NSBO Vice President’s Report
April 25, 2004
Evangeline Middle School
New Minas, N.S.
And all good things must end!!
That is the best lead I could come up with for this past season as vice president and the number of what should have been relatively minor issues, becoming major ones.
For the past two sessions of NSBO business, I have bee fortunate enough not to have dealt with any major issues in regards to discipline.
This season I had one major investigation of a non-disciplinary nature and a second investigation that resulted in the suspension of one of our members.
During the first portion of the season, after several officials in Pictou County made some serious allegations of improprieties, I was asked by our president Jon Hunt to investigate these allegations. After a lengthy investigation and countless hours on the phone with many of the officials, coaches, assignor, area supervisor and members in good standing, I found those allegations all to be false thus exonerating those accused of any wrong doing.
I traveled to Pictou County to present my findings on Jan. 28. Those findings from the investigation I conducted were presented along with suggestions to help ensure due process is followed in any, and all functions surrounding activities in Pictou County.
Following my report, both complainant Fred Pettipas and area supervisor Lindsay Steele were given an opportunity to respond to the findings and were receptive to those presented. A round table discussion was also held to help arrive at compromises arising from the letter co-authored by Mr. Pettipas and Mr. Allen Rutledge.
The end result was a host of changes were to be introduced when the area held their year-end meeting on April 4, at which time an election of a full area executive was completed.
During this meeting Allen Rutledge was elected as the new area supervisor and will replace Lindsay Steele, who served in this position for over 20-years. I would like to thank Lindsay personally for his diligence and perseverance over the years, as he endured to make officiating better in Pictou County. It is my hope that he remains an active member of NSBO as he has always presented insightful information during NSBO business discussions over his tenure.
A second incident, this one of discipline nature was brought forward late in February and NSBO called for a special meeting on Feb. 29 in Bible Hill. At this time, I was requested to strike my discipline committee, the consisted of MABO area supervisor Nick Morash and South Shore area supervisor Gary Mason. After holding a one-on-one discussion with Patti Hutchinson, and reviewing the facts and information with the committee it was determined that Ms. Hutchinson would be removed from our AUS contract negotiating committee and awarded her a three-week suspension next season.
This decision is currently under review by Basketball Nova Scotia. Ms. Hutchinson decided to exercise her option and appeal the decision. Whatever decision BNS renders is the final abiding decision as per NSBO rules and regulations.
The year was not as productive a season as I would have liked for a number of reasons. I was charged with resurrecting the Whistle Blower this season and due to a change in my job and a number of other outside issues, was unable to fulfill this part of my obligation. Because I don’t see my work duties changing in the immediate future, hope that some NSBO member would like to take on this task for next season.
It is my hope that the persons who are assuming the roles of responsibilities here today are able to carry out those tasks in the best interests of NSBO and abide by the rules and regulations that are our guidelines. As leaders in the basketball community we have to be above reproach and serve as mentors of the game of basketball for all those who have come before us and will come after us.
It is important that all members of the executive know the criteria that we operate under and the responsibilities of each committee that does work on our behalf.
At this time I would also like to congratulate our president Jon Hunt for his strong leadership this year. I would also like to thank all of the executive members and area supervisors for their solid work in each of their regions and hope that we can continue to strive towards the same goals of excellence for each of our officials in the future.
Best Regards
Sam McNeish
NSBO Vice President