Purposed changes to the Upper Ottawa Valley Aces “AA” Constitution
Upper Ottawa Valley Aces “AA” Constitution
Effective: April 2026
Table of Contents
- Objective
- Fair Ice
Policy
- Definitions
- Name and
Affiliation
- General
Membership
- Organization
- Authority
of the Executive
- Duties of
the Executive
- Election
of the Executive
- Meetings
- Conflict
of Interest
- Absenteeism
- Revenue
- Expenses
- Constitution Amendments
1. Objective
The objective of the Upper Ottawa Valley
Aces (UOVA) Association is to provide a wholesome hockey experience for
players, parents or guardians, coaches, team officials, and league officials.
Sportsmanship, fair play, good citizenship, friendly competition, enjoyment,
and participation for team members, in accordance with the Fair Ice Policy,
shall be the guiding principles of the Association.
2. Fair Ice Policy
Competitive hockey demands:
●
A high level of commitment to team
success and individual development
●
Excellent communication between
coaches and players
●
A balance between fair playing
time and competitiveness
The basic assumption for all players and
teams is equal sharing of ice time over the course of the season based on
position (defence, goaltender, forward). This principle may be superseded in
limited circumstances, including but not limited to disciplinary measures,
suspensions, or injuries. Coaches may also use ice time as a reasonable
motivational tool.
Coaches are expected to teach all
tactical and situational aspects of the game to all players and provide
reasonable opportunities for players to apply these skills during games
throughout the season. This approach allows for the establishment of specialty
teams and situational play where appropriate. While ice time may vary from game
to game, it should be approximately equal over the course of the season.
Participation in the UOVA Association
implies acceptance of this philosophy.
3. Definitions
●
AGM –
Annual General Meeting
●
SGM –
Special General Meeting
●
UOVA –
Upper Ottawa Valley Aces
●
HEO –
Hockey Eastern Ontario
●
OEMHL
– Ontario East Minor Hockey League
●
UOVMHL
– Upper Ottawa Valley Minor Hockey League
●
RIC –
Referee-in-Chief
●
Resident – An individual residing within the boundaries of HEO District 5
●
CHA –
Canadian Hockey Association
●
NCCP –
National Coaching Certification Program
●
Division – Atom, Peewee, Bantam, Midget
●
Category – AA, A, B, etc.
Gender-Neutral Interpretation Clause:
Throughout this Constitution and associated Rules and
Regulations, words importing one gender include all genders, words importing
the singular include the plural, and words importing the plural include the
singular, where the context so requires.
4. Name and Affiliation
The organization shall be known as the Upper
Ottawa Valley Aces “AA” Association, hereinafter referred to as the UOVA
Association.
The UOVA Association is a member of HEO
District 5 and shall comply with the rules and regulations of Hockey Canada,
HEO, OEMHL, and District 5.
5. General Membership
Membership in the UOVA Association
consists of:
●
Parents or guardians of registered
players in good standing
●
Registered players, coaches,
assistant coaches, managers, and team officials
●
Members of the UOVA Executive
●
Individuals appointed by the
Executive to specific roles
Membership implies acceptance of this
Constitution, Rules and Regulations, and the applicable Code of Conduct.
6. Organization
The governing body of the UOVA
Association is the Membership, as represented at Annual or Special General
Meetings.
The Executive is authorized to conduct
the affairs of the Association between General Meetings and shall manage all
day-to-day operations in accordance with this Constitution and the governing
bodies of Hockey Canada and HEO.
The Executive consists of the following
roles:
●
Chair
●
Vice Chair
●
Secretary
●
Treasurer
●
Registrar
●
Fundraising and Event Coordinator
●
Media Officer
●
Development Officer
●
Risk & Safety Officer
●
Ice Allocator
●
Equipment Manager
●
Coach Mentor
●
Member at Large
●
Eight (8) Association
Representatives
7. Authority of the Executive
The Executive has the authority to:
●
Act on behalf of the Association
●
Suspend members or teams for
breaches of governing documents or conduct detrimental to the Association
●
Appoint officials or committees as
required
●
Maintain accurate records and
provide reports when requested
8. Duties of the Executive
Chair
●
Presides over meetings
●
Ensures Executive accountability
●
Provides financial oversight
●
Votes only to break a tie
●
Represents the Association or
designates a representative
Vice Chair
●
Assumes the duties of the Chair
when required
●
Chairs discipline and appeal
processes
●
Leads competition oversight
Secretary
●
Records and maintains meeting
minutes
●
Manages correspondence and records
Treasurer
●
Oversees all financial records and
reporting
●
Maintains signing authority with
another Executive member
Registrar
●
Oversees registration of all
players and officials
Fundraising and Event Coordinator
●
Oversees all fundraising
activities, including promotional material
●
Oversees special events
Media Officer
●
Maintains the website
●
Uploads documents and videos as
necessary
Development Officer
●
Plans player development
●
Assists coaches in training as
necessatry
Risk and Safety
●
Oversees all Risk and Safety
related matters
●
Takes part in competition
committee in Risk And Safety matters where no conflict exists
Ice Allocator
●
Works with arenas to obtain
practice and game ice
●
Distributes all available ice to
the teams forthwith.
●
Allocates ice in a fair manner
subject to any constraints
●
Ensures any cancellation policy
for each arena is followed to avoid unused ice
●
Reports to Chair and Treasurer the
allocated ice
●
Reports late cancellations that
may be subject to late cancellations immediately to the Chair and Treasurer
Equipment Manager
●
Responsible for ordering and
distributing equipment and clothing to all teams and coaches
Coach Mentor
●
Provides guidance and development
to the coaches.
Member At Large
●
Participates in meetings, provides
input and votes on motions.
8.1 Additional Executive Roles
Each Executive role shall perform its
assigned duties as outlined in the Rules and Regulations and provide monthly
reports to the Association.
8.2
Failure to Execute Duties
Any Executive Member who does not execute
their duties in an acceptable manner can be voted out by the executive. For a member to be voted out a motion has to
be brought forward by an executive member and the motion has to be carried by a
Majority vote.
Any Executive Member who was voted out
cannot be nominated for any Executive position in the following season.
9. Election of the Executive
Elections shall be held at the AGM. Terms
are a minimum of one year. Appointed positions are filled annually by the
Executive. Vacancies shall be filled within sixty (60) days where practicable.
10. Meetings
General Meetings
The AGM shall be held annually between
April 1 and June 15 with at least 30 days’ notice.
Special General Meetings
SGMs may be called by the Chair or by a
majority of the Executive with seven (7) days’ notice.
Quorum
Quorum consists of the Chair or designate
plus four (6) additional Executive members.
11. Conflict of Interest
Executive members must declare any real
or perceived conflict of interest and shall abstain from voting where a
conflict exists.
12. Absenteeism
An Executive member who misses three (3)
consecutive meetings without approved leave may have their position declared
vacant by majority vote.
13. Revenue
Revenue shall consist of Discretionary
Funds and Registration Fees and shall be used to support and develop the UOVA
program.
14. Expenses
Approved expenses incurred while
conducting Association business shall be reimbursed upon submission of receipts
in accordance with established travel and expense guidelines.
15. Constitution Amendments
This Constitution may be amended only at
an AGM or SGM by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of those present and entitled
to vote.
This Constitution is the governing
document of the Upper Ottawa Valley Aces “AA” Association as of April 2026.
Chair – Signature ________________________
Vice Chair – Signature ____________________