Article I: Name and Purpose

   A. The name of this organization shall be the Bay Area Christian Athletic League

   B. The purpose of the League is:

      1. To promote and foster the ideals of Christian education through the medium of interscholastic sports among member schools;

      2. To cultivate and promote friendly and cordial relationships among member schools by means of an organized and supervised program of athletic activities.

      3. To promote adherence to good sportsmanship, especially as set forth in Biblical principles.

      4. To provide an opportunity for coaches and athletic officials of member schools to discuss ways and means of improving sports programs in their schools.

Article II: Membership

   A. Membership in the League is open to secondary schools provided such schools are members of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) or the American Association of Christian Schools (AACS).

      1. Membership of ACSI or AACS may be waived provided:

          a. That the school wishing to join will subscribe in writing to both the doctrinal stand and ecclesiastical separation of the ACSI.

          b. That a vote of four-fifths (4/5) of Board of Managers is necessary to approve this waiver.

   B. Admission to membership shall be by application in writing to the League Commissioner and by acceptance by the Board of Managers.

   C. A school which is accepted for membership will be ineligible for participation in league sports at minimum six months (unless scheduling can accommodate a new member in the schedule) after the date of admission.  Once the new member begins participating in a league schedule, it will serve a one-year probationary period. At the end of this period, the Board of Managers shall review the school's participation and vote to accept the school for full membership or reject the school. Rejection of any school requires a full explanation of the reason in writing and a letter of explanation will be sent to the school by the League Commissioner. A newly admitted member has two years from the date of initial membership vote to field the full complement of League sports (unless waived by the Board of Managers).

   D. The members schools of this league shall be listed in the Bylaws, Section One.

Article III: Government

   A. The overall government of the League rests with the Board of Managers (administrators and/or principals of the member schools). They may exercise their authority directly or delegate it to the Athletic Directors and/or other administrative officials of the school. In all votes, unless otherwise stipulated, a simple majority of the members voting shall be sufficient to pass any measure.

   B. Voting - All League schools are empowered to cast two (2) votes. Probationary schools have one (1) vote.

Article IV: Officers

   A. The officers of the League shall consist of a Commissioner (administrator or principal), Assistant Commissioner (also an administrator or principal), a Secretary, and a Treasurer.

   B. No term limits for officers.

Article V: Election of Officers

   A. League officers for each school year shall be elected at the final League meeting of the preceding year.

   B. Nominations and elections shall be as follows:

      1. All representatives of the administration and/or athletic departments of member schools shall be eligible to any office.

      2. Nomination may be made by any school representative in attendance at the nominating meetings. All nominations are to be made from the floor.

      3. In order to be eligible for nomination, the prospective nominee must be present at the nomination meeting or have indicated his or her willingness to accept the position.

      4. After nominations have been closed the names of the nominees and the offices for which they have been nominated shall be displayed on a blackboard or other suitable place for the benefit of the electors.

      5. All principals and/or administrators of member schools shall be eligible for election by the Board of Managers to League Commissioner or Assistant Commissioner.

      6. The new officer shall assume office on July 1.

   C. If for any reason, a League office becomes vacant during the school year, the League Commissioner shall call a by-election. In the case of a vacancy of the League Commissioner, the League Secretary shall call the meeting.  Members shall be informed at least two weeks in advance of the time and place of the by-election.

Article VI: Duties of Board of Managers or Appointed Representatives

   A. At the final meeting of each school year, elect a League Commissioner, an Assistant Commissioner, a League Secretary, and a League Treasurer.

   B. By a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the entire membership, admit to membership any eligible school or expel, after due hearing, any school violating the Constitution, Bylaws or other rules of the League or any order of the Board of Managers. NOTE: a four-fifths (4/5) vote is needed when a waiver is requested (see Article II, A.1).

   C. Make and amend the Constitution and Bylaws for the Government of the League.

   D. Fix and enforce penalties for any violation of the Constitution, Bylaws, or other rules of the League.

   E. Act as an Arbitration Board in League disputes other than those that come under the purview of the Protest Committee.

   F. Determine which sports shall be conducted in the League.

   G. Judge the qualifications of its own members, provided, however, that no member shall be expelled from the Board without a due hearing and without the assent of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the entire membership of the Board.

   H. Establish an appeals procedure for hearings concerning eligibility of students and interpretations of the Constitution and Bylaws.

   I. Meet at least four times annually.

Article VII: Duties of Officers

   A. The League Commissioner shall:

       1. Preside at all meetings.

       2. Appoint a time and place for the holding of meetings.

       3. Call emergency meetings upon written request from any three member schools.

       4. Notify member schools at least two weeks in advance of the date of meetings, or see that the League Secretary does so.

       5. Act as the official representative of the League in dealings with the administrators of member schools.

       6. At the beginning of each school year, send out a letter identifying changes in NFHS rules in each league-sponsored sport.

       7. In consultation with the Executive Committee, give interpretations on questions involving rules and eligibility in accordance with the current NFHS rule book and the BACAL Constitution and Bylaws.

   B. The League Assistant Commissioner:

       1. Is ex-officio member of all standing committees.

       2. Presides at all meetings when Commissioner is absent.

   C. The League Secretary shall:

       1. Keep a register of attendance at all Board of Managers meetings.

       2. Keep an accurate account of the minutes of all Board of Managers meetings.

       3. Carry on all the ordinary correspondence of the League except such as may be delegated to other officers or representatives.

       4. Have charge of all records belonging to the League, including specifically but not exclusively, the minutes of the past meetings, correspondence, League records for all sports and tournaments.

       5. Prepare, after the initial meeting of the school year, a list containing the school names, addresses, telephone numbers, and persons connected with athletics at each of the member schools. Copies of this list are to be mailed to all schools in the League.

       6. Prepare League schedules and disseminate them to member schools on a timely basis via the League website (www.bacal.org).

       7. Work with the League webmaster in posting updates online including game/match results, League standings, membership information, listing of League officers and changes in the BACAL Constitution and Bylaws.

   D. The League Treasurer shall:

       1. Keep a detailed account of the finances of the League.

       2. Submit a financial statement at each meeting, showing the financial condition of the League, and detailing all transactions which have been made on behalf of the League since the last meeting.

       3. Distribute copies of the financial statement to all representatives present.

       4. Keep the bank book, checkbook, and other items pertaining to the office of the Treasurer.

       5. Submit an annual financial report to the Board of Managers within one week after the final League meeting of the year.

       6. Make such suggestions as he or she shall deem advisable to the representatives with regard to payment of due accounts and the undertaking of additional expenditures.

       7. Be responsible for a financial account of revenue and expenditures occurring from a League tournament.

       8. Purchase All-League awards and have them ready to be distributed at the appropriate times.

       9. Purchase and distribute copies of the current NFHS rule books to the Commissioner and Assistant Commissioner.

Article VIII: Meetings

   A. Regular League meetings shall be held during the months of August, November,

      March and May. The date, time, and place will be determined at the

      previous meetings.

   B. An emergency meeting shall be held at the earliest possible time after the

      receipt of such request (see Article VII.A.3).

   C. Agenda: The agenda for the regular meetings shall include the following,

      in the order listed:

       1. Call to Order and Opening Prayer

       2. Approval of the Minutes

       3. Presentation and approval of the Financial Report

       4. Old Business.

       5. New Business.

       6. Adjournment.

   D. At all meetings, whether regular or emergency, strict parliamentary procedure

      is to be observed. Any representative refusing to observe such procedure may,

      after sufficient warning, be dismissed from the meeting by the Commissioner.

      Repetition of this type of infraction will result in permanent exclusion from

      League meetings. Such exclusion must be voted by the representatives of

      member schools. On all questions of procedures, Robert' Rules of Order is to

      be taken as authoritative.

   E. All representatives of member schools present at a meeting may take part in

      discussions; only voting Representatives may motion or second a motion.

   F. Quorum: Representatives from 60% of the members constitute a quorum for

      the purpose of voting on any measure, provided due notice of the meeting has

      been given to all member schools, pursuant to Article VII.A.4 of the

      Constitution.

   G. Voting on all measures presented at a meeting except elections will be by a

      general voice vote unless a show of hands, roll call, or secret ballot is

      requested by any Representative present.

   H. Any school not sending a Representative to a regularly scheduled meeting may

      be subject to a fine or dismissal. A representative includes an Administrator,

      a Coach or an Athletic Director. Notification to be sent to member schools.

       1. Notification to be sent to member schools in violation (absenteeism).

       2. Probationary status with one (1) vote.

       3. Dismissal or fine.

Article IX: Finances

   A. All monies held by the League shall be deemed to belong to the member schools.  By the approval of the Constitution, the member schools shall be presumed to approve of the acquisition and disposition of all monies held by the League at the discretion of its officers and representatives.

   B. No monies shall be disposed of by the Treasurer or any other other official of the League without the express approval of the members indicated by a vote taken at the meeting.

   C. There shall be dues or assessments levied against all member schools for the maintenance of the League.

   D. The League shall not make loans or incur any expenses beyond its means.

   E. The League shall reimburse members for legitimate expenses incurred in the interest of the League. The expenses shall include specifically, but not exclusively, attendance at meetings on behalf of the League, expenses incurred in connection with attendance at League-sponsored functions, telephone bill incurred in the carrying out of League business, travel expenses incurred in connection with attendance at League-sponsored functions in an official capacity (not, however, if the person concerned would have attended the function in any event), and other similar expenses.  Representatives shall not be reimbursed for expenses incurred in attendance at League meetings.

   F. Board of Managers is to assess League dues for all member schools at the last meeting of the school year.

Article X: Amendment

   A. This Constitution may be amended by a 3/4 majority vote of the Board of Managers or appointed representatives.

   B. No motion or amendment shall be considered unless notices of intention to amend the Constitution are given to all member schools at least one month in advance of the meeting at which the motion is to be made.

Article XI: Bylaws

   A. The Board of Managers or appointed representatives may enact such Bylaws as may be deemed necessary and useful for the smooth and efficient functioning of the League.

   B. Bylaws may be enacted at any regular or special meeting of the Board of Managers. No previous notice of intention is necessary, and they take effect from the date of their passage, unless otherwise stipulated in the Bylaw itself. A quorum of 3/5 is sufficient to vote Bylaws, and a simple majority of voting members is necessary for their passage.

Article XII: Authority of the Constitution

   A. This Constitution, together with any Bylaws which may be enacted by the Board of Managers, shall constitute the sole governing authority of the League, and nullify, upon their adoption, any and all former rules, constitutions, bylaws, or customs previously in effect. This Constitution shall take effect immediately upon its approval and adoption by a 4/5 majority of the Board of Managers.

Amendments

2010, August 16: Article IV.B change - No term limits for executive positions.