February 2022

WATER RATS PARENTS’ CLUB, INC.

Minutes for the Meeting of February 10, 2022

Board Members:

Charles Shapiro (Co-President
Berkeley Murray (Co-President
Adrienne Williams (USA Swimming Manager
Dan Slippen (Co-Treasurer
Aimee White-Charles (Meet Manager
Candace Twiss (PET-WRAT
Jackie Austin (Co-Official
Mark McDermott (Co-Official
Melanie Ruggieri (8U Parent Rep
Alison Arnett (AG Parent Rep
Sarah Hart (AG Parent Rep
Rachel Kushel (Senior Parent Rep
Jessica Qi (Athlete Rep
Hugh Hutchinson (Athlete Rep
Ellen Johnson (Coach
Kristen Finnegan (Coach)

A quorum was achieved, and the meeting was called to order at 7:17 p.m. by Berkley M..

Minutes:

Aimee W-C. motioned to approve the minutes of the January 6, 2022 meeting.  Dan S. seconded the motion. All members voted in favor. 

RESOLVED that the minutes of the January 6, 2022 meeting, as presented to the Committee, are approved.

• Coaches Report (Ellen J.):
  • November AG Meet:  brought in more income than anticipated.
  • Y States:  Very successful – brought in more income than anticipated.
  • CT Seniors:  Y will be host site for Sr. Finals.  Rental fee will go to the Y (not WRAT Parents Club).  Meet in afternoon and will not affect Y programming.  Y to provide meals, hospitality and a couple other discreet jobs.  No spectators.
  • 10U Championships:  Now a separate meet from Age Groups.  Y will host; income will go to Parent’s Club.
    • Ellen proposes 1/2 of meet revenue will be used to support Y Nats,  Remaining revenue returned to team to be allocated at Board’s discretion.
      • M. DeFelice made motion to split proceeds of 10U championship meet as described. R. Kushel seconded the motion.  All members approved.
      • Last week’s Masters meet:  Income will go to Y Nats (Y Nats swimmers worked).
  • Age Groups is now an 11-14 Meet.
  • Discussion re. anticipated capital costs now and next year.  Dan S. asked for list to begin pricing/ budgeting.
  • Adrienne W.:  Wesleyan not available for outside meets; anticipate that we will not be able to host Sr. Spring Invitational.  There is a small amount left from 2019.  Consider overall loss of income in budgeting; discussion re splitting profits from 10U.
  • Many staffing changes/ resignations at the Y.
  • Questions regarding survey circulated a while ago can be referred to the Y.
• Co-President Report (Berkley M.):
  • Banquet:  Review of past costs of banquet. Reviewed options to return to formal banquet event.  No available weekends at Rolling Hills; currently have a Thursday reserved (April 28; 5-8pm).  Price per person has increased substantially and now includes a site fee.  160 person minimum.  $1000 deposit required.  Will require an increased cost billed per person with team to subsidize balance (as in past years).  Discussion re. alternate venues.  Several board members willing to go back to their clubs to ask if they can accommodate event/ size of the team.
    • Motion to secure Rolling Hills with a $1000 deposit while continuing to look.
      • 9 in favor
      • 2 opposed
      • 1 abstain
• Treasurers Report  (Dan S.):  In good shape.  Revenue in the account, with additional revenue still coming in.
• USA Swimming Escrow Account Manager Report (Adrienne W.):
  • All meets billed to date.
  • Stable in numbers.  170 Families/ 220 Swimmers. 
  • Begin billing for meets as we go.  
• PET-WRAT (Candace T.):
  • Nominating Committee:  Candace Twiss, Kristen Finnegan, Amanda Mihelic and Allison Bonhoff.
    • Aimee W-C. made a motion to approve nominating committee. Motion seconded.  Proposed nominating committee approved.
  • 38 Families have not worked.  18 families who have not completed safe sport.
  • Issues with families signing up for multiple sessions at the same meet discussed.  Consider changing points system; suggestion to put together a task force to explore options.

Melanie R. motioned to adjourn the meeting. Motion was seconded. Meeting was adjourned at 9:03pm.

Respectfully submitted
Monika DeFelice, Secretary
Water Rats Parents’ Club