Members Present:� Ray Grant (SSA), Kathy Dacey (BGSC), Michele
Bernal (BGSC), Laura Matuszak (GMA), Sophia Slote (SNAP), Carol Healey (SAC),
Mariella Allard (UN-NE), Dan Warner (NSSC), Mike Parratto (SSA), Ray Grant, Jr.
(SSA), Pam Warner (UN-NE), Scott Doty (PSC), Harriet Kinnett (MAG), Bob Gauvin
(SCA), Priscilla Davis (UN-NE), Ev Crosscup (BAT), Matt Craven (SAC).�
Guests:�
Secretary�s Report,
Kathy Dacey (BGSC):� Minutes from
Treasurer�s Report, Carol Healey (SAC):� Checking Account:� $96,487.07
������������������������������������������������������������������ ������Galaxy Fund:���������� $112,599.97
Motion to accept Treasurer�s report made by Kathy Dacey (BGSC), second by Pam Warner (UN-NE), motion passes.� Kathy Dacey (BGSC) made note that additional medals may be necessary to complete the season, as additional events were added to a large number of meets.� Dan Warner (NSSC) commented that the fund is receiving a low interest rate, and it may be wiser to invest differently.
Reimbursement, Mary Riddell (UN-NE): �presented three late applicants for reimbursement, Taylor Goodwin, Jonathan Hartman and the coach from the Barracudas.� Motion made to grant reimbursement by Dan Warner (NSSC), second by Priscilla Davis (UN-NE), motion passes.� One in opposition, Kathy Dacey (BGSC).
Clinic/Banquet, Mary Riddell (UN-NE):� �reports that over 500 people attended the banquet, and it was a wonderful event.� Kristy Kowal (US Olympian) was the guest speaker and she was excellent, the swimmers and adults enjoyed her immensely.� The clinic was a raging success, 70 swimmers attended, Pepsi donated the soda and water, for which all were appreciative.�
Distance Camp,
Championships and other meets: �Regional templates are done, and ready to go out with revisions to the cut times. 12 & Unders are ready and the 13 & Over meet, the bid is almost done.� Sectionals have been sanctioned.�
Long Course Calendar, Bob Gauvin (SCA):� bids are due
Board of Review
Meeting Workshop:� National wants
each LSC to be at the meeting to be held in
Typist for the By-Laws:� By-laws need to be put up on the website, and the material has not been able to be scanned.� A typist needs to be hired to re-type the by-laws onto a computer.� Motion made by Laura Matuzack (GMA), second by Kathy Dacey (BGSC) to hire Ms. Nancy Leggat to type the by-laws, and payment is authorized.
Athlete�s Report, Ray Grant Jr. (SSA), & Sophia Sloat (SNAP): �Athletes would like a longer warm-up for all meets.� Chairman Ray Grant (SSA) is not sure that this can be required, however, it is STRONGLY suggested that host teams attempt to accommodate the athlete�s need for longer warm-up times.
Coach�s Report:� None at this time.
Official�s Report, Scott Doty (PSC):� unprecedented number of clinics is being held, the numbers are increasing rapidly, all are excited that there are lots of new faces and people interested in pursuing additional officiating opportunities.� Bob Gauvin (SCA) commented that the MIAA was gracious to the US Swimming Officials and allowed them to be on deck to observe at the championship meets, he is encouraged and suggests that we try to have this happen at all of the meets. A reminder is made to remember to ask for viewing at the big high school meets, both public and private school championships.
Lots of qualified officials have signed up for the Senior meet.� For the end of season meets:� 12 & Unders are all set, all other meets the applications are available.� Sectionals will be a qualifying meet for National certification.
Reimbursement Policy:� Chairman Ray Grant (SSA) calculated the cost to NES for the proposed Reimbursement Policy based on similar numbers from qualified athletes from 9/1/04-9/1/05 � the new cost would be $52,800.� We currently have budgeted for this account $16,000.00.�
Chairman Ray Grant (SSA) reminded the NES Community that we have had the luxury of having Mary Riddell (UN-NE) serve as our paid Secretary, Mary Riddell (UN-NE) allows the NES office to be in her home at no additional charge.� When Mary Riddell (UN-NE) is no longer willing to serve in this capacity, NES can anticipate a substantial jump in the cost of employment for a replacement, and a substantially more monumental jump in the charges for office space, utilities and the accompanying benefits and insurance required when hiring, training and maintaining an employee.� As one of the largest Associations in the country, we are one of the few Associations which have been able to keep our costs this low, and we need to anticipate that this good fortune is going to be short-lived.
Priscilla Davis (UN-NE), with a second by Ev Crosscup (BAT) made a motion to require that any further policies which include financial implications that are presented to the Board be made in writing, with the financial ramifications detailed prior to a vote being allowed.� Motion passes.
Scott Doty (PSC) suggested that the Board reconsider the decision which was made last month.� That decision was made because there needed to be a vote on reimbursement, as the season�s travel meets were beginning and the requirements had to be posted.� Chairman Ray Grant (SSA) and Mike Parratto (SSA) felt that the decision cannot be changed.� Scott Doty (PSC) felt strongly that it should be changed as it is clear now that it is a detrimental decision for the financial future of New England Swimming.�
Scott Doty (PSC) stated that we should change this policy if it is the wrong decision for the financial health of the Association.
Kathy Dacey (BGSC) detailed comments made by Pat Hogan (USA Swimming National Office) with respect to other association�s policies on reimbursement from a conversation she had with him earlier in the day.� Many associations have limitations on distance (no reimbursement for meets within the association�s borders) and caps on the amount allowed per swimmer.� Discussion ensued regarding how NE could get more information on what is done nationally.
Harriett Kinnett (MAG) suggested that since $16,000 has been budgeted, we should reimburse at the new levels, and discontinue reimbursement once the fund dedicated for reimbursement is completely disbursed.
Kathy Dacey (BGSC) discussed the original philosophy and motivation behind reimbursement when the NE Association began offering this benefit to its member-athletes.� Reimbursement was a token amount, given as a sign of respect and encouragement for national trips, and was not ever meant to even partially reduce the burden of a family�s obligation to support a swimmer�s efforts to compete on a national level.� Early discussions involved asking families to submit financial statements for the Board to determine whether such support was actually needed.� Additionally, if the awards remain at the current levels, the Association may be required to provide tax receipts for the funds distributed.�
Matt Craven (SAC) stated that he sent an email out to the coaches and received 2 emails in return on this topic.� Dan Warner (NSSC) feels that we have a fiduciary responsibility to NE Swimming to do what is in the best interests of the Association�s fiscal health.� Laura Matuzack (GMA) feels that we should use the budget figure ($16,000.00) as our cap and come back to discuss this again when the fund is completely tapped.� Priscilla Davis (UN-NE) feels we should discuss this further in January when we have some additional back ground from how this is handled nationally.� Priscilla David (UN-NE) feels we should cap out at the $16,000.00 budgeted and then additional requests will have to be denied.�
Discussion regarding the appropriate avenue to bring a vote to the table regarding rescinding the vote taken at the November meeting.� A 2/3rd vote is required to rescind, reconsider or amend, even if it is only 1 section, 1 phrase or 1 word.�
Athletes are leaving tomorrow (from the date of this meeting) and they are leaving under the previously stated and printed policy.�
Mariella Allard (UN-NE) made a motion to rescind last month�s vote on reimbursement, second by Scott Doty (UN-NE).� Discussion followed.
Vote taken on motion to rescind previously published policy on reimbursement (with 16 members present, 11 required to pass):� Dan Warner (NSSC), Mariella Allard (UN-NE), Carol Healey (SAC), Kathy Dacey (BGSC), Priscilla Davis (UN-NE), Bob Gauvin (SCA), Eve Crosscup (BAT), Scott Doty (PSC), Pam Warner (UN-NE) in favor of rescinding the previously published reimbursement policy.� Motion fails.
Chairman Ray Grant (SSA) agrees that additional research is required, and asked that Laura Matuzack (GMA) chair this committee.
Other Business:�
The next meeting of the Board of New England Swimming is tentatively
scheduled for
Motion made to adjourn the meeting by Laura Matuzack (GMA), 2nd by Priscilla Davis (UN-NE), motion passes.
Meeting adjourned at
Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Dacey, Secretary