Saipan Little League organizational meeting on Dec. 12

 The Saipan Little League Baseball Association, Inc. is calling on all managers, coaches, and volunteers for the 2012 season to attend a very important meeting on Monday, Dec. 12, 5:30pm at the pavilion behind the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Little League president Juan I. Tenorio and the 2012 board of directors will conduct the meeting and officials from all participating Major, Junior, Senior, and Big divisions are required to attend.

The purpose of the meeting is to inform those in attendance about how the organization is working to realign itself with current Little League Baseball regulations established by its head office in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

The board also plans to announce the passage of two of the recommendations suggested during the general membership/elections held back in October. Membership and volunteer forms will be passed out at the meeting as well.

All coaches, managers, and even parents that would like to help with some of the many fundraiser activities lined up for 2012 must fill out the forms, which will then be sent to the Little League Baseball headquarters in Williamsport. Little League Baseball mandates the submission of all forms.

Background checks will also be conducted on all members, through the Department of Public Safety, and volunteers to ensure that none hold any crimes involving youths.

Background checks are required, but cost money so the SLLBI will also discuss the possibility of membership fees in Monday’s meeting.

Official sponsorship forms will also be passed out to coaches as they prepare their rosters for the 2012 season.

The two passed recommendations include extending the current one-year term for SLLBI officers to three years and establishing the election format for future SLLBI elections.

“It was not clear which members held voting’s rights during this year’s general election. The board members were registered when we voted on specific officer positions, but the general election never established who was allowed to vote for the board members in the first place. That may have been the case this year, but we are taking the steps necessary to set a foundation and conduct proper elections from here on out,” assured Tenorio in a phone interview Tuesday.

Tenorio also added, “I urge all of the parents to come to Monday’s meeting as well. We have a number of fundraisers planned this season and it would be great if the parents come together and help out. I know we as board members need to improve upon stories of mismanagement over recent years, but increasing the level of parent involvement also plays a big role in making the SLLBI successful.”

Tenorio said 36 teams in four divisions are expected to sign up for the 2012 season.

For more information, contact SLLBI president Juan I. Tenorio at 483-4836 or SLLBI secretary Peding Tenorio at 287-8091.