NOT APPROVED

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EKMHA Executive Meeting held March 26, 2002 7:30 pm at Port Williams School.

Members present: Brian Rhodenizer, Mike Cochrane, Carrie Hemmings, Mary Lou Conrad, John Curry, Cathy Curry, George Curry, Tim Ciappara, Jim Murphy, Dave Duncan, Chris Wood, Darren Booth, Phil Outerleys, Susan Surette-Draper, Sharon Rand, Robin Foley, Peter Hayes, Mike Roger.

Meeting commenced at 7:30 pm.

Agenda reviewed. Canteen status, message from John Curry, Policy and Procedure Manual added to New Business.

Minutes of previous meeting were read and approved. Motion: Mike R., Seconded: Susan S-D.

Business from minutes

Acadia Ice - has the issue of overbilling been corrected? Frank was not in attendance to answer. No one else knew.

Pee Wee AAA - Peter H. raised concern about the survey process. After being asked at the March 7th meeting, Robin Foley and Reg Rand developed a survey and circulated to Atom members/parents. Brian said that he received feedback that the questions were not clear and respondents were confused. He revamped the survey and circulated without other input because of time constraints. Peter H. read the survey to the group. Some of the statements in the survey appeared to be an attempt to sway respondents against supporting a AAA program and should not have been expressed on the survey. Jim M. suggested that we should focus on the results of the survey along with the other factors of 1) whether Kentville or West Hants plan to offer, and 2) financial considerations. Mike C. reported that he had been in conversation with Glenn Mosher from the West Hants organization and they do intend to offer AAA Pee Wee. Kentville will not offer any AAA programs. It was decided to table this discussion to later in the meeting after other business was dealt with.

New Business

Financial Statement Dec. 4/01 - March 26/02 Budget Carrie reported that we currently have a shortfall of $3000. We started with +$6000 at the beginning of season, which means we lost almost $10,000 this year. The canteen has approximately $6000 from which $2000 expenses, $3000 rent and the initial $1000 startup money must be taken. We had budgeted a $2000 loss for the canteen in its first year, so this is better than expected.

Why did we loose so much money?

1. Late registrations made it necessary to form another Atom team. This means additional expenses for ice, referees, etc.
2. Our gain of ringette ice (1.5 hrs/ wk) was spread among existing teams, giving maybe 1.25 hour rather than a 1 hour practice or game time. This extra time was not distributed efficiently.
3. Acadia's change in billing practice to include cleaning time.
4. Referee fees increased by approximately 40%.
5. Less revenue generated from fundraising dance.
6. Lost registration fees from kids leaving our association to play female and/or AAA hockey elsewhere.
7. KidSport funding for four children never received. Also, KidSport only pays $200, we have to cover balance.
8. Lost revenue (~$2000) from AAA tryouts because of miscommunication of fee to be charged. This lost revenue was to be allocated to the purchase of sweaters for that team. Since there was no profit, the association had to purchase sweaters.
9. Canteen - deep fryer was not working for four weeks = lost revenue. Fewer high school games. Not open for other arena events (ie-figure skating).

What can we do better next season?

1. Organize ice timetable so there will be game after game, not interrupted by practice times. This will keep constant flow of spectators for canteen business and save money on referees (decrease travel).
2. Form committee to make recommendations on the player registrations/expenses spreadsheet.
3. Try to ensure there are 17 or 18 players per team.
4. Enforce Registration Deadline - late registrations will be put on a waiting list, if teams are filled. This will ensure we know in advance how many teams we will have, thus how much ice, referees, etc. will cost.
5. Canteen - renegotiate rental fee and try to operate during other events.
6. Organization needs to be run like a business. Motion: Jim Murphy - EKMHA create a financial committee. 2nd - Mike C. Carried Unanimously. Financial Committee will comprise - Carrie H., Jim M., John C., Mike R.
7. Robin F. suggested an ad hoc committee be struck in September after registration to analyse requirements and establish efficient ice allocation. Robin will organize this committee. George C., Brian R., volunteered to assist.

Player discipline Brian received numerous complaints about a Bantam player who has not demonstrated appropriate behaviour on the ice. Frequent outbursts of profanity, disrespect toward officials, gross misconduct penalities, and excessive penalty minutes have caused aggrevation and embarrassement to the team, hence to the association. EKMHA Bylaws stipulate that the executive "shall suspend for cause, any EKMHA officer, offical, player or member for failure to comply with the Memorandum and Bylaws, as well as actions deemded by the Executive to be detrimental to hockey". The situation regarding the Bantam player was deemed to detrimental to our program therefore: Motion: Robin F. 2nd - Cathy C. the player be suspended from EKMHA for the remainder of this season. Motion carried by majority vote. The player will be notified in writing, either delivered by the president or by registered mail immediately.

Selection Committee Chris W. will spearhead a committee to establish a player selection process to be followed by all teams. Chris will present a proposed model/method for executive approval at the next regular meeting.

Coaches 2002 A coaches selection committee will be chaired by the 1st V-P (Mike C.). EKMHA will advertise for coaches at the same time we advertise notice of the AGM. We will ask that all coaches apply. Tim asked if the previous years' coach would get priority if more than one person applied to coach the same team. It was generally agreed that this should not be considered in the decision and that the Coaches Selection Committee establish guidelines and criteria for selection.

AAA revisited Robin expressed his dissatisfaction with the decision making process, questions asked on the survey, and who was asked to complete the survey. General discussion ensued with members sharing their feelings on the issue. Robin asked Brian exactly how and when the decision would be made. Brian did not know when the decision would be made.
Results of Brian's survey:

Questions on survey:

1. Level of hockey played this year:
   Atom House — 11
   Atom A — 7
   Atom AAA — 0 (not circulated to AAA Atom team)
2. EKMHA should offer:
   AAA program — 3, or
   A & recreation — 8
   6 responded AAA & A
3. Do you feel that your child is developmentally able (hockey skills at a high level) to play at the AAA Level?
   Yes — 4
   No — 14
4. Would you be willing to commit to a program if your child were offered a position on that AAA team?
   Yes — 6
   No — 12

Robin asked to make a motion that we offer a AAA program but Brian would not allow the motion. The decision will be made by vote of the Executive and Directors on Wednesday, April 3 7:30 pm at Port Williams School. Brian asked interested members to prepare a budget for the AAA team, outlining a financial plan showing how EKMHA could offer the programme. Members are invited to Port Williams School at 7:30 pm Tuesday, April 2 to submit and discuss the outlines.

Pee Wee B Provincial weekend report John announced his teams' victory in the Provincial Tournament last weekend in Wycogmah (sp?). The team played very hard and several players were awarded All-Star trophies, etc. One player suffered a broken collar-bone in the last game. The team took a bus which made the trip something to remember. John said that taking the bus was really great, especially in a snow storm. You know where everyone is and the teams had a terrific time. Unfortunately they came across a tragic accident on the way. Several people were killed and the bus was the first on the scene. This experience was, of course, extremely upsetting for everyone. John expressed his pride in the players' willingness to do what they could be help.

Next Meeting

• April 2 (AAA financial analysis)
• April 3 (vote to determine if EKMHA will offer AAA)

Both 7:30 @ Port Williams School.

Meeting adjourned 10:00 pm.

___________________________________________________
Brian Rhodenizer, President
Mary Lou Conrad, Secretary