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HERE CONSTITUTION ARTICLE ONE - NAME The name of this Association shall be the St. Clair Shores Hockey Association (SCSHA or the “Association”). ARTICLE TWO - PURPOSE The purpose of this Association shall be to: A. Develop and supervise amateur ice hockey in the St. Clair Shores, Michigan community, in accordance with the rules and guidelines of the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association (MAHA) and USA Hockey, Inc. B. Operate a competitive hockey league known as the ST. CLAIR SHORES HOCKEY LEAGUE (SCSHL), in which house teams affiliated with the Association, can play. C. Establish ice hockey teams, in various age classifications, in accordance with the rules of the Association, MAHA and USA Hockey, and provide a competitive league in which these teams may participate. D. Select representative teams for sanctioned tournaments in accordance with the rules of the Association, MAHA and USA Hockey. E. Conduct ice hockey tournaments. F. Associate with other ice hockey organizations. G. Develop and encourage good sportsmanship between all players and members for the betterment of their physical and social well-being. H. Select and develop coaches and officials through sponsorship of organized teaching clinics and seminars. I. Do any and all desirable acts in the furtherance of the foregoing purposes. ARTICLE THREE - ADDRESS The address of the Association shall be: St. Clair Shores Hockey Association, Inc. St. Clair Shores Civic Arena 20000 Stephens Road St. Clair Shores, Michigan 48080 County of Macomb
ARTICLE FOUR - NONPROFIT ASSOCIATION This shall be a nonprofit association and/or corporation and provides that: A. It shall have no capital stock. B. It shall not be conducted for pecuniary profit. C. All assets are pledged to charitable purposes. D. Real and personal property shall revert to the benefit of the local government in the event the Association is dissolved. ARTICLE FIVE - CAPITALIZATION The capital for the Association shall be derived from: A. Player registration fees, which shall be established annually by the Executive Board. B. Team sponsor fees, which shall be established annually by the Executive Board and which shall entitle team sponsors to display approved advertising on team uniforms. C. Ice sub-rental fees, which shall be established annually by the Executive Board and which represents the cost charged to teams. D. Fundraising activities, which may be determined annually by the Executive Board for the benefit or entertainment of the Association. Any non-mandatory fundraiser shall include participation on a voluntary basis. E. Tournament proceeds. F. Proceeds from the operation of the St. Clair Shores Concession Company. G. Non-related investments and/or income including, but not limited to, outside investments, general donations, player development fees, and fees for schools and clinics sanctioned by the Association. ARTICLE SIX - FISCAL YEAR The fiscal year of the Association, for the purpose of financial accountability, shall commence on the first day of July. ARTICLE
SEVEN - MEMBERSHIP AND The Association shall have two types of members as follows: A. Voting Members which will include: 1. Members of the Executive Board. 2. Members of the Board of Governors. 3. Appointees of the Executive Board. 4. Managers, coaches, and other team officials, as listed on the approved USA Hockey Player Roster Form, up to five individuals per team. 5. All Past Presidents of the Association. B. Auxiliary members who shall enjoy all membership rights, except they shall have no vote in matters before the Association and who shall include the following: 1. The parent or legal guardian of any player registered with the Association. 2. Individuals who contribute their time, energies, or monies to the betterment of the Association. C. Individuals' membership in the Association will begin at the time they join the Association as a result of election, appointment, contribution as noted above, or registration of their child with the Association and will end on Labor Day following the season for which they joined the Association except as noted elsewhere in these by-laws. D. The Association is committed to providing an equal competitive opportunity, taking into account ability, physical size and other athletic criteria, to amateur athletes, coaches, trainers, managers, administrators, and officials to participate, consistent with the requirements of the Amateur Sports Act of 1978, as amended, in amateur athletic competition without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, or national origin. E. The Association is committed to providing a positive environment and prohibits any and all illegal, immoral, indecent, and/or harassing behavior, including but not limited to sexual and physical abuse. Included in this prohibition is any criteria established by MAHA (subject to any contrary requirements contained in state or local law applicable to Affiliate), which shall be deemed to be incorporated herein. ARTICLE EIGHT - CONFLICT OF INTEREST The SCSHA is fully committed to conducting its responsibilities in a manner reflecting the highest degree of integrity and honesty. The success of the SCSHA in conducting its affairs is the sum efforts of each individual in exercising his or her responsibilities with good judgment and in an ethical manner. Therefore, in exercising these responsibilities each individual should comply with the following policy: A. All Association members, including Voting Members and Auxiliary Members, must disclose to the SCSHA Executive Board any potential conflicts of interest. The Executive Board shall determine whether an inappropriate interest exists. Such disclosures shall include board membership on, a substantial interest in or employment of the individual or a relative by any organization doing business with the SCSHA. B. Association Members may not receive honoraria or payments for any sales or services rendered on behalf of the SCSHA. C. Activities shall not be entered into which may be knowingly detrimental to the interests of the SCSHA. D. Information acquired in the course of carrying out SCSHA duties shall not knowingly be used in a way that would be detrimental to the welfare of the SCSHA. E. No Voting Member of the Association shall vote on any SCSHA-related transaction in which the individual or family member shall receive a direct or indirect financial gain. F. All Association members must report to and have the approval of the Executive Board of any anonymous or known gift, entertainment, trip, tickets or favors in excess of $100 per event or an accumulated total $300 in value per 12 month period from any individual or outside concern that does or is seeking to do business with the SCSHA. This includes gifts, etc. from parents of players in the Association. G. Any inappropriate activity, as deemed by the Executive Board, shall cease or the person serving in that position will be removed. H. Each individual, prior to accepting an elected or appointed position, shall annually sign a statement that he/she has received, understands, and agrees to abide by this conflict of interest policy. I. Responsibilities shall be conducted in a manner reflecting the highest degree of integrity and honesty, consistent with the Constitution and General Rules of the SCSHA; the Constitution, By-Laws, Rules and Regulations of the Michigan Amateur Hockey Association and USA Hockey; and civil laws.
ARTICLE NINE -
INSURANCE The Association will, at all times that it is subject to an Affiliate Agreement with MAHA, be covered by the general liability insurance policy and the directors and officers' liability insurance maintained by USA Hockey. The Association will be informed of the limits of that policy, and of any changes to those limits which may be made by USA Hockey at its sole prerogative. The Association retains the right to obtain whatever additional insurance coverages it may desire, at its own expense, but will name MAHA as an additional insured thereof. The Association hereby consents and declares that all Voting Members, as defined in Article VII, above, and/or any other official representatives of the Association, shall not, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be liable for any act, deed, matter or thing, whatsoever made, done or permitted by him/her in or about the execution of the duties of his/her office or other official role in the Association, except in relation to matters of gross negligence, intentional misconduct in the performance of a duty, or the receipt of improper personal financial gain. As a non-profit association, the Association and its Voting Members assume no responsibility for injury or damage to players, team officials or game officials under any circumstances. The Association hereby consents and declares that all Voting Members, and/or any other official representatives of the Association, shall be deemed to have assumed office or assignment on the expressed understanding, agreement and condition that each one of them shall not be liable as stated above, and that it is understood and agreed that each one of them, and his/her heirs, executors and administrators, estate and affects respectively, shall from time to time and at all times, to the fullest extent permitted by law be indemnified and held harmless out of the funds of the Association from and against all liabilities, judgments, costs, charges and expenses, whatsoever, which such person sustains or incurs in or about any action, suit or proceeding which is brought, commenced or prosecuted against him/her for and in respect to any act, deed, matter or thing whatsoever made, done or permitted by him/her in or about the execution of the duties of his/her office and also from and against all other costs, charges and expenses that he/she sustains or incurs in or about or in relation to the affairs thereof, except in relation to matters of gross negligence, intentional misconduct in the performance of a duty, or to have received an improper personal financial gain. The Association will maintain an active and up-to-date liability policy covering all voting members of the Association, protecting them during the execution of their appointed and/or official duties.
ARTICLE TEN -
DISCIPLINARY ACTION It shall be the right and the obligation of the Association and its members to request disciplinary action with regard to any member or related individual including, but not limited to, parents, players, coaches and referees, whose conduct is deemed to be detrimental to the Association. Such request shall be made and disposition shall be achieved using the following procedures: A. A request for disciplinary action may be made by any member. Such request must be made in writing to the President. B. The President shall take action, as deemed appropriate, on a temporary basis. Under this provision, the President may suspend a member or related individual for a period not to exceed thirty days. C. Within seven days of the receipt of such written request the President shall present the request to the Executive Board for review and disposition. D. The Executive Board shall have the authority to uphold previous temporary action taken by the President; to increase or decrease any penalty imposed by the President; or decline any action. E. The Executive Board shall, within three days of disposition, provide written notice of such disposition to all involved parties. F. The Executive Board shall provide for the prompt and equitable resolution of grievances of its members, including fair notice and opportunity for a hearing to any amateur athlete, coach, trainer, manager, administrator, or official before declaring such individual ineligible to participate. ARTICLE ELEVEN - ELECTION OF OFFICERS The procedure for the election of Executive Board Officers shall be as follows: A. Candidates shall be nominated, from the floor, during each of two membership meetings immediately preceding the designated "election meeting". B. Nominations shall be closed after two "nominating meetings". C. Successful candidates will be voted into office by a simple majority of eligible voting members present at the "election meeting". D. Eligible voters shall be as described in ARTICLE SEVENTEEN - VOTING RIGHTS. E. The Executive Board shall appoint one member of the Association, not currently serving as a member of that Board, as Election Steward. Such appointment shall be announced to the membership at a time not later than the first "nominating meeting". F. The Election Steward shall be totally responsible for the conduct of the election. Specific duties shall include the recording of nominations, compilation of a list of eligible voters, preparation and distribution of ballots, collection and counting of ballots, verification of total vote counts and the announcement of successful candidates. G. The election shall be conducted, by office, in the order prescribed in Article 12, C. (i.e., the president shall be elected first and in order thereafter, with the Officers-At-Large being the last officers elected.) H. Separate ballots shall be prepared for each office listing all nominated candidates for that office. Except for voting for Officer-At-Large, the candidate receiving the most votes for any office, providing that the total votes received constitutes a simple majority of the total votes cast, shall be the winner of that office. 1. In the case of an office for which three or more candidates have been nominated (except Officers-At-Large), where a candidate does not achieve a simple majority, a run-off election shall be conducted immediately, between the two candidates receiving the most votes. 2. With regard to the election of Officers-At-Large, votes shall be cast for not more than two candidates of those nominated and appearing on the ballot. The two candidates receiving the greatest number of votes shall be the winners, whether or not any of the candidates achieves a simple majority. I. Votes shall be cast by secret ballot, except in cases where only one candidate has been nominated for a given office. Such candidate shall be placed in office by acclamation. J. If at any time during the election process, the Election Steward determines that the allowable number of nonresident officers have been elected or will be elected (by virtue of the fact that a nonresident is the only candidate for an office yet to be voted on), the names of all nonresident candidates, on multiple candidate ballots for offices still to be voted on, shall be deleted. K. Incoming officers shall assume their respective offices on the first day of April. L. In the case of any condition that would preclude the completion of the term of office by any elected officer, the membership shall hold nominations and an election to fill that office for the remainder of the unexpired term. The nomination and election process shall be conducted in its entirety at the next membership meeting. ARTICLE TWELVE - EXECUTIVE BOARD The Executive Board shall be the governing body of the Association and shall have powers as specifically conferred upon it herein, and such other powers as are ordinarily given by custom or law. A. The Executive Board of the Association shall consist of the elected officers as listed in section C below and the Immediate Past President (the individual who last occupied the office of President). B. It shall be mandatory that at least three elected members of the Executive Board be legal residents of the City of St. Clair Shores, Michigan of which either the President and/or Vice-President must be legal residents of the City of St. Clair Shores, Michigan. C. The elected Executive Board officers shall be: 1. the President who shall: a. preside at all meetings held by the Association. b. upholds and enforces the Constitution and Rules of the Association. c. act as exofficio member of all committees established by the Association. d. vote the Association's stock in the St. Clair Shores Concession Company, at the direction of the Executive Board. e. enter into any and all legally binding contracts, agreements and other relationships, acting in behalf of the Association and at the direction of the Executive Board f. perform all other duties pertaining to this office as specified in Robert's Rules of Order. 2. the Vice President who shall: a. preside at all meetings of the Association, in the absence of the President. b. in the event of disability to the President, assume the duties of the President's office, until such time as the President is able to resume the duties of the office or until a new President is elected in accordance with the provisions of ARTICLE ELEVEN, L, above. c. register and represent the Association and its house teams in any outside leagues in which Association teams may participate. d. report all rule and guideline changes (except playing rules within MAHA, USA Hockey, and other associations or leagues with which we are associated) to the membership. Such report shall be given at the first membership meeting after August 15th and thereafter, as changes occur. e. be responsible for maintaining an inventory of all Association equipment and determining such equipment is accounted for and properly stored. Such accounting and storage to be accomplished by: i. placing the equipment in a secure storage area. ii. entrusting the equipment to a member for the purpose of storage and/or transmittal to the team, which will use the equipment during the next season. f. perform enough additional duties, given by the President, that can prepare him/her for the possibility of occupying the President's office. 3. the Secretary who shall: a. make and keep a true record (minutes) of all proceedings of all membership meetings and provide copies to all members on a timely basis. b. make and keep a true record (minutes) of all proceedings of all Executive Board and Board of Governors' meetings and provide copies to all appropriate board members on a timely basis. c. maintain a roster of the membership and distribute copies of a membership directory to all Association teams. d. give notice of all meetings, as directed by the President. e. conduct all official correspondence, as directed by the President. f. report to the President any and all correspondence and other information received. g. maintain an accurate and up-to-date file of all correspondence. h. insure that a copy of the Constitution and Rules of the Association is posted on its website and available to all members and other interested parties. i. insure that any approved revision to the Constitution or Rules is posted on the website within thirty days of such approval. 4. the Treasurer who shall: a. collect all funds due the Association and disburse all payments to meet its obligations, as authorized by the Executive Board. b. prepare a budget for the approval of the Executive Board and dissemination to the membership prior to Labor Day. c. maintain and/or supervise the maintenance of suitable accounting records covering the Association's receipts, with corresponding records of expenditures and a list of all funds and other assets. d. deposit funds in his/her charge in depositories approved by the Executive Board. Wherever possible, the service of local businesses will be utilized. e. close the books of the Association and prepare a comprehensive financial statement at the end of each fiscal year. f. at the discretion of the Executive Board, submit the books, statements, records, and all supporting data to an independent professional accountant, who shall, at Association expense, perform an audit of the records. g. be bonded in the amount of One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.00) and record such bond with the Secretary. h. make all disbursements by Association check. All checks must bear two signatures; that of the Treasurer and either the President or the Vice President. i. have the specific approval of the Executive Board for any disbursement. j. prepare a financial report of operations at intervals not less than annually and in a form approved by the Executive Board. Such report is to be made available for review by the Executive Board with subsequent dissemination to the membership. k. sit on, but not chair, the Concession Committee so as to be able to act as a liaison between the Committee and the Board of Governors. l. formulate a schedule that all teams and parents will follow when making their ice payments. This schedule will be submitted to the Board of Governors for their approval prior to the start of registration for the coming season. Each player shall be then notified by the Registrar, in writing, of the dates when ice bills are due. m. perform all other duties pertaining to this office, as specified in Robert's Rules of Order. 5. the Registrar who shall: a. register all players, coaches and other team officials and teams with the Association, MAHA and USA Hockey. b. make all changes to team rosters and provide notification of such changes to the Board of Governors, through the appropriate Division Representative, and to MAHA and USA Hockey. c. supervise and conduct house team player drafts and maintain a proper record of all draft proceedings. 6. the Travel Representative who shall: a. register and represent the Association and its travel teams in any outside league in which Association teams may participate. b. represent travel and Junior teams in matters within the Association. c. perform those duties of Division Representative as specified in ARTICLE FOURTEEN, D, 1-9 insofar as they apply to travel teams. d. assist the Board of Governors in formulating recommendations to the Executive Board concerning the awarding of coaching positions on travel and junior teams. 7. the CEP/ACE Coordinator who shall: a. register league coaches for appropriate certification clinics. b. be an active participant in all CEP, ACE, and STAR activities. c. assure that the SCSHA is informed about any activities undertaken by the above groups. d. act as a liaison between the SCSHA and the above groups. e. perform any other duties as needed to fulfill the obligations of this appointment. 8. the two Officers-at-Large who shall: a. each be assigned by the Executive Board, for purposes of becoming familiar with the function and responsibility of the offices, to assist other elective officers or appointees such as the: i. Secretary ii. Registrar iii. Ice Convener iv. Mini Mite Director b. gain and maintain a working knowledge of the duties of all Executive Board appointees and assist such appointees as needed. c. be responsible for conducting all Association activities related to: i. Opening Day ceremonies. ii. Play-off Sunday ceremonies. iii. the taking of team pictures. iv. the production of the Association yearbook. d. perform other duties, as directed by the Executive Board. 9. the past President who shall: a. attend all meetings of the Executive Board, Board of Governors', and the Association. b. act as a link between past and current practices. D. The Executive Board shall have the authority to appoint individuals to certain positions. Such appointees shall have full general membership voting rights. These positions may include: 1. individuals appointed to the Board of Governors. Such appointees shall have full voting rights on the Board of Governors. Positions in this category include: a. the Referee-In-Chief, who shall: i. appoint an assistant, subject to Executive Board approval, who will be responsible for the performance of the Referee-In-Chief's duties in the event of his/her absence. ii. register all officials with MAHA and USA Hockey. iii. provide competent and qualified officials for all house team regular season and play-off games, travel team league and play-off games (except for travel teams playing in leagues which supply officials, sanctioned tournament games, and exhibition games for all teams affiliated with the Association. iv. organize and conduct teaching clinics and seminars for officials, as approved by the Executive Board. v. report all playing rule changes to the membership. Such report to be given at the membership meeting preceding the house draft and thereafter, as changes occur. vi. report to the Executive Board and the Board of Governors any action or incident involving a player, coach or other team member, that could result in any disciplinary action by any authority. b. Ice Convener, who shall: i. establish the ice requirements of the Association and act to secure sufficient ice to meet those needs. ii. arrange for all ice required by the Association. iii. assign practice and game ice to each affiliated team, giving notice to the Association Treasurer, for billing purposes. iv. develop regular season and play-off game schedules for affiliated house teams, giving notice to the Referee-In-Chief. c. Mini Mite Director who shall: i. organize and operate a program of basic skating and hockey instruction for registered skaters, not qualified by age for other programs offered by the Association. ii. work with the Registrar to formulate the size of such program, including caps on number of skaters in total and by age group, and to make such recommendations to the Executive Board. iii. formulate an annual budget for the program that will enable it to pay for itself and establish a payment schedule for all participants. iv. communicate the details of the program to all registered participants at least two weeks prior to the start of the season, which will commence during the first week that house teams are assigned ice and conclude during the week preceding "Play off Sunday." v. collect all payments due from participants and make all ice payments due the Association in accordance with a schedule to be provided by the Treasurer. vi. engage the services of professional skating instructions to provide instruction in basic skating skill and provide a formal testing and evaluation procedure that will enable skaters to earn credit and recognition for their accomplishments. vii. provide the opportunity for advancement within the program for all skaters. viii. provide "game" experience for all participants, particularly those that will advance to the Mite Division in the following season. d. Parent Club Representative who shall: i. be the current President of the SCSHA Parents' Club. ii. act as liaison between the Parents' Club and the Board of Governors. iii. each season present and seek approval for the fundraisers, social events, and other activities to be undertaken by the Parents' Club for the betterment of the Association. 2. Individuals appointed to serve the membership. They shall become voting members of the Association with voting rights equal to other voting members. Positions in this category include: a. Tournament Director who shall: i. conduct tournaments approved by the Board of Governors. ii. compile, publish and provide copies of tournament rules to all interested parties. iii. arrange the required ice time through the Ice Convener. iv. arrange for on ice and minor officials for all tournament games. v. upon request, furnish accommodation information for all out-of-town teams. vi. furnish a complete financial report for each tournament to the Board of Governors. b. Public Relations Director, who shall promote the activities of the Association at the discretion of the Board of Governors. c. Any other position deemed necessary to the operation and well being of the Association. ARTICLE THIRTEEN - CONCESSION COMMITTEE The Concession Committee shall be responsible to the Executive Board for the operation and conduct of the St. Clair Shores Concession Company. A. The Concession Committee shall consist of a chairperson, who shall be appointed by and serve at the discretion of the Executive Board, the Association Treasurer, and three other individuals, who shall be recommended by the chairperson and approved by the Executive Board. Except for the Association Treasurer, members of the Executive Board are specifically excluded from membership on the Concession Committee. B. With regard to the St. Clair Shores Concession Company: 1. It is the intent of the Association that the Concession Committee shall serve as its Board of Directors. 2. Whenever a vacancy exists for the position of Concession Manager, the Concession Committee shall identify candidate for the position and formulate a recommendation for Executive Board review and approval. 3. Following Executive Board approval, the successful candidate shall be hired at an agreed wage to be in full charge of the day-to-day operation of the concession, in accordance with a job description to be prepared by the Concession Committee and approved by the Executive Board. 4. The Concession Manager shall report to the Concession Committee, through its Chairperson, as specified in the job description. 5. All members of the Concession Committee and the Executive Board are expressly prohibited from participation in the day-to-day operation of the Concession Company. ARTICLE FOURTEEN - BOARD OF GOVERNORS The governing body of the Association's Hockey League shall be known as the Board of Governors. A. The Board of Governors shall consist of the: 1. Executive Board 2. Division Representatives 3. Referee-In-Chief 4. Ice Convener 5. Mini Mite Director 6. Parents' Club Representative 7. Legal Representative B. Each member of the Board of Governors shall have one equal vote in all matters before the Board, except the President who may vote only when necessary to make or break a tie of the voting members present. C. The Board of Governors, acting as a body, shall at all times exercise general control and supervision of all the affairs of the Association's hockey league. D. The house coaches in each age division shall choose a Division Representative to represent the house teams in their respective divisions on the Board of Governors. For purposes of such selection and representation, the specific divisions are Mite, Squirt, PeeWee, Bantam, and Midget. This selection shall be subject to the approval of the Executive Board. The duties of the Division Representatives shall be to: 1. Manage the affairs of the division they are elected to represent. 2. Act as liaisons between the teams in their division and the Board of Governors. 3. Present, in an impartial manner, any request and/or problem -except disciplinary- pertaining to teams in their division, that cannot be resolved within the division, to the Board of Governors for resolution. Disciplinary matters are presented to the Executive Board. 4. File a written report, for the record and for possible review by the Board of Governors, of any request and/or problem resolved within the division. 5. Following the player drafts for house teams, advise the Registrar of any changes to team rosters in the division whether permanent or temporary. 6. Supervise teams in the division, while encouraging acceptable coaching practices and a sense of fair play by all involved individuals and bring all matters of interest to the attention of the Board of Governors. 7. Maintain and publish team standings. 8. Maintain individual player statistics to be used internally, by the Board of Governors, for the betterment of the Association. 9. Discharge all duties faithfully during their entire term of office, which shall begin at the time of their election, but not before September 1st, and serve through Labor Day of the following year. ARTICLE FIFTEEN - MEETINGS OF THE ASSOCIATION General membership meetings of the Association shall be held in accordance with a schedule to be determined by the Executive Board. A. Dates of such meetings shall be published before the first day of September each year. B. Additional membership meetings may be called by the President, at any time, except that notice of such additional meetings shall be provided to the membership not less than seventy-two (72) hours in advance of their start. C. The voting members present shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of voting on any matter before the membership. D. Meetings shall be conducted and governed by standard rules of parliamentary procedure (Robert's Rules of Order.) E. The order of business for membership meetings shall be as follows: 1. call to order 2. roll call 3. reading and accepting of the minutes of the most recent meeting 4. report of the Treasurer 5. other officer and committee reports 6. old business 7. new business 8. announcements 9. adjournment F. Attendance at membership meetings shall be limited to members and invited guests. Any non member or group wishing to address the membership should make written request, at least one week in advance, to the President or Secretary, stating the reason for the request. The Secretary shall provide notice of approval or denial of each such request within three days of its receipt. G. Attendance at membership meetings shall be mandatory for members of the Executive Board, the Board of Governors, and at least one staff representative from each affiliated team. The team staff representative must be listed on the approved USA Hockey Player Roster Form. Any member, as specified above, who shall miss a meeting shall be subject to disciplinary action. In the case of teams not represented at membership meetings by a staff representative, the coach or other designated franchise holder shall be the subject of any disciplinary proceedings. ARTICLE SIXTEEN - AMENDMENTS Any part of the Constitution or Rules of the Association may be amended in accordance with the following procedures. A. Members wishing to submit an amendment should do so in writing to the Secretary who will bring it before the Board of Governors for evaluation and the formulation of a recommendation to the membership. B. All amendment proposals shall then be presented to the membership at a regularly scheduled or special membership meeting. Presentation shall be made in writing by the Secretary with copies for each member present, and shall include the recommendations of the Board of Governors. Open discussion shall take place at this presentation meeting, with further discussion, if needed, and a vote for passage or denial to take place at the next membership meeting. C. Passage of any amendment to the Constitution or Rules shall require a two-thirds majority of the qualified voting members present at that membership meeting. D. Members wishing to comment on any amendment proposal, during the time between the membership meetings mentioned herein may do so in writing to the Secretary. E. All amendment proposals shall include a proposed effective date, which shall be part of the consideration. Amendments approved by the membership shall take effect at the time specified in the amendment proposal. ARTICLE SEVENTEEN - VOTING RIGHTS Qualified voters for any and all business before the membership shall include voting members, as listed in ARTICLE 7, A. A. No individual member shall have more than one vote in any matter before the membership. B. No affiliated team shall have more than one vote in any matter before the membership. Such vote may be cast by any team official, as described in ARTICLE 7, A., 4. C. Proxy votes will not be recognized in any matter before the membership. ARTICLE EIGHTEEN - ASSOCIATION COLORS AND APPAREL The intent of the Association shall be to create a widely recognized identity. Toward that end the following standards are established: A. The official colors of the Association shall be red and white. B. Teams will wear jerseys, socks, and other items of uniform apparel as provided by the Association for all games in which they participate. Permission for a team to wear apparel other than that provided by the Association must be requested of and granted by the Board of Governors. C. The official jacket of the Association shall have a red body, red sleeves, and a red collar. The official jacket trim color shall be white. No other colors shall be permitted on the body, sleeves, or collar of the jacket. The words "St. Clair Shores Hockey" shall be displayed in white script across the back of the jacket body. No other information or display of any type shall be permitted on the back of the jacket. The front of the jacket and the sleeves may be used to display other appropriate information such as team name, sponsor, or personal identification, etc. D. Any item of apparel purchased by a team for its members or parents that are by design the final outer garment in Michigan shall comply with rules set forth for jackets. (Item C.) E. Other items of apparel such as hats, t-shirts, sweat, etc: shall be red and white OR team colors approved by the Board of Governors. Hats and other miscellaneous apparel items shall conform to the following standards: the words" St. Clair Shores Hockey", "SCS Hockey", "SCSHA", or the current SCSHA logo shall appear legibly on the garment in an appropriate size. Failure by a team or team official to comply with these standards may result in disciplinary action by the Executive Board against the franchise holder of record. ARTICLE NINETEEN - GENERAL Specific provisions of the CONSTITUTION notwithstanding, the Association and its members shall conduct itself and themselves, at all times, in a spirit of fair play and shall be subject to other provisions and conditions imposed on organizations of this type, by custom or law, and by such other provisions as may be included in the GENERAL RULES of the Association. Under the provisions of ARTICLE 19 of the CONSTITUTION OF THE St. Clair Shores Hockey Association Incorporated, all members and related individuals shall be subject to additional rules and guidelines as described in this section. RULE 1 - HOCKEY ORGANIZATION The hockey organization, within this Association shall be known as the ST. CLAIR SHORES HOCKEY LEAGUE (SCSHL). A. Ice hockey teams affiliated with the Association shall be categorized as follows: 1. League house teams, which shall compete in the ST. CLAIR SHORES HOCKEY LEAGUE and/or other leagues established or approved by the Executive Board. 2. League travel teams, which shall compete in organized, outside A and AA classification travel leagues approved by the Executive Board. 3. Associate travel teams which shall compete in any organized, outside classification that does not exist within the SCSHL. Concerning associate teams: a. requests for this status should be made in writing to the Association Secretary. b. the Executive Board shall be responsible for granting such status on a season-to-season basis and may revoke such membership at any time for just cause. c. the Association shall have no jurisdiction over any aspect of the operation of such teams. d. the Executive Board shall each season establish the hourly ice rental cost for such teams. e. the coaching staff, as listed on the approved USA Hockey Player Roster Form, and the parent or legal guardian of any player shall be auxiliary members of the Association. f. the team shall have no vote in matters before the Association. g. a registration fee must be paid by such teams. The amount of this fee will be established by the Executive Board each season. This fee is to cover administrative cost encumbered by the Association such as MAHA registration fees, etc. Payment of this fee will not entitle such teams to financial considerations normally given Association teams such as placement in the yearbook, player patches, or payment of tournament fees etc. The payment of this team registration fee will cause all members of the team to be registered with the Association at no additional cost. h. such teams shall not be governed by the provisions of the Association's Constitution and General Rules except as specified in GENERAL RULE 2 and as necessary for individuals affiliated with such teams to function as auxiliary members of the Association. B. Individuals desiring to coach or manage teams in the Association should make a written application to the Secretary, by February 1st for travel teams and March 1st for house teams, for the season beginning the following September. C. All applications will be reviewed by the Board of Governors, which shall prepare a list of recommended choices for presentation, along with all applications to the Executive Board, for review and approval. Notification of successful applicants shall be made on a timely basis.
RULE 2 - POLICIES
ADOPTED AS A. SCSHA, as an affiliate of MAHA and in consideration of the grant of jurisdiction, has adopted as official policy of its Association, the following: 1. Preeminence SCSHA, an affiliate Association of MAHA, shall abide by and act in accord with the Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws, Rules and Regulations, Playing Rules and decisions of the Board of Directors of, and such documents and decisions shall take precedence over and supersede all similar governing documents and/or decisions of the Affiliate. Further, Affiliate (i) shall assist I the administration and enforcement of the provisions of the By-Laws, Rules and Regulations, Playing Rules and decisions of the Board of Directors of MAHA, within and upon its members and/or within its jurisdiction. 2. Indemnity SCSHA, an affiliate Association of MAHA, shall indemnify and hold harmless MAHA, the Board of Directors of MAHA and each member thereof, the Executive Committee of MAHA, and each member thereof, councils and committees of MAHA and each member thereof, and all other elected, appointed, employed or volunteer representatives of MAHA from any and all claims, liability, judgments, costs, attorneys’ fees, charges and expenses whatsoever, arising from the acts and omissions of SCSHA, except to the extent (i) that MAHA or its aforedescribed representatives caused such claims, liability, judgments, costs, attorneys’ fees, charges or expenses by their own intentional neglect or default or (ii) that such acts or omissions were the direct result of compliance with the Articles of Incorporation, By-Laws, Rules and Regulations, Playing Rules or decisions of the Board of Directors of MAHA. Further, SCSHA understands and acknowledges that MAHA and its aforedescribed representatives have assumed such assignment, function, office or capacity upon the express understanding, agreement and condition that they be so indemnified and held harmless to the extent described in this provision. B. MAHA shall reasonably cooperate with SCSHA in any litigation and provide reasonable support in connection therewith, including but not limited to advice and testimony upon reasonable request; provided, however, that such cooperation shall not require MAHA to incur any out of pocket expense not reimbursed by SCSHA. RULE 3 - PLAYER REGISTRATION Players desiring to play on teams established within the Association must be properly registered with MAHA and USA Hockey, including paying their NON-REFUNDABLE Association registration fee. A. House Players. 1. The following definitions shall be used to prioritize players: a. "Resident player": A player whose parent or legal guardian are residents of the City of St. Clair Shores and who meet the residency qualifications established to attend a public school in the city of St. Clair Shores. b. "Non resident player": All players who do not qualify as a "resident player". c. "Returning player": A player who was registered with and played the entire immediately preceding season in the Association, and who has met all team and Association financial responsibilities. d. "New player": A player who does not qualify as a "returning player". 2. Should there be more players registered than there are openings on teams, the players shall be placed on teams in the following priority categories: a. Returning resident players registered by June 1. Also, a player whose parent is the coach or manager of record and/or a member of the Board of Governors of the Association shall be placed in this priority category if he/she has registered by June 1. b. New resident players registered by June 1. c. Returning nonresident players registered by June 1. d. New nonresident players registered by June 1. e. Any player registering AFTER June 1 will be placed on a waiting list. Players will be added to the league on a "first come first served basis" with resident players given priority with Board discretion. 3. Any player desiring to play in a division above his/her appropriate age classification must file a written request with the Board of Governors, prior to September 1st, stating the reason for the request. Such request shall be reviewed and acted upon by the Board of Governors and notification of their decision shall be provided prior to the start of draft proceedings for the appropriate age classification. 4. Any parent that does not want his/her player drafted to a team by a specific coach may make a request to that effect to the Registrar. Such request must be made in writing, on a timely basis prior to the draft, and should contain specific reasons for making the request. The Registrar will present the request to the coach who shall, on a timely basis, grant or deny the request. Such response should be made in writing and should provide specific reasons that support the action of the coach. The coach's decision shall be final except that should either the parent or the coach wish to pursue the matter further, they may ask for a hearing by the Board of Governors who shall make a final determination. B. Travel Players may register at any time; however, SCSHA registration fees must be paid before players are allowed to register with their team, MAHA, and USA Hockey. C. Any player registered on a SCSHA travel team is prohibited from moving to another SCSHA travel team unless permission is granted from each coach/franchise holder of record. Such changes must be approved by the Board of Governors. D. Any player or parent who willfully gives false information in connection with the registration process of the Association shall be subject to suspension for a period of not less than the balance of the current season. E. Any player, signed to a team in the Association, who desires a release in order to play for a team outside this Association will be granted one provided that all team and Association fees are paid. F. Notwithstanding anything else contained in these procedures, it is the primary function of this Association to provide a recreational opportunity and the availability of Association sponsored programs to the youth of the City of St. Clair Shores. Accordingly, residents of the City of St. Clair Shores shall be given first priority, whenever possible, in all such programs. RULE 4 - COACHES' RESPONSIBILITIES The coach or manager of record, that is the individual to whom a team is awarded, shall be solely responsible to the Association for that team and for its compliance with the rules and specific requirements of the Association including, but not limited to, those listed below: A. Payment of sponsor fees, ice sub-rental fees, referees fees and any other fees or monies due. B. Appointment of a team treasurer with the power to make payments, keep individual and team financial records, and file financial reports as required by the Association. It shall be mandatory for the team treasurer to report any financial problems regarding a team member's delinquency directly to the Association Treasurer. It shall also be mandatory for the team treasurer to conduct all monetary transactions by check or money order. The handling of cash is expressly prohibited. C. Suspension of any player who is delinquent in the payment of any monies due the team and/or the Association, until such time as all financial obligations are current. A player shall be considered delinquent when the appropriate due date, as set by the Board of Governors and as specified to the player and or parent in writing at the time of registration, has passed. The coach shall see to the hand out of a written monthly ice schedule, which will note the due date for the month so as to remind the player of the date on which monies are due. D. Assuring payment, to the Association, of ice sub-rental fees by the dates specified by the Board of Governors. E. Reporting any action taken against any player for disciplinary reasons to the appropriate Division Representative who will, in turn, report to the Board of Governors and the Executive Board. F. Assuring team participation in mandatory fund-raisers. G. Maintaining for the Association, through the Vice President, a written inventory of all team equipment and seeing to the maintenance and repair of said equipment as needed. This written inventory shall include any equipment supplied by the Association to the team and any equipment supplied by a sponsor to the Association for use by that team. The coach shall further, at the end of each season, see to the collection and storage of all inventoried team equipment as specified by the Board of Governors through the Vice President. H. Assuring the eligibility of all team members at all times. I. Assuring that all players wear and/or use equipment as required by USA Hockey and MAHA when they are engaged in on-ice activity. J. Assuring that no player, coach, or other individual associated with the team steps on the ice until the resurfacing machine has left the ice surface and that no pucks are allowed on the ice surface until all rink doors are closed. K. Reporting any change to the team roster, whether permanent or temporary, to the Division Representative and the Registrar, within seventy-two (72) hours. L. Assuring that the team is represented at membership meetings. M. Assuring that, barring illness, injury, absence, or properly reported disciplinary action, all players on house teams, will play at least two minutes of each period in any and all games in which the team participates. In the case of a team with two goalkeepers, each goalkeeper shall play, on average during any two game set, the equivalent of not less than one period per game. It is the intent of the Association that, to the extent possible, all players will receive an equal amount of playing time during all games played by their team and that the above requirements reflect minimum levels of participation. N. Assuring that officials from within the Association are used for all games played on a team’s home ice. An exception is granted to those teams that play in an outside league that requires that outside officials be used. Failure of the coach or manager of record to meet these requirements and others that may be established by the Association, shall make him/her subject to disciplinary action, which may include suspension or removal. RULE 5 - SENIORITY Managers, coaches and other team officials, as listed on the approved USA Hockey Team Player Roster Form; elected officers of the Association; and members of the Board of Governors shall receive seniority as a result of their service to the Association. A. Eligible individuals will receive one year of eligibility for each year of service. B. No individual may receive seniority credit of more than one year, in any given year. C. Any member who shall miss three or more membership meetings in any year (September 1 - August 31) shall forfeit seniority for that year. D. Any individual, with seniority, who is inactive in the affairs of the Association for two or more consecutive years shall forfeit all accumulated seniority, upon return to active status. E. It is the intent of these provisions that an individual's seniority shall always be considered, when evaluating that individual for any appointed position in the Association. The Association, however, reserves the right, through Executive Board action, to disregard an individual's seniority if his/her appointment were to be regarded as not being in the best interests of the Association and/or its membership. RULE 6 - GAME RULES All teams, affiliated with the Association, are also subject to additional rules, as specified below: A. All teams and their members are subject to playing rules established by USA Hockey, MAHA, and other outside leagues in which they compete. B. in the case of any automatic suspension of a player or team official, such suspension shall be effective for the same or higher category game, in which the infraction leading to the suspension occurred; e.g., if the suspension results from actions in a league game, it must be served in the next previously scheduled league, or higher category game or games. Game categories shall be as follows (highest category listed first): 1. State championship tournament game. 2. District playoff tournament game. 3. League play-off game. 4. League game. 5. Other tournament game. 6. Exhibition or scrimmage game. C. Any team member participating in a fight on the ice after a game has officially terminated shall be suspended automatically, pending a review by the Executive Board. D. Any member suspended for any reason shall be subject to further disciplinary action, after review, by the Executive Board. E. Each season the coaches in a house classification division may propose special additional rules for their division. Their proposal must be presented, in writing, by their Division Representative to the Board of Governors for its approval at least fifteen (15) days prior to the first league game. The rules, if approved, would become a part of these GAME RULES and would apply only to that division for the current season. RULE 7 - STATE PLAYOFF REPRESENTATIVE The team in first place overall, in whatever league the division is participating, based on the total point standings at the end of the last full round of play completed prior to February 1st, shall represent the Association in State play-off competition. It is the intent that this decision of representation will be based on the greatest number of games and teams played equally by all teams in a division whether the teams are from this Association or not. In the case of two or more teams tied in the total point standings, the team with the most games won shall be the Association representative. If a tie still exists, and there is sufficient time and ice available, a play-off will be arranged among the teams still tied. In the case of two teams still tied, such play-offs shall consist of one game. In the case of three or more teams still tied, the play-off shall consist of a sufficient number of games, among the tied teams, to break all ties. The decision to conduct such play-off and the determination of the format to be used shall be made by the Board of Governors. If a play-off is not practical, for any reason, USA Hockey tie-breaking rules for Regional Championships will be applied until all ties are broken. With regard to play-off games played under this provision, the results shall not figure into regular season League standings or be given consideration in any other matter other than the determination of the Association's representative in State play-off competition.
RULE 8 - DETERMINATION
OF The determination of the house team divisional champion shall be done in the following manner: A. The Association divisional championship shall be awarded to the team which accumulates the greatest number of points during the season. This season shall include all games where an opportunity for equal competition is provided amongst all teams in the division. This could mean games played in just the St. Clair Shores Hockey League or games played in any outside league regular season games and outside league play-off games; but not the St. Clair Shores Hockey League Play-off games. This rule should be applied division by division depending on the circumstance and need not be applied in the same manner to all divisions. The decision as to which games shall count will be made by the Board of Governors prior to the start of the season (if possible) and be announced to the membership when the decision has been made. B. In the case of two or more teams tied in the total point standings, the team with the most games won shall be the divisional League champion. If a tie still exists, and there is sufficient time and ice available, a play-off will be arranged among the teams still tied. In the case of two teams still tied, such play-off shall consist of one game. In the case of three or more teams still tied, the play-off shall consist of a sufficient number of games, among the tied teams, to break all ties. The decision to conduct such play-off and the determination of the format to be used shall be made by the Board of Governors. If a play-off is not practical, for any reason, USA Hockey tie breaking rules for Regional Championships will be applied until all ties are broken. With regard to play-off games played under this provision, the results shall not figure into regular season League standings or be given consideration in any matter other than the determination of the Association's divisional League champion. C. Should it become necessary to break ties in the standing for positions other than first place, the procedure described above shall be employed except that the procedure for playing games will not be used. RULE 9 - HOUSE TEAM - DRAFT PROCEDURES The house team draft shall be conducted as follows. A. Player protection: 1. Each team may protect one player from the draft list. This player will be listed as the first round player in the appropriate draft category. 2. Each team may select up to three "preferred players" prior to the start of the draft. Such "preferred players" will be tentatively listed as that team's highest available draft picks in the appropriate category. Other teams will be advised of these "preferred players" and will be asked to honor the other team's preference. Teams that have listed "preferred players", must actually draft those players in their turn during the appropriate draft round. The other teams are under no obligation to honor a team's "preferred player" list and may draft any available player, including one listed as a "preferred player". The list of "preferred players" may include the coach's son/daughter, assistant coach's son/daughter, sponsor's son/daughter, etc. 3. A team which chooses to protect a player or to list a player as a "preferred player" must submit written confirmation from the player's parents which indicates a willingness to play for the team. 4. Any person who participates in the draft and has a child playing in the SCSHA in the division for which the draft occurs must either identify that players as the team’s protected player or select him/her as on of its three preferred players. 5. All protected and preferred players must be placed on the draft board in the highest available rounds in the appropriated draft category and become each team’s selection for each such round. 6. When a player with a sibling in the same draft is preferred or protected, the sibling(s) will be assigned to the same or next available round in the appropriate draft category. B. The order of draft rotation shall be determined by a blind draw. Should MAHA regulations preclude the use of this procedure, an exception to the MAHA regulation may be sought by the Association. If the exception is not sought or if the exception is denied, then, the MAHA regulation shall apply. C. Draft categories: 1. Goalies: a. After all protected and preferred players and siblings, if applicable, have been placed on the draft board in accordance with Rules 9.A.4. and 5., above, but prior to the selection of any other players, a goalie round shall be conducted, as follows: i. each team shall select a goalie in draft order, which for the goalie round shall be the same as determined in Rule 8, B above. ii. upon selection, the goalie shall be placed in the top row of the draft board for either second year players or first year players, as applicable, which rows shall be identified on the draft board as a "goalie round". iii. any remaining goalies not taken during the goalie round shall be placed on the draft board to be drafted in the appropriated draft category, in accordance with the procedures set forth in Rule 9, C.2. and C.3., below. b. If the total number of players registered as goalies is less than the number of teams in the division, each registered goalie must be taken in draft order until all available goalies have been selected and placed in the appropriate goalie round on the draft board, as set forth above. The remaining team(s) may then select any unprotected player in lieu of a goalie during the goalie round, which player is placed on the draft board in the appropriated draft category at that team’s selection for the goalie round. i. for Mites and Squirts, the team(s) without a goalie being drafted must make a goalie from the players that are drafted. ii. for PeeWee and higher, if a goalie(s) from outside the SCSHA registers to play in the SCSHA after the draft is held, that goalie(s) will be assigned to a team without a goalie through a blind draw. c. Following placement of all protected and preferred players and siblings, if applicable, on the draft board, pursuant to Rules 9.A.4. and 5., above, and completion of the goalie round, drafting of all remaining players shall take place in accordance with Rule 9.C.2. through 4., below. 2. Second year players: if the total number of second year players, registered for the draft, is equal to or greater than the number of teams in the division, such second year players shall be drafted to an even number per team. Such even number shall include players selected in accordance with Rule 8, A. above. When there is not a sufficient number of second year players to allow the completion of a draft round, the remaining second year players shall be placed in and drafted from the first year players pool. The term "second year player" shall refer to any player in their last year of eligibility in the division. 3. First year players: first year players, including remaining second year players, shall be drafted to teams until all registered players have been selected. 4. When a player with a sibling in the same draft is drafted, the sibling(s) will be assigned to the same or next available round in the appropriate draft category. D. Players registered after the draft: 1. Players registered after the draft but before January 1st shall be assigned one at a time, according to the draft rotation, to the team with the fewest players. When practical the Registrar shall hold a player until two or more players become available at which time the players shall be assigned by a blind draw conducted by the Registrar and the Division Representative with as many coaches present as is practical. The Registrar may, after consulting with the Board of Governors, assign an individual player. 2. The Registrar shall take this action only when it is believed that no other players will become available in the near future and that it is in the best interest of the player and the Association. Further, it is the intent of these rules that players should be assigned to teams in a fair and equitable manner. The Registrar shall, therefore, hold a player until a hearing can be held by the Board of Governors if it is believed that a player is attempting to use a late registration to circumvent the intent of these rules. The Board may take whatever action it deems appropriate including a rejection of the player's registration. 3. After December 31st, players will be registered at the discretion of the Division Representative and the Registrar, based on the needs of the division in terms of roster strength. Players so registered will be assigned to teams in accordance with Rule 9, D.1., above. 4. Not withstanding any other provisions of this Constitution and these General Rules, a player released by a travel team who wishes to play for a house team will be placed on a team selected by the Board of Governors. In such cases the Division Representative will contact each coach in the division for his advice and will then formulate a recommendation for the Board of Governors. E. Drafted players may be traded from one team to another prior to certification of the draft. F. Each team must possess an identified goalie before the draft is certified, providing that there are enough goalies for each team in a given draft. G. Draft Certification: 1. Each draft must be certified by the Registrar after consulting with those members of the Board of Governors who are present. Such certification will take place when the trading period has ended. The certification period may be shortened or lengthened at the discretion of the Registrar. 2. Coaches shall have no contact with drafted players until such time as they are notified by the Registrar that the draft has been certified. H. Draft Conduct and Supervision: 1. The Registrar shall be responsible for the conduct and supervision of draft proceedings. 2. At least one additional member of the Executive Board shall be present at all draft sessions. 3. Any interpretive ruling required during the draft proceedings shall be made by the Registrar, who may consult with any members of the Board of Governors who may be in attendance. 4. Interpretive rulings made herein are subject to appeal by a coach or manager of record, through the Registrar, to the Board of Governors. Such appeal must be made prior to the certification of the draft to the Board of Governors who are present at the draft. 5. Once started, division drafts will be completed on scheduled dates, in accordance with these procedures. 6. Each team participating in the draft will be permitted to have a maximum of two representatives in attendance. I. Any interpretation of the Draft Procedure Rules shall be left to the discretion of the Registrar and Board members present at the draft. Decisions of this group are final and cannot be appealed. 210904v2 |