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 suscribe in writing to both the
doctrinal stand and eccesiastical 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 for
participation in league sports at minimum six months (unless scheduling
can accomodate 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. Officers shall be elected for one year terms. With the exception of
the secretary, officers will be limited to serving no more than
two consecutive terms at a time.
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 represtatives 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.
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