METRO SKATERS HOCKEY LEAGUE

Monthly Meeting Minutes for January 12, 2000.
Location:  Farmington Hills Arena
Date and Time: January 12, 2000, 6:30 p.m.

Next Meeting: Tuesday,  February 22, 2000, 6:30 p.m., at Farmington Hills Arena.

Attendees:

Ann Dobija		Ice Dogs/President
Sue McDowell	MAHA
Pam Kangas		Iron Maidens
Michele Parker	Phantoms
Christy Back		Phantoms
Sheila Van Baalen	Phantoms
Fabienne Worthy	Steel Magnolias
Janine Martinez	Jets
Jillian Wallace		Predators
Torri Crummel	Devils
George Tilli		Ice Breakers/Team Xtreme
Stephanie Henkel	Nighthawks
Laurie Birchler	Flames
Michele Monson	Polar Bears
Gil Ruicci		Polar Bears
Jackie Anderson	Lady Blues
Joanne Wiklund	Flash

The meeting came to order at 6:40 p.m.

Acceptance of minutes from the November meeting:
George Tilli moved, Jillian Wallace seconded; the motion passed to approve the minutes.

MSHL Web Site:
The League managers were again strongly encouraged to review what is posted on the web site 
(i.e., team openings, rosters, ice for sale) and send any corrections or updates to Ann Dobija or 
Jan BenDor.

Sue McDowell (MAHA):
The USA Hockey 2000 Womens/Girls National Championship is being held April 4-9, at the 
Troy Sport Center in Troy, Michigan.  Volunteers are needed for scorekeeping, timekeeping, and 
penalty boxes--especially during the daytime hours.  If you are interested in helping out please 
contact Steve or Sue McDowell at 734/528-0644 ASAP.

Anyone wishing to place a program ad can contact Jackie Shufeldt at 734/941-9217.

Financial News (Michele Monson):

Attorney Peter Joelson, an invited presenter, described the options that the league may want to 
consider in order to limit individual financial liability and eliminate future tax obligations.  The first 
option is to incorporate the league by filing a form with the Michigan Department of Development 
and Corporations in Lansing, to become a Michigan nonprofit corporation.  The benefit of this 
action is to protect individual members of the League from liability from creditors.  The articles of 
incorporation would need to state the purposes of the organization, and include by-laws covering 
necessary corporate procedures.

The second option would require the Michigan incorporation to be completed.  The League 
would then, as an association, file immediately for federal tax-exempt status under 501(C)3 of 
the IRS Code.  Granting of this status is up to the IRS, might take a year or more, and would not 
be guaranteed.  If successful, the League would not have to pay state or federal corporate taxes 
on its income, donors could take a federal tax deduction for their donations, and the League 
would not pay state sales tax on its own purchases.  However, the League would be obligated to 
file an annual IRS 990 report, and large donors might demand to see an accounting audit or 
review.

The attorney stated that he would charge up to $400 for the first option.  [The main service 
would be to draft articles of incorporation consistent with qualifying for option two, and to 
review our by-laws for procedural completeness.]  To begin the second option would require an 
additional $1500 up front with an $1100 balance due.

President Dobija strongly recommended that the members consider the second option with the 
future of the League in mind.  It would be beneficial to be able to solicit individuals and 
organizations for funds to support the overall growth of this League.  Businesses currently can 
take a limited deduction for advertising or entertainment when they sponsor a team.  Providing 
businesses with the benefit of full tax deductions for their donation to the overall League would 
allow us to receive monies that could be used for the costs of the Ruicci Cup Tournament, web 
site, equipment, etc.

The members voted to proceed with the first option and approved the $400 to do so.  The second 
option will be discussed further at the next meeting. [Note: the press of tournament business may 
postpone this agenda item until a subsequent meeting.  Action on option one--incorporating as a 
Michigan nonprofit corporation--will be held until discussion of option two.  We do not want to 
become a corporation and be suddenly liable for taxes if our income happens to exceed our 
expenses.]

Ruicci Cup Tournament:

The team representatives present voted against charging a lower rate for the Canadian teams, who 
had requested consideration of the unequal U.S.-Canadian dollar ratio.  U.S. teams felt that the 
difference in fees would have to be picked up by their own teams, which to them didn't sound fair.  
There is nothing in the By-laws governing this issue. Thus it is up to the Canadian teams to decide 
whether they wish to participate at the same fee level for this tournament.  Ann strongly 
suggested that the League discuss this during the summer, and add language clarifying fees in 
U.S. vs. Canadian dollars to the By-laws. 

Please refer to the Tournaments/The Ruicci Cup section of the MSHL website for more 
information or contact Ann Dobija at 734/281-1672 or Sheila VanBaalen at 248/623-0366.

Managers are strongly urged to attend the next meeting to finalize the Ruicci Cup 
Tournament efforts.

The cost for the tournament is $440 (minus $100 = $340/team).  All teams must send
their tournament fee ($340) to Ann Dobija no later than Wednesday, February 23rd, 2000.  
Ann's address is 3187 21st Street, Wyandotte, Michigan, 48192.  Please make checks payable to 
Michele Monson (MSHL)...please include your TEAMS NAME on the check.

The tournament program will cost $50.00 for a full page--$25.00 for a half page. Program page 
size is 6" X 9". 

Team rosters and ads MUST BE submitted by February 28th, 2000.

Please contact Sheila VanBaalen to turn in your rosters ASAP - 248/623-0366. 

All League games should be completed by March 20th in order to finalize the Ruicci Cup 
Tournament game schedules.

The following tasks need to be accomplished for the tournament to be successful!!!
1)  Coordinate Formats/Schedules/Rules - Marlene Lindenberg (Cheap Skates)
	Requires play-off formats and schedules to be created.  Teams will be placed 
in format based on season end standings.  Ann Dobija will work with Marlene on the 
Tournament Rules.  Additional ice may be required for finals.
2)  Coordinate Game Boards -  Terry Mathews (Arctic Storm)
	Requires boards to be created following the play-off format style.  Terry can 
	coordinate with Marlene to obtain schedule. 
3)  Coordinate Ice - Sally Thomas (Metro Blades)
	Requires contact with DSC to secure ice.  Sally can coordinate with Marlene
to obtain schedule.  Also, need to contact DSC with regard to audio equipment
and showcase availability.
4)  Coordinate Scorekeepers/Timekeepers and Refs - Sally Thomas (Metro Blades)
	Requires contact with DSC to see what personnel that they may want to use.  
	Players may need to be recruited (and paid!) to scorekeep/timekeep. 
	Sally can coordinate with Marlene to obtain schedule.
5)  Coordinate Check-In Process - Patty Formosa (Ice Pack)
	Requires Team Sign In Sheets to be created for each game.  Also, need to create 
	a work schedule for teams helping with this process.  Patty will coordinate with 
	Marlene (schedules) and Sheila (rosters).
6)  Coordinate Trophies - Deb Osborne (Flames)
Requires input from the three divisions as to what they want as trophies (Red Line - t-
shirts, sweatshirts or hats, Blue Line - ?, Goal Line - pins).  All prizes must be in a 
comparable price range.  Deb will contact Michele Monson with regards to funds 
available. 
7)  Coordinate Souvenirs - Sherri Wright (Ice Pack)
	Requires research to determine which company can offer the most for our money. 
	Sherri will contact Michele Monson with regards to funds available. 
8)  Coordinate Tournament Programs - Sheila VanBaalen (Phantoms - rosters)
				    Gil Ruicci (Polar Bears - program printing)
	Requires rosters to be collected and turned over to Gil for printing.
9)  Coordinate Silent Auction - Lisa Chiodo (Fury - Bid Sheets), Ann Dobija (Ice Dogs - 
           distribution)
Requires the collection of items to bid.  Bid Sheets to be created for each auction item.  A 
sign to be created advertising the auction (which will end at 2 p.m. on Sunday).  And the 
collection of money and distribution of bid items.
10)  Coordinate Medical Personnel - Michele Parker, Christy Back (Phantoms)
	Requires the coordination of appropriate personnel to be on stand by during the
tournament. Michele and Christy can coordinate with Marlene to obtain schedule.
11)  Coordinate Women's Shelter Collection - Lisa Chiodo (Fury)
	Requires the women's shelter to be contacted to determine what items are needed.  
	Collection boxes need to be set up and put away each night of the tournament.  Items
           collected need to be taken to the Shelter.  Lisa will coordinate with Joanne 	Wiklund.
12)  Bring Cup to Tournament - Darlene Darville
13)  Print Business Cards with MSHL website - Dave Chow 
14)  Sell Fundraiser T-Shirts for $4 or $5 (Dawn Letwin will contact Sherri Wright)
		
All Teams will be required to help with the check-in process, silent auction and souvenirs during 
the tournament.

Depending on DSC, players may be recruited (and paid!) for scorekeepers/timekeepers.

Items of Interest:
? Girls/Womens National Championships April 4-9, 2000
 
New Business
? Statisticians: please turn in stats 1st week of each month

Next  Meeting:
? Schedule February Meeting - Tuesday, February 22nd, 2000
? Schedule March Meeting - Tuesday, March 14th, 2000
? Next Meeting Items:
? Riucci Cup Update 
? Financial Business 

Motion to adjourn by George Tilli, supported by Stephanie Henkel, approved and 
adjourned at   8:15p.m.

Respectfully Submitted,
Joanne Wiklund
Acting Recording Secretary
Metro Skaters Hockey League Meeting Minutes, January 12,, 2000	Page 5
