February 7, 2009

Posted Fri, 02/26/2010 - 04:03 by neaadadmin
 
NEAAD Annual General Meeting
February 7, 2009
At Hartford Deaf Club
Hosted by Hartford Club of Deaf
 
Meeting called to order at 1:20 pm by Bob Backofen, NEAAD President.
 
Roll Call:
 
Bob Backofen, NEAAD President
George Szpakowski, NEAAD Vice President
Lynn Williams, NEAAD Secretary/Treasurer
Dennis Palka, NEAAD Sports Information Director
Bruce Beston, NEAAD Hall of Fame
Jim Pedersen, Delegate at Large
Mike Carter, Delegate – Brattleboro Deaf Sports (VT)
Don Powers, Alternate Delegate – Brattleboro Deaf Sports (VT)
Allen Bradley, Delegate – Providence Deaf Club
David Hatch, Alternate Delegate – Providence Deaf Club
Danny Chorlton, Delegate – North Shore
Richard Cornish, Delegate – Holyoke Deaf Club
Pam Szpakowski, Alternate Delegate – Holyoke Deaf Club
Anthony Cipriano, Delegate – Providence Hope
Manny Rodriques, Alternate Delegate – Providence Hope
Paul Ditimi, Delegate – CAADA
Terri Ditimi, Alternate Delegate – CAADA
Adam Skwersky, Delegate – MetroWest
John Meehan, Alternate Delegate – MetroWest
Tom Orscher, Delegate – Hartford Deaf Club
Carol Salls, Alternate Delegate – Hartford Deaf Club
Arthur Larson, Delegate – Bridgeport Deaf Club
Tony Berrigan, Alternate Delegate – Bridgeport Deaf Club
Henry Kwiatkowski, Delegate – Worcester Deaf Club
David DelPizzo, Alternate Delegate – Worcester Deaf Club
 
Bob welcomes everyone to our NEAAD Annual General Meeting. He appointed Jim Pedersen to be our NEAAD parliamentarian for this meeting.
 
Read 2008 NEAAD minutes. Arthur Larson moved to accept meeting minutes with correction made. Henry Kwiatkowski. PASSED
 
NEAAD PRESIDENT’S REPORT (Bob Backofen)
 
It has been challenging year for me and NEAAD. It has been difficult task when someone doesn’t read our NEAAD by laws and we got bombed with emails with questions which are clearly stated in our NEAAD by laws. Please read NEAAD by laws and if you have any question related to NEAAD by laws, then you can ask us.
 
My major concern is NEAAD’s fund where it has been going up and down. We will seek assistance to improve our fund. You will find out more from Lynn’s report.
 
NEAAD and CAADA met for auditing NEAAD basketball which resulted in CAADA owing NEAAD around $800. There is an agreement in setting payment arrangement with CAADA where NEAAD received a check of $250 from CAADA today.
 
65th Annual NEAAD Basketball tournament in 2010 – Holyoke Deaf Club had offered to share responsibilities with NEAAD for our 65th annual NEAAD Basketball which will be discussed later today.
 
2009 NEAAD Softball Tournament – at first, NEAAD had the idea of taking over the tournament, but Hartford Deaf Club had expressed their interest to host NEAAD Softball Tournament this summer.
 
USADB seems to be in bad shape and we have created Plan B for national basketball organization called National Deaf Basketball Organization (NDBO)
 
Last October 2008 – Lynn Williams went to regional presidents meeting in Chicago at her own expenses for representing NEAAD since I had plan conflicted.
 
Last January 2009 – Lynn Williams and I flew to Las Vegas for having regional meeting at our own expenses during MLK weekend.
 
We will not provide financial report due to not being audited because of NEAAD coaches meeting this morning.
 
 
NEAAD VICE PRESIDENT’S REPORT (George Szpakowski)
 
No report but he will have by laws committee report later.
 
 
NEAAD SECRETARY/TREASURER’S REPORT (Lynn Williams)
 
-attended to USADB National Tournament and all meetings in Orlando, Florida last April 2008.
-attended to Regional Presidents meeting in Chicago at her own expenses representing NEAAD last October 2008 after our regions learned USADB President was in jail after guilty verdict last September that Bob asked me since he had his plan conflict. That meeting was very overwhelmed after seeing power point presentation showed how bad USADB was in financial.
 
-Had urgent meeting with Bob Backofen and Dennis Palka one week later after having a meeting in Chicago. I showed power point presentation.
 
-Had a meeting with delegates and basketball coaches at Holyoke Deaf Club last November 15. Gave everything with power point presentation related to USADB which I went to a meeting in Chicago.
 
-went to Las Vegas with Bob for having regional meeting with other regional officers during Martin Luther King, Jr long weekend. It was worth for us to go there and took advantage of this meeting to gather up information and addressed many issues related to USADB and new organization of National Deaf Basketball.
 
-there was no audit meeting this morning that I had planned. But there was coaches’ meeting this morning. I hope that there will be audit meeting during NEAAD Regional Basketball Tournament this March.
 
-Thank you for sending all basketball forms and monies to me.
 
-Our NEAAD bank balance is $2,885.59.
 
SPORTS INFORMATION DIRECTOR’S REPORT (Dennis Palka)
 
-attended to NSAD meeting in Denver, CO. This meeting was full of chaos and confusions. It will be better and smooth when the meeting had 16 representatives representing region champion teams.
 
-needed team pictures, please send pictures to us as soon as possible.
 
Webmaster bids - there are open slots and encouraging all to bid to become NEAAD webmaster.
 
HALL OF FAME CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT (Bruce Beston)
 
His attached report:
 
Hello everyone!!
 
It seems to be a snowy year for all of us and it is a good thing this weather didn’t hamper today’s meeting.
 
I am happy to announce 3 Hall of Famers this year, they are as follow:
 
Grant Yong for Men’s softball
Steve Casella for Coach (Men’s Basketball)
Ursula (Palka) Timbero for Women’s softball
Daniel Biskupiak for Men’s basketball
 
I did research on men’s softball to see if we need to go back to 1950’s to 1970’s and noticed that we have inducted around 40 softball hall of famers from 1950’s to 1970’s to where we will start using statistics created by Eric Albro from 1976 and on with about 4 years missing in between. We will go ahead and use the statistics but I was told that in the past, they only award MVPs, no all star, I do not know if it’s true but if we see their outstanding performance based on the statistics, we will make up a listing of men’s softball hall of fame candidates, this also goes for women’s softball, too.
 
Men’s basketball – we seems to dip 80’s and 90’s with the selection of Ed Pratt last year and Daniel Biskupiak this year.
 
Women’s basketball – will start next year and the ballot had been created for vote with 5 nominates based on their performance in NEAAD’s first 5 women’s basketball tournament where their basketball history kicked off.
 
Respectfully submitted – Bruce Beston
 
-passed out the ballots of list of nominees of each men’s, women’s, leader, etc to NEAAD delegates. They voted in secret ballot. HE collected all ballots from them. He will announce who will be Hall of Famers in 2010 soon as possible that he will send a letter to new inductee.
NEAAD BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT CHAIRPERSON’S REPORT (Dennis Palka)
 
-Everything is in working order and gym/hotel is all set. You need information or flyers, come to see me.
 
-Hotel room rate is $89 per night.
 
BY LAW COMMITTEES’ REPORT (George Szpakowski)
 
Arthur Larson, Dennis Palka, Lynn Williams and I were at by law committees meeting couple weeks ago. Bob came to our meeting little late after he finished his work. Most of delegates didn’t make to come to the meeting after emailing some delegates to come.
 
Here are motions that few organizations sent to me and discussed with bylaw committees:
 
ARTICLE 17. BIDDING BASKETBALL AND SOFTBALL TOURNAMENTS
 
Section 17.9 Any organization that has no team at time of bidding shall be given time to get a team less than one (1) year prior to participating in next tournament and shall be required to have team for two (2) consecutive years prior to its host ship year.
 
Change – prior to after
 
SECTION 17.9.1 Any organization that has no team at time of bidding shall pay fine of two hundred and fifty dollars ($250) per year will imposed to organization for not having a team totaled to seven hundred fifty dollars. ($750).
 
SECTION 17.9.2 Any organization that has no team at time of bidding shall pay seven hundred and fifty dollars ($750).
 
PASSED
 
 
ARTICLE 26. FINANCIAL
 
Section 26.10 FINES:
 
Delete – i) No basketball or softball team –
(1 year each before & at the host tournament) ……….. $500.00
 
PASSED
 
ARTICLE 18. RULES OF THE TOURNAMENT
 
Section 18.1.11 Host shall be responsible for paying the referees at state approved IAABO rate or umpires at state – approved ASA/USSA rate.
 
Section 18.1.12 Host and NEAAD shall share cost of 50% for paying the referees at state approval IAABO rate or umpires at state-approved ASA/USSA rate for any organization that pay rent for the gym/field.
 
REFER BACK to BY LAW COMMITTEES FOR FURTHER DISCUSSION.
 
 
DUTIES OF PRESIDENT
 
Delete – SECTION 13.1.7 – Youth Leadership Coordinator shall be appointed by President.
 
2008-1 Adam Skwersky moved that a new position established for the purpose of seeking sponsorships from business and charitable organization. Bruce Beston seconded.
 
ADD – SECTION 13. PUBLIC RELATION DIRECTOR
 
SECTION 13.8 Public Relation Director shall seek sponsorship from any business and charitable organizations with understanding that any donation must be forwarded to Secretary/Treasurer.
 
SECTION 13.8.1 He/She must get an approval from Secretary/Treasurer before mailing any donation letter to any organizations.
 
 
 
 
2008-2 Art Larson moved to review Article 6.1 regarding Annual Meeting within 2 Saturdays of the region tournament. Henry Kwiatkowski seconded.
 
SECTION 6.1 Annual meeting of NEAAD shall be held on 2ndSaturday of February at host basketball tournament site. NEAAD President shall announce snow date for 3rdSaturday of February.
 
CHANGE FROM SATURDAY TO SUNDAY.
 
Motion:
 
I, Anthony Cipriano moved to amend to put this motion on 2 years trial.
 
Main Motion:
 
Section 6.1 change from Saturday to Sunday with 2 years trial PASSED
 
 
SECTION 6.2 Basketball coach meeting shall be held at John Philip Memorial Invitational Tournament annually 1st Saturday of December and 2nd Saturday of May for softball. Sport Commissioner shall be responsible to hold coach meeting.
 
Change from 1st Saturday of December to 1st or 2nd Saturday of December also change 2nd Saturday of May to last week of June for softball.
 
MOTION:
 
2009-01 I, Arthur Larson moved that John Philip Annual Invitational Basketball tournament to be held
on either 1st or 2nd Saturday of December on rotating basis opposite of New England School for
the Deaf Tip Off Classic. Anthony Cipriano seconded.
 
AMENDMENT:
 
I, Adam Skwersky amended to remove “rotating basis”. Dennis Palka seconded.
 
AMENDMENT PASSED
 
MAIN MOTION READ AS:
 
I, Arthur Larson moved that John Philip Annual Invitational Basketball tournament to be held on either 1st or 2nd Saturday of December opposite of New England School for the Deaf Tip Off Classic.
 
AMENDMENT:
 
I, Bob Backofen amended to split up basketball and softball wordings into two separate sections. Allen Bradley seconded.
 
AMENDMENT PASSED.
 
MAIN MOTION READ AS:
 
SECTION 6.2 Basketball coach meeting shall be held at John Philip Memorial Invitational Tournament on either 1st or 2nd Saturday of December opposite of New England School for the Deaf Tip Off Classic.
 
SECTION 6.3 Softball coach and delegate meeting shall be held on last week of June.
 
MAIN MOTION PASSED
 
 
ARTICLE 8. EXECUTIVE BOARD
 
Motion to omit “Information” to Sports Director under
 
Section 8.1 NEAAD officers shall be composed of the President, Vice President, Secretary/Treasurer and Sports Information Director.
 
PASSED
 
 
 
 
 
Motion that NEAAD, President shall be allowed to play or coach.
 
AMENDMENT:
 
I, Arthur Larson amended to add “at national level, not regional level.” Dennis Palka seconded.
 
AMENDMENT FAILED.
 
BACK TO MAIN MOTION:
 
Motion that NEAAD, President shall be allowed to play or coach.
 
MAIN MOTION PASSED
 
 
Motion to eliminate vice president position and transfers all duties to president.
 
REFER TO BY LAW COMMITTEES.
 
 
Motion to freeze the balance in the account until $5,000.00 except emergency.
 
AMENDMENT:
 
I, Lynn Williams moved to amend from $5,000 to $3,000. Allen Bradley seconded.
 
TABLED UNTIL AUDITING IS DONE (motioned by Tom Orscher)
 
TABLED failed, continue with amendment.
 
AMENDMENT PASSED
 
MAIN MOTION READ AS:
 
Motion to freeze the balance in the account until $3,000.00 except emergency.
 
MAIN MOTION PASSED
 
 
Motion to insert “delegate” into Section 6.3
 
MAIN MOTION READ AS:
 
Section 6.3 Softball coach and delegate meeting shall be held on last week of June.
 
MAIN MOTION PASSED.
 
 
REGIONALS’ REPORT (Bob Backofen and Lynn Williams)
 
-gave our power point presentation of USADB and NDBO include emails, chart between USADB and NDBO, etc.
 
Tom Orscher made a motion:
 
2009-02 I, Tom Orscher moved to disaffiliate with USADB. Dennis Palka seconded.
 
PASSED (12-0)
 
Break time: 4:30 p.m. (Lynn worked on typing a letter to USADB that NEAAD disaffiliated from USADB)
 
Break over: 5:25 p.m.
 
Lynn showed NEAAD Letter to USADB to delegates and few ones were revised and helped by delegates. Delegates approved the letter that NEAAD will send to USADB via email and mail with certificate.
 
 
NEW BUSINESS
 
2009-03 I, Dennis Palka moved that we open the bidding for webmaster. Bids should include plan for web hosting,
price, website content and maintenance. Bids will be evaluated based on quality and cost. Adam Skwersky
seconded.
PASSED
 
2009-4 I, Allen Bradley moved to move NEAAD tournament from Saturday & Sunday to Friday & Saturday. Don Powers
seconded.
 
REFER TO BY LAW COMMITTEES
 
    1. I, Arthur Larson moved to increase organization’s annual membership dues to $100. Dennis Palka seconded.
 
MOTION PASSED (7-6) due to not meeting 2/3 vote in order to change by-laws.
 
CORRECTION by parliamentarian – this motion is out of order due to the face the for any by law changes should be referred to by law committee.
 
REFER TO BY LAW COMMITTEES
 
    1. I, Richard Cornish moved to reduce NEAAD registration fee from $12 to $7. Henry Kwiatkowski seconded.
 
REFER TO BY LAW COMMITTEES
 
 
    1. I, Dennis Palka moved that we vote to remove Jeff Salit from NSAD law committee due to misconduct. Art
Larson seconded.
 
MOTION PASSED UNANAMOUISLY (12-0)
 
    1. I, Tom Orscher moved to set up new article in by laws describing duties of delegates. Art Larson seconded.
 
REFER TO BY LAW COMMITTEES
 
 
TOURNAMENT BIDDING:
 
2009 Softball Tournament – Hartford Deaf Club – will use softball field in Windsor Lock, CT. Fields are fenced with 290 ft.
 
2009 Softball Tournament bid granted to Hartford Deaf Club.
 
2010 Basketball Tournament –NEAAD to share with Holyoke Deaf Club. We will work out agreement/plan with Holyoke Deaf Club and will announce in next delegate meeting in June.
2010 Softball Tournament – no bid
 
2010 Basketball Tournament – Vermont - Michael Carter gave his presentation.
 
2011 NEAAD Basketball Tournament bid granted to Vermont.
 
2011 Softball Tournament – no bid
 
2012 NEAAD Basketball Tournament – Hartford Deaf Club
2012 NEAAD Basketball tournament bid granted to Hartford Deaf Club.
 
 
ELECTION OF NEAAD OFFICERS:
 
Jim Pedersen takes on the floor as nomination chairperson.
 
I, Lynn Williams moved to suspend by law section 9.2 President shall serve up to three consecutive two (2) years term of six (6) years. After two years of it’s three consecutive terms, President shall served for the same position again.
 
After further review(Jim Pedersen) – new motion cannot be made during election. This motion should have been made in new business. Motion denied.
 
Open nomination for NEAAD President:
 
I, Allen Bradley moved to nominate John Meehan. John Meehan declined the nomination.
 
I, Mike Carter moved to nominate Arthur Larson. Arthur Larson accepted the nomination.
 
I, Bob Backofen moved to nominate Lynn Williams. Lynn Williams accepted the nomination.
 
ELECTION RESULT: Arthur Larson elected as NEAAD President for 2009-2011.
 
 
Open nomination for NEAAD Sports Director:
 
Jim Pedersen asked Dennis Palka to see if he wants to run again. Dennis Palka stated that he wants to run again.
 
ELECTION RESULT: Dennis Palka elected as Sports Director with acclamation.
 
 
Meeting adjourned at 6:55 p.m.
 
 
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