Bylaws

 

Randolph Recreation Ice Hockey

Randolph, NJ 07869 USA

https://randolphyouthhockey.teamsnapsites.com

 

 

Randolph Recreation Ice Hockey BY-LAWS

Revised September 2019

 

ARTICLE 1 – PROGRAM

 

1.1 Identity. Randolph Recreation Ice Hockey (RRIH) also known as Randolph Youth Hockey is a youth sports program of the Randolph Township Department of Parks & Recreation in Randolph Township, New Jersey. 

 

1.2 Operation. The program shall operate on an annual basis and participate in a local recreational or “house” league sanctioned by the Atlantic Amateur Hockey Association (AAHA) or another duly recognized affiliate of USA Hockey. The program may also enter some or all of its teams into local or regional tournaments.  

 

ARTICLE 2 – OBJECTIVES

 

2.1 Objectives. To provide interested beginner and experienced youth ice hockey players the environment and opportunity to participate in and contribute to the tradition of ice hockey excellence and sportsmanship established in Randolph Township by:

  • teaching age-appropriate individual and team ice hockey skills with an emphasis on learning and playing the game the right way
  • playing games at a recreational level of competition

 

ARTICLE 3 – GOVERNANCE

 

3.1   Governance. The RRIH program shall be governed by an Advisory Committee appointed by and serving at the discretion of the Randolph Township Department of Parks & Recreation.

The Advisory Committee, in partnership with the Randolph Township Department of Parks & Recreation, shall be responsible for managing all aspects of the program including but not limited to:

  • Player and team registrations
  • League and/or tournament registrations
  • Selection of properly certified coaches
  • Scheduling and purchasing ice time
  • General budgeting & fundraising
  • Program supplies (e.g., game jerseys, socks, pucks, goaltender equipment, etc.).

3.2 Advisory Committee Composition. The Advisory Committee shall be comprised of at least 5 and not more than 9 members, each of whom serves a term of 2 years that begins September 1st. Each member must be at least 18 years of age by August 1st of the upcoming season to serve on the Advisory Committee.

3.3 Voting Rights. Each member of the Advisory Committee holds a voting right equal to that of the other members. No individual member of the Advisory Committee shall hold authority over other members of the Advisory Committee.

3.4   Officers. Officers of the Advisory Committee shall minimally include a Chairperson, Vice-chairperson, Treasurer, and Secretary. Other officers or roles may be defined as needed at the discretion of the Advisory Committee. Descriptions for each office or role shall be written and maintained by the Randolph Township Department of Parks & Recreation.

3.5 Meetings. The Advisory Committee shall meet as often as necessary to fulfill its obligations and responsibilities provided meetings occur at least every 8 weeks. Minutes of all meetings shall be recorded, reviewed and approved by the committee members in attendance, and filed with the Randolph Township Department of Parks & Recreation within 14 days of the meeting.

3.6 Restrictions. Members of the Advisory Committee, coaches, and other volunteers are prohibited from using any role within the program for private profit or other benefit.

3.7 Obligations. Members of the Advisory Committee are expected to volunteer their time to RRIH in various ways including but not limited to:

  • Attending and actively participating in necessary meetings
  • Organizing and/or managing program-wide events (e.g., pre-season party, golf outing, Mites On Ice experiences, end-of-season party)
  • Serving as a coach
  • Attending pre-season registration skate
  • Representing the program at local league meetings (e.g., Morris County Youth Hockey League)
  • Coordinating tournament(s)
  • Scheduling and reciprocating non-league game opportunities for program teams
  • General communications and community outreach

3.8 Compensation. Service on the Advisory Committee is voluntary and not compensated. 

3.9  Authority. The Randolph Township Department of Parks & Recreation has the authority to approve or reject recommendations made by the Advisory Committee.

The Randolph Township Department of Parks & Recreation has the authority to delegate or assign powers to the Advisory Committee to facilitate management of the program. Any issues considered by the Advisory Committee that are not or cannot be decided by the committee vote shall be decided by the Randolph Township Department of Parks & Recreation.

3.10 Costs. As part of its budgeting responsibilities, the Advisory Committee has the authority to determine player registration costs (“tuition”) for the program. Discounted tuition programs (e.g., for players also participating on travel teams) may be developed without prejudice but require approval by the Randolph Township Department of Parks & Recreation.

3.11 Sub-committees. The Advisory Committee shall have the authority to organize and appoint sub-committees to attend to program goals and objectives in any given year or season. Sub-committees are accountable and report to the Advisory Committee. Members of sub-committees do not have voting rights.

3.12  Elections and appointments. Eligible persons interested in serving on the Advisory Committee or as a coach may nominate themselves or be nominated by someone else. The current Advisory Committee shall vote to accept or reject each nomination within 14 days of receiving the nomination. If a nomination is accepted, candidates shall be interviewed by a minimum of 4 current Advisory Committee members along with a representative of the Randolph Township Department of Parks & Recreation within 14 days of the acceptance of the nomination. Candidates shall be notified as soon as possible after interviews are completed. 

3.13 Announcements. Player registration costs (“tuition”) shall be announced by June 1st each year. The period of nominations for open Advisory Committee and coaching positions shall be announced by July 1st each year. Composition of the Advisory Committee and the coaching staff shall be announced by September 1st each year.

3.14 Funds. The Advisory Committee shall raise, manage, and control the funds necessary for the operation of the program. Funds may be kept in accounts specifically designated for the program but the accounts and funds at all times belong to the Randolph Township Department of Parks & Recreation. In the event RRIH ceases operation, control of any remaining funds shall shift to the Randolph Township Department of Parks & Recreation.  

 

ARTICLE 4 – PLAYERS & TEAMS

 

4.1   Players. Eligible players are male or female residents of Randolph Township between the ages of 5 and 16 years, inclusive.

4.2   Non-resident Players. The Advisory Committee may consider players who do not reside in Randolph Township provided the player does not have another option for playing recreational ice hockey elsewhere and does not take away a roster spot from a resident player. The Advisory Committee may also consider players who do not reside in Randolph Township without regard to other options for playing recreational ice hockey elsewhere if the player(s) is (are) needed to complete the formation of a particular team.  

4.3   Teams. Teams shall be formed according to player availability in a given season and age levels defined by USA Hockey or another duly recognized governing body for amateur youth ice hockey as follows:

  • 6 & Under (6U; “mini mite”)
  • 8 & Under (8U; “mite”)
  • 10 & Under (10U; “squirt”)
  • 12 & Under (12U; “peewee”)
  • 14 & Under (14U; “bantam”)
  • 16 & Under (16U; “midget”)

Multiple teams at a particular level may be formed depending on the number of registered players. If the number of registered players at a particular level is insufficient, a team at that particular level may not be formed. 

If a sufficient number of female players at a particular level register to participate in RRIH, an all-girls team may be formed and entered into a different league (e.g., an all-girls league), if available.

4.4   Playing “Up”. The Advisory Committee may recommend and/or consider requests for certain players to be placed on teams above their age level (e.g., a 10 year old to play on a 12U/peewee team). In this specific regard, the Advisory Committee shall act in the best interests of the program (i.e., maintaining teams and opportunities for all interested players equally) and abide by any rules and restrictions imposed by the league and/or tournament(s) in which RRIH participates.

 

ARTICLE 5 – RULES

 

5.1 General Rules. RRIH is subject to the applicable rules, regulations, and guidelines established for the youth sports programs sponsored, managed, and overseen by the Randolph Township Department of Parks & Recreation. 

5.2 Ice Hockey-specific Rules. RRIH and all participating coaches, players, and teams shall be bound by the official rules and regulations of a duly recognized governing body for amateur hockey, if different from the AAHA or other affiliate of USA Hockey.

5.3 Program-specific Rules. RRIH reserves the right to impose rules and/or regulations that are stricter than those of the ice-hockey specific rules established by the duly recognized governing body.

5.4 Documentation. Documentation relevant to the rules shall be maintained by the Randolph Township Department of Parks & Recreation and made publicly available.

 

ARTICLE 6 – AMENDMENTS

 

6.1 Amendments. Any section or aspect of these by-laws may be amended as follows:

  1. Amendments to the by-laws (i.e., changes, additions, deletions) shall be made and adopted during the off-season (between April and August) unless exceptional circumstances warrant otherwise.
  2. An amendment may be proposed by any current participant in the program (i.e., coach, player, committee member, player’s immediate family) in good standing and who resides in Randolph Township. Non-resident players have no rights to propose amendments or otherwise petition the program.
  3. The Advisory Committee shall schedule a hearing within 21 days of being notified of a proposed amendment to the by-laws.
  4. The Advisory Committee shall allocate the time reasonably necessary to consider the proposed amendment, allowing sufficient discussion and debate, and hold a vote. 
  5. The entire Advisory Committee must vote on a proposed amendment to the by-laws. Ratification of any amendment requires a super majority defined as follows according to the size of the Advisory Committee: 4/5, 5/6, 5/7, 6/8, 7/9.
  6. Ratified amendments shall be incorporated into the by-laws and the new by-laws published within 7 days of acceptance by the Randolph Township Department of Parks & Recreation.