OBJECTIVES

The essence of Northern California Federation Junior Youth Football, hereinafter referred to as NORCALFED, is a physical fitness program in an atmosphere conducive to the development of mind and character.

NORCALFED football presents to each adult affiliated with the program a unique opportunity to share in the molding of youth. Adults so affiliated must teach that hard work develops respect for discipline. Self-discipline properly taught on the football field by a NORCALFED coach can be a major factor in turning a youth's life from self-indulgence to meaningful self-respect, respect for the rights of others and respect for the law.

America's future lies in her youth. The lessons of life, so readily adaptable from the football field can complement the work of the home, the church and the school in molding young people. Discipline teaches youngsters that it isn't sissy to refrain from smoking, to get good grades, to eat a proper diet, to practice good sportsmanship and to keep themselves physically fit. All of this takes place in the context of youngsters playing NORCALFED football. NORCALFED enables youth to develop a sense of pride in their community. Competent coaching, adequate equipment and medical precautions combine to establish a sound youth football program. The program emphasizes school grades. A victory recorded by a game score is a short-term accomplishment and soon forgotten. Lesson contributing to character development learned on the gridiron can serve as valuable guidelines for life.

The NORCALFED adult fulfills his role best when he realizes that his job is to prepare youngsters for the High School teacher and coach. Building the right foundation is half the battle in making a good football player. Youths who can block and tackle, who have the proper attitude, and who are willing to work hard scholastically and physically are the ideal graduate from NORCALFED. Adults are required to concentrate their primary efforts on preparing youngsters by instilling in them to desire to work hard in the classroom and on the football field.

Many parents find it difficult to adjust the changing relationships they encounter with their youngsters entering early adolescence. NORCALFED adults can help by pointing out to parents the importance of youth succeeding with its peers. The major responsibility of parents is to help their early adolescent to attain and hold membership in group activities of his contemporaries, such as the local NORCALFED team. Parents can play a big role by supporting their youngsters in their efforts to contribute to their team.

All Conferences, Teams, Associations, Sponsors, Booster Clubs and adults affiliated with NORCALFED must embrace the NORCALFED tenets and philosophy as set forth above.

CHAPTER II

AFFILIATION AND MEMBERSHIP

1. Request to affiliate by new members and applications for new membership must be filed with the Commissioner prior to January Semi Annual Business Meeting of each year. The latest date for new membership applications is May 1^st of each year. Applications for membership by newly organized associations not sponsored by a Conference, must be approved by a majority vote of the members of NORCALFED.

2. The right to vote in each calendar year prior to the convening of the regular January meeting will be vested in members in good standing (see A and B below) on the preceding December 31^st. The right to vote in each calendar year after the convening of the regular May meeting will be vested in members in good standing.

a. Those conferences and/or associations not in good standing prior to the convening of the May meeting, shall be denied the right to vote at any NORCALFED meeting, and shall be denied participation in scheduling, until such fees are paid.

b. In order for a team to be in good standing for voting rights at the January meeting, it must have participated for one full season in the prior year with all debts to NORCALFED paid in full.

3. The voting rights within NORCALFED are vested in one vote per each Association.

4. The membership must cast its votes through its association presidents. A proxy may only be held by an officer of that Association’s Board of directors. This proxy must be able to vote for the association, even after discussions at the meeting cause a rethinking of an association’s position.

5. All member associations are expressly prohibited from joining or affiliating with any other youth football organization that serves purposes similar or identical to NORCALFED.

6. Removal from NORCALFED membership of a conference, association, or individuals of an association can be accomplished only at a regular semi-annual meeting or a special meeting called for that purpose.

a. The subject to this action must be advised in writing via certified mail, return receipt requested, two weeks prior to the meeting as the charges and issues involved.

b. The subject shall have the right to present witnesses, to confront witnesses and cross-examine same.

c. The two-thirds (2/3) vote of the quorum is required to effect expulsion from membership.

CHAPTER III

GEOGRAPHICAL BOUNDARIES

1. The geographical boundaries of a conference shall be identical to the boundaries of its associations. The geographical boundaries of an association shall be identical to the boundaries of its teams.

2. The geographical boundaries of an association team must be expressed in public Senior High School attendance districts or portions thereof. For the purpose of this section, division lines of public Senior High School attendance districts must be precisely established as directions from freeways, major streets through main line railroad tracks, and/or geographical features such as a creek, river, drainage or irrigation canal.

3. An association may not claim for its geographical boundaries public Senior High School attendance districts or parts thereof which it cannot adequately serve. Two or more teams of the same division cannot serve or claim the same geographical area.

4. All boundaries must be approved by the Conference. Association boundaries may be adjusted with Conference approval to geographic in lieu of High School District boundaries.

5. When associations from different conferences claim the same boundaries, the conference boards must establish the boundary to be used, to eliminate the association conflicts.

CHAPTER IV

ORGANIZATION

1. NORCALFED

a. The Commissioner and all Assistant Commissioners shall be allowed to hold more than one position within NORCALFED, if necessary.

b. All NORCALFED, Conference, Association Officers and/or Coaches shall be allowed to hold more than one position within NORCALFED.

Exception: No individual may hold the position of Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner, or Assistant Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner simultaneously.

2. CONFERENCES

a. The Bylaws, Rules and/or regulations of a Conference may not be in conflict with the Bylaws or Rules of Operation of NORCALFED.

b. As of this printing of these Rules of Operation, NORCALFED recognizes the existence of the following active Conferences within the membership:

1. Mid-Valley Conference (Oroville, Paradise, Marysville, Yuba City, Chico, Gridley)

2. Shasta Conference (Anderson, Corning, Enterprise, Red Bluff, Redding , South Siskiyou)

3. West Valley Conference (Orland, Willows, Central Valley, West Valley, Yreka, Palo Cedro)

4. South Valley Conference (Sutter, Colusa, Woodland, Winters, Lincoln, Wheatland)

c. The creation of a Conference by way of amalgamation requires a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the quorum at a regular January meeting.

d. The transfer of an Association from one Conference to another requires a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the quorum at a regular January meeting, and becomes effective upon the approval of the transfer.

e. A Conference need not show cause for refusing to accept an Association into its membership.

f. Each conference shall be governed by an elected Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall elect its own officers annually, consisting of Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, (can be more than one), Secretary, Treasurer, Insurance Coordinator and other officers as required.

1. The Deputy Commissioner shall be the Chief Executive Officer and spokesman for the Conference. It shall be his responsibility to provide the administration of the Conference and its operation, and the appointment of committees to carry out necessary functions.

2. Following each annual election of Directors and/or officers, the Conference Secretary must advise the Commissioner by mail, as to the name, address and position of each person elected an/or re-elected.

3. The Deputy Commissioner must and will have the authority to investigate possible infractions of the NORCALFED Rules of Operation and Bylaws, Conference Rules of Operation and Bylaws and Association Bylaws, Rules, and/or Regulations, and place his findings before a hearing committee, and administer such disciplinary action established by this committee.

4. The Conference is responsible for the receipt of funds due to NORCALFED from its member Associations.

5. Each Association President shall serve his Conference as its Deputy Commissioner in the event no other qualified person is available.

6. Deputy Commissioners are responsible for the prompt distribution within their Conference, all memos, circulars, letters, Bylaws, Rules and Regulations, amendments, alterations, financial statements, budgets, minutes and information received from the Board. NORCALFED may direct communications of any nature to any Conference.

7. Deputy Commissioners must forward annually to NORCALFED not later than the regular January meeting, financial statements of all Associations that are part of the Conference for the previous calendar year. These statements are to be on forms provided by NORCALFED. Said forms will be forwarded to NORCALFED’S accounting firm to process the non-profit tax reporting requirements of the state and IRS.

8. A Conference shall have monthly meetings as its Deputy Commissioner deems necessary to conduct Conference business. During the months of July through December, monthly meetings are mandatory.

3. ASSOCIATIONS

a. The Articles of Association, Bylaws, Rules and/or Regulations of an Association may not be in conflict with the Rules of Operation and Bylaws of NORCALFED.

b. An Association must be a member of an existing Conference within the membership of NORCALFED.

c. An Association must consist of a minimum of two (2) teams, not of the same division. It may not consist of more than four teams, not of the same division. (This includes Jr. Peewee, Peewee, Jr. Midget, Midget)

d. An Association must annually conform to the schedule of games adopted by its conference for its teams to determine its annual champion.

e. The Association is the instrument through which team membership in NORCALFED is acquired.

f. An Association shall have monthly meetings as its Board deems necessary to conduct association business. During the months of July and December, monthly meetings are mandatory.

4. REGISTRATION OF ASSOCIATIONS WITH NORCALFED

a. Newly organized Associations sponsored by a Conference must deliver their request to affiliate through their Deputy Commissioner to the Commissioner prior to the convening of the May meeting.

b. Newly organized Associations not sponsored by a Conference must deliver their request to affiliate directly to the Commissioner prior to May 1^st.

c. The geographical boundaries of new Associations not sponsored must be filed with the Commissioner with the request to affiliate with NORCALFED. Approval of said boundaries requires a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the quorum in a regular meeting. Approval of said boundaries does not constitute acceptance of the new Associations to membership in NORCALFED.

d. Prior to the convening of the January meeting, each Deputy Commissioner will deliver to the Commissioner a list of Associations in his Conference that are members. The list must itemize:

1. Association name and mailing address

2. Association officers, addresses, phone numbers

3. Team names, colors, playing times, location

e. Affiliation fees for each year are established at the January meeting based on the budget prepared by the Treasurer and divided equally by each Association.

Fee Includes: NORCALFED rule books, high school rules books, player registration cards, adult certification cards and registration forms. Standard accounting costs for yearly tax returns by the NORCALFED accountant and weekly scoreboard report mailed to each Association President during season of play.

CHAPTER V

MEETINGS

1. NORCALFED shall meet on the fourth Saturday and following Sunday of January and third Saturday and following Sunday of May each year. (Following Sundays when necessary to complete a meeting).

2. The Commissioner shall set the hour and place of each meeting no later than Fifteen days prior to said meeting, and announce same to all Deputy Commissioners via mail at that time.

3. A quorum shall consist of 51% of all N.C.F. directors and associations or their duly appointed proxies present. A 2/3 majority vote is required to add to or amend Bylaws or the N.C.F. Rules of Operation.

4. On the written petition of twenty-five percent (25%) of the membership, the Commissioner shall call a special meeting of NORCALFED at an hour and place no sooner than two (2 ) weeks, but no later than four (4) weeks following the receipt of the petition.

5. Any Conference that is not represented throughout a regular semi-annual meeting by their Deputy Commissioner or his duly appointed proxy must be fined twenty-five dollars ($25.00). Any association not represented in person or by a written proxy, shall be fined One Hundred Dollars ($100.00)

6. The order of business at the regular semi-annual meetings of NORCALFED shall be:

a. Call to order

b. Requests to be heard (state agenda item speaker wishes to address)

c. Roll call of Associations

d. Approval of voting strength

e. Approval of minutes of the previous meeting

f. Fiscal Report

g. Commissioner’s Report

h. Establishment of membership and affiliation fees for established teams -January meeting only

i. Establishment of membership and affiliation fees for new teams - May meeting only

j. Establish insurance requirements -January meeting only

k. Application for membership -non-sponsored

l. New conferences; transfer of Conferences and teams

m. Fines to be levied and/or expulsion from membership

n. Election of officers (Board of Director positions which have expired)

o. Reports of Committees

p. Old Business

q. New Business

r. Proposals to amend Bylaws or N.C.F. Rules of Operation, presented at January meeting, voted upon at May meeting.

s. For the good of NORCAL FED

t. Adjournment

CHAPTER VI

AMENDMENTS

1. Proposals to amend the NORCALFED By laws or Rules of Operation will be submitted to the Conference Deputy commissioners in writing, by December 15^th. The By-Law Committee made up of two members selected by the Deputy Commissioners of each Conference, will then meet on or before the second week in January to review and prepare the proposals for presentation at the January Membership Meeting. The NORCALFED Secretary will chair the Committee, and the Commissioner has the option of appointing another NORCALFED officer to the Committee. The NORCALFED Secretary must provide copies to all NORCALFED Officers and Association Presidents at the January Meeting. The Membership will vote on proposals at the May meeting.

2. A Deputy Commissioner must present Amendments as provided in Paragraph 1, if it has been forwarded to him by his Conference Board of Directors. A Conference Board of Directors must forward to the Deputy Commissioner, every amendment which carries the endorsement of more than twenty-five (25%) percent of the member teams of the Conference.

3. Amendments proposed by the Commissioner must follow the same rules as set forth in Paragraph 1 of this Article, and do not require prior approval or endorsement by a Deputy Commissioner.

4. Proposed amendments properly requested to the Deputy Commissioners must be voted upon at the following regular May meeting. A two-thirds (2/3) vote of the quorum is required to amend.

5. All voting for NORCALFED Amendments shall be done by secret ballot and submitted to the Commissioner for tally of votes.

6. The Bylaws Committee may correct clerical errors in the N.C.F. Rules of Operation, include spelling and grammar errors, wording that may conflict between two or more of these sections of the Rules of Operation or items which need to be moved to another chapter for more clarity of understanding.

CHAPTER VII

ADULTS

1. Adults as referred to in this Article is construed to include coaches, scouts, managers, and parents or guardians of players, anyone involved in the operations of, or present at any NORCALFED function.

2. Adult team coaching personnel shall consist of: One head coach, (at least 21 years old) and no more than seven (7) assistant coaches, (at least 17 years old). The coaching staff under the direction of the head coach shall be responsible for training and organizing the team and directing its plays.

a. The head coach is solely responsible for which players will participate in each game and their positions. The head coach is expected to consult with his assistants in this matter.

b. A parent, guardian or adult friend a player may not criticize the head coach’s decision. A parent or guardian may request a private explanation of the decision at an appropriate time and in the proper manner.

c. Coaches may not engage in any live scrimmage or other violent contact with the players.

3. All adults must register with their Deputy Commissioner prior to participating in the NORCALFED program. Registration will be on a form provided by the Commissioner and shall itemize the individual’s name, home and business address, telephone number, Driver’s license number and/or Social Security number, Conference, Association, team, birth date (if under 21), schooling and football experience.

All Adult personnel will be required to submit their names to a personal record check by local police authority. An individual found to have been convicted of a charge involving sex offenses shall be ineligible to serve in any capacity.

a. The Deputy Commissioner may refuse to accept the registration of any coach pending a determination of the ability, character and suitability of said coach or manager, recommendation notwithstanding.

b. The Deputy Commissioner may not withhold his acceptance of the registration (a above) for a period in excess of two (2) weeks from the date he receives the registration form. The coach in question may not take part in the NORCALFED program during said two week period.

c. If the Deputy Commissioner declines to register a coach (a above) he must refer the matter to the Conference Board of Directors. After an investigation, he may accept the re-submittal, but must require that the individual serve a probationary term of at least one year.

4. To be registered with their Deputy Commissioners prior to participating in the NORCALFED program, all new Head Coaches must attend a NORCALFED sponsored and/or sanctioned Coaches Clinic/Workshop, in their first calendar year prior to the start of conditioning in that year. A Head Coach attending and successfully completing said Clinic/Workshop, shall be certified for a period of three (3) years, and is required to be re-certified every three (3) years. In the interim, Head Coaches are required to attend a mini-refresher Clinic/Workshop each year at their Conference level. It is recommended that all adults participating as Coaches attend these Clinic/Workshops.

a. Clinic/Workshops must cover (1) conditioning, (2) fit of equipment, (3) proper weigh-ins, (4) and chapters VII through XIV of the NORCALFED Rules (5) Officials, (6) Dealing with players of this age group.

b. High school and college coaches’ clinics usually are sanctioned with the exception of the NORCALFED Rules. The Deputy Commissioner can approve such clinics if he reviews the rules with the coaches before so doing.

5. All coaches prior to participating in the NORCALFED program will be required to sign a statement on the registration form that:

a. They have read and understand the NORCALFED, Conference, Association and/or sponsor Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, Rules and/or Regulations and the playing rules;

b. They cannot claim participation in the NORCALFED program as training, experience and/or advancement for their livelihood if they have been subjected to disciplinary actions.

c. They can be subjected to disciplinary action in the form of probation, suspension and/or disbarment by Association, sponsor, Conference and/or NORCALFED Bylaws, Rules and/or Regulations;

d. They must confine all appeals to actions taken under Chapter VIII of N.C.F. Rules.

6. All coaches must always have in their possession a VISIBLE identification card signed by the Deputy Commissioner authorizing their participation in the NORCALFED program. Said card will itemize name, team, Conference, and carry the Deputy Commissioner’s signature. No persons are allowed on the field without NORCALFED I.D. card and will be removed immediately. Referees and medical persons are excepted. This includes practice or game playing field.

7. Coaches shall reserve criticism for private moments with the player or in the presence of the team if the balance of the team might benefit therefrom. Criticism must always be constructive.

8. Coaches shall refrain from “running up” the score.

9. A coach may be asked to resign, whenever, in the opinion of the Association or Conference Board of Directors the coach in question is not capable of handling players or of properly discharging the duties and responsibilities required of him by said Board of Directors.

10. Adults affiliated with NORCALFED shall always strive to make every activity of the players' serve as a training ground for life.

11. Adults affiliated with NORCALFED will not criticize the opposing team, coaches or fans by improper comments or gestures, will not incite un-sportsman-like conduct, will not strike coach, game official, officer or director of any Conference, Association and/or booster club, parent, guardian and/or spectator.

12. Adults affiliated with NORCALFED will not permit the unauthorized use of funds committed to their custody in conjunction with their participation in the NORCALFED program.

13. Adults affiliated with NORCALFED will always set a good example in personal appearance and actions while engaged in the NORCALFED program.

14. Any adult whose conduct and/or actions are found to be detrimental to the activities of NORCALFED may be removed from the program. Such removal must be handled in the most discreet manner by the Board of Directors of the Association, Conference, or NORCALFED.

15. Teams that fail to comply with paragraph 3 and 8 of this chapter may be denied the right to engage in games during the current and immediate following season upon the order of the Commissioner. Such an order must be subjected to a mail poll of the Deputy Commissioners as provided in Chapter VIII.

16. All coaches and adults shall refrain from drinking alcoholic beverages, use of tobacco, use or illegal drugs, and using profanity while with the players on the field or in the locker room in conjunction with a practice session or game.

17. Adults affiliated in an Association of NORCALFED who have violated this chapter may be suspended by the Associations Board of Directors from further participation. The suspended adults may appeal the Associations decision to the Conference Deputy Commissioner who will arrange an appeal hearing.

18. Adults affiliated with NORCALFED, found to have violated this Chapter may be suspended upon the order of the Commissioner or the conference Deputy Commissioner, for the balance of the current and the immediate following season. Such an order must be the result of an investigation as provided in Chapter VIII. An investigation is not required in violations of Paragraphs 3 and 8 of this Chapter, only the mail poll of the Deputy Commissioners.

19. I.D. Cards for adults affiliated with NORCALFED include BLUE CARDS: issued

by the Commissioner to NORCALFED Board of Directors only. ORANGE CARDS: issued by Conference Deputy Commissioners to Football Personnel only who are required to be on the football field during a game. WHITE CARDS: issued by Conference Deputy Commissioner to Association Board of Directors, cheer coaches and other Association works such as gate attendant, snack bar coordinator, etc. It has been a courtesy by Associations to allow Blue and Orange cardholders only into games free. It is not mandatory. If an Association chooses to let all of their own personnel in free at their home game that is their choice. However, do not expect that of the Host Town you are travelling to.

CHAPTER VIII

DISCIPLINARY ACTION, APPEALS, INVESTIGATIONS BY COMMISSIONER

Conferences & Associations that violate N.C.F. Rules can be denied the right to have any/all of their teams engage in games during the current season upon the order of the Commissioner. Such an order must be subjected to mail poll of the Deputy Commissioners.

Member Conferences, Associations or Teams of NORCALFED that act contrary to voted motions or resolutions may be investigated by the Commissioner. The commissioner may order suspension on finding that this paragraph has been violated.

1. An Association may discipline its Teams, including Adult Personnel, and a Conference may discipline its Associations, its Teams, and Adult Personnel. NORCALFED may discipline its Associations, Conferences, Teams and Adult personnel.

2. Association or Conference Hearing. Hearing held pursuant to disciplinary actions instituted by an Association or Conference are to be fairly and impartially conducted with opposing sides permitted to present both oral and written material in person or through a chosen representative. In any such hearing , the applicable Bylaws and, N.C. F. Rules are to be made available to the hearing committee. The hearing committee will be required to take accurate minutes of the hearing.

a. The subject of the disciplinary action must be advised in writing, via Certified Mail return receipt requested, two weeks prior to the hearing, as to the place, time and the purpose of the hearing and all of the charges and issues involved. Subject of the action may wave the 2 weeks notice in order to have a speedier hearing.

b. All parties of the hearing have the right to present witnesses and testify in their own behalf.

c. All parties of the hearing are entitled to confront and be confronted by parties and witnesses of the other side and to cross-examine them.

The hearing committee must issue a written report within one week of the conclusion of the hearing. This report must note the finding of facts, the decision citing applicable authority, and the imposed penalty.

d. The three members of the hearing committee of a disciplinary action instituted by an Association or Conference shall be named by the President of the Association or the Deputy Commissioner of the Conference involved.

3. The finding of a hearing committee may be appealed to the Commissioner within seven (7) days of the date thereof. The finding, decision and penalties of the committee remain in effect, pending a ruling on same by the Commissioner. The written appeal must be accompanied with a non-refundable fee of fifty ($50.00) dollars, payable to NORCALFED, and a copy of the Committee’s report.

a. The President of the Association or Deputy Commissioner of the Conference who instituted the disciplinary action shall arrange the time and place of the hearing by the Commissioner upon his approval. All those in attendance at the initial hearing will be invited to attend the appeal hearing.

b. The Commissioner will preside at the appeal hearing. Both parties shall be allowed to make a statement of position. The provisions of 2.b and 2.c of this Chapter will be applicable. The Commissioner may rule on the admissibility of any and all evidence and testimony. The Commissioner may question any witnesses and all parties to the action.

c. The Commissioner must issue a written decision within one week of the conclusion of the hearing. His written decision must note the finding of facts, the decision citing applicable authority and the imposed penalty.

d. The decision of the Commissioner may be appealed to a mail poll of the Deputy Commissioners within seven (7) days of the date thereof. The Commissioner’s decision remains in effect pending the results of the mail poll. The written appeal to this poll will be addressed to the Commissioner, and must be accompanied with a non-refundable fee of fifty ($50.00) dollars payable to NORCALFED. The Commissioner will reproduce and forward the complete files of both hearing to all Deputy Commissioners via Certified Mail, return receipt requested. The Deputy Commissioner may approve, disapprove or abstain. A majority of the Deputy Commissioners must vote disapproval of the Commissioner’s decision for reversal. The majority must be based on the head count of the Deputy Commissioners, not a count of the number of teams represented. There shall be no appeal to the mail vote.

4. The rulings of an Association or Conference on protest, on finding of a violation or an interpretation, may be appealed to the Commissioner. The provisions of Paragraph 4 of this Chapter will be applicable.

NORCALFED HEARING

5. The Commissioner may investigate possible violations of the NORCALFED Rules of Operation and/or Bylaws, and/or conduct that is detrimental to the welfare of NORCALFED.

a. A Conference, Association, Team, or adults associated therewith, being investigated under the provisions of this paragraph, must be advised in writing, via Certified Mail, return receipt requested, two weeks prior to the hearing, as to the time, place, purpose of and charges and issues involved. The subject of the action may wave the 2 weeks notice in order to have speedier hearing.

b. All parties being investigated are entitled to confront and be confronted by all complainants or witnesses and to cross-examine same.

c. All parties being investigated have the right to present witnesses and testify in their own behalf.

d. The Commissioner will preside at the hearing. The Commissioner has the right to question anyone at any time and to rule at any time during the

hearing on the relevance of any and all testimony. He will arrange for taking of minutes of the hearing.

e. The Commissioner must issue a written report within one week of the conclusion of the hearing. This report must note the finding of facts, the decision citing the applicable NORCALFED Rules of Operation or Bylaws.

f. The decision of the Commissioner may be appealed per paragraph 4-d of this Chapter.

g. The Commissioner will not be compensated for investigative hearing.

6. If the hearings conducted by the Commissioner under the provisions of paragraph 6 of this Chapter involve serious age and weight infractions, or other matters that concern the safety and well being of the players, the Commissioner has the authority to order the suspension of any adults, teams, sponsors, Associations or Conferences involved. The suspension shall remain in effect until the Deputy Commissioners have made a judgment under the provisions of Paragraph 6 of this Chapter.

7. The Commissioner, in an appeal hearing under Paragraph 4 or 5 of this Chapter, may confirm, increase or decrease the penalty imposed by the original hearing committee of the disciplinary action. The Commissioner, in an appeal hearing committee of the disciplinary action. The Commissioner, in an appeal hearing under Paragraph 5 of this Chapter may confirm or modify the ruling of the Association or Conference; the Commissioner's modification may involve more stringent provisions to the original ruling.

a. The Commissioner, in an appeal hearing under Paragraph 4 or 5 of this Chapter may ask questions to any possible violations of the NORCALFED Rules of Operation and Bylaws.

b. The Commissioner, in an investigative hearing, need not confine his questioning to the charges and issues set forth in the mail notice. He may ask questions as to any other possible violations of the NORCALFED Rules of Operation and Bylaws.

c. If the questioning under a or b above establishes such violations, the matter may be incorporated in the Commissioner's report, providing he cites the finding of facts, the applicable authority and the penalty imposed.

8. If a parent or guardian of a player, an Association and/or its teams, a booster club, sponsor or Conference, collectively or individually, directs the Commissioner's attention to or requests an investigation of possible violations of NORCALFED Rules of Operation or Bylaws, and/or conduct that is detrimental to the welfare of NORCALFED (see 6 above), the Commissioner is prohibited from adjudicating differences, in the course of, or as a result of the investigation, the should be heard under Paragraphs 1 through 5 of this Chapter.

9. The Commissioner may ask two adults not necessarily Assistant Commissioners, to sit with him in any of the hearings provided for in this Chapter. Said two adults may ask questions, consult with, and make recommendations to the Commissioner.

CHAPTER IX

DIVISIONS

1. NORCALFED football is played in four divisions. Divisions function on the basis of the minimum and maximum age and weight limits shown below.

CERTIFICATION AGES AND WEIGHTS:

JR. PEEWEE	7,8 and 9 years old	WEIGHT =50 to 85 pounds
PEEWEE	9,10,11 years old	WEIGHT =60 to 105 pounds
JR MIDGET	10,11,12,13 * years old	WEIGHT = 70 to 125 pounds
MIDGET	11,12,13,14 * years old	WEIGHT= 95 to 150 pounds

THE AGE CUT OFF DATE FOR ALL DIVISIONS IS NOV. 1 OF THE CURRENT SEASON (The current season is calendar year in which the games are played)

*ALL NINTH GRADERS ARE INELIGIBLE

a. Any player having played one year or more in a NORCALFED division, and who, by reason of his age in the current season, is assigned to a division where he cannot meet the minimum weight, may be permitted to play in that division at the request of, and with the permission of the Head Coach of the team to which he is assigned by Conference rules or action. This provision will be known as the "veteran's clause".

b. The "veteran's clause" must be denied to any player whose weight is more than ten (10) pounds below the minimum weight of the division in which he has been requested to play.

c. Once certified to a division, a players maximum weight limit shall be:

Jamboree =Tournament

First Three Games = Certification Weight

Second Three Games = Additional Two Pounds

Third Three Games = Additional Two Pounds

Play-Off / Bowl Games / Championship Game = Additional Two Pounds

d. Any 13 or 14 year old veteran who cannot meet the minimum weight, even with the "veteran's clause", shall be allowed to play at the Midget level.

e. Any 13-year-old weighing less than 95 pounds may play at the Jr. Midget level. Maximum number of older/lighter players on a team is Five (5). These shall be the 5 lightest players who sign up, prior to the first day of practice.