Steel Army Bylaws
Adopted: January 22nd, 2014
Last Updated: March 4th, 2023
Table of Contents:
1. Steel Army
2. Mission Statement
3. Objectives
4. The Bylaws
5. Membership
6. Rules of Conduct
7. Board Member Duties
8. General Meetings
9. Amendments
1. STEEL ARMY
1.1. This group shall be called Steel Army – Pittsburgh Riverhounds Soccer Supporter’s Group, hereinafter referred to in this document as Steel Army.
1.2. This group shall also be known by the alternate names of “Infamous Steel Army” and “ISA.”
2. MISSION STATEMENT
2.1. We, Steel Army, are an independently operated supporters’ group organized to promote the game of soccer in our community of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and to support the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.
3. OBJECTIVES
3.1. Support the Pittsburgh Riverhounds vigorously via stadium noise (songs, chants, etc.) and visual distractions (banners, signs, streamers, flags, crowd movement, etc.) at Highmark Stadium.
3.2. Facilitate communication amongst Steel Army Members.
3.3. Facilitate communication between Steel Army Members and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, other Pittsburgh Riverhounds fans, other Pittsburgh Riverhounds supporter’s groups, other teams’ supporter’s groups, United States Soccer Federation, and United Soccer League.
3.4. Represent the interests of Steel Army membership.
4. THE BYLAWS
4.1. By becoming a Member of the Steel Army, an individual agrees to the articles of these Bylaws and promise to uphold the spirit in which they were written.
4.2. No alteration of the Bylaws may be made except at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) or at an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) called for this purpose.
4.3. Amendments to the Bylaws must be proposed to the full Board of Directors in writing. Such proposals will be discussed by the Steel Army Board of Directors and a two-thirds majority of Board members must be in agreement to propose it to the membership for voting.
4.4. Any change to the Bylaws shall require approval by a two-thirds majority of the Members present at an AGM or EGM called for this purpose.
4.5. Any matter not addressed in these Bylaws shall be evaluated by the Steel Army Board of Directors, whose decision shall be deemed final.
5. MEMBERSHIP
5.1. A “Member” is defined as one who has paid membership dues to Steel Army for said year and has abided by the “Rules of Conduct.”
5.2. Membership dues will be announced and set for the year at the AGM.
5.3. Membership dues are not refundable.
5.4. The full membership details will be announced at the Annual General Meeting.
5.5. Members are required to follow all regulations outlined in the Bylaws.
6. RULES OF CONDUCT
6.1. Members are expected to avoid any behavior that would be considered detrimental to the image of the Steel Army. This includes, but is not limited to, bigotry (based on race, gender, religion, disability, or sexual orientation), sectarianism, violence, criminal mischief, personal problems, or hooliganism in any of its forms.
6.1.1. For the first infraction, the offending Member will be given a verbal warning.
6.1.2. A second infraction within the same season will result in a written warning and the offending Member being placed on probation for the remainder of the season.
6.1.2.1. Offending Members have the right to meet with the Board of Directors before probation occurs.
6.1.3. Three or more infractions by the offending Member within the same season will result in expulsion from the Steel Army.
6.1.3.1. Offending Members have the right to meet with the Board of Directors before expulsion occurs.
6.1.4. If a violation by any offending Member is deemed severe enough by two-thirds of the Board of Directors, the offending Member will be immediately expelled from the Steel Army.
6.2. Members must gain approval by two-thirds of the Board of Directors before purchasing anything for the Steel Army for which they expect reimbursement.
6.3. Members will be responsible for reporting any and all match day issues or complaints to a Member of the Board of Directors.
7. BOARD MEMBER DUTIES
7.1. Ensure and safeguard the independent status of the Steel Army.
7.2. Represent the interests of the membership of the Steel Army in all aspects.
7.3. Represent the membership of the Steel Army in meetings with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, United states Soccer Federation, United Soccer League , or other associated entities (visiting teams, potential ownership groups, etc.).
7.4. Organize all aspects of general membership and Board of Director meetings at the AGM and any EGMs.
7.5. The primary duties of Members of the Board of Directors will be outlined in the Bylaws.
7.5.1. President
7.5.1.1. The President will act as the primary Steel Army representative & liaison between Steel Army membership and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.
7.5.1.2. The President will schedule an AGM as well as any EGM deemed necessary.
7.5.1.3. The President will delegate all necessary responsibilities not otherwise outlined in these Bylaws to other Members.
7.5.1.3. The President of the Steel Amy is a non-voting member.
7.5.2. Vice President
7.5.2.1. The Vice President assumes all duties of President of the Steel Army in his absence.
7.5.2.2. The Vice President is a secondary liaison and representative between Steel Army membership and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.
7.5.2.3. The Vice President facilitates all votes amongst members of the Board of Directors and the general membership.
7.5.2.4. The Vice President enforces the rules and regulations of the Bylaws.
7.5.3. Treasurer
7.5.3.1. The Treasurer is responsible for collecting all membership dues and maintaining a budget for the fiscal year.
7.5.3.2. The Treasurer will maintain a membership log that lists dues collected from all Steel Army members.
7.5.3.3. The Treasurer will maintain accurate records of receipts and invoices for all purchases and reimbursements.
7.5.3.4. The Treasurer will file all necessary taxes for the Steel Army.
7.6.4 Secretary
7.6.4.1. The Secretary will record minutes at every meeting of the Board of Directors, AGM, and EGM.
7.6.4.2. The Secretary will be responsible for all correspondence between the Board of Directors and the Steel Army membership.
7.6.4.3. The Secretary will maintain a membership log which will detail all major decisions and code of conduct infractions.
7.6.5 Directors-at-Large
7.6.5.1. There will be four (3) Directors-at-Large on the Board of Directors at any given time.
7.6.5.2. The duties of the Directors-at-Large will be determined by the President.
7.6.6. Member Representatives
7.6.6.1. There will be two (2) Member Representatives on the Board of Directors at any given time.
7.6.6.2. The duties of the Member Representatives will be determined by the President.
7.6.7. Merchandise Director
7.6.7.1. There will be one (1) Merchandise Director on the Board of Directors at any given time.
7.6.7.2. The Merchandise Director will oversee all aspects of Steel Army merchandise, including, but not limited to design, production, logistics, and inventory
7.7. The President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Merchandise Director, and Directors-at-Large shall remain in place for two (2) calendar years, or until said Board member resigns, or is removed.
7.8. The Member Representatives shall remain in place for one (1) calendar year, or until said Board member resigns, or is removed.
7.9. Elections for President, Treasurer, Merchandise Director, and one (1) Director-at-Large positions will occur on even-numbered years. Elections for Vice President, Secretary, and the other two (2) Director-at-Large positions will occur on odd-numbered years.
7.10. Should the conduct of any member of the Board of Directors be deemed detrimental to the Steel Army, a unanimous vote of the other members of the Board of Directors will be required to remove that Board member.
7.11. Members of the Board of Directors will have the power to create committees and shall prescribe the function of any committee.
8. GENERAL MEETINGS
8.1. Members will be given at least thirty (30) days notice of the AGM, which will be held during the offseason each year.
8.2. The Treasurer shall keep an account of all income and expenditure and shall report on the state of such accounts at the AGM.
8.3. Only Members in good standing are entitled to vote at an AGM or EGM.
8.4. If a Member cannot attend the AGM, they must inform the Secretary at least 24 hours before the election so that the President can approve their absentee vote via email or phone call.
8.5. Non-dues-paying attendees or Members’ guests at the AGM or EGM may have the right to speak, at the discretion of the President, but not to vote.
8.6. Members are entitled to stand for election as President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, Membership Director, or Director-at-Large, provided they have been a Member for at least one (1) year and they are nominated by one Board member.
8.7. Members are entitled to stand for election as a Member Representative, provided they have been a Member for at least one (1) year and they are nominated by one other Member.
8.7. There shall be a full disclosure of all nominees’ membership history before all elections.
8.8. Where two candidates are contesting a Board Member position, and a tied vote occurs, the winning candidate will be decided by a balloted vote of the outgoing Board Members.
8.9. Should the President’s position become vacant prior to AGM, it will be offered first to the Vice President who may opt to take said Presidency over for the remainder of the term.
8.10. Should any other Board Member position become vacant during their term, an EGM will be called within 30 days of the vacancy and an election will be held for the vacant position. See 9.4
8.11. All votes will be called and organized by the Vice President during the AGM or any EGM.
8.12. Requests by Members for an EGM should be served on the President or Vice President in writing and must have the signatures of three Members in support of request.
8.13. Two-thirds of the Members of the Board must vote in favor of holding an EGM for it to be held, and a decision shall be given to the requestors within 7 days. If approved, the EGM must then be held no later than 30 days from the time the written request is received.
9. AMENDMENTS
9.1. No Member shall be permitted to run for or hold an Officer position if he or she is employed by or holds a leadership position in the Pittsburgh Riverhounds organization or any organization directly affiliated with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. This includes, but is not limited to, the United States Soccer Federation, United Soccer League, youth academies, and other supporters’ groups.
9.2. Financial agreements between the Steel Army and other organizations or businesses for services rendered to Members of the Steel Army must be documented by a written financial agreement approved by the President and Treasurer.
9.3. Steel Army Board Members must be at least 21 years old.
9.4. Should any other Board Member position become vacant during their term, the position will be filled at the next Annual General Meeting.