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The MASSL began when one softball team was created in 1985 by a
group of former softball and baseball players (age 55+) who loved
to play the game. The team would have to travel to other Georgia
cities (e.g., Augusta, Columbus, Macon and Warner Robins) on Saturdays
to play double headers against other senior teams. This same group
of players were instrumental in organizing the Dekalb and Gwinnett
County Senior Softball Associations.
The
Metro Atlanta Senior Softball League is a non-profit organization
that was formed in 1992 with By-Laws and
Rules. The Gwinnett County and Dekalb County
Senior Softball associations merged at that time in order to form
the Gwinnett-Dekalb Seniors Softball, Inc. (GDSS) association that
could better promote senior softball participation in the Metro
Atlanta area. The GDSS then established the Metro Atlanta Senior
Softball League (MASSL), under which its members could participate
in organized senior softball league play. At the annual meeting
in December, 2006, the membership voted to change the name of the
association to Gwinnett Senior Softball, Inc. (GSS).
To recruit new players, the age limit has been lowered over the
years (50+ in 1989; 48+ for men and 40+ for women in 2001; and 45+
for men in 2006).
The
GSS membership is governed by a set of by-laws and is directed by
the Executive Committee, officers who are elected annually at the
General Membership Meeting.
In addition to the GSS association officers, the Metro Atlanta Senior
Softball League (MASSL) activity is overseen by a League Commissioner
for each of the two leagues (Under 60 and 60+). The General Membership
Meeting is held in December at the Gwinnett County Senior Center,
Bethesda Park, Lawrenceville. GSS members are encouraged to attend
and vote on changes to rules and/or by-laws.
The Executive Committee welcomes your input
on any issue!! Executive Committee meetings are open,
on a non-voting basis, to all members in good standing. Members
who have email addresses will be sent the details on upcoming EC
meetings with the agenda and minutes of the meeting posted online.
Minutes will remain online until the following EC meeting's minutes
replace them.
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Article I, Section 1. - Offices
(Updated for
2007) 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
- The GSS shall operate as a non-profit organization.
- 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.
- The age limits stated above were previously forty-eight (48)
years of age. The lower age limits will apply until rescinded
and will automatically revert to the previous forty-eight (48)
years of age unless extended by a vote of the membership.
Article III, Section 1. - Membership
- 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.
- All members shall be eligible to vote on any issues that come
before GSS.
- Any member shall be eligible to be an officer of GSS.
- 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.
- All applications for membership shall be reviewed and approved
or disapproved by the President and the Treasurer of GSS.
- The fully executed application shall serve as the member's validation.
The membership may approve an additional or different validation
method.
- A member may be removed from membership for cause, only if approved
by the majority of the Executive Committee (EC).
- 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
- No member of GSS shall be personally liable for the debts,
obligations or liabilities of GSS, whether alleged or real.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- The President and two other officers may call other meetings
of the membership.
- Special meetings may be called by 20% of the registered membership.
The registered membership list shall be maintained by the GSS
Secretary.
- Membership meetings shall be presided by the President, or
in his absence, the Vice President.
- Roberts Rules of Order shall govern meetings.
Article V, Section 1. - Officers
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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).
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Article VI, Section 2. – Standing Committees
- Executive Committee: The President shall preside over the Executive
Committee. The EC shall be made up of the four officers of GSS,
the immediate past President, and the two Commissioners. The EC
shall meet as needed.
- 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.
- Other standing committees may be appointed by the EC.
Article VII, Section 1. - Amendments to the By-Laws
- 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 12/27/06 - Doris Warpole,
League Secretary |