MWS BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
SUNDAY, APRIL 10, 2005

The meeting held at the Weary Center, Nebraska Wesleyan, was called to order at 12:05 PM.  In attendance were: Lynn Weaver, Sarah Abraham, Patrick Rowan, Jr., Betty Kooy, Mary Losee, Brian Jensen, Bruce Schomburg, Patrick Rowan, Sr., Jack Jackson, Paul Kemp, Gary Flury, Gretchen Lindner, Peggy Speer and Mike Jacobson.

Minutes:  The minutes for the January 10, 2005 meeting were approved with the following corrections: Paul asked that the “and” in paragraph five be changed to, “of which.” Gary asked that his objections to high school officials acting dually as MW observers be noted in the minutes. He had said that the officials won’t be able to do a satisfactory job if they are officiating under two sets of rules.

Treasurer’s Report:  Treasurer not present.

Committee Reports:

Registration:  Gary reported that as of February 28^th swimmer registration numbers were down 131 from last year, but that MW usually picks up some in the summer, so the figures are on target.  Last year there were1825 annual and 256 seasonal swimmers.  The United States no longer requires that US citizenship be dropped after becoming a citizen of another country, but other countries do have that rule.  Members who want further information about government birth certificates and other related information should contact, Gary.  Gary moved to establish the INS policy as the MW policy.  Paul seconded. Jack said that our USS athletes would be at a disadvantage. Swimming for other countries, they get perks and pay.  Jack also questioned the legality according to the Red Book. 

General Chair:  Mary L., nothing to report.

Vice Chair:  Peggy reported that she attended the annual general chair meeting in Mary’s place.  One of the topics discussed was that many LSC’s have a designated annual meeting to which every club is required to send a representative.  The penalty for non attendance is a fine or doubling of annual membership dues.  Peggy moved that MW require every member club to send a representative to the spring House of Delegates meeting.  Patrick seconded.  Motion passed.  Peggy moved that there be some form of incentive.  Bruce seconded.  Motion passed.  Jack suggested a committee be formed and report back in May.  Peggy will head the committee along with Mike, Gary & Mary L. Mike suggested that there be an incentive instead of a fine.  Gary suggested doubling the MW fee unless a representative attends the meeting. Betty mentioned that the fees haven’t been raised in a long time and could be for 2006.  Gary will find out what the other LSC’s charge.  

Finance:  Mike reported that he and Mary K. had visited about mutual funds and think MW should get out and stay in cash because of the fees.  He will bring it to the House of Delegates in May.

Executive Secretary:  Betty reported that financial aid requests are coming in, but pieces are missing.  The sanctioning committee will meet today.  Recons need to be done both before and after a meet; please be accurate before entering.  Betty and Gary will go to Tampa on Friday for a meeting on this.  Betty has a project to get photos of the interior & exterior of each pool plus maps to each.  This will be put up on the web.  USA Swimming has a similar project. 

Officials’ Chair:  Paul reported that Ted Smits & Steve Marchitelli will be attending the USA clinic in Colorado Springs over the Memorial Day Weekend, will drive out together & give a written report.  There will be stroke & turn & starter clinics in Broken Bow, May 15^th, and a summer league officials’ clinic, May 21^st.  Another clinic in Omaha will be announced later.  Paul needs recommendations for officials for the Maxwell award and would like to see a non-athlete transfer form for officials created.  All registered officials should have started receiving an email copy of “On the Same Page”, a newsletter sent out by the USA Officials Committee.  The on line test is now a hose item for USA Swimming rather than being part of the ACSA site.  It is supposed to be more user friendly.

 Paul recommended these for the Div. I championship meet:

·          Timer’s names required in advance
     Starting system speakers placed on lane six side
     Place judges used for all for the meet, a must on 25’s
     Assign a finalist check-in coordinator w/headset
     Minimum of 4 safety marshals per session
     Set up and tear down committee
     (if LSC ran) check list of duties for each team
     List of supplies provided by whom 
     List of requirements for UNO staff

Disabled Swimmers:  Jack reported that a US disability committee sponsored by the US Para Olympics will be held July 15-17 in Mount Hood, Oregon.   The US Para Olympics will be December 8-10 at the University of Minnesota.  USA Swimming is not sponsoring a championship because USAS won’t follow USOC international rules.  US Swimming is trying to get a grassroots program, but now these athletes are not sponsored by US Swimming, so MW needs to look at whether they will still be supported with funds.  Jack said, yes, because if you bid on the regular Olympics you are required to bid on the Para Olympics.  Jack moved that we continue to fund US Disability Olympic swimmers.  Paul seconded.   Discussion:  Betty would like the disability swimmers to support MW by entering meets.  Motion passed and was sent to the House of Delegates.

Old business:  Job descriptions of chair positions need to be submitted to Mary L soon, or she will do it for the positions that will be elected in May.

New Business: 

Age Group & Senior Chair recommendations from Patrick and Brian:  Div. II should be put between Metro and State; 8&u – 15 & over should be timed finals.  There should be awards, but not a watered down Div. I.  There should be 8 events per swimmer, no relays or team points.  Mention Div. I qualifiers at the meet; use an eight lane pool.  Discussion:  Bruce thinks pre-lim finals is good & wants the last weekend in January. All other LSC’s have Div. II championships, so MW should. The key is to balance the sites. Gary stated that if it is a championship meet, it needs to be a pre/finals format.  Lynn agreed and likes a Div.II meet.  He suggested using the Millard West pool and backing the date to the week before in order to be on top of sectionals & take seniors out of Div. II.  Brian suggested that Div. I in the winter go to 14 & under and move to the week after sectionals with 8 events per swimmer, all morning sessions & finals in the afternoon with no nights.  Do awards and 11& over pre/finals except free distance events.  All who qualify should be strongly encouraged to go to sectionals.  Div. II should not be on top of State because it’s too difficult to get people to work.  Betty stated that it’s hard to have Div. II right before Div.I because of entries, but also, it’s best for the kids to rest.  Lynn said that there should be a senior only meet.  Bruce said that if you leave Div. I to 14 & under, you must have a senior meet. The senior meet could be the first week in March and not a substitute for sectionals.  Championship meets and other changes should be through the sanctioning committee and Age Group Senior chair.  Brian suggested conference championships instead of Div. II.  Mike mentioned that 15 & overs should be more limited in the number  of events they swim.  Gary said that they need the opportunity to swim all strokes.  Patrick said run the 1650 on Thursday night & Jack said the 200 could be swum in finals.  Betty does not want to make the meet any longer and said that the sanctioning committee needs some leeway.  Paul suggested limiting each event to four heats.  There was a lot more discussion, so Jack called to move the agenda.

Community Involvement:  Peggy talked about community involvement and the fact that we are not getting swimming out into the community.  Why aren’t we?  Jack said that we need to sell someone in the media.  In Kansas City a reporter is paid to be at the meets.  Peggy said that so far we aren’t being keep advised by the Omaha Sports Committee about the trials bid, etc.  Jack reported that on April 25^th six members of the Olympic committee will visit Omaha to check out the Quest Center, the plans for the pools, hotels and other things Omaha has to offer.  The other cities competing are San Antonio and St. Paul.  Behind the Omaha Sports movement are Mutual of Omaha, Kiewit, ConAgra, Union Pacific and Warren Buffett.  Anyone who hasn’t signed up to help should do so on the web site.  Over 600 have already volunteered.  Omaha has a very good chance of being selected for the trials.  We need to make community awareness a project for MW.  Peggy will look into it.

UNO women’s swimming now has a web site with a linc on Midwestern.  Paul suggested that UNK, Peru, UNL, Morningside, any masters’ or any other programs in the MW area also be put on as lincs.  Patrick seconded.  Motion passed.

New UNO Scoreboard:  Mary L. brought up that the new scoreboard was not included in the contract for Div.I.  It belongs to UNO Women’s Swimming and not the recreation center.  We were allowed to use it.  Mary suggested that MW send the UNO women’s team a rental fee.  Peggy moved that MW pay a $250 rental fee.  Gary seconded. Motion passed.

Short Course LSC recommendations: 

1. timers names submitted form clubs to Mary before meet
2.  set up 7 tear down committee – all teams must participate
3.   must make sure there are safety marshals
4.   Every team will be asked to pay a $50 refundable damage deposit before the meet; no money, no swim     Gary moved that all teams be required to submit the $50 deposit and all meet fees on or before the first day of the meet.  Motion was seconded and passed.

Long Course LSC championship:  No bids, yet – MW pre-sanction committee will set

Right to Participate:  Jack said that the NSAA is the only show in town.  The NSAA rules for HS soccer have lost star players to seven state wide soccer leagues.  There needs to be a legislative piece; USA Swimming will help.  Missouri and Kansas did this.  Mike said that we need to move quickly to get this going this session of the Unicameral. This would make HS & USS coaches cooperate for the benefit of athletes.  Peggy moved that the Board support the legislation for the right to participate for all Olympic sports.  Patrick seconded.  Motion passed.

The next meeting will be held jointly with the House of Delegates, May 7, 2005 in York.

Lynn moved to adjourn.  Gary seconded.  Meeting adjourned at 3:00 PM.

Respectfully submitted by,
Gretchen Lindner
Secretary, pro tem