House of Delegates Meeting
Sunday, May 23, 2004
York, NE

Attendance: Mary Losee, Gretchen Lindner, Betty Kooy, Mike Jacobson, Gary Flury, Peggy Speer, Lisa Ellis, Paul Kemp, Sara Juster, Bruce Schomburg, Brian Jensen, Dave Skutnik, Ginny Skutnik, Karen Heyd, Marsha Ketcham,

Meeting was called to order at 12:20 by Mary Losee.

Gary Flury reported that the revisions to the Red Book that were made at the last House meeting were approved by National.

Minutes of the last House meeting were accepted.

Mike Jacobsen reviewed the Treasurers report, summarized it and it was accepted.

Officials Chair:
Paul Kemp reported that we have 149 officials.  He is hoping to recruit enough by 2005 that we well number 200 or more.  Paul will be giving 4 main clinics in the fall, but reiterated that he is willing to come and do small clinics as needed, if a club can guarantee participation.

Paul also reported that our Red Book is not in line with National according to the officials section, and changes will be coming.

Gretchen Lindner and Betsy Purcell will be attending the officials clinic in Texas.  Paul, Gretchen and Betsy will disperse all available information upon their return.

Paul proposed a reimbursement policy for officials who work national level meets.  It was also proposed that such a reimbursement policy follow the same requirements as athlete reimbursements for national meets.

“Midwestern Officials, who work a minimum of two Short Course Meets and two Long Course Meets on the assigned Officiating Team will be reimbursed $100 for 3-4 day meets and $200 for 4-5 day meets if they are part of the assigned crew of officials. 

Motion was made, seconded and approved with one abstention.

Peggy suggested that Paul design an informational/recruiting flier that clubs could pass out to parents to get them interested in becoming officials.  Lisa suggested that he also do a full page ad to run in swim meet programs for the next few meets.

Registration Chair: Gary Flury
Gary presented his transfer and registration proposals to the House.

All Transfers:  Motion made that all requests for transfer received after the start of the new registration year, 01 September, must be accompanied by a registration renewal for the new registration year.  Seconded. Approved.

Transfers within MW:  those athletes who attempt to register in a new year with a club other than the one they competed with the previous year will be treated in the follwing manner.  The transfer process will be initiated with the date of last competition listed as 31 December of the registration year.  The club which is attempting to register the athlete will be notified of the need for a transfer to determine a proper last date of competition.  The former club will also be notified and advised that if there are any remaining financial obligations, they will need to file for a ruling with the Midwestern Swimming Board of Review.  This was approved.

Gary also proposed that all new registrants beginning in September 2004 be required to submit a birth certificate for name and age verification.  This was approved by the House, and Sara Juster was directed to work out the legal details and develop the policy verbage.  The BOD will finalize the policy at the next BOD meeting.

Betty suggested that the event entry fee maximum be raised to $2.00 beginning with the short Course 04-05 season.  This is due to rising costs of hosting meets and renting facilities.  Motion was made to raise individual event entry fees to $2.00. Seconded. Approved with one abstention.

Elections:  Mary Losee will return as General Chair

                  Peggy Speer will be Administrative Vice Chair

                  Brian Jensen will be Senior Chair

                  Mike Jacobsen will return as Finance Chair

                  Sarah Abraham will be an At Large member

                  Mike McKamy will be an At Large member

Respectfully Submitted,
Lisa J. Ellis,
Secretary, MWS

Addendum to May 2004 HOD Minutes:

Recommendations from the Meet Committee and Board of Directors as changes to the MW championship meets format – accepted by the HOD.

1. All bid meets on the MWS schedule, except league meets and dual meets, will be sanctioned as Gold or Silver meets or as a combination of both, with Gold and Silver events being scored separately. Gold meets will be BB+. Silver meets will be B-.

2. Midwestern will sanction a Division I and a Division II Championship for Short Course and Long Course seasons.

3. Division II Championship Meet will be divided into 2 regious and all Midwestern teams will be assigned to a regional meet. Division II meets will be set up and sanctioned by MWS and be put out for bids. Division II Championships will be prelims/finals with the same age groups as the Division I Championship. Awards will be the same for both Division II meets. Both Division II meets will mirror events and format of the Division I Championships.

4. All Midwestern Championship meets will be scored 12 places. Finals will include a bonus heat for 15 & over age group.

5. The Midwestern Championship Meets will include all the 11-12 events recognized by USA Swimming. These events will be swum as timed finals (200 Fly, Back, Breast, 1000 and 1650 Free and 400 IM).

6. 8 & Under and 9-10 age groups will move to a midday session for the winter championships. Events will be timed finals.

7. Each Midwestern team will be allowed to enter and score only one (1) relay per age group at the Midwestern Championship meets. Senior relays will be designated as 11 and over.

8. The fastest heat of relays will swim in the finals session of a Championship meet (no choices).

9. There will be an awards stand presentation for both Division I and Division II meets.

10. MWS Meet schedule will be posted at least 6 months in advance of the season.