Meeting called to order at 7:05 pm, 98 members present

 

1.  President Luc Gagne:

-Welcomed the members and guests to the 2007/08 Annual General Meeting

-Reminded members to fill in their ballot for one free registration

-Director reports available at the registration table

-Luc thanked the entire association, sponsors and especially the volunteers for their participation over the past season. 

-One of the most successful on record, with league and championship banners on display.

 

 

2.  Secretary Colleen Jones read Minutes from 2006/07, moved by Vanessa Smart, Seconded by Kim Hensbee.  No errors or omissions.  Carried

 

3.  No Business Arising from Minutes

 

4.  President Luc Gagne made special mention of the great response we’ve had from the Richmond community for sponsorship of our Teams and Association.  Luc made special mention that many of these were long time sponsors – with the continued support of these businesses rates are able to stay at a manageable level.

 

5.  Luc together with members of the Board of Directors, presented the awards at the individual levels:

a)       Dana/Lila Smith Memorial Trophy (Graduating HD) – Michael Gilchrist

b)       Chuck Blanchard Memorial Trophy  (Graduating Novice) – Emma Kinkade

c)       Tom Cowick Memorial Trophy (Graduating PeeWee) – Cole Usher

d)       The Dave Candeline Trophy (Graduating Midget) –

e)       Goaltender Award –Wes Smallian

f)         Kim Long Trophy – Referee – Brad Todd

g)       Dick Bissonnette Memorial Trophy (Longstanding Service) –Ed Wilson

h)       Coach of the Year – Steve Lalonde

i)         Trainer of the Year – Dave Hein

j)         RMMHA Volunteer of the Year – Kevin Ryan

k)       Manager of the Year – Denise Crawford

l)         RMMHA Lifelong Membership Award – (no recipients in 2008)

 

6.  Constitution Motions:  No motions received to change the constitution.

 

7.       General Motions:  Vice President Gary Gray brought forth motion to change the colour and style of RMMHA jersey’s.

The current by-law reads:  The official style and colours of uniforms (socks and sweaters) of all ‘house league’ teams of the Richmond Munster and District Minor Hockey Association shall be those of the Toronto Maple Leafs. These teams shall be referred to as the "Royals". Team uniforms of the GMHC or other affiliated competitive program shall be managed by those respective organizations."

Proposed Bylaw:  "The official colours of uniforms (socks and sweaters) of all ‘house league’ teams of the Richmond Munster and District Minor Hockey Association shall be Royal Blue, Black, and White. The style of uniforms (socks and sweaters) of all 'house league' teams of the Richmond Munster and District Minor Hockey Association shall be those set forth by the directors. These teams shall be referred to as the "Royals". Team uniforms of other affiliated competitive programs shall be managed by those respective organizations.


 

Discussion on Motion, questions from Membership:

Q.  Will all teams at all levels get new jerseys? 

A.  Yes, like to do it this way, may be an affordability issue, but if the Association can afford it, entire association would receive them at once.

 

Q.  Would prefer to see “Richmond Royals” on both jerseys, not Royal on home, and Richmond on Away. 

A.  Could look at this change.

 

Q.  What is the cost per jersey?

A.  Approximately $35.00 per jersey.

 

Q.  Who designed logo?

A.  Logo was picked up from an east coast hockey league, modified slightly and now includes our “double R” logo on the crown.

 

Q.  What happens to the existing jerseys?

A.  Jerseys would be sold off, membership having first option to purchase.

 

Q.  How will the logo be put on jerseys?

A.  The one on the sample jerseys is “screened on”, much better quality, more durable than those in the past (won’t “peel” or “flake” off).  The embroidered logo did not look as good as the silk screened finish product.  Numbers will be sewn on, “embroidered style”, won’t shrink

 

There being no further discussion or questions, vote was put to the membership to change the RMMHA colours to blue, white and black, with no tie in to any NHL team.

Opposed 3

Motion Carried

 

8.  Draw held for free registration, won by Veronica Gervais.

 

9.  Presidents Report – Luc’s Hi-Lights for 2007/08

¨       Special mention to the Malcolmson family, Canadian Tire for their continued support of our Hockey Development Program.  A wonderful family to work with, who are always there to support and help our association

¨       Luc expressed his appreciation to all volunteers at all levels no matter what their contribution to the RMMHA

¨       Special mention of the officials, one of the toughest jobs in the league

 

Hi-lights of the last year include:

-providing more clinics checking and goaltender clinics

-continuing to host training sessions

-continued with the free slushie/penalty free game program, thanks in large part to our sponsor Capital Well Drilling (Kelly Kavanagh),

¨       Special mention to the 50th Anniversary of the International Silver Stick celebration, organized by Helen Cowick and her committee, in memory of her husband Tom, brought many Richmond and area alumni hockey players and residences back to where the Silver Stick began, showing the great support that is and has always been given to hockey by our community.

¨       Large number of events this year including the 2nd annual Royals Day and Drop the Puck Dance, 24 team Novice tournament and Christmas tournaments Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the International Silver Stick, 67’s day/extra Civic Centre ice, LCMHL playoffs, successful debut of the Tier 2 Silver Seven and Tier 3 Osgoode-Richmond SENS competitive programs

¨       Three League Championships – Atom A, Pee Wee B (Blue) and Pee Wee C – and three Playoff Championships – Atom A, Pee Wee C, Pee Wee B (Blue) and One Consolation Playoff Championship Novice B (Blue)

 

 

¨       With respect to Competitive Hockey Tier 3 - RAMS dissolution, Richmond and Osgoode formed an alliance to provide Tier 3 competitive ‘B’ hockey for players wishing to play at this level for the 07/08 season under the Osgoode-Richmond SENS banner.

 

¨       Luc gave spoke of things that he would like to see followed or continued next Season including:

- Continue and expand the 4-Step Program

- Educate coaches and players on checking techniques

- Expand Coach Mentor program

- Promote in-house educational seminars for our bench staff on the rules of the game/monthly meetings to discuss issues

- Continue paid Off-Ice Officials Program and provide training for parent volunteers – Purpose is to support on-ice officials, remove any bias, and improve game sheet accuracy

- Practice Ice Policy – ensure ice is being used at it’s full potential

- Develop a stronger officiating program – support and retain our officials promoting education/clinics

- Encourage/Promote/Develop and share information, with all our stakeholders, on respect for the game and its participants, which it deserves

 

10. Discussions and Introduction of the Board of Directors

¨       Questions posed to the Board of Directors from the Membership:

 

Q.  Parent signed “No” to having her child’s photo taken/distributed, still was on website team photos?

A.  Apology, have to have a closer look at Registration Form, and better liaison between Registrar and Communications.  An over site, will work harder on ensuring it doesn’t happen again. 

 

Q.  Bob Easy thanked Cindy Dawson for her efforts with the Fundraising programs, but wants to see better communication between competitive levels e.g. Silver Seven, Osgoode-Richmond and our RMMHA. 

A.  Change in Chair this year will work toward improving communications.

 

Q.  Ice Scheduling – seemed to be issues with tournaments, empty ice, too long between practices

A.  Several changes in Director this year, after Christmas things were much smoother.

 

Q.  Ice in Beckwith, still should have time/score keepers, this year there were none. 

A.  Yes going to try for next year, as well, will try to schedule 2 games together to make it more convenient for both ref’s and timekeepers.

 

Q.  Is there a certain allotment of ice for competitive in Richmond Arena.

A.  (Silver Seven (T2) provide 3 hours, Osgoode/Richmond (T3) 7 hours.

 

Q.  Shared practice ice is not practical at older levels, ½ ice the kids can’t build up endurance, muscle etc “lung power”

A.  Luc – should be less shared ice as the kids get older, but better communication between the coaches could help eg split ice length wise, shared drills etc.

 

Q.  What types of conditioning camps are we holding?

A.  Holding more camps, earlier in August beginning  August 10th – sign up sheets at Registration Desk

 

 

Elections Conducted with the following results:

 

Position

Person Nominated

Nominated By:

Seconded By

Accept

/Decline

President

Gary Gray

Kim Hensbee

Lana Muldoon

Accept

Registrar

Denise Crawford

Sandra Wytenburg

Cheryl Giles

Accept

Referee In Chief/ /Referee Scheduler

Shawn Naismith (not at meeting but has confirmed with Luc that he will stand)

Luc Gagne

Ross Stewart

Accept

Fundraising

Cindy Dawson

Geoff Stewart

 

Decline

Fundraising

Vanessa Smart

Laurie Schwartz

Patti Smith

Accept

Ice Convenor

Bobbi Chapman

Bob Easy

Debbie Normand

Accept

Canteen Coordinator

Kim Lidbetter

Denise Crawford

Lana Muldoon

Accept

 

     

Luc congratulated each of the new Board of Directors.

Being no further business a call for the meeting to adjourn:

Motion to adjourn at 8:27 pm by Janet McFall, seconded by Ben St Jean, all in Favour….