november2007

OSUA Approves New By-law and Announces 2008 Executive

November 22, 2007

Kitchener, ON

For Immediate Release – November 20, 2007
 
OSUA Approves New By-law and Announces 2008 Executive
 
Kitchener: The Ontario Softball Umpires’ Association (OSUA) held its first annual general meeting (AGM) in Kitchener on November 11, 2007. Over 50 umpires from across the province were represented at the meeting, either by personally attending the meeting or by sending in their proxies to ensure they had a voice in the new organization. In addition to approving the draft by-laws for the OSUA, members were active in discussing the 2007 achievements and the proposed directions for 2008, providing the incoming executive with their wishes for the coming year.
 
“I am very pleased with the achievements of the OSUA in its fledgling year,” proclaimed Kirk Corkery, Interim Chair and who was acclaimed to the Board for its first official year of operation at the meeting. “We became incorporated as an association. We were able to negotiate an insurance program for umpires, providing coverage for those umpires who would not otherwise card with Softball Ontario, but who continue to officiate softball games. We built our membership to well over 200 members. That really is a phenomenal level of support considering the fact that we really only got started last winter with our program planning and marketing efforts!”
 
Many of the questions raised by members during the meeting centred on the OSUA’s relationships with Softball Canada, Softball Ontario, and Ontario’s Member Associations (MAs). The MAs include PWSA, OASA ORSA and SPO, but while they have representatives on the Board of Directors of Softball Ontario, they also have their own organizations which are responsible for running their own programs and services. The same could and the OSUA believes should be said about the umpires of Ontario, and the OSUA is moving the yardsticks in that regard. Simply put, the OSUA feels that the umpires of Ontario should be responsible for the programs and services of umpires in the province.
 
Another feature of the AGM this year was the presentation of the Eldon Schmidt Award. Mr. Schmidt kindly provided a generous donation to the start-up of the OSUA, and in his honour, the award, to be presented annually, was established. Jordan Hearn from Hagersville was named the first recipient in recognition of his participation and enthusiasm as a young official with many more years of umpiring expected in his bright future. He was chosen for his example as a young umpire who best exemplifies the principles and values of the OSUA and its reasons for being established.
 
Joining Mr. Corkery for another term of office in the OSUA are Joel Balberman, Chuck Bokor and Ian Turnbull. Up to three remaining director positions, as permitted in the new by-laws, may be filled following the first meeting of the Board in December as it assumes its responsibilities for the 2008 season.
 
“Please stay tuned to the OSUA website for more news and information as our plans for 2008 unfold,” advised Corkery. “And thanks for the support of so many umpires, both veteran and new up-and-comers. You are why we formed the OSUA – the Voice of Umpires in Ontario!”
 
 
 
For further information contact:
Ontario Softball Umpires’ Association (OSUA)
Chuck Bokor – OSUA Secretary at secretary@osua.ca or
Kirk Corkery – OSUA Chair at chair@osua.ca
 

Our web site and discussion forum can be found at www.osua.ca
 
Joel Balberman
OSUA Membership Director
isfump5@rogers.com

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