Board Meeting - Arkansas Hockey Association
Thursday, March 24, 2005

The meeting was called to order at 6:35 pm with the following in attendance:

Nick DeGuire, Vice-President
Mike Cole, Registrar
Marty Mattone, Squirt Board Rep
(Worth Gibson provided a proxy to Marty Mattone)
Frank Udouj, Bantam Board Rep
(Jay Gaddy provided a proxy to Frank Udouj)
Marilyn Martin, Midget Travel Board Rep, Midget Board Rep
Joe Castrodale, Adult Board Rep
Rick Murray, Adult Board Rep
A quorum of 7 or more directors were present or represented.

The following arrived while the meeting was in progress:
Jim Jacoby, Mite Board Rep
Gwen Noe, Assistant Registrar/House Treasurer/Assistant House Director/Acting Secretary
Paul Petrarca, Travel Director

The first item of business was the approval of the February Minutes. Marilyn Martin made a motion to approve the February Minutes, Marty Mattone seconded and unanimously approved.

Mike Cole gave the Registrars Report. Mike had nothing new to report except that USA Hockey is pushing for associations to electronically register players in the future. Mike plans to forward registration information to the house managers as soon as he gets it from USA hockey.

Janet Korenblat was not able to give the Treasurers Report, she was not in attendance.

Frank Udouj started the travel report for the Bantams. The Bantams won the Annual Kalley Lundeen Tournament for the first time in four years. There were a total for four teams, including two from St. Louis and one from Biloxi. Channel 16 came out and did a great story on the tournament.

Paul Petrarca followed up with the remainder of the travel report. Paul reported that Ed David is considering on running for the President of SAHA. He stated that he and several other members of the association are planning to attend the annual meeting scheduled for August in Knoxville. Paul was very complementary of SAHA and the experience that Travel has had playing in SAHA. Paul stressed that this would an opportune time for our association to become more involved with SAHA by committing more teams. He indicated that the travel would not be much more than what house teams have now and that our kids would be able to play at the house level and still be looking at four trips a year (similar to the current house program). SAHA would also give our teams more opportunities to play different teams or play at higher level if we chose to. Paul stressed that SAHA presents a great opportunity for the house teams and that Ed David will run for president of SAHA only if our association has the intentions of developing a larger commitment in participation with SAHA.

Joe Castrodale gave the adult report. Joe reported that the adult hockey games on Sunday nights will start at 7:00 p. m. beginning in April. Joe also stated that the Pewees took a travel team to St. Louis this weekend and were not as successful as they had hoped, but had a good time.

Nick DeGuire stated that the Mites went to St. Louis as well. The Mites finished second in a house tournament consisting of teams from Affton and St. Peters Missouri. The Mites lost the championship game 2-1. The parents and coaches were extremely please on the how well the kids played in the tournament.

There was no fundraising report. However, Nick DeGuire reminded everyone about the Annual Golf Tournament. Phil Collins is still working on the details of the tournament, but it looks like it could be May 21^st. Nick stated that Phil felt that each age group should push for 20 teams of 2 players and solicit at least $1,000 worth of hole sponsorships. He would also like to see each age group find one major prize or giveaway item. Each age group should also provide a refreshment donation. Gwen Noe added that we might try to have a celebrity golf team, consisting of maybe some television or radio personalities.

Nick DeGuire reported that the ballots were emailed today to the association for the Squirts and Bantams. Neil had received the Board approval toshortcutthe voting process by emailing the ballots to the association. Neil intends to bring a proposal for the modification of the Bylaws so that we can adopt this procedure in the future.

Several Board members voiced concern regarding that the election voting cut off was April 1^st and that the date fell around spring break. It was recommended that the association send an email reminding our parents that April 1^st was the cut off.

Janet Korenblat submitted an update on the picnic via email as she was unable to attend. The picnic will be May 1^st at Macarthur Park starting at noon. AHA will be providing the catering from Mr. Masons Barbeque (no charge to players and families). Lunch includes chopped chicken, beans, potato salad, slaw, cobbler, ice cream, tea, and lemonade. Food will be served at 1:00 p.m. The park has two tennis courts available for street hockey. Families should bring lawn chairs, roller hockey equipment, footballs, skateboards, and other desired outdoor equipment.

Nick DeGuire and Joe Castrodale reported that Jay is planning on have a spring hockey league most likely on Wednesday nights. There should be more details to come.

Nick DeGuire initiated a discussion regarding the need to announce the coaches for next year at the AHA annual picnic in May. The association has in the past announced the coaches at the picnic and this has given the coaches and parents an opportunity to discuss any concerns for the following year. It was recommended that the AHA send an email soliciting the association for coaches for the next season and to request applicants to fill out the online application and mail it to the board no later than the next meeting. The new board will then address the coaching positions in the next meeting in April.

Other pending business includingSecretarial Duties was not discussed and was referred to the next meeting.

Frank Udouj made a motion to close the meeting, which was seconded by Marty Mattone and unanimously approved.