Responsibilities of Membership in the United States Soccer Federation

General Responsibilities

Each Organizational Member must do the following:

State Association Responsibilities

All state associations shall meet the following requirements and have them as a part of the governing documents of their respective state association:

	Membership must be open to any soccer players, coaches, trainers, managers, administrators and officials not under suspension, and to any amateur soccer organization in its territory.
	Will not discriminate against any individual on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex or national origin.
	The Federation articles of incorporation, bylaws, policies and requirements take precedence over and supercede the governing documents of and decisions of the State Association and its members to the extent applicable under the law, and the State Association and its members will abide by articles, bylaws, policies and requirements.
	The State Association will not join any organization that has requirements that conflict with the Federation’s articles, bylaws, policies and requirements.
	The State Associations shall register all of its players, coaches, teams, referees and administrators with the Federation at least once each year and timely pay all dues and fees of the Federation.
	The State Association and its members shall abide by the Federation’s articles, bylaws, policies and requirements on interplay.
	The State Association shall have a Board of Directors (or similar body) selected through an open and democratic election process.
	Actions and policies adopted by the Board of Directors (or similar body), Executive Committee, or officers of the State Association shall be reported to its membership, or their authorized representatives, at least once each year at a meeting of the State Association’s membership, with notice and agenda of the meeting at least 15 days in advance of the meeting.
	The State Association shall provide to the Secretary General of the Federation an annual report on the activities of the Association and most current annual financial statements within 90 days after the start of the Federation’s seasonal year.
	The State Association will (A) provide annually to the Federation copies of the State Association’s constitution, bylaws, and other governing documents, (B) submit changes to those documents to the Federation for approval not later then 90 days after adoption, and (C) make copies of those documents available to its members.
	The State Association will provide equitable and prompt hearing and appeal procedures to guarantee the rights of individuals to participate and compete. Those procedures shall include that all grievances involving the right to participate and compete in activities sponsored by the Federation and the State Association and its members may be appealed to the Federation’s Appeals Committee that shall have jurisdiction to approve, modify or reverse a decision.
	The State Association shall maintain its tax-exempt status under the Internal Revenue Code.
	The State Association shall adopt policies prohibiting sexual and physical abuse that meet certain minimum criteria established by Federation (subject to any contrary requirements contained in state or local law applicable to the State Association).
	The State Association will allow the Federation to review the documents and procedures of the State Association, on request of the Federation not less than once every 4 years, to determine compliance with these bylaws.