District 2. Is anybody minding the Store?

CHI-TOWN HOCKEYDAD · Post by **CHI-TOWN HOCKEYDAD** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 10:26 am

Night Train wrote:
I will say had each association been present at every meeting in the last few years this wouldn't have happened.
They were present, still happened. Another excuse attempting to divert blame from poor leadership

Night Train · Post by **Night Train** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 11:26 am

They were present, still happened. Another excuse attempting to divert blame from poor leadership

Gotcha. I'm not making any excuses and I hope the guy goes to jail. I guess what I was trying to say is the member associations of the District are the leaders. This has happened to some associations over the years to a lesser degree. With the proper District organizational safeguards in place it can't happen. Pretty sure the District I belonged to required an independent audit of the finances every two years. The members are responsible to assure the safeguards are followed.

StarTribune article today,

http://www.startribune.com/local/east/184128171.html

YouthHockeyHub · Post by **YouthHockeyHub** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 4:22 pm

I will say this. I have talked to MNH officials (who have asked not to be named) and association officials (Stillwater, Forest Lake, Highland Central, Mounds View, and Tartan). I have multiple messages into Michelle Merth from D2 and have not heard back (hmmmm, I wonder why?????????????).

The math is funny. MNH thinks the money was re-paid entirely by an insurance company. Meanwhile the report in the ST says only $50K was repaid. $200K is a lot of money still missing. And who is responsible for the deductible on that $50,000????

I can't wait for the next D2 meeting at the NSP VFW in January. This thing might make a Maplewood City Council meeting look tame (little D2 humor there).

We will publish something on the funny math by end of day tomorrow if we don't hear from Mrs. Merth. All we want to know are 3 simple answers:

1. Was the entire amount reimbursed by insurance? Or just partial?
2. How can there be this much money available and no one know?
3. Do you plan on stepping down?

If I get answers, I'll report them. If I don't, I'll ask them in a post on our site. If you feel so inclined, throw me any other "topic" related questions and I may choose to ask them if I find them relevent and timely.

old goalie85 · Post by **old goalie85** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 4:59 pm

Both Mr. and Mrs Merth should step down. How about the new treasurer, I wonder what he knows ???

YouthHockeyHub · Post by **YouthHockeyHub** » Thu Dec 20, 2012 9:54 pm

Post coming tomorrow.

No new info. I have very credible sources within MNH that say the gag has been put on Merth for her own protection.

Ugottobekiddingme · Post by **Ugottobekiddingme** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 1:28 am

YouthHockeyHub wrote:Post coming tomorrow.

No new info. I have very credible sources within MNH that say the gag has been put on Merth for her own protection.

Great, now we can expect YYH to be the arbitrator within money laundering investigations noting..."credible sources within MNH". We will anticipate the post although the immaculate concussion might still be within play here.

YouthHockeyHub · Post by **YouthHockeyHub** » Fri Dec 21, 2012 11:07 pm

Here is our story. Had some good conversations with both MNH President and D2 President yesterday and today.

http://youthhockeyhub.com/minnesota-dis ... of-384000/

Ugottobekiddingme · Post by **Ugottobekiddingme** » Sat Dec 22, 2012 1:39 am

YouthHockeyHub wrote:Here is our story. Had some good conversations with both MNH President and D2 President yesterday and today.

http://youthhockeyhub.com/minnesota-dis ... of-384000/

The MNH President is a figure head in this discussion with no ability to direct, support, manage, or give direction. Icepick is a non factor but we all can help the progess towards retribution of D2 funds handled inappropriately affecting children within these communities. Lets start with "the perpetrator" selling Butter Braids door to door until the $250,000 is accounted for...then offenders can settle the other $50K we all paid towards insurance by resigning their position on the board.

old goalie85 · Post by **old goalie85** » Sat Dec 22, 2012 9:51 am

Are they stepping down ??? [ Mearth/Mearth]

greybeard58 · Post by **greybeard58** » Sat Dec 22, 2012 10:14 am

The problems started before Mrs Merth took over as District Director in 2010-2011. While I am not defending her there are a number of people on the District 2 Board at fault, why the president never caught this with an audit or the previous District Director did not order an audit. It is my understanding that Mn Hockey has an audit committee and they have been preaching to have audits done for a number of years even before this treasurer took over. They also were preaching on the filing of federal and state taxes if applicable.

irish skater · Post by **irish skater** » Sat Dec 22, 2012 2:30 pm

Please answer me as no one at our association will. What percentage of our dues go to D2?

What is fair amount to keep as a balance? 20k? It's youth hockey. We've clearly been overcharged. Then to listen to them dictate makes it that much worse. How about, we're sorry. Your rates are dropping.

What are the financials currently?

old goalie85 · Post by **old goalie85** » Sat Dec 22, 2012 5:00 pm

I think Mrs Mearth took over for Mr Mearth. Now you should be able to form some ????????

Ugottobekiddingme · Post by **Ugottobekiddingme** » Sun Dec 23, 2012 12:01 am

greybeard58 wrote:The problems started before Mrs Merth took over as District Director in 2010-2011. While I am not defending her there are a number of people on the District 2 Board at fault, why the president never caught this with an audit or the previous District Director did not order an audit. It is my understanding that Mn Hockey has an audit committee and they have been preaching to have audits done for a number of years even before this treasurer took over. They also were preaching on the filing of federal and state taxes if applicable.

There is the seasonal flu kicking in...definitely a concussion after the fall reading GB58. I just hope I can open presents on Christmas day and wish the best for all in D2. No one has been minding the "store".

InigoMontoya · Post by **InigoMontoya** » Sun Dec 23, 2012 11:25 am

Term limits would go a fair distance toward preventing this type of crime - and others. I think our fees should go up state wide over the next couple years, while detailed, independent audits are done at all 12 districts and MH.

irish skater · Post by **irish skater** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 12:46 pm

InigoMontoya wrote:Term limits would go a fair distance toward preventing this type of crime - and others. I think our fees should go up state wide over the next couple years, while detailed, independent audits are done at all 12 districts and MH.

Pertaining to increased dues. No thank you. D2 already has plenty to go around. Don't even entertain the idea.

greybeard58 · Post by **greybeard58** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 1:57 pm

U Did not realize you could ever get a concussion. The chairman of the Mn Hockey Audit Comm is Elliott 70 and he has been preaching for years what I stated above.
Because of some board members in D2 everybody else suffers and a number of people should resign.
Indigo audits have been part of other Districts for quite a few years as for term limits most District boards there are elections every year, the problem at Mn Hockey is getting good quality people to run. All Mn Hockey elected positions are 3 years in length.
Sadly no matter what, this has a good chance of happening again when people either get lax in their duties or their friends are all in positions of power and you blindly trust them.

irish skater · Post by **irish skater** » Mon Dec 24, 2012 8:00 pm

greybeard58 wrote:U Did not realize you could ever get a concussion. The chairman of the Mn Hockey Audit Comm is Elliott 70 and he has been preaching for years what I stated above.
Because of some board members in D2 everybody else suffers and a number of people should resign.
Indigo audits have been part of other Districts for quite a few years as for term limits most District boards there are elections every year, the problem at Mn Hockey is getting good quality people to run. All Mn Hockey elected positions are 3 years in length.
Sadly no matter what, this has a good chance of happening again when people either get lax in their duties or their friends are all in positions of power and you blindly trust them.

I do understand what you're saying -- I think. I still don't believe a youth sports group that oversees 10-12 associations needs that amount of money. Have they been donating money yearly to the Banacotti (ph.) Institute every year? Or the clinic in Boston on brain studies? If so, how much? I'll bet not much, if anything. This is youth hockey. Don't try to reinvent the wheel. Keep costs down. Still no one will answer what percentage of our dues go to D2?

Don't worry about a few bad board members. This thread is already losing steam.

old goalie85 · Post by **old goalie85** » Tue Dec 25, 2012 9:14 am

I don 't want it losing anything. These "Mearths" need to step down. This happened on their watch. They were busy with other things and missed out on the $.

Night Train · Post by **Night Train** » Tue Dec 25, 2012 12:30 pm

These "Mearths" need to step down.

Step down? They should both be in jail. One for the crime and the other for being an accessory. Are you suggesting they're still involved with D2 decisions?

When D2 rewrites their rules and procedures maybe include, "any criminal charges against a member of the board or leadership committee voids current D2 membership status and position."

Tenoverpar · Post by **Tenoverpar** » Wed Dec 26, 2012 7:32 am

I'm still trying to wrap my brain around the fact that a guy can take almost 400K from the district bank account and use it for personal gain, yet nobody else on the board is in question or resigning or anything?

Isn't there an annual report done by the district with where the funds are being used?

This is the same district that "fines and suspends" squirt coaches for playing 40 games and not ONLY 35...and when they do it they put the squirt coach in front of a firing squad and make it seem like he stole 400K from the district. I'm fairly 100% certain the jackasss that took the money was on the firing squad.

Priorities are way way way out of whack...

Hckylife4me · Post by **Hckylife4me** » Wed Dec 26, 2012 8:39 am

Bottom line - it happened. If a woman can steal $500K from a major insurance company in the metro (which has many people in PAID positions to monitor accounts) it can happen anywhere. You can see that the treasurer provided a report on a regular basis. Each report was approved by the association reps. It's in the meeting minutes on their website.

The current District Director was in office for one season before this was discovered - I've been told that for MANY years the president had been voted in on a white ballot because no one else wanted the job, even though he had asked several times for people to find volunteers to help the district. Ask anyone on the board like I did if you want the answers - rather than speculating on-line.

If they had trouble finding volunteers before, imagine how hard it will be now. Who in their right mind would want to step into any position where you volunteer countless hours to a program, and when a problem arises that you didn't create, you get to read posts like this thread. I guess people will find out at the next meeting. I'm sure lots of people will show up to complain, and no one offering to take over because of the amount of work involved.

It's a shame - all around. It's a shame that there aren't more people who volunteer, it's a shame that the people that did, didnt' catch this and it's a shame that people start on-line forum posts and drag people through the mud rather than going to the source.

The next thing you know people will go after our volunteer coaches for emotional/psycological damage when their kid doesn't get equal play time. That would be worth more than $400K right? and isnt' that what being a volulnteer is all about???? Taking the risk that some idiot is going to decide that the free work that was provided wasn't up to snuff and that they deserve something back because of your mistake? What a joke.

old goalie85 · Post by **old goalie85** » Wed Dec 26, 2012 3:59 pm

So it's ok ??? Forget about it ?? NO WAY !!!!

Ugottobekiddingme · Post by **Ugottobekiddingme** » Wed Dec 26, 2012 10:56 pm

Hckylife4me wrote:Bottom line - it happened. If a woman can steal $500K from a major insurance company in the metro (which has many people in PAID positions to monitor accounts) it can happen anywhere. You can see that the treasurer provided a report on a regular basis. Each report was approved by the association reps. It's in the meeting minutes on their website.

The current District Director was in office for one season before this was discovered - I've been told that for MANY years the president had been voted in on a white ballot because no one else wanted the job, even though he had asked several times for people to find volunteers to help the district. Ask anyone on the board like I did if you want the answers - rather than speculating on-line.

If they had trouble finding volunteers before, imagine how hard it will be now. Who in their right mind would want to step into any position where you volunteer countless hours to a program, and when a problem arises that you didn't create, you get to read posts like this thread. I guess people will find out at the next meeting. I'm sure lots of people will show up to complain, and no one offering to take over because of the amount of work involved.

It's a shame - all around. It's a shame that there aren't more people who volunteer, it's a shame that the people that did, didnt' catch this and it's a shame that people start on-line forum posts and drag people through the mud rather than going to the source.

The next thing you know people will go after our volunteer coaches for emotional/psycological damage when their kid doesn't get equal play time. That would be worth more than $400K right? and isnt' that what being a volulnteer is all about???? Taking the risk that some idiot is going to decide that the free work that was provided wasn't up to snuff and that they deserve something back because of your mistake? What a joke.

Typical response from a protective board member unleashing the "volunteer" debate. Hky4you should take a step back and understand that all of us volunteering for associations across the state of Minnesota have a stake in this youth sport, just not collecting/stealing close to $400k from everyone. Bottom line, it just doesn't happen and you and GB58 owe everyone on this board an apology for your ingnorance...or explain the "joke" we all are missing. Most obnoxious first post on this hockey site.

Hckylife4me · Post by **Hckylife4me** » Thu Dec 27, 2012 4:09 pm

It's quite easy to find answers to the questions that have been asked in this thread. Yet rather than do that, people use these forums to sensationalize and rant - that’s the joke.

I am a volunteer, and I've been to meetings for several organizations over the years. Typically each position has responsibility for some activities that can have a monetary impact on people too - fines, late filings etc. Despite that, I can't remember any instance where the girls director asked for written verification that the mite coordinators sent in his jamboree request. Most people (sometimes even including the mite coordinator) don’t even realize they need to submit a request! How about association presidents that don't monitor coaches violating rules that result in association fines. Let's go after them all!

Let's consider another situation......how about we have a tournament coordinator that doesn't get sanctioning forms in on time, which results in fines/late fees for the association. (which flows through to the player registration fees). What some posts are suggesting is that the tourney coordinator should have to pay the late fees themselves, or that the entire board should somehow pay or step down because the coordinator messed up and they should have taken action to prevent it. That’s nuts, and under those rules good luck finding a tourney coordinator or anyone to serve on a board. If it happens, you address it and modify processes to prevent it in the future and you move on.

If anyone had taken the time, they would see that:
1). Treasurers reports were filed by the treasurer and accepted by association REPS.
2). NO ONE on this board requested an audit - and by the way typically only reps can vote or bring new business to the meeting.
3). The officers on the board were asking for help for years - that's in the minutes also. When so much has to be done by too few people there are bound to be issues.

No one wants to see this happen and it CAN happen anywhere. As I stated it happens all the time even when people are paid just to be accountable for finances.

I'm not suggesting this should be forgotten about....the person who committed the crime is most likely going away for a long time. My money was taken too, but abandoning all structure and knowledge of how to run a district would not benefit the kids that just want to play. Change processes? You bet. I don't see the benefit of attacking people - and trying to take down the whole organization.

As you said, the other board members who volunteer have a stake in the sport as well – and they didn’t steal any of the money. One guy did that, one guy benefitied inappropriately and he will pay for it dearly. More needs to be done to further safeguard against this kind of activity, but let's not kill the league and the district in the process.

And finally, I don’t owe anyone an apology for sharing my opinion any more than you do. It’s my perspective and just because you don’t agree, doesn’t mean your right. I’ve seen people pay more money in one season to get out of concession stand duties than what the families in D2 lost cumulatively in all 7 years to this deal. Do the math. I'm done with this.

CHI-TOWN HOCKEYDAD · Post by **CHI-TOWN HOCKEYDAD** » Thu Dec 27, 2012 5:03 pm

Hl4me,

I too am a volunteer that puts in plenty of time in support of youth hockey. Your assumption that the members of this forum are mis- or un-informed is simply not necessarily the truth. And if it is a joke, then why are you wasting your time.

Your comparison argument carries absolutely no merit. You are comparing mistakes to intentional theft, hardly similar. Yet, this D2 regime has been known to be extremely punitive and harsh in its judgments against others for mistakes. As such, sympathy for their plight is going to be difficult to come by. How can you honestly defend those who have not held themselves to the same standards they have repeatedly held others to?

An audit process should have been instituted long ago by the leadership elected to oversee the best interests of its membership. Such action has been urged by others but overlooked. What is interesting is the offender was a personal friend of the president, making a decision to not institute an audit even more suspicious. The leadership which enabled the situation in which the ability to commit such a crime with relative ease and go undetected for the amount of time it did, need also be held accountable with consequences.

To address your points:
1. Our association rep reported to our board that treasurer reports were rarely if ever given or voted on, and he rarely even attended meetings. So what is the truth? We may never know but it is certainly our duty to ask. It is simply naive to trust everything you read or find on the web.
2. Audits were urged by MNH and others, just not instituted by the leadership as I understand. Why?
3. Perhaps the nature of the leadership asking for the help is what prevents others from wanting to get involved and be associated with the organization. I know first hand this to be true for many. Are you sure anyone really wants to be associated with those in charge? Sure doesn't seem so.

I believe that many on this forum as well as others will be present at the next meeting to ask these and other questions.

Finally, don't apologize for having an opinion, but do apologize for sticking your head in the sand and ineffectively arguing a point in support of the poor leadership which has facilitated a situation of susceptibility to criminal behavior which has been attempted to be excused under the guise of volunteerism.

You should be done with this.