MILESTONE MINOR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION AND POLICY MANUAL 2010 REVISED: August 2010
MILESTONE MINOR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION CONSTITUTION 1. PURPOSE a. The Milestone Minor Hockey Association (MMHA) will provide opportunity for and encourage maximum participation in hockey for all players eligible to play to Milestone with the Saskatchewan Hockey Association (SHA) and the Canadian Hockey Association (CHA) framework. b. The emphasis of MMHA will be on the players i. Having fun ii. Developing character iii. Developing hockey skills 2. MEMBERS a. The registration fee of a player registering for MMHA does not include a membership fee to the Milestone Recreation Complex b. Any player, coach, or manager may become a member by paying the prescribed membership fee as established annually c. Membership will be for the current hockey season d. A member may be suspended or reinstated by a majority vote at an executive meeting 3. OFFICERS (any member of the executive may hold more than one position) a. President b. Vice-President c. Secretary d. Treasurer e. SHA representative f. Referee in chief g. Communication/Tournament Representative h. League Representative Milestone Minor Hockey Constitution 1 of 11
4. DUTIES OF THE OFFICERS a. President i. The president will preside over all executive and membership meetings and call all such meetings ii. The president will be ex-officio member of all committees iii. The president (or other officer) will represent MMHA at Milestone Rink Board Meetings iv. Act as a signing officer of the association, along with the treasurer v. In the absence of the president, the vice-president will assume these duties b. Vice President i. Assumes the duties of the president in his/her absence c. League Representative i. Represent MMHA at all league meetings ii. Keep MMHA updated on all league rules, regulations and fees d. Secretary i. Keep records of all minutes of meetings of the association ii. Conduct correspondence and announcement of meetings as required iii. Be custodian of all books and documents of the association iv. Secure and update all bylaw books v. Maintain and update all current regulations as required in the policy manual of the association e. Treasurer i. Collect and receive all monies and fees ii. Receive and check all payables and issue the cheques in payment, thereof subject to the approval of the executive iii. Along with the president, act as signing officer of the association iv. Prepare and present a treasurer s report at each meeting v. Have books audited as required f. SHA representative i. Tournament Sanctions ii. SHA insurance forms iii. Advise executive of all SHA fees iv. Affiliations Milestone Minor Hockey Constitution 2 of 11
g. Referee in Chief i. Must be an SHA carded official ii. Oversee MMHA officials iii. Prepare a list of carded officials and distribute to team coaches/managers iv. Facilitate clinics both on and off the ice for development of officials h. Communication/Tournament Representative i. Oversee tournaments held by MMHA teams and advise of ice times and officials i. Equipment Coordinator i. Maintain an inventory of all MMHA uniforms and equipment ii. Supply teams with uniforms and equipment prior to the start of hockey season iii. Ensure all MMHA uniforms and equipment are returned at the end of the season 5. MEETINGS a. Membership Meetings i. At least two membership meetings will be held in each hockey season. One in the spring and one in the fall. ii. Notice of such meetings will be placed in the local paper two weeks prior to the meetings. iii. A quorum will consist of ten members iv. Meetings will be conducted using the approved agenda b. Executive Meetings i. The executive will meet at least once every two months during the hockey season. ii. A quorum of executive will consist of two thirds of its members in attendance including the president or vicepresident Milestone Minor Hockey Constitution 3 of 11
6. POLICY MANUAL a. The executive will establish and maintain a policy manual to govern the day to day affairs of the association b. The manual will include regulations in respect to the following i. Registration ii. Eligibility iii. Player obligation iv. Non-tiered teams v. Game officials vi. Tournaments vii. Coaches viii. Affiliation ix. Parents x. Other regulations as required c. The regulations included in the policy manual my only be changed by a two-thirds majority vote d. The executive will be guided in establishing regulations in accordance with the wishes of the membership 7. AMENDMENTS OF BYLAWS The bylaws will be amended only at the annual membership meeting of the association. Notice of motion in writing regarding proposed amendments must be given to the president or vice president of MMHA. An amendment to the bylaws must secure a three quarters affirmative vote of the meeting. 8. DISSOLUTION In the event of the dissolution of the Milestone Minor Hockey Association, all funds and other assets will be donated to local charitable non-profit organizations. 9. INTERPRETATIONS The governing executive of the Milestone Minor Hockey Association will have final say in the interpreting and applying of all bylaws, rules, regulations, etc., within this constitution, should any discrepancy occur. Milestone Minor Hockey Constitution 4 of 11
MILESTONE MINOR HOCKEY ASSOCIATION POLICY MANUAL 1. REGISTRATION a. Fees i. The annual registration fee for each division will be estimated at the spring meeting and established by the executive at the fall meeting b. Procedures i. The registration form is to be completed and submitted, along with payment, on registration night ii. Registration fees are non-refundable 2. ELIGIBILITY a. To be eligible for registration in MMHA, players must follow SHA registration regulations regarding residency b. Special circumstances may arise for MMHA to accept or recruit players from another area. This will be done with executive approval only. League and SHA rosters to be approved by MMHA c. Female players are welcome in MMHA. These players must play in their own age division 3. NON-TIERED TEAMS a. In the event that there are too many registered players to form one team in an age group: i. Players are to be divided equally and selection is to ensure equally balanced teams ii. Teams are to be drafted by the coaches of each team prior to the start of the current hockey season at a meeting set by the coaches. The executive will assist in any way to make the teams as equal as possible. iii. If requested, or if needed, an executive member will become involved in the selection process iv. MMHA shall have the final say Milestone Minor Hockey Constitution 5 of 11
4. GAME OFFICIALS a. Fees for on ice game officials will be set by MMHA executive. SHA schedule will be used as a guideline only. b. Teams are responsible for booking officials for all their games c. Officials must be certified by the SHA referees division d. Major penalties to be reported to the referee in chief and the president of MMHA e. MMHA reserves the right to suspend any member or coach for a situation it feels is detrimental to minor hockey. (ie: abuse of officials) 5. TOURNAMENTS a. Each MMHA team is encouraged to host a home tournament. Ice times to be booked through the ice manager b. Tournament rules i. MMHA must be advised two weeks in advance of your tournament date in order to acquire a sanction from SHA ii. A copy of your tournament schedule must be given to MMHA before your tournament takes place iii. 50/50 monies to be split half and half with MMHA and the team iv. Entry fees shall be made payable to MMHA and MMHA shall pay all expenses v. Raffle table profits may stay with the team, but organizers are to use discretion as to how much they keep and how much they are turning over to MMHA from other areas c. All costs for out of town tournaments are borne by the parents. Each MMHA team may attend up to three out of town tournaments per season. Attendance at additional tournaments may take place after attaining a two thirds affirmation in a secret ballot vote of all team parents. A secret ballot vote must be taken for each additional tournament. d. Provincial playoffs i. All gate money from SHA provincial playoff games shall go to MMHA. 60% will belong to MMHA and 40% to the rink Milestone Minor Hockey Constitution 6 of 11
6. COACHES a. Selection i. Coaches must be approved and may be removed by the MMHA executive ii. Criteria for selection of coaches Previous coaching experience Coaching qualifications Leadership abilities Professionalism ime availability Ability to work with players and parents b. Duties i. Follow current rules and regulations of hockey as established by the CHA, SHA, league and MMHA ii. Teach sportsmanship and honourable conduct by their own example and instruction iii. iv. Play assigned players fairly Player problems to be dealt with immediately and with the assistance of the MMHA executive as necessary c. Rules and Regulations i. If not needed, scheduled ice times must be cancelled with the ice manager at the earliest possible time ii. Before you cancel your time, you may want to check with other coaches to trade times with them and then notify the ice manager iii. Problems or concerns with game officials should be directed to the referee in chief iv. Any equipment problems or questions a coach may have should be dealt with through the executive v. All coaches are responsible for the sweaters they are issued from MMHA vi. MMHA uniforms are to be worn in games only vii. All players using MMHA goalie equipment are to be informed that is equipment may only be used during team hockey games and practices viii. No players are permitted to participate on the ice surface without full complement of equipment. Neck protectors are mandatory. All equipment must meet SHA and CHA standards Milestone Minor Hockey Constitution 7 of 11
ix. Fundraising The use of Milestone Minor Hockey s name and logo for fundraising and/or personal gain, will not be permitted unless permission has been obtained from the executive. Teams may conduct 50/50 draws at home games with 50% of the profits going to MMHA Teams may conduct 50/50 draws and raffle tables at home tournaments following tournament regulations x. All teams are required to provide financial statements to MMHA twice a year. xi. All coaches are required to have at least one parent meeting, the first of which is to be held prior to November 10 of the current season. A parent representative is be elected by the parents at this time xii. Coaches must refrain from unsportsmanlike behavior and profanity and ensure their players do the same xiii. Teach and ensure that your players treat each other, as well as other teams and officials, with respect and dignity xiv. Abuse of officials by coaches, players, or parents will not be tolerated xv. The use of alcohol and drugs by coaches, players or parents will not be tolerated and will be dealt with severely xvi. All coaches are responsible for checking to ensure dressing rooms, both home and away, are left in good order xvii. No players are allowed on the ice surface, or on the players benches, when the cleaning equipment is in operation xviii. A coach may choose an assistant coach prior to picking the team. It is recommended any helpers be chosen from parents of your team players xix. Non-tiered teams should be picked as evenly as possible. An executive member will help out in this manner if required or requested by coaches xx. Fair ice time is to be given to all players. Some concerns to watch for in this regard: The same one or two players should not always pay the price for penalties At the initiation level, all players should be given equal opportunity to play all positions. The coach will use his/her discretion in this regard xxi. All coaches must meet SHA certification. A coach may start out the season without certification as long as he/she acquires certification during the season Milestone Minor Hockey Constitution 8 of 11
7. AFFILIATIONS a. All players must be affiliated in order to play on a higher tiered team. A coach may affiliate with one team, or up to nineteen players from a level below. No player may be affiliated with more than one team. MMHA will automatically affiliate all teams with the next higher category. b. A player cannot play up with the team he/she is affiliated with unless it is with the consent of his/her coach and parents. If there are questions in this regard, please contact the president of MMHA. 8. PARENTS a. Treat your child s teammates with dignity and respect and teach your child to do the same b. Conduct yourself at all times with honour and dignity and teach your child to do the same c. Treat visiting teams, spectators and officials as honoured guests and teach your child to do the same d. Instill in your child s mind that it is a privilege to represent their community through sport e. Teach your child that there is no place before, during or after competition for drugs or alcohol f. Accept both victory and defeat with pride and compassion, not boastfulness or bitterness, and teach your child to do the same g. We ask all parents to keep an open mind and appreciate that the coaches are volunteers h. All parents/guardians are expected to assist the team in games and tournaments by sharing the responsibilities of timekeeping, 50/50 sales, raffle tables, etc. i. Any parent having a problem or concern should first talk to the parent representative or team manager. If the problem cannot be resolved, the parent should write a letter to the president of MMHA within seventy two hours and the executive will deal with it Milestone Minor Hockey Constitution 9 of 11
9. OTHER a. MMHA will not tolerate anyone breaking the MMHA or SHA rules in any way. When a problem comes to the executive s attention, the situation will be assessed and the appropriate action taken. All members must ensure that they abide by all rules. b. While we realize some of this is a heavy burden to carry, it is the responsibility of all members to do our part to make hockey fun for all participants, whether a player, parent or fan. c. The executive would like to offer assistance in any way and looks forward to working with everyone. d. The governing executive of MMHA will have final say in interpreting and applying all rules, regulations, etc. within this policy manual should any discrepancy occur. e. Teams will be given a copy of this constitution on a yearly basis and parents will be asked to sign their team sheet stating that they have read and understood this document. Milestone Minor Hockey Constitution 10 of 11
Team Parent Signature Sheet I, the undersigned, have read the MMHA constitution and agree to abide by the laws and regulations within. Signature Date Milestone Minor Hockey Constitution 11 of 11