Midwestern Swimming, Inc
Board of Directors
September 12, 2004
Nebraska Wesleyan, Lincoln, NE

The meeting was called to order at 12:15 p.m. The secretary was not present and minutes of the July meeting have not been completed. (Very extenuating circumstances for Lisa.) Those in attendance were Peggy Speer, Betty Kooy, Mary Losee, Mary Kocsis, Jenn Kocsis, Erin Holtmeyer, Larry Ohs, Paul Kemp, Gretchen Lindner, Patrick Rowan, Mike Jacobson, Brian Jensen.

Mike Jacobson presented the budget through September with some changes noted. Mary Kocsis said no bills had been received from Nebraska Aquatics for the Long Course Championship. MW will pay fees when the bills have been received. Approximate cost is $3200 plus $75 for cones, $373 for tents and $1050 for the pool.

Committee reports:
Paul Kemp, Officials Chair
Paul discussed the series of officials clinics. Lincoln had 3 in attendance; Omaha had 7; North Platte and Grand Island will be next weekend.
The Redbook is not up to USA Swimming standards in requirements for officials certification. Paul will have proposals for the HOD in October. The 2-year certification now runs October of the current year through December two years later. Paul wishes to change that to September-December and use September as the main training month.
Motion was made to use the September-December months to qualify for officials certification for the ensuing two years. Seconded. Approved.
Paul will bring up items for the next HOD or BOD including lanyards and patches to give to officials and name tags for officials.
Gretchen Lindner went to Texas along with Betsy Purcell for a national officials training session. The hotel was on the airport site so they saw nothing. They concentrated on how to be a trainer. It was also mentioned that everyone involved at the national official level is getting OLD; there is a great need for younger people to be involved at the national level. USA Swimming also recommends that officials work every level of meet (some are currently working only the elite meets). Other LSCs have greater requirements for officials credentials. Everything should be the same. We need to put people with good leadership skills forward. Preparation, preparation, preparation was emphasized. A prep CD is coming. Number 1 is the athletes; number 2 is the coaches – officials and meets must provide what is best for the athletes. Officials are observers, not inspectors.
Paul discussed specifics being implemented into the training process and setting up an evaluation process for officials in the LSC and he will get the process started.

Brian Jensen, Senior Chair
Brian discussed bringing Scott Usher back next summer to do two or three clinics in the LSC.

Patrick Rowan, Age Group Chair
Patrick has not made reservations yet for the Allstar meet. He will do that this week – hotel and bus, etc. He will be resigning as age group chair due to conflicts with work schedule. Mary Losee will take recommendations for a replacement.

Executive Secretary
Certificates will be done for the awards banquet. Swimmer of the Year plaques will be ordered along with T-shirts for record breakers and Bag tags for MW Top 8 swimmers. New time standards will be posted on the MW website.

Convention
Most of the prospective attendees will cancel due to the impending storm. Betty has already canceled. Peggy Speer, Brian Jensen, and Erin Holtmeyer will attend.

Banquet Registration
Betty will put a form on the web in PDF format to include name, address, phone, how many attendees and contact information. Payment must be made in full and mailed to the MW office. Betty will also email the form to her email list. Drinks will be lemonade, iced tea, and water.

Miscellaneous
 Best wishes are sent to Lisa Ellis for a speedy recovery.

Mary Kocsis requested that thank you cards be sent to coaches, swimmers, officials etc who go on the Zone and Allstar trips.

Motion was made to accept all reports. Seconded. Passed.

There is a request from Lisa for reimbursement at the rate of MW’s National Meet reimbursement for Mauro Siso for a Pan Pac qualifying meet in his home country of Venezuela. Motion was made to make the reimbursement with submission of application and supporting documentation. Seconded. Defeated.

Motion was made to send a policy change recommendation to the HOD. Those with dual citizenship will be eligible for reimbursement at the national championship rate provided application is submitted and all supporting documentation required for reimbursement is submitted. Seconded. Approved.

New Business:
Budget was discussed. We didn’t get very far. It was tabled for the HOD. Board members need to get their expenses and requests for 2005 to Mary by September 25.

Recommendations for the Age Group Chair position need to be sent to Mary Losee.

MW will entertain bids for the Long Course Championship meet for 2005.

Motion to adjourn at 1:55 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Betty L. Kooy
Secretary pro-tem