**GREAT PLAINS REGION USAV BYLAWS**

BYLAWS OF THE

GREAT PLAINS REGIONAL VOLLEYBALL ASSOCIATION

Adopted November 19, 1995
Amended January 14, 1996
Amended July 11, 1998
Revised 11/18/03

 

ARTICLE I – NAME

1.1        The name of the Corporation shall be the Great Plains Region, United States Volleyball Association.

 

ARTICLE II – OFFICES

2.1       Principal Office: The principal office of the Corporation shall be within the State of Nebraska.

2.2        Administrative Offices: The Corporation may have other offices, either within or outside the State of Nebraska, as
            the Board  of Directors may designate or as the business of the Corporation may require from time to time.

2.3        The Board of Directors is granted the authority to establish and discontinue administrative offices in places where
            the Corporation is authorized to do business.

 

ARTICLE III – PURPOSE

3.1        The purpose for which this Corporation is organized is to foster national and international amateur volleyball
            competition.  In furtherance of this main purpose, the following sub-purposes are set forth:

            3.1.1    To teach the sport of volleyball to children and adults by holding clinics conducted by qualified instructors
                        in schools, playgrounds and parks;

            3.1.2    To provide practice volleyball sessions, classroom lectures, seminars and panel discussions through which
                        selected trainees may be schooled in competitive coaching, playing, officiating and scouting techniques;

            3.1.3    To foster and conduct area, regional, state and national amateur volleyball competitions;

            3.1.4    To promote widespread interest in the sport of volleyball, to increase the number of participants in the
                        sport, and develop skillful playing of the game.  Involvement shall be solicited from all those seeking
                        participation regardless of race, creed, religion or ethnic background.

            3.1.5    To conduct tournaments, training programs, camps and officials clinics as well as, other volleyball programs
                        related to the specific and primary purposes of this Corporation.

            3.1.6    To act as the official representative of the United States Volleyball Association within an area designated as
                        the Great Plains Region;

            3.1.7    To select and train suitable candidates in the techniques of volleyball in national and international
                        competition and thereby improve the caliber of candidates representing the United States in Olympic, Pan
                        American and World Games competitions;

            3.1.8    To foster and conduct amateur volleyball programs between the United States and foreign nations for the
                        exchange and training of suitable candidates in the techniques and practices of volleyball in countries other
                        than their own.

 

ARTICLE IV-THE EXECUTIVE BOARD

4.1       The Great Plains Regional Board of Directors shall be composed of the following members:

             4.1.1   President

             4.1.2   Vice President

             4.1.3   Secretary

             4.1.4   Treasurer

             4.1.5   A representative of the Junior Program Board

             4.1.6   A representative of the Adult Program Board

             4.1.7   A representative of the Officials Program Board

 

4.2  EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

                 4.2.1   Composition:  The Executive Committee shall consist of the four elected officers and the vice presidents of
                        each program board.

             4.2.2   Powers and Duties:  The Executive Committee shall have the authority of the Board of Directors to the
                        extent necessary for the Executive Committee to exercise the affairs of the Corporation in its ordinary
                        course of business.

 

4.3  PROGRAM BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

             4.3.1   Creation:  The Corporation may have, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, such other Program
                        Boards and committees as it deems necessary and vital for the conduct of the affairs of the Corporation.
                        Members of the Staff of the Corporation may serve on program boards and committees with voice, but no
                        vote.

 

            4.3.2    Program Boards:  Program boards shall be created by the Board of Directors and shall have duties,
                        powers, and authority of the Board of Directors as provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors
                        creating the program board.  Program boards shall be headed by a vice president.  It shall be the
                        responsibility of each program board to:

                        4.3.2.1  Hold at least one general meeting of the members of the Corporation involved in programs
                                     administered by the program board to elect representatives annually.
                        4.3.2.2  Elect a Vice President and other officers annually.

                        4.3.2.3  Select directors to serve on the Board of Directors.

                        4.3.2.4  Select individuals to represent the Corporation to various USAV divisions and committees.

                        4.3.2.5  Develop policies and procedures necessary for the program board to conduct its affairs and fulfill
                                     its responsibilities, and publish them in an administrative manual.

 

            4.3.3    The following Program Boards shall be created:

                        4.3.3.1  The Adult Program Board shall be open to all members of the Corporation involved with, and
                                     shall have authority over all matters concerning, the adult programs of this Corporation.

                        4.3.3.2  The Junior Program Board shall be open to all members of the Corporation involved with, and
                                     shall have authority over all matters concerning, the Junior Olympic Volleyball programs of this
                                     Corporation.

                        4.3.3.3  The Officials Program Board shall be open to all members of the Corporation who hold a level of
                                     referee or scorekeeper certification recognized by USAV, and shall have authority over all matters
                                     concerning certification of, and programs for, referees and scorekeepers of this Corporation.

 

            4.3.4    Committees:  Committees may be created by the Board of Directors and shall have such duties and
                        powers as provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors creating the committee.  Committees shall
                        be headed by a Chair, who shall be named when the committee is created.  Unless otherwise provided in
                        the resolution of the Board of Directors creating a committee, a quorum shall consist of those members
                        present and the act of a majority of the members present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be
                        the act of the committee.

 

4.4  STAFF

             4.4.1    Commissioner:  There shall be a Commissioner who shall function with the direction and consent of the
                         Executive Committee as the executive director of the Corporation.  The Commissioner shall be selected
                         by the Board of Directors for a term to be set by the Board of Directors and may be paid financial
                         compensation in a reasonable amount set by the Board of Directors.  The Commissioner may be removed
                         at any time by a majority vote of the Board of Directors, without prejudice to contract rights.

                         4.4.1.1 Responsibilities:  Under the direction and supervision of the Executive Committee, and subject to
                                     the policies of the Board of Directors, the Commissioner shall be responsible for the administration
                                     and coordination of all activities and programs of the Corporation.  The Commissioner shall
                                     receive all correspondence addressed to the Corporation, shall keep all records of the
                                     Corporation, including financial, administrative, and historical data, and shall discharge such other
                                     duties as are assigned by the Executive Committee or the Board of Directors.

 

                         4.4.1.2 Assistants:  The Commissioner, under the general guidance of the Executive Committee and Board
                                     of Directors, may recruit, train, employ, discharge, and otherwise create a staff of assistants that
                                     may be required for the efficient performance of assigned duties, making such financial
                                     arrangements with such assistants as deemed appropriate within the available funds allocated to
                                     the function by the Corporate budget.

 

                         4.4.1.3 Contracts:  The Commissioner shall have the authority to enter into ordinary operational contracts
                                     as well as to negotiate and execute on behalf of the Corporation any contract approved in  the
                                     annual budget as adopted and amended by the Board of Directors.

 

                         4.4.1.4 Finances:  The Commissioner shall be responsible for the collection of revenues, the preparation of
                                     deposits and check requests, and the keeping of reliable accounting records which reasonably
                                     reflect the financial condition of the Corporation.

 

                         4.4.1.5 Representative to USVBA:  The Commissioner shall serve as the principal representative to the
                                     USVBA, the Group D Assembly, and the Regional Operations and Youth and Junior Olympic
                                     Volleyball Divisions.

 

4.5  TERM OF OFFICE

            4.5.1    The President, Secretary and the Adult Board rep shall be elected in odd years. 

            4.5.2    The Vice President, Treasurer, the Junior Board rep and the Officials Board rep shall be elected in even
                        years.

            4.5.3    There shall be no limit on the number of terms an officer may serve.
                        (For these changes, all present members shall retain their position until the next election time.)

4.6  ELECTION OF THE BOARD

            4.6.1    Nominations
                        4.6.1.1 Any member of the Great Plains Region in good standing shall be eligible to hold office. 

                        4.6.1.2 A nominating committee shall be appointed by the President of the Board and consist of at least 2
                                    members of the Board and 2 members of the general membership not serving for election to the
                                    Board of Directors.

                        4.6.1.3 Ninety days notice must be provided to all members of the Great Plains Region that nominations
                                    will be accepted for elected positions.  Nominations for any office must be made to the
                                    Commissioner sixty days prior to the balloting.  In the event an office has no nominees, the sixty-
                                    day requirement may be waived for that office.

 

            4.6.2    Elections

                        4.6.2.1 The election of the Board of Directors shall be held no later than the spring regional meeting, but
                                    before May 1.

                        4.6.2.2 The election of those directors selected directly by the Board of Directors shall be as follows:
                                    4.6.2.2.1 The Commissioner or their designee shall supervise and conduct the election of directors.

                                    4.6.2.2.2 The Nominating Committee shall have presented their list of nominations in advance to
                                                   the Commissioner. 

                                    4.6.2.2.3 The Commissioner shall ask for any nominations from the floor.  If  there are any, they
                                                   should be added to the list.

                        4.6.2.3 The election shall take place by secret ballot.
                                    4.6.2.3.1 On the first ballot, the nominee receiving the highest number of votes cast shall be
                                                   deemed elected.

                                    4.6.2.3.2 If a subsequent ballot is necessary because two or more nominees received an equal,
                                                   highest number of notes, the list of nominees shall be reduced to those nominees
                                                   receiving the equal highest number of  votes.

                                    4.6.2.3.3 On the subsequent ballot, the nominee receiving the highest number of votes cast shall be
                                                   elected. 

                                    4.6.2.3.4 This process shall be repeated until a director has been elected.

                                    4.6.2.3.5 This entire procedure shall be repeated, after removing the names of any directors
                                                   elected from the original list of nominees, for each additional position to be filled.

 

4.7  MEETINGS

            4.7.1  The Board of Directors shall meet at the following times:

                         4.7.1.1 The Annual Meeting of the Corporation shall be held each year in June or July at which time
                                     business shall be transacted as may properly be brought before said Meeting.

                         4.7.1.2 There shall be three regular meetings of the Board of Directors each year.

                         4.7.1.3 The Annual Meeting shall be held in June or July of each year in conjunction with the Annual
                                     Meeting of the Corporation.

                         4.7.1.4 The Year-End Meeting shall be held in conjunction with and at the site of at least one division of
                                     the Regional Open/Junior Championships.

                         4.7.1.5 The Mid-Year Meeting shall be held in October or November.

                         4.7.1.6 Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called at any time and for any purpose by the
                                     President, or by the Vice President and the Secretary, or by any of the other directors.

            4.7.2  Quorum
                       A majority of directors, present in person or by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of        
                       business.  In the absence of a quorum, a majority of the directors present, including a single director, may
                       adjourn from time to time.

            4.7.3   Proxies
                       Any Director may designate another director to vote, or any other member of the Corporation to attend
                       meetings with voice and vote, in the director’s stead.  A letter of proxy stating the name of the proxy and
                       any limitations of the proxy, must be presented to the Secretary prior to voting on any matter.  Receipt of
                       the letter of proxy shall constitute consent to hold the meeting from the absent director.

            4.7.4  Action without a Meeting
                      Any action which may be taken at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors may be taken
                      without a meeting if a two-thirds majority of the members of the Board of Directors shall individually or
                      collectively consent in writing to such action.  Such written consent shall be filed with the minutes of the
                      proceedings.

            4.7.5  Directors Missing Meetings
                      Any Director missing more than fifty (50) percent annually (July 1 through June 30) of all general and special
                      Board meetings shall be subject to removal from the Board, with a vote of at least two-thirds of the Board.

 

ARTICLE V - RULES OF PROCEDURES.

5.1   In all cases not otherwise provided for by these Bylaws, Roberts’ Rules of Order shall govern this Corporation.

 

ARTICLE VI – GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

6.1   Procedures to be utilized for all grievances that are the direct responsibility of the Corporation shall be specified in the
        Operating Code.

ARTICLE VII – ETHICS AND CONDUCT

7.1   The Corporation is responsible to its members, the United States Volleyball Association (USVBA), the United States
        Olympic Committee (USOC), the Federation Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB), and to the general public to make
        certain that the sport of volleyball, the name of the Corporation, the USVBA, the USOC, and the FIVB, and the
        symbols associated with each of them are not used in such a manner as to be detrimental to the sport, the
        Corporation, the USVBA, the USOC, the FIVB, or the nation.

 

ARTICLE VIII – EQUAL OPPORTUNITY

8.1   The Corporation shall provide an equal opportunity to amateur athletes, coaches, trainers, managers, administrators,
        and officials to participate in amateur athletic competition, without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion,
        age, sex, or national origin.

ARTICLE IX – ASSETS

9.1   Bank Transactions:  All bank checks drawn or other withdrawals against the Corporation's bank accounts shall be
        signed by the President or Treasurer, or by such other person or persons as the Board of Directors may authorize.

9.2    Legal Documents:  Contracts, deeds, mortgages, and leases may be signed by President and the Secretary, or by
         such person or persons as the Board of Directors may authorize.

9.3    Loans:  No loans shall be contracted on behalf of the Corporation and no evidence of indebtedness shall be issued in
         its name unless authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors.

9.4    Banks:  All funds of the Corporation not otherwise employed shall be deposited as received in the Corporation's
         checking account, savings accounts, or other investment accounts with such bank or banks or other depositories as
         the Board of Directors may select.

 

ARTICLE X – MEMBERSHIP RECORDS

10.1     The Corporation shall keep a record of the name and address of each member.

 

ARTICLE XI – ANNUAL REPORT

11.1      Neither the Corporation nor the Board of Directors shall be required to send to members any annual or other report
          or statement of the affairs of the Corporation.  Nothing in this section shall be deemed to limit or restrict the right of
          any member to request any information regarding the affairs of the Corporation.

 

ARTICLE XII - SEAL

12.1       A Corporate Seal is not required for the Corporation.

 

ARTICLE XIII – OPERATING CODE

13.1   The Board of Directors is authorized to adopt an operating code by which volleyball shall be      governed.

 

ARTICLE XIV – AMENDMENTS

14.1       These Bylaws may be amended, altered, or repealed and new Bylaws may be adopted by a two-thirds majority
           vote of the Board of Directors.

 

Proposed additions, deletions, or amendments to the Bylaws may be submitted in writing to the Secretary for presentation to the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting, but shall not be voted on at that time.  Action to consider amendments to these Bylaws shall occur at another regular or special meeting held at least 30 days after the date of the meeting where the amendments were presented.