This corporation is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, and/or scientific purpose under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Notwithstanding any other provision of this document, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501 (c) (3) Of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170 (c) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future tax code.

The Wisconsin Amateur Hockey Association, Inc. an Affiliate Association of USA Hockey, Inc., shall indemnify and hold harmless USA Hockey, the Board of Directors of USA Hockey and each member thereof, the Executive Committee of USA Hockey and each member thereof, the councils and committees of USA Hockey and each member thereof, and all other elected, appointed, employed or volunteer representatives of USA Hockey from any and all claims, liability, judgments, costs, attorneys' fees charges and expenses whatsoever, arising from the acts and omissions of Wisconsin Amateur Hockey Association, Inc., except to the extent (i) that USA Hockey or its aforedescribed representatives caused such claims, liability, judgments, costs, attorneys' fees, charges or expenses by their own intentional neglect or default or (ii) that such acts or omissions were the direct result of compliance with the Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, Rules and Regulations, Playing Rules or decisions of the Board of Directors of USA Hockey. Further, the Wisconsin Amateur Hockey Association, Inc. understands and acknowledges that USA Hockey and its aforedescribed representatives have assumed such assignment, function, office or capacity upon the express understanding, agreement and condition that they be so indemnified and held harmless to the extent described in this bylaw.

USA Hockey shall reasonably cooperate with Affiliate in any litigation and provide reasonable support in connection therewith, including but not limited to advice and testimony upon reasonable request; provided, however that such cooperation shall not require USA Hockey to incur any out of pocket expense not reimbursed by Affiliate.

ARTICLE 5 ­ MEMBERSHIP

All member leagues and teams of the WAHA must be members in good standing with USA Hockey.

Each association shall file with the WAHA secretary a copy of its bylaws, certified by the president and secretary, and a plan, showing the distinct boundaries from which it draws its membership and players.

Individual memberships for interested persons will be issued for $5. They will receive WAHA bulletins, but will not have voting privileges, unless an elected officer or director.

Clubs and associations must be members of the WAHA to be eligible for state tournament competition. The annual membership fee is $105. Officers will be placed on the mailing list to receive WAHA bulletins. President or designated representative shall have voting privileges at the annual meetings.

Each League and Association, who are members of WAHA, shall be entitled to elect one person to represent the League or Association at the annual meeting and have one (1) vote: such person shall have been elected by the Teams of the League or Association he/she represents. Each Association will also be entitled to have one (1) vote for each team registered with WAHA/USA. (NOTE: All voting delegates will register prior to the meeting.)

Voting Privileges at the Annual Meeting
Voter shall be at least 18 years of age, an active member of a WAHA affiliate and properly registered prior to the start of the annual meeting. In addition, when voting for directors he/she must be an active member of the WAHA affiliate whose boundaries lie within themboundaries of the director's district, for which he/she is voting.

NOTE: Properly registered means signing the official voter registration list and getting a voting card at the registration table. Active member means being in attendance at the annual meeting.

Directors ­ Each director is entitled to one vote on all matters at the annual meeting.

ARTICLE 6 - QUORUM

A majority of the Board of Directors present at the meeting shall constitute a quorum at any regular meeting.  

ARTICLE 7 - BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Election of Directors
Each Region will elect their number of directors up for election by caucus at the annual meeting. Directors must live and be voted on by the region in which they serve.

The State of Wisconsin is divided into six (6) regions. Each region shall have a minimum of two (2) directors not from the same county (unless elected at large or appointed by the Board of Directors) elected for a three (3) year staggered term. The three regions with the most registered teams shall have one (1) additional director elected at large. The Board of Directors may appoint additional directors from the state to serve at large. The secretary-treasurer may be a non-voting appointed member.

The following election schedule shall be followed:
 

2008	2009	2010
(1) Region 1	(1) Region 1	(1) Region 2
(1) Region 3	(1) Region 2	(1) Region 2*
(1) Region 4	(1) Region 3	(1) Region 4
(1) Region 5	(1) Region 4	(1) Region 5
(1) Region 5*	(1) Region 6	(1) Region 6
*At large	*At large	*At large

• Presiding at all meetings.
• Performing such duties usual to the office of the President, including have the power to call special meetings of the Association at his discretion and the power to determine questions arising from emergencies not provided for in the Rules, Regulations or Bylaws, until time as they may be acted upon by the Board of Directors.
  
• Attending and representing the Wisconsin Amateur Hockey Association, Inc. at other ice hockey meetings or to appoint a voting member of the Board of Directors to attend in his place.
  

• The 1st Vice-President (Mike Connor) will be in charge of the High School A-B-C tournaments.
  
• The 2nd Vice-President (Gary Wallace) will be in charge of the Peewee tournaments.
  
• The 3rd Vice-President (Bob Normand) will be in charge of the Squirt tournaments.
  
• The 4th Vice-President (Jerry Kennedy) will be in charge of the Bantam tournaments.
  
• The 5th Vice-President (Don Mulder) will be in charge of the Adult and 16U Midget tournaments.
  
• The 6th Vice-President (Al Deming) will be in charge of the Mite tournaments.
  
• The 7th Vice-President (Mary Ann Robinson) will be in charge of the Girls and Women's tournaments.
  

SECRETARY/TREASURER
The secretary-treasurer shall keep the books of WAHA, receive all funds due the association, pay all rightful obligations of the corporation, submit quarterly and annual reports to the Board of Directors, publish the WAHA bulletins, compile the minutes of all WAHA meetings and be the official custodian of the corporation records and verify eligibility of voting members present at WAHA meetings.

Each director and officer shall have one (1) vote in all WAHA decisions.

Each board director who fails to attend two successive meetings without a reason given in writing or verbally to the secretary is automatically dropped from the board. A director who cannot attend a meeting may send a written proxy with another person.

The Board of Directors is empowered to appoint a director to fill any vacancy on the board, with an election to be held at the next annual meeting of the WAHA.

The WAHA Board of Directors shall have the right to decide any appeal when the affiliates authority was delegated by WAHA.

ARTICLE 9 - SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION

1. In accordance with any violation of the Constitution, Bylaws or Regulations of this association, or decisions of the officers of WAHA by any member of this association shall render such member liable to suspension by a two-thirds vote of the WAHA until the next annual meeting or special meetings, and to expulsion at the Board of Directors meeting.
   
   
   1. With respect to suspensions resulting from assaults on game officials from match penalties in violation of Rule 601(g)1 or 601(j)1 (Physical Assault on Game Officials) of USA Hockey's Playing Rules, there shall be immediate suspension from all USA Hockey sanctioned games and practices and a hearing under USA Hockey Bylaw 10.D (Playing Rule violations) by either the governing state association or Affiliate Association, its designated hearing body, or the Junior Council sanctioned league, which shall exercise original jurisdiction in the matter. If the match penalty is affirmed, the player or team official shall be suspended for not less than one calendar year with one calendar year probation thereafter. Suspensions under this paragraph shall be immediately reported to the applicable Affiliate Association(s), and the appropriate District Registrar(s). Any game official assessing said penalty shall file with his/her USA Hockey District Referee-in Chief a written game report within forty-eight (48) hours of the incident. The Referee-in Chief shall immediately investigate the incident and promptly submit a written opinion, together with the game sheets and reports to the suspending authority, indicating whether the incident is applicable under Rule 601(g)1 or 601(j)1 or is more applicable under a different playing rule. A copy of the Referee-in-Chief's written report and opinion shall be sent to the suspending authority to both the player, team official and game official involved. The Registrar may accept a registration subject to the terms of this suspension.
   
   

2. GAME MISCONDUCT ­ Rule 404(b) and (c). A game misconduct penalty involves the suspension of a player or Team Official for the balance of the game, but another player is permitted to immediately replace a player removed. A player or team official incurring a game misconduct penalty shall be suspended for his team's next game (the game already appearing on the schedule of that team at the time of the infraction, except that when such penalty is imposed under Rule 403(b)(Second Major in Game) there shall be a minimum two-game suspension.
   
   (Note) In all cases where a game misconduct penalty is assessed, the incident shall be reported to the proper authorities who shall have full power to impose further suspensions.
   
   Any player (Midget age classification and below, including High School and Adult Women) who incurs five penalties in the same game shall be assessed a game misconduct penalty.
   
   Any Adult player who incurs five penalties in the same game shall be immediately ejected from the game with no further suspension.
   
   Any Head Coach whose team (Midget age classification and below, including High School and Adult Women) receives fifteen or more penalties during one game shall be suspended for the next one game of that team.
   
   ZERO TOLLERANCE FOR VERBAL ABUSE

   In an effort to make Ice Hockey and Inline Hockey more desirable and rewarding experiences for all participants, the USA Hockey Youth, Junior and Adult Councils and the Inline Section have instructed the Officiating Program to adhere to certain points of emphasis relating to sportsmanship. This campaign is designed to require all players, coaches, officials, parents/spectators and team officials and administrators to maintain a sportsmanlike and educational atmosphere before, during and after all USA Hockey sanctioned games. Thus, the following points of emphasis will continued to be emphasized by all On-Ice Referees and Linesmen:
   
   PLAYERS: A penalty (Zero Tolerance) shall be assessed whenever a player:
   

   1. Openly disputes or argues about any decision by an official.
      
      
   2. Uses obscene or vulgar language at anytime, including any swearing, even if it is not directed at any particular person.
      
      
   3. Visually demonstrates any sign of dissatisfaction with an Official's decisions.
   
   Any time that any player persists in any of these actions, additional penalties shall be assessed per the penalty progression established under Rule 601.
   COACHES: A penalty (Zero Tolerance) shall be assessed whenever a coach:
   
   
   1. Openly disputes or argues about any decision by an official.
      
      
   2. Uses obscene or vulgar language at any time, including any swearing, even if it is not directed at a particular person.
      
      
   3. Visually demonstrates any sign of dissatisfaction with an Official’s decision.
      
      
   Any time that a Coach persists in any of these actions, additional penalties shall be assessed per the penalty progression established under Rule 601.
   
   OFFICIALS: Officials are required to conduct themselves in a businesslike, sportsmanlike, impartial and constructive manner at all times. The actions of an official must be above reproach. Actions such as "baiting" or inciting players or coaches are strictly prohibited.
   
   Officials are ambassadors of the game and must always conduct themselves with this responsibility in mind.
   
   PARENTS/SPECTATORS: The game will be stopped by game officials, when the parents/spectators displaying inappropriate and disruptive behavior, interfere with other spectators or the game. Once removed, play will resume. Lost time will not be replaced and violators maybe subject to further disciplinary action by the local governing body. This inappropriate and disruptive behavior shall include:
   
   • Use of obscene or vulgar language in a boisterous manner to anyone at anytime.
     
   • Taunting of players, coaches, officials or other spectators by means of baiting, ridiculing, threat of physical violence or physical violence.
     
   • Throwing of any object in the spectator viewing area, players bench, penalty box, or on ice surface, directed in any manner as to create a safety hazard.

MATCH PENALTY ­ Rule 405(a) and (c). A match penalty involves the suspension of a player or team officials for the balance of the game, and the offender shall be removed from the game immediately. A player or team official incurring a match penalty shall be suspended from participating in any USA Hockey games and practices until his or her case is dealt with by the Proper Authorities (see Glossary). A mandatory hearing by the proper authorities shall be held and a decision made relative to any further disciplinary action within 30 days of the incident. If extenuating circumstances prevent the proper authorities from conducting the mandatory hearing, the player or team official shall be automatically reinstated after 30 days (See USA Hockey Annual Guide, By-Law 10).

ABUSE OF OFFICIALS: Original jurisdiction in any hearing resulting from a Match penalty assessed under Rule 601(g)1 or 601 (j)1 (Physical Assault of Officials) shall reside with the Affiliate Association (See Glossary) [WAHA].

NOTE: A Team Official is defined in the USA Hockey Rule Book Glossary.


3. REPORTING AND HEARING REQUIREMENTS FOR A MATCH PENALTY OR A GAME MISCONDUCT:
   
   
   1. Any game official assessing a Game Misconduct or Match Penalty is required to file with the W.H.O.A. Referee-in-Chief, by an on-line report from the W.H.O.A. website. In addition, for all Match Penalties, the game official must mail a copy of the score sheet, within 24 hours of the incident to the W.H.O.A. Referee-in-Chief. Any Referee who fails to comply with this requirement is subject to suspension under USA Hockey By-Law 10 and WAHA By-Law Article 9.
   2. Within 24 (hours), the Referee-in Chief shall forward the game report and score sheet to the Chairman of the WAHA Discipline Committee. The Chair shall forward a copy of the game report, score sheet and the WHOA reporting form to the Local Affiliate governing the player or team official assessed the penalty. The material will be sent by certified U.S. mail or by e-mail to the Local Affiliate President as listed in the WAHA directory.
      
   3. No hearing by the local governing body is permitted without the paperwork sent from the WAHA Discipline Committee Chairman in the presiding paragraph.
      
   4. A hearing about the incident must be held within 30 days (see USA Hockey Annual Guide By-Law 10). Until the hearing is held and the matter is adjudicated, the player or team official assessed the penalty is prohibited from taking part in any USA Hockey team activities, games or practices.
      
   5. The committee holding the hearing may consist of individuals at the discretion of the local affiliate. No one on the hearing committee may be a team member or team official of the team involved, nor may a relative of the player or team official assessed the penalty serve on the committee.
      
   6. Upon completion of the required hearing, the Local Governing Body President shall promptly notify the WAHA Discipline Committee Chairperson in writing of the determination of the hearing by forwarding the WAHA reporting form by Fax, mail or e-mail.

In order to preserve so far as possible the purity of amateur hockey, any recourse to the courts and jurisdiction by a member or individual before all the rights of the Constitution and Bylaws of this association shall have been exhausted, shall be ungentlemanly conduct within the meaning of the Bylaws and violation thereof, entailing the immediate suspension and disqualification of any such member or individual.

1. Only appeals in writing to the WAHA Board of Directors by affiliate presidents, on affiliate stationery, will be considered. All appeals must be received within 10 days, or the appeal shall not be allowed (except in C below). No appeals will be allowed on rule interpretations. Appeals can only be made after a league game protest regional playoff game protest or as otherwise spelled out in the rules and regulations, and a decision rendered. Appeals should be directed to the president of the WAHA or in his absence, to the WAHA secretary. The WAHA Board will only deal with duly elected officers of an association during any appeal. All decisions of the WAHA shall be final unless overruled by USA Hockey.
   
   
2. Appeals to the WAHA board of directors, which are untimely for the entire board to act upon, will be acted on by the appeals committee with the following makeup: president, secretary-treasurer, referee-in-chief, and the vice-president in charge of the category bringing the appeal.
   
   
3. Protest involving an independent team or individual game must be made in writing within twenty-four (24) hours to the WAHA for arbitration.
   
   
4. Only two representatives of each team shall be permitted to appear before the WAHA.
   
   
5. A sum of $100 shall accompany each appeal or protest. Make check payable to the Wisconsin Amateur Hockey Association. This sum will be refunded if protest is upheld.
   

1. All players, officials, teams and league suspended by USA Hockey shall be automatically suspended by WAHA until such suspension is lifted by USA Hockey.
    
2. No member of WAHA may play any team outlawed by USA Hockey and shall be automatically suspended by WAHA until such suspension is lifted by USA Hockey.
    
3. This organization and no affiliated organization shall discriminate against any person or organization on the bases of race, color, sex or national origin.
    
4. Class AAA teams shall represent Wisconsin in USA Hockey Tier I regional and national tournament. Teams interested in tournament play must indicate their desire by November 1, upon payment of a $700 fee to the secretary of WAHA. This fee will be used to pay entry fee into USA Hockey regional playoffs for Wisconsin's representative. If state playoffs are required, the $700 deposit will be returned to the losers.
    
5. Division 1 through 4 may represent Wisconsin in USA Hockey Tier II regional and national tournaments. If more than one association applies, then there must be a head to head competition in a playoff game, in a neutral location, approved by WAHA, with game expense to be paid by participating teams. Teams interested in tournament play, must indicate their desire by October 1, upon payment of a $700 fee to the secretary of WAHA. This fee will be used to pay the entry fee into USA Hockey regional playoffs for Wisconsin representative. If state playoffs are required, the $700 deposit will be returned to the loser.
    
6. Copies of all correspondence between individual league or teams with officials of USA Hockey shall be sent to the secretary of WAHA.
    
7. All Game Misconducts and Match Penalties assessed during any WAHA/USA Hockey game shall be reported by the game Referee to WAHA/WHOA within 24 hours of the completion of the game.  The game Referee shall file an on-line Game Report through the WHOA website.  Also, the game Referee shall mail a copy of the game score sheet to the WHOA Referee-in-Chief within 24 hours of the completion of the game whenever a Match Penalty is assessed.  Any Referee who fails to comply with this requirement is subject to suspension under USA Hockey By-Law 10 and WAHA By-Law Article 9.
    
8. All teams registered with WAHA/USA Hockey must use only properly registered USA Hockey/WAHA/(WHOA) officials for all their games. Violations of this By-Law are subject to WAHA By-Law Article 9. Any official who officiates a game involving a team not registered with USA Hockey, the National Federation of High Schools, the NCAA, the IIHF or the NHL and its affiliate teams shall be removed from the WAHA State Playoff and State Tournament officials list for a period of three years.
   
9. The official method of refereeing USA Hockey/WAHA games is with one Referee and two Linesmen. However, local associations are authorized to use two Referees for games under their jurisdiction. (The two-referee and one-linesman system is not an approved system by USA Hockey and cannot be used in any USA Hockey/WAHA game without express written permission by the W.H.O.A. Referee-in-Chief.)
    
10. All invitational tournaments must be registered with USA Hockey and WAHA. Fees range from $50 to $100 depending upon kind of teams being invited. Hosting an unsanctioned tournament or violating WAHA and/or USA Hockey tournament rules will be cause for penalties to the hosting association:
     
    1. For the first offense the association will not be allowed to host invitational tournaments at any age level for the balance of the current season and following season.
    2. For the second offense within a three year period, the violating association will not be allowed to host or to participate in invitational and WAHA state tournaments (including playoffs) at any age level for the balance of the current season and the following season.
    3. Penalized associations may not have another affiliate association host tournaments at the penalized association's site.
    4. WAHA affiliate teams participating in unsanctioned tournaments may be suspended from any WAHA activities for the balance of that season and the following season.
        
11. WAHA SCREENING POLICY. It is the policy of WAHA/USA Hockey that it will not authorize or sanction in its programs that it directly controls any volunteer or employee who has routine access to children (anyone under the age of majority) who
    refuses to consent to be screened by USA Hockey before he/she is allowed to have routine access to children in USA Hockey's programs. Further, it is the policy of USA Hockey that it will require the affiliates to adopt this policy as a condition of its affiliation with USA Hockey.
    
    A person may be disqualified and prohibited from serving as an employee or volunteer of USA Hockey if the person has:
     
    1. Been convicted (including crimes the record of which has been expunged and pleas of "no contest") of a crime of child abuse, sexual abuse of a minor, physical abuse, causing a child's death, neglect of a child, murder, manslaughter, felony assault, any assault against a minor, kidnapping, arson, criminal sexual conduct, prostitution related crimes or controlled substance crimes;
    2. Been adjudged liable for civil penalties or damages involving sexual or physical abuse of children;
    3. Been subject to any court order involving any sexual abuse or physical abuse of a minor, including but not limited to domestic order for protection;
    4. Had their parental rights terminated;
    5. A history with another organization (volunteer, employment, etc.) of complaints or sexual or physical abuse of minors;
    6. Resigned, been terminated or been asked to resign from a position, whether paid or unpaid, due to complaint(s) of sexual or physical abuse of minors; or
    7. Has a history of other behavior that indicates they may be a danger to children in USA Hockey.

WAHA SEXUAL ABUSE POLICY. It is the policy of WAHA/USA Hockey that there shall be no sexual abuse of any minor participant involved in any of its sanctioned programs, its Training Camps, Hockey Clinics, Coaches Clinics, Referee Clinics, Regional and National Tournaments or other USA Hockey events by an employee, volunteer, or independent contractor. Sexual abuse of a minor participant occurs when an employee, volunteer or independent contractor touches a minor participant for the purpose of causing the sexual arousal or gratification of either the minor participant or the employee, volunteer or independent contractor. Sexual abuse of a minor participant also occurs when a minor player touches an employee, volunteer or independent contractor for the sexual arousal or sexual gratification of either the minor participant or the employee, volunteer or independent contractor, if the touching occurs at the request or with the consent of the employee, volunteer or independent contractor.

Neither consent of the player to the sexual contact, mistake as to the participant's age, nor the fact that the sexual contact did not take place at a hockey function are defenses to a complaint of sexual abuse.

Upon proof of a violation of this policy, the violator will be permanently banned or suspended from USA Hockey sanctioned programs and/or the programs of its Affiliate Associations. As a convenience to local affiliates, the following website addresses are provided to aid in the screening process:



Sex Offender
www.offender.doc.state.wi.us/public/search/search.jsp


WI Circuit Court Access

www.wcca.wicourts.gov/index.xsl


WAHA PHYSICAL ABUSE POLICY. It is the policy of WAHA/USA Hockey that there shall be no physical abuse of any participant involved in any of its sanctioned programs, its Training Camps, Hockey Clinics, Coaches Clinics, Referee Clinics, Regional and National Tournaments or other USA Hockey events by any employee, volunteer or independent contractor. Physical abuse means physical contact with a participant that intentionally causes the participant to sustain bodily harm or personal injury. Physical abuse also includes physical contact with a participant that intentionally creates a threat of immediate bodily harm or personal injury.

Physical abuse does not include physical contact that is reasonably designed to coach, teach or demonstrate a hockey skill. Permitted physical conduct may include, but is not necessarily limits to, shooting pucks at a goaltender, demonstrating checking and other hockey skills, and communicating with or directing participants, during the course of a game or practice, by touching them in a non-threatening, non-sexual manner.

1. Additions to, or amendments of, these Bylaws may be made only by:
   
   
   1. A motion, in writing on official WAHA agenda submission form sent to the secretary of WAHA before April 1. Motion(s) will be referred to the editor of WAHA booklet for review. All motions to change or amend the Bylaws will be mailed to each WAHA association member by May 1.
   2. The motion will then be referred to the Board of Directors of WAHA, which will consider the motion submitted to it, and take such action as may be appropriate in preparing the motion for action on the floor at the annual meeting.
   3. The motion shall then be presented to the membership at the annual meeting.
   4. Additions to the Bylaws will need a majority vote of the membership present.
   5. A two-thirds majority vote of the membership present will be required to repeal or amend parts of the Bylaws.
   6. The Board of Directors shall have the authority to add or amend the Bylaws should USA Hockey make changes and/or amendments affecting the WAHA.

RULES
AND
REGULATIONS