RHODE ISLAND WRESTLING ASSOCIATION
BY-LAWS AND CONTITUTION
The Objectives of the Rhode Island Wrestling Association (RIWA) are
1. To promote wrestling at all
levels throughout the State of Rhode Island.
2. Ensure the continuation of,
and improvement upon opportunities for safe competition with maximum exposure
to various styles of wrestling.
It is the intent of the Rhode Island Wrestling Association (RIWA) to meet
these objectives by creating opportunities in wrestling for competitors of all
ages and, along with their coaches, parents, and fans, encourage their
continued participation in the sport of wrestling as they advance through their
lives.
The control and direction of the Rhode Island Wrestling Association
(RIWA) shall be placed in the hands of those individuals who are now working
with Rhode Island’s wrestlers.
The Goals of the Rhode Island Wrestling Association (RIWA) shall include,
I. The development of
responsible wrestling administrators from the ranks of the Rhode Island
wrestling program at the local club state and national levels who will provide
leadership and direction to their membership.
2. To develop an attitude of
sincere concern among all coaches towards the improvement of all levels and
aspects of wrestling from elementary through Olympic levels of competition.
3. To provide channels of
communication within Rhode Island and with the various other States, furthering
the exchange of ideas and experience to the benefit of all wrestlers.
4. To develop an attitude of
unity within the State of Rhode Island towards program development and
achievement.
5. To increase the positive
attitudes of educators, wrestlers and the general public toward the art and
science of wrestling.
6. To assist with those
activities which can best be developed on a statewide basis.
7. To provide a system for
democratic representation of all competitors, coaches and concerned people in
local, state and national organizations and activities dedicated to the sport
of wrestling.
8. To establish patterns of
organization and objectives within the State of Rhode Island, providing continuity
of effort as wrestlers and coaches step forward from the elementary level to
the most advance and successful
endeavors for which they may strive.
PAGE 1 OF 13
RHODE
ISLAND WRESILING ASSOCIATION
ARTICLE I — AFFILIATION
The Rhode Island Wrestling Association (RIWA)
shall operate under the guidance, auspices and in accordance with the by—laws
of USA Wrestling (USAW), and shall conduct its business and activities in such
a manner that it may be considered a charter member of that body. including
benefits thereby entitled to, and responsibilities liable for.
ARTICLE II — OFFICE
The principal office of the Rhode Island
Wrestling Association (RIWA) shall be located in the city of residence of the
current State Secretary and such address shall be attached to these by—laws at
Appendix A.
ARTICLE III — MEMBERS
I. Membership,
All USAW registered coaches, officials or general
members from a duly authorized USAW chartered wrestling club in the State of
Rhode Island are entitled to membership in the Rhode Island Wrestling
Association (RIWA).
2. Voting Membership:
The members of The Rhode Island Wrestling
Association (RIWA) who shall posses voting rights shall include:
1.) All duly elected Board of Director
members.
2.) Each and every duly authorized USAW
chartered wrestling club in Rhode Island may also designate one registered club
member as their club’s voting representative to any and all (RIWA) Board of
Directors meetings. Each chartered club shall designate its voting
representative at the annual meeting
No individual may hold or exercise a right to
more than one vote at any RIWA Board of Directors meeting. All voting members
must be residents of the State of Rhode Island, unless they are a high school,
college or USAW registered coach or official.
ARTICLE IV — MEETINGS
1. Regular Meeting,
A. Annual Meeting
The annual meeting of the members of the Board of
Directors of RIWA shall be held during the fourth week of September, or
at the call of the State Chairman, in the month of September, for the purpose
of nominating officers for the current year and for the transaction of such
other business as may come before the Board of Directors of RIWA. Election and
nominations for officers will take place at the regularly scheduled meeting in
the month of October.
B. Regular Scheduled Meetings
Regular scheduled meetings of the RIWA Board of
Directors may be held during the fourth week of each month from October through
March, or at the call of the State Chairman, during the months of October
through March, for the transaction of any such business as may come before the
Board of Directors.
RHODE
ISLAND WRESTLING ASSOCIATION
BY- LAWS AND CONSTITUT1ON
ARTICLE IV -
MEETINGS (con’t)
C. Membership
Meeting:
The annual
membership meeting of the RIWA may be held during the last weeks of December or
the first weeks of January for the purpose of collecting membership
materials from the member clubs, or any other business deemed necessary by the
Membership Director or Executive Committee.
2. Special Meetings:
Special meetings
of the members of RIWA, for any purpose or purposes, unless otherwise
prescribed by these by-laws, may be called by the State Chairman, by not less
than 50% of the Board of Directors by the Executive Committee, or by the State
Chairman or any Board of Director at the request of not less than 2/3 members
from the general membership.
3. Place of Meetings:
The State
Chairmen shall designate the place of any regular or special meeting. In the
absence of the State Chairman, the Vice-Chairman shall designate such place of
meeting. A waiver of notice signed by a majority of the members may designate a
p1ace of meeting for any regular or special meeting.
4. Notice of
Meetings:
Written notice
stating the place, day and hour of regular or special meetings, and the purpose
or purposes for which the meeting is called, must be mailed not less than ten
days prior to the date of the meeting by the state secretary or at the
direction of the State Chairman or Vice Chairman to every voting member of record
of RIWA.
5. Proxy Voting at Meetings:
Voting by proxy
at any meeting shall not be allowed.
6. Order of Business at Meetings:
The order of
business at all meetings of the RIWA shall be as follows:
1). Call to order by the
State Chairman or his delegate
2). Roll Call, designation
of Club representatives
3). Reading of minutes of
preceding meeting
4). Financial report
5). Report of Executive
Committee
6).
Directors Reports
7). Reports of Committees
8). Old Business
9). New Business
10). Adjournment
RHODE ISLAND WRESTLING ASSOCIATION
BY-.LAWS AND CONSTUTION
ARTICL V - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
1. General Powers:
Its Board of Directors and executive Committee
shall manage the business and affairs of the RIWA. The Board of Directors shall
in all cases act as an entity and they may adopt such rules and regulations for
the conduct of their meetings and the management of the RIWA, as they deem
proper to carry out the objectives of the RIWA, not inconsistent with these
by-laws, the rules and regulations of USAW, and the laws of the State of
Rhode Island. The Executive Committee shall function to coordinate the
activities of the RIWA as defined by these by-laws and as directed by the Board
of Directors of RIWA
2. Structure of the Board of
Directors:
The Board of Directors shall consist of the
following Officers and Directors as listed in Appendix B, Organizational Chart.
3. Responsibilities
of the Board of Directors:
A. State Chairman
Initiate and provide leadership for
all state programs, act as liaison to the national office and keep the state
organization informed of all events and policies, coordinate activities between
and within the various levels of the state program, oversee all Officers and
Board of Directors, act as liaison to the RI High School Wrestling Coaches
Association and the RI interscholastic League and Chair the Board of this
association.
B. Vice Chairman
Provide
leadership and coordination for the administrative staff, handle all public
relations responsibilities for the organization, serve as Chair of the Board of
Director in the absence of the State Chairman, and oversee all tasks as designated
by the State Chairman.
C. Secretary/Treasurer
Responsible for maintaining a written record of
all Board of Directors, Executive Committee and special meetings conducted by
the RIWA. Maintain a current statewide mailing list of the Board of Directors,
Executive Committee and Club representatives. Notify all Board of Directors,
Executive Committee and or Club Representatives of any meetings of this
association in accordance with these by-laws. Maintain current accounts and
records of all monies received and expended for the RIWA. Maintain current data
pertaining to all accounts with the national office. Provide an annual
financial statement of the Association and conduct the financial business of
the RIWA as directed by the Board of Directors.
D. Kid’s Division Director
Provide leadership to the Kid’s wrestling
program. Schedule, coordinate and sanction all Kid’s statewide tournaments,
clinics and other special events. Assist with the promotion of Regional and
National Kid’s programs and tournaments. Direct the Kid’s State
Championship tournament.
RHODE ISLAND
WRESTLING~ASSOCIATION
BY- LAWS AND
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE V — BOARD
OF DIRECTORS (CON’T)
E. Junior
Cadet Division Director
Provide
leadership to the RIWA Junior and Cadet wrestling programs. Schedule,
coordinate and sanction all Junior and Cadet statewide tournaments, clinics
and other special events, assist with the promotion of Regional and National
Junior and Cadet programs and tournaments. Assist the National Team Director
with the National Team Program.
F. Espior
/Open Division Director
Provide
leadership to the RIWA Espior/Open wrestling programs. Schedule,
coordinate and sanction all Espior/Open statewide tournaments, clinics and
other special events. Assist with the promotion of Regional and National Espior
Open programs and tournaments, assist the National Team Director with the
National Team program.
G. Mat
Officials Director
Provide
leadership and direction for all mat officials within the RIWA program.
Maintain a current listing of all USAW certified mat officials, ensure the
competency of mat officials through clinics, test and observation
of performance. Working through the State Officials Association, assist the
member clubs with listings of statewide-certified officials who would be
willing to provide assistance at local club tournaments. Serve as senior mat
official at all RIWA State Championship tournaments.
H. Pairing Officials Director
Provide
leadership and direction for all pairing officials within the RIWA program.
Maintain a current listing of all USAW certified pairing officials, ensure the
competency of pairing officials through clinics, test and observation of performance.
Assist member clubs with listings of statewide-certified pairing officials who
would be willing to provide assistance at the local club tournaments. Serve as
senior pairing official at all RIWA state championship tournaments.
I. Cultural
Exchange Director
Provide
leadership and direction to the coordination and planning of cultural exchange
trips for the Kid’s, Juniors, Cadets, Espior and Open division. Assist the
Division Directors and National Team Director with all out of state trips.
J. Membership
Director
Provide
leadership and direction in developing an ongoing program to increase
membership in all areas of our association: wrestlers, coaches, officials,
volunteers and general members. Responsible to the
Secretary/ Treasurer in compiling and maintaining membership records and
monies received through issuance of membership(s) in this association.
Responsible for the forwarding all applications for membership, charters and
sanctioned events to the National office in a timely manner. Provide means for
chartered clubs and individuals to obtain membership cards throughout the
entire wrestling season.
RHODE ISLAND
WRESTLING ASSOCIATION
BY- LAWS AND
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE V — BOARD OF
DIRECTORS (CON’T)
K. National Team Director
Provide direction and leadership for the Junior
and Cadet National Team Programs, including the scheduling of Regional training
centers throughout the state in the spring and summer and statewide training
camps for the National Teams, in both Freestyle and Greco-Roman. Work closely
with the Junior and Cadet division directors in promoting the National Team
program.
L. National Coaches Education
Program Director.
Provide direction and leadership to this association
in the National Coaches Education Program. Responsible for the certification of
current and future coaches in accordance with the Nationally approved program.
Provide this association with continuing education and technical assistance for
the betterment of the association.
M. Official Club Representative
Each chartered club of this association shall
have only one (1)official-voting representative on the Board of Directors. Each
chartered club’s Board of Directors or governing body must submit in writing
before the associations annual meeting the name of it’s official
representative. The names of each representative will be listed at Appendix C.
The club representative cannot hold another office on the association’s Board
of Directors. In the event a club representative is elected to a State office
the individuals club can resubmit the name of its newest representative.
N. Executive Committee Club
Representative.
At the first annual meeting of the state
association the newly appointed club representatives for the current year will
meet and appoint among themselves their official representative to the
Executive Committee. Only an official club representative can hold this
position and the term of appointment is for one year or unless removed by a
majority vote of the Club representative who elected him to this position. The
Executive Committee Club Representative cannot hold another state office. The
Executive Committee Club Representative has an official vote on the Executive
Committee.
4. Meetings of the Board of Directors:
A. Authority to Call Meetings
Meetings of the Board of Directors may, be
called by or at the request of the State Chairman or by any three members of
the Executive Committee. The person or persons thus duly authorized to call a
meeting may fix the place and time of any meeting called by them provided
Notice of Meeting is adhered to.
B. Notice of
Meeting
The Secretary of this association or the person
shall give notice of any meeting of the Board of Directors in writing or
persons thus duly authorized to call a meeting at least 10 days prior to the
meeting.
PAGE 6 OF 13
BY-LAWS AND
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE V - BOARD OF
DIRECTORS (CON’T)
C .Quorum
At any meeting of the
Board of Directors, fifty percent (50%) of the board members plus one shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business that may come before
the board. The only exception is the business of changing the constitution or by-laws
of this organization. For change to the By-laws see Article X.
D. Manner of Acting
The act of the majority
of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the
act of the Board of Directors.
5. Establishment of the
Board of Directors:
A. Election of the Board of
Directors
The election of the
Board of Directors shall be from the voting membership of this association at
the time
that the elections are held. A majority vote shall constitute an
election. An Election of members to this
association shall occur at the annual meeting of this association.
B.
Term of Office
The term of office of the members of the Board of
Directors shall be for one year or from the annual meeting/election of officers
of one calendar year to the annual meeting/election of officers of the
following year.
C. Interim Vacancies
An interim vacancy on the Board of Directors
shall be filled majority vote of the entire board of directors then in office at an official meeting
of the Association. A director so elected shall hold office for The duration of
the unexpired tern of the predecessor.
D.
Removal of
Directors
1. The State Chairman may ask for the resignation
of any director or directors for failure to perform their assigned duties as specified in these by-laws. Any
director who refuses to give their resignation after being requested to do so,
can be removed at the request of the State Chairman by a two/thirds vote of the
Board of Directors.
2. A director can submit a letter of resignation
with or without cause to the State Chairman at any time.
3.
Any Director may
ask for the resignation of any director or directors for just cause by a
two/thirds vote of the Board of Directors.
RHODE ISLAND WRESTLING
ASSOCIATION
ARTICLE V — BOARD OF
DIRECTORS (CON’T)
6. Committees of the
Association:
The Board of Directors, by resolution, may
designate from its members, committees as the State Chairman or board deems
necessary, to carry out the functions of this association, and such committees
shall serve at the pleasure of the State Chairman or board under the general
guidance of the State Chairman. However, no committee, except the Executive
Committee, shall have the power to act upon its own, enter into contract, or
incur a debt on behalf of this association without prior approval from the
Board of Directors.
7. Structure of the Executive
Committee:
The Executive Committee of this association shall
consist of the following, members. (See Organizational Chart — Appendix B)
(1) State
Chairman — who shall be the ranking member.
(2) Vice
Chairman
(3) Secretary/Treasurer
(4) Kid’s
Division Director
(5) Junior/
Cadet Division Director
(6) Membership
Chairman
(7) Executive
Committee Club Representative
All Executive Committee members will serve a
one-year term of office provided they retain their elected
position on the Board of Directors.
S. Responsibilities of the
Executive Committee:
A. The
Executive Committee shall meet at the call of the State Chairman or any two (2)
Executive Committee members, at such times and places deemed necessary to
ensure the continued coordination and proper conduct of this association within
the scope and intent of this charter Notice of all Executive Committee meetings
shall be made by written or voice notification, by the State Secretary/Treasurer.
A quorum for an Executive Committee meeting shall consist of not less than
(four) half of the members or the Executive Committee.
B.
The Executive
Committee has the power to act on behalf of the entire Board of Directors
concerning all matters for this association. Any and all business brought
before the Executive Committee, the Secretary must record and those recordings
made available to the Board of Directors at it’s next regularly scheduled
meeting. The Board of Directors must confirm all decisions made by the
Executive Committee.
ARTICLE
VI FINANCIAL AFFAIRS
I. Contracts.
The Board of Directors by majority vote may enter
into any contact or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on
behalf of the RIWA. The Board of Directors may authorize the Executive
Committee, Board member(s) or other agents to enter into contract or execute
and deliver an instrument in the name of, or on behalf of the RIWA, and such
authority may be general in nature or confined to a specific instances or
matters.
PAGE 8 OF 13
RHODE ISLAND
WRESTLING ASSOCIATION
ARTCLE VI — FINANCIAL
AFFAIRS (CON’T)
2. Loans:
No loan shall be contracted on behalf of
the Rhode Island Wrestling Association and no evidence of indebtedness shall be
issued in its name unless authorized by a resolution of the Board of Directors.
3. Checks and Drafts:
All checks,
drafts or other orders for payment of monies, notes or other evidence of
indebtedness issued it, the name of the Rhode Island Wrestling Association
shall be signed by the Secretary/Treasurer and one (I) other member of the
Executive Committee or in the absence of the Secretary / Treasurer any two (2) members
of the Executive Committee to be determined by resolution of the
Board of Directors.
4. Deposits:
All funds of the RIWA shall be
deposited from time to time to the credit of RIWA in such banks, trust
companies, savings and loans or in other depositories as the Board of Directors
may select.
5. Fiscal Year:
The fiscal year
of the RIWA shall begin the first day of September of each year and end the
last day of August of the following year. At the beginning of each fiscal year
the financial status or balance of the total assets of the RIWA program shall
not reflect in its savings, checking, certificates, or any other account(s) of
the RIWA to exceed $250,000. Any funds exceeding $250000 shall be dispersed to
only a Rhode Island nonprofit organization(s) deemed by the RIWA as to need,
and may or may not set forth a written proposal of that need, or may be
nominated at the Annual Meeting of the RIWA as recipient or recipients to such
excess funds, as determined by majority vote of the RIWA the amount (s)
organization (s).
6. Provisions of Liquidation
In the event of Termination of the Rhode Island
Wrestling Association by resolution of the RIWA Board of Directors, all assets
and funds of this association to include, it’s savings, checking, certificates
of deposit, and or any other account(s) or instrument(s) of the RIWA will be
dispersed in accordance with section 6a and 6b of this article after all
indebtedness incurred by the RIWA, to include liabilities, contracts, accounts
payable(s) and account receivable(s)
have been fully discharged.
a. All tangible
property(s) will either be donated to a Rhode Island non-profit youth
organization(s) deemed by a majority vote of the RIWA Board of Directors or
sold and monies generated from the sale(s) of these be placed in the treasury
of the RIWA for disbursement as set forth in section 6b of this article.
PAGE 9 OF l3
RHODE ISLAND
WRESTLING ASSOCIATION
ARTICLE VI -
FINANCIAL AFFAIRS (CON’T)
b All funds at the time of termination will be
dispersed to only a Rhode Island non-profit youth organization(s) deemed by a
majority vote of the RIWA Board of Directors and/or to the National
Organization that governs this association at the time of it’s liquidation
and/or perpetual funds, existing or ones established, by a majority vote of the
RWP Board of Directors provided they directly benefit the youth of the State of
Rhode Island.
ARTICLE VII — SANCTIONS
All events conducted under the auspices and control of the RIWA shall be
sanctioned by the RIWA and where applicable, sanctioned by USA Wrestling. All
sanctioned events must meet the following requirements:
1.
All participants
must be a current registered member of USAW.
2.
A USAW sanction
form must be completed and sent, along with the sanction fee, to the State
Chairman of RIWA, such that it may be approved and forwarded to the National
office of USAW a minimum of 30 days prior to the event.
BY-LAWS AND
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE VIII —
ELIGIBILITY
All competitive members of the RIWA shall be current members of “USA
Wrestling” and shall conform to the rules and regulations of the current
edition of the International Rule Book and Guide to Wrestling, including all age requirements for determination of
eligibility for participation in KIDS, CADETS, JUNIORS, ESPOIR and OPEN division
programs and activities.
ARTICLE IX — CODE OF
CONDUCT
1. Application of the
Rules:
The rules of conduct shall apply to all
competitive members, affiliated members, officials, coaches, charted clubs and
individuals associated with the RIWA. That all individuals and/or organizations
affiliated with RIWA in any manner shall conduct themselves in the most
honorable, courteous and sportsmanlike fashion.
2. Rules of Conduct:
A. Neither
the bylaws, Constitution of the RIWA, the Charter of USA Wrestling, or any
segment thereof shall be violated.
B. No
person or organization shall perform or allow willful, flagrant or repeated
destruction of personal or private property.
C. No person, organization shall use or permit
the use of abusive or threatening language or conduct toward any tournament official, RIWA officer, USAW
official or USAW officer.
D. No person or organization shall conduct
themselves in an unsportsmanlike fashion or allow unsportsman like conduct to
exist.
E. No person or organization shall conduct an act of
theft, or allow an act of theft to be perpetrated.
F. No alcohol, drugs or smoking will be allowed by
any competitive member in or on the premises of any and all facilities where
RIWA or USAW sanctioned events are in progress. Drugs approved or prescribed by
a proper medical personnel for use by a competitive member shall be exempted
provided it meets the USAW rules and guidelines for prescribed drugs and medication
for competition.
G. No person or organization shall falsify or
permit the falsification of any document relative to the RIWA, USAW, or the
activities of either.
H. No person or organization shall participate in
or permit the act of cheating, fighting or the act of physical, mental or
verbal abuse.
I. No person or organization shall conduct any
act, or permit any act to be conducted, not specifically stated herein or in
the Rules of the USAW, that may endanger any person or property tangible or
intangible.
Any violation or infraction of these Rules of conduct are subject to
disciplinary action as set forth by the International RuleBook and Guide to
Wrestling and those specified by these by-laws.
RHODE ISLAND
WRESTLING ASSOCIATION
BY - LAWS AND
CONSTITUTION
ARTICLS IX - CODE OF
CONDUCT (CON’T)
3. Rules for Traveling Teams:
All competitive members, coaches, managers,
trainers or Adult leaders, who participate in any sanctioned trip sponsored by
RIWA shall be required to supply a document, initially prepared by the
RIWA and signed by the participant, a parent or legal guardian if under the
legal age of consent, defining the rules of conduct and the behavior required
of each competitive member, coach, manager, trainer or adult leader, prior to
departure on the trip.
4. Disciplinary Actions:
A. Reporting Infractions
Any infraction of the Rules of Conduct, or rules
and regulations of USAW, shall be reported to the appropriate Head Coach, State
Chairman, Vice Chairman, or any Board of Director of RIWA, if any uncertainty
exists pertaining to the proper reporting channels. Each report shall contain
all pertinent names, dates, locations and a detailed accounting of the
infraction(s) prepared by the Head Coach or Director of the event where the
infraction occurred, or by a Board Member, or any member of the RIWA. In the
event that the infraction involves one or more minors, a copy of the initial
report shall be mailed to the appropriate Head Coach and parent(s) or guardian
(s) of the involved minor by the State Chairman.
B. Minor Infractions
In the case of a minor infraction of the Rules of
Conduct, or the rules and regulations of USAW, the Head Coach, or the Director
of the event where the infraction occurred, shall first comply with the rules
for disqualification as defined in the USA Wrestling International Rule
Book if applicable, and secondly shall notify the appropriate State
Director or State Chairman in writing, of the infraction and the disciplinary
action taken, at the earliest opportunity.
C. Major Infractions
In the case of any major or serious infraction of
the Rules of Conduct, or the rules and regulations or USAW, the Head Coach or
the Director of the event where the infraction occurred shall first comply with
the rules for disqualification as defined in the USA Wrestling International
Rule Book, if applicable, and secondly shall eliminate the
offender or offenders from the event and notify the appropriate State Director
or State Chairman, in writing, of the infraction, at the earliest opportunity.