Constitution

Our constitution is maintained by Dave Hume. Amendments are officially made at our AGM. Suggestions for errors, omissions or changes contact Dave at laker18@sasktel.net

Preamble:

The Saskatoon 60+ Hockey League was established in 1993 to enable players sixty years and older to continue playing hockey in a non-threatening environment, with the adopted philosophy of FUN, FITNESS and SOCIABILITY. It is intended that this foundational philosophy will serve as the governing value and therein the conduct of players, teams and others associated with this league will be judged accordingly.

This Constitution, its Bylaws and Playing Regulations, recognize and govern by those ideals expressed by our pioneers and wish all those who play—IT’S ONLY A GAME—HAVE FUN AND ENJOY.

Constitution Definitions

  1. League means the Saskatoon 60+ Hockey League.
  2. Member shall mean the individual player of any team playing in the Saskatoon 60+ Hockey League, which has paid the necessary league fees.
  3. Executive shall mean that group of Members duly elected, empowered and required to administer the Constitution, By-laws and Playing Regulations; and administer the affairs of the League. As such, members of the Executive are charged with the responsibility of decision making that is in the best interests of the League as a whole, not the individual teams with which they may be connected.
  4. Alumni shall mean members not currently involved with playing but still wanting to participate and volunteer in League activities. They must pay membership fees to have voting privileges at the Annual General Meeting.
  5. Annual General Meeting shall mean the meeting held each fall, which is open to all Members and Alumni.
  6. General Meeting(s) shall mean other meeting(s) of the Executive, Officers, and Members of the League for specific purposes.

Membership:

  1. Members shall be required to contribute to, or otherwise submit in a manner determined by the League.

III. Operations:

  1. The Members shall, in consort with the Executive, at a General Meeting, carry on the activities of and exercise all the powers of the League including discipline of Members.
  1. The Officers shall meet together to dispatch the business of the League at such times and such places as deemed by the Executive.
  2. The Executive of the League shall act as such without remuneration, except their reasonable expenses, however the Officers may determine an honorarium for any individual acting in an approved capacity.
  3. In the event that a Member(s) and/or other individual(s) require discipline for on ice, game related activity or otherwise, the process as determined in Appendix A shall apply.
  4. Decision making at General Meetings shall be by consensus or by formal vote as outlined in Section V.
  5. Each member shall pay to the League annual fees as determined by the League Officers.
  6. Minutes of each General / Annual Meeting shall be recorded and distributed to the Executive. These Minutes should be available upon request by any Member(s) of the 60+ league.
  7. Notification of meetings, distribution of minutes, etc. will be by e-mail unless special circumstances require a different form of communication.

IV. Executive:

  1. The Executive of the League shall be a President, Vice-President, Past-President, Treasurer, Secretary, Officers and Members-at-Large.

2. Members of the Executive shall be elected at the Annual General Meeting, with the positions of President and Treasurer, being elected in even years and Vice-President and Secretary being elected in odd years. Officers and Members-at-large shall be elected annually. The position of Past-President shall continue until such time that the current President remains in that capacity.

3. Any Member shall be eligible to be a member of the Executive.

4. Decision making at Executive Meetings shall be by consensus or by formal vote wherein each Executive member or duly-appointed Officer shall have one vote pertaining to all league matters. The President has the right to vote on all matters of league business, but in the case of an equality of votes, the question is deemed to be decided in the negative.

5. Minutes of each Executive Meeting shall be recorded and distributed to the Executive.

6. Roles and responsibilities:

6.1 President – The President shall exercise general supervision over the affairs of the League. He or his designate shall oversee and act as chairperson at all meetings of the league.

6.2 Vice-President – The Vice-president shall act in the absence of the president, and further, perform duties as designated by the President.

6.3 Past President – This individual shall participate fully at all Executive meetings providing input on all matters pertaining to the operation of the League and perform duties as designated by the Executive.

6.4 Treasurer – Using acceptable accounting practices, the Treasurer shall maintain the accounting of funds relating to all League matters. Further, the Treasurer shall ensure that all League funds are collected and remunerated in a timely manner.

6.5 Secretary – The Secretary shall record the business of all League and Executive meetings using acceptable practices, maintain such records, and thereafter distribute such minutes and/or correspondence in a manner as directed by the Executive.

6.6 Members-at-large – These individuals shall participate fully at all Executive meetings providing input on all matters pertaining to the operation of the League.

6.7 Officers – any Member, in good standing with the League, assigned a task, other than Executive function (i.e. Golf tournament, Christmas Party, Health and Wellness, Goalies, Player Safety, Referees, etc.). These assignments will be coordinated by the Executive.

6.8 Alumni – in good standing, can pay dues and participate in League activities in the capacity as volunteers or special projects. They may maintain correspondence from the League as past members, for their general knowledge.

V. Meeting of Members:

1. The Annual General Meeting shall be held in October as close to the start of the season.

2. Notice of any General Meeting shall be deemed to be satisfactorily served upon any Member/Alumni if personally delivered or sent by mail to the address of the Member as last recorded by the Executive.

4. A minimum of fourteen (14) calendar days’ notice of any General Meeting shall be given to the members.

5. At any duly scheduled General Meeting or a Special Meeting, requested by the League Executive, a quorum shall consist of a simple majority of the Members present at the meeting. Voting by proxy is not permitted.

6. Decision making shall be by consensus or by formal vote.

6.1 At the request of any Executive or Member, such voting shall be conducted by secret ballot and/or by recorded vote.

6.2 The Annual General Meeting shall be open to all dues-paying Members/Alumni, in good standing, who shall have the right to speak, nominate and present motions.

7. The agenda template for the Annual General Meeting and other General Meetings shall be as per Appendix B.

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VI. Other Provisions:

1. The Executive shall keep the accounts and financial records of the League which shall be open to inspection at all reasonable times by any member of the League.

2. Signing authority of approved League expenditures shall be assigned by the league Executive.

3. Subject to approval of the Executive of the League; any Executive Member(s) or designate(s) shall have authority to enter into leases, contracts, and negotiable instruments.

Amending the Constitution, By-Laws and Playing Regulations:

  1. Notice of intent to amend the Constitution shall be submitted in writing to the Executive a minimum of thirty (30) calendar days before the Annual General Meeting.
  2. Notice of intent to amend the Constitution shall be provided in writing to the Officers of the League by the Executive a minimum of fourteen (14) calendar days before the Annual General Meeting.
  3. The Constitution may be amended by a 2/3 majority of members present at the Annual General Meeting.

3.1 Amendment(s) to the Constitution shall be implemented by the Executive and come into force by the start of the next playing season.

4. The By-laws and Playing Regulations of the League may be amended by a majority of members present at the Annual General Meeting or Special Meeting and come into force immediately.

5. The Executive shall have the authority to make temporary additions or amendments to the By-laws and Playing Regulations between General Meetings. Such temporary measures shall be endorsed or not at the next Annual General or Special Meeting as required by #4 above.

Coming in to Force:

This Constitution shall be deemed to have come into force on the _____ day of __________ month of 20__.

Saskatoon 60+ Hockey League

Per._____________________________

President

Per._____________________________

Secretary

By-Laws

  1. Registration:
  1. Each member is required to pay a registration fee as determined by the Officers, to join the Saskatoon 60+ Hockey League.
  2. Each member must have two sets of sweaters for both home and away (one white and one red color).
  • Application for membership:
    • Application is to indicate agreement to abide by the League’s Constitution, Bylaws, Protocols, Guidelines and Playing Regulations.
    • Application will be presented to the Executive Officer-in-Charge of Registrations and acceptance into the League will be by majority vote of the Executive.
  1. Regular League Games:
  1. The length of the playing season and the number of games shall be determined by the Officers.
  2. Each game will consist of one period of ice time scheduled to conclude with the allotted ice time.
  3. Each game should be scheduled to have two referees.
  1. Team Captains
  • Team Captains will be assigned at the beginning of each session and their responsibilities will include:
    • Collecting session fees from each player prior to first game and submitting the team fees in the Treasurers box in the dressing room.
    • Making sure each of his players has received notification of the next session and its start date.
    • Other duties as assigned.

Playing Regulations and Rules

The Saskatoon 60+ Hockey League is governed by the Canadian Adult Recreation Hockey Association (CARHA) Rule Book. The following summarizes some of the key CARHA rules and includes some League specific rules:

1. Penalties:

  • Minor – Three (3) minutes straight time.
  • Major – Seven (7) minutes straight time.
  • Match– Seven (7) minutes straight time.
  • Misconduct – Ten (10) straight time minutes.
  • Game Misconduct – Ejection from game.
  1. Any player/Member assessed three (3) penalties in one game will be ejected from the game.
  2. Any player/Memberassessed a major penalty will also be assessed a game misconduct penalty. Referee(s) are required to report this penalty to the league Executive as soon as possible for further sanctions, if necessary.
  3. Body contact – A minor or major based on the violence of the impact will be assessed any player/Memberwho intentionally bodies, pushes, shoves or stands in front of and does not avert body contact with an opponent.
  4. Any player/Memberwho is identified as the instigator or the aggressor in a fight will be assessed a match penalty and a game misconduct. The opposing player/membermay be assessed a match penalty and a game misconduct, a minor for roughing or no penalty.
  5. Any player/Memberassessed a match penalty for fighting will be suspended for five (5) consecutive games. If there is a second offence in a season the player/memberwill be suspended until reviewed by the Disciplinary Committee (The Executive).
  6. Any player/Memberwho receives three ten (10) minute misconducts during the current playing season will automatically receive a one game suspension. Repeat offences shall be reviewed by the Disciplinary Committee (The Executive) and may result in further suspension.
  7. The Saskatoon 60+ Hockey League has zero-tolerance for abuse of officials. Verbal abuse of a referee shall result in a game misconduct. Physical abuse of a referee will result in a match penalty and a review by the Disciplinary Committee (The Executive).
  8. A player/Memberintentionally contacting the puck with a stick above the normal height of the waist will be assessed a minor penalty. Play will be whistled down on contact with the Puck.
  9. Play shall be halted immediately if the puck or an errant stick unintentionally comes into contact with the goaltenders mask or helmet. Face-off location to resume play will be at the discretion of the ruling referee
  10. A player/Memberusing a slap shot (fifteen inches behind the puck) or a fake slap shot will be assessed a minor penalty. If injury results, a major and a game misconduct will be assessed. Play will be whistled down on contact with the puck.
  1. Icing will be called when the defending team shoots the puck from their side of the blue line going the distance of the ice and not played by goalie before the icing red line. The offending team will have free ice to their blue line before the defending team can engage the player with the puck.
  2. CSA approved helmets are mandatory for all players. Goaltenders are also required to wear CSA approved facial protection. The league recommends facial protection for all players/members.
  3. All players/Members, except goaltenders, must be sixty years old prior to playing in the League. Goaltenders must be of ‘adult’ age.
  4. The League will play the “no red line rule”.
  5. Suspension Guidelines:
  • Major penalty – Two (2) games suspension.
  • Match penalty – Minimum five (5) games suspension and the Disciplinary Committee will review to determine if a further suspension is warranted in the circumstances. In the event that a match penalty is assessed, the player/Member involved will not be entitled to participate in any game thereafter until informed by the League.
  • Game Misconduct – If the game misconduct falls in the last ten (10) minutes of the game a one (1) game suspension will be served.
  • Gross Misconduct – Minimum (5) game suspension and the Disciplinary Committee will review to determine if a further suspension is warranted in the circumstances.
  • Depending on the severity of the infraction, additional or further suspension may be assessed by the Disciplinary Committee in its sole discretion.
  • When a player/member receives a suspension; it prohibits him from playing in the Saskatoon 60+ Hockey league for the duration of the suspension.

16. Goal Crease Infraction – If an attacking player/memberenters the goal crease

before the puck, while the attacking team has possession of the puck, play

shall immediately stop. The ensuing face-off shall take place in the neutral

zone at the face-off spot nearest the non-offending team. This is in addition to

Rule 65 (b) Interference/protection of the goaltender.

17. Contact on a goaltender, in the crease, will result in a minor penalty and if a

player is pushed into the goaltender, both players will be assessed a minor

penalty.

18. Any contact to the head of an opposing player during a stoppage in play will

result in a ten-minute misconduct penalty.

19. League discipline – In the event that a disciplinary decision is necessary it shall be made in accordance with Appendix A.

20. It is the responsibility of the individual players/membersto familiarize themselves with the CARHA rules, League rules, and the philosophy of the League.

21. The Saskatoon 60+ Hockey League will honour suspensions from other leagues.

COMING INTO FORCE

These By-laws and Playing Regulations shall be deemed to have come into force on the _____ day of __________ month of 20___.

Saskatoon 60+ Hockey League

Per._____________________________

President

Per._____________________________

Secretary

APPENDIX A – On-Ice and Game-Related Discipline Procedure

This procedure shall apply to all on-ice and/or game-related incidents that require the league discipline committee (the Executive) to investigate and determine if league discipline is required. These incidents will include but not be limited to:

  • An on-ice incident that results in a member(s) being assessed a match penalty.
  • Abuse of an official.
  • A game-related/off-ice interaction between member(s), referee(s), officer(s) and/or other individual(s) that may be inappropriate. These include but are not limited to:
  • Off-ice confrontations between member(s).
  • Off-ice confrontations between a member(s), and a referee(s).
  • Off-ice confrontations between a member(s) and an officer(s) of the league.

Off-ice incidents are not limited to the rink but may include the parking lot and other public premises.

  • Any incident that may damage the reputation of the Saskatoon 60+ Hockey League.

The Saskatoon 60+ Hockey League acknowledges that all players have the right to due process in regard to the discipline procedure. Due process shall be determined in accordance with the following.

The Discipline Committee:

The Discipline Committee will require and consist of:

  • Four executive members and/or Officers appointed by the executive
  • Evidence for the Discipline Committee:

All alleged inappropriate on-ice and/or game-related incident(s) shall be investigated by the Discipline Committee prior to rendering its decision.

For on-ice incidents the written report of the referee(s) shall form the basis of the evidence for the decision.

The Discipline Committee may also request specific information from the referee(s), team members associated with the alleged incident and/or player(s) before making their decision.

For game-related/off-ice incidents a written report from the member(s) and other participant(s) shall form the basis of the evidence for the decision.

Alleged offenders shall be suspended pending the decision of the Disciplinary Committee. Suspended member(s) may also be required not to initiate contact with individuals related to an incident.

Appeals:

The suspended Member may appeal the suspension assessed by the Discipline Committee, if suspension exceeds the minimum games suspension as outlined in Playing Regulations and Rules, Section 15. There will be no appeals on minimum suspensions.

To submit an appeal the team must:

  • Submit a written request of appeal to the President or designate within seven (7) days of the team being notified of the disciplinary penalty.
  • The request for appeal must include the basis for the appeal.
  • Be available to attend a meeting of the appeal committee as scheduled.

Member(s) shall be suspended pending the decision of the Appeal Committee.

The Appeal Committee shall render its decision within fourteen (14) days of receiving the appeal.

The Appeal Committee shall have the discretion to reduce a suspension (if greater than minimum suspension), or increase a suspension, but does not have the discretion to retract a suspension, except where the appellant can show due process, as outlined herein, was not followed.

The Appeal Committee:

The Appeal Committee will require and consist of:

  • One individual representing the Discipline Committee
  • Executive and/or Officers not involved with the original Discipline Committee
  • Evidence for the Appeal Committee.

In addition to the evidence presented to the Discipline Committee, the offending Member will be allowed to make a written and/or in-person presentation regarding the incident.

The burden of proof (onus) shall be on the Member(s) initiating the appeal.

The Appeal Committee shall make its decision by secret ballot on the basis of the submitted evidence following the retirement of the individual(s) making presentation(s).

The Appeal Committee may also request specific information from the Member(s), before making its decision.

Decision-making factors:

When making a decision the Discipline Committee and the Appeal Committee will utilize but not be limited to the following factors:

  • The accepted standard of proof to be utilized is the balance of probabilities. This means it must be more probable than not that the incident occurred as the evidence indicates before discipline can be imposed.
  • The previous good record/history of the member. Was this an isolated incident in the player’s history?
  • Did the member immediately admit their wrongdoing and/or tender a timely unsolicited apology?
  • Did the member attempt to remedy, not hide, the situation?
  • Was there provocation?
  • Was this a spur-of-the-moment action as a result of a momentary aberration, due to strong emotional impulses versus a premeditated action?
  • The seriousness of the offence in terms of the games rules and/or the reputation of the league.
  • The seriousness or potential seriousness of the member(s)’ actions in regard to injury of the other member(s).

Disciplinary penalties:

The Discipline Committee and Appeal Committee shall have the discretion to determine a disciplinary penalty up to and including a lifetime suspension from being an active member or alumni in the league. The disciplinary penalty options may include but are not be limited to:

  • Suspension from being eligible to play for a specific number of league games.
  • Suspension from being eligible to play for a specific calendar time period.
  • Member(s) being restricted to serve as an Officer of the league or to attend the Annual General Meeting.
  • Individuals being restricted from initiating contact with Officers of the league or referees.
  • Requiring a Performance Bond, if requested by Executive.

In addition to the disciplinary penalty the Discipline committee and Appeal committee may determine the conditions for reinstatement to playing status.

League officials (Executive) will be notified of suspensions.

APPENDIX B – Template for general meetings and for the Annual general meeting:

ANNUAL general Meeting AGENDA

Introduction of attendees:

  • Attendance.
  • Identification of members for voting purposes.

Adoption of minutes of previous meeting.

Additions to agenda/new business.

Adoption of agenda.

Ongoing discussion items [items may be deferred as required]:

  • Reports:
  • President.
  • Finances:
  • Ice rental.
  • Dressing room rental.
  • Member fees.
  • Honorariums.
  • Insurance fees and Waiver Forms.
  • Disciplinary actions sanction by the league since last general meeting.
  • Notification of rule changes.
  • Open discussion of league affairs including but not limited to:
  • Rink maintenance.
  • League schedules.
  • Officials.
  • Golf tournament.
  • CPR and Defibrillator certification.
  • Reminder of process to change Constitution at Annual General Meeting.
  • Reminder that notification of meetings, minutes, etc. will be by e-mail unless special circumstances require a different form of communication.
  • New business added to agenda:

Ongoing action items [items may be deferred as required]:

  • Tabling of the previous year statements/Adoption of the coming years budget.
  • Changes to the Constitution.
  • Changes to the By-Laws and Playing Regulations.
  • CPR and Defibrillator training.
  • New business added to agenda:

Election of Executive:

  • President and Treasurer – elections even years.
  • Vice-president and Secretary – elections odd years.
  • Officers–annually
  • Members-at-large – annually.

Next meeting:

  • Set date for Spring General Meeting.
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