Negaunee Hockey League
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NEGAUNEE HOCKEY LEAGUE BYLAWS

​​​​​​​Article I – Organization

The official name of this organization is the Negaunee Hockey League, Inc. and may be referred to as the “Negaunee Hockey League” or the “NHL”.  It is a Michigan non-profit corporation based out of the Negaunee Ice Arena in Negaunee, Michigan.

 

Article II – Mission

The Negaunee Hockey League is an adult recreational hockey league with the primary purpose of providing a fun, competitive and safe environment for participants to compete in organized games.  Other objectives include building camaraderie and friendships amongst the players and providing an enjoyable way to get exercise.

 

Article III – League Participation

The NHL is open to all adults 18 years and older as of the first scheduled game of each season. 

  1. Registration information is distributed to all individuals who played during the previous season (typically via US Mail) and posted publicly (typically on social media).
  2. To be eligible, players must be current on all fees owed to the NHL. The registration fee for each season will be determined annually by the Board.
  3. Individuals who played in the prior season and are in good financial and disciplinary standing with the NHL will be placed in a draft pool and rostered for the upcoming season. 

a. A waiting list will be kept for those not rostered.  If a rostered player drops out prior to or during the season, players from the waiting list will be asked to join as deemed necessary by the Board.

  1. Using the draft pool, the Board will conduct a draft to roster teams at the beginning of each season with the intent of creating competitive, balanced teams.

 

Article IV – League Board

The NHL is governed by a League Board consisting of up to thirteen members – four Officers and the remainder Trustees. All must be current League players, or former League players with five or more years playing experience in the Negaunee Hockey League. Exceptions may be made for injury/illness with intent to return to League play.

  1. All positions will be elected to serve one-year terms by the current sitting Board each April. Terms coincide with the League year which runs from May 1st to April 30th.
  2. Nominations need to be presented to the Board before the annual election. The Board reserves the right to reject any nomination, if by unanimous vote amongst the current sitting members, they deem the nomination is not in the best interest of the NHL.
    1. Nominees for Trustee positions shall have played in the Negaunee Hockey League for two seasons prior to nomination, or be former League players with five or more years playing experience. 
    2. Nominees for Officer positions shall have served as a Trustee for a minimum of one year prior to nomination.
  3. Sitting Board members will be the only voters to participate in the annual election (signed absentee ballots will be accepted if received on time for the election). 
  4. The following Officers will be elected annually:
    1. President
      1. Presides over all Board meetings.
      2. Shall have the power to call special meetings of the Board.
      3. Shall interpret rules and make decisions on questions arising from emergencies not provided for in the Bylaws. Any such interpretations shall be brought to the attention of the Board at its next meeting. At that meeting, the interpretation shall be discussed, modified, approved or rejected by a majority of the Board. 
      4. Shall run the NHL elections at the April meeting. 
      5. Shall make arrangements and agendas for the Board meetings and notify the Board members of meetings and other important matters. 
      6. In the absence of the Treasurer, shall have the right to sign or endorse checks payable by or payable to the NHL.  
    2. Vice President
      1. In the absence of the President, shall have all the powers and duties of the President.
      2. Will oversee player disciplinary action.
      3. Shall perform special assignments deemed necessary by the President and/or the Board. 
    3. Treasurer 
      1. Shall receive all funds due to the NHL for deposit in a bank.
      2. Shall pay all rightful obligations of the NHL. iii.     Shall sign or endorse checks payable by or payable to the NHL. 
      1. Shall present a budget for the upcoming year to the Board prior to the beginning of the season. 
      2. Shall render a financial account at the end of each League year and at any other time requested by the Board.
    2. Secretary
      1. Shall keep minutes of the meetings of the Board.  
      2. Shall prepare and distribute the minutes to the Board members.

 

  1. All other elected Board members will be Trustees.
    1. May serve as the head of a committee.
    2. Attend meetings, where they can make motions, discuss and vote on Board matters.
    3. May be elected to serve in a more advanced role on the Board.
  2. The four Officers will have their registration fees waived.
  3. The Board will operate according to the adopted Bylaws of the NHL. To modify the NHL Bylaws, an 80% majority vote of the current sitting Board must approve the changes. 
  4. Each playing season, the Board will review its policies and rules for the League players. Once approved, these policies and rules will be communicated to all current players as quickly and efficiently as possible.
  5. Board members will serve as captains of their respective teams. Each team will have at least one Board member on their roster. 

 

Article V – Meetings

Roberts Rules of Order will be used to conduct Board meetings. Due to timing issues involved with the conducting of meetings, any two Officers, or a Board majority may act together to operate, approve expenditures, and assure timely continued operations. These actions will then be reviewed and approved or modified at the next Board meeting. 

All Board meetings shall be open to the League participants as defined Article II.  Regular meetings of the Board will be held at a time and place as determined by the Board.

A simple majority of the Board shall constitute a quorum.

The Board's goal is to make decisions in the best interest of current and future League members.  Topics of discussion will be approved and added to the agenda prior to the meeting.  Topics may be added to the agenda via email no later than noon the day prior to the meeting.

Any problems or suggestions can be brought before the Board or a Board Committee for consideration by any player or Board member. The Board reserves the right to change its rules and policies as needed, pending notification of all currently rostered players. Decisions made by the Board are final.

 

Article VI – Amendments or Modifications to Governing Documents

The League Board shall have control and management of the property and affairs of the Negaunee Hockey League.  No Board member shall contract for or incur any debt or enter into any agreement or obligate the NHL in any way without the approval of the Board.

 

Article VII – Non-Discrimination

The Negaunee Hockey League shall not deny participation or discriminate against any player or potential player based on race, religion, color, age, national origin or sex.

 

Article VIII - Dissolution

 

If for any reason the NHL is to cease operations or dissolve, after all outstanding financial obligations are settled, any remaining funds and assets (jerseys, equipment etc.) will be donated in full to the Iron Range Hockey Association.

 

Article IX – Indemnification of Officers and Trustees

The Negaunee Hockey League officers and trustees shall be indemnified to the fullest extent provided by law for actions taken in service to the organization, except for any action determined by the Board to have been taken in bad faith. 

 

In any suit or legal action, the Board shall have the authority to advance legal fees and other costs incurred by an indemnitee.  If any such suit or action results in a determination of bad faith, indemnitee shall reimburse the Negaunee Hockey League for any advanced fees and costs.


Article X – Date of Bylaw Adoption and Amendment

These bylaws were adopted on December 12, 2024 and last amended and approved by the Board on December 12, 2024.