By West Ottawa Soccer The West Ottawa Soccer Club (WOSC) held its 2012 Annual General Meeting on Monday evening, January 28th, 2013 at Sacred Heart High School in Stittsville. Despite inclement weather, a strong member contingent joined the proceedings to learn about Club successes and challenges in 2012 and the path ahead.
The meeting was kicked off by WOSC President Brian Mason highlighting key Club successes in the area of capacity-building, primarily through the addition of new staff resources, including the Club’s inaugural CEO Bjorn Osieck.
The spotlight was also shone on the remarkable reconstruction efforts of the Club’s dome and office facilities on Richardson Side Road, which had been destroyed in a fire in 2011. The facility re-opened in October 2012 and has been the sought-after hub of the Club’s Winter programs and leagues since.
“To see how far we as a club have come in recovering from the near catastrophic loss of our home in 2011 has been truly inspiring,” stated President Mason. “We are unspeakably grateful to our partners at TMSI, who have supported the rebuilding process decisively and skillfully every step of the way.”
The assembly was treated to a presentation of club program highlights and statistics, underscoring WOSC’s continued unwavering commitment to the principles of Long Term Player Development at all levels of its “Pyramid of Play.”
Recognizing the critical importance of volunteer leadership for the Club’s success, President Mason took the opportunity to recognize outgoing director and Club Head Coach Ray Scobie.
“Ray Scobie has been a tireless and tremendous contributor in the at times very challenging journey that led the Club to where we stand today, and for that we are deeply indebted to him,” stated President Mason. “All along Ray has been a true friend of the Club and of our beautiful game and a champion of LTPD. His technical vision and enthusiasm will be sorely missed at the Board level and we hope to keep him engaged with the Club in other capacities going forward.”
Treasurer Sam Sgabellone then presented the Treasurer’s report and audited financial statements. Recovering from the challenges of 2011 on and off the field, WOSC finished its fiscal year ending September 2012 with a modest surplus from operations.
These funds will be added to the Club’s reserve funds, which will enable the organization to consider pursuing future opportunities including potential facility development partnerships, and also provide a required safeguard against unforeseen challenges.
New WOSC CEO Bjorn Osieck, who joined the organization two months ago after a six-and-a-half-year stint as Executive Director of BC Soccer, then took the floor to introduce himself and outline the priorities for WOSC in 2013 and beyond.
He stressed the importance of teamwork in moving an organization the size of WOSC to the next level and emphasized that his approach would be driven by connecting and collaborating with stakeholders.
“As the Club’s CEO, I really see myself as the Community Engagement Officer,” stated Osieck. “It will be with and through our members that I am confident we will be able to formulate and articulate a compelling vision for West Ottawa Soccer that will define our leadership brand and make us the obvious choice for soccer lovers in our region.”
Elections of officers marked the final portion of the proceedings. The positions of Vice President, Treasurer, and two directorships-at-large were up for election for two-year terms respectively. Steve Loomes was elected as the Club’s new VP; Sam Sgabellone was confirmed as Treasurer by acclamation, and Peter Kuciak and Steve Rosettani were elected as directors-at-large.