May 2017
Minutes for the Ordinary Meeting of May 4, 2017
Board Members
Sylvia Ortega (Co-Pres.), Martha Corneck (Co-Pres.), Adrienne Williams (Escrow Manager),), John Wang (Officials Chair), Ngassam Ngnoumen (8/U Parent Rep), Lorraine Kennedy (Ex Officio), Trish Begg (Senior Rep), and Candace Twiss (PET-WRAT Coordinator), Huong Belpedio (Meet Manager), Kerrie Steele Rubin (Co-Treasurer). Andy McNab (Parent) also attended.
Approval of Minutes
Sylvia Ortega called the meeting to order. Members present reviewed the minutes from March 2, 1017 meeting. Sylvia Ortega motioned to approve the minutes as stated. Lorraine Kennedy seconded the motion.
RESOLVED that the minutes from the March 2, 1017, meeting, as presented to the Committee, were approved.
Coaches Report-Ellen Johnston
Ellen sent her report into the Committee. She regretted not being able to attend due to her volunteer position within CT Swimming as General Chair. She was with USA Swimming at their Eastern Zone Summit in New Jersey.
Ms. Johnston began by thanking the Club for putting together a phenomenal team banquet. The feedback has all been positive and she thinks many have become more appreciative of the team and all it has to offer. This is a team and a family. And after 30 years she feel this may have been the best one yet. Ellen reiterated that everyone did such a great job and that the bar is set high for next year but in that this is a competitive team and she thinks we will all rise to the challenge.
She also stated another thank you for all the parents have done over the course of the season. We have rebuilt our numbers, getting stronger, being acknowledged for both our performances in the pool and our decorum out of the pool and a force to be reckoned with.
Thank you for all of your support and generosity.
To continue with the Coaches Report,
the Senior Spring Invitational is May 12-14 at Wesleyan University. Due to multiple meets this weekend, the meet will be about 50-75 less swimmers than in previous years. The sessions are quite manageable. 9 & Under Meet – June At this point, the meet is full and we are at the cap or slightly over.
WE will have a better idea once updated entries are submitted.
First meets of the season for the age groupers and 8 & unders at Wesleyan University and Miss Porter’s respectively. We are in the early stages of preparing for the 2017-2018 swim year. TENTATIVE dates for tryouts are Aug 22 & 23. We do look to run the Town Met again. We will solidify that date and get it out shortly.
We would like to be able to offer to the coaching staff the opportunity to attend the ASCA World Clinic again this year. This year’s clinic will be August 29 – September 3 in Washington DC. We last attended in 2015 when the clinic was in Cleveland. The Parents Club was very supportive with this by covering travel and clinic costs. I respectively request support for this year. Due to the timing and with some staff heading back to the classroom this fall, I do not know how many will be able to attend but believe it will only be 2-3 coaches.
USA Swimming Report-Adrienne Williams
We currently have 210 swimmers with potentially 2 more swimmers moving from White to Red shortly.
3 families are overdrawn but only one is larger than $15. This is not a problem as the amounts are immaterial.
Treasurers Report- Kerrie Steele Rubin
Kerrie presented to the financial report to the Board. The current situation is still better than the anticipated budget due to good meet attendance.
Meet Managers Report-Lorraine Kennedy and Huong Belpedio
Lorraine sent a request to all teams for staffing of SSI in 2 weeks. She expects to be adequately staffed. The Club discussed the computer operators and deck referee. The Club also discussed the size of the meet and what will be needed for hospitality.
PET-Wrat Report-Candace Twiss
Candace is looking for volunteers to assist with Senior Spring Invitational.
Candace stated that not much has changed from the prior month but she hopes some additional families will complete points prior to year end.
Officials Chair Report-John Wang
Nothing to report, except that the Committee is working to recruit more officials. Sylvia Ortega asked if recruiting and retention is an issue by other clubs and is part of the issue attributed to the standards set by Connecticut Swimming. The Officials Co-chairs did ask some other clubs if that was the case and will continue to do so.
Parents Reps Report-Ngassam Ngnoumen and Trish Begg
Nothing material to report. The reps have contacted all new swimmers that have recently joined the team since the beginning of Long Course.
Co-Presidents Report-Martha Corneck and Sylvia Ortega
The Presidents’ Report began by thanking everyone for their help with Recognition Night and its success. As the Board could not have a February 9th Planning and Evaluation Meeting due to the snow storm and the active schedule after that, it was decided that the Parents Club will set up a Suggestion Box and request responses. The Club will do further discussion and announce results from the Suggestion Box at the Annual meeting. The Annual Meeting is scheduled for Saturday June 3rd at 9:15am.
Parents Club needs to re-evaluate its role so families understand what the Parents Club does and why. The Co-Presidents also brought up some additional team events such as a WRAT picnic at Mahackeno on Saturday June 17th 4-7pm. Sylvia Ortega discuss the transfer of the Club’s quarterly donation to the Y for the aquatics program which will simplify the activities and budgeting of the club. Finally, Sylvia asked for an update of the Nominating Committee. Candace Twiss presented the slate to date and stated that nearly all Board positions and Chairperson spots are filled. The slate will be presented via email to the Club prior to the Annual meeting.
Motion to Adjourn–Sylvia Ortega
Lorraine Kennedy and Martha Corneck both seconded the motion.
