LAHBA Bylaws

LAKESHORE AREA HOCKEY BOOSTER ASSOCIATION BYLAWS

Revised October 2025

ARTICLE l: NAME

Section 1.1 Name

The name of the organization is Lakeshore Area Hockey Booster Association, hereinafter

referred to as the "Booster Association' and it shall be operated as a not for profit corporation"

ARTICLE ll: PURPOSES

Section 2.1 Purposes

The purposes for which the Booster Association is formed are as follows:

a) To encourage the playing of ice hockey by the students of Manistee County, Mason

County, Oceana County and surrounding areas.

b) To provide students of Manistee, Ludington, Mason County Central, Hart, Manistee Catholic

Central, Shelby, Pentwater, and Mason County Eastern schools the opportunity to play ice hockey under the the Michigan High School Athletic Association (MHSAA)

c) To provide funds necessary to play ice hockey under the Michigan High School Athletic

Association and West Michigan JV Prep Hockey League.

d) To own and manage assets consisting of personal property and funds in furtherance of Booster purposes.

e) To assist Host School Athletic Director in processes necessary to sponsor a varsity ice

hockey team.

f) Said Booster Association is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational,

and scientific purposes, including. for such purposes, the making of distributions to

Organizations that qualify as exempt *organizations under section 501{c}tg} of the internal

Revenue Code, or corresponding sections of any future federal tax code. No part of the net

earnings of the Booster Association shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributed to its

members, trustees, officers. or other private persons, except that the Booster Association shall

be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to

make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the purpose clause

thereof. No substantial part of the activities of the Booster Association shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the Booster Association

shall not participate in, or intervene in (includi.ng the publishing or distribution of statements)

any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. notwithstanding

any other provision of this document. the Booster Association shall not any 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)(Z) of the Internal Revenue code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

ARTICLE lIl: Members

Section 3.1 Active Membership

An active member is any individual who is listed in the records of the student's school of attendance as a parent, stepparent, foster parent, guardian, or custodian of the child participating in ice hockey practices or competitions.

Section 3.2 Sustaining Membership

A sustaining member is any individual or business invited by the Booster Association ln be a

member.

Section 3.3 Term of Membership

The term of membership of an active member shall commence on the date on which all current

membership fees in the Booster Association have been paid, and shall continue until the

commencement of the next year's fees are due, except as provided in Sections 3.4 and 3.6.

Sustaining Members shall have no specific term of membership but shall obtain membership at

the pleasure of the Cooperating Districts' Board and Board of trustees of the Boosters

Association.

Section 3.4 Suspension of Active Membership

Nonpayment when due of any Booster Association registration fee, participant fee or other

assessment by or on behalf of any participant child shall automatically and immediately suspend

his or her parents, step-parents, foster parents, guardians and custodians from active

membership. Such suspension shall remain in effect until payment has been made of the full

amount due and owing.

Section 3.5 Consequences of Non-payment

No player shall participate in Booster Association sponsored games, but CAN participate in practice if his or her fees or other assessments remain unpaid beyond their due date, except as provided in Section 3.6.

Section 3.6 Hardship Cases

A child whose fees, charges and assessments are not fully paid when due may continue to participate in Booster sponsored instruction or competition if, and only if, the LAHBA Board are satisfied that the nonpayment occurred as a consequence of circumstances meriting special consideration as a hardship case. A child's participation as a hardship case shall continue for so long and on such terms as the

LAHBA Board, if applicable, shall determine.

Section 3.7 Termination of Active Membership

An active member may be terminated from membership in the Association at the discretion of

the Cooperative District's superintendent or by 2/3 majority of the Board of Trustees whenever,

in the judgment of the Board of Trustees, that behavior becomes detrimental to the Booster

Association that would be served thereby. No person terminated from membership in the

Booster Association shall be entitled to any refund or pro-ration of any previously paid fee,

charges or assessments.

ARTICLE IV: MEETINGS OF MEMBERSHIP

Section 4.1

All meetings are open to the membership.

Section 4.2 Annual Meeting

An Annual Meeting of the members shall be held each year for the purpose of election of the Booster Association President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary or School Representatives. The annual meeting shall take place no later than April 30th at 7pm each year.

Section 4.3 Special Meetings

Special meetings of the members may be called by the Booster Association Board of Trustees. A special meeting of the members must be called by the President upon receipt by him or her of petitions for a special meeting bearing the signatures of not less than thirty-three percent (33%) of the active membership. Such petitions must, when circulated, set forth fully all matters which the petitioners propose to put before the members of the special meetings.

Section 4.4 Regular Meetings

The Booster Association shall meet according to the schedule set at the annual meeting as described in Section 5.3.

Section 4.5 Location of Meetings

The Booster Association Board of Trustees may designate any place as the place of any annual, special or regular meetings of the members.

Section 4.6 Notice of Meetings

Written notice of place, date and hour of any annual or special meetings of the members shall be delivered either personally, by mail or email to each member of record. Notice must be delivered not less than ten days prior to the date of the meeting. In the case of a special meeting, the purpose of the meeting shall be stated in the notice.

Section 4.7 Voting

All endorsement and/or resolutions which indicate the support of this Booster Association must receive a 2/3 vote of the active membership present and voting at the time of the motion, except as otherwise provided in these by-laws.

Section 4.8 Voting Power

Each active member is entitled to one vote on any matter submitted to a vote of the membership of the Booster Association. Sustaining members and active members under suspension may not vote. For purposes of voting eligibility, the register of active members shall be fixed seven days in advance of the annual meeting or any special meetings of the members.

ARTICLE V: BOARD OF TRUSTEES

Section 5.1 General Powers

The Booster Association Board shall manage the affairs of the Booster Association. This Board will serve to address issues of importance to the entire Booster Association. This Board will be charged with, but not limited to, coordination and compliance with Michigan High School Athletic Association guidelines and WMJV Prep Hockey League, establishing fees and registration rates, coordinating funds raising efforts, procuring ice time, recommendation of coaching staff and roster numbers, and following limits and eligibility requirements of the student’s school of attendance.

Section 5.2 Composition

The President, Vice President, Treasurer and Secretary and elected Booster Association members shall be members of the Board of Trustees. District Representatives are welcome but not required to attend.

Section 5.3 Regular Meetings

At the annual meeting, the Board shall designate dates, times and locations for regular meetings. The Secretary may not change the date, time and place of meetings unless fifteen (15) days written notice has been given to each Board Trustee and emailed to each active member. Notice may be by mail or email. Meetings are open to the general membership.

Section 5.4 Special Meetings

Special meetings of the Board of Trustee may be called by the President or by a majority of officers or by the District superintendent. The person or persons authorized to call special meetings of the Board of Trustees may fix any place for holding any special meeting the Board of Trustee called by them.

SECTION 5.5 Quorum

A majority of the members in office shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at any meeting of the Board of Trustees. Withdrawal of members from any meeting of the Board of Trustees shall not cause failure of a duly constituted quorum at that meeting. Except as otherwise provided, no business may be transacted at any meeting of the Board of Trustee at which quorum is not present.

SECTION 5.6 Voting Powers

Each elected member is entitled to one on any matter submitted to a vote of the Board of trustees of the Booster Association.

SECTION 5.7 Vote Required for Action

The act of the majority of the Trustees present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Trustees, unless the act of a greater number is required by these by-laws.

SECTION 5.8 Participation of Members at Large

Before adjournment of each meeting of the Board of Trustees, members at large may comment regarding the affairs of the Booster Association. Each person offering a comment shall be limited to three (3) minutes. Priority will be given to active members submitting their names and topics in advance of the meeting to the president or LAHBA email. The LAHBA Board has the right to not respond to the issue presented at the meeting but research the topic and address it at the next board meeting prior to making a vote.

ARTICLE VI: TRUSTEES AND ELECTIONS

Section 6.1 Titles

The elected trustees of the Booster Association shall be:

A. President

B. Vice President

C. Treasurer

D. Secretary

Appointed trustees shall be one (1) school representative from each cooperating school district and four (4) JV representatives.

SECTION 6.2 Qualifications

Trustees shall be active or sustaining members of the Booster Association at least eighteen (18) years of age on the date the election or appointment is made. Active members under suspension are disqualified from seeking or holding office.

SECTION 6.3 Terms of Office

Each trustee’s term of office shall begin as of his or her election.Each elected officer shall hold office for a two year term or until death, or until he or she shall resign or shall have been removed in the manner hereinafter provided.

SECTION 6.4 Election Process

The elected officers of the Booster Association shall be elected annually by the active members at the annual meeting. In an even year election, the offices of Vice president and Treasurer shall be elected. In an odd year election, the offices of President and Secretary shall be elected. A nominee for office must be a member of the Booster Association. The annual meeting shall take place no later than April 30th.

b. Nominations shall be taken from the floor. Each nominee shall be allowed a five (5) minute presentation. In the event of three (3) or more candidates for an office, sequential ballots shall be conducted with the candidates with the lowest vote total being eliminated from the succeeding ballot until the field is reduced to two (2) candidates on the final ballot.

c. Candidates receiving the majority of votes shall be elected.

d. The President shall fill all vacancies on the Board of trustees by appointment, subject to the approval of the Board of Trustees.

SECTION 6.5 President

a. The President shall be the principal trustee of the Booster Association and will preside over general membership and board meetings.

b. Subject to the direction and control of the Board of trustees and participating school boards, he or she shall be in charge of the business and affairs of the Booster Association.

c. Work closely with officers and members on all projects.

d. Coordinate and work closely with the school districts, coach, students and Booster Association to maintain harmony and good relationships.

e. Appoint committees as necessary.

SECTION 6.6 Vice President

Fulfill the duties of the President in his or her absence.

b. Assist the President of the Board in the discharge of his or her duties as the President.

c. The Vice President shall perform such duties that are assigned to him or her by the president or Board of trustees.

d. Work harmoniously with the Booster Association, individual members, students and committees.

e. Keep records of all committee chairpersons.

f. Report to the Board of Trustees on each committee monthly if the committee chairperson is unable to report.

SECTION 6.7 Treasurer

The Treasurer shall be the principal accounting and financial officer of the Booster Association. He or she shall:

Have charge of and be responsible for the maintenance of adequate books of accounts for the Booster Association.

b. Have charge and partial custody of funds, and be responsible therefore, and for the receipts and disbursement according to the budget.

c. Bill and collect active membership fees from all Booster Association members.

d. Bill and collect a pay to participate fee from students that are selected for each team.

e. Obtain bank card signatures

f. Arrange for duplicate copies of all financial statements generated by the Treasurer and/or Financial Institution where funds are deposited at the board's request.

g. Coordinate a budget with each team and provide record budget status to the Board. A budget is to be established in writing no later than September 1st of each year and to provide a copy to each board member and active member if requested. The budget shall include all items of projected revenue and expenditures for the upcoming varsity ice hockey season..

h. Obtain signatures from designated co-signers for all disbursements as described in Section 8.2.

i. Perform all the duties incident to the office of the Treasurer and such other duties as from time to time may be assigned by the President or by the Board of Trustees. The Treasurer may be bonded for the faithful discharge of his or her duties in such sum and with the surety or sureties as the Board of Trustees shall determine.

j. The Treasurer will keep individual accounts for each player. At the end of each hockey season if there is sponsorship or fundraising money left on a players account the money will be applied the following season to that players account. If for any reason the player chooses to not play the upcoming hockey season the money will be added to the general LAHBA account. The players not eligible to play varsity hockey their money will be held until the end of their first eligible year. (this is for bantam players choosing to do fundraising and sponsorship activities)

k. Any sponsorship money in your player's account the player's senior year that isn’t used for player fees will stay with LAHBA.

l. If all the money in your players account was from your personal payments it will be refunded after that season.

SECTION 6.8 Secretary

Accurately record the minutes of the meetings of the member and Board of Trustees.

b. Provide a copy of meeting minutes to the Board of Trustees and general membership at subsequent meetings.

c. Receive all correspondence and handle accordingly

d. Insure all notices are duly given in accordance with the provision of these by-laws

e. Be custodian of the Booster Association records and maintain history of the Booster Association.

f. Keep a register of names and post office address of each member.

SECTION 6.9 HOST SCHOOL ATHLETIC DIRECTOR

The Host School Athletic Director shall perform all duties necessary to meet the Michigan High School Athletic Association Cooperative Program regulations including filing team applications. The Host School Athletic Director may assign duties from time to time to another trustee that may be necessary to carry out his or her responsibilities.

SECTION 6.10 Cooperating School Representative and JV Representative

Each participating school shall have one school representative appointed to the Board of Trustees to act as liaison to their school administration, school board, and student body. There shall be four JV representatives to act as liaison to the JV coaching staff, team manager, and parents of the team.

The representatives shall:

Serve on the Board of Trustees.

b. Perform all duties as assigned by the President.

SECTION 6.11 VACANCIES

A vacancy in the office of the President shall be filled by the Vice President. Any other vacancy occurring in an elected office shall be filled by the Board of Trustees from among active members as quickly as practicable. Any person obtaining office under this section shall serve for the expired term of his or her predecessor in office.

SECTION 6.12 REMOVAL

Any officer or trustee (except Host School Athletic Director) may be removed from office upon missing three consecutive meetings. The removal action must be placed on the agenda at least (15) fifteen days prior to the next meeting and the person in question notified at the same time.

b. Any officer or trustee (except Host School Athletic Director) can be removed from the office for failure to fulfill duties of said office or conduct detrimental to the best interest of this Booster Association. The removal action must be placed on the agenda at least fifteen (15) days prior to the next meeting and the person in question notified at the same time. Said removal shall be ⅔ majority vote by the Board of Trustees.

c. An elected officer or trustee (except Host School Athletic Director) may also be removed from office if at least eighty percent (80%) of the general membership vote for such removal at a special meeting called for that purpose.

SECTION 6.13 COMPENSATION

The Board of Trustees (except the Host School Athletic Director) shall not receive any stated salaries for their services, nor shall they receive any sums or expenses for attending Board Association meetings. However, it is provided that nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any board member from serving the Booster Association in any other capacity and receiving reasonable compensation therefore.

ARTICLE VII: COMMITTEES

SECTION 7.1

Standing and special committee chairpersons shall be appointed by the President subject to approval of the Executive Board. The standing committees are:

Fund raising

b. Publicly

c. Home Games/Hospitality/Game Programs

SECTION 7.2

Members of the standing and special committees shall be appointed by the Committee Chairpersons.

SECTION 7.3

The President and Vice President shall be ex-officio members of all committees.

ARTICLE VII: CONTRACTS, DEPOSITS AND FUNDS

SECTION 8.1 Contracts

The Board of Trustees may authorize any trustee or agent of the Booster Association to enter into any contract or to execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and behalf of the Booster Association and such authority may be general or confined to specific instances.

SECTION 8.2 Checks, Drafts, Etc.

All checks, drafts or other orders for the payment of money, notes or other evidence of indebtedness issued in the name of the Booster Association shall be signed by such trustee or trustees, agent or agents of the Booster Association and in such manner as shall from time to time to determine by resolution of the Board of Trustees. In the absence of such determination by the Board of Trustees, such instruments shall be signed by the Treasurer/Vice President/designated JV representative and countersigned by the President of the Booster Association.

SECTIONS 8.3 DEPOSIT

All funds of the Booster Association shall be deposited as soon as practical to the account of the Booster Association in such federally insured banks, trust companies, or other depositories as the Board of trustees may select.

SECTION 8.4 GIFTS AND CONTRIBUTIONS

The Board of Trustees may accept any contribution or gift to the Booster Association for the general purposes or for any special purpose of the Booster Association.

SECTION 8.5 FINANCIAL AUDIT

The Board of trustees may order a financial review or audit of the financial books of the booster Association at its discretion.

ARTICLE IX: BOOKS AND RECORDS

SECTION 9.1 MINUTES AND FINANCIAL RECORDS

The Booster Association shall keep correct and complete books and records of account and shall also keep minutes of the proceedings of its members and of the Board of Trustees and of any committee. All books and records of the Booster Association may be inspected by any member for any proper purpose at any reasonable time.

SECTION 9.2 MEMBERSHIP REGISTER

The Secretary shall keep a current register giving the names and addresses of the active members eligible to vote. A like register shall be kept for members under suspension. Such a register shall be made available to active members for inspection and copying at a time and place designated by the Secretary within (10) ten business days of receipt by a Booster Association Trustee.

ARTICLE X: FISCAL YEAR

SECTION 10.1

The fiscal year of the Booster Association shall be from May 1 through April 30.

ARTICLE XI: AMENDMENTS

SECTION 11.1 POWER

The Power to alter, amend or repeal the by-laws of the Booster Association shall be vested exclusively by the active members of the Booster Association.

SECTION 11.2 PROCEDURE

Any alteration, amendment or repeal of the by-laws or the adoption of new by-laws shall require a ⅔ vote of the members present at the regular meeting, annual meeting or any special meeting of the membership called by the Board of Trustees provided written notice/posting of the proposed action (for a minimum of 15 days) including copy of the exact motion or by-laws change to the voted upon, has been presented at a regular meeting.

SECTION 11.3 NOTICE

Notice of any special meeting required by Section 11.2 shall be as provided in Section 4.3. A complete copy of the existing by-laws and a complete copy of the by-laws proposed shall be included with the notice of meeting of the members as required by Section 11-.2

ARTICLE XII: RULES OF ORDER

SECTION 12.1

Meetings of the Board of trustees and members shall be conducted in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order.

ARTICLE XIII: DISSOLUTION

Purpose: The corporation is organized exclusively for charitable, educational, religiously or scientific purposes within the meaning Section 501 © (3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Dissolution Clause: Upon dissolution of the corporation, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of Section 501 © (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, of the corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. Any such assets not so disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Competent Jurisdiction of the county in which the principal office of the corporation is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations as said court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purpose.

SECTION 13.1

Dissolution of a high school forming its own hockey team will result in forfeiture of all assets, real and personal. Remaining assets will remain with the Booster Association.

SECTION 13.2

In the event of a total dissolution of the Booster Association, all remaining assets, real and personal, shall remain in escrow for a period of 90 days. The 90 day period shall be a grace period of the Booster Association. After said period, all assets, real and personal, shall revert to the West Shore Amatuer Hockey Association at West Shore Community College.

ARTICLE XIV: TEAM POLICY

SECTION 14.1 ICE TIME

Only registered high school players with the Lakeshore Badgers are allowed to be on the ice during practice and games. This allows for team unity and cohesion.

SECTION 14.2 LATE POLICY

There is a 30/60/90 day policy in place where you will be given notice about a late payment. After the 90 days you will be turned over to the Great Lakes Collection Agency. If there is a situation where there is a hardship going on with a player then the LAHBA board must be contacted and a resolution is to be made.

SECTION 14.3 FOREIGN EXCHANGE STUDENT

Any agency inquiring about Lakeshore Badgers Hockey must contact a LAHBA Board member. Information and pricing will be given out by the board only to agencies. Money will be sent to the Lakeshore Badger Treasurer. Agencies and Host families need to be on the same page with each other and the board at the start of the season to ensure a smooth and exciting experience for the exchange student.

SECTION 14.4 Financial Responsibility, Family Commitment and Team Support

Each player is considered committed to the team and upcoming season with a completed registration and initial payment. A completed registration is a contract to fulfill the payment schedule and total fee associated with the upcoming season as well as a commitment to the team, coaches, association and schools. This commitment includes consistent attendance by the player to mandatory team activities (i.e. practices, games, team meetings, etc.).

If a player chooses to no longer participate with the team at any point during the season, the FULL player fee is still required.
A player/parent must contact and petition the Booster Association Board in writing immediately following the decision to no longer participate with the team. Only if the Booster Association Board has been contacted, will the Board entertain discussion regarding the entitlement to a reimbursement or pro-rated fee.
Players who are unable to participate due to injury, family relocation, or other uncontrollable or unforeseen event, may be entitled to a reimbursement or pro-rated fee, at the Booster Association Board’s discretion.
Players deemed ineligible by school officials or parents choosing will be required to fulfill the payment schedule and total fee.

Parents are required to participate on a rotational basis in the responsibilities required for the smooth conduct of home games and other activities. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: Admission, chuck-a-puck, team dinners, penalty box attendant, public address announcer, etc. These responsibilities will be assigned and communicated in the season information session. These assignments will be organized and maintained by the Head Coach or their delegate to fairly distribute the responsibilities.