volunteering
Volunteering (formerly DIBS)
ELK RIVER YOUth hockey
2025-2026
ERYHA Volunteer Policy for the 2025-26 Season
Volunteer Commitment
Each ERYHA family must complete 12 volunteer hours per season:
- 6 hours at ERYHA tournaments or District 10 playoffs
- 6 hours at approved events like tryouts, fundraising, or the SKATE banquet
Volunteer hours are tracked via the ERYHA website under your member account. Please keep all your volunteer hours under one "member" account. It is the duty of each family to validate the accuracy of your family account information, hours pending, and hours completed.
Volunteers must be 18+, and those in roles like Locker Room Monitor need SafeSport certification and a current background check. No minors will be allowed on benches or in penalty box areas while a parent/guardian is volunteering.
Program Details and Requirements
Buyout
Families may opt out of the 12-hour volunteer requirement by:
- Completing the buyout at registration, or
- Emailing intent to buy out to the Volunteer Coordinator by Dec 31, 2025 to be billed $600
If hours are not completed and no buyout is declared by the deadline, a $1,200 fee will be invoiced at season's end.
Note that:
- Hours are not prorated
- Account balances must be paid before registering for the next season
Approved Volunteer Opportunities
Families can earn volunteer hours by helping at events like:
- Tryouts
- ERYHA tournaments
- Picture Night
- Little Elks & Mite HEP Testing
- Fundraising (raffles, restaurant nights)
- Open House & registration
- SKATE banquet
- Equipment management
- Approved board member assistance
If you complete hours outside posted sign-ups, have the Level Director or Board Member email the Volunteer Coordinator with task details. Final approval of hours is at the Coordinator’s discretion.
Automatic Volunteer Fulfillment
The following roles fulfill all required volunteer hours:
- ERYHA Board Member
- Rostered Head Coach
- Rostered Assistant Coach (max 3 per team)
- Team Manager (1 per team)
- Gold or Platinum Level Sponsor
- Approved ERYHA-affiliated sponsor
Families with only a Junior Gold player are exempt from the volunteer requirement due to the shortened season.
Tasks That Do Not Count Toward Volunteer Hours
The following team-specific roles do not fulfill ERYHA’s volunteer requirement:
- Tournament roles not sponsored by ERYHA (scorebook, clock, penalty box)
- Locker room monitoring
- Team photographer, web admin, event planner, or apparel coordinator
- Any “on ice” help unless you’re a rostered coach
- Team-specific tasks not approved by a Level Director or Volunteer Coordinator
Only approved activities count—reach out if you’re unsure before volunteering!
Late cancellation/no show
If you need to cancel a scheduled shift, use the volunteer tool and follow the event’s cancellation policy—typically 72 hours notice.
Late cancellations require you to find a replacement and notify the Volunteer Co-Coordinator. Unfulfilled shifts without coverage may result in a $50 fee per shift.
Other volunteer guidelines
Parents/family members may not volunteer during their player’s tryout session
Volunteer hours cannot be transferred between families without board approval (requests must be made at a board meeting)
Volunteers may be reassigned at events to cover critical roles (e.g. clock operator)
The breakdown of volunteer hour assignments is subject to change with board approval