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RIHC By-Laws_07182025.docx
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The Ridley Ice Hockey Club By-Laws

Founded September 1, 1989

Revised August 20, 1995

Revised September 30. 2004

Revised January 19, 2006

Rewritten/Revised May 10, 2007

Revised February 25, 2014

Revised February 25, 2016

Revised September 18, 2023

Revised July 18, 2025

ARTICLE ONE

CLUB NAME

The name of the organization is the Ridley Ice Hockey Club; it may and can be abbreviated as

RIHC.

ARTICLE TWO

PURPOSE & MISSION STATEMENT

The purpose of the Ridley Ice Hockey Club (RIHC) shall be to provide the administration and

funding necessary for the Ice Hockey Program. In addition, the RIHC shall seek to promote the

sport of hockey and provide all hockey players of the Ridley School District and those from

surrounded districts deemed eligible for participation with the opportunity to develop character

and athletic skills within the team concept and at the highest competitive level.

ARTICLE THREE

ELIGIBILITY AND MEMBERSHIP

1. To be eligible to participate in RIHC, the player must attend an Elementary School,

Middle School, or High School, Private/Parochial School or be a certified home-schooled member of the Ridley School District or surrounded districts deemed eligible for participation.

2. All members must fulfill all financial obligations to participate in the RIHC.

3. Each member’s financial responsibility begins upon registration. Yearly dues must be paid in full per the payment scheduled by the RIHC. The specifics of the RIHC dues are explained in the annual registration packet along with the Player/Parent Contracts or as established by the RIHC Treasurer.  Following the deadline, if a player were to quit, be injured, be suspended, or expelled from his/her team, no dues will be refunded under any circumstances.

4. All players must be properly registered with USA Hockey. RIHC is not responsible for registering players with USA Hockey and any fees for USA Hockey membership are not included in the RIHC due’s structure. The USA Hockey Membership fee is paid directly to USA Hockey through online registration.

5. All players and parents must have completed all the required paperwork and sign the clubs Code of Conduct in order to be a member for the upcoming season.

6. All players and families must conduct themselves according to the RIHC's Code of Conduct as well as the USA Hockey standards of conduct. The decision to dismiss a player and/or parent is made at the discretion of the Board. If, upon a unanimous decision from all board members, a member of our club consistently acts in a matter not in the alignment of the club’s goals & values or is in failure to comply with the Code of Conduct (signed by parent/s & player), the Board reserves the right to dismiss them.

ARTICLE FOUR

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

  1. The Board of Directors may consist of a President, a Vice President. A Treasurer, a secretary, and a Club Manager. The board may elect to reorganize duties and responsibilities with the resources available. The Board of Directors will have the authority to appoint the Club Manager Position. The Board of Directors may appoint a Board of Directors member without approval vote by the RIHC membership if a Board of Directors position is vacated for any reason and/or if no one from the RIHC membership runs for the said Board Position currently up for election.
  2. Duties of the President
  1. The President has the overall responsibility for all club functions, operations, reputation, growth, and shall act as the official spokesperson for the RIHC.
  2. The President shall preside at all general meetings of the club membership as well as all meeting of the Board of Directors.
  3. The President will maintain order and enforce compliance to all rules and regulations of the organization.
  4. The President may serve on any or all committees and is responsible for appointing committees within the organization.
  5. The President, at any time he/she feels necessary, may call a board meeting or special committee meeting. Should the membership of the organization desire a meeting, they may, in writing, petition the President to call an emergency meeting.
  6. The President may not and cannot make decisions regarding the business of this organization without the agreement/approval of the Board of Directors for items not covered in these By- Laws.
  7. The President, with the help of the Board of Directors, is responsible for the evaluation of all coaches in the RIHC. Upon completion of the evaluation process, the Board of Directors will notify all the coaches as to their status and announce any openings for the coaching positions within the RIHC.
  1. Duties of the Vice President
  1. The Vice President shall assist the President in the performance of his/her duties. The Vice President shall assume the duties of the President in the absence, illness, or resignation of the President.
  2. Like the President, the Vice President is responsible for assuring that all the By-Laws and regulations of the RIHC are carried out.
  3. The Vice President will work closely with the membership in the organizing of all club activities and fundraisers.
  4. The Vice President will actively promote the public support of the organization through various media outlets as well as keep the membership up to date as to the workings of the Booster Club.
  5. The Vice President will have the responsibility of making sure each team within the organization follows the Code of Conduct policy implemented for each team. The Vice President will work closely with the coaches and managers of each team to assure this is taking place.
  1. Duties of the Treasurer
  1. The Treasurer shall maintain and control all books, papers and documents related to the RIHC. The Treasurer's records shall remain the property of the RIHC.
  2. The Treasurer is responsible for depositing all club receipts in the club's bank account.
  3.  The Treasurer is responsible for maintaining records and having an accurate balance at all times.
  4. The Treasurer shall report the financial condition of the club at all general meetings and be able to furnish any records required by the President at such times.
  5. If we become tax-exempt, the Treasurer will furnish the club's accountant all records to file income tax information.
  6. The Treasurer is responsible for writing checks for all club expenses.
  7. The Treasurer must report all families that are delinquent in paying dues to the Board of Directors, as well as the Team Managers. The Team Manager is responsible for notifying the coach of each team dues that are past due, so that the player is suspended from practicing and playing for his/her team until their account is up to date.
  8. Any expenditure > $1,000 for items other than those necessary for hockey operations (Ice Fees, Jerseys, Coaches, Equipment, etc.) must be approved by majority vote of the Board of Directors.
  1. Duties of the Secretary
  1. The Secretary shall take and transcribe all minutes of general meetings as well as Board of Directors meetings.
  2. The Secretary is responsible for distributing the minutes of the past meeting to the current meeting to bring all attendees up to date.
  3. The Secretary will coordinate all correspondence and mailings of the Board of Directors.
  4. The Secretary will maintain all team rosters, phone chains and email addresses.
  5. The Secretary will be responsible for publishing all news and announcements in local newspapers.
  6. The Secretary is responsible for registering all players with USA Hockey.
  1. Terms of Office
  1. The terms of office for the Membership Elected Board of Directors is two years. This is up to and including all activities associated with the current hockey season.
  2. After the incumbent boards term elections will occur every year based on the following schedule: i. President & Secretary elections on Odd Years ii. Vice President & Treasurer on Even Years
  3. Any incumbent board member may succeed him/herself in his/her office if reappointed by the majority of the club membership vote.
  4. Outgoing board members agree to be available to the newly elected Board of Director’s member for a minimum of 3 months up to a maximum of one year. This will be on a consultative basis and may be requested to attend meetings. Outgoing Board of Directors members shall have no voting privileges.
  1. Eligibility for Board of Directors
  1. To be eligible for a Board position, you must be nominated before the deadline for nominations. No nominations will not be accepted on the day of voting. A Board member must be a parent/guardian of a current rostered player or a previously rostered player (Alumnus) and be at least 25 years of age. A parent/player alumnus can only be nominated if their account with the club is in good standing. Also, no parent of a suspended/expelled player or player who as opted out of participation during the current or previous year from the organization may run for a Board position.
  2. Two family members may not serve on the Board of Directors in the same given year.
  1. Voting
  1. During election years, nominations will be accepted in the month of April, and the general membership date will occur in late April or early May.
  2. Nominations must be made at least one week prior to voting for a Board of Directors position. All the voting membership must be notified of the nominations. Each family will have one vote for each Board position. Members may not be present to vote. If a member cannot attend, they must notify the current President of their vote, and the President is responsible for updating the votes of the voters not able to attend.
  3. Each Board of Directors member & the Club Manager shall have one (1) vote. In the event of a tie, the Board of Directors President shall have the tiebreaker vote.
  4. Coaches, alumni, and appointed positions (team managers, league reps., fundraising, etc.) are considered non-voting members. Although, retain their voting rights as outlined in 8.a. if conditions of participation in the RIHC are met.
  1. Resignations/Dismissals
  1. A Board member who needs to resign for any reason will not be replaced unless the Board of Directors deems it necessary.
  2. Should the Board of Directors feel that a Board member is not working in the best interest of the current Board of Directors, they may dismiss the Board member. To dismiss a Board member, it must be brought up to the Board of Directors by a Board member. Once this is done, the reasons must be stated to the entire Board, including the Board member in question. Upon review, the entire Board must be present for a vote, and it must be unanimous for the Board member to be dismissed. The Board member in question does not vote on the dismissal.
  1. Amendments
  1. Amendments to By-Laws, Rules, and Code of Conduct must be presented at a Board of Directors meeting. Following the proposed changes, discussion within the Board and a vote of the current Board of Directors, a positive vote constitutes an immediate change. A negative vote constitutes no change, and it cannot be proposed for one year. A positive vote changes policy and the entire membership of the organization must be notified immediately of the change.
  1. Board of Directors Duties and Function
  1. The Board of Directors shall have complete authority to direct the entire program and the entire operation of the organization.
  2. The Board of Directors has the power to rule on questions of eligibility for all players in the organization.
  3. The Board of Directors is responsible for approving all equipment needed for each team and allowing the Treasurer to purchase the said equipment.
  4. The Board of Directors must approve the acquisition of all ice time where a fee is involved; otherwise, the ice time is the responsibility of the person who acquired it.  
  5. For resolving disputes, the Board of Directors must be notified in writing of the problem. Once this is done, a meeting to discuss the issue must be set up within one week. All parties involved must be in attendance to settle the disagreement. Once this meeting takes place, a written settlement will be sent to all the parties involved within two weeks. This settlement represents a final decision on the matter and the case is deemed closed at this point.

ARTICLE FIVE

MEETINGS

There should be a meeting of the General membership at least bi-annually, or as directed by the

Board of Directors at a time and date specified by the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors shall meet as often as may be necessary for the orderly conduct of

business and affairs of the club.

Proposed Order of Business for Meetings (Items included/excluded at Boards of Directors

Discretion)

  1. Call to order
  2. Reading of Minutes from Previous Meeting
  3. Treasurer's Report
  4. Officer and Committee Reports
  5. Unfinished Business
  6. New Business
  7. Adjournment

Good order will be always maintained. To obtain the floor, a member will raise their

hand and wait to be recognized by the President or Chair. The Executive has the right to refuse recognition of anyone who fails to adhere to those rules and may also ask any person who is causing a disturbance to be removed.

The Board of Directors has the right to limit debate of any subject once all sides are heard before imposing a ruling.

ARTICLE SIX

PLAYER RULES AND REGULATIONS

  1. All registration information must be completed as well as payment for tryouts must be paid in full prior to a player being allowed on the ice to tryout.
  2. Once a player has been placed on a team, the player and parent/guardian must complete the team’s code of conduct.
  3. A player may not switch to another school's team unless that player moves from the School District.
  4. Any conflict that arises between the club and the player must be brought to the Board of Directors
  5. Players must be in at least 9th grade to compete on a Varsity team and be attending Ridley High School.
  6. A player must be in at least 9th grade to compete on a JV level team and be in school in the Ridley School District.
  7. A player must be in at least 4th grade and not beyond 8th grade to participate in a Middle School team and be attending a school in the Ridley School District or from surrounded districts deemed eligible for participation.
  8. A player must be in at least 1st grade and not beyond 4th grade to participate in an Elementary School team.
  9. All ice hockey protective equipment must be always worn during practices and games. No player should be permitted on the ice without all protective equipment.
  10. Any player on academic probation in school will be ineligible to participate in practices or games until the probation is lifted.
  11. Failure to adhere to the players’ code of conduct may result in suspension or expulsion from the organization.
  12. All players must notify their coaching staff in advance if they are unable to attend practice or games.
  13. Any player who does not complete his/her team’s regular season, due to expulsion or quitting, will not be eligible for team awards or personal trophies and cannot attend RIHC sponsored events. If a player quits his team during the season, a letter will be sent to the family for confirmation. If the letter is not returned within two weeks, that player is no longer a member of the organization and will forfeit any awards, trophies, etc.
  14.  All players will be required to participate in at least one fundraiser per season.

ARTICLE SEVEN

COACHING

1. Any coach that would like to be considered for a coaching position must submit their resume as well as a coaching plan to the Board of Directors before the deadline date announced by the Board of Directors.

2. The Board of Directors may appoint an Association Coaching and Education (ACE) Coordinator. This program is an important tool for communication, on-going coach education, and new education initiatives and programs for parents and coaches. Some of the key responsibilities are:

a. Plan, organize and execute periodic skills workshops for coaches, players, and parents.

b. Evaluate practice sessions and provide feedback to coaches to improve the coaching capability of local association coaches.

c. Establish and maintain a resource center for coaches, players and parents that includes USA Hockey materials.

d. Communicate certification requirements to local association coaches and ensure compliance with USA Hockey and affiliate certification levels.

e. The position additionally helps formalize the responsibilities and organizational structure of the coaching program within the local association. The ACE Coordinator assists the association in creating and reaffirming roles, responsibilities, and performance criteria for their coaches.

3. All coaches will have to sign a code of conduct prior to the start of the current season.

4. All coaches must adhere to all the USA Hockey Rules and Regulations.

5. Failure to adhere to these rules can result in suspension or expulsion from the RIHC.

6. The Board of Directors may remove any member of the coaching staff when sufficient

cause is presented.

7. Coaches must have all players adhere to the current code of conduct as well as be sure all players are properly equipped to be on the ice.

8. Coaches will be notified if a player is not eligible for past due account, academic

probation or any other reason for the player not to be permuted on the ice. If a coach

allows that player on the ice, after being notified, he/she will be suspended immediately.

9. All Coaches will be evaluated at year-end by the Board of Directors and will be notified

if they are eligible to coach the following season. If not, the coaches may meet with the

Board of Directors to discuss their decision. The current Board plus the Board that has

been voted in for the following season will make the final decision on coaches.

10. Head Coaches may use their own assistant coaches, but the Board of Directors must

approve assistant coaches.

11. Team formation- how many players, what level of play- will be decided on a year-by-year basis on:

a. Number of players registered.

b. Quality level of their play.

c. The level and # of players per team will be decided jointly by the Head Coach and the Board of Directors

12. Selected coaches are responsible for:

a. The head coach will make the primary decision regarding team selections.

Players selected for a team will be those who, in the opinion of the team and

coaching staff can compete at the appropriate age level.

b. Although the Board of Directors encourages equal ice time, there are no

guarantees of equal ice time. Ice time will be at the discretion of the coaches.

ARTICLE EIGHT

SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY

  1. As outline in the code of conduct, social media is not private. Therefore, anything posted in reference to Ridley Ice Hockey, its board, coaches, managers, or players is public (even if deleted) and can be considered slander/bullying to the club.  We will not tolerate bullying of any kind (cyber or otherwise). By being a member of the club, we are required to uphold the code of conduct, which includes social media.
  2. As is the law in Pennsylvania, Video & audio recordings of public or private conversations among the club are prohibited unless all parties consent in writing.