CONNECTICUT SWIMMING, INC.

House of Delegates

October 19, 1999

Call to Order: The House of Delegates was called to order by General Chairman Mary Anne Condon at 7:35 PM at the High Plains Community Center (Orange, CT).

Present: Board members- Mary Anne Condon, John Abrami, Bill Ball, Ken Block, Steve Carroll, Ed Easley, Bill Krumm, Pam Libertiny, Mary Lynch, Tim Quill, Lauren Taft, Judy Snow, Kathy Walsh and Wendy Whitcomb.

At-Large Delegates: Ed Steinnagel

Also present: Ann McCann (AJSC); Mike Divernierno (ARAC), Larry Frost, Carol Navarro (CAT); Beverly Dyer (FFLY), Peg McDonald (HNHS); Kurt Bittel, Kit Reville, (ICSC); Peter Boucher (LEHY), Carol Feeney (NCY); Colly Sponzo, Jim Ottman, Debra Phillips (OAK); Tim Wise (OMNI), Skip Nitardy (PSDY); Brian Waits, Eileen McHale (RAC), Glenn Wells (SHEL), Cliff Johnston (VSYM), Ed Dingus (WAC); Jeff Allen (WYW) and Nan Cooper.

Approval of Agenda: The agenda was approved as published.

Adoption of Minutes of May 1999 House of Delegates Meeting: The minutes were approved as published.

Welcome/ Announcements/ Chairman’s Report: Mary Anne Condon welcomed all in attendance to the October House of Delegates meeting. She reminded all clubs to have their delegates registered, as roll call will be taken in the May House of Delegates meeting. Mary Anne noted some changes in responsibilities. Nan Cooper will now maintain the CSI web site in the CSI office, as well as the swimmer and official's database. Mary Anne reminded clubs that in year 2000 all clubs would receive mailings via the CSI web site, with email reminders to the club contact. April Haskell (WCA) was appointed Counselor-at- Large, effective immediately. In May, the House of Delegates will vote on bylaw changes to better define this position.

Mary Anne announced that Dan Shevchik (WYW) has been named USA Swimming's top scholar-athlete, again this year. As well as this honor, Dan was named to the Pan Am team and competed in the Pan Am games this past summer, earning a bronze medal. He was also named to the USA Swimming National B team.

Other Connecticut swimmers earning USA Swimming Athlete-Scholar honors were: Amber Johnston (EDST), Kim Richardson (WYW), Lauren Semchyshen (RAC), Laura O'Brien (OMNI), Katie McWilliams (AJSC), Charysse Johnston (WWRX), and Brian Wood (RAC).

CSI would like to institute a formal program of volunteer recognition to thank the many dedicated volunteers that contribute hours of time to CSI. Details of the program are in the works and should be forthcoming next year.

Mary Anne asked for volunteers to serve on CSI committees. CSI is in need of volunteers and many committees need additional members. Sign-up sheets for the various committees were posted.

Reports of Officers

Administrative vice-chairman: Pam Libertiny reported that CSI Scholar- Athlete's program is in its fourth year. This year, 28 Athlete-Scholars will be recognized.

Treasurer: Barbara Ehmer was not present. The financial report will be mailed to all teams.

Finance Vice-Chairman: Mary Anne Condon reported for the finance committee in the absence of the vice-chairman, John McCann. A recommendation to incorporate CSI reserve funds with the USA Swimming investment program shall be discussed and finalized by the Board of Directors. The specifics of CSI's investment have been deferred pending further research into the various investment options.

Age Group Committee: Ken Block reported running a successful LC Age Group Championship meet and thanked all that offered support and helped run this meet. Ken outlined the goals for the Age Group committee. These include strategic planning, promoting age group swimming through the media, setting up a college scholarship program and gaining additional sponsors. Ken would like to see his committee working closely with the senior committee, under Tim Quill. Ken will be working with John Abrami on the USASwimming/CSI camp program. (John Abrami has accepted the position of CSI Camp Coordinator.)

Senior Committee: Tim Quill asked for interested people to serve on the senior committee. He is looking for input and feedback from the CSI swimming community. Tim's primary goal includes reviewing and making recommendations regarding the CSI senior program in light of the upcoming changes beginning in 2001 which include elimination of Juniors Championships and implementation of sectional championships. Tim would like to make this transition as smooth as possible.

Program Development: Steve Carroll recapped Program Development committee accomplishments of last year. Mary Lynch, who assumed Program Development chairmanship, announced that every effort would be made to offer an open water championship meet. Mary who is currently Championship Meet Coordination Chairman for the Eastern Zone would like input regarding the sectional meet. These sectionals will be run at the zone level. Mary stated that USA Swimming now recognizes the longer events for 12/U swimmers. Program Development will look at incorporating these events into our Age Group Championships.

Program Operations: No report.

Coaches Representatives: John Abrami and Bill Ball are responsible for communicating with coaches and providing feedback to the CSI Board of Directors. John asked that coaches stay in touch and input is appreciated. Bill and John are committed to offering coaches clinic in May 2000 as well as a college forum. John will be working on media and outreach. Getting information into geographic areas that have no swim programs will be a top priority.

Technical Planning: No report.

Athletes Representatives: Wendy Whitcomb reported limited success in establishing an athlete board. The athlete representatives are looking for more input from fellow athletes.

Safety Committee: No report.

Official Chairman: Mary Anne reported on Ed Easley's behalf. The number of certified officials has increased as well as the number of national certified officials.

Registration: Judy Snow stated beginning in the year 2000, CSI will offer a “seasonal athlete” membership, which will be available to seasonal swimmers who wish to compete between April and August. Fees will be one half (½) the usual, annual membership. Swimmers may not compete at the Zone or National level with this type of membership. Judy urged all clubs to evaluate this carefully before registering swimmers as seasonal. Upgrading to a full membership requires full payment with no refund of seasonal membership.

REPORTS OF COMMITTEES AND COORDINATORS

Zone team: Mary Anne Condon complimented Anita Garaffa and Sharon Johnston for overseeing a successful summer zone trip. This past summer the zone team traveled as a team by bus to the meet, as is done for short course zones, on a trial basis. Program Development will be evaluating this approach for future long course zone meets. Mary Anne also mentioned that CSI is looking for two new zone coordinators. Please contact Mary Anne if you are interested.

Awards: No report.

Time standards: George Miles was not present, but the time standards for 2000 put forth by George have been approved by Program Development and were distributed.

Technology: Mary Anne reported in Jim Cooper’s absence. She reminded clubs that CSI will be "paperless" beginning September 1, 2000. As the Policy and Procedure Manual and Swim Guide are completed, they will be posted on the web site. Over the course of the year, there will be changes to the graphics and function of the CSI web site.

ELECTIONS

Mary Anne stated that the May House of Delegates will elect the following positions to the CSI board: General Chair, Administrative Chair, Secretary, Finance Chair, Senior Chair, and Program Development.

The Board of Directors nominated Judy Snow, Leanne Spletzer and Pam Libertiny for the board member of the nominating committee. Nominations were taken from the floor for additional members to fill this committee. Jeff Allen (WYW), Skip Nitardy (PSDY), Jim Ottman (OAK) and Larry Frost (CAT) were nominated. It was agreed that Leanne Spletzer would coordinate and chair this committee.

NEW BUSINESS

Questions from the floor: Cliff Johnston inquired as to the $1.00 surcharge per swimmer per meet; why was the surcharge implemented and what is this source of revenue used for? Mary Anne answered by stating the surcharge was implemented in anticipation of increased expenses and has been necessary. Mary Anne conceded that CSI needs to do a better job publicizing the programs that CSI offers to its athlete and nonathlete members, such as heavy subsidy of the zone team, travel reimbursement for athletes attending national meets, awards, elite training camps, etc.

The issue of the new ASCA Level I test completion by new coaches was discussed. It appears that this test is burdensome and could be discouraging to new coaches. This ruling comes from USA Swimming and not the LSC level. CSI will continue to offer ASCA Level I course at the coaches clinics to assist first year coaches.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 PM.

Respectfully submitted,

Nan Cooper, Administrator

Permanent Office