|
ARTICLE I. NAME Section 1. The name of the organization shall be legally known as the NORTH ATTLEBORO HOCKEY ASSOCIATION, INC. A. It shall also be known as the NAHA. ARTICLE II. AFFILIATIONS Section 1. This organization shall be, and is hereby governed by the rules of USA HOCKEY and MASSACHUSETTS HOCKEY. Section 2. Eligibility to participate in the "North Attleboro Hockey Association" is not determined by sex, race, creed, or color. The "North Attleboro Hockey Association" does not discriminate against any person based upon sex, race, creed, or color. Section 3. Notwithstanding any other provisions of these articles, the corporation is organized exclusively for one or more of the purposes as specified in Sec. 501 (C) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954, and shall not carry on any activities not permitted to be carried on by a corporation exempt from the Federal income tax under IRC Sec. 501 (C) (3) or corresponding provisions of any subsequent Federal tax laws. Section 4. No part of the net earnings of the corporation shall inure to the benefit of any member, trustee, director, officer, of the corporation, or any private individual (except that reasonable compensation may be paid for services rendered to or for the corporation), and no member, trustee, director, officer of the corporation or any private individual shall be entitled to share in the distribution of any of the corporate assets on dissolution of the corporation. Section 5. No substantial part of the activities of the corporation shall be carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, except as otherwise provided by IRC Sec. 501 (h) or participating in, or intervening in (including the publication or distribution of the statements), any political campaign on behalf of candidates for public office. Section 6. In the event of dissolution, all of the remaining assets and property of the corporation shall, after necessary expenses thereof, be distributed to another organization exempt under IRC Sec. 501 (C) (3) or corresponding provisions of any subsequent federal government, or state, or local government for a public purpose. The organization that will receive the remaining assets and property will be determined by a vote of the NAHA Advisory Board. ARTICLE III. PURPOSE The purpose of this organization shall be: A. To teach the art of skating to all participating in the program. B. To instruct to those participating, the fundamentals of ice hockey. C. To instill the necessary attitudes for team spirit and sportsmanship through success and cooperative effort. D. To foster safety, fairness, and fun. ARTICLE IV. MEMBERSHIP Membership shall consist of: A. The parents or legal guardians of those participants in the NAHA program. B. Any officer without a child in the NAHA program must be accepted by the general membership at the annual meeting. ARTICLE V. GOVERNMENT Section 1. The elected governing body of the program shall be known as the "Advisory Board" and shall consist of 5-11 individuals. Section 2. The Advisory Board will elect from their ranks, by majority vote, a Chairperson, Assistant Chairperson, Treasurer and Recording Secretary. Section 3. The chairperson, Assistant Chairperson, Treasurer and Recording Secretary will be elected for a term of one year. Section 4. At least 5 members of the Advisory Board must be present at any Board meeting for valid voting to take place. Section 5. All elected officers shall be determined by a vote of the majority (greatest number of votes) of the eligible vote, of the program membership present and voting. Section 6. A vacancy on the Advisory Board shall be filled, for the remainder of the year, by an appointee selected by the remaining Advisory Board members. ARTICLE VI. AMENDMENTS Section 1. The by-laws may be amended by a majority vote (greatest number of votes) of the members present at any general membership meeting, provided written notice of the proposed action has been given to each member ten days prior to the time action is to be taken. Section 2. Any member of the Advisory Board may propose amendments in writing and said member will notify the general membership. ARTICLE VII. FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS Section 1. The Advisory Board shall determine all fees and assessments. Section 2. The Advisory Board shall set, at the start of each season, rules regarding payments and payment schedules, and shall see that every member receives a copy of those rules. Section 3. In the event that a player is to be suspended for non-payment, that player shall be notified in writing by the Chairperson, on behalf of the Advisory Board, at least seven (7) days prior to suspension. Section 4. The Chairperson shall notify the Coach of any player that is to be suspended for non-payment as soon as possible. Section 5. Only the Advisory Board may authorize suspensions of players for financial matters. Section 6. No program funds shall be used by anyone without the Advisory Boards approval. Section 7. No special dues schedules or rates shall be set without authorization of the Advisory Board. Section 8. All finances and financial matters shall be under the control of the Advisory Board. Section 9. The Chairperson, Assistant Chairperson Recording Secretary and Treasurer shall be the only endorsees authorized to disperse NAHA funds. All funds are to be dispersed by check and checks written for over $500 require the signature of the two of the following individuals: Chairperson, Assistant Chairperson Recording Secretary or Treasurer. ARTICLE VIII. ELECTIONS Section 1. Election of the Advisory Board shall be at the "Annual Membership Meeting". Section 2. Prior to the election of officers, at the "Annual Membership Meeting", the Chairperson and the Treasurer shall give reports. The Chairperson’s report will reflect any important matters concerning the program. The Treasurer's report will reflect the financial condition of the program to the date of the meeting and will have been previously audited. Section 3. Voting will be by individual ballot and no member shall cast more than one vote. Proxies or votes in absentia will not be recognized. Section 4. Candidates shall be nominated from the floor during the annual membership meeting. Acceptance or refusal of candidacy may be made by absentee letter. Section 5. Officers shall take office at the end of the program season. The Program's fiscal year shall end and begin with the change of officers at the end of the Program season. Section 6. The first Advisory Board meeting, after the annual membership meeting, shall constitute a "transition" meeting attended by all board officers; incoming, outgoing, and incumbent. The purpose of this meeting will be to insure a smooth transition in those areas where there is a change in officers. Section 7. Candidates for office shall be members of the Program as defined in ARTICLE IV. MEMBERSHIP. ARTICLE IX MEETINGS Section 1. The Chairperson or a majority of the Advisory Board may call “General Membership Meetings” and Advisory Board Meetings. Section 2. Advisory Board meetings shall be scheduled monthly or as needed and shall be open to the membership. Section 3. The agenda of the General Membership Meetings will be set by the Chairperson after discussion with the Advisory Board. No other business, other than that on the agenda, shall be transacted at the meeting. Section 4. An "Annual Membership Meeting", for the purpose of electing officers, shall be held each year during the last week in March. Section 5. Notice of the Annual Membership Meeting and General Membership Meetings shall be published prior to said meetings. ARTICLE X. OUTSIDE REPRESENTATION The members of the Advisory Board shall be the official representatives of the NAHA in all areas, which come under their jurisdiction. However, they may appoint other delegates. ARTICLE XI. COMMITTEES Section 1. The Advisory Board can and may determine the committees deemed proper and necessary to fulfill the object and purpose of the program. Section 2. The Advisory Board shall appoint all committee chairpersons. Section 3. The Chairperson and Assistant Chairperson shall be ex-officio members of all committees. Section 4. Committees, as needed, shall be made up of volunteers. Section 5. Special committees may be appointed by the Advisory Board, as needed. ARTICLE XII. AUTHORITY TO BIND No member of this program shall contract for or enter into any agreement, or otherwise obligate this program, financially or otherwise, without proper authorization from the Advisory Board. ARTICLE XIII. RULES OF ORDER The rules contained in "Robert's Rules of Order" (Newly Revised) shall govern this organization in all cases to which they are applicable, and where they are not inconsistent with the by-laws of the organization. ARTICLE XIV. REMOVAL FROM OFFICE Any officer or advisor may be removed from office as a result of failure to fulfill the duties of said office, or for conduct detrimental to the best interests of the Program. Said removal must follow the following procedures: A. A petition stating the charge shall be filed with the President and signed by two-thirds of the Advisory Board. B. The Secretary shall notify, in writing, each Board member ten (10) days before the question will be placed on a meeting agenda. C. Said officer or advisor shall be given written notice of the charge at least ten (10) days before the question will be placed on a meeting agenda. D. The petitioners shall present their case first; said officer or board member shall be heard second; and the vote taken third. A two- thirds vote of the Advisory Board shall be necessary to remove said officer or board member from office. E. Should said officer be the President, the Vice President shall preside over removal proceedings. ARTICLE XV. DUTIES OF OFFICERS OF THE ADVISORY BOARD Section 1. PRESIDENT A. Shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the NAHA. B. Shall act as Administrative Representative at all outside activities concerning the Program. C. Shall be responsible for appointing and charging all committees and appointing committee chairpersons, acting for or on behalf of NAHA, with the approval of the Advisory Board. D. Schedule season's activities relative to administrative functions. E. Ensure that funds are available. Section 2. VICE PRESIDENT A. Act as President when the President is unavailable. B. Perform those duties assigned to him/ her by the President. Section 3. SECRETARY A. Shall keep permanent records of the business meetings of the organization and of events of importance. B. Shall be in charge of all correspondence. C. Shall keep current a general membership list. D. Shall provide a copy of the current By-Laws at all meetings. E. All records of the Secretary shall remain the property of the organization. Section 4. TREASURER A. Shall keep detailed financial records. B. Shall keep the Advisory Board up to date on all financial matters affecting the running of the program. C. Shall outline the financial status at all NAHA general meetings. D. Shall only dispense funds in accordance with By-Laws and other rules pertaining to expenditure of NAHA funds. E. Shall prepare an audited report, for NAHA "Annual Membership Meeting", for presentation to the Program membership. F. Shall be responsible for obtaining and retaining tax-exempt status and filing of appropriate reports with the State and Federal agencies. ARTICLE XVII. SELECTION OF COACHES, ASSISTANT COACHES AND TEAM ADMINISTRATORS Section 1. A. All prospective coaches must fill out an application and submit it to the Advisory Board.. B. All coaches must be appropriately patched according to the MASSACHUSETTS HOCKEY guidelines. Coaches must attend a coaching clinic appropriate to their level by December 31 of the current year. C. All applicants must be given every opportunity to participate in coaching. If there is more than one applicant for a particular team, the applicants not selected may be given the option to coach at a different level if there is another coaching slot open. D. A coach may select his/her own assistant coach only if there is a position open without an available applicant, with the approval of the Advisory Board. E. Coaches, assistant coaches, Team Administrators, all on ice volunteers and the NAHA Advisory Board are required to fill out a CORI form. Failure to do so will result in an individual’s ineligibility to participate in the NAHA. Section 2. All teams must have at least one assistant coach. If a team loses their assistant coaches to the point that there aren't any assistant coaches on the team, then it shall be the responsibility of the team coach to select an assistant of his/her choice. If a coach does not select an assistant within seven (7) days of being without one, then the Advisory Board will assign one. Section 3. Team coaches shall ask for a volunteer to be the Team Administrator. Each team must have a Team Administrator. If there are no volunteers for Team Administrator, the Coach or Assistant Coach will assume those duties. Section 4. The Team Administrator shall be responsible for distributing all schedules, newsletters, notices and other materials to the team players, and the collection of monies, when applicable. The purpose of this position is to relieve the Coach so that he/she may concentrate on coaching the team and will not have to worry about all of the team players receiving any of the above information. Section 5. The first Assistant Coach will act as the Coach in the Coach's absence. ARTICLE XVIII. COACH'S RULES Section 1. A. All players shall receive equitable ice time in all practices, games, and scrimmages. B. No coach will use physical force, abusive language, or publicly chastise any player as a means of discipline. Section 2. The team coach shall ensure that his/her team has: A. Assistant Coach(es) B. Team Administrator C. First Aid Kit D. All proper and necessary equipment. Section 3. Coaches may publish team rules that are non-conflicting with USA HOCKEY or NAHA rules with regard to: A. Discipline B. Practice time C. Parents meetings ARTICLE XIX. TRY-OUTS AND TEAM PLACEMENTS A. Evaluators 1. Mite/Squirt - Evaluations to be done by coaches or adult players outside the division they are coaching or involved in. 2. MS and HS evaluated by OUTSIDE evaluators (preferred) or coaches NOT involved in these divisions.
|