BY-LAWS
OF
THE SPARTANS HOCKEY CLUB
A NOT-FOR-PROFIT CORPORATION
Accepted and Approved by the Board of Directors on September 16, 2013
Updated and Approved by the Board of Directors on February 17, 2020
Updated and Approved by the Board of Directors on February 15, 2022
Updated and Approved by the Board of Directors on March 19, 2024
ARTICLE I - NAME
The name of this organization shall be SPARTANS HOCKEY CLUB (hereinafter
referred to as the SHC).
ARTICLE II - AFFILIATIONS
The SHC shall be affiliated with USA Hockey (referred to as USAH), The
Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois (referred to as AHAI) and the Illinois High School Hockey League, specifically IHSHL West Division.
ARTICLE III - PURPOSE
The purposes for which the Spartans Hockey Club is organized are:
1. The purpose of the SHC is to promote, train, teach, and develop the sport of organized ice hockey at the amateur level for all members and to encourage and assist in the development and growth of high school hockey.
2. To develop the physical, mental, and social well-being of the youth who participate in our program.
3. To associate and cooperate with other ice hockey associations desirous of developing and strengthening the sport of ice hockey at the high school level.
4. To affiliate with USA Hockey and the Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois or their respective successors.
ARTICLE IV - MEMBERSHIP
Membership is open to any high school student enrolled- full time per AHAI guidelines- at LEMONT HIGH SCHOOL, LOCKPORT HIGH SCHOOL, BOLINGBROOK HIGH SCHOOL, AND ROMEOVILLE HIGH SCHOOL. Team rosters, eligibility requirements, and team levels will be governed by already existing USAH, AHAI and league regulations. A copy of the by-laws will be made available to all members at the time of registration or shortly thereafter.
ARTICLE V - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Section 1. General Powers. The affairs of the Club shall be managed by its Board of Directors. The members of the Board of Directors (the “Directors”) may also be designated trustees.
Section 2. Terms of Membership. Membership shall be open to all who have a child currently playing on a Spartans Hockey Team, the only exception to this rule being Past President. However, a one-year at large extension can also be granted to any board position if a candidate cannot be found or approved for the upcoming season. The Board of Directors will consist of not less than four (4) members or more than nine (9) who will be approved by a majority vote of the existing board. Coaches will not be eligible to hold voting positions on the SHC board. Each member shall hold office until his or her successor has been elected and approved or until his/her resignation. The participating schools in accordance with AHAI, must have a representative listed for each high school. (Represenatives are not required to hold board positions.)
Section 3. Annual Meeting. The annual meetings of the Directors shall be held in conjunction with the annual awards banquet for the purpose of installing new officers to the board. Position vacancies will be open to all parents of returning players.
Section 4. Meetings. The SHC shall hold meetings for the Board of Directors throughout the year, these meetings will have both a closed session and an open session. At all meetings of the Board of Directors, a simple majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum. Each regular member shall be entitled to one vote on each matter submitted to a vote of the members. Any single position held by two members (e.g. Tournament Coordinator) will only carry one vote total. Any multi-person position (e.g. Rules & Ethics) will carry one vote per person. Copies of the minutes of all meetings shall be made available on the team website. At all meetings of the Board of Directors, voting shall be by a show of hands (or by voice vote) unless the participating members decide upon a ballot. A decision at a meeting shall be made by the majority of the votes cast.
Section 5. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by or at the request of the president or any Director. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Directors may name any place, either within or without the State of Illinois, as the place for holding any special meeting of the Board of Directors called by them.
Section 6. Quorum. A majority of the Directors then in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Directors.
Section 7. Vacancies. The Board of Directors shall fill any vacancy occurring in the
Board of Directors. Current board members will be given the opportunity to fill the vacated spot, followed by an open post to parents of current players.
Section 8. Informal Action. Any action required to be taken by the Board of Directors outside of a monthly meeting may be taken without a meeting if a consent in writing, setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by all of the Directors entitled to vote with respect to the subject matter thereof. Such consents may be given in writing on and/or by email, facsimiles, copies or other reproduction or counterpart of the resolution stating the action to which consent is given.
Section 9. Resignation and Removal. A Director may resign at any time upon written notice to the President, the Secretary, or the Board of Directors; provided, however, if such a resignation would cause the number of Directors to be less than four, such resignation shall be effective until a successor Director is elected by the Board of Directors. A Director may be removed by the majority of Directors at a meeting in respect of which adequate notice given with cause as specified by statute or these Bylaws. “Cause” shall include, but not be limited to, (a) three (3) consecutive unexcused absences from meetings of the Board of Directors, (b) the degradation or defamation of the SHC, ( c) intentional or malicious interference in the activities or programs of the Club, and (d) the failure to abide by resolutions of the Board of Directors.
Section 10. Compensation. Directors shall serve without compensation.
ARTICLE VI - OFFICERS
Section 1. Officers. The officers of the SHC may be a president, a secretary, a treasurer, a registrar and other such officers as may be elected in accordance with the provisions of Article V. The Board of Directors may elect or appoint such other officers, including one or more vice presidents and assistant secretaries and one or more assistant treasurers, as it shall deem desirable, such officers to have the authority and perform the duties prescribed, from time to time, by the Board of Directors. No individual shall serve more than three (3) full, consecutive, one-year terms in the offices of president or vice president unless the Board of Directors shall deem it desirable.
Section 2. Election and Term. The officers of the Corporation shall be approved annually by the Board of Directors. Each member of the Board of Directors shall serve a two year term but are eligible for re-election. Nominations shall be held in February and elections shall be held at the March board meeting following nominations or whatever date the Board deems reasonable so to provide for a smooth transition of board members and officers. If more than one person seeks the same position, a vote would go to the returning membership (i.e. parents of Seniors would not vote). In the event of a tie, the current Board, excluding any candidates, would vote to break that tie.
Section 3. Removal. The president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, or registrar may be removed from office as specified in Article V, section 9.
Section 4. Vacancies. A vacancy in any office because of death, resignation, removal, disqualification or otherwise may be filled by the Board of Directors for the unexpired portion of the term.
Section 5. President. The duties and powers of the president shall be as follows:
- Be the principal executive officer of the corporation
- Preside over all Board meetings
- Act as liaison between Club and AHAI and IHSHL
- Negotiate ice contract for the up and coming season
- Appear before AHAI, IHSHL review boards as needed
- Prepare coaching contracts, interview and hire director(s) as needed
- Make sure members attend clinics and are screened as needed
- Schedule games (may delegate to team managers)
- Ensure USA Hockey, AHAI, IHSHL, and Club rules are enforced
- Attend games and tournaments
- Work with the Club Treasurer to ensure Club is financially sound
Section 6. Past President. One-year term, non-voting Board member. This position is advisory in nature and allows the out-going President to remain on the board in an effort to provide a cohesive transition between the departing and incoming Board members. The Past President will be available to clarify previous motions, offer background/history, and assist the new President whenever necessary.
Section 7. Vice President. The vice president will assist the president in all capacities listed above and, in the absence of the president or in the event of his or her inability to act, the vice president shall perform the duties of the president.
Section 8. Registrar. The registrar completes all AHAI, USA Hockey, IHSHL applications for the Club as needed before cut-off dates. Is in charge of all media exposure (or designee) and maintaining a favorable image for the Club. They may also be tasked with writing material for media releases, plan and direct public relations programs, and raise funds for the Club.
- Attend AHAI Registrar meeting
- Ensure all players are registered with USA Hockey
- Ensure all players have USA Hockey Insurance
- Obtain tournament and travel permits as needed
- Keep records of the names and contact information of all persons playing on teams developed by the corporation
- Help out at club events and committees, as needed
- Tournament Registration
- Updates the Club website on a regular basis (Updating team calendars, inputting game stats, uploading photos)
- Promotes Club activities and accomplishments (team and individual) via social media (can be designee) and the website.
Section 9. Treasurer. The treasurer ensures the safety and welfare of the Club’s financial interests.
- Handle all financial statements, including tax preparation, for the Club and its members
- Pay Club bills and deposit club funds
- Collect fees and send out past due notices when needed
- Prepare and give financial reports at Board meetings
- Work with the President and Vice President to set season fees
- Manage fundraising profits and *coordinate uniform fittings. *(may delagagte)
- Help out at club events and committees, as needed
Section 10. Secretary. The secretary records the minutes at the Board meetings
- Provides an accurate written record of the Board of Directors meetings to be published on the Club's web site.
- Ensures that the actions of the organization are in accordance with the Club's by-laws.
- Keeps records and non-financial legal documents (by-laws, articles of incorporation, minutes of historical meetings, official letters, etc.)
- Help out at club events and committees, as needed
Section 11. Rules and Ethics. The rules and ethics members ensure all USA Hockey, AHAI, IHSHL, and Club rules are followed.
- Attend games and tournaments
- Recommend appropriate disciplinary measures, such as suspension, as needed
- Appear before AHAI or IHSHL review boards as needed
- Work with coaches to ensure all USA Hockey, AHAI, IHSHL, and Club rules are followed
- Help out at club events and committees, as needed
Section 12. Webmaster/Social Media. The Webmaster/Social Media officer is in charge of all media exposure, and maintaining a favorable public image for the Club. They may also be tasked with writing material for media releases, plan and direct public relations programs, and raise funds for the Club.
- Updates the Club website on a regular basis (updating team calendars, inputting game stats, taking and uploading photos)
- Promotes Club activities and accomplishments (team and individual) via social media and the website. (may be by committee)
- Help out at club events and committees, as needed
Section 13 Special Events Coordinator (non-voting position) The Special Events Coordinator helps schedule, plan, and execute major club events.
- Organizes charitable events and volunteer opportunities.
ARTICLE XII - PLAYER ELIGIBILITY
- Player eligibility is to be governed by the applicable rules of the Spartans Hockey Club (SHC), the Illinois High School Hockey League (IHSHL), Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois (AHAI), USA Hockey (USAH), and SafeSport.
- Each player must attend either Lemont High School, Lockport High School, Bolingbrook High School, or Romeoville High School
ARTICLE XIII - COACH ELIGIBILITY
All coaches and assistant coaches hired by the SHC must fulfill all eligibility requirements of the Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois (AHAI), USA Hockey (USAH), and SafeSport.
ARTICLE XIV - AMENDMENTS TO BYLAWS
These Bylaws may be altered, amended or repealed and new Bylaws may be adopted by a majority of the Directors present at any meeting, providing that at least four (4) days; written notice is given of the intention to alter, amend or repeal or to adopt new Bylaws at such meeting. Bylaws shall be updated and approved every two (2) years.
Original bylaws amended January 24, 2018.
Revised/Approved Date_March 19th 2024 _______________________
President, Spartans Hockey Club (SHC) ____Karl Hamann____________
Vice President, Spartans Hockey Club (SHC) ___Joe DiGangi___________
Secretary, Spartans Hockey Club (SHC) ___Kelly Crisp_____________
