Central AAA (AAA)
Bylaws
Article I: Name
The name of this organization shall be Central AAA (AAA).
Article II: Definition
AAA is a local chapter of New York State Loving Education at Home (LEAH). As a subordinate organization of LEAH, AAA is considered part of aH,HH Not-For-Profit Corporation with Federal Tax-Exempt status under 501(c) of the IRS code.
AAA is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, and/or scientific purposes under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
No part of the net earnings of AAA shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the purpose clause hereof. No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the organization shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of this document, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.
Upon the dissolution of AAA, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose.
Article III: Purpose
AAA is organized primarily for the purpose of providing LEAH membership and insurance for existing, and future, AAA teams. These include, but are not limited to, soccer, basketball, volleyball, and archery.
Article IV: Statement of Faith
We believe:
The Bible to be the inspired, infallible, divinely preserved Word of God, the supreme and final authority for all faith and life.
That there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
In the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, His sinless life, His miracles, His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood on the cross, His bodily resurrection, His ascension, and His imminent bodily return in power and glory.
That man was created in the image of God, but fell into sin and is therefore lost, and only those who put their faith in Jesus Christ alone, not trusting in any personal works whatsoever, can be saved.
That salvation is the free gift of God brought to the sinner by grace and received by personal faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Whose substitutionary death on the cross paid the penalty for man's sin.
That the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to convict mankind; indwell, guide, instruct, and empower the believer for godly living and service.
That God created man and woman after His own Image, and that God has ordained marriage, consisting of one man and one woman, to be the foundation of the family and to be the only legitimate and Godly expression of sexuality.
In the spiritual unity of believers through our common faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and that individual doctrinal differences which may exist, outside of the aforementioned, should not hinder our unity.
Article V: Membership Requirements
Specifications
Membership in AAA is open to all home educators with family members participating in related home school sports. Members must understand that all home school sports teams operate according to the Code of Conduct of LEAH, Inc below and must agree to respect the beliefs and values of the sports teams and LEAH.
Code of Conduct
Loving Education At Home is a Christian organization. Member affiliates of LEAH, Inc. are expected to exhibit conduct consistent with Scripture. Notable scripture passages describing Christian conduct include the following:
Philippians 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
Colossians 3:8 But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
2 Timothy 2: 22-25 … Pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth …
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered; it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Philippians 2:1-5 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus…
Galatians 6:1-4 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else.
Board members of AAA must be professing Christians and agree with the statement of faith (Article IV).
Expectations
Payment of AAA annual dues is required to join a sports team and for membership in LEAH.
The family is expected to volunteer in various capacities for their child’s team(s) according to the volunteer expectation of the respective team board. If the family does not volunteer, the player may be dismissed from the team by that board.
Qualification for team membership will be determined by specification of the child’s birth certificate in relationship to age and sex.
Membership Application and Terms
Applications and dues must be submitted to a Board designee of AAA.
Membership is renewable on an annual basis. In addition to membership in AAA, individuals may also be members of another LEAH chapter.
Suspension of Membership
Membership is automatically suspended if a player is removed from any team due to conduct or activities not consistent with the Code of Conduct. The member affiliate agrees to abide by the ruling of the sport team’s board as to whether other children in the family may participate in the sport. The sports team’s board will determine if the family may continue participation with the team.
Revocation of Membership
A member affiliate (family) who, in the judgment of the Chapter leadership, does not follow the Code of Conduct or who is divisive or disruptive to the well-being of the chapter shall be dismissed from membership and may not participate in the Sports sponsored by AAA.
Article VI: Government
Structure
The affairs of AAA shall be under the policy direction and implementation of a Board of Directors. This Board shall include a Chapter Leader, Treasurer, and an additional volunteer if deemed necessary by the Chapter Leader.
Members of the Board shall not receive any compensation for services rendered.
The Board shall meet twice per year.
The Board shall schedule an annual meeting with the Board Chairs of the sports teams represented by AAA.
Board Decisions
Policy decisions, annual dues, and Board member appointments/removal will be made by a majority vote of the Board and the Board Chairs of the sports teams represented by AAA. Voting will take place at the annual meeting or via email poll if a decision is necessary prior to the scheduled meeting.
Article VII: Organizational Leadership
The Board shall include a Chapter Leader, Treasurer, and an additional volunteer if deemed necessary by the Chapter Leader.
Duties
Chapter Leader: shall be responsible for overall functioning of the chapter; for presiding over all meetings of the organization.
Treasurer: shall be responsible for maintaining financial records of the organization; for payment of bills; for providing regular financial reports.
Appointments & Terms of Office
There is no maximum number of terms a Board member may serve. Board members must agree with the statement of faith (Article IV) and be approved by a majority vote of the Board and the Board Chairs of the sports teams represented by AAA.
Any Board member may be removed by a majority vote of the Board and the Board Chairs of the sports teams represented by AAA, when in their judgment, the individual is found to be non-compliant with the statement of faith, statement of purpose, or bylaws of this organization.
Article VIII: Budget and Dues Structure
The fiscal year shall be July 1 to June 30. Financial reports shall be provided at the Annual Meeting and when requested. The reports shall include the current balance, income, and expenses.
The annual dues shall be agreed upon by a majority vote of the Board and the Board Chairs of the sports teams represented by AAA.
Article IX: Parliamentary Authority
Robert’s Rules of Order, latest edition, shall govern proceedings of AAA in all cases to which they are applicable. When inconsistent with the Bylaws, the Bylaws shall control.
Article X: Amendments
This Constitution may be amended by a majority vote of the Board and the Board Chairs of the sports teams represented by AAA.
Article XI: Dissolution
This organization may be dissolved upon recommendation by the Board and a majority vote of the Board Chairs of the sports teams represented by AAA. After payment of all bills, the remaining assets shall be transferred to NYS LEAH.