Midwestern Swimming
House of Delegates
Minutes
April 28, 2007

The meeting was called to order at 10:07 a.m. in York.  Present were: Mary Losee, Peggy Speer, Brian Jensen, Patrick Rowan, Mary Kocsis, Gretchen Lindner, Betty Kooy, Bruce Schomburg, Mike Jacobson, Paul Kemp, David Nelson, Holly Beeman, Jeanie Neal, Jack Jackson, Jackie Berry, Greg Guelcher, Marsha Ketcham, Al Johnson, Lori Benson, Brad Trojanowski, Tyler Scheer, Shelly Vlach, Marsha Ketcham, Tony Storer, Lisa Ellis, Jim Gobell, Greg Rorris, Doug Krecklow, Dick Hammer, Stefanie LaBombard, Betsy Purcell.

Motion was made to accept the minutes from the last meeting with attendance correction.  Seconded.  Motion carried.

Officers Reports:

Treasurer’s Report: There was no printed report as the printer was out of ink. Mary Kocsis reported that MW was under budget for the short course meet spending. Commission from Action Accents was very good. MW is still under budget for athlete, non athlete and club registration. Officials’ shirts have been purchased and reimbursement was made to official working a national level meet. Motion was made to accept the report. Seconded. Motion carried

Technical Chair: Bruce Schomburg reported that the sanctioning committee will look at the findings of the short course survey. The MW progressive meet proposal for sectional meet dates was not pursued at the sectional meet and according to Randy Julian was never presented.

Officials’ Chair:  Paul Kemp reported that shirts and badges have been received. Some will be distributed. Question was asked concerning receipt of billing which has been received. There will be a meeting of officials’ chairs in San Antonio June 15-17. It was recommended that the incoming officials chair attend. Reservation must be made by May 10.    

Age Group Vice Chair:  Patrick Rowan reported that a megazone advisory committee had been meeting regarding meet format for the 2008 megazone meet. Format and services are still being discussed.

Senior Chair:  No report.

Registration Chair: Betty Kooy commented that the BOD recommended a January 15 deadline for long course and a June 1 deadline for short course for all paperwork to be filed for the presanction committee. The earlier it can be posted, the better. Currently there are 1699 year round athletes, 97 coaches, 100 officials, and 70 other non athletes. Club registration currently includes 25 year round clubs and 1 seasonal club. One seasonal club has changed to year round. Reminder to coaches: If you have expired certifications you do not coach. Several clubs have coaches with incomplete certifications. The background check is an easy process. It was requested that Betty post the dates that athlete reimbursements must be filed.

Finance chair: No report.

Jack Jackson brought up the Hall of Fame. Mary Losee requested others for a board for reviewing recommendations. Mary Losee, Betty Kooy, Gretchen Lindner, Jack Jackson, Marsha Ketcham, and Dr. Hammer will comprise the Hall of Fame committee. Written nominations must be in by July 1.

Betty brought up the fall awards which will give swimmers both short and long course Swimmer of the Year awards. Corrections to erroneous meet results are appreciated. Mary Losee asked regarding location of the awards presentation. Bruce S. offered Field Club in Omaha but would need dates. Saturday, October 20 was recommended.

Old Business: None.

New Business: 

Board of Review Recommendation: At the last BOD meeting it was recommended that MW readdress the constituency of the Board of Review. Peggy suggested that the BOR be downsized and be comprised of former MW members who have experience but are not currently directly involved. It was also recommended that there be an investigative panel to ascertain whether or not the matter needs to be heard by a BOR. Hard copy of the recommendations was distributed. Athlete participation was recommended for cases involving athletes. Question was made concerning appointment or election of members. According to the By-laws members must be elected. Questions was asked concerning the investigative panel. It is recommended that the General Chair appoint the investigative panel. Athletes will be elected but serve only if athletes are involved. The HOD must elect the BOR. Question was asked whether the BOR would be obligated to follow the investigative panel’s recommendation. The expectation would be yes. It was recommended that we hold off on election until fall. Also, the changes need to be voted on before election of members. Question regarding length of term – ‘forever’ because of the need for consistency and cohesiveness. Discussion regarding pros and cons. There is a need for long term knowledge and the removal of intimidation. There is a process for removal of BOR members in the MW Redbook. Motion was made to accept the recommendation for restructuring of the MW Board of Review. Seconded. Motion carried with one dissenting vote.

All Star and Zone Trips: The BOD recommends that all Zone and All Star trips would be individual and not team travel. Patrick Rowan said that the list of responsibilities for head Zone and All Star coaches is about the same with the exception of bus and hotel responsibilities. Parents will have control of their own child when the swimmer is not on deck. Coaches can coach. Many CZ LSCs do not travel as a group. MW will not pay for hotel or bus. Betty recommended a charge of $50 per swimmer to offset costs (travel for coaches, apparel, meet entries, etc). MW will still have at least a  $3000 expenditure. This is not being recommended for budgetary purposes. The camaraderie is very important but the liability issues are too great. There are many ways to get the camaraderie without the bus and hotel. A better job needs to be done in getting information to parents and that should be done by the team coaches. Discussion ensued regarding discipline (athletes will still sign a code of conduct), cost (MW subsidizes more than other CZ LSCs), financial assistance (will be available if requests are made), hotels (rooms will be blocked), transportation (clubs can get together to plan), liability (still some liability for MW). Athlete Kelly Kunkel wished to send her support for the proposal through the BOD as she was unable to attend the meeting – at least give it a try. Motion was made to accept the proposal that all Zone and All Star trips be individual travel. Seconded. Amended to recommend that financial aid be available if necessary. More discussion. Question called. Motion carried unanimously. It was recommended that the coaches go back to their clubs and encourage participation. Zone itinerary will spell out time line. It will be necessary to obtain cell phone numbers for swimmers’ families and travel plans.

Betty Kooy reviewed the new fees for registration recommended by the BOD: $50 for athletes and non athletes, $30 for seasonal athletes, $200 for year-round clubs with $75 rebate for HOD attendance, $100 for seasonal clubs, $50 for satellite clubs. Motion was made to accept 2008 fee structure. Seconded. Motion carried.

Mary Losee discussed the MW seats at the Qwest Center for Trials. 556  full session tickets will be made available to MW early. Single session tickets will not go on sale until fall. The Qwest Center will mail letter to each MW household with ticket order instructions. The MW BOD will have 21 tickets to distribute. About 15000 seats will be available.

Lisa Ellis announced that SO is hosting a Breakout Clinic May 12-15. Cost is $50 and clinic is open to all. There will be two Olympic athletes to do the clinic.

Betty Kooy reminded the HOD that Zones are in Cleveland this year and Sectionals are in Oklahoma City July 18-21. If you have questions regarding background check please email Betty.

Elections: A slate was put forward by the nominating committee. Nomination from the floor – Corey Ayers for Age Group Vice Chair. Motion that nominations be closed. Ballots were distributed. Run-off vote was held for Delegate at Large position. Officers elected are: Treasurer, Mary Kocsis; Age Group Vice Chair, Corey Ayers; Registration Chair, Betty Kooy; Officials Chair, Scot Sorensen; Safety Chair, David Nelson, Delegates at Large, Bruce Schomburg, Jeanie Neal, Greg Guelcher. Motion was made to destroy the ballots. The new officers will take office September 1, 2007. The BOR will not be elected until after the reorganization.

Doug Krecklow stated that there is a new curriculum for CPR. All will need to go through the manual and recertify before December 31 when all with certification from the previous curriculum will expire. Doug will give training and several others can help. Red Cross CPR is good for one year, American Heart certification is good for two years (only  AHA Healthcare Provider will be accepted).

Motion to adjourn. Seconded. Motion carried. Meeting adjourned at 11:56 a.m.

Submitted by Gretchen Lindner, Secretary