USADTF Bylaws
Table of Contents
Article I
Name

The name of this corporation shall be the United States of America Deaf Track & Field, Inc. The acronym "USADTF" shall be used for the purpose of brevity or for use in a logotype.
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Article II
Definitions

As used in these by-laws:
(a) - "USADSF" means United States of America Deaf Sports Federation;
(b) - "CISS" means Comite International des Sports des Sourdes;
(c) - "IAAF" means International Amateur Athletic Federation;
(d) - "IOC" means International Olympic Committee;
(e) - "USATF" means United States of America Track and Field;
(f) - "USOC" means United States Olympic Committee;
(g) - "Active Athlete" means any individual who is actively engaged in the sport of Track & Field or who has represented the United States in International amateur Track & Field competition held under CISS and IAAF jurisdiction in the sport of Track & Field within the preceding 10 years;
(h) - "Amateur Athlete" means any athlete who meets the eligibility standards established by this Association for the sport of Track & Field;
(i) - "Amateur Athletic Competition" means a contest, game, meet, match, tournament, or other event in which amateur athletes compete;
(j) - "Amateur Sports Organization" means a not-for-profit corporation, club, federation, union, association, or other group organized in the United States which sponsors or arranges any amateur track & field competition;
(k) - "Track and Field" means, inclusively, track and field, long distance running, cross country running, road running, race walking and any other sports discipline recognized by either the CISS or the IAAF;
(l) - "Board" means the Executive of Board of this Association;
(m) - "Association" means the USADTF;
(n) - "International Amateur Athletic Competition" means any amateur athletic competition involving athletes from two (2) or more countries;
(o) - "International Sanction" means a certification of approval issued by authority of this Association permitting an amateur competition involving athletes of two (2) or more countries;
(p) - "Past Chairperson" means the person (notwithstanding the fact that he or she may also be the current Chairperson) who served as Chairperson during the last term of a committee;
(q) - "Sanction" means a certificate of approval issued by authority of this Association and USATF.
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Article III
Purposes

The purposes of this Association are to act as the national governing body of the sport of track and field in the United States, and to act as the USADSF member in the United States. In connection with such purposes, this Association shall:
(a) - Develop interest and participation throughout the United States and be responsible to the persons and amateur sports organizations active in the sport of track and field;
(b) - Minimize, through coordination with other sports organizations, conflicts in the scheduling of all practices and competitions in the sport of track and field;
(c) - Keep amateur athletes active in the sport of track and field informed of policy matters and reasonably reflect the views of such athletes in the policy decisions of the Association;
(d) - Sanction amateur athletic competition in track and field in accordance with the provisions of these by-laws;
(e) - Provide for participation by amateur athletes in amateur competition in the sport of track and field;
(f) - Provide equitable support and encouragement for participation by women in the sport of track and field;
(g) - Provide and coordinate technical information on physical training, equipment design, coaching, and performance analysis in the sport of track and field;
(h) - Encourage and support research, development, and dissemination of information in the areas of sports medicine and sports safety in the sport of track and field;
(i) - Encourage open competition between amateur athletes and other athletes, to the extent permitted by the CISS and/or IAAF.
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Article IV
Authority Of This Association

This Association shall be the national governing body for the sport of track and field in the United States, and shall exercise the following powers:
(a) - Represent the United States in the USADSF;
(b) - Establish national goals and encourage the attainment of those goals in the sport of track and field in the United States;
(c) - Serve as coordinating body for amateur athletic activity in the sport of track and field in the United States;
(d) - Exercise jurisdiction over international amateur athletic activities and sanction international amateur athletic competition held in the United States and sanction the sponsorship of international amateur athletic competition held outside the United States in the sport of track and field, in accordance with the provision of the by-laws;
(e) - Conduct amateur athletic competition in the sport of track and field including national championships and international amateur athletic competition in the United States, and establish procedures for the determination of eligibility standards for participation in such competitions, expect for restricted competition referred to in the provision below;
(f) - Recommend to the USADSF individuals and teams to represent the United States at the Deaflympics in the sport of track and field;
(g) - Designated individuals and teams to represent the United States in international amateur athletic competition (other than the Deaflympics) in the sport of track and field and certify, in accordance with rules of the CISS and the IAAF, the eligibility of such individuals and teams; provided that any amateur sports organization which conducts amateur competition, participation in which is restricted to a specific class of amateur athletes (such as high school students, college students, or similar groups or categories), shall have exclusive jurisdiction over such competition. If such an amateur sports organization wishes to conduct international amateur athletic competition to be held in the United States or sponsor international amateur athletic competition to be held outside the United States, it shall obtain a sanction from this Association as herein provided. This Association shall be autonomous in its governance of the sport of track and field in that it independently shall determine and control all matters central to such governance, shall not delegate such determination and control, and shall be free from outside restraint. This provision shall not be construed as preventing this Association from contracting with third parties for administrative assistance and support in connection with its purposes.
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Article V
Constituency Of This Association
(a) - Association. The basic constituency of the Association shall consist of Association organized into mutually exclusive geographic areas of the United States and its possessions, the membership of which is open (1) to any amateur athlete, coach, trainer, manager, administrator, official or other individual residing within the geographic area of the Association in question and active or interested in the sport of track and field, and (2) to any bona fide amateur sports organization organized within the geographic area of the Association in question which regularly sponsors or arranges programs or competitions in the sport of track and field. The Associations recognized by this Association, and the geographic boundaries of each such Association, are set forth in these by-laws.
(b) - Amateur Sport Organization. The constituency of this Association shall also consist of those amateur sports organizations which conduct, in the sport of track and field, on a level of proficiency appropriate for the selection of amateur athletes to represent the United States in international amateur athletic competition, a national program or regular national amateur athletic competition, and have the managerial and financial capability of holding a national championship. The amateur sports organizations recognized by this Association as conducting the requisite national program or competition in the sport of track and field is set forth in these by-laws.
(c) - Other Constituencies. The constituency of this Association shall consist of the following: (1) other non-club amateur sports organizations, the purpose of activities of which involve or are related to the sport of track and field and the track and field -oriented membership and programs of which are national in scope; and (2) organizations whose memberships consists of coaches or officials in the sport of track and field and the membership of which is national in scope;
(d) - Other Membership Classes. There shall exist within the Association the following classes of membership in addition to those listed above:

(1) Affiliate. This class of membership shall be open to any bona fide national non-profit organization of association (a) the purposes or activities of which involve or are related to the sport of track and field, and (b) the membership of which is national in scope.
(2) Sustaining. This class of membership shall be open to certified officials, coaches, trainers, or any other individuals or business organizations, which support the sport of track and field.
(3) Life. This class of membership shall be open to any individual who supports the sport of track and field and wishes to become a member of this Association for his or her lifetime.

In this case of each of the foregoing classes of membership, application shall be made to the Secretary of this Association. Such application shall set forth the qualities of the applicant and shall be referred to the Membership Committee, which Committee shall review and make its recommendation to the Board for action. The Board shall make final decision on applications.
Members referred to in this paragraph shall be entitled to notice of meetings, and may attend the meetings of the Association with voice but without vote. Without approval of the Board, such members shall not be entitled to use the name or logo of this Association.
(e) - Dues. Individual members recognized by this Association shall, at or before each annual meetings of this Association, pay annual dues as determined by the Association. In order to be eligible for consideration for: a Deaflympics, an International Team, a United States Team; the member must be a member in good standing.
(f) - Suspension and Expulsion. Any individual member recognized by this Association who violates any of the provisions of these by-laws, or any operation policy of this Association approved by the Board may, after due notice and an opportunity to be heard before the Board, be suspended by the Board until the next meeting of the Association, to which meeting said action of suspension shall be reported by the Secretary. At such meeting, the suspension may be removed, by a majority vote of the delegates to this Association, may be expelled, by a two-thirds vote of the delegates.
(g) - Association Boundaries. Association boundaries are defined in USADSF by-laws. Any request for a change in the geographical boundary of any Association shall be done in accordance with USADSF regulations. The proposed amendment shall include (1) description of the change in boundaries, (2) reasons why the proposed change will better service the area involved, and (3) a list of athletes and clubs from the area affected who support the change.
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Article VI
Delegates And Their Selection To Meetings Of This Association
The following persons shall be entitled to participate, as voting delegates, at each annual or special meeting of this Association;
(a) - The officers and members of the Board of Directors of this Association.
(b) - Four (4) delegates named by this Association, that are either athletes, coaches, officials or trainers.
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Article VII
Meetings Of This Association
The annual meeting of this Association shall be held annually, at such date, time, and place as may be fixed by this Association, upon recommendation from its Board or its designated representative, and announced by requested notice of such meeting. The Board shall hold special meetings of this Association upon call. The Secretary shall give each certified delegate, and each of the organizations or individuals referred to in Article 6 (a), (b), at least six (6) weeks' written notice of all meetings of this Association, such notice to specify the time and place of the meeting and (in case of a special meeting) the purpose of the meeting.
(a) - Order of Business. At meetings of this Association, business shall be conducted as follows:
    (1) - Roll call;
    (2) - Reading and acceptance of minutes of preceding meeting;
    (3) - Treasurer's report;
    (4) - Report of officers;
    (5) - Reports of Special committees;
    (6) - Unfinished business;
    (7) - New Business; and
    (8) - Adjournment.

(b) - Resolutions. Unless waived by a majority vote at the meeting, resolutions to be acted on by this Association must be submitted to the Secretary and President, at least 60 days prior to such meeting.
(c) - Rules of Order. The President in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order (newly revised) shall decide the questions of order, unless otherwise provided in these by-laws. The President shall designate a qualified Parliamentarian for all meetings of this Association.
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Article VIII
Voting In This Association
(a) - The President and Secretary shall oversee all elections and balloting of this Association.
(b) - Each member shall have one (1) vote.
(c) - At Board meetings all members will have one (1) vote, the President being a non-voting member of the Executive Board shall only vote in case of a tie.
(d) - Motions and Resolutions shall generally be by show of hands. A roll call vote or if specifically requested, a written ballot shall be taken instead of a show of hands.
(e) - Uncontested elections. When only one (1) candidate or site is nominated, a hand vote shall be permitted.
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Article IX
Officers And Executive Board
(a) - The officers of this Association shall be: the President, the Treasurer, and the Secretary to be elected every four (4) years starting from the year after the Deaflympics. There shall be no order of succession to any office. In the event an officer resigns or is unable to serve, a committee shall be named by the President to name a successor for the unexpired portion of his or her term. No person shall serve in the same office for more than two (2) successive four (4) year terms unless due to special circumstances, where upon the Executive Board may vote for additional terms as it sees necessary.
(b) - At least two (2) of the officers must be deaf.
(c) - Any officer of this Association may be removed for a good cause by a majority vote of delegates of this Association.
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Article X
Executive Board Members
The Executive Board shall consist of: the (3) Officers; (1) National Coaches Rep; two (2) athletes from previous Deaflympic Games (M/F); two (2) Members at large.
(a) - Twenty percent of the Executive Board shall be athletes.
(b) - Any Executive Board member of this Association may be removed for good cause by a majority vote of the delegates of this Association.
(c) - Fifty-one percent (51%) of the Executive Board must be deaf.

Roles of the Executive Board Members:
National Coaches Representative: This person should be a member of any previous Deaflympic Games. His/her role is to reach out to all of USADTF Member coaches. Encourage coaches in general to participate in level 1 and 2 schools. Write articles for the USADTF E-News. Consult with the board on issues that requires their attention for improvement.

Athletes Representatives: There will be a male and a female representative. They should be a member of the previous Deaflympic Games. Their role is to reach out to all of USADTF member athletes. Write articles for the USADTF E-News; develop a rapport with each member of the Deaflympics Track & Field team. Consult with the board on issues that requires their attention for improvement.

Members-at-large: Those representatives will work on project to project basis which will be specifically instructed by the President. Their role is also considered as a consultant to the board on all kinds of issues.

Aside from the Executive Board members, we also have Emeritus Members; they are selected based on their years of dedication to the USA Deaf Track & Field organization.
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Article XI
Composition Of Administrative And Special Committees
(a) - The President of USADTF shall pick the committee members and appoint a chairperson of said committees.
(b) - Special committees shall be formed at the discretion of the President.
(c) - The President of USADTF shall pick the committees members and appoint chairperson of the committees.
(d) - Special committees shall be dismissed as the President feels that the committee has completed its task.
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Article XII
Internal Grievance Procedure
(a) - Any member of this Association may file a written grievance in the form of a complaint with the Secretary, within fifteen (15) days, pertaining to any matter within the cognizance of this Association and/or alleging a violation of any provision of these by-laws or Operating Regulations. At the time of filing, a copy of the compliant shall be sent to the President.
(b) - Each complaint shall be signed under oath and shall allege with particularity the nature of the grievance and/or each claimed violation by reference to specific sections thereof, stating in concise factual allegations shall be set forth in numbered paragraphs, each paragraph containing a single factual allegation.
(c) - Upon receipt of a complaint, the Secretary shall refer it to the Standing Committee for the sport involved or in the case of more general grievances or complaints, to the Executive Board. Every effort will be made to resolve the complaint at this level through informal means.
(d) - In the event that the member filing a compliant is not satisfied with the resolution of the matter by informal methods, he/she may request a hearing, whereupon the President shall, within fifteen (15) days, appoint a panel, consisting of three (3) members of the Executive Board, none of whom shall have in interest in the subject matter of the complaint to hear evidence, making findings of fact, and adjudicate the issues raised. At least 20 percent (20%) of the Executive Board members appointed shall be active athletes. The appointment shall include the designation of one (1) of the selectees as the chairperson.
(e) - Fair notice and an opportunity for a hearing shall be accorded to any amateur athlete, coach, trainer, manager, administrator, or official before this Association declares such individual ineligible to participate in any amateur athletic competition.
(f) - At any hearing conducted pursuant to paragraph (d) of the Article, all interested parties shall have the right to counsel, to present evidence in support or in opposition to the complaint, to cross-examine witnesses, and to present such factual or legal claims as will support their positions. A summarized record of the proceedings shall be made by the hearing panel. The rules of evidence shall not be strictly enforced; instead, rules of evidence that are generally accepted in administrative proceedings shall be applicable. The hearing panel shall expeditiously conduct the hearing and report its findings of fact and conclusions in writing to the Association and all interested parties.
(g) - The decision of the hearing panel may be appealed to the Association by written notice to the President by certified mail within fifteen (15) days from the receipt of the decision.
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Article XIII
Suspension And Expulsion
(a) - This Association shall have the power (1) to suspend for a definite or indefinite period, or (2) to expel a member, delegate, athlete, coach, manager, official, or member of any committee who by neglect or by conduct (1) acts in a manner detrimental to the purposes of this Association and amateur sports, or (2) has violated any of the by-laws, Operating Regulations, or Rules of Competition of this Association, or (3) has violated the rules of eligibility as defined by the CISS, USADSF, and Deaflympics.
(b) - Between the meetings of this Association, the President shall have the authority to exercise the powers recognized in paragraph (a) of this Article.
(c) - Before exercising its authority under this Article, this Association or it President must notify, in writing, the person or organization involved of any alleged infringement of rules of good conduct, and in order to afford an opportunity to be heard in a swift and equitable manner.
(d) - A person or organization previously suspended or expelled may file an Application for Reinstatement with the Secretary (with a cope to the President) which shall state in detail the reasons advanced for reinstatement, at which time the Association may reinstate said person or organization.
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Article XIV
Sanctions For Amateur Athletic Competitions
(a) - The sanctioning policy of this Association for international amateur athletic competition in track and field shall be as follows: If this Association does not determine by clear and convincing evidence that holding or sponsoring an international amateur athletic competition would be detrimental to the best interest of the sport, this Association shall promptly grant a sanction requested by an amateur sport organization or person:
    (1) - To hold an international amateur athletic competition, if such amateur sports organization or person -
      (i) - pays to this Association any required sanctioning fee, if such fee is reasonable and nondiscriminatory;
      (ii) - demonstrates that -
        a. appropriate measures have been taken to protect the amateur status of athletes who will take part in the competition and to protect their eligibility to compete in amateur competition,
        b. appropriate measures have been made for the validation of records which may be established during the competition,
        c. due regard has been given to any international amateur athletic requirements specifically applicable to the competition,
        d. the competition will be conducted by qualified officials,
        e. proper medical supervision will be provided for athletes who will participate in the competition,
        f. proper safety precautions have been taken to protect the personal welfare of the athletes and spectators at the competition; and
      (iii) - submits to this Association an audited or notarized financial report of similar events, if any, conducted by the amateur sports organization or person; or
    (2) - To sponsor United States amateur athletes to compete in international amateur athletic competition held outside the United States, if such amateur sports organization or person -
      (i) - pays to this Association any required sanctioning fee, if such fee is reasonable and nondiscriminatory;
      (ii) - demonstrates that -
        a. appropriate measures have been taken to protect the amateur status of athletes who will take part in the competition and to protect their eligibility to compete in amateur competition,
        b. appropriate provision have been made for the validation of records which may be established during the competition,
        c. due regard has been given to any international amateur athletic requirements specifically applicable to the competition,
        d. the competition will be conducted by qualified officials,
        e. proper medical supervision will be provided for athletes who will participate in the competition,
        f. proper safety precautions have been taken to protect the personal welfare of the athletes and spectators at the competition; and
      (iii) - submits to this Association an audited or notarized financial report of similar events, if any, conducted by the amateur sports organization or person.

(b) - If a member of this Association, or member of affiliate of an Association of USADTF, proposes to sponsor an amateur athletic competition (international or domestic) to be held in the United States, and has certified in writing and demonstrated to this Association that it has and will conform to the standards set forth in subsection (a), it shall, upon notifying this Association for such competition without further submission, subject to coordination of scheduling of competitions through the Association, unless this Association determines, by clear and convincing evidence, that the competitions would be detrimental to the best interest of the sport.
(c) - If an amateur sports organization or other person proposes to sponsor United States athletes in international amateur athletic competition to be held outside the United States, or to sponsor amateur athletic competition to be held in the United States other than that referred to in subsection (b), it shall seek and obtain a sanction from this Association pursuant to the provisions of subsection (a), provided that the requirements of this Article shall be subjected to the proviso of Article 4 of by-laws relating to restricted competition.
(d) - International competitions held in the United States shall held only after notification to the Association.
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Article XV
Opportunity To Participate In Certain International Amateur Athletic Competitions
(a) - No Association or amateur sports organization recognized by this Association may deny or threaten to deny any amateur athlete the opportunity to compete in the Olympic Games, Deaflympic Games for such protected competitions as defined in the USOC Constitution form time to time, nor may any school Association or amateur sports organization, subsequent to such competition, censure or otherwise penalize (1) any athlete who participate in such competition, or (2) any organization which the athlete represents. This Association shall, by all lawful means at its disposal, protect the right of an amateur athlete representing the United States in any of the aforesaid competitions.
(b) - Any amateur athlete who alleges that he or she has been denied by an Association or amateur sports organization a right established in paragraph (a) of this Article, shall immediately inform the President, who shall cause an investigation to be made and steps to be taken to settle the controversy without delay. If the President is unable to settle the controversy, he/she shall refer the matter promptly to the Chairperson of the USADSF, for action under Article IX of the USOC Constitution. By maintaining membership in the Association each recognized Association and amateur sports organization agrees that any such aforesaid controversy may be dealt with in accordance with foregoing.
(c) - Any amateur athletes, who alleges that he or she has been denied (whether or not by an Association or amateur sports organization), an opportunity to compete in any amateur athletic competition in track and field (other than restricted competition referred to in the proviso to Article 4 of these by-laws), shall immediately inform the President, who shall consult with the President of USADSF to determine whether the situation appears to be of sufficient seriousness and relevance to the obligations and responsibilities of this Association to warrant action by this Association in support of the athlete's claim. In the event that action by this Association appears to be warranted, the matter will be promptly referred to the Board, which will decide the nature and the extent of the action to be taken in each case.
(d) - The rights granted to athletes under this Article shall apply equally to any coach, trainer, manager, administrator or other official seeking to participate in the conduct of the international amateur athletic competitions designated, or referred to in paragraph (a).
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Article XVI
Fiscal And Legal Matters
(a) - The fiscal year of this Association is from January 1 to December 31.
(b) - Corporate bonds shall be obtained at the expense of this Association in a form and amount approved by the Association, indemnifying this Association against losses resulting, defalcation or misappropriation of officers, employees, or agents of funds, property or assets owned by or under the control of this Association.
(c) - The Association shall, from time to time as necessary, designate depositories for the funds, property, and assets belonging to or under the control of this Association.
(d) - Funds on deposit in banks can be withdrawn only by voucher check upon the signature of the Treasurer. Other asset or property of this Association may be transferred from one depository to another by action of the Board.
(e) - The Board, effective at the beginning of each fiscal year, the USADSF shall audit the books and financial records of this Association for the ensuing year. After completing the audit, the auditor shall submit this report to the Association, and as soon thereafter as reasonably possible, a copy of such audit report shall be available for each member of this Association before the next meeting.
(f) - All contracts, not in the ordinary course of affairs of this Association, shall be examined and approved for form by the Secretary of this Association, prior to execution.
(g) - The contents of all contracts affecting Standing Sports Committees shall, during their negotiation phase, be communicated to the appropriate committees.
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