We are advising all members/ and non members of BC Ball Hockey of the actions of the board and changes that were undertaken that will directly affect everyone involved in the sport in one way or another.
Prior to this AGM meeting, Roger Sidhu lost his mother, and the funeral was slated for Sunday November 28th, 2010. Roger Sidhu advised the AGM executives that to adjourn/ postpone the meeting due to this unforeseen and unfortunate loss, and his inability to attend. Steve Erickson, Technical Director, Mr. Whit President of the Kelowna Ball Hockey Association, and Tanya Bourque the Women’s Director all honoured his request and did not attend out of professionalism and respect for Mr. Sidhu.
However the President (Mike Schweighardt) of BC Ball Hockey Association demanded to have the meeting go ahead, and further stated that he had quorum to continue even though Roger would not be present.
At this meeting the following people were in attendance according to the minutes of the meeting: Mike Schweighardt, nominated at the meeting as President of the Society; Kris Little, Vice President; Rob Moxness, Secretary; Fernando Alves, Tournament Director; and Jason Basra, Representing Victoria 5 people out of all the potential voting members were in attendance; this constituted a quorum because Mr. Fernando Alves used the votes available from Roger Sidhu’s FVBHL as HIS votes.
Despite the fact that Roger had asked to change the date of the meeting and was unable to attend due to the passing of his Mother. During this meeting several changes were made to change the way that BCBHA is governed.
It must be noted that any change to the constitution or make up of an Association must be accompanied by a notice of motion made 30 days prior to the meeting, and posted on a public site, and sent to all members 30 days prior to this meeting.
The significant changes made to the constitution were not preceded by a Notice of motion to the members.
Whereas: By-Law
#1 Item 12 (c) Board of Directors And Whereas: (c) The board shall be comprised of a President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Executive Vice-President, Secretary, Tournament Director, Ladies Director, Minor Director and Technical Director.
Be It Resolved: The above item be changed to “(c) The board shall be comprised of a President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, Tournament Director and Ladies Director.”
Motion: By Mike Schweighardt
Seconded: Fernando Alves
Whereas: By-Law #1 Item 12 Board of Directors And Whereas: Add Section (h) Technical Director shall be a non-voting officer of the Association, applied for and appointed by the Board of Directors.
Duties for the Technical Director will be to coordinate and instruct referee clinics, recommend officials for Provincial and CBHA events as requested by the Board of Directors, attend ,schedule and evaluate officials at the Provincial Championships. Minor Chairperson shall be a non-voting officer of the association to be appointed by the Board of Directors and will act as a liaison between the Board of Directors and the minor governing body.
Be It Resolved: Section (h) be added “(h) Technical Director shall be a non-voting officer of the association, applied for and appointed by the Board of Directors.
Duties for the Technical Director will be to coordinate and instruct referee clinics, recommend officials for Provincial and CBHA events as requested by the Board of Directors, attend, schedule and evaluate officials at the Provincial Championships.
Minor Chairperson shall be a non-voting officer of the association to be appointed by the Board of Directors and will act as a liaison between the Board of Directors and the minor governing body.
The above changes mean that the Referee in chief has no voice or vote at the board, and also eliminated the liaison between Minor Ball Hockey and the senior ranks.
This would be very detrimental to build the sport of ball hockey in BC. There were other changes that were made at this meeting which will ALSO affect our sport.
Please note that as players and officials we should all have a right to have a say in the progression of our sport. We all pay a fee to be a part of the game, whether it be through our league fees, or through our referee membership.
We should all be made aware of the actions of our board of Directors and all have the ability (as the BC Societies Act states) to have a voice and vote in the society that governs our sport. We will keep all ball hockey players and officials appraised of any new happenings and of any meetings.
Think what you will, the past few Provincial Championships have had ref’s attending, because they have been around for several years and being realistic, they didn’t deserve to attend. It’s not about being a friend of someone – it’s about deserving to go.
MORE TO FOLLOW IN THE NEXT SHORT WHILE. STAY TUNED – IT CAN ONLY GET BETTER!
Those in charge of any Association must remember that it’s not about making a “name for themselves”, it’s about growth of the sport.
Clearly this is one sport that isn’t growing in several areas. Gota wonder why?
Let’s not forget one member (Fernando Manuel) Alves was arrested on Sept. 8 and charged with four counts of sexual assault and one count of administering a noxious substance.
Last I looked this sport involves Women Players!!!
