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Name: |
The name of this organization shall be the Sundowners Tennis League. |
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Purpose: |
The purpose of this organization shall be to organize and structure competitive play for working women between tennis groups in Orange County. |
Proper Division: |
Each division must field their player in accordance with their approved rating. It will be left to the discretion of the Board of Directors to handle a disputed rating that is incorrect. A club or organization may participate in any division and may field one or more teams in a division. |
Number of Players: |
To enter a divison, a club or organization must roster a minimum of twelve (12) regular players with no maximum limit. Any club or organization that cannot field the minimum number of players per week may be asked to leave the league. |
Team Eligibility: |
A player may be rostered and play on only one team in the Sundowners season, but may change to another team of a different division at mid-season. |
Playing in a Higher Division: |
Players may play up 0.5 in rating, but may NEVER play down. Any team playing a member in a division lower than their approved rating will default that particular match. They may play the match, but the score will be indicated a 6-0, 6-0 for the opposing team. The match will also be defaulted if playing higher than 0.5 in rating. |
Review of Win/Loss Record: |
The Board of Directors shall review the scores of all players. The Board shall be authorized to increase the rating of any player who has a win percentage of 90% or more at level after playing at least 8 matches during the year (unless 5.0 division). The Board shall be authorized to decrease the rating of any player who has a win percentage of 25% or less at level after playing at least 8 matches. At the Board's discretion, if a player plays up at least 8 matches and wins more than 60%, she will be considered to be moved up. Bumps can also be made at the discretion of the Board. |
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Membership: |
Any team that fields the minimum number of players into the league divisions is a member of the Sundowners Tennis League. All teams considered for membership must meet the criteria specified in the Bylaws, such as having at least three courts available for league play at one time, and having adequate lighting. Each team will select a captain to represent their team. Women currently playing other daytime leagues are eligible for Sundowners. |
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Meetings: |
The Board of Directors shall have a minimum of three meetings per year to be held immediately prior to the start of each Captains meeting (Pre-Season, Mid-Season, Post-Season). The three meetings shall be held as follows: prior to the first match in the fall, at mid-season, and after the final match in the spring. The Corresponding Secretary shall notify the Board members of the time and place if additional meetings are required. |
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Officers: |
The Board will consist of the following elected officers: Tournament Director, an Assistant Tournament Director for each division, Secretary, Treasurer, Publicity/Historian, Parliamentarian (past Tournament Director), and Ratings Chairperson. The Tournament Director may appoint one Awards Chairperson or other assistants at her discretion. Founding Director, Paddy Speyers, is to have lifetime voting privileges. |
Term of Office: |
Officers are to be elected for a term of one year. They may not hold the same position for more than two years, unless agreeable to incumbent, Board and voted in at the Post-Season Captains Meeting. A Tournament Director must have been on the Board for at least one year, but it does not have to be contiguous. It is recommended that she be a person that has served in the past as either an Assistant Tournament Director or Ratings Chairperson, but this is NOT mandatory. |
Elections: |
Elections are to be held at the Post-Season Captains/Board of Directors meeting from nominees submitted by all the participating teams and screened by the nominating committee as selected by the Board of Directors. The final Board of Directors must have no more than two representatives from one team. |
Vacancies: |
Vacancies among the officers will be filled by the Tournament Director and approved by the majority of the Board of Directors. Such new officers will fill the existing vacancy until the end of the season of play. |
Job Descriptions: |
Tournament Director: |
She will schedule and preside at required number of meetings of the Board; she will fill vacancies of the Board; she will be at the disposal of all team captains to answer any questions or settle any minor disputes. She will interpret current rules. Approves all league purchases/expenses. She will be in charge of scheduling of each division's matches for the season. |
Assistant Tournament Directors: |
They will be responsible for collecting and recording the weekly scores of a division other than their own. In the absence of the Parliamentarian, the Assistant Tournament Directors will alternate in presiding over the meetings. |
Recording Secretary: |
She will be responsible for an accurate record of the minutes of all the meetings. She will compile a list of team captains, co-captains, addresses, phone numbers, and club phone numbers. She will help with the typing of the new rules. |
Treasurer: |
She will keep an accurate record of the League funds. She will disburse any funds necessary during the year. She will deposit any monies collected into the league's checking account. She will be responsible for maintaining the league's mailing address and mail, insurance policy and USTA membership. |
Corresponding Secretary: |
She will be responsible for all necessary correspondences of the league and its Governing Board. She will notify all Board members of each Board meeting. She will also maintain records of all protests within divisions of the league. She will be responsible for the mailing of circulars, newsletters, etc. |
Publicity Chairperson/Historian: |
She will maintain a notebook of events during the current year. She will try to get newspaper coverage for the events forthcoming. She will be responsible for compiling information for newsletters. |
Banquet Chairperson: |
She will schedule an appropriate place for the Awards Banquet and collect any money as appropriate from attending parties. It will be her responsibility to determine the format and program for the banquet. She will be responsible for all awards/trophies. |
Rating Chairperson: |
She will be responsible for the selection of the rating tennis professionals and the format and rating guidelines for these raters. Also heads the Rating Committee for any rating disputes on any players in the Sundowners Tennis League. She will keep accurate and current rating records of all players in the league. |
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Election of Officers: |
At least 60 days prior to the Post-Season Captains Meeting, the Corresponding Secretary will forward to each participating team, a form requesting nominations for the coming election to be held at the Post-Season Captains Meeting. Nominations must be received from teams at least 30 days prior to the election date. A nominating committee will screen the entries prior to submittal at the Captains electoral meeting. Nominations may be made from the floor at the time of the meeting. |
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Election Procedures: |
Each particpating team captain and Board member will be eligible to cast one vote. |
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Voting Procedures: |
At the Board of Directors meeting, a majority vote, from quorum present, is required to pass any business. |
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Dues: |
The annual dues are payable with the application. No club shall play in the Sundowners Tennis League unless these dues are paid. |
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Protests: |
Protests MUST be submitted in writing and should be mailed to the Tournament Director, with a copy to the Assistant Tournament Director acting as scorekeeper for the division. A copy must also be mailed to the opposing Team Captain, who must send in her reply to the Tournament Director to confer with the Tournament Director and either arrive at a decision at this time or present it at the next Board of Directors meeting for action at that time. |
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Awards: |
Awards will be presented at the Awards Banquet to the winning teams as follows: |
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- The team which has won the most matches in its division will receive a perpetual plaque and thereafter a commemorative plaque.
- The runner-up and third place team in each division will receive an appropriate award and thereafter a commemorative plaque.
- A Sportsmanship Award will be presented to the team in each division receiving the highest number of votes. If end results are tied, the Assistant Tournament Director will break the tie by deducting one point for each missing scoresheet.
- In case of a tie for first or second place in number of matches won, sets will be counted from the weekly scoresheets, if still a tie, games will be counted, In the event that a tie still persists in total number of games, head-to-head results between teams in previous matches that season will be used to break the tie. If there is still a tie, there will be co-champions awarded.
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Amendments: |
These Bylaws may be amended at any of the Board Meetings by a majority vote. Over one-half of the voting members must be present to constitute a quorum. |
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Team Probation: |
A team will be notified in writing of the probationary period. If the team is unable to comply with the Bylaws, Rules of Play, and/or the Captain's Duties, they will be asked to take at least one full season away from the league. Upon returning to the league, there will be an automatic half of a season probationary period. |
