CALL TO ORDER: Jim Mohr, General Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7:15 P.M.; 42 members signed in. (Please see attached Meeting Sign-in for participants.)

INTRODUCTIONS: Mohr asked members attending their first House of Delegates meeting to introduce themselves: Brian Hancy, FAST; Bill Herrema, SWAT; Rob McCabe, J-HAWK; Susan Taylor, SHOR.

1. REVIEW OF MINUTES: Dale Nickels moved and Jim Klancnik seconded approval of the January 25, 2000 meeting minutes.

2. REPORTS OF OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS

General Chairman: Mohr announced:

Start Time for Meeting: The scheduled start time future Hose of Delegates meetings: 7:15 P.M.

USA Swimming Disabilities Championships: Craig Laufenberg, from Janesville, Wisconsin represented Wisconsin Swimming when he competed in USA Swimming Disability Championships in Indianapolis, June 23-25.

Central Zone Manual: This updated Manual now is available. It includes opportunities for Clubs to bid on Central Zone Championship Meets.

Treasurer: Mary Schneider, Treasurer, reported on the financial status of Wisconsin Swimming, Inc., AKA the Local Swimming Committee (LSC), as of June 25, 2000 (See Financial reports attached):
 
 

Schneider commented that: 1) significant expenses from the Travel Fund remained to be paid when she receives requests for reimbursements for swimmers competing in this year’s USA Swimming Junior Championships and Olympic Trials and determines the number LSC athletes competing in the Central Zone Championships; 2) the awards expense exceeded this year’s budgeted amount because the LSC purchased awards for its Championship Meets for two years (2000 & 2001) to obtain better pricing; and 3) the LSC receives its most of its income from registrations which occur in Fall. Schneider also provided the Meet Financial Statements from the Meet Hosts for the LSC Short Course Championships. (Attached)

Administrative Chairman: Barb Stirn, Administrative Chairman and Meet Sanctioning Officer, reviewed the draft 2000-01 Fall-Winter Meet Schedule. Cathie Marty moved and Mike Young seconded accepting the 2000 –2001 Fall - Winter Meet Schedule as corrected by Clubs present. Motion passed. Stirn also: 1) noted that the four Clubs that bid for and will host the LSC’s four 2001 Sectional Meets differed from last year’s host Clubs and asked the Age Group Chairman to re-align the LSC Clubs to the new Meet sites; and 2) stated that she has sanctioned or approved over 100 Swim Meets to date this year, including dual Meets that do not pay into the LSC Travel Fund.

Age Group Chairman: Steve Scheissl, Age Group Chairman, agreed that the Age Group Committee will re-align the LSC Clubs for the 2001 Sectional Meets prior to the LSC Long Course Championships in late July. Scheissl reported on the April 26, 2000 Age Group Committee Meeting:

Format for the LSC 2001 Sectional Meets: Meets will be "last chance" Meets for swimmers to qualify for the LSC Short Course Championships and a swimmer may compete only in events for which he/she has not achieved an LSC qualifying time for a Short Course Championships. A change in the Meet format, intended to "even out" the length of morning and afternoon sessions, combines the 9 - 10 Year and the 11-12 Year age groups in the morning sessions and the 8 Year & Under, 13-14 Year, and Senior age groups in the afternoon sessions. Also, to provide opportunities for many boys who have been competing in high school swimming, to qualify for the longer events, the Committee proposes to move some 200-yard events to Sunday. (See attachment, Draft 2001 Sectionals, Order of Events.) The Committee will discuss the Sectional Meet format and the LSC Short Course Championships at its October and make its final recommendations at the October 24^th House of Delegates meeting.

Pay Certain LSC Positions: The Age Group Committee proposes to pay certain positions within the LSC with money saved by not reimbursing swimmers competing in USA Swimming’s Junior Championships as USA Swimming has eliminated this competition. Mohr referred the matter to the Technical Planning Committee.

Collect Splash Fee from Relay Only Swimmers: The Age Group Committee proposes collecting the Splash Fee from "relay only" swimmers competing in LSC Championship Meets. Currently, only swimmers competing in individual events, in any Meet, pay a Splash Fee. Mohr referred the matter to the Rules Committee.

Team Wisconsin Open Water Coach: The Age Group Committee proposes paying a coach expressly to coach the open water competitors at the Central Zone Championship Meet (Age Group) to enhance event visibility and to recruit open water swimmers. The Age Group Committee will further develop this proposal.

Registration/Membership Chairman: Mohr reported for Carol Graham, Registration/Membership Chairman, that the LSC has:

Annual Registration: Graham will mail USA Swimming’s 2001 registration/membership materials in August. Please advise Graham of any changes in Club Presidents, Head Coaches, and Registration Coordinators to insure timely receipt of materials.

Safety Chairman: Cathie Marty, Safety Chairman, stated that coaches must keep their coach certifications current, by renewing a certification prior to its expiration. A coach must send his/her new certification to Graham who then will issue a new USA Swimming membership card with the current certification dates. Marty commended Menomonee Falls Swim Club for doing a good job in reporting accidents. For outdoor Meets or practices, Marty reminded members of foul weather practices -- clear the pool at the first sight of lightning or sound of thunder, and for at least 15 minutes after the last lighting or thunder, and to find a safe place – not the shower, cars are safer. Marty reported that Pete Christiansen died from cancer on June 22^nd; he had been associated with age group swimming in Wisconsin for over 30 years as a parent, club officer, official, and member of the Officials Committee. Marty moved and Patty Kramer seconded having the LSC send a one hundred dollar ($100) memorial in Pete Christiansen’s name to the American Cancer Society. Motion passed.

Technical Planning Chairman: Dave Anderson, Technical Planning Chairman, reported on the Committee’s meeting on March 11, 2000:

Splash Fee: The Committee recommends extending the splash fee to all "relay only" swimmers. Such a policy would treat "relay only" swimmers like other swimmers entered in a Meet. Currently a swimmer entered in an individual event pays a $1.25 splash fee for a regular season Meet and pays a $3 splash fee (if 12 years or under) or $5 splash fee (if 13 years or older) for a LSC Championship Meet. Mohr referred the recommendation to the Rules Committee.

Financing Travel Fund: The Committee recommends two means to finance the LSC Travel Fund:

Plan A:

1. Maintain the LSC’s current policies for reimbursing swimmers competing in USA Swimming’s National Championships and Olympic Trials;.
2. Continue to require swimmers to compete in three LSC Championships to be eligible for travel reimbursement;
3. Permit a swimmer to receive travel fund support either for competing in a Central Zone (age group) Championship Meet (through reduction in registration fees) or for competing in the new Central Zone (Senior, Summer) Sectional Meet, but not both in the same year;
4. Do not provide financial assistance to a swimmer competing in the Central Zone (senior, Winter) Meet;
5. Allocate a maximum of one hundred dollars ($100) per year for travel support for a swimmer competing in a Central Zone Meet; and
6. Decrease a Club’s contribution to the LSC from its Meet entry fees to fifteen percent (15%) for individual event fees of $2.00 or less or for a "quality" Meet and to twenty percent (20%) for all other individual entry fees.

1. Endow the LSC Travel Fund to reimburse swimmers competing in USA Swimming’s National Championships and Olympic Trials; and
2. Collect five percent (5%) from all Meets to fund LSC work , i.e., lobbyist, facility construction, etc.

Drew Walden moved and Blaine Carlson seconded establishing fifteen percent (15%) as a Club’s contribution to the LSC from its Meet entry fees for all Meets regardless of the amount of the entry fee or the type of Meet. Since this motion would change Section 2.8.2.of the LSC Rules, a discussion and vote will occur at the next House of Delegates meeting in October.

Athletes’ Representatives: No report. The Age Group Chairman will assist the Athlete Representatives in conducting the election of a Junior Athlete Representative at the LSC Long Course Championships.

Coaches’ Representative: No report.

3. REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

Camps: Lynn Winnicki, Camps Committee Chairman, reported that the Camp for swimmers 12 years and under had 43 participants and the Camp for swimmers 13 years and over had thirty participants – fewer swimmers that in prior years. She had sent this year’s Camps information to Club Head Coaches to distribute to qualified swimmers. In prior years, she had sent the information directly to swimmers. She seeks assistance in conducting the 2001 Camps.

Club Development: No report.

Finance: Mike Young, Finance Committee Chairman, reported.

LSC Audit: The Committee conducted an audit on June 8, 2000 of the LSC accounting records and found them to be in good order.

LSC Investment Policy: Young reported that the LSC now places its reserves in Certificates of Deposits (CDs) with an annual rate of return of about seven percent. He reported further that the LSC Board had approved at its meeting earlier on June 27^th, patterning its investing policies after those of USA Swimming, namely:

Officials: Susan Zblewski, Officials Committee Chairman, reported.

New Officials: The results of the Spring New Officials Training Clinics are: 23 Stroke and Turn Judges and 7 Starter/Referees.

Whistle Starts: Implemented on May 1^st, the whistle start has been well received. For consistency, referees will whistle four to five short chirps when the last swimmer in the prior heat reaches the backstroke flags to advise the swimmers in the next heat to prepare to swim as swimmers need time between the "get prepared to swim" whistle and the "step up" whistle.

LSC Designated Meet Officials: Zblewski announced that the LSC designated officials for the Long Course Championships will be Shelia Strock and Susan Zblewski for the 13 and over Meet and Susan Taylor and another official to be named for the 12 and under Meet.

Meet Marshals: Zblewski expressed a concern for a Club’s having sufficient Meet Marshals on deck to insure a safe environment for warm-ups and during the Meet. A Meet Marshal must be a USA Swimming member. Only swimmers, coaches, officials, and Meet workers are permitted on deck during warm-ups and a Meet.

Officials Directory: As this document is costly to redistribute each time it is updated, the most current Officials Directory is posted on the LSC web site, www.wisconsinswimming.org. She will continue to publish a paper copy of the Officials Directory annually and she will mail a copy upon request.

USA Swimming Officials Clinic: Al Schmidt represented the LSC at this Clinic last May at Lake Placid, New York. He reported: that USA Swimming is hosting a meeting in August of representatives of the NCAA, YMCA, National High School Federation, and FINA to discuss movement to a single set of technical rules for swimming; and USA Swimming is considering Rule changes concerning the breaststroke and the backstroke. He also reported on two issues that the LSC requested: 1) Swimmer dove into the pool during a USA Swimming Junior Championship Meet – the Referee discussed with the swimmer the need for feet first entry, but the swimmer was not disciplined; and 2) Swimmer swam under the bulkhead – the swimmer was disqualified from his/her next individual event, but the decision was overturned and the swimmer did compete in the event. Schmidt said that Wisconsin Swimming in accord with USA Swimming Rule 102.10.3 and the Introduction to the Technical Rules could disqualify a swimmer for diving into the pool during warm-ups. (Please refer to his complete report attached.)

Kramer moved and Schneider seconded disqualifying a swimmer who dives into the pool during warm-ups at the LSC Long Course Championship Meet from his/her next individual event. Motion failed.

Records, OVC’s and Top 16 : Jackie Groiss, OCV and Records Chairman, stated that updates for Wisconsin Swimming Long Course Records and nominations for USA Swimming Top 16 Reportable Times are due to her by September 15, 2000.

Rules: On behalf of Dave Dahler, Rules Committee Chairman, Mohr distributed proposed changes for discussion/vote at the next House of Delegates meeting. Proposed Rule changes concern: 1) Meet Sanctions; 2) LSC Distance Rule in conducting a Meet; and 3) Fine for Unregistered Athlete Competing in a Meet. A proposed By-law change would require, for consistently in the By-laws, twenty days written notice of House of Delegates meetings.

Zone Championships: Patty Kramer, Team Wisconsin Manager, reported.

Budget: The LSC Board approved a Team Wisconsin budget and swimmer registration fees at its April 3, 2000 meeting of $58,000 based on an anticipated 175 swimmers, 10 coaches and staff, and 25 chaperones and an LSC contribution of $125 per swimmer. Primary anticipated costs are: Lodging ($10,000), Meals ($12,300), Transportation ($15,000), Uniforms ($12,000), Staff Stipends ($4,800) and Entry Fees ($3,500). Swimmer Registration fees are:

Coaches: The Team Wisconsin Coaches, as elected by coaches at the LSC 12 & Under Short Championships are: Brent Brock (EBSC), Teri DeGrand (GBSC), Wagner DaSilva (MGM), Steve Keller (OZ), Jim Polley (NLSC), Eric Severson (BAC), Lynn Winnicki (WBSC), and Neil Wright (SEAY).

Arrangements: Walters Swim Supplies and Image Gear won bids to provide uniforms (swim suit, 2 caps, 3 t-shirts, shorts, sweatshirt for swimmers; 3 polo shirts and 1 pair shorts for coaches and manager; and polo shirt and 2 t-shirts for chaperones); Riteway won the bid to provide coaches for transportation; and University of North Dakota will provide lodging in an air-conditioned dormitory and meals through a campus cafeteria.

Distribution of Information: Kramer sent Team Wisconsin registration information packets to Club Presidents and Head Coaches and LSC Board members in early June.

Nominations: Kramer presented the nominations:

Marty moved and Linda Eberle seconded electing candidates by unanimous ballot. Motion passed.

4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: None

5. NEW BUSINESS

Outstanding Service Award: Cris Lewis announced the nominations for the LSC 2000 Outstanding Service Award (Please see the written nominations attached):

Club Press Releases: Anderson moved and Kramer seconded having Clubs submit newspaper articles to the LSC that promote swimming and the 2000 Olympics and the LSC dividing $1,000 among all Clubs that submit such articles prior to the end of the 2000 Olympics. Motion passed by a roll call vote: 16 Yes; 15 No; 0 Abstentions. Anderson agreed to collect the articles.

Wisconsin Swimming Web Site: Dale Nickels, Web Master, will place on Wisconsin Swimming’s web site, www.wisconsinswimming.org, all LSC forms, as provided by the appropriate LSC Committee chairmen.

USA Swimming Safety Award: Marty announced that USA Swimming is accepting nominations for its "Safety Commendation." (See attached for nomination form.)

7. NEXT MEETING: October 24, 2000 (Tuesday), 7:15 P.M.

8. ADJOURNMENT: Meeting adjourned at 9:58 P.M. by consensus.
 
 
 
 

Prepared by _______________________________________ September 12, 2000
Patricia A. Kramer, Secretary, Wisconsin Swimming, Inc.

Attachments: Meeting Sign-In, LSC Financial Reports, Host Club Financial Reports for LSC SC Championships, Age Group Committee Report, Draft 2001 Sectional Order of Events, Technical Committee Report, Finance Committee LSC Audit Report & Investment Policy Recommendations, Officials Committee Report, Al Schmidt’s Report, Proposed Rules, Outstanding Service Award Nominations, Original Press Release Proposal, USA Swimming "Safety Commendation Nomination Form.

cc: Carol Burch, USA Swimming, Inc.