COLORADO ICE HOCKEY REFEREE ASSOCIATION BYLAWS
Article 1.0 Name
The name of this Association shall be the Colorado Ice Hockey Referee Association. All references to “CIHRA” or the “Association” shall imply the Colorado Ice Hockey Referee Association.
The Association shall operate within the context of the Association By-Laws and Policies.
Article 2.0 Purpose, Principles and Objectives
The Association shall bring together ice hockey referees to provide, promote and supervise a program of refereeing services to the Colorado hockey community. The Association shall promote the development and welfare of the Membership and advance the mission of the USA Hockey Officiating Program through the implementation of training and development seminars and the facilitating of assignments which provide actual game experiences.
The Association shall promote fellowship and cooperation within the Colorado hockey community, including administrators, parents, coaches and players affiliated with local, national and international amateur hockey associations and leagues; other Colorado affiliate officiating associations; and other national affiliate officiating associations.
The Association shall provide an opportunity for those interested to learn the rules, techniques and procedures associated with officiating ice hockey and shall encourage and foster the betterment of ice hockey officiating skills.
Article 3.0 Membership
The Association is comprised of ice hockey officials to whom membership is granted upon fulfillment of the annual registration requirements of the USA Hockey Officiating Program, including full payment of registration fees, completion of training seminar attendance and passing grades on all applicable open and closed-book exams. Additionally, completion of the Association registration process, including payment of all membership dues, is required. Only members who have fulfilled all registration requirements are eligible for assignments scheduled by the Association.
All members shall have equal access to the benefits and services available to the membership, including but not limited to, information/website access, local training, scheduling of assignments and financial services (monthly payment for collective scheduled assignments). All members shall have equal rights and privileges to vote in elections and to participate in general meetings. Membership does not guarantee any official a specific level or quantity of assignments.
Article 4.0 Executive Board
The Association shall be governed by an elected body of members who shall serve to conduct the affairs of the Association and to further the purposes, principles and objectives of the Association. This administrative body shall be called the Executive Board (hereafter, Board).
The Board shall be composed of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer and three (3) Members-at-Large. All seven (7) officers must be members of the Association and, unless specified otherwise in the By-Laws or Policies, shall have full voting privileges on matters before the Board
The Board shall meet monthly throughout the year or when called into session on the call of the President or on the request of a majority (4) of Board members.
Article 5.0 Officers
The officers of the Board shall be the President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer and three (3) Members-at-Large. The description of each officer’s responsibilities to the Association is described below:
President
The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Association and shall be responsible for all management functions of the Association. The President shall have executive authority to see that all orders and resolutions of the Board are carried into effect and shall administer and be responsible for the overall management of the business affairs of the Association.
The President shall perform all duties incident to the office of President and other such duties, as are provided for in these By-Laws and, as from time to time, may be assigned to him/her by the Board.
Vice President
The Vice President shall serve in the capacities assigned to the President in his/her absence.
The Vice President shall perform all duties incident to the office of Vice President and other such duties, as are provided for in these By-Laws and, as from time to time, may be assigned to him/her by the Board.
Secretary
The Secretary shall be the custodian of records for the Association. The Secretary shall be responsible for all membership records of the Association. The Secretary shall be responsible for recording the minutes of all meeting held by the Board and assuring their availability to the membership.
The Secretary shall perform all duties incident to the office of Secretary and other such duties, as are provided for in these By-Laws and, as from time to time, may be assigned to him/her by the Board.
Treasurer
The Treasurer shall be responsible for all funds held and distributed by the Association, and in connection therewith, keep full and accurate records and accounts for the Association.
The Treasurer shall be responsible for the billing of officiating services to all respective hockey associations and leagues and ensuring funds so received are securely deposited and held within a bank or other depository, as approved by the Board.
The Treasurer shall disburse or supervise the disbursement of the funds of the Association as may be properly authorized. The Treasurer shall render to the Board at any meeting or when requested, current financial statements and other appropriate records of the financial condition of the Association.
The Treasurer shall perform all duties incident to the office of Treasurer and other such duties, as are provided for in these By-Laws and, as from time to time, may be assigned to him/her by the Board.
Members-at-Large
Members-at-Large shall assist in dissemination of information to the general membership.
Members-at-Large shall perform all duties incident to the office of Member-at-Large and other such duties, as are provided for in these By-Laws and, as from time to time, may be assigned to him/her by the Board.
Article 6.0 Committees
The Board may establish ad-hoc committees, as deemed necessary for the orderly functioning of the Association. Committees shall be chaired by any current member or Board member of the Association, as appointed by the Board. Committees shall provide recommendations to the Board for final approval and implementation. Committee objectives shall be established by the Board.
Article 7.0 Schedulers and Game Assignments
The Board shall appoint Schedulers for the purpose of managing officiating assignments within the guidelines of the USA Hockey Officiating Program. Schedulers shall be members in good standing with the Association and be selected on their ability to assess and evaluate skills and abilities required for game assignments and assign officials, accordingly.
Association members are not entitled to nor guaranteed any number or level of assignments, but rather are entitled to have access to the respective Schedulers who shall offer/assign appropriate game level assignments. Members will obtain assignments through the respective league Schedulers and are responsible for establishing contact with the respective league Schedulers.
Article 8.0 Financial Management
All funds allocated to or raised by the Association shall be used, by approval of the Board, to advance the interests of the Association, and no part of the funds shall be for the benefit of any individual, except that which is reasonable compensation for services performed and expenses incurred by evidence of receipts or set fee.
The deposit and withdrawal of Association funds shall be made by the individual or individuals who are authorized by the Executive Board.
In the event of dissolution of the Association, all outstanding debts shall first be paid and the remaining assets and funds shall be disbursed to the local membership in proportion to the current membership.
Article 9.0 Compensation
The Board shall be solely responsible for negotiating and completing guidelines, whereby Association members shall be compensated for their services. This will include local tournaments. The Association guidelines shall have governance over other contracts and/or guidelines the members are subject to.
Article 10.0 Discipline and Suspension
The Board shall have the authority to discipline and/or suspend any member official based on conduct determined to be detrimental to the interests of the Association. Any member facing disciplinary action shall be entitled to a fair and due process consisting of investigation, notification, hearing, outcome and appeal.
Article 11.0 Elections
The Association shall conduct an annual election for the purpose of electing officers to the Board. Annual election procedures, including nomination procedures, shall be communicated to the membership by May 15 of each calendar year. Elections shall be completed by June 15 each calendar year. The newly elected officers shall occupy their seats effective July 1 of each calendar year.
Article 12.0 Amendments to By-Laws and Policies
Amendments to the By-Laws may only be approved by a vote of the membership. Amendments to the By-Laws may be proposed by any member of the Association. A vote on any amendment to the By-Laws shall be conducted annually in conjunction with annual officer elections.
Association Policies shall serve as supplements to the By-Laws and provide detailed guidance on the operations of the Association. Amendments to the Association Policies may be proposed to the Board by any member at any time. Policy Amendments shall be approved only through a majority vote of the Board.