1mBI I

PresidentROBERT H. BALDWIN411 Woodsong LaneRochester, NY 14612(585) 820-6754

J st Vice PresidentLEVERETT TORGERSON88 Borrman RoadEast Haven, CT 06512(203) 469-0627

2nd Vice PresidentTHOMAS MURRAY139 Bradstreete CrossingPlymouth, MA 02360(508) 773-3081

Secretary-TreasurerJOHN J. DOHERTY, JRP.O. Box 119Charlton, MA 01507(508) 248-7337

Immediate Past PresidentDANA LAVOIE4 Senter DriveBrookline, NH 03033(603) 673-9435

President EmeritusC. THOMAS LYNCH447 Nahatan StreetNorwood, MA 02062(781) 762-4153

www.nihoa.com

MINUTES of 56d1 ANNUAL MEETINGOF NlliOA DIRECTORS

Holiday Inn Bridgeport - Bridgeport, CTSaturday - March 26, 2011

CHAPTERSCape CodeCentral Mass.Connecticut

ATTENDEESDavid Crary, Jr., Tom MurrayJohn Bain, Jack Doherty, Don SharronLev Torgerson, Rick Gentile, Michael Barile, Stephen Richetelli,Bill Kamp, Brad Camp, Dan McCurry, Bill ReynoldsRed McDonough, Bob Russell, Rob RussellBrendan KelleherAndrew Gray, Fernando MartinsMichael Komich, Chris ParsonsBill Sidun, Bob TriebeDana Lavoie, Gary Young, Tom Birmingham, Frank Hoell,Ray NewtonBob Powers, Jim McKenzie, Tom LynchBrian Collamore, Rick SullivanEd CareyBill SapelliBob Baldwin

Eastern Mass.Long Island NYMaineMetropolitan NY -NJNew Hampshire

South Shore Mass.VermontWestchester NYWestern Mass.Western NY

Totals 12

Guest: Paul Stewart, ECACHL, Director of Officiating

100% Annual Attendance: Connecticut, Eastern Massachusetts,New Hampshire, South Shore Mass.

Meeting Called OrderPresident Dana Lavoie, New Hampshire, called the meeting to order at 8:36 a.m. welcoming all to theannual meeting. He noted that this was the first annual meeting held in Connecticut in more thantwenty years. A moment of silence was held remembering pass NIHOA members who have died.

The President called the roll of NmOA chapters.

Minutes of the 2010 Annual MeetingThe 2010 Annual Meeting minutes were distributed to those in attendance for their review. A motion byBill Sidun, Metro NY -NJ, to accept the minutes as presented passed unanimously.

CHAPTERS: • BERKSHIRE' CAPE COD' CENTRAL MASS .• CENTRAL N.Y. • CHAMPLAIN-ADIRONDACK; CONNECTICUT' EASTERN MAss .• EASTERN N.Y .• EASTERN PA-N.J.ILLINOIS' INDlANAPOLIS' LONG ISLAND N.Y .• MAINE' METRO N.Y.-N.J .• MID-HuDSON' NEW HAMPSHIRE' NIAGARA FRONTIER' NORTHEAST OHIO' NORTHERN N. Y.NORTH SHORE MASS .• RHODE ISLAND' ROCKY MOUNTAIN WEST' SOUTH CAROLINA' SOUTH CENTRAL N.Y. • SOUTH SHORE MAss .• SOUTHEASTERN U.S .• SOUTHERN U.S.SYRACUSE' VERMONT' VIRGINIA' WESTCHESTER' WESTERN MASS' WESTERN N.Y. • WESTERN PA

Minutes ofthe 2010 Annual MeetingThe 2010 Annual Meeting minutes were distributed to those in attendance for their review. A motion by Bill Sidun, Metro NY-NJ, toaccept the minutes as presented passed unanimously.

Report ofthe Audit CommitteeMike Komich introduced Brian Collamore as a new member of the Audit Committee. He noted that the association has aredundancy aspect to insure that business would continue should the Secretary-Treasurer be unable to perform his duties. JimMcKenzie was now a second signer on the association's accounts. Brian Collamore replaced Jim on the Audit Committee as Jimnow has access to the association's funds. Mike described the process used to audit the financials. The Audit Committee found thefinancial records to be true and accurate.

Treasurer's ReportThe 20010-11 Treasurer's Report was distributed to those in attendance for their review. The Secretary-Treasurer provided anoverview of the report. The Secretary-Treasurer noted the establishment of a $2,500 CD to cover the deductable associated withthe association's D&O coverage.

Secretary's ReportThe 2010-11 Secretary's Report was distributed to those in attendance for their review. The Secretary-Treasurer provided anoverview from his report of the Jason Galifaro, Central Mass member, who was instrumental in assisting in the saving of the life ofa player who had been struck in the chest by a puck, the wearing of half-shields by officials, requesting the NFHS to require thewearing of a half-shield, and sportsmanship associated with the game.

Report of OfficersPresident Dana Lavoie, New HampshireDana will provide an overview of the project to implement a new NIHOA website for the association later during the meeting.

1st Vice President Bob Baldwin, Western NYBob will provide an overview of his project to utilize officiating teaching tools in association with the new web site later in themeeting.

20d Vice President Lev Torgerson, CTLev noted his efforts in writing the 2011-12 Nll-IOA annual exam. This was a year where there were rules changes for NCAAand the NFHS. He thanked members of the Connecticut chapter, who assisted him in reviewing the exam, for their help. Levnoted the various technologies and how they have assisted the officials and in some cases placed addition pressure on officialsas they carry out their on-ice duties. He introduced past Connecticut members Bill Reynolds and Red McDonough, who are pastnational presidents ofNIHOA. Lev thanked Bill and Red for their guidance over the years to him, the Connecticut chapter, andto NIHOA. (Secretary-Treasurer' s note: Past President and Connecticut chapter member Bob Russell joined tbe meeting afterLev's report.)

President Emeritus Tom Lynch, South Shore Mass.Tom noted that he announced to the Soutb Shore Chapter Board of Directors that tbis would be his last year and that be wouldbe retiring. Tom joined NIHOA in 1968 and that this year's annual meeting was his 41st meeting attended. He thankedNIHOA's Executive Board for appointing him President Emeritus. Tom closed by saying; "Some of the best people I've evermet are referees, that's hockey referees".

Past National President Red McDonough, Connecticut Honorary MemberRed noted that it was great to see some old friends and to make new ones at the meeting. He mentioned the growth of the gameand that it has been a wonderful game to be associated with. His hope for the future is that it continues to be a wonderful gameto be associated with.

Past National President Bill Reynolds, Connecticut Honorary MemberBill noted both his and Tom Lynch's longevity in NIHOA and officiating. Tom at one time was the oldest active official inUSA Hockey. Just a few months older than Bill, Tom and Bill had a race to see who would officiate the longest, with Tom

hanging on waiting for Bill to retire. Tom retired from active officiating two months after Bill. Bill and Tom refereed Yalewomen's games "way back". Bill praised all that Tom did for officials and NIHOA over the years. Many of the skillsthat make good referees are skills that assist one in their every day jobs. Encourage young individuals to get involved, give themthe opportunity, and help them to succeed. Bill reminisced about the good old days of officiating, the NlliOA annual meetings,and the many friends that he made over those years.

CorrespondenceNo correspondence was received.

Unfinished Business from Previous MeetingNone

NEW BUSINESS

NmOA Excess Medical, Catastrophic, Liability and D&O CoverageThe Secretary-Treasurer provided an overview of the association's coverage. The coverage provided through NlliOA's excessmedical, catastrophic, liability, and D&O remains unchanged. An overview of all coverage can be found in NlliOA's Directory-Manual for quick reference, as well as on NIHOA's website. Several questions were asked and answered concerning insurancecoverage.

Proposed 2010-2011 BudgetThe Secretary-Treasurer reviewed the 2010-11 budget and presented the proposed 2011-2012 budget. Dues for 2011-2012 are toremain at $34.00 per member. A motion by Bill Sidun to amend the proposed budget increasing the "ContributionslMemorial"budget line item from $500 to $1,000 was passed unanimously 1:17:00. Bob Tribe, Metro NY-NJ chapter Secretary, noted that hischapter members are very technologically astute. The number of unused annual NlliOA directories was mounting and that hischapter was moving towards being paperless. A motion by Bill Sidun to accept the budget as amended passed unanimously.

Honorary MembersA motion by Bill Sidun, Metro NY -NJ., to accept the following individuals as NIHOA honorary members was passed unanimously.

Connecticut South Shore Mass.Kevin Sheehan* William CunniffMarty Demers C. Thomas Lynch

Eastern Mass. VirginiaColin MacDonald* Mike Delia*

* Indicates deceased member

Paul Stewart, Director of Officiating - ECACHL, addressed the Annual MeetingPaul Stewart spoke about his transition from a young boy who first put on a pair of skates through years of officiating andthen on to the end of his on ice career. He also spoke about the issues involved in being an administrator and making thedifficult decisions that an administrator must make. Paul noted the changing game and the equipment associated with thegame. The game has changed over the year in part by the equipment worn by players, as well as their physicalconditioning. Also, there have been many improvements in the equipment worn by officials. Years ago officials did notwear helmets, as they now do, and most recently they did not wear half face shields which are now worn by manyofficials. Paul noted that the officials on the ice must be up to the task of officiating a changed game. The players aremuch better today than years ago. Paul noted that completion breeds quality and, that there is significant competitionbetween officials. He said that NllIOA has to be more open to let in new younger members. In some cases these newmembers may only do college games. Paul emphasized that officials are all part of a brotherhood. NIHOA must recruitnew young officials and give them the opportunity to excel and mentor them towards excellence and success. He stressedthe nobility of officiating .. Paul answered a number of questions from those in attendance.

Plans for Upgrading NIHOA's WebsiteDana Lavoie gave a brief overview of the present web site. He provided information as to how the new web site would be anupgrade to the present website features and add additional features. Presently two membership databases are utilized, oneresiding on the present website and the other pc based. The pc based information is now periodically uploaded to thewebsite. The new website would provide for a single database. Dana detailed the issues involved in taking this from aconcept to a functional database. He reviewed the options for information distribution, registration, testing, video, andassigning that would be part of the new website, as well as providing a uniformed website for each individual chapter. Also,efforts continue to determine how and what features the individual chapters may have in their present software and/orwebsites. In many cases it is anticipates that NIHOA's new website will provide for the present needs of the chapters, as wellas future needs and, to do so more cost effectively. Discussion with the website provider will continue to determine that allfeature functionality required will be provided.

Proposal to Create Mfiliate Class of MembershipMichael Komich addressed the meeting noting that individuals were not getting access to local NllIOA chapters. In manycases they are college officials that need access to insurance. Mike introduced a new class of member called affiliatemember. This class would provide individuals access to NlHOA's excess medical and liability coverage. His motion is tocreate a category of membership called affiliate. The secretary-treasurer provided a brief overview of the present types ofmembership. Paul Stewart noted that individuals should have to follow the requirements of chapter membership. He notedthat as a member of the Cape Cod chapter he transferred to South Shore and had to take both written and skating tests.Discussion was held concerning individuals who, at least initially, may be doing only college hockey. Several alternatives todirectly joining a chapter were presented. Officials on the ice officiating a game without liability coverage are of majorconcern. M. Komich suggested that a means within NlliOA must be found to provide for the needs of individuals to bemembers of the association, but do not officiate high school games. There appeared to be agreement that ifNlliOA nationalwere to take these individuals in to the association that the national secretary-treasurer would notify the local chapter of anyaffiliate members. The local chapter could then decide whether or not to contact these individuals for membership in thechapter. It was recommended that the proposed wording be reworked so as to be in line with the wishes of those inattendance, that a special meeting be held via conference call and, that all chapters be allowed to participate in theconference call. The item was tabled until the next meeting of the directors.

Reports of ChaptersSeveral of the reports indicate that chapters are placing increased efforts on recruiting new candidates for membership, including therecruitment of females, mentoring programs that include evaluations of officials using retired officials as evaluators, clinics, on-linetesting, and mentors to assist younger officials. The evaluation of officials in several cases leads to rates that are used in theassigning of games. There appears to be a continuing increase in the numbers of games chapters are asked to officiate in their areas.The Westchester chapter has ajunior program, with 31 members, ages 14 to 17 years old. Getting youths involved and mentoringthem provides a resource for future full chapter membership.

It was noted that a number of members were or had been in need of assistance due to accidents, etc. during the year. Several timesthis year chapters came to the assistance of not only a member within their chapter but, members of other chapters who were in need.It has often been said that the hockey community is different from that of other sports. When a member of the hockey community isin need, whether a player, coach, or fellow official, the entire officiating community gets behind the efforts in support of theindividual in need. Hopefully there will never be a day when this is not the case.

One area of some concern that was noted is the number of members who do not attend chapter meetings. Chapter meetings providean opportunity to discuss rules changes, rules interpretations, develop lasting friendships and, give back to the sport in many differentways. As with any organization it is sometimes more about what can I get out of the organization than what can I contribute tomaking things better, assisting others in becoming good officials and,just getting involved. So please give a little back. Remembersomeone gave you the opportunity to get started in officiating.

Several chapter representatives noted that their chapters present sportsmanship awards to either a team or individual players. Usuallydone at year end banquets, this gives players, coaches, administrators and officials an opportunity to meet other than in the gamesetting. This can only be a positive for all involved. In a few cases chapters provide scholarships to deserving local high schoolgraduating seniors. In several cases events to raise funds that provide for the scholarships are often joint efforts between the schoolsand the local chapter.

Election of OfficersThe following individuals were presented as candidates for the positions of:

President (Two Year Term)Bob Baldwin, Western NY

15t Vice President (Two Year Term)Lev Torgerson, Connecticut

2nd Vice President (One Year Term)Tom Murray, Cape Cod

Secretary-Treasurer (Three Year Term)Jack Doherty, Central Mass.

The Secretary-Treasurer cast one vote for the above candidates.

Dana Lavoie, Outgoing President, Presented NIHOA PlagueAs outgoing president, Dana was presented NlHOA's plaque in appreciation of all that he has done the past six years. Dana notedthat it is his intension to continue to support NlliOA.

Bob Baldwin, Incoming PresidentBob thanked all for attending the annual meeting. He noted that his focus the next two-years is to assist officials in the developmentof basic officiating skills. He noted a five point plan to be used as a guide in the developing of officiating skills. He showed severalclips he developed that will be available to all via NJHOA's new website. Bob looks forward to working with the other members ofthe Executive Committee in the advancement ofNJHOA.

2012 Annual MeetingThe 2012 Annual Meeting will be held in Bridgeport, CT or Worcester, MA on March 24,2012, both are sites of the 2012NCAA Regional Tournaments. The Executive Board to determine the location of the 2012 meeting.

The meeting adjourned at 12:39.

John 1. Doherty, Jr.Secretary-Treasurer