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Rising Stars Rhythmic Association
Membership Policies
Membership Payment
All members must complete membership intent form and make payment of monthly dues according to the level payment schedule.
Beginning with the 2008-09 season, if the membership intent form is not signed by June 30 th for the season, or by the end of the first month of the gymnast joining team,it will be assumed that the family(s) in questionwill become non-members. This is for budgetary reasons. The families will thenagree to all necessary payments that the booster club incurs for non-members (see "Reject RSRA Membership" form for specific details.) Reinstatement will be at the Board's discretion.
Membership dues are due and payable by the tenth of each month, or the last business day closest to the 10th. Checks need to be made out to Rising Stars Rhythmic Association (RSRA) and placed in the Booster Club payment box. Post-dated checks will not be accepted. It is the responsibility of each member to pay dues. Monthly Statements may be issued at the member’s request.
The RSRA collection box will be emptied and dues deposited by the next business day after the 10th ,which ever is first. Any payments received after this deposit shall incur a $10.00 late fee. A statement may be issued to any account 30 days delinquent. At 60 days delinquent membership privileges will be revoked. No refunds of membership dues will be made. The account will then be billed as a non-member for pre-payment of all competition, coach’sfee, coach’s travel expense, and bookkeeping fees. Reinstatement will require account to be made current as directed by the Board.
There will be a $35.00 fee for all returned checks. After the occurrence of two returned checks, all booster club payments will require money order or cashier’s check.
NO cash payments are accepted.
Fundraising
All fundraisers must be pre-approved by the Board of Directors.
The Vice-President,or President in lieu of a Vice President,will form fundraising event committees. Chairpersons will be selected from the committee to manage the fundraiser.
Chairpersons must submit a proposed fundraiser Budget Form to the Board of Director’s meeting at least 1 month prior to fundraising event.
Chairpersons are authorized to spend up to $25.00 toward unforeseen expenditures (non-budgeted) per fundraiser. Any amounts greater than $25.00 need to be approved by a Board Member. Any amount over $100.00 will require a vote of the Board of Directors.
Outside vendors will be invited to Association sponsored competitions. Commissions will be negotiated per contract.
As per the By-Laws of the Association, the Association will perform two mandatory fundraisers, as determined by the board.Members will also be required to participate in one other fundraiser of their choice, for a total of three fundraisers. Attendance will be taken at every fundraiser.
Attendance requirement will be satisfied with the parental participation in the fundraiser. IF the gymnast is 16 years of age or older, gymnast participation will satisfy work requirement. Gymnasts are encouraged to participate in all events and wear team apparel (when appropriate) in order to promote interest in the sport and the organization.
Proceeds and reimbursement requests must be turned in within 10 business days of the fundraiser or meet to the treasurer of RSRA.
In order to keep accurate accounting records for the IRS, reimbursements for expense will be made by check at the end of the fundraiser. Please retain all receipts.
Fundraiser reports shall be turned in to both Vice-President, (or in lieu of a Vice President, a fundraising committee head) and Treasurer within10 days of the fundraiser.
The Vice-President, or in lieu of a Vice President a fundraising committee head, will retain financial information on all fundraisers in order to make future fundraising decisions.
Meetings
All members are invited to attend any and all Board meetings.
Order of business for all meetings will be as follows:
- Call to Order
- President/Vice President Reports
- Treasurer’s Report
- Coach Liaison’s Report
- Old Business
- New Business
- Miscellaneous
- Adjournment
- (Notice in approved distributed minutes of next meeting date/time)
The secretary shall distribute the board approved minutes of the meeting in a timely manner to all members after the meeting, retain the minutes in the Secretary’s Record Binder.
Conduct of meetings will follow the guidelines of Roberts Rules of Order.
Voting
Nominations of officers, policy changes/additions, By-law changes/additions will be posted 2 weeks prior to election or vote.
Voting procedures will follow Roberts Rules of Order.
Two-thirds (2/3) majority of total aggregate membership is required to make a quorum.
Proxies may be received up until the time of election or vote.
Conduct of Members
The Board of Directors will be expected to conduct themselves in a mature and professional manner when doing business for or when representing the Association.
The Board of Directors shall effectively communicate with all Association members, avoiding unnecessary conflict, gossip, and prejudice.
No officer, director, or member of this Association shall use it as a means of furthering any personal, political, or other aspirations, nor shall the club as a whole take part in any movement not in keeping with its real and established aims and purposes as set for the in the Association By-Laws and Articles of Incorporation.
Members of the Association will follow the rules of the United States Gymnastics Association, the Rising Stars coach and the host gym while attending any Rhythmic Gymnastics competition.
Judges are professional members of the USAG and are to be treated with respect at all times.
Competitions
As per the By-Laws of the Association, Membership attendance is required at all RSRA sponsored competitions. This includes set-up, working during the meet, and takedown, up to and including putting the carpets away.
RSRA will endeavor to hold competitions throughout the season for the benefit of the team gymnasts.
A proposed budget will be submitted 1 month prior to the competition by the meet director.
All reimbursement receipts will be turned in within 10 business days of the competition to the treasurer. All reimbursements will be made by check.
A copy of the competition financial report (as required by the Region) will be turned in within 30 calendar days of a competition for each competition.
Coaches Fees
The coach will be paid as follows:
$200.00 for competition days
$100.00 on travel days
Travel days for away meets will include the day of travel to get to the event, the day needed for a coach’s meeting/gymnast registration, the days of competition, any days waiting for competition, and the day for traveling home. Extra days beyond this definition will be allowed based on the competition and the discretion of the board. Days of competition consists of actual days in which the gymnast competes.
If funding is not available in the RSRA Booster Club account for any fees and/or purchases deemed necessary by the Board of Directors, the cost will be divided among the families participating in the event and/or who will benefit from the purchase.
The coach will be given a per diem food allowance:
$25.00 local meets
$40.00 away meets
*Away meets are defined as those in which the team requires an overnight stay.
Mileage will be reimbursed at $0.41 per milewith mileage report submitted.
Hotel and Airfare will be paid for at cost with receipt submission.
The Association may elect to fund Coach’s continuing education upon Coach’s request.
Scholarship Fund
A scholarship fund will be established to support qualifying gymnasts. Ten percent (10%) of the net profit of each fundraiser will be set aside for said fund. Gymnast will be required to submit application, financial data and coach’s recommendation. Gymnast will be required to meet certain financial need criteria and must be approved by the Board of Directors.
Scholarships will be awarded based on availability of funds.
Scholarship recipients will have membership status with rights as defined by Association By-laws. These guidelines are set in the policies under fundraising and membership payments.
Scholarship monies may be used for paying RSRA dues for the year stated and the 20% tuition requirement of Rising Stars Gymnastics. Other expenditures beyond this definition could be allowed based on the decision of the Board of Directors.
The Association may elect to fund other coaches within Region 2 to support the continuation of the sport. This decision will require a 2/3 majority total aggregate membership vote.
Gymnast Retirement Recognition
A Retirement Plaque will be presented at the end of season awards ceremony to any gymnast retiring after five (5) consecutive years on the Rising Stars Rhythmic Team (and not a combination of artistic and rhythmic teams).
Standing Committees
Fund-raising
Competition
Spirit
Revised 6/2007