ARTICLE I – Name

The organization shall be known as Medford Recreational Hockey Association, Inc., (further referred to in this document as MRHA) with the right of the corporation to use the abbreviated name, Medford Rec. Hockey or Medford Recreational Hockey, Inc. The nickname of the association shall be the “MUSTANGS”.

ARTICLE IA – Official Colors

The colors of MRHA shall be white and navy blue or navy blue and white.

ARTICLE II – Objectives

SECTION 1.  The objectives shall be to teach the children in the community the ideals of good sportsmanship, honesty, loyalty, courage and respect for authority, so they will be well adjusted, stronger and happier, and will grow to be good, decent, healthy and trustworthy adults.

SECTION 2.  To achieve this MRHA will provide a supervised program of competitive hockey games.

ARTICLE III – Membership

SECTION 1.  Active Members. An active member is one whose name has been presented to the Board of Directors and who is accepted into active membership by a 2/3 vote of all Directors present at any duly held meeting.

A.     Active members are limited t

Board of Directors                Coaches        Tryout Committee                 Referees

Newsletter Committee          Managers       Equipment Manager Timekeepers

Clinic Instructors                    Parents           Ad Book Committee             Concession

Fundraising-Committee       Publicity          Asst. Directors

Active members, upon admission to MRHA shall interest themselves in the athletic, civic, educational and welfare work of MRHA, and shall endeavor to promote these objectives to the best of their ability. Each active member is required to participate in various organizational activities and when called upon, to help in the administration of organizational affairs.

B.     All active members must attend 50% of ALL OPEN MEETINGS held to be eligible to vote at the Annual Meeting.

C.    Honorary Members – Any person may be elected as an Honorary Member by a 2/3 vote of all the Directors present at any duly held meeting of the Board of Directors, but shall have no rights, duties or obligations. Past presidents will automatically become honorary members.

D.    All voters at the annual meeting must be certified by MRHA Financial Coordinator as having no outstanding financial obligation from any previous years to include team game money.

Section 2. Other Affiliations. Officers, Coaches and Active Members shall not engage in the promotion and/or operation of any other hockey group without a 2/3 vote of the full Board of Directors. Note: USA Hockey, Massachusetts Hockey, Mass. Hockey Selects, Mass. Girls/Women’s Hockey, Mass. Hockey District #10 are not considered other hockey groups.                                 

Section 3. Suspension or Termination. Resignation or action of the Board of Directors may terminate membership.

A.     The Board of Directors, by a majority vote at any constituted meeting, shall have the authority to discipline or terminate the membership of any Officer, Board Member, Coach, Active Members or players in any class, when the conduct of such a person is considered to be detrimental to the best interest of MRHA and league membership.

B.    Any member of the Board of Directors who misses two (2) consecutive meetings without notifying the secretary or an Officer of the Association and not having a valid reason, will be terminated as an active member or Board of Director.

C.    The person involved shall be notified of a meeting within seven (7) days, informed of the nature of the charges and given an opportunity to appear at the meeting to answer such charges. Said person shall have the right to have an advisor who is a member of MRHA appear with them in their behalf.

D.    All coaches, Active Members, Directors and Officer suspensions will run concurrent with the fiscal year of MRHA and end on the last day of June. Subject to review of the Board of Directors.

E.     If a parent or player has a problem or an issue that needs to be addressed, it must be reported to the MRHA Board of Directors for discussion first. Before seeking outside help or information. The following procedure shall take place, (Divisional Director, President, any MRHA B.O.D. member, hearing, District 10 appeal, State) If this chain of command is not followed, the parent and the player will be automatically suspended until a hearing with the MRHA B.O.D. The suspension will start immediate upon notification from the President or appropriate B.O.D. is heard.  The MRHA Board of Directors should meet within 48 hours to discuss matter and any disciplinary actions that may occur for all parties involved. This action is in conjunction with the parent’s code of conduct.

Section 4. The family of each participant in the hockey, figure skating or clinic program shall be assessed dues, as needed, payable in accordance with the schedule of payment determined by the Officers. No player will be placed on a travel, in-house, clinic team or allowed to participate in the figure skating program, if their family owes any money (to include team game money) for any player or figure skater in their family from the previous years.

ARTICLE IV – Board of Directors

Section 1. Powers and Duties.   The Board of Directors, except as otherwise herein provided, shall be vested with, and shall excise powers and authority of MRHA, including the power to pledge, encumber and mortgage assets of MRHA. The Directors shall select or approve all Coaches and Assistants. No member of the Board of Directors shall be a head coach of a travel or in house team.

Section 2.   The Board of DIRECTORS and ACTIVE MEMBERS shall receive at the annual meeting a report from the Equipment Manager, verified by the President and Treasurer or by a majority of the Directors, showing the amount of the equipment owned, where located, the amount and nature of the equipment acquired during the year immediately preceding, the date of the report and the manner of the acquisition; the amount applied, appropriated or expended during the year immediately preceding such date, and the purpose or persons to or for which such applications, appropriations or expenditures have been made.

A.     The Board of Directors and Active Members shall receive at the Annual Meeting a printed financial report from the Treasurer, distributed to each Board member, which shows all income and expenses of MRHA for the previous season including the current balance in all checking and/or investment accounts.

Section 3.   Required members and numbers.   There shall be a minimum of thirteen (13) members of the Board of Directors who shall elect from amongst themselves a President, Vice President, Treasurer, Financial Coordinator and Secretary.

A Director shall, upon election, immediately enter upon performance of their duties and shall continue in office until their successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.

Section 4.     At the annual meeting, the Active Members must elect a Board of Directors of not more than thirteen (13) members. The new Board of Directors shall be elected by Plurality vote of all eligible active members present, subject to a minimum of 20% of the votes cast.

A.     A minimum vote is required on each ballot in order for the ballot to be valid. The minimum vote required for a full Board of Directors (13) shall be (8) votes. If there are less than thirteen (13) candidates on the ballot, the following minimum vote format will be used:

CANDIDATES                MIN VOTES  

13                                                                                       8

12                                            7

11                                                                                       7

10                                                                                       6

9                                                                                            5

8                                                                                            5

7-4                                                                                     4

4 or less                                 2

Section 5.                 Vacancies

If vacancies occur on the Board for any reasons, the remaining Board of Directors may fill the vacancy (ies) from the current active membership list.

No new members can be added to the MRHA Board of Directors after January 1^st.

Section 6.                 Attendance at Board of Directors’ Meetings

It shall be mandatory for all members of the board of Directors to attend each meeting of the BOD unless duly excused in advanced by the President, Secretary or Officer of the Association. Failure to attend will subject a member to action under Article III, section 3.

Section 7.                 Quorum of Board of Directors

The presence in person of a majority of the Executive Board shall be necessary to constitute a quorum of the Board of Directors in order to conduct the business of the Board.

ARTICLE V – MEETINGS

Section 1.                 Annual Meetings

The annual meeting shall be held during the month of April and no later than the 15^th of May provided proper notification (Section 2) has been given to each active member (Youth Hockey program, Girls Hockey program and Figure Skating Program). The agenda at the Annual Meeting will consist of election of Directors, receiving reports, By-laws (Changes or Additions) and the transaction of such business as may properly come before the meeting.

Section 1A.               Open Meetings

Open Meetings shall be held on a bi-monthly basis, if possible or (4) meetings per season (Between September and May) and open to the entire membership. Attendance will be taken at each Open Meeting. Active members attending the required number of meetings may vote at the Annual Meeting.

            Section 2.                 Notice of Meetings

Notice of Open Meetings and the Annual Meeting shall be delivered to each Active Member by whatever practical means necessary, IE Newspaper, Association Newsletter, US Mail, Meeting Notice Board at the LoConte Rink or other means determined by the Board of Directors. Notice of the Annual Meeting must be available to each active member at least 10 days prior to the meeting date.

            Section 3.                 Special Meetings

Special meetings may be called by the Board of Directors or by an officer at their discretion, upon the written request of ten (10) Active Members. The President shall call a Special Meeting to consider a specific subject. No business other than that specified in the notice of the meeting shall be transacted at a Special Meeting of members.

            Section 4.                 League Voting

Only Board Members and Active Members shall be entitled to vote at any open meeting of the Association.

            Section 5.                 Proxies

Each member shall be entitled to one vote in person. There shall be no voting by proxy.

Section 6.                 Rules of Order

Robert’s Rules of Order shall govern the proceedings of all meetings. Guideline order of business undertaken at all meetings shall be as follows;          

1.                  Call to Order

2.                  Role Call

3.                  Read minutes of last meeting and approval. President will ask if there are any corrections to the minutes read. If none, the minutes stand approved.

4.                  Reports of Committees;

a.                  Financial

b.                  Treasurer

c.                  Concession

d.                  Fundraising

e.                  Divisions

f.                    Leagues

g.                  Other committees (i.e. Discipline, Tryouts, etc.)

5.                  Appropriations, Expenditures

6.                  Old Business

7.                  New Business

8.                  Adjournment

Section 7.                 By-Law Publication

MRHA By-laws must be published on the MRHA website for “read only” by the first practice of the season annually.

ARTICLE VI – Officer’s Duties and Powers

            Section 1.                 Election

At or immediately following the Annual Meeting, provided there be a quorum, the Board of Directors shall elect Officers for the ensuing year.

Section 2.                 Officers

The Officers of the Association shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and Financial Coordinator, all of whom shall hold officer for the ensuing year or until their successors are duly elected. Officers cannot serve more than two (2) consecutive years in the same position unless approved by a majority of the Board of Directors.

Section 3.                 President

The President shall be responsible for conducting the affairs of the Association and for executing the policies of the Association at the Annual Meeting and at other such times as they or the Board of Directors shall deem appropriate. They shall communicate to the Board of Directors such matters and make suggestions as may, in the opinion, tend to promote the welfare of the players and the Association. They shall be responsible for the conduct of the Association. They shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee.

The President or such other officer as they may designate in writing, shall have the power to make and execute for and in the name of the Association, contracts, which have received the prior approval of the Board of Directors. They shall investigate complaints, irregularities and conditions detrimental to the Association and report thereon to the Board of Executive Committee as circumstances warrant.

They shall, with the assistance of the Coaches, or other designated person, examine birth certificates of every player and certify to their residence and age eligibility before the player may be accepted.

A discretionary fund shall be established to be used by the President with proper discretion, for the benefit of the Association, without approval of the Executive Board. This fund shall consist One Thousand Dollars ($1000.00) and may not be used in increments of more than Two Hundred Dollars ($200.00) without approval from the Executive Board. The Treasurer may replenish this fund, when exhausted, but only if so directed by the Board of Directors.

Section 4                  Vice-President

           In case of the absence of the President, and provided they are authorized   

           by the President or Board to act, the Vice-President shall perform the

           duties of the President, and when so acting, assume all the powers of

           that office.

           Section 5.                Secretary              

           The Secretary shall be responsible for recording the activities of the

            association and maintaining appropriate files, mailing lists and

            necessary records.  They shall perform such duties as are customarily

            incidental to the office of Secretary or the Board of Directors may assign

            as to them.  They shall maintain a list of all active members, Directors,

            committee members, and registrants.

They shall give notice of all meetings of the Association, Board of

            Directors, and Committees.

            They shall conduct all correspondence not otherwise specifically

             delegated in connection with said meetings and shall be responsible

             for carrying out all orders, votes, and resolutions not otherwise

             committed.

             They shall notify Directors, Officers, and Committee Members of their

              election or appointment.

              They shall take attendance and record voting at all meetings.

              Section 6              Treasurer

               The Treasure shall perform such duties as are customarily incident to

               the office of Treasurer or as may be assigned to them by the Board of

               Directors.

               The Treasurer shall receive any and all securities and deposit it in a depository

               approved by the Board of Directors.

The Treasurer shall keep records for receipt and disbursement of all monies                 and securities of the Association, including the Auxiliary, recognize all

                payments from allotted funds and draw checks therefore.

                The terms of treasure shall extend to the month of July in order to

                facilitate the smooth transition of the Financial Management of the

                Association and to assure the completion of the required tax forms

                required of the Association.

               Section 7.              Financial Coordinator

               Financial Coordinator must receive all monies, keep records of monies

               received, invoice all monies due to the Association and deposit all

               monies received in the bank.  They must be bonded.

                                   ARTICLE VII – EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

             Section 1.  The Board of Directors shall elect and Executive Committee,

             which shall consist of the President, Vice President, Secretary,

             Treasurer, and Financial Coordinator.

 Section 2.          Powers and Duties

              The Executive Committee shall exercise general supervision and

              direction over the operation of player personnel, league play,

              scheduling of games and competition, appointment of equipment

              manager and scheduling committee at the In-house level, subject

              to the direction of the Board of Directors.  The Executive Committee

              shall determine the cost of both the Travel and In-house programs,

              subject to approval by the Board of Directors.

              Section 3.        Quorum

              A majority of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum. The

              Executive Committee shall be presided over by the President and in

              his/her absence, the Vice President.

                                ARTICLE VIII-OTHER COMMITTEES

               Section 1.   The Board of Directors shall elect a “Divisional Director”

              for each division of competition from its membership.

              Section 2.     Nominating Committee

              The Board of Directors may appoint a Nominating Committee

               consisting of a minimum of 3 Directors and a maximum of 5

               Directors.  The Committee shall investigate and consider

               eligible candidates and submit at the annual meeting a slate

               of candidates for the Board of Directors, to be considered from the

               active membership.  The Committee shall receive names of

   prospective Honorary and Active members, investigate for

               eligibility and recommend those qualified for election, at the Annual

               meeting or Special Meeting of Directors.

            Section 2A.   By-Law Committee

The Board of Directors may appoint a “By-Law” Committee consisting of a minimum of (3) directors and a maximum of (5) Directors. The committee shall receive and review any changes, additions or deletions to the most current by-laws. The committee will present to the active members at the Annual Meeting the proposed changes, additions or deletions to be voted on.

             Section 3.  Finance Committee

              The Board of Directors may appoint a Finance Committee consisting of

              a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5 Active Members of the Association

              that shall meet on a regular basis.

             The Treasurer shall be a member of the Committee but not the

              Chairperson.  The Committee shall investigate ways and means

              of financing the Association, including team sponsorship, fund

              raising, investments, and analyze purchasing methods and overall

               expenses and make recommendations to the Board.