Financial

Independent Contractors

While officials are contracted to perform services by MHOA, acting on behalf of its partner leagues, their function is by definition independent and the officials have complete control of the contests they officiate.

As independent contractors, officials are responsible for their own working schedules (through submittal of their availability on this web site); their own equipment and uniforms; their own insurance; and their own transportation and expenses associated with officiating. MHOA registered officials are deemed "Independent Contractors" who are contracted to perform a specific task. The official is an independent contractor who offers services and is not an employee of MHOA or its partner leagues. The official is not eligible for unemployment compensation, disability, or workman's compensation benefits, and neither MHOA nor its partner leagues are liable for the independent contractor's actions.

All Officials with MHOA will receive an IRS Form 1099-MISC. As independent contractors, MHOA officials are not guaranteed game assignments.

Pay Schedule

MHOA pays its officials monthly. MHOA guarantees that you will receive pay for all games worked in a calendar month by the end of the following month. For example, you will receive a check by the end of May for all games worked in April. Usually you will be paid a couple of weeks earlier than that, since checks are usually mailed around the 20th.

Training and Preparation

Off-Ice Training

MHOA makes USA Hockey required training seminars available to its officials each year. All MHOA officials are required to attend this seminars each year. Any official who does not to attend at least one seminar during the year will not be scheduled by MHOA.

Rule Knowledge

MHOA officials are responsible for knowing and enforcing USA Hockey rules and the league-specific rules for the games they work. These rules are all posted on this web site.

Safety

MHOA officials are expected to follow USA Hockey guidelines for officials' equipment, and to set a good example for players with respect to the use of protective equipment. In particular, helmets, with chin straps properly fastened, must be worn at all times while on the ice

Uniform

MHOA officials are expected to wear a proper official's uniform as defined by USA Hockey. The appropriate crest must be worn for each game: USA Hockey crest for USA Hockey games and no crest for non-USA Hockey games. Also note, arm bands must be worn only by the referee in a 3-official system; they must not be worn in a 2-official system.

Incident Reports

MHOA officials are expected to file incident reports as required on the Incident Report form. The original report must be filed immediately after the game in which the incident occurred. A follow up email to Steve Henderson, or in the case of a match penalty to both Steve Henderson and Ken Reinhard must follow within 24 hours of the game.

Canceled Games

If a game is canceled without notice because of a rink defect, Zamboni failure, power failure, etc., the officials must notify the MHOA scheduler of the cancelation. They will be paid for the canceled game. If it was part of a block of several games, they will be paid only for the first canceled game.

Delayed Games

Games If a game is substantially delayed (more than 30 minutes) for any reason, the officials must notify the MHOA scheduler of the issue (including exactly when the game was able to start/resume, if at all).

Respect for Other Officials

MHOA officials are expected to display respect for other officials in all public situations, including while playing. MHOA officials will be held to a higher standard than other players with respect to Abuse of Official violations.

Misconduct of Officials

Use of Web Site

Use of this web site indicates your agreement to the policies described here. This web site must be used only for the purposes for which it was designed. Use of this web site in an unauthorized fashion, including viewing or changing data that is not intended to be accessible to you, will result in MHOA membership termination. You are responsible for all use of the web site performed using your login and password, whether or not performed by you.

Disciplinary Action

When issues arise regarding misconduct of officials, these issues will be referred to the MHOA President for investigation. When the MHOA President determines that misconduct may have occurred, it will be handled as follows. For a first offense, the MHOA President will assess warnings, suspensions, and/or limitations of assignments according to his judgment. For subsequent offenses, the MHOA President can convene and preside over a disciplinary board of three other MHOA officials not involved in the incident. The President and/or disciplinary board will have full powers to assess warnings, suspensions, or limitations of assignments according to their judgment, and will file a written report with the MHOA President and the officials and leagues involved.