2022 Annual Meeting
On behalf of the Skating Association of Maine board, I want to reach out and let you know that we are planning for the annual meeting. The date is May 18, 2022 at 6 pm.
At the meeting, we will be making important decisions about the year ahead and elect new members of the figure skating and hockey committees. We will also vote to update the SAM bylaws. The draft bylaws are attached to this page.
All are welcome to attend the meeting.
Annual Meeting Notice:
The bylaw changes clarify Director positions and allow for a contingency plan to cover oversight and management of the club if the President’s role is unable to be filled by a current member of either committee. In this case, to allow for equal representation by all committees the bylaw change allows for additional Vice President’s role.
May 18, 6:00 pm
Agenda: Skating Association of Maine Annual Meeting
AGENDA
1. Roll Call and Notification of Voting Members (Check In)
2. Reading of the Minutes of Previous Meeting
3. Ratification of 2021– 2022 Actions of Board and Executive Board
4. Report of Officers a. President b. Vice President c. Treasurer
5. Report of Trustees
6. Reports of Committees a. IT/PR b. Figure Skating c. Hockey d. Fundraising
7. New Business a. Updated bylaws
8. Election and Voting Results
9. Recognition
Over this last year there were events that left the board without a President, Vice President and Secretary. As the Skating Association of Maine (SAM) is a non-profit organization it is vital that we fill the board positions with qualified team members. The SAM board is recommending changes to the SAM bylaws to help manage this type of situation in the future. The revised bylaws are included on this page for your review.
If you are unable to attend the SAM annual meeting, please forward the SAM proxy to a member who is attending the meeting.
We want to thank all of the volunteers who kept SAM running over the last few years. Again, we thank the rink and all of it’s employees who continue to support SAM and it’s members. SAM could not support our skaters and run the quality programs we manage without our members, coaches, volunteers and community support.
If you would like to support SAM, as a volunteer, please reach out to your Committee Chairs for opportunities.
Public relations and marketing
During the past year, the Skating Association of Maine saw an increase in attendance and participation coming out of the pandemic. The organization returned with planning and hosting several events, including Skate your Heart Out and Skate with Santa.
The association also is working to continue to update policies and procedures related to the pandemic. Additionally , the board is working to review and create policies to increase opportunity and promote diversity in its programs.
This year, SAM created an official Google account that will help increase efficiencies for the organization related to administrative tasks, communication and allow for easier sharing of content.
SAM continues to improve its outreach and engagement with new members coming out of the pandemic by using public relations and marketing tactics to increase publicity and increase participation. SAM continues to keep content current on the organization’s website at www.maineskaters.com and on social media, including more Facebook.
Statement:
The 2021/2022 hockey season was one of great success, yet one of the most challenging. Unlike 2020/2021, where there was a pause in play from the end of November to January due to the Covid 19 pandemic, we navigated through 2021/2022 without cessation. “It was truly an all hands on deck season for the Hockey Steering Committee”, with many of our members volunteering over 25 to 30 hours per week, following through with Covid 19 protocols including fielding calls and emails, communication with the CDC, contact tracing, collecting Covid 19 test results, and verifying vaccination statuses. Scheduling became very difficult as Covid surged mid season and many teams and organizations were forced to cancel or reschedule games. Ice availability was severely impacted by several community rinks remaining closed, generating the need for High Schools, Colleges, and other programs to be flexible so we all could find time to skate. There also was, and still is, a critical shortage of officials which also impacted scheduling throughout the season. All of these scenarios, including a few untimely nor’ easters, combined to generate a massive storm, but with the willingness and dedication of a great team, we were able to find ways to make our season work with as little impact as possible.
Through the challenges, we were able to have great success, as the 2021/2022 season showcased over 270 skaters in our youth hockey program and over 100 skaters in our Learn to Play program. “I am excited about the pathway we have paved for the future of hockey here at SAM, as 61% of our participation is 10 years old and younger. This creates a great foundation for our programs. I am also delighted to announce that our Learn to Play program will remain free through the generosity of Sandra Prscott in remembrance of Rosie. Both Peter and Sandra Prescott have been instrumental in the success of the continued growth of SAM Hockey, and I am honored to have had the opportunity to work with such caring people and establish a cherished friendship.”.
A new record was set again for our wreath sales, with over 940 wreaths sold. Not only were 940+ windows and doors decorated beautifully for the holidays, but over $9000 was given back to our awesome skaters. Thank you to all the families and volunteers that helped make our wreaths program a success again this year!
After a one year hiatus, I was excited to bring SAM Hockey back to Boston, where we dropped the puck on TD Garden ice and provided the opportunity for some of our players to skate where Bruins legends are made and then watch the Bruins vs the Flyers. Again, this trip was rated 10 out of 10 by all those attending. 112 tickets sold out in 1 minute and 34 seconds, and as hard as we tried to coordinate a second trip this past season, we unfortunately couldn’t make transportation and game times work.
It is with a heavy heart, that after 4 years of serving on the SAM Hockey Steering Committee, that I will be stepping down. I have had the honor to work with such an amazing group of people that helped lead our program through 2 very difficult seasons due to the Covid 19 pandemic and volunteered over 1500 hours this past season. I am hopeful that the growth of SAM Hockey continues in the future and I will always help and support all of SAM’s programs. I will always remember every conversation with parents, coaches, and especially our valued players, both young and old. Thank you to the SAM Hockey Steering Committee and the SAM Board for this great opportunity of working together and building cherished friendships both on and off the ice. Remember, “Not every victory shows up on the scoreboard.”. I will see you all at the rink.
Hockey Budget (House and Travel). - Took vote and then ratified
Figure Skating Budget - Took vote and then ratified
Vote to Pass budget:
Roger Collins made motion to pass each budget, Heather seconded and all in favor
Vote to ratify 2021/2022 business - motion by Roger Collins, Heather seconded and all in favor
Nominations for Committees and Board
Board of Directors
President: Susan Smith
Vice President: Steve Prescott
Treasurer: Heather Knowles
Prescott Family: Sandra Prescott
Stakeholders: Bill Boardman
Community: Eric Nason
Figure Skating: Mark Ellis
Hockey:
Publicity: Greg Glynn
FIgure Skating Committee:
Chair:
Vice Chair: Molly Patton
Treasurer: Carol Fuller
Committee:
Treasurer: Wendy
Membership: Melissa
Liasion: Mark Ellis
Hockey Committee
|
Position |
Name / Years of Service |
Status for 2022 |
|
Chair |
Roger Collins (4 years) |
Vacant |
|
Vice Chair |
Josh LePage (5 years) |
Vacant |
|
Secretary |
Sarah Shultz-Neilson |
Active |
|
Finance Director |
Heather Knowles |
Searching |
|
Past Chair |
Roger Collins |
Active |
|
Scheduler |
Jessie Beckwith (6 years) |
Vacant |
|
Registrar |
Jessie Beckwith (6 years) |
Vacant |
|
Hockey Representative |
Josh LePage (5 years) |
Roger Collins |
|
IT/PR Chair |
Jannette Kirk (6 years) |
Vacant |
|
State Representative |
Alex Netten |
Active |
|
Fundraising Chair |
Alicia Collins (4 years) |
Vacant |
|
Fundraising |
Michelle Johnson |
Active |
|
Fundraising |
Becky Lambert (3 years) |
Vacant |
|
Coaching Director |
Mick Porier (5 years) |
Todd Bolduc |
|
Girls Director |
Lars Shultz-Neilson |
Active |
|
Grow the Game |
Roger Collins (4 years) |
Vacant |
|
Player Representative |
Vacant |
Vacant |
|
Tournament Director |
Corey Scott (3 years) |
Vacant |
|
Equipment Manager |
Andy Lambert (3 years) |
Vacant |