BYLAWS
ARTICLE I – ORGANIZATION
Section A. NAME. The name of the organization is the Western Pennsylvania
Scholarship Program.
Section B. PURPOSE. The purpose is to fulfill its duties as required by the WPSP.
1. Provide services and benefits to its members.
2. Promote bowling, maintain and increase membership.
3. Conduct and manage semi final division tournaments for its members, which will
determine the finalists for the Dan Glus Memorial Finals Tournament.
4. Establish qualifying award scores for the end of year John Brannan Memorial
Awards Tournament.
5. Conduct WPSP as a nonprofit organization operated exclusively:
a. For charitable and educational purposes.
b. To conduct and support bowling competition.
c. Maintain the ideals of amateurism preserving membership eligibility for
participation in other athletic or related programs.
d. Develop the ideals of sportsmanship and good citizenship in its members.
Section C. AUTHORITY Board of Governors
1. Has complete management of WPSP.
2. Adopts and amends bylaws.
Section D. LEGAL COMPLIANCE
If the association is liquidated and dissolved, all assets remaining after payment and
discharge of its duties, obligations and liabilities will be distributed proportionately at
the direction of the Governors, to any organizations as stipulated. The Governors
determines the division of the assets including trusts, organized and operated
exclusively for charitable and educational purposes for the sport of bowling.
ARTICLE II – MEMBERSHIP AND DUES
Section A. MEMBERS.
1. WPSP membership is composed of children who have paid the $15.00 registration
fee established by Greater Pittsburgh USBC Youth Association and who have not
reached their 20th birthday on or before August 1 and is in effect for the current
season, August 1 through July 31.
a. All bowlers in a youth league must have paid the registration fee established
by the Greater Pittsburgh USBC Youth association. A $5.00 additional
membership fee will be submitted to WPSP to establish membership in
WPSP. All bowlers within that league will be permitted to participate in any
WPSP event and receive WPSP awards once registration fees have been paid.
b. All bowlers must submit a USBC certification card with their registration fee
so that information is correct for both Gr PGH USBC Youth and WPSP.
Section B. DUES. Annual membership dues of the WPSP as determined by the board
1. Membership dues are $5.00.
2. Membership dues must be paid within (3) three weeks of the start of bowling
season.
Section C. CHANGE IN DUES. WPSP dues may be amended at directors’ discretion.
ARTICLE III – BOARD OF GOVERNORS / BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section A. GOVERNING BOARD must be of legal age to enter into a contract as
required by state. The governors shall consist of Rich Nesbit, Michele Householder, and
Frank Kostik.
1. Tournament Director may be employed from outside the board.
a. The tournament director is a member of the board and has a voice.
b. The tournament director has a vote when designated.
Section B. GOVERNORS RESPONSIBILITIES. The board is responsible for the
management of the WPSP and should provide policies and procedures.
1. Financial operations
a. Ensures membership fees and center fees have been collected.
b. Authorizes all expenditures.
c. Establishes a procedure for the handling of the following:
1) Deposits
2) Payment of bills
3) Investments
d. Approves the financial institutions used by the WPSP, which must be
federally insured.
e. Designates at least two board members to sign for withdrawals.
f. Decides salaries, if any.
g. Ensures verification of the financial accounts monthly.
h. Appoints a committee to audit the WPSP accounts annually. A written
report is submitted to the board.
i. Establishes programs to generate non dues revenue, as needed.
(DONATIONS, SPONSORS)
2. Reports
a. Provides for the following reports:
1) Detailed annual financial report.
2) Record of all members.
3) Break down of member ratios.
4) Break down of prize money ratios for finals and award tournaments.
3. Records
a. Establishes a procedure for retention of the following records.
1) Membership.
2) Financial.
4. Additional responsibilities
a. Schedules board meetings.
b. Committees furnish written reports upon request
Section C. BOARD OF DIRECTORS . Individuals must be:
1. Owner or
2. Proprietor or
3. Designated representative for voting purposes.
4. Only 1 vote permitted from each eligible bowling establishment.
Section D. DIRECTORS RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Attend meetings.
2. Only 1 vote permitted from each eligible bowling establishment
3. Communicate with Board of Governors with ideas and opinions
ARTICLE IV – MEETINGS
Section A. MEETINGS.
1. WPSP holds a minimum of two meetings per year, with one designated as the
annual meeting. The board schedules regular meetings
2. Quorum. Three members constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
3. Voting. Decisions are made by a majority vote of those present and voting.
ARTICLE V – TOURNAMENTS
Section A. DIVISION TOURNAMENTS. Division semi-finals, finals, and awards
tournaments are conducted annually. The tournaments are certified with USBC Youth.
1. Tournament rules are adopted by the board.
2. A Quorum of the board is required to change tournament rules after adoption.
3. Tournament sites are selected by the board by bidding process.
a. If center participation fees are paid by 10/15, establishment is eligible to
bid. If fees have not been paid by 10/15 the center will be ineligible to
bid.
b. New centers must wait one year before bidding for a tournament.
c. If a center drops out of the Gr PGH USBC Youth and WPSP for any
reason and then returns at a later time, a one year wait will again be
required.
4. Center participation fees are 4-10 lane beds - $40.00, 11-20 lane beds - $100.00,
21-60 lane beds - $200.00
a. Fees are subject to change yearly.
5. The tournaments consist of any or all of the following:
a. Females, males.
b. Singles event
c. Handicap Division & Scratch Division
d. Junior Gold Qualifier in U15 and U 20 semi finals and awards tournament
Section B. WPSP SCHOLARSHIP TOURNAMENTS. All scholarships must be
held in the SMART program.
ARTICLE VI – AMENDMENTS
Section A. POWER TO AMEND.
1. The WPSP bylaws may be amended at any meeting by a two-thirds vote of those
present and voting, provided a quorum is present.
2. Changes approved at the WPSP Annual Meeting applicable to these bylaws are
made automatically without action by the board.
Section B. PROCEDURE. Any individual having a definitive interest in the WPSP
may submit proposed amendments to these bylaws. The board determines
definitive interest.
1. Submit Proposed amendments in writing at least 30 days prior to the board
meeting at which the proposal is to be considered.
2. Change in Dues or Center fees can only be considered at the annual board
meeting.
ARTICLE VII – Rules
Section A. MEMBERSHIP RULES.
1. See Article II Section A. for membership eligibility
2. To maintain eligibility, youth bowlers must not bowl, substitute or pace in any
bowling activity where:
a. They are involved in any form of gambling.
b. Cash or bonds are awarded.
c. Scholarships. There are no limits on scholarship amounts. The
scholarship must be held by SMART and must be paid directly to the
accredited institution of higher learning.
3. Membership. The WPSP membership year shall be from August 1 through
July31 of the following year. The annual membership fee shall be $5.00 per
member. Membership fee is subject to change at the start of each new season.
5. Penalty for Unfair Tactics/Derogatory Conduct. Any member violating these
rules shall be liable for suspension or denial of WPSP membership privileges.
a. Attempting to gain an unfair advantage:
1) By directly or indirectly tampering with lanes, bowling pins and/or
bowling balls so they no longer meet USBC Specifications.
2) By misrepresenting an average to gain a greater handicap in a WPSP
tournament.
3) By establishing an average below their ability and thereby gaining an
unfair advantage in handicap competitions. Penalty is forfeiture of
game or games including awards and/or suspension of membership.
b. Using an assumed name, bowling under the name of another person or
allowing another to use the name of a person scheduled to bowl in a
WPSP tournament. Penalty is forfeiture of all games in which such a
player was used, and all involved and found guilty shall be liable for
suspension of membership.
d. Conduct derogatory to the best interest of youth bowling, including but not
limited to, the following while competing in league or tournament play.
Penalty for infractions is at the discretion of the board or tournament
official:
1) Using tobacco products or alcoholic beverages.
2) Using foul language or gestures.
3) Wearing clothing depicting foul language or gestures, alcohol or
tobacco products.
4) Prior adjudication of delinquency or conviction of a crime, including
but not limited to, crimes involving physical or mental abuse or sexual
assault.
e. A bowler suspended from or denied membership in USBC Youth shall be
ineligible to participate in any and all WPSP events.
ARTICLE VIII TOURNAMENT ELIGIBILITY
Section A. All USBC Youth members who have paid their WPSP $5.00
membership are eligible to participate in the semi final tournament for their age
division.
Section B. Number of games needed to bowl to qualify in semi-finals is 9 games prior to
the deadline for each division semifinals deadline.
Section C. Finals’ eligibility – For each division the percentage of boys and girls will be
based on the total membership of all the centers/leagues for that division.
Section D. Awards tournament eligibility- Award scores bowled in a certified league or
certified tournament constitute eligibility in Awards Tournament. Awards scores must be
submitted every 2 weeks or by April 15.
Award Scores - U 8 - 80 game, U 12 – 120 game, U 15 – 160 game, U 20 – 200 game
Section E. Prize Money - Prize money will be distributed based on the membership
ratio.
ARTICLE IX – WPSP TOURNAMENT RULES
Section A. All entries and competition in these tournaments must be in accordance with
the rules and regulations of the United States Bowling Congress Youth (USBC Youth)
and the Western Pennsylvania Scholarship Program (WPSP).
Section B. Each entrant in the tournament must be a member of the Greater Pittsburgh
Youth Bowling and the WPSP. Refer back to Article II Section A.
Section C. Tournament Divisions are based on ages as of 8/1 established by the USBC.
1. Under 8 years of age
2. U 12 years of age
3. U 15 years of age
4 U 20 years of age
Section D. Averages. When a bowler has more than one USBC Youth league average,
and the individual average is used to determine the handicap or classification of the
bowler, the highest USBC Youth league average based on a minimum of nine games
shall be used. This includes travel league. Semi-Finals and Finals Tournament averages
will be the same qualifying average. The Semi Finals averages will be the bowler’s
highest average from Junior League or Travel League, (minimum nine games). Average
sheets must accompany all entry forms for the Semi-Finals and Awards. Average sheets
as of 1/1 from Junior League and Travel League, should be forwarded to the WPSP prior
to the Tournaments. Any award scores bowled after March 15th may be submitted at the
start of the new season. Failure to use the proper average shall disqualify score if
submitted average is lower than correct average. Correction of average may be permitted
up to the completion of the first game of the tournament. If an error occurs in the
classification of an individual, which is detected prior to the awards distribution,
correction to proper placement must be made and the scores recalculated, with no
penalty.
Section E. Handicap. (100% of difference of bowler’s average and 220. Any bowler
with an average over 220 will bowl scratch)
Section F. Tournament times will be given on first come first served basis. You will
only be notified if you do not get the time you requested. Please submit two squad
choices.
Section G. Tournament Fees. Each tournament fee shall be $20.00 an event, unless
designated by WPSP. All money is due by payment deadline. NO EXCEPTIONS.
Please note: Entry fees must be in the form of money orders, or checks from the
coach or center only. No other personal checks will be accepted. There will be a
$35.00 fee for any check returned.
A distribution of all breakdowns of awards will be distributed at the end of the year.
Section H. No refunds for fees already paid for entries.
Section I. Strongly recommend that each center have a designated coach or parent to
speak for center.
Section J. Scoring. Bowlers arriving late and not ready to bowl will use 0 until frame
they begin to bowl. Injured or sick bowlers will receive a prorated (per frame) score for
the remainder of the frames missed.
Section K. Improper conduct, criminal mischief, or abuse of equipment during the course
of competition shall be cause for immediate dismissal and disqualification from the
Tournament(s).
Section L. All bowlers are required to abide by the following Tournament Dress Code.
Bowlers will be asked to change clothing if not compliant with dress code. Tournament
Director has total discretion to remove bowler from tournament for non compliance.
1. Clothing shall be loose fitting and not made of spandex material.
2. No tube tops, halter tops, or spaghetti straps. Shirts will have sleeves
3. No clothing advertising alcohol, tobacco, or any immoral printing or pictures.
4. All bowlers will wear full length pants or jeans. No shorts, capris or crop
pants. No HOLES in clothing.
5. No hats or bandannas.
6. Shirts will be long enough to cover undergarments.
7. Please give all bowlers the dress code form with their squad time posted.
Section M. Foul language will not be tolerated and is cause for immediate dismissal and
disqualification of scores.
Section N. No electronic devices are to be used while on the lanes in these tournaments.
Electronic devices consist of:
1. Ipods
2. Cell phones.
3. No headphones during competition.
Section O. Bowlers should arrive and check-in at the tournament desk at least ½ hour
prior to start time. Please bring balls and shoes from home centers.
Section P. Any protest regarding a claim, controversy or violation in a tournament
involving any tournament rule shall be filed in writing with the Board of Govenors with
copies to the proprietors involved. Protests must be filed within 72 hours. The
tournament director withholds all affected tournament awards.
Section Q. The decision of the tournament director and the board of govenors shall be
final unless advised within 48 hours of an appeal. Upon notification of the appeal, the
tournament director must withhold all affected awards until a final decision is made by
the board of governors.
Section R. Scholarship Distribution. All scholarship prize awards must be deposited
with the SMART program. The number of scholarships awarded will be determined
based on the final membership ratio of boys and girls. In the event of a tie, the
scholarship amounts will be combined and divided equally.
Section S. Any rules not specified herein will be referred to and governed by the USBC
Youth rules.
Section T. Failure to comply with any of the above rules will be immediate cause for
dismissal and all scores bowled will be disqualified.