Legal & Disclosures

• Nonprofit Status: California Nonprofit Public Benefit, 501(c)(3) in process.

• General Disclaimer: States that the website content is for informational purposes only and explicitly advises users/partners to seek independent legal and financial counsel (No Guarantee of Results).

Our commitment to excellence extends beyond the field and into our organizational structure. We adhere to the highest standards of governance and financial accountability, ensuring all decisions uphold the Player-First Mandate and the AEQUALIS Principle™ of equity.

The following documents— including our Bylaws, which legally mandate our core mission, and our Operating Agreement—define our structure, authority, and ethical standards, guaranteeing transparency to our families, donors, and community stakeholders.

We provide this information to foster trust and demonstrate that our actions consistently reflect our values.

Club Bylaws (Revision v1.0, Adopted November 27, 2023)

The Club Bylaws, featured on this page, are the legal governing documents for Real Oro FC, a California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation. They define the structure of the Board of Directors, establish the authority of the Technical Director, and legally mandate adherence to the Player-First Methodology and the AEQUALIS Principle.

Operational Structure: Defined Roles and Mandates

This outline details the separation of authority between the Board of Directors (Governance), the Technical Director (Soccer Operations), and the Managing Director (Administration), ensuring consistent execution of our developmental vision without administrative interference. The full text of the Operating Agreement is featured on the Leadership & Governance page.

Our AEQUALIS Financial Aid Commitment

At the core of Real Oro FC is the AEQUALIS Principle: ensuring high-level football development is accessible to all talented players, regardless of economic background.

• Zero-Exclusion Mandate: As legally mandated by our Bylaws, no player will be excluded from a team or program for which they are technically qualified due to financial hardship.

• Need-Based Focus: Aid is awarded strictly based on demonstrated financial need, utilizing objective and confidential measures, and is funded by the Board of Directors.

• Confidentiality: All financial documentation and award status are reviewed only by the non-coaching Financial Review Committee (Treasurer and Managing Director). Coaching staff are never informed of a player's financial aid status.

• Fairness: All AEQUALIS Players are treated identically to all other players in terms of training, playing time, and behavioral expectations (Player-First Methodology).

• How to Apply: Families seeking financial assistance must submit an application packet directly to the Managing Director, according to the annual deadline published during the tryout period.

To view the full, detailed AEQUALIS Financial Aid Policy (ROFC-Policy-001) for specific eligibility criteria and procedural details, please contact the Managing Director.

Bylaws of Real Oro FC

A California Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation, 501(c)(3) in process.

Article I: Name, Purpose, and Compliance

Section 1.01. Name. The name of the corporation shall be Real Oro Football Club (the "Corporation").

Section 1.02. Status and Mission. The Corporation is organized as a Nonprofit Public Benefit Corporation under the laws of the State of California. Its primary purposes are educational and charitable, specifically to develop confident, resilient, and technically intelligent youth players and leaders through rigorous football education while adhering to the AEQUALIS Principle of eliminating economic barriers. The Corporation shall maintain a Zero-Exclusion Policy, a legally binding mandate ensuring that financial need shall not bar any qualified player from participation, which shall be overseen by the Treasurer and audited by the Board.

Section 1.03. US Club Soccer and Methodology. The Corporation shall commit its programs to the standards and protocols established by US Club Soccer and shall uphold the Player-First Methodology and educational philosophies detailed in the Corporation’s governing documents. All coaching and technical staff appointments and curriculum development shall be the exclusive responsibility of the Technical Director, subject to Board oversight for adherence to the aforementioned standards.

Section 1.04. IRS Compliance. The Corporation shall operate exclusively for charitable and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. No part of the net earnings shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, any Director, Officer, or private individual, except that the Corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of its purposes.

Article II: Membership and Participants

Section 2.01. No Voting Members. The Corporation shall have no voting members. All corporate powers normally vested in members shall be vested in the Board of Directors, as permitted by California Corporations Code § 5132.

Section 2.02. Participant Status. Players, families, and sponsors participating in the Corporation’s programs shall be designated as Non-Voting Participants with no membership rights, financial equity, or voting authority in the governance of the Corporation.

Article III: Board of Directors

Section 3.01. Powers. The Corporation shall be governed by a Board of Directors (the "Board"). Subject to the limitations of California Corporations Code § 5210, all corporate powers shall be exercised by or under the authority of, and the business and affairs of the Corporation shall be controlled by, the Board of Directors.

Section 3.02. Number of Directors. The authorized number of Directors shall be no less than three (3) and no more than nine (9).

Section 3.03. Term of Office. Directors shall be elected for a term of two (2) years. Terms shall be staggered to ensure continuity of strategic oversight.

Section 3.04. Quorum. A majority of the authorized number of Directors shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

Article IV: Transparency and Integrity

Section 4.01. Commitment to Transparency and Accountability. Real Oro Football Club (the "Corporation") is irrevocably dedicated to maintaining the highest standards of transparency, integrity, and ethical conduct in all its operations, governance, and financial stewardship. This commitment is fundamental to fulfilling the Corporation's 501(c)(3) mission, fostering public trust, ensuring accountability to its stakeholders, and adhering to the California Corporations Code for nonprofit public benefit corporations.

Section 4.02. Open Records and Public Disclosure. A. Public Records: The Corporation shall make its most recently filed annual information return (IRS Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-N, as applicable) and its application for recognition of exemption (IRS Form 1023) available for public inspection, in accordance with federal law. B. Governance Documents: The Corporation's Articles of Incorporation and these Bylaws shall be made publicly accessible, typically through the Corporation's official website or upon reasonable request. C. Financial Summaries: Annual summary financial statements, approved by the Board of Directors, shall be made available to the public upon reasonable request. D. Board Meeting Minutes: Minutes of all regular and special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be recorded and maintained. Such minutes, excluding any portions addressing confidential or privileged matters (e.g., personnel discussions, sensitive legal strategies, confidential donor information), shall be available for inspection upon reasonable request.

Section 4.03. Conflicts of Interest. A. Policy Requirement: The Board of Directors shall adopt and annually review a comprehensive Conflict of Interest Policy that applies to all Directors, officers, and key employees of the Corporation. B. Disclosure: Each Director, officer, and key employee shall annually disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest, including financial interests, business relationships, or family relationships that could influence decision-making or create the appearance of impropriety. C. Recusal: Any Director or officer having a financial interest in any matter coming before the Board of Directors or a committee thereof, shall, if required by the Conflict of Interest Policy or by action of the Board, promptly inform the Board or committee of such interest, shall not participate in discussions relating to the matter, and shall recuse themselves from voting on such matter. D. Documentation: All disclosures of potential conflicts of interest, and the corresponding actions taken by the Board or committee to manage or resolve such conflicts, shall be thoroughly documented in the minutes of the relevant meeting. E. No Private Inurement: No part of the net earnings of the Corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to, its Directors, officers, or any private person, except that the Corporation shall be authorized to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in its Articles of Incorporation.

Section 4.04. Whistleblower Protection. A. Policy Requirement: The Board of Directors shall adopt and maintain a Whistleblower Protection Policy designed to encourage employees, volunteers, and Directors to report any concerns regarding illegal, unethical, or questionable practices within the Corporation without fear of retaliation. B. Procedure: The policy shall outline clear procedures for reporting such concerns, ensuring confidentiality to the extent possible, and guaranteeing a fair and impartial investigation into all reported matters.

Section 4.05. Compensation and Review. A. Reasonable Compensation: Any compensation paid to Directors, officers, or key employees for services rendered to the Corporation, or any reimbursement of expenses, shall be reasonable and commensurate with services provided, determined in accordance with applicable state and federal laws and the Corporation’s Conflict of Interest Policy. B. Independent Review: The Board shall ensure that compensation for the chief executive officer and any other officers, as well as any substantial financial transactions involving insiders, are subject to appropriate independent review and approval by disinterested Board members.

Section 4.06. Annual Review of Policies. The Board of Directors shall, at a minimum, annually review and affirm its commitment to these Bylaws, the Conflict of Interest Policy, the Whistleblower Protection Policy, and other relevant governance policies to ensure ongoing compliance with legal requirements and alignment with best practices for nonprofit public benefit corporations in California.

Article V: Officers

Section 5.01. Officers. The officers of the Corporation shall be a President, a Secretary, and a Treasurer. The Board may also elect a Vice President and a Managing Director. The offices of President and Managing Director shall not be held by the same person.

Section 5.02. President (Chair of the Board). The President shall be the principal executive officer of the Corporation, shall preside at all meetings of the Board, and shall, subject to the control of the Board, supervise and control all of the business and affairs of the Corporation. The President shall focus on strategic oversight, fundraising, and mission adherence, delegating day-to-day administrative matters to the Managing Director.

Section 5.03. Treasurer (Chief Financial Officer). The Treasurer shall be the principal accounting and financial officer of the Corporation and shall be responsible for all funds and financial records. The Treasurer shall ensure that the Corporation's annual financial statements are prepared, presented to the Board, and made available to the public as required by law.

Article VI: Technical Leadership & Operations

Section 6.01. Technical Director (TD) Appointment. The Board shall appoint a Technical Director who shall be the chief executive for all soccer-related affairs. The TD shall report to the Board and shall be responsible for the consistent implementation of the Player-First Methodology and all required US Club Soccer protocols.

Section 6.02. Exclusive Technical Authority. The Technical Director shall hold exclusive authority over: (a) the formulation and implementation of the club's technical curriculum and style of play; (b) the hiring, evaluation, and termination of all coaching and technical staff; and (c) all player and team placement decisions, subject to the AEQUALIS Principle and the Corporation’s non-discrimination policies.

Section 6.03. Staff Exclusion from Governance. To ensure independent governance and adherence to the Player-First Mandate, the Technical Director and any salaried coaching staff shall not serve as voting members of the Board of Directors.

Real Oro FC Legal & Compliance Disclosures

1. General Terms of Use and Intellectual Property

The following terms govern your access and use of the Real Oro FC website, content, and services.

• Copyright and Ownership: All content, graphics, text, logos, proprietary coaching methodologies (including Tiki Taka Pedagogy), and organization of this website are the exclusive property of Real Oro FC, protected under applicable copyright and intellectual property laws. Any unauthorized use, reproduction, or distribution is strictly prohibited.

• Limitation of Liability: The information provided on this website is for general informational purposes only. Real Oro FC disclaims all liability for any loss or damage arising from the use of, or reliance on, this website or its contents. Users acknowledge and accept that participation in athletic activities inherently involves risk of injury, which is managed through separate, required liability waivers.

• Third-Party Links: This site may contain links to external websites for convenience. Real Oro FC does not endorse, control, or guarantee the content, accuracy, or privacy practices of any third-party sites.

2. Privacy Policy and Data Collection

Real Oro FC is committed to protecting the privacy of our members, supporters, and website visitors.

• Data Collection and Usage: We collect necessary personal information (e.g., names, contact details, payment information) solely for the purposes of club registration, communication, program enrollment, and donation processing. This data is protected using industry-standard security measures.

• Commitment to Confidentiality: We do not sell, rent, or trade personal information to third parties. We will only disclose personal information when required by law or to protect the rights, property, or safety of Real Oro FC, our members, or the public.

• Children's Privacy: Real Oro FC is committed to compliance with all applicable laws regarding the collection of data from minors. Consent from a parent or legal guardian is required before collecting any personal information from children under the age of 18.

3. Non-Profit and Financial Disclosures

Real Oro FC operates with complete transparency regarding our non-profit status and financial records.

• Tax-Exempt Status: Real Oro FC is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (or the equivalent tax designation in your jurisdiction). Donations are deductible to the extent permitted by law.

• Public Access to Documents: In accordance with IRS requirements, Real Oro FC's annual information returns (Form 990) and application for tax-exempt status (Form 1023) are available for public inspection upon written request.

• Donor Confidentiality: Donor information is treated with strict confidentiality. Real Oro FC maintains appropriate safeguards to protect the privacy of all donors and will not share donor lists unless legally required.

4. Academy Educational Disclaimer

• The content, materials, and training provided through the Coaching Academy, Referee Academy, and Supporting Spectator Academy are intended for educational and informational purposes only. These programs are designed to promote Real Oro FC methodologies and best practices and do not constitute official certification or licensure required by governing bodies (e.g., USSF, FIFA, State Associations). Participants must independently pursue any required official licenses, certifications, or legal advice.