Greater London Hockey Association
2022 Constitution
Article 1 – Name and Head Office
1.01 a) The name of the corporation shall be the GREATER LONDON HOCKEY ASSOCIATION INCORPORATED (herein called the Association or G.L.H.A.)
b) The Head office of the corporation shall be in the city of London, in the Province of Ontario.
c) To help develop good character among players, and other members, by teaching the importance of the values of physical competition, physical activity, good sportsmanship, social participation and good fellowship, and the fair treatment of others (with respect to the latter, there shall be no place in the Corporation for discriminatory behavior with respect to race, place of origin, family circumstance, gender, or creed)
Article 2 – Authority and Affiliation
2.01 The G.L.H.A. is a member of the Minor Hockey Alliance of Ontario, under the auspices of The Ontario Hockey Federation and Canadian Hockey Association from which bodies it derives its authority to govern, manage and regulate minor hockey within the zone granted to it by the Alliance, subject only to the authority retained by those bodies.
Article 3 – Purpose and Objectives
3.01 the purpose and objectives of the G.H.L.A. shall be a) to promote, govern and improve minor/amateur hockey for players in the Greater London area. b) to foster among its members, supporters and teams, a general community spirit, good sportsmanship, and fellowship. c) to maintain and increase an interest in hockey d) to have and exercise a general care, supervision, and direction over the playing interest of its teams and players. e) to provide quality programs for both on ice and off ice development of the participants. f) to nurture an understanding of the importance of dedication and commitment both in sports and in life as individuals and as members of a group.
Article 4 – Membership 4.01 The members of the G.L.H.A. are:
a) all registered minor hockey players of the G.L.H.A. represented by their carded or rostered Head Coach (one per team)
b) every voting member of the G.L.H.A. Executive board of directors.
c) Five persons appointed from each Affiliated Association in good standing
d) every individual appointed by the G.L.H.A. Board of Directors providing they have completed their assigned duties to the satisfaction of the Executive Constitutional By-law of the Greater London Hockey Association
Article 5 – Executive Board of Directors -
5.01 The Executive Board of Directors (hereinto referred to as the Board) shall consist of the duly appointed or elected.
a) President or Chair of each Affiliated Association.
b) Chairperson of the Community Hockey League (CHL) c) Person elected by majority from the voting members present at the Annual General Meeting of the G.L.H.A. to be the Chair. The position of Chair is on an annual basis.
5.02 All authority of the G.L.H.A. shall reside and be exercised by the Board. The Board may delegate its authority but any such delegation to any Affiliated Association or their representatives and members, to any Board or Committee member or employee of the G.L.H.A., or to any other person, body or League can at any time be revoked. Further any exercise of the board’s authority by any such persons or bodies through delegation or otherwise, is always subject to Board approval and control.
5.03 The Board shall in general be responsible for all aspects of the hockey program, for establishing the strategic and policy goals of the G.L.H.A. and to ensure that all its by Laws, rules and policies are administered fairly, equitably, and where necessary to settle and resolve all disputes.
5.04 The Board has the power to suspend, expel, fine, or otherwise sanction any affiliated Association or any member, referee, coach, trainer, manager, player or player family member or fan connected with any Affiliated Association for due cause, subject to any right of appeal established by the Board.
5.05 Any rule, policy, and regulation of the G.L.H.A., including those of its Leagues and Committees may be rewritten, clarified, or defined by the Board at any time.
5.06 A quorum for Board meetings shall consist of a majority of the voting members of the board, so long as a majority of the Affiliated Associations are represented by a voting member.
5.07 The voting members of the Board are the Presidents or Chairs of the Affiliated Associations or their representatives and the elected Chair. Chair to vote only in the event of a tie.
5.08 Questions arising at any meeting of the Board shall be decided by a majority of voting Directors present. All votes at such meeting shall be taken by secret ballot if so, demanded by a voting Director present, but if no demand is made the vote shall be taken in the usual way assent or dissent. A declaration by the GLHA President that a resolution has been carried and an entry to that effect into the minutes shall be admissible as evidence as prima facie proof of the fact without proof of the number or proportion of the votes recorded in favor of or against such resolution. In the absence of the GLHA President his duties may be performed by the Vice President, or such Constitutional By-law of the Greater London Hockey Association Voting Director as the Directors may from time to time appoint for the purpose. Any voting Director may ask that their vote be recorded in the minutes.
5.09 The voting Directors of the board may hold any discussion or vote in camera if requested by any voting Director present. At that time, all non-voting Directors of the Board may be asked to leave the room and everyone else present must leave the room.
5.10 Meetings of the board shall be called by the GLHA President or in his or her absence by the Vice Chairperson.
5.11 The Board shall meet regularly as required to conduct business of the G.L.H.A. Such meetings will be held at places which are from time to time determined. An agenda for those meeting will be prepared and forwarded to all members of the Board no less than 2 full days in advance of each meeting. No formal notice of these meetings is required.
5.12 Special Board meetings may be called, as necessary, by the GLHA President or on the signed direction of any three voting Directors of the Board. An advance formal notice of any special meeting stating time and place shall be communicated to all Board members. Said advance notice shall include the reason(s) or purpose for the meeting.
5.13 The Minutes from each board meeting will be approved within a week’s time by email by the presidents, in which the minutes then will be posted online for members to view.
Article 6 – Annual and Other meetings of the members
6.01 The Annual General meeting of the G.L.H.A. shall be held on the first Sunday of the month of June of each calendar year. Notice of the meeting, including its location, agenda, and any resolutions or proposed amendments to the By-Laws of the G.L.H.A. shall be affected by posting the same on the G.L.H.A. WWW site by the 30th day of April preceding the Annual General Meeting. Resolutions and proposed amendments to the By-Laws of the G.L.H.A. may be made by either the board or by any member or by any Affiliated Association. Each resolution or proposed amendment by any member of Affiliated Association must be in writing clearly indicating the resolution or amendment sought and who is making it, and must be received in writing by the Board no later than the 15th day of April preceding the Annual General Meeting.
6.02 A Special General Meeting of the Members may be called at the discretion of the Board as determined by a majority voted. All members shall be informed of the meeting and its purpose as soon as practical in advance of the meeting.
6.03 Every member in good standing and in attendance is entitled to vote at any meeting of Members on any issue to be determined at such meetings with the following restrictions:
a) no person shall have more than one vote.
b) there shall be no proxy voting.
c) all person’s voting must be at least 18 years of age; Constitutional By-law of the Greater London Hockey Association
d) voting may be by made by a show of hands or by secret ballot; but the later shall be used only when it is requested by a majority of the voting members in attendance.
e) a quorum must exist.
f) all maters will be decided by a majority vote unless a special majority is called for herein by the bodies mentioned in Article 2 or by the law of the Province of Ontario.
6.04 A quorum for any meeting of Members shall be at least one voting member from a majority of Affiliated Associations and a majority of the voting Directors of the Board.
Article 7 – Officers, Elections, and Appointments
7.01 The position of G.L.H.A. President shall be elected annually at the Annual General Meeting. The G.L.H.A. President shall perform duties as may, from time to time, to be determined by the board. To be eligible for election to the position of GLHA President, a candidate must. For corporate purposes only they will be President of the G.L.H.A. The elected individual may not serve on another member partner board and be considered for the role of President of the GLHA. If an individual is elected for this position. An alternative will have to be elected to serve in their position at the affiliated association, or the position will have to be filled by another candidate.
a) deliver to the G.L.H.A. Secretary on or before the first day of May proceeding the Annual General Meeting a type of written notice disclosing their name and their agreement, as evidenced by their signature, to serve if elected and the name and signature of the Members nominating and seconding the nominee.
b) be eighteen (18) years of age or older:
c) be a member in good standing with the G.L.H.A., Association and Alliance. This includes suspensions received during the previous year that have been carried over to the next season.
7.02 The voting members of the Board shall elect from their numbers, at the first meeting of the Board after the Annual General Meeting, a Vice Chairperson. For corporate purposes only they will be Vice President of the G.L.H.A.
7.03 The position of Secretary shall be filled annually by appointment of the board at their first meeting following the Annual General Meeting. This positions duty shall include, but not be limited to, recording, and maintaining corporate records, keeping Board correspondence and minutes, filing required information with the government and such other duties as may be assigned from time to time by the Board.
7.04 The position of the Treasurer shall be filled annually by appointment of the Board at their first meeting following the Annual General Meeting. This position’s duties shall include but not be limited to, overseeing, analyzing, and reporting on the financial records of the G.L.H.A., budgeting, presenting a financial report at the Annual General Meeting and such other duties as might be assigned from time to time by the Board.
7.05 The position of the Technical Director shall be filled annually by appointment of the Board at their first meeting following the Annual General Meeting. This position’s duties shall include but not be limited to, overseeing the coaching, training, initiation, and harassment clinics for the Constitutional By-law of the Greater London Hockey Association G.L.H.A. and reporting to the Members through the Board and changes in regulations, rules, policies, or requirements as set forth by the CHA, OHF, MHAO, and such other duties as are assigned by the Board from time to time.
7.06 The position of London Junior Mustangs Chair shall be filled every second year by appointment of the Board at their first meeting following the Annual General Meeting.
Article 8 – DUTIES AND POWERS OF THE EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
8.01 The GLHA President, when present, shall preside at all meetings of the Members. The Chairperson shall also be charged with the general management and supervision of the affairs and operations of the G.L.H.A. The GLHA President with the Secretary and/or Treasurer, or other appointed officer appointed by the Board for the purpose, shall sign all by-laws of the G.L.H.A. During the absence of the inability of the President, his duties may be exercised by the Vice President, or such other voting Director as the Board may, from time to time, appoint for the purpose. The President or his delegate will sit as the G.L.H.A. Rep at the monthly meetings of the operations committee of the Alliance.
Article 9 – AMENDMENTS
9.01 Proposed amendments to this or any By-law of the G.L.H.A. must be submitted by a Member of the G.L.H.A. to the Board in writing, on or before the 15th day of April preceding the Annual General Meeting may be made be either the Board, any Member, or by any Affiliated Association. Each proposed amendment by any Member or Affiliated Association must be in writing clearly indicating the resolution or amendment sought and who is making it, and must be received in writing by the Board no later than the 15th day of April preceding the Annual General Meeting.
9.02 A copy of the proposed amendment, along with the notice of the meeting, shall be forwarded to each Member by the 30th day of April preceding the Annual General Meeting.
9.03 Amendments to this or any other By-Law of the G.L.H.A. cannot be made without the approval of 70% of those present and voting at the Annual General the Members present and voting at the Annual General Meeting. A majority Meeting may pass resolutions.
Article 10 – FINANCIAL
10.01 The fiscal year of the G.L.H.A. shall terminate on the 30th day of April in each year. An audited statement will be presented to the membership by the Board at each Annual General Meeting. The membership shall appoint auditors annually.
Article 11 – EXECUTION OF DOCUMENTS, INVESTMENTS
11.01 Signing authority for the G.L.H.A. shall be as follows: Constitutional By-law of the Greater London Hockey Association
a) Deeds, transfers, licenses, contracts, and engagements on behalf of the G.L.H.A. shall be signed by either the President, Vice Chairperson or the Treasurer and the Treasurer shall affix the seal of the Corporation to such instruments as require the same.
b) Contracts in the ordinary course of the G.L.H.A.’s operations may be entered into on behalf of the Association by any person authorized by resolution of the Board, may transfer any and all shares, bonds or other securities from time to time standing in the name of the G.L.H.A. in its individual or any other capacity or as trustee or otherwise, and may accept in the name and on behalf of the G.L.H.A. the transfers of shares, bonds or other securities from time to time transferred to the G.L.H.A. and may affix the Corporate seal to any such transfers or acceptance of transfers, and may take, execute, or deliver under the Corporate seal any and all such instruments in writing necessary or proper for such purposes, including the appointment of an attorney or attorneys to make or accept transfers of shares, bonds, or other securities on the books of the Corporation.
c) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in the By-Laws if the G.L.H.A., the Board may at any time be resolution, direct the manner in which, and the person or persons who, any particular instrument, contract, or obligation of the G.L.H.A. may or shall be executed.
d) The G.L.H.A. has the power to, and may by resolution of the Board, invest monies of the Association not immediately required for its objectives, in investments permitted for registered insurance companies by the Canadian and British Insurance Companies Act or any act which may be substituted, therefore.
e) Any cheques, bills or exchange or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidences of indebtedness assured in the name of the G.L.H.A., shall be signed by any two of the following; the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson or Treasurer of the Association in such manner as shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the Board and any two such officers or agents, may alone endorse notes and drafts for collection on account of the G.L.H.A. through its Bankers, and endorse notes and cheques for deposit with the Association’s Bankers for the credit of the G.L.H.A., or the same may be endorsed ‘For Deposit’ with the Bankers of the Association by using the G.L.H.A.’s rubber stamp for the purpose.
f) Audits: An audit of the books must be conducted annual of the fiscal year by such auditor as may be designated by the Board of Directors from time to time. A full Audit will be done on every year. Until otherwise ordered by the Board of Directors, the fiscal year of the Corporation shall end on the 30th day of April in each year.
Article 12 – COMMITTEES
12.01 The Board shall have the power to create and authorize Committees. Whether Standing or Ad Hoc, or otherwise engage such assistance, as it shall, from time to time, deem necessary or advisable, always retaining the power to regulate or terminate such committees.
12.02 The current Standing committees of the G.L.H.A. are as follows:
a) The Community Hockey League (hereinafter referred to as the CHL.), Constitutional By-law of the Greater London Hockey Association
b) The Resolution Committee
c) The Operations Review Committee
Article 13 – RESOLUTION COMMITTEE
13.01 The Resolution Committee shall consist of a minimum of three (3) members of the Board appointed from time to time by the Board as the need arises to hear and resolve all appeals and disputes. No member of the Board shall be eligible to serve on a Resolution Committee or to vote on any protest, appeal or question directly involving the Affiliated Association of which they represent or is their home Affiliated Association.
13.02 The committee may make rules for its proceedings and performance of its duties subject to the authority and approval of the Board.
13.03 All persons appearing before this committee shall be given full opportunity to be heard.
13.04 This committee has the power to hear and deal with all complaints or appeals as authorized by the Board.
13.05 This committee shall as soon as possible after the conclusion of proceedings make a report to all persons directly involved in the matter, and to the Board.
13.06 This committee also has the power to conduct any investigation or hearing as directed by the Board from time to time and make a report of such investigation or hearing to the Board.
Article 14 – THE COMMUNITY HOCKEY LEAGUE COMMITTEE
14.01 The Community Hockey League Committee shall be made up of in-city competitive teams from the Affiliated Associations as regulated by the Affiliation Agreement and the Leagues Constitution and By-Laws herein and hereafter called League Rules.
Article 15 – THE OPERATIONS REVIEW COMMITTEE
15.01 The Operations Review Committee shall be made up of Members who have a history of G.L.H.A. experience. They will review all facets of the G.L.H.A organization and its programs and make recommendations to the Board on an on-going basis.
Article 16 – AFFILLIATED ASSOCIATIONS
16.01 The Affiliated Associations of the G.L.H.A. are any minor hockey associations recognized by the Board, which are in good standing, and which have signed the current Affiliation Agreement. Any Association not currently affiliated with the G.L.H.A. may apply to, or be invited by, the Board to become an Affiliated Association. Any admission of an association must be approved by the Board and then by the Members by simple majority at the next Annual General Meeting. Upon approval by the Members, the Board shall grant the new Affiliated Association a territory, adjusting the licensed territories of other existing Affiliated Associations, as necessary. Constitutional By-law of the Greater London Hockey Association
Article 17-AFFILLIATION AGREEMENT
17.01 The Affiliation Agreement is the current contract between the G.L.H.A. and its Affiliated Associations granting those Affiliated Associations the right to field minor hockey teams under the auspices and authority of the G.L.H.A. and which governs and regulates, in part their participation in the G.L.H.A.’s hockey program. The Board retains the power to terminate the Affiliations Agreement at any time and/or to realign or reassign the territorial license it grants to each Affiliated Associations as it sees fit.
Article 18 INTERPRETATION
18.01 In this By-Law, and in all other By-Laws, Rules, Policies, Regulations, Resolutions, or other governing instrument of the G.L.H.A., unless the context otherwise requires, words importing the singular number or the masculine gender shall include the plural number or the feminine gender, as the case may be, and vice versa, and reference to persons shall include form and corporations.
Article 19- Relief Policy
19.01 a) When Player/Goalie relief are required by an Association, they must declare to the G.L.H.A. Associations their need. When providing this relief, it should come from its London Junior Mustang Sister Association first.
b) Relief can only be requested if there are insufficient numbers at a tryout or evaluation skate
c) All players that are considered relief players must consent to playing for another Association
d) A formal 1-year release letter will be sent by the home team to the G.L.H.A. Chair, Home Association President and Register, Requestor Home Association President, and Register.
e) Requestor Association will invoice players home Association registration fees within 30 days Enacted by the Membership and sealed with the Corporate Seal the first day of June 2003. Chairperson Vice Chairperson
Article 20- Dissolution Clause
1. Greater London Hockey Association (GLHA) may be dissolved by a special resolution passed by the voting board members of the Greater London Hockey Association at a voting board member’s meeting.
2. If Greater London Hockey Association is dissolved, its assets shall be liquidated and transferred to a qualified recipient selected by the members by a special resolution passed by the voting board members at a member’s meeting.
3. A special resolution passed by the voting board members is required to make any change concerning the distribution of property remaining on liquidation after the discharge of any liabilities of Greater London Hockey Association.
Article 21 Conflicts of Interest and Protection of Directors and Officials
a) Conflicts of Interest: A Director or other Active Member shall declare that he/she has a conflict of interest wherever they or one of their family members is directly or indirectly involved in a matter before the committee/Board of which they are a member (e.g., when one of their children is a player involved in the situation under consideration). Once a conflict of interest has been declared, said Director or member shall withdraw from the meeting while discussion and voting take place on the matter in question.
b) Disclosure of Interests in Contracts: Every Director or other Active Member who is directly or indirectly interested in an existing contract or proposed contract with the Corporation shall declare his/her interest and absence himself/herself from decisions on the contract. A general notice given to the Board or relevant committee shall be a sufficient disclosure of interest. If a member has made a declaration of his/her interest in a proposed contract he/she is not accountable to the Corporation or to any of its members or creditors for any profit realized from the contract, and the contract is not avoidable by reason only of his/her holding office or of the fiduciary relationship established thereby.
d) Protection of Directors and Other Active Members: Every Director or Other Active Member of the Corporation and their heirs, executors, and administrators, who has undertaken a liability on behalf of the Corporation, shall at all times be indemnified and saved harmless by the Corporation from and against all costs, charges and expenses whatsoever which such member sustains or incurs in or about any action, suit or proceeding which is brought, commenced or prosecuted against him/her for or in respect of any act, deed, matter or thing whatsoever made, done or permitted by him/her in or about the execution of the duties for the Corporation, save and except willful acts, neglects or defaults. No Member of the Corporation shall be liable for the acts, neglects, or defaults of any other member, unless through his/her willful act, neglect, or default.
e) Responsibility for Acts: The Directors and other Active Members shall not be under any duty or responsibility in respect of any contract, act, or transaction whether or not made, done, or entered into in the name or on behalf of the Corporation, except such as shall have been submitted to and authorized or approved by the Board of Directors.