House of Delegates Meeting

4/28/07

Monroe Community College

 

General Chair Barbara Paradis call the meeting to order at 10:04 AM.

 

Roll Call:         57 Clubs out of 78 attended

                        16 out of 16 Board of Directors members attended

 

Minutes from the fall meeting were approved.

 

Reports of Officers/Committee Chairs

1.                  General Chair Paradis read her report.  She thanked the Board, volunteers and particularly Rodney Champagne.

2.                  Administrative Chair Mike Nowicki submitted a report.  He also noted that the IMX Silver meet had no times entered.  It was decided to refer this to the Technical Planning Committee.

3.                  Senior Vice Chair Marci Callan submitted a report.

4.                  Age Group Chair Deborah Burke filed a report.  She stated that the list of athletes for the IMX Camps are on the web.

5.                  Finance Roy Staley filed a report.

6.                  Technical Planning Committee was reported by Deborah Burke.  The new time standards during the transition from B for Silver and A for Gold are available on the web.

7.                  Coaches Representative Kendra Bush submitted a report.

8.                  Athletes Report by Jake Fisher and Rick Henahan reported that the practice session was well received by the athletes.  They suggested a 50 free shoot-out for the Niagara Classic. They felt that the District Meet (3/15-18) was overcrowded.  They suggested that bonus heat be reserved for silver/bronze meets.  A three day long course meet was preferred by the athletes.  Prelims should be run in the AM for 13 & 14 year olds.  In the PM the 12 and unders should have their prelims followed by finals with an hour break between the latter sessions.  Distance events should have the top 8 circle seeded with that event being in the finals.  Opening the pools earlier for warm-up could reduce the crowding.  Coaches were asked to submit phone numbers to the representatives.

9.                  Treasurer Steve Snyder submitted a report and reminded clubs that there is an annual rebate of $100 available to upgrade Hytek.

10.              Membership Chair Jim Bowen reported a slight dip in membership.  There will be additional background checks required in the near future for BOD members.  In response to questions, the fluctuation of membership mirrors the Olympic cycle. 

11.              Secretary Martha Keating submitted a report.

12.              Awards Chair Paul Crist stated that the Technical Planning Committee helped with awards at the IMX meets.  He reminded clubs that some clubs still have awards that can be picked up today. Silver times are awarded achievement pins at the Bronze District meet.  Chair Paradis announced that written comments about awards are welcome.

13.              Legislative/By-Laws Chair Gary Karl submitted a report.  The updates Policies and Procedures and By-Laws are on the web.

14.              Adapted Chair Jack Eckhardt filed a report.

15.              Scholarship Chair Martha Keating filed a report and announced that there are 9 applications in to date.  Today at midnight is the deadline.

16.              Top Ten Chair Chair Jim Bowen announced that Ricky Henahan set a new record at the state high school meet.

 

Unfinished Business:  None

 

 

New Business

 

Nominations Chair Aronberg conducted the elections with the assistance of Legislative/By-Laws Chair Karl.  Coach Aronberg reminded the House that this would be the first year of a transition passed by the HOD earlier that will result in staggered terms.  He stated that the BOD positions have two term limits with the exception of the Treasurer and Membership/Registration Chair.  New Board members will take office on September 1st.  He also explained that the Committee posted everyone’s biography on the Niagara website.

 

Following nominations from the floor, a motion to close nominations was passed for each of the positions. 

Elected for two-year terms were:  General Chair Paul Crist, Senior Chair Marci Callan,

Finance Chair Gary Karl, Membership/Registration Jim Bowen (by acclamation), Secretary Martha Keating and Board of Review, which selects its own Chair, Bob Sarkissian, Tim Sullivan and Dave Finger.

 

Elected for one-year terms were:  Administration Vice Chair Mike Nowicki, Age Group Chair Kendra Bush, Technical Planning Chair Deborah Burke, and Treasurer Steve Snyder (by acclamation).

 

 

Candidates for the Junior Athletes Representative position presented their qualifications and goals.  The candidates are:  Paul Garman, Caitlin Nicholson, Shaw Parkhurst, Liz Porcellio, Madi Sherry and Sarah Universal.  Communications Chair Eric Stimson reminded the HOD that the election takes place by mail with a deadline of the Saturday of summer jo’s; hand-delivered postcards will be accepted.

 

A motion was passed to destroy the ballots.

 

The deadline for the Spotlight Swim was extended to Friday May 4th by   Communications Chair Eric Stimson

 

Coaches Representatives Bush and Houlahan presented Coaches of the Year awards. The coaching staff of Doug Tobey and Dave Hilfiker from SEAS received the Age Group recognition.  The coaching staff of Reed Dewey and Bob Terry from LCAT received the Senior award.

 

Bid Calendar Following a brief presentation by each bidding club, the Niagara Championships were awarded to STAR.  A motion was passed that allows EAST to hold its meet on 11/3/07.

 

There was a request that event files be posted on the Niagara website earlier.

 

A motion passed that the Calendar be accepted.

 

Proposed Changes to the Niagara Policies and Procedures

 

            Proposals 1, 3,4, and 5 failed.  Proposal 2 was withdrawn after a statement about an impending budget shortfall.

 

There was a question concerning whether the District should run the LC Jo’s versus the Classic meet.   The Board has extended the deadline for clubs or groups of clubs to bid for the LC JO’s to June 3.

 

The meeting was adjourned at 1:03 PM.

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Martha Keating

Secretary

 

 

 

Final 6/3/07