ARTICLE I: NAME:

This organization shall be known as the Eastern Collegiate Hockey Officials Association here in after the Association.

ARTICLE II: PURPOSES:

The purposes of the Association shall be:

Sec.1 –

A. To promote the Welfare of the game of hockey, it's players, coaches, and officials for the Eastern Collegiate Hockey Association (ECHA).

B. To maintain and improve the standards of hockey officiating with-in the ECHA.

C. To train and qualify competent hockey officials for assignments with-in the ECHA.

Sec. 2 –

To cooperate with USA Hockey, the national governing body for the sport of hockey in the United States.

Sec. 3 –

To cooperate with the ECHA in order to ensure that the officiating needs of the ECHA are made the top priority of the Association.

ARTICLE III: MEMBERSHIP:

Sec. 1 –

The Association shall be composed of all duly qualified and approved members in good standing with the Association as prescribed by these By-Laws. All members are Independent Contractors.

Sec. 2 –

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION AND RENEWAL: In order to apply for membership or to renew a current membership the following requirements must be met:

A. Establish that the person is of good moral character at least to the current standards of USA Hockey; see Article 4, section 2

B. Have been selected to participate in the Association by the Executive Committee.

C. Have successfully completed an official training Seminar sanctioned by USA Hockey for the current season and have successfully completed the USA Hockey Referee Registration process for the current season.

D. Have successfully completed an official training camp sanctioned by ECHOA for the current season and have successfully completed the NCAA Rules for Ice Hockey closed book exam for the current season

E. Receive acceptable evaluations for the ECHOA evaluation Staff or other viable sources

F. Pays dues in a timely manner as prescribed by the Executive Committee.

Sec. 3 –

TYPES OF MEMBERSHIP:

ACTIVE

SUPERVISORY

ADVISORY

D. HONORARY

Sec. 4 –

DISCRIPTION OF MEMBERSHIP TYPES

A. Active members of the Association may be any person at least eighteen years (18) old who has meet all of the requirements for membership as set by these by-laws. Active membership will last for one (1) year and reviewed by the Executive Committee every August.

B. Supervisory members of the Association may also be Active members. Supervisory members must be selected by the Executive Committee. Supervisory members will be responsible for the ECHA League Game Officials Evaluations. Supervisory members, that are not also Active Members, are not subject to membership dues paid to the Association.

C. Advisory members of the Association that the Executive Committee feels would be helpful to the Association. Examples of Advisory Members would be ice hockey officials not involved in officiating ECHA games, members of the ECHA League Staff, members of the USA Hockey National Officiating Program, and Fitness or Skating Instructors. Advisory members are not subject to membership dues paid to the Association.

D. Honorary members of the association may be any person who has performed some meritorious service for the game of hockey and/or for the Association. Honorary members will be selected by the Executive Committee and are not subject to membership dues paid to the Association.

ARTICLE IV: DISCIPLINE

Sec.1 –

No member shall:

A. Fail to pay membership dues

B. Be is breach of obligations to officiate

C. Engage in conduct which has been conclusively established to be in conflict with the stated purposes or policies of the Association, the ECHA, or of USA Hockey.

D. Fail to comply with any other regulation, policy and/or activity as directed by the Executive Committee.

Sec. 2 –

All persons who are members of this Association shall be subject to rigorous standards with respect to their eligibility to become or continue as members. Any member or official who has been or is convicted in the any State within the United States of any offense involving moral turpitude, including but not limited to dishonesty or gambling; or any drug or any physical assault or sex-abuse related offense; or any crime of the third degree or above or under the Laws of another State or of the United States of an offense or crime which, if in this State would be such an offense or crime, shall be disqualified from membership in this Association.

Sec. 3 –

DISCIPLINARY PROCEDURE

A. Charges must be made in writing and submitted to the Executive Committee. Such charges must be made by a member of the Association or ECHA League Staff.

B. Charges or complaints received from non-members of the Association or non ECHA League Staff will be referred to the Regional Director of the effected official's area for further investigation. After such informal investigation, the Regional Director will submit a report to the Executive Committee. Such report shall constitute the basis for a decision to pursue a charge to the Executive Committee of the Association, or a recommendation that the complaint be referred to the appropriate entity of the ECHA or USA Hockey or that the charges be dismissed.

C. The Regional Directors of the Association shall inform the Executive Committee of any charges promptly. The Executive Committee shall then set a hearing date not less than twenty days nor more than thirty-five days from the time of notification to the member charged. Upon written request to the Executive Committee, the hearing may be continued to a later date, but in no case shall the hearing date be more than ninety days from the date of notification to the member charged. The vote required for Executive Committee action shall be two-thirds (2/3) of the members of the Executive Committee hearing the matter.

D. The Regional Directors of the Association will notify the charged member via certified mail, Return Receipt Requested, of the date, time and place of the hearing, the nature of the charge(s) and the name of the person(s) bringing charges. The member will be informed that witnesses and/or evidence may be presented and that the member may bring legal counsel (at the member's expense) if desired. The member will have the right to cross examine.

Sec. 4 –

DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

A. For violation of Sections 1 (a) a member may be dropped from the Membership unless dues are repaid in a timely manner. The Executive Committee may impose late fees at its discretion.

B. For violations of Sections 1(b), (c) and/or (d) above a member may be issued a Letter of Reprimand, placed on Probation or Suspended for a period of not more than one year.

C. A LETTER OF REPRIMAND is the notification to the member charged that the Executive Committee has determined that a violation of these By-Laws has occurred. Such Letter of Reprimand shall constitute notice that a repetition or any further violation(s) may result in Probation, Suspension or Expulsion.

D. Members placed on PROBATION remain on the active list. Such status shall constitute notice that a repetition or any further violation(s) may result in Suspension or Expulsion.

E. Members placed on SUSPENSION may not participate in any activities of the Association. Such status shall constitute notice that a repetition or any further violation(s) may result in Expulsion.

F. For violation of Section 2 hereinabove or for repeated violation(s) of any provision(s) of Section 1 hereinabove, a member may by EXPELLED.

Sec. 5 –

APPEALS

The Executive Committee will issue a written finding within twenty (20) days after its hearing, and if it shall find a violation, shall incorporate its finding in its Letter of Reprimand or the resulting notice of Probation, Suspension or Expulsion. The decision of the Committee shall be sent certified mail Return Receipt Requested to the charged member.

A member who has been suspended or Expelled by action of the Executive Committee may appeal such decision to a Special Appeals Committee appointed by the Executive Director. This Committee shall not have any of the elected officers of the Association serving as members.

ARTICLE V: OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES

Sec. 1 –

The officers shall be the Executive Director, The Administrative Directors, and the Regional Directors. This group shall be referred to as the Executive Committee.

Sec. 2 –

The Directors that were originally involved with the creation of the Association will serve as the Executive Director and the Administrative Directors for three years. This is to establish that the Association is maintained in agreement with the initial agreement with the ECHA. The Executive Director and the Administrative Directors will appoint the initial Regional Directors. After the third year has expired (May 1, 2025) the Executive Committee will hold a meeting to determine the method of appointing the Executive Director and the Administrative Directors.

Sec.3 –

All Regional Directors shall enter upon their official duties on the first day of May and shall serve for a term of one year, or until their successors shall be duly elected.

Sec. 4 –

The Executive Director shall have the power to call meetings of the Association or Executive Committee and preside over them. With the advise of the Executive Committee, the Executive Director may create and appoint other committees. The Executive Director shall over see the general operations of the Association and serve as the contact for the ECHA. The Executive Director shall also oversee the finances of the Association and hold the responsibly for disturbing funds to the membership.

Sec. 5 –

The Administrative Directors will consist of 4 members with the following duties

A- The Director of Officiating Training will have the responsibility to schedule and oversee the Association Training Camps and reoccurring training throughout the ECHA season. He/She will also be responsible for administering and NCAA Rules for Ice Hockey closed book exams.

B- The Director of Officials Evaluations will have the responsibility of overseeing the Association's Evaluation Program. This is to include training the Association Supervisory Members (Evaluators), filing all completed evaluation forms, and ensuring that the ECHA/USA Hockey Guidelines are be followed by the Active members.

C- The Director of Game Assignments will have the responsibility of coordinating the scheduling officials for all ECHA member teams game, both league and non-league contests.

D- The Director of Recruitment shall have the responsibility of recruiting qualified USA Hockey officials to work within the Association. He/She will submit a list of qualified officials to the Executive Committee no later than June 15th of each year.

Sec. 6 –

The Regional Directors will consist of members serving the local with the follow duties.

a- All Regional Directors will have the responsibilities of enforcing the criteria as set by the ECHA, the Association, and USA Hockey in their local area. In addition, Regional Directors will assist with Supervision of games, Assignment of Officials, Training of Officials, and Recruitment of Officials.

b- The Executive Director and the Administrative Directors will select Regional Director for a term of 1 year.

c- Regional Directors will serve as voting members of the Executive Committee.

d- The demographics of the ECHA will determine how many Regional Directors will be needed.

e- As of March 2004, 5 Regional Directors will be needed in the following regions

1- Maryland Region - Serving Towson University and the US Naval Academy

2- North Pennsylvania Region - Serving The University of Scranton , and Lehigh University

3- Eastern Pennsylvania Region - Serving West Chester University , Rutgers University , Villanova University , and Drexel University .

4- Western Pennsylvania Region - Serving Duquesne University , and The University of West Virginia .

5- Rhode Island Region - Serving The University of Rhode Island

ARTICLE VI: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Sec. 1 –

The Executive Committee shall be composed of the Executive Director, The Administrative Directors, and the Regional Directors.

Sec. 2 –

Each member of the Executive Committee shall be a member in good standing.

Sec. 3 –

The Executive Committee shall determine the policies and activities of the Association, elect and discipline members, set dues and fees, approve the budget, approve all bills, take counsel with committees, and have general management of the organization.

Sec. 4 –

The Executive Committee shall meet at the call of the Executive Director. A Quorum shall be at least six (6) members, including Executive Director at least three (3) Administrative Directors, and at least two (2) Regional Directors.

ARTICLE VII: COMMITTEES

Sec. 1 –

With the advise of the Executive Committee, the President may create committees as deemed necessary for the Association.

Sec. 2 –

Each committee shall be composed of at least five (5) members in good standing.

Sec. 3 –

Each committee shall be responsible to the President and make such reports as the President may direct.

ARTICLE VIII: MEETINGS

Sec. 1 –

This Association shall hold meetings on such days and at such times and places as shall be determined by the Executive Committee, provided three (3) weeks notice in writing shall be given to the members.

Sec. 2 –

The Annual meeting of the Association shall be held at a time and place to be determined by the Executive Committee. The membership of the organization shall be given at least three (3) weeks notice of the date and place of the Annual meeting.

Sec. 3 –

ORDER OF BUSINESS:

A. Call to order

Minutes of previous meeting

Executive Director's Report

Director of Officiating Training's Report

Director of Officials Evaluation's Report

Director of Game Assignment's Report

Regional Director's Report

Report of Committees

Old Business

New Business

K. ECHA Procedures Review

Adjournment

ARTICLE IX: NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF OFFICERS

Sec. 1 –

The Directors that were originally involved with the creation of the Association will serve as the Executive Director and the Administrative Directors for three years. This is to establish that the Association is maintained in agreement with the initial agreement with the ECHA. The Executive Director and the Administrative Directors will appoint the initial Regional Directors. After the third year has expired (May 1, 2025) the Executive Committee will hold a meeting to determine the method of appointing the Executive Director and the Administrative Directors.

Sec. 2 –

At the May 2007 meeting all members of the Executive Committee must be present to determine how the selections of future Executive Directors, Administrative Directors, and Regional Directors will proceed.

ARTICLE X: RULES OF ORDER:

Robert's Rules of Order Revised shall be the parliamentary authority for all matters of procedure not particularly covered herein.

ARTICLE XI: AMENDMENTS:

These By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the Executive Committee present at any regular business meeting or meeting called for that purpose.

ARTICLE XII: SEVERABILITY:

If any provision of these By-Laws is held invalid the remaining portion shall not be affected thereby.

ARTICLE XIII: INDEMNIFICATION: