These By-Laws are in the process of being revised and updated. Any suggestions or comments can be made at the HARA meeting, held on the third Thursday of each month at the Hawthorne Fire Department at 7 p.m.

Constitution and By-Laws
Hawthorne Area Recreation Association

Article 1 - Name

The name of this organization shall be the Hawthorne Area Recreation Association, hereinafter referred to as HARA.

Article 2 - Location

The HARA organization shall be headquartered in the City of Hawthorne, County of Alachua, in the State of Florida.

Article 3 - Purpose

The purpose of HARA shall be to: (a)promote safe, affordable, substance-free athletic opportunities for children/adults residing in the Hawthorne Area; (b)serve as a catalyst for involving parents/guardians in athletic events in the Hawthorne Area; (c)create year round athletic activities in the Hawthorne Area.

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Article 4 - Board of Directors

Section 1 - Responsibilities

The Board of Directors shall serve as an advisory group to the City of Hawthorne for all athletic activities occuring or sponsored in the Hawthorne Area and provide policy direction for the daily operations of the program.

Section 2 - Number, Tenure, and Qualifications

The number of directors of HARA shall not be less than five(5) nor greater than ten(10), with said numbers not to include ex-officio directors. Each officer shall hold office for a period of one(1) year. The position of director is open to any member of the organization in good standing. Directors shall be elected by general membership.

Section 3 - Ex-Officio Directors

The Board may appoint ex-officio, non-voting directors as it deems necessary. Such ex-officio directors shall be entitled to notice of all regular and special meetings of the Board of Directors but shall not be entitled to vote at any such meetings, nor shall they be allowed to hold office.

Section 4 - Quorom

A simple majority of the directors shall constitute a quorom for the transaction of business. The act of the majority of those directors present at a meeting at which a quorom is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors.

Section 5 - Action Without a Meeting

Any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board of Directors may be taken without a meeting if consent in writing, setting forth such action, is signed by a majority of the directors.

Section 6 - Vacancies

Any vacancy occuring on the Board of Directors may be filled by affirmative vote of the remaining directors. A director elected to fill a vacancy shall serve the balance of the unexpired term of his or her predecessor.

Section 7 - Limitation on Terms

Directors shall be eligible to succeed themselves and there shall be no limitation on the number of consecutive terms a director may serve.

Section 8 - Compensation

Directors shall serve without compensation for their services.

Section 9 - Removal

Individuals may be removed from the Board of Directors for failure to attend four(4) consecutive meetings of the Board. The Board may grant an excused absence to a director for good cause.

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Article 5 - Officers

Section 1 - Number, Qualification, Term, and Election

The officers of HARA shall be the Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary/Treasurer, Baseball/Softball Commissioner, Football Commissioner, Newsletter Coordinator, Basketball Commissioner, Soccer/Volleyball Commissioner, Cheerleading Coordinator, and an At-Large Commissioner each of whom shall be elected by the general membership. Each officer shall serve for one(1) year. The offices of Secretary and Treasurer may be held by one individual.

Section 2 - Removal

Any officer of HARA may be removed with or without cause at any time by the Board of Directors.

Section 3 - Vacancies

A vacancy in any office due to death, resignation, removal, disqualification, or otherwise, shall be filled by the Board of Directors for the unexpired portion of the term of that office.

Section 4 - Chairperson

The Chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors, the Finance Committee, and at all general meetings. The Chairperson shall in general perform all the duties incident to the office and such other duties as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors from time to time.

Section 5 - Vice-Chairperson

The Vice-Chairperson shall assist in carrying out the duties of the Chairperson. In the absence of the Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson shall perform the duties of the Chairperson and, when so acting, shall have all of the duties of and be subject to all of the restrictions upon the Chairperson.

Section 6 - Secretary

The Secretary shall be responsible for the recording and keeping of minutes of all meetings. The Secretary shall maintain accurate rosters, including names, addresses, and telephone numbers of all members and shall be responsible for the timely distribution of notices for all meetings. The Secretary shall be custodian of records and shall retain all books, records, and papers relating to the organization. The Secretary shall see that reports, statements, and other documents required by law are properly filed and maintained. The Secretary shall perform all other duties as may be assigned by the Board of Directors or by the Chairperson.

Section 7 - Treasurer

The Treasurer shall have oversight of all funds of the organization; shall review accounts of assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, and all other transactions; shall request regular audits of books and records to be made under the guidance and direction of the City of Hawthorne; and shall request funds disbursements as may be determined by the Board of Directors.

Section 8 - Baseball/Softball Commissioner

The Baseball/Softball Commissioner, herinafter referred to as Commissioner, will be responsible for field preparation; insuring paperwork is correct; and resolving any problems between players, coaches, teams or any other issue regarding the status of a team member. The Commissioner shall attend all meetings concerning baseball/softball or appoint a designee in those instances where he/she cannot attend. The Commissioner is also responsible for carrying out the issues and provisions of HARA, so long as it does not conflict with the rules and regulations of the governing body for baseball/softball in the Lake Area.

Section 9 - Football Commissioner

The Football Commissioner will be responsible for field preparation, insuring paperwork is correct, and resolving all player/team issues. The Football Commissioner will attend all meetings with regards to football or appoint a designee in those instances where he/she cannot attend. The Commissiner is also reponsible for carrying out the issues and provision of HARA, so long as it does not conflict with the rules and regulations of the governing body of the football conference.

Section 10 - Cheerleading Coordinator

The Cheerleading Coordinator will be responsible for developing cheerleading opportunities for all sports within the Hawthorne youth sports program. The Coordinator will liaise with coaches and parents, develop cheerleading coaches, and insure the program is operated professionally.

Section 11 - Newsletter Coordinator

The Newsletter Coordinator is responsible for insuring that the HARA Newsletter is published monthly. The Coordinator can appoint three to four persons to help with writing articles and soliciting input. The Coordinator is responsible for the contents and nature of the articles contained within the Newsletter. The Coordinator shall insure that the Board of Directors have an opportunity to submit articles and that the Newsletter is properly reviewed before publication.

Section 12 - Soccer/Volleyball Commissioner

The Soccer/Volleyball Commissioner, hereinafter referred to as Commissioner, will be responsible for field preparation, insuring paperwork is correct, and resolving any problems between players, coaches, teams, or any other issue regarding the status of a team member. The Commissioner shall attend all meetings concerning soccer/volleyball or appoint a designee in those instances where he/she cannot attend. The Commissioner is also responsible for carrying out the issues and provisions of HARA, so long as it does not conflict with the rules and regulations of the governing body for soccer/volleyball in the Lake Area.

Section 13 - Basketball Commissioner

The Basketball Commissioner, herinafter referred to as Commissioner, will be responsible for field preparation, insuring paperwork is correct, and resolving any problems between players, coaches, teams, or any other issue regarding the status of a team member. The Commissioner shall attend all meetings concerning basketball or appoint a designee in those instances where he/she cannot attend. The Commissioner is also responsible for carrying out the issues and provisions of HARA, so long as it does not conflict with the rules and regulations of the governing body for basketball in the Lake Area.

Section 14 - At-Large Commissioner

The At-Large Commissioner can be assigned a variety of tasks, but their most important role is that of providing help and assistance to the other Board members. The At-Large Commissioner can be appointed to assist with any of the Committees or Chair special projects falling outside the realm of delineated roles.

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Article 6 - Membership

Section 1 - Persons Eligible for Membership

Any party with an interest in the HARA Program, and whose purpose and values are congruent with said program, shall be eligible for general membership.

Section 2 - Classification of Membership

HARA shall have two classes of membership; (a)individual and (b)institutional. Institutional members may choose up to three(3) persons to serve as representatives, and each representative, as well as each individual member shall be entitled to one vote.

Section 3 - Ex-Officio Membership

Certain individuals or agencies may be designated ex-officio members of the organization, in accordance with policies and procedures which govern such a designation, as defined and stipulated by the Board of Directors.

Section 4 - Dues

A membership dues structure may be recommended by the Board of Directors.

Section 5 - Transferability of Membership

The rights of membership may not be transferred.

Section 6 - Termination of Membership

Membership shall terminate upon receipt of written notification of any member by a member of the Board of Directors, or failure to fulfill the responsiblities of membership. All rights of membership shall cease upon the termination of membership.

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Article 7 - Meetings

Section 1 - Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of the Board of Directors/General Membership shall be held in the month of June of each year. The agenda for the annual meeting shall be the election of officers, the appointment of committees, the receipt of reports from committees and officers, and the transaction of other business program. The annual meeting shall be held on the date and at the time and place stated in the notice of the meeting, which shall be said in writing and shall be distributed to members at least fifteen(15) days prior to the meeting date.

Section 2 - Regular Meeting

Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held on such dates and at such times and places as the Board of Directors may determine. The general membership meeting shall be held no less than every two months, and each month should the need arise.

Section 3 - Special Meeting

Special meeting of the Board of Directors may be called by the Chairperson, or at the request of any three(3) directors. If possible, at least seven(7) days notice, either written or verbal, shall be given, stating the time and place of the special meeting; if it is not practical to give (7) days notice, then as much notice as possible shall be given. The purpose of a special meeting need not be stated.

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Article 8 - Committees

Section 1 - Finance Committee

The Finance Committee shall consist of the Chairperson as Chair and appointed members, not to exceed four(4) members from the general membership. The Football Commissioner is also appointed to this committee. A vote of a majority of the members present at a meeting which a quorom is present, shall be the act of the Finance Committee. The Finance Committee is tasked with creating fund raisng opportunities, soliciting business support, and insuring the HARA organization has adequate financial resources.

Section 2 - Building and Grounds Committee

The Baseball/Softball Commissioner shall serve as chair of the Building and Grounds Committee. The Building and Grounds Committee shall solicit donations for building materials, organize work crews, work with the City of Hawthorne in constructing and maintaining athlectic fields, and coordinating all building activities as it relates to athletic enterprises. The Chair may elect to select four(4) persons from the general membership to serve on this committee.

Section 3 - Events Committee

The Vice-Chairperson shall be appointed Chair of the Events Committee. The Events Committee is responsible for marketing sports in the Hawthorne area for HARA. As such, the Events Committee is responsible for coordinating all tournaments, scheduling games, and other activities that will draw attention to athletic events in the Hawthorne area. In addition to the Chair, four(4) additional appointees from the general membership may be appointed.

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Section 4 - Newsletter Committee

The Newsletter Coordinator is Chair of the Newsletter Committee and may elect to appoint four(4) additional members from the general membership to serve. The Newsletter Committee is reponsible for publishing a monthly newsletter for HARA. The Newsletter Committee will insure that all important dates, schedules, ect., are printed. The newsletter shall only be published after a special meeting and approval by the Board of Directors. The newsletter shall be mailed no later than the third week of each month. The newsletter can be mailed in addition to these regular scheduled dates if approved by the Board of Directors.

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Section 5 - Concessions Committe

The Treasurer is the Chair of the Concessions Committee and may appoint five(5) additional members from the general membership to serve on this committee. The Concessions Committee is responsible for insuring refreshments are served at each athletic event, and that sufficient persons are available to staff said concession stand. The Treasurer shall be responsible for record keeping of all funds. The Treasurer may appoint a Concession Committee Lead to assist with coordinating all Concession Committee activities.

Article 9 - Fiscal Year

The fiscal year of this organization shall be from June 1 to May 31.

Article 10 - Amendments

These by-laws may be amended, altered, or repealed or new by-laws adopted by a simple majority vote of the general membership of the HARA program at a regular, special, or annual meeting of the organization, provided that the proposed action(s) have been stated in specific terms in the notice of said meetings.

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HARA Highlights
Baseball
Basketball
Football
Soccer
Softball
Board
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Created by Petunia
Updated November 2, 1998