Bylaws

Article 1: Purpose

This corporation is incorporated under the Nonprofit Corporation Law of 1988 and is organized exclusively for purposes which are charitable, scientific, literary or educational, without contemplation of pecuniary gain or profit, incidental or otherwise, within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or the corresponding provisions of any future U.S. Internal Revenue Law; such purposes including but not being limited to:

Fostering national and international amateur sports competition by seeking venues and competitors for neutral site competitive/charity sporting events.
Engaging in activities which foster neighborhood unity and lessen neighborhood tensions by bringing together those of different ages and socioeconomic backgrounds through amateur sports competition.
Using the values of teamwork and sportsmanship requisite to amateur sports competition to help eliminate prejudice and discrimination by bringing together those of different races and ethnic backgrounds and disciplining them towards the achievement of a common goal.
Other charitable purposes.

Notwithstanding any other provisions of these articles, this organization shall not carry on any activities not permitted to be carried on by an organization exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or the corresponding provisions of any future U.S. Internal Revenue Law or the Nonprofit Corporation Law of 1988.

In the event of dissolution, the residual assets of the organization will be turned over to one or more exempt organizations for public purposes as required by Sections 501(c)(3) and 170(C)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 or corresponding sections, and the Nonprofit Corporation Law of 1988.

Article 2: Officer Powers & Responsibilities

Article 2 Section 1: Elections

All board officer positions are two year terms and will be elected during the league re-organizational meeting in August.

Article 2 Section 2: President

The President shall be responsible for overall administration of all league matters, and will direct all league meetings, as well as submit the regular meeting agenda to the Secretary no more than a week before the next regular meeting. Also, the President is the Chair of the Executive Committee and has the power to call a meeting of the Executive Committee or a vote in person or via phone conference or Facebook.

Article 2 Section 3: Vice President

The Vice-President will take over the duties of the President when absent. Also, the Vice-President will serve as the Chair of the Constitution and Bylaws Committee. The Vice-President will make sure that all decisions and actions of the league are done according to the league’s Constitution and Bylaws. Finally, the Vice-President will be in charge of timing discussions during regular league meetings, and ensuring that these discussions are done according to the Bylaws.

Article 2 Section 4: Treasurer

The Treasurer will keep neat and orderly records of all revenue and debt transactions of the league’s account, and will provide a monthly report of transactions that have occurred during the previous month at each meeting for approval. The Treasurer is also the Chair of the Finance Committee. Finally, the Treasurer will provide records for a yearly audit at the end of the season.

Article 2 Section 5: Secretary

The Secretary will be in charge of keeping all records; such as correspondence, mailings, copies of Regular Meeting minutes, copies of Executive Committee Meeting minutes, copies of all league contracts, and record of any actions taken by the league in the form of punishments, as well as any other league actions against teams or players. The Secretary is also responsible for preparing copies of previous meeting minutes for approval at the regular meetings, as well as handing out meeting agendas prior to the start of the meeting. Finally, the Secretary is in charge of taking accurate minutes at each meeting.

Article 2 Section 6: Conference Directors

Each conference in the GEFA will have a Conference Director. Conference Directors will launch and complete investigations, as well as make initial rulings on any issues that may come up involving teams within their Conference.

Article 2 Section 7: Expansion Directors

The GEFA landscape will be split into two regions, East and West and be ran by a regional Expansion Director. Expansion Directors will be in charge of bringing in new teams to the league and assisting with existing teams who may be struggling. They will also oversee the Expansion portal to help prep new teams before they allowed to present before the owners.

Article 2 Section 8: Removal of Officer

Any Board Member can motion for a vote of no confident of any League Officer at any time. As long as the motion is seconded, a vote will follow. To remove an Officer, there must be a 2/3 majority vote of present teams. In this case, the Officer will be removed immediately.

Article 2 Section 9: Account Access

Bank account access shall be granted to the League President, Vice-President, and Treasurer. Names on account should be added and removed annually or with the resignation or induction of any new President, Vice-President, or Treasurer.

Article 3: Committees

Article 3 Section 1: Executive

The President is the Chair of the Executive Committee, which consists of the league officers. (President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Expansion Directors, and Conference Directors) The Executive Committee hears appeals of rulings made by Conference Directors and gives the final ruling. The Executive Committee’s findings are the final ruling on all league matters and may bring items out of other committees for vote. Likewise, the committee has the right to rule on any matters which are not yet listed in these bylaws to set new precedents to be added to these bylaws later.

Article 3 Section 2: Bylaws

The Vice-President is the Chair of the Bylaws Committee. The Bylaws Committee oversees the league bylaws, which is responsible for any changes to the bylaws. The Bylaws Committee is in charge of coming up with the yearly ballot for elections, and will oversee the election of officers during the re-organizational meeting in August.

Article 3 Section 3: Finance

The Treasurer is the Chair of the Finance Committee. This committee will develop a balanced budget or one with a surplus for the league year. The Finance Committee will conduct the league finance audit of expenses at the end of the league year. The Finance Committee will also reach out to sponsors, deal with donations, and oversee all league advertising.

Article 3 Section 4: Competition

The Competition Committee is formed at the August meeting by the voluntary sign up. The Rules Committee Chair is selected by the Executive Committee out of the members on the Rules Committee following the re-organizational meeting in August. That person will serve as Chair for that league year. The Rules and Officiating Committee oversees the league rulebook and all changes must come from this committee to be voted on. The Rules and Officiating Committee will issue interpretations of rules when questions arise. The Rules and Officiating Committee oversees all officiating. Questionable instances involving officiating issues will come to this committee. If there are any Keystone Bowl or All Star games issues with officials, this committee will step in. This committee will also provide an officiating report to the conference directors.

Article 3 Section 5: Committees

Scheduling – The Scheduling committee is formed at the August meeting by the voluntary sign up. This committee will coordinate the entire league schedule, Keystone Bowl and the All Star Game. It is also in charge of restructuring the conferences.
YouTube and Stats – The YouTube and Stats committee is formed at the August meeting by voluntary sign up. This committee over sees any/all stats, errors or judgment calls. This committee also creates a stat sheet which is provided before the season. All stat sheets get sent to the website admin directly. This committee is also in charge of the elections and awards ballots, trophies, as well as the All Star selections. Lastly, this committee will oversee the league’s YouTube channel, making sure film has been uploaded so that they can verify stats. Once stats are verified, this committee will be the ones in charge uploading them onto the website.
Social Media and Website – The Social Media and Website Committee oversee all content that is put on our social media accounts as well as our website.
Hall of Fame and Historian – The Hall of Fame and Historian committee is formed at the August meeting by voluntary sign up. To be eligible you must be in the league a minimum of ten (10) years. This committee is in charge of nominating and inducting former players, coaches, and owners into the Hall of Fame. To be eligible for the Hall of Fame, you must have played in the league for three years and be retired for at least two. It is also in charge of keeping an accurate history of the league.
Player and Discipline – This committee is selected by the conference directors. Both conference director’s chair this committee. Any and all player issues go through this committee including contract disputes. This committee also discusses initial punishments throughout the league and monitors the players and coaches Facebook group.

Article 4: Conflict of Interest Policy

Article 4 Section 1: Purpose

The purpose of the conflict of interest policy is to protect this tax-exempt organization’s (Great Eastern Football Association) interest when it is contemplating entering into a transaction or arrangement that might benefit the private interest of an officer or director of the Organization or might result in a possible excess benefit transaction. This policy is intended to supplement but not replace any applicable state and federal laws governing conflict of interest applicable to nonprofit and charitable organizations.

Article 4 Section 2: Definitions

Interested Person – Any director, principal officer, or member of a committee with governing board delegated powers, who has a direct or indirect financial interest, as defined below, is an interested person.
Financial Interest – A person has a financial interest if the person has, directly or indirectly, through business, investment, or family:
- An ownership or investment interest in any entity with which the Organization has a transaction or arrangement.
- A compensation arrangement with the Organization or with any entity or individual with which the Organization has a transaction or arrangement.
- A potential ownership or investment interest in, or compensation arrangement with, any entity or individual with which the Organization is negotiating a transaction or arrangement.
Compensation includes direct and indirect remuneration as well as gifts or favors that are not insubstantial.
A financial interest is not necessarily a conflict of interest. Under Article III, Section 3, Subsection 2, a person who has a financial interest may have a conflict of interest only if the appropriate governing board or committee decides that a conflict of interest exists.

Article 4 Section 3: Procedures

Duty to disclose – In connection with any actual or possible conflict of interest, an interested person must disclose the existence of the financial interest and be given the opportunity to disclose all material facts to the directors and members of committees with governing board delegated powers considering the proposed transaction or arrangement.
Determining Whether a Conflict of Interest Exists – After disclosure of the financial interest and all material facts, and after any discussion with the interested person, he/she shall leave the governing board or committee meeting while the determination of a conflict of interest is discussed and voted upon. The remaining board or committee members shall decide if a conflict of interest exists.
Procedures for Addressing the Conflict of Interest:
- An interested person may make a presentation at the governing board or committee meeting, but after the presentation, he/she shall leave the meeting during the discussion of, and the vote on, the transaction or arrangement involving the possible conflict of interest.
- The chairperson of the governing board or committee shall, if appropriate, appoint a disinterested person or committee to investigate alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement.
- After exercising due diligence, the governing board or committee shall determine whether the Organization can obtain with reasonable efforts a more advantageous transaction or arrangement from a person or entity that would not give rise to a conflict of interest.
- If a more advantageous transaction or arrangement is not reasonably possible under circumstances not producing a conflict of interest, the governing board or committee shall determine by a majority vote of the disinterested directors whether the transaction or arrangement is in the Organization’s best interest, for its own benefit, and whether it is fair and reasonable. In conformity with the above determination it shall make its decision as to whether to enter into the transaction or arrangement.
Violations of the Conflicts of Interest Policy:
- If the governing board or committee has reasonable cause to believe a member has failed to disclose actual or possible conflicts of interest, it shall inform the member of the basis for such belief and afford the member an opportunity to explain the alleged failure to disclose.
- If, after hearing the member’s response and after making further investigation as warranted by the circumstances, the governing board or committee determines the member has failed to disclose an actual or possible conflict of interest, it shall take appropriate disciplinary and corrective action.

Article 4 Section 4: Records of Proceedings

The minutes of the governing board and all committees with board delegated powers shall contain:

The names of the persons who disclosed or otherwise were found to have a financial interest in connection with an actual or possible conflict of interest, the nature of the financial interest, any action taken to determine whether a conflict of interest was present, and the governing board’s or committee’s decision as to whether a conflict of interest in fact existed.
The names of the persons who were present for discussions and votes relating to the transaction or arrangement, the content of the discussion, including any alternatives to the proposed transaction or arrangement, and a record of any votes taken in connection with the proceedings.

Article 4 Section 5: Compensation

A voting member of the governing board who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the Organization for services is precluded from voting on matters pertaining to that member's compensation.
A voting member of any committee whose jurisdiction includes compensation matters and who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the Organization for services is precluded from voting on matters pertaining to that member's compensation.
No voting member of the governing board or any committee whose jurisdiction includes compensation matters and who receives compensation, directly or indirectly, from the Organization, either individually or collectively, is prohibited from providing information to any committee regarding compensation.

Article 4 Section 6: Annual Statements

Each director, principal officer and member of a committee with governing board delegated powers shall annually sign a statement which affirms such person:

Has received a copy of the conflicts of interest policy
Has read and understands the policy
Has agreed to comply with the policy
Understands the Organization is charitable and in order to maintain its federal tax exemption it must engage primarily in activities which accomplish one or more of its tax-exempt purposes.

Article 4 Section 7: Periodic Reviews

To ensure the Organization operates in a manner consistent with charitable purposes and does not engage in activities that could jeopardize its tax-exempt status, periodic reviews shall be conducted. The periodic reviews shall, at a minimum, include the following subjects:

Whether compensation arrangements and benefits are reasonable, based on competent survey information and the result of arm's length bargaining.
Whether partnerships, joint ventures, and arrangements with management organizations conform to the Organization’s written policies, are properly recorded, reflect reasonable investment or payments for goods and services, further charitable purposes and do not result in immurement, impermissible private benefit or in an excess benefit transaction.

Article 5: Regular Meetings

Article 5 Section 1: When

The league will hold three (3) physical meetings during the course of the year and three (3) meetings via Skype/Zoom according to the yearly schedule set forth by the President. The President has the option to change a meeting from physical to online if needed.
The August league meeting will be the re-organizational meeting for the league, during which officers and directors will be elected for the following league year.

Article 5 Section 2: Schedule

The meeting will be scheduled as the League President sees fit as long as there is long enough notice for the owners.

Article 5 Section 3: Agenda

The President is in charge of coming up with the regular meeting agenda prior to that month’s meeting. The agenda will be distributed to each team approximately a week prior to the meeting. All agenda material must be brought to the League Improvement Committee before it is put on the agenda.

Article 5 Section 4: Voting Process

Any topics being voted on during a regular meeting must be on the agenda and must come out of a committee. Any new business may be brought up and voted on immediately on the executive committee’s discretion. Votes may be taken via phone or Social Media if the Executive Committee feels it is urgent.

When an article comes up for vote, the committee will present the article to the board, as is. There must then be a motion and second to open discussion on the said article. Once this is done, the board will have “only” between 5 and 10 minutes to discuss the article before the vote is taken. The Vice-President is in charge of keeping time during the discussion, while the President is in charge of mediating the discussion. Once the discussion period is over, there must be a motion and a second in order to vote on the article. At that point, if the majority of the board present votes to pass the article, the article passes. If the majority vote no than the article is sent back to the committee to be discussed and reworked. It then can be voted on again at the next monthly meeting. An article may not be voted on twice during a meeting.

Article 6: Team Requirements

Article 6 Section 1: League Dues

Each team in the league will be required to pay the league dues which will be determined in October according to the league budget. League fees are due at the December meeting before teams can receive their schedules and could be subject to a late fee of $50.00 per week until paid.

Article 6 Section 2: Membership

To be a member of the GEFA each team must sign a league contract agreeing to the bylaws, the rules and regulations, and code of conduct of the league. The person who signs this contract will be the main representative for that team and this will reserve a seat for that team on the board. During each meeting there must be a team representative to fill that seat, and with it that team gets one vote during voting phases. All teams must have and maintain liability insurance for every season as well as a secondary field in case of an emergency. During league events, teams will be scheduled to appear and help, whether it be holding the chains, security, the gate, etc. Teams who fail to show up for their scheduled event will be fined by the league five hundred dollars ($500.00).

Article 6 Section 3: Regular Meeting Attendance

All teams in the league are required to have an Owner, Coach, or Player Representative present at all league meetings to fill their seat on the board. A fine of one hundred dollars ($100.00) will be imposed on a team who is absent. An escalated fine scale is in place for continued missed meetings.

A one hundred dollar ($100.00) fine will be imposed on a team for missing a Skype/Zoom meeting but notified the board beforehand. A fine of one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) will be imposed on a team who gave no notice of their absence. Continuous missed Skype/Zoom meetings will result in your membership to the league to be under review.

All outstanding team fines must be paid by the start of the season in order for that team to remain in good standings with the league. Any unpaid fines will warrant their games a forfeit until their fines are paid and/or removal from the league.

Article 6 Section 4: New Teams

All prospective teams for the upcoming season must go through their regional expansion director and be entered into the Expansion Portal.

Article 6 Section 5: Returning Teams

All returning teams will be voted on each year at the reorganization meeting, for a team to be removed their needs to be a 2/3 majority of all board members. Any team that was not allowed to return will be given legitimate reasoning for the leagues decision. The team that was voted out may make a new proposal just like a new team but must include what safeguards and procedures have been put into place to keep this team from being dismissed from the league again. If the team is then denied, the team may no longer submit proposals for that season.

All teams removed from the league and/or folded their owners will be immediately stripped of their voting rights.

All team fees are due on or before the January meeting. If teams are not paid by February 1st, they will be removed from the schedule and a new schedule must be implemented immediately. The teams will also be subject to late fees.

Article 6 Section 6: Games

All games will start at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday afternoon or unless approved by the league. Game times may be changed if approved by both teams and President two weeks before game date.
All games must be played at fields with portable-toilets or bathroom facilities on site. Any team failing to meet this requirement will be fined $100.00 by the league.
Each team is to have a home field and an approved secondary field. If the home team cannot provide either field due to inclement weather or reasonable act (lightning-rain, etc.) the home team may postpone the game. Visiting team may offer their home field as alternative. If both teams agree, the game may be played. If both teams do not agree to "switch" fields, the game will be moved to the available make-up date. The league officers must approve the legitimacy of cancellation.
All make-up games will be held on Memorial Day weekend.
All games are to be filmed by the home team and are to be uploaded to the GEFA YouTube channel by Tuesday at noon. Failure to do so will result in a $100.00 fine. All film must be elevated (above the sidelines) at midfield and above the players on the sideline so that stats and records can be verified.
Both teams are required to take and submit stats for all games. Stats are to be turned in by Tuesday at noon. Failure to do so will result in forfeiture of stats for said game and will result in a $100.00 fine.
If a team is found to be tampering with stats (by more than 50 yards total) for any given game, then those team stats will be forfeited for that game in question, a $200.00 fine incurred, and the team will be put on probation. If a team is found tampering with stats a second time, then the team will forfeit all stats for the season, the team will be fined an additional $100.00, players will be ineligible to receive awards at the end of the season, and the team owner will have to present once again in front of the board to still be in this league next year.

All games will start at 1:00 pm on Saturdays. Saturday game times may be changed if both teams agree and the league is informed and agrees, 2 weeks prior. Exceptions may be made on a case by case basis if a late conflict arises. If the teams can not resolve the conflict between themselves, the league officers will intervene.

If a team can not do a 1:00 pm start for the season, that team must have league officers approval to move all start times by the January meeting. Once a permanent start time is established, that team no longer requires approval each year. It will be considered permanent until the league officers are informed otherwise.

All outstanding fines must be paid by the August Meeting in order to be eligible to return to the league.

Article 6 Section 7: Forfeitures and Playoff Eligibility

Any team forfeiting a game will be subject to a $300.00 fine. The fine must be paid before the next scheduled game.
If the fine is not paid the team will then forfeit the next game and be fined another $300.00 including immediate removal from the league and possible represent in front of the owners to be allowed back the following season.
Forfeitures may also be issued for the following reason: Lack of field equipment, roster violations, player/team/coach/spectator misconduct, official's decision.
All forfeitures will count towards the team receiving the forfeiture playoff eligibility.
Scores for forfeitures will be an average of the winning teams points scored up to the point of forfeiture.
In the event of a forfeiture before half time, the team forfeiting will be not only be fined $300.00 but forfeit their eligibility for the playoffs.
The team receiving the forfeit will receive a game eligibility for playoffs whether they are at the game or not.
All stats will be forfeited if a game is ended prematurely due to a forfeiture.

Article 6 Section 8: Officials

Officials are paid by the home team at their discretion.

All referees need to meet the following criteria: be PIAA certified or higher and at the very least have attended the leagues officiating clinic before the start of the season.
All referees need to be at least eighteen years of age.
There should be 4 man crews for all games. A game can be played with a minimum of a 3 man crew. If there is less than 3 officials or no officials show then the visiting team can declare the game a forfeit prior to the start of the game.
Referees who are related in any way to any of the following may not be officiating in that contest; (player, coaches, owners, have been past players, coaches or owners.
Junior referees are allowed but only as a voluntary fifth referee.

Article 6 Section 9: Uniforms and Protective Equipment

A Football Helmet, Football Shoulder Pads, Football Jersey Football Pants, Shoes, and Mouth-Piece are required of all players, without exception. No player will be allowed to participate in a GEFA contest without these items. Thigh, rib, knee, hip, and tail pads are optional.
Uniforms shall be uniform, in both color and style. This includes Helmets, Jerseys, and Pants. All helmets must be of same color and all face-masks must match.
All teams must have two (2) jerseys, home and away, as the penalty for failure to comply is forfeit. It is mandatory that the away jersey of every team not grandfathered at the Dec 2014 League Meeting be white from the yoke down with the exclusion of side inserts, piping, numbers etc. as to insure that there is never a conflict in distinguishing home and away at any given contest.
Player's last names may be displayed on the back of a team uniform jersey. No nicknames will be prohibited. A $100.00 fine will be issued to the team per violation.
Pants shall be uniform in color. 
Helmets and face masks must be uniform in color.

Any player not conforming to these uniform rules may be excluded from play at the discretion of the officials or opposing team manager; this is a matter to be determined before the initiation of the football game. Failure to do so will result in a $150.00 fine for the player and $150.00 fine for the owners per offense.

Article 6 Section 9: Roster

A team's roster shall not exceed thirty-two (32) players and a player may not participate in any league functions until he is on a roster. For a player to be considered on a team roster that player must be under contract for said team.
Teams must submit all contracts prior to the start of the season at the January meeting.
During the season you may add or drop up to three players to your team per week, but for an added player to be eligible to play in a game you must:
1. Notify the President before 5 pm Friday prior to the Saturday's game.
2. Submit a new game day roster to the league website.
3. Have a signed team physical contract with their team code of conduct mailed to the President for the said player before 5 pm Friday.
After week 5 no team will be allowed to add players. Unless you are playing in less than 10 days and your fifth game is later than week 5.
To be eligible for post season play and/or All-Star eligibility, a player must have played in at least 5 regular season games during that season.
1. Players serving in the military are NOT required to play in 5 regular season games during the season for playoff eligibility status.
2. Players serving on the injured reserve are NOT required to play in 5 regular season games during the season but have to notify the opposing teams of their presence for those games to count towards eligibility.
Teams having (a) player(s) playing that are not under contract or that are on the roster will be forced to forfeit any games which the said player(s) played in.
A player wanting to go to another team during the season must have the team he is presently on sign the release portion of his Players Contract and have his present team ownership contact the League President with the news of the release and provide the release and the new contract mailed to the President by 5 pm Friday before the game.

Article 6 Section 10: Players

Players must be 18 years or older to participate in GEFA play. Any player 16 or 17 years of age must have parents signed permission. No player may receive any monetary payment or compensation (gifts) for playing on a team in the GEFA. Each player shall be responsible for their own insurance coverage.

Players playing outside the GEFA: Any player that is under a pro contract and is compensated by any team, by way of monetary payment or compensation (gifts), for any league, and has played three or more games with said team, is ineligible to play within the GEFA during that same calendar year while under said contract.

Article 6 Section 11: Coaches

All coaches and any persons associated directly with a team shall be required to be under contract with the league. Those contracts must be turned in and followed under the same guidelines as players. Anyone that is subcontracted including trainers, chain gang, ball boys, and etc. are not required to be under contract but must sign a liability waiver.
Limited contracts (eight) for players may exceed one league year but no more than two. The same rules apply for coaches as it does for players. A coach who is under contract may not coach another team until the present team signs a release for that coach.
Each team must have a designated Head Coach and notify the officials of this before the start of each game.

Article 6 Section 12: Team Changes

Any changes a team wants to make dealing with their team needs to be presented at a regular board meeting. The team needs to have a majority of present teams approval to make the changes.

If an existing team wants to move its field and it is within twenty-five (25) miles of another existing team, the expansion directors must investigate that the area can support another team.

Article 6 Section 13: Ownership Change

For a team to change ownership the previous owner must let the board know in writing or at a board meeting of their intentions. Also, the new owner must be approved by the board with a majority vote for the ownership transfer to take place.

Article 6 Section 14: Admission

Home Teams are permitted to charge an admission fee and/or admission donation. This is if and only if the home team has adequate facilities. I.E. gated stadium, bleachers, or any combination or variation that allows the team to temporary exclusive rights to the field during the duration of the game. Must include time allotted for pregame.

No fees may be charged if a team is using a public park or dwelling that does not give the team exclusive rights to the premises. (Ex: games played at fields that are not sectioned off, or gives the local public free access to the premises during the time allotted for the game)

Article 7: Codes of Conduct

Article 7 Section 1: Expectations

The GEFA requires that all players, coaches, owners, officials, and spectators to follow the sportsmanship rules as set forth by the Constitution and Bylaws of the GEFA.  Actions meant to demean opposing players, contestants, teams, spectators, officials and coaches are not in the highest ideals of the GEFA and will not be tolerated.  Let all the players, coaches, owners, officials, and spectators in the league reflect mutual respect for each other players, spectators, officials and coaches.

Any player, coach, or owner found to be on Megan's Law or any other kind of pedophilia list will be automatically banned from participating in the GEFA.

All teams, while at a GEFA event, will act accordingly by the GEFA code of conduct. Away teams will follow all public park and school rules and be required to clean up after themselves before leaving. Failure to follow these rules will result in a minimum penalty of $100.00.

Any infractions that results in the home team losing their field will result in an immediate 6-0 forfeit and review before the league board. A review before the board can result in additional fines, sanctions, and or immediate vote for dismissal from the league by the owners.

Article 7 Section 2: Players

Players Infractions: Any inappropriate verbal badgering or berating of officials, opposing players, or spectators will not be tolerated.

First infraction – the team receives a 10 yard personal foul penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct. The player must come out of the game for one offensive and one defensive series, or two total series. (The Captains and Head Coaches will be warned to control their players) Coaches are responsible for the timing of the cooling down period.
Second infraction – the team receive a 10 yard personal foul penalty for unsportsmanlike foul and the player is ejected for the remainder of the game. That player must leave the playing field and all immediate surroundings.
Any ejection from a game may result in a minimum of a 1 game suspension and/or a fine of $100.00.

Article 7 Section 3: Coaches

Expectations – A coach shall be aware that he has a tremendous influence (positive or negative) on his players. Thus, he should understand that his actions and behaviors contribute to the behavior of his players. A coach has the duty to uphold the honor and dignity of the profession in all personal contact with officials, players, spectators and fellow coaches. A coach shall strive to set an example of the highest ethical and moral conduct, shall master the contest rules and shall teach them to his players. A coach shall not seek an advantage by circumvention of the spirit or letter of the rules established by the GEFA. He shall exert his influence to enhance sportsmanship by spectators, players, and his coaching staff both on his own team and other teams and executives in the GEFA. A coach shall respect and support the contest officials and shall not indulge in conduct which would incite players or spectators against officials. Public criticism of officials or players is unethical, and will not be tolerated.
Coaches infractions – Any inappropriate verbal badgering or berating of officials, opposing players or spectators will not be tolerated.
1. First infraction will result in a 10 yard personal/unsportsmanlike penalty.
2. Second infraction will result in a 10 yard personal/unsportsmanlike penalty. The coach will be ejected for the remainder of the game and must leave the playing field and all immediate surroundings. The coach will also be fined $100.00, which must be paid before the next regular scheduled game or the coach may not coach in that game.

Article 7 Section 4: Spectators

Team owners and coaches are also responsible for the conduct of the spectators at their games. If a coach or owner cannot control the actions of his spectators, the official may call the game, and award a win via forfeit to the opposing team. Spectators should never be on the sideline.

Article 7 Section 5: Officials

All officials of the GEFA will exercise a high level of self-discipline, independence and responsibility. The purpose of this code is to establish guidelines for ethical standards of conduct for all GEFA officials.
Officials shall work with each other and the GEFA in a constructive and cooperative manner. Officials shall uphold the honor and dignity of the profession in all interaction with players, coaches, colleagues, league officers, league representatives, and the public. Officials shall prepare themselves both physically and mentally, shall dress neatly and appropriately and shall conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the high standards of the profession. Officials shall be punctual and professional in the fulfillment of all obligations. Officials shall master both the rules of the contest and the mechanics necessary to enforce the rules, and shall exercise authority in an impartial, firm, and controlled manner. Officials shall be mindful that their conduct influences the respect that players, coaches, and the public hold for their profession. Officials shall, while enforcing the rules of play, remain aware of inherent risk of injury that competition poses to the player. Where appropriate, they shall inform event management of conditions or situations that appear unreasonably hazardous. Officials shall take reasonable steps to educate themselves in the recognition of emergency conditions that might arise during the course of competition.
Official Responsibilities on Disqualifications and Ejections – If, in the judgment of the official, any act by a player or coach warrants an ejection or disqualification from a game, the following procedures must be followed by the official:
- The official must submit an email or phone call to the league chair of the competition committee which shall consist of the following item.
- The two teams playing.
- Team whom the infraction was on.
- The player number and name.
- An explanation of the conduct which caused the ejection or disqualification.

The chair will have to provide the Conference Director with the above information. The Conference Director will then take the necessary steps as (outlined in the rules and bylaws) to enforce the ruling.

Article 7 Section 6: Fighting

Definition: Any punching, head slapping, intentional kicking and other similar actions or infractions towards another person will result in the following:

Player Infraction:

Immediate ejection from the game. Will be reviewed by the conference director on case by case basis (minimum being a 1 game suspension).
A minimum $100.00 dollar fine to be paid to the league before said player(s) can become eligible. Again, case by case.
Whether or not the player was ejected or penalized, if it violates the league's morality guidelines it can be subject to review by the Conference Directors.
Depending on results of appeals and/ or decision by the Conference Directors players may be banned from the league.

Coach Infraction:

Immediate ejection from the game. Will be reviewed by the conference director on a case by case basis (minimum 1 game suspension and $100.00 fine)
Immediate relief of coaching duties.
The incident shall be reviewed by the GEFA Executive Committee which shall then determine the consequences of the coach’s violation.

Article 7 Section 7: Firearms

The GEFA will not tolerate any firearms on the field or anywhere near the field of play before during or after a game. The GEFA is well aware of your right to carry and conceal a firearm LEGALLY. If you do carry a firearm it is to remain inside your vehicle and not on your person during any GEFA sanctioned event.

Any person or persons that carry a firearm onto the field, brandish a firearm or worse use a firearm will be subject to immediate removal from the GEFA for life. A Life time ban. There will be no middle ground. This is our policy, our stance, to ensure the safety of all spectators, officials, and teams. Any organization that has this matter occur at any time is also subject to penalty, whether it be a fine, games forfeited, or team removal from the GEFA.

It is our due diligence of the league to ensure the safety of all parties involved during a GEFA sanctioned event. This will be a zero tolerance policy, it will be an automatic ban for life for the person involved, and the organization is subject to penalty as well and the organization will have to go up for a review at the end of the season.

Article 7 Section 8: Sidelines

Team owners and coaches are responsible for control of their sidelines. Bench clearing and the sideline to sideline trash talking will not be permitted. A minimum fine of $200.00 and suspensions may be given if there is a violation.

Article 7 Section 9: Equipment

All owners that have not received equipment back from non-returning players are to generate a list to be turned in to the league at the December meeting. The list will include player name and the specific equipment owed. This gives ALL PLAYERS 30 days to return the equipment to the respective team or teams. League will then generate a list of said players before the owners.

All owners are to generate a list of players that have not complied with the new return policy and still have equipment owed. List is to be turned in at the January meeting. At that point, those players who have failed to comply in the returning of the equipment will be INELIGIBLE WEEK 1.

Players who had All Star jerseys ordered for them but didn't show up to the game are to pay for the cost of those jerseys. It'll be the team's responsibility to pay for those uniforms and place those players on the equipment exempt list even if that player no longer plays in the league or now coaches.

Starting January 12th, each player that has not complied with the policy will continue to receive another week of INELIGIBILITY for each week that the equipment has not been returned. By the start of the season if the equipment has not been returned, that player has accumulated suspension weeks that will forfeit their entire season.

The cases that have been missed would be handled case by case by the conference directors.

Article 8: Amendments

Article 8 Section 1: Amendments

The league reserves the right to make Amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws (when necessary) with a majority vote of its membership present at a regular meeting.