 games + $20

5. Verbal abuse towards a player Red card, 1 game, $20

6. Two yellow cards Red card, 1 game, $20

7. Physical abuse towards referees (Pushing, kicking, punching) Banned from FBASA and TSSAS

8. Verbal threatening, or threatening a referee with their life 1 year to permanently ban

9. Violent Red Card 2 Games +$20

10. Cursing 1st time, yellow card, 2nd time red card,
1 game.

11. Physical violence towards a player or a spectator

a. Punching a player 1 year suspension +$50

b. Player retaliation after being punched Red card, 2 games

c. Head butting Suspended for the season +$50

d. Kicking, spitting 6 games +$50

12. Non related field issues

a. Assault to player, family member or ref in parking lot Ban from FBASA

b. Verbal abuse outside the field if reported by referee 1 game suspension

c. Excessive amount of trash left behind after a game $20

The suspension and fee’s are the minimums. Additional sanctions can be administered pending a vote of the league officers.

The review process for sanctions: Review referee game card, if necessary, consult both team reps, consult referee coordinator. Decisions are made via majority vote of the league officers.

3. FBASA takes exception to FIFA "Laws of the Game and Universal Guide for Referees" in the specific cases listed below.

(1). Eleven-A-Side – Women's League

a. Official playing time for games shall be forty (40) minute halves with a ten (10) minute halftime.

b. Officials will consist of one (1) center referee and two (2) certified linesmen. Center referees must be at least twenty-one (21) years old or pre -approved by the Executive Committee.

c. Field size and other game regulations as per TSSAS.

d. Slide tackling is not allowed. All slide tackling is considered dangerous play and shall be dealt with at the discretion of the referee.

e. Multiple and unlimited substitutions are allowed with the referees permission at a teams own throw in, any goal kick or prior to a kick off after a goal is scored.

(2). Eleven -A-Side - Men

a. FIFA rules will be applied with the following exceptions : Open substitutions; no subs permitted on corner kicks (except for an injury) ; no subs permitted on direct or indirect kicks (except for an injury)

(3). Failure to Show

a. If a team fails to show in time for a game (within ten (10) minutes of scheduled start time), that team is responsible for paying the entire referee's fees and forfeits the game.

b. Should the teams decide to go ahead and start late and play anyway, they must stop play ten (10) minutes prior to the next scheduled game time.

(4). Length of game and forfeits

Allow ten minutes grace period to each team to uniform a minimum of seven player to start before a forfeit. Start the match as soon as a team uniforms minimum seven player. If team is not ready, proceed with forfeit.
FBASA games are 45 minutes each half for the men's regardless of when game starts. Two hours have been allocated to accommodate a late start. Do not reduce the duration's of each half's under any circumstances.

ARTICLE VII RESCHEDULING GAMES / ABANDONMENT

A. There will be no reschedules except for:

1. Teams that are registered to participate in an official soccer tournament as a team (team registration documents required).

2. Game cancellations due to weather or unplayable field conditions.

B. All reschedules must be done through/by the designated FBASA scheduler.

C. Referee should at all times attempt to complete an FBASA game, unless in the referees opinion it is unsafe to do so for either players or spectators (for example, but not limited to, a severe weather condition or situation involving serious violence) or in breach of FIFA rules regarding game abandonment.
A game should not be abandoned due to a "bureaucratic offence or other technicality". In the case of a "technical offence" that the referee considers could result in a game forfeit, the offence is to be noted on the report card to be followed up if and as required by a disciplinary committee after the completion of that game.

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