New England
Swimming
Wellesley
Community Center
Wellesley,
Massachusetts
March 23, 2009
Members Present: Laura Matuszak
(GMA), Kathy Dacey (UN-NE), Priscilla Davis (UN-NE), Mariella Allard (UN-NE), Mary Ellen Tynan (PSC), Bob Menck (UN-NE), Jamie Bloom (WYST),� Ray Grant (SSA), Jessica Harrison (SAC),
Carol Healey (SAC), Chuck Batchelor (ABF) Guests:
Sherry Wingfield (NAS), Mary Riddell (NE-Office),
Rick Osterberg (Webmaster), Nadine Jesionek, Bill D�Innocenzo (MAG), Scott Doty (PSC), Mike Harrison (SAC), J.J.
Sabatino (EST), Dan Warner (NSSC), Christina Close
(ABF), Ev Crosscup (BAT),
Robert Menck IV.
�
Review of short course �end
of season� meets, Ray Grant (SSA):� Ray reported
that 12 and Unders went well at the new facility. Regionals were fine � still need 5 sites.� 13-19 Age Groups were fine. Having 2 pools
helped keep the length of the meet down.�
Bob Menck (UN-NE) reported that there were
vomiting issues at both Age Group meets.�
Weather was an issue at 12 and Unders.� Two coaches threatened to sue if team parents
were injured during the drive home.� It
was a tough decision and the officials tried to shorten the meet. Ray Grant
(SSA) asked if this behavior of the coaches would be considered inappropriate
under the Code of Ethics. Laura Matuszak (GMA) will
follow-up.� Mike Harrison (SAC) stated
there was significant trash left after every session of the 13-19 Age Groups,
especially Friday night. He suggested that a head coach or someone from the
team be designated as the responsible party.�
He also reported that there are still swimmers who deck-change and that
the swimmers had no respect for the guards at MIT.� Rick Osterberg (Webmaster) reported that
Sectionals had the same issue with trash.�
Mary Riddell (NE-Office) suggested that these would be topics for the
coaches� meeting.� Carol Healey (SAC) stated that personal items were stolen at the meets. There
was an ipod taken from a timer�s chair behind the
blocks.� This too should be brought up at
coaches� meeting. Laura Matuszak (GMA) said this is
the coaches� responsibility.� Ray Grant
(SSA) explained that Dan Warner (NSSC) once had a solution. Don�t let people
who leave a mess come to the meets.� Carol Healey (SAC) stated that in past they
have given teams trash bags and they have cleaned up.� Jamie Bloom (WYST) said that most coaches
have issue with ethics among swimmers and coaches.� Ray Grant (SSA) reported that a certain
amount of clean-up is expected. Sherry Wingfield
(NAS) said that at Regionals she had to pick up for
another team she was sharing bleachers with so that her team would not be
implicated.� Bob Menck
(UN-NE) stated it is the coaches� responsibility. He would also like to see all
issues between officials, coaches, etc. be resolved
off the deck and away from the swimmers.
Long Course Calendar, Ray
Grant (SSA):
Same number of bids as in the past. There was one bid from MTSC to host 12 and
Under Championships in 2 days as timed finals.�
SSA has put in a bid to host 12 and Unders on
another weekend (July 16th-19th).� Tim Murphy (BOSS) is willing to host an Open
Championship Meet at Harvard July 31st-August 3rd, but
will not run a 13-14 finals heat. MIT is not available for a 4-day meet this
summer.� Calendar Committee met during
Sectional Meet.� Asked
if SSA would be willing to run a 14 & Under Championship Meet.� SSA has gotten permission from the city to
spread the meet out over 4 full days � same event order as Open.� Twelve of each 11-12 girls
and boys and twelve each 13-14 girls and boys would make it back at night in
each event. Cuts for Open would potentially be 15-19 cuts or Senior cuts).� Will check with Matt Craven (SAC) if Age Group Committee will allow
this schedule.� Chuck Batchelor
(ABF) � only issue is the week that the open will be held. Top swimmers won�t
come because US Open is starts August 4th.� We should be looking now for a venue for next
year.� With this schedule there is really
no meet for Seniors in New England this summer.� Other pools we should consider are Williams
(6 lane 50 meter � no warm-up, warm-down), Middlebury 8 lane 50 meter � no
warm-up, warm-down), Wesleyan (8 lanes 50 meter � no warm-up, warm-down), UCONN
(6 lane 50 meter � no warm-up, warm-down). Chuck Batchelor (ABF) asked Dan
Warner (NSSC) if we can get MIT next year.�
If we run a meet in Connecticut, we have to run meet under Connecticut
rules which means Connecticut teams get entry first.� Dan Warner (NSSC) reported that MIT was
receptive until he said it is a 4-day meet. Asking them to shut down the pool
for 4 days is a lot.� They might consider
2.5 days so it would need Senior cuts.� Chuck Bachelor (ABF) asked if the NSSC Meet
July 10-12 at MIT could be a Senior Meet. Dan Warner (NSSC) reported that is
not likely.� Ray Grant (SSA) noted that
the Age Group Committee might not agree to a 14 & Under
meet.
Club Leadership, Mary
Riddell (NE-Office): Peter Clark of the National Office came to New England March 7, 2009.
He ran a Club Leadership and Business Management School (CLBMS) at the
Wellesley Community Center.� Two teams
had to come because they are new teams, 4 established teams attended and 4
potential teams.
Zone Meeting, Laura Matuszak (GMA): Zone Meeting will be held May 9th in Ft.
Lauderdale. Laura Matuszak (GMA), Ray Grant (SSA),
Sherry Wingfield (NAS) will attend.� Ray Grant (SSA) will be in a discussion about
Spring Sectionals. People would like to see Eastern Zone Sectionals run long
course.
Strategic Planning, Laura Matuszak (GMA): April 25 & 26, 2009 at Kathy Dacey�s
house. The purpose of this meeting is to help outline our basic philosophies
about promoting swimming within New England Swimming.� We need to establish our goals as a Board.
Please read the materials before the meeting.�
We still have not heard from everyone. If you can�t make it, please
still give feedback.
Official�s Report, Bob Menck (UN-NE): Bob thanked all the officials at 12 & unders, especially Ken Vutech
(NCAC), Cathy Schubert (UN-NE), Lisa Sholudko
(LRAC).� He also thanked Lisa Sholudko (LRAC), Mike Harrison (SAC) and Bill D�Innocenzo (MAG) for their help at 13-19 Age Groups.� There is an LSC Chair meeting in mid-May in
Minneapolis and Bob Menck (UN-NE) will be attending.
Coaches� Report, Jamie Bloom
(WYST): �Ethics is the biggest concern among
coaches.� There was a lot of unethical
behavior at Regional Meets (wrong age kids swimming in relays). Carol Healey
(SAC) said there must be ramifications. Chuck Batchelor (ABF) asked if it was
ignorance. Bob Menck (Un-NE) said there was a
significant number. Some New Hampshire teams don�t �age up� in their other
leagues so maybe they are unaware.� Laura
Matuszak (GMA) asked who is responsible for coaches�
education. The coaches� Meeting at Annual Meeting should become more
educational.� Rick Osterberg (Webmaster)
asked if it is possible to educational junior coaches at Team Specialty Meets,
but there are unusually not enough workers.�
Ray Grant (SSA) noted that relays take time at Team Specialty Meets and
take the place of splash entries.� Mariella Allard (UN-NE) reported it is a progression. The
level of coaches at meets increases as the level of the meet increases. The
Head coach should take time to teach.�
Scott Doty (PSC) asked if there is some way young coaches are educated
in the administrative parts of the coaching certification.� Chuck Batchelor (ABF) thanked everyone for running
Champs this year.� Rick Osterberg
(Webmaster) wants feedback on Sectionals.�
Scott Doty (PSC) commented about Sectionals. Issues were deck control, awards presentation (stepped on lip next to block)
could be classier.
Quorum established at 8:13
p.m.
Secretary�s Report, Mary
Ellen Tynan (PSC): Motion made by Mariella Allard (UN-NE) to
accept the minutes of January 5, 2009 with minor typographical edits. Seconded by Carol Healey (SAC).� Motion passes.
Treasurer�s Report, Carol
Healey (SAC): Accounts
are as follows as of March 23, 2009:
Checking
Account: $130,701.14
Certificate
of Deposit: $52,986.10
Money
Market Account: $128, 665.77
Motion to accept Treasurer�s Report made by Jamie Bloom (WYST). Seconded
by Bob Menck (SSA). Motion passes.
Reimbursement Requests, Mary
Riddell (NE-Office): All swimmers have competed in three New England meets since September
and are eligible for reimbursement. Taylor Grey (GMA), Nick D�Innocenzo
(MAG), Francesca Tocci (BGSC), Erica Belcher (MAG),
Meaghan Grimes (MAG), Kendra Cheng (MAG) and Emma Santoro (SSA) submitted
requests. Priscilla Davis (UN-NE) makes a motion to reimburse all swimmers
listed. Seconded by Kathy Dacey
(UN-NE). Motion passes.
Conflict of Interest Policy,
Laura Matuszak (GMA): Laura reported she believes
New England Swimming should have a policy similar in wording to that of USA
Swimming.� We can review the USA policy
and adopt later or review and adopt now.�
Mary Riddell (NE-Office) made a motion to postpone to the next meeting.
Seconded by Bob Menck (UN-NE).� Motion passes. We will address at the next
meeting.
Annual Meeting, Laura Matuszak (GMA):
Budget, Mary Riddell
(UN-Office):� Adjusted registration in budget. Priscilla
Davis (UN-NE) asked that $1000 be put back in the Safety budget.� Mary Riddell (NE-Office) said that
registrations are up 300 this year.�
Award amount will be down as awards were ordered for 2 years.� Convention budget was down because it was in
Atlanta.� Mariella
Allard (UN-NE) made motion to accept budget as amended.� Seconded by Priscilla Davis
(UN-NE).� Motion passes.
Nominating Committee Report,
Mariella Allard (UN-NE): Matt Craven (SAC) - Age
Group Chair, Carol Healey (SAC) � Treasurer, Mariella
Allard (UN-NE) � Technical Committee, Priscilla Davis (UN-NE), Ray Grant (SSA),
John Ogden (YNS), Jessica Harrison (SAC) � all Review Board, Mariella Allard (UN-NE), Pam Warner (UN-NE) � Nominating
Committee.� Bob Menck
(UN-NE) made a motion to accept the nominations. Seconded by
Kathy Dacey (UN-NE). Motion passes.
Coaches� Meeting, Jamie
Bloom (WYST): Meeting
at 10:30AM.
Officials� Meeting, Bob Menck (SSA): Meeting at 10:30AM.�
Will be recertification again for all levels.
Meet Manager�s Meeting,
Laura Matuszak (GMA): Meeting at 10:30AM.� Won�t print out what�s online � save paper.
Technical Committee Report, Mariella Allard (UN-NE): Recommendations followed by discussion and
votes:
Meet Participation Fee: The meet participation fee for all �end of season� meets will be $10
per swimmer, including �relay only� swimmers. Note: �End of season� meets are Regionals, Age Group Championships, Open Championships, and
Senior Championships. Christy Close (ABF) asked if it could be changed to not more than $10.
Sanction Restrictions: Teams running meets will not receive more than one sanction (and
associated time trial sanction) per day. Mary Ellen Tynan (PSC) asked to clarify 5
events per day as opposed to 5 events per meet.�
Total events allowed per day is 5. Can be divided among 2 or more meets and/or time trials.
Distance Meet Subsidy:� the distance meet subsidy will
remain at $250.� A team that is running a
�distance meet� or a �distance session� (all events 400 and longer) may apply
for a distance subsidy. Bob Menck (UN-NE) asked if there is a limit
to the number of distance session allowed per meet. Agreed
that there would be one distance subsidy allowed per meet.� Mary Riddell (NE-Office) noted that perhaps
this should go back to Technical.� Rick
Osterberg (Webmaster) wants to know what the budget ramifications will be.� Motion made by Mariella
Allard (UN-NE) to take this recommendation back to the Technical Committee. Seconded by Bob Menck (UN-NE).
Motion passes.
Meet Stipends: No changes in meet stipends are recommended.
Updating Times: Times for meets may be updated through the Monday before the start of
the meet. Moved by Mariella Allard (UN-NE).� Seconded by Carol Healey
(SAC). Chuck Batchelor (ABF) asked if this applies to all meets or only
championships.� Carol Healey (SAC) noted
that this will be a headache for the people running the meet.� Chuck Batchelor (ABF) moved to close
discussion. Seconded by Bob Menck
(UN-NE). Motion fails.
$100 Sunday �No Show� Fee:� all fines collected will go to
the host team. This is clarifies where the fees go.�
Referee responsible for noting who is a �no show�.
Time Trials: Time Trials cannot be run concurrently with the meet. Time Trials will
be open to New England swimmers not entered in the meet. Moved by Mariella Allard (UN-NE). Seconded
by Chuck Batchelor (ABF).� Bob Menck (UN-NE) said it is an opportunity.� Some people complained that time trials at
13-19 Age Groups took away from the meet.�
Bob Menck (UN-NE) moved for a vote.� Motion fails.
$200 Deposit: It was previously decided that the office will enforce the current
$200 deposit PER MEET (there will be no �rollovers.�): Moved by Mariella Allard (UN-NE).�
Seconded by Bob Menck
(UN-NE).� This is just a
clarification.� Motion made to accept by
Christy close (ABF). Seconded by Bob Menck
(UN-NE). Passes.
Parade Finalists: A parade of finalists will not mandatory.
Agenda
topics not addressed:
In
Season Meet Policies: Admissions (cost of), Definition of a session, Swimmer
participation fee, Protected and observed meets, 75%
rule for cutting meets
Championship
Meet Policies:� Meet reimbursements � per
day stipend, Foul weather policy, qualifying time periods, relay format for
championships, regionals and championship formats � 8
and under session, 800 free relay split, add 200 relays, cost of admission and
programs, age groups qualified � protected meet.
Other:
Language of heat sheets, Bay State Games, Punishment for registration issues,
recusal from voting on your own meets if on calendar committee, waivers for
reimbursements, suit policy.
Athlete�s Report, Jessica
Harrison (SAC):� Athletes reported the
following concerns.� First, they feel
there should be at least six lanes available for warm-up and warm-down.� They suggested that warm-ups during the
finals sessions should be individual events swimmers only for the first 30
minutes then relay swimmers can join.�
Chuck Batchelor (ABF) agreed that at finals it should only be those
swimmers who are swimming that night.�
This will be reviewed by the Technical Committee.
Volunteer of the Year Award,
Mary Riddell (NE-Office): We have the opportunity to give a Volunteer of the Year Award.� How should nominations be done?� Laura Matuszak
(GMA) as that nomination be given to her. We are
allowed to request one from the LSC.
Other:
Mary
Riddell (UN-NE): She will be gone the first weekend in April as she is going to San
Diego for a meeting.� The new suit rule
needs to be posted.� With the new diving
rule, there is concern with kids with high school teams of recreational teams
without training. What is our responsibility?�
We should put something in template.�
Kendra Cheng (MAG) was selected for the National Diversity Camp.
Mariella Allard (UN-NE): Cost of admission should be
done soon.
Carol
Healey (SAC):
Please bring up the issue of stealing at meets with the teams at Annual
Meeting.� There are even allegations that
coaches were promoting stealing of ipods, suits, etc.
Mary
Ellen Tynan (PSC): Any word on Open Water Championships?�
Laura Matuszak (GMA) reported that Open Water
Championships will be held by the RAMS on September 12th in
Middletown, RI. No word on qualifying times.
Nadine
Jesionek: Nadine provided information data on membership
based on ethnicity.� Please encourage
swimmers to fill out the ethnicity part of the USA Registration form so that
there is accurate information available.�
National Black Heritage Meet will be held Memorial Day weekend in Cary,
NC. Christy Close (ABF) suggested that maybe New England Swimming could sponsor
a team to this meet. Nadine said she would love to have USA Swimmers
attend.� April 4th there is a
swim jamboree for fundraising for the trip to NC.� She asked if coaches could volunteer for a
training clinic from 1-3PM.
Next
meetings:
Strategic
Planning: Saturday-Sunday, April 25-26, 2009 at Kathy Dacey�s
House�
Annual
Meeting: Saturday, May 2, 2009 at 8:30AM the Wellesley Community Center
Board
Meeting: Monday, June 8, 2009 at 7PM at the Wellesley Community Center.
Motion to adjourn made by Priscilla Davis (UN-NE), seconded by Jamie
Bloom (WYST). Motion passed.
Respectfully
submitted,
Mary
Ellen Tynan , Secretary
New
England Swimming