Mission: The Jupiter Senior Softball Association, open to players 55 and older, provides a recreational and competitive atmosphere based on the principles of sportsmanship, camaraderie and safety.
Section I — Association Organization
1.1 Definitions
Where the terms “Association” or “JSSA” are used in these By-laws, they reference the Jupiter Senior Softball Association, Inc. The purpose of this document is to state the Association's organization, objectives, rules and administrative functions.
Membership is open to any person residing full- or part-time in Florida who is 54 years of age or older, who registers and pays appropriate dues any time after August 31st of a calendar year. He becomes eligible to play immediately and is considered fully paid through December 31st of the following year. Active members are those who have paid all necessary registration fees and signed the JSSA Registration/Liability form, the Code of Conduct, and any Town of Jupiter Liability Release forms.
1.2 Board Composition and Voting
There shall be a maximum of twelve Association Directors known collectively as the JSSA Board: three Executive Directors and three 3-member Division Committee Directors representing the Red, White and Blue Divisions. The Commissioner, Vice Commissioner and Secretary are elected from the Executive Directors by majority vote of all Directors. Each Executive Director is allotted one full vote; each Division Committee is collectively allotted two-thirds of a full vote.
Should an Executive Director decline any of the three positions, the Board may appoint any other Director to serve in that capacity without changing that Director's status or vote. A simple majority decides all JSSA issues, with one exception: any amendment to the By-laws requires a two-thirds majority vote of the Directors.
1.3 Elections and Terms
Board elections are held annually each February to replace expiring two-year-term director positions. All Director terms are two years, beginning April 1 and expiring March 31. To promote continuity, terms are staggered so that at least one Executive Director and one Director from each Division Committee are not up for re-election in any given year.
- Executive Directors are elected by majority vote of the entire membership and may come from any division. Division Directors are elected by majority vote of members from their respective division.
- If a Divisional Board member resigns, the remaining member(s) of that division propose a replacement to the Executive Board, who certify the appointment by simple majority. If an Executive Board member resigns, the remaining Executive member(s) agree on a replacement. All members are eligible to be selected.
- No member can run for both the Executive Board and a Divisional Board in the same election cycle.
- A member may vote for only one candidate in any contested Board section, regardless of the number of open seats.
1.4 Quorum and Voting
All JSSA Board meetings require a minimum of four members — two of whom must be Executive Directors, along with at least one Division Director from two different divisions. The same configuration must be present for any vote of the Board. Attendance may be counted by physical or electronic presence at the discretion of the Commissioner.
1.5 Uniform League and Division Rules
The Board shall formulate a set of uniform rules governing play in all divisions. Additionally, Division Directors establish rules specific to their division's members. These division rules are enforced during the winter season and must be approved by the Board prior to publication and implementation.
Section II — Duties and Responsibilities
2.1 Executive Directors
The Executive Directors are, as a group, responsible for the overall well-being of the Association, including the appointment of capable Board members to the positions below.
Commissioner — presides over all JSSA Board meetings; oversees all functions of the Association; calls meetings as required and sets agendas with input from all Board members; oversees administration of the By-laws, Uniform and Division Rules, and Code of Conduct procedures.
Vice Commissioner — assumes the duties of Commissioner in his absence; oversees all Association committees; oversees the Association Umpire Program.
Secretary (appointed by the Board if not an Executive Board member) — records, publishes and maintains meeting minutes; maintains master member lists and team rosters; maintains records and publishes game scores and team standings; oversees communications to members.
Treasurer (appointed by the Board if not an Executive Board member) — receives and deposits all income; pays bills as approved by the Board; prepares and reports income and expense statements for Board meetings.
2.2 Division Committee Directors
Each Division Committee, with oversight by the Executive Directors, is responsible for: overseeing all daily activities of its division, including organizing pickup games and maintaining equipment and equipment boxes; supervising games, including appointing player-umpires; scheduling when necessary; appointing team managers; formulating division rules for the winter season; enforcing the JSSA Code of Conduct; and promoting a positive playing environment at all times.
Section III — Amendments
3.1 By-laws. An amendment may be presented to the Directors by any active member. A motion to amend must be made by a Director and seconded by another Director. A two-thirds majority vote of the Board is required for approval.
3.2 Rules. A rules change follows the same procedure as a By-laws amendment, except that a simple majority of the Board's vote is sufficient.
Section IV — Censure and Impeachment
Any member in good standing may submit a written recommendation to censure or impeach an Association Director. The recommendation must include the Director's name; the specific By-laws, Code of Conduct, or playing rules involved; and a description of the infraction. It must be signed by at least three Association Directors and may be presented to any Director. If the Directors find merit, the involved Director has an opportunity to respond.
If the Directors vote in favor of censure or impeachment, the decision is presented to the entire active membership for a vote, carried by simple majority. Censure results in loss of voting power and participation in Directors' meetings for a period determined by the Directors. Impeachment results in loss of the elected position, with the Board determining whether expulsion from JSSA is warranted.
Section V — Meetings
Directors' meetings are scheduled for the second Monday of each month at a location authorized by the Commissioner, and may be cancelled when the Commissioner determines a meeting is unnecessary. Ad hoc committee meetings are held at the Board's request, with members appointed by the Board; all committee reports and recommendations go to the Board for review and potential action. A special meeting may be called any time by the Commissioner at the request of a Board member, subject to the quorum rule in Section 1.4.
Section VI — Winter Season Divisions, Teams, Managers and Players
The Board determines the number of teams for each division during the winter season based on the number of active roster players, and oversees selection of team managers. Every effort is made to conduct division drafts equitably to enhance fairness of competition.
A player considered for or drafted by a higher-ranked division in which he feels uncomfortable has the right to request a lower-division assignment; if it cannot be resolved between Division Committee members, the Executive Board makes the final determination.
Team manager responsibilities: participate in player assessment and selection; communicate all league information to team members; possess full knowledge of all uniform and division rules; fulfill all in-game functions (lineups, supervising conduct, identifying pre-game special circumstances to the umpire and opposing manager, maintaining civility when discussing potential rule violations); and, for the winning manager, report the game score to the Secretary no later than 6 p.m. on game day, including any unusual events such as rainouts or forfeits.
Player responsibilities: remain current with fees and all Town and JSSA regulations; abide by all SS-USA, uniform and divisional rules in force; demonstrate the highest degree of sportsmanship and cooperation with all JSSA and Town of Jupiter personnel from arrival to departure; and advise the team manager as early as possible when unable to attend a game.