SMHA is seeking Head Coach Applications for all Competitive and Recreation teams in U11, U13, U15, and U18 Divisions. 

A meeting for potential Head Coaches for U5, U7, and U9 wwill take place closer to the start of the season. 

The U11 and up Head Coach Application deadline is 11:59pm on Monday, July 31st, 2023. Applications must be submitted by this time in order to be considered for coaching positions this season.

This News Article will cover the following items:

1. Thank You to Departing Executive Members
2. Expression of Interest for Interim Executive Positions

Thank You
On behalf of the SMHA Board of Directors, we would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to our SMHA Executive Members who are stepping away from their positions. Thank you to our outgoing VP of Competitive - Aaron Hiscock, VP of Recreation- Todd House and President (now current Past President)- Nathalie Amirault for all of their efforts, contributions and dedication to SMHA during their time on the Board. We look forward to seeing you around the rink.

We would also again like to congratulate Rob Nurnber on becoming the new SMHA President and thank him for everything he has done as VP of U7 over the past several years. 

Expression of Interest
We are now putting out a call out for an Expression of Interest for three available Interim SMHA Executive roles. 

As per section 18 in the updated Bylaws, these will be INTERIM positions to be filled for one season and will be up for election for a complete term at next year's AGM. In order to be considered a qualified candidate for these positions, you must have two years of volunteer experience within SMHA and have been a member in good standing the previous two hockey seasons.

DEADLINE: Please email your expression of interest noting why you are interested & suitable for the position to Melissa Berkvens (secretary@flyershockey.ca) by11:50pm on Friday, June 30.  All qualified applicants will be contacted and interviewed next week.

1. VP Competitive- The Vice President Competitive is responsible for the overall management of the Competitive program, including but not limited to, coordinating the coaching selection and player evaluation processes. They shall effectively represent the interests of players, parents, coaches on the executive and may represent SMHA on the CMHL.
   
   
2. VP U7 (Initiation)- The Vice President LTP/U7 is responsible for ensuring the Initiation programs meet the identified program objectives and effectively represent the interests of players, parents and instructors at the Executive level. They will provide ongoing support and guidance to the LTP/U7 Divisional Coordinator
   
   
3. VP Risk Management- must have legal/policing background (or equivalent) as per bylaws. The Vice President of Risk Management coordinates, oversees and assists coaches and volunteers with required certifications, as well as the use of HCR and other on-line requirements. They receive and process complaints from or related to SMHA teams, coaches, volunteers or members, initiate disciplinary committees and processes where necessary, liaise with Hockey Nova Scotia as required and prepare and distribute notices of suspension as necessary. The Vice President of Risk Management works closely with the Safety Coordinator to address safety concerns of any nature within the association as requested.

Additionally, we will be putting a call for an expression of interest out for all Board Positions (one year terms) after the Executive team for the 2023-2024 season is finalized.

Please email your expression of interest in any of these positions explaining why you are interested and feel you are suitable for the position, as well as confirming you are qualified for the role as per section 18 of our  Bylaws to Melissa Berkvens at secretary@flyershockey.ca no later than Friday, June 30 at midnight. All qualified applicants will be contacted and interviewed next week.

Thank you to all members who participated in the AGM by coming in person or tuning in online. 

To all the candidates: We are lucky to have passionate volunteers, who so clearly care about the youth in our community. Thank you for stepping forward and putting your names in the ring for these positions.

The 62 ballots were tallied and the results are in: Join us in Congratulating Dan MacDonald (VP Recreation) and Jenn Forster (VP Administration) to the SMHA Executive.

AGM Page

We are pleased to announce the SMHA Executive Acclamations and Nominees ahead of the Annual General Meeting (AGM) at 5:00pm on Sunday, June 25, 2023.

Congratulations to Rob Nurnber, Jennifer Tower, and John Hubley!

• Incoming President: Rob Nurnber
  • Rob is currently serving on the SMHA Executive in the VP Initiation role, and will become the uncontested President following the AGM. 
    
    
• Incoming Treasurer: Jennifer Tower 
  • Jennifer joined the Finance Committee last season, and will become the uncontested Treasurer following the AGM.
    
    
• Returning VP Development: John Hubley 
  • John is currently serving on the SMHA Executive as the VP Development; John reoffered for this position and was uncontested.

SMHA received multiple nominations for the two remaining positions, so an Executive Election will be held following this weekend's AGM. 

The Executive Election will include:

• VP Recreation Candidates
  • Dan MacDonald [Platform]
  • Chris Marchand [Platform]
    
    
• VP Administration Candidates
  • Jennifer Forster [Platform]
  • Chris Manchakowski [Platform]

We strongly encourage our membership to tune in to the AGM either in person or online (YouTube link coming soon), and come down to the Sackville Arena Mezzanine to vote. The candidates above will all have a chance to briefly present their platforms during the AGM.

Please visit the AGM Page on our website for complete AGM Details.

Nominations continue to be accepted for the five available SMHA Executive positions until 11:59pm on Friday, June 9th, 2023.

Details of the Executive Positions and eligibility requirements can be found in our By-Laws.

To offer for an Executive position noted below, please send a self-nomination email to Melissa Berkvens (Secretary@FlyersHockey.ca) by 11:59pm on Friday, June 9, 2023. All nominations will be reviewed to ensure the eligibility criteria is met.

Note: Nominees do not need to provide a campaign platform with the self-nomination. 

The five positions up for election immediately following this year's  Annual General Meeting (AGM) are as follows:

1. President
2. Vice President Administration
3. Vice President Development
4. Vice President of Recreation
5. Treasurer

The SMHA Annual General Meeting (AGM) is at 5:00pm on Sunday, June 25, 2023, with Executive Elections being held immediately after.

As a reminder, to request a New Business for the AGM Agenda, please send an email to Melissa Berkvens (Secretary@FlyersHockey.ca) by 11:59pm on Friday, June 9, 2023.

AGM Details

Date: Sunday, June 25, 2023
AGM: 5:00pm - 6:30pm (Both in-person an via YouTube Stream, links to follow)
Voting for SMHA Executive Positions: 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Location: Mezzanine, Sackville Arena, 91 First Lake Dr.

Details:

• 4:30pm - 5:00pm - Voter Pre-Registration for those attending the AGM in person
• 5:00pm - 6:30pm - 2022-2023 Annual General Meeting
  • The AGM will be in-person at the Sackville Arena Mezzanine and also streamed/recorded via YouTube.
  • Please note that voting in the SMHA Executive Election must be done in person.
• 6:30pm - 8:00pm - SMHA Executive Election 
  
  • Please note that voting in the SMHA Executive Election must be done in person.
  • Anyone lined up to register to vote by 8pm will have their ballots counted
  • As per the By-Laws, there is a maximum of one ballot per person, regardless of how many ballots the person is eligible for based on the below criteria. 
    • Each 2022-2023 SMHA Household can register for one ballot for their family.
    • Each 2022-2023 SMHA Coaching Staff Member can register for one ballot (one per person, regardless of how many teams coached).
    • Each 2022-2023 SMHA Executive Member or Director can register for one ballot (one per person, regardless of coaching commitments, etc)
• 8:00pm - 9:00pm - Vote Count - More details to follow.

AGM Webpage