General Chairman Jeff Gray called the meeting to order at the High Plains Community Center in Orange, CT at 7:42 P.M.

Present: Peter Boucher, Ed Doernberger, Dennis Flores (arrived 7:50 p.m.), Jeff Gray, David Heller, Mike Huffman, Henk Jensen, Ellen Johnston, Susan Lecza (arrived 8:00 p.m.), Rick Lewis, Christine Pelham, Barry Silver, Judy Snow, Bonnie Strittmatter.

Not Present: Bruce Collins, Dana Gnerre, Chris Hug, Michael Ferraro and Lauren Solernou.

Also Present: Nan Cooper.

Introductory Remarks: Chairman Gray discussed correspondence received from Jeff Allen (Wilton) regarding cancellation of the Fall House of Delegates Meeting and the failure to post the 2009 time standards in a more timely manner. Chairman Gray responded to Coach Allen’s correspondence.

Additions to the Agenda: Appointment of a CSI Nominating Committee; Time Standards; Open Water Swimming; Discussion re: Unpaid Eastern Zone Participant Fee; Golden Goggle Awards Banquet.

Approval of the Agenda: A motion to accept the Agenda as Amended was unanimously approved.

Approval of the Minutes: A motion to accept the minutes of the June 18, 2008 Board of Directors meeting was unanimously approved.

Wesleyan Timing System Discussion

The Wesleyan Timing System Committee has spoken with the Wesleyan Aquatic Staff regarding various timing system issues including the current condition of the Wesleyan timing system. The Committee is still working on further investigation and development of the timing system issues.

Coach Travel Assistance for 2008 Olympic Trials

Proposal presented by Christine Pelham to provide travel assistance of $500.00 for each CSI Coach who received an Olympic Trials Meet Deck Pass pursuant to the regulations set forth in the Olympic Trials Meet Handbook.

Motion was made and seconded to offer reimbursement up to $500.00 to any CT Swimming Representative, with out of pocket expenses that have not been reimbursed by their Club or Employer, which expenses were incurred for attendance and participation at the 2008 Olympic Trials.

The Motion was unanimously approved.

2008 CSI Volunteer of the Year

Barry Silver of the New Canaan YMCA was nominated and unanimously selected as the 2008 CSI Volunteer of the Year.

Approval of Athlete Travel Funds for 2007-2008

A motion was made and seconded and unanimously approved for Athlete Travel Funding in the amount of $ 26,212.50. See Handout.

Approval of Coach Education Grants for 2007-2008

The following Coach Grants were unanimously approved: $500.00 – Coach Marci Berlinski (GLAS); $500.00 – Coach Susan Lecza (BRS); $500.00 – Coach Jennifer Lyman (HMST); $250.00 – Coach Wayne Brusseau (CAC); and $250.00 – Coach Ken Pierson (HMST).

Senior Time Standards

Discussion led by Coaches Rick Lewis and Henk Jensen regarding dates for setting future Senior Time Standards. Motion to accept Senior Time Standards unanimously approved.

Golden Goggle Awards

General Chair Grey announced that USA Swimming is attempting to convince Metro, New Jersey and CT LSC’s to attend the 2008 Golden Goggle Awards Ceremony in New York City. USA Swimming announced that if an LSC purchased tickets for an 8 person table at the Awards Ceremony for $10,000.00 that the LSC would be able to invite a group of LSC swimmers to sit in the Balcony at the Awards Ceremony for no additional charge. CT Swimming unanimously decided not to attend.

Zone Team Participant Fee Dispute

A participant on a CT Zone team still owes Zone fees in the amount of $ 328.00. A motion was made and seconded and unanimously approved to initiate a Small Claims Court action to recover the outstanding money.

2009 CSI Elections Nominating Committee

General Chairman Gray appointed the following individuals to serve on the 2009 CSI Nominating Committee: Peter Boucher, Omar Cruz, David Heller, Jennifer Lyman, Christine Pelham and Dan Zeek.

Open Water Swimming

CSI’s Open Water Swimming Committee to be re-activated. David Heller appointed Chairman of the Committee for 2008-2009. The Committee is to report to the Program Development Committee. Discussion conducted regarding Open Water Swim Camp and Open Water Swimming Competitions.

2008 USA Swimming Convention Report

The following Convention attendees gave brief reports regarding their experiences and the information that they obtained during the Convention held in September 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia: Dennis Flores, David Heller, Henk Jensen, Ellen Johnston, Christine Pelham, and Judy Snow. In addition, Christine Pelham initiated a discussion regarding the formation of a Diversity/Outreach Committee.

Administrative Vice Chair – Chris Hug
No Report.

Treasurer – Sue Lecza
Discussion conducted regarding CSI Balance Sheet and Profit and Loss Charts. See Handout.

Finance Vice Chair – Bonnie Strittmatter
Discussion conducted regarding CSI Investment Portfolio. See Handout.

Age Group Committee – Peter Boucher
Peter Boucher reported that Dan Mascolo had expressed interest in being considered as a possible Nominee for Age Group Chair. Chris Wilson and Judy Senft had expressed interest in being possible Age Group Championship Meet Managers. The Age Group Committee conducted a very successful and well attended College Swimming Seminar at Southern CT State University in New Haven on October 4, 2008. Over 140 swimmers and their parents attended the Seminar. Special thanks to Seminar Panelists Steinnagel, Quill, Ball, Bolick and Perelman. The Age Group Committee intended to submit the Age Group Time Standards to the Program Development Committee as soon as possible.

Senior Committee – Henk Jansen
Katie Gardocki was selected by the Committee as the CSI Swimmer of the Year. The Committee was scheduled to conduct a Joint Meeting with the Age Group Committee on November 5, 2008.

Program Development – Rick Lewis
The Committee discussed the availability of Wesleyan University’s pool for Summer 2009 long course meets. The next Committee meeting will be held on November 18, 2008. No Committee meeting was conducted during October of 2008.

Program Operations – Barry Silver
The standard Meet Announcement template is working well. Special thanks to Nan Cooper for her efforts to implement and support usage of the template. The new Swim Meet Warm-up Policy adopted by CSI in 2008 is in effect for the 2008-2009 short course season. The mandatory Meet Selection Meeting Attendance requirements are to be reviewed by the Committee.

Technical Planning – Ellen Johnston
A Technical Planning Committee Meeting is to be conducted prior to the end of 2008.

Coach Representative – Dennis Flores
Coach Flores described his experiences and observations from the 2008 USA Swimming Convention that he recently attended.

Athlete Representative - Dana Gnerre/Lauren Solernou
No Report

Coach at Large – Christine Pelham
Discussion conducted regarding the re-activation of the Diversity Outreach Committee.

Safety – Bruce Collins
No Report

Officials – Mike Huffman
The annual Official’s Meeting was held in October in Wethersfield and was very well attended. Various Officials Clinics for both new and experienced officials are being held at various locations throughout the State.

Registration – Judy Snow
Judy reported on the status of 2009 USA registrations and provided an update regarding information pertaining to Safety Training for Swim Coaches. See Handout.

Next meeting to be conducted on January 21, 2009.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 P.M.

Respectfully submitted,