January 2009 Board Meeting Minutes

OYHA BOARD MEETING MINUTES

January 21, 2009

Four Seasons

Members Present: Jay Staska, Dave Swenson, Annette Arndt, Sara Wencl, Dave Johnson, Wendy Bogen, Colleen Rehman, Jim VonRuden, Dan Sawyer, Nikki Gieseke, Steve Cochran, Julee Elstad,  Brad Medvec

Members Absent: Sara Heyer, Kirk Kiel

Guests: Deb Mandt, Amy Shornack, Jeff Ratzloff, Sherry Anderson, Al Bednar

Minutes Recorded By:  Annette Arndt

Motion to approve the December Meeting Minutes by Steve Cochran, seconded by Nikki Gieseke.  Approved.

GUESTS:  Al Bednar reported that there have been reports in District 4 of player/parent/coach conduct issues.  Owatonna is doing well overall.  He is working with referees and doing evaluations.  Had a referee meeting last week and seeing improvements in hustling, being in position, etc.  Jeff Ratzloff suggested looking into putting a feedback link directly to Al on the website.

GAMBLING REPORT

Business is slow.  Webers and Big 10 are thinking about doing a 50 cent card to try to increase business.  No additional expenses are anticipated.  Dave Swenson made a motion to approve January gambling reports, seconded by Dan Sawyer. Dave Swenson made a motion to pre-approve February gambling reports, seconded by Dave Johnson. All approved.

TREASURERS REPORT
Current YTD home tourney income is lower than last year because December checks are not cashed yet.  Little over budget on a couple of items, but nothing to cause concern.  Suggesting considering including gate fees in team fee for tournaments next year.  Some associations are already doing this.  Made about $18,000 on pancake breakfast. Nikki Gieseke made a motion to approve the Treasurer’s Report.  Julee Elstad seconded.  Approved.

COMMITTEE UPDATES

Concessions- Donut money that was in a separate bag was stolen.  Decided to make the donut vendor responsible for collecting this in the future, then give us our 15%.  Karen questioned who should be providing the water for the refs.  Sara W. will pickup two cases, and then need to make a decision for next year.  Express staff is expecting free stuff from the concession stand.  Dave S. will address this with them.  Express bought 100 hot dogs for Viracon night.

Fundraising/Sponsorship-Sending letters seeking more corporate sponsors.  Investigating possibilities with VFW.  Sara Heyer investigating pork dinner for fundraiser at Squirt A Tourney weekend at the Elks.  Looking at awarding teams that sell the most tickets and also sell at the gate. Jay and Dan S. will talk to Hy-Vee about having the parking lot for the Fair again.  Second letters sent to iceman’s club.  Thank you’s sent to those who stepped up.  Will also send similar letter to OYHA members.  Will check with Will Fish to see if Grow Hockey has made any profit.  Cups are not very good quality this year and have only sold a couple.  Didn’t like that there wasn’t any hockey info on them.  Nikki is working with Jostens for ordering things online and OHYA getting some of the profit.

Ice- Most ice is allocated in February.  Waiting to see who makes it to districts.  Season should be over when done with districts or regions.  No ice will be given to teams after that except for parent/player games.  PeeWee B2 is short on games but the coach arranged a jamboree in February with a couple of teams.  No trophies, not considered an OYHA tourney but must abide by tourney rules.

Equipment-Fitted about 12 more kids for the 2^nd half.  Some turned theirs in.  Over budget for income.

Coaches Committee-Jeff Ratzloff gave an update on what was covered in the last coaches meeting.

ACE/ Park and Rec-Deb said 2^nd session is going well.  Updated on number of kids that progressed in levels.  Good parent feedback.  Will play some at Morehouse. Good parent/coach participation.  Received $675 in donations for the stick fund.  Some coaches gave their paychecks back for a donation and also received money from Girls Hockey and Jostens.  Ordered dividers today and they were on sale.  Is asking Tim Colstrup to use his truck to pick them up to save on shipping.  Scrimmages are scheduled with Dodge Center Mite program.  Got in lottery to skate at Final Four and State tournaments.  Dodge center extended an invitation to us for Spring hockey.  Need to extend equipment for spring/summer hockey.

Registration-One last refund due to a U14 player.  Check has been sent.  Rosters are finalized.

Tournaments-Need to finalize some rules and details for the Squirt A District Tourney.  Have wearables designed.   All available teams will need to work.  Girls tourney successful and received good feedback. Have netted $38,000 plus gate fees.  Gold Cross fees were lower, saving some money.   Some date changes for next year’s tourneys.  Will be bidding for more district tourneys next year.

Communication/Publicity-No Report.

Kick-Off/Banquet – Banquet will be March 31^st.  Need to discuss budget.  Reminder sent for pictures.  Will be same format as last year.

Merchandise – Final orders are wrapping up.  Approx. $4000-$5000 in revenue so far, but have a few invoices to pay yet.

Pond Hockey – No Report

Dan Sawyer made a motion to accept all committee reports.  Jim Von Ruden seconded.  Approved

OLD BUSINESS

Reminder that at the next meeting we will need to have the election for next year’s president.  Jay encouraged everyone to attend a district meeting at some point.  The next one is March 20^th in St. Peter.

NEW BUSINESS

The annual meeting is at the Banquet.  All are expected to attend.

Bylaws state that we need a nomination for a nominating committee.  Need 3 board members on this committee.  Jay suggested at least 1 member from the executive committee and 1 with more than 1 year left on the board.  Dave Johson, Dave Swenson, and Wendy Bogen were nominated for the committee.  Dave Swenson moved that nominations cease.  Seconded by Jim Von Ruden.

District updates-Coaches and player behavior not good this year.  Warnings issued and zero tolerance at districts.  Changing repercussions for things that are not followed, i.e. not having an ACE coordinator, behavior, etc.  All regular games must be done by February 8^th for PeeWee and Bantams.  Lots of new size requirements for goalie equipment.  Talk of taking away icing for the short-handed team on power plays.  Neck guards may be required in MN.

Dan Sawyer made the motion to adjourn.  Jim VonRuden seconded.  Approved.

Next Meeting Date:  February 18, 2009