MINUTES of NCASRA BOARD of DIRECTORS MEETING June 6, 2006

I.          The NCASRA Board was called to order by the President at 7:37 PM, June 6, 2006 in the library of Thomas Jefferson HSST.  Thirty-Six voting members were present as follows:

II.         Secretary Report.  John White: 

            A.  The Minutes of the May 2, 2006 Board meeting were read and approved as amended.

III.       President’s Report. John Brownell: 

            A.  Freshmen Events – Freshmen will not be a championship event and the Ted Phoenix regatta will be the SRAA qualifying venue.  Coaches want the freshmen back in the VSRC.  The VSRC went over the allowed number of races.  Derek Parsons reiterated the VSRC will not be the qualifier, the Ted Phoenix will be.  It was proposed to change the VSRC  races to fit the freshmen at the Occoquan, but was not a motion for vote.

            B.  An email from Paul Jansen, the FCPS Director of Student Activities, was read and John said it’s good news / bad news … crew may be a recognized varsity sport by VHSL but there may be other requirements affecting things such as insurance and coaches’ stipends.  The email will be sent to all members (and is attached to these minutes). It needs to be clarified and determine if/how it will affect our organization (NCASRA).  A small group will review … volunteers included Craig Trumbull and TJ Kozikowski.

            C.  Gerry Connally, Chair if the Fairfax County Board, wants to honor the Fairfax County students that attended SRAA and Stotesbury regattas.  Turn in the names to the Secretary, John White, by June 13^th, they are due to Connally’s office June 20^th.

            D.  Congratulations were extended to all teams that participated in the Stotesbury Cup and SRAA regattas.

IV.       Vice President’s Report.  Rob Ittig: NTR

V.        Treasurer’s Report.  Lee West:  The May 2006 financial statement was reviewed.  End-of-year report will be mailed at the end of June.  Checks were passed out to the participants in revenue sharing.  Final bills for regatta fees were mailed out “today.”  Lee had previously stated that USRowing is briefing bylaws and constitution revisions and passed out a flier with information where to find these items on line and make comments.  Only organizations (not individuals) have a vote.

VI.       Representative’s Reports.

            A.   Crew Council.  Kerry Donley:  There was no Crew Council meeting last month, the next meeting is in September 2006.  The Crew Council approved a letter stating support for the Georgetown University boathouse and a request for Thomas Jefferson to participat in the Royal Henley regatta.

            B.   Anacostia Community Boathouse Association.  Vaughan Olbrys:  Stated that the ACBA will sponsor a fall rowing program (Sep 18 - Nov 4) to help expand rowing to a broader scholastic community.

            C.   Coaches Association.  Bryan Tylander:  Next Coaches meeting is June 24, 2006.

            D.   USRA Referees.  Ryz Obuchowicz:  The season went well and he had no additional comments. Future referee staffing is a concern.  Tri meets are placing a strain on staffing resources … they must be looked at for next year to ensure blanaced staffing.

            E.   Sandy Run Park.  James Short:  There is a new form to request park services such as camp.  After Labor Day, the wave pool at Eisenhower Park in Cameron Run will be available for safety training.

            F.   Thompson Boat Center.  Gary Weeden:  NTR

VII.      Coordinator Reports.

            A.   Communications/Programs.  Steve Lee:  NTR

            B.   DLOC.  Michael Mutter:  Stated we need to examine how to staff the lower boat regatta (two volunteer shifts vice one).

            C.    OLOC.  Lee West:  Thanked all the parents for his/her support.

            D.   Personnel.  Mark Lindon:  Stated it was a great year and thanked all the volunteers.  Final list of no-shows will be forwarded to Lee for levy of fines.  He was requested to read the names of the no-shows, which he did.  He said consideration should be given for having a regatta standby list for next year.

            E.    Training.  TJ Kozikowski:  NTR

            F.   Trophies.  Mike Stilwell:  NTR

            G.   Web Master.  Ron West:  NTR

VIII.     Committee Reports.

            A.   Audit.  Steve Lee:   NTR

            B.   Bylaws.  John White:  Bylaws changes addressed under old business later in the meeting. 

            C.   Coaches Development.  Ryz Obuchowicz:   NTR

            D.   Concessions.  Lee West: NTR

            E.   Corporate Sponsorship.  TJ Kozikowski:    NTR

            F.   Coxswain Certification.  Ryz Obuchowicz:  NTR

            G.   Grievance.  Miller Kehlet:    NTR

            H.   Historian.  Ed Wells:  NTR

            I.    Nomination.  Ryz Obuchowicz:  NTR.  Vote on 2006 officers later in the meeting.

IX.       Reading and Consideration of Communications.  None

X.        Old Business.  Rob Ittig addressed the proposed bylaws changes in John White’s absence.

            A.  Discussion centered on Article XV, Section 4, having to do with sanctions for booster organizations that have unexcused absences from meetings.  The article was amended to remove any reference to loss of “good standing” and, instead, a scheme for increasing fines was added: 1^st unexcused absence - warning;  2^nd absence - $100 fine;  3^rd absence - $200 fine;  4^th absence - $400 fine.  Further unexcused absences would result in continued doubling of the fine.

            B.  The first fall meeting will be October 3 vice 10 to avoid the Columbus Day holiday weekend. 

The Bylaws were approved as amended above by unanimous voice vote.

            B.  Key Dates Schedule for 2006-2007 passed out.  A DLOC regatta is not scheduled for April 8^th, Easter Weekend.

XI.       New Business. 

            A.  A letter will be sent to the Stotesbury Committee thanking them for the changes and improvements this year. 

            B.  A motion was made to grant $500 to the TJ Varsity to attend the Royal Henley.  The Board approved by unanimous voice vote.

            C.  Election of Officers for 2006-2007.  The election of officers resulted in the following:  President - Robert C. Ittig;  Vice President - H. Carl Wick;  Treasurer - Lela W. West;  Secretary - John D. White.

XII.      Announcements.

            A.  The next meeting is Tuesday, October 3, 2006 in the TJHSST Cafeteria.

            B.  SRAA regatta will be at the Cooper River next year

            C.  Email John White (jdwhiteii@verizon.net) with booster roster changes as soon as known.

            D.  June 10 and 17 – Sandy Run race course removal.  Volunteers needed.

            E.  Prince William Crew Association open rowing Summer Novice Crew Camp in July.

XIII.     Adjournment.  The meeting adjourned at 9:35 PM.

                   //S//

            John D. White

            Secretary