Central Florida League (CFL) Bylaws
Updated January 1, 2017
Article I. Name
Section 1. The name of this organization shall be “Central Florida League”, herein after referred to as the CFL.
Article II. Purpose
Section 1. The purpose and objective of the CFL is to operate a softball league for the Villages residents. The objectives of the CFL include, but are not limited to the promotion and enjoyment of safe fun softball in the Villages, fostering good sportsmanship, proper etiquette an conduct by members during their participation in the CFL.
Article III. Basic Policies
Section 1. The following are basic policies of the CFL.
A. The CFL shall be nondiscriminatory, nonsectarian and non partisan.
B. The CFL shall not discriminate by race, nationality, sex, color or creed. C. The CFL shall promote the sport of softball and enjoyment of the sport by The Villages residents.
D. The CFL shall not, directly or indirectly, participate or intervene in any campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to the Recreation Department or any resident of The Villages.
E. The CFL shall not interfere with or obstruct the work of the Recreation Department.
Article IV. Membership
Section 1. Eligibility for CFL membership.
A. Open to all residents of The Villages over 55 years of age who have completed The Villages official evaluation process.
B. The league shall consist of division 2 and 3 players and such players designated as currently eligible Grandfathered players. The league shall maintain a 33 1/3% Division 3 roster participation at the time of the season draft provided there are eligible players to do so. The 33 1/3 % objective can only be changed by a super majority vote by the board of 75%. As of 2010, the CFL no longer accepts any 'new to the league' D1/4 players.
Section 2. Dues
A Will be collected if and when needed.
Article V. Executive Board
Section 1. Governing Body
A. The CFL shall be governed by the Executive Board, who shall have the power to create rules and procedures to run the league. The league secretary shall be responsible for maintaining the list of grandfathered division 1 and 4 players.
B. Each year one member of the board of the executive board will be up for re-election.
C.There shall be seven members on the Executive Board. The seven member board will be made up with a Chairman, a Player Rep, a Manager's Rep and four General Board members.
D. The members of the executive board shall be elected by the membership. E. The CFL shall be governed by the executive board. This shall include the oversight of the league rules and by-laws to include and not limited to league structure, scheduling, choosing of managers, sponsers, establishing and amending rules of play, drafting of players, ruling on code of conduct issues, forfeits, suspension of players and safety issues.
Section 2. Eligibility.
A. Any member may nominate any other member provided the nominated member has been a member in good standing for six months to be placed on the ballot for the Executive Board.
Section 3 Election shall occur as follows:
A. The election of Executive Board members shall be conducted by a vote of the general membership unless a candidate is unnopposed.
B. The winners shall be decided by a simple plurality of votes cast.
C.The election of Executive Board members shall occur during a regular scheduled game time. This will allow all CFL members an opportunity to vote. This vote will take place at the end of the Winter season at the softball complex.
D. Candidates selected by the nominating committee will be announced at the general meeting prior to the final meeting of the league year.
E. Any eligible member may be nominated by another member to have their name placed on the ballot at the meeting prior to the final meeting of the year. F. If a candidate is running unopposed, his election shall occur by a motion of the chair.
Section 4. Term
A. Executive Board members shall serve a term of two years.
B. The term of office shall commence on the first day of May each yearfollowing the election.
Section 5. Term Limits – The board members may seek additional terms.
Section 6. Chairman
A. As the first order of business each year, the Executive Board is to select a Chairman to run the meetings of the Executive Board and also the general meetings of the club.
Section 7. Vacancies
A. If a vacancy occurs in the Executive Board, the Board shall appoint a new member for the remainder of the term, if needed.
Article VI. Duties of the Excutive Board Members
Section 1. Chairman – It shall be the duty of the Chairmen to:
A. Preside at meetings.
B. Vote only in case of a tie.
C. Represent the organization.
D. Appoint committee chairman subject to the approval of the Executive Board.
E. Serve as an ex-officio member of all committees except the nominating committee.
F. Appoint a secretary and a treasurer.
G. Perform such other duties as ordinarily pertain to this office.
Section 2. Secretary – It shall be the duty of the Secretary to:
A. Record the minutes of all meetings.
B. Keep a file of the organizations records.
C. Issue notices of meetings and conduct the general correspondence of the organization.
D. Maintain computer copies of the By-laws, rules and definitions of the club.
Section 3. Treasurer – The Treasurer shall:
A. Receive all funds and pay same on orders of the Executive Board and signed by the Chairman.
B. Keep an itemized account of all receipts and expenditures and make reports as directed.
C. Make a monthly report at the board meetings.
D. Make a yearly audit to the membership at the end of each calendar year.
E. Maintain an account in a financial institution (bank) for the funds.
Section 4. All Executive Board Membership
A. All members of the Executive Board will take turns acting as play director at the fields.
B. Attend Executive Board meetings and vote on matters concerning the general operation of the club.
ArticleVII. Committees
Section 1. Club committees – Any active member may serve on one or more of the Club committees.
Section 2. Special Committees – The Chairmen shall have the authority to appoint any special committees with the approval of the Executive Board from time to time as need demands. These committees serve at the pleasure of the Executive Board and can be disbanded at any time.
Section 3. Standing Committees – The A/B Designation Committee. The committee shall consist of a board member, a division 2 player and a division 3 player. Additional members may be added as required.
Article VIII. Meetings
Section 1. General membership meetings.
A. General membership meetings shall be held on a seasonal basis.
B. If there is no reason to conduct a general membership meeting during any quarter, it may be cancelled.
C. Dates of the meetings shall be scheduled during the most conveniet time of the members of the Executive Board.
D. A quorem shall consist of 60% of the voting membership.
Section 2. Executive Board meetings – The general business of the CFL is conducted at meetings of the Executive Board.
A. Meetings of the Executive Board shall be conducted in a business like and orderly manner.
B. Executive Board meetings shall be held on a monthly basis.
C. If there is no reason to conduct a meeting of the Exective Board during any month, it may be cancelled. However, at least one executive Board meeting shall be held during each season of league play.
Article IX. Indemnification
Section 1. No individual member or officer of the CFL shall be liable for debts, liabilities or obligations of the CFL.
Article X. Receipts and Expenditures
Section 1. Receipts
A. The receipts of the CFL consists of membership dues, sponsor fees, 50/50 income and other income.
B. The receipts of the CFL are entered into the general funds of the CFL and maintained in a bank account by the Treasurer.
C. The Executive Board shall execute contracts entered into on behalf of the CFL.
Section 2. Expenditures
A. Receipts of the club shall be used by the club to pay expenses incurred for regular operation of the club and for no other purpose.
B. All expenses for reimbursement paid by the club must be documented.
Article XI. Amendments
Section 1. Selection – These bylaws may be amended subjct to the conditions that follow:
A. These bylaws may be amended at any Executive Board meeting of the CFL.
B. Any proposals to amend the bylaws must be delivered to the Executive Board for review.
C. No proposed amendment shall in any way violate or infringe upon the duties or rules and regulations of The Villages Recreation Department.
Updated January 1, 2017
Submitted by:
T. McGann
Secretary, CFL