EASTERN REGION RINGETTE ASSOCIATION
GUIDELINES FOR ADMINISTRATION AND APPLICATION OF FINES

To address historical problems we have experienced with the administration of (a narrow range of) technical infractions in past years, the region has adopted the following internal guidelines for administering fines levied at the regional level. These are internal guidelines for the use of ERRA executive members - however, for transparency purposes they will be distributed to all association presidents and published on the website so that members know the guidelines used by ERRA executive members.

The fine structure is established by ORA. However, we have a responsibility to set out a balanced and fair framework for how the fines will be administered. This process does not in any way limit or alter the rights or appeal procedures available to members.

The first step in ensuring compliance with ORA and ERRA rules is education. With this is mind the ERRA has adopted the guidelines that follow. It is important to note that these are GUIDELINES for the executive only. The region reserves the right to apply ORA sanctions fully where the situation warrants it (for instance where the participant knew, or is adequately experienced that they should have known the ORA rules).

Caution to readers

The principal thrust of these guidelines is to assist in the education and correction of technical infractions. They therefore do not apply ethical, illegal, harassment, Code of Conduct, or similar infractions. Similarly, this policy does not related to sanctions typically levied at the team level, such as, but not limited to, illegal substitutions at a sanctioned event. Finally, the qualification of coaches/participants is strictly governed by ORA and the associated fines are not subject to this policy. Helmet offences of our volunteer members are however included in these guidelines.

IMPORTANT - because these are internal ERRA guidelines, in any situation where there is a conflict between these guidelines and the rules established by ORA, the ORA rules clearly take precedence. Members and associations should always look first to the ORA Operating Manual for direction.

G&T Fines on Sanctioned Events

As mentioned, the thrust of this policy is to address G & T related infractions for technical infractions (improper sign-in, no head coach signed in, too many staff on the bench, etc). Effective for the 2004/05 season G & T infractions will be reviewed and levied by a committee consisting of the G & T representative and two other Executive members. Further, the normal process will be that G&T fines will be reviewed, levied, and communicated to the association president within 30 days of the sanctioned event in which they occurred. In keeping with the principle that the sanctions and fines should be first and foremost corrective rather than punitive, ERRA has adopted a system of graduated sanctions - starting with a warning.

On the first offence of any participant who participates in sanctioned events under the authority of ERRA, the offending participant (through the association president) will receive a written reprimand detailing the nature of the infraction, the proper procedure, and a warning that all future infractions will attract a penalty.

On the second offence, the regional committee will levy an amount determined by the committee, which could be the full amount of the ORA fine established by ORA.

On a third offence, full fines will be levied, and the regional committee may exercise its right to impose sanctions beyond those established in the Operating Manual, in cases of chronic non-compliance (e.g. suspension, etc).

Administration

All infractions and warnings are cumulative from season to season. In other words a participant will only receives one warning letter about an infraction - the next infraction will attract a fine - even if it occurs in a subsequent season. As well, the warnings are not to be narrowly interpreted to an individual infraction. For instance, if a member receives a warning letter related to failing to sign in a head coach at a sanctioned event, this is assumed to be a general warning about all rules related to signing in at a sanctioned event.

A permanent database will be maintained on all participants in the ERRA area. It will contain a historical record of all infractions/warnings issued to individual participants in the region.

Last Amended October 11, 2004