LVIAC Bylaws
Founded November 14, 2001
Ratified December 20, 2001
CONSTITUTION PREAMBLE
The Principals of the Lehigh Valley Interscholastic Athletic Conference form this organization to serve and unite the local schools and communities through academic and athletic competition. The Conference places athletics in its proper perspective as a complement to the academic program. The member schools are committed to maximizing instructional time, promoting good sportsmanship and promoting equal and fair competition for all member schools.
Section 1: This organization shall be known as the Lehigh Valley Interscholastic Athletic Conference.
Section 2: The Conference is established to address the common interests of our respective students through competition in athletics and other co-curricular activities.
Section 2: The Conference is established to address the common interests of our respective students through competition in athletics and other co-curricular activities.
Article II- Membership
Section 1: The following PIAA high schools shall constitute the membership of this Conference: Allentown Central Catholic, Easton, Emmaus, Freedom, Liberty, Louis E. Dieruff, Nazareth, Northampton, Parkland, Whitehall, William Allen and Bethlehem Catholic; or any other PIAA high school hereinafter approved. Each member PIAA high school, regardless of the number of PIAA high schools in a school district, will be entitled to one (1) vote in all Conference matters.
Section 2: Application for membership in this Conference must be made in writing to the secretary and/or president. A Conference expansion membership will be automatically granted to a newly created “sister” PIAA high school in any member school’s district for its first full school year of enrollment/operation. Any other PIAA high school seeking membership must, at a minimum, carry at least an initial rating ranked in one of the top two PIAA classifications. All member PIAA high school feeder Junior Highs and Middle Schools are automatically included in Conference scheduling and concerns without a vote. Final acceptance of a non-“sister” PIAA high school’s membership is subject to a 100.0% aye vote of the full membership of this Conference.
Section 3: All Conference members are required to compete in one of the two highest PIAA classifications except in those sports that need a 50% or greater winning percentage to qualify for postseason play.
Section 4: Conference dues and entrance fees for the subsequent school year for all member PIAA high schools shall be set on or before February 1st at a scheduled meeting of the Lehigh Valley Interscholastic Athletic Conference. Dues for the school year must be paid by October 1st of that school year. To address a fiscal deficit or emergency, the Conference may approve, by at least a 70.0% aye vote of the full membership at a Conference meeting, a special, one-year assessment.
Section 5: Any members in arrears for a period of one year shall be suspended from Conference play.
Section 6: A member PIAA high school entered in Conference competition in any sport/activity must complete its schedule of contest, unless the reason for discontinuance meets with at least a 70.0% aye vote of the full membership at a Conference meeting. Should the member PIAA high school authorities not accept the decision of the Conference, the school in question may be dropped as a Conference member.
Section 7: A member PIAA high school considering withdrawal from this Conference, shall submit in writing to the Secretary and/or President a statement declaring its intent. This letter must be submitted during the first regularly scheduled conference meeting of the school’s final school year of participation.
Section 2: Application for membership in this Conference must be made in writing to the secretary and/or president. A Conference expansion membership will be automatically granted to a newly created “sister” PIAA high school in any member school’s district for its first full school year of enrollment/operation. Any other PIAA high school seeking membership must, at a minimum, carry at least an initial rating ranked in one of the top two PIAA classifications. All member PIAA high school feeder Junior Highs and Middle Schools are automatically included in Conference scheduling and concerns without a vote. Final acceptance of a non-“sister” PIAA high school’s membership is subject to a 100.0% aye vote of the full membership of this Conference.
Section 3: All Conference members are required to compete in one of the two highest PIAA classifications except in those sports that need a 50% or greater winning percentage to qualify for postseason play.
Section 4: Conference dues and entrance fees for the subsequent school year for all member PIAA high schools shall be set on or before February 1st at a scheduled meeting of the Lehigh Valley Interscholastic Athletic Conference. Dues for the school year must be paid by October 1st of that school year. To address a fiscal deficit or emergency, the Conference may approve, by at least a 70.0% aye vote of the full membership at a Conference meeting, a special, one-year assessment.
Section 5: Any members in arrears for a period of one year shall be suspended from Conference play.
Section 6: A member PIAA high school entered in Conference competition in any sport/activity must complete its schedule of contest, unless the reason for discontinuance meets with at least a 70.0% aye vote of the full membership at a Conference meeting. Should the member PIAA high school authorities not accept the decision of the Conference, the school in question may be dropped as a Conference member.
Section 7: A member PIAA high school considering withdrawal from this Conference, shall submit in writing to the Secretary and/or President a statement declaring its intent. This letter must be submitted during the first regularly scheduled conference meeting of the school’s final school year of participation.
Section 1: The officers of the conference shall consist of the President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Principal-at-Large. No two of who shall be from the same PIAA high school excluding the Principal-at-Large.
Section 2: It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings of this Conference, to cast the deciding vote in case of a tie, to endorse all disbursement vouchers and to appoint standing committees for each sport/activity and other special committees. The President shall be the official spokesperson for the Lehigh Valley Interscholastic Athletic Conference.
Section 3: It shall be the duty of the Vice-President to assist the President and to preside over the Conference’s Athletic Director’s meetings. The Vice-President shall be chairperson of all major ad hoc sport committees, be responsible for updating relevant sections of the policy manual and By-Law’s and for completing other duties assigned by the President.
Section 4: It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep accurate minutes of the proceedings of Conference meetings. It shall be the responsibility of the Secretary to distribute on a yearly basis the corrected, updated and/or amended By-Laws and Constitution. The Secretary shall be responsible for sending all Conference correspondence to the Principals and Athletic Directors of each member PIAA high school.
Section 5: It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to invoice and receive all fees, dues and assessments, endorse all vouchers, make all expenditures authorized by this Conference and to report at each scheduled meeting of the Conference the receipts, expenditures and the balance on hand.
Section 6: It shall be the duty of the Principal-at-large to preside over Conference meetings in the absence of the President.
Section 7: The officers of this Conference shall be reimbursed each spring in the amount set by Conference members.
Section 8: The officers of this Conference and the Principal-at-Large shall comprise the Executive Committee.
Section 9: The Conference shall elect an Assignor of Officials for each sport it sponsors and a Conference Statistician. The Principals or their designees will assign officials for the co-curricular activities as appropriate within their assigned activity.
Section 10: It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to rule upon all disputes arising in the Conference.
Section 2: It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings of this Conference, to cast the deciding vote in case of a tie, to endorse all disbursement vouchers and to appoint standing committees for each sport/activity and other special committees. The President shall be the official spokesperson for the Lehigh Valley Interscholastic Athletic Conference.
Section 3: It shall be the duty of the Vice-President to assist the President and to preside over the Conference’s Athletic Director’s meetings. The Vice-President shall be chairperson of all major ad hoc sport committees, be responsible for updating relevant sections of the policy manual and By-Law’s and for completing other duties assigned by the President.
Section 4: It shall be the duty of the Secretary to keep accurate minutes of the proceedings of Conference meetings. It shall be the responsibility of the Secretary to distribute on a yearly basis the corrected, updated and/or amended By-Laws and Constitution. The Secretary shall be responsible for sending all Conference correspondence to the Principals and Athletic Directors of each member PIAA high school.
Section 5: It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to invoice and receive all fees, dues and assessments, endorse all vouchers, make all expenditures authorized by this Conference and to report at each scheduled meeting of the Conference the receipts, expenditures and the balance on hand.
Section 6: It shall be the duty of the Principal-at-large to preside over Conference meetings in the absence of the President.
Section 7: The officers of this Conference shall be reimbursed each spring in the amount set by Conference members.
Section 8: The officers of this Conference and the Principal-at-Large shall comprise the Executive Committee.
Section 9: The Conference shall elect an Assignor of Officials for each sport it sponsors and a Conference Statistician. The Principals or their designees will assign officials for the co-curricular activities as appropriate within their assigned activity.
Section 10: It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to rule upon all disputes arising in the Conference.
Section 1: Regular scheduled meetings of the Conference shall be held as follows: The second Wednesdays of August, December, March and May.
Section 2: The agenda is to be prepared by the Conference’s President and submitted to all representatives of the Conference one week prior to a regular scheduled meeting, and if possible, one week prior to a special meeting.
Section 3: Attendance at these meetings shall be limited to the Conference officers, the member PIAA high school Principals, Athletic Directors, Activity Directors and invited guests.
Section 4: Special meetings of this Conference may be called by two officers of the Conference or upon written request of at least three (3) member PIAA high schools.
Section 5: The order of business of this conference shall be:
1. Call to order
2. Reading of the minutes
3. Report of the Treasurer
4. Report of the committees
5. Unfinished business
6. New business
7. Election of officers
8. Appointment of committees
9. General discussion
10. Announcement of next regularly scheduled meeting date
11. Adjournment
Section 2: The agenda is to be prepared by the Conference’s President and submitted to all representatives of the Conference one week prior to a regular scheduled meeting, and if possible, one week prior to a special meeting.
Section 3: Attendance at these meetings shall be limited to the Conference officers, the member PIAA high school Principals, Athletic Directors, Activity Directors and invited guests.
Section 4: Special meetings of this Conference may be called by two officers of the Conference or upon written request of at least three (3) member PIAA high schools.
Section 5: The order of business of this conference shall be:
1. Call to order
2. Reading of the minutes
3. Report of the Treasurer
4. Report of the committees
5. Unfinished business
6. New business
7. Election of officers
8. Appointment of committees
9. General discussion
10. Announcement of next regularly scheduled meeting date
11. Adjournment
Section 1: Each member PIAA high school shall be entitled to one (1) vote by the Principal or his/her designated representative on all questions of debate at the meetings of this Conference. A roll call vote will be required when a decision is made on the expenditure of funds, amendments, additions/deletions/changes in Conference membership, and/or disbandment.
Section 2: At least 70.0% of the full membership of this Conference shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. With a quorum established and maintained, a simple majority is needed to approve any action taken, except those addressed elsewhere in this Constitution and By-Laws.
Section 3: Any member PIAA high school not participating in a given sport/activity shall not have the privilege of voting on questions relating to that sport/activity.
Section 4: Non-Conference or associate member schools may be granted the right to vote the Conference level on matters germane to their membership in a sport by a simple majority vote of the Principals.
Section 5: Abstaining shall be regarded as acquiescing to the action of the majority of the member PIAA high schools.
Section 2: At least 70.0% of the full membership of this Conference shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. With a quorum established and maintained, a simple majority is needed to approve any action taken, except those addressed elsewhere in this Constitution and By-Laws.
Section 3: Any member PIAA high school not participating in a given sport/activity shall not have the privilege of voting on questions relating to that sport/activity.
Section 4: Non-Conference or associate member schools may be granted the right to vote the Conference level on matters germane to their membership in a sport by a simple majority vote of the Principals.
Section 5: Abstaining shall be regarded as acquiescing to the action of the majority of the member PIAA high schools.
Article VI- Election of Officers
Section 1: The President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and Principal-at-Large shall be elected annually by the Principals or their designee at the regular scheduled spring meeting.
Section 1: All amendments to this Constitution must be submitted to the Secretary and/or President in writing.
Section 2: This Constitution may be amended by a 70.0% aye vote of the full membership of his Conference at a scheduled meeting.
Section 3: The proposed amendment must be read to the Conference members at two (2) consecutive scheduled meetings. Approval must be voted upon following the second (2nd) reading at a second (2nd) scheduled meeting.
Section 2: This Constitution may be amended by a 70.0% aye vote of the full membership of his Conference at a scheduled meeting.
Section 3: The proposed amendment must be read to the Conference members at two (2) consecutive scheduled meetings. Approval must be voted upon following the second (2nd) reading at a second (2nd) scheduled meeting.
Article VIII- Contests/Activities
Section 1: The rules of each contest/activity shall be those approved by the National Federation with PIAA exceptions or other governing bodies of said co-curricular activities.
Section 2: All members of this Conference are to refrain from giving out criticism for publication, either favorable or adverse, of any other school teams and to discourage as far as possible, unsportsmanlike behavior on the part of spectators at the contest/activity.
Section 3: The member PIAA high school having satisfied the requirement of the Conference for varsity championship status at the end of the completed season shall be awarded a standard trophy. In the case of a tie, duplicate trophies shall be awarded. Whenever a divisional format is used, trophies shall also be awarded to individual division champions.
Section 4: In case of a play-off, the sport’s chairman shall make arrangements with the approval of the Executive Committee.
Section 5: In case of a triple tie for first place, a bye shall be given to the team that has the best head-to-head record against the other teams. In the event of a tie situation in the head-to-head competition between the three teams, lot shall determine a bye. In either case, the bye team shall play the winner of the other two teams. Arrangements shall be made for all the above by the Executive Committee of the Lehigh Valley Interscholastic Athletic Conference.
Section 6: The net receipts from such playoffs as mentioned above shall go to the Conference.
Section 7: Whenever six (6) member PIAA high schools petition to compete in a sport/activity with each other, the Conference shall sponsor that sport/activity. Whenever the number of member PIAA high schools sponsoring a sport/activity become less than six (6), the Conference will discontinue sponsorship of said sport/activity.
Section 2: All members of this Conference are to refrain from giving out criticism for publication, either favorable or adverse, of any other school teams and to discourage as far as possible, unsportsmanlike behavior on the part of spectators at the contest/activity.
Section 3: The member PIAA high school having satisfied the requirement of the Conference for varsity championship status at the end of the completed season shall be awarded a standard trophy. In the case of a tie, duplicate trophies shall be awarded. Whenever a divisional format is used, trophies shall also be awarded to individual division champions.
Section 4: In case of a play-off, the sport’s chairman shall make arrangements with the approval of the Executive Committee.
Section 5: In case of a triple tie for first place, a bye shall be given to the team that has the best head-to-head record against the other teams. In the event of a tie situation in the head-to-head competition between the three teams, lot shall determine a bye. In either case, the bye team shall play the winner of the other two teams. Arrangements shall be made for all the above by the Executive Committee of the Lehigh Valley Interscholastic Athletic Conference.
Section 6: The net receipts from such playoffs as mentioned above shall go to the Conference.
Section 7: Whenever six (6) member PIAA high schools petition to compete in a sport/activity with each other, the Conference shall sponsor that sport/activity. Whenever the number of member PIAA high schools sponsoring a sport/activity become less than six (6), the Conference will discontinue sponsorship of said sport/activity.
Section 1: In the event that the Lehigh Valley Interscholastic Athletic Conference should disband by mutual agreement of the full membership of the Conference, all monies in the treasury, after all outstanding bills have been satisfied, shall be equally distributed among the member PIAA high schools in good standing at the time of disbandment.
Section 1: By-Laws are changed by at least a 70.0% aye vote of the full membership of the Conference at a scheduled meeting of the Conference.
Section 2: The “…at least a 70.0% aye vote…” Constitutional rule used in specific voting actions of the Conference mandates that all calculated fractional votes required for approval of said actions are rounded up to the next highest whole number, e.g. an eleven (11) member Conference would require eight (8) aye votes to satisfy the “…at least 70.0%…”
Section 3: “Robert’s Rules of Order – Parliamentary Procedure” is to be followed for any issue/action of the Conference not otherwise identified within this Constitution and By-Laws.
Section 2: The “…at least a 70.0% aye vote…” Constitutional rule used in specific voting actions of the Conference mandates that all calculated fractional votes required for approval of said actions are rounded up to the next highest whole number, e.g. an eleven (11) member Conference would require eight (8) aye votes to satisfy the “…at least 70.0%…”
Section 3: “Robert’s Rules of Order – Parliamentary Procedure” is to be followed for any issue/action of the Conference not otherwise identified within this Constitution and By-Laws.
Article XI- Violations of Lehigh Valley Interscholastic Athletic Conference
Section 1: Resolution – In the event that a violation of the Constitution and/or By-Laws of the Lehigh Valley Interscholastic Athletic Conference should occur, the Principals of the member PIAA high schools involved are to confer to resolve the issue in a professional manner within then (10) school days. Should the issue not be resolved to the satisfaction of all Principals involved, any Principal involved may appeal to the Lehigh Valley Interscholastic Athletic Conference Executive Committee for a redress of the grievance. A tournament or playoff director would report violations of the constitution, By-Laws, policy or individual sport/activity rules to the President of the Conference for appropriate action as described in this Section.
Section 2: Appeal Procedure – The aggrieved Principal will submit to the President of the Lehigh Valley Interscholastic Athletic Conference a letter stating the nature of the violation and a summary of actions taken to attempt to resolve the issue. The President of the Conference will send a copy of this letter to the Principals of all member PIAA high schools involved in the violation. Other Principals involved in the matter may, at their option, submit similar written statements to the Conference President and the other parties involved.
Section 3: Hearing Procedures – The Conference President, upon receiving an appeal letter concerning the violation of the Conference Constitution, By-Laws, policies or sport/activity rules will convene a special meeting of the Executive Committee. Principals of all member PIAA high schools in the Conference will receive copies of all related correspondence. The special meeting will be open to the Executive Committee, the Principal and the Athletic/Activity Director of the member PIAA high schools involved. The Lehigh Valley Interscholastic Athletic Conference President will direct the Executive Committee to hear alleged violations of the Lehigh Valley Interscholastic Athletic Conference policies, By-Laws or sport/activity rules. Should the Conference President be involved in the incident, the Vice-President will take over followed by the Secretary, then Treasurer until the chairperson is from an uninvolved school. Upon review of the incident, the decision of the Executive Committee will be binding and final. Any Executive Committee member directly involved in the disputes will be removed from the voting process. If the final vote of the Executive Committee results in a tie, the dispute will be brought to the entire Conference membership for a resolution by a majority vote.
Section 4: Conference Action – At its discretion, the Executive Committee may direct the Conference Secretary to send a “Letter of Censure and/or Probation” to the Principal of the offending member PIAA high school(s). Although other actions may be taken, should the situation warrant, a 100.0% aye vote of the remaining membership of the Conference would be necessary to remove the offending member PIAA high school form the Lehigh Valley Interscholastic Athletic Conference.
Section 2: Appeal Procedure – The aggrieved Principal will submit to the President of the Lehigh Valley Interscholastic Athletic Conference a letter stating the nature of the violation and a summary of actions taken to attempt to resolve the issue. The President of the Conference will send a copy of this letter to the Principals of all member PIAA high schools involved in the violation. Other Principals involved in the matter may, at their option, submit similar written statements to the Conference President and the other parties involved.
Section 3: Hearing Procedures – The Conference President, upon receiving an appeal letter concerning the violation of the Conference Constitution, By-Laws, policies or sport/activity rules will convene a special meeting of the Executive Committee. Principals of all member PIAA high schools in the Conference will receive copies of all related correspondence. The special meeting will be open to the Executive Committee, the Principal and the Athletic/Activity Director of the member PIAA high schools involved. The Lehigh Valley Interscholastic Athletic Conference President will direct the Executive Committee to hear alleged violations of the Lehigh Valley Interscholastic Athletic Conference policies, By-Laws or sport/activity rules. Should the Conference President be involved in the incident, the Vice-President will take over followed by the Secretary, then Treasurer until the chairperson is from an uninvolved school. Upon review of the incident, the decision of the Executive Committee will be binding and final. Any Executive Committee member directly involved in the disputes will be removed from the voting process. If the final vote of the Executive Committee results in a tie, the dispute will be brought to the entire Conference membership for a resolution by a majority vote.
Section 4: Conference Action – At its discretion, the Executive Committee may direct the Conference Secretary to send a “Letter of Censure and/or Probation” to the Principal of the offending member PIAA high school(s). Although other actions may be taken, should the situation warrant, a 100.0% aye vote of the remaining membership of the Conference would be necessary to remove the offending member PIAA high school form the Lehigh Valley Interscholastic Athletic Conference.