Lyndon Area Youth Hockey Association

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LYNDON AREA YOUTH HOCKEY ASSOCIATION BY-LAWS

I.PURPOSE OF THE ASSOCIATION

The Lyndon Area Youth Hockey Association exists to provide a Hockey program the operates under the auspices of and pursuant to the policies and rules of USA Hockey, Inc.. Lyndon Area Youth Hockey Association supports the following philosophical policies of USA Hockey, Inc.. These policies include but are not necessarily limited to the following:

• Developing basic hockey skills of participants including the fundamental aspects of the game such as skating, shooting, puck handling and functioning as a team.
• Developing good sportsmanship amongst all participants to include learning how to win and lose games in a graceful manner.
• Providing as equal as possible a recreational activity for the youths who participate so that their participation will be an enjoyable and rewarding experience.
• Assisting youths who participate to develop social skills to assist them in relating to both their peers and adults in an appropriate manner.

II.MEMBERSHIP IN THE CORPORATION

Membership in LAYHA shall be in two classes; Full and Associate.

• 1.Full Membership (voting at Annual Meeting) shall be open to all adults serving in the role of parent/guardian on the basis of one (1) vote per registered player during the season just completed. A Full Membership shall be accorded each Team Coach and each Referee who has completed 3/4ths of required attendance at practices and/or games during the season just completed.
• 2.Associate Membership (non-voting) will be extended to any person deemed having made significant continuing contribution to the goals of LAYHA as delineated in Article I (Purpose of the Association).

III.BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The Board will consist of Elected (voting) and Appointed (non-voting) Directors. One year will be defined as the period of time between Annual Meetings.

• 1.Elected Directors: (voting)
  • i.There will be 9 Elected Directors on the Board.
  • ii.Elected Directors will be elected to a three (3) year term at the Annual Memebership Meeting. Three (3) Directors will be elected per year to provide for committee comprised of 1/2 current Elected Directors and 1/2 non-directors will present nominees for vacant positions at the Annual Meeting from the floor. The nominating committee will insure that those nominated are interested in fulfilling the obligations of the position. In addition, any full member may nominate from the floor.
  • iii.Each Elected Director can be re-elected to no more than two (2) consecutive terms.
  • iv.If any Elected Director cannot complete his/her term, the Board of Directors will appoint a temporary replacement Director for the remainder of that year. A Director will then be elected at the next Annual Meeting to fill any unexpired term created by the premature resignation.
  • v.Any Elected Director failing to attend three (3) consecutive regular Board of Director meetings may be removed from his/her position at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. Voting rights of the Director in question are revoked for the first meeting attended following the three (3) absences and until his/her attendance is reviewed by the Board and a decision is rendered.
  • vi.Any Elected Director failing to attend 6 regular Board of Director meetings in one year will be removed from his/her position.
  • vii.A leave of absence may be granted by the Board of Directors upon written request. A temporary replacement with voting rights shall be appointed by the Board of Directors if deemed necessary.
  • viii.Each year at the first regular meeting following the Annual Banquet the Elected Directors shall, from within their Board elect the following Officers:
    • 1.President
    • 2.Vice President
    • 3.Secretary
    • 4.Treasurer
    Each position will be held for a 1 year term.
  • ix.Each year at the first regular meeting following the Annual Banquet the Elected Directors will, from within their Board or from the Membership (refer to Article III,2)
• 2.Appointed Directors: (non-voting)
  • i.Appointed Directors will be elected by the Board of Directors for a one (1) year term.
  • ii.Appointed Directors will consist of any members who are willing to hold a position not presently held by an Elected Director. Example: Fundraising Director, Director of Coaches, Team Coach (refer to Article III,3i), Referee Representative, Registrar, Scheduler, State and League Representatives, Director at Large (in charge of Tournaments, Banquets and other special events), or any other position deemed necessary by the Elected Board of Directors.
• 3.Team Coaches
  • i.Team Coaches and their assistants will be chosen by a majority vote of the Board of Directors. A list of applicants will be presented to the Board of Directors by the Director of Coaches. The list will include position applied for and Coaching Certification level. If necessary a committee will be formed to review coaches' qualifications and make a recommendations to the Board of Directors. The Director of Coaches will be Chairman of the Committee.

IV.DUTIES OF ELECTED OFFICERS

• 1.President - shall preside at all Board of Director and General membership meetings and shall appoint special committees deemed necessary by the Board of Directors to further the Association's purpose.
• 2.Vice President - shall preside in the absence of the President and assist the President in his/her duties.
• 3.Secretary - shall be responsible for all agendas, minutes, correspondence, and miscellaneous Association paperwork.
• 4.Treasurer - shall be responsible for all financial accounting, bank transactions, and record keeping functions necessary for the Association's business. The Treasurer shall prepare a detailed financial statement for distribution at the Annual Membership Meeting and shall provide monthly reports for the Board of Directors. The Treasurer may only approve funds for purchases authorized by the Board of Directors. Non-budgeted items up to $300.00 may authorized by the President or Vice-President.

V.DUTIES OF ELECTED/APPOINTED DIRECTORS

• 1.Director of Coaches - shall be responsible for "Coaching" and "Powerskating" Clinics. The Director of Coaches must verify proper training and certification of all Team Coaches. He/She must also be available as a resource for all Team Coaches and act as a liaison between the Team Coaches and the Board of Directors.
• 2.Registrar - shall be responsible for player/coach registration. The Registrar will be available as a resource for registration information.
• 3.State Representative - shall represent LAYHA and attend monthly State Meetings, and report necessary information to the Board of Directors.
• 4.League Representative - shall represent LAYHA and attend monthly League Meetings, and report necessary information to the Board of Directors.
• 5.Referee Representative - must be available as a resource for all Team Coaches and players, and act as a liaison between the coaches, Board of Directors and Head Referee if not also holding Head Referee position.
• 6.Scheduler - shall schedule Board authorized number of games, provide copies of schedules to the President and Team Coaches, and confirm referee assignments.

VI.BOARD OF DIRECTOR MEETINGS

• 1.Robert's Rules of Order shall govern the conduct of all meetings.
• 2.Regular meetings of the Board of Directors will be held once a month.
• 3.Special meetings of the Board of Directors can be called by the President, or can also be called by a written request from at least 3 Elected Board Members. The purpose of the meeting must be stated in the written request and reasonable notice must be given.
• 4.In order to form a quorum, at least 5 Elected Board of Directors must be in attendance.

VII.ENACTMENTS AND AMENDMENTS

• 1.These By-Laws will be enacted at the Annual Membership Meeting with a majority vote by the membership present.
• 2.Amendments to these By-Laws shall be made as follows:
• i.Amendment proposals must be warned 30 days in advance at a regular Board of Directors meeting. The amendment may be voted on at the next monthly Board of Directors meeting. If the amendment passes, it must then be presented at the Annual Membership Meeting and pass by a majority vote of the membership present.

VIII.REGISTRATION

• 1.Player registration fees will be set by the Board of Directors annually.

IX.CLASSIFICATION OF TEAMS - A, A/B, B, AND C LEVELS

• 1.League Classification
• i.League participation of each team will be determined by a majority vote of the Board of Directors with consideration given to the recommendation of the Director of Coaches, Team Coach and the wishes of the parents of that team.
• ii.Level of play of league teams (A, A/B, etc.) will be determined by the Team Coach and the Board of Directors applying league rules.
• 2.State Tournament Classification
• i.State level of play will be determined by the Team Coach and approved by the Board of Directors.
• 3.Division of Teams
• i.Teams in excess of twenty (20) players will be divided by skill level. A Committee of coaches, including the Director of Coaches, two (2) non-LAYHA Coaches and an impartial Elected Director will be formed by the Board of Directors to determine placement of players by tryout.
• ii.The Board of Directors, Director of Coaches and Team Coach will decide how to best organize teams with fewer than twenty (20) players.

X.CLASSIFICATION OF PLAYERS - In-house, Mite, Squirt, Peewee and Bantam.

• 1.Each registered player for LAYHA will be subject to classification criteria of USA Hockey and any League rules that apply.
• 2.Any player who has not played organized youth hockey above the instructional level must first register with the instructional league (Learn-to-Skate) before playing with a travel team or in the in-house program. Evaluations will be conducted to determine when players may transfer to or tryout for the appropriate travel team or the in-house program. The instructional league coach and the potential receiving team coach will conduct the evaluation.
• 3.Requests for advancement to any higher level team (example: A/B, to A and/or Mite to Squirt) will be considered on an individual basis. Any request must be submitted in writing by the parent or guardian of the player involved and must be accompanied by written endorsements from at least four certified coaches, one of which must be associated with LAYHA, and the request must include the following information:
• i.The player is at or above the physical and emotional level necessary for the level of play requested.
• ii.The player has the basic hockey skills necessary for the requested level of play.
• iii.The player's needs will best be satisfied by the requested level of play.
• 4.The Board of Directors will make the final determination of placement with a majority vote based on the following criteria:
• i.Proper endorsements have been received as specified above.
• ii.Placement of the player at the requested level will not be a detriment to the organization.

XI.CONDUCT

• 1.Player
• i.All participants are expected to participate in all scheduled practices. Failure to participate in scheduled practices may lead to lost ice time during games as missed practices have an effect on the team's performance. Excused absences may be granted by the coach.
• 2.Association Members
• i.All association members are expected at all times to perform in a manner showing respect to coaches, officials, opposing players, fans and fellow team members. Swearing, using profane language or gestures toward officials, players, coaches or others will not be tolerated.

XII.DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE

• i.A Disciplinary Committee shall be appointed by the President at the first regular meeting following the Annual Membership Meeting. The committee shall be composed of the Director of Coaches, Referee Representative, Vice President and two Elected Directors. ii.All matters of conduct and discipline brought to the Board will be assigned to the Disciplinary Committee. All gross misconduct or match penalties against any player or coach must be presented to the Director of Coaches within one week of the penalty. If the Director of Coaches deems necessary, he will present the problem to the Disciplinary Committee to review. The Committee will review the matter n question and report findings and an appropriate action at the next regular Board Meeting. The Board, by a vote of 2/3 majority, may reprimand or suspend any Association Member for any conduct which is clearly contrary to the best interest of the Association, and to encourage and enforce good sportsmanship and fair play from all Association Members. If the Disciplinary Committee recommends dismissal, the Board as a whole reserves the right to make a thorough investigation.

LAYHA PHILOSOPHY

Lyndon Area Youth Hockey Association (LAYHA) is an organization designed to develop and improve the Ice Hockey skills of young men and women who are its members. We are devoted to promoting good sportsmanship, teamwork and a positive atmosphere in which to learn

LAYHA will provide a positive experience to serve as a building block to constantly improve and challenge our young athletes.

Our goal is to provide equal ice time to all members, so that each individual has the opportunity to improve and hone his or her skills.

Winning "at all costs" is not part of our philosophy, but winning as a result of good work ethics, positive attitudes, teamwork, and a good basic knowledge of the game should be emphasized.