Elections

posted April 9, 2026

Bob Barker - Candidate for Vice-Chair

Hello everyone, my name is Bob Barker and I am pleased to accept the nomination for Vice Chair. As some of you may know, I have two boys in the program, my younger son Bryce will be moving up to 10u next year and my older son Tyler will be moving up to 14u next year. Many of you might know me for my amazing skating skills in the parent / player games. Fun fact: When I told Tyler I had accepted the nomination for Vice Chair he said "Isn't that something Mommy should do?" Challenge accepted.

Truth be told, all I know about hockey I've learned over the past five years from the Rapids Organization. One of the main things I've learned is the amount of effort and time it takes to ensure this club is successful. So even though I won't be putting on any power skating classes, I feel honored at the chance to give back to a program my family loves. What I would like to bring to the program is new energy, an objective mind and a goal of making sure all of the amazing volunteers that make this program run have the resources they need to be successful. 

I am excited for the opportunity and am looking forward to another amazing year on the ice.

Fearless. Selfless. Inspired

Craig Windish - Candidate for Vice-Chair

My name is Craig Windish, and I am running for the Vice Chair position on the Bend Rapids Steering Committee. Over the past two years, I have served on the Bend Ice board in an At-Large position, gaining valuable insights into the overall ice governance. I am also a Level 2 referee for both youth hockey and the Bend Parks and Recreation adult league..

In addition to officiating, I coached 8U and 10U players for 2 years in the Seattle Junior Hockey Association. I started playing hockey late at age 26, the sport has become a lasting passion.

I believe youth hockey is about more than wins and losses—it’s an opportunity to build discipline, accountability, and teamwork, while fostering a lifelong love of the game.

My family is deeply involved in the Rapids community. My wife currently serves as the Bend Rapids scheduler, giving me familiarity with the day-to-day operations and organizational needs. I also have a son currently playing for the Bend Rapids and a daughter who participates in BPRD sports and previously played for the Rapids. Like many families, we have experienced the organization from multiple perspectives - parent, volunteer, and board member.

I am honored to receive this nomination and am excited about the opportunity to continue building on the board’s vision, supporting our athletes, and helping the Rapids organization grow even stronger. I respectfully ask for your vote and the opportunity to serve.

Jessie Wilson - Candidate for Finance Manager

My name is Jessie Wilson, and I’m a proud hockey parent and fan of ice sports. My son plays with the 12U team, and my daughter is a dedicated member of the Bend Figure Skating Club—so we spend a lot of time at the Pavilion.

Over the past two years, I’ve served as the club’s Finance Manager, working closely with families, coaches, and our volunteer team. My focus has been on improving communication, streamlining the payment process, and trying to keep costs manageable so more kids can stay on the ice.

I look forward to the opportunity to continue this work with the Board and Steering Committee, helping build a sustainable program with consistent processes so families know what to expect year to year. Thank you for your consideration.

Bob Barker - 8U and 12U parent.

Tyler Brower - Rapids Coach at 14U 2025-26 and 18U 2021-22, current ADM Coordinator Rapids Steering Committee

Eric Crossley - 12U Parent, Team Manager

Lyle Laver - 10U Rapids Coach 2023-2025

Rusty Merrrit - At Large Member Bend Ice 2024-2026

Heidi McHugh - 14U Parent, Team Manager 2025-26 and 2024-25

Todd Rich - 8U, 12U, 18U Parent, Rapids Coach 12U 2025-26, 10U 2024-25

Craig Windish - 12U and 14U Parent, At Large Member Bend Ice 2024-2026

The two positions up for election this Spring, 2026 are listed below. Complete this online form to nominate someone (including yourself).

Vice Chair will be elected by the Bend Rapids membership and will lead the Coaching Committee as a tie-breaking vote. The person holding this role should have reasonable experience in the hockey community.

• Holds all powers and responsibilities of Chair in his/her absence
• Attends all Executive Committee meetings monthly
• Oversees creation/revision of Steering Committee policies, forms, releases, etc.
• Performs other tasks as directed by the Chair
• Creates and manages state-wide protocols (as needed)
• Supports other roles as needed
• Works to promote the sport of hockey and the Bend Rapids through the following:
• Coordinating with Scheduler and BPRD for free “Try Hockey” events
• Developing and distributing fliers, advertising (both electronic and paper), and handouts to communities in Central Oregon with a goal of increasing awareness about hockey and the Rapids.
• Helps to build relationships with sponsors and other businesses that will provide a benefit to BRYHC
• Works with outside hockey programs at both the local level and above to create promotional events, learn to skate camps, training camps etc as possible.

• Attends all Executive Committee meetings monthly
• Establishes an annual organization budget in partnership with the Chair and with support from Equipment Manager, Tournament Director and Coaching Director.
• Sets fees/charges for organization programs, services and events and collects and accounts for all monies received by the organization
• Provides Bend Ice Treasurer with all monies collected by Bend Rapids Youth Hockey Club, with necessary accounting of funds in accordance with the Steering Committee Financial Policy and the Bend Ice Financial Policy
• Dispenses all monies received by Bend Rapids Youth Hockey Club from Bend Ice and provides the Steering Committee with appropriate documentation of expenditures in accordance with the Bend Ice Financial Policy.
• Partners with Bend Ice Treasurer to ensure l financial and accounting processes are in alignment with the Bend Ice Financial Policy.
• Follows the Bend Ice Financial Policy

Every OTHER year elections for the at-large positions on the Bend Ice Board of Directors are held. The next election for Bend Ice will be held in the Spring of 2026.

Individuals who are eligible to vote in the Bend Rapids elections are ALSO eligible to vote in the Bend Ice elections.  The seven-person Bend Ice Board is comprised of four at-large positions and the committee chairs of Bend Curling, Bend Figure Skating, and Bend Rapids Hockey. 

The at-large positions are also voting members and are able to assist the Board in the following areas:

• Corporate Governance
• Financial and Fiduciary Oversight
• Special Projects that may arise including but not limited to the Bend Ice Annual Fundraiser and scholarship programming
• Budgeting
• Social Media/Website Development/Google Suite Administration
• Administrative



Complete this online form to nominate someone (including yourself) for the Bend Ice at-large positions.

WHERE'S MY BALLOT? 

Ballots are emailed only to eligible members of the Bend Rapids. Ballots are sent approximately 2 weeks before the Bend Ice annual meeting. 

Ask yourself.  Which email is connected to your USA Hockey account that was used to register your athlete as a player, yourself as a parent volunteer, a coach, etc...?

• Ballots are emailed from the ElectionBuddy.com platform (@mail.electionbuddy.com) to the email address of the parent who registered their athlete at USA Hockey. 
• Other eligible voters without athletes in the club receive election emails to the account on file with USA Hockey. 
• Election notices are emailed from our Crossbar database via notifications@bendrapidsyouthhockey.org, posted to social channels, and to our newsletter database.

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• Check with a spouse. Maybe they received the ballot. 
• Check your junk/spam folder if you haven't received it. Still nothing? Then let us know.  

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE?

For purposes of voting you must be a Bend Rapids member, registered with USA Hockey for the current season, in good standing (good standing means you have no outstanding financial obligations to the club), and not on any disciplinary path such such as suspension from the club, OSHA, or USA Hockey. 

Bend Rapids members are defined as:

1. Rostered Player.
2. Bend Rapids Rostered Coach (including practice and bench coaches) who completed the season as an USAH Certified Coach.
3. Steering Committee member. 
4. Coaching Committee member.
5. Team Manager.

NOTE: Solely being a parent/guardian of a player does not entitle the parents/guardians to cast their own votes. However, because rostered players are usually minors(under 18), the parents/guardians may cast one vote on behalf of their rostered player. 

VOTE ALLOCATION

Votes are allocated as follows. 1 vote per Rostered Player. 1 vote for serving as a Coach, member of the Steering Committee, member of the Coaching Committee, or Team Manager. An individual serving multiple volunteer roles such as Steering Committee and Coach does not receive 1 vote per volunteer role, but 1 vote total.

Common 1 and 2 Vote Examples:

• A parent of a rostered player who does NOT serve on the Steering Committee, as coach, or as team manager, that parent is allocated 1 vote.
• If the member serves on the Steering Committee AND is a parent/guardian of a rostered player, that individual is allocated two votes (one vote as a steering committee member and the other for the rostered player). 
• If the member is a coach or team manager AND the parent of a rostered player, that individual is allocated 2 votes. 
• If the member is BOTH a coach, a Steering Committee member, AND the parent of a rostered player, that individual is still allocated 2 votes. 

OTHER FAQs

Is my vote anonymous? Yes. The election administrator can see who voted, but not the contents of your vote. 

• View the archive of Candidate Statements year by year.