CAPITAL VALLEY CONFERENCE

...of the Sac-Joaquin Section

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS

CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I

NAME AND PURPOSE

Section 1. Organization

1.1 This Organization shall be known as the Capital Valley Conference, a member of the Sac-Joaquin Section of the California Interscholastic Federation.

Section 2. Purpose

2.1 To direct and control the interscholastic athletic programs of this schools which belong to the Capital Valley Conference.

2.2 To direct and control all other activities related to athletics such as teams to be fielded, length of season, number of games, admission prices, playoff procedures, etc.

2.3 To identify the responsibility for the administration and supervision of the individual school’s conference athletic program.

2.4 To be responsible for all rules and regulations related to conference athletics.

ARTICLE II

MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Membership

1.1 The Capital Valley Conference, hereinafter referred to in the constitution and by-laws as the CVC, shall be comprised of those high schools which are assigned to the CVC by the Sac-Joaquin Section Board of Managers.

ARTICLE III

MANAGEMENT

Section 1. Representatives

1.1 Each school shall be represented by its principal and athletic director (s).

Section 2. Voting Privileges

2.1 Voting privileges are as follows: Each school present shall have one vote by the principal or his/her designee.

Section 3. New Schools

3.1 A new school will be permitted to vote at the first league meeting after being assigned by the Board of Managers.

ARTICLE IV

MEETINGS

Section 1. Number of meetings

1.1 There shall be a minimum of four (4) meetings per year. (These shall precede the Section meetings when applicable.)

Section 2. Special Meetings

2.1 Special; meetings may be called at any time by the president with the consent of the majority of the schools.

2.2 The schools must receive notification of the meeting in writing one week in advance. The agenda items must be included in the call for the meeting.

2.3 Emergency meetings may be called by the president.

Section 3 Quorum

3.3 A quorum necessary for the transaction of business shall be a majority of the league member schools.

Section 4 Meeting governance

4.1 The conduct of meetings shall be governed by Roberts Rules of Order.

ARTICLE V

OFFICERS

Section 1. Officers

1.1 The officers of the league shall be president, vice president and ethics chair. These offices shall be filled by principals or vice principals and elected by a majority vote.
Revised: January 13, 1999

1.2 The term of office will be two years.

1.2.2 The vice-president on acceptance of the nomination for the office shall commit, if elected, to serve as president in the succeeding two year term of office. (Duties -- Art. II, Sect. 1, By-laws)
Revised: January 13, 1999

Section 2. Elections

2.1 At the April meeting of each even year the league shall elect a president and vice-president.

2.2 Newly elected officers shall take office at the September meeting following their election.

2.3 Should a vacancy occur simultaneously in both offices of the president and vice-president or in the office of the vice-president, an election shall be held to fill the vacancy.

Section 3. Representative of Board of Managers

3.1 The president shall be the representative of the league to the Board of Managers unless the league elects someone else to serve as representative.

Section 4. Standing Committees

4.1 There shall be a standing committee formed for each recognized sport, consisting of all coaches in that particular sport and Standing Committee athletics. (Duties see Section 5, Articles III, by-laws)

Section 5. Hire League Commissioner

5.1 The CVC Athletic Board shall, by majority vote, hire a league commissioner to assist in conducting league business. (Duties see Article II, Section 2, by-laws)

ARTICLE VI

FINANCES

Section 1. CVC Treasury

1.1 The CVC treasury shall be supported by income received from the share of profits of the playoff activities in which league representatives participate. In the event that this income is insufficient to meet expenses incurred by the league, additional monies shall be assessed according to a majority vote of the CVC Athletic Board. (See Article V, by-laws, Sections 1-3)

Section 2. Expenses

2.1 Expenses of the CVC shall include those items determined by the CVC Athletic Board to be CVC expenses.

Section 3. Financial Report

3.1 A report on the financial status of the league treasury shall be made at each Athletic Board meeting, and whenever possible, but no less than twice a year.

Section 4. Settlement for Entrance to or Exit from League

4.1 In the event the CVC is dissolved, all debts and obligations shall be paid by member schools, and any remaining assets shall be distributed equally to each member school.

4.2 In realignment, schools leaving the league shall be paid the value of a share’s worth as determined by the League Commissioner after all outstanding debts are paid. Schools coming into the league shall be assessed this same amount.

4.3 The budget submitted at the first meeting of the school year will determine whether an additional assessment is charged each school.

Section 5. Budget Preparation

5.1 An operating budget shall be prepared and presented by the league commissioner to the CVC Athletic Board for consideration at the first meeting of the school year.

ARTICLE VII

ELIGIBILITY

Section 1. Eligibility

1.1 Eligibility for all athletes shall be determined by the provisions of the State and Section CIF constitutions and by-laws, except where they are specifically enumerated in the by-laws of the CVC Constitution.

ARTICLE VIII

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS

Section 1. Amendments to Constitution

1.1 Amendments to the constitution and by-laws may be made according to the procedure outlined in Section Eight of the By-laws

BY-LAWS

ARTICLE ONE

MEMBERSHIP

Section 1 - Member Schools

1.1 The following schools are members of the Capital Valley Conference:

• Antelope
• Center Cougars
• Cosumnes Oaks
• Dixon Rams
• Foothill Mustangs
• Rio Linda Knights
• River City Raiders
• West Campus Warriors
  Revised January 16, 2008

Section 2 - League Member Changes

2.1 Procedures for implementing change in league composition are detailed in Article II, Sac-Joaquin Section Constitution and by-laws.

Section 3 - Schools outside League

3.1 Schools assigned to another league and desirous of competing in a particular CVC sport shall be assessed one hundred dollars ($100.00) per sport each season. A written renewal application must be submitted each year.

ARTICLE II

MANAGEMENT

Section 1 - Duties of Officers

1.1 President

1.1.1 The president shall preside at all meetings of the League.

1.1.2 The president shall appoint the chairperson of standing committees and special committees as needed with the approval of the Athletic Board.

1.1.3 He/She shall be responsible to see that an agenda for each CVC meeting is prepared and distributed to member school at least one week prior to the meeting.

1.1.4 The president shall be authorized to transact necessary business of the league between meetings. (See Articles IV-V CVC Constitution)

1.2 Vice-president

1.2.1 The vice president shall assume the duties of the President in the President’s absence.

Section 2 - Duties of the League Commissioner

2.1 To prepare agendas for meetings

2.2 To prepare and distribute minutes of all meetings

2.3 To maintain financial records.

2.4 To interpret league and section by-laws.

2.5 To attend Sac-Joaquin Section Board of Managers meetings.

2.6 To have approved schedules duplicated and distributed to schools.

2.7 To notify media of all-conference selections in various varsity sports.

2.8 To keep the constitution/by-laws updated and to furnish member schools with additions and/or corrections.

2.9 To purchase with the approval of the athletic board, all awards, banners, medals, ribbons and certificates.

2.10 To distribute league passes to each member school.

2.11 To distribute all-conference awards/medals to each sport coordinator prior to the completion of the sport’s season.

2.12 To perform other duties as requested by the president.

Section 3 - Commissioner Stipend

3.1 The stipend for the services of the league commissioner shall be reviewed and determined annually by the CVC Athletic Board at the last meeting of the school year.

3.1.1 The commissioner shall be paid $9,000.
Revised April 15, 2008

Section 4 - Schools outside League

4.1 Schools assigned to another league and desirous of competing in a particular CVC port shall be assessed one hundred dollars ($100.00) per sport each season. A written renewal application must be submitted each year.

ARTICLE III

ACTIVITIES

Section 1 - Responsibility of Principal

1.1 The principal of each school shall be responsible for the operation of the athletic program at the local level, including eligibility of student participants, coaching assignments,ethics, crowd control and other duties as assigned by the school district administration, State and Section CIF.

Section 2 - All Conference Team Selection

2.1 All-Conference teams are to be selected by the varsity coaches or their designee in the various sports having such teams. The selection meeting date shall be on Monday evening following each sport’s league season. Coaches of these sports (Baseball,Basketball (B & G), Football, Soccer (B & G), Softball, and Volleyball shall be notified at least a week in advance as to time and location of the respective meetings. Notification shall be both by phone and either mail or Email.
Revised: August, 2006

2.2 Following the selection, names of those chosen shall be forwarded to the league commissioner who in turn will notify the media. Coaches shall not discuss the All-Conference selections with their athletes or the media until the verification process is complete.
Revised: August, 2006

Section 3. - Roster Exchange

3.1 No later than one week before the first league contest, Sport coordinators shall hold a meeting. Coaches will exchange rosters and schedules during that meeting.

3.1.1Failure of a coach to submit a roster will result in forfeiture of all games played until the roster is turned into the sports coordinator.

Section 4. - Proposed Schedule

4.1 All sports which are submitted for approval should be marked “DRAFT.” On approval by the Athletic Board a new copy will be issued by the league commissioner carrying the notation “Approved” with the date of approval.

Section 5. - Duties and Responsibilities of the Sports Coordinators

5.1 To serve as a communication liaison between that sport and the CVC Athletic Board.

5.1.1The coordinator shall call meetings as necessary with minutes being kept which includes the names of those present. Minutes of each meeting shall be forwarded to the league commissioner.

5.2To develop the league schedule with the cooperative efforts of the coaches within the sport. The proposed schedule shall be submitted through the athletic director for consideration by the CVC Athletic Board.

5.3To comply with all deadlines

5.4To co-ordinate the by-laws governing their sport

5.5To assist and advise coaches regarding the administration of their sport

5.6 To assist in the coordination of league meets, matches and/or tournaments

5.7 To coordinate the selection of All-Conference teams (See Art. III, Activities, Sect. 2) which includes notifying the league commissioner of the names of those chosen. The league commissioner will announce the selection to the media.

5.8 To maintain league records and standings, reporting same to the league commissioner at the conclusion of each sport.

Section 6 - Appointment of sport Coordinators

6.1 Sport coordinators shall be appointed from member schools as equally as possible.

Section 7 - Budgets for League Meets/Matches

7.1 Dates of the CVC league meets/matches and host schools are to be identified and presented to the CVC Athletic Board and league Commissioner for information and approval when the schedule is submitted.

7.2.The host school shall bear all financial responsibility for operation of league championships. The host school shall retain all profits and assume any loss.
Modified : August 22, 2001

Section 8 - Conduct of Athletic Board Meetings

8.1 Items for the agenda must be submitted and accepted by the league commissioner/president ten (10) school days prior to the scheduled meeting.

8.2 Provisions of Robert’s Rules of Order shall be used in conducting the meeting.

8.3 Stipulations of the “Brown Act” to include the following ill be adhered to in conducting meetings of the Athletic Board:

8.3.1 Notices of the meeting must be posted in the school of the League President or on the league web site seventy two (72) hours prior to the meeting
Modified: April 20, 2006

8.3.2 An item to be discussed and acted upon in the meeting must be on the printed posted agenda (unless legitimately classed as an emergency).

8.3.3Members of the public must be given the opportunity to address the Board. (Limited to three (3) minutes per speaker per issue)

8.3.4 Meetings are to be ‘open’ except for limited exceptions.
Adopted: January, 13, 1999

Section 9 - Gold Passes

9.1 A gold pass may be awarded to coaches, athletic directors or administrators who have had twenty (20) or more years of exemplary service in high school athletics.

9.2 Individual schools may nominate, based on the criteria, those persons whom they feel are worthy of this distinction. It is incumbent on each school to screen the applicants and to recommend only those who are qualified for the gold pass.

9.3 Nominations (with accompanying background data) shall be submitted at the winter meeting of the CVC Athletic Board. The Board shall vote at the spring meeting on the issuance of each pass.
Adopted: March 3, 1999

ARTICLE IV

ETHICS/PROTESTS

Section 1 - Duties of the Ethics Chairperson

1.1 The Ethics Chairperson shall be responsible to act on all protests and appeals.
Revised: April 15, 2008

1.1.1 The ethics chair shall form a hearing committee to adjudicate protests and appeals if there is probable merit.
Revised: April 15, 2008

1.1.1.1 The committee shall include the Ethics Chairperson and two others from among Administrators and Athletic Directors employed at any League school. Administrators and Athletic Directors at schools involved in the protest may not be on the committee.

1.1.1.2 In the event the Ethics chairperson’s school is involved in the protest, either the president or vice president of the league will chair the protest. The League Commissioner shall chair if the President, Vice President and Ethics Chairman are all involved.

1.1.2 If the Ethics Chair, in conjunction with the league commissioner, finds there is no merit to an appeal/protest or the supporting documentation it not sufficient to support an appeal/protest it shall be denied.
Revised: April 15, 2008

1.2 In a situation where a decision must be made before a time deadline, the League Commissioner may collect information and make an immediate decision.
Revised: April 15, 2008

Section 2 - The Appeals Process

2.1 A protest must be filed on the CVC approved protest form with the Ethics Chair, League President and League Commissioner within two (2) school days of the infraction.
Revised: April 15, 2008

2.1.1 The protest form must contain the principal’s signature, or the signature of the principal’s designee, and be accompanied by all the documentation to support the claim.
Revised: April 15, 2008

2.1.1.1 If the protest alleges a violation by a league school, that school will be given two (2) school days from the receipt of the protest by the ethics chair to provide rebuttal information and documentation.
Revised: April 15, 2008

2.1.1.2 Only documentation included with the protest will be considered in rendering a decision.
Revised: April 15, 2008

2.1.1.3 Additional supporting documentation, not available at the original filing, may be considered if it is presented to the Ethics Chair, prior to a decision. No data will be considered after a decision.
Revised: April 15, 2008

2.1.2 Failure of the protesting school to adhere to any part of the procedure will result in the protest/appeal being denied.

2.1.3 If a protest has been denied, another protest by the same school containing any issue brought forward in the previously denied protest will be denied by the Ethics Chairperson.

2.1.3.1 A similar issue not covered in the denied protest may be filed.

2.1.3.2 An issue in a previously denied protest may be filed by another school.

2.2 If the protest alleges a violation of League or Section Rules.

2.2.1 Before the protest will be accepted the principal of the protesting school must talk with the principal of the offending school. If no solution can be reached by the two principals, the Ethics chairperson will accept the protest.

2.3 If the protest appeals an ejection of an athlete or coach.

2.3.1 Protest must contain a justification to overturn an ejection. (such as ejection of the wrong person.)

2.3.2 If the appeal can not be heard and a decision rendered prior to the next contest, the issue becomes mute, the athlete or coach will be suspended for the contest and the appeal will not go forward.

2.4 Protests which question the eligibility of a student athlete or the participation by an ineligible athlete may be filed within two (2) school days from discovery.

2.5 The Ethics chairperson or the committee appointed by the chair will render a decision within two (2) working days. All schools involved will be notified.
Revised: April 15, 2008

2.6 There shall be no appeal to the league of an Ethics Committee ruling or the ruling of the Commissioner.
Revised: April 15, 2008

2.7 Schools may appeal decisions of the Ethics Committee to the Section.
Revised: April 15, 2008

Section 3 - Penalties

3.1 If the penalty for violation of a League by-law is included in the by-law, the Ethics Committee may impose that penalty, or a lesser penalty if the committee feels it is appropriate to the violation.
Revised: April 15, 2008

3.2 In the event no specific penalty for violation of a League by-law is spelled out, the Ethics Committee may assess a penalty which they deem appropriate for the violation, including: A. Written reprimand to an athlete or coach B. Suspension or disqualification of an athlete or coach C. Forfeiture of game (s). D. Prohibition from playoffs (one or more years) E. Withholding share of Section Funds (one or more years)
Revised: April 15, 2008

3.3 Repeat Violations

3.3.1 A second violation of the same by-law within three years of an Ethics finding will result in probation for a period of three years and prohibited playoff participation for one year.

3.3.2 Violation of any other by-law while on probation, may at the discretion of an Ethics Committee result in probation for up to an additional three years.
Revised: April 15, 2008

3.3.3 Continued, multiple or especially egregious violations may result in any of the combination of the following:

A. A probation period not to exceed three years for the sport in violation and prohibited from playoff for the entire period of probation.
B. A period of probation for the entire sports program in the school and prohibited from playoff for the entire period of probation.
C. Withholding share of Section funds up to a period of three years.

3.3.4 A school is not eligible to win a championship while on probation.

3.3.4.1 If a single sport is on probation, the school may not win a championship in that sport, but is eligible in other sports. Revised: April 15, 2008

3.4 A school shall forfeit all games played beyond the Section specified limit for that sport.
Revised: April 15, 2008

Section 4 - Ejections

4.1 Any player officially ejected from an athletic contest shall not be allowed to play in the next regularly scheduled contest. The player may be subjected to further disciplinary action the next day by the site administrator. Failure to sit out the next contest will result in forfeiture: continued forfeitures will result until the player sits out. revised 4/20/04

4.2 Any head or assistant coach ejected from a contest will be disqualified from participating in the remainder of that game and will be prohibited from coaching or attending the next interscholastic contest for that team. Failure to sit out the next game will result in forfeiture. revised 4/20/04

4.3 Any fan who steps onto the court or playing field causing or participating in a disruption will be ejected from the gym or playing field, a directed not to attend the next game, home or away. The fan may be subjected to additional action by the site administration. Revised: April 15, 2008

ARTICLE V

FINANCE

Section 1 - Section Playoff Money Distribution

1.1 All playoff monies remain in the league treasury until the annual financial report is completed in August. At that time all league expenses must be paid from the treasury and the budget balanced before consideration is given to the distribution of playoff monies to member schools.

1.2 If there is an excess, the Athletic Board will determine annually at the fall meeting whether any playoff monies will be distributed amongst the member schools.

1.3 If the Athletic Board determines that playoff monies are to be distributed, they will be allocated according to the following formula:

Forty (40) percent to the league treasury.

Sixty (60) percent divided equally amongst league member schools.

Section 2 - Assessments

2.1 Assessments may be made as determined by a majority vote of the CVC Athletic Board.

ARTICLE VI

GENERAL PRINCIPLES

Section 1 - Levels of Competition

1.1 Competition in sports. if fielded, shall be in varsity, frosh/soph and freshman classifications.

Section 2 - Sport Offerings

2.1 Official competition shall be conducted in the following sports:

1. Baseball
2. Basketball (B & G)
3. Cross Country (B&G)
4. Football
5. Golf (B&G)
6. Soccer (B&G)
7. Softball
8. Swimming and Diving (B&G)
9. Tennis (Co-Ed)
10. Track and Field (B&G)
11. Volleyball
12. Wrestling

Section 3 - Cancellations

3.1 The principal or designated person of the visitor’s team must notify the principal of the home team’s school that their game will be canceled or forfeited for reasons other than weather prior to 11:00 AM the day of the game. If this is not done, the home team must bill the visitor’s team for the cost of officials.

Section 4 - Supervision of Early Arrivals

4.1 In the event that it is necessary due to transportation or other reasons for athletes to arrive early on campus for away games, it is mandatory that a responsible adult accompany and remain with them for supervision purposes. The school shall be notified in advance that the athletes will be arriving early on campus.

ARTICLE VII

LEAGUE AWARDS

Section 1 - League Awards for Each Sport

1.1 League awards for each sport are the following:

ARTICLE VIII

CONSTITUTIONAL AND BY-LAW AMENDMENT

Section 1 - By-Law Amendments

1.1 A constitutional, by-law or sports by-law may be amended by presenting the proposed change in writing at the January meeting of the Athletic Board. A second reading and vote shall take place at the May meeting. A majority vote of the board members present is required.
Revised May 13, 2003

1.1.1 By law changes approved at the May meeting shall become effective at the start of the new academic year.
Revised May 13, 2003

1.1.2 The minutes of every Board Meeting are a legal part of these by-laws
Revised May 13, 2003

1.2 Proposed by-law changes designated as urgent by a two thirds (2/3) vote of voting members present shall become effective after the first reading.

1.3 The league commissioner shall be responsible for keeping an up to date copy of the constitution and by-laws. He shall send copies to all Board members.
Revised: August, 22, 2000