Article 1 – NAME

This Association shall be known as Shelburne County Minor Hockey Association, hereinafter referred to as SCMHA.

Article 2 – MISSION STATEMENT

SCMHA will lead in the development of the Life-Long skills of Sportsmanship, Skill Development, and Respect for fellow Players, Parents, Coaches and Officials.

Article 3 – TEAM COLORS

The team colors for the SCMHA Rep Teams will be mainly white with red and black trim for home games and mainly red with black and white trim for away games.

Article 4 – EXECUTIVE

The association shall be governed by an executive elected officers who shall be elected for a period of one year commencing at the Annual Meeting. All officers of SCMHA may be elected for additional and consecutive terms subject to the approval of members at the Annual Meeting. To be eligible as a candidate for President, Treasurer or Secretary, a nominee must be an existing executive member or have previously served on the association executive.

The executive shall be as follows:

• President
• Vice President
• Registrar
• Secretary
• Ice Scheduler
• Treasurer
• Parent Concern Coordinator
• Risk Management
• Fundraising Coordinator
• Female Player Representative
• Webmaster
• Tournament Chair
• Development Coordinator
• Equipment Manager
• Referee In Chief
• U7 Director
• U9 Director
• U11Director
• U13 Director
• U15 Director
• U18 Director

Article 5 – ELECTION OF OFFICERS

All executive officers shall be elected by the membership at each annual general meeting. A nominating committee shall be formed by the executive to provide a list, of one nominee for each elected position. Nominations can be given by email to the Association, Secretary or Treasurer not less than 15 days prior to the annual meeting. No nominations will be accepted from the floor. A list of all nominated candidates and notice of election shall be communicated to the membership not less than ten (10) days prior to the annual meeting. Voting at the annual meeting for executive officers shall be by secret ballot or ballots. To be declared elected a candidate must receive fifty (50) percent plus one vote of the ballots cast. If no candidate received the required number of votes on a ballot, the candidate with the fewest votes shall be eliminated and a further ballot held. This process shall continue until a winner is determined. The Directors will be elected by secret ballot the candidates receiving the most votes are elected. Voting for elected positions shall be held in the following order:

• President
• Vice President
• Registrar
• Secretary
• Ice Scheduler
• Treasurer
• Parent Concern Coordinator
• Risk Management
• Fundraising Coordinator
• Female Player Representative
• Webmaster
• Development Coordinator
• Equipment Manager

Article 6 – MEMBERSHIP

(a) SCMHA shall be a member of Hockey Nova Scotia (HNS).

(b) Membership in SCMHA shall consist of persons elected or appointed to its Executive and Board of Directors, as well as registered team officials. Parents and guardians of registered SCMHA players will hold valid memberships until the next annual registration. Any member delinquent in their fees shall forfeit membership until full payment of fees.

(C) The Board reserves the right to revoke and refuse membership to any person whose behavior or actions are detrimental to the success, safety or enjoyment of the programs that the Association provides to its members.

Article 7 – BOUNDARIES

SCMHA shall include the resident of Shelburne County. Players may enter and leave the SCMHA boundaries only with prior approval of the Executive on an annual basis, and subject to approval of HNS. 

Article 8 – AMENDMENTS

The Articles and By-Laws of SCMHA may be amended in the following manner: By Special Resolution passed by a majority of not less than three-fourths of the members of SCMHA entitled to vote, and as are present at any general meeting of which notice specifying the intention and purpose of the resolution as a special resolution has been duly given. Notice of motion to amend the Articles or By-Laws must be provided to the Secretary or Treasurer of the Association at least four (4) weeks prior to the General Meeting at which it is to be considered.  

Article 9 – MEETINGS

(a) Annual Meeting – An Annual Meeting of the membership shall be held during the last week of April each year to report on the past season activities, to elect officers, to propose future activities and to consider any other business properly brought forward.

(b) Executive Meeting – Executive meeting shall be held monthly and when necessary at the discretion of the President or upon written request by any four (4) member of the executive, submitted to the Secretary. Board members missing three consecutive meetings will be removed as an executive member and not be eligible for the next term unless granted special circumstances for missed meetings by the President.

(c) General Meeting – The general meeting will be held in September.

(d) Special General Meeting – Special General Meetings may be held at any time with proper notification upon written request provided to the secretary by ten (10) members.

(e) Request and Notification – Requests for Special General Meetings must specify the reason for the meeting and only that matter shall be considered at the subsequent Special General Meeting. Notification of Special General Meetings and the Annual Meeting must be given on the website. Notice of executive meetings must be given to executive members at least 7 full days prior to any meeting. Notification of the annual meeting must be posted to all members.

(f) Voting Procedures – Annual and Special General Meetings –

1. Each member shall have one vote. Members must be present to vote. There shall be no proxy notes.

2. Simple majority shall decide all resolutions except special resolutions described in Article 7.

3. Officers shall be elected by secret ballot.

4. At the discretion of the executive voting on controversial issues may be by secret ballot.

(g) Executive Meetings-

5. Each executive member except the President has one vote and is entitled to vote on all resolutions except where a conflict of interest is declared.

6. Members must be present to vote. There shall be no proxy votes.

7. Simple majority shall determine the passing of a resolution.

8. The President shall cast all tie-breaking votes.

(h) Board members are not allowed to vote on matters in divisions that their child/children are registered in, avoiding a “Conflict of Interest”.

Article 10 – QUORUM

Annual and Special General Meetings – A quorum shall be those members in attendance provided proof of proper notification is provided to the meeting by the Secretary. 

Executive Meetings – A quorum shall be 50% of current Board members (filled positions). 

Article 11 – REMOVAL OF OFFICERS

Officers of SCMHA may be removed from office by a simple majority vote of the members at a Special General Meeting convened for that purpose. The officer whose removal is proposed shall be provided written notice two (2) weeks prior to the Special General Meeting considering such removal, together with the reasons for such removal. The officer whose removal is proposed shall be temporarily suspended from office upon receiving notice of the Special General Meeting in writing and until the matter is decided at the Special General Meeting. Any officer shall be removed from office if they do not attend three consecutive meetings without proper notification and reason. Officers removed from office shall be provided written notice together with the reasons for removal with then (10) days of the conclusion of the Special General Meeting.  Any officer removed from office may appeal the decision of SCMHA to HNS. 

Article 12 – EXCEPTIONAL PLAYER AGE ADVANCEMENT

At the discretion of the Minor Hockey Association and with the approval of Hockey Nova Scotia, a highly skilled player may be placed in the above division with the consent of the parent(s) or guardians. For any movement of players the following process must be followed:

Parents of the player to be considered for advancement must apply in writing to Shelburne County Minor Hockey Association, by September 5th, to request that the player be considered for advancement. If the Member Minor Hockey Association decides to continue such a request, it must form an evaluation committee of not less than 3 members. Committee members must be fully certified to coach as per, Hockey Nova Scotia Regulation 8, Certification Requirements, and who have at least three years’ experience in coaching. Committee members, being unbiased, shall not be associated in any way to the player. One member shall be the coach of the team to whom this player may advance.  The approved committee shall evaluate the player in question to determine if the player possesses the skill and ability to compete at the higher level with a high probability of being amongst the top 3 players in the division. The committee shall also consider the social, physical, and skill development impact upon the player before making such a decision. The committee shall submit its findings and recommendation in writing to Shelburne County Minor Hockey Association. If the Minor Hockey Association finds that the circumstances of such a request are warranted, the Minor Hockey Association President shall submit the findings and recommendation to the Regional Director for written approval. Minor Hockey Associations must ensure that once the player is advanced that they are not released back to a lower category team.

Article 13 – On-Ice Helpers Policy

Any on-ice helpers must be currently a registered member of Hockey Nova Scotia / Hockey Canada. Only U13 and above-aged players are permitted as on-ice helpers. All on-ice helpers must wear a CSA certified helmet with chin strap fastened and appropriate face protection. On ice, helpers must obtain coaches’ approval to assist prior to each session and must be under the direct supervision of the coach. 

Article 14 – GENERAL

Any items that conflict with HNS are considered null and void and the HNS regulations will take place. SCMHA shall be run in accordance with Roberts Rules of Order.