WENATCHEE VALLEY MAT CATS YOUTH WRESTLING
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I - STATEMENT OR PRINCIPLES
The Wenatchee Valley Mat Cats Youth Wrestling (Mat Cats) is an organization dedicated to producing young men and women of character through wrestling, sportsmanship, and hard work. Mat Cats wrestlers will be champions on and off the mat. We are an equal opportunity youth wrestling program.
All youth that can abide by the Mat Cats rules are welcome. The primary purpose of Mat Cats is to acquaint youth with the rules and fundamentals of wrestling and to support the sport of wrestling at all levels. Mat Cats is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes and is non-profit under Section 501c (3) of the Internal Revenue Code or corresponding section of any future Federal Tax code. ARTICLE II - MEMBERSHIP AND VOTING
General Membership. All families with a participating and dues paying family member in good standing with the Mat Cats are considered members and are allowed one vote in general elections regardless of number of wrestlers and/or number of households. A meeting of the corporation shall be held annually at a time and place designed by the Board of Directors, written notice posted no less than 14 days prior to such meeting on the team communication platform. Votes conducted during all membership meetings will be determined by a simple majority, except for conditions discussed in Article 3.3. The annual meeting will be held for the purpose of registration, treasury reporting, election of officers and new business. Voting rights of Mat Cats membership is limited to any single expense more than $3000, election of officers, and conditions discussed in Article 3.3. The Board contains all other rights and authority to make decisions on behalf of Mat Cats. However, The Board also maintains the right to request a vote of Mat Cats membership on items of significance, if determined by The Board. The Board of Directors may, by a two-thirds vote of a quorum, revoke the General Membership of individuals because of conduct unbecoming of Mat Cats. ARTICLE III - MANAGEMENT AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS
The Board of Directors (The Board) manages the affairs and business of Mat Cats. The Board will consist of the following voting elected officers: President, Vice President, Registrar; the following voting appointed positions: Secretary, Treasurer; the following non-voting appointed positions: Parent Participation Director, Media Management Director, Concessions Director, Fundraising Director, Equipment Director, and Parent Representatives Director. All appointments will be made with a simple majority vote of The Board. Board positions and voting authority may be changed with the unanimous consent of the voting board or a two-thirds vote of the general membership; The presiding elected officer shall not be permitted to vote. Officers shall be elected at the annual general member meeting through a simple majority vote. The President shall be voted on even years. The Vice President and Registrar shall be voted on odd years. All positions shall be held for 2 years or until: (a) the successor is duly elected, (b) death or disability, (c) resignation or (d) removed from office by a two-thirds vote of the general membership. Vacancies may be filled with a simple majority vote of The Board. The regular meetings of The Board will be held at a time and location established and published through the team communication platform no less than 7 days prior to meeting. The Board shall meet often enough to orderly conduct team business. Non-voting appointed positions are not required to attend board meetings unless requested by The Board. Quorum will consist of 50% of voting board members. Any individual holding an elected and appointed position simultaneously will count as one board member. A Quorum must be met prior to the board voting on a binding measure. However, a voting member can cast a vote if absent via communication with the President. Delegation of Authority / Responsibility – All duties and responsibility of Officers may be delegated appropriately. Elected Board Members may hold appointed positions but to increase parent participation may not hold more than one concurrently. All other powers, authority, duties and responsibilities not otherwise specifically stated or defined in the Mat Cats Bylaws are considered to be vested in the President individually or The Board when in season. Conflicts of Interest will be avoided by following the Mat Cats Conflict of Interest Policy (this policy is currently being drafted, as of 1.3.23). ARTICLE IV – DUTIES OF OFFICERS
The President shall preside over all meetings, act as point of contact for all directors, and perform such executive responsibilities of the office, including matters of insurance, facilities, discipline, and representation of the Mat Cats with affiliated organizations and bodies. The President and Registrar will organize the Mat Cats registration program and be responsible for all Mat Cats correspondence/communication through all mediums. The President will be authorized to sign on all bank drafts. The Vice President, working with the President, is responsible for organizing the wrestling practices. This includes the organization of the practice schedule, setting up coaches to oversee the practices, and maintenance of the schedule. The Vice President, in the absence of the President, shall exercise the powers and duties of the President. The Registrar is responsible for recording and submission of the initial registration of athletes and coaches to the affiliate organizations. The Registrar will maintain the volunteer and coaching list along with contact information and background check verification. The Registrar will coordinate registration information to be disseminated via either email or print to prior participants and local schools. APPOINTED POSITIONS
Treasurer - The Treasurer shall keep a record of all funds, deposit all funds in a local bank, and make all disbursements by check which will be signed by the Treasurer and President. The Treasurer will have all account balances available at all meetings of The Board and the organization. This person will provide receipts for such items. A financial report will be prepared and presented to The Board at each general membership meeting or when requested by The Board. The Treasurer will establish financial policies with The Board each calendar year for accurate accounting and financial stability as best fits the current needs. The Treasurer will be responsible for filing all required tax forms. Non- Appointed yearly at the General Meeting. The President and the Treasurer cannot be related. Secretary - The Secretary shall keep record of all meetings, including board meetings, post minutes of the previous meeting, and make notice of meetings on the website. Appointed yearly at the General Meeting. Head Coaches - The 5-8 age group and the 9-14 age group will each have a Head Coach. The Head Coaches will oversee all practice sessions for their respective age group. The Head Coaches will jointly preside over all coaching meetings and attend tournaments. Head Coaches are encouraged to continue to build relationships on behalf of the Mat Cats with wrestling coaches associated with school programs in the Wenatchee Valley and surrounding area. Parent Participation Director - The Parent Participation director is responsible for organizing and educating Mat Cats parents for manning tables at tournaments. The director will also gather volunteers and assign duties and responsibility for any tournaments the Mat Cats sponsors. Non-Voting Position (appointed yearly at General Meeting). Media Management Director: The Media Managment Director shall keep track of Mat Cats important events to compile a year-end summary for the team. All significant information involving Mat Cats should be included in the summary, including advertisements, newsletters, newspaper articles, event programs, tournament results and photos. Non-voting Position (appointed yearly at General Meeting). Concessions Director - The Concessions Director is responsible for the organization of the concession stands and the hospitality rooms for tournaments the Mat Cats sponsors, as well as the team party at the end of the year. Fundraising Director - The Fundraising Director is responsible for finding equitable fundraising events which are appropriate for the organization. The director is also responsible for maintaining a current inventory of all items used or sold during fund raising events to prevent any over or under stock of items. Equipment Director - The Equipment director is responsible for the distribution, upkeep, repair, inventory record keeping and storage of all Mat Cat equipment and clothing. The Mat Cats storage unit will be used to store the equipment between seasons. An accurate account of all durable goods and equipment shall be available at each board meeting and/or within 1 week of a request from the Board. The Equipment Director is responsible for coordinating the Team Store through a vendor approved by The Board. This person will promote the team store, place the team order(s) and coordinate distribution of the orders. Orders should arrive prior to the second tournament of the season. Parent Representative - The Parent Representatives will be no less than 2 and no more than 6 in number. The Parent Representatives are responsible for providing parent input and feedback on team programs and direction. The Parent Representatives should be equally distributed between age groups 5-8 and 9-14. Non-Voting Position (appointed yearly a General Meeting). ARTICLE V - COACHING / VOLUNTEER ELIGIBILITY
Coaching Eligibility - The following are prerequisites for coaching in the Mat Cats practices, meets and tournaments:
Coaches must be at least eighteen years of age. Coaches shall be selected by the President and/or Vice President. Coaches must be willing to fulfill all duties assigned by the President and/or Vice President. Coaches must fill out and pass a WSP background check. Coaches will maintain behavior that positively reflects Mat Cats. Volunteer Eligibility - The following are prerequisites for volunteering in Mat Cats practices, meets and tournaments:
Volunteers must be willing to fulfill all duties assigned by the members of the coaching staff. Volunteers will maintain behavior that positively reflects Mat Cats. Coach/Volunteer Principles of Leadership:
Possession, use, or distribution of any illegal substance, except for a legally obtained drug prescription for personal use. They will refrain from use of alcohol or tobacco during contact with wrestlers. They will not “belittle” wrestlers but may use constructive criticism in private. They will not criticize the opposing team, coaches or fans in any shape or form, i.e., good sportsmanship. They will refrain from using abusive/profane language. They will not discriminate based on gender or win/loss record. They will emphasize that good athletes are physically and mentally alert. They will strive to make every wrestling activity serve as a training ground for life and as a basis for good mental and physical health. They will emphasize proper nutrition/diet for proper weight control/loss. They will set a good example by following all the rules and regulations of the wrestlers as it pertains to them. Acts of Disbarment - A coach or other adult active in an official capacity may be barred from further participation in Mat Cats events and practices by violation of the Mat Cats Principles of Leadership or any act, situation or event that is deemed sufficiently egregious by a majority vote of The Board. ARTICLE VI - WRESTLER ELIGIBILITY
Wrestler Eligibility - The following are participation requirements for youth that wish to participate with Mat Cats:
Children ages 5-14 (no high school Freshman) who live within participating distance of team facilities and practice locations are eligible for team membership. A written registration form filled out by the parent/guardian for each wrestler must be on file with Mat Cats. A birth certificate (photocopy only) must be on file with the Administrator before a wrestler can compete. Registration fees for each wrestler must be paid prior to participating in practice. Wrestlers will maintain behavior that positively reflects Mat Cats. Revocation of Membership Rights - The following is a list of activities that may cause a participating wrestler to lose membership privileges and rights. This list is not comprehensive, nor inclusive and additional actions may result in termination of membership and loss of privileges as deemed by the President or Board:
Possession, use, or distribution of any illegal substance, except for a legally obtained drug prescription for personal use. Use or possession of tobacco or alcohol. Vandalism of all property, including practice and tournament facilities as well as hotels/motels used for tournaments participation. Continued disruption of practices or/and poor sportsmanship. Disrespect to any wrestler, coach, assigned chaperone, or Mat Cats official
Having a communicable disease (at the discretion of The Board)
Any wrestler dropped from Mat Cats for any reason cannot participate with Mat Cats in any way. A wrestler may seek reinstatement by a vote of The Board. There will be no refunds of registration or tournament fees upon removal from the team. ARTICLE VII - PARENT/GUARDIAN RESPONSIBILITIES
A parent/guardian must refrain from poor sportsmanship, which includes but is not limited to the following:
Publicly criticizing the coaches, wrestlers, opposing clubs, fans, or officials. Interfering with the coaching methods of the coaching staff. Using abusive and/or profane language. Possession and/or use of illegal drugs and alcohol on school property. Striking any coach, official, spectator, or participant. A parent/guardian is responsible for the conduct and behavior of all siblings and guests in attendance at Mat Cat event(s) or practice(s). Family and Guests are to be held to the same behavior expectation as wrestlers. Any comments or concerns by a parent/guardian should be directed to the Head Coach and/or to the officers of the organization as soon as possible. A parent/guardian will guarantee athletes will not be unsupervised or unattended following practices or competitions. Children will not be left alone at practice or competition sites. Parents will be responsible for their child’s behavior at all wrestling activities and in hotel/motel rooms. A parent/guardian may be dismissed and their child’s/children’s membership with Mat Cats revoked by violation of any of the above noted acts. The determination of this dismissal shall be approved by a majority vote of The Board. ARTICLE VIII - MAT CATS AUTHORITY
Nothing herein contained prohibits the organization from taking immediate action on a violation if the officers of the organization decide this action is in the best interest of the organization. Any member of the organization that has been dropped from the team or barred from any event of the organization has the right to have such action reviewed and an opportunity to present his/her case to The Board of the organization for reinstatement. This appeal will be voted on by The Board of the organization to either uphold the official action or overrule such action. Any action passed by The Board of the organization will be considered binding and not subject to appeal. All decisions made by The Board of the organization are binding upon all individuals involved with Mat Cats. ARTICLE IX - SUPPLEMENTAL MAT CATS POLICIES
All assets generated by Mat Cats shall remain the property of Mat Cats. An audit of the finances of the organization will be done once a year or upon request of any five members of the general membership. A financial report will be prepared and presented to The Board at the end of the season and at the general membership meeting. No part of the net earnings of Mat Cats shall insure to the benefit of, or be distributed to its members, board members, or private persons, except that Mat Cats shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered to the wrestling program. No business transactions will take place that might financially benefit the private interest of a board member. Any question of conflict of interest will be taken up by a special board meeting where final determination can be made of actual conflict. Failure to disclose actual conflict of interest will result in the board member being removed from their position on The Board. Any check made payable to Mat Cats that is returned as NSF will be redeposited two times. Any charges incurred by Mat Cats due to insufficient funds shall be charged to the check writer. Mat Cats reserves the right to refuse subsequent checks and require cash or money order in the amount of NSF. Upon dissolution of the Mat Cats, The Board shall pay or make provision for the payment of all liabilities of the Mat Cats. All remaining funds and assets will be donated to the wrestling club of The Board’s choosing. ARTICLE X - RULES STATEMENT
Any revisions, additions, or deletions to these bylaws must be voted on by The Board of the organization prior to their incorporation. These bylaws will be reviewed and revised every two years by The Board of the organization. ARTICLE XI - ORGANIZATION’S RIGHTS
The Mat Cats, upon a vote of The Board, reserves the right to refuse membership to any individual if it is found to be in the best interest of the club Mat Cats.
