Atlantic Football League

Annual General Meeting

Minutes

March 20, 2010 – 10:00 a.m.

Moncton , New Brunswick

Centennial Park Tennis Club Building

 

            Participants:

 

            Executive: Pat O’Brien, Commissioner, Larry Timms – Secretary/Treasurer

 

            Board Members: Fredericton Red Bombers – Larry Wizniewski, Terry McIntyre (alternate)

                                        Moncton Raiders – Dan Fougere, Roger Collette (alternate)

                                        Saint John Seawolves – Barry Ogden, Bruce Watts (alternate)                                        

           

Guests:  PEI (Holland College/UPEI) Representatives – Grant Canvin, Mike O’Grady

               Dalhousie University Representatives – Jeff Pond, Rick Rivers, Mike Tanner, Bob Lewington

              Fredericton Red Bombers Head Coach – Mike Dolimore

  NBFOA – Al Gates

              NSFOA – John Brenton

              FNB – Dave Blanched

              CJFL – Tony Ladeluca

 

                                                                       

1)      The first AGM of the AFL was called to order at 10:05 AM

 

2)      It was determined that a quorum was present, based on the signed attendance sheet.

 

3)      The Secretary indicated that he had one written proxy from Bill Todd assigning his Saint John Seawolves alternate vote to Bruce Watts.

 

4)      The Commissioner, Pat O’Brien welcomed everyone to the meeting.

 

5)      Pat then had everyone in attendance introduce themselves and state their affiliation.

 

6)      Larry Wizniewski moved to accept the agenda that had been previously distributed to the board and Dan Fougere seconded the motion. Motion was adopted.

 

7)      Correspondence - there was no correspondence to be presented.

 

8)      Pat O’Brien read his Commissioner’s Report (copy attached). Larry W. moved to accept the report, seconded by Roger, passed.

 

9)      Larry Timms tabled the AFL Financial Report (copy attached) as at December 31, 2009. This had been presented and discussed at a previous Board meeting. Dan moved to accept the report, seconded by Bruce, passed. Roger raised the query whether member teams should present a financial statement as to their financial “health”. Individual teams did not have that information available, but oral reports were made. Barry Ogden indicated that the Saint John Seawolves ended the 2009 season in good shape with revenues exceeding $48,000 and a positive bank balance. Larry W. indicated that the Fredericton Red Bombers had a 3 year plan and also ended 2009 with a positive bank balance. Dan Fougere indicated that the Raider were in debt. He said that the MFA had loaned their team money for the 2009 season and there was at least $7,500 owed to the MFA. Dan indicated that this had to be paid before the 2010 season could start but did not offer how this would be accomplished.  

 

10)   Barry then moved to ratifying the actions of the Executive/Board of Governors for past year. Seconded

 by Dan, passed.

 

11)   Amendments to the AFL Constitution were reviewed and motions, where appropriate, were made to

       accept them. See the attached for the details to these changes. A revised Constitution and Bylaws will

 be issued soon.

 

12)   Amendments to the AFL Bylaws were reviewed and motions, where appropriate, were made to accept

       them. See the attached for the details to these changes. A revised Constitution and Bylaws will

 be issued soon.

 

13)   New Business

 

1)  Grant Canvin and Mike O’Grady summarized the application package from PEI ( Holland College

UPEI Football Club). This package had been previously distributed to the board members.

Following a few questions, Larry W moved that the application be accepted, seconded by Dan F.

Motion adopted.

 

2)  The delegation from Dalhousie University , led by Jeff Pond then distributed their application

      package and responded to questions from the table. It was then moved by Larry W, seconded by

      Barry O that we accept the application. As this application did not arrive 30 days before the meeting,

      the constitution required a unanimous vote. Dan Fougere did not realize this and he voted against

      this motion, as he felt that fact that the Dalhousie team was restricted to Dalhousie students (a

      condition of the University recognizing the team as a club team of the University) and not open to

      the entire community. After subsequent discussion, Larry W. made a new motion to accept the

      application, again seconded by Barry. Terry McIntyre then asked to amend the motion to request that

      the Dalhousie team had to become a member of the Football NS before the start of the season and

      this amended motion was unanimously adopted.

           

3)      Tony Ladeluca was introduced and he gave a brief presentation about the CJFL – Canadian Junior

Football League and he responded to questions from the floor. Pat Then thanked him for coming to

the meeting.         

 

4)  A proposed schedule for the 2010 season was presented. Bruce Watts had prepared this so he gave a

     brief summary of the rational for the proposal, recognizing that due to restrictions on the availability

     of officials at certain times and days that the AFL had to be flexible. With 2 new teams, it was

     concluded that every team had to review this proposal and get back to Bruce Watts with any requests

     for changes and that a subsequent meeting will be required to finalize the schedule in conjunction

     with the various provincial officials organizations.

 

5)  The matter of bussing was then discussed. Larry presented the bussing proposal and it was

     determined that both the PEI and Dalhousie teams would look after their own bussing and the 3 NB

     teams would handle their bussing through the league. Details would be highlighted in the AFL 2010

     Budget.

 

6)  The subject of the AFL being involvement with CFL Exhibition Game weekend (September 24th,

     25th, 26th ) in Moncton was discussed briefly and although there may be a league game that weekend,

     it was felt that the AFL would not benefit from being a partner in this weekend.

 

7)      Larry  T. raised the point that the AFL should institute a reimbursement policy for travel by the

     executive and board while on league business. Dan moved that we follow the FNB schedule and

     reimburse at $0.40 / km for travel. This was seconded by Larry W. Adopted.

   

8)  Larry T. tabled a preliminary budget but after some discussion, it was agreed that both the PEI and

     Dalhousie teams would look after their own regular season bussing and home game officiating

     expenses. These teams would also be responsible for their own insurance and Provincial Sports

     Organization membership costs. As a result of this, Larry will develop a revised budget with two

     sections, one for the 3 NB teams and 1 for the other 2 members. This will be reviewed and adopted at

     a future meeting. It was agreed that the league would require written proof from all teams that they

     had appropriate insurance coverage.

 

9)  With no nominations from the floor, the Current Executive and Board of Governors would remain

     the same as last year with the addition of 2 members from each of the 2 new teams. PEI and

     Dalhousie will notify the executive, as soon as possible, with the names of these 2 appointees for

     their teams.

 

10)  There was some discussion on the question of eligibility (Bylaw 6 - Player Age). It was moved by

       Barry, seconded by Dan, that Larry W. and Terry M. would form a committee on this matter and

       make a proposal at a future Board meeting.

 

14)    Larry W. moved that the meeting by adjourned at 3:30 PM, seconded by Barry. Agreed.

 

 

Action Items                                                                           Responsibility

 

Revised 2010 Budget                                                             Larry Timms

 

Review Schedule                                                                   All – Bruce Watts

 

Constitution and Bylaw Changes – Update                           Larry Timms – Bill Todd

 

Eligibility Committee                                                              Larry Wisniewski – Terry McIntyre