Site: Winterplace (WV)

05-June 2010

Time: 10:00 am

AGENDA

1. Approval of the minutes of the Fall Meeting
2. The President’s Report –

I feel that this has been a good year. It has also been a learning year, as we are not perfect yet. But seeking solutions to our challenges will build a stronger organization. We have a set of By-Laws, our finances are in order, and the website has given us a foundation for better communication.

• We had two clubs that worked very hard to have great Championships. For one club it was a big learning curve, but as I have been told, many individuals “jumped” in to assist.
• There were a number of good races held during the season. Clubs worked very hard to provide good events for our athletes. Issues that came up during the season can be addressed at this meeting for the coming season.
• Alpine Officials: Jack has worked hard this year to make sure all who qualify are appropriately promoted.  He conducted specific clinics. Both he and I attended the Eastern AO meeting in April.  The report he presents demonstrates that the ranks of qualified officials is growing.
• The Competition Committee is in a period of evolving: The duties for the chair and this committee are spelled out in our By-Laws. This committee is the heart and soul of SARA.  It must work to be much more pro-active.  The success of SARA is a function of the efforts of this group. After you review the duties, I would hope that you concur with this assessment.

Other recommendations to consider:

1. To have races that have J6-Masters is not safe or fair to the athlete.  Some of the technical requirements are different. And different age classes set different tracks. Areas must be able to have separate courses and the resources for such events. This should play into next year’s schedule.
2. We need to assess our venues to determine which areas can really have challenging and approved courses in GS for our J3/II/I.
3. All areas must have a certificate as evidence that the course is “approved” for the appropriate discipline.
4. We must evaluate the club and mountain relationship, and the club’s ability to run races when selecting sites for championships.
5. The cost of a championship series must be assessed. I would propose a bid process or SARA agreement that must be signed by both the mountain and club and the Competition chair which spells out from the beginning the requirements/expectations for both SARA and the host club/mountain.
6. Race results must be sent to USSA in the time specified.
7. If there is a sanction agreement with USSA for a scored race, which we know beforehand will be “terminated” after the first run. Competitors should not be charged the same as a scored race.
8. All race results, scored and unscored, with the appropriate head taxes need to be sent to USSA Eastern. This is a requirement and will also insure that AO’s will receive their correct days of activity.

• Purposed amendments to By-Laws will be presented under New Business
• I would like to commend both Heidi and John Patrick for their work this year. At times it probably seemed to them that it was a “thankless” job(s). I feel, however, that SARA is a stronger organization because of their efforts.

This is one time that I can safely say that the region of SARA had much more of a winter than much of New England. I wish that I could have been a more active and visible President over this past season. As many of you know my wife has the challenges of congestive heart failure, and with my retirement we that felt she would be better served by returning to our home in western Massachusetts. Both my wife and I taught school this area for 21 years and our daughter lives here, so there is big supportive network to assist us. Therefore, most of the information on how the season went comes through a number of sources, but it is second hand. Those of you in the field and present at a number of our events have a much better picture. I did have the opportunity to go to Gore Mt (NY) to see our SARA athletes at the JI/II Finals. I was impressed with the skill and positive attitude of our athletes, the coaching, and the support from parents.  It has been an honor to have worked with the people of SARA for a number of years. Thank you.

1. The Treasurer’s Report on membership, and the financials for the 2009-10:                – John Patrick
2. Report and Review of the season by the Chair of the Competition Committee and age class chairs:                – Paul Lehmann et al.
3. Report from the ACC meeting: — Dan Thompson
4. The Alpine Officials Report :  –  Jack Gravenmier
5. Appointment of the Sean” Stumpy” McKee to complete the term of Office held by Bob Brigham, who is resigning at this meeting.

Stumpy was the only nomination duly posted.

New Business:

1. SARA Schedule for 2010-11 — Competition Committee

• Competition Issues: (Tim Maguire and Alex Krebs – Eastern Office plan to be present at our meeting)
• Athlete/Coach Development Opportunities Coaching clinics – Eastern USSA Program manager conference
• Formalizing relationships with ski academies

1)      Partnering with SARA coaches at post season events

2)      Summer camp opportunities

3)      Fit Day Opportunities

4)      Early season training

By-Law Items

1)      Ratification of decisions by the Executive Committee since the Fall Meeting

• Point system used to select 2009/10 State Team
• Other

2)      First reading and review of the suggested edits to the By-Laws (Draft will be sent to the Board of Directors)

3)      Other issues that were tabled from Old Business

Presently, we have one nominee selected for the position of president:
1.  Sean (Stumpy) McKee

J3 STATE TEAM

Jena Vernon, Victoria Waldo, Rachel Ryan, Emily Perkinson, Isabelle Sharman, Dakota Thompson, Ian Oliver, William Bullis, John Wilson, and Jeffery Severini.

Congratulations to all of you!

The J 1 & J2 athletes had awesome conditions to compete in.  The 3 courses were completely reset each day-amazing.  The J1 & J2 State Team was announced at the awards ceremony.  Congratulations to all of you!

J1/2 State Team

Mallory Crandall, Catalina Lehmann, Brittney Jorgenson, Emily Kosmala, Hannah Davidson,
Dylan Hoos, Jake Laroe, Austin Oliver, Zach Strange, and Parker Davis