West
Niagara Minor Hockey will be holding a special meeting on March 25th,
2026 at the Fleming center in Beamsville.
To: West
Niagara Families
Subject:
Notice about Special Meeting
West
Niagara Minor Hockey will be holding a special meeting on March 25th,
2026 at the Fleming center in Beamsville.
This
meeting is to allow all our membership to vote on an outstanding item that was
presented at our AGM May 28th, 2025. The following motion was
submitted at that time and the matter was deferred. This was to allow for
review of current policies and assessment of the procedures required for
implementation of such a change.
Motion Presented:
Amendment to Section 6.4 of the Constitution – Right to Vote
Current Wording:
Proxies
will not be permitted. Members of the Association must be present in person at
General Meetings and Annual General Meetings of the Association in order to
exercise their voting rights in relation to matters coming before a General
Meeting or an Annual General Meeting.
Proposed Wording:
Proxies
will not be permitted. Members of the Association do not need to be present in
person at General Meetings and Annual General Meetings of the Association to
exercise their voting rights in West Niagara Minor Hockey Association. They may
also attend and vote virtually online regarding matters considered at any
General or Annual General Meeting.
Rationale for Change:
This
amendment seeks to update the constitution to allow for online voting.
Potential Advantages of Allowing Virtual
Participation
- Increased accessibility for
members who may be unable to attend in person due to distance, scheduling
conflicts, or mobility challenges.
- Potential for higher overall
participation and voter turnout by allowing members to join remotely.
- Possible reduction in costs
associated with physical venue rentals and on-site logistics.
- Ability to record
proceedings and document votes electronically.
- Overall better engagement
with association members
Potential Disadvantages and Risks of Allowing
Virtual Participation
- Technology barriers may
exclude members who lack reliable internet access, appropriate devices, or
familiarity with virtual meeting platforms, potentially creating
inequitable participation.
- Online environments may
reduce meaningful discussion, debate, and community engagement that
naturally occur in face-to-face meetings, potentially weakening member
involvement and transparency.
- Verification of member
identity and eligibility to vote may present challenges, increasing the
risk of voting irregularities or disputes.
- Online voting systems
introduce security and privacy concerns, including potential data
breaches, unauthorized access, or manipulation of voting outcomes.
- Technical disruptions such
as connectivity issues, software malfunctions, or platform outages could
delay proceedings or compromise the integrity of the meeting.
- Implementation would require
the development of clear policies, procedural safeguards, and oversight
mechanisms, increasing administrative workload for volunteers and staff.
- Additional financial costs
may arise from purchasing secure software platforms, licensing fees,
cybersecurity protections, technical support, and potential training for
members and administrators.
- In the event of contested
votes or technical failures, the Association may face reputational risk or
procedural challenges requiring further meetings or legal clarification.
- Transitioning to a hybrid or
fully virtual format may create ongoing expectations for technological
upgrades and support, resulting in sustained operational costs rather than
one-time expenses.
We have created an online Question and Answer
document to allow for feedback and questions. See attached link, this will also
be available from the website.
https://westniagaraminorhockey.ca/Pages/18708/WNMHA_Special_Meeting_FAQ/
Please email all questions to [email protected]
This will be a vote by ballet in person from
7pm to 8pm, voting rights are as stated below from our Constitution.
ARTICLE 6 TERMS OF MEMBERSHIP AND ELIGIBILITY
(a) Voting
Members:
ACTIVE MEMBER:
Active Members shall consist of all
Directors of the Board, convenors, coaches, managers, and trainers rostered for
the current season, and all registered players who are at least eighteen (18)
years of age. Members in this classification shall be entitled to one vote per
person at any Meeting of the Members.
PARENT/GUARDIAN MEMBER:
Parent/Guardian Members shall consist of
all parents or legal guardians of players registered on WNMHA teams, under the
age of eighteen (18) years of age. Members in this classification shall be
entitled to one vote per eligible registered player at any Meeting of the
Members. Where an eligible registered player has two parents or legal
guardians, only one (1) vote shall be cast with respect to said eligible
registered player. Parent/Guardian Members who have more than 1 player
registered on an WNMHA team shall be entitled to one vote per Parent/Guardian
Member in attendance at any meeting of the members.
Thank
you
West Niagara Board