The purpose of this organization shall be for the promotion of scholastic Chess in the state of Kansas.
ARTICLE I. NAME
The name of this organization shall be the Kansas Scholastic Chess Association.
ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. All schools who entered teams into any scholastic Chess team competition during the 1986-1987 school year shall be considered as charter members.
Section 2. A team shall be defined as two or more students with an adult sponsor.
Section 3. Any school who enters any team competition sanctioned by this organization shall be considered a member of this organization.
Section 4. To retain membership in this organization, a member school must do the following: a) not enter a team into any event not sanctioned by the Board of Directors, b) strongly urge their students to not participate in events not sanctioned by this organization, and c) abide by all parts of this constitution and by-laws.
Section 5. Each school shall have the person designated as their Chess Coach/Sponsor to be the official representative of that school to this organization with full voting privileges.
Section 6. Players will be allowed to play as a Home School team if that Home School has registered with the Kansas Department of Education as a Home School Association. The association must provide a list of all students within their association as listed with the Kansas Department of Education. No player who attends any private or public school can play as a member of a Home School Association team.
ARTICLE III. OFFICERS
Section 1. The President's duties shall be the following: 1) to be the official spokesperson for Kansas Scholastic Chess, 2) to be in charge of the annual meeting, 3) to be liaison between this organization and the Kansas State High School Activities Association, 4) to be liaison between this organization and the Kansas Chess Association, and 5) to be liaison between this organization and the United States Chess Federation. No member may serve more than two consecutive terms as President.
Section 2. The Executive Vice-President's duties shall be the following: 1) to be in charge of the annual meeting in the absence of the President, 2) to be in charge of new membership, 3) to make sure this organization stays true to this constitution and by-laws, 4) to be in charge of letting the membership know of proposed amendments to the constitution and by-laws, 5) to be responsible for the keeping of individual and team statistics, and 6) any other duties deemed necessary by the President.
Section 3. The Vice-President's duties shall be the following: 1) to be in charge of the annual meeting in the absence of the President and Executive Vice-President, 2) to be in charge of scheduling all tournaments (to eliminate conflicting dates), and 3) to arrange for a tournament director for a tournament, if the host member school is unable to find one.
Section 4. The Secretary's duties shall be the following: 1) to keep the minutes of the annual meeting and 2) to be in charge of and maintain records of all correspondence.
Section 5. The Treasurer's duties shall be the following: 1) to be responsible for all monies of this organization and 2) to keep careful and complete records of all financial transactions.
Section 6. The Historian's duties shall be to keep historical records of Kansas Scholastic Chess; to include, but not limited to, the State Individual and Team Champions, tournament records, and National achievements.
Section 7. All terms of office shall be from July 1 to June 30.
ARTICLE IV. QUORUM
To have a business meeting at least one-half of the current members must be present.
ARTICLE V. AMENDMENTS
Section 1. Any member may propose amendments to this constitution by writing out the proposed amendment and mailing it to the Executive Vice-President at least six weeks or emailing it at least one month before the annual meeting.
Section 2. The Executive Vice-President shall be responsible for contacting the elected officers to approve the amendment; then, if approved, the Executive Vice-President shall mail copies of the proposed amendment to all current members.
Section 3. If a majority of the members attending the annual meeting approve the amendment, it shall become part of this constitution.
Section 4. If the KSCA should dissolve, the KSCA assets will be donated to the US Chess trust for scholastic benefit.
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I. BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Board of Directors shall consist of each of the current elected officers and all past Presidents.
ARTICLE II. ANNUAL MEETING
The annual meeting shall be held during the State Invitational Chess Tournament.
ARTICLE III. TOURNAMENTS
Section 1. All tournaments authorized and sponsored by this organization shall be run by those official rules published by the United States Chess Federation.
Section 2. All tournaments shall have an official Tournament Director, who has been approved by this organization, to run all inter-school tournaments. It shall be the primary function of the Tournament Director to see that all U.S.C.F. rules are properly enforced.
Section 3. If the host school has been unable to find a Tournament Director, even through the assistance of the Vice-President, the tournament shall be allowed to be held with the host school coach acting as Tournament Director.
Section 4. In all tournaments with one section the recommended minimum number of awards presented will be: high school = three (3) team trophies and 25 individual medals; K-8 = three (3) team trophies and 25 individual medals.
Section 5. In all tournaments with two or more sections the recommended minimum number of awards presented will be: high school = three (3) team trophies and 25 individual medals; K-8 section = two (2) team trophies for Junior High/Middle School, two (2) team trophies for Elementary, 15 individual medals for Junior High/Middle School, and 15 individual medals for Elementary.
Section 6. In all tournaments not sponsored directly by the K.S.C.A. the host school will donate to the K.S.C.A. a flat fee of $50.00; providing the host school made a profit of at least $50.00. The membership shall vote to put this section into effect each year based on the Treasurer's report.
Section 7. A 6th grade student's designation as Elementary or Junior High/Middle School will be determined by how the school the student actually attends is designated by their school district.
Section 8. It is recommended that in all tournaments except the State Invitational Chess Tournament the advance entry fee shall be $5.00.
Section 9. The State Invitational Chess Tournament shall consist of three sections (i.e. high school, junior high/middle school, and elementary). Only students from schools in good standing may attend this tournament.
Section 10. Those present at the annual meeting have first choice of dates for tournaments. Any school not represented at the annual meeting may only schedule a tournament on the same date as a school who was in attendance at the annual meeting if they are located at least 100 miles away from the school already on the schedule. Schools not in attendance at the annual meeting may later schedule tournaments on any open date.
ARTICLE IV. STATE TITLES
Section 1. At the State Invitational Chess Tournament titles will be awarded as follows: 1) Overall State High School Team Champion, 2) State High School Team Champion for each recognized classification (6A, 5A, 4A, 3A, 2A, 1A) of schools, 3) State Junior High Team Champion, 4) State Elementary School Team Champion, and 5) Overall State High School, Junior High, and Elementary Champions.
Section 2. The ten (10) "K.S.C.A. All-State Teams" shall be determined by the teams which have the highest team average of points scored at the State Invitational Chess Tournament and at least three (3) other tournaments sponsored by the K.S.C.A. There shall be "All-State Teams" for high school, junior high/elementary, and elementary. For any school who has met the above requirements they may have the single lowest score subtracted to assist their average; however, they may not deduct the score from the State tournament, which shall be weighted as two (2) tournaments.
Section 3. The State High School Team Champion for each recognized classification shall be determined by the team within that class which scores the most points. A separate awards section shall be made for each classification of schools to be awarded First, Second, and Third places in each of those classifications. Those classifications of schools which have three (3) or less entries shall be lumped together into one section and they shall compete for a State Title for that combined section. Example: If there were entries per each classification as follows: 6A=6, 5A=5, 4A=3, 3A=3, 2A=2, 1A=1. Then the tournament would be divided into three sections: 1) 6A, 2) 5A, 3) 4A-1A.
Section 4. State Junior High and Elementary Team Champions will be selected if there are a minimum of four (4) entries in their classification. If there are a minimum of ten (10) team entries in these two classifications with a minimum of four (4) in each of the areas; then a separate State Championship shall be held for these students. Unless the Board of Directors decided differently, this tournament shall be run simultaneously and at the same location as the high school tournament.
Section 5. The "Kansas Chess All-State Chess Players" shall be determined by the individual students who have the highest average for the year. These averages shall be from points scored at the State tournament and the top three (3) other tournaments sponsored by the K.S.C.A. The State Tournament shall be weighted as two (2) tournaments. All students, despite the classification of their school, shall equally compete for this honor. This recognition shall be given to those high school students who rank First through Twentieth. There shall be one "All-State" group for high school, a second "All-State" group for the top ten Junior High players, and a third "All-State" group for the top ten Elementary players. KSCA sanctioned USCF tournaments in the State of Kansas must be included for determination.
ARTICLE V. STUDENT REQUIREMENTS
Section 1. Each member school is responsible to verify that each student meets the requirements of this section.
Section 2. Each student must meet all student eligibility requirements and guidelines of the Kansas State High School Activities Association for participation in the State Championship.Eligibility for scholastic tournaments: Within the current agreement between the KSCA and KSHSAA, the KSCA does maintain eligibility standards established in the KSHSAA handbook. In particular, Rule 21, Art. 1 states, "a student who uses his or her athletic skill or knowledge for gain, or who plays with a professional team, or who competes for a cash prize, shall be ineligible for that sport." The ineligibility is considered permanent, as a time limit is not imposed upon it in the KSHSAA Handbook.
Section 3. State Championship Qualifier:
HS (high school): Attendance at a minimum of two tournaments with a record of two or more wins at each tournament. MS (junior high/middle school), and EL (elementary): Attendance at a minimum of two tournaments.
ARTICLE VI. DUES
Section 1. There shall be no regular dues.
Section 2. If the elected officers believe it is necessary for the organization to purchase anything or spend money on anything, then each member school shall be asked to contribute voluntarily toward the purchase of that item(s). The elected officers must unanimously approve any such expenditures.
Section 3. Any school that fails to pay its fair share of any expense (which it originally agreed to share) shall be dropped from membership. The school shall not be able to regain membership until they pay the original bill.
ARTICLE VII. ELECTION OF OFFICERS
Section 1. The election of officers shall occur at the annual meeting.
Section 2. All nominations shall come from the floor and the winner will be the person who receives the most votes of those nominated.
ARTICLE VIII. BUSINESS SOLICITATION
Section 1. KSCA or member schools may solicit funds for the support of chess.
Section 2. These Funds must be targeted towards purchase of club or association equipment, tournament site costs, team transportation costs, or team lodging/meal costs at state or national competitions.
Equipment purchased for KSCA is the responsibility of KSCA and Kept in a location designated by the Executive Board during the off-season.
Equipment purchased by schools is the responsibility of that school.
Section 3. Member Schools are prohibited froom using these funds for:
Membership dues to chess organizations such as FIDE or USCF.
Attendance of camps, schools, training seminars, etc. for coaches or players.
Payment or reward of players for competition or participation.
Reimbursement of coaches and players for personal use equipment or clothing.
Reimbursement of coaches or parents for player transport in private vehicles.
Section 4. Funds Disbursement
Funds solicited for general KSCA equipment/purposes must be sent to KSCA and will be used by the Treasurer upon instruction by the President or majority of the Executive Board.
Funds solicited for the member school must be paid to the school and then is used by the school as per local board policy.
Section 5. Accountability/Complaint Review
A written record of solicited fund income and expenses should be submitted to the KSCA Executive Board at each State Championship tournament in case of KSHSAA review/questions.
complaints of improper use of funding by schools will be reviewed by a session of the Executive Board.
If determination is made that improper use of funds, then that individual/school would be banned from KSCA competition for one year.
