Candidates for 2009 Board Elections
Listed in alphabetical order.
Alan Baggish
My name is Alan Baggish. I have been on the VULS Board for the past two years. In that time, our league has seen a number of changes. We have hired a new Executive Director and new League Coordinator. We have increased our offerings and our formats to include two new 5-on5 turf leagues as well as expanded Juniors programming. Looking forward, we are exploring the possibility of broadening our reach to include other Metro Vancouver ultimate leagues - whether we decide to include other leagues, and if so what form that would take has yet to be determined. I have enjoyed being a part of our recent changes and believe I can help our league continue to evolve to meet the needs of our membership.
Alex Davis
I am putting my name in for the VUL Board largely on behalf of the many touring players in the VUL community who practice and compete through the league's ongoing support. My primary goal is to strengthen the cooperative relationship between the clubs and the league to their mutual benefit. I want the VUL membership to feel that competitive teams are a visible part of their community, through active and regular contributions to development and instruction. I also want the competitive teams to feel they represent a supportive and enthusiastic membership. To this end, and to improve communication between these stakeholders, I would like actively contribute to the stewardship of the league.
I also currently sit as an officer (representing Western Canada) on the CUPA Competition Committee, with the mission to drive the breadth and depth of competitive play in Canada. The ability to take part in the governance of a league -- the grassroots source of all our elite players -- will provide me and CUPA valuable insight into the effects of our decisions across the country.
My background includes experience competing on behalf of Queen's University, Phoenix (Ottawa), Blackfish and Furious George. I have played in leagues in Kingston, Ottawa and Vancouver since 2002.
Gina Hopper
Tid bits:
• VUL Board Treasurer for the past two years
• WIU organizer and clinician for the past 3 years
• BC Juniors coach for the 2009 season
• VUL member since 2005 – Constantinople & Phoebe Hashbar
Meghan Mathieson
Meghan Mathieson has been a VUL member since 2005, and has been delighted to be a VUL team captain for the past four years. Having had only peripheral involvement in team sports before ultimate took over her life, she was surprised and pleased by how much a part of the ultimate community she felt from the very beginning. Meghan would like to bring her experience in business development, proposal writing, and communications to bear on the VUL Board. Her main points of interest are promotion of ultimate in the wider community of Vancouver (and beyond), increasing the involvement of women in the game of ultimate, and committing to upholding sustainability as a core VUL value.
Steven Tannock
Steven Tannock is a veteran web developer who was worked with non-profits and progressive companies since the mid 90's to improve organizational communications and increase community involvement. Steven is the co-owner of Pencilneck Software, a local software development company. He currently sits on the board of ThinkCity and is an advisor to the Vision Vancouver park board caucus.
Steven is running for the VUL board for 2 main reasons: to ensure that the continued growth of the VUL doesn't leave behind the "Spirit of Ultimate" that made him love this game so much, and to work with the Vancouver Park Board to find suitable new fields, both grass and turf, for the VUL to use.
Steven's not-so-secret ambition, once a board member, is to find a way to bring back Beachfest. Because there's nothing better than laying out for a disc in the surf on a hot summer's day.
Krista Willoughby
It began in 1989. Under the guidance of Adam Berson, a disc was put in her hand and she was introduced to the amazing sport of Ultimate. In 1992, Adam led our team from Lord Byng to victory over our rivals U-Hill to win the first ever high school championships. Krista was named female MVP. She was never an amazing player, but with her speed, endurance and ability to hide in the grass, she stayed competitive and always wears a smile when on the field. Even at Potlatch one year when we played the whole tournament with no female subs. She could be seen striking or streaking (in no particular order). Over her twenty year tenure, she has played for Disco Chickens, Disco Bananas, Well Stacked, No Touque El Mono, half a season with Lab Ratz (please don't hold that against her), and she currently plays on Betty Cracker.
She owes a lot to Ultimate, not only for developing her into the person she is today, but for the good friends she has met along the way. That is why, even though she suffered a hemmoraghic stroke in 2006 and is unable to play in the capacity she once did, she continues to be involved in the Ultimate scene by either playing a token point each game or by helping out at Ultimate tournaments and events. She is a self proclaimed BBQ hotdog champion. She is also this years recipient of the female volunteer and Laurel Stroppa Atwood Spirit of the year awards. If you ever need help with any Ultimate related event or project, she is your girl.
