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SCAHA MEETING OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS August 9, 2006 LAKEWOOD MALL MEETING ROOM
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE PRESENT Commissioner – Robert Doherty, Deputy Commissioner – Sandy Blumberg, Treasurer – Bob Driffill, Secretary – Rosemary Voulelikas, Scholarship Chair - Laurie Boaz, ACE Coordinator – Larry Bruyere, Member Services – Wendy Goldstein, Statistician – Annie Fisher and Associate Director –Tim Fahringer.
MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS PRESENT Anaheim Jr. Ducks, Anaheim Wildcats, Artesia Avalanche, Bay Harbor Red Wings, Beach City Lightning, California Bears, California Stars, Channel Island Riptide, Jr. Ice Dogs, LA Hockey Club, La Jolla Jaguars, LA Jr. Kings, Pasadena Maple Leafs, San Diego Gulls, San Diego Ice Arena, San Diego Saints, West Valley Wolves, and Valencia Express.
MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS ABSENT Bakersfield Dragons, Inland Valley Wild, Ontario Eagles, and Ventura Mariners (excused).
Commissioner Robert Doherty called the meeting to order at 7:13 p.m.
It was determined that seventeen (17) Presidents were present at the meeting enough for a quorum.
MINUTES The July 12th meeting minutes were distributed for review. Kevin Culbertson motioned to accept the minutes with the following amendments: Laurie Boaz was present and Thomas Hesketh was absent. Tom West and not Thomas Hesketh executed motions. Under the Ice Convener’s report correction should read “no games will be scheduled for the weekend of December 23-24th. Correction to May 131st typo should read May 31st. Laura Ryan seconded. MOTION PASSED.
GUESTBob Doherty introduced Ken Bamberg and Matt Payne from the Anaheim Ducks. Ken Bamberg explained the various club-team fundraising opportunities with the Anaheim Ducks. He explained about using ticket sales at half the cost of the face value, intermission skates, jumbotron posting as well as silent auction tables. He also stated that the Anaheim Ducks were able to assist clubs with internal fundraising that does not involve the Anaheim Ducks such as casino nights, skate-a-thons, etc. Do not hesitate to contact them and let them know about your fundraiser in particular what, where, how and when, and they may be able to assist you with a signed item that you may be able to raffle off. Ken Bamberg distributed packets with information regarding Anaheim Ducks’ schedule. And finally, Ken Bamberg stated that they are fortunate to be involved with the Champs program.
COMMISSIONER’S REPORTBob Doherty distributed the final version of the LAHOA contract and informed the board that James Parker, president of LAHOA, signed off on the LAHOA contract. Bob Doherty stated that once executed by SCAHA he would send a copy by email to all the presidents in pdf format. Bob Doherty stated that the next step is to go into negotiations with the San Diego referee association. He basically stated that as far as he was concerned he would be negotiating for last year’s rates.
Bob Doherty distributed the CAHA bid packages for State Tournaments. He encouraged clubs to submit bids even those rinks that have only one rink surface. He suggested they should collaborate and combine with other rinks and submit a joint bid. He added that he was not sure if CAHA’s Youth Council would consider such a bid but stated that it was worth a try.
Bob Doherty spoke about formation of teams that do not meet CAHA’s PDR. He cited SCAHA’s bylaw 4.03, which states that “all teams of the member club must be members of SCAHA.” Bob Doherty added that SCAHA could not exclude teams that do not meet PDR from the SCAHA schedule because of this bylaw. It does not address whether a team is post season eligible or not in order for it to be part of the SCAHA schedule. Although CAHA has decided that teams not meeting PDR will not be scheduled in the CAHA mandated Tier II weekends, SCAHA will abide by its bylaw 4.03 and schedule all member teams in its SCAHA schedule. Bob Doherty reiterated that waivers will not be granted especially for the PDR rule and that clubs must notify all the parents in writing of those teams that they are not playoff eligible.
Robert Doherty informed the board that the only club teams that would not be scheduled in the SCAHA schedule will be those clubs that were fined last season and have yet to pay. They will be issued a final registered letter and if at that time they still do not pay they, the entire club teams will not play in the preseason schedule. Bob Doherty informed the board that currently five clubs still owe payment for fines. He also reminded the board that according to our bylaws they have 30 days to respond to a fine. These same clubs were first notified six months ago and have been reminded numerous times through re-issuance of letters.
Bob Doherty reported on the preliminary team declarations stating that 15 Mite B teams, 5 Mite A teams, 15 Squirt B teams and 19 Squirt A teams were declared by clubs. He continued to state that this represents a growth of 35% if not more of youth hockey in Southern California and commended the clubs on doing a great job.
Robert Doherty reminded the board that all coaches, managers and volunteers who come into regular contact with minors must be screened as per the CAHA mandated screening policy. He added that he would resend the email from Carla Dickerson, who is the CAHA screening administrator to all presidents.
DEPUTY COMMISSIONER’S REPORTSandy Blumberg informed the board that the first referee seminar was held in Bakersfield. Art Kitano attended the seminar on behalf of the league. The biggest concern expressed by the officials was implementing USA Hockey’ s emphasis on new standards of play consistently and fairly across the board. The league shares the same concern as well as game curfews as penalties start to add up. Art Kitano has in his possession a video supplied by USA Hockey that demonstrates the new calls. He is willing to make himself available as well as James Parker to organize viewing the video with clubs and their coaches to help promote a better understanding of the type of calls they may expect and to answer questions and concerns the coaches might have.
Sandy Blumberg informed the board that SCAHA is going to continue with the online game summary reporting and will add to the evaluation of referees’ form a section for commenting on the enforcement of the new standard of play.
Sandy Blumberg reported that our web site is being updated and will be featuring our own on-ice officials only reporting. In the past the officials would report on the LAHOA web site. Now they will be reporting on our web site and this will facilitate the delivery of reports to SCAHA.
Sandy Blumberg asked for volunteers to sit on this season’s disciplinary committee. Those interested should email Sandy Blumberg.
MEMBER SERVICES REPORTWendy Goldstein asked the presidents to remind their registrars to mail in the LOI’s once a week. She reiterated that the registrars’ training is on August 19, 2006 at Skate Zone starting at 8 am until 11 am. Wendy Goldstein reported that just over 50% of the delinquencies have been cleared.
ICE CONVENER REPORT Bob Doherty asked the board to send Chris Carcerano notification of any teams dropping at this time. In addition, if clubs have teams with player openings they should also send that information for him to post on the SCAHA web site. This is a service SCAHA provides its member clubs.
Wendy Goldstein added to inform her of LOI’s that are being voided because of teams dropping or disbanding as well as any player movement within the club because of teams dropping or disbanding.
Once the calendar is finalized, Chris Carcerano will sent it out by email. There will be four (4) preseason games and possibly 16-17 season games.
STATISTICIAN REPORTAnnie Fisher distributed a flyer outlining SCAHA’s first annual workshop for all managers to attend. The workshop’s goal is to train the team managers with regards to rules, score sheet procedures, etc. They are asking for $5 to assist with the purchasing of materials. Annie Fisher stated that she has spots for 160 managers per location and welcomes all managers and co-managers to attend. This is for all A/B and Tier II teams. Annie Fisher added that the team packets would be distributed at this meeting.
Sandy Blumberg stated that this expense of renting two locations, providing food, etc. is not in the SCAHA budget. She suggested that we use the reserve to offset the cost of this worthwhile training program. Laura Ryan motioned to approve a cost of up to $8,000 for the SCAHA workshop. Bridget Hopkinson seconded. MOTION PASSED.
TREASURER’S REPORT Bob Driffill distributed the financials dated June 30, 2006 to the board and suggested for housekeeping reasons that we close the First Republic Bank’s money market account and deposit all the funds into the City National Securities account. This will allow SCAHA to have all its assets in one entity and it will still require board resolutions to withdraw any of it. Bob Doherty stated that an individual a long time ago started this account and it is in the league’s best interest to consolidate its accounts. Kevin Culbertson motioned to authorize the secretary to draft a formal letter authorizing the treasurer to close the First Republic Bank’s account and to deposit the funds into the City National Securities account. Laura Ryan seconded. MOTION PASSED.
Included in the financials is the 2006-2007 budget draft. Bob Driffill pointed out that the scholarship fund results from contributions, fines and interest accumulated. Ron White motioned to accept the budget and James Mondragon seconded. MOTION PASSED.
Laurie Boaz reported to the board that the scholarship applications will be available on the web site August 21, 2006 and will be due to SCAHA October 1, 2006 along with the necessary documentation required. Laurie Boaz stressed that applicants should avoid sending their applications by certified mail and must waive all signature requirements. Scholarship awardees will be notified by November 19, 2006. Clubs will be issued the checks on behalf of the awardees. Those not receiving scholarships will not be notified.
DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS REPORTNo report at this time.
ACE COACHING COORDINATOR REPORT Larry Bruyere reminded the presidents that the coaches’ certification clinics are coming up. Levels 1, 2 and 3 will be held at Valencia, September 16 and at Lakewood on September 23, 2006. He added that coaches are not able to complete all three levels in one weekend. They must attend two separate weekends in order to complete all three levels. Level 4 coaches’ clinic is being held in Reno, August 24-26th. You can register online for all clinics and for the Level 4 clinic they will not be accepting any registrations after August 15, 2006.
The helmet rule is effective now because teams are formed and are practicing now. Larry Bruyere’s concern is what is the league’s stance in terms of penalizing coaches that are not wearing it. Larry Bruyere would like to determine what the sanctions are in enforcing the rule and ensuring compliance amongst the coaches. Bob Doherty stated that ultimately the club presidents and the rink owners are responsible to enforce this rule. Ron White stated that should a coach not abide by this rule it will void USA Hockey’s liability insurance.
Larry Bruyere motioned to have the club presidents and/or their representatives sanction any coach who does not comply with the USA Hockey helmet rule (all infractions must first be documented) in the following manner: 1- First offence a written warning will be issued and said coach will be removed from the ice immediately and must comply with the helmet rule in order to return to the ice. 2- Second offence a one game suspension will be issued. 3- Third offence a match penalty will be issued and must appear before the SCAHA Disciplinary Committee. All offences should be submitted to SCAHA. Paula Frankel seconded. MOTION PASSED.
The question was raised regarding the wearing of a helmet during stick time, clinics and private lessons. Ron White stated that at any USA Hockey sanctioned event, the coaches must abide by the USA Hockey helmet rule.
Ron White wanted to clarify the screening requirement for student coaches and stated that by law a student coach does not have to be screened. The reasoning being is that the student coach is a minor.
NEW BUSINESSNo new business to report.
OLD BUSINESSRecruiting and the Recruiting RuleKevin Culbertson shared some of his concerns regarding recruiting. In particular, he feels that many clubs falsely declare Tier teams. He also stated that recruitment season actually starts in the spring for AAA summer teams. Kevin Culbertson asked why do we have recruitment rules when recruitment is going on and we have no way to stop it. Bob Doherty stated that SCAHA has had hearings regarding recruitment violations in the last two years and has sanctioned those involved.
C.H.A.M.P.S. LeAnn Doherty asked the club presidents to email their managers the C.H.A.M.P.S. packet. On the back of the hard copy LeAnn Doherty prepared a guideline outlining the steps. If anyone has any questions to please call LeAnn Doherty. She stated that she would like to have a representative from each club participating. Please have these club representatives- coordinators email LeAnn Doherty if they have any questions and/or concerns. They will be using last year’s report card and using the full year so as to get the patches on their uniforms as soon as possible. Both the Kings and the Ducks are working on their designs and it looks like we could have them by November of this year. We are also accepting the grades of home schooled players. The tickets that would be given to the players will most probably be for a January game.
Next meeting is September 13th, 2006.
Motion to adjourn by Ron White and seconded by Paula Frankel. MOTION PASSED.
Meeting adjourned at 9:20 PM. |