To All Members of the St. James-Assiniboia Minor Hockey Association:

SJAMHA is excited that the season is well underway, with the most stressful part of the year now behind us. It is rewarding to see all the kids enjoying themselves—which is exactly why we’re here.

However, we would like to address a concerning trend that has developed recently. Over the past couple of months, some of our board members and volunteers have experienced very aggressive and demanding behavior, both in person and through emails. This type of behavior is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. It would not be considered appropriate in a professional workplace. The same standards apply in minor hockey.

Volunteers are becoming increasingly hard to find, and this inappropriate conduct only discourages those who offer their time for the benefit of the kids. This makes it even harder to attract new ones. If we continue to struggle to retain volunteers, the alternative will be to pay for these services—something that would inevitably increase costs in a sport that is already an expensive commitment for most families.

SJAMHA Board members are volunteers who dedicate countless hours because they love the game and are passionate about supporting the players. Unfortunately, the behaviour of a few individuals can quickly erode that passion.

Moving forward, we remind everyone of the importance of the 24-hour rule: if you are upset or frustrated, please wait 24 hours before sending an email or speaking with a council member or volunteer. Respectful language (in print or in person) is expected. A commitment to this rule will go a long way to maintaining a positive and respectful environment for everyone in the St. James-Assinboia Minor Hockey Association. We have included the following link to remind everyone of the Code of Conduct and associated policies/commitments that all families are aware of through the registration process in SJAMHA in 2024-25. (https://sjamha.ca/code-of-conduct/). We ask that everyone take the opportunity to review these policies and consequences with each of your family members.

Once again, we are happy to serve and get the season up and running. We look forward to seeing you all at the rink during the coming months!

On Behalf of the SJAMHA Board,

Brett Lough
President
SJAMHA

Posted in conduct