New England
Swimming
Wellesley
Community Center
Wellesley,
Massachusetts
October 20,
2008
Members Present: Laura Matuszak
(GMA), Kathy Dacey (UN-NE), Priscilla Davis (UN-NE),
Joe Frazier (BGSC), Carol Healey (SAC), Mariella
Allard (UN-NE), Mary Ellen Tynan (PSC), Matt Craven (SAC)� Clare Foster (SAC), Chuck Batchelor (ABF),
Jessica Harrison (SAC), Bob Menck (UN-NE), Jamie
Bloom (WYST), Tim Murphy (BOSS) Guests:
Lisa Black Sholudko (LRAC), Bill D�Innocenzo
(MAG), Sherry Wingfield (NAS), Mary Riddell (NE-Office),
Rick Osterberg (Webmaster), Alex Cronin (BGSC), Nadine Jesionek,
Elaine Jackson.
Quorum established at 7:12
p.m.
Secretary�s Report, Mary
Ellen Tynan (PSC): Motion made to accept the minutes with small typographical changes from
the Annual Meeting, May 10, 2008 by Priscilla Davis (UN-NE), second by Bob Menck (UN-NE). Motion passes. Minutes to
be formally voted on at Annual Meeting 2009.� Motion made to approve minutes from meeting
on September 15, 2008 by Joe Frazier (BGSC), second by Bob Menck
(UN-NE).� Motion passes.
Treasurer�s Report, Carol
Healey (SAC): Accounts
are as follows as of October 20, 2008:
Checking
Account: $136,012.27
Certificate
of Deposit: $52,404.68
Money
Market Account: $127,772.19
Motion
made to accept the Treasurer�s Report by Priscilla Davis (NE-UN) second by Bob Menck (UN-NE)� Motion passes.
Reimbursement Requests, Mary
Riddell (NE-Office): We have received reimbursement requests from Emma Santoro (SSA) and
Mike Pryor (GMSC) for Junior Nationals.� Motion to accept requests made by Priscilla Davis (UN-NE), second
by Chuck Batchelor (ABF).� Motion
passes.
Reimbursement Policy
2008�2009, Laura Matuszak (GMA):� Since Ray Grant (SSA) is not in attendance, will
table until next meeting.� Suggested that Ray send out material prior to next meeting so
everyone will be ready to discuss.
Calendar for Short Course �
regional site, 12 and unders, seniors, Laura Matuszak (GMA):
Fifth
Regional Site:
Mary Riddell (NE-Office) reports that YNS may want to host regional meet.� Will ask Ray Grant (SSA) to
discuss with them.
12
and unders: Mary Gentry (NCAC) submitted bid to host 12 and unders at the new Upper Valley Aquatic Center in Hartford,
VT.� Ray Osterberg (Webmaster) referred
to it�s website.�
The competition pool is a 10 lane 25 yard by 8 lane 25 meter pool with a
4 lane therapy pool for warm-up/warm-down.�
May also be able to host Seniors. If this new
pool not completed in time, Chuck Batchelor (ABF) asked if Smith College might
be available.� Sherry Wingfield
(NAS) reported that Smith would not be available until Spring Break in March
2009.
Seniors: Tentative date February
26-March 1, 2009.� Tim Murphy (BOSS)
reported that the Harvard University pool is not available.�
Senior
Circuit Meet:
Laura Matuszak (GMA) reported that GMSC is concerned
about too many entries.� Bonus events
must meet 15 and over cuts.� Is it
possible if meet is undersubscribed that additional bonus events will be
allowed?�� Chuck Batchelor (ABF) stated
he prefers cuts with a larger span for bonus events � make one legitimate cut,
get more swims (BB cuts).�� Last
December, the Senior Meet was not filled even with the bonus rule of make 1
event get 4 bonus, make 2 get 4,� to 6 events
total.� Mary Ellen Tynan (PSC) stated
that there are swimmers with 2 legitimate cuts that have not attained any other
15 and over cuts.� Since swimmers with
Senior cuts are not allowed to swim at other meets that weekend, it appears
that we are forcing a swimmer to attend a meet for 2 swims when they could be
attending another meet and have 10 swims.�
Chuck Batchelor (ABF) said that he wants to use this Senior Circuit meet
to get kids like this more swims so they will want to come to the meet.�
Carol
Healey (SAC) made a motion to recommend to GMSC that they open the bonus policy
from the Senior Meet December 2007. Kathy Dacey
(UN-NE) second.� Tim Murphy (BOSS)
agrees that the bonus for the Senior Circuit should be the same as the Senior meet and add stipulation for oversubscription.� Matt Craven (SAC) reported that there are
issues with bonus events for the team running the meet.� Mary Riddell (NE-Office) reported that
several people got to see the meet announcement before it posted and this issue
of bonus events was not brought up.� Rick
Osterberg (Webmasterr) would like to give GMSC the opportunity
to make a change.
Catch the Spirit Camp, Laura
Matuszak (GMA):�
Sherry
Wingfield (NAS) did a great job.� Sherry reported that Elizabeth Beisel (ABF) was great.�
She discussed goal-setting, nutrition etc.� The kids really liked her.� Chuck Batchelor (ABF) stated that Sherry Wingfield (NAS) did a great job.� Laura Matuszak
(GMA) said the parents really appreciated their session. For additional
information, see report from Sherry Wingfield (NAS).
Banquet, Mary Riddell
(NE-Office): Banquet
was October 19th.� There were
reservations for 540 though people without reservations still arrived at the
door.� Elizabeth Beisel
(ABF) did a great job.� Mary thanked
Priscilla Davis (UN-NE), Mariella Allard (UN-NE),
Jamie Bloom (WYST) and Sherry Wingfield (NAS).
Priscilla Davis (UN-NE) said she was pleasantly surprised and that Elizabeth Beisel (ABF) did a wonderful job. Laura Matuszak
(GMA) reported that Chuck and Christie Batchelor (ABF) got photos for all the
kids.� She thanked Mary Riddell
(NE-Office) and Alex Cronin (BGSC). Mary Riddell (NE-Office) will try to make
it very clear next year � if you don�t make a reservation, do not come.
Convention Reports, Laura Matuszak (GMA):
Delegates:� Ray Grant (SSA), Matt Craven (SAC), Chuck
Batchelor (ABF), Jessica Harrison (SAC), Priscilla Davis (UN-NE) attended along
with Mike and Amy Parratto (SSA). Convention was
September 23-28, 2008 in Atlanta, GA.
Matt
Craven (SAC): (1) It was reported that USA Swimming is on the rise.� They discussed how the numbers are affecting
each LSC and the ability to get venues that are large enough for championship
meets.� There were great ideas from other
LSC�s how to determine cut times. (2) There was a
discussion about the �hi-tech� suit issue.�
First, it was presented as an economic issue which was not a good
argument.� They determined that these
suits are not appropriate for 12 and under competition.� They can be worn at open meets.� It was also determined that there would be an
exemption to the rule for religious reasons.�
Concern was voiced over the developmental aspects concerning these
hi-tech suits. The ruling passed is �Swimsuits worn for all 12 & under age
group defined competition shall not cover the neck, extend past the shoulder,
not past the knee.�� The new rule will go
into effect May 15, 2009. (3) Discussion surrounding chloramines and asthma and
the need for adequate ventilation at pools. (4) Russell Mark gave a
breaststroke talk.� (5) LSC background
checks are due in December.� Chuck
Batchelor (ABF) asked if it could be down online.� Expiration date is on card.
Chuck
Batchelor (ABF): In regards to the suit issue, there is not distinction.� Any suit can be worn provided the actual suit
fits the guideline.� USA Swimming is
doing this as a way to send a message to FINA that it is possible to regulate.
Priscilla
Davis (UN-NE): (1) LEAP � LSC Evaluation and Achievement Program. Laura Matuszak (GMA) reported that New England Swimming is going
to do this program.� She is putting the
paperwork together. (2) Disability committee made many changes to the rulebook.
(3) Safety � Marshall�s card will be sent to the Safety Committee.
Kathy
Dacey (UN-NE):�
There is a new online program that can handle billing for $150.� Must join US Diving to get
this price.
Matt
Craven (SAC): Open water discussion.�
Matt is happy to help Jack Fabian (GMSC) plan for the summer.� Chuck Batchelor (ABF) felt more New England
Teams would participate if they knew about it.�
Laura Matuszak (GMA) stated that we could have
a link for Open Water on our website. �Sherry Wingfield
(NAS) also felt open water meets are hard to find.� Chuck Batchelor (ABF) said that Masters sites have more information. He also said that placement of
10K between Nationals and junior Nationals is an
issue.� Matt Craven (SAC) noted you could
host open water meets in a pool.� Rick
Osterberg (Webmaster) reported that a meet sanctioned, must add to meet
information if pool is certified or not certified.� Can�t break a National Age
Group Record in an uncertified pool.�
With a movable bulkhead, lane is certified after the record is
broken.� Can we get a list of surveyed
pools in New England?
Technical Committee Laura Matuszak (GMA): Time Standards for Age Groups are ready.� Tim Murphy (BOSS) reported that Senior Cuts
would be ready soon. Matt Craven (SAC) reported that Sectional cuts are not
done yet. The Zone Committee did not talk about them at the Convention.� Mary Ellen Tynan (PSC) asked if there is a
policy regarding a due date to post cut times (perhaps October 1st
for Short course) so that they would be posted before the first meet.
Athlete�s Report, Jessica
Harrison (SAC):� Jessica Harrison (SAC)
reported that she had a great time at the Convention.� Laura Matuszak
(GMA) asked if there is anything we can do to address athletes� needs.
Coaches� Report, Jamie Bloom
(WYST), Chuck Batchelor (ABF): �Chuck enjoyed
the Convention.� Mary asked if there were
to be coach�s meetings to be held during meets this season.
Official�s Report, Bob Menck (UN-NE):� Clinics are on the
books.� There are around 350 officials.
They are attempting to eliminate blue cards and do online meet
certification.� Bill D�Innocenzo
(MAG) and Lisa Black Sholudko (LRAC) attended the
Official�s Meeting in Minneapolis.� Bill
reported that representatives of 46 of 59 LSC�s
attended.� Connecticut did not have a
representative.� Discussion was around
the way meets are run.� New England
Swimming does a pretty good job at the meets.�
One thing we don�t have is education and training for Chief Judge or
Administrative Judge.� One recommendation
is to do more of this.� Lisa Black Sholduko (LRAC) reported that some LSC�s
certify timing judges, computer operators, etc.�
Bill D�Innocenzo (MAG) reported that timing at
some meets is sketchy.� When the timing
system fails, people do not know what to do.�
Lisa Black Sholudko (LRAC) reported they
discussed insurance.� It is okay to have
unregistered people on deck as long as they are assigned a job.� Then they are covered by the liability.� Priscilla Davis (UN-NE) asked if they
discussed rules during warm-up.� Lisa
Black Sholduko (LRAC) said they warm-up expectations
should be published in your written meet information and discussed at the
coaches� meeting prior to the meet.� Bob Menck (UN-NE) brought up penalties for not meeting scratch
times, etc.� Lisa Black Sholudko (LRAC) discussed positive check-in.� What is the consequence of not positively
checking in?� Sometimes the swimmer is
added and they are seeded last. Should they even be allowed to swim?� Mary Riddell (NE-Office) said that all of
these issues should be addressed by the Technical Committee.
Bob
Menck (UN-NE) reported that for 13-9 Age Groups Bob and
Bill McElhiney (UN-NE) will be referees.� He will get names for 12 and Unders.� Meet
Director and Age Group Chair must approve the Meet Referee.�� It is not supposed to be someone from the
hosting team.
Remarks from the Chair,
Laura Matuszak (GMA): Pete Clark will come in
April.� It will help New England Swimming
to gain a level as an LSC with better strategic planning.� Laura also asked that the chair of each
committee pick 2-3 things they would like to accomplish this year and bring to
the next meeting to discuss.
Other:
Mary
Riddell (UN-NE): Registrations are at 3000 now and has been increasing.
Bill
D�Innocenzo (MAG): �Bill�s
son Nick D�Innocenzo (MAG) will be attending the
University of Texas.
Nadine
Jesionek: BEST is working hard and they need help. They need
lane lines.� Matt Craven (SAC) might be
able to help them out.� She would like to
talk to the coaches about the possibility of setting up some training and
stroke and turn straining.� She has at
least 12 individuals interested in coaching.�
Laura Matuszak (GMA) said that maybe we can
put on the website and E-mail requests. Will get written
format to Rick Osterberg (Webmaster). Nadine said the documentary is
coming along.� Laura Matuszak
(GMA) said that she is working with a local youth center to address needs and
is using high school athletes as volunteer coaches.
Rick
Osterberg (Webmaster):� Rick discussed issues with meet
hosts and swimmer registration.� What is
the penalty for removing swimmers� results to get around the fine for having a
meet with unregistered swimmers? The kids swam times that won�t get into the
database.� It is a disservice to the kids
and New England Swimming.� Rick also
asked about Official�s workshops with more formal certification for people like
himself with administrative skills who don�t necessarily want to go through the
whole stroke and turn certification.�
Bill D�Innocenzp (MAG) said he could look into
what other LSCs do. Bob Menck
(UN-NE) said that within each LSC they can make their own credentials.� An example is that California has 7 levels of
starter.
Alex
Cronin (BGSC):� Alex enjoyed Zones.
Kathy
Dacey (UN-NE): Championship awards were ordered at
Convention.� Same price
as two years ago.� Ribbons will be
ordered December 1st when the discount goes into effect.
Bob
Menck (UN-NE): Bob asked how data gets from a meet and sent to
SWIMS.� Is a non-calendar meet approved, sanctioned, etc? He would like to move the
meetings to Tuesday.
Lisa
Black Sholudko (LRAC): �Lisa thanked New England Swimming for sending
her to the Official�s meeting.
Matt
Craven (SAC):
SAC will be training people in how to work the Colorado system between sessions
of their meet.� He reported that Clare
Foster (SAC) will likely be attending Harvard University.
Mary
Ellen Tynan (PSC): She asked about the role of team athlete representative. She suggested
that the Athlete Reps be in contact with the team reps.� Laura Matuszak
(GMA) suggested a pizza party.� Lisa
Black Sholudko (LRAC) said that the athlete
representatives used to organize recruiting for Special Olympics � good for
community service.� Alex Cronin (BGSC)
reported to he requires certain aged swimmers to help with Special Olympics.
Next meeting � Monday, November 17, 2008 at 7PM.
Motion
to adjourn made by Priscilla Davis (UN-NE), second by Jamie Bloom (WYST).
Motion passed.
Respectfully
submitted,
Mary
Ellen Tynan, Secretary
New
England Swimming