Greely
Hockey Boosters Meeting
Attendance: Damian Bolduc,
Nancy Bolduc, Scott Pickett, Brian Saucier, Becky Allyn,
Dave Swan, Ruth Stevenson, Terry Beckman, Maria Bowden, Ralph Nelson, Peter Blais, Tom Allen, John Moody, Paul Godin,
Joel Harris.
I.
TREASURER’S REPORT
Terry Beckman reported: cookbook revenues
are coming in and the fund-raiser will break even with the sale of 14 more
books; middle school and girls’ team registration fees have all been collected;
and few major expenses have been paid so far this year.
II.
SECRETARY’S REPORT - Sept. 19 Meeting
Motion to accept last month's report by
Stevenson and seconded by Godin. Report accepted.
Cookbooks - Bowden reported that a
volunteer is needed to co-chair this fund-raiser with Liz Otley. Anyone
interested should contact Otley.
Middle School Dances - Stevenson reported
the first dance of the year raised $900 in revenues. The next one is scheduled
for Nov. 10.
Golf Tournament - Allen and Moody
reported golf tourney revenues should be allocated in the following manner
between the boys’ and girls’ programs: the putting-string revenues will be
allocated between the boys’ and girls’ programs based on the percentage of
teams each program brought into the tournament; revenues from auction items
will be divided evenly between the two programs, which will amount to about
$230 apiece; tee-sign revenues are still being determined. Moody motioned
revenues be allocated as proposed. Damian Bolduc
seconded. Motion passed.
Caribbean Raffle - Godin
and Swan reported: 250 tickets have been ordered that will sell for $50 apiece;
the program will operate the same as last year; the tickets will be available
by Nov. 8.
IV.
PROGRAMS
Girls - Nelson reported: 11 girls have
registered for this year’s program with another six expected to do so; four
potential girl skaters have transferred to other schools; the kickoff meeting
is scheduled for Nov. 10 at the Family Ice Center (
High School Boys Varsity/JV - Bowden
reported: registration is scheduled for Nov. 8 at 7 p.m. at the high school
library; the season officially starts with the first practice on Nov. 21; the
first regular-season game is scheduled for Dec. 10 at Hampden; the traditional
spaghetti dinner will take place on Dec. 9; Brunswick and Kennebunk are two new
opponents added to this year’s schedule; Greely’s
pre-season Icebreaker tournament is scheduled for Nov. 25-26 at
Middle School - Stevenson reported: the
“B” team needs pucks; this winter’s “Sports Done Right” informational meeting,
scheduled for Nov. 9, will discuss the role of middle school sports.
V.
OLD BUSINESS
Donations - Godin
will discuss with Coach Barry Mothes what should be
done with the Sevee & Maher donation in memory of
Jon Derrah.
Alumni Fund - Bowden reported that Susan Bisbing has sent letters to 79 former Greely boys’ skaters
soliciting donations for the alumni fund. She plans to follow up on the letters
shortly.
Girls Sanctioning - Bowden reported the
Girls' Sanctioning Committee made a presentation to the school board on Sept.
19, requesting that the board authorize the administration to send a letter to
the Maine Principals Association (MPA) notifying them of Greely's
intention to field a varsity team if/when the MPA sanctions girls
ice hockey. While the board seemed favorably disposed to supporting the
program, there were many questions and some concerns. First, there was a degree
of skepticism as to the urgency, when the Committee had appeared before the
Board only a year ago indicating that MPA sanctioning was probably two to three
years away. Second, if Greely turned out to be the 10th team, the concern was
raised that the Board's action might serve as the "trigger" to set in
motion onerous MPA and Title IX rules and restrictions (the "chicken and
egg" question). Finally, in light of the district's upcoming "Sports
Done Right" discussion and study, there was an inclination to wait and see
what issues arose out of that process.
Although our proposal involved a self-funding model, there were many
questions and concerns raised about finances and the district's priorities
given the pressures on the district's finances overall. No vote was taken (the
intention was to vote at the next meeting on Oct. 6).
As a result of discussions with members
of the school board, the Committee reluctantly agreed to a tabling of the issue
for the time being while the board performed additional due diligence (working
informally with the committee). The Sanctioning Committee has been provided
with an assurance that, if the MPA did sanction girls
hockey in the interim, the board would take up the issue again to prevent
Greely from being excluded from league play.
The committee has decided to proceed with
the girls capital-fund campaign and will be meeting
soon to discuss a strategy.
VI.
Bylaw Revisions - Those in attendance
voted to keep the bylaws the same pending further discussion about changing the
date booster dues are collected.
Yearbook Ads - Bowden reminded booster
members that yearbook ads are due by Nov. 4. Those who choose not to solicit
ads are expected to make a $90 contribution to the boosters.
Opt-out fee - Bowden noted that it costs
about $1,000 annually to put each Greely boys’ varsity skater on the ice. The
school pays about a third of that cost and registration fees pay a third. That
leaves the boosters to fund the final third through various fund-raisers that
require parental and skater involvement. Unfortunately, only a handful of
parents participate in fund-raising efforts. Those in attendance discussed
assessing an opt-out fee that could amount to several hundred dollars apiece to
those skaters and parents who choose to not get involved in fund-raising
efforts. The issue will be discussed at future booster meetings.
• Nov. 8 - Varsity boys registration and
parent meeting at
• Nov. 9 - Sports Done Right
informational meeting at
• Nov. 10 - Mandatory girls’ team meeting
at
• Nov. 10 - Middle School Dance at Wescustogo Hall.
• Nov. 15 - Next booster meeting at