ARTICLE 1 - NAME

The name of this organization shall be the New Jersey Cheer and Dance Coaches Association, Inc.
DBA: NJCCA, Inc.

ARTICLE 2 - PURPOSE

The purpose of this organization shall be to form a liaison between school (i.e. principals, presidents, athletic directors) and coaches for support of cheerleading and dance activities; to standardize cheerleading and dance guidelines and safely regulations throughout the state; to promote the recognition of cheerleading and dance ; to provide information, guidance, support, and training to the coaches within the state; to encourage membership to include coaches and advisors from all New Jersey schools and organizations; to host an annual New Jersey State Cheerleading and Dance Championship; to recognize individuals based on skills, and award scholarships based on academics as well a school and community involvement; with future plans to implement and regulate a State Judging Certification Program.

ARTICLE 3 - MEMBERSHIP

School membership is open to any school (grammar, junior high/middle, secondary, and college) that has a cheerleading or dance program or is interested in starting a cheerleading or dance program.

Individual membership is open to any individual interested in the further promotion of the purpose of this organization.

Dues shall be paid by schools and individuals.

Membership shall be on an annual basis.

School and individual membership entitles each school and individual to benefits outlined annually on the membership application; and individuals to "one" vote on matters before NJCDCA.

Dues shall be sent to the Membership Chairperson annually.

ARTICLE 4 - MEETINGS

General membership meetings shall be held twice a year. One meeting may coincide with an Annual Coaches Conference.

Committee meetings shall be scheduled when deemed necessary by the committee members.

Voting at all meetings shall be by the majority vote (50% + 1) of all ballots cast by members in good standing.

The President/Committee Chairperson shall have the authority to call special meetings for all matters they deem necessary.

Members shall be notified of the time and location of meetings and events pertaining to the organization.

ARTICLE 5 - OFFICERS AND DUTIES

The officers of this organization shall consist of the immediate Past-President, President, 1 st Vice-President, 2 nd Vice-President/Treasurer, Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary, State Competition Director, State Competition Co-Director, Membership Director, Scholarship Director, All-State Team Director, and Education/Conference Director. These officers shall constitute the Executive Board. Regional Representatives shall be appointed by the Executive Board, with a maximum representation of 4 Regional Representatives.

The Past-President shall advise the President elect and oversee the transition to the elected board. He/she shall serve as chairperson of the Nominating Committee.

The President shall preside at meetings; assume full responsibility for the operation of the organization; appoint committees as needed; see to it that the personnel are properly briefed on all phases of the rules, regulations, and policies of the NJCDCA ; serve as ex officio of all committees; act as liaison to other organizations pertinent to the advancement of cheerleading and dance within the state of New Jersey; and perform all duties incidental; to his/her office.

The 1 st Vice-President shall act in the absence of the President, carry out such duties and assignments as may be delegated by the President.

The 2 nd Vice-President/Treasurer shall pay all obligations; oversee the collection of monies; sign checks and withdrawals drawn on the treasury; maintain books, ledgers, and financial statements; present a written report at the end of the fiscal year. The books shall be inspected once each year by a qualified accountant.

The Recording Secretary shall record the minutes of the meetings and send them to the Membership before the next General Membership Meeting; shall record the minutes of the Executive Board Meetings and send them to the Executive Board before the next scheduled meeting.

The Corresponding Secretary shall communicate with the Membership as necessary; carry out such duties and assignments as may be delegated by the President.

The State Competition Director shall organize an annual New Jersey Cheerleading and Dance State Championship ; shall inform participants of all rules and regulations; and shall present a budget for the championship to the Executive Committee.

The State Competition Co-Director shall assist the Director in all matters as necessary.

The Membership Director shall keep track of all membership to the association by submitting a copy of individual and school membership to the Executive Board by January 1 st ; shall notify schools/individuals to renew their membership annually; and collect dues.

The Scholarship Director shall prepare and distribute information regarding the available scholarships. Duties include : updating the application form as necessary, mailing of applications on request to interested individuals, selecting a qualified Scholarship Committee for screening applications and final selections, establishing criteria for selection, and notifying recipients so they will be available to accept their awards.

The All-State Team Director shall be responsible for selection of the All-State Cheer and Dance Team. Duties include establishing criteria for selection, updating the application form , selecting a committee to judge performances, and notification of winners.

Education/Conference Director shall chair the annual conference; plan and implement all educational programs.

In the event of a vacancy in any office, except that of President, the President shall appoint, with approval of the Executive Board , a qualified member to fulfill the unexpired term.

In the event of a vacancy in the office of President, the 1 st Vice-President shall fulfill the unexpired term.

All resignation of the Officers must be submitted in writing to the President.

ARTICLE 6 - NOMINATIONS & ELECTIONS OF OFFICERS

Any candidate for office must be a member in good standing, who has actively contributed to the endeavors of the NJCDCA.

The Past President shall chair a Nominating Committee. The committee may recommend one or more names for each position.

The Nominating Committee will make its recommendations at a general membership meeting. Nominations will also be accepted from the floor.

The Past President or one of the Executive Board members who is not currently on the ballot will supervise the Election of Officers during the general membership meeting.

The nominee who receives the majority vote (50% +1) will win the election. If a tie results, the President shall cast the deciding vote.

Officers shall be elected every two years by the voting membership at the Spring Meeting and shall take office immediately following the elections. The President, and 1 st Vice President shall be elected in even years; all other officers shall be elected in odd years.

Officers may serve no more than two consecutive terms in one position, unless no qualified member is willing to accept the position.

ARTICLE 7 - GOVERNMENT

The government of the NJCDCA shall be vested in the Executive Board consisting of the i mmediate Past President, President, 1 st Vice-President, 2nd Vice-President/Treasurer, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, State Competition Director, State Competition Co-Director, Membership Director, Scholarship Director, All-State Team Director, and Education/Conference Director.

The Executive Board shall have the power to act in cases of emergency and when felt to be in the best interest of the NJCDCA.

Regional Representatives appointed by the Executive Board shall attend board meetings as non-voting Executive Board members, and act as liaisons for their respective geographic regions.

Roberts Rules of Order (newly revised) shall govern the proceedings of all meetings of NJCDCA unless otherwise provided in these bylaws.

N.J.C.C.A. members who have served 5 terms of office as voting members of the Executive Board shall be eligible to serve as voting, advisory members of the board.

ARTICLE 8 - FINANCES

The fiscal year of the NJCDCA shall begin on May 1 and end on April 30.

The Executive Board shall call for an inspection of the books of the NJCDCA to be made by a qualified accountant each year.

No member of the NJCDCA shall contract any debt in the name of the NJCDCA without first receiving proper authority from the Executive Board

ARTICLE 9 - AMENDMENTS

The bylaws of this organization may be amended by a majority vote (50% +1) of the members present at the membership meeting, provided a written copy of the proposed changes has been submitted to the Executive Board and the membership before the general membership meeting.

The Executive Board shall provide copies of all of the bylaws and proposed amendments at the general membership meeting; they shall be discussed and voted on at that time.

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