Constitution and Bylaws

of

USA Wrestling Connecticut, Inc.

ARTICLE 1 NAME ARTICLE 11 CHARTERED CLUBS
ARTICLE 2 REGISTERED AGENT ARTICLE 12 EVENTS
ARTICLE 3 PURPOSES ARTICLE 13 REVENUES
ARTICLE 4 MEMBERSHIP ARTICLE 14 DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS
ARTICLE 5 BOARD OF DIRECTORS ARTICLE 15 INTERNAL GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES
ARTICLE 6 OFFICERS ARTICLE 16 CONDUCT OF MEMBERSHIP
ARTICLE 7 DIVISIONS ARTICLE 17 RULES OF ORDER
ARTICLE 8 POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ARTICLE 18 FISCAL YEAR
ARTICLE 9 REMOVAL FROM OFFICE ARTICLE 19 AMENDMENTS TO THE ARTICLES OR BYLAWS
ARTICLE 10 COMMITTEES

ARTICLE 1 NAME

  1. The name of the corporation shall be USA Wrestling Connecticut, Inc., to be abbreviated hereafter as USAW-CT, or USA Wrestling CT. In addition to the formal name specified above, the corporation may conduct its affairs under such "trade" names as may be approved by the Board of Directors.

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ARTICLE 2 REGISTERED AGENT

2.1 The corporation shall appoint and continuously maintain, at an address within the State of Connecticut, a registered agent upon whom service of process may be made against the corporation.

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ARTICLE 3 PURPOSES

  1. The purpose of the corporation is to have a representative organization open to any individual or club, in order to assist, supervise, standardize, and regulate amateur wrestling, outside of the scholastic setting, in the State of Connecticut.
  2. To promote and advance the sport of amateur wrestling in the State of Connecticut by setting up a formal structure to deal with matters of membership, coaching, competition, and officiating.

3.3 To improve the standard and appreciation of wrestling in the State of Connecticut for men, women, boys and girls by providing training in wrestling skills, organizing competitions and tournaments, offering instruction in coaching and officiating, providing equipment, conducting clinics, instructing children and parents in selection of proper equipment, and associating with wrestling associations and clubs in and outside the State of Connecticut.

3.4 To maintain and execute any and all rules, regulations, and guidelines established by the National Governing Body for Wrestling (USA Wrestling, Inc.) and the State of Connecticut so as to remain and to continue to be recognized as a nonprofit organization and a member of the recognized national Governing Body for Wrestling.

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ARTICLE 4 MEMBERSHIP

  1. The corporation shall have three classes of membership: clubs, individual, and support.
  1. Clubs: Club membership in the corporation shall be open to any organized wrestling club in the State of Connecticut.
    1. Registration : All clubs must register with and pay the appropriate fee to USAW-CT and the national Governing Body for Wrestling in order to be recognized as a chartered club of the organization
    2. Voting Rights: Each chartered club of the organization shall have one vote at all open meetings of chartered clubs of the corporation.
    3. Board Representation: The chartered clubs as a group shall nominate and shall elect one representative to the Board of Directors of the Corporation for each ten chartered clubs or part thereof, based on the number of Clubs at the end of the preceding fiscal year.

4.3 Individual: Individual membership in the corporation shall be open to any individual engaged in competitive amateur wrestling.

    1. Registration: Each individual residing in the State of Connecticut must register, using such application as may be determined by the Board of Directors, and pay the appropriate fees to USAW-CT, to be eligible to participate in USAW-CT activities and competitions. USAW-CT shall recognize individual memberships in the National Governing Body for Wrestling of out-of-state residents to participate in activities and competitions.
    2. Voting Rights: Individual members shall have no voting rights unless they are elected to the Board of Directors.
  1. Support: Support membership shall be open to any individual or organization engaged in the development or support of USAW-CT activities.
    1. Registration: Support members may register as coaches, officials or as general members, and shall pay the appropriate fee unless such fee is waived by the Board of Directors.
    2. Voting Rights: Support members shall have no voting rights unless they are elected to the Board of Directors.
  1. Fees: Membership fees for each class of membership shall be that amount set by the Board of Directors of the corporation.
    1. Payments: Membership fees shall be payable , as designated by USAW-CT, at the time the club or member joins USAW-CT. Membership runs from the date of payment until the end of the fiscal year for the corporation, which is August 31.
    2. Non-Payment: no club, individual, or organization shall be allowed to participate unless membership fees are paid in full prior to the activity.
  1. Non-discrimination: Membership in USAW-CT and participation in USAW-CT activities shall take place without regard to race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

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ARTICLE 5 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

5.1 Composition: The Board of Directors shall be composed of the following:

5.1.1 The four officers of the corporation: the Chair, the Vice-Chair, the Secretary and the Treasurer.

5.1.2 The Division Directors of the Divisions specified at section 7.2.

5.1.3 One or more Club Representatives elected by the USAW-CT sanctioned clubs at the annual meeting. Each sanctioned club shall have one vote. The number of club representatives to be elected is equal to one representative for each 10 USAW-CT sanctioned Clubs or part thereof, based on the number of Clubs sanctioned as of the end of the prior fiscal year . Term of office is set at two (2) years, starting with their election in 1996.

    1. One or more Athlete Representatives nominated by the USAW-CT sanctioned clubs and incumbent Board members, and elected by the Board of Directors at the first meeting following the August annual meeting. Athlete representatives shall be at least 18 years old. Athlete representatives shall serve a one (1) year term beginning on September 1 and ending August 31 of the year following their election. Athlete representatives shall number 20% of the Board of Directors.

5.2 Tenure: The term of each Board member shall coincide with their term as an Officer or Division Director of the Corporation, whichever is longer.

5.3 Meetings: The Board of Directors shall meet upon the call of the USAW-CT Chair, or upon the written request to the Chair and Secretary of not less than four members of the Board. Such meetings shall be held at such location and at such time as shall be specified in the notice of the meeting.

5.3.1 Annual Club Meeting: The Board of Directors will host an open meeting in August of each year with representatives of all USAW-CT sanctioned clubs and USAW-CT members interested in the business of USAW-CT. Nominations for Division Director and Club Representative positions that are about to expire, and Athlete Representative positions will be solicited from the clubs both prior to this annual clubs meeting and at this meeting, and elections to fill the expiring Division Director positions and expiring Club Representative positions will be conducted at this annual meeting. Each sanctioned USAW-CT club and each incumbent Board member shall have a single vote at this meeting.

5.3.2 Annual Meeting of the Board: The Board of Directors shall meet in the month of September each year for the purpose of electing Board officers and athlete representatives, reviewing the budget and divisional programs for the ensuing year, and any other such business as may come before the meeting.

5.3.3 Notice: Notices of meeting of the Board of Directors shall be in writing and mailed or otherwise transmitted to each member of the Board of Directors by the Secretary at least one week prior to the meeting.

    1. Request by Clubs: A Board of Directors meeting shall be held within eight days after the Chair receives a written request to hold such a meeting signed by 25% of the currently sanctioned USAW-CT clubs.
  1. Quorum and Voting: A quorum of the Board of Directors shall consist of a majority of its members. Unless otherwise provided herein, all action to be taken by the Board shall be by a simple majority of those present and voting. No voting by proxy shall be permitted. Each Board member shall be entitled to one vote.

5.5 Vacancies: If a Board member resigns or is otherwise unable to serve, his or her successor shall be promptly elected by the USAW-CT Board of Directors for the remainder of the original Board member’s term of office. Non-binding input about potential nominees shall be solicited from USAW-CT clubs prior to the election.

5.6 Action by writing or by Telecommunications: The Board of Directors may, in lieu of taking action at a meeting, act by written or modern telecommunications (fax, email, etc.) means. A quorum is required to take any action. Promptly after such a meeting, the secretary shall notify each Board member of any decisions made or actions taken.

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ARTICLE 6 OFFICERS

6.1 The officers of the corporation shall be a Chair, a Vice-Chair, a Secretary, and a Treasurer.

6.2 Election of Officers: The officers of the corporation shall be elected by majority vote of the Board of Directors of the corporation. The officers must be members of the Board of Directors.

6.2.1 Chair and Secretary: The office of Chair and that of Secretary must be occupied by two different persons in accordance with Connecticut Law. The elections for the office of Chair and Secretary shall be every two years starting in 1996.

    1. Vice Chair and Treasurer: The office of Vice-Chair and that of Treasurer must be occupied by two different persons. The elections for Vice-Chair and Treasurer shall be every two years starting in 1997.

6.3 Qualifications: each individual nominated for an office during the election process must meet the qualification requirements for that particular office. Qualifications requirements are as follows:

6.3.1 Chair: Nominees for Chair must have been involved with USAW-CT activities for a minimum of five (5) consecutive years prior to nomination, must have held a previous office on the Board of Directors, or must have been a member of the Board of Directors for not less than two (2) years.

6.3.2 Vice-Chair: Nominees for Vice-Chair must have been involved with USAW-CT activities for a minimum of three (3) consecutive years prior to nomination, must have held a previous office on the Board of Directors, or must have been a member of the Board of Directors for not less than two (2) years.

6.3.3 Secretary: Nominees for Secretary must have been involved with USAW-CT activities for a minimum of two (2) consecutive years prior to nomination, must have held a previous office on the Board of Directors, or must have been a member of the Board of Directors for not less than one (1) year.

6.3.4 Treasurer: Nominees for Chair must have been involved with USAW-CT activities for a minimum of two (2) consecutive years prior to nomination, must have held a previous office on the Board of Directors, or must have been a member of the Board of Directors for not less than one (1) year.

6.4 Tenure: The officers of the corporation shall serve the following terms of office:

6.4.1 Chair: The Chair shall be elected in even years. The Chair shall serve a two year term beginning on September 1 of the year of election, and ending August 31 of the second succeeding year.

6.4.2 Vice-Chair: The Vice-Chair shall be elected in odd years. The Vice-Chair shall serve a two year term beginning on September 1 of the year of election, and ending August 31 of the second succeeding year.

6.4.3 Secretary: The Secretary shall be elected in even years. The Secretary shall serve a two year term beginning on September 1 of the year of election, and ending August 31 of the second succeeding year.

6.4.4 Treasurer: The Treasurer shall be elected in odd years. The Treasurer shall serve a two year term beginning on September 1 of the year of election, and ending August 31 of the second succeeding year.

6.5 Duties:

6.5.1 Chair: The Chair shall preside at all open and special meetings, and shall be the principal executive officer of the corporation. He or she shall oversee the execution of the Bylaws of the corporation and shall be responsible for carrying out the decisions of the USAW-CT Board of Directors. The Chair shall act as liaison between the Board of Directors of USAW-CT and the National Governing Body for Wrestling and with all other wrestling organizations. The Chair shall perform such other duties that may be assigned by the USAW-CT Board of Directors.

6.5.2 Vice-Chair: The Vice-Chair shall assist the Chair and shall serve the duties of the Chair in his or her absence. The Vice-Chair shall perform such other duties that may be assigned by the USAW-CT Board of Directors.

6.5.3 Secretary: The Secretary shall record the minutes of all USAW-CT meetings and shall routinely submit a copy of the minutes to every Officer, Director, and Club of USAW-CT, as well as to the National Governing Body for Wrestling. The Secretary shall assist the Chair with correspondence of the corporation and perform such other duties that may be assigned by the USAW-CT Board of Directors.

6.5.4 Treasurer: The Treasurer shall be the principal financial officer of the corporation. The Treasurer shall provide a financial summary at each meeting of the Board of Directors. Furthermore, he or she will prepare and submit a written financial statement annually to each officer and director of the corporation and at such other times as directed by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer is responsible for preparation of an annual budget for the Board’s approval. The Treasurer shall also perform such other duties that may be assigned by the USAW-CT Board of Directors.

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ARTICLE 7 DIVISIONS

7.1 Purpose: USAW-CT shall establish divisions within itself to provide a better means of representing the needs of its members.

7.2 Divisions: The divisions recognized by the corporation are Kids, Cadets, Juniors, Open, Coaches, Officials, International, Membership, and Public Relations.

7.3 Division Directors: Each division shall have a Division Director who shall be the authority on division rules and regulations. Division Directors shall be elected at the annual membership meeting once their respective term is completed. Nominations will be solicited from incumbent Board members and from each USAW-CT sanctioned club prior to the meeting, although nominations will also be taken from the floor. Each USAW-CT sanctioned club and each incumbent board member will have a single vote during the elections. Proxy votes may not be used.

7.3.1 Duties: Division Directors shall supervise all activities which involve their particular division. Division Directors shall also make recommendations to the USAW-CT Board of Directors on matters which pertain to the development of the division’s programs to meet the needs of its participants.

7.3.2 Information: Division Directors shall proactively provide USAW-CT officers, Board of Directors, and clubs with materials and information, which pertain to the rules and regulations of that division, that he or she obtains from the National Governing Body for Wrestling.

7.3.3 Program: In September, each Division Director shall present to the Board of Directors a proposed program, including a proposed budget, for consideration by the Board of Directors.

7.3.4 Meeting Attendance: Each Division Director shall be the first person selected to represent USAW-CT at all regional and national meetings of the respective Division of the National Governing Body for Wrestling. In the event that the appropriate Division director cannot attend his or her meeting, the Board of Directors or its designate shall pick an alternate representative.

7.3.5 Member of Board of Directors: Each Division Director shall become a member of the Board of Directors of the corporation during his or her term as Division Director.

7.3.6 Qualifications for Athlete Division Directors: Nominees for Kid, Cadet, Junior, and Open Division Directors shall have been involved with USAW-CT activities of the respective division for a minimum of two years prior to nomination, and must be able to attend USAW-CT meetings.

7.3.7 Qualifications for Coaches Division Director: Nominee for Coaches Director shall have been involved with coaching of USAW-CT athletes for at least two years, and must be at least copper certified. Higher level certification is desirable. Nominee must be able to attend USAW-CT meetings.

7.3.8 Qualifications for Officials Division Director: The nominee must have been involved with USAW-CT activities for a minimum of two years prior to nomination, and must be able to attend USAW-CT meetings. Further, the nominee should be a current USA category II or higher ranking official or have worked as a mat official (folkstyle, freestyle, and/or greco roman) for at least two years. He or she should be able to attend one or more national events each year and the national convention of the US Wrestling officials Association at least once every three years.

    1. Qualifications for International Division Director: Nominees must have been involved with USAW-CT activities for a minimum of two years prior to nomination, and must be able to attend USAW-CT meetings. Further, he or she must be able to contact and communicate with other international wrestling governing bodies and have experience with foreign travel.

7.3.10 Qualifications for Membership and Public Relations Directors : Nominees must have been involved with USAW-CT activities for a minimum of two years prior to nomination, and must be able to attend USAW-CT meetings.

  1. Tenure: Division Directors shall serve a two year term starting September 1, and ending August 31 of the second succeeding year, according to the schedule at 7.5.1 and 7.5.2..

7.5 Election of Division Directors: The Division Directors shall be elected by majority vote of the incumbent Board of Directors of the corporation and the USAW-CT sanctioned Clubs at the August Meeting, following the process described at 5.3.1.

7.5.1 Elections for Kids, Juniors, Coaches, International and Public Relations Directors shall be every two years starting in 1996.

7.5.2 Elections for Cadet, Open, Officials, and Membership Directors shall be every two years starting in 1997.

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ARTICLE 8 POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  1. The Board of Directors shall be responsible for managing the affairs of the corporation and carrying out the objectives of USAW-CT.

8.2 The Board of Directors shall be responsible for enforcing the rules and regulations of the National Governing Body for Wrestling, and those of USAW-CT.

8.3 The Board of Directors shall be empowered to purchase or otherwise acquire necessary equipment and dispose of or sell property not needed by the corporation.

8.4 The commitment of significant funds, borrowing of funds or the purchase of equipment on an installment basis requires a resolution of the Board of Directors.

8.5 The execution of a lease of property or other rental agreement requires a resolution of the Board of Directors.

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ARTICLE 9 REMOVAL FROM OFFICE

  1. Petition: A petition signed by one half of the currently sanctioned clubs, or by one half of all members of the Board of Directors must be sent to the Chair and the Secretary before such a vote mentioned in 9.2 may be conducted.
  2. Vote on Removal: Any Officer, Board Member, or Division Director may be removed from office for any reason at anytime by the affirmative vote of two thirds of all members of the Board of Directors.
  3. Automatic Removal: Any Officer, Board Member, or Division Director who misses three consecutive regular Board Meetings may be asked by the Board to resign his or her position.
  4. Voting on the issue of removal from office shall be done at a meeting of the Board of Directors or by a mail vote of the Board of Directors.

9.4.1 If voting by mail, a deadline of 14 days past the initial date of mailing of the ballots shall be the deadline for returning the ballots to the secretary. If the vote pertains to the Secretary, then the ballots shall be sent to the USAW-CT Chair. The results of the ballot shall be mailed to all members of the Board of Directors.

9.5 Replacement of an officer, Director or Board member who has been removed shall take place at a Board of Directors Meeting, and by the vote of the Board of Directors, as per the process described at 5.5. The successor shall be elected for the balance of the original member’s term of office. USAW-CT sanctioned clubs shall be contacted for non-binding input about potential replacements before the election.

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ARTICLE 10 COMMITTEES

  1. General: The corporation may establish committees which will operate subject to policies established by the Board of Directors. Committees shall report to the Board of Directors.

10.2 Appointment: The Board of Directors or the designee of the Board of Directors may appoint any USAW-CT member to a committee. The chair of the committee shall be appointed by the USAW-CT Chair.

10.3 Tenure: Terms of committee members shall be one year or less.

10.4 Conflicts and Other Duties: in the event of a claimed conflict in jurisdiction between two or more committees of the corporation, the Board of Directors shall be responsible for determining the responsibilities of the particular committees in question.

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ARTICLE 11 CHARTERED CLUBS

  1. Any organization or group wishing to be recognized as a chartered club of USAW-CT and a member of the corporation shall be required to pay the appropriate fees and submit to the corporation any documents that the Board of Directors may request. The organization or group shall demonstrate 1) agreement to abide by the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws of the corporation, and 2) such other provisions as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors of USAW-CT.
  2. Disputes: Any disputes with or among clubs shall be resolved by the Board of Directors if they are requested to do so by one or more of the parties involved.

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ARTICLE 12 EVENTS

  1. Sanctions: The Board of Directors or its designee shall have the authority to authorize the sanction for nay tournament, clinic, or other event open to individual competitive member(s). The Board of Directors may develop guidelines to determine which events require sanction. The Board of Directors shall have the authority to set guidelines required for the granting of a sanction.
  2. Fees: The Board of Directors shall have the authority to set reasonable fees for event sanctions charged to event sponsors.
  3. Host responsibilities: The host or sponsor of a sanctioned event must follow the event guidelines established by the Board of Directors. An event sponsor who does not follow the guidelines may be denied a sanction for a future event.

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ARTICLE 13 REVENUES

  1. The Treasurer of the corporation shall deposit all moneys and other valuables in the name of the corporation and to the credit of the corporation in such depositories as may be designated by the Board of Directors.
  2. Collections: All membership fees shall be collected by the membership Director and forwarded to the Treasurer. All other revenues, including gifts and donations, shall be forwarded to the Treasurer.

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ARTICLE 14 DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS

  1. Authority to Disburse: The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors of USAW-CT.
  2. Checks: All checks, drafts, and other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidence of indebtedness issued in the name of the corporation shall be signed by the officer or officers, agent or agents of the corporation in such a manner as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors.
  3. Commitments of funds consistent with a line item in the approved annual budget may be made by a Division Director or member of the Board of Directors. The person making the commitment shall expeditiously report the commitment to the Treasurer and shall report the expenditure to the Board at the next Board Meeting.
  4. Reimbursement: Officers, Board of Directors members and Division Directors acting for the corporation shall be reimbursed for pre-authorized expenses incurred for their participation in activities which benefit the corporation, or for authorized expenses they incur for the corporation, or for authorized expenditures they incur for the proper and efficient operation of the corporation. The Board of Directors has the sole authority to determine which expenses are reimbursable and to specify procedures for reimbursement.

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ARTICLE 15 INTERNAL GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES

  1. Grievance Committee: A grievance committee shall consist of the Chair and four other members of the Board of Directors appointed by the Chair.
  2. Grievance: Any member of the Corporation may file a written grievance to the Secretary or Chair, to any matter within the cognizance of the corporation and alleging a violation of any provision of these Bylaws. Such grievance must be signed by at least one member of the corporation to have standing.
  3. Referral of Grievance: Upon receipt of the grievance, the Chair shall contact the remaining grievance committee members within 5 calendar days.
  4. Resolution: The Chair shall read the grievance to each committee member and that member shall render a decision to the Chair. A majority vote of the committee shall constitute the decision of the committee. The decision shall be relayed to the person filing the grievance within twenty-four hours after the decision is made.
  5. Appeal: The party or parties filing the grievance may appeal the decision of the grievance to the Board of Directors at their next regularly scheduled meeting. The resolution provided by the Board of Director by majority vote shall be considered final.

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ARTICLE 16 CONDUCT OF MEMBERSHIP

  1. General: All members, parents or guardians of members, officers, officials, and board members are responsible for their conduct at any and all functions which are associated with USAW-CT and the National Governing Body for wrestling.
  2. Complaint Process: Complaints against a member or members of the corporation who are alleged to have acted in an unruly fashion shall be forwarded to the Chair, or to the Secretary who will in turn notify the Chair. The complaint shall be in writing, and signed by a member of the corporation. The Chair shall inform the accused member or members that a complaint has been filed with USAW-CT with regard to some alleged misconduct of the member.
    1. Hearing: The party filing the complaint and the party or parties against whom the complaint has been filed shall be informed of a time, date, and place that the complaint will be read, discussed and acted upon.

16.2.2Hearing Board: The Hearing Board shall consist of the Chair and six members of the Board of Directors appointed by the Chair. A quorum of the Hearing Board shall consist of a majority of its members. Unless otherwise provided herein, all action to be taken by the Hearing Board shall be by a simple majority of those present and voting. No voting by proxy shall be permitted. Each Board member shall be entitled to one vote.

  1. Notification of decision: The decision and any sanctions against the accused shall be written and mailed to all parties involved and to each member of the Hearing Board by the Secretary.
  2. Appeal: The accused party may appeal the decision of the Hearing Board before the full Board of Directors at their next regularly scheduled meeting. The resolution provided by the Board of Directors shall be considered final.

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ARTICLE 17 RULES OF ORDER

  1. The rules contained in the current edition of Roberts Rules of Order newly revised shall govern the corporation in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws and any general rules of order the corporation may adopt. In no case shall the rules of the corporation conflict with the Articles of Incorporation.

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ARTICLE 18 FISCAL YEAR

  1. The fiscal year of the corporation shall begin on the first day of September and end on the last day of August of the succeeding year.

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ARTICLE 19 AMENDMENTS TO THE ARTICLES OR BYLAWS

  1. Notice and Voting: The Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws may be amended at a regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Directors. An affirmative vote of two thirds of all members of the Board of Directors shall be required to amend any portion of the Articles of Incorporation or the Bylaws. The secretary shall mail a copy of the amendment to al chartered clubs, Board officers, Board members, and Division Directors.

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