Triple T Sports Center
Parents' Association Bylaws

PURPOSE:  The Association is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, religious, or scientific purposes within the meaning of section 501C (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:  The Triple T Parents’ Association promotes and supports all the teams of Triple T Sports Center.  The Association encourages a spirit of fellowship and sportsmanship among the athletes and parents.  The primary activities of the Parents’ Association are to raise funds to support the Triple T teams, organize team travel to competitive events, and pay for many of the expenses of the team members and coaches.  Competitive gymnasts must train many hours per week and are required to attend an Olympic Summer Camp for one week each summer.  The Association pays part of the gymnasts’ travel expenses, camp and meet fees, uniform costs, and coaches’ travel fees.  Additional financial assistance may be provided as determined necessary by the board members.

INITIATED:  Triple T Sports Center Parents’ Association was originally initiated in September 2002.

REQUIREMENTS FOR MEMBERSHIP:  Parents who have a child on any USAG team (level 4 and up) or cheer squad at Triple T Sports Center must join the Parents’ Association.  Membership is optional, although highly recommended, for all other team members.

FUNDRAISING:  The Parents’ Association participates in fundraising activities including, but not limited to:  sales, charitable contributions, hosting in-house meets, concession sales, and car washes.   Profits from fundraising events are split between the association’s general fund and the gymnasts’ personal spending accounts, with 75% going to the general fund and 25% going to the personal spending account. Any member earning $50 or more for the general fund during three separate fundraising events will begin receiving a 50/50 split for each additional fundraising event. All concerts are a 50/50 split. Individual spending accounts afford members the opportunity to use TPA money, which they have helped raise, for their personal team related expenses. These expenses include meet fees, coach’s fees, uniform fees, camp fees, and equipment purchases. Individual spending accounts may NOT be used to pay tuition fees. Accounts are for personal use only and may not be used to purchase items or cover fees for other individuals without prior board approval.

FEES & RESPONSIBILITIES:  Annual dues for the Parents’ Association is $50 ($36 for Advanced Lions/Bears), which covers administrative expenses and general fund purchases that may include, but is not limited to, purchasing equipment for the gym, monies distributed for group events such as camp, or anything that is determined to be appropriate for the benefit of the group as a whole.  Dues cover the period 01 Sep – 31 Aug. Parents are required to earn 3 points per quarter (2 for Advanced Lions/Bears). Up to 3 points may be “banked” to be used during a subsequent quarter of the year. Points are awarded for participation during any association sponsored event. Any member earning additional points in a quarter and not wishing to “bank” them will have money deposited into their child’s individual  account (5-7 Points = $5, 8-10 points = $10). Parents that are unable to attend events due to work/travel may contact any board member to arrange additional opportunities to earn points.  Parents are required to participate in a minimum of 4 (1 per quarter) group fundraising events per year.  They are expected to attend Parents’ meetings, held once a quarter, and participate in promoting team activities.  Parents are required to work at all in-house meets.  If you are unable or choose not to participate, your account will be charged $10.00. Parents must pay all fees by the posted deadline. Failure to meet this requirement will result in late fees or inability to register for a meet. The TPA is not responsible for paying late fees unless they are incurred due to negligence on the part of the TPA. Parents and students are expected to adhere to Triple T Sports Center Class Rules and Policies, and Meet Rules. 

BENEFITS/PENALTIES:  Members in good standing receive reduced tuition, and a 10 % discount at the pro shop. Additionally members in good standing will receive 1 meet fee for all USAG level & Cheer Squad members (meet determined by the association board), 3 meet fees for all Hot Shot/Pre Team members and 2 meet fees for all Advanced Lions/Bears members.  The association will pay 20% of coaching fees for regular meets, 50% for sectional meets, and 75% for state meets. Any member not earning the required 3 points in a quarter (may use “banked” points) or owing the association money will be considered not in good standing and their child will not be allowed to participate in USAG meets. A member not in good standing will forfeit all benefits, be charged full tuition, and have their individual spending account frozen until their points/debt are brought current. Additionally, any member failing to meet any requirement set forth herein may be considered, at the discretion of the board, not in good standing for 1 full quarter. Any member not in good standing for 2 consecutive quarters may, at the board’s discretion, have their membership terminated. Upon termination, any and all money in their individual spending account will be absorbed back into the general fund.

INCUREMENT OF INCOME:  No part of the net earning of the Association shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its members, trustees, officers or other private persons except that the Association shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered.

LEGISLATIVE OR POLITICAL ACTIVITIES:  No substantial part of the activities of the Association shall be the carrying on of propaganda or otherwise attempting to influence legislation and the Association shall not participate in or intervene, including the publishing or distribution of statements for any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.

OPERATIONAL LIMITATIONS:  Notwithstanding any other provisions of these articles, the Association shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by a Association exempt from Federal Income Tax under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or corresponding provision of any future contributions, to which are deductible under section 170 (c) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or the corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law).

DISSOLUTION CLAUSE:  Upon the dissolution of the Association, the Board members, after paying or making provision for the payment of all the liabilities of the Association, dispose of all the assets of the Association exclusively for the purposes of the Association in such a manner, or to such organization or organizations religious, or scientific purposes as shall at the time qualify as an exempt organization or organizations under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (or corresponding provision of any future United States Internal Revenue Law), as the Board members shall determine.  Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the principal office of the Association is then located, exclusively for such, purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said court shall determine, which are organized operated exclusively for such purposes.

Bylaws were adopted and approved by the membership on September 1, 2007