Minutes from 2023 AGM

WPBHL 2023 Annual General Meeting

MINUTES
December 4, 2023 at 8 p.m.

1. Introductions
● Welcome.

2. Approval of Minutes from 2022 Annual General Meeting
● Move by Sarah Grant
● Seconded by Stephen Alvo
● Passed

3. President’s Report
 The league had a successful 2023, continuing to expand programming
and participation in the second post-pandemic season. There was record
registration, including a record number of teams in the girls’ and Young
Women’s divisions.
 House League remains our main focus, but all-star teams were extremely
successful.
o Provincial Co-ed – won U10, U14 and U18 and took silver in U16,
earning Nationals spots in the three older age groups.
o Provincial Girls swept gold medals in 3 of 4 divisions and also took
two silvers, also earning the two available Nationals spots.
o Nationals in St. John’s also earned several medals including a
national championship for U16 girls.

 Were more discipline incidents last season than most, something that
needs to be thought about in planning for 2024.
 The league is in a positive financial position with approximately $60,000 in
the bank at the end of the fiscal year, consistent with a year ago. Our new
merchandise program, led by Dave Jones, helped contribute to this, as the
league earns 10% on all sales. The balance is a bit higher than we need
on hand for equipment replacement or other one-time expenses, but we
are investigating investments in the rink, in conjunction with the City of
Toronto, that could decrease the number of rain-outs and improve safety.
More to come.

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WPBHL Board Meeting — Nov. 28, 2022 AGM Minutes
 The credit for all of these results is widespread, from our hundreds of
volunteer coaches, more than 100 staff, the staff management team of
Kelly Hancock, Shelly Adam and Maya Da Luz, and of course the more
than 20 people on our volunteer board who work for many months before,
during and after the regular season.
 The board welcomes the following new members:
o Jessica Park (belated – joined as a convener last year)
o Nominated this year):
 Stacey Lewis
 Julia Danos
 Kevin Vigar

 So – very good continuity. Only a small amount of turnover.
o A couple of retirements to note following the 2023 season. The
board would like to thank Kim English and Shelley Adam. (expand
on their roles)
 We will be looking for a new Rink Ops manager to replace
Shelley.
 Jessica Park will be taking over as head of special
programs, particularly supporting our diversity initiatives
such as First Shots and All Abilities, from Kim.

o And, we are nominating new co-Chairs of the Board to replace
Sean Drygas. Please thank Caroline Alphonso and Dave Jones for
putting themselves forward; we will be holding a vote to formally
elect them, momentarily. Sean is on the slate as Past Chair in order
to support Caroline, Dave and the rest of the Board in this
transition, and to take on special projects as required.

Priorities for next year
● Largely, Dave and Caroline will speak to this.
● Renewal of our By-Laws is one key project I can speak to. Christine Miles
will Chair a Governance Committee to lead this effort.
● Taking All Abilities to other centres and the Provincial Championships.
● Financial support for Nationals teams so that anyone can participate
based on ability to play, not ability to pay.
● Aiming for gender parity in the number of players and coaches, matching
what has largely been achieved on the Board.

4. Treasurer’s Report
● Net income of negative $20,000 in 2022, largely owing to more indoor
bookings (over $13,000, including $3,000+ for championship day at
Leaside alone), and a drop in grant funding.
● Still, a healthy balance of $55,000 at the end of the fiscal year.

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WPBHL Board Meeting — Nov. 28, 2022 AGM Minutes
● Record revenue of $345,000. League grew by 246 players. About 275
players participated in Provincials, and 68 at Nationals. This drove an
increase in uniform costs of more than $30,000, which was mostly
covered by all-star fees included in Revenue.

5. Election of Directors
● Moved by Caroline Alphonso
● Seconded by Charlene Sandler
● Passed

6. Other Business
● None

7. Questions from the floor
● One attendee asked about the nature of the discipline issues in the 2023
season. The response was that most involved coaches’ behaviour toward
officials and in some cases players, but there were some player-on-player
issues as well.
8. Adjournment of Meeting
● Moved by Sean Drygas
● Seconded by Dave Jones