Category: AGM

Softball Ireland 2021 Board Appointed

At the Softball Ireland Annual General Meeting held via Zoom on November 29, 2020 the Softball Ireland Board for the 2021 Season was elected as follows:

– Colum Lavery (President – 2nd of 2 year term)

– Steven Trundle (Secretary – DB Packers)

– Massimo Lepri (Treasurer – Wicklow)

– Declan Carty (Board Member – Galway)

– Andrew Craven (Ulster Rep – Sliders/Chair of SU)

– Melanie Cunningham (Fastpitch Rep – Marlay/Chair of Fastpitch Ireland)

– Gillian Fitzpatrick (Board Member – Dodder)

– Amanda Ní Ghabhann (Leinster Rep – Renegades/SL Secretary)

– Matt Steerman (Board Member – Kegs)

Speaking following the election, Softball Ireland President Colum Lavery said “I am really excited to welcome the new Board members to Softball Ireland. We have a lot of work to do in order to continue growing Softball in Ireland and I am delighted we are joined on the Board by a number of returning Board members and new faces who will bring fresh ideas and lot of expertise. I am excited to see what we can achieve in the coming months and years.”

Colum added “I wish to thank Conor Sayles for all his efforts as Secretary for the last three years. Conor has helped manage and guide Softball Ireland with a calm hand and professionalism. I also wish to thank Reggie Clark for his time and commitment to the Board as the Softball Ulster Rep in 2020.”

ALSAA

Softball Ireland AGM

Softball Ireland Annual General Meeting

The Softball Ireland reconvended Annual General Meeting was held on February 15, 2020.

Presidential Elections

Colum Lavery – 17 Votes

Karey Lewis – 6 Votes

Jonathan Spielberg – 6 Votes 

Colum Lavery was deemed elected as President of Softball Ireland

Softball Ireland Baord

The Annual General Meeting ratified the appointment of the below listed Softball Ireland Board 

  • Conor Sayles – Secretary 
  • Massimo Lepri – Treasurer
  • Amanda Ní Ghabhann – Softball Leinster Rep
  • Reginald Clark – Softball Ulster Rep
  • Melanie Cunningham – Fastptich Ireland Rep
  • Declan Carty – Ordinary Member
  • Andrew Craven – Ordinary Member
  • Jordan Sylver – Ordinary Member

The Softball Ireland AGM Minutes will be circulated shortly.

AGM & Presidential Debate

The reconvened Annual General Meeting of Softball Ireland will be held at ALSAA Sports Centre, Old Airport Rd, Toberbunny, Co.Dublin, K67 YV06 on Saturday February 15, 2020 at 12.00pm.  The previously published the AGENDA and supporting documentation for the meeting may be found by clicking here. 

The AGM will be immediately followed by an Extraordinary General Meeting to consider proposed amendments to the Consitution. These include the enactment of recommendations arising from the recent independent panel, as well as issues and clarifications which arose previously during the presidential election campaign period. Questions or comments are welcome to secretary@softball.ie.

A further review of Softball Ireland’s governance to conform with the Governance Code will be conducted in the coming months which will result in further proposed consitutional amendments at the 2020 Annual General Meeting. Proposed Amendments to Softball Ireland Constitution may be downloaded by clicking here

Presidential Candidate Town Hall Details

A Presidential Candidates Town Hall Debate will be held on Wednesday February 12th at 7.15pm in Sportsco, Ringsend.

The debate will be held in lieu of candidate statements and Q+A session at the AGM. The depate will be streamed LIVE on Facebook for those of who who cannot make it person. Questions can be submiotted in advance to secretary@softball.ie or asked on the night. 

ALSAA

Annual General Meeting – Feb. 15, 2020

The reconvned Annual General Meeting of Softball Ireland will be held in ALSAA on Saturday February 15, 2020 at 12 noon. The documentation for the Annual General Meeting, previously circulate in November 2019 is reposted for members information. There has been no changes to the documents previously circulated which may be viewed by clicking here.

Annual General Meeting Documentation

To Softball Ireland Membership

Acting in accordance with the Constitution, the 2019 Annual General Meeting Pack is attached as follows (please click links for papers):

Softball Ireland Presidential Candidates

Three Presidential Candidates Declared

Three candidates have been proposed and seconded for the position of President of Softball Ireland in accordance with the consitution. The Softball Ireland members will have their opportunity to elect the President at the Annual General Meeting to be held on November 30, 2019 in ALSAA.

In advance of the election, the three candidates have prepared their manifesto’s/visions for Softball Ireland which may be found below.

Annual General Meeting 2019

Annual General Meeting Documentation

To Softball Ireland Membership

Acting in accordance with the Constitution, the 2019 Annual General Meeting Pack is attached as follows (please click links for papers):

*External clarification on the Accounts/Treasurers Report Required and will be provided in due course.

Minutes of 2018 Softball Ireland AGM

Softball Ireland AGM

17 November 2018 / 12.00-2.00pm / ALSAA

Board Attendees

Colum Lavery (President – CL), Olwyn Barrett (Treasurer – OB), Conor Sayles (Secretary – CS), Erin Brown (ind. – EB), Melanie Lavery (FP – ML), Jay Slevin (SU – JA)

Apologies

Jonathan Spielberg (SL – JS), Galway Softball Club

Notes

  • Opening
    • CS confirmed that a quorum of members was present (50% of fully paid up teams). CL noted adoption of the standing orders.
    • CL asked for comment on the 2017 minutes, none received. Adrian Foster proposed the minutes and Massimo Lepri seconded.
  • President’s report
    • CL noted that the Presidents report was circulated in advance of the meeting and opened the floor to questions. None received.
    • CL offered further congratulations to Dodder Dynamoes and Belfast Sliders as the Leinster and Ulster league winners respectively. He also congratulated TNT, Dodder, Maarten Blanken and  Massimo Lepri for their participation in the slowpitch, club Euros. Finally CL noted the medal winning success of the U19 and U22 Women’s fastpitch teams at the 2018 European Championships.
  • 2019 priorities
    • Ruth Brady asked how the fastpitch efforts sit alongside the stated goal to prioritise slowpitch. CL explained that fastpitch is ML’s role similar to the regions for slowpitch, and that his contribution to fastpitch is as husband/supporter, not as SI President.
    • CL noted that SI is 30 years established in 2019 and that he plans to celebrate the anniversary, including setting up a hall of fame and tracking national team caps.
    • Massimo Lepri asked about a “grand slam” club. CL responded that once again something of that nature would require volunteers.
    • USA women’s team coach will visit next year for the Brian Walshe Cup (start of season) weekend. There will be a Friday night event, Saturday events at the tournament and Sunday with the national squad.
    • Ruth Brady asked about how it will be made real. CL explained that KPIs will be agreed for each of the priorities circulated in advance of the AGM, and RAG status will be recorded monthly. The board will hold themselves accountable and report on progress at the next AGM. Ruth suggested in response that volunteers could then be sought to take on individual tasks.
    • CL and ML noted that communication is a two way street.  Massimo Lepri complimented the comprehensive AGM pack, but made clear that the momentum needed to be maintained.
    • Massimo Lepri asked about adding a priority around umpire development. Muireann O’Farrell raised concern about requiring Leinster Div 2 teams to have umpires. CS noted this would be a regional decision for SL to pick up on before the new season, CL was simply stating the SI position.
    • Jordan Sylver asked about the intervarsities. CL pointed to players in a number of colleges, focus on restarting a structured competition and direct engagement with colleges.
    • Jordan Sylver complimented the recent open day, and asked about whether more were on the way. CL responded that SI hope to run an indoor open day in the new year plus an event in Galway.
  • Finances
    • CL recognised the contribution of OB as treasurer over the last 4 years.
    • OB circulated updated accounts at the meeting, she took the attendees through the key points and notes.
    • OB explained that €1800 is available for next year’s IOST following UL dates issue this year and a refund of the ground hire cost. Paddy Donnelly asked about the 2017 figures compared to 2018, OB acknowledged the point but decided not to restate last years accounts.
    • Massimo Lepri proposed the accounts and Adrian Forster seconded (subject to auditors).
    • The 2019 budget was circulated at the meeting. CL pointed to the marketing budget and the website improvements.
    • CL also explained the team fee approach for 2019. He noted the “development investment from reserve” balancing figure. He finally noted the merger costs contingency and budget for the additional open days. ML expressed hope that sponsorship will enable refund of the fastpitch grant.
  • Election of SI Board
    • No objection to the nomination of Conor Sayles to a two-year term secretary.
    • No nominations have been received for treasurer, even after the additional time allowed. No nominations were received at the meeting. SI will advertise the role again.
    • The regional representatives, JS, JA and ML, were ratified. EB was ratified as the independent board member.
    • CL noted that EB is leading a good governance group. Massimo Lepri asked what level and CL confirmed A level is the goal.
  • Constitutional Amendments
    • 6 amendments were proposed by the SL committee as set out as APPENDIX TWO. #1 was merged into #2 following feedback from the SI Board.
    • #2 was passed unanimously with one abstention. #3 and #4 were both passed unanimously.
    • Some discussion was had on #5. It was unanimously agreed to amend the wording to “ratified at SI meeting” and the amended version was passed unanimously.
    • CL noted that #6 was not constitutional, but that as previously communicated that an IOST committee is already  in place for 2019.
    • After detailed consideration, the constitutional amendments as set out in APPENDIX THREE were approved.
    • The AGM noted that in additions to the previously circulated amendments, Revenue will require SI to make amendments in order to avail of the tax exemption, the AGM AGREED to approve any such amendments as obligated by the Revenue Commissioner.
  • AOB
  • Jordan Sylver asked about progress with the proposed development working group. CL explained that SI are still waiting on nominations from SL to partake. SU have confirmed there nominations, and an external volunteer Katie Sadlier has agreed to facilitate. The working group role is to develop a plan and hold SI accountable for implementation.

Colum Lavery
President

November 17, 2018

Action Items for SI Board

  1. Review child protection policy in light of merger with Baseball Ireland.
  2. Circulate SI-BI merger MOU to team contacts after it is signed.
  3. Provide details of 2019 coed slowpitch national team trials.
  4. Roll out BSUK coaching programme in January 2019.
  5. Celebrate SI 30 year anniversary, including hall of fame and national team caps.
  6. Agree on KPIs for each priority, report RAG monthly to membership.
  7. Indoor open day in Dublin and open day in Galway.
  8. Update constitution on SI website following amendments agreed.
  9. Advertise the vacant SI Treasurer position again.
  10. Setup a development working group and implement agreed plan.

AGM 2018 Decisions – Treasurer Required

Annual General Meeting 2018 Decisions

The 2018 Softball Ireland Annual General Meeting was held on November 17, 2018. Thank you to all the members who attended and took part in engaged and positive AGM.

Below is a summary of the decisions on the day, the full minutes will be circulated shortly.

  • A detailed update on the proposed merger with Baseball Ireland was provided to the membership in attendance
  • Accounts to year ended September 30, 2018 approved
  • Elections/Confirmation of Appointments as follows
    • Conor Sayles was elected as Secretary
    • Jonathan Spielberg was confirmed as Softball Leinster Rep.
    • Jay Slevin was confirmed as Softball Ulster Rep.
    • Melanie Cunningham was confirmed as Fastpitch Rep.
    • Erin Brown was confirmed as Independent Board member
  • 2019 Softball Ireland priorities were noted
  • Constitutional amendments were approved

Treasurer Required

Softball Ireland are seeking a volunteer to take on the position of Treasurer – if you are interested in the role or need to know more about it please email president@softball.ie 

Softball Ireland Annual General Meeting

Download AGM Pack

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 

OF 

SOFTBALL IRELAND 

The Annual General Meeting of Softball Ireland will be held at ALSAA Sports Centre, Old Airport Rd, Toberbunny, Co. Dublin, K67 YV06 on Saturday November 17, 2018 at 12.00pm (1200) for the purposes of transacting the following business in accordance with the Softball Ireland Constitution: – 

1.    Adoption of Standing Orders 

2.    Minutes of the 2017 AGM and Matters Arising 

3.    Presidents Report 

4.    Financial

a.    Accounts and Balance Sheet of SI for year ended September 30, 2018 

b.    Appoint Auditors for 2019 

c.     Note the 2019 Draft Softball Ireland Budget 

5.    Election of Softball Ireland Board

a.    Consider Nominations for Secretary (2-year term)

b.    Consider Nominations for Treasurer (2-year term)

c.     Ratify Appointment of Softball Leinster Representative

d.    Ratify Appointment of Softball Ulster Representative

e.    Ratify Appointment of Fastpitch Division Representative

f.      Ratify Independent Board Member

6.    Consider Proposed Amendments to the Constitution

7.    Any Other Business 

By order of Softball Ireland 

Note:  

      i.        The Quorum for a General Meeting shall be 50% of the fully paid up Teams in accordance with Article 7 entitled to attend and vote at a General Meeting.

     ii.        Each fully paid up Player in Good Standing of SI may attend and speak, subject to the standing orders, at the General Meeting  

    iii.            Unless designated as Representative of a Team at a meeting, the Player shall not have a vote. 

Nominations: Nominations for the position of Treasurer of Softball Ireland must be submitted noting the proposer and seconder by 1700 on November 15, 2018 to president@softball.ie 

Notice of Softball Ireland AGM – November 17, 2018

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that an Annual General Meeting of Softball Ireland will be held at ALSAA Sports Centre, Old Airport Rd, Toberbunny, Co. Dublin, K67 YV06 on Saturday November 17, 2018 at 12.00pm (1200) for the purposes of transacting the following business in accordance with the Softball Ireland Constitution: –

  1. Adoption of Standing Orders
  2. Minutes of the 2017 AGM and Matters Arising
  3. Presidents Report
  4. Financial
    1. Accounts and Balance Sheet of SI for year ended September 30, 2018
    2. Appoint Auditors for 2019
    3. Note the 2019 Draft Softball Ireland Budget
  5. Election of Softball Ireland Board
    1. Consider Nominations for Secretary (2-year term)
    2. Consider Nominations for Treasurer (2-year term)
    3. Ratify Appointment of Softball Leinster Representative
    4. Ratify Appointment of Softball Ulster Representative
    5. Ratify Appointment of Fastpitch Division Representative
    6. Ratify Independent Board Member
  6. Any Other Business

Dated this September 13, 2018

By order of Softball Ireland

Note: 

  1. The Quorum for a General Meeting shall be 50% of the fully paid up Teams in accordance with Article 7 entitled to attend and vote at a General Meeting.
  2. Each fully paid up Player in Good Standing of SI may attend and speak, subject to the standing orders, at the General Meeting
  • Unless designated as Representative of a Team at a meeting, the Player shall not have a vote.

Nominations: Nominations for the position of Secretary or Treasurer of Softball Ireland must be submitted noting the proposer and seconder by 1700 on November 3, 2018 to president@softball.ie