The Owen Sound Minor Hockey Group
All articles in this description are subject to the By-laws of the Owen Sound Minor Hockey Group.
1. NAME
The name of this organization shall be:
“THE OWEN SOUND MINOR HOCKEY GROUP”
2. OBJECTS
a) To promote, govern and improve organized amateur ice hockey of a recreational competitive nature through a tiered system of house league, major, minor and additional entry teams, and by league and tournament play as a division of The Ontario Minor Hockey Association by authority of the Canadian Amateur Hockey Association for youth in the Owen Sound area aged six to nineteen years.
b) To promote, teach and exhibit skills, fair play, good sportsmanship, social values and excellence.
c) To emphasize player development, and to provide as much ice time as possible to each player.
d) To develop good citizens.
e) To encourage high standards.
f) To provide an economical and worthwhile leisure-time pursuit.
g) To represent the game and our city with pride.
h) To demonstrate loyalty to our players, members, sponsors and supporters.
3. EXECUTIVE COMPOSTION
The Executive shall be: (2004)
Seven Officers
Six Directors elected at the Annual Meeting in April, or failing that, appointed by the Officers, for a term of 1 to 2 years.
4. MEMBERS
(a) The members of The Owen Sound Minor Hockey Group shall be: The parents and all persons who have shared in the work of the Group.
5. OFFICERS
(a) The Officers shall be (2004)
President Secretary
Immediate Past President Registrar
1st Vice President Treasurer
2nd Vice President
(b) The Officers shall be elected at the Annual Meeting in April by the membership at large. To be nominated as an Officer of the Owen Sound Minor Hockey Group the nominee should have served as an Executive member for at least one year. Failing this, the President shall decide, or call for an election.
(c ) The Presidents’ Advisory Council shall consist of three or more Past Presidents of The Owen Sound Minor Hockey Group.
(d) The Ladies Auxiliary to The Owen Sound Minor Hockey Group shall be an autonomous support group with its own governing policies.
6. DUTIES OF OFFICERS
(a) Immediate Past President: The immediate Past President shall act as the chairman of the Nominating Committee and carry out other duties as approved by the Executive.
(b) President: The President, or constituted delegate, shall preside at all meetings of the Officers, Executive and General Membership, shall call meetings of these groups when necessary, shall appoint standing committees with the approval of the Officers, shall be empowered to call meetings of committees at own discretion, shall serve ex officio on all committees, shall call at least one Executive meeting within each four week period during the hockey playing season.
(c) 1st Vice President: The 1st Vice President shall be prepared and available, in the absence of the President, shall be responsible for the management, conduct and performance of all major, minor and additional entry teams and officials, shall, with the approval of the Executive, appoint all managers and coaches for said teams, act as the liaison with the Georgian Bay League and the Referee’s Association, and shall serve in such other capacities as may be designated by the Executive.
(d) 2nd Vice President: The 2nd Vice President shall be responsible for the Management, conduct and performance of all House League team players and officials, shall appoint all convenors, with the approval of the Executive, for said teams and shall serve in such other capacities as may be designated by the Executive.
(e) Secretary: The Secretary shall record and circulate minutes of Executive and Annual meetings, shall be responsible for the composition and distribution of directives of the Executive, convenors, coaches and managers and shall act as keeper of the By-laws, Manual of Operations, amendments, calendar, job descriptions, minutes, charters and any records as may be deemed necessary by the Executive. (2004)
(f) Registrar: The Registrar shall be responsible for the registration of players with the Group. (2004)
(g) Treasurer: The Treasurer shall keep an accurate account of funds received and expended, shall be a member of the Budget Committee, shall be prepared to give an accurate statement at each Executive Meeting, and keep an accurate system of books, subject to annual professional audit for the fiscal year ending July 31.
7. DUTIES OF DIRECTORS
(a) The Directors shall assume responsibilities as assigned by the President and agreed to by the Executive.
(b) The Directors shall assume the responsibilities as listed in the following descriptions of duties:
Coaching Coordinator, Equipment Director, Sponsors and Advertising Director, Awards, Clinics and Fund Raising Director, Tournament Director, Silver Stick Liaison, Ice Time Director and any other duties as assigned by the President and agreed to by the Executive.
8. COMMITTEES
(a) Budget: The committee shall be composed of the Immediate Past President, President and Treasurer, and be chaired by the Immediate Past President.
(b) Nominating: This committee shall be composed of the Immediate Past President, and at least two other Officers or Directors, and be chaired by the Immediate Past President.
(c) Ad Hoc: The President may, with the approval of the Executive, establish any other committees at any time as are deemed necessary, i.e. Bingo, Coaching and others as needed.
9. VOTING AND QUORUM
(a) At all meetings where and when an accredited member is called upon to cast a vote, such voting member must be personally present to cast said vote and is entitled to one vote only.
(b) The following numbers are required to constitute a quorum:
Annual Meeting – Twenty-five
Special General Meeting – Fifteen
Officers’ Meeting – Six
Executive Meeting – Seven
Budget Committee – Three
Nominating Committee – Three
10. ANNUAL MEETING
(a) The Annual Meeting shall be for all members of the Group and be a general meeting.
(b) The Annual Meeting shall be held in April.
(c) The Annual Meeting shall be advertised to the members.
(d) There shall be copies of the Manual of Operations available.
(e) These shall be circulated at the meeting, reports from all Officers, and the Minutes of the last Annual Meeting.
(f) A record shall be kept of all members present.
(g) The Treasurer’s Report shall include the audited financial statement of the previous July 31, and a financial statement for the current year up to the most recent Executive Meeting (April).
(h) There may be an election by secret ballot of Officers and Directors after nominations have been received from the Nominating committee and solicited from the floor. Failing this, there shall be a vote, by show of hands, to accept or reject the Nominating Committee’s report.
(i) There shall be a resolution at every Annual meeting to allow the members to approve or voice objection to all business handled by the Executive in the preceding year as recorded in the Minutes.
(j) There shall be time for general discussion and new business.
(k) The Minutes shall be recorded and filed with the Secretary.
11. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING
(a) On unanimous approval of the Executive or on the request of any twenty-five members, the President shall be empowered to call a Special General Meeting of the membership to deal with specific situations.
(b) Special General meetings shall be advertised to the members.
12. REFEREES
(a) The referees shall be assigned by the Owen Sound Referees’ Association, or as approved by the Executive for the regular season, play downs and tournament play, subject to O.M.H.A. Manual of Operations.
(b) O.M.H.A. play down referees shall be assigned by the O.M.H.A. convenor for Georgian Bay Region.
(c) Referees shall be paid as per fee schedule, and by written agreement, or as per O.M.H.A. fee structure (Manual of Operations).
13. AMENDMENTS
(a) This Manual of Operations may be amended or added to only by a two-thirds majority of those in attendance at an Annual General Meeting or a Special General meeting.
(b) Notice of Motion for proposed changes to this Manual of Operations must be submitted by February 15 for Annual General Meetings, and one month before a Special General Meeting.
(c) Members must be aware of Notices of Motion prior to the date of meetings by means of a newspaper advertisement or radio announcement.
14. AUDITORS
The members shall appoint chartered accountants annually in April to audit the financial records of O.S.M.H.G. for the fiscal year past.
15. MINUTES
The minutes of each minor hockey meeting will be posted by the Secretary in a public place as designated by the Owen Sound Minor Hockey Group. (1993)
IV
The Owen Sound Minor Hockey Group
Incorporated 1973
1. AGREEMENTS
(a) Agreements shall be kept on file with the Secretary, O.S.M.H.G., with copies to all parties to the agreement.
(b) A need is recognized for the following agreements:
i) Ice Agreement(s)
ii) Referee Agreement(s)
iii) O.M.H.A. Affiliated Play Agreement
(c) The content of any agreement shall be with the clear approval of the Executive, and shall be signed by the President and Secretary.
2. AWARDS – HOUSE LEAGUE
(a) Awards shall be administered by the Director in charge of awards, in consultation with convenors, coaches and Ladies’ Auxiliary.
(b) The awards constitution shall be filed with the Secretary.
3. BUDGETS – REPRESENTATIVE TEAMS
(a) Each representative team manager shall furnish three team budgets to the Executive Convenor after consultation with the parents as follows:
i) Preliminary Budget – October
ii) Interim Budget – January
iii) Budget – April 1
iv) Financial Statement required by April 15
4. COACHES’ CERTIFICATION
(a) All coaches of representative teams are required to have attained a minimum of Coach Level Certification from the National Coaches’ Certification Program. It is expected of all said coaches, that they will attend a Level Two N.C.C.P. Clinic, provided one is offered in the area.
(b) House League coaches are encouraged to attend such clinics.
(c) All coaches, including house league coaches be required to become carded coaches and the Owen Sound Minor Hockey Group shall make some type of support network (ie. training literature; practice set ups; skill development literature; etc.) available to all coaches.
(d) The Owen Sound Minor Hockey Group will be responsible for the cost incurred by the head coach and one trainer per team to obtain the required certificates for each person to sign. Any further cost incurred by other bench personnel to be budgeted and paid for by the team. (2000)
(e) All coaches and assistant coaches must obtain a police check, in order to coach or assist, to meet requirements as mandated by the OMHA. (2005)
5. COACHES AND MANGERS
(a) Team officials are accountable to the Executive for their conduct and that of their players before, during and after games and practices.
(b) Team officials are expected to set a good example to the players entrusted to them in conduct, language, dress and sportsmanship.
(c) It is the responsibility of team officials to familiarize themselves with the By-laws and procedures of O.S.M.H.G.
6. COACHES AND MANAGERS – MEETINGS
(a) House league divisional convenors shall meet with all divisional coaches as required by the divisional convenor, or as directed by the Second Vice-President in charge of house league.
(b) The First Vice-President in charge of representative teams shall hold at least one meeting of coaches and managers in October.
7. EQUIPMENT
(a) In all games, practices and tryouts, all coaches will ensure that all protective equipment is C.S.A. approved. This equipment is to include helmet, mask and neck guard.
(b) Team sweaters and O.S.M.H.G. goaltending equipment must not be worn except for authorized purposes.
(c) Players and parents are responsible for the good care and safe return of all O.S.M.H.G. equipment issued to them.
(d) Equipment issued to a team manager or coach is his responsibility to return in good condition.
(e) The Executive Director in charge of equipment shall label all goal equipment “O.S.M.H.G.” and keep a record, with signatures of parents, for all goal equipment issued.
(f) All sweaters shall be dry cleaned or washed before the start of the season.
8. FIRST AID
(a) Each team manager or coach is advised to be prepared and equipped to render assistance in the event of injury to any player on his team.
(b) Convenors shall be provided with first aid kits for house league games. It is the responsibility of the convenor to provide and maintain properly equipped first aid kit at all games and practices. The cost of replenishing necessary first aid equipment will be the responsibility of the O.S.M.H.G.
(c) Representative team managers shall be provided with first aid kits. It is the responsibility of the representative team manager to provide and maintain a properly equipped first aid kit at all games and practices.
(d) First aid clinics will be arranged by the Executive Convenors.
9. FUND RAISING SCHEMES
All projects by teams involving the raising of funds must have the prior approval of the Executive. No team fund raising project shall be approved which involves alcoholic beverages.
10. GAME SHEETS
(a) House league game sheets shall be the responsibility of the divisional convenor and shall be forwarded to the Executive Officer in charge of referee liaison. See O.M.H.A. Rule Book. Preparation of these game sheets is the responsibility of the house league coaches.
(b) Representative team managers are responsible for preparing their team’s game sheets.
(c) Referees of representative team games are responsible for forwarding game reports to the Georgian Bay Convenor.
(d) The cost of forwarding game reports shall be paid by O.S.M.H.G.
(e) Game results should be forwarded after each game to the media.
11. GATE RECEIPTS AND CONTROL
(a) The O.S.M.H.G. Executive, at their September meeting, will determine how the gate receipts for all representative team games will be collected. (2001)
(b) Charges are as determined by the Executive annually for:
i) League games
ii) Tournament games
iii) Play down games
All receipts from all games are payable to the general coffers of O.S.M.H.G.
(c) The Ladies’ Auxiliary to O.S.M.H.G. will be invited to operate the tournament gates.
(d) Cash box control shall be the responsibility of the Executive as directed by the President.
(e) Cash box floats shall be decided by the Treasurer.
(f) Cash box receipts shall be the responsibility of the Treasurer.
(g) The Treasurer shall be responsible for providing tickets for each cash box and directions for cashiers.
(h) For play down games, the Treasurer shall provide in each cash box:
i) gate charges
ii) referee rates schedule, including mileage as per current O.M.H.A. Operating Manual
iii) receipt book
iv) tickets
v) record sheet for ticket numbers and cashiers’ signatures
vi) Exhibition game receipts are payable to the team paying for ice time and referees
12. HOUSE LEAGUE TEAMS
(a) The Group will operate house league teams, subject to player registration, in the following age divisions: (2005)
i) Tyke Age 5
ii) Pre-Novice Age 6
iii) Novice Age 7 - 8
iv) Atom Age 9 – 10
v) PeeWee Age 11 – 12
vi) Bantam Age 13 – 14
vii) Midget Age 15, 16 & 17
(b) Each divisional convenor will be responsible for the allocation of players to balance teams.
(c) One goaltender will be allocated to each team. At the discretion of the Executive Officer, a goaltender may be “borrowed” by another team.
(d) Balancing must be completed by November 10th (2002)
(e) The house league schedule for all teams shall include regularly scheduled practices in addition to regularly scheduled league games.
Balancing Shall Occur by Either:
i) The decision of the Divisional Convenor or failing this,
ii) The decision of the Second Vice President, or failing this,
iii) A majority decision of the Executive, if the matter is referred to them.
(f) A player must have taken part in at least two games before he is qualified for the playoffs.
(g) Each player on a house league team is to receive equal or close to equal ice time. Divisional convenors are to monitor coaches to eliminate “double shifting” or “favouring”. This regulation is subject to a player being benched for disciplinary reasons, and the normal shift patterns of forwards and defencemen. Penalty killing and power play line are inconsistent with the objective in the younger age divisions.
13. ICE TIME
It shall be the responsibility of the Ice Convenor to allocate available ice time at the start of the playing season, subject to the approval of the Executive, with allowance being made for review where necessary throughout the playing season, and to execute a contractual agreement with the Recreation Department of the City of Owen Sound.
14. INSURANCE
(a) All players and officials of O.S.M.H.G. must be covered by insurance as per O.M.H.A. Manual of Operations.
(b) Cost of insurance may be paid from registration fees by motion of the Executive in September each year.
15. PLAYOFFS
(a) Playoff rules and format for house league shall be determined by the Divisional Convenor, and approved by the Executive. The rules and format shall be filed with the Secretary Registrar before the season begins.
(b) Each year in October or November, the Owen Sound Minor Hockey Executive as a whole must arrange a meeting with the O.M.H.A. Representative to discuss the upcoming year’s playoffs. During this meeting the Minor Hockey Executive will put forward to the O.M.H.A. Representative what the expectations are for the upcoming playoff season.
(c) Representative team playoffs are as set down by O.M.H.A. Regulations. There shall be no exceptions to this rule.
(d) Scheduling of representative team playoffs shall be the responsibility of the First Vice President, and his decisions shall be final. Scheduling shall be done in consultation with the Second Vice President to avoid conflicts.
16. PROTEST AND DISCIPLINE
(a) House League protest and discipline will be handled by divisional convenors.
(b) House League protest and discipline appeals will be handled by the Second Vice President.
(c) Further appeals will be handled by the Executive.
(d) Representative team protest and discipline will be handled by the First Vice President.
(e) Representative team protest and discipline appeals will be handled by the President.
(f) Further appeals will be handled by the Executive.
(g) Representative protest and discipline involving other teams than those under O.S.M.H.G. jurisdiction will be referred to the Georgian Bay O.M.H.A. Convenor, through the Executive Convenor in charge.
17. REGISTRATION
(a) Each registration form must be signed annually by a parent or legal guardian (or player if the player has reached the age of 18), and be accompanied by the registration fee as set each year by the Executive, before the player participates in any game, practice or tryout. Proof of age must be produced.
(b) Registration dates shall be established in May for the following hockey season by the Executive.
(c) Registration forms shall be computer printouts for each player and shall be the responsibility of the Registrar. (2004)
(d) Registration receipts and banking shall be the responsibility of the Treasurer.
(e) Registration data shall be forwarded to the Recreation Department each year.
18. REPRESENTATIVE TEAMS
(a) The Group will operate the following representative teams, subject to player registration: (2002)
i) Novice age under 9
ii) Minor Atom age under 10
iii) Major Atom age under 11
iv) Minor Pee Wee age under 12
v) Major Pee Wee age under 13
vi) Minor Bantam age under 14
vii) Major Bantam age under 15
viii) Minor Midget age under 16
ix) Major Midget age under 18
x) Juvenile age under 20
xi) Atom Additional Entry age under 11
xii) PeeWee Additional Entry age under 13
xiii) Bantam Additional Entry age under 15
xiv) Midget Additional Entry age under 18
(b) Representative team colours shall be red and white and black. (1999)
(c) The rosters for representative teams shall be frozen as of January 10 in any given year, and any coach for unforeseen reasons wishing to make player changes after this date will be required to have a hearing with the parents of the player or players involved, with the First Vice President at said meeting. Before any movement of players is allowed, O.S.M.H.G. Executive approval will be required. It is understood that players selected will be played regularly throughout the season, subject to injury or disciplinary requirements.
(d) Player movement Committee – deleted (2005)
(e) Try-out fees shall be determined, by executive, at budget meeting. (2005)
(f) No player may be cut from the team until after the second try out.
(g) The Major and Minor teams shall arrive at their allowable number of players by the end of the third tryout and the Additional Entry Teams by the end of the second tryout.
(h) All representative teams shall carry up to 17 skaters and two goalies.
(i) The Additional Entry Teams shall carry a minimum of six minor age players.
(j) The Juvenile team shall carry up to 20 players.
(k) These requirements are subject to registration numbers, and may be altered only by approval of the Executive.
(l) A player will be allowed to play for only one team on a regular basis.
Affiliated players must play with the team that they are carded with on a regular basis and not the team they are affiliated with. Affiliation is only for the purpose of ‘filling a vacancy’ for injury or discipline reasons only. (1993)
19. RE-SCHEDULED GAMES
(a) Weather information used to make a decision to cancel any game in the representative team league must be from the Ministry of Transportation and Communication authority, not the O.P.P. or local police. (See Government Services – road information – winter, in the telephone Blue Pages (1-800-265-6070, or 376-9683).
(b) All other requests for re-scheduled games must first go to the First Vice President for approval well in advance of the game date.
20. RULES OF COMPETITION
Rules of competition shall be as deemed by the Executive, subject to O.M.H.A. and Georgian Bay Constitution, Regulations and Rules of Competition. The Executive will also consider the constitutions of any additional league(s) that they have approved for competition, when designating the rules of competition.
21. SILVER STICK
(a) The Owen Sound Regional Silver Stick Tournament shall be organized and run by the Silver Stick Committee, which shall be accountable to O.S.M.H.G.
(b) The Chairman of the R.S.S.T.C. shall be appointed annually by the Executive of O.S.M.H.G.
(c) Silver Stick receipts revert to the coffers of O.S.M.H.G.
22. SPONSORSHIPS
(a) Sponsor fees shall be determined by the Executive annually.
(b) Each Sponsor shall be recognized during the hockey season through the media.
(c) Each sponsor shall receive his team’s roster and playing schedule from the team officials by November 1. Consideration should be given to supplying the sponsor with team picture and crest.
(d) Each sponsor shall be recognized by a team crest on each player’s sweater and the sponsor’s name must be discreetly displayed on team jackets.
(e) Team accounts shall be in the name of the team and sponsor.
(f) Game results shall be sent to the media in the names of the teams and sponsors by the representative team managers and house league division convenors.
23. TEAM MEETINGS
(a) It is the responsibility of the official of each team to have a minimum of three team meetings each year with parents.
(b) The first team meeting for representative teams shall be to establish a team budget, which shall be forwarded to the Executive Convenor, and to establish tournament dates.
24. TIMEKEEPING AND SCORING
Minor officials shall be appointed for each home game by the house league division convenor, or by the representative team manager.
25. TOURNAMENT DATES – REPRESENTATIVE TEAMS
(a) Each manager is responsible for forwarding to the First Vice President by mid-October, when possible, the firm dates of each tournament the team plans to apply for, so that ice allocation can be started for league play.
(b) All tournaments require approval of the First Vice President.
(c) No team may play tournaments or exhibition games in January unless League and O.M.H.A. commitments are completed. (Exception: teams qualifying for tournaments through qualifying tournaments earlier in the season.)
26. TOURNAMENT RULES
(a) Rules of competition for O.M.H.A. sanctioned tournaments and house league tournaments shall be as agreed to by the Executive.
(b) Rules of competition for tournaments shall be filed with the Secretary-Registrar.
27. TRANSPORTATION
(a) Transportation shall be the responsibility of team officials.
(b) Tenders shall be let by the President before the start of each season for:
i) School bus and driver
ii) School bus without driver
iii) Highway coach
(c) All teams who wish to travel by bus shall travel with the operator who is awarded the tender referred to in 27 (b).
(d) All persons in transit with a team are accountable to the team officials at all times, and are subject to O.S.M.H.G. By-laws and Regulations.
(e) All persons in buses are prohibited by Federal law from consumption in any form of intoxicants.
(f) All persons in buses are prohibited from smoking. Extended trips should include stops at reasonable intervals to accommodate smokers.
(g) All cars transporting players to out of town games and/or prac