Devon Hockey Umpires’ Association
Minutes of Special General Meeting
and
Annual General Meeting 2017
at: The Dolphin Hotel, Bovey Tracey
on: Friday 19 May 2017 at 7.30pm
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Special General Meeting:Minutes
Meeting commenced at 7.40pm.
There was one item to be addressed in order to update our Constitution:
1. To consider and confirm the following amendment to the Constitution of DHUA as recommended by the Management Committee:
An Honorarium shall be awarded to the person undertaking the role of:
Membership Secretary
The current Constitution of DHUA states:
29.6. At the Annual General Meeting the meeting shall set honoraria for undertaking the following roles:
- Independent Examiner of Accounts
- Treasurer
- Appointments Secretary
The Committee’s recommendation was proposed for acceptance by Charles Helyer and seconded by Sam Tallowin.
The proposal was unanimously accepted by the Meeting and therefore an annual honorarium shall be awarded to the Membership Secretary in recognition of the contribution made to the DHUA administration.
The post is currently held by Denise Aplin.
The Constitution is therefore amended accordingly.
Meeting finished 7.44pm
Annual General Meeting
Minutes
- Introduction by Bob Whitell ( President DHUA )
The AGM commenced at 7.45pm.
BW outlined his experiences of his first year as our President.
Bob paid tribute to the hard work of DHUA Committee Members and other colleagues involved in hockey administration in the County and Region.
He noted the complexities that exist and welcomed the opportunity to get to know better who and what was involved in hockey administration.Bob thanked those who have worked conscientiously in their posts of responsibility and to all umpires for their contributions during the season.
Bob was particularly grateful to all neutral umpires and to those willing to be flexible and supportive to DHUA as we endeavoured to cover as many games as possible.
Bob reminded the meeting that the main challenge that we face is the retention and recruitment of umpires. We had made progress in key areas during the year but we must raise the profile of umpiring with young players and continue to invest in courses, coaching and club involvement.
Bob noted a successful meeting at the start of the season with Chairs of Clubs and Club UDOs. Many of the outcomes of that purposeful workshop discussion are now informing our development priorities.
Bob referred also to our response to some issues. For example, our feedback evidence indicated rising levels of dissent. We reminded clubs of their responsibilities to uphold the principles outlined in the EH Respect Document and offered guidance to DHUA members.
We have communicated with some Clubs and also given direct support to Clubs as they address certain issues.
Bob recognised the achievements of many umpires in terms of individual progression.
He congratulated Paul Earnshaw for his involvement in international hockey as a TD and Richard Hill on qualifying as a TD.
The progress of Jo Spooner as a Young Umpire, who is now being appointed to National Under 16/18 and 21 games, was also acknowledged.
Bob noted a successful meeting at the start of the season with Chairs of Clubs and Club UDOs. Many of the outcomes of that purposeful workshop discussion are now informing our development priorities.
- Apologies
The following apologies were noted:
Rob Cann,Sam Downes,Steve Dinnie,Mark Sims,Andy Watson,Phil Honey,
Rob Logan,Rob White,Jenny Mitchell,Malcolm Woodward,Jamie Oxley,Peter Hammond,Graham Smith, Simon Bourne and Chris Luxton.
- Approval of Minutes from the DHUA AGM 2016
The Minutes of the AGM 2016 were proposed for approval:
Proposed by Matt Reynolds and Seconded by Peter Hodge
This was agreed by all present.
- Matters arising from the Minutes
Denise Aplin –the issue of out of date appointments being put onto the website will be addressed in her report later in the meeting.
- Reports to the AGM:
5.1.Treasurer (Jackie Brooks)
Treasurers Report – attached at end.
Approval of the Report:
Proposed by Peter Filewod and seconded by Richard Hill
This was agreed by all present.
The President thanked Jackie for her hard work and efficiency throughout the year.
5.2.Membership Secretary (Denise Aplin)
Question raised by Martin Stoneman: he asked if the Association would pay for indoor rule books.
It was agreed to discuss this matter at the next committee meeting.
Approval of the Report:
Proposed by Mike Dutton and Seconded by Martin Stoneman
This was agreed by all present.
The President thanked Denise for her hard work and efficiency throughout the year.
5.3.Appointments Secretary (Graham Woolcock)
- Question from David Gillespie (representing Devonport Services HC):
Why should the Club accept neutral pool appointments when they have organised their own?
Graham responded that this was due to the availability and the times of games and that clubs should look at their start times and try and spread them out more.
The majority of games in Plymouth start between 12 noon and 1.30pm.
- Charles Helyer (OPM HC) also raised a concern regarding what appears to be an increasing trend in awarding yellow cards rather than green cards for offences. He asked the Coaching committee to look at the management ladder and the best use of the green card and the timing of it during the game. Bob replied that this represented a coaching priority as we sought to improve consistency across the Association.
Approval of the Report:
Proposed as correct by Mike Daniel and Seconded by Ian Hill
The President thanked Graham for his hard work and efficiency throughout the year.
5.4.Chief Coach (Peter Hammond)
Peter Hammond’s Report was read out to the Meeting by Bob Whitell.
It is attached at the end of the Minutes.
Approval of the Report:
Proposed as correct by Sam Tallowin and seconded by Martin Stoneman
This was agreed by all present.
- Proposals for the year 2017/2018
6.1Subscription Rate for Membership
The DHUA Treasurer recommended that Subscriptions rates for members should remain at current level for the new season.
6.2Appointments fees payable by clubs
The DHUA Treasurer recommended that these fees should remain at current level for the new season
6.3Mileage and Expenses Rates for Members and the Management
Committee
The DHUA Treasurer recommended that these Rates should remain at current level for the new season
The above recommendations that all fees and rates should remain as unchanged were taken together and were proposed for collective approval:
Proposed by Keith Dingle and seconded by Peter Filewod .
This was agreed by all present.
- DHUA Independent Examiner of Accounts:
7.1.Appointment of Independent Examiner of Accounts
There were no additional comments to the accounts prepared.
The President thanked Peter Hodge for his diligence as our Independent Examiner of the Accounts.
Peter Hodge was nominated to continue as our Independent Examiner:
Proposed by Matt Reynolds and seconded by Denise Aplin
This was agreed by all present.
- Election of DHUA Officers of the Association and Officials of the Management Committee for 2017/18:
8.1.President
BW handed over the role of chair of the Meeting to Graham Woolcock.
No other nominations were made.
BW proposed by Sam Tallowin and Seconded by David Gillespie.
BW resumed the role of President and chair of the Meeting.
This was agreed by all present.
8.2.Secretary
Bob, on behalf of the Committee,thanked Jon Drew for his contribution in this role over the past year and explained that Jon had expressed a wish to step down for the coming season. Jon would like to continue to serve on the Committee as and continue as our ‘kitmaster’.
This was accepted by the Committee and recommended to the Meeting for approval.
The Committee nomination to takeover the role is Richard Hill.
No other nominations were received.
Richard Hill was proposed by Graham Woolcock and seconded by Roger Triscott.
This was agreed by all present.
8.3.Treasurer
The Committee recommendation is that Jackie Brooks should continue in this role.
There were no other nominations.
Proposed by Bob Whitell and seconded Pete Sim
This was agreed by all present.
8.4.Election of Management Committee Members
At this point Bob informed the Meeting about the intended retirement from DHUA of Keith Dingle.Bob explained that we would mark this important occasion later.
Bob outlined the present make- up of the Committee and how the retirement of Keith Dingle would impact upon our organisation for the coming year.
The Committee recommendation is for Pete Hammond to Chair the SCC with BW to join as and when requested.
This was proposed for approval by Sam Tallowin and seconded by Peter Filewod.
This was agreed by all present.
Another post of responsibility on the Committee previously undertaken by KDwas that of ‘Webmaster’. The committee recommendation is for Matt Reynolds to takeover this role.
There were no other nominations.
Matt Reynolds was therefore proposed by Bob Whitell and seconded by Graham Woolcock.
This was agreed by all present.
A vital role on the Committee is that of Appointments Secretary.
The Committee’s recommendation is that Graham Woolcock should continue in this role.
The recommendation was proposed for approval by Mike Daniel and seconded by Richard Jones.
This was agreed by all present.
Bob informed the Meeting that our long-serving representative from Plymouth,Roger Triscott, had also expressed a preference to retire if the vacancy he would leave could be filled by a new person.
Bob paid tribute to Roger’s loyal service and indicated that we would mark his contribution to DHUA in due course.
There were opportunities therefore for 3 new members.
We were delighted to hear from Denise Aplin that 2 colleagues had volunteered to join the Committee.
The Meeting recommended that both Sue Sharland and Jenny Khong should be approached to join the committee.
This was proposed for approval by Ian Hill and seconded by Peter Hodge.
Bob advised the Meeting that Neil Foster had also volunteered his willingness to be nominated.
This nomination was therefore proposed by Ian Hill and seconded by Charles Helyer.
Bob confirmed that he would contact these new committee members.
Bob thanked everyone at the Meeting for helping to ensure that we go into the new season with a full committee.
- Election of Vice-Presidents
Bob Whitell was delighted to announce that the Committee would like to recognise the long service to DHUA of two members and nominate them both for the position of Vice-President of DHUA.
The two nominations recommended to the Meeting are:
Martin Stoneman and Roger Triscott.
The Meeting expressed congratulations and the nominations were unanimously agreed.
15 minute break taken for refreshments
At 8.50pm the meeting reconvened
- DHUA Awards for the Season 2016/17
The following awards were presented at the Meeting:
- Hospitality Award:1.Okehampton A
2. PGSOBs
3. Tavistock A
- New Neutral Pool Umpire - Mark Sims
- Young Umpire of the Year –
Bob Whitell outlined the history of the Julia Gill Award and presented this on behalf of Bob Gill to Liam Sutton (Exeter University)
- Club UDO of the Year –Andrew (Bill) Goodridge Isca HC
- Club Discipline Award - Okehampton A
- Umpire of the Year - Rob Logan
11.Any other business
- Devon Pre-Season Tournament 2017–a reminder was given to all those representing Clubs that the deadline to register is 12 June 2017.
- Presentation given by Ross Reid – Devon HA Press secretary
Ross reminded us that we must each play our part in raising the profile of hockey across Devon by using all of the available media opportunities. Report attached.
The President thanked everyone for their attendance and closed the meeting at 9.25pm
Attending:-
Graham Woolcock, Bob Whitell, Peter Hodge, Pete Sim, Mark Bingham, David Gillespie, Ian Hill, Keith Dingle, Sam Tallowin, Richard Hill, Jackie Brooks, Ellie Brooks, Roger Triscott, Corentin Lindsay, Liam Sutton, Mike Dutton, Karen Dutton, Phil Wright, Denise Aplin, Jill Dupain, Emma Hulme, Alex Collins, Charles Helyer, Matt Reynolds, Peter Filewod, Ross Reid, Richard Jones, Neil Rowlands, John Lilley, Martin Stoneman, Mike Daniel, Steve Pearce
BW 31/05/17
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