Spring 2007 Minutes AGM

NS BOARD OF APPROVED BASKETBALL OFFICIALS

MINUTES OF SPRING AGM MEETING

May 27th, 2007

Evangeline Middle School

New Minas, N.S.

Meeting was called to order at 11:10 a.m. by NSBO President, Sam MacNeish.

The Spring AGM was held as two separate meetings (i.e. Executive Meeting, General Meeting). The Executive Meeting was held during the morning followed by the General Meeting in the afternoon. The main purpose of the executive meeting was to review the agenda for the general meeting and to discuss the many issues/decisions/problems encountered during the season. Executive members also took this opportunity to discuss NSBO’s relationship with various partners as well as upcoming events.

· APPROVAL OF AGENDA :

MOTION #1

Life Membership – Reg Caulfield presented a request received from Don Laviollette for a life membership. In his presentation, Reg outlined the criteria for the approval of a life membership and identified previous recipients. The criteria included years of service and contributions to the Board either provincially or locally. Please not that a life membership only covers NSBO dues, not CABO dues.

Reg’s recommendation to the membership was to grant Don’s request for a life membership. The recommendation was accepted and approved unanimously by the membership.

President’s Report : Regrettably, Sam MacNeish announced that he would not be reoffering as President of NSBO. In his presentation, he made mention of the many objectives NSBO met during the past season and the challenges NSBO will be facing over the next year, especially in the area of rules. He thanked his Executive for their support and diligent work during his tenure. The membership gave him a warm round of applause.

Secretary \ Treasurer : ***PLEASE NOTE*** Rates for the 2007-2008 year will be $70 for P1+50 and above and $30 for P1-50 (passed last year).

Provincial Supervisor Report : – Reg Caulfield presented a few of the highlights of his report and mentioned the many things that have been dealt with in the last few weeks simply to get things up to date. The main focus of his presentation was the pursuit of excellence and the need for NSBO to make sure, as a group, that we stay constant with National Standards in terms of rules, mechanics, etc. Reg awarded Level II’s to Darren Dahl and Jeff Starratt. The Wink Willox was awarded to Reg Jewkes and announced that Dave McRae would be receiving a BNS Award. In addition, Reg announced the two Summer National appointments to the Juvenile Men’s Tournament in Sherbrooke, Quebec would be Mary Alice Butts and Neil Deveau.

Provincial Interpreter : Roger spoke on the challenges NSBO will be facing with the move to FIBA rules. The main change consists of time modifications (check the website for all the updates over the summer). FIBA mechanics will be used at all levels, effective 2007-08 season. To date, no official decisions have been made concerning summer national tournaments. A major FIBA Clinic for all of NSBO Officials will be held in Halifax on September 22^nd and 23^rd. In addition, Roger announced that he would be offering a summer camp with the focus being the FIBA rules and educating and developing officials. The “Caulfield’s Camp of Officiating” is scheduled to be held July 13-14 in the Valley. Two summer tournaments are being held this year – one in Truro and one in Halifax. Please apply to the Area Supervisor in Truro and Halifax if you are interested in officiating in either one of these tournaments. Both tournaments will be officiated under FIBA rules and mechanics.

Provincial Assessor : Report posted on website.

Area Supervisor Reports : Posted on the website.

Camp for African-Canadian update – Irvine Carvery requested clarification as to why a representative of Human Right’s was invited to speak at last year’s Fall Meeting. Sam MacNeish responded to the question and explained that NSBO invites various guest speakers from time to time and that the Executive decided that Human Rights issues would be an appropriate subject to educate the membership on. Irvine Carvery asked that NSBO become more pro-active in recruiting and retaining African-Canadian officials. He also recommended the Black Tournament be used as an avenue to evaluate and certify officials. He summed up by saying a plan needs to be created to train, retain, and improve the officiating skills of African-Canadian officials. In response, Reg Caulfield mentioned the many activities that have taken place over the past two years to recruit and develop officials throughout Nova Scotia. Given the many objectives and responsabilities of the Executive members, there is little time available to focus strictly on the recruitment of African-Canadian officials. Therefore, Reg recommended that a Committee be created with the sole purpose of concentrating on the recruitment and development of African-Canadian Officials in Nova Scotia. Irvine Carvery responded by saying that he would work with the Committee. One major initiative already underway is the organizing of an NSBO Fall Officiating Summit scheduled to take place on September 21^st and 23^rd in Halifax. This initiative will be coordinated by Sam MacNeish and will hopefully address some of the issues raised in today’s meeting.

All issues arising from old business were addressed earlier in the meeting and are mentioned under heading “Matters Arising from the Minutes”.

2. Fall Clinic – Fall Clinic to be held on September 22^nd and 23^rd with the hope of having the Fall Meeting at the same time.

Motion # 3: “Move that the Fall AGM be held annually in Halifax in conjunction with the Fall Clinic.”

The major advantage is to give up only one weekend and it is a centralized location.

3. Earlier in the meeting, Ken Fells voiced his displeasure with NSBO’s selection process. His main complaint is his perceived lack of communication and evaluation of officials prior to the removal of officials from the ACAA panel. In light of his concerns, the Executive decided that his complaint was warranted and therefore it was decided that any officials being removed from the ACAA panel will be informed of the decision in writing and provided with constructive feedback on their performance. It was also decided that President, Greg Parsons will coordinate a meeting with ACAA Commissioner, Keith Finck and Provincial Supervisor, Reg Caulfield to meet with Ken Fells to discuss his complaint.

4. Friends of BNS Luncheon – Patti Hutchison voiced her displeasure with the selection of officials to attend the BNS Luncheon held annually in Halifax. Her complaint was that the process currently used was not defined. In order to ensure NSBO operates in a fair and open manner, the following motion was presented.

Motion # 4: “The President will support having a table at the BNS Luncheon and will choose the number of officials to attend the function by way of submissions of officials by Area Supervisors to the President.”

Action: President to contact Area Supervisors by end of February to request submissions.

5. Differences in Sanctions for Various Partners – Ken Fells voiced his concern that difference sanctions were being applied by various partners for similar infractions.

- Although Ken Fells was not in attendance to speak to this item, the issue was brought up and discussed by the President. Sam stated that NSBO has no jurisdiction over how our partners deal with disciplinary action and that we would continue to work with them in order to close the gap.

- It has been brought to NSBO’s attention that we are not consistent with our billing process. In order to ensure we are operating in an open and fair manner, a detailed invoice should be submitted to clients.

Motion # 5: “The Spring Meeting to be changed from the current date to the last Sunday in May.”

Motion # 6: “Spring Meeting to be alternated between Colchester and the Valley”

8. Certification Program – Reg Caulfield presented Darren Dahl and Jeff Starratt with their Level II Certificates.

9. Summer Nationals – Reg Caulfield announced the decision of the Selection Committee to send Mary Alice Butts and Neil Deveau to the Summer Nationals in Sherbrooke, Quebec.

Refer to Roger Caulfield’s report on the website. Although this tournament is not yet completely organized, NSBO would like to use this as a development opportunity in support of the transition to the new FIBA rules. This tournament will be the responsibility of the Area Supervisor. Please note – the night before this tournament, officials working will have to participate in a mini-clinic put on by Roger to cover FIBA Mechanics and Rules.

Reg Caulfield voiced his disappointment with the level of communication surrounding the Wheelchair Basketball initiatives. An initiative of this magnitude requires leadership and as a result Keith Finck has agreed to take on this responsibility. Keith Finck to provide an update at the fall meeting.

It was decided that the position of Communication Officer was no longer required therefore the title is to be removed from our organization.

Dealt with under Reg Caulfield’s Report and presentation earlier in the meeting.

AUS Playoffs – The AUS Play-offs contract is entering its last year and will be discussed at the CABO meeting in September by the four Provincial Supervisors (Atlantic Provinces). The AUS regular season contract also needs to be negotiated by the end of next year.

Please note - to be considered for a spot on the AUS Panel, send an email ASAP to Reg Jewkes or John Fanning.

Moved by Doug Wortman and seconded by Irvine Carvery, the spring 2007 AGM was adjourned at 1:29 pm.