New England Swimming Board Meeting

Motion made to pay all requests for reimbursement except the 2 aforementioned made by Dan Warner, 2^nd by Priscilla Davis, motion passed.

Calendar:� Committee is planning on meeting at 12 & Unders.� There has been a new meet added to the calendar � run by PVAC and MVP at Springfield.� NE Open meet information will be on web soon � with scoring for the 13-14 year olds this year.� Mary commented that there are specified fees for Time Trials at meets $5/$10 (individual/relay).

Athlete�s Representative:� Discussion regarding the many strong applications which were received for the Junior Athlete�s Representative, which will be voted on this evening.� New England Swimming is delighted by the number of applicants and the strength of these applicants and their commitment to swimming.� Many comments were made at how unfortunate it is that only one applicant will be able to hold the position.� After considerable discussion and much consideration, votes were counted, and Caitlin Grant from the Seekonk Dolphins was elected the new Junior Athlete�s Rep.�

Laura Blackwell reports that this Saturday is the Special Olympics and the visors are in and she is very pleased with them.� Approximately 100 of New England�s swimmers have offered to participate in this very worthwhile event.� Laura is excited about the interest and willingness to help, and the strong feeling of community for NE that this type of event generates.� She will report next month on how the event went.

Coach�s Report:� Laura Matuzack reports that there was a discussion at the Annual meeting regarding the change in the date of the NE Open.� Ultimately coaches understood why the date was moved.�

Spirit Camp:� 56 swimmers attended.� This was a fabulous turnout and all involved were exceptionally pleased.� It was a great time for all who participated and fun, fun, fun!

Coaches who participated were Sherry Wingfield (HRY), Brenda Hogan (MVP), Laura Matuzack (GMA), Amy Parratto (SSA) and Kevin Tyrell (YNS).� Amy reports that 26 parents stayed to attend the parent�s meeting.� Anna Christiansen, who went to Olympic Trials came and spoke to the athletes.� She was wonderful with them, and the kids were very involved and interested.

The Swimposium is scheduled for September 21, 2002 at the new, enlarged Seekonk facility.� There will be a sports/science track for coaches, Amy Parratto feels that both tracks are excellent and will be beneficial for coaches.� A National team athlete will speak, at this date she is uncertain who will be, probably either Ryan Berube or Michelle Griglione.� They are still working on the parent presentation.� A representative from national for the officials will attend.�

Zones:� For the summer, athletes attend on their own with their parents.� Hotel information is on the website.� Applications will be accepted at the 12 & Under meet.� 13 & Over swimmers must apply before their end of the season meet as the application is due before that meet.� Coaches will be Ray Grant (SD), Laura Matuzack (GMA) and Dan Warner (NSSC).�

Officials:� No report.�

Harriett Kinnett (MVP) and Don Weaver (GMA) attended the official�s clinic in Colorado Springs and have returned to New England more skilled and highly motivated.� Harriett Kinnett thanked New England for allowing them the opportunity to attend this event.

Meet Information:� Mary Gentry (NCAC) is organizing a systematic manual for meet management for all to use.� The expectation is that this manual will be the end all and be all for the highly organized meet manager!

Website:� Rick Osterberg � detailed some interesting information about usage on the site.� The average visit to the site is 9.5 minutes.� So far there have been no complaints.� They are tying to get more information onto the site.� The record data base has been updated.� Harold Whitney feels that the site is well organized and is looking forward to spending the day with Mary Riddell in the near future to get her new computer for the NES office up and running at full speed.�

Mary Riddell is going to Colorado Springs to learn how to do the registration via email, along with handling more information on the computer.�

Bruce Mohl is very pleased with the current status and direction of our website.�

Discussion regarding whether or not we will be putting out of district meets which have NE swimmers participating in them onto our data base.�

New Club Registration:� Discussion regarding the New Club Program which has been approved by USA Swimming effective 2004.� The requirements for establishing a new club are daunting, lengthy, and detailed and can be seen in full by requesting the information from Mary Riddell at the NE office.�

Subsidies:� A request for additional subsidy support has been made by the Mass Bay Marlins for their upcoming meet.�

Ray Grant proposed a policy change for subsidies.� At meets where there is a combined 8 & Under and 9-12 meet, the subsidy can be increased to $1,500.� Second by Dan Warner, motion passed.�

Seven Seas Swim Club asked for an additional $422 to cover the expenses incurred by accommodating NES�s request for scheduling changes at their recent meet.� Motion made to reimburse them the full amount made by Dan Warner, 2^nd by Laura Matuzack, motion passed.�

The Attleboro Bluefish have made a request for an additional subsidy for their meet.� Bruce Mohl will review the formal application once it is received.

Convention:� Set for Dallas, beginning September 10.� Information is on the website.� Mary Riddell needs to hear from everyone who is going to organize things.�

New Business:� Ray Grant commented on how much value and excitement Jenny Thompson (SSA & Olympic Gold Medalist) brought to the meet this past weekend by participating in a local NE Meet.

Safety: �Priscilla Davis wants all to know that the Safety Awareness Content will be posted on the website.� All should participate.�

Bruce Mohl will be making five at-large appointments to the Board, and they will be announced shortly.

The next meeting of the NE Board will be on July 9, 2002, pending notification that the room is available.� There will be no meeting in August.� Enjoy the rest of the summer.

The September meeting is scheduled for September 17, 2002, pending notification that the room is available.

Motion to adjourn meeting made by Priscilla Davis, 2^nd by Dave Mascola.

Meeting adjourned at 9:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Dacey, Secretary
New England Swimming