WEST BEND SWIM CLUB CONSTITUTION

 

 

ARTICLE I    PURPOSE

 

Section 1: The club was formed to promote the sport of swimming, the spirit of competition, and the ideals of sportsmanship.  It provides basic and advanced swimming instruction for boys and girls.

 

Section 2: The club also provides swimmers' parents and interested others with information on the swimmers' development in order to become supportive of their participation.

 

ARTICLE II   TITLE

 

The West Bend Swim Club will consist of two cooperating groups:

*   The West Bend Swim Club - The Stingrays

*   The West Bend Swim Club Executive Board

 

ARTICLE III ELIGIBILITY

 

Any boy or girl who can make one length of the pool and who shows an interest in learning about competitive swimming is eligible.  The swimmers can register at any time into one of the following age groups:

 

*   8 and under

*   10 and under

*   11-12

*   13-14

*   15-18

*   Senior

 

ARTICLE IV CLUB AFFILIATIONS

 

The West Bend Swim Club is sanctioned by United States Swimming (USS) and swims under national and state guidelines.  At the time of registration, all swimmers are required to enroll as a member of USS so that they are eligible to participate in USS sanctioned events and are covered by USS insurance at meets as well as practice.

 

ARTICLE V   COACHING

 

Section 1: The coaching staff needs will vary with each season, reflecting both the number and age level of swimmers.  The coaching staff coordinator and the Executive Board of Directors will determine the coaching needs for each season, and/or make changes in staff needs whenever necessary.

 

Section 2: The hourly rate of pay for the coaches is determined for each season by inflationary trends, the coach's overall performance, number of swimmers and experience of the coach.  Taxes will be withheld by the West Bend Swim School District, and WBSC will pay the social security for each coach.  The pay scale will always be open to re-negotiation when coaching personnel changes are made.

 

ARTICLE VI EXECUTIVE BOARD

 

Section 1: Any parent of an enrolled swimmer or any interested citizen may run for office of the WBSC Executive Board.  This group will serve as the governing body of the administrative functions of the club.

 

Section 2: One of the Board's main function will be to provide the swim club financial assistance.  The group will raise necessary funds through projects of their choosing.  The other main function is to manage and operate the club.

 

Section 3: A slate of candidates for the Executive Officers will be presented to the membership and voted on.  The executive positions of the club will be as follows:

 

*   President

*   Vice-President

*   Secretary

*   Treasurer

 

The officers will be elected to a two-year term with the president and secretary being elected in the even years and the vice president and treasurer being elected in the odd years at a meeting prior to the end of the spring season.  A majority of members present will determine the nominees elected for the executive position.  A written ballot may be used.

 

Section 4: The Board of Directors of the West Bend Swim Club will consist of the executive officers listed above and three other members in good standing with the club, these to be appointed by the president.  Past presidents may serve on the Board as ex-officio members.  The Board will meet at least once a month.

 

Section 5: Meetings are open to all members of the Club with prior notification of the President.

 

Section 6: The Board of Directors will serve as the avenue of communication between the parents and the coaching staff. 

 

Section 7: The duties of the President will be to preside over the meetings.  The President is obliged to adhere to the Constitution and follow Robert's Rules of Order in the conduction of the meetings.  He/She will appoint various committees and/or individuals to serve in various capacities.  He/She is responsible for appointing the person to conduct swim meets hosted by the West Bend Swim Club.  He/She will plan and administrate all Board meetings.

 

Section 8: The duties of the Vice-President shall include the handling of the communication of discipline problems to the parents of the swimmer.  He/She will act as a listening post about problems and then approach those problems as he/she will see fit.

 

Section 9: The duties of the Secretary will be to record all minutes of the meetings of the general membership and meetings of the Board of Directors.  The Secretary or Registration Chair will also be responsible for the continuous updating of the phone tree and the club mailbox, making changes as swimmers enroll and drop out.

 

Section 10: The duties of the Treasurer will be to account for all monies received and disbursed in the name of the club.  He/She will be responsible for the development of a seasonal budget, which will be prepared before the beginning of each swimming season.  He/She will continually update the entry escrow fund and submit all entry fees.  The Treasurer of the club also acts as the chairperson of the Fees Committee.  This committee and/or individual will be responsible for researching the topic of fees for each swimming season.  This information will be presented to the Board of Directors for discussion and approval.

 

Section 11: The President will appoint a board member or designee to function as the Registration Chairperson of the club.  The Registration Chairperson will be present at the seasonal registrations and provide continuous updating of the roster, phone tree and mailbox.  This individual will assure that all swim club members are properly registered with the USS.

 

Section 12: General membership meetings will be called at the discretion of the President, but at least once during each swimming season.

 

Section 13: The Board members will determine the fees for each swimmer participating in the WBSC.  The fees will be established before the beginning of each swimming season: summer and fall and winter.  Swimmers will not be excluded from participating if it is determined that it is a hardship for them to meet the fee payments.  At least 1/2 of fees are due upon registration with the second half due within a month of registration.  Failure to make payment will result in swimmers not being allowed to practice with the club.

 

Section 14: Senior swimmers who join the team during their high school off-season may pay a prorated fee, due upon registration.  Seasonal athlete memberships in USS are available in the spring/summer.

 

Section 15: The Local Swim Committee (LSC) Representative will be responsible for representing the West Bend Swim Club at the LSC meetings held bimonthly.  The club will provide a non-athlete registration in USS for the club's LSC designee.  The LSC designee will attend LSC meetings and communicate back to the club any information relevant to its operation.  The LSC designee will vote for the club on any issues presented at the LSC meetings.  Mileage will be paid to those individuals traveling to USS meetings.

 

Section 16: The Board will be responsible for selecting summer meets and winter meets in which the team will participate as a whole.  State Championship meets will be attended as needed.

 

Section 17: The Board or designee will be responsible for organizing the social activities and special affairs of the membership of WBSC.

 

Section 18: Meet entry forms will be filled out by each swimmer and his/her parents and turned into the Vice-President or designated Meet Entry Chairperson by the designated due date.  After receiving the meet entry forms, the Vice-President or Meet Entry Chairperson will compile the relays with the help of the coaches, and will then compile meet information for the coaching staff.  He/She will then fill out the Hy-Tek meet entry program and send the Hy-Tek to the various meet directors as needed.

 

BY-LAWS

 

1.      COACHES MEET PAYMENT

 

A.                  Coaches will be paid to coach the team at required meets and other qualifying meets only.

B.                 Only one coach will be paid to coach at a required meet in which the club swimmers are swimming.  If the coaches feel a particular meet appears to require more than one coach, they must approach the Board one-week prior to the meet.  At that time, the Board will decide it if more than one coach is deemed necessary.

C.                 The coach (es) will be paid their regular hourly rate for a USS meet and for conference meets.

D.                 The club will pay the coach's membership in the USS provided the coach has completed the necessary certifications.

 

           

2.      COACHING DUTIES

 

A.                  Coaching Staff Coordinator

 

1.                  Coordinate practice times with pool directors and the Board.

2.                  Organize workouts with other coaches.

3.                  Decide on grouping of swimmers with help of coaches.

4.                  Arrange relays with help of staff and Meet Entry Chairperson.

5.                  Discuss progress of swimmers and team with the Board of Directors

6.                  Responsible for all "in the pool" discipline of swimmers and inform the parents as soon as possible when problems develop.

7.                  Receive endorsement of the Board of Directors before seeking expenditures in the name of the club.

 

All Coaches

 

1.                  Suggest swimmers grouping with Coaching Staff Coordinator.

2.                  Assist in organization of workout calendar and weekly plans.

3.                  Teach swimmers all four competitive strokes as well as proper starts and turns.

4.                  Teach stroke drills to reinforce proper stroke technique as well as proper racing habits.

5.                  Build endurance in swimmers as age and development dictates.

6.                  Be on time for all assigned practices and swim meets.

7.                  Be a positive role model for the swimmers providing encouragement, counseling and direction to the swimmers on how to be a better swimmer, a good athlete and good sportsperson as well as a good citizen.

 

3.  PARENTS RESPONSIBILITIES

 

A.                  Be responsible for the disciplining of the swimmers in "out of pool" activities.

B.                 Supervise locker rooms before, during and after swim practice.

C.                 Communicate problems to the Vice President who will relate to the particular parent the problem and expedite a solution.

D.                 Remind swimmers at home of their responsibilities in the locker room and in the pool.

E.                 Help control the swim team members at away meets.

F.                  Inform coaches in writing when possible of swimmer's tardiness or absenteeism and advise them of special health considerations.

G.                 Contact the coach or Board member if canceling from a swim meet.

 

4.      ENTRY FEE ESCROW FUND

 

A.                  At the time of registration each swimmer is expected to pay a pre-established amount in addition to the regular swimming fee.  This escrow fund is expected to cover a large portion of the swimmer's entry fees in all USS meets for the ensuing season.

B.                 If that fund is exhausted, the Treasurer will bill the family an additional amount.  Conversely, if the fund is not completely used, the Treasurer will refund the swimmer when the swimmer is no longer a member of the club.

C.                 If a swimmer signs up for an event and then, due to the discretion of the swimmer, does not swim, the account will still be charged.

D.                 A 50-cent surcharge will be added to event fees to assist in covering coaching costs at meets.

 

5.  RELAY PAYMENT

A.                  The club will pay the entry fee for participating relays in all USS meets.

B.                 If a swimmer is entered in a meet, then he/she is expected to be available for relays.