Midwestern House of Delegates Meeting
Westside HS, Omaha, NE
Minutes
October 30, 2005

The meeting was called to order at 1:00 PM.  Present were:  Peggy Speer, Jackie Rowe, Patrick Rowan, Lori Benson, Alan Johnson, Docker Hartfield, Betty Kooy, Bryan Kratky, Drew Butler, Kevin Conway, Mike Jacobsen, Jack Jackson, Jeanie Neal, Lisa Ellis, Brian Senkbeil, Kay Wright, Jill Hibbs, Gretchen Lindner, Sarah Abraham, Bruce Schomburg, Sara Juster, Jensen Henry, Mary Paine, Karen Kersten, Mary Kocsis, Jim Gobell, Greg Rorris, and Paul Kemp.

Motion was made to accepts the minutes of the May HOD meeting as distributed. Seconded. Passed.

Committee Reports:

Championship Meet Committee: Bruce Schomburg asked questions regarding a posted senior meet. The meet along with a 14 & U championship meet was recommended by the pre-sanction committee based on recommendations to the pre-sanction committee. Comments regarding the committee work two years ago were made and the authority of the pre-sanction committee to change the meet format was questioned. The House minutes from May of 2005 were read which gave the authority to pre-sanction committee for championship meet format. A recommendation was made for coach input. It was stated that athlete input had been solicited and the senior athletes do not wish to participate in the DI meet at that time of the year. Discussion followed regarding changing format. The addition of the sectional meet has impacted the MW schedule. It was recommended that concensus of the group be taken and the question put back to the pre-sanction committee. Motion was made to send the meet format/schedule back to the pre-sanction committee. Seconded. Passed. Coaches will be surveyed and athletes will be surveyed prior to the next Board of Directors meeting. The pre-sanction committee will have a short meeting immediately following the HOD meeting.

Officials Chair: Paul Kemp reported that we have over 100 officials registered, but that number is still too low to service the LSC. Paul made the recommendation that every team have a minimum of one official and that meet hosts have at least four. Discussion followed regarding increasing the number of officials – pay, rotation, shirts, discounts for swimmers whose parents officiate, etc. Send suggestions to Paul who will bring to the November board meeting. The topic of official reimbursement for upper-level meets was also brought up and will be brought to the November BOD meeting.

Senior Chair: Brian reported that only two meets are exempt for HS swimmers – the US Open and the Kerr McGee meets. Brian suggested that the Grand Prix meets also be included. Any exempt meet must be called an ‘Olympic development’ meet. Coaches need to take concerns to Brian.

Executive Secretary: Betty Kooy requested that she be notified if there are any problems with the web site – including downloads, commlink files, links, etc.

General Chair: Mary Losee reported that Gary Flury had resigned as registration chair. The job will be done by the MW Office until May. Mary asked if there were any volunteers to look into background checks as Gary was heading that committee. Sara Juster volunteered. Athlete Cait Hopkins will also be on the committee along with a parent from BSC and Tom Beck. The committee should have a report by the November BOD meeting.

Old Business: None.

New Business: By-laws revisions: Mary stated that many are housekeeping issues. Motion was made to accept as written with sections pulled for discussion and independent vote. Seconded. Approved. Section 4.8 was pulled. Discussion revolved around current BOD members on the nominating committee. 4.8.2 was retained as currently written. Section 4.8.3 the wording of ‘slate’ vs. ballot was discussed. Motion to accept revisions for 4.8.1 was made. Seconded. Failed. Motion to change wording of 4.8.2 from ‘should be’ to ‘shall be’ was made. Seconded. Failed. Motion to change wording of 4.8.3 from ‘slate’ to ‘ballot’ was made. Seconded. Approved. Mary L. requested a standing by-law committee. Sara Juster accepted the responsibility for chairing the committee.

Budget: Mike Jacobson presented the budget. Several questions were asked: Where is the Zone meet? (Oklahoma City). What about compensation for the registration function? Will the short course meet be a 14 & U? What is the status of splash fees? More was collected for Zone than was used – so budget will be reduced by $4000. All Stars went over budget so that needs to be increased. Motion was made to accepts the budget revisions. Seconded. Passed. Mike also brought up the Kirkpatrick Pettis account and asked if it should be moved to a laddered account. Authorization is needed from Mary K. to do this. Linda Hendrix’s name is still on the account and the Board needs to authorize Mike and Mary to do this. Motion was made to allow Mike and Mary K to get the funds moved. Seconded. Passed. Discussion followed regarding types of accounts and whether to seek investment help.

Recommendation was made by Jack Jackson to develop a Midwestern Hall of Fame. Jack agreed to head the committee. The first inductees will be honored at the 2006 Fall Awards Banquet. Ideas need to be brought to the next BOD meeting.

Swimposium: The House of Delegates thanked Sara J and Lisa E for all their hard work and a job well done. The athletes seemed to be very satisfied. The numbers of coaches and board members were a little thin but overall it was a great success!

Motion to adjourn. Seconded. Approved.
Meeting adjourned at 2:36 p.m.

Next BOD meeting: 1:00 p.m. at Noll Resources in Omaha on November 13, 2005.

Respectfully submitted,
Gretchen Lindner, Secretary