Minutes for the Ordinary Meeting of September 8, 2016

Board Members

Sylvia Ortega (Co-Pres), Martha Corneck (Co-Pres), Eileen Brown (Senior Rep), Ngassam Ngnoumen (8/U Team Parent Rep), John Belpedio (Co-Treasurer), Kerri Rubin-Steele (Co-Treasurer), Lorraine Kennedy (ex-Officio), Tracy Keblish (Co Officials Coordinator), John Wang (Co Officials Coordinator), Tricia Begg (Senior Rep)Adrienne Williams (Escrow Manager), Huong Belpedio (Meet Manager), Lori Blessey (8/U Team Parent Rep), and Ellen Johnston (Head Coach).

Approval of Minutes

Martha Corneck called the meeting to order. Members present reviewed the minutes from the June 16, 2016 meeting. Lorraine Kennedy motioned to approve the minutes as stated. Sylvia Ortega seconded the motion.

RESOLVED that the minutes from the June 16, 2016 meeting as presented to the Committee was approved.

Co-President’s Report

Sylvia Ortega presented “Kicking Off the 2016-2017 WRATS Parents Club Board Sessions” in a PowerPoint and printed for the members to follow. A copy of the presentation will be made available to all WRAT parents. The key points of the presentation were the headers of each page. The last page stressed that the parent’s survey said the parents asked for more communication from the Board. A venue and date for the Parent’s Social needs to be set up. Ellen suggested the night before the Freestyle Frenzy. Vacant Board Positions include YNATS Chair and Communications Chair.

Coaches Report – Ellen Johnston

150 kids attended tryouts for the 2016-2017 season in August. Ellen mentioned that Scott was extremely organized for all age groups and received positive feedback. They do not want the athletes to be stacked like sardines in practice.

Ellen revealed the new swim groups to the Board.

Red, White and Blue remained the same.

JAG 3, 2 and 1 are now Discovery 3, 2 and 1

Sag and Tag are now Challenger 1 and 2

-The Challenger group is learning more about race specifics.

Senior Prep-new group created for those not ready for the rigors of the Senior team but want to stay in the water to build confidence. Ellen created this group to meet the needs of all swimmers.

Senior 2 and 1 remained the same.

Ellen’s stated we have 187 swimmers total. Adrienne Williams said that as of today, we are at 185 swimmers or 156 families. She has 6 more waiting in the wings for an answer if they will accept the spot. Once the high school girls come in after their season, we will be well over 200 swimmers.

WRATS have an 80% retention rate which is very good!

Update on the coaching staff:

Brandon is working full time at Bridgeport Hospital.

Caitlyn is at Sacred Heart.

Frisk and Rob are back in school.

3 new coaches were hired.

Erin Ritz from Shore and Country Club, New Canaan and Greenwich will work with the  8 and under group.

           Marta Tadeo is back from getting her PhD. Marta worked with Zeus and will fill in where           needed.

Omar Cruz was the Head Coach at Zeus and will be helping 2 days a week in Fritz’s                  absence.

CT Swimming posted the swim schedule. WRATs will host the 8/Under meet on October 9th-Sunday. November 12 & 13 is the Freestyle Frenzy. January 21 and 22 is the WRAT Pentathlon. Ellen mentioned that there are some Age Group meets on our home meet dates so it will be competitive. The Red/Blue Meet is tentatively scheduled for December 17th. Ellen’s goal is to post the meet schedule on Team Unify the week of September 11th.

Old Business: There is a problem with the Colorado scoreboard. Only the running time clock is functioning. Ellen is in the process of finding replacement parts so it is back up and working properly.

3 new WRAT members on USA Swimming Board:

Jack Grey is the Athlete’s Rep

Erin Ritz Coach Chair

Ellen Johnston is the General Chair for USA Swimming

Ellen is working on a Travel Meet.

Budget Report – Martha Corneck

Martha made a conservative budget for this season. No changes in the budget from previous years. Will add citrus at the fundraiser for this year. She put money in the budget for credit card fees. Money for 7 new officials. 10 swimmers made Y Nationals which the WRATs subsidize. We need a volunteer for the AV piece of Recognition Night.

Tracy Keblish moved to make a motion to adjourn. Lorraine Kennedy seconded the motion.

Respectfully submitted
Eileen Brown/ Interim Secretary/ Water Rats Parents’ Club