Hawaii State Rugby Union
Web Minutes
October 29, 2008
I. CALL TO ORDER
Mr. David “Maafu” Wendt called to order the regular meeting for the Hawaii State Rugby Union on Wednesday, 	   October 29, 2008, at 7:00pm at Saia’s office, Island Paperie, on the corner of Liliha and King Street. 
II. PERSONS IN ATTENDANCE
	The following teams and organizations were represented by these persons present:
		President HSRU – Maafu
		Islanders – Lofi
		UH – Kaliti
       Kalihi Raiders - Saia
       Harlequins – Martin (arrived at Forum Agenda c.)
       Referee President – Etu
       Referee VP – Jope
       Referee - Andrew (arrived at Forum Agenda c.)
       Referee - Sam
       Referee - Shelly
       Bystander – Barbarians - Nick
       Bystander – Laie - Siuaki
		No Representation from Keehi Lagoon Warriors
III. FORUM AGENDA
a. Elect New Officers
i. Current Officers
1. HSRU President – Maafu
2. HSRU VP – Etu
3. HSRU Treasurer – Rob (will be consulted to keep this position)
4. HSRU Secretary – Shelly (Elected)
ii. Motion to elect new officers – Denied by those in attendance (to be further referenced as Denied) with the exception of secretary position
iii. Motion to elect Shelly for position of HSRU Secretary – Agreed by those in attendance (to be further referenced as Agreed)
iv. Current HSRU Referee Officers
1. HSRU Referee President – Jope (Elected)
2. HSRU Referee VP – Sam (Elected)
v. Motion to elect new HSRU Referee President to allow Etu to focus on HSRU VP position – Agreed
vi. Motion to elect Jope for HSRU Referee President – Agreed 
vii. Motion to elect Sam for HSRU Referee VP – Agreed
b. New Teams
i. Request to participate for 2009 season
1. Kahuku – 2 separate teams, organized by same leadership
2. Windward side to include Waimanalo, Kailua, Kaneohe
3. Tamasulu’ie
4. Suspended Barbarians
5. Other Teams – unknown
ii. Team Requirements
iii. Names of Officers as President, Secretary, Treasurer and Coach 
1. Officers should be four separate individuals
2. Officers should have reputation for leadership and accountability
3. Officers must be present at next meeting
4. Organized with accurate contact information; contact person(s)
iv. Motion to contact new teams for next meeting in order to acknowledge requirements and conditions of HSRU laws/terms – Agreed 
v. Umbrella Teams – Same leadership with two separate rosters and no mixing of players
vi. Deadline for new teams to join will be at next meeting 
vii. 2009 season open for new teams to join, meeting HSRU requirements
c. Suspensions
i. Serious Matter
1. Going forward, HSRU will prosecute anyone who strikes or assaults any HSRU official including and pertaining to Referees, Line Judges, and Players.  Lawsuits will be filed; violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent allowed by law.
2. Going forward, violators will be punished with lifetime suspension from the HSRU and games of rugby sanctioned by the HSRU and rugby games played at Kapiolani Park in Hawaii.
3. Police presence at games 
4. The reputation for the game of rugby is at stake, at all times
5. Our position at Kapiolani Park is precious and should not be taken for granted
6. Professional athletic conduct expected from all participants at all times 
ii. Barbarians Suspension
1. New leadership members necessary to return as participating team
2. Supporter/violator should have been arrested for last season’s attack of player
3. Team should not be held accountable for supporter’s unacceptable and unruly conduct
4. Nick does not have control, but should have responsibility
5. Nick’s Acknowledgment and Proposal
a. Barbarians had a great season last year, until the suspension 
b. Team members truly enjoy the game of rugby
c. Cannot control individual responsible for last year’s suspension
d. Agrees for rugby to be cleaned up and to prosecute violators all the way
e. Agrees HSRU means business
f. Agrees individuals should be banned
g. Will provide new team leaders at next meeting
6. Positive Example
a. Warriors vs. UH; because of unruly spectators, Warriors called their team off the field
7. Teams cannot be held responsible for fans unruly behavior
iii. Tamasulu’ie Player (to be identified and acknowledged by Tamasulu’ie Team)
1. Tamasulu’ie vs. UH; player grabbed and threatened Referee Official, Etu, during the game
2. USA Rugby Rules states any threat or aggression toward referee will result in permanent elimination from the game of rugby
3. Last year, HSRU in process of establishing same rules as USA Rugby
4. 1st Motion to ban Tamasulu’ie player for lifetime elimination – challenged
5. 2nd Motion to suspend Tamasulu’ie player for one year and add one year probation – challenged
a. Vote resulted in favor of 2nd motion – Tamasulu’ie Player will be suspended for one year, followed by one year probation – Agreed
iv. Going forward, rules will apply to any game sanctioned by HSRU and any game at Kapiolani Park; independent games are excluded.
d. Finances
i. Fund Raisers – To be discussed at next meeting (to be further referenced as TBD)
ii. Board of Directors to be elected to pursue Fund Raising and Financial Opportunities – TBD 
e. 2009 Budget
i. Suggestive Cutbacks
1. Invite local Referee instructor
a. Certification needed
2. Utilize Park Recreation Center for Referee Clinic
a. Certified referees need to be available
ii. Necessary Investments
1. Ear Phone devices
iii. 2009 Budget Estimate
1. Motion for team entry fee – Agreed






f. Referee Fees
i. TBD
g. Future of HSRU
i. Media Exposure
ii. Support Youth Rugby
iii. Union fund raisers for jerseys and trophies
iv. National Support  
v. Next Meeting Scheduled on November 25, Tuesday
1. New issues TBD
a. Ropes around field of play
i. Crowds must be behind ropes
ii. Only one coach inside ropes
b. All Teams Must Be Present
c. Same Location – Saia's Office
IV. ADJOURNMENT
		       	Mr. David “Maafu” Wendt adjourned the meeting at 9:00pm.



		 Minutes submitted by:  Shelly Nuner

		 Minutes approved by: Maafu Wendt