LCIHA Board Meeting Minutes

Time/Place: 09/10/01, 7:00 PM, Jett Hall 283, NMSSU

Present: Eli Best, Cheryl Chandler, Chris Christeson, Cynthia Clark, Dennis Downey, Paul Feil, Pete Kane, Tom King, Kevin Konchalski, Danny McMillan, Nancy McMillan, Sally Meisenhelder, Bean Mercer, John Mercer, Ray Meyer, John Mitchener, Steve St. John, David Rockstraw, JP Rodriguez, Gail Sanchez, Bob Segal, Dan Short, Joe Short, Dario Silva, Tammy Sprague, Hugo Vilchis, Sr., Hugo Vilchis, Jr., Chris Wise, Brandon Wise.

Minutes:

· Derrik Wootton, interim president, called the first formal meeting of the Board of Directors to order at 7:02 p.m. Those in attendance were interim board members

· Derrik noted that LCIHA has been acknowledged by the State of New Mexico, and is scheduled for city council on September 17, 2001.

· He listed the agenda as: (1) appoint and install the board of directors; (2) elect and install the officers; (3) amend and adopt the by-laws; (4) make the team rosters; (5) allowing younger players to play in an older league; and (6) allowing the 14-16 plays to move into the adult league, setting a criteria.

· Paul Feil made the motion to appoint the board that has been serving in the interim. Joe Short seconded the motion, and it was carried unanimously.

· Chris Christeson noted that there was not a representative on the board from the 10-13 league. Dave Rockstraw nominated Susan Rockstraw, was seconded by Cindy Clark, and carried unanimously. Dave indicated he would give up his position as treasurer, as the by-laws indicate only one family member can be in a board or officer position at any one time.

· Derrik suggested that the board and offices run for one year, rather than two.

· Joe Short advised to keep the two-year term for continuity. 

· Dennis Downey noted that the officers and board could always be re-elected.

· Derrick made the motion for a one-year term; Dennis made the second. The motion was carried unanimously to have a one-year term.

· Chris suggested that there be a change in the by-laws so that the election of officers is staggered.

· Eli Best advised that the officers had not yet been elected and installed.

· Dennis Downey nominated Bean Mercer for secretary, Joe Short made the second, and it was carried unanimously.

· Joe Short then amended the call, as that would place two Mercers in an office, which is against the by- laws.

· Dennis Downey noted that as Susan Rockstraw is put on the board, we now need a treasurer.

· Derrick suggested that we keep Dave as treasurer, and elect someone else to the board.

· Dave Rockstraw noted that the Parks and Recreation board likes the by-laws allowing only one family member in an office or board.

· Dennis indicated that the league is for the kids, and having them on the board is good for them, that we need a representative from the 10-13 age group.

· Cheryl Chandler made the motion to table this for now, Paul Feil made the second, and it was carried unanimously.

· Dave Rockstraw suggested that Eli Best remain interim secretary until such time as one can be elected. Eli agreed to fill that position, noting that it would be temporary only. 

· Dennis noted that the board is scheduled for five meetings a year, but they may have to be monthly.

· Joe Short suggested that nominations for secretary be completed within 3 weeks.

· Dennis suggested that because there was only nomination for each office, that those officers be installed by acclamation, which was carried.  Officers installed: Derrik Wootton, President; John Mercer, Vice President; Eli Best, temporary Secretary; Treasurer, David Rockstraw.

· Eli asked that all cell phones be turned off, so that there would be no distractions during the business meeting. She also suggested that each subject be held to a time limit of 5-7 minutes.

· Derrick brought up the subject of players not being allowed to back talk the officials, with one time being a penalty, twice ejection from the game.

· Dave noted that this would be covered in the sportsmanship meeting. Any vulgarity or other back talk would be assessed a penalty. There is to be respect for all officials, which will be addressed and made clear in
the sportsmanship meeting.

· Derrick noted that the Parks and Recreation recommended that the parents be involved in sportsmanship. He further noted that as there is funding from the city for the youth groups only, that the parents must attend.

· Dave advised that Pat Switzer, head referee, will not tolerate any unsportsman-like conduct.

· Chris Christeson noted that the rules of USAIHA state that if there is any gross misconduct, the game can be called.  

· Derrik said that the referees have the authority on the court, which is upheld by the board. He also questioned letting the younger players move up into the adult league.

· Chris advised that the USAIHA rulebook says they must be 18.  Joe Short advised that our by-laws indicate the kids play in the adult league at 17, thereby increasing competitiveness in the league. He further noted that if the kids are good enough to play up, they cannot revert and move back to the younger league.

· Dave noted that we can adapt the national rules for tournament and local use.

· Tom King expressed concern that kids actually playing the adult league run the risk of having an accident and getting hurt.

· Dave noted that the adult league is very physical. 

· Joe Short advised that there are a few very small teenagers, but they are very talented.

· Dave suggested tabling this item until he is able to check with the national sanction regarding insurance.

· Derrik noted that Pat Switzer is the driving force behind all the discussion. He suggested the parents and a panel of coaches be developed to determine qualifications for moving up. He also concurred that once a player moves up, that he must stay moved up.

· Chris Christeson objected, indicating that we need more 14-16 leagues, saving there are too many that want to play both league levels. 

· Dave indicated he would call the national league on Tuesday regarding the insurance.

· Joe Short said that the El Paso leagues are playing up with no problem, and suggested that a decision needed to be made during this meeting to get the teams going.

· Tammy Sprague suggested flex scheduling.

· Chris Christeson, indicated that the book does not say you cannot play both, and he recommends adult players moving down. 

· Dave said it must be the board who makes the decision. He noted that David Mercer is big enough to play the adult league, and that Peanut is definitely talented but is not physically big enough.

· Joe Short asked about those that don’t want to play in the adult league, stating that there must be a decision to not play down.

· Joe made a motion that any youth, if approved for the adult league, cannot move back down, pending USA inline approval. Tom King seconded the motion, and it was carried unanimously.

· Cindy Clark said she thought the liability would be much greater. 

· Dave said the older boys league is not called adult, just over 16.

· Joe Short suggested that any player who wants to move up have a liability waiver.

· Dave said it may take different insurance.

· Joe Short made a motion that the committee members be approved.

· Dave noted that as these are board appointed positions, no vote is necessary.

· Derrick discussed team formation, noting that when seven people are called, there seven different opinions. His suggestion was to keep the teams from last year, filling vacancies from those not on a team.

· Joe Short said his calls showed some hard feeling from parents, that they wanted to keep their team together. He suggested that if his one team messes up the league they have offered to play a crossed team.

· Joe further said he had assumed the by-laws could be adopted, with the already forms teams coming in, however he gets from the consensus the answer is no. He said he has no problem going to a draft, he just wants team cohesion, choosing parents as well as the kids.

· Paul Feil suggested keeping the car pool people together, then putting the draft together.

· Dave indicated there would be no written agreement at this meeting, but whatever is right for the kids and parents would be done.

· Pete Kane said it shouldn’t be a problem to follow the grandfather groups.

· Dennis Downey concurred, saying the rest should be filled from the draft.

· Bob Segal said there should be a core team, with their coach and players. He said he needed to know where and when practices would be due to personal schedules. He said the rest should then fall into place.

· Dennis Downey said he is waiting for kids for a team so he can set up practices, noting everyone cannot be pleased.

· Joe Short indicated Meerscheidt is the only real place to practice, and a gentleman’s agreement should be made to set practices.

· Derrik Wootton suggested going with the 4 teams returning and let them pick their practice times, with new teams scheduling theirs. He said he felt twice a week practice is a lot, that his team would be practicing once a week.

· Cindy Clark asked about vacancies on a team, indicating they should by filled from the draft.

· Joe Short suggested 9 maximum on a team, with 7 as a minimum, and asked how the new teams would form.

· Dave said talent formed the tournament teams.

· Derrik said there would probably be 6 new players, possibly more on a team.

· Dave said the talent skills show on Saturday the 8th was put together very quickly. Next year there will probably be over 50 in the 10-13 league, and will be better organized.

· Derrik said most coaches know the players with talent, or someone can recommend a player.

· Joe Short said the teams should be balanced.

· Dave indicated that by everyone working together, it will make the teams work.

· Tom King suggested forming teams at this meeting.

· Derrick suggested putting the old teams in with their practices so the new teams and kids can see where they can go.

· Joe indicated he was willing to have other kids join in on his practices.

· Chris suggested naming teams at this meeting, with no coaches.

· Dave further suggested that the practices be set, naming the teams in the next couple days.

· Joe said he has 5 returning Coyotes to make a team. But he said the teams would have to be formed before doing the draft.

· Dave said he would post the coaches and schedules on the web site, and would do his best to get kids on a convenient team.

· Chris suggested that the teams share the courts, with notes that Vista and Zia have sizable concrete slabs.

· Dave noted that the Meerscheidt is open for hockey 7 days a week

· Joe said he would gather information for Dave.

· Dave suggested Thursday September 13 to meet for the formation of teams.

· Chris suggested a free skate Wednesday for talent, to run before 6:00.

· Derrik suggested new players look for teams to fit their own schedules.,

· Dennis Downey suggested teams should be formed, coaches should set schedules from these meeting with parents and kids.

· Derrik suggested posting schedules for the teams, with the players trading around.

· Dave said he would do all to accommodate. 

· Cindy Clark made a motion to adopt the by-laws as written to get the teams formed. Dario Silva seconded, and the motion passed unanimously.

· Tom King said meetings would be hard for him to make, as he would be gone for three weeks. He suggested a form be developed around the Codes of Conduct by USA Inline, stating a type of “I have read the rules of
conduct, and if I break the code will have to go before the board…”, to be signed by both the player and parent, which should cover their conduct 

· Dave noted that there would be more than one meeting regarding the sportsmanship.

· Cindy Clark suggested doing this individually by team.

· Tom King noted that the league as a whole should do it.

· Dave suggested that perhaps a make-up sportsmanship meeting could be held in the morning before the games, noting that the teams could not play unless they had made one of the meetings.

· He further suggested the teams be formed on Thursday September 13 at 7:00 PM at Jett Hall with coaches and any other interested party in attendance. At that time it could be determined who is practicing, where, and when. He said the roster could then be out by Friday. 

· Joe Short said he would have his first practice Saturday.

· Dave suggested a mandatory sportsmanship meeting on Thursday September 20 at 7:00 for 10-13 and 8:00 for 14-16, with make-ups before games.

· Derrik suggested that new players call Joe Short at 522-4201 for practice times.

· Dennis motioned that the meeting be adjourned; Derrik seconded, and the meeting was adjourned at 8:17 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Ms. Eli Best, Board of Directors, LCIHA Interim Secretary