Western Region Ringette Association

Spruce Lodge, Stratford

September 18, 2008

The ORA Board met on September 13^th.

The position of VP Technical is currently vacant as is the Director for Northwest Region. The position of Technical Director (a paid office position) is currently vacant with interviews underway. Our new ORA athlete rep is Jodi Walsh.

As part of Long Term Athlete Development, starting next season, age groups will replace all division names. Novice, Petite, Tween, Junior and Belle will become U10, U12, U14, U16 and U19. The current Bunny age will be increased to U9 to allow one more year of development. Players will still be able to move up early if ability warrants it. The age group for open will be lowered one year to 18 and above. So there will be a one-year overlap between U19 and Open.

This year Membership Services will be looking at changing the policy for releases. This is our opportunity to provide input.

At the Board level there was also discussion regarding minimum standards for an association to form AA teams. Should they have at least seven home players (before releases)? Since we have been dealing with the same issues, I have volunteered to keep the ORA informed of what the WORL develops this year.

The ORA Board approved term limits for ORA standing committee and board positions. The maximum anyone can stay in any one position is six consecutive years. The maximum on any committee or board is ten years. This is NOT a requirement for local associations. In addition to bringing in new people with new ideas, the purpose of the change is to get existing coordinators to move to other committees or to chair their committee. This also applies to regional directors and board executive.

Chris Beuglet

Chair of Western Region Ringette

H. 519-351-2325

W. 519-658-4330