Wheaton Warrenville South Tiger Hockey Club POLICY MANUAL Effective as of January, 2011 1
Section 1 General Provisions 1.01 Mission Statement The Wheaton Warrenville South Tiger Hockey Club (hereinafter referred to as the Club ) will operate as a not for profit Corporation providing opportunity and training, to high school age students living within the Wheaton Warrenville South HS boundaries of CUSD 200, to engage in the sport of Ice Hockey and foster the sport through charitable acts and community service. Tiger Hockey is dedicated to promoting high school hockey in Illinois and becoming a premier High School Hockey Club. The Club will achieve this recognition by striving towards excellence in our play, sportsmanship, team spirit, and by adhering to the WWSHS core values and Winning Tradition and by exposing our team players to a wide variety of venues. 1.02 Good Faith The Club establishes these polices in good faith. It is not the intention of the Board of Directors to establish any rules, regulations or policy that may conflict with the guidelines established by any of its affiliated organizations; Amateur Hockey Association Illinois, Inc. (AHAI), Illinois Suburban Hockey League (ISHL), and USA Hockey. If such conflict occurs it is the intention of the Club to abide by the rules, regulations and policies of the affiliated governing bodies when appropriate and/or required. 2.01 Code of Conduct Section 2 Policies Relating to Conduct All Wheaton Warrenville South Tiger Hockey Club members, including players, coaches and parents, shall be required to sign their respective Code of Conduct contract as set forth by the Board of Directors. 2.02 Mandatory Parent and Player Meetings All Wheaton Warrenville South Tiger Hockey Club players and parents shall be required to attend a mandatory meeting where they will review all of the policies relating to conduct and sign either the Parent Code of Conduct or Player Code of Conduct. No player or parent will be allowed to attend a game until they have attended their respective mandatory meeting. 2.03 Zero Tolerance In an effort to keep ice hockey a more desirable and rewarding experience for all participants, The Wheaton Warrenville South Tiger Hockey Club has adopted a policy requiring all participants 2
including but not limited to the players, coaches, and parents/spectators to maintain a sportsmanlike and educational atmosphere before, during and after all Tiger sanctioned games. Specifically; Parents/Spectators If the game is stopped by on ice officials when the parents/spectators displaying inappropriate and disruptive behavior interfere with other spectators or the game, the on ice officials will identify violators to the coaches for the purpose of removing parents/spectators from the spectators viewing and game area. Once removed, play will resume and lost time will not be replaced. This inappropriate and disruptive behavior shall include but not be limited to; use of obscene or vulgar language in a boisterous manner to anyone at anytime; taunting of players, coaches, officials or other spectators by means of baiting, ridiculing, threat of physical violence or physical violence; throwing of any object in the spectators viewing area, players bench, penalty box or on ice surface, directed in any manner as to create a safety hazard. Penalty Any Tiger spectator (including parents, family members and friends) removed from the playing arena by the official will automatically receive an additional three game suspension to be served at the team s next three games after the game in which the spectator was removed. The spectator will not be permitted to enter the playing arena during the three games being served as a suspension. In addition, the Rules & Ethics Committee will investigate and take action on matters involving inappropriate spectator behavior that does not result in a suspension, but may violate the spirit of the Zero Tolerance Policy or otherwise reflect negatively on the Tiger organization. Coaches If a coach receives a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct for: 1. Openly disputes or argues any decision by an official. 2. Uses obscene or vulgar language in a boisterous manner to anyone at any time. 3. Visually displays any sign of dissatisfaction with an official's decision including but not limited to standing on the boards or standing in the bench doorway with the intent of inciting the officials, players or spectators. Penalty A Tiger coach receiving a game misconduct penalty in any game will automatically serve an additional one game suspension beyond any suspension otherwise imposed by rule under the circumstances, to be served at the team s next game after the game in which the misconduct penalty occurred and was served in full. During the entire suspension period, the coach will not be permitted to participate in the game in any capacity, including pre and post game locker room activities with the team. The Rules & Ethics Committee may, at its discretion, recommend 3
further remedial action after a coach s first game misconduct penalty and one additional game suspension. Players If a player receives a penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct for: 1. Openly disputes or argues any decision by an official. 2. Uses obscene or vulgar language at any time, including any swearing, even if it is not directed at a particular person. 3. Visually demonstrates any sign of dissatisfaction with an official's decision. Any time that a player persists in any of these actions, they shall be assessed a misconduct penalty. A game misconduct shall result if the player continues such action. Note: Under USA Hockey rules, a player receiving a game misconduct penalty shall automatically serve a minimum one game suspension to be served at the team s next game. A player receiving a game misconduct penalty as a result of a second major in a game shall serve a minimum two game suspension. (Other USA Hockey penalty rules may also apply see Rules 401 410 and Rule 601 in USA Hockey Rules and Regulations.) Under AHAI rules, any player receiving a game misconduct penalty for fisticuffs shall serve a three game suspension. Additionally, fighting carries a $500 fine to the club and this fine will be the responsibility of the player who receives this penalty. Penalty A Tiger player receiving a game misconduct penalty in any game will automatically serve an additional one period benching (Coach will not put this player on the ice during this time) beyond any suspension otherwise imposed by rule under the circumstances, to be served at the team s next game after the game in which the misconduct penalty occurred and was served in full. The Rules & Ethics Committee may, at its discretion, recommend further remedial action after a player s first game misconduct penalty and one additional period benching. In determining the appropriate penalty the Wheaton Warrenville South Tiger Hockey Club Rules and Ethics Committee shall review the past history of the offending party as well as the specific circumstances relating to the case. 2.04 Twenty Four (24) Hour There shall be no contact with any member of the coaching staff regarding an issue of concern for a 24 hour period following the occurrence of an issue of concern. Definitions: 4
5 For purposes of this policy the terms shall be defined or interpreted in the following manner: contact shall be avoided when the initiating party knowingly approaches the coach or member of the coaching staff in a confrontational/angry state of mind. issue of concern in no way shall an issue relating to the safety of a player be interpreted to within the confines of this policy. Should there be an issue of concern after the 24 hour period has passed, the parent shall contact the Team Manager and schedule a meeting which shall be documented and attended by the manager and coaching staff. These documents shall be submitted to the Wheaton Warrenville South Tiger Hockey Club Rules and Ethics Committee for future reference should the need arise. Should satisfaction not be accomplished by the meeting, the Chairman of the Rules and Ethics Committee shall be notified and meet with the parties. Should the matter be unresolved after the afore mentioned meetings, the Board of Directors of the Wheaton Warrenville South Tiger Hockey Club shall be notified and will schedule a meeting or respond in writing based on the complaint content. Penalty Should this policy be violated, the offending party may be subject to a suspension or in severe situations expulsion. The severity of the suspension shall be determined by the Wheaton Warrenville South Tiger Hockey Club Rules and Ethics Committee on a case by a case basis. In determining the appropriate penalty the Rules and Ethics Committee shall review the past history of the offending party as well as the specific circumstances relating to the case. 2.05 Consumption Abuse It is the considered judgment of the Board of Directors of Wheaton Warrenville South Tiger Hockey Club that consumption/use/abuse of mood altering substances is detrimental to a healthy state of mind, body, and spirit in an athletic participant. This is especially true for those participants aspiring to develop their talents in the furtherance of their playing, or coaching, or officiating careers in the sport of ice hockey. Substance Abuse Violation The Wheaton Warrenville South Tiger Hockey Club prohibits all players, coaches or team officials from the use of mood altering substances during active participation in its games, practices, training sessions and sponsored programs/activities Definitions For purposes of this policy, the words mood altering substances shall include the following: 1. Intoxicating beverages, including, but not limited to, alcohol. 2. Illegal drugs, including but not limited to, Cannabis. 3. Non prescription or prescribed controlled substances. 4. Prescription or non prescription controlled substances when used for purposes other than
treatment of a medical condition. Penalty Should this policy be violated the offending party may be subject to a suspension or in severe situations expulsion. The severity of the suspension shall be determined by the Wheaton Warrenville South Tiger Hockey Club Rules and Ethics Committee on a case by a case basis. In determining the appropriate penalty the Wheaton Warrenville South Tiger Hockey Club Rules and Ethics Committee shall review the past history of the offending party as well as the specific circumstances relating to the case. 2.06 Hazing It is the policy of Wheaton Warrenville South Tiger Hockey Club that there shall be no hazing of any participant involved in any of our programs, Training Camps, Clinics, or Events by any employee, volunteer, participant or independent contractor. Definition: Conduct which is insulting, intimidating, humiliating, offensive, or physically harmful to any other player or member of the Tiger Organization. Any player, team official, member of a team, or member of the Tiger Organization having been party to or having had knowledge of any degrading hazing, or initiation rite, without reporting it or taking action, shall be subject to appropriate discipline as set forth by the Wheaton Warrenville South Tiger Hockey Club Rules and Ethics Committee. Penalty: Should this policy be violated the offending party may be subject to a suspension or in severe situations expulsion. The severity of the suspension shall be determined by the Wheaton Warrenville South Tiger Hockey Club Rules and Ethics Committee on a case by a case basis. In determining the appropriate penalty the Wheaton Warrenville South Tiger Hockey Club Rules and Ethics Committee shall review the past history of the offending party as well as the specific circumstances relating to the case. 2.07 Physical Abuse It is the policy of the Wheaton Warrenville South Tiger Hockey Club that there shall be no physical abuse of any of any member in its programs, tournaments or events. Physical Abuse Definition: Physical abuse means physical contact with a participant that intentionally causes the 6
participant to sustain bodily harm or personal injury. Physical abuse also includes physical contact with a participant that intentionally creates a threat of immediate bodily harm or personal injury. Physical abuse does not include physical contact that is reasonably designed to coach, teach or demonstrate a hockey skill. Permitted physical conduct may include, but is not necessarily limited to, shooting pucks at a goaltender, demonstrating checking and other hockey skills, and communicating with or directing participants, during the course of a game or practice, by touching them in a non threatening, non sexual manner. Penalty: Upon filing of the complaint alleging a violation of the aforementioned policy the alleged violator shall be immediately suspended pending a hearing before the Wheaton Warrenville South Tiger Hockey Club Rules and Ethics Committee. Should this policy be violated the offending party may be subject to a suspension or in severe situations expulsion. The severity of the suspension shall be determined by the Wheaton Warrenville South Tiger Hockey Club Rules and Ethics Committee on a case by a case basis. Further, the violation shall be immediately reported to AHAI for further disciplinary action. 208 Sexual Abuse It is the policy of the Wheaton Warrenville South Tiger Hockey Club that there shall be no sexual abuse of any of any member in its programs, tournaments or events. Sexual abuse of a minor participant occurs when an employee, volunteer or independent contractor touches a minor participant for the purpose of causing the sexual arousal or gratification of either the minor participant or the employee, volunteer or independent contractor. Sexual abuse of a minor participant also occurs when a minor player touches an employee, volunteer or independent contractor for the sexual arousal or sexual gratification of either the minor participant or the employee, volunteer or independent contractor, if the touching occurs at the request or with the consent of the employee, volunteer or independent contractor. Neither consent of the player to the sexual contact, mistake as to the participants age, nor the fact that the sexual contact did not take place at a hockey function are defenses to a complaint of sexual abuse. Penalty: Upon filing of the complaint alleging a violation of the aforementioned policy the alleged violator shall be immediately suspended pending a hearing before the Wheaton Warrenville South Tiger Hockey Club Rules and Ethics Committee. Upon proof of a violation of this policy, the violator will be permanently banned from all sanctioned events and programs. Further, the violation shall be immediately reported to AHAI 7
for further disciplinary action. 2.09 Verbal Abuse It is the policy of the Wheaton Warrenville South Tiger Hockey Club that there shall be no verbal abuse of any of any member in its programs, tournaments or events. Verbal Abuse Definition: Verbal abuse means any threat of physical contact with a participant that intentionally causes the participant to have fear of bodily harm or personal injury. Verbal abuse also includes any insults directed at a member solely designed to belittle, intimidate or embarrass another member of the organization. Penalty: Upon filing of the complaint alleging a violation of the aforementioned policy the alleged violator shall be immediately suspended pending a hearing before the Wheaton Warrenville South Tiger Hockey Club Rules and Ethics Committee. Should this policy be violated the offending party may be subject to a suspension or in severe situations expulsion. The severity of the suspension shall be determined by the Wheaton Warrenville South Tiger Hockey Club Rules and Ethics Committee on a case by a case basis. Further, the violation shall be immediately reported to AHAI for further disciplinary action. 3.01 Rules and Ethics Committee Section 3 Complaint and Disciplinary Policy The Board of Directors will establish a Rules and Ethics Committee to investigate and provide recommendations regarding disciplinary violations. The Rules and Ethics Committee will include a minimum of three (3) members from within the Warrenville South Tiger Hockey Club organization. The Committee will serve and be appointed as needed by the Board of Directors. The Committee will work under the supervision of the Chairman of the Wheaton Warrenville South Tiger Hockey Club Rules and Ethics Committee, who is a Board member, and report their findings to the entire Board of Directors. 3.02 Notice of Complaint When a Rules & Ethics complaint is filed and after a preliminary review it is not dismissed, the President of the Board of Directors will notify the member who is the subject of the complaint. The notice will include the nature of the complaint and the procedures the Board will follow in resolving the matter. The notice will inform the member that he/she will be afforded an opportunity to respond to the complaint. The notification of the complaint should be made in 8
writing. The notification can be delivered either electronically or through US Mail. Oral notifications should only be made if it is not practical to do so in writing. 3.03 Investigations Once the Board has received and reviewed information about a Rules & Ethics complaint, it will forward it to the Rules and Ethics Committee for investigation. The Rules and Ethics Committee will normally investigate most complaints. If the complaint warrants, the Rules and Ethics Committee may request the Board of Directors to appoint an individual to act as an Investigator. The Investigator should not be a member of the Board or have a personal or family interest in the outcome of the matter or otherwise create the appearance of bias. The Investigator will interview the individuals and witnesses involved, review documents and other materials and collect information to the extent reasonably necessary to determine the facts of the matter. All members of the Wheaton Warrenville South Tiger Hockey Club shall cooperate in the investigation. 3.04 Reports of Investigations Once an investigation has been completed, the Investigator shall prepare a report. The report will be forwarded to the Rules and Ethics Committee and/or the Board of Directors. The report should include the investigators findings regarding the complaint. The report will be used to determine the disposition of the complaint. 3.05 Opportunity to Respond to a Compliant Any member who is the subject of a complaint will be given the opportunity to respond either in writing or in person. The Board of Directors may choose to hear the matter or refer it to the Rules and Ethics Committee. The Board will not proceed with disciplinary action prior to the subject member being given the opportunity to respond. The subject member may waive the opportunity to respond or may be deemed to have waived the opportunity to respond if he or she does not do so in a reasonable period of time set by the Board or the Rules and Ethics Committee. The subject of the complaint does not have a right to appear before the Board of Directors in person to respond. However, the Board may allow the person to do so if, and when it is relative, important or practical. 3.06 Disciplinary Action The Board of Directors may take disciplinary actions against any player, coach, parent, Board member or other individuals associated with the Wheaton Warrenville South Tiger Hockey Club for violation of rules related to amateur hockey. This may include but is not limited to probation, suspension from games/practices, exclusion from other activities or expulsion from the organization. 9
If necessary, disciplinary action against a member can include suspending or excluding the member s player from games, practices or other activities. The President will administer a vote on disciplinary action. In order to impose discipline on a member the discipline must be approved by a 2/3 vote of the Directors. The Secretary will record the vote into the minutes of the meeting. There is no right to appeal disciplinary action imposed by the Board of Directors. 3.07 Grievance Committee Disputes that arise at the team level should try to be fairly resolved at the lowest possible level. Generally, these matters should be reported to the team managers and/or coaches. Managers and coaches are encouraged to work with members to resolve disputes in an expeditious and fair manner. In cases where a dispute cannot be resolved at the team level or it is not practical to present the issue to the team manager or coach(s) the matter may be referred to Grievance Committee. The Grievance Committee will include a minimum of two (2) members from within the Tiger organization. The Grievance Committee will serve and be appointed as needed by the Board of Directors. If the Grievance Committee is not able to bring an issue to closure, the issue will then be brought to the Board of Directors who will determine what actions, if any, are to be taken. 3.08 Complaints Filed with the Board Although members are encouraged to resolve complaints regarding minor issues at the team level, this may not always be possible. In such cases, a complaint may be referred to the Board. Complaints filed with the Board must be in writing. Written complaints may be given to any member of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may refer complaint to either the Rules and Ethics Committee or Grievance Committee for a formal review. If the Board determines that a formal review is not necessary, the Board of Directors may dismiss an issue by majority vote without further action. In such a case, the President will notify the person filing the complaint of the Board's action and the reason the Board dismissed the compliant. 3.09 Retaliation No coach, manager or other member will take any action against a person who has made a compliant in good faith. "Good faith" means that the person who makes the complaint actually believes that a policy has been violated and has a reasonable basis in that belief. A person who does not make a complaint in good faith is subject to disciplinary action by the Board of Directors. 10