WHAM General Meeting Minutes

May 11, 2009

President Update  - Emily Greenwald

·        Thanks to all the current and previous board members and others who helped make the year a success.

·        The 2008-09 year included multiple programs including fall and spring women’s and co-rec leagues, winter recreation league, and clinics.

·        Team size for the upcoming year may be decreased, which translates into more ice time for participants.

·        2 new sets of goalie gear have improved opportunities for recruiting goalies – although this remains an issue.

·        WHAM supported referee certification was helpful in securing referees.

·        WHAM has surplus funds thanks to player donations, including a sizeable donation from Charlotte Beatty.

o       WHAM welcomes ideas in how to expend these surplus funds.

Treasurer’s Report – Jennifer Wicks

·       Savings - $4,572.96

·       Checking - $1,840.84

·       Total funds received - $41,770.00 (August 1st to present)

·       Total funds expended - $29,619.77 (excluding spring fees for scorekeepers, refs, and May ice).

·       Paypal was a big hit

Election

·        Proposed slate of offices and voting method described

·        New people on slate included Lisa Chambers and Hollie Deluca for members at large; Ellie moved from member at large to registrar

·        Shawn Gray counted votes and slate was approved (29 votes counted)

·        Jan Anderson officially new WHAM president

Comments and Questions from the WHAM membership

·        More opportunities to learn the game for new players

o       Develop clinic for rules of the sport – contact, offsides, icing, what to expect when whistle blows.

o       Have a bench coach to explain what is going on during the first few games for new players.

o       Have someone arrive early to explain rules.

·        More respect for referees

·        Interest in WHAM supported stick and puck

o       Emily described the tight ice schedule – and that spring and fall may be the best times for this.

·        WHAM supported pick-up games

o       General pick-up games are too advanced and intimidate some people.

·        Suggestion for practice opportunities for teams

o       In the past, WHAM did this at the beginning of the season

o       Members suggested later, after teams get going

·        One person wanted posting of actual scores and team standings

o       Jennifer Wicks said the info she receives on the score sheets is sketchy.

·        Can current members get some kind of benefit from recruiting new members?

·        Can WHAM grow to 10 teams?

o       Ice constraints come to play

o       Team size needs to be determined prior to requesting ice times.

o       Suggestion for bigger discount for those that sign up early.

·        Suggestions for WHAM apparel.

o       Send suggestions via email to WHAM website

·        Forfeits – none this winter – why?

o       People more used to 10:00 pm time slot

o       More people on each team

·        Pod thing

o       Makes it easier for people to feel less committed

o       New players don’t get a chance to play with a cohesive team.

·        Goalie rules – inconsistent during season

o       Switch goalies no matter the score at 10 minutes into 2nd period?

o       Discuss with goalies their preferences?

o       Refs should know the rules

·        Survey – please give any ideas to Jan so she can discuss with board

o       Survey drawing winner – Brianna Wallingford

·        Free registrations for attending meeting – Shawn Gray.

Meeting Adjourned.