2012 UNB Red Bombers AGM

January 28, 2012

1 – Welcome and introductions. Sign in sheet circulated and those in attendance:

• ·         Justin DeMerchant – Equipment Manager / AFL Rep
• ·         Pat Forbes – Player / Coaches Liaison
• ·         David Giddings – Player / Player Rep
• ·         Matthew Black – Player
• ·         Jamie Edwards – Coach
• ·         Machael Mallory – Observer
• ·         Terry McIntyre – Coach
• ·         Mike Dollimore – Head Coach
• ·         Ian McMillan
• ·         Larry Wisnewski – AFL Red / GM
• ·         Brian Freeman – Board Chair
• ·         Brian Gilliland – President

2 – Years past motions:

• ·         Proposal to structure fee as $250. $100 at gear fitting ($50 refundable) and $150 before second game.
• ·         Proposal to allow CAMFA Mens Gladiators to use shoulder pads
• ·         Proposal to allocate money for gear purchases and coaches purchases
• ·         Proposal to establish Gear Manager Position.
• ·         Proposal to purchase new jersey’s for the 2012 season.

All passed without dissent by executive

3 – Financial statements:

• ·         Without alumni support the team would have run a 13k deficit
• ·         Player fees continue to be the other major source of revenue
• ·         Cash balance in account is at a reasonable level, but we need money to sustain the program given its current burn rate
• ·         We need to reconcile the financials as presented with the actual account
• ·         Coach Dollimore raised the need to ensure expenditures stay under control
• ·         Agreed we need a budget for the 2012 season
• ·         Also need to examine how we track finances

 

4 – Coaches report:

 

“Firstly, I’d like to thank the entire support team that keeps the team going in so many ways other than on the field on game day. Larry Wisniewski has been a tremendous asset in working with the University and in being a sounding board for the head coach. Likewise , Brian Freeman and his Game day crew have help pave a smoother path in dealing with the school administration and his casual attendance at practices is very much appreciated. Justin DeMerchant’s monitoring of the equipment took a very big load off my shoulders this year.

Mike Lamb and David Gesson’s continuous support to our players and their injuries was done in an efficient and professional manner; again it offered big relief to the coaches to know our players were in good hands.

 

Our coaches Jamie Edwards, Terry MacIntyre, Jeff Taylor, Jeremy Curnew, Neil Cody, and Ron Squires gave freely of their time and energies and we are very grateful for their efforts. We had anticipated that growing our Coaching staff to include a “specialties “ unit would have lighten the load and given that part of the game a well-deserved and more concentrated effort. Unfortunately, some of those coaches were plagued with work and personal commitments that didn’t allow us to fulfill our intentions. We now feel that keeping our staff to 6-7 dedicated coaches is likely our best option.

 

I’d like to thank Ron Squires for the 2 years of service he gave the Bombers and wish him luck as he uses his time to make his new business grow to its fullest potential. I believe Neil will be concluding his studies at UNB and returning to the Halifax region. We wish him luck and thank him for his service over the past 2 years. We hope to soon be able to fill the vacant spots on staff and add someone to the offensive line unit.

 

The AFL is an extremely competitive league that brings twists and turns in almost every minute of every game and we learned that we must always paly to the very last second of very game. It was an exciting and entertaining season not only for the fans but also the coaches. We were pleased to be able to be competitive this year and make it back to the finals against an very well

coached and prepared Holland College team, Congratulations to them on their

2011 Championship Victory.

 

The year, of course, was not without its disappointments and frustrations; We had a few serious injuries that cut the season short for some of our players. This was no doubt devastating to some of them, who were not able to play. On the other hand I witnessed some very dedicated and heroic efforts by players who played “hurt” a good portion of the season. This exemplifies the True Bomber Spirit and we thank them for their courage.

 

The ongoing problem of less than a full commitment by some players continued to place tremendous pressure on everyone and forced us to abandon many of our practice plans so that we could cross train individuals to other positions. The Offensive line was particularly hard struck by this. We used 14 different players to fulfill the duties of that unit. All things considered it is a wonder as to how we were able to achieve what we did, given the adversities we

faced.

 

Unlike in past years, at the start of training camp, we did not CROSS-TRAIN individuals for more than one position. This meant we had to do so throughout the year and we lost continuity in practice. It is imperative that we return to Cross training players on both sides of the ball to establish greater depth far earlier in the season. This must be done at virtually every position. This would allow us to be better prepared and be less vulnerable to absent players.

 

Of the 42 or so players we eventually settled with, we had a core of 22-25 players who we consider truly dedicated to the team. This simply is not enough. We must strive to build that core to 34-36 players that the team can depend upon every night. Additionally, we must seek to find the practice times that will minimize the reason for absenteeism based on class or work schedules. It will be delicate balance between the minimal number of hours required to prepare a team and the priorities of School work and the need to support one’s self through work.

 

Recruiting is something that is difficult for this team because so many of the graduating HS players have been approached by regional Universities and they are determined to “give it a shot” at CIS . I commend those players for living their dream as I did. However, somehow we must get the UNB message out to the grade 10-11 players that, we do not have to be INSTEAD of CIS, but rather we can be BEFORE or we can be AFTER the CIS.

 

Thank you to everyone for your continued support of the Red Bombers Coaching Staff.

Coach Mike Dollimore, Head Coach UNB Red Bombers, 2011”

 

5 – Players Report

• ·         Gym football league is up and running until April 1, 2012
• ·         Player cohesion continues to be “acceptable”
• ·         Player recruitment needs to be addressed

 

6 – Equipment Manager

• ·         Equipment monitoring was greatly improved this year through use of the triplicate forms
• ·         Made fairly substantial gear purchases last year, but not anticipating a huge expense amount for 2012
• ·         Only 3 sets of gear remain outstanding

 

7 – League Report

• ·         Partnership with 2 AFL reps worked well this year
• ·         The league is growing but is trying to find its identity
• ·         The scheduling issue was touch last year, but it should have resolved itself with 4 teams this year
• ·         The league hasn’t discussed holding a meeting or setting a schedule yet
  • o   Questions of how many games, when to start, etc.
• ·         League is always looking to grow
• ·         Suggested that the league look at a maximum number of practices for each team

 

8 – Board of Directors

• ·         The board still is not formally recognized under the constitution
• ·         The board has focused on three major areas of organization, team, and community involvement… and under those categories considered sustainability, transition, and growth
• ·         Will need to look at how to amend the constitution in 2012 to work best for the organization
• ·         There has been lots of progress but we need to keep growitn

 

9 – Elections

• ·         President – Brian Gilliland
• ·         Treasurer – Larry Wisnewski
• ·         VP-Communication – Kyle Jaudry
• ·         VP-Recruitment – Jack Daillare
• ·         VP-Campus Rec – David Giddings
• ·         Player Rep – Matthew Black
• ·         Coaches Rep – Nick Mecheachern
• ·         AFL Rep – Justin DeMerchant
• ·         AFL Rep – Larry Wiznewski

All unanimous

 

10 – New business

• ·         There will be a planning session upcoming for the team

December 6, 2011 Executive Meeting

7:00 PM

 

Members Present:

 

Justin DeMerchant

Brian Gilliland

Pat Forbes

Andrew Guest

David Giddings

Matthew Murray

Nick McEachern

Mike McSorley

 

Financial:

-       Total revenue was  $33 841

-       Total expenditure  was $30 710

-       Surplus $3 131

-       Only made profit on game 4

-       An overall fiscally successful  year

Uniforms

-       Justin DeMerchant motions to allow president Brian Gilliland to order 60 new jerseys on behalf of the Red Bombers.  

-       Nick McEachern seconds this motion. The motion was then voted on and passed unanimously   

-       It was also decided that old jerseys could be purchased for 50$ by players and the general public

-       Also players will be able to purchase the new jerseys for $100

-       It was also decided to investigate if putting the UNB Red Bombers logo on the pants would be an aesthetically and economically viable venture

Gym Football League

-       Pat Forbes introduced the concept of initiating a football league played indoors, exclusively for players and members of the Red Bombers

-       The players executive decided to see if there was enough interest among players and if gym time could be acquired

 

 

 

Recruiting

-       The executive decided that more of an emphasis needs to be placed on recruiting new players from local high schools

-       The concept of sending a combination of players and coaches was introduced

-       Also the concept of making a recruiting video was suggested by Andrew Guest

 

Annual Team gathering

-       The date for the gathering was set for Friday December 10^th

-       A list of locations were composed and Brian Gilliland will call for reservations

Closing

-       Brian Gillaland motioned to close the meeting and Justin DeMerchant seconded it. The motion was then voted upon and was passed unanimously 

Special General Meeting Minutes May 1, 2011

Moncton Football Association Building, Centennial Park

Participants:

Executive: Terry Allen, Commissioner, Larry Timms – Secretary/Treasurer

Board Members: Fredericton Red Bombers – Larry Wisniewski, Justin DeMerchant (alternate)

Moncton Raiders – Dan Fougere, Roger Collette (alternate)

Saint John Seawolves – Barry Ogden, Bill Todd (alternate)

Holland College Hurricanes – Mike O’Grady, Vernon Doyle (alternate)

Dalhousie Tigers – Bryce Wade, Rick Rivers (alternate)

Guests:               Dalhousie University – Mike Tanner

NBFOA – Al Gates

 

1)    The meeting was called order at 10:10 AM

2)    Terry Allen, the new commissioner of the AFL, introduced himself and then asked the voting members of the Board to agree that the meeting would be a Special General Meeting, so the proposed amendments to the Constitution and Bylaws could be addressed. It was so agreed, unanimously.

3)    Those present, then introduced themselves and their affiliation.

4)    Agenda – Prior to adopting the agenda, 2 items were added under new business a) insurance and b) expansion

5)    Website – Further to previous correspondence, Terry noted that the AFL has an agreement with Pointstreak to develop a Website for the AFL and teams were reminded, if they had not already done so, to forward pictures and their team logo to Terry. . Terry suggested expanding our visibility through Facebook and Twitter and indicated that with Pointstreak could potentially provide sponsorship opportunities. The domain name atlanticfootballleague.ca was registered by Bill Todd back in 2009 and can be transferred when appropriate.

6)    2011 League Schedule – A schedule developed by Vernon Doyle was distributed and each team made any concerns known. Al Gates from the NBFOA also expressed his concerns about 2 home games on the same weekend and via a previously distributed letter concerns about any playoff games scheduled on Saturday, Nov 12 and/or Saturday Nov 19. Dal. expressed concern that they had bye’s on both the opening and closing weekends. Vernon indicated he will make another version ASAP and one the weekends and agreed, each home team will have to decide whether they want to play on the Saturday or Sunday of those weekend, settle on a start time and ensure field availability. It is key that we resolve all these issues soon so the schedule can be posted and made public ASAP.  .

7)    Motions – there we 4 proposed motions to amend the AFL Constitution and Bylaws.

Motion 1 was to amend Article VII – Administrative Procedures: – Section 2 to the following amend version of the tabled motion was unanimously adopted:

The Annual General Meeting of the AFL Governing Board must be held by May 15th of each year. The AGM must he held in person and will be open to the public.

.Motion 2 was to expand the executive of the AFL to include a position of Assistant or Vice Commissioner.

This motion was unanimously adopted.

Motion 3 was to amend the bylaw 5. so that all playoff game revenues and expenses would be the host team’s responsibility, exception for the cost of bussing for the visiting team and the cost of officials for the playoff game. This motion was unanimously approved.

Motion 4 was to amend the bylaw to add articles 3.15 and 3.16:

3.15 – Teams cannot commence practices in any form (inside, outside, classroom, with or without coaches) until 21 days prior to the first scheduled AFL regular season game. (For 2011 that would be 21 days prior to Sept. 17, i.e. August 27)

3.16 – All spring practices in any form (inside, outside, classroom, with or without coaches) AND all spring games or scrimmages must be completed by May 31.

Both of these amendments were unanimously adopted.

8)    2011 AFL Budget – After reflecting the impact of motion 3 above, the revised budget (copy attached) was unanimously adopted. The 2011 League fee will be $1,500 for all 5 teams. The 3 NB teams will settle on their collective addition charge for their regular season bussing, regular season officiating and insurance, once the final schedule is determined.

9)    League Sponsorship – It was noted that the AFL was involved in all 3 provinces so that was good for national or regional companies. General consensus was that we do not need to exclude beer sponsorship as long as the League protects it’s name. Subway was one suggestion as they currently are involved with the AUS and High Schools. It was left that we all test local markets and if a potential name comes forward pass it on to Terry.

10) Disciplinary Guidelines – Terry expressed concern that we did not have league guidelines to address issues when a player was ejected from a game by the officials. After some discussion, it was agreed that we would look into the CIS procedures in this area and then draft some guidelines for both disciplinary guidelines and appeals.

11) Other Business – Insurance – Dan Fougere raised a concern that with teams playing in different provinces there was restrictive remuneration for things like travel (ambulance cost) retuning from one province to another and as such there could be significant out of pocket cost not covered by our insurance policies. Larry indicated he would look I this al least from the NB insurance plan.

12)  Other Business – Expansion – This item was tabled and will be addressed in the subsequent ‘planning and strategic” session.

12) Adjournment – Terry recommended that we adjourn the Special Annual General Meeting, seconded by

Larry Wisniewski and passed.

 

Strategy session

Expansion – where? – Truro, second team in Halifax (more community based), practice squads with CIS teams (Acadian, St. Mary’s, Mt A), UdeM

Media – League exposure – internet – live stream games. Terry would like to consolidate the lists of each team’s media contacts – radio, newsprint, cable

Promote AFL Identity – the AFL versus individual teams

Action Items Responsibility

Team Logos and Pictures to Terry Allen                  Each Team

Schedule Finalization                                    Vernon Doyle – Each Team

Domain Name Transfer                              Bill Todd – Terry Allen

Proposed Candidate’s Names for Vice Commissioner      All

Potential AFL Sponsors – names to Terry                  All

Disciplinary Guidelines and appeal procedure (CIS?)      Terry Allen

Insurance Concerns                                    Larry Timms

Media contact lists to Terry Allen                  `      Each Team

April 3rd – Meeting Minutes

Sunday April 3rd, 2011 – The Lunar Rogue Lounge

Present: Larry W, Brian G, Andy O, Pat F, Andrew G, Nick M, Andrew G, David G, Mike M

-send out pb works link to Wiz (assumed he has it)

-get gear count from Brian

 

Motion on 2011/2012 for gear purchases (Mike and Wiz approve)

10 pants, 40 practice jerseys, 6-8 helmets = $2100-$2500

-approved in principle on $2000 of equipment for coaches(could include apparell), passed unamiously

-gear distribution sheet, copies for all executive

-Andrew to discuss ideas for a half-time show/event, ideas potentially for home-coming game and other home games for season, get from Andrew

-copy of poster, get from Nick (the ones they put on walls)

-put executive contact information on website

-NBCC/forestry/STU posters for the fall

Motion for “Equipment Manager”, Justin DeMerchant nominated

Passed Unamiously

-proposed idea for FHS Black Kats helmets being used for temporary use in the fall

 

-waited to pass motion for the Hall of Fame idea, establish committee to review it at a later date

-last formal meeting until the Fall 2011

 

Close

 

 

Executive Meeting March 20

• Pat Forbes presented an email he received from an alum
  • Website needs updating
    • Brian to talk to Andy as this is part of his duties
  • Cyril planning on updating newsletter, should be posted on website
• Forbes presented plan on “rewarding” donors with gifts
• Mike met with James Cress re: financial info
  • Brian to get numbers from Brian Freeman re: moosehead
• Nick on recruiting
  • Justin to get 50 posters printed for Nick to distribute
  • Wiz to see about Gleaner running a story about local HS kids coming to the Bombers
• Guest talked to James Cress
  • To meet with house Prez’s about frosh
• Justin presented proposal on fee structure
  • Passed unanimously
• Justin presented proposal on gear arrangement with Gladiators and CAMFA
  • Passed unanimously
  • Forwarded to CAMFA exec for acceptance
• Next meeting set for April 3/2011

AFL AGM Minutes

2011 Annual General Meeting

Minutes

March 16, 2010 – 7:30 p.m.

Conference Call

 

Participants:

Executive: Larry Timms – Secretary/Treasurer

Board Members: Fredericton Red Bombers – Larry Wisniewski

Moncton Raiders – Dan Fougere

Saint John Seawolves – Barry Ogden

Holland College Hurricanes – Mike O’Grady

Dalhousie Tigers – Jeff Pond

 

Alternates:  Holland College Hurricanes – Albert Roche, Vernon Doyle, Gary Mancuso

Dalhousie Tigers – Jim Wilson

Fredericton Red Bombers – Justin Demerchant

 

1)    The AGM was called to order at 7:35 pm

 

2)    Quorum – It was determined that a quorum was present, with every team represented.

 

3)    The Agenda, distributed earlier, was amended to add 2 items under new business, namely an 8 game regular season and the timing for the next meeting. Larry Wisniewski moved that the amended agenda be adopted, seconded by Dan Fougere, passed.

 

4)    The Minutes of last year’s AGM (distributed earlier) were tabled and 2 corrections were noted – the spelling of Wisniewski and the reference to the PEI/Holland College team should be changed to just Holland College. Larry W. moved that the amended minutes be adopted, seconded by Dan, and passed.

 

5)    The Financial Statements (distributed earlier) were tabled and following a couple of clarification points, Larry W. moved that they be adopted, seconded by Barry, passed. The question then arose as to whether we should distribute the excess revenue as set out in the bylaws. After some discussion, it was moved by Barry, seconded by Dan that we leave the balance with the League for at least another year, and if the balance grows further in 2011, we will reassess the distribution, at that time. Passed.

 

6)      Election of Officers. Terry Allen had offered to be the new Commissioner of the AFL. Larry

Wisniewski moved to accept this offer, seconded by Barry. Unanimous agreement. Larry Timms indicated, unless there was another willing body, to sit as Secretary Treasure for another term. Barry moved to have Larry remain in this position, seconded by Jeff, all agreed.

 

7)    Draft 2011 Budget. A draft budget for the coming year was tabled and following some discussion, it was agreed to hold off until each team submitted, to Larry Timms, revenue and cost estimate for hosting a playoff game. Once this is received, Larry will then complete a new draft for discussion and approval at the next meeting.

 

8)    Other Business -

a) 8 Game Schedule – Various opinions were made as to the pros and cons of increasing the regular season from 6 to 8 games. Barry noted he had been talking to a Scotty Allen in Truro but it appeared it would be 2012 before there would be any possibility that they would be participating in the League. A six team league would allow an 8 game season as there would be no need for byes. Mike O’Grady offered to have Albert Roche work on a schedule and/or work with Bruce Watts, who had handled the scheduling for the first 2 years of the leagues operation. Barry noted that without consensus on the schedule from all parties, we might hold to the 6 game regular season, but accommodate the teams wanting a larger season by an exhibition game plan to add 2 games. Further discussion should take place with final resolution at our next “sit down” meeting.

b) Sponsorship. – Dan raised the point that the AFL should look to getting League Sponsors. After a brief discussion, it was recommended that this be deferred until our new commissioner has had a chance to settle in and this could be further addressed at our next meeting.

c) Plaque for Pat O’Brien – Barry proposed that we purchase a “thank you” plaque on behalf of the AFL for his time as the first commissioner of the AFL. All agreed, and we will proceed with this.

 

d) Practice Schedule – Larry W. raised the point about agreeing on a practice schedule that he thought had been distributed by Terry McIntyre. As no one had received this, discussion on this matter was deferred until our next meeting.

 

e) Constitution - Larry W. raised some issues about the current Constitution and Bylaws concerning the timing of the AGM and he plans to make some proposed changes that he will table prior to our next meetings.

 

9)     Next Board Meeting – It was agreed that, as soon as possible after Terry Allen returns from his travel, we should schedule a meeting so everyone can meet our new Commissioner and address deferred items such as the schedule, sponsorship, practice schedule, the 2011 budget, etc. This should be prior to the end of April.

 

10)   Larry W. moved that the meeting by adjourned at 8:45 pm, seconded by Barry. Agreed.

Action Items Responsibility

 

Playoff Game Hosting – Revenue & Expenses            Each Team – by mid April

 

Thank You Plague for Pat O’Brien                        Larry Timms / Barry Ogden

 

Revised Budget                                    Larry Timms

 

Scheduling Next Meeting                              Terry Allen

 

2010 AGM Minutes

On November 22, 2010 we held our anual public AGM according to the rules laid out in our constitution. Minutes were kept by Secretary, Justin DeMerchant, and are included here. Read more