Article I, Section 1. - Offices

1. The principal office of the association known as, "GWINNETT SENIOR SOFTBALL, INC.", hereinafter referred to as GSS shall be the home address of the current President.

Article II, Section 1. – Objectives

1. The GSS shall operate as a non-profit organization.
2. (Updated for 2010)To provide any male person forty-five (45) years of age on or before December 3l, of the current year, or female person forty (40) years of age or older on or before December 3l of the current year, the opportunity to play slow pitch softball in organized league play of the Metro Atlanta Senior Softball League, hereinafter referred to as MASSL, participate in any other athletic activity sanctioned by GSS, and to, foster a spirit of fellowship and sportsmanship.

Article III, Section 1. - Membership

1. GSS shall have four (4) classes of members:
   • Active: Members participating in league play.
   • Practicing Associate: Members using league facilities to practice - non-league play.
   • Associate: Non-playing, non-practicing members.
   • Emeritus: Members who turn age 80 and above during the current association year. Awarded lifetime membership, only required to pay special assessment fees, if applicable.
2. All members shall be eligible to vote on any issues that come before GSS.
3. Any member shall be eligible to be an officer of GSS.
4. All applications for membership and waivers for the league year must be signed and received prior to the applicant’s official participation in GSS activities. Fees for the current year must be paid prior to the first game of league play. The association year shall run from January I through December 31.
5. All applications for membership shall be reviewed and approved or disapproved by the President and the Treasurer of GSS.
6. The fully executed application shall serve as the member's validation. The membership may approve an additional or different validation method.
7. A member may be removed from membership for cause, only if approved by the majority of the Executive Committee (EC).
8. Membership fees shall be made up of an annual GSS fee and separate league fees. The amounts shall be determined by the EC.

Article III, Section 2. - Liability of Members and GSS

1. No member of GSS shall be personally liable for the debts, obligations or liabilities of GSS, whether alleged or real.
2. GSS does not provide any liability, theft, medical, disability, accident or life insurance for its members. Each member understands they are responsible for all their own insurance coverage and personal expenses.

Article IV, Section 1. - Meetings

1. GSS shall hold an annual meeting during the fourth quarter of each calendar year. Written notice shall be sent to all eligible members at least fifteen (15) days in advance. Twenty percent (20%) of the eligible membership in attendance shall be considered a quorum.
2. All members in good standing in the current calendar year shall be eligible to vote at the annual meeting. Votes may be by voice, show of hands, or ballot. Proxy votes are not permitted.
3. The President and two other officers may call other meetings of the membership.
4. Special meetings may be called by 20% of the registered membership. The registered membership list shall be maintained by the GSS Secretary.
5. Membership meetings shall be presided over by the President, or in his absence, the Vice President.
6. Roberts Rules of Order shall govern meetings.

Article V, Section 1. - Officers

1. The officers of GSS shall be a President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Nominations for officers shall come from the membership. All nominees shall be voting members and in good standing.
2. Each officer shall be elected by the members attending the annual meeting, and shall receive more than 50% of the votes cast by the members. If two or more candidates for an office receive votes, and no one receives more than 50% of the votes cast, there shall be a run off between the two candidates receiving the highest number of votes.
3. Each officer's term shall be for one year, and shall be consistent with the association year (1 January through 31 December). Should an officer be unable to fulfill his term, the President shall appoint, with the approval of the EC, a successor.
4. Any officer may be removed from office by a majority of the voting quorum of members at any qualified meeting of GSS (see Article IV).
5. Any compensation paid to any GSS officer or association member shall require the prior approval of the entire EC. Expenses incurred by any member on behalf of GSS shall receive prior approval from the President and the Treasurer.

Article VI, Section 1. - Duties of Officers/Executive Committee

1. The officers of GSS shall be voting members in good standing, shall conduct, manage, and control the business affairs of GSS, shall execute contracts, and establish rules and regulations and conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the By-Laws of GSS, Standing Rules, or by resolution of the members.
2. The officers shall make no unusual or unprecedented expenditures of GSS monies or cause debts to GSS in excess of $250 without prior approval of the majority of the EC.
3. (Updated for 2010)The President shall preside over all membership meetings; represent GSS to other organizations and entities; conduct the business of GSS in the best interest of its members, shall serve as ex officio member of all committees; appoint two Commissioners, one for each age division of the MASSL; and countersign all checks issued on behalf of GSS; and appoint, remove or discipline any member of the organization after a review by the EC.
4. The Vice President, in the absence of the President, shall, assume the duties of the President; shall advise and consult with the President; and, assume other duties as agreed to by the EC.
5. The Secretary shall maintain a copy of the By-Laws of GSS; shall receive and report communications to GSS; shall take and report minutes of the annual meeting; retain a list of the registered members; and retain the minutes of all other meetings.
6. The Treasurer shall maintain the financial records of GSS; shall collect all monies due GSS; with the President, shall sign checks for all appropriate bills of GSS, shall deliver checks to the President for counter-signature; shall deliver a written financial report at the annual membership meetings, and, be custodian of the financial affairs of GSS.
7. (Updated for 2010) The Commissioners shall be responsible for the Rules of Play of their respective MASSL age division; act as a review board for all game and play disputes; they shall attend to the equipment, umpires and field needs of GSS; make up all league year schedules; select team managers; and act in the best interest of GSS.
   • Parity of Teams: Fairly staff each of the teams in their league, either by the direct assignment of players, a draft in coordination with the team managers, a combination of the previous two options or in any way approved by the EC.
   • Manages League: Appoints, removes or disciplines managers or players with the approval of the EC; and works with the Umpires to follow the League rules and maintain control of the game.
   • Field: Ensures the field is ready for play each game night; supervises the Field Assistant; and secures the fields and league assets after play.
   • Substitutes: Maintains a list of eligible substitutes; and assigns substitute players to teams/managers, as needed.
   • Rainouts: Makes decision on rain outs on game day and ensures that Secretary, managers and their players receive rain out information.
8. (Updated for 2010) Under the guidance of the League Commissioner, Managers ensure their team is staffed on game days and players aware of the season schedule; and contacts League Commissioner as soon as possible when there is a need for a substitute.

Article VI, Section 2. – Standing Committees

1. Executive Committee:
   • The President shall preside over the Executive Committee.
   • (Updated for 2010) The EC shall be made up of the four officers of GSS, immediate past President(s), the two Commissioners, and a Member-at-Large representing each League.
   • (Updated for 2010) The EC shall meet as needed.
     • January and June to discuss and make decisions on Spring and Summer seasons.
     • October to prepare for Annual Membership meeting.
   • The purpose of the EC is to provide a broad base of input to the officers of GSS, to assist in carrying out assignments given by the President, and, to provide direct representation for each age group.
   • (Updated for 2010) All EC members have an equal vote in all matters. The EC jointly decides on all topics not assigned directly to an individual EC member.
     • Examples of volunteer or assigned EC responsibilities may include the securing of league insurance, authorized purchase of shirts, equipment, temporary chairmanship (e.g., Annual Memorial Tournament).
   • (Updated for 2010) League fees are waived for EC members, except for the annual membership fee.
     
2. Other standing committees may be appointed by the EC.

Article VII, Section 1. - Amendments to the By-Laws

1. These By-Laws may be amended by a simple majority, vote of a quorum of members present at the annual meeting of the GSS, or at a special meeting of GSS.

Updated as of 1/30/10 - Doris Warpole, League Secretary