November 2020

/in /by

WATER RATS PARENTS’ CLUB, INC.

Minutes for the Meeting of November 5, 2020

Board Members:
Charles Shapiro (Co-President)
Berkeley Murray (Co-President)
Whitney Ross (Past President)
Kim Massa (Co-Treasurer)
Adrienne Williams (USA Swimming Manager)
Candace Twiss (PET-WRAT Volunteer Coordinator)
Amy Leahy (Safety/ Concessions Coordinator)
Aimee White-Charles (Meet Coordinator)
Mark McDermott (Co-Official)
Jackie Austin (Co-Official)
Showky Kaldaway  (AG Parent Representative)
Shanta Ozgen (Senior Parent Representative)
Rachel Kushel (Senior Parent Representative)
Melanie Ruggieri (Age Group Representative)
Allison Arnett (8U Parent Representative)
Ellen Johnston (Coach)
Rob Urban (Coach)
Adam King (Coach)

A quorum was achieved, and the meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Charles S..

Minutes:
Charles S. motioned to approve the minutes of October 1, 2020.  Shantha O. seconded. All voted in favor. 

RESOLVED that the minutes from the October 1, 2020 meeting, as presented to the Committee are approved.

  • Agenda Items:
    • Update from Ellen with Q&A:
      • COVID Procedural Updates
        • First COVID Case on team.  Relevant persons at Y and WWHD notified.  Affected swimmer quarantined.
        • Helpful the way we enter and exit, minimizes contact with rest of the Y.
        • Consulted pool cameras to confirm no contact, etc.  Very comfortable keeping practices running.
        • Jackie A.:  Anything we can do as a team to support family?  Ellen will reach out.
        • First case for both the Y and the team.
        • Observation deck currently not open for parents to watch due to COVID.  Will discuss when it is appropriate to open observation deck post-COVID. There have been historical issues with parents behavior in stands. Board notified about current complaints re: closed observation deck.  There is a  potential for 2x change.org petitions forthcoming with respect to opening observation deck, etc.. Discussion re other club practices with respect to parent observation.
  • Meet Manager Report (Aimee W.):  Exploring Live Barn re: live streaming of meets and practices.  Have received proposed contract with Live Barn.  Discussion re. what that entails. 
    • LB supplies the equipment (wide angle camera) and server.  Y responsible for cost of installation of camera and server.
    • LB manages from cloud.  Runs automatically from the cloud. 30 days of content, will look into who owns content.  LB cannot use content for promotional purposes without consent.
    • Parents would subscribe to watch the feed.  Would entail a monthly cost to each subscribing family.  There are different tiers/ packages available at different price points.  30% of revenue would go back to the team.
    • Team controls link and password.  Have control for privacy purposes.
    • Parents can watch practices/ events and zoom in on their swimmer.
    • Would ask parents club for funding; trying to figure out whether Y facilities can install or if we need to hire. ($500-$1500 to install depending on camera and server location)
    • Ellen to figure out who signs contract.  Will need to determine who gets the teams share of revenue (WRAT or Y)
    • Proposed contract to be sent to Charles S. and Berkley M..
    • Conditionally approved by Board to move forward if costs between $500-$1500.
  • Officials Report (Mark M.):
    • Well covered with officials for this weekend’s meet.
    • Officials need to get in invoices for expenses.
    • Jackie A.:  No real opportunities for trainees at present. Concerned that officials roster is not being built up.  Ellen J.:  That is an issue that has been raised at CT Swimming.
  • Coaches Report (Ellen J.): 
    • Proposed parents meeting at the logs area at Mahackeno. Will look to weather to see if we can do something next weekend.
    • Upcoming meet this weekend – Well covered with officials.  Zoom link will be sent. Allison A:  Quality seems to be better when run through cellular than Y WiFi.
  • Co-President Report (Berkley M.):
    • Food drive for Bridgeport Rescue Mission during the meet.  Thanksgiving type items.  Still looking for volunteers.
  • Fundraising (Amy L.):
    • Spiritwear:  Sold $6,000 worth of merchandise. $600 raised for team. Check with Adrienne re selling masks and billing through Team Unify.  Board agreed to cost of $10/mask.
    • Wreaths Across America: Wreaths placed on headstones of veterans.  Team essentially sponsors a cemetery.  Sold in 3-pack @ $15/ pack.  Swimmer (or parent), sets up account through TU.  Participation is not mandatory.
  • USA Swimming Escrow Account Manager Report (Adrienne W.): 172 Families; 218 Swimmers.  One account overdrawn ($78).  $9200 in escrow.
  • Treasurers Report  (Kim M.):  Not much to report because not much activity.  We are on budget.
  • PET–WRAT Report (Candace T.):  172 families, 109 haven’t worked (not including this weekend’s meet).
  • Parents Reps & Student Athlete Reports:
    • Seniors (Rachel K): Any event scheduled will be virtual.  Considering virtual cooking or “Among Us”.
    • AG (Melanie R.):  May want to send blast re carpooling; masks should be worn when carpooling.
    • 8U (Alison A.):   Nothing to report.

Charles S. moved to adjourn the meeting and Kim M. seconded.  All voted in favor. 

Meeting was adjourned at 8:28 pm.

Respectfully submitted,
Monika DeFelice, Secretary
Water Rats Parents’ Club