NFHCA Board of Directors approves new bylaws

Jan 4, 2021 | 2020-2021, News

BROCKPORT, N.Y. — During the Executive Board meeting held on Sunday, January 3, 2021, the National Field Hockey Coaches Association’s Executive Board approved new bylaws for the organization.

The new bylaws were created through several months of work by the NFHCA’s Bylaws Review and Revision Committee and a thorough review by both the Executive Board and the Association membership.

“While bylaws may not sound exciting, these changes mark a new era for the NFHCA,” remarked NFHCA president, Anne Parmenter. “With these revisions, we have an expanded and more inclusive leadership structure, some new positions and committees each with a clearly stated purpose — all intended to serve and engage our members.”

“A special thank you to our Bylaws Committee for their energy, dedication, and attention to detail: Colleen Fink, Leslie Fry, Stacey Gaudette, Dani Kogut, and Helen Knull,” Parmenter added. “Now is the time to get involved!”

As a result of the adoption of the new bylaws, the association is issuing a call for interest in serving on the Nominating Committee. This new committee will be constituted within the next two weeks in order to assist with the upcoming Board of Directors election (formerly Executive Board).

Nominations for the four newly created Board of Director positions, as well as for two Board of Director positions whose terms have ended, are also being accepted now. More information will be shared with the Scholastic members (formerly “High School” members) at the Virtual Coaches’ Caucus regarding the new selection process for that Board of Directors seat. Ballots for the Board of Director election will be distributed to active members on February 1, 2021.

Members can visit the NFHCA members-only page to access both nomination forms. The bylaws are available here.

Nominating Committee

The Nominating Committee is “a diverse committee with two members from each membership group and collegiate division: NCAA DI, NCAA DII, NCAA DIII, Scholastic, and Club, as well as a member from both the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee and the Black Coaches Council (12 members total). Collects applications of members who are interested in serving on NFHCA committees. Solicits nominations for the Board of Directors elections. Fills committee vacancies based on applications with a focus on creating balanced, diverse, and inclusive committee rosters. The Nominating Committee will be filled by the Executive Committee and approved by the Board.”

For more information about the Nominating Committee, please review Article V of the NFHCA Bylaws.

To submit your interest to serve on the Nominating Committee, please click here.

This interest form will close at 5:00 p.m. EST on January 15, 2021.

Board of Directors

The NCAA Division I and the Club NFHCA Board of Director positions are open for election. The NFHCA is also accepting nominations for the newly created positions of Vice President, Membership; Vice President, Finances; Vice President, Sport Development; and NCAA Division Associate/Assistant.

Please consider the eligibility requirements for a position on the Board of Directors:

  1. To be eligible to hold any position on the Board of Directors, you must be both a natural person, at least 21 years of age, and an active NFHCA member in good standing for a minimum of two (2) years.
  2. To serve on the Executive Committee, you must be both a natural person and at least 25 years of age, have been an active NFHCA member in good standing for a minimum of five (5) years, and have served the NFHCA in some capacity such as on the Board, on an NFHCA committee for at least two (2) years, or representing the NFHCA on an NCAA Committee.
  3. Only coaches who hold an Associate or Assistant position at an educational institution are eligible to hold the NCAA Associate/Assistant position.
  4. To serve as a representative of any NCAA division, you also must be employed by or affiliated with and in good standing at the educational institution in the division for which you were elected, for the entirety of your term.
  5. To serve as a representative of any club program, you must have coached for a club program for a minimum of two years and be in good standing with that club.
  6. To serve as a representative of any scholastic program, you must have coached for a scholastic program for a minimum of two years at a scholastic institution.

For more information about Board of Director eligibility and responsibilities, please review Article IV of the NFHCA Bylaws.

All Board of Director terms are three-year terms unless otherwise specified to establish three rotational slates.

To submit your nomination for the NFHCA Board of Directors, please click here.

The Board of Director nomination form closes at 5:00 p.m. EST on January 26, 2021.

Open Board of Director Positions

 

Vice President, Membership

Responsibilities shall include:

  1. Working closely with the President to fulfill the mission and advance the business of the NFHCA
  2. Presiding over all meetings of the NFHCA, Board of Directors, and the Executive Committee when the President is unavailable or if the President resigns or is unable to serve in that position
  3. Overseeing the Nominating Committee, serving as its Board liaison
  4. Working closely with the President to fulfill the mission and advance the business of the NFHCA
  5. Overseeing the keeping of the minutes and records of the Association and making them available to the membership, with the assistance of NFHCA staff
  6. Coordinating regular updates from NFHCA committee chairs
  7. Facilitating communication with the membership regarding matters important to the organization, in collaboration with the NFHCA staff

 

Vice President, Sport Development

Initial two-year term.

Responsibilities shall include:

  1. Working closely with the President to fulfill the mission and advance the business of the NFHCA
  2. Serving as a primary point of communication and collaboration with USA Field Hockey
  3. Overseeing the Sport Development Committee, serving as the Board liaison
  4. Promoting programming and initiatives related to Coach & Playing Rules Education
  5. Performing duties delegated by the President

 

Vice President, Finances

Initial one-year term.

Responsibilities shall include:

  1. Working closely with the President to fulfill the mission and advance the business of the NFHCA
  2. Being actively informed of and involved with the finances of the organization, including specifically income and expenses, working closely and regularly with the Executive Director on financial matters for the NFHCA
  3. Preparing and presenting an annual financial report to the membership in collaboration with NFHCA staff
  4. Verifying active members in good standing before elections
  5. Overseeing the Convention Committee, serving as its Board liaison
  6. Performing duties delegated by the President

 

NCAA Division I — Group Representative

All Group Representatives on the Board of Directors shall represent their respective divisions and shall facilitate communication between the NFHCA leadership and its members in those divisions.

 

Club — Group Representative

Initial two-year term.

All Group Representatives on the Board of Directors shall represent their respective divisions and shall facilitate communication between the NFHCA leadership and its members in those divisions.

 

NCAA Associate/Assistant — Group Representative

Elected by all NCAA members of the NFHCA.

All Group Representatives on the Board of Directors shall represent their respective divisions and shall facilitate communication between the NFHCA leadership and its members in those divisions.