MONTANA CHRISTIAN ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION The name of this organization is the Montana Christian Athletic Association (MCAA). Article I: Purposes To provide an athletic association for local, autonomous Christian/church schools and home school associations. To teach Christian character through athletics. To Provide Christian young people fellowship and competition with other Christians. To promote each school s/association s spirit, unity and enthusiasm for the glory of God Article II: Statement of Faith We believe in and unqualifiedly affirm: The inspiration of the Bible, equally in all parts and without error in its origin. The one God, eternally existent Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who created man by a direct immediate act. The pre-existence, incarnation, virgin birth, sinless life, and miracles, substitutionary death, bodily resurrection, ascension to Heaven and second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. The fall of man, the need of regeneration by the operation of the Holy Spirit on the basis of grace through faith and the resurrection of all; to life or damnation. The spiritual relationship of all believers by the Lord Jesus Christ, living a life of righteous works, separated from the world, witnessing of His saving grace through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Article III: Membership III.A. All schools/associations planning to enter the MCAA must fill out and sign an application prior to the annual meeting and affirming agreement with the statement of faith and constitution and bylaws. III.B. All schools/associations will be admitted on probation by a two-third (2/3) majority vote of members present at the Annual Spring Meeting. III.C. Each member school/association is entitled to one (1) vote per school/association in all general meetings. III.D. Each member school/association will be assessed a fee, as specified in the By-laws. Article IV: Election of Officials and Board of Directors IV.A. Each elected official must be a coach, administrator or Pastor participating in the MCAA three (3) years or more. IV.B. The elected officials of the MCAA are: IV.B.1. A Board of Directors composed of the following: IV.B.1.a. A President elected for a one-year term by a majority of representatives of member schools/associations present at the Annual Spring Meeting. IV.B.1.b. The outgoing President of the MCAA who will remain on the Board for one (1) year in an advisory capacity. IV.B.1.c. The Directors, who shall be elected to a one-year term of office, serve as representatives from the Eastern and Western regions of the MCAA. Each region shall be allowed one (1) Director. 1
IV.C. Directors shall be elected by member schools/associations present at the Annual Spring Meeting. IV.D. If, for any reason the President is unable to continue to perform his duties, the Board of Directors will elect, from among its own members, an interim President until the next Annual Spring Meeting, to perform the duties of President. IV.E. The Board of Directors shall appoint a secretary. Article V: Rules of Conduct V.A. Membership schools/associations must abide by the purposes of the MCAA and its statement of faith. V.B. Resolving disputes V.B.1. In the spirit of Matthew 18, disputes should be addressed between the individuals involved. V.B.2. If the matter is unresolved it shall be taken to the regional representative. V.B.3. If the matter is still unresolved then the Board of Directors shall make the final decision. V.C. All schools/associations/individuals are subject to disciplinary action by the board which shall include probation, forfeiture of games, ineligibility, suspension and even dismissal from the MCAA. All penalties are subject to summary judgment except dismissal from the league which shall be done with due process at the Annual Spring Meeting and with three-fourths (3/4) majority roll call vote of all members. Appeals and re-admission to the league will be set out in the Bylaws. (Amended 4/25/08) Article VI: Amending the Constitution The Constitution may be amended by a two-third (2/3) majority vote of members present at the Annual Spring Meeting. Notification of proposed changes shall be presented to member schools/associations three (3) weeks prior to the said meeting. 2
MONTANA CHRISTIAN ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION BY-LAWS Article I: Responsibilities of Board of Directors and President 1.A. PRESIDENT 1.A.1. Scheduling games and tournaments. 1.A.2. Handling of treasurer s duties. 1.A.3. Acting as Chairman of all MCAA meetings. 1.A.4. Settling disputes concerning the interpretation of rules or events sponsored by the MCAA. 1.A.5. Notifying member schools/associations of proposed Constitution or by-law changes prior to the Meeting. 1.B. BOARD OF DIRECTORS 1.B.1. Assisting the President in his duties and responsibilities. 1.B.2. Handling problems concerning rules of conduct in accordance with Article V of the MCAA Constitution. 1.B.3. Receiving application for prospective schools, seeking input from the member schools/ associations in his region. 1.B.4. Consequences that may be imposed by the board include: 1.B.4.a. Forfeiture of games 1.B.4.b. Probation for the sport 1.B.4.c. Probation for the organization 1.B.4.d. Suspension from the league Article II: Operating Procedures 2.A. Membership fees are per sport per year determined by majority vote of those present at the annual meeting. 2.B. If a school/association fails to field any teams in a given year they must pay a membership fee equivalent to the fee for one sport to keep their membership in the MCAA current. 2.C. Member schools/associations shall not belong to State High School Associations. 2.D. UNIFORMS ~ please keep modesty in mind when ordering uniforms. 2.D.1. Must meet MHSA minimum requirements 2.D.2. Spandex (bike shorts, etc.) will not be allowed except as an under- garment. 2.E. LEAGUE OFFICIATING The MCAA should use the best officials or referees possible. These officials are expected to be MOA officials. However, in a case where these officials are unavailable, each school/association is responsible to obtain the best officials possible. Officials must wear official shirts. Officials must not be related to a player in the game. 2.F. PROBATION 2.F.1. When a school/association joins the MCAA they will be on probation for their first year (member schools/associations must play the new teams within their region during their probationary 3
year). 2.F.2. If a team qualifies for a state tournament, said qualification being the top four (4) teams in each division, and does not participate that team will be on probation for the following year. 2.F.3. If a school/association does not field any teams in a given year and do not pay their membership fee they will be on probation the following year. 2.F.4. Teams on probation are not eligible for state tournament play, unless they are asked by the Board of Directors to fill in a vacant spot. 2.F.5. Schools/Associations on probation must pay the dues equal to the fee for each sport that they participate in. 2.F.6. A two-third (2/3) majority of members present at the Annual Spring Meeting is required to grant full membership. 2.F.7. If Schools/Associations on probation do not receive a two-third (2/3) majority vote, they will remain on probation and their deficiencies will be provided to them in writing. Article III: Annual Meetings 3.A. The annual meeting will be held on the fourth (4 th ) Friday in April. 3.B. All schools/associations must be notified of the date and time of the meeting three (3) weeks in advance. 3.C. A three-week (21-day) notice of changes in the Constitution must be issued. Article IV: Change of by-laws 4.A. A two-third (2/3) majority vote by member schools/associations present at the annual spring meeting can change the by-laws. Article V: Rules to be used for MCAA sports 5.A. ATHLETE ELIGIBILITY 5.A.1. Age and Graduation 5.A.1.a. No student is eligible to participate in the MCAA who has turned 19 on or before August 31 st of that school year. A student who is ineligible by reason of this age rule may seek a waiver from the MCAA under the following conditions and procedures. The student, his/her school, parent/guardian or other representative shall submit a written application for a waiver at least sixty (60) days prior to the first activity for which he/she seeks the waiver. It will be the burden of the student to prove that he/she does not create a safety risk to other players, that he/she has limited himself/herself to four (4) years of participation at the high school level, that his/her participation will not result in the exclusion of other eligible players, and that he/she meets all other criteria necessary for participation in MCAA activities. The Board of Directors is vested with the authority and responsibility to make the waiver determination. In making this determination, the Board shall consider such evidence as provided by the applicant and is vested with the authority to request additional information, as well as to make independent investigation of the facts. 5.A.1.b. No student is eligible to participate in the MCAA who has received a GED. 5.A.1.c. No student is eligible to participate in the MCAA who has gone through a graduation ceremony. 5.A.2 Student athletes are allowed to participate in the MCAA at the High School level for four (4) years. (Amended 4/8/11) 5.A.2.a. An extension of a fifth (5 th ) year of participation will be granted to those students who are in the eighth (8 th ) grade and participation at the high school level. The Board of Directors must be 4
informed in writing of such participation. (Amended 4/8/11) 5.A.2.b. Seventh (7 th ) grade student athletes are allowed to participate in the MCAA at the High School level only when the total athlete participation is below the following numbers: Soccer 12; Volleyball 9; Basketball 10, without losing a year of eligibility. The Board must be informed in writing of such participation. (Amended 4/8/11) 5.A.2.c. Seventh (7 th ) grade student athletes are allowed to participate in the MCAA at a Sub-Varsity High School level without losing a year of eligibility. The Board must be informed in writing of such participation. (Amended 4/25/08) 5.A.3. Any student who is not in full-time attendance at an MCAA member school/association, must have Board approval. A written request for a Board ruling must be made prior to participation. 5.A.4. The Board of Directors shall have the authority to rule on athlete eligibility not defined above in Parts 1, 2, and 3 of Article 5, Section A. 5.B. MCAA ATHLETIC PARTICIPATION (Amended 4/25/08) 5.B.1. Players must play for the respective team in their geographic area. 5.B.2. Girls play girls sports and boys play boys sports. 5.B.3. A home school student may play on a local Christian school team if the athlete takes three (3) classes during the athletic season at that school. 5.B.4. A student with no program available to him/her may participate with another program with board approval. 5.B.5. Existing MCAA member schools without enough students to participate in the current sport may combine with another church school/association. But only with MCAA Board approval. 5.B.6. In consideration of items 4 and 5 (in this section) and in recognition of the commitments and relationships established by players who have previously served on teams, other than their own school as permitted by the MCAA, the decision of how to handle grandfathering of these athletes be left up to the member associations involved. (Amended 4/25/08) 5.C. COMPETITION RULES 5.C.1. Soccer Montana High School Association Rules shall be used inside the framework of an eight-man game. (Amended 4/8/11) 5.C.2. Volleyball - Montana High School Association Rules. 5.C.3. Basketball (Boy s & Girl s) Montana High School Association Rules. Amended and Adopted: April 22, 2004; April 23, 2005; April 27, 2007; April 25, 2008; April 8, 2011 5