Madison area ymca

Mariners Swim Team Parent –Coach Organization

By-Laws

 

MPCO Leadership Team

8/1/2010

 

 

The following document outlines the structure and duties of the Madison Area YMCA Mariners Swim Team MPCO.


 

 

 

MADISON AREA YMCA

MARINERS (SWIM TEAM) PARENT / COACH ORGANIZATION

(MPCO)

 

 

ARTICLE  I – NAME AND ACTIVITIES

 

Section 1 – Name

 

The name of this organization shall be the Madison Area YMCA Mariners Parent/Coach Organization hereinafter referred to as the “MPCO”.

 

Section 2 – Mission

 

The purpose of the MPCO is to provide support services and financial assistance to facilitate the Madison Area YMCA (MAY) competitive swim program goals delineated in their philosophy and mission statements in the team’s handbook.

 

Activities and Purposes:

 

A.      The swim teams are the direct responsibility of the head coach and assistant coaches.  The head coach will report to and be responsible to the Aquatics Director at the Madison Area YMCA (MAY) or a Staff Designate.

B.      The MPCO will help guide and encourage all team members to demonstrate sportsman-like conduct, a high level of competitive effort, personal satisfaction and fun, and a sense of responsibility to the team and the coaching staff.

C.      Prior to each competitive season, the Leadership Team will prepare a budget for the coming season.  The budget shall cover all anticipated expenses including equipment purchases, major meet costs and team celebrations, etc.  The income should include the revenue from all MPCO dues, fundraisers and donations.

D.      The MPCO will help conduct dual and invitational swim meets to provide competitive opportunities for the swimmers.

E.      The MPCO will work to identify and execute fundraising opportunities (inclusive of swim meet vending and invitational meet operation) in support of the MAY swim team program.

F.      The MPCO will provide a structure by which parents can contribute to the success and growth of the swim team as well as provide support to the coaching staff.

G.     The MPCO will uphold and enforce the rules and regulations as outlined in the Parents’ Handbook. 

H.      The MPCO will work to support the YMCA mission for the purpose of developing the characteristics of Caring, Honest, Respect, and Responsibility.

 

Section 3 – Constitution

 

The Madison Area YMCA MPCO serves at the pleasure of the Board of Directors of the Madison Area YMCA and can be restructured or dissolved at the discretion of the same.

 

Section 4 – Organization

 

The organization of the MPCO shall consist of:  (a) a functionally-based Leadership Team (the “Leadership Team”); and (b) standing committees.

 

 

ARTICLE II – MEMBERSHIP

 

A.       Membership on the MAY MPCO is automatic for all parents or legal guardians of each competitive swim team participant.

B.      Active membership will be restricted to the parents or guardians of MAY Mariners swim team members in good standing*.  (*Having met all financial obligations including MAY membership fees, swim team fees, MPCO membership, and declining balance.)

 

 

ARTICLE III – LEADERSHIP TEAM

 

Section 1 – Powers

 

The powers of the Leadership Team shall be to establish standards, plan activities, raise and allocate the use of swim team funds, establish and manage meet entry fee accounts, create work requirements and monitor compliance of such for MAY MPCO members.

 

Section 2 – Composition

 

A.      The MAY MPCO Leadership Team shall consist of team representatives selected to appropriately represent the interests of swimmers from all levels and practice locations within the team.  The Senior Aquatics Director or YMCA staff designate shall also serve on the Leadership Team.

B.      The MAY MPCO Leadership Team shall consist of:

1.       Head Swim Coach

2.       Assistant Swim Coaches (travel)

3.       Treasurer / Business Manager (this may be staffed by two volunteers)

4.       Community Relations / Marketing

5.       Social Events

6.       Meet Director / Team Representative Coordinator

 

C.      Leadership Team members shall also be considered volunteer coordinators for their respective functions.

 

Section 3 – Elections

 

A.      The Leadership Team shall be elected from among the active members of the MAY MPCO.  The most appropriate timing for elections shall be the Spring General* Meeting (banquet).  The Leadership Team may elect replacements as necessary for any Leadership Team positions vacated mid-season. 

B.      Person(s) interested in being considered for a position on the MAY MPCO Leadership Team shall submit a letter of intent to any current board member prior to elections.

C.      The Leadership Team shall be elected by a simple majority of those active MAY MPCO members present and voting at General meetings.  The Leadership Team shall assume their responsibilities immediately following the election.  These elections may be conducted by show of hands or paper ballot.

 

*General meetings invite all members as defined in Article II.

 

Section 4 – Tenure

 

A.       Leadership Team members are elected except for the Coaching Staff of the Mariners Swim team whose term on the Leadership Team shall run concurrently with his/her tenure as Head Coach.

B.      Leadership Team members may serve a period of two years, and may hold consecutive 1 year terms upon approval at the general meeting.

C.      Leadership Team members wishing to resign shall give the MPCO one (1) months written notice. 

D.      Leadership Team positions shall be limited to one member of the same family serving at any given time.

 

 

ARTICLE IV – DUTIES OF LEADERSHIP TEAM

 

The Leadership Team will work together to (1) publish an annual calendar of all swim team events (meets, social activities, fundraisers); (2) identify, discuss, approve expenditures for inclusion in the annual budget; and (3) lead execution of approved events and expenditures.

 

A.      The Head Coach shall:

a.       Lead the development of the agenda for monthly MPCO meetings

b.      Assist in identifying expenditures to be included in annual budget especially with regard to meet expenses (fees, travel, etc.), training, equipment, etc.

c.       Lead development of annual event calendar to include dual and invitational meet dates and locations as well as all social activities

d.      Collaborate with functional leads to ensure the completion of all stated goals

 

B.       The Assistant Coaches shall:

a.       Assist the Head Coach in all activities listed above

 

C.      The Treasurer shall:

a.       Handle the fiscal management of the MPCO

                                                               i.      Collection of MPCO funds

                                                             ii.      Bank deposits

                                                            iii.      Fund disbursements

                                                           iv.      Record keeping

                                                             v.      Manage individual family accounts (MPCO dues and declining balances for meet participation)

 

D.      The Community Relations / Marketing team member shall:

a.       Prepare and submit articles and photographs promoting the activities and achievements of the MAY Mariners Swim Team through local marketing channels such as Local Newspapers (Madison Eagle, Chatham Courier), websites (Chatham Patch) and YMCA communications on an on-going basis

b.      Maintain MAY MPCO Handbook and By-Laws

c.       Update the Madison Mariner bulletin board, as needed

d.      Coordinate the team photo and age-group photos

 

E.      Social Events team member shall:

a.       Lead organization of two (2) annual events:  Season Kick-Off BBQ and Spring Banquet

b.      Lead organization of team-oriented social events (i.e., Pizza Party, Movie Night, seasonal treats, Halloween meet dress-up, etc.)

c.       Lead organization of concessions at home dual meets or invitational meets hosted by MAY

 

F.      The Meet Director shall:

Organize and coordinate all meet activities.  (Established 2010-2011 season – YMCA employee.)  Roles and responsibilities include but are not limited to:

a.       preparing and distributing meet invitations

b.      organizing meet committees

c.       securing an appropriate meet facility

d.      obtaining a meet sanction

e.      distributing final results

 

 

The Leadership Team is responsible for identifying and coordinating parent volunteers to achieve the goals of each function.  (Example:  The Community Relations/Marketing lead may identify a parent to provide a summary of a boys meet with a brief write-up.  The lead would then submit to the local communications channels.)  A list of the functions combined with the volunteer role needed would be created and posted on the YMCA bulletin board and on the MAY website.

 

Responsibility for providing recorded minutes of monthly MPCO meetings shall rotate through the Leadership Team.

 

 

ARTICLE V – MEETINGS

 

Section 1 – Annual Meetings

 

A.      The MAY MPCO will hold two (2) general membership meetings annually, one in the spring and one in the fall.

B.      The spring meeting of the team MAY MPCO will be during the spring banquet or other gathering as to be determined by the Leadership Team.

 

Section 2 – Regular Meetings

 

A.      The Leadership Team shall hold regular monthly meetings at a date, location and time designated by the Leadership Team at least one week prior to the meeting date.

B.      Prior meeting minutes and the monthly meeting agenda are to be distributed to all Leadership Team members via e-mail at least three (3) days prior to the meeting date.

C.      Chairpersons or special committees may be called on to present committee activity at regular meetings as necessary.

D.      MAY MPCO members at large shall be afforded the opportunity to participate in open quarterly meetings (September, December, March, and June).  It is recommended that specific agenda items be forwarded to the Head Coach prior to the meeting.

 

Section  3 – Special MPCO Meetings

 

A.       Special Leadership Team or Team meetings may be called by simple majority vote of the Leadership Team.

B.      Notice of special MPCO meetings will be made to all active members prior to the meeting by the Customer Relations / Marketing Leadership Team member.

 

Section 4 – Voting

 

A.       Unless these By-Laws require otherwise, all voting shall be by a show of hands or voice vote unless the voting results are not clear; then paper ballots will be used.

B.      A quorum of the Leadership Team for the purpose of transacting MAY MPCO business shall be at least fifty percent (50%) of the voting member.  Voting, except for the purpose of amending the constitution, policies or By-Laws shall be by a simple majority of those present and voting.

 

 

ARTICLE VI – FISCAL MANAGEMENT

 

Section 1 – Banking Accounts

 

The MPCO may open a banking account or establish a Restricted Fund Account with the YMCA (monies for swim team use only).  All expenditures must be based on the approved budget.  Exceptions must be approved by majority vote of the MPCO Leadership Team.  All checks must have two signatures, one from the MPCO and one from the Y staff.  For the purpose of check signing, the Head Coach will be considered Y staff.  Deposits must be made within a commercially reasonable time period from the receipt of such funds.

 

 

ARTICLE VII - COMMITTEES

 

Section 1 – Standing Committees

Standing committees shall be staffed by MAY MPCO members and will, in the majority of instances, collaborate with and/or report to a Leadership Team member.

 

A.       Standing committees may be formed to address the following responsibilities:

a.       Apparel

b.      Banquet

c.       Equipment

d.      Fund Raising

e.      Meet Directors

f.         New Parents Orientation

g.      Officials Coordinator

h.       Refreshments / Hospitality / Concessions (dual and invitational meets)

i.         Team Records

 

B.      All standing committees shall meet as needed to accomplish their goals during the active swim season.  Activities of the committee are to be presented by either the committee chairperson or corresponding Leadership Team member at monthly Leadership Team meetings.

 

Section 2 – Special Committees

 

Special committees may be formed by the Leadership Team as necessary to address any activity not identified in the current season’s calendar plan.

 

 

ARTICLE VIII – MEMBERSHIP AND MEMBER OBLIGATIONS

 

Section 1 – Membership

 

Each parent or guardian of a child who is a member of any Madison Area YMCA Mariner Swim Team shall be required to be a member of the MPCO. 

 

Section 2 – Dues

 

MPCO members will be assessed dues based upon participation on the Mariners Swim Team.  Dues shall be determined and assessed by the Leadership Team prior to the First General Meeting and payable by October 30 of the current fiscal year.  Failure to pay MPCO dues will prohibit the swimmer and his/her family to participate in any MPCO-sponsored event.

 

Section 3 – Declining Balance

 

Each member of the MPCO shall be assigned a declining balance account (the “Declining Balance Account”).  The purpose of this account shall be to fund entry fees for invitational and championship meets for which the respective MPCO member’s child/children are entered.  The beginning balance will be assessed with the MPO dues and will be payable at that same time. 

 

Meet entry guidelines involving Declining Balance Accounts shall be outlined in the Team and/or Parent Handbooks.

 

 

ARTICLE IX – AMENDMENTS TO THE BY-LAWS

 

A.       By-Laws may be amended at general or regular meetings of the MAY MPCO at which a quorum of the active voting membership is present.

B.      A quorum for the purpose of voting on amendments to the By-Laws shall be by simple majority of those present for the vote.

C.      Those wishing to vote, but unable to be present during the election may submit a written proxy to the Leadership Team at least twenty-four (24) hours prior to said vote.