MARYSTOWN MINOR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION (MMHA) CONSTITUTION REVISED June, 2015
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION PAGE 3 2. MEMBERSHIP PAGE 4 3. EXECUTIVE PAGE 4 4. COMMITTEES PAGE 7 5. MEETINGS OF THE ASSOCIATION PAGE 8 6. VOTING PAGE 9 7. COMPETITION CLASSIFICATIONS PAGE 9 8. RULES OF THE GAME PAGE 9 9. REGISTRATION PAGE 10 10. PLAYERS EQUIPMENT PAGE 11 11. TOURNAMENTS PAGE 11 12. CUP TRUSTEES AND RULES PAGE 12 13. IMDENIFICATION PAGE 12 14. DISSOLUTION PAGE 12 MARYSTOWN MINOR HOCKEY (MMHA) CONSTITUTION Page 2
MARYSTOWN MINOR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION Revised May, 2015 INTRODUCTION 1. This association shall be known as Marystown Minor Hockey Association and any reference to MMHA or Association in this Constitution shall mean the Marystown Minor Hockey Association. This Association shall be a member of the Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador Association which in turn is affiliated with and subject to all the regulations and decisions of Hockey Canada. 2. The Head Office of this Association will be situated in the Town of Marystown in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador. 3. The objectives for which the Association is established are: (a) To support the youth of our association in a positive hockey experience. (b) To promote, improve and govern organized minor hockey for youth. (c) To develop, encourage and model sportsmanship, community spirit, and good fellowship. (d) To enable all participants to develop hockey skills and to play at a level appropriate for enjoyment and betterment. (e) To sponsor, establish, and promote athletic pursuits, social activities and partnerships that contribute to the well-being of the association. 4. Amendments or alterations can be made to the Constitution only at the Annual General Meeting of this Association after specific notice in writing of thirty (30) days to the Secretary and then only by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the members in attendance voting. MARYSTOWN MINOR HOCKEY (MMHA) CONSTITUTION Page 3
MEMBERSHIP 5. Membership in this Association is purely voluntary and application for, or acceptance of membership entails acceptance of the governing authorities of this Association. Fees to be decided at each Annual General Meeting of this Association. 6. Members shall be defined as follows: A parent or legal guardian of a child currently registered, playing and in good standing in Marystown Minor Hockey Association. EXECUTIVE 7. (a) The Executive of this Association shall consist of the following officers: an Immediate Past President, President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Registrar, Public Relations, Technical Director and Female Representative with power to add to their executive members, to be elected annually by ballot at the Annual General Meeting and to act for one year term. The President and Vice-President should have served on a Minor Hockey Executive at some previous time. (b) No person may occupy the office of President for more than three (3) consecutive one year terms. Unless there is no other candidate for the position then the current President can be acclaimed for an additional one (1) year term. (c) Nominations for the various offices of this Association shall be made from the floor at the Annual General Meeting. (d) A Referee-In-Chief will be appointed by the Executive Committee of the Marystown Minor Hockey Association. (S)he will be responsible for the supervision of the referees under him/her. (e) The President and/or the Vice-President shall represent this Association officially at any function or on any body where representation from the Association is desired or requested. Alternates may be appointed by the President. (f) The President, or in the absence of the President, the Vice-President shall preside at all meetings of the Association and at Executive meetings. (S)he shall have a vote and also a casting vote in cases of a tie. (g) The Vice-President, shall in the absence of the President, have all the powers and perform all the duties of the President. MARYSTOWN MINOR HOCKEY (MMHA) CONSTITUTION Page 4
(h) The Secretary shall record the proceedings of each meeting and read these minutes at the following meeting; assist the President in preparing the agenda for each meeting; attend to all correspondence and maintain all letters, documents, etc., in a permanent file; assist in preparing the annual report of the Association; send out notices of meetings and perform any similar duties as may be required. (i) The Treasurer shall take charge of all monies belonging to the Association and on recommendation of the Association pay out money by cheques which have been signed by the Treasurer and any other signing authority, and obtain receipts, present financial statements at regular meetings and render a yearly report which may have been previously audited by auditors appointed by the Association. (j) The Immediate Past President of the Association shall serve a one-year term in an advisory role and will have the right to attend any and all meetings of the Executive Committee, will have full power to participate in all proceedings of the Executive, and shall have the right to vote. (k) The position of an Executive Member shall be automatically vacated: (i) if (s)he is found by a court to be of unsound mind. (ii) if (s)he fails to remain in good financial standing with MMHA. (iii) upon death. (iv) if his/her circumstances change such that he/she would no longer be eligible to be nominated for election to the Executive Committee. (v) resigns his/her office by notice in writing to the Association. (vi) if (s)he enters into, or causes to be entered into, any contract with MMHA for which he/she has a direct or indirect interest, either personally or through a company, partnership, or proprietorship, prior to declaring to MMHA such interest and before receiving written approval from the Executive to enter into any such contract. (vii) if (s)he is convicted of an offence, contrary to the Criminal Code for which a pardon has not been obtained, and which in the sole opinion of the majority of the Executive Committee of the Association materially affects his/her ability to carry out his/her duties as a member of the Executive. MARYSTOWN MINOR HOCKEY (MMHA) CONSTITUTION Page 5
(viii) if (s)he breaks any current by-law, policy, code, or rule and regulation of the Association, which in the sole opinion of the majority of the Executive is contrary to the aims and objectives of the Association or has a negative impact on the Association. (l) In the event that any vacancies occur on the Executive Committee, the remaining members shall have the power to fill such vacancies, by majority vote. (m) The President or in his absence, the Vice-President, or the designated representative shall have the power to suspend a player in Minor Hockey for ungentlemanly conduct on or off the ice, or for abusive language to an official, after a report has been submitted, by the referee in charge of any game, or any member of this Association. Such suspension shall be reviewed by the Executive Committee within three (3) days, and if not reviewed within three (3) days the suspension is automatically cancelled. But an effort should be made to arrive at a decision before the team involved has to play its next game. Person concerned will be notified in writing. (n) Any suspension handed out by Executive Committee can be appealed by the individual within forty-eight (48) hours of date of written notification of suspension. Appeals must be accompanied by a fee of $50.00 which is non-refundable. (o) The executive committee of this Association may adopt, amend, revise, or repeal policies or regulations for the governance of this association and then only by majority vote. (p) The expenses of the executive members representing the Association at Annual Meetings of Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador shall be paid by the Association where necessary, and in all cases they are to mean meals, taxis and hotel rooms while at the place or places where meetings are held. In case of travel by automobile, a mileage rate per vehicle by the most direct route from home town to town of meeting and return shall be decided by the Committee. (q) Expense accounts are to be submitted in writing within two (2) weeks after travel to the Treasurer. MARYSTOWN MINOR HOCKEY (MMHA) CONSTITUTION Page 6
COMMITTEES 8. The standing committees shall be: an Executive Committee and a Hockey Parents Committee. (a) The Executive Committee: The Executive Committee shall consist of the Executive of this Association. The President shall be the Chairman of the Committee. The Executive Committee shall have the power: (i) To formulate; prescribe, alter and amend policies or regulations for the governance of this Association consistent with the scope and provisions of its constitution. (ii) By a two-thirds (2/3) vote to forthwith remove from office any member of the Executive Committee who by being remiss or neglectful of duty or by conduct tending to impair his usefulness as a member of the Executive shall be deemed to have forfeited his position. (iii) To appoint sub-committees from its membership or otherwise employ individuals for the handling of special or specified business. (iv) To supervise the collection of the fees and funds for this Association and the expenditure of the monies. True accounts shall be kept of the sums of money received and expended by the Association, and the manner in respect of which such receipt and expenditure takes place, and of the property, credits and liabilities of the Association; and subjects to any reasonable restrictions as to the time and manner of inspecting the same that may be imposed in accordance with the regulations of the Association for the time being, shall be open to the inspection of the members. Once at least in every year the accounts of the Association may be examined and the accuracy of the balance sheet ascertained by one or more auditors appointed by the Association. (v) To issue suspensions pursuant to paragraphs 7 (m) and 7 (n) of this Constitution. (b) The Hockey Parents Committee: The Hockey Parents Committee shall consist of a Chair-Person who will be elected at the Annual General Meeting. This committee or its sub-committees shall be MARYSTOWN MINOR HOCKEY (MMHA) CONSTITUTION Page 7
responsible to the Executive of this Association to operate fund raising projects in the name of the Marystown Minor Hockey Association to finance the operation of the Minor Hockey and/or its playing facilities solely in accordance with the objects for which the company has established. MEETINGS OF THE ASSOCIATION 9. (a) All Executive meetings of this Association shall be called by the Secretary on order of the President but in any event one meeting shall be held each month. (b) Any Committee Meetings shall be called by the Committee Chairperson. (c) An Annual General Meeting of the Association shall be held annually, no later than the 30 th day of June, at such place and time as may be designated by the Executive Committee. (d) Special meetings must be called on request of three (3) members of the Executive. (e) At all the Executive Meetings of this Association a quorum shall consist of 50 percent of the total members plus one member. (f) At the Annual General Meeting of this Association a quorum shall consist of 10% of membership plus 1 and those attending must be in good standing according to paragraph 6. (g) At all meetings of this Association and of the Executive Committee, the following shall be the order of business: a. Roll call of members b. Reading of minutes c. Business arising out of minutes d. Treasurer s report e. Committee s reports f. Resolutions, orders, general or new business g. Adjournment MARYSTOWN MINOR HOCKEY (MMHA) CONSTITUTION Page 8
VOTING 10. (a) At meetings of the Executive Committee, each member of the Executive Committee shall be entitled to one (1) vote. In addition to his/her vote as an officer, the President shall also have the casting vote in case of a tie. (b) At all meetings of this Association or of its committees, voting shall be by a show of hands, unless the meeting decided upon a ballot. (c) Decisions shall be decided by a majority of votes cast. 11. The order for election of the Executive Committee at the Annual General Meeting will be as follows: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Registrar, Technical Director, Public Relations and Female Representative. 12. During the election of the Executive Committee at the Annual General Meeting; positions will be filled based on one person per membership household during the first two rounds of the election process. In the third round then any individual nominated can be acclaimed. 13. When a matter is not covered in these rules of procedure, Roberts Rules of Order shall apply. COMPETITION CLASSIFICATIONS 14. The Association recognized and conducts competition in Minor Hockey in the following series: As per Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador guidelines. RULES OF THE GAME 15. The Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador (HNL) rules, as may be amended from time to time by Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador shall be at all times the rules of the game of this Association, together with all special Playing Rules as outlined in the Regulations of this Association. MARYSTOWN MINOR HOCKEY (MMHA) CONSTITUTION Page 9
REGISTRATION 16. (a) Every player competing in Midget, Bantam, Pee Wee, Atom, Novice, Initiation, Female Under 20, Female Under 15 and Female Under 12 games, played under the jurisdiction of this Association, must be registered on a players roster sheet. No players shall be permitted to take part in any game under jurisdiction of this Association without having his/her name on this roster. (b) Every player in Midget, Bantam, Pee Wee, Atom, Novice, Initiation, Female Under 20, Female Under 15 and Female Under 12 must produce a birth certificate to the registrar of this Association before having his/her name submitted to Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador for registration. (c) In cases where it is impossible to secure a birth certificate, the Registrar, may if (s)he considers the supporting evidence satisfactory, accept in lieu thereof a duly certified baptismal certificate or MCP number. (d) Under extreme circumstances where neither a birth certificate nor a baptismal certificate or MCP number can be obtained, the player may appear before the Registrar along with one of his parent and after making satisfactory affidavit regarding the players age have his name added to the HNL team roster. (e) Any player proven guilty by this Association of falsifying a birth or baptismal certificate, or of having knowledge that same has been falsified or of playing on other than his own certificate, will be automatically suspended from playing hockey with any team under the direction of this Association or affiliated associations for a period of not less than one (1) year and not more than two (2) years from the date of this suspension. This penalty shall be final and there shall be no appeal. (f) The Registration Roster containing the name of every player must be in the hands of the Registrar of this Association not later than October 31 st of the current season. (g) Any player of minor age under eighteen must have his parents consent in writing before he can register to play. (h) No player shall compete in hockey games leading up to the All Newfoundland Minor Hockey Playoffs who is not a bona fide resident of the Marystown Minor Hockey Zone unless approved by Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador. (i) Official hockey season shall commence no later than October 31 st of each year. MARYSTOWN MINOR HOCKEY (MMHA) CONSTITUTION Page 10
(j) Minimum of seven (7) skaters and two (2) MMHA approved coaches required to start a House League game. (k) Registration fees shall be decided at the Annual General Meeting prior to the commencement of each hockey season. (l) The cost of players insurance may be added at the discretion of the Executive Committee. PLAYERS EQUIPMENT 17. (a) Players accepting equipment from this Association must return same upon request. Any player failing to return said equipment shall be subjected to suspension by the Executive Committee. (b) It is mandatory that all players playing under the jurisdiction of the Marystown Minor Hockey Association shall wear the following equipment at all times: As per Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador guidelines. TOURNAMENTS 18. (a) The Association shall host invitational tournaments in the Initiation, Novice, Atom, Pee Wee, Bantam, Midget, Female Under 12, Female Under 15 and Female Under 20 divisions when feasible and time permits. (b) The Marystown Minor Hockey Association shall adhere to all Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador rules as amended. (c) Once registered as a member of a competing team, a player shall remain a member of such team until the tournament has been concluded. (d) Except as otherwise specifically approved by Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador, no player shall be registered with or compete for more than one club in the same season. (e) Each team shall be permitted player roster sheets for each team and only up to the current Hockey Newfoundland authorized number. MARYSTOWN MINOR HOCKEY (MMHA) CONSTITUTION Page 11
CUP TRUSTEES AND RULES 19. As per Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador rules as amended. IMDEMNIFICATION 20. Marystown Minor Hockey Association will indemnify, defend and save harmless the Executive Committee Members (or any one of them) against (1) any and all causes of action (threatened or commenced), (2) liability incurred by, or, (3) judgments entered against any Executive Member, as a result of the Executive Member acting in his/her capacity as an Executive Member of the Association, and the Association shall discharge this duty to the fullest extent. DISSOLUTION 21. The dissolution of the Association for any cause may be initiated by the same mechanism used for amending the Constitution as stated in paragraph 4. This revised Constitution was agreed to by all members present at the May 26, 2015 Annual General Meeting (AGM). One item to be added as agreed upon at the AGM is as follows: This Constitution document will be posted on the Marystown Minor Hockey Website effective immediately. MARYSTOWN MINOR HOCKEY (MMHA) CONSTITUTION Page 12
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