Since 1971!

Washington Post Article

Soccer on the Hill reunion brings back fond memories, published July 10, 2016

Brief History

By Mike Godec

All that are participating in Sports on the Hill programs and activities a carrying on the tradition of the many that have done this before you.

Soccer on the Hill was the brain child of Bryan Cassidy, a long time Capitol Hill Resident, and several others, modeled, at least in part, after Mr. Cassidy’s experience at the time during a sabbatical his family was on in Ireland. While there, his kids participated in some soccer activities, and Bryan thought that something like this would be a good thing to do on Capitol Hill. They wanted to provide some opportunities for Hill kids, so that families would choose to stay on the Hill. They started by organizing some soccer teams on the Hill.  At the time, they played their games “across the river” in Alexandria, and later, in DC on the mall, at the current location of the National Museum of the American Indian.

In the early 80s, so the SOTH mythology goes, as their numbers grew, they decided to start their own club. The name was a “spin-off” of sorts, of “Antiques on the Hill, a store that used to be across from Eastern Market, on the corner of 7th and North Carolina. In addition to kids on the Hill, they started reaching out to kids in other neighborhoods to participate as well.  

Soccer of the Hill was officially incorporated as a non-profit in June of 1980.  And the vision and values of the originally chartered organization have not changed from what they are today.

Over time, the programs grew, branching out into more teams, more age groups, and more programs. The program expanded to younger players under 6 years old, led by Patrick Coyne, who has now been doing it for nearly 30 years. Vera Sisolak and Mary Blakesley began organizing some girls’ teams, based on the Hill, to play in the Stoddert League in NW. And some of the older kids started playing in regional leagues, like the Suburban Friendship League – led today by Luis Granados.

Then, in the mid-1990s, led by a vision of expansion principally by Larry Kaufer, and organized almost exclusively by him, basketball programs were added, and shortly thereafter, a wrestling program.

And, for their long commitment of service to the Capitol Hill community, in 2016, Patrick Coyne, Greg Frane, Luis Granados, and Larry Kaufer where jointly awarded the Capitol Hill Community Achievement Award by the Capitol Hill Community Foundation.

BY-LAWS OF SPORTS ON THE HILL

ARTICLE I: NAME

The name of this Corporation shall be Sports on the Hill (“Corporation”)

ARTICLE II: PURPOSE AND STATUS

Section l.   Purpose. The purposes of this Corporation shall include, but not be limited to: (1) promoting and organizing youth sports activities in the District of Columbia, particularly in the Capitol Hill community, either on its own or in cooperation with the District of Columbia, other youth sports organizations, and other residents, as appropriate; and (2) collaborating with other organizations, as appropriate, to further the access, development and maintenance of youth sports athletic fields and programs in the District of Columbia.

Sports on the Hill is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, and public service purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future tax code. 

Section 2.   Nonprofit. The Corporation is nonprofit and shall not have or issue shares of stock or pay dividends.  The directors and officers shall serve in this capacity without compensation.

ARTICLE III: OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the Corporation, in furtherance of the purpose stated in Article II, shall be as follows:

1) To foster, promote, and advance the cause of youth sports in Washington, DC, especially in the Capitol Hill neighborhood.

(2) To instill a love of youth sports, with sportsmanship, learning, exercise, and enjoyment being primary;

(3) To seek the widest possible representation of boys and girls from all segments of the District of Columbia community and to make available scholarships to those who might otherwise be unable to participate;

(4)  To the extent possible and practical, to achieve balance among Sports on the Hill teams in terms of talent, ability, residence, school, etc.; and

(5) To engage in any lawful activity that may serve the interests of the community.

ARTICLE IV: BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Section 1.  Composition, Term, Removals and Vacancies. There shall be a Board of Directors consisting of a minimum of five (5) and a maximum of eleven (11) board members.  Directors shall be of adult age.  Directors need not be residents of the District of Columbia.  Each director shall serve for a term of three years, or until a successor is selected.  Candidates for membership on the Board shall be offered up by nomination of an existing Board member for Board approval.  All directors shall take an active role in the work of the Corporation and a director who has missed three or more consecutive meetings may be removed by a majority vote of the board members then sitting.  A director may be removed for any reason by a vote of two-thirds of the board members.  Any director may resign at any time by giving notice of resignation to any officer of the Board.  Vacancies may be filled at any time by a majority vote of board members.

Section 2.  Powers and Duties. The Board of Directors shall constitute the governing body of the Corporation.  The Board of Directors shall have all powers necessary to carry out the purpose of the Corporation as set forth in Article II and the objectives of the Corporation as set forth in Article III, including the general power to manage and control the business and affairs and property of the Corporation.  Except as otherwise provided in these by-laws, the Board of Directors shall manage the affairs of the corporation. The authority of the Board includes the following:

(1)   Enforcing the these by-laws;

(2)   Developing the overall policies and procedures of the organization;

(3)   Determining the activities conducted by the organization;

(4)   Settling all disputes and protests;

(5)   Overruling actions of any officer;

(6)   Establishing rules governing games, competitions and tournaments for all sports and activities of the organization, including scheduling;

(7)   Establishing other rules for the conduct of the organization’s activities, as appropriate, and;

(8)   Settling all fees, dues, and other assessments.

The Board shall have full power, by majority vote of all Board members, to adopt rules and regulations governing the action of the Board.  It shall have full and complete authority with respect to electing to accept, on behalf of the Corporation, any contribution, bequest, or devise and with respect to the distribution and payment of moneys or other donations received by the Corporation.  The Board of Directors does not have authority to amend or change the fundamental and basic purposes of the Corporation, as expressed in the Articles of Incorporation, or to permit any part of the net earnings or capital to inure to the benefit of any director or officer.  All directors shall have the same power and authority, and shall be entitled to one (1) vote.

Section 3.  Place of Meeting. The Board of Directors shall hold regular meetings at dates, times, and places determined by the Board. The President of the Board shall prepare an agenda, includes a Treasurer's report.

Section 4.  Annual and Regular Meetings Notice. Meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held at least four (4) times each year, at a reasonable time and place designated by the 

President.  The President may designate additional meeting dates.  One-third of the board members may, by written request, schedule additional meetings.   

A general meeting shall be held one time per year, at which all participants in the organizations programs and activities. The Board will decide on the date, time, and place of this Annual Meeting, which will be the annual meeting of the corporation. A quorum at a general meeting is 15 members. New directors are elected and other formal annual business conducted at this meeting.

Section 5.   Special Meetings Notice.  Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any time and place upon the call of the President or of any two (2) Directors. Written notice of the time, place and purpose of every special meeting of the Board of Directors shall be given at least seven (7) days before the meeting.  This notice may be given in writing, in person, by email, by telephone, or by any other reasonable method.

Section 6.  Waiver of Notice. Whenever by statute, the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or these By-Laws the Board of Directors is authorized to take any action after notice, such notice may be waived, in writing, before or after the holding of the meeting, by the directors entitled to such notice.  A director may, in writing, waive notice of any meeting of the Board of Directors either before or after the meeting, and such waiver shall be deemed the equivalent of giving notice.  Attendance of a director at a meeting shall constitute waiver of notice of that meeting, unless attendance is for the express purpose of objecting to the transaction of business because the meeting has not been lawfully called or convened.

Section 7.  Quorum: Adjournments of Meeting. One-third (1/3) of the total number of directors (but at least two (2) directors) shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business; but if at any meeting of the Board of Directors there shall be less than a quorum present, the directors present may adjourn the meeting until a quorum is obtained and at any such adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called. To the extent permitted by law, a resolution in writing, signed by all of the directors, shall be as valid as if it had been passed at a meeting of the directors duly called and constituted.  All transactions shall require the vote of the majority of the directors present and voting.

Section 8.  Informal Action.  If all the directors severally or collectively consent in writing to any action taken or to be taken by the Corporation, the action shall be as valid as though it had been authorized at a meeting of the Board of Directors.

 Section 9.   Attendance Electronically.  The board of directors may permit any or all directors to participate in a regular or special meeting by, or conduct the meeting through the use of, any means of communication by which all directors participating may simultaneously hear each other during the meeting.  A director participating in a meeting by this means shall be considered to be present in person at the meeting.

Section 10.  Compensation of Board Members.  No member of the Board of Directors shall receive any salary or compensation for their services as director.  No director shall receive any service or benefit not provided to the general public.  Upon compliance with applicable law, directors may receive reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses incurred while conducting authorized business on behalf of the Corporation.  No loans shall be made by the Corporation to any director.  Directors shall be entitled to receive reasonable fees for goods or services

 rendered to the corporation in capacities other than as members of the Board, as long as this is done in full knowledge and approval of the Board. 

Section 11.  Ex Officio and Advisory Directors. The Board of Directors may appoint to the Board such ex officio and advisory directors as the Board shall deem appropriate. Ex-officio and advisory directors shall not have the right to vote and shall not be counted for the determination of a quorum.

ARTICLE V: OFFICERS

Section 1.  Number and Qualifications. The officers of the Corporation shall be, at the minimum, a President, a Vice President, a Treasurer, and a Secretary.  The officers of the Corporation may also include such other officers, if any, as the Board of Directors may from time to time appoint.  Any person may hold two or more offices except that the President shall not also be Treasurer.

Section 2.   Election and Term of Office. The officers of the Corporation shall be chosen at the annual meeting of the Board of Directors; vacancies in officer positions may be filled by the Board of Directors at any duly called meeting provided that the notice of meeting discloses the filling of a vacancy as a purpose of the meeting.  Each office shall have a term of two (2) years. Terms of office shall begin on the first day of the next fiscal year and end on the last day of the appropriate fiscal year.

Section 3.  Removal. Any officer of the Corporation may be removed by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Board of Directors at a duly called meeting provided that the notice of meeting discloses the consideration of the removal of an officer as a purpose of the meeting.

Section 4.  President: Powers and Duties. The President shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors.  He or she shall have general supervision of the affairs of the Corporation.  He or she shall keep the Board of Directors fully informed, and shall freely consult with them concerning the activities of the Corporation.  He or she shall have the power to sign alone, unless the Board of Directors shall specifically require an additional signature, in the name of the Corporation all contracts authorized either generally or specifically by the Board.  He or she shall perform such other duties as shall from time to time be assigned by the Board of Directors.  The President, after consulting with the Board, shall appoint members to standing and ad hoc committees and shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.

Section 5.  Vice Presidents: Powers and Duties. The Vice President(s) shall have such powers and duties as may be assigned to them by the Board of Directors. In the absence or incapacity of the President, the Vice President, in the order designated by the Board of Directors, shall in general perform the duties of the President.

Section 6.  Secretary: Powers and Duties. The Secretary shall have charge of such books, documents and papers as the Board of Directors may determine; shall keep, or cause to be kept, a true and complete record of the meetings of the Board of Directors; shall give, or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of the directors.  Such books shall be open for inspection as provided by law.  The Secretary shall, in general, perform all the duties customarily incident to the office of secretary subject to the control of the Board of Directors and shall perform other duties as may from time to time be assigned by the Board of Directors.

Section 7.  Treasurer: Powers and Duties. The Treasurer shall have the custody of all funds and securities of the Corporation. He or she shall keep or cause to be kept full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements of the Corporation and shall deposit all moneys and other valuable effects of the Corporation in the name of and to the credit of the Corporation in such banks or depositories as the Board of Directors may designate. Corporate funds may be deposited only in banks or institutions which are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation.  Whenever required by the Board of Directors, the Treasurer shall render a statement of accounts and of the financial condition of the Corporation. He or she shall at all reasonable times exhibit the books and accounts to any officer or director of the Corporation, and shall perform all duties incident to the position of Treasurer subject to the control of the Board of Directors, and shall when required, give such security for the faithful performance of duties as the Board of Directors may determine.  He or she shall cause to be paid all obligations of the corporation approved by the Board.  Written checks shall require the signature of the Treasurer and one designated member of the Board. 

Section 10.  Salary.  The officers shall not receive any salary or compensation for their services as officer.  No officer shall receive any service or benefit not provided to the general public.  Upon compliance with applicable law, officers may be reimbursed for their out-of-pocket expenses incurred while conducting authorized business on behalf of the Corporation.  No loans shall be made by the Corporation to any officer. 

Section 11.  Annual Audit.  The Corporation shall require an annual audit of its accounts by a certified public accountant.

ARTICLE VI: STAFF

Section 1.  The Board may choose to appoint staff, as necessary and appropriate. In particular, the Board may choose to, but is not obligated to, appoint an Executive Director, who shall serve at the pleasure of the Board.  The Executive Director is responsible for administering the program of the Corporation. The Executive Director is accountable to the Board of Directors and shall work closely with the Board to fulfill its objectives.  The Executive Director, as authorized by the Board's fiscal policy, shall sign or delegate authority to sign checks and enter into agreements with the approval of the Board of Directors, which are necessary to carry out the objectives of the Corporation.  The Executive Director may hire other staff members as the Board of Directors authorizes.  The Executive Director shall hire, direct, and discharge all agents and employees, who shall have such authority and perform such duties as may be required to carry out the operations of the Corporation.  Any employee or agent may be removed at any time with or without cause.  The Executive Director shall be an ex officio member of the Board.  The Executive Director shall not be entitled to vote but shall be entitled to notice of and attendance at meetings, except those portions of a meeting at which matters directly relating to the Executive Director are discussed.

 Section 2. Compensation.  The Corporation may pay compensation in reasonable amounts to agents and employees for services rendered. The Board shall determine the level of compensation of the Executive Director, and shall approve compensation guidelines for other categories of employees. The Board may require officers, agents, or employees to give security for the faithful performance of their duties.

Section 3.  Hiring policies.  Hiring shall be conducted in full compliance with the Corporation's anti-discrimination policy.  The Corporation shall hire no employees who are members of the immediate family (spouse, grandparent, parent, brother or sister, son or daughter) of any member of the Board of Directors, or of any person who will supervise the employee.

ARTICLE VII: COMMITTEES

Section 1. Executive Committee. The Executive Committee shall be composed of the officers of the Corporation and other board members as a majority of the board shall designate. Those members of the Executive Committee who are voting directors shall be voting members and those members who are ex officio or advisory directors shall be advisory, non-voting members. Between meetings of the Board of Directors, the Executive Committee shall manage the affairs of the Corporation and have all of the authority of the Board of Directors. They shall meet as needed to plan for the Board's work and to fulfill tasks assigned to them by the Board. A majority of the voting members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business; but, if at any meeting of the Executive Committee there should be less than a quorum present, the members of the Executive Committee present may adjourn the meeting from time to time until a quorum is obtained and, at any such adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally called.

Section 2. Standing Committees. The Board may establish standing committees including: Finance, Fundraising, Volunteers, Newsletter, and Program and Publicity, and Nominating. The Executive Committee shall determine the responsibilities of each committee. The Board of Directors shall appoint such additional standing or special committees as it deems necessary. Committee chairpersons shall be appointed by the President, with the approval of the Executive Committee, for a term of two (2) years.  Directors may act as Chairpersons of Standing Committees.  Chairpersons who are not directors will provide periodic reports to the Board as requested.

Section 3. Ex-Officio and Advisory Committee Members. The President is an ex-officio member of all committees. By a majority vote of the subject committee and with the approval of the Executive Committee, other persons, regardless of membership on the Board, may be appointed as advisory members of any committee.

Section 4. General. The Board of Directors or the Executive Committee shall appoint individuals to serve as the members of each committee, designating, if necessary and appropriate, other individuals as alternate members who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of any member of any committee and any alternate members in place of the member, the members of the committee present at the meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not they constitute a quorum, may by unanimous vote, appoint another member to act at the meeting in the place of the absent or disqualified member.

Section 5. Conduct of Business. Each committee may determine the procedural rules for meeting and conducting its business and shall act in accordance therewith, except as otherwise provided herein or required by law.

ARTICLE IIX: CONTRACTS, CHECKS, BANK ACCOUNTS, INVESTMENTS, ETC.

Section 1. Checks, Notes, Contracts, Etc. The Board of Directors is authorized to select such depositories as it shall deem proper for the funds of the Corporation and shall determine who shall be authorized in the Corporation's behalf to sign bills, notes, receipts, acceptances, endorsements, checks, releases, contracts and documents.

Section 2. Investments. To the extent permitted by the laws of the District of Columbia, the funds of the Corporation may be retained in whole or in part in cash or be invested and reinvested from time to time in such property, real, personal or otherwise, or stocks, bonds or other securities, as the Board of Directors in its discretion may deem desirable.

Section 3. Budget and Annual Financial Statement.  The Board of Directors shall prepare and adopt a budget at its first meeting each year.  The Treasurer shall prepare an annual financial statement for distribution to members of the Board of Directors.

 Section 4. Fiscal Policy.  The Board of Directors shall adopt and from time to time review a fiscal policy setting out a formal procedure that shall govern internal controls for the signing of checks, the obligation of funds, the approval of contracts, leases, deeds and mortgages, and other significant aspects of the Corporation’s fiscal operation.  The fiscal policy shall assure that the Corporation shall have sound financial controls that are appropriate, under generally accepted accounting principles, to its size and purpose.

ARTICLE IX: OFFICE

The office of the Corporation shall be at such place in the District of Columbia as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine.

ARTICLE X: CORPORATE SEAL

The Corporation will not use a common seal.  The signature of the name of the Corporation by an authorized person shall be legal and binding.

ARTICLE XI: FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year of the Corporation shall commence on the 1st day of January each year and end on the 31st day of December. 

ARTICLE XII: AMENDMENTS

The articles of incorporation or the bylaws may be amended, supplemented or repealed by the affirmative vote of two-thirds of the directors present at any meeting at which a quorum is present.  Before directors may vote on an amendment to the articles of incorporation or the bylaws, notice must be given to directors of the proposed amendment at a prior meeting of the Board, and in no case less than 30 days before the amendment is to be considered.  These bylaws shall become effective upon approval by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XIII: PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY

All meetings shall be conducted according to Robert's Rules of order, as revised, except when in conflict with the bylaws or the laws of the District of Columbia.

ARTICLE XIV: DISSOLUTION

Upon dissolution, the net assets of the Corporation shall be distributed as set forth in the articles of incorporation.

ARTICLE XV: INDEMINIFICATION

To the full extent permitted by the law of the District of Columbia, the Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party to any civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative action, suit, or proceeding by reason of the fact that he/she is or was a director or officer of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director or officer of another corporation, against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement reasonably incurred by him/her in connection with such action, suit, or proceeding; and the Board may, at any time and in accordance with the law of the District of Columbia, approve indemnification of any other person which the Corporation has the power to indemnify under the law of the District of Columbia. The indemnification provided by this Article shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which a person may be entitled as a matter of law or by contract. The foregoing shall not apply to matters as to which any such person shall be adjudged in such action, suit, or proceeding to be liable for negligence or misconduct in the performance of a duty. The Corporation may purchase and maintain indemnification insurance for any person to the extent permitted by applicable law.

ARTICLE XVI: NO DISCRIMINATION

The Corporation shall not discriminate against any person in the hiring of personnel, election of board members, provision of service to the public, the contracting for or purchasing of services or in any other way, on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, disabling condition, age, or any other basis prohibited by law.  This policy against discrimination includes, but is not limited to, a commitment to full compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and any subsequent amendments to these statutes.

ARTICLE XVII: AFFILIATION WITH MARYLAND STATE YOUTH SOCCER ASSOCIATION (MSYSA)

Consistent with its membership with the Maryland State Youth Soccer Association (MSYSA), Sports on the Hill:

a)     Agrees to abide by all rules, policies and regulations of MSYSA, US Youth Soccer and US Soccer

b)     Will register all players, coaches and teams who participate in the organization’s programs with MSYSA and other U.S. Soccer members at least annually and pay the appropriate registration fees to comply with U.S. Soccer’s 100% affiliation rule.

Administrative

General Inquiries: sportsonthehill1@gmail.com

Mike Godec, President

703-577-2083; mgodec@adv-res.com

Chas Eberle    

Marty Smith, Treasurer/Webmaster

mwsmith13@gmail.com

Antonio Cabral

Zach Lowe

Steve Dwyer, Registrar