October 28, 2006

Dear Brockton Youth Hockey Parent,

Please take a moment to review the enclosed information about our organization. Several important issues have been ongoing since tryouts in April 2006 and your board has been busy working during this period to bring your children a positive hockey experience.

1.Hockey Tryouts - In February 2006 I prepared a budget for the organization based on player registration of 251 children. Upon completion of tryouts in April, we discovered a drop off of 50 children to our program. A check of other programs in the conference also discovered significant drops in registration. I spoke with officials of the conference and discovered that several reasons existed for the registration drop off with the primary reasons being “expanded elite skating programs” drawing children from the town leaguesand “parent dissatisfaction” with how the town leagues were developing player skills.

2. Closing of FY 2005/2006 – While in February 2006 I had projected a $7,500 surplus for the 2005/2006 season, BYH actually closed the fiscal year with a $7,500 deficit. This deficit was the result of the following series of events which took place from January 2006 through June 2006, the closing of the fiscal year.

Planned revenue from Bingo fell short by $12,000 for the year.

Learn to Skate / Fun & Fundamental costs exceeded $4,500 more than taken in.

Parent bad debt exceeded $4,500 for the year.

What was to be a $7,500 surplus turned into a $7,500 deficit for the fiscal year.

3. Fiscal Year 2006 / 2007 – In preparation of the 2006 / 2007 revised budget, (after registration in April), I presented to the board of directors a budget that showed a $161,500 revenue source with a projected $190,434 expense resulting in a projected shortfall of $28,934, in addition to a $7,500 deficit from last year making our total budgeted shortfall of $36,434.

This revenue/expense shortfall while alarming, has been addressed to date in the following manner:

Turned into Facilities Management Corporation (FMC) 36 hours of ice from our program that will not be available next year. $6,120 cost avoidance.

Sold, $12,124 of ice to Southshore Conference as cost avoidance. These hours will remain with our program next season.

This has resulted in a cost avoidance of $18,244 of our $36,434 budgeted shortfall. It is also expected that this year’s fundraising efforts will need to bring in a minimum of $10,000 - $15,000. This goal will require each child/parent to sell a minimum of $75 -$100 per family in fund raising raffles. I will continue to work with the board in reducing costs of the program this year in our efforts to keep the organization in the black.

4. Powerskate / Goalie Clinic – With the reduction of registered players, I reduced the power skating program from three to two hours. (one hour given back to FMC). While the hour may have been lost, our commitment to developing the skating skills of our program continues to be strong with the hiring of BrocktonHigh School’s Varsity Head Coach, Ken Heenan. Coach Heenan has committed to 10 weeks of skills development for our program.

Along with power skating, Michelle and Rich Natale, have championed the need for a goalie clinic. Our goalies have begun to receive professional instructions from Brian Eckland former goalie of the Tampa Bay Lightening who has now started his own business BEGoalies ( – targets in training”.

5. Bingo Fundraising - While the 2005 / 2006 bingo program fell short of its financial commitment, the program still brought in over $20,000 to our organization through tuition assistance. Our 2006 / 2007 season identifies that 49 children are eligible for tuition assistance this year. I have meet with the Bingo Committee and volunteers and made it clear that Bingo will only remain open so long as we continue to meet our revenue commitment for tuition assistance. This year I have determined that commitment to be $24,000.

Additionally, BYH has been notified that after October 29, 2006, bingo will no longer be able to be played at the Eastside Improvement Association building due to the pending sale of the property. As a result the bingo committee has determined that it must relocate its operations to Sacred Heart lower Church Hall, Court Street, beginning November 5, 2006. Parents, who take advantage of the tuition assistance program, please remember to thank our member in charge and book keepers for keeping this fundraising arm alive.

6. League Fundraising - I can not stress to all parents the importance of our league fundraising this year. Three years ago, faced with a deficit of $36,000, we pulled together and eliminated that debt. While we have a revenue shortfall of $18,190 for this fiscal year, together, with a strong fundraising effort, we can reduce / eliminate that shortfall and prevent it from becoming a deficit for next season. Your assistance in this effort is a must to keep our program solvent and prevent the selling off of more ice.

7. Registration Fees – Thank you to the parents who have honored their financial commitment to BYH. Parentsthat have not paid in full their child’s registration fee prior to December 1, 2006, will find that their child will not be allowed to skate in any practices or games until such time as the bill is paid in full. Please do not take this lightly. While I do not want to see a child removed from their team, BYH must meet its financial obligations. We can only do that based on all parents paying their bills in full.

8. Board of Director’s – This year we welcome to the board of directors Annemarie Kougias – Treasurer, Michelle Natale – Web Site Director, and Larry Clemens – Yankee Conference representative.. Each of these individuals has made a commitment to assist our organization along with our existing board members in bringing you a quality / cost effective hockey experience. Please take a moment to thank all of them when you see them at the rink and remember, all board members are volunteers.

9. Website Development – BYH, under the leadership of Richard and Michelle Natale, spent the summer re-designing the BYH Website. Since its inception and roll out at the coaches meeting in late August, this Website has exploded on the scene and has become a positive influence for our organization. Please take some time to become familiar with the site and let us know your thoughts and feedback on our organization. Parents can forward their comments directly to along with stories, photo’s, profile updates and fundraising activities for all to enjoy.

In closing, this is my fourth and last year as President of BYH. I joined this organization at a period of financial weakness and with the help of a dedicated Board of Directors, have re-established a since of leadership and direction for the future. Together, our board and coaching staff have experienced many high’s and low’s during this four year journey, but have never forgotten our mission:

“ To promote the sport of Ice Hockey for all youth who reside in the City of Brockton and surrounding communities and to instill an awareness of Physical Fitness, a Spirit of Good Sportsmanship and Fair Play”

I look forward to completing this season as your President and hope, like our new and existing board members, more parents answer the call to assist our organization in the future.

I am always available to discuss any issues you may have about BYH by calling me at 508-584-8830.

Respectfully yours,

Larry Curtis

President, BYH