Constitution and By-Laws

As of March 20, 2023

Constitution

Article 1: Name This not-for-profit organization shall be known as the Humber Valley Old Timers (“HVOT”).

Article 2: General Information Humber Valley Old Timers was founded by a group of coaches, volunteers and parents from the Humber Valley Hockey Association in 1989. Many of the players have participated as officials, coaches and assistants in the Humber Valley Hockey Association or the Etobicoke Dolphins and have found the HVOT a natural and comfortable way to continue their individual hockey activities.

Article 3: Structure This is a multiple team hockey league with full equipment. Players are ranked according to ability in their chosen position and all players are entered into an annual draft. The draft ensures that teams have different personnel in each year, which makes for fairness, a more social atmosphere and a less aggressive style of play.

Article 4: Season Consists of a regular season and playoffs in a format to be determined.

Article 5: Age and Standard of Play Guideline Currently, 45 is the minimum age for all entrants. There is no set retirement age. The standard of play is varied, with some players who never played youth hockey and some who played high-level University or U.S. college hockey. If we enter tournaments (and this happens 3 or 4 times per season), we will register in the age and caliber grouping appropriate for the majority of players.

Article 6: Social and Charity Aspects It has been a fundamental mandate of HVOT to be active and helpful members of the Etobicoke community. Part of the player fee goes toward supporting charity. There is also an annual golf tournament with proceeds to charity. The charity (or charities) to be agreed at each annual meeting.

Article 7: Objectives To promote, govern and improve organized hockey and to foster among its members, mutual respect, safe play, and a general community spirit. To provide fun and fitness for its members and be active and helpful members of the Etobicoke community.

Article 8: Values The core values that represent HVOT (i.e. respect, fairness of play, safety, equality, inclusion, charity, etc.) help support the ideals that are paramount to all HVOT members when they are given the opportunity and responsibility to play in this league.

Article 9: The business and affairs of the HVOT shall be conducted in conformance with the Constitution, By-Laws and Regulations of HVOT.

Article 10: The Constitution of HVOT shall not be amended or altered except at an annual meeting. Notice of such amendment or alteration to the Constitution shall be given to the Executive in writing not less than 30 days prior to the annual meeting. An amendment or alteration to the Constitution shall require a two-thirds majority of the accredited representatives of the General Membership.

Article 11: Changes in the By-Laws or additions to the By-Laws of HVOT may be made by the Governing Body at any time and such changes or additions shall be presented for approval at the next annual meeting.

Article 12: The Governing Body shall have at any time the power to issue special regulations in conformance with the Canadian Adult Recreational Hockey Association (“CARHA”).

Article 13: The General Membership of HVOT shall consist of its players.

Article 14: Banking signatories change from time to time but will always be either the Treasurer or one other named sitting Executive.

Article 15: Current banking information is maintained privately by the Executive.

By-Laws

By-Law 1

The Governing Body shall consist of all members of the Executive Committee (the “Executive”). The President, with consultation of the Past-Presidents, will appoint all the members of the Executive. The Past Presidents will appoint the President.
The Executive shall consist of a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary, a Treasurer, a Referee-in-Chief, a Registrar, the Immediate Past President and other members as decided upon from time to time.
Each Executive member shall have equal voting power at meetings. Should any vacancy occur during the term of office, the President will have the power to fill the vacancy for the unexpired term of office.

By-Law 2

The Executive Committee: shall have the power to deal with matters of HVOT on a day-to-day basis; shall act as the Disciplinary Committee; and shall have the power to deal with urgent or emergency situations.
The Immediate Past President: shall act in an advisory capacity with full voting powers and perform other related duties as may be required. Note that other Past Presidents provide counsel to the current President through the Past President’s Committee.
The President: shall preside at all meetings with the usual privileges of office; shall call meetings as deemed necessary or when requested by a majority of the Executive and will only cast a vote in the event of a tie; shall assume direction or delegate supervision of all officials and personnel; and shall act as the signing officer, together with one or more officers, on all contracts or other matters.
The Vice-President: shall perform the duties of the President in his or her absence and such duties as the President may decree.
The Secretary/Treasurer: shall report to the President; shall take the minutes at the annual AGM, circulate draft minutes for comments from attendees and as notice to those absent, and facilitate the sharing of such minutes with the City of Toronto and other parties; shall keep an accurate record of all moneys received and disbursed; will, in conjunction with the Executive, prepare an Annual Budget for approval; will issue interim financial reports as requested and prepare an Annual Financial Report; and will obtain approval for any expenditure that is not included in the Annual Budget. Financial statements are unaudited other than review at the AGM. Additional financial responsibilities include the preparation of a minimum of one annual set of financial statements and report to be reviewed at AGM and be responsible for ice applications, and all fees related to insurance, referees, timekeeper, golf tournament, banquet. In addition, other ancillary bills come up from time to time and should be paid by recorded cheque or EFT. HVOT should forever more be cashless.
The Registrar: shall be responsible for the control of personnel of the HVOT. These responsibilities include the handling and recording of player and wait list registrations.
The Referee-in-Chief: shall report to the President; and shall be in charge of hiring, training and scheduling of refereeing staff for all games.

By-Law 3: Meetings

Subject to the President’s Discretion, the Executive shall meet as often as necessary to carry out the business of HVOT.
The Annual Meeting shall be attended by members who may care to attend. Voting privileges shall be limited to the Executive.
The Annual Meeting shall be held before the last day of April.
A quorum of the Executive shall consist of four (4) members.

By-Law 4: Expulsion of Members

These by-laws explicitly sanctify the expulsion of members for consistently bad behaviour which can be interpreted to mean dangerous play, abuse of officials, bad sportsmanship, a disrespectful attitude towards referees, timekeepers, city staff or other members. HVOT strives for a culture that is free from negative language or discrimination and one that promotes goodwill towards teammates, opponents and officials alike. The decision to terminate a member is not taken lightly but the safety and health of the league demands the Executive take such action when required. The decision to expel or suspend a player shall be first evaluated by the safety committee and voted on by executives with only a simple majority carrying – tie broken by President.

By-Law 5: Amendments and Alterations

Amendments or alterations to the By-Laws must be filed in writing with the Executive at least 30 days prior to the Annual Meeting.
An amendment or alteration to the By-Laws requires a two-thirds majority vote of the Executive. Such votes must be presented in person (no proxies).

By-Law 6: Annual Meeting Order of Business

President’s Welcome
Reading of Minutes of Last Annual Meeting
President’s Address
Correspondence
Treasurer’s Report
Amendments and Notice of Motion
General Business
Election and Installation of Executive Members
Adjournment