Other Guests Present: Gem City Youth Hockey, Columbus Chill, Charleston (WV)

Secretary Kim James welcomed everyone and introductions were made. The Agenda was reviewed.

The minutes from the 7/11/98 Annual Meeting were reviewed and approved by consensus.

Daryl Rotman presented the Treasurer's Report. There had not been any changes since the report presented at the Annual Meeting.

The 1998 - '99 Rules and Regulations were distributed and discussed. The only significant change for this year is to Section III.D, which was approved at the Annual Meeting. No other changes/comments were received. The motion was made and seconded to accept the 1998 - '99 Rules & Regulations. By consensus the motion carried. The 1998 - '99 Rules & Regulations will be mailed to all member organizations and will be posted on the WEB page.

Daryl presented the 1998 - '99 budget. The team entry fee will stay the same for the 1998 - '99 season at $125 per team. The single largest line item in the budget is the Participation Patches. It had been determined that instead of patches, this money would go to help off-set the cost of the End of Season Play-Offs. The line items for postage and office supplies were increased, as was the Scheduler fee. It was noted that there was no entry for Board Insurance. Daryl indicated that this was paid last year for 2 years, so nothing is due in the 98-99 season. Phil Morrical (Oxford) moved and Chuck Ericson (Kettering-Fairmont) seconded that the budget be approved with the discussed changes. The motion carried. The amended budget will be posted to the WEB page.

The discussion moved on to the vacant board member positions. Br. Bob Flaherty was elected to the President's position at the Annual Meeting. However, since then he has had to resign that position. This left the President's and Vice Presidents position open. Phil Morrical volunteered and was elected to serve in the Vice President's position. The President's spot is still open and the Board is seeking a volunteer to fill that position. Anybody interested should contact one of the Board Members.

The 1998-'99 Team Applications were distributed. Team Applications must be postmarked by September 5th to be entered at the $125.00 team fee. A $50 late fee will be assessed to any team that submits the application after September 5th but before September 12th. ABSOLUTELY NO TEAMS WILL BE ACCEPTED TO THE BTHL AFTER SEPTEMBER 12. The schuedling meeting is September 19 and the scheduler must have enough time to prepare by making up the divisions, pairing the teams, etc. If your organization is closing in on the deadlines, be sure to contact Len immediately and let him know what you're doing. Teams are not considered entered in the league until the team fee is paid. If a team is being submitted that does not meet the A/AA criteria, be sure to include justification.

The meeting then moved on to discussion of the upcoming season. Athens wants to enter a team into the league as a High School Club Team. This would require a change in the BTHL By-Laws to add this division to the league. The discussion took place about the team playing at the Midget AA level, however the team will have a player that is beyond Midget age. This creates issues within USA Hockey and the age limitations. After some discussion, the issue was tabled. Additional research will occur with USA Hockey and the issue will be resolved at the August Board meeting.

Four organizations have expressed an interest in joining the BTHL; Tri-County, Gem City, Columbus Chill and Charleston, WV. Of these, only Gem City and Columbus Chill have made firm commitments to add multiple teams. Gem City wants to add a Mite AA, Squirt A, Squirt AA, Pee Wee A, Pee Wee AA, Bantam A, Bantam AA and possibly a Midget A. Columbus Chill will add a Bantam AA, Pee Wee A and possible Bantam A. After some discussion, the motion was made and seconded to add these two organizations as members to the BTHL. The motion carried. The other organizations must have a representative at the August meeting and must have a firm commitment to add a team(s) to be added to the league.

Schedule Len Holtgreven then reviewed the current list of potential teams for the upcoming season. Updates were made and the amended list can be viewed on the WEB page.

General discussion then ensued. Oxford is hosting an Associate and Intermediate Coaches Clinic the weekend of 9/26.

Chuck Ericson moved and Todd Smith (Gem City) seconded to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried.