June 2019

WATER RATS PARENTS’ CLUB, INC.
Minutes for the Meeting of June 12, 2019
Board Members: Ngassam Ngnoumen (Co-President), Amy Leahy (Co-President), Charles Shapiro (Co-Treasurer), Mark McDermott (Officials Co-Coordinator), Jackie Austin (Officials Co-Coordinator), Lori Blessey (Meet Coordinator), Eileen Nolan (SR Parent Rep), Whitney Ross (SR Parent Rep), Leslie Kickham (AG Parent Rep), Dina Carlson (AG Parent Rep), Tina Lynch (8U Parent Rep), Martha Corneck (Ex Officio), Candace Twiss (PET WRAT Coordinator), John McNab (Athlete Rep), Michelle Kennedy (Athlete Rep), Adrienne Williams (USA Escrow Account Manager), and Ellen Johnston (Head Coach). Kristine Lefebvre, Kristen Adams, and Christine Schatz also attended.
A quorum was achieved, and the meeting was called to order.
Minutes:
Ngassam Ngnoumen called the meeting to order.
A motion was made and seconded to approve the incoming slate of Board Candidates.
RESOLVED that the following slate of Board Candidates is approved.
POSITION 2019 BOARD & CHAIR NAMES CO-PRESIDENT WHITNEY ROSS CO-PRESIDENT CHARLES SHAPIRO CO-TREASURER MARTHA CORNECK CO-TREASURER YANLI LI EX OFFICIO NGASSAM NGNOUMEN SECRETARY MONIKA DEFELICE MEET COORDINATOR LORI BLESSEY PET WRAT COORDINATOR CANDACE TWISS USA SWIMMING COORDINATOR ADRIENNE WILLIAMS SENIOR TEAM PARENT REP EILEEN NOLAN SENIOR TEAM PARENT REP KRISTEN ADAMS AGE GROUP PARENT REP TINA LYNCH AGE GROUP PARENT REP LESLIE KICKHAM 8U PARENT REP KRISTINE LEFEBVRE 8U PARENT REP CHRISTINE SCHATZ ATHLETE REP MORGAN LENOCE ATHLETE REP RICHARD NOLAN OFFICIALS CO-CHAIR JACKIE AUSTIN OFFICIALS CO-CHAIR MARK MCDERMOTT
Members present reviewed the minutes from May 1st, 2019 meeting.
_ motioned to approve the minutes as stated.
__ seconded the motion.
RESOLVED that the minutes from the May 1, 2019 meeting, as presented to the Committee are
approved.
 Co-Treasurer Report presented by _
 Budget for July is being prepared.
 Shake Shack fundraiser raised $260.00
 Parents will have the option to pledge checks for excess volunteer points back into the general operating
budget.
 2019/ 20 is Strategic Planning Year – Responses to year end survey and town meetings will be used for
planning next year.
 Co President Report presented by Ngassam Ngnoumen
 This year we experienced high engagement and volunteerism
 150+ members participated in the kickoff movie night social
 190+ swimmers swam and supported Pink Plunge
 300+ swimmers and families attended the end of year recognition banquet
 Financially, the club is fiscally sound
 Going into next year, we will focus on improving hosted meet performance since meet income declined
by about $17,000. Updates have been incorporated into the meet calendar and plan for the 2019-20 year.
 Expenses were managed down to align with impacted revenue.
 Market competitive analysis and member input through Town Meeting and survey will be used in
strategic planning.
 Coaches Report presented by Ellen Johnston
 Preparing for 2019/20 Registration.
 Anticipated tryout dates for new swimmers are August 13th (10U) and 14th (8U). 11 and over tryouts
will be by arrangement with the coaches.
 Goal for team size is about 225-230 swimmers.
 Tryouts are earlier this year due to 2 week pool closure for pool repairs.
 Registration deadline for returning swimmers is TBD, but likely July 31.
 Currently coordinating with Meet Managers to get in bids for 2019 season. Proposed meets:
 Early October – Mini meet: 12U Pentathlon. Sunday session for 8/U.
 Also in Fall – Freestyle Frenzy
 MLK Weekend (Friday & Saturday Sessions) – 13O Y States.
 February – Mini meet for 9-12yos, probably after 12U Y States and before winter break.
 Safe Sport is being rolled out next week.
 Materials are available online through CT swimming.
 As of June 23,2019, 18yo+ swimmers will need to complete online course. This would impact
summer meets.
 Board members and parent volunteers (including timers) will be “”Applicable Adults” and need to
comply with Safe Sport Guidelines. Discussion was had re: ensuring and recording compliance via
timer’s meetings and as part of 2019/20 registration.
 A large group of college swimmers has returned for the summer – a testament to the program.
 2 new coaches have been hired and bios will go up shortly.
 Michelle Koubeck – mainly 12U.
 Rich Carter (WRAT alum) – mainly Sr team as well as Challenger groups.
 USA Swimming Escrow Account Manager Report presented by Adrienne Williams
 Escrow Families 214
 Number of Swimmers: 251
 Escrow Balance $4,964.13
 9 families are overdrawn for a total amount of $404.75
 All meets to date have been billed.
 PET-WRAT Report presented by Candace Twiss
 59 families have not worked this season.
 Meet Manager Report presented by Lori Blessey
 Nothing to report. Meets of the season are done.
 Officials Report presented by Jackie Austin
 We are losing officials, mostly to attrition. 2 officials may leave for other reasons.
 We need to recruit more officials, particularly for AO.
 Parents and Athlete Reps Reports
 Eileen Nolan (Senior Rep): Before the end of the season, trying to schedule a breakfast. and possible trip
to an amusement park. Logistics are still being worked out.
Ngassam Ngnoumen moved to adjourn the meeting. Charles Shapiro and Jackie Austin seconded. All voted in
favor. The next meeting is slated for Wednesday, July 10th at 7PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Monika DeFelice, Secretary
Water Rats Parents’ Club