CCAK Fall Meeting Notes

CCAK Fall Meeting Notes

October 9, 2004

Notes are presented by agenda order, not chronological. The meeting was conducted with critical items (race schedule, NRL issues, web site proposal) moved to the first two hours of the meeting in an attempt to efficiently use the phone conference time.

If anyone wants to add/correct/change anything, let me know. Distortions

1. Call to Order 11:09am
2. Present: Ben Ariens, Sara Miller, Mark Strabel, Matt Pauli, Jim Galanes, David Feeken, Don Fry, Joey Caternichio, Ja Dorris, Bob Stehn, Jan Buron, Adam Verrier, Cory Smith, Karen Mannix, Jon Quinn-Hurst

III. Old Business

A. Presidents Report

Jim Galanes shared his concerns about the relative low level of participation from throughout the ski community in CCAK from throughout the region, and that the primary function continues to be the Junior Qualifying races. As the governing body of nordic skiing in Alaska, CCAK has expressed the intention of being a leader of sport development in the state of Alaska, which it has not done. The challenge is to attract active board and committee members, and to that end a CCAK Summit is proposed for next spring (see new business).

B. Treasurers Report

Bob Stehn provided a summary of income/expenses for the past 4 years, and a draft budget for 2004-05. The board general elections will need to prior to approval of the proposed budget. A copy of the report can be obtained by emailing Bob:

C. Coordinator Report

Cory Smith will continue in the role for the coming season and has a proposal for continued improvements with race registration and management (new business).

D. Committee/Subcommittee Reports

1. Cross Country Committee

No old business.

2. Juniors

Justin Singleton was the CCAK nominee to NCCSEF for Junior Skier of the Year from Alaska.

3. Athlete Development

No report.

1. USSA Rep

Rule changes for USSA Competitions are posted on the USSA web site, notable changes: Junior Olympic qualifying criteria for college racers, selection criteria for the Junior World Team has been changed for 04-05, and fee increases for conducting USSA NRL races.

See new business.

5. Coaches Education No Report

6. Marathon Racing

Adam Verrier shared that there continues to be interest in creating an Alaska Marathon series, coordination of a points system is the hurdle. Oosik site will change for 05.

7. Seniors No Report

8. Youth Ski League No Report

9. Masters

10. Officials and Race Organizers

Clinics / training for officials and organizer, contact Matt Pauli. Pool of certified officials in Alaska is seven strong, with additional volunteers this season. Race organizers should contact Matt Pauli for assistance in contacting TD’s / officials for their races, especially the Besh Cups.

11. Membership See Bob’s Treasurers Report.

12. Finance See Bob’s Treasurers Report.

III. New Business

1. Election of New Officers TABLED, QUORUM OF ELIGIBLE VOTERS IN ccAK NOT PRESENT.
2. Nominations TABLED
3. Election TABLED

1. Coordinator
2. Renewal of contract Contract with Cory Smith renewed for 04-05
3. Web site proposal

Attached is proposal. After much discussion, the proposal for Cory to develop the database/registration/race management for the web site was approved, and his contract was amended to include payment for the license use the system by CCAK. The option to buy the system, with CCAK ownership of it, was maintained as an option.

B. New Business, by Committee and Subcommittee

1. Cross Country Committee

a. Race Schedule

The 2004-2005 Besh Cup Schedule was reviewed, discussed, and the schedule approved by all present will be posted on the CCAK web site as the final schedule, with age groups, techniques and distances. Schedule below.

b. Oversight of JO, AWG

Logistics are in motion for the 2005 Junior Olympics. David Feeken reported that plans for the AWG 2006 on the Kenai are in full swing and progressing. Coaches applications for the 2005 Team Alaska JO trip should be solicited in the next month.

1. Besh Cups as USSA NRL races.

USSA has increased the license fee and head tax to conduct an NRL race, and concerns from the clubs led to a lengthy and lively discussion of the reasons, pro and con, for conducting NRL races. The basic pro is that the Besh Cup JO qualifying races provide the venues for most of the J1/OJ juniors to obtain USSA points, which are used at JO’s to seed the athletes in the JO races, and can make a significant difference for the athletes. If they don’t have points, they are in the last seed of their age group. The con: increased financial burden to the clubs, especially for the smaller clubs who use the Besh Cups for a primary fund raiser. Also, it is hard to see a total of $2500 to $3000 from the region go to USSA for sanctioning fees, with little in return.

Motion: Caternichio, seconded.

Clubs pay the base sanctioning fees equal to 2004 schedule, CCAK pays the difference for the coming 05 season. Competitors who want to qualify for 2005 JO’s, in order for their Besh Cup points to apply for the qualifying process, must have a valid USSA competitors license by 12/15/04, prior to the first Besh Cup. This will require a huge educational component to inform the racers/parents of this requirement.

Discussion focused on the negative and positive aspects of having NRL races. NRL races in Alaska are the in state avenue of racing that links the racers to the USSA points process, which is the standard in the U.S. SuperTour, U.S. Nationals, some college races, and Spring Series are the OUTSIDE opportunities. Seeding in USSA events and USSA team selection criteria are based on the USSA National Ranking List (glaring exception: USSA coaches discretion continues to be the majority process for international comp selections for seniors). Discussion also focused on the limited ability of the clubs, CCAK, and other organizers to subsidize the increased fees. Other costs (grooming, trail maintenance, equipment upkeep, staffing, user fees for MOA facilities in Anchorage, etc) are also rising and further bind the event organizers. The cost of racing is not subsidized by an other source. It was suggested that the costs will have to be passed on to the “customers”.

MOTION failed, by a hand vote, 6 to 5.

Motion: Feeken, seconded.

Clubs will pay the USSA sanction fees for 05. CCAK will raise the entry fees for the races by $2.00 per racer, with an increase from $10 to $12 going to the host club, to assistwith the increase in sanction fees.

Competitors (J2,J1, OJ age classes) who want to qualify for 2005 JO’s, in order for their Besh Cup points to apply for the qualifying process, must have a valid USSA competitors license by 12/15/04, prior to the first Besh Cup. This will require a huge educational component to inform the racers/parents of this requirement, primarily by updating the online comp guide, announcements to coaches, and on CCAK web page. Sunsets May 1, 2005.

Discussion centered on the same issues as prior motion, with more focus on creating linkages to the national scoring system, and creating relief for the local club organizers in meeting increased costs. It was pointed out that with the increase of $2.00 in entry fees, some clubs very well make more money.

MOTION CARRIED WITH ONE NAY VOTE, GALANES.

1. CCAK Spring 2005 Summit

Discussion of the increased fees for the USSA NRL races, the burden this puts on the clubs, and the reasons for having NRL races led to a lengthy discussion re: the status of CCCAK, the need for broader based participation in the organization. This led to a proposal from Jim Galanes to invite the entire xc community to a summit in 2005. The tentative dates are April 8,9,10 2005 at APU. Topics proposed, with possible associated sessions: Athlete development, coaches education, official training, support for race organizers. Proposals, presentations, working groups are welcome and open to more ideas. Particular concerns include how to better prepare the junior athletes for the competitions, build a strong development system in the region for athletes interested in competing nationally and internationally, youth ski program development, review and revamping of the JO/AWG selection process that will dovetail better with the USSA NRL ranking / selection criteria.

Next Meeting of CCAK Board is October 26, 6pm at APU. Nominations for the Board are open. A general election will be conducted electronically.

Next meeting of the Cross Country Committee is Wednesday, November 10, 6pm at APU.

Meeting reluctantly adjourned some time around or after 4:11pm.