New England Swimming Board Meeting

Community Center, Wellesley, Massachusetts

July 9, 2002

Board Members Present: Bruce Mohl, Kathy Dacey, Isabelle Fraser, Joanne Gallahue, Laura Blackwell, Fred Catalano, Dan Warner, Laura Matuszak, Dave LeBlanc, Ray Grant, Marjorie Blackwell, Priscilla Davis, Bill Geary, Mariella Allard. Guests: Caitlin Grant, Bob Gauvin, Rick Osterberg, Mary Riddell, Walt Meisner, Harold Whitney.

Secretary’s Report: Kathy Dacey. Motion to accept minutes as presented made by Priscilla Davis, 2nd by Ray Grant - motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report: Marjorie Blackwell. As of 7-1-02: Checking Account: $ 35,257.39; Money Market: $108,221.68.

Board Appointments: At Large Members: Bill Geary (MVP), Dave LeBlanc (NE), Harriett Kinnett (MVP) Isabelle Fraser (PVAC) & Priscilla Davis (NE). Motion made to accept these nominations by Ray Grant, 2nd by Dan Warner, motion passed.

Calendar Committee: As of today, MBM will be running Seniors, and there has been no bid for 13 & Overs.

The Swimposium is scheduled to be held at the lovely new, updated Seekonk facility. Genadijus Slokolovas will be speaking, and rumor has it that he is excellent. Bob & Helen Brown will be speaking with the officials, and Ryan Berube, Amanda Atkins and Courtney Shealey will be with the athletes.

Technical Committee: The meeting will be held on August 5, 2002, 5 pm for the dinner, 6pm for the meeting. Mary Riddell will send out Mary Gentry's information - it is 9 pages to review at the Technical Meeting. Distance events are $3.50.

Zone Committee: Entries are due after 12 & Unders and before 13 & Overs. Times submitted for consideration for the Zone team must be proven - there is a question as to whether NE will accept Y times & Bay State Games. Decision is that the meet must be sanctioned or approved to use the times for application consideration.

USA Swimming Convention: Mary needs the names of those attending by mid-August. A significant discussion at convention will involve the raising of dues by USA Swimming, From $25 to $40 for an individual, from $50 to $75 for a family, plus an additional $1 per year for the next 10 years. Discussion as to how this will affect NE and national swimming. The average age of a US swimmer is 11.5 years, National is trying to attract more swimmers with shows and projects directed directly at that age group, through TV shows on Nickelodeon TV.

Web Site: The Webmaster will post results from out of district competitions if given the link. Results should go to NESwim.com. They should be either zipped backup copy of HyTek meet manager data base OR a copy of a CL2 file OR a copy of SDIF file. Discussion about how difficult it is to use results of the swimmers ID codes are not correct. Get those ID Codes right!

Officials: There has been a minor rule change for the backstroke.

Athletes Representatives: Special Olympics went very well, over 100 NE athletes came out to assist in the event. The activities were hindered by the poor weather, but Priscilla Davis commented that both the competitors and our NE athletes did a terrific job nontheless.

Safety Awareness: The safety awareness contest will go out by email.

New Business: There has been a request by ABF and Rams for additional subsidy for the meet they ran at URI at the end of short course. The financial report has been submitted. Motion made to grant additional subsidy by Fred Catalano, 2nd by Bill Geary, motion passed.

Priscilla Davis requests that all teams measure their pool and send the results to her if they are contemplating hosting competitions. No bid will be accepted without measurements. Priscilla's email is listed under the Board Members list on the website.

Kathy Dacey should send revised June meeting minutes to Rick Osterberg to be posted on the Website.

Bruce Mohl commented that Jenny Tompson swam 2 Olympic Qualifying times at the Quebec Cup. All are remined that Jenny is 29 years old, and currently a medical student in NYC.

This meeting is Laura Blackwell's last as Sr. Athlete Rep., as she is off to Emory University in the fall. Laura was presented with an embroidered blanket and flowers to thank her for her two years of outstanding service to New England Swimming.

The next meeting of the Board will be held on September 17, 2002 at the Wellesley Community Center at 7 p.m.

Motion made to adjourn by Isabelle Fraser, 2nd by Priscilla Davis.

Meeting adjourned 8:33 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathy Dacey, Secretary