Constitution

Article I Name

1. This organization shall be called “The West Carleton Old-Timers Hockey Association”, hereinafter referred to as the W.C.O.H.A. This and the following articles shall supersede all previous constitutions.

Article II Aims and Objectives

1. To provide organized, recreational hockey, primarily for the residents (primarily male residents) of the former West Carleton Township, who are interested in playing recreational hockey.

2. To promote, govern and improve organized recreational hockey; to foster among its members, supporters and teams, a general community spirit, to maintain and increase the interest of recreational hockey, to have and exercise a general care, supervision, and direction over the interests of its players and officials.

Article III Membership

1. Membership in the W.C.O.H.A. shall consist of:

● All players that have paid their yearly fees as set by the Executive.

● Officials such as trainers, timekeepers, and others appointed or retained by the Executive on an annual basis to carry out specific functions.

● W.C.O.H.A. includes two divisions (named the Stevenard and Elford divisions) for the winter session (over age 35), with the Elford division offering players a suitable level of play as they mature in their career; the Players division (under age 35); and spring and summer sessions.

Article IV Membership Responsibility

1. Upon being granted membership in the W.C.O.H.A., each member of the association is deemed to have agreed to abide by and to be bound by the provisions of the Constitution and By-laws of the W.C.O.H.A.

2. The executive shall have the authority to suspend from further participation in the affairs of the W.C.O.H.A. any officer, team official, referee, team or player for breaches of the Constitution or its by-laws or for conduct deemed detrimental to the general welfare of the W.C.O.H.A.

3. Members are expected to assist with and contribute to the activities undertaken by the W.C.O.H.A., and at an appropriate point consider taking on roles on the executive.

Article V Executive

1. The executive shall consist of a President, Vice President, Treasurer, Division Representatives (one for each division), and all Team Captains.

2. The positions of President, Vice President, Treasurer and Division Representatives shall be elected to serve for a term of three years. The election shall be held at the Annual General Meeting held during the fall draft and can be a simple ratification by the membership in attendance. The Team Captains positions shall be appointed by the executive.

3. Each executive member will keep an accurate record of all business within their charge and will be prepared to make a report when called upon to do so.

4. Each executive member shall have a full voice and shall have the right to cast a vote at executive meetings. The President shall only cast their vote in the case of a tie.

5. If necessary, the executive may appoint members to fill vacancies occurring for the remainder of the term. The executive can also request members to fulfill specific roles or take on specific tasks, as required.

6. The executive shall have full power and authority to act on behalf of the W.C.O.H.A.

7. For all executive meetings, a quorum shall consist of eight (8) of the executive members, providing at least one (1) is the President or Vice-President.

Article VI Duties of Executive Members

The following describes the responsibilities of the executive members. The executive members can engage other members of the association to assist them in fulfilling these responsibilities.

President:

> Focus is on high level organization and overall management of the league and its activities, including communications, representation of the league externally, and ensuring that the required activities are being undertaken.

● Shall attend and preside over all executive, annual, and general meetings of the W.C.O.H.A.

● Shall exercise the power and authority of the executive in the case of emergency.

● Shall ensure that the affairs of the W.C.O.H.A. are conducted in the proper manner and every member of the executive is performing their duties as directed.

● Shall be responsible to determine the overall ice and player requirements for the winter season, as well as the ice requirements for the rookie skate and year end tournament; also, for the spring hockey session (Kinburn Sensplex) and summer hockey session (Arnprior). Arrange for the development of the game schedule for the upcoming season and the year-end tournament. Apply to the City, Kinburn Sensplex and Arnprior for allocation of ice; review, approve and sign ice contracts.

● Shall plan, organize and host the annual player draft, with assistance from the Division Representatives; communicate the outcome of the draft to the Captains and provide player lists and contact information to the Captains.

● Shall arrange for referees with the Referee’s Association.

● Shall register all players with CARHA.

● Shall communicate with players to provide information regarding the W.C.O.H.A. and arrange for information to be posted on the league website.

Past President:

● Shall be available to provide guidance to the President and other members of the executive; welcome to attend executive meetings.

Vice-President:

> Focus is on overall organization and running of the league, its players, and its activities.

● Shall act as the player registrar and, based on information provided by the Treasurer and working with the President, be responsible for collection of player fees.

● Shall be responsible to plan and organize the rookie skate and reception, when it is decided by the executive to hold same, with assistance from the Division Representatives and Captains. Tasks include contacting the participating rookie players, arrange teams, arrange for jerseys, and arrange for player evaluators. Communicate decisions from rookie skate to the President and Division Representatives.

● Shall be responsible to manage the spares list and communicate it to the Division Representatives and Captains.

● Shall be responsible to manage the player waiting list (including contacting prospective players to gauge their interest, responding to questions, preparing and updating the website waiting list).

● Shall attend all executive meetings. Shall prepare a summary of the discussions and actions arising from all executive meetings and distribute to participants.

● In the absence of the President, or in the event of the President’s inability to act, shall substitute and assume all the duties and responsibilities of the President.

Treasurer:

> Focus is on receipt of payments (collection of player fees) and all accounts payable.

● Shall receive and record all moneys payable to the W.C.O.H.A. and deposit same in a chartered bank as agreed to by the executive.

● Shall receive and record all accounts payable by the W.C.O.H.A. and, with the approval of the executive, pay such accounts.

● Shall communicate to the Vice President and President any issues encountered with non-payment of monies owed by players.

● Shall keep proper books of account and make them available to any W.C.O.H.A. member on request.

● Shall submit a financial statement for the information and guidance of the executive.

● The above to include the two divisions for over age 35 winter hockey and the spring and summer sessions, and the Players division (under age 35) league.

● Shall attend all executive meetings.

Division Representatives:

> Focus is on leading the organization of the activities of their division, and resolution of issues within their division.

● Shall act as a representative of the majority view of the membership of their division.

● Shall work with the Captains and/or individual players to try to resolve issues that arise within their division.

● Shall send the player ranking spreadsheet to the Captains for review and comment in preparation for the annual player draft; resolve any issues to arrive at consensus on the ranking.

● Shall assist the President in planning and organizing the annual player draft.

● Shall assist the Vice President in planning and organizing the rookie skate and reception.

● Shall be responsible for organization of the annual year end tournament, including purchase and distribution of game MVP awards and item for each player (which are to be agreed to beforehand by the executive); trophies and engraving; arrangements for food and beverages with the Sports Club; and distribution of food and beverage allowances to teams.

● Shall attend all executive meetings.

Team Captains:

> Focus is on organization and behaviour of their team, and co-operation with other captains.

● Shall participate in the annual player draft, including adjustment of teams to try and equalize them, as deemed necessary.

● Shall assist the Vice President in planning and organizing the rookie skate and reception.

● Shall display by their behaviour and be responsible for promoting the aims and objectives of the W.C.O.H.A. to their team.

● Shall be responsible for and keep in good order all items (sweaters, socks, etc.) issued to them by the league.

● Shall maintain good communications with each member of their team.

● Shall attend all executive meetings.

● Shall assist in collecting all fees due to the W.C.O.H.A from their team members, as requested.

Article VII Annual and General Meetings

1. The annual general meeting of the W.C.O.H.A. shall be held during the fall draft of players onto teams for the upcoming winter season.

2. General meetings during the season will only be called on an as required basis and notice will be given in advance by way of announcement and/or by personal phone calls.

3. All members present at either form of meeting shall constitute a quorum of each meeting.

Article VIII Amendments of the Constitution

1. All members in good standing can submit proposed recommendations for amendments. This shall be done through their respective Captain.

2. All proposed amendments to this constitution shall be ratified at the annual general meeting.

Article IX Fees

1. All money owing for registration is to be paid in full by the specified date(s). The first installment must be made prior to the player draft; otherwise the player will not be included in the player draft.

2. Refunds will only be considered when the player is unable to play because of illness, health, moving or work, and a substitute player can be found by the W.C.O.H.A.

3. Exceptions to the above requirements can be considered by the President in specific hardship circumstances, and approval granted for alternative payment arrangements.

Article X General Items

1. Each team will consist of a minimum of 12 skaters and 1 goalie.

2. During regular season games, Captains will obtain players from the opposing team to a minimum of 9 players before taking players from the spare list or other teams.

3. Spares can be called up by the Captain game by game from the spares list.

Article XI Membership Criteria

Age:

● All players in the two divisions for the winter session, as well as the spring and summer sessions, should be 35 years of age or older on Jan 1^st of the current year. Players who are already in the league before their 35th birthday will be allowed to continue to play. Birth certificate or driver’s license will serve as proof.

Residency:

● All players must live in the former Township of West Carleton. Exceptions will be made for specific situations, i.e., current players living outside this area, or if residency changes after the player has gained entry to the league, or at the discretion of the executive for other circumstances that may arise; if membership is revoked for any reason, then the player’s current place of residency will apply for re-entry.

Article XII Equipment

Helmets:

● CSA approved helmets must be worn at all times on the ice surface.

Article XIII Rules and Regulations

1. The executive is empowered to pass rules and regulations for the conduct of the affairs of the W.C.O.H.A. These rules and regulations, also known as by-laws, shall be ratified at annual and/or general meetings.

RULES

The rules of this league will be the same as O.D.H.A. rules including the following:

No Body Contact

A player must avoid contact with any other player, if at all possible. A player having contact with another and in the eyes of the referee that could have been avoided, will get a minor penalty.

No Slap Shots

Any stick that is lifted higher than the knees and /or has a carry through higher than the knee to shoot the puck is a slap shot. Face-off will take place at offending team’s end (same as an icing call).

No Fighting or Rough Play

Any swing with gloves on or off will be considered fighting, whether on or off the ice and/or while in the arena premises. The player will be ejected from the game and their behaviour will be reviewed by the executive.

Fighting and rough play shall not be tolerated in the W.C.O.H.A. Following any roughing penalty or fighting, the Disciplinary Committee will review the occurrence with the referee and captains. The Disciplinary Committee shall then contact the player(s) involved for discussion. The Disciplinary Committee will advise the executive of their findings and recommendations regarding determination if the player(s) will be allowed to continue playing in the league. Appropriate action will then be taken. Until action is decided, the player(s) will not be allowed to continue playing. [Disciplinary Committee for a specific incident to consist of two Captains, not on the participating teams, selected by the President]

Penalties

Any player receiving three minor penalties in one game will be ejected from the game.

Line Changes

All changes in the last five (5) minutes of the second period must be made “on the fly” except after a penalty or a goal is scored. At all times, line changes must be made in an expedient fashion without any delay to the game. If it is determined by the referee that there is an infraction of this rule, it could result in a “delay of game” penalty.

Incidents

A team may protest a violation of the rules to their Division Representative, Vice President or President.

Dated: September 16, 2022