Atlas United Football Club
Articles and Bylaws
Article I – Name
The name of this organization shall be Atlas United Football Club (hereinafter referred to as AUFC).
Article II – Purpose
The purpose of Atlas United Football Club shall be to promote football as a sport, to organize football teams, to provide training in the sport of football for youth, and to receive gifts or donations to promote the physical and mental health, welfare and recreation of the general public through the sport of football.
Atlas United Football Club shall not be affiliated with any further organizations at this time however we welcome the opportunity to collaborate and grow with others. We are pending future affiliation with the Barbados Football Association (BFA). Through these affiliations, Atlas United Football Club becomes an officially sanctioned football program in the country of Barbados. Atlas United Football Club is a nonprofit organization.
ARTICLE IV – COLORS
The representative colors of the Atlas United Football Club shall be red and black.
ARTICLE VI – AUTHORITY
The Atlas United Football Club shall be governed by its Articles, By-Laws, and rules of Play and Procedures, except when the Rules of Play are superseded by the BFA’s rules.
Article IV – Governing Authority
Section 1 The Executive Committee (hereinafter referred to as Officers) shall be composed of seven chosen officers.
A. President
B. Vice President
C. Head of Youth Development
D. Head of First Team Development
E. Secretary
F. Finance Officer
G. Social Media Officer
H. Registrar
Section 2 The Officers of Atlas United Football Club shall remain in place at the discretion of the President.
Section 3 In exceptional circumstances, New Officers shall be elected by the membership at the Annual Meeting by a majority vote of the members in good standings who have been members for a minimum of one prior year. All Officers shall serve for a term of at least one (1) years. No person shall hold more than one office.
Section 4 The duties of the Officers shall be as follows:
- The President shall preside at all meetings, shall be in charge of the running of the football club, and shall be final decision maker of Atlas United Football Club
- The Vice President shall act in the absence of the President with the same authority, shall be in charge of all matters.
- The Secretary shall be responsible for all communications, both internal and external, and shall keep the official records of Atlas United Football Club including minutes of all meetings.
- The Accountant shall receive, distribute, and account for all funds of funds which shall be kept in a bank designated by the Officers and shall disclose and report monthly statements.
- The Registrar shall be responsible for registration of players and coaches, and shall be responsible for formation of teams.
- The Heads of Development shall be responsible for the distribution of information to the coaches, in regards of scheduling and training.
Section 6 The Executive Committee shall be responsible for, and have sole authority, upon casting minimum 2 thirds of the votes to:
A. Insure that the Atlas United Football Club operates within the framework of the Articles.
B. Decide all matters of policy.
C. Create committees; decide matters of finance and have yearly reviews conducted; impose dues and/or fees and fines as in their opinion are required to operate the Atlas United Football Club.
D. Adopt and publish a “Schedule of Play”.
E. Announce and publish “Rules of Play” annually. The “Rules of Play” will specifically outline rules of play, conduct and other game procedures.
F. As necessary, make temporary rules or regulations for specific cases or occasions which are not provided for in the Articles, By-Laws, Rules of Play or procedures but which are deemed necessary to carry out the objectives of Atlas United Football Club.
G. Amend or revoke the “Schedule of Play”.
H. Approve selection of coaches, assistant coaches & team coordinators.
I. Remove officers, members, coaches, assistant coaches, and team coordinators with due cause.
J. Hold sole responsibility for interpreting and enforcing the Articles, By-Laws, Rules of Play and Procedures of this League.
K. Act within timely manner upon any motion made and passed.
Section 5 Any Officer failing to attend meetings in such a manner as to consistently cause a quorum to not be established shall have his/her continued tenure subjected to a vote of the membership in no less than ten nor more than thirty days from the last meeting of Officers where a quorum was not established. Any Officer may be removed from office by a two-thirds vote of the membership present at a membership meeting.
Article V Meetings
Section 1 Meeting of the membership shall be held at the call of the Officers provided that at least one meeting be held monthly.
Section 2 The meeting normally held in the second week of the month of November shall be called the annual meeting and shall be for the potential election of officers and presentation of the budget.
Section 3 A quorum of Officers is required at all meetings to conduct business. A quorum is defined as six or more Officers present.
Article VI Committees
Committees other than Registration and Rules and Games may be appointed as needed by
The President with advice and consent of the Executive Committee of Directors for an active life to be specified
in the appointment.
Article VII – Membership
Section 1 Members are teams formed by citizens of the community.
Section 2 Members must remain in good standing with regard to payment of fees and dues.
Section 3 Membership may be terminated by a two-thirds vote of the eligible votes at a membership meeting.
Section 4 Each Officer shall have one vote with the President voting only to break a tie.
Section 5 Membership voting: each member shall have one vote and must be at least eighteen years of age.
Section 6 An associate membership is open to any person who does not have a participating player but wishes to participate in club activities through sponsorship, contributions or service to the Club. An associate member will not be entitled to a vote in general meetings.
Section 7 Officials will be considered as volunteers.
Article VIII- Financial Year
The financial year of Atlas United Football Club shall be from August first to July twenty ninth of the following year.
ARTICLE IX – ROSTER SIZES
- The First Team must have no more than thirty (30) players and no less than twenty (20) players.
- Youth Teams must have no more than twenty-five (25) players. This is to ensure that one coach may be able to give the required attention needed to developing players.
Article X-Rules of Play
Section 1 Atlas United Football Club will comply with the rules of play stated by the Federacion Internacional Futbol Asocaion (FIFA) except in the lower ages where the ruled will be modified.
Article XI-Bylaws Changes or Amendments
Section 1. Changes or amendments to these bylaws may be agreed at any General Membership Meeting upon two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the official voting members present. Each eligible person may only cast one vote.
Section 2. A proposed change or amendment must be submitted in writing to the President or Secretary of the Club not later than thirty (30) days before the General Membership Meeting. Such changes shall be transmitted to Executive Committee Members and eligible voting members of the Club not later than fifteen (15) days prior to said meeting.
Section 3. Subsection 1. The Executive Committee, by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote, may create temporary bylaw changes for governing specific cases or occasions not provided for in the Bylaws, but which may be necessary for the Club to meet required objectives. Provisional changes so adopted will be submitted to the membership in accordance with Section 1 as a proposed Bylaw amendment at the next General Membership Meeting.
Section 4 The Club shall keep a record of the proceedings of the Executive Committee, which shall include the original or a copy of its Bylaws, including all amendments thereto to date, certified by the Secretary, an original or duplicate Executive Committee Register, giving the names of the Executive Committee and their respective addresses, and the original minutes of all meetings and resolutions of the Executive Committee. The Club shall keep appropriate, complete and accurate books or records of account.
Section 4 Subsection 1 At the expiration of an officer’s term, any books and records of the Club in the possession of the officer shall be transferred to the Club Vice President within 30 days.
Article XII- Registration Fees
Section 1 Registration
fees, late fees and all other fees or payments shall be determined by the
Executive Committee of Directors.
Section 2 Associated Members are
not required to pay fees.
Article XIII- Tryouts and Trials
Section 1 Atlas United Football Club does not guarantee the placement of any player on any particular team. Tryouts and placements will be based on the registration and tryout policies of the AUFC.
Article XIV- Equal Opportunity
Section 1 The Club will not discriminate against any individual on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, ethnicity, disability, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or any other protected category under applicable under Barbados law.
Section 2 Participation is open to any youth football players ages 13-18 and to players 18 years and older. Coaches, trainers, managers, administrators and volunteers who are not serving a suspension from participation by BFA or any organization of which it is a member, any of its member clubs, or by any amateur football organization in its territory. Participation is also open to any qualifying adult football player provided space is available on an adult team.
Article XV- DISSOLUTION OF CLUB
Section 1 The club may be dissolved by a 2/3 majority of the Executive Committee of Directors at the Annual Meeting or at a special Executive Committee meeting. The intent to dissolve the club must be included in the meeting’s agenda and publicized.
Section 2 Upon dissolution of this Club, after paying or adequately providing for the debts and obligations of the Club, the remaining assets shall be distributed to fund(s), foundations(s), or charity group(s) which is/are organized and operated exclusively for athletic, education, or charitable purposes. Any organization(s) receiving funds or property from the Club’s dissolution shall first be approved by the Executive Committee of Directors of the Club.
Section 3 Should the club merge with another organization, all assets shall be transferred to the surviving entity by the end of the fiscal year.
Article XVI – FINANCIAL CONTROLS
Section 1 The Executive Committee shall adopt financial controls that provide details for the handling of the club’s financial affairs. Such policies shall be reviewed and modified as required by the Executive Committee.
Section 2 All funds and property received by or coming into the custody of the Club belong to the Club and are entrusted to the Club to be expended only in accordance with, and for the purpose authorized by the Executive Committee. The Club shall use its funds only to accomplish the objectives and purposes necessary to maintain its status as a non-profit organization
Section 3 No person is authorized to commit funds of the Club or otherwise obligate the Club except as authorized by the Executive Committee and to the extent funds are available to the Club for clearing such commitment.
Article XVII – SIGNING AUTHORITY
Section 1 A contract or other record is to be
signed by the Club must be signed on behalf of the Club:a) by the president, together with one other officer,
b) if the president is unable to provide a signature, by the vice-president
together with one other officer,
c) if the president and vice-president are both unable to provide signatures,
by any 2 other officers, or
d) in any case, by one or more individuals authorized by the Executive Committee to sign the record
on behalf of the Club.
Article XVIII- Confidentiality & Property
Section 1 All plans, records and documentation are considered private and property of the Club. Any member who is found in violation of this privacy will immediately be removed from the Club with no refund of fees.
Section 2 All equipment is the sole property of the club unless stated otherwise. Upon leaving the Club, these equipment are expected to be returned immediately. Players are expected to sign upon receipt of items.
Article XIX – Sponsorship
Section 1 Members are expected to continue to attain as many sponsorship opportunities as possible for the Club.
Section 2 Members are to be reminded of their responsibilities in participating in our sponsor’s promotion campaigns and are obligated in carrying out their duties.
Article XX – Representation of the Club
Section 1 Members are public representation of the club and are obliged to adhere to the Club’s code of conduct. Any members that are in violation of the Club’s code of conduct are subject to disciplinary sanctions by the Executive Committee.
The Executive Committee recognizes these By-Laws as valid as of July 26, 2019.
Atlas United Football Club 