In the last year, Little League has made many structural changes to the management and oversight of their leagues. This includes Little League issuing a sample constitution for which Salem Youth Baseball has adopted. However, this newly adopted constitution, nor the one directly preceding it, is currently accepted and on file with Little League International for SYB. While those steps are in process, given the timing of our election, we have been directed by the East Region Director of Little League International, in partnership with the District 1 President, to “continue to operate and abide by their (Salem Youth Baseball’s) 2002 constitution”.
As explained throughout this article, what that means in shorthand is: SYB Members will be electing the 24 Board of Directors to serve in the next term and not electing specific Members for specific Officer (Executive) roles. With 23 Members nominated for the next term, this will result in all 23 Members making up our next Board of Directors.
Our community also saw changes in the ways Little League manages their leagues first hand during their registration and season management which is now with Sports Connect and GameChanger, the required partners of Little League. In addition, we adopted new online background screening procedures introduced in 2025 and new Abuse Awareness Training, managed by Little League for the first time in 2025.
While we navigate these changes, we look to be as transparent and upfront in the election process for the next board term as our current Board, Members and the community at large, are all adopting these procedures for the first time.
Following in this article will outline the procedures to be followed for this year's election and confirm who can vote, how and when they can vote, and what is being voted for. The election procedures as clarified below deviates from prior years elections, and the way this current board planned on holding this year's election. This is due solely to the changing requirements of Little League, the rejection of our previous operating procedures and the direction by the East Region Director to adhere to the protocols established in our 2002 constitution. Please know that when compared to the Little League sample constitution there is not much deviation, especially in the election process and how voting by Members establishes the Board of Directors. The hope is for 2026 and beyond, the procedures followed this year, will not deviate substantially.
We welcome Members and non-Members to attend our Annual General Meeting on October 21st at 7:30 PM at the Salem High School 3 Season Room so you can hear from our current Board of Directors and participate or witness the election process for yourself. In the meantime, should you have any questions, our board of directors are open to discussion, contact information is below.
Thank you to all in our community, 2026 is going to be a great season on and off the field for a thriving and growing youth baseball program which is the envy of the state.
Your 2025 Election Committee,
Nick Hanes, Players Agent & Information Officer: [email protected]
Matt Palmer, League President: [email protected]
James Briggs, League Secretary: [email protected]
Notice of Election
The league’s constitution requires that a written notice of the election (Annual Meeting) is delivered to all Regular Members in good standing, at least 10 days before the election. The process took place this year starting September 26 and included Emails to all SYB contacts (members or not), Social Media posts on our Facebook page and posted on our Website. The notice included the date, time and place of the Annual Meeting.
Who Can Vote
Only Regular Members in good standing shall be entitled to attend, make motions and vote at General Membership Meetings. However, the Board of Directors may invite, admit, and recognize guests for presentations or comments during General Membership Meetings.
Who is a Member
Any person sincerely interested in active participation to further the objective of the Local League may apply to become a Member. Regular Members (“Members”) per the 2002 League Constitution as directed to utilize by the Eastern Region Director, shall include: –
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2025 members of the Board of Directors
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Every Team Manager (this includes those seasons during this term; Spring 2025, Summer 2025, Fall 2025)
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Two (2) Coaches from each team
Salem Youth Baseball does not have additional categories of Regular Members, including “Player Members” or optional “Honorary Members” or “Sustaining Members” for the 2024 - 2025 year.
Members will be emailed in advance of the October 21st Annual Meeting. This email will confirm the individual's status of membership and ability to participate and vote at the Annual Meeting.
As the new board starts in November, they will be working directly with the East Region for adoption of our new Constitution and the updates as it relates to Membership will be posted and shared with the SYB community.
Election Day
Salem Little League 2025/2026 board of elections Annual Meeting will be held on October 21st at 7:30pm at the Salem High School 3 Season Room, Salem, NH. (Venue is subject to change based on size accommodation considerations)
Election Procedures for Salem Youth Little League
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Determine if a quorum is present. The quorum is the minimum number of members needed to be present to make the proceedings official, and should be set in your constitution. If there is not a quorum, the meeting and election cannot be held. – Quorum is at least ⅔ of the elected members (current Board of Directors)
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Appoint an Election Chairperson
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The Nomination Committee, represented by the League President, Secretary and Information Officer, will then present the list of those Member candidates nominated and eligible to be on the Board
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The secretary will present the list of current members in good standing that must be ratified. Those members may then elect the Board of Directors for the coming year.
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Salem Youth Baseball has Twenty-Four (24) Board of Director positions available to be elected from the pool of Member candidates certified by the nominating committee.
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Ballots should be counted in the presence of all memberships
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If the total number of Board candidates exceeds the number of available Board positions, then those Board candidates receiving the most votes will be considered elected to the Board. Regular Members may only cast a number of votes equal to or less than the board positions available (in this case 24). In the event of a tie in the number of votes received by two or more Board candidates for unfilled Board seats, a run-off election, in which all Members may vote, will be held for the tied Board candidates.
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New Board is announced
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Membership votes to approve the results of the election
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Newly elected Board of Directors shall identify (and approve) the Officers
As a reminder for this year's ballot: the total number of Board candidates does not exceed the total number of available Board positions.
Officers:
These Elected Officers shall be listed as Officers of the Corporation for the fiscal year in which they serve.
The Officers shall comprise the Executive Board, and shall serve for a period of one year with their term commencing on November 1 and running through October 31. Unless Elected Officers have been convicted of a crime, excluding simple traffic violations, Elected Officers shall be eligible to run for re-election.
Board of Directors:
Members nominated to the Board of Directors will represent a complete cross section of the membership so as to give a voice to all interests.
Once the Officer positions are voted for and approved by the newly formed Board of Directors, the remaining Board of Directors will signify their intent for which position they would like to fill during their term. Each position is voted on for approval by a majority of the Officers for each role.
Those positions are:
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Field Maintenance Director
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Blockhouse (Concessions) Director
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Summer Tournament Director
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Fall Ball Director
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Coaching Coordinator
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Juniors / Intermediate Director
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Majors Director
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Minors Director
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Farm League Director
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Tee Ball Director
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Information Officer
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Equipment Director (field and equipment)
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Equipment Director (uniforms and spirit wear)
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Umpire in Chief
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Fundraising Director
- Volunteer Coordinator
SUMMARY FOR THE 2025 ELECTION
Salem Youth Baseball is excited to have significant interest in joining the board with sincere plans to better the experience for all players. We have 23 Member nominees for 24 Board roles. These 24 people will be voted on, but in practice, all are able to fill all spots, so no one gets left behind.
We have also had new interest in joining the board from non-Members, and they will be invited to participate in volunteering this season and have an increased role given their interest and desire in helping our community.
Officers (Executive) Board of Directors Roles = 8
Non-Officers Board of Directors Roles = 16
Total Board Seats for Election = 24
Total Member Nominees = 23
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Nominee
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Member Status for 2025
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Arianne Buckley
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Board Member (a)
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Ashlee Stevens
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Manager (b)
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Chad Buckley
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Board Member (a)
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Dan Norris
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Board Member (a)
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Dan Roy
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Board Member (a)
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Eric Lees
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Board Member (a)
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Francis Schaufenbil
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Board Member (a)
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Jessica Lees
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Board Member (a)
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Jim Briggs
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Board Member (a)
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Jimmy Cannatelli
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Board Member (a)
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Joe Mazza
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Board Member (a)
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John Klipfel
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Board Member (a)
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John Lozowski
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Board Member (a)
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Katie Cash
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Coach (c)
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Kyle Greene
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Board Member (a)
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Laurie Lemire
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Board Member (a)
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Lisa Ward
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Board Member (a)
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Matt Palmer
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Board Member (a)
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Nick Hanes
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Board Member (a)
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Nicole Gromyko
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Manager (b)
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Nik Shizas
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Manager (b)
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Ray Lewis
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Board Member (a)
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Thomas Burns
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Manager (b)
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Any updates to the above content is subject to change should we be directed by the Region or District to do so. Nominees listed above are subject to approval by the Members at the upcoming Annual Member and should be considered a sample ballot until formalized at the Annual Member.