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Region 5 Committee Meeting

June 12, 2008; 3:00 – 7:00 p.m.

Indianapolis, IN

 

 

I.  CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order by Regional Administrative Committee Chairman Bobbi Montanari at 3:00 P.M. 

 

II.  ROLL CALL

Present

Bobbi Montanari, Regional Administrative Committee Chairman (RACC)

Char Christensen, Regional Technical Committee Chairman (RTCC)

John Geddert, Regional Junior Olympic Committee Chairman (RJOCC)

Enrique Trabanino, Regional Elite Committee Chairman (RECC)

Norbert Bendixen, Illinois Administrative Committee Chairman (SACC: IL)

Ed Gibson, Indiana Administrative Committee Chairman (SACC: IN)

Douglas Rowe, Michigan Administrative Committee Chairman (SACC-MI)

Nina Dent, Ohio Administrative Committee Chairman (SACC: OH)

Hilary Carlson, Region V-NAWGJ Judging Director

Kittia Carpenter, Assistant Regional JO Committee Chairman

Augusta Lipsey, Regional Secretary

Absent

Cap Caudill, Kentucky Administrative Committee Chairman (SACC: KY)

 

Bobbi Montanari, RACC, thanked the committee for their wonderful support during her first year as the Regional Administrative Committee Chairman.

 

Norbert Bendixen reported that Cap Caudill has had some additional health issues that are causing him to miss this meeting.  He was back in the hospital following his heart attack in April for back surgery.  In addition he contracted bronchitis due to low potassium levels but is back home recuperating.  The entire Committee wishes him a speedy recovery.

 

Kristen Moore did an incredible job coordinating the distribution of the regional apparel at the Level 9/10 Regional Championship Meet.  She has agreed to accept the new position of Regional Apparel Coordinator for the region.  She will also be helping with the banquet at the Regional Congress.

 

III.  ETHICAL OBLIGATIONS OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Bobbi Montanari, reminded all Committee Members that everything that is discussed in our meetings is to be kept confidential.  The confidentiality forms that are to be signed by all Committee Members should be distributed at the Chairman’s Workshops in Philadelphia.

 

IV.  MINUTES

Deadlines for the distribution of the minutes were set.  The minutes will be posted on the Regional website, State websites, and distributed to the Professional Membership via E-mail and/or newsletters.

 

V.  GENERAL OVERVIEW OF THE PAST YEAR

The RECC, Enrique Trabanino, stated that E-mails have been very efficient in conducting business.  Hilary Carlson stated that it has been helpful to her to have non-voting members included in the communications.  Norbert Bendixen stated that communications have been good, but he is confused at times whether the committee is being asked to vote.

 

VI.  BOBBI’S OBJECTIVES FOR 2008-2009

  1. Bobbi Montanari wants to attend State Committee Meetings and Regional Training Camps during the 2008-2009 season.
  2. Bobbi Montanari would like to develop a Regional Rules and Policies.  Bret Norman, Region 5 Web Master, will help develop this document.  It will be mailed to all Professional Members in the region.

 

VII.  COMMUNICATION

  1. All items to be placed on the regional website are to be sent to Bobbi Montanari for distribution to Bret Norman.
  2. All State Chairmen are reminded to send their State Rules and Policies booklet to Bobbi Montanari.
  3. State Chairmen are to publish financial reports at the end of each year.
  4. The agenda for state meetings must be approved by the RACC, Bobbi Montanari.

 

VIII.  REGIONAL TECHNICAL CHAIRMAN REPORT (Char Christensen)

Char Christensen congratulated and reviewed the successes that Region 5 had at the Level 10 National Championships and the Level 9 East Championships.  At the Level 10 National Championships Region 5 won the National Team Championships for the sixth time in eight years winning three out of the eight age divisions.  Char also congratulated John Geddert for having TR placed on the coach’s shirts.  The TR was worn on the coach’s shirts in memory of Tim Rand and True Respect to honor his many accomplishments.  Char also congratulated John Geddert on the success of the Level 9/10 Regional Meet.

  1. Shonda Clore of Twistars Gymnastics successfully performed a new skill.  She performed a side aerial starting from a kneeling position on one knee.  The skill is valued a “D” and will be listed in the Code of Points as the “Clore”.
  2. The Level 8 Regional Championships had problems due to the weather.  The Kentucky judge’s flights were cancelled due to the weather.  Judges that were assigned to be event clerks replaced two judges that could not arrive due to the weather. 
  3. Judges are reminded to use all of our tools to differentiate between the gymnasts including composition, execution, artistry, rhythm and dynamics.
  4. Modified Capitol Cup format may need to be considered for the Level 9/10 Regional Championships.  The 2008 Regional Championships only had room for 16 additional gymnasts.  (The Committee voted on Modified Capital Cup for Level 9 and 10 Regionals per XIII. REGIONAL MEETS section of these minutes.)
  5. The Level 8 Region 5 Championships asked the judges to supply receipts for items like parking, tolls, and meals, etc.  This would be helpful to know ahead of time in the future as this was requested by the Sports Commission for their records.  The Meet Director did not know this ahead of time. 
  6. A special thank you to Norbert Bendixen for securing the excellent site for our meet. 
  7. Professional Involvement Forms are due by September 1, 2008.  All states must have their State Meet dates to Bobbi Montanari by July 15, 2008.  The deadline for having the Professional Involvement Forms on the regional website is July 15, 2008.
  8. The state list of judges recommended for the Regional Championships is due to Char Christensen and Bobbi Montanari by October 1, 2008.  A minimum of 12 judges should be listed for each state.
  9. The judges recommended for the Level 9 East Nationals and the Level 10 National Championships will be determined at the Regional Administrative Committee (RAC) Meeting following Regional Congress in September, 2008.
  10. During the 2008 Championship season, there were approximately 68 petitions to the Regional Championships.  Hilary Carlson was a major help in processing these petitions.  During the 2009 Championship season Hillary will provide an outline of the petition process to be included in the state meet coach’s packets.  It will also be published in the Region 5 Fall Newsletter 2008.
  11. Wrist bands were provided for coaches at the Level 8 Regional Championships.  This was in place of wearing their membership cards.  This was overlooked at the Level 9/10 Regional Championships.  A reminder will be put in the Regional Meet Reminders for coaches to check in to receive a wrist band for the meet.  The meet directors will be responsible for providing the wrist bands.
  12. Volunteer forms for the Region 5 Training Camps were sent to the State Judging Directors and State Administrative Committee Chairman (SACC)and should be on the appropriate web sites and in newsletters.  The form should be sent to Dave Rawles, Char Christensen and John Geddert by July 15, 2008.  The city for IGI is listed incorrectly on the form.  IGI is in Westmont, IL.
  13. Communication paths have been so much better.  Websites are looking great.  State Chairmen are asked to please place Char Christensen, Bobbi Montanari, and John Geddert on your mailing lists.
  14. State Meet results are to be sent to Char Christensen following the Level 8, 9, and 10 State Meets.  These should be sent in hard copy.  State Chairmen (SC’s) are to remind the State Meet Directors to send the results immediately following the meet.
  15. The criteria that the State Committees are using to rank and assign judges for the State Meets and recommend judges for Regional Championships should be published by October 1, 2008.
  16. The annual record for Continuing Professional Education (CPE) credits for judges must be turned in by June 30, 2008.  The form can be found on the USA Gymnastics (USAG) website.  Please be reminded that all clinics for judges and coaches need to be sanctioned by USAG.
  17. The 2008 Eastern National Level 9 Championships was a wonderful competition for all involved.  Gymnastics Training Center of Ohio and staff did an excellent job hosting the meet.  Char Christensen would also like to thank the many judges from Region 5 that volunteered to assist with the meet.
  18. The percentage of gymnasts that qualified for a Regional Championship from their State Championships is listed on the chart below.

     

 

Level 8

Level 9

Level 10

MI

89%

90%

96%

OH

65%

92%

93%

IN

82%

92%

100%

IL

80%

87%

91%

KY

76%

89%

86%

 

  1. Char Christensen suggested that the SC’s should place the petition forms and inquiry forms in the state handbooks.  The forms can also be found on the USAG website.
  2. Meet Directors are to be reminded that the only acceptable formats for sanctioned meets are listed in the USAG Rules and Policies booklet.  New formats can be submitted to Tom Koll for consideration.
  3. At the present time, the RAC requires judges to judge the Regional Championships in order to be recommended to judge a National Meet.  It was determined that some very good judges that may deserve an opportunity to judge a National Meet, may not be able to judge a Regional Meet due to NCAA responsibilities or coaching responsibilities.  Concern was raised by Nina Dent that a judge that is recommended for their first National Meet should be required to judge the Regional Meet.  Hilary Carlson stated that the judge should judge or coach a Regional Meet.

For a judge to be recommended for a National Meet, the judge must judge at the Level 9/10 Regional Championships or have judged at a Level 9/10 State Meet and coached at the Regional Championship in the recommended year.

            Motion:                       Char Christensen

            2nd:                              Norbert Bendixen

            Passed:                       Unanimous

 

IX.  REGIONAL ELITE COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN REPORT (Enrique

 Trabanino)

  1. Overview of the 2007-2008 Season
    1. Region 5 had two gymnasts on the World Championship Team.  The two gymnasts are Samantha Peszek from Deveau’s Gymnastics and Bridget Sloan from Sharps Gymnastics. 
    2.  Jordan Wieber of Gedderts Twistar’s also had a very productive year.  She was on the Junior Pan-American Championship Team and placed first in the All Around at the US Classic meet, the Visa Championships and at an international competition in Italy. 
    3. Nine gymnasts from Region 5 participated in the 2008 Visa Championships.  They are Juniors; Bridget Caquatto (Aerials Gymnastics), Amanda Jetter (Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy), Kamerin Moore (Geddert’s Twistars), Cassie Whitcomb (Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy), and Jordyn Wieber (Geddert’s Twistars).  Seniors participating at the Visa Championships were Mackenzie Caquatto (Aerials Gymnastics), Samantha Peszek (Deveaus Gymnastics), Ashley Priess (Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy), and Bridget Sloan (Sharps Gymnastics).
    4. 2008 Junior National Team members are Wieber, Whitcomb, Moore and Jetter.
    5. 2008 Senior National Team members are Mackenzie Caquatto and Samantha. Peszek.  Bridget Sloan was also invited to the Olympic Trials.
    6. There were 3 Regional Qualifiers for the HOPES division held in Region 5.  Cincinnati Gymnastics held the first qualifier on January 4 – 6, 2008 in conjunction with the Region 5 Pre-Elite Camp.  The second was held at Deveaus’s Gymnastics on March 21, 2008, and the third was at Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy on April 11, 2008. 
    7. Five gymnasts from Region 5 participated in the US Challenge in Houston, Texas.  Amelia Hundley of Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy was 1st All Around in the 10-11 year old HOPES division.
    8. 58 gymnasts participated in the Region 5 Pre-Elite/TOP’s Camp that was held on January 4 – 6, 2008.  Ten of the gymnasts were from other regions.  Region 5 had participation from Michigan, Indiana and Ohio.

      B. Objectives for 2008-2009 Season

      1.  The 2009 Pre Elite/TOP’s Camp is tentatively scheduled for January 2-4,

           2009 at Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy.

      2.  Communication with interested clubs will be increased.

      3.  Letters will be sent to JO coaches to create interest in the Pre-Elite

Program.

                  4.  Depending on the new Code of Points, two Classic meets may be

scheduled for March and July of 2009.

5.      A Pre-Elite Camp will be held at the Ranch in October, 2009.

6.      The Visa Championships will go back to August in 2009.

 

X.  REGIONAL JUNIOR OLYMPIC CHAIRMAN REPORT (John Geddert)

     A.  Overview of 2007-2008 Season - Although Region 5 won the Level 10

           Championships for the sixth year in a row we were less than stellar.  The

reasoning for this is difficult to pin point but the image of vacationing in Florida

is always a distraction.  The Level 9 East Nationals showed us that our depth and

talent pool should be strong for years to come.  Region 5 captured all eight age

divisions and had seven All Around titles.  The top five clubs at Easterns, using

the top three scores per event, were from Region 5.  The Level 8 Regionals also

showed us that we have been doing our developmental homework.

 

  1. Objective for 2009 – Region 5 will continue the course we have taken through productive and efficient congresses and training camps.
  2. JO Meeting – John Geddert was unable to attend the meeting due to the US Classics being held the following weekend and the fact that one of his gymnasts was having a minor melt down.  Therefore John’s assistant, Kittia Carpenter, attended the meeting in his place.  She represented our Region well.  The biggest change for the 2008-2009 season is the elimination of the ALL STAR flight at the Level 9 National Championships.  This will be replaced with eight additional age groups.  At first glance it would appear that Region 5 would lose some spots, but since we won all age divisions in 2008, Region 5 will get the first unfilled spots at each age group if other regions cannot fill the allotted spots with gymnasts obtaining the minimum score or due to lack of numbers.  We do have a question on how this will work since there were only eight age divisions during 2007-2008.  Concern was raised about the qualifying score for National Championships being 34.00, but a 35.00 is required to petition to Regional Championships.  No action was taken on this concern.  Another change for the 2008-2009 season is the allotment of 80 athletes per session in Level 7 Meets that use Non-Traditional or Modified Non-Traditional formats.  Other issues were tabled due to the new quadrennium approaching.  There will be a National Invitational Tournament on Sunday of the Level 10 National Championships.  This competition will be for the gymnasts that placed 8th – 11th at the Regional Championships.
  3. Training Camps – Profits from the 2007 Training camps were down slightly due to the low numbers at the Super Camp North.  Terry Russell is insisting upon using only facilities that will be considered a DRAW for the 2008 Training Camps.  These camps are already scheduled and accepting entries (information and forms on Region-5.com web site).  Registrations, scheduling, information distribution groupings and T-shirt orders are to be sent to Terry Russell at RussellT@cinci.rr.com.  To volunteer to work one or more of the camps contact Dave Rawles at dave@lga-gymnastics.com.
    1. Super Camp North – Branch Gymnastics, Kalamazoo MI, August 1-3, 2008.
    2. Super Camp South – Champion Gymnastics, Louisville KY, August 1-3, 2008.
    3. Hot Shot Camp – Buckeye Gymnastics, Columbus OH, September 5-7, 2008.
    4. High Tech Camp – University of Michigan, Ann Arbor MI, October 3-5, 2008.
    5. Forward Progress East – Flytz Gymnastics, Cuyahoga Falls OH, Nov. 7-9, 2008.
    6. Forward Progress West – IGI, Westmont, IL, Nov. 7-9, 2008.
  4. Apparel Fund – The apparel fund has a balance of $33,025.67 with outstanding checks totaling $4,626.91 leaving $28,398.76 in the account.
  5. Regional Apparel Processing Coordinator – Kristin Moore has been appointed as the Region 5 Apparel Processing Coordinator.  Her organization and attention to detail saved us money and saved John countless hours of time and frustration.  Bobbi Montanari found that other regions pay their apparel coordinator and still have difficulty with the distribution.  It was agreed by the RAC that Kristin be paid $800.00 per year to do the apparel processing for all Regional Championships.
  6. All Star Team – A trip to Costa Rica is being investigated.  Enrique Trabinino will help facilitate the arrangements.  All Star Team scores are due to John Geddert by July 1, 2008.  There is only one elite spot available leaving 11 spots for Junior Olympic gymnasts.

 

XI.  REGIONAL JUDGING DIRECTOR REPORT (Hilary Carlson)

  1. Overview of 2007-2009 Season – Hilary Carlson felt that the season went well.  There were concerns about consistency at the Level 9/10 Regional Championship.  A different competitive format may help.  She feels we have the best judges in the nation.
  2. Hilary Carlson would like to hear the philosophy of the RAC about assigning judges to the National Championships.  The same people are usually assigned to the National Meets and with the new testing cycle approaching there will be some judges choosing not to renew their ratings.  There is a minimum investment of $300.00 for a new judge to begin judging.  The judging pool seems to be diminishing.  For judges to be considered for a National assignment John Geddert commented that they must market themselves.  They need to be visible.  To judge Nationals is an earned situation.  We do not want to get to the point where this honor is an earned right. 

 

XII.  REGIONAL HALL OF FAME REPORT (Augusta Lipsey)

  1. Augusta Lipsey presented the procedure that was used to solicit nominations for the 2008 Region 5 Hall of Fame.  A list of names of people worthy of being inducted in the Hall of Fame was established with the help of Sandy Oldham.  When this list was E-mailed to the RAC, additional names were presented and included.  Professional Members that were familiar with a person on the list were asked to nominate that person.  Seven of the nominations were complete.  These seven were then voted upon by the RAC.  The voting procedure as specified in the Region 5 Hall of Fame guidelines were used to elect three persons to be inducted into the 2008 Hall of Fame.
  2. The nominees with completed application forms, listed in alphabetical order, are Amanda Borden, Cap Caudill, Leonard Isaacs, Jaycie Phelps, Morgan White, Mary Lee Tracy and Erna Wachtel.  Any completed application forms received following this RAC Meeting will be considered for induction into the 2009 Region 5 Hall of Fame.
  3. A sample of the Hall of Fame ring was provided by A-1 Awards.  Some changes to the ring were discussed.  The outline of the Region will be placed on the ring with a small diamond placed above the Region 5 logo.  It was also decided that a necklace would replace the ring for all female inductees.
  4. Hall of Fame presentations at the Regional Congress Banquet will be limited to ten minutes.  The inductees will be asked to limit their responses to four minutes.  Kittia Carpenter and Kristen Moore will assemble the video presentations.

 

XIII.  REGIONAL MEETS

  1. A new financial report form was provided by Bret Norman.  This form was used during the 2008 season.  The financial reports for the 2008 Regional Championships were presented.  The Level 8 Regional Meet showed a loss.  Questions were raised concerning the total judges’ expense and the expense for decorations.
  2. 2008-2009 Season
    1. The new Regional Bid Forms were presented and evaluated.  The forms were revised to require a DVD player rather than a VCR.  The meet format was also discussed.  It was decided that due to the size of the Level 9 & 10 Regional Meet and the fact that there was only room for 16 additional gymnasts, that modified capitol cup format should be experimented with during the 2009 Regional Championships. 

It is recommended that the modified capitol cup format be used for the 2009 Level 9 & 10 Regional Championship. 

Motion:           John Geddert

2nd:                  Norbert Bendixen and Doug Rowe

Passed:           Unanimous

Bids for 2009 are to be sent to Bobbi Montanari by September 1, 2008.  The RAC is also accepting bids for 2010. 

The format for the Level 8 Regional Championships will be two traditional meets.  The Meet Director may bid on a modified traditional meet format if the Meet Director is willing to absorb the additional cost.  The RAC is also accepting bids for the 2010 Level 8 Regional Championship.

    1. Meet dates for the 2008-2009 season are listed below.

a.  Level 9 & 10 State Meets

            1.  Possible:                  March 21-22, 2009

            2.  Preferred:                March 29-29, 2009

b.  Level 9 & 10 Regionals:       April 17-19, 2009

c.  Level 8 Regionals:                April 24-26, 2009

d.  Level 9 Easterns:                 May 7-10, 2009

     Tupelo, Mississippi

e.  Level 10 JO Nationals:         May 14-17, 2009

     Seattle, Washington

    1. Qualifying Scores will remain the same as last season.

a.  Level 8:       34.50

b.  Level 9:       34.00

c.  Level 10:     34.00

                  4.  The entry fees will remain the same as last season.

                        a.  Level 8:       $70.00

                        b.  Level 9:       $80.00

                        c.  Level 10:     $80.00

                  5.  The judging panels will remain the same as last season.

                        a.  Level 8:       2 judge panels

                        b.  Level 9:       4 judge panels

                        c.  Level 10:     4 judge panels

 

    1. The awards at the Level 9 & 10 Regional Championships were discussed.  The Level 8 Regional Championships provide one-third of the gymnast’s awards, but the Level 9’s and 10’s receive the minimum number of awards required by the Rules and Policies booklet. 

All Regional Championships will award one-third of the gymnast’s medals on each event and all around.

Motion:           Ed Gibson

2nd:                  Norbert Bendixen

Passed:           Unanimous

 

XIV.  THE NATIONAL CONGREESS IS JUNE 18-22, 2008. 

  1. The SC’s Meeting is scheduled for August 22, 2008.  Bobbi Montanari asked all SC to bring their lap tops.  A new financial report form will be presented.  Training on the new financial report will happen at the workshop.

 

XV.  REGIONAL CONGRESS

  1. The Regional Congress is scheduled for September 25-28, 2008.  The schedule is almost complete.  It will be sent out soon.  The Directors, Bobbi Montanari and Kathy Ostberg have been working diligently to provide a highly educational Congress.
  2. Congress Responsibilities
    1. Norbert Bendixen is in charge of the Trivia Contest.  He is asking for questions to be included in the contest.
    2. Ed Gibson is in charge of tending to the needs of the Presenters.  He will meet with Bobbi Montanari to confirm all responsibilities.
    3. Doug Rowe and Enrique Trabanino are responsible for Public Relations.
    4. Nina Dent will be in charge of the main registration table.  Bobbi Montanari will be attending the Region 6 Congress.  She will observe their registration table procedures and bring back ideas to be used at our Congress.
    5. Kittia Carpenter and Kristin Moore are responsible for the organization of the Banquet.  They will communicate with John Geddert to ensure a quality program.  The theme will be “Surf the Wave” (of the Olympics).
    6. Hilary Carlson will be the auctioneer at the Banquet.  Communication with Kathy Kelly or Rachel Brazo will be made about the merchandise to be sold.
  3. Bobbi Montanari has requested that the 2009 Region 5 Congress be held on   

September 18-20, 2009 at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention

Center in Schaumburg, IL.  Rachel Brazo of USAG is confirming the dates.

 

XVI.  PREP-OPTIONALS

The Prep-Optional meeting that was held prior to this meeting was very productive.  All states are in support of having a Region 5 Prep-Optional Program.

The RAC will support a Prep-Optional sub committee for the region.

            Motion:           Char Christensen

            2nd:                  Nina Dent

            Passed:           Unanimous

 

XVII.  CALENDAR

     A.  2010

            1.  Level 9 & 10 State Meets

                        a.  Possible:                  March 20-21

                        b.  Preferred:                March 27-28

            2.  Level 9 & 10 Regionals:       April 9-11

            3.  Level 8 Regionals:                TBD

            4.  Level 9 Easterns:                 April 29-May 2

            5.  Level 10 JO Nationals:        May 6-9

                 Long Beach, California

     B.  2011

            1.  Level 9 & 10 State Meets

                        a.  Possible:                  March 19-20

                        b.  Preferred:                March 26-27

            2.  Level 9 & 10 Regionals:       April 15-17

            3.  Level 8 Regionals:                TBD

            4.  Level 9 Easterns:                 May 5-8

            5.  Level 10 JO Nationals:        May 12-15

     C.  2012

            1.  Level 9 & 10 State Meets

                        a.  Possible:                  March 17-18

                        b.  Preferred:                March 24-25

            2.  Level 9 & 10 Regionals:       April 20-22

            3.  Level 8 Regionals:                TBD

            4.  Level 9 Easterns:                 May 10-13

            5.  Level 10 JO Nationals:        May 17-20

 

XVIII.  NEXT MEETING

The next RAC meeting will be at the Regional Congress on September 28, 2008 at 1:30 pm.  Regional meet bids and judging recommendations will be on the agenda.

 

XIX.  ADJOURNMENT

Meeting adjourned at 7:03 PM

 

Respectfully Submitted 6/26/08

Augusta A. Lipsey

Regional Secretary