Bill George Youth Football League By-Laws

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BGYFL_Bylaws_2009.pdf (201 KB)

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Cheerleading & Pom • 2009 Rules and Regulations:

 Article XIII - Statement of Purpose

• General Purpose - To encourage Youth athletic activities, promote sportsmanship and fitness.  To maintain a sound mental, physical and moral condition.
   
• Specific Purpose - To provide an opportunity to Cheer and Dance in a safe manner, develop qualities of sportsmanship, teamwork, self-confidence, poise and enthusiasm.
  
  
• BGYFL Franchise Representatives will serve as the voting body with regard to decisions brought forth regarding the by-laws and competition rules.  Such decisions will then be ratified by the BGYFL Board of Directors.

• The BGYFL Cheer Board will assist and support the Franchise Representatives in the continued development of   the BGYFL Cheer Program and serve as a liaison between the Franchise Representatives and the BGYFL Executive Board. 

Article XIV - Governing Bodies

• BGYFL Cheer Board – The BGYFL Cheer Board shall consist of the BGYFL Cheer  President, Vice President, Secretary and By-Laws Officer.  The BGYFL Cheer Board shall represent BGYFL Cheer to the BGYFL Executive Board on all matters surrounding Franchise complaints and disciplinary actions as related to cheerleading activities that require review and approval by the BGYFL Executive Board.  The BGYFL Executive Cheer Board shall act in support of the BGYFL cheerleading and pom by-laws and rules. 

• BGYFL Cheer Board Elections - The Cheer President, Vice President and Secretary shall be elected bi-yearly at the November meeting.  The terms will be off set with the Cheer President and By-Laws Officer being elected in even numbered years and the Secretary and Cheer Vice President being elected in the odd numbered years.  All positions are subject to the BGYFL Executive Board approval. The BGYFL Cheer Board Franchise Representatives shall submit nominations for all term ending vacating board positions by the adjournment of the October meeting. The ballot will be forwarded to all Franchise Representatives prior to the November meeting. All candidates may provide a biography to franchise BGYFL representatives prior to the November meeting.  Ballots will be turned into the Secretary at the November meeting for tabulation. Results of the Cheer election will be forwarded to the BGYFL Executive Board for approval.  Beginning in January 2009, any candidate accepting a Cheer Board position will forfeit their BGYFL Franchise Representative voting rights.

• Eligibility for Nomination to a Cheer Board position – Nominees for board positions shall only be incumbent Officers, Commissioners, League Directors, past officers, alternate franchise representatives or franchise Executive board Members whom have attended a minimum of SIX regularly scheduled BGYFL cheer board meetings of the current year.

• Cheer President:  The position of Cheer President will be a non-voting position and will only vote to break a tie.  The Cheer President shall oversee all BGYFL cheer board meetings, Co-Chair BGYFL Cheer Competition and any other duties deemed necessary.

• Vice President-The Vice President will assist the Cheer President in all matters.  The Vice President will take over for the President in the event of absence, illness or inability to continue to act as the President. The Vice-President will Co-Chair the BGYFL Cheer and Pom Competition with the President.

• Secretary -The secretary will be responsible for the monthly meeting notes and distribution of such within a week on the next scheduled meeting.  Any other duties deemed necessary by the Cheer Board.

• By-Laws Officer - The By-Laws Officer will be responsible for the knowledge of all By-Laws and Rules of BGYFL Cheerleading and Pom and NFHS Spirit guidelines.  The By-Laws Officer will receive, review and notify the BGYFL Cheer Board about proposed revisions and amendments and be responsible for making approved updates to the BGYFL Cheerleading and Pom By-Laws and Rules.

• Successions – If any Executive Cheer Board member vacates their position prior to the end of their term.  The Vice President will succeed the President.  If the Secretary or By-Laws Officer vacate, the Executive BGYFL Board will appoint someone based on nominations from the BGYFL Cheer franchise representatives.

• The Grievance Committee will consist of the BGYFL Executive Cheer Board. The Grievance Committee will hear and respond to all cheerleading complaints and shall act in support of the BGYFL cheerleading and pom by-laws and rules.  Recommendations from the BGYFL Grievance Committee shall be reported at the following regularly scheduled BGYFL Cheer Board Meeting.  The BGYFL Cheer President shall bring the issues and recommended outcome to the BGYFL Executive Board.

• The following committees will be formed at the January meeting:  Coaches Clinic, and Game Card
    
• The BGYFL Cheer President will appoint the committee Chairman.
   
• The BGYFL Executive Cheer Board shall have the authority to make final decisions regarding any rule clarification or infraction with the approval of the BGYFL Executive Board.
   
• Yearly by-law review and change period will be during the February and March BGYFL cheer board meeting.  Any changes must be submitted in writing or via email to the Cheer Board two weeks prior to the February meeting.  The first By-law vote is at the BGYFL cheer meeting in February.  The second by-law vote is taken at the March meeting.   Attendance at the February meeting is required in order to participate in the second by-law vote.  A majority vote of all participating franchises is required for a by-law to pass.
   
• Any amendments to the by-laws outside the yearly by-law review and change period must be voted on and passed by a majority vote of all eligible and/or present participating Franchises.
   
• Copies of the monthly BGYFL financial report will be provided at all Cheer Board Meetings. 
   
• Minutes will be taken at every BGYFL Cheer Board meeting.  Copies of these will be sent to each BGYFL Representative and alternate.  The minutes must be approved at the next month’s meeting. 
   
• Any and all By-law and Competition Rules changes must be brought before the BGYFL Board of Directors for ratification.  Any Cheer Franchise that is not represented by a BGYFL Board of Director may attend the BGYFL Football meeting to vote on the ratifications.  The date of this meeting will be made available to all BGYFL Cheer Franchise Representatives.

Article XV - Franchise and Participant Requirements

• Cheer Season – The BGYFL cheerleading season will start July 1st of each year and may not exceed the date of the IRCA state competition of said year.  Cheerleaders may perform outside of the season with the approval of the BGYFL Executive Board.  Said event requests must be submitted in writing to the BGYFL Executive Board with a detailed explanation of said event.  Said event may not include participation in any form of competition. Squads participating in any event outside of the regular season must follow all current BGYFL By-Laws.  Any franchise violating this bylaw may be subject to one or all of the bylaw infraction consequences in Article XVI, item I.
          
• Franchise Representation – Each franchise must designate at least one representative and one alternate to the BGYFL Cheer Board.  Each franchise representative/alternate must be at least 21 years of age.  The BGYFL Cheer President will confirm each representative/alternate at the March BGYFL Football meeting with Franchise’s BGYFL Football Board representative.  After March, any changes to the BGYFL Cheer Board Representation must be submitted, in writing, to the BGYFL Cheer President.  Regardless of the number of representatives, each franchise is entitled to one vote.
   
• Sanctioning - Sanctioning in the Bill George League Cheerleading and Poms is mandatory.  Any town that does not sanction their cheerleaders will not be able to have cheerleaders on the playing field for any game.
  
  
• Parental Consent - Each participant MUST have a written consent of Parent and/or Guardian on file with the Respective Franchise and authorize BGYFL to use publicity pictures of their child to participate in the Bill George Youth Football League.
  
  
• Insurance - Participants MUST be insured through their respective Franchise.
  
  
• Cheer Camps and or Clinics – In order to host a camp and/or clinic the franchise must abide by the following procedures:
  
  
• The camp/clinic must be held between June 15 and July 23 of the current year.
  
  
• The BGYFL Cheer Executive board must be notified of the camp/clinic no later than the two weeks prior to the camp/clinic.
  
  
• The camp/clinic must be opened to more than one squad or one level.
  
  
• The camp/clinic may stress fundamentals, drills, safety and participation. At no time may any of the camp instructors/helpers work with only the cheerleaders that she will coach in the upcoming season and may not focus on only one squad and/or level.
  
  
• Any camp/clinic held by a Franchise must be deemed optional. Cheerleaders and parents should never feel pressure that a camp/clinic is “MANDATORY” in any way.
  
  Failure to adhere to above rules will lead to a Franchise Major Penalty
   
• BGYFL participants cannot participate during the season on any other competition squad, (AKA, not limited to All-Stars/Clubs) with the exception of your school’s squad.  Exception: BGYFL participants may join other competition squads once the BGYFL team has completed all regular season games.
   
• New participants to the BGYFL program can register to a team outside of their home town.  Those participants who choose to transfer to another BGYFL town must sign and file a recruit/Waiver form with the BGYFL.  This is for tracking purposes to allow towns to understand why a participant is leaving.  Any disputes with the waiver will be brought before the Cheer Board and BGYFL Executive Board, unless they moved into the transfer to town’s boundaries. 
   
• Ages - Participants shall be placed on Teams by age, year and months, (as of September 1st), providing franchises field teams as follows:
  
  

  Cheer Level	Age Average (Max.)	Grade Level (Guidelines)	Age(Guidelines)	Football Team (Guidelines)
  Exhibition	7.75	1st, 2nd Grade	6-8 year olds	70lbs. Team
  Level 1	8.75	3rd Grade	8-9 year olds	80lbs. Team
  Level 2	9.75	4th Grade	9-10 year olds	90lbs. Team
  Level 3	10.75	5th Grade	10-11 year olds	100lbs. Team
  Level 4	11.75	6th Grade	11-12 year olds	115 lbs. Team
  Level 5	12.75	7th Grade	12-14 year olds	130lbs. Team
  Level 6	13.75	8th Grade	12-14 year olds	Varsity Team

  
  Participants shall be placed on Teams by age, year and months (as of September 1st).  Squads within grade brackets shall not exceed an age average in excess of X.75 years per squad.

• Roster - Participants on a squad, including all coaching staff and team parents, must be submitted to the BGYFL Cheer Board at the August meeting.  This must include: Grade in school, birth dates, copies of birth certificates, and copies of coach’s certification.  This is your competition roster.  The age average from this roster will be used for competition.  In addition, any persons belonging to your Franchise cheer board/committee should be submitted on a separate roster, as these individuals will be considered part of your Franchise squads. These board/committee members must be certified if they are to supervise a practice or work with the cheerleaders.
  
  
• The rosters will be reviewed and audited with the attached birth certificates* by the Cheer Board members that are present at the August meeting. *Other acceptable forms:  Hospital certificate, alien card, passport, or DCFS form.
  
  
• Franchises will have teams indicate, whether they are performing a cheer or pom routine for competition at the close of the August meeting. If not indicated Franchises must notify their selection to the Executive Cheer Board one week prior to the September meeting.
  
  
• Certification of Coaches - All Cheerleading Directors and adult coaching staff must be certified.  A coach under the age of 18 may not supervise/coach a squad during a practice or game without the certified adult, over the age of 18, member of the coaching team present.
  
  
• Cheerleader/Pom Coaches - Must be a minimum of 13 years of age.
  
  
• In the event of a girl dropping from the program, it is the responsibility of the town's Cheer Director to inform the Age Average Committee of that change.  Age averaging will not be recalculated.
  
  
• Squads must be a minimum of 6 girls with a maximum of 35 girls.
  
  
• Girls in 1st grade may participate at the exhibition level.
  
  
• Squads may not consist of more than two grades.  Rostering three or more grades must be approved be a 3/4’s majority vote by the BGYFL Cheer Board.  If approved, the squad is prohibited from performing in the cheer division at the BGYFL Cheer competition. 

• Misconduct – In support of the BGYFL a no tolerance policy will be enforced.  Any misconduct of a parent(s) of a cheerleader will result in that parent being removed from the practice/game/BGYFL function and/or the cheerleader being dropped from the team (after careful review by the Executive Board.)
  
  
• Practices - Practice sessions may start July 1st of each year and may not exceed the date of the IRCA state competition of said year.  Any squad practicing other than between July 1st and date of the IRCA state competition of said year will not be eligible for the BGYFL Cheerleading and Pom Annual Competition. Exception: Cheerleaders may practice for BGYFL executive board approved events, but may not exceed more than four hours per event.  Practice must be conducted by a certified adult supervisor.  Practices must follow the immediate previous year’s BGYFL by-laws and NFSHS spirit hand book.
    
• Fees - A charge of $3.00 per participant on each squad submitted on the rosters will equal the Franchise’s Fee, and allow participants access to and participation in all BGYFL sponsored events with the exception of The BGYFL Cheerleading and Pom Competition. The franchise fee is due and payable at the August meeting.  A $10.00 fine, per squad, will be assessed for late BGYFL Fees and any incomplete and/or missing roster.  An incomplete roster is defined as one missing any of the following elements:
  
  
• Cheerleader birth certificate (or other acceptable form as designated in ARTICLE XV, Item I)
  
  
• Coaches certification
  
  
• Missing information on the roster (as stated in the roster template)
  
  The fee is due and payable at the August meeting.

• Meetings – A franchise is required to be represented at all of the regularly scheduled meetings.  A $25.00 fine for each missed meeting is to be paid to BGYFL at the next regularly scheduled meeting.  Franchises’ that are not represented at a meeting will not be able to discuss or vote on decisions made at the meeting the Franchise was not represented.  Any information not received; as a result of non-representation will be that Franchise’s responsibility to obtain provided the minutes of the meeting are sent to the current BGYFL Cheer Board member on file.  Second vote proxy will be allowed and must be submitted in written to a BGYFL Executive Cheer Board member prior to the meeting.
   
• Mascots – Mascots of any kind are not permitted with in the roped off playing field or at any BGYFL Cheerleading and Pom Competition. (Minor Penalty/Disqualification at Competition)
  
  
• Competition – Squads may participate in outside competitions as long as the said competition does not interfere with cheering at the minimum required BGYFL football games and BGYFL Cheer and Pom Competition.  In addition, all BGYFL By-Laws must be adhered to while participating at an outside competition.  (Major Penalty/Disqualification at BGYFL Competition)
  
  
• Games - All BGYFL rostered squads are expected to cheer as a whole team at all games and must be present from the beginning to the end of each game (with the exception if a squad is rostered to cheer for two separate football teams, than a half of each game is allowed) Participation in the BGYFL Cheerleading and Pom Competition is the only exception.  Squads are required to cheer at a minimum of 6 (six) games of the regular season for the team they are rostered to.   (Minor Penalty)
   
• Cheer Schedule:  All squads must submit a schedule of the 6 minimum games that they will be cheering at by the September meeting.  (Minor Penalty)
  
  
• Participation in the BGYFL Cheer and Pom Competition is mandatory for all Franchise’s rostered teams. Exceptions for squads choosing not to participate must be brought before the BGYFL Cheer Board at a regularly scheduled Meeting. (Major Penalty)
  
  
• A fined franchise has until the next meeting, after the notification of the fine, to pay the fine.  If all fines are not paid in full prior to Competition the franchise may be eliminated from the BGYFL Cheer Competition.
  
  Exception:
  
  
  • If a fine(s) is in question and is under further review with any of the BGYFL boards, the fine will not need to be paid until after the review session or meeting.
    
    
  • If a fine(s) is determined and given to a franchise at the meeting immediately prior to the BGYFL competition, the franchise will have the next BGYFL Cheer board meeting.

Article XVI - Coaches and Franchises

• Certification of Coaches - All Cheerleading Directors and adult coaching staff must be certified.  A coach    under the age of 18 may not supervise/coach a squad during a practice or game without the certified adult, over the age of 18, member of the coaching team present. (Major Penalty)
   
• Minimum Age - Cheerleading/Pom Coaches must be a minimum of 13 years of age. (Minor Penalty)

• Supervision – A Certified rostered adult supervisor must be present during any BGYFL or Franchise sanctioned event.  (Major Penalty)

• Franchise Responsibilities - Where shelter facilities are available to the Home Team, facilities must be of equal protection and made available to the Visiting Teams; if not, neither Team shall use a shelter.
  
  
• Drugs/Alcohol - ALL PERSONS participating and/or attending ANY BGYFL Youth Activity are prohibited   from consuming alcohol and/or illegal drugs while on the premises of a game or practice fields and competition facilities, including the parking lots, during any BGYFL activity.  Any infraction of this rule will result in the alleged Franchise being assessed a $100.00 fine for the first offense; second offense results in a $500.00 fine, probation and loss of voting privileges for 1 year.  A third offense will result in dismissal from the BGYFL League.

• Half-Time Etiquette - The Visiting Team shall perform for the Home Team and return to the sidelines to watch the Home Team perform.  After the Home Team performs for the Visiting Team then both squads shall perform to their own side.  Half time is 15 minutes.  Half-time routines will have a maximum 3-minute limit, with the exception of homecoming that is a maximum of 5 minutes.  Visiting Team - If there is not a Visiting Team, the Home Team will perform to the home side and if time allows will perform to the visitor side at half time. The Visiting Team will be allowed to perform their half-time routine to music at an away game providing they 1) provide their own music and 2) time allows (Minor Penalty) 

• Championship Game - Girls on squads performing at the Championship games will receive a complimentary program and cheer memento.

• Bylaw Infractions:

1. Franchise Penalty:

• Minor=$50.00 Fine
• Major=$100.00 Fine
• 2nd Major=$250.00 Fine Plus Franchise Probation
• 4 Minor Penalty’s=1 Major Penalty
• 3 Major Penalty’s=Go before the BGYFL Reps for possible expulsion and or other sanctions.

2. Personal Penalty:

• Discipline=Warning
• Minor=1 week Suspension
• Major=1 year Suspension
• 4 Discipline Penalty’s=1 Minor Penalty
• 3 Minor Penalty’s=1 Major Penalty

3. Probation is being loss of voting privilege for current year, and required to pay entrance fee the same as a new Franchise.
   
   
4. All fines to be paid at the following BGYFL Meeting. If all fines are not paid in full prior to Competition the franchise may be eliminated from the BGYFL Cheer Competition.
   
   
5. Other fines listed in cheer by-laws supersede those listed in letter (I.)

• Game Cards – Game cards will be utilized and signed off by the opposing cheer coach, director, franchise representative or BGYFL game representative after each game.  All cards are to be turned in weekly to the Game Card Committee.  A $10.00 fine will be assessed for each team not turning in the game cards with the exception of the BGYFL Cheer & Pom Competition. 

• Coaches Clinic – The BGYFL Cheerleading coaches’ clinic is mandatory for all head coaches and is encouraged for all assistant and junior coaches. The clinic will be held yearly prior to the start of the cheer season. A $25.00 fine will be assessed for each head coach that does not attend the clinic. 

Article XVII - Competition

• All Cheer Board members shall approve a competition budget.

• All Franchise’s participating in the BGYFL Cheerleading and Pom Competition will be assigned a job.  The jobs will be drawn by lottery at the August meeting.  Unless requested, a Franchise is exempt from performing the same job at consecutive year competitions.  Cheer Board members, or representative, are responsible for the supervisor of their Franchise’s assigned job.  The Competition Committee will provide guidelines for each competition job. 

• BGYFL Cheer Board members and Franchise Representatives will submit competition recommendations to the BGYFL Cheer Board two weeks prior to the March Meeting.  A first vote will take place at the March meeting, a second vote will follow at the April meeting.  Attendance at the March meeting is mandatory to vote at the April meeting.  A major vote is needed to pass said changes.

• All BGYFL Franchises must have available the day of competition the emergency contact information for all participating cheerleaders. (Minor Penalty)(Franchise)

• The BGYFL Cheer Commissioner must receive competition commitments and payments by the September meeting.  A $10.00 late fee will be assessed, per squad, to towns not paying 1 week prior to the competition.  

• Competition rosters will be certified at the meeting immediately preceding the BGYFL Cheer and Pom Competition.  There will be no changes to rosters after that time.

• All decisions of the judges are final.  Any disagreement with scoring or other problems and questions must be directed to the Franchise’s BGYFL Cheer Board member.  Contact with the judges other than a BGYFL Cheer Board member is prohibited. (Disqualification)

• Competition squads size not less than 6 girls with a maximum of 35 girls.

• 70 lb level squads will perform at the BGYFL Cheerleading and Pom Competition as exhibition.   Each squad at the exhibition level will be awarded a Participation Trophy.  In addition these squads will be judged and provided a score sheet but scores will not be totaled or used to award place position. Squads with an age average of 7.75 or less will perform at the BGYFL Cheerleading and Pom Competition as exhibition.   Each squad at the exhibition level will be awarded a Participation Trophy.  In addition these squads will be judged and provided a score sheet but scores will not be totaled or used to award place position.

• All squads participating at the BGYFL Cheerleading and Pom Competition must be rostered to a football team In the event you lose a football team you may have two squads cheer for one team.

• Competition Rules will be reviewed and voted on at the March Cheer Board meeting with a second vote at the April meeting.

• Squads will be grouped in three divisions:  A Small Division consisting of squads with 6-15 rostered members, A Medium Division consisting of squads 16-25 and a Large Division consisting of squads with 26-35 rostered members.

• Squads arriving beyond the “check-in” time of a subsequent level from their own will be disqualified from the competition with no refund in fees.

• All franchises must have a representative present at all times during the BGYFL competitions. (Major Penalty).

Article XVIII – Safety

(A.) The Bill George Youth Cheerleading and Poms have adopted all National Federation of State High School Association’s current year spirit rules to govern the safety of the BGYFL Cheerleading and Pom Franchises.

Exceptions to NFSHS Spirit Rule 2:

• Section 2, Article 6, Rule 1 - Single Base Cradle Dismounts are not permitted.

• Artificial fingernails are not allowed.  Length of natural nails is not to be further than the fingertip. (Minor Penalty)

• The use of spotters when engaging in partner stunts is strongly recommended.  Back Spotters will be required for all stunts where flyers feet are at prep level or higher.  Back Spotters and Bases must maintain eye contact with the stunt.  If Front Spotters are used, they may look away from a stunt as necessary to move to adapt the stunt.  (Minor Penalty)

• Jewelry (of any kind) will not be allowed at any time during practices, games or competitions.   Exception:  A medical alert necklace or bracelet may be worn if taped down. (Minor Penalty)

• Stunts shall not be higher than two bodies. (Minor Penalty)

• Collapsible stunts are not permitted. (Minor Penalty)

• Single twist down dismounts is allowed for all Levels except exhibition. Levels 1 through 3 may only perform single twist downs if a certified coach has attended the  BGYFL coaches clinic and has received proper safety training (Minor Penalty)

• Full Pendulums are not permitted. (Minor Penalty)

• TicToc’s (change of liberty) are allowed for all Levels except exhibition. Levels 1 through 3 may only perform single twist downs if a certified coach has attended the  BGYFL coaches clinic and has received proper safety training (Minor Penalty)

• Basket tosses are allowed for all Levels except exhibition. Levels 1 through 3 may only perform single twist downs if a certified coach has attended the BGYFL coaches clinic and has received proper safety training (Minor Penalty)

• Coachs/Jr. Coaches, Team Moms are not allowed on the field to assist the squad during a half-time performance (Minor Penalty)