MINUTES of NCASRA BOARD of DIRECTORS MEETING February 7, 2006

I.          The NCASRA Board was called to order by the President at 7:35 PM, February 7, 2006 in the library of Thomas Jefferson HSST.  Forty-One voting members were present as follows:

II.         Secretary Report.

            A.  The Minutes of the January 10, 2006 Board meeting were read and approved as amended (one name added to attendance) by unanimous voice vote.  John White called the Board’s attention to the Liability Waiver Form Certification being due by March 18, 2006.  It is noted the following schools still need to identify an OLOC or DLOC representative: Bishop Ireton, National Cathedral, Oakton, Robinson, St Albans, South County, Walter Johnson, Wilson, and Woodbridge.

III.       President’s Report.

            A.  John Brownell noted there are several Administrative requirements due the week of March 13 (refer to the NCASRA web site “Important Dates” - five items listed). 

The Rule Book is not out yet with some items still under discussion, in particular the lightweight rowers program, which is based on the wrestling program in effect at schools now.  The biggest change to the lightweight procedures is elimination of the two-hour window for re-weigh (if within 2 lbs of the maximum allowance) … immediate re-weigh “at the end of the line” only will be permitted.  To assist NCASRA administration of the lightweight program, the Crew Council has provided two precision scales for weigh-ins.  NCASRA will purchase two additional identical scales so that two will be on site each Sandy Run and Potomac/Anacostia. 

The Head of Concessions for the U.S. Park Service sites on the Potomac agreed to present to the Park Service for approval a banner design for display at the Thompson Boat Center to advertise regatta sponsorship.  The design will contain the regatta name, the sponsor’s name, and the “US Park Service” in a font that’s 2/3 the size of regatta name.

            The effort to obtain boat storage space in the Lorton complex has gained favorable reception.  Steve Mutty (Lake Braddock) expanded the discussion saying he is in touch with the Lorton Arts Foundation (LAF), the entity developing the complex at Route 123 and Lorton Road.  Steve will be looking at a building that might have potential for boat storage.  LAF is intrigued about the opportunity to adaptively re-use a building in a way that would serve the needs of several area Crew organizations.  Chris Caperton, the coordinator for the Laurel Hill Historic District, is in favor and has asked a lot of good questions and will discuss plans with the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA).  Chris also referred Steve to John Breheny, who heads up a foundation working with FCPA to bring a major Sportsplex to the site of the old youth reform school site, also part of Laurel Hill.  Chris believes that there are many existing structures that lend themselves to storage of boats.  Steve has been advised to approach Fairfax County with support from the Principal of South County High School and other officials and ask them to carve a building out of the upcoming request for proposal (RFP) to re-develop the site.  This RFP is due out in April.  A favorable outcome could give us a building to store boats for a very long time.  Steve will get the process started next week if nobody objects.

            John Brownell mentioned the rule about NCASRA membership “good standing” (Article IV, Section 1 of the Bylaws), which includes each organization providing volunteers, paying dues, attending meetings, and assisting the LOC as requirements for team participation in regattas.

IV.       Vice President’s Report.  NTR

V.        Treasurer’s Report.  The January financial statement was reviewed with Lee West providing explanation of the “non-owned auto” insurance coverage that protects any private vehicle use in support of NCASRA.  She stated that eight schools have not paid 2006 dues that were due January 1^st … DeMatha, Forest Park, Holy Cross, Mathews, McLean, Robinson, Elizabeth Seton, Wakefield. 

VI.       Representative’s Reports.

            A.   Crew Council.  Mike Dobson reminded the BOD that the 2006 Rule Book signature sheet, page 37 of  the NCASRA Supplement to the USRowing Rules of Rowing (three signatures - Head Coach, Booster President, School AD) is to be turned in to him by March 13, 2006.  Note: this is one of several requirements without which teams cannot row in NCASRA regattas.

            B.   Anacostia Community Boathouse Association.  Vaughn Olbrys said that wakeless launches requirement on the Anacostia issue is still possible (vice likely) and the discussion is ongoing.  There is nothing new on the 11^th Street Bridge repair/construction project.

            C.   Coaches Association.  Bryan Tylander:  Next coaches meeting is February 18^th.

            D.   USRA Referees.  Ryz Obuchowicz:  Referee clinic this Saturday, February 11^th.  He reminded everyone for each booster organization to send one person to the candidate presentation.  He said he received a suggestion to recruit referee candidates at the end of the season, however, doing that would eliminate training opportunity at regattas until the following year … not a practical approach.

            E.   Sandy Run Park.  James Short:  Park is open as of February 1^st.  Safety meeting for all teams that practice at Sandy Run, Bull Run, and Occoquan Regional Parks is February 15^th at 7:30 PM, NVRPA HQ, 5400 Ox Road.  By March 1^st all two-stroke engines must  be removed from Park property.  On March 31^st, all launches require current VA registration stickers … those that don’t have it are subject to disposal by the Park staff.  Launches are to be well identified with the school name.  The lock at Bull Run has been changed (and keys provided to teams located there).  Sandy Run has a new phone answering system with an option giving the rowing/water conditions (the number is 703 690-4392 … Option #2 is water conditions).  Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for those teams located on the Occoquan has been mailed to the booster presidents.  The booster president, head coach, and school AD or representative, must sign and returned to the Park Manager along with a copy of insurance before a team will be allowed on the water.

            F.   Thompson Boat Center.  NTR

VII.      Coordinator Reports.

            A.   Communications/Programs.  Lee West spoke for Steve Lee:  Requests for team photos are to be emailed to Steve (stevelee4909@aol.com).

            B.   DLOC.  Michael Mutter:  He is still assembling a staff for the season but a number of schools are missing a DLOC representative - Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Bishop Ireton, Bishop O’Connell, National Cathedral, St Albans, Walter Johnson, Whitman, and Wilson.  All required regatta permits have been submitted.  A safety meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, February 16^th at 7:30 PM at the Harbor Police Office on Maine Avenue in Washington, D.C.  Email notification to follow.

            C.    OLOC.  Lee West:  OLOC meeting is February 22^nd at 7:30 PM in the NVRPA HQ, 5400 Ox Road … this is for the OLOC representatives and will be a “working meeting” to sort out regatta and support responsibilities.  Sandy Run work days: February 11 and 18 on-land; February 4, 11, and 18 on-water race course installation.  Time is 9 AM to 1 PM each day.

            D.   Personnel.  Mark Lindon:  The Volunteer Coordinator meeting was held January 17^th.  Some schools have requested to provide fewer launch drivers and he will attempt to accommodate all.  If there are any more requests, get them to Mark early.  Two schools have opted out of revenue sharing … if there are any more wishing to do the same, let him know ASAP.

            E.    Training.  TJ Kozikowski:  Launch Driver Training is March 5 and 12 (make-up date March 19).  Sign up on the NCASRA web site.  Sandy Run (forty slots) and Thompson Boat Center (twenty slots) each session.  The referees in charge are yet to be determined … as soon as known, have the one in charge at Sandy Run contact (email) Lee West and Hal Johnson for coordination.

            For launch operators on the Potomac, a boat safety course run by the Washington, D.C. Harbor Police will be held again at the Alexandria Community Boathouse (at the foot of Madison Street) on Saturday, March 4^th, from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM.  This is the “gold standard” course that will give attendees the certificate required of ANYONE driving a launch on the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers.

            F.   Trophies.  NTR.  Vote on acceptance of the recommended trophy allocation for the Ted Phoenix Regatta is under Old Business below.

            G.   Web Master.  NTR

VIII.     Committee Reports.

            A.   Coaches Development.  Ryz Obuchowicz:  A coach candidate is available, email Ryz (ryz@cox.net) for the curriculum vitae.

            C.   Concessions.  NTR

            D.   Corporate Sponsorship.  TJ Kozikowski:  He met with representatives of Kaiser Permanente to discuss regatta sponsorship.  Kaiser is interested in doing this for other services they offer and see benefiting “community health” in concert with rowing as rowing is considered a “lifetime” sport.    Kaiser’s promotion would also be entered in the NCASRA regatta programs.   TJ also mentioned Glory Days sponsorship and said it would be a much smaller initiative that involves only money donations.

There followed a long discussion on sponsorship issues, including some strong feelings against “selling out” to sponsorship, excluding regatta naming by a sponsor, and that a sponsorship policy/guidelines is needed.  John Brownell said the “policy group” (Corporate Sponsorship Committee) is looking into a sponsorship policy for consideration by the BOD. 

            C.   Coxswain Certification.  Ryz Obuchowicz:  Certification exam in process.  Tentative exam date is Saturday, March 11^th.  Study material is on the NCASRA web site.

            BOD Members asked about the Vespoli coxswain clinic held January 28^th.  Several members had attended and said it was well attended (at least 75 high school students in a “full ballroom”) with parents benefiting from it, too.  The rigging clinic was all hand on.  The only negative comments were about the foul language contained in video tapes (even though some of it was partly bleeped out).

            E.    Historian.  NTR

IX.       Reading and Consideration of Communications.  None

X.        Old Business.  Ten trophies recommended for the Phoenix Regatta by the Trophy Committee were approved by unanimous voice vote as follows:

                        Event                                        Trophy Name                           Trophy Number

            Men’s Freshman Eight              Champaign Bucket                                5

            Women’s Freshman Eight                     Phoenix Trophy                                    56

            Men’s Third Four                                 NVRPA Cup 1                                    50

            Women’s Third Four                            NVRPA Cup 2                                    51

            Men’s Fourth/Novice Eight                   NCASRA Bowl 33                              33

            Women’s Fourth/Novice Eight  Barnette Trophy                                   44

Men’s Fourth/Novice Four                   Mathews Cup                                       45

            Women’s Fourth/Novice Four  Kubal Trophy                                       55

Men’s Fifth Eight                                  President’s Trophy                               52

Women’s Fifth Eight                             Bolland/Dunlap Trophy                         53

XI.       New Business.  None

XII.      Announcements.

            A.  Referee Clinic - Saturday, Feb 11, 8:30 AM, The River School, 4880 MacArthur Blvd NW,

      Washington, D.C.

            B.  DLOC / Potomac Users Safety Meeting - Thursday February 16^th, D.C. Harbor Police Office,

                  south end of Maine Avenue, Washington, D.C.

            C.  Occoquan Users Safety Meeting - February 15, NVRPA HQ, 5400 Ox Road, 7:30 PM

            D.  First Day for On-Water Practice - February 20

            E.  OLOC Meeting - February 22, NVRPA HQ, 5400 Ox Road, 7:30 PM

F.  Sandy Run Work Days - February 11th and 18th (on land), March 4, 11, and 18 (on water

      race course installation).

            G.  Launch Driver Training - Sundays, March 5 and March 12, 1 PM, Sandy Run and Thompson

                  Boat Center

            H.  March 18 - NCASRA Liability Waiver Form Certification due (First Regatta is March 25th).

XIII.     Adjournment.  The meeting adjourned at 8:35 PM.   The next meeting is Tuesday, March 7, 2006 TJHSST Cafeteria.

       //S//

John D. White

Secretary