Minnesota Hockey Elections

[Puckguy19]

With all that we read about the workings of Minnesota Hockey, even if only a portion of it is true, we have no one to blame but ourselves. Anytime that leadership is able to insulate themselves from the groups they represent, change is going to be hard to come by.

If I understand it correctly, the District Directors are elected by their respective district membership. Yet that only accounts for 12 of the 27 positions on the board. The remainder are basically elected by themselves. Once you are in, you stay until you decide not to run. I have seen some good people from the "grassroots" put their name in nomination, only to be beaten by the incumbent. I don't believe an outsider really has any shot at being elected. In fact, when the last VP position was posted on the MN Hockey website, one of the qualifications was that you had to have three years of service to the board in order to be nominated. I believe E70 took care of that issue.

I am sure that the bylaws are written in such a way, that the membership really has little or no chance to partipate in electing their representatives, so any change to the process would require a massive effort. It would have to start with the district directors and district presidents demanding more of a voice, and people continuing to press the issue. Not an easy task, and if undertaken there would be a high level of risk with "putting your name out there," because you wouldn't make any friends in the process.

If 40-50 people showed up at the fall meeting and demanded to be heard, that would be a start. If not, then it continues to make for good discussion on this board but not much else.

[Silent But Deadly]

With all that we read about the workings of Minnesota Hockey, even if only a portion of it is true, we have no one to blame but ourselves. Anytime that leadership is able to insulate themselves from the groups they represent, change is going to be hard to come by.

If I understand it correctly, the District Directors are elected by their respective district membership. Yet that only accounts for 12 of the 27 positions on the board. The remainder are basically elected by themselves. Once you are in, you stay until you decide not to run. I have seen some good people from the "grassroots" put their name in nomination, only to be beaten by the incumbent. I don't believe an outsider really has any shot at being elected. In fact, when the last VP position was posted on the MN Hockey website, one of the qualifications was that you had to have three years of service to the board in order to be nominated. I believe E70 took care of that issue.

I am sure that the bylaws are written in such a way, that the membership really has little or no chance to partipate in electing their representatives, so any change to the process would require a massive effort. It would have to start with the district directors and district presidents demanding more of a voice, and people continuing to press the issue. Not an easy task, and if undertaken there would be a high level of risk with "putting your name out there," because you wouldn't make any friends in the process.

If 40-50 people showed up at the fall meeting and demanded to be heard, that would be a start. If not, then it continues to make for good discussion on this board but not much else.

Pretty gutsy Puckguy19.... they will find you....and then you'll be playing cribbage with E70!

[Can't Never Tried]

With all that we read about the workings of Minnesota Hockey, even if only a portion of it is true, we have no one to blame but ourselves. Anytime that leadership is able to insulate themselves from the groups they represent, change is going to be hard to come by.

If I understand it correctly, the District Directors are elected by their respective district membership. Yet that only accounts for 12 of the 27 positions on the board. The remainder are basically elected by themselves. Once you are in, you stay until you decide not to run. I have seen some good people from the "grassroots" put their name in nomination, only to be beaten by the incumbent. I don't believe an outsider really has any shot at being elected. In fact, when the last VP position was posted on the MN Hockey website, one of the qualifications was that you had to have three years of service to the board in order to be nominated. I believe E70 took care of that issue.

I am sure that the bylaws are written in such a way, that the membership really has little or no chance to partipate in electing their representatives, so any change to the process would require a massive effort. It would have to start with the district directors and district presidents demanding more of a voice, and people continuing to press the issue. Not an easy task, and if undertaken there would be a high level of risk with "putting your name out there," because you wouldn't make any friends in the process.

If 40-50 people showed up at the fall meeting and demanded to be heard, that would be a start. If not, then it continues to make for good discussion on this board but not much else.

I agree, and that's a shame...and is exactly why little changes, or takes forever to change, like re-districting...ya wonder why it hasn't happened? is it because that would require effort and hard choices?
Raising fees, or changing the color of pucks, are easy changes, a one site tourney would be easier for them to manage as well which is another reason they'd want to do it.

If they all really truly cared about the state of hockey, they would realize that a change of leadership every few years would breath fresh air and new ideas into the great state of hockey.

Remember Board, without the membership you are nothing, you are on that board to serve the membership.
If you're there to serve yourself, or this has become your job...it's probably time to go!

[tomASS]

I enjoy conflict - I'll show up and just claim I thought it was the Annual General Meeting for soccer (birds of a feather, right?)

[Puckguy19]

They know where to find me, you and HOF took care of that last spring when you outed me on the board.

Here is my issue: I think there should be some form of democratic representation on the board, like the District Directors are accountable to their local board. The results may not differ, but there would be an appearance of a democratic process.

Even the multi-national corporations my children have stock in (miniscule amounts) pretend that they matter once a year. They get their annual reports, and their ballot to vote for directors and company initiatives. In the end it doesn't matter - but it looks good.

I applaud those who participate in the process for their time and effort, I just wish it didn't have the appearance of being a closed process!

[Puckguy19]

And if you don't know where to find me, I'll be in the suites at the Select 17 festival most of the week. Stop by and say hi.

45 minutes after the last game we usually hold court at BW2. The wife says I may even buy the first round. (Except for Silent but Deadly and HOF'er - if I had their money, I'd burn mine!)

[Silent But Deadly]

And if you don't know where to find me, I'll be in the suites at the Select 17 festival most of the week. Stop by and say hi.

45 minutes after the last game we usually hold court at BW2. The wife says I may even buy the first round. (Except for Silent but Deadly and HOF'er - if I had their money, I'd burn mine!)

Make mine an O'Doul's!...oops you're not buying mine! BTW....didn't get to where I am by burning any money I encourage you to avoid that too!

The Wizard of Warroad obviously gave you a brain because all of your points are spot on...like usual.

I'll give you kudos since I think you are part of the solution rather than what E70 ran into!