Minute Man Dart League, Inc. Bylaws

ARTICLE I – NAME

The name of the organization shall be Minute Man Dart League, Inc.

ARTICLE II – DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1. Whenever the initials “MMDL” are used in these By-laws, they shall mean MINUTE MAN DART LEAGUE, INC.

SECTION 2. Whenever the word “BOARD” is used in these By-laws, it shall mean that body described in Article VI, Section 1.

SECTION 3. Whenever the term “SENIOR BOARD MEMBER” is used in these By-laws, it shall mean the most Senior Board Member present in terms of continuous service. If there is no Senior Board Member, in terms of continuous service, there will be an election for that position among the Board Members present.

SECTION 4. Whenever the term “GENERAL MEMBER” is used in these By-laws, it shall mean a League Member other than a Board Member.

SECTION 5. Whenever the term “SPONSOR” is used in these By-laws, it shall mean an entity sponsoring a participating team in the MMDL.

SECTION 6. Whenever the term “NEUTRAL” is used in these By-laws, it shall mean a person not involved in the team, location, or division under discussion.

SECTION 7. Whenever the term “MEMBER CAPTAIN” is used in these By-laws, it shall mean a person who is either captain elect of a member team of the MMDL or a representative thereof.

SECTION 8. Whenever the term “AREA DIRECTOR / AD” is used in these By-laws, it shall mean a person elected for two years to represent and direct all league activities within a designated geographical area. This area shall consist of divisions.

SECTION 9. Whenever the term “VOTE” is used in these By-laws, it shall mean voting of hands or ballots at the meeting, voting by electronic vote/email, or voting by absentee ballot if absent from the board meeting.

SECTION 10. Whenever the term “LEAGUE COMMISSIONER” is used in these By-laws it shall mean, a Board Member appointed to this position.

ARTICLE III – OBJECTIVES

SECTION 1. The objectives of the MMDL shall be to promote Darting, co-ordinate the functions and activities of Darts, and sanction League play according to Rules in effect, as well as establish friendly relationships with similar organizations.

SECTION 2. The MMDL shall be a non-profit, non-political, and non-sectarian organization.

ARTICLE IV – FEES AND DUES

SECTION 1. General Membership and Sponsor fees shall be established and may be revised by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of those Board Members present at any Board Meeting.

SECTION 2. Fees, if any, for MMDL sponsored activities shall be established by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of those Board Members present at any Board Meeting.

SECTION 3. General Membership and Sponsor fees shall be applicable to the period established at a Board Meeting and shall be payable in advance. An applicant of General Membership or Sponsorship shall be considered to be properly registered as a Member when within the current policies the application form or appropriate fee has been received.

SECTION 4. General Membership and Sponsorship fees shall be applicable each season. General Members and Sponsors failing to submit their fees on or before the announced time of registration deadline will not be scheduled or allowed to participate in league-sponsored events. In the event a check is returned by our bank, for any reason, payment must be made, in cash or by certified check, plus a twenty-five (25) dollar service charge within seven (7) days to the appropriate Area Director. Failure to do so will result in the suspension of the team or teams involved.

ARTICLE V – MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1. Application for General Membership is open to anyone who expresses interest in Darts as a sport and is twenty-one years of age or the legal drinking age in Massachusetts.

SECTION 2. Application for Sponsorship is open to all organizations expressing an interest in Darts as a sport and is encouraged by the MMDL.

SECTION 3. All memberships are subject to approval by a simple majority vote of the Board.

SECTION 4. A membership may be terminated by a simple majority vote of the Board if such member creates or behaves in a manner which is prejudicial to order and discipline. The Board’s decision in such matters is FINAL.

SECTION 5. General Members using a sponsors establishment as their home address will not be included in any mailings sent by the MMDL or its Board Members.

SECTION 6. It is the responsibility of all League Members to maintain current and valid contact information (Address, Phone Number, Email Address) with their Area Director. Such information shall be used in all MMDL communications sent whenever required by the other provisions of these By-Laws.

SECTION 7. Any general member found guilty of conduct unbecoming of a gentleman or lady, as the case may be, the member may be suspended for the said offense by the League Commissioner and/or Area Director

ARTICLE VI – THE BOARD

SECTION 1. The Board shall be comprised of at least four (4) persons, but not more than (12) persons, which shall include the President, Vice-President, Secretary/Recording Secretary, Marketing/Communications Director, Information Technology Director, Treasurer, Business Administrator, ADO/Youth Director, and Four (4) Area Directors. No joint office may be held.

SECTION 2. A Board vacancy must be filled no later than the next scheduled regular Board meeting following the creation of the vacancy and will be filled by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Board Members present PROVIDED: 1) The proposed General Member appointee is a member in good standing 2) The names of all nominees for appointment are submitted to the Board 3) A two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Board Members present approve the nominee for appointment.

SECTION 3. A Board Member’s status is automatically terminated when, without sufficient cause, he or she fails to appear at three (3) consecutive Board Meetings or is over twenty (20) minutes late for three (3) consecutive Board meetings.

SECTION 4. Board Members removed under Article VI, Section 3 shall not be permitted to run for any office at a subsequent election.

SECTION 5. The Area Directors/Board Members will be elected by the team captains or representative thereof of their respective areas. The term of office will be two (2) years irrespective of whether or not that individual changes areas during the term of office.

SECTION 6. Area Directors/Board Members are subject to recall, for cause, by a unanimous vote of team captains, in good standing, in the area. Sufficient cause must be submitted and approved by a 2/3 majority vote of the Board prior to any action being taken by the area.

SECTION 7. Board Members may resign from office at any time during their term of office by submitting oral or written notice to that effect to the remaining members of the Board of Directors. Such resignations shall be effective immediately which relinquishes that Board Members privilege to vote.

SECTION 8. Any individual with a financial interest in a sponsorship will be permitted to serve on the Board of Directors as approved by the Board on a case by case basis.

SECTION 9. The term of office for the MMDL officers comprised of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Marketing/Communications Director, Information Technology Director, Treasurer, Business Administrator, ADO/Youth Director, and Advisors (AD’s) shall be two (34) years served consecutively. The term of office shall commence one (1) week from the date of election. During this week the outgoing Board member is asked to help with the transition and return all MMDL equipment and documentation and shall not hold voting privileges. If a vote is needed during this transition week the newly voted Board member holds the privilege to vote.

ARTICLE VII – BOARD DUTIES/QUORUM

SECTION 1. The Board must meet at least every two (2) months. The meeting date, time, and location will be determined by the President. Attendance shall be excused if written notice of the meeting is not received at least three (3) days prior to the meeting.

SECTION 2. Board meetings shall have a time limit of three (3) hours from the time the meeting is called to order. A maximum of fifteen (15) minutes may be allowed for the purpose of completing a point under discussion. This section may be waived by the unanimous vote of the members in attendance.

SECTION 3. Two-thirds (2/3) majority of the Board members in attendance shall constitute a Quorum. In the absence of the President and Vice-President, the senior Board member shall act as Chairman of the meeting.

ARTICLE VIII – DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS

SECTION 1. PRESIDENT: The President shall preside at all meetings of the MMDL unless excused by the NO VOTE PROVISO, which is Section 12 of Article VIII. He/She may vote only to make or break a tie. His/Her signature will be one of three valid signatures on the League’s Checking and Saving accounts. He/She shall be bonded to the amount of twenty-five thousand ($25,000) dollars, subject to an increase at any time by the approval of a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the Board. He/She shall decide all questions of order, sign all orders upon the Treasurer for all sums of money ordered by the League to be paid, appoint all committees, unless otherwise ordered, and he/she shall be an ex officio a member of all committees.

SECTION 2. VICE-PRESIDENT: The Vice-President shall assist the President in maintaining the efficiency of the operation, and in the absence of the President the Vice-President shall exercise the duties of the President. The Vice-President will serve as the Chairman of the Board. Upon resignation or recall of the President, the Vice-President will assume the office of the President for the remainder of the President’s term of office. The vacancy of the Vice-President’s office will then be filled as provided by Article VI Section 2.

SECTION 3. Should the President and the Vice-President take leave of office, the SENIOR BOARD MEMBER shall assume the position of the President with the provision that he/she call for an Election Meeting within thirty (30) days of their leaving office.

SECTION 4. SECRETARY: The Secretary shall notify members of their election, issue notices of meetings, conduct the correspondence of the MMDL, and perform such other duties as from time to time may be imposed upon him/her. Record the Meeting Minutes and prepare the Agenda for the meetings. Receive and distribute to the Board any requests to be on a ballot and notify members of the election results. At the expiration of his/her term of office turn over all his/her books and papers to his/her successor.

SECTION 5. TREASURER: The Treasurer shall receive and maintain custody of all MMDL funds and shall promptly deposit all monies received. He/She shall keep a correct account thereof and pay all orders properly drawn on him/her. He/she shall be bonded to the amount of twenty-five thousand (25,000) dollars, subject to an increase at any time by the approval of a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the Board. The MMDL shall pay all expenses of bond for the faithful discharge of his/her duties. He/she shall be responsible for the collection of any fees, dues, and fines from the MMDL members, and shall be required to submit a Treasurer’s report quarterly. His/her signature will be one of three valid signatures on the MMDL Checking and Savings Accounts. The Treasurer, at the discretion of the Board, shall submit the books for annual audit at the end of each fiscal year (August). An independent auditing firm or an Auditing Committee, composed of three (3) Board Members, will be appointed to conduct the audit review and submit their findings to the Board. Shall balance the books on a monthly basis and provide a profit & loss statement as well as a balance sheet to the Board. Receive, authenticate, and reimburse a Board Members incurred expenses. Handles all equipment purchases for the Board Members

SECTION 6. ADO/YOUTH DIRECTOR: Schedules, sets up, and runs all ADO events and youth events for MMDL. Receives completes and returns all ADO related paperwork. Acts as a liaison between the MMDL and the ADO.

SECTION 7. BUSINESS ADMINISTRATOR: Responsible for the overall management of the league’s business development initiatives and revenue streams, including implementing and managing a sales strategy to improve league membership and team sponsorships. Additional responsibilities include managing contract negotiations and working with legal counsel, as needed… The coordination and supervision of all MMDL promotional contracts (ie. shirts, plaques, etc.)

SECTION 8. MARKETING and COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR: The Director of Marketing and Communications is responsible for any and all management activities relating to the league’s corporate image and identity, literature, documentation, website and Internet presence, promotions, advertising/PR, and member communications. Duties may include but are not limited to: Creating and executing strategies to grow and promote the MMDL and the sport of darts in general. Promoting and defending the MMDL brand. Writing, publishing and distributing all official news, announcements, and marketing collateral ensuring that the website and related online locations are kept current. Overseeing design and production of league documents, including season announcements, team roster forms, captain’s kits, event flyers, official league emails, letterheads, envelopes, business cards, etc. Working with sponsorship director to fulfill sponsorship contract obligations (i.e. managing joint promotions, ensuring sponsor logos appear on documentation, etc.) Management of vendors and contractors providing marketing support services. PR and Media relations

SECTION 9. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY DIRECTOR (IT) (administer and maintain)
Responsible for managing and granting access permissions (Security)
Coordinate and manage hosting services
Upgrade software (when necessary)
Upload website content (and archiving of older info)
Quality control of website content authored by others
Review performance (and monitor capacity)
Conduct website content and database backups
Provide reports and statistics on website use to the Board
The same types of tasks done for the Website can also be applied to the E-mail Systems as directed by the Board.
Management of league members and sponsors databases.
Maintain and manage the player draft page

SECTION 10. AREA DIRECTORS: Prior to the start of the a Season Area Directors/AD’s are responsible for securing a venue, date, and time to hold Captains meetings. This information must be provided to the Director of Marketing & Communications to be published. He/She should arrive at the meeting one hour early to prepare. During the first Captains Meeting, the AD will collect rosters and sponsor fees. He/She will provide a cash ledger to the Treasurer (Prior to the start of Season). He/She will create a regular-season schedule (A copy will be provided to the Director of Marketing & Communications to be published.) and prepare Captains Kits prior to the second meeting. He/She will distribute Captains Kits, Shirts, and Awards at the second meeting. He/She will input teams and players’ information into the database prior to the start of the season. He/She will deal with team issues, roster changes, and set up compliance. He/She will create a playoff schedule and will update each week. (A copy will be provided to the Director of Marketing & Communications to be published.)

SECTION 11. BOARD MEMBERS: Board Members, together with the Board Officers, shall have and exercise general supervision of the affairs of the MMDL and shall control and manage its properties and effects. They shall assist in the administration of the MMDL policies and provide and enforce penalties for infractions committed by MMDL members.

SECTION 12. NO VOTE PROVISO: No Board Member may vote on operational procedures or protests taking place in a Darting establishment which he/she usually and normally frequents and or which he/she possesses a financial interest.

SECTION 13. All checks issued by the MMDL must be approved by the President prior to the signing. All checks must be signed by two (3) of the three (3) authorized Board Members who consist of the Treasurer, the President, and appointed Board Member.

SECTION 14. Withdrawals from the MMDL Savings Account may be made by any of the three(3) authorized Board Members (President, Treasurer, or appointed Board Member) provided such withdrawals have been approved by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Board.

ARTICLE IX – MEETINGS

SECTION 1. BOARD MEETINGS: Such meetings shall be comprised of Board Members and shall be subject to the provisions set forth in Article VII. The President is to verify the attendance of the meeting (3) days prior to the meeting in order to ensure there will be enough to constitute a Quorum. Board Members must notify the President at least (3) days prior to the meeting date if they will not be attending. (exceptions may apply on a case by case basis)

SECTION 2. PROTEST MEETINGS: Such meetings shall be subject to the provisions set forth in those rules currently in effect.

SECTION 3. CAPTAINS MEETING: A minimum of two (2) Captain Meetings per season will be mandatory. (1) For the collection of rosters and sponsor fees and (1) for the disbursement of the captain’s kits. Such meetings must be announced by direct mail/email to all Member Captains at least seven (7) days prior to the meeting date.

SECTION 4. RECALL MEETINGS: Such meetings shall be held subject to the provisions set forth in Article XIV.

SECTION 5. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGS: Such meetings may be called for, by petition, by a league member and for a specific purpose only. The specific purpose must be in writing and must be signed by at least three hundred (300) members of the MMDL in good standing. No other business will be discussed at such a meeting. The Board must announce the date, time, and location for the said meeting no later than twenty (20) days from the date the petition is received by the Recording Secretary. The NO VOTE PROVISO, as described in ARTICLE VIII, Section 12, shall apply to those members attending a Special General Meeting.

ARTICLE X – ELECTIONS

SECTION 1. Elections shall be held between June 1 and August 31. Two elections shall be held on separate dates during this period, one for the Officers and the other for the Area Directors. The first election shall be for the Officers and they shall be elected by the current Board of Directors in attendance at the June meeting. The second election shall be for the Area Directors and will be held at the respective areas first captains meeting and elected by the captain/representative of the teams in attendance.. Election meeting announcements will be ninety (90) days prior to the elections. Candidates must inform the Secretary of their intentions in writing or email thirty (30) days prior to the election date. Only the candidate may submit their intent to run.

SECTION 2. Officer elections shall be conducted by secret ballot. It shall be the responsibility of the Secretary to construct and distribute such a ballot. It shall be the responsibility of the Secretary and President to tally and announce votes in front of the Board of Directors on even years. It shall be the responsibility of the Treasurer and Vice President to tally and announce votes in front of the Board of Directors on odd years.

SECTION 3. During the first election, separate ballots shall be held for and in order of President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Business Administrator, Marketing/Communications Director, Information Technology Director, and ADO/Youth Director. Should more than two (2) candidates be nominated and run for any of the aforementioned, the following shall prevail: (a) any candidate receiving at least fifty-one (51) percent of the votes cast shall be considered elected, or (b) should the conditions under (a) not prevail there will be a runoff between the two (2) candidates who received the highest number of votes cast on the first ballot. In order to qualify for the President’s position, the candidate shall have held a position of Officer, Board Member, or Director in the MMDL or a similar dart league within the past two (2) years.

SECTION 4. During the second election, separate elections shall be held for Area Director at the first Captains meeting of each respective area. The Member Captain/Team representative in attendance will cast his/her vote for (1) one of the candidates running either by written ballot or by a show of hands. The candidate receiving the highest number of votes shall be considered elected. In case of a tie, a runoff will be held between the candidates involved in the tie.

SECTION 5. Elections for the President, Secretary, Marketing/Communication Director, ADO/Youth Director and North Shore and South Shore AD’s shall be on the odd numbered years. Elections for the Vice- President, Treasurer, Business Administrator, Information Technology Director, Boston and Central AD’s shall be on the even numbered years. All terms shall be for two years.

ARTICLE XI – GENERAL

SECTION 1. The Board is given full power to make, alter, amend, or appeal any and all By-Laws of the MMDL at any regular or special meeting without giving prior notice of their intention to so act. A two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Board of Directors is required.

SECTION 2. Rules and regulations to supplement these By-Laws shall be devised for the purpose of clarity and uniformity. Any additions, deletions, or changes may be made according to the provisions set forth in ARTICLE XI.- Section 1

SECTION 3. The order of Business and/or procedures of any meeting called or any subject not covered by these By-Laws or noted in Board Minutes shall be subject to “Robert’s Rules of Order Revised”. However, should there be a conflict with these By-Laws and/or “Robert’s Rules of Order Revised”, the latter shall prevail.

ARTICLE XII – CONTRACT AND AGREEMENTS

SECTION 1. The Board shall have the sole authority to enter into contracts and agreements in the name of the MMDL. Such contracts and agreements must bear the signature of the President, Vice-President, or the Business Administrator and be attested to by the Treasurer in order to make such a contract or agreement binding upon the MMDL. Such contracts shall be kept on record by the Secretary

ARTICLE XIII – EXPENSES

SECTION 1. Any League Member, under the direction of the Board, is to be reimbursed for all legitimate expenses incurred in the name of the MMDL. Mileage allowance will be based on the standard IRS rate per mile.

SECTION 2. All expenses are subject to the approval of a simple majority of the Board Members in attendance at a Board meeting.

SECTION 3. An expense allowance of $15 per Board Member shall be allotted for food and non-alcoholic beverages at all Board meetings, prior to or at the outset of each meeting. Additional expenses can be added at the Boards’ discretion for visitors.

ARTICLE XIV – RECALL OF BOARD MEMBERS

SECTION 1. Any Board Member may be recalled from office by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Board. Members other than Board Members may institute Recall under the provisions set forth in ARTICLE IX, Section 4.

SECTION 2. Any Board member recalled by the Board may appeal under the provisions set forth in ARTICLE IX, Section 5. Such appeal must be in writing and received by the Recording Secretary (via Registered Mail / E-mail) no later than fifteen (15) days after the Board’s recall ruling. There can be no further appeal.

SECTION 3. Recall voting shall be accomplished by secret ballot.

SECTION 4. Should recall take place at a Special Meeting, it shall be followed by an election to fill the created vacancy or vacancies at a Special Meeting. If the President is recalled, the office shall be assumed by the Vice-President, after which a new Vice-President shall be elected. A subsequent ballot shall be held to fill the new vacancy.

SECTION 5. Should the President be recalled and appeal his/her case, his/her duties shall be assumed by the Vice-President from the date of petition. If the President files a petition than there will not be an election set forth by Article XIV, section 4, until the petition of the President is ruled upon.

ARTICLE XV – POLICY

SECTION 1. Policy changes and temporary rulings as approved by a (2/3) majority of the Board, general announcements will be sent out electronically (via email, website, and social media) by the Marketing Director. These policy changes and temporary rulings will be considered to be in force immediately. It is the responsibility of each League Member to read such announcements.

ARTICLE XVI – REMUNERATION OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

SECTION 1. The President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Business Administrator, Marketing/Communications Director, Information Technology Director, ADO/Youth Director and (4) Area Directors shall be paid a sum determined by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the Board. Said sum is paid per season.

SECTION 2. The sum of thirty-five (35.00) dollars will be paid to each member of the Board of Directors for each board meeting that they attend or a designated representative for that Board Member. Meetings outside of the regular board meeting will have mileage reimbursement based on the standard IRS rate per mile.