NORTHERN WESTCHESTER SWIMMING CONFERENCE. INC.
http://nwsc.usswim.net

CONSTITUTION 

Amended & Updated May 2008

 

ARTICLE I – NAME

The name of the organization shall be the Northern Westchester Swimming Conference, Incorporated. {NWSC, Inc.}

 

ARTICLE II – ORGANIZATION

The NWSC, Inc. shall be divided into five (5) divisions. {I, II, III, IV, V}

The number of divisions will be variable based on as near an equal grouping as possible, given the total number of teams in the League.

 

ARTICLE III – OBJECTIVES

The aims and objectives of this organization are as follows:

• To unite those agencies with common interests in summer competitive swimming and diving.
• To foster and maintain the highest standard of ethics.
• To stimulate and promote a widening interest in summer swimming and diving on a local and regional basis.
• To function in such a manner that will further the interest of summer competitive swimming and diving.
• To promote summer swimming and diving within the framework of the philosophies of the participating agencies.

 

ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP

• The membership in this organization shall be limited to agencies and their representatives meeting the required herein.
• The Annual Dues shall be arrived at after the adoption of the Annual Budget. Assessments will be pro-rated on services rendered by the organization to each member and assessments notice shall be sent to each member following the March meeting.
• Annual dues will be payable two {2} weeks prior to the first official meet of the season. Any team not paid at this point will be notified by the Treasurer and are subject to forfeiture of all meets until dues are paid.
• The membership in the organization shall be limited to thirty agencies not effecting current members. USA Swimming Teams are not permitted.

 

ARTICLE V – OFFICES

• The offices of the NWSC, Inc. shall be: President, Vice President, Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary and Treasurer.
• There shall be an Executive Committee consisting of: NWSC Officers, Immediate Past President, Officials Liaison and Duly Elected Chairman of each division (beginning in March & ending August 31^st).
• Nominees for all offices must be members in good standings.

 

ARTICLE VI – COMMITTEES

• The President shall appoint for his term of office the standing committees as provided in the By-Laws.
• Special Committees may also be appointed in a like manner when deemed necessary.

 

BY-LAWS

Amended & Updated March 2008

 

ARTICLE I – MANAGEMENT

• The management of this organization shall be vested in the Executive Committee.
• The officers shall be elected/appointed with terms beginning in January:       (May 17, 2004)

1.     Even Years: President, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer & Officials Liaison  

2.     Odd Years: Vice President & Recording Secretary

• The Official's Liaison shall be appointed every two years (even years)
• The Executive Committee will fill any vacant post with a bona fide member until January.
• All meetings shall follow Roberts Rules of Order, providing they are in keeping with the By-Laws. The sequence of doing business being:

1.     Roll Call

2.     Reading of Minutes

3.     Report of Officers

4.     Report of Committees

5.     Unfinished Business

6.     New Business

7.     Adjournment

• Minutes of Meetings are emailed to each Member Club Representative, and can be found on the website. http://nwsc.usswim.net

• The email address of the NWSC is: nwscmail@aol.com

 

ARTICLE II – ELECTIONS

• A slate of nominees shall be presented at the May meeting and balloting shall take place. Nominations will be accepted from the floor.

 

ARTICLE III – EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

• PRESIDENT – shall preside at all regular, special and Executive Committee meetings. The President shall appoint standing and special committees and represent the organization on matters of vital interest to the membership.
• VICE PRESIDENT – shall preside at meetings at which the President is absent, serve as coordinator of committees, assist the President when called upon and succeed to the Presidency if a vacancy should occur prior to the January meeting.
• CORRESPONDING SECRETARY - shall send notices of meetings.
• RECORDING SECRETARY – shall be the legal custodian of all records and take minutes of all general, special and Executive Committee meetings.
• TREASURER – shall receive and disburse all moneys of the organization with the approval of the Executive Committee or by their direction. The Treasurer shall make a periodic accounting of receipts and expenditures. All accounts shall be checked at the end of each fiscal year.
• DIVISION CHAIRPERSON – shall be responsible for: maintaining the dual meet scores and the won/lost record of teams in their division; reporting won/lost record of all teams to the President and the website before the Swim Championships; handling all minor grievances within their division; run the divisional championship swim meet; make copies of the championship meet results to be handed out at the All Star Meet; serve on the Executive and Rules and Procedures Committee, (beginning in March & ending August 31^st).
• OFFICIALS LIAISON – shall be responsible for: scheduling meets; assigning officials; working with the Executive Committee to assign sites of championship meets; notifying the Executive Committee in changes (dates, times and sites); inform the league of rule changes or interpretations; instructing officials on the rules of the Constitution; responding to coaches rating cards; ordering rule books.

 

ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP

• REGULAR MEMBER - shall be the official representative from the member club. This person shall be eligible to vote and hold office. Each club must have a representative or alternate representative. 1 vote per club. (January 18, 2001)
• ALTERNATE MEMBER – shall have the privileges of voting in the absence of the clubs designated representative.
• ASSOCIATE MEMBER – can be awarded to either past regular members or to a person who has made an outstanding contribution to the work of the League, by a majority vote at a regular meeting. This person shall be able to vote and hold office.

 

ARTICLE V – MEETINGS

• Regular Business meetings shall be scheduled during the off season to the convenience of the general membership as follows:

1.     Third Monday or Tuesday in March

2.     Third Monday or Tuesday in May

3.     June Clinic - by availability of site

4.     Final (wrap-up) meeting of the season shall be held immediately following the All Star Diving Meet.

• Meetings of the Executive Committee shall be held in January, and at the discretion of the President.
• Special meetings of the membership or Executive Committee may be called by the President with concurrence of the Executive Committee.
• A quorum for all meetings shall have a minimum of 50% of its constituted membership. (March 19, 2001)

 

ARTICLE VI – AFFILIATION

• Any agency desiring to affiliate must petition the Executive Committee outlining the nature of the organization (public or private) and have an interest in common with those already participating. After review, the application will be presented to the entire membership at the March meeting and must have 2/3 approval of those present. An interested agency must be located in Northern Westchester County and cannot be a year ‘round competitive swim team.
• Any agency can be expelled, after review and 2/3 approval of the Executive Committee, and be presented to the entire membership at a regular or special meeting and must have approval of 2/3 of those present.
• Any agency that misses two consecutive league meetings may be subject to forfeiture of meets.

 

ARTICLE VII – COMMITTEES

• Standing Committees shall be:

1.     Awards

2.     Championships

3.     Public Relations and Publicity

4.     Rules and Procedures

5.     Schedules

• The Chairman of each Standing Committee shall be chosen from among the Executive Committee. Each committee shall be responsible to the Executive Committee and must have prior approval, from the Executive Committee, before they incur financial obligations.
• The Vice President serves as coordinator of committees.

 

ARTICLE VIII – AMENDMENTS

• Amendments must be submitted in writing and presented at any regular meeting. The Constitution, By-Laws and Official Swimming Rules can only be amended by 50% of the membership present at any meeting and the majority of votes of those present at that meeting, for approval. (March 19, 2001)

 

ARTICLE IX – RULES

 

A. Association Rules

• The NWSC, Inc. will swim and dive all events under the National Federation Swimming and Diving Rules, published by the National Federation of State High School Associations, with amendments adopted by the NWSC, Inc. Rules and Procedures Committee. New Amendments shall be recorded in the minutes of the meeting in which they are announced.

 

B. Swimmer & Diver Affiliation/Eligibility

• All swimmers and divers participating in the NWSC, Inc. must be members of either a municipal swimming pool or a private club.

1.     MUNICIPAL POOLS – permanent, legal, year ‘round residence within the boundaries of his/hers team’s municipality or hamlet as defined by each NWSC, Inc. team, in writing, to the Rules Committee. A swimmer/diver or their family, whose summer residence is within the boundaries, qualifies them for membership in the municipality or hamlet will be eligible to compete PROVIDED THEY DO NOT have another residency within the NWSC. Should a swimmer/diver have two residencies within the NWSC, the permanent, year ‘round residence takes precedent. EXAMPLES:

☼       An athlete that lives within a municipality that has a municipal pool can only compete for the municipality he/she resides. Therefore, an athlete that lives in Mount Kisco, can only swim/dive for Mount Kisco Memorial Team.

☼       An athlete that lives in a hamlet and desires to compete at a municipal pool within another hamlet, can only compete for the hamlet that he/she resides. Therefore, an athlete who lives in Katonah can only compete for the Katonah Team.

☼       A family’s year ‘round residence is in Valhalla, yet has a summer home in Lewisboro. The athlete wishes to compete at a municipal pool. They are entitled to swim/dive for Mount Pleasant.

• Should a swimmer/diver desire to compete for a neighboring hamlet or municipality, and because of recreation ruling regarding recreational facilities, transportation, school/school ties or fire district limits, be granted special permission to participate in another hamlet or municipality by the Recreation Department, that athlete must satisfy a NWSC, Inc. waiting period of 60 days.

• Waiting period is to commence with the first day of the NWSC summer league swim season or July 1^st of the year the request was initiated. The athlete cannot compete for any other team within that time period.

 

 

2.     PRIVATE CLUB – swimmers must be bona fide dues paying members in the club they are representing as so stipulated in their club regulations.

 

• PENALTIES FOR VIOLATIONS:

A.    For violation of any eligibility rule, all points scored and records achieved by the ineligible athlete will be forfeited.

B.     For violation of the residency rule, the rules and procedure committee can sanction an athlete, coach or team for 1 year from the date of the infraction.

• Requests for any exceptions to the affiliation rules must be presented in writing to and receive approval from the Rules and Procedures Committee prior to any athlete’s participation.
• NWSC, Inc. athletes may compete for ONE (1) NWSC town or club team only. Athletes MAY compete for a team outside of the NWSC, provided they are dues paying members to both teams. Any exceptions to this rule must receive prior approval from the NWSC Rules and Procedures Committee prior to any athletes’ participation. USA swimming is permitted. (May 20, 2008)
• Athletes employed as lifeguards or other summer employment may only compete for the NWSC team appropriate to their municipality of residence or the club at which they are bona fide dues paying members. If neither is applicable, requests must be made to the Rules and Procedures Committee.
• Athletes will not be permitted to wear team logos on swim suits or caps other than their NWSC affiliated member team.

A.    For violation of the team logo rule, all points scored, by the athlete who is displaying the inappropriate attire, will be forfeited.

 

C. Age Group Eligibility (May 21, 2007)

• The eligibility of an athlete for a particular age group will be determined by his/her birth date and sex. Age of athlete as of July 1 of that year (exception: for swimmers & divers registered prior to the 2007 season, the June 1 date will remain in effect), shall govern for the entire NWSC summer season including all championship meets. NWSC meets will be conducted as age group competition for both boys and girls and will consist of the following five age groups:

 

     8 & Under     10 & Under     12 & Under     14 & Under     18 & Under

 

D. Proof Of Age

• The Rules and Procedures Committee is empowered to request proof of age of any athlete at any time during the season.

 

E. Rosters

• It is the responsibility of each head coach to submit a completed team roster to the appointed Executive Committee member, ONE WEEK prior to the first league/division meet. It is also the responsibility of each head coach to see that this roster is kept up to date. Rosters shall be open for inspection by NWSC head coaches, upon request.
   

• MUNICIPAL POOLS – shall include in alphabetical order, the following information: (May 21, 2007)

1.     Athletes Last Name

2.  Athletes First Name

3.  Street address

4.  Town

5.  Sex

6.     Date of Birth

7.     Age
 - for returning athletes the age on June 1
 - for new athletes the age on July 1 

8.     Registered prior to 2007 season

 

• PRIVATE CLUBS – shall include in alphabetical order, the following information: (May 21, 2007)

1.     Athletes Last Name

2.  Athletes First Name

3.  Sex

4.     Date of Birth

5.     Age
 - for returning athletes the age on June 1
 - for new athletes the age on July 1 

6.     Registered prior to 2007 season

 

 

F. Swimming/Diving Out Of Age Groupings

• It is permissible for a coach to enter a swimmer or diver in an event that is in an age group HIGHER than that in which he or she is registered. For example a 10 year old may swim in a 12 & under event. However, at no time may a swimmer or diver participate in an event that is a LOWER age group than that in which he or she is registered.
   

• In the event a swimmer is found to have been swimming BELOW his/her correct age group, all points scored will be forfeited, the meet will be rescored and that athlete will be ineligible in the next league/division competition.

 

G. Officiating

• All League/Division meets are to be conducted by a Certified Official assigned by the Officials’ Liaison. This official will have authority over the entire meet. In addition, the official is responsible for the following:

1. Calling the Home Team's Representative and/or Head Coach at least one day prior to the meet to confirm their attendance. (March 25, 2008)

2. Checking to make sure the host team has all equipment/supplies needed for the meet.

3.     Signing the official score sheet at the conclusion of the meet.

4.     Submitting protests to the League President & Officials’ Liaison.

• Officials will be docked 50% of their meet fee for late arrival (5:15pm for afternoon meets and 8:45am for morning meets). Extenuating circumstances will be reviewed by the Board. (March 25, 2008)
   

• In the event an official does not arrive, the meet may be officiated by a person agreeable to both league representatives.
   

• TIMETABLE FOR OFFICIALS: official must arrive at 5pm for weekday dual meets and 8:30am for weekend dual meets. (July 28, 2005)
   

• If the official arrives at a dual meet and the meet is cancelled, the host team must pay a $15.00 travel fee, to each official, as a courtesy.

 

H. Protests

• All protests must be submitted IN WRITING, from the head coach, to the meet referee from the meet in question, within 24 hours. It will be the official’s responsibility to see that the protest is delivered to the League President FIRST, & then the Officials’ Liaison. In the event a protest involves an official, the head coach must submit the protest directly to, IN WRITING, the President first and then to the Official’s Liaison.

• Final settlement of all protests will be the responsibility of the Rules and Procedures Committee and their decision is final.

 

I. Postponement/Cancellation

• Meets should only be cancelled/postponed in the event of thunder & lightning or mechanical problems. It is up to the discretion of the Pool Director whether or not a meet should be postponed or cancelled. (Concurrence with the Meet Referee is recommended.) (June 20, 2000)
   

•  A dual or championship meet which is called off because of inclement weather will be continued from the point of interruption on the next date. The meet scoring will continue from the point of interruption. Eligibility of the athletes will be determined on the date the meet began.
   

• If a meet is stopped during the diving competition, the rescheduled meet will begin with the next dive. If a diver cannot make the rescheduled meet, they will be disqualified. (August 12, 1996)

 

 

ARTICLE X – ADMINISTERING SWIMMING & DIVING DUAL MEETS

 

A. Warm-Up And Starting Times Of Meets

• Tuesday Meets: Divers may begin warm-up at 4:30pm. Swimmers may begin warm-up at 5:00pm. Meet starts at 5:30pm with diving. (July 28, 2005)
   

• Saturday Meets: Divers may begin warm-up at 8:00am. Swimmers may begin warm-up at 8:30am. Meet starts at 9:00am with diving. (July 28, 2005)

 

 

B. Order Of Events

 

DIVING:           13 & under         18 & under

 

SWIMMING:

Backstroke – girls & boys                             Breaststroke – girls & boys

  8 & under 25 yards/meters                             8 & under 25 yards/meters       

10 & under 50 yards/meters                           10 & under 50 yards/meters

12 & under 50 yards/meters                           12 & under 50 yards/meters

14 & under 50 yards/meters                           14 & under 50 yards/meters

18 & under 100 yards/meters                         18 & under 100 yards/meters

 

Butterfly – girls & boys                                Freestyle – girls & boys*

  8 & under 25 yards/meters                             6 & under 25 yards/meters (non scoring)

10 & under 25 yards/meters                             8 & under 25 yards/meters

12 & under 50 yards/meters                           10 & under 50 yards/meters

14 & under 50 yards/meters                           12 & under 50 yards/meters

18 & under 50 yards/meters                           14 & under 100 yards/meters

                                                                   18 & under 100 yards/meters

Relays – girls & boys

              11 & under 200 yards/meters freestyle

              15 & under 200 yards/meters freestyle

 

• FALSE START RULE: Each swimmer is allowed one false start. (March 27, 2007)

• DUAL MEET COMMITTEE: shall make decisions on matters not specifically covered by the rules or on the misapplication of a rule during a meet. Judgment calls are not subject to review. The decision of the meet committee is final. Committee Members: 1 Coach per team, 1 Team Representative and the Meet Official. (January 18, 2001)

C. Dives – required/optional & rules

• A 101A, 101B or 101C dive will be the required dive for all contestants and must be done as the first dive of the event. (July 26, 2007)
   

• Each contestant may select three optional dives; however, of the total of four dives by each contestant, three groups must be represented.
   

• The required dive may not be used as one of the optional dives.
   

• An optional dive group may be repeated, but not the optional dive.
   

• All optional dives must be listed in the official NFHS Handbook.
   

• Once a diver is on the board, coaches cannot say anything to the diver, or the diver will be disqualified. (July 28, 2005)
   

• A diver shall make a sincere attempt to perform each dive.
   

• A diver is DQ’d and shall perform no further dives if he/she fails 2 dives.

 

D. Diving Entries/Sheets

 

E. Swimming Events: Number Of Team Entries Per Event

• Eight Lane Pool: In a dual meet, each team is allowed to enter a max of 4 individual swimmers per event. In relays, each team may enter up to 4 relays.
   

• Six Lane Pool: In a dual meet, each team will be allowed to enter a max of 3 individual swimmers per event. In relays, each team may enter up to 3 relays.
   

• Four Lane Pool: In a dual meet, each team will be allowed to enter a max of 2 individual swimmers per event. In relays, each team may enter up to 2 relays.

 

F. Swimming Events: Number Of Events Per Swimmer

• A swimmer may participate in a max of 4 events, one of which must be a relay. {3 individual events/one relay OR 2 individual events/2 relays}. (July 28, 2005)
   

• Once a swimmer has been entered in an event and the lane entry card has been handed into the timer, only those athletes whose name is on the card can and must swim the event. Last minute changes are not allowed, once the card has been handed in.

 

G. Lane Assignments

• The visiting team shall have its choice of lanes – odd or even. This choice applies to all swimming events of the meet.

 

H. Scoring

• In dual meets, the point scoring shall be 5-3-2-1 in accordance with Federation Rules for all events, with the exception of relays which will be 8-4-2.
   

• No team can sweep all three places unless the opposing team fails to enter a contestant in the event. A disqualification counts as an entry.  
   

• No team may score more than 2 places – no matter what the size of the pool.
   

• The numerical score for a dual meet that is forfeited is 12-0.
   

• Any team that scores 271 points shall be declared the winner. It is strongly suggested that teams be considerate and not run up the score.

 

I. Lane Entry Cards & Score Sheets

• Only NWSC, Inc. approved lane entry cards and score sheets are to be used at dual meets. (Copies can be found on website)
   

• Individual Events - names (first and last), must be clearly printed on each lane card. Cards that are not legible will be voided. Once a swimmer has been entered in an event and the lane entry card has been handed into the timer, only those athletes whose name is on the card can and must swim the event. Last minute changes are not allowed, once the card has been handed in.
   

• Relays – first and last names of all swimmers must be listed. If a swimmer is not listed, the penalty is disqualification. (March 27, 2006)

 

J. Host Team Responsibilities

• The host team is responsible for providing the following:

1.     score sheets and pencils for both teams

2.     lane entry cards for each lane and team

3.     clipboards and pencils for each lane

4.     a runner to bring the lane cards to the scorers table

5.     backstroke flags at each end of the pool

6.     three sets of diving flash cards

7.     diving calculator or calculator

8.     PA system

9.     3 timers with watches

10. one scorer, one ribbon writer and one diving judge

 

 

K. Visiting Team Responsibilities

• The visiting team is responsible for:

1.     3 timers with watches

2.     one scorer, ribbon writer and diving judge

L. Reporting Dual Meet Results

• It is the responsibility of the host team to report dual meet result to the following:

1.     Division Chairperson

2.     Website (http://nwsc.usswim.net)

3.     Newspaper

 

M. Dual Meet Results – Determining Champions Per Division

• The team with the best dual meet record is determined to be the Division Champions. (Dual Meet Champions)
   

• Only dual meets within a division count towards the dual meet record (for Division {Dual Meet} Champs title) – no crossover meets. (August 9, 1999)
   

• If there is a tie, the head to head competition will determine which team is the dual meet champion and/or moves up or down. (May 23, 2006)
   

• If head-to-head results cannot determine who moves up or down in the division with ties of 3 or more, then the Swimming Championships will determine the results. (July 26, 2007)

 

N. Awards

• Host pools are required to provide 1^st thru 4^th place awards (ribbons). 5^th & 6^th place awards are at the discretion of the host pool but are greatly appreciated by the athletes. (August 2, 2001) 
   

• In lieu of trophies each Member Club will receive (approximately every 6 years) a “perpetual” plaque to display the following inscribed plates: placing @ Diving Championships; placing @ Swimming Championships and (if appropriate) a Dual Meet Champion plate. (March 13, 2003)

 

O. Taunting/Unsportsmanlike Conduct

• No team personnel (coaches, managers, lap counters and participating or nonparticipating competitors), shall act in an unsportsmanlike manner, including but not limited to: making insults or derogatory remarks, gestures or acts including taunting; trying to influence or show disgust with officials’ decisions; interfering with meet officials in the performance of their duties.
   

• The NFHS disapproves of any form of taunting which is intended to embarrass, ridicule or demean others under any circumstances on the basis of relative ability, race, religion, gender or national origin.
   

• Team personnel shall be disqualified from further participation for unsportsmanlike conduct. For excessive unsportsmanlike conduct, team personnel may be ejected from the competition area.
   

• WHEN A SPECTATOR(S) BECOMES UNRULY OR INTERFERES WITH THE ORDERLY PROGRESS OF THE MEET, THE REFEREE SHALL SUSPEND THE MEET UNTIL THE MEET MANAGEMENT REMOVES THE INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM THE PREMISES.