Dinuba Wrestling Club

Constitution and Bylaws

I. Name and Location

The name of the club shall be Dinuba Wrestling Club.  So long as the club sponsors USA Wrestling sanctioned tournaments and youth team, the letters USAW may be used after the name in all club correspondence related to USA Wrestling events and teams.  The club shall be principally a developmental and support club located in Dinuba, and shall hold practices at the Dinuba High School Wrestling Room.

II. Purpose

The purpose of the non-profit club shall be to promote the sport of wrestling in general, specifically within the city of Dinuba, and provide financial assistance in all areas of the club, which includes the Dinuba High School Wrestling Team and the USAW Team.  Promotion shall take the form of practices, team competition, coaching, training, tournament competition, and officiating.  All forms of wrestling shall be recognized including Freestyle, Greco-Roman, Folkstyle, Sombo, and Judo (Sombo and Judo will be taught when coaching is available).  However, team competition shall primarily concentrate on Folkstyle in the winter months and Freestyle and Greco-Roman in the spring and summer months. 

III. Membership

Membership shall be open to anyone interested in the sport of wrestling without regard to age, race, or sex.  Regular membership shall take the form of associate or full membership.  Honorary membership is a special membership.  

A.     A. Full membership shall be awarded to all Dinuba High Wrestling Team 

         member’s parents and to USAW dues paying wrestler’s parents who work out with the club a minimum of 6 times per month during the training season (spring).  Any 

       member of the USAW club who is a high school graduate is also a full member.  All full members receive one vote and parents receive one vote.  Officials who do not

       work out with the club but who officiate at three or more club supported activities and coaches who attend the required minimum number of practices for training

       purposes will also be conferred full membership.  Only full members can vote or have the club help defray the costs for state, regional, and national events.  Hall-of-

       Fame members are non-paying members and are conferred Full membership once inducted. 

   B. Associate members are those dues paying individuals who are not able to attend workouts on a regular basis, but who wish to support or affiliate with the club.  

       Associate members do not have voting privileges.

   C. Honorary membership may be conferred upon outstanding individuals whom Club-members feel has contributed to club successes or are otherwise deserving of

       membership.  Honorary membership can only be conferred by a majority vote of the Executive committee meeting in executive session.  Honorary membership shall

       entitle the member to the same benefits as full membership during year conferred.  Competition team members who participate in regular club activities may be 

       conferred honorary membership based on their selection by the Executive committee.  Honorary members may also serve on the board.  

IV. Dues/Fee Schedule 

In order to protect the club, and to defray the costs associated with club USAW membership, all participating athletes who practice with the team during the Freestyle and Greco-Roman season must be dues paying members holding current USAW membership cards.  Dues are due and payable at the first spring practice each year.  

        A. The President shall determine the amount of annual dues after consultation with the budget committee.  Members are also required to purchase an USAW card before

             they are allowed to practice.  Dues are for one yearly wrestling cycle.  Additional fall/winter participation fees for those competing in fall/winter Folkstyle league

             matches shall be determined based on league fees.  Those not competing in fall Folkstyle league matches shall only pay the regular dues.  Dues must be paid prior to  

             an individual attending their second practice unless extended by the President. 

        B.  Full membership with waiver of dues may be granted by the club President to all coaches and officials who actively participate in coaching and officiating chores for 

             the club, and also to members who perform other significant services for the club.  Eligibility for dues waiver shall be made entirely by the President and Head Coach

             each year.  All former head coaches of the team shall receive a lifetime full membership without paying dues.  The head coach and assistant coach are automatically

             excluded from paying dues each year. 

       C.  All full members are required to attend and work at club-sponsored activities, especially tournaments, unless excused by the President. 

       C1. Unexcused absences from events where workers are required may be grounds for loss of voting privileges for one season.  Loss of voting privileges will  

             require a majority vote of the Executive Committee.  

            C2. The club President may grant community service participation by High School students only to those members who actively help at club youth activities during the

                  season.  No more than 30 hours of service will be allowed each season, unless waived by the Executive Committee.  

       C3. Web site listings are provided free for all club membership categories.  Dinuba Wrestling Club web page is maintained by and used exclusively by DWC members. 

             The Webmaster or news page editor has full power to decide news content for club pages, so long as there is a direct relationship of news coverage for members. 

             The President selects the Webmaster or news page editor annually from nominations or volunteers.  

V. Fund Raising and Fund Distribution  

Additional funds, over and above yearly membership dues, are a necessary requirement for the club to operate successfully.  

        A. The club shall hold a minimum of two fund raising events per year, primarily in the form of the Dinuba Invitational and a freestyle wrestling tournament, which shall

             be held at Dinuba High School (if possible).  This tournament may be an association qualifier or a qualifying event.  

        B.  Money raised by the club through any activity shall be used for any of the following: the Dinuba High School Wrestling Team, defraying USAW club dues, facility 

             costs, insurance binder costs, tournament equipment, other club items, and defraying travel cost for club members who wish to compete or officiate at state, regional, 

             national, or international events. 

        B1. Out of the Club’s fundraisers, money must be held back to cover the next year’s expenses that include but are not limited to: insurance binder, tournament 

              supplies, concession stand supplies, replacement uniforms, and state tournament costs.  

        B2. If funds are available, money should be held back to help defray the cost of regional and national tournaments based on the number of qualifiers from the previous

              season. 

             B3. All full members shall be entitled to the same amount for attending an event unless the club travels to the event and stays as a team.  In this case, only a minimum

                   stipend as determined by the Budget Committee shall be provided to members who travel on their own and do not stay with the team. 

        C.  Should the club receive sponsorship money as a non-profit organization, this money shall be used not only for those items specified in “B.” above, but also for such

             items as uniforms, T-shirts, equipment, hotels, and entry fees at team sponsored events.  Team sponsored events are those events at which team scoring is computed. 

             No individual member shall profit from funds received by the club unless it is for officiating or working at a club tournament.

        D.  Funds raised by individual members specifically for the purpose of defraying their cost to participate at major events shall be held for and used exclusively by those

              members.

           D1. The club name and tax exempt status may be used if the club is not assisting the individual in the fund raising for said major event (nationals, world team

        trials, world team, etc). 

   E.  The Club name and/or tax exempt status can not be used by member’s family for the purpose of raising money to help defray their cost of going to watch/support a   

        wrestler at any event.  

 VI.  Officers, Elections, Job Duties, and the Annual Meeting 

        A.  The club shall have six officers, President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Trustee, and Head Coach, which will comprise the Executive Committee.  The 

              Executive Committee will be responsible for the general operations and guidance of the club.  Elections for President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasure and Trustee

              will be held at the annual meeting, normally the first official practice in November each fall.  The announcement for this practice will be provided to all Dinuba High

              Wrestling Team member’s parents and USAW member’s parents from the previous season, and may take the form of a direct mailing, personal flyer distribution,

              web page announcement, local newspaper, or phone notification.  

              A1. Of the five elected officers there must be at least two elected to office from USA membership.  This is to ensure equal representation.

         A2. The Head Coach of the DWC shall be the Dinuba High School Head Coach and that individual will be responsible for naming all assistant coaches.

              A3. In the event that the Dinuba High School Head Coach does not wish to be the Head Coach of the Freestyle/Greco-Roman Team, that person may appoint a

                    Head Coach in their place.  The appointed Head Coach will then perform all duties of said position and be entitled to all benefits of that position including naming

                    the assistant coaches. 

      B.  President: The President shall supervise all the business affairs and enforce all of the rules of the club.  He or She shall preside at all meetings and assure that an orderly

           and complete meeting is conducted. The President may be a signer on all checks issued on behalf of the club.              

       Vice President: The Vice President shall assist the President in the performance of his or her duties.  In the absence of the President, the Vice President shall perform

      the duties of the President.  The Vice President shall also perform other duties as assigned by the President.  The Vice President may be a Signer on all checks issued

      on behalf of the club.  

           Secretary: Records the minutes of all meetings and prepares a copy of such minutes for the permanent record before the next meeting or club publication.  The

           Secretary is responsible for membership lists, updating records, and correspondence of the club.            

           Treasurer: Maintains the financial records of the club and prepares checks as directed by the Budget Committee or President.  The Treasurer shall make deposits and 

           give current financial reports at each meeting or when asked for by a club member.  The Treasurer shall be a signer on all checks issued on behalf of the club.

           Trustee: Trustee shall assist where needed and has no specific assigned duties.  In the event of an extended absence of one of the other officers the trustee shall step    

in         in and fill that role until the respective office if filled.  Helps the board and fills in where needed

      C.  Installation of all elected officers will take place immediately, and not necessarily involve a formal ceremony.   

      D.  The President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasure and one Head Coach appointed person will have check signing authority for the club.  All checks will have at least  

            two signatures no matter what the dollar amount.

      E.  Nominations for President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasure, and Trustee will be taken from the floor.

VII. Committees and Coaching Staff 

The five elected officers and the Head Coach are the members of the Executive Committee, which is responsible for the general operation and direction of the club.  

      A.  Committee Membership:

           Each fall season, usually November, the President shall make public the standing committee (Budget Committee).  The Hall-of-Fame Committee is considered a special

           committee. The club President may fill vacancies on these committees at any time.  The Head Coach may select additional assistant coaches at any time.

           A1. Budget Committee         

      The Budget Committee will be responsible for all aspects of the club’s finances to include but not limited to: producing a monthly financial statement, posting a monthly 

      financial statement, determining the amount of club funds available for the High School, state, regional, national, or international events, and shall also be responsible for

      generating fund raising activities.  The President may also appoint individual club members to perform special projects related to club needs.  Individuals involved on 

      these projects will also be members of the Budget Committee.  Members of this committee shall include the four elected officers, appointed members by the President,

      the Head Coach, and the Head Coach’s appointed check signer.

           A2. Hall of Fame Committee  

        The Hall of Fame Committee is a special committee that shall consist of the President, Vice President, Head Coach, and one at large Hall of Fame member appointed 

       by the President.  Anyone may submit nominations meeting the criteria detailed in Appendix A at any time.  After submission, the Head Coach shall validate each   

       candidate’s nomination criteria, and shall submit the candidate to a vote of the current Hall of Fame membership.  Such vote may be held in writing or by phone.  After

       the initial year for membership, a maximum of only three new members shall be accepted each year, unless this requirement is waived by a majority vote of the current Hall of Fame membership. 

VIII. Expulsion and Censorship 

       A.  Member Expulsion 

        A member may be expelled from the club when he or she participates in an activity determined detrimental to the club or the sport of wrestling.  Upon receipt of a   

        formal complaint for expulsion signed by three members, the president will appoint a special committee of five members who has been in the club for two years or

        more. The president will also notify in writing the charges against the member, and set a date for a formal hearing where both sides may offer whatever evidence they

        deem proper. Following the hearing the committee will immediately vote on the expulsion with results provided to all interested parties.  Once selected, Hall-of-Fame

        members cannot be expelled from membership.  However, should the special committee find a Hall-of-Fame member guilty of actions that would otherwise constitute  

          expulsion, that member will no longer be able to vote for new Hall-of-Fame Members.  

       B. Censorship

       B1. Censorship may be requested against an individual, club, league, state, or national organization that participates in or supports an activity determined to be 

       detrimental to the DWC, a member of the club, or to the sport of wrestling.  Charges must specify date or dates of alleged activity, individual, group, or organization  

       involved in actions, which were taken, and one or more witnesses who have knowledge of the offense.  The President will notify the Executive Committee of the

       charges and circumstances of the incident. A simple majority vote of the Executive Committee will be necessary to declare censorship.

       B2. Should the grounds for censorship be based on actions against a club member, such actions will be reviewed by the Executive Committee to ensure due process

       was used as a basis for the actions.  If due process was not followed, direct censorship will be applied against the offending organization, league, club, or individual.  In

       the case of an offense by and individual against the club or member, the term Persona non-Grata will be applied to such individual.

            B3.  Length of Censorship 

       Censorship will remain in effect for a period of one-year from the date granted unless extended on a yearly basis by majority vote of the Executive Board. 

            B4. Censorship Penalties 

       Individuals that have been assigned Persona non-Grata status may not attend or participate in any activity sponsored by DWC.  Activities include practices, clinics,     

       camps, and tournaments.  Organizations receiving censorship are not allowed to enter in events where team or club points are accumulated. However, individuals from 

       the organization may enter club events on an unattached basis.  If a state or national body receives censorship, the club will not affiliate with or support functions

       sponsored by the organization for a period of one season.  However, club members may participate in any organizational activities if they wish. 

IX. Association/Organization Support 

The club shall support the Dinuba High Wrestling Team and the USAW Association with which it is affiliated with as determined each year by the Head Coach.  The club will also support all local wrestling associations and events regardless of affiliation, and/or any other wrestling associations as determined by the Head Coach.  The Head Coach or his designated alternate will be the official representative to all organizations with which the club is affiliated.  Any action by a club member to actively promote one organization over another will constitute grounds for expulsion from the club.  DWC supports all wrestling activities regardless of affiliation. 

X. Team Uniform and Colors 

The official color for DWC singlets for all matches, except state, regional, national, and international events shall be green.  Club members will wear their official club T-shirt at all tournaments.  The head coach shall also be responsible for the club banner and for all equipment owned by the club.  Every attempt will be made to display the club banner at competitions. 

XI. Amending this Constitution and Bylaws 

This document may be amended at any time if need be.  Requirements for amendment are as follows: 

      A.  A formal announcement to the membership is made for 30 days prior to the voting date.  

      B.  A simple majority vote is all that is needed to pass an amendment.

      C.  The vote for amendment is taken at least 30 minutes after the scheduled start of the meeting and before the final 15 minutes of the meeting.

Appendix A 

Dinuba Wrestling Club Hall of Fame Criteria 

1.  Nominations will be accepted throughout the year with criteria to be from one or more of the following categories.  All selections to be finalized by a majority vote of existing available members of the DWC Hall of Fame. 

National Champion- any style (automatic nomination)

NCAA All American (automatic nomination)

NCAA Qualifier (automatic nomination)

State Champion- any style (automatic nomination)

Freestyle/Greco-Roman National Placer (automatic nomination)

Freestyle/Greco-Roman National Qualifier

CIF State place winner (automatic nomination)

CIF state qualifier

CIF national qualifier (automatic nomination)

Extended Contributions (coach, official, continuous club supporter or competitor over a number of years, etc.)

By 2/3 vote of the current Hall of Fame Membership 

2.   Since it is sometimes difficult to contact previous Hall of Fame members, if the current Hall of Fame Committee determines that every reasonable effort has failed to contact a current member, then that member’s vote will not be required to confer membership on a new member.  The 2/3-vote requirement will only be necessary from among those who can be contacted. 

3.   Anyone can nominate a wrestler, coach, or competitor for the DWC Hall of Fame.  Nominations must be made to the current club President within one month of the Annual Meeting, normally the first practice during March each spring.  An appropriate award selected by the Hall of Fame Committee will recognize Hall of Fame inductees.

Dinuba Wrestling Club

Executive Committee:

President: Ralph Cisneros

Vice President: Sally Navarrete 

Secretary: Mary Villarreal

Treasurer: Delia Smith

Trustee: John Lee

DWC/ Dinuba High Head Coach: Michael Wright

USA Wrestling Club Director: Michael Wright

Head Medic:

Team Photographer:

Media Representative:

Budget Committee:      

President: Ralph Cisneros

Vice President: Sally Navarrete

Secretary:  Mary Villarreal

Treasurer: Delia Smith

DWC/ Dinuba High Head Coach: Michael Wright

Appointed Check Signer:

            1.

Hall of Fame Committee:         

President: Ralph Cisneros

Vice President: Sally Navarrete

DWC/ Dinuba High Head Coach: Michael Wright

          H.O.F. At Large Member:                               

Head Pairer:

Head Freestyle/Greco-Roman Official:

Head Folkstyle Official:

Current Club FS/GR Officials and Pairers: