USA Hockey assistance

[elliott70]

Posted: 02 May 2008 12:17 Post subject: USA Hockey assistance

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I have been toying with the idea of calling the president of USA Hockey.

No to help with one site A level tourneys, but of something of a greater magnitude, something I have suggested and brought up to MH board (and briefly to the President of USA Hockey).

This 'something' is a revamp of how the MN H board is elected.
I believe each assn should be allowed to vote for the President and whatever other VP's and elceted officials are necessary. Make them directly accountable to the local associations.

In addition those board members that have no direct contact with youth hockey should be restricted as to what matters they vote on. As an example, the adult mens director votes all matters before the board. Teh DD and all other board members get no input what so ever in establishing their rules. They should have restricted voting rights.

Any thoughts on this?

[DMom]

it does sound like it is taxation without representation the way it is now. The decisions effect out kids and yet most people don't hear about them until it's too late. I think a more direct set up would make the positions more visible to the associations and possibly there would be more competition for the positions. Competition drives people to perform a little better than they might like.

[pucks are funny]

I agree with you 100 % that many times members are voting on something they know little about.
But what roll would USA Hockey have in the makeup of MN Hockey board ? Do they control the makeup ? Just wondering, I am not aware that a district or MN Hockey setting up position of local associations.

If it could be setup correctly that would be wonderful. On the local level, I could see votes from board members re: a coach being hired, yet they are the webmaster, and may have no clue on what makes a good youth coach. I think this is what you are saying is happening at MH.

Now all of you don't get upset, but there is members voting in MH on youth rules, that have no idea why they even are there. Probably have never seen a blue puck, or have no idea why a coach wears a helmet. And that one senior lady probably has never set foot in the X or seen a youth hockey game in 4 dozen years... but she will cast a vote !

[trippedovertheblueline]

What is the process now ? Old boys club?

The district director makeup looks correct.
For all the other ones that are youth hockey positions they should be voted on by the members. I also believe that those nominations should have to go thru their district to get nominated.... Now the people nominating them are the district reps from each local association.

Then limit the number of positions held per district. District 6 could only have the same number of board members as District 4.

For your senior mens, senior womens, let them be voted in by their members. It will probably be like a judge running w/out competition, but they still are voted in.

[observer]

Much of what we discuss is Minnesota Youth Hockey. An important distinction, that Elliot is commenting on, is that our governing body is called Minnesota Hockey, not Minnesota Youth Hockey. That means they're involved in all Minnesota hockey decisions, not just those that relate to youth. For me, youth hockey should often be a separate discussion with separate decisions and decision makers. After youth hockey (Mite, Squirt, PeeWee, Bantam, U8, U10, U12 & U14) comes high school hockey, then adult hockey, which they also oversee. So I believe decisions can be made that aren't necessarily in the best interests of "youth hockey." Minnesota Hockey doesn't necessarily protect youth hockey interests as that isn't their charge. Does Minnesota Youth Hockey need an organization that protects our interests? Minnesota Hockey has multiple responsibilities and don't always make decisions that protect Minnesota Youth Hockey. Does the schools hosting bantam teams question come to mind. If there was a Minnesota Youth Hockey organization in place, or a Minnesota Hockey division that only oversaw what benefits Youth Hockey organizations, then there wouldn't be split decisions on what's best for Minnesota Youth Hockey. They try and balance the interests of all hockey in Minnesota instead of protecting only what most of us are interested in, what's best for Youth Hockey in Minnesota.

Sorry to get off topic but it relates. No Youth Hockey organization/association would ever favor starting more bantam teams not hosted by youth hockey associations. Why would they suggest adding more bantam teams when there are plenty and several already combat declining numbers. But, an organization that has to answer to it's high school members too, Minnesota Hockey, might consider an idea to benefit that portion of membership, high schools, not favored by another part of membership, youth hockey associations.

I honestly believe that Minnesota Hockey is planning to end the idea of any schools hosting bantam teams. They've already killed Blake's but have a decision on St. Thomas coming to vote in June. I believe they'll protect their youth hockey association members and end the St. Thomas bantam experiment as well. It harms to many member youth hockey associations and benefits only a selfish few. Also, one single school bantam program has caused headaches for a lot of people. If there were 8-10 of them it would be a huge nightmare for several youth hockey associations.

Does there need to be a specific division in Minnesota Hockey that protects the interests of Minnesota Youth Hockey Associations? Or, does there need to be an entirely new organization whose only interest is what's best for youth hockey and doesn't need to balance decisions to please other member organizations?

[Marty McSorely]

MN Hockey is an elusive group. They take our money, yet most people know nothing about how they operate or don’t operate. There should be a process for all actions/ideas to go through for approval. But it appears in the short time I’ve followed MNH nothing ever happens.

From what I read on the USA Hockey Website. Committees bring ideas to the board for a vote with the pros/cons and the board makes a decision. Redistricting and other items have been on the plate of MNH for too long.

Something needs to change before the whole thing tanks.

[wannagototherink]

Someone stated the biggest problem of how things are currently done, and that is really quite simple...Minnesota Hockey as always taken the stance of "it's easier to ask for forgiveness, than it is to ask for permission." The fact is most of us never know what is going on at the state level because they don't tell us. Now Mr. Elliott has tried to inform people the best he can on this board, but this single site tournament is an example of keeping things from the people who can gather the masses.

First, Minnesota Hockey needs to be reminded who they represent...its membership. Therefore, the membership should first decide who sits on the board. Second, there needs to be full-disclosure of what is happening within Minnesota Hockey. DD's should hold public monthly meetings. Issues should be made open to the membership prior to the meeting, not after. Yes, of course they post the agenda on their website, but still, the discriptions there are vague and there is no real time to organize if there is something that is major or minor for that matter, and the membership can lead the way.

I would like to see a program like this:

Major decisions that affect all of Minnesota Hockey should first be presented to the association Presidents in each district by the DD. That way if there is any questions they can be answered there. Second, each association should than poll its membership to feel how they like/dislike a certain issue. Than each association has one vote. The majority vote of each association within each districts determines how that district will vote...For instance, if there are 10 associations in a given district, and that districts votes breaks down to 6 against a one site state tournament and 4 for it, than that district vote would be against a one site tournament. (only using one-site state tournament as an example, this should apply to all issues affecting Minnesota Hockey)


Voting should only be the responsibility of the DD's and the executive board. With that, I would add the Coach-in-Chief to the rank of voting member, and remove the Ref-in-Chief. I think it was stated earlier that this is backwards since the Ref-in-Chief is a private contractor. The Coach-in-Chief should carry the overall voting stance of the coaches throughout the state, you know the ones that are at the rinks everyday, on the front lines. That vote should be run in the same manner as the DD's vote. Require the Coach-in-Chief of each district to poll the coaches in his/her district, than the individual Coach-in-Chief's report to the MH Coach-in-Chief and the Majority gets the vote yea/nah at the state level. So voting would consist of:

VP
Sec.
Treas.
Coach-in-Chief
12 DD's

The president votes only in case of a tie.

I have attended Minnesota Hockey meetings in the past and I must say many of the people making these decisions are out of touch with how the game is played today. Finally, say what you want about the MH board and the way it's made up, but the truth is, the number of kids playing hockey is been on a steady decline for the last 20 years, we all need to look in the mirror and ask how it can be improved. Yeah there are social-econmic issues that affect our great game, but if the system is broken, than it is all of our responsibilities to try and change it for the better. The problems with this board is no different than any other board or governing body...human beings are the ones running it, things get done in a manner of you get my vote here, if I get your vote there, until the membership holds those in charge accountable for what they do, than we really have no reason to complain about it, unless you are willing to stand up and be part of the solution. There is talk of a "revolution" on this board, well here is our chance to mobilize and try to make a difference, if we don't, than we have no one to blame but ourselves.

[whockeyguy]

AS POSTED Before ----absolutly,, Mn Hockey biggest weakness is that they give to much power to people with nonsense tiltes, why a maroon and gold Vp to ever see the DDs, are not these DDs capable of running the district,. Why does the Referee-in-cheif have a vote [ they are independent contractors},and the Coach-in-chief does not, seems ass backwards to me,why do the High school directors have a vote both girls and boys when Mn Hockey continues to say they are not affliated with the schools,,director for Juniors and Adult have voting power on YOUTH hockey???? Then we got the famous V.P. titles, to many to even put on here, should be one V.P. that has voting rights No More.... OOppps forgot about the controller , isnt he the one to eversee the spending of the organization , seems like that title might be the fox gaurding the chicken coup if that positon has a voting power, also doubles up on the treasure duties....

Simple way here is what MN Hockey should have for voting power:
President--- Non voting unless to break ties
1 VP
sec.
treasurer.
the DD all twelve of them
Thas it the rest can have all their feel good titles and glory but NO voting rights,
That would then Make Mn Hockey accountable to how they serve

I disagree with the coach in chief having voting rights as someone stated before , as that will just start the watering down effect that is in place now, if given the voting right then the argument can be made for the other positions ,, KIS---- keep it simple and yes i left of the other s beacuse i have no idea of who are and this is not about name calling.

[HockeyFan55]

I agree with a lot of what is said on this thread. Just a couple of comments.

The two HS reps, represent ONLY those in the elite category, and should not have voting positions.

The Adult/Womens/Junior positions should ONLY be allowed to vote on issues related to themselves.

The controller is one of the ONLY members of the board trying to control finances. If this persone wasn't there, everyone would have their own checkbook and carte blanche.

The youth coaches are represented by the 12 DDs, and that is why the Coach in Chief has no vote.

The President of EVERY youth association in the state should be demanding a copy of the complete budget for the upcoming year, and an itemized record of expenses for the past several.

The President, or a representative, from EVERY youth association should also be at the Sunday meeting in June. Push your association to send someone. People can comment here, but unless a show of force is there in June, the 'officers' of MN Hockey really don't give a SH%&. One of you big associations: Get on the agenda, and start recruiting support that will show up at the meeting!

[greybeard58]

The meetings are open to the public and if no one shows up or the DD'S can not straighten things out, things will go on the same as usual.

[pucks are funny]

If five customers of MH showed up and were present, they would need a big room. SHOW UP.... IT IS YOUR KIDS PROGRAM.... IT IS YOUR KIDS PROGRAM. Bernie would show up