Midwestern Swimming
House of Delegates
Minutes
October 1, 2006

 The meeting was called to order at 1:15 PM.  Present were: Jake Fishbaugh, Brad Trajanowski, Jeanie Neal, Bruce Schomburg, Tom Beck, Betty Kooy, Al Johnson, Lynn Weaver, Tony Storer, Lisa Ellis, Greg Guelcher, Glenn Januska, Mark Hilger, Dave Baird, Jeanne Baird, Jim Goebell, Jack Jackson, Brian Jensen, Gordon Svoboda, Paul Kemp, Patrick Rowan, Mary Losee, Kelly Kunkel, Sara Juster, Holly Beeman, Peggy Speer and Gretchen Lindner.

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

 Officers Reports:

 Junior Athlete Representative: Kelly Kunkel submitted a written Convention report.  The highlights were: background checks and that it was recommended that the junior reps be elected at the end of short course.

 Coaches Representative:  Lynn Weaver reported that he and previous coach representative Lori Benson felt that in order to stop coaches awards from being popularity contests, only head coaches should be allowed to vote.  Discussion followed including questions about the criteria for a head coach. It was suggested using mail or e-mail in the summer in order to ensure that each team would get a vote.  It was also suggested putting accomplishments of the nominated coaches on the ballot rather than just the name.  Discussion followed as to whether a coach may be a head Zone coach, for example, before being the assistant coach, and whether the experience must be in MW.  Midwestern has a list of criteria and Lynn and Lori will tweak it and bring it back to the HOD in May.  Lynn submitted a written Convention report and said over all it was a very good experience.

 Officials’ Chair:  Paul Kemp reported that shirts and badges for officials are in the works.  Order blanks are out and responses are coming in.  Clinics around the state are not all set, yet.  Gretchen Lindner and Paul will each have one in October.   

 Technical Chair:  Bruce Schomburg reported that his committee will meet and get the meet survey together.  The sanctioning committee is trying to approve a meet schedule that would allow each swimmer at least two meets per month.  They are also working on making the championship meets progressive: DII, HS, DI and Sectionals.  Discussion followed including the possibility of moving sections and taking into consideration the different schedules for Iowa and Nebraska HS seasons.  The committee will continue working out the best schedule for athletes.

 Age Group Vice Chair:  Patrick Rowan reported that MW is trying to secure a hotel in Cleveland for Zones for 2007.  We need to make sure that our swimmers have the best opportunities and are looking ahead to All Stars and beyond.  The 2008 Zone meet will be a Mega-Meet in Indianapolis.

 Registration Chair:  Betty Kooy reported Convention recommendations  that swim parents who are getting unsolicited and undesired mail and e-mail that might be swimming related should let USA Swimming know.  All meets will be posted online. Registration is coming in slowly.  Betty will not take an electronic registration from any club that has not sent in a team manager file.  New athlete cards have Janet Evans on them and do not have athletes’ addresses.  New coaches’ packets are available.  MW’s turn for background checks will be after the first of the year, will be online and paid with plastic. ($20)  The report will be like an extra certification on the coach’s card and will be good for two years.  This background check service is the only one to be used. Fall meets are posted and spring meets have not yet been sanctioned.  Teams running meets should make sure TM & MM are updated monthly so as to have the most updated version.  Teams can get a $40 rebate for every disabled swimmer who swims in a meet.  Forms will be in the sanctioning packet.  The awards’ banquet will be October 21 at Field Club of Omaha, 3615 Woolworth and the cost is $10 per person. 

 Administrative Vice Chair:  Peggy Speer submitted a written Convention report.  Highlights were:  distance swimming and good nutrition (info on USAS web site), and information about the IMX point system. (See report)

 Safety Chair:  Dave Nelson’s written report stated that clubs need to print off the USAS insurance coverage and make parents aware of this so lawsuits can be avoided.  Any and all incidents at meets and practices need to be reported.  Sara asked whether this included travel and Mary said that she thought there was a travel exclusion. 

 General Chair:  Mary Losee reported that her note on the Board of Review emphasizes impartial justice.  She and others are working on improving the BOR process.  Athletes miss a lot of school when going to Convention. (See Mary’s written report) The Convention in 2007 will be in Anaheim.

 Delegate at Large:  Jack Jackson submitted a written Convention report.  He talked about FINA wanting to make the World Championships the Olympic Trials.  We would lose our Olympic Trials and also our representation.  The process is complicated, but FINA would be selecting the team.  The times of the swims and the broadcasts were also discussed.  FINA does have a new president so things may be different.  Ten Open Water spots will be decided in Spain at the World Championships and the next fifteen at the prelims in China.  He suggested MW have an Open Water championship and that we look at our reimbursements for summer Nationals.

 Old Business: None.

 New Business:  Jack said that tickets for the Olympic Trials will go on sale in June of ’07.  A person will be hired shortly to oversee the Grand Prix meet and Trials.  Mary will be meet director for the Grand Prix meet.  We need eight lead people and 32 basket carriers for every session.  We would like it to be kids for every team.  We need to know ahead of time so they can practice.  (Age range undertermined, yet) All hotels are sold out.

 Mary mentioned that if clubs have insurance questions they should contact USAS. All clubs with paid employees, either part time or full time, must carry workmen’s compensation.  Al mentioned that he thought State Farm was the cheapest.  Mary is not sure exactly how the clubs will be notified of background check results.

 Lynn Weaver talked about the upcoming coaches’ clinic in Lincoln, sp[onsored by the coaches’ association, not NSAA.

Jack wants to set up a standards committee at the next board meeting. 

 Motion to adjourn.  Seconded.  Motion carried.  The next board meeting will be a teleconference, Tuesday, November 7th @ 8:00 PM.

 Submitted by
Gretchen Lindner, Secretary