November 2021

/in /by

WATER RATS PARENT’S CLUB, INC.

Minutes for November 4, 2021

Board Members:

Berkeley Murray (Co-President)
Charles Shapiro (Co-President)
Candace Twiss (PET-WRAT Coordinator)
Amy Leahy (Safe Sport/Fundraising)
Monika DeFelice (Secretary)
Aimee White-Charles (Meet Manager)
Jackie Austin (Co-Official)
Melanie Ruggieri (8U Parent Rep)
Allison Arnett (AG Parent Rep)
Sara Hart (AG Parent Rep)
Shantha Ozgen (Senior Parent Rep)
Rachel Kushel (Senior Parent Rep)
Jessica Qi (Athlete Rep)
Adam King (Coach)
Ellen Johnston (Coach)
Dan Slippen (Co-Treasurer)
Kim Massa (Co-Treasurer)
Jessica Qi, Athlete Rep
Hugh Hutchinson, Athlete Rep

Present at meeting via zoom: Kim Massa, Mark McDermott, Aimee White Charles, Ellen Johnston, Charles Shapiro, Hugh Hutchinson, Candace Twiss, Melanie Ruggieri, Shantha Ozgen, Rachel Kushel, Adrienne Williams, Jessica Qi, Allison Arnett, Jackie Austin

A quorum was achieved, and the meeting was called to order at 7:07pm by Charles Shapiro

Minutes:

Motion to approve minutes from October 14, 2021 by Mark McDermott, Kim Second.  All voted in favor.

Coaches Report/Update (Ellen):

Meet November 12-14, 2021

  • Anticipate 400 swimmers entered in meet
  • New meet laptop and meet manager
  • Likely no spectators at meet, working on camera for live feed
  • Trying to minimize traffic through Y
  • Able to use new all-purpose room for hospitality, coaches/officials’ luncheon, and snacks
  • Aimee: looking to have one food truck available

Co-President Report (Charles S)

  • Previously requested capital items in place.  Following up on any pending items.
  • Discussion around maximum penalty for parents not volunteering in meets
  • Motion for maximum penalty of $500 for parents who do not volunteer as part of program made by Jackie A., seconded by Mark M.  All voted in favor.
  • Opening discussion regarding initiating process towards Spring banquet

USA Swimming Escrow Account Manager Report (Adrienne W.)

  • Numbers good overall, small loss, 172 families currently, 221 swimmers (+1 discovery pending)

Treasurer’s Report (Kim M.)

  • Pink Plunge raised around $6,000
  • Will contact Norma Phriem for presentation of check

Safe Sport Certification Update

  • Doing well, reminders being sent individually when parents sign-up to volunteer

Fundraising/Community Service

  • All time slots filled for food drive, final reminder being sent Nov. 5 to team
  • Wreaths Across America, Berkeley will follow up
  • Pending discussion on future fundraising events
    • Would like to involve senior swimmers in the planning aspect
    • Hugh and Jessica will speak with team and follow-up
    • Aimee suggestion to include mental health in the discussion, athlete reps agreed that this would be a good focus of discussion within the team

Parent Rep

Big-Rat, Little-Rat

  • Letter drafted by Melanie for review, all agreed that this was well designed and would like to continue momentum quickly around this
  • Feedback requested by Charles from athlete reps to see if this is feasible for senior swimmers
  • Melanie: Consider format with multiple layers of mentors – seniors mentoring 12U/ 12-year old’s mentoring 8U
  • Hugh: athletes are excited about the idea.  Also like the idea of the chain (Big-Medium-Little) all as a team

Officials

  • Mark M and Jackie attended official Y certification course 11/5

Mark M.  made the motion to adjourn the meeting.  Allison A seconded. 

Meeting was adjourned by Charles Shapiro at 8:24PM.

Respectfully submitted,
Allison Arnett, AG Parent Rep