Badger Region Volleyball Association
Board of Directors Meeting
Region Office on October 3, 2010
Board Members In Attendance: Julie Voeck, Chad Schreiber, BJ LeRoy, Angie Hardwick, Jim Momsen, Franco Marcos, Paul Schlomer, Kelly Lehman, Betty Lange
Ex-Officio Members Present: Wayne Schultz, Jen Armson-Dyer, Dan Wong, Colleen Houk, Anne Slattery, Scott Blackmon
Guests: Doug Beal & Margie Mara, USA Volleyball
“Everyone has had a chance to review the agenda. Does anyone have a conflict of interest with anything we plan to discuss? Let the minutes reflect…”
I Call to Order
Voeck calls the meeting to order at 12:07 p.m. Introductions are made.
II Approval of Minutes From August 7, 2010
Armson-Dyer will add table of official’s pay to minutes. All in favor of approving minutes, none opposed. Motion passes.
III Region Office Report
a. 2010-11 Membership Report/Webpoint
Armson-Dyer reported that at the time of the meeting, 570 total members were registered for the 2010-11 season on Webpoint, with 387 of those being junior members. Discussion followed about the idea of a postcard mailing to get the word out about Webpoint. The idea was declined. Discussion about putting a note on the former registration website, Signup To Play. (STP was contacted, no response).
b. Website Status
Schultz gave a recap on the status of the website. Six weeks ago the change was made to the updated website and there are still items that are not completed. He is going to work with Gary Paul to see what can be done. Discussion about legal options, what needs to be done and who can do it.
c. Update on Budgeting/Accounting Process
Schultz gave an overview on the process. WIPFLI will be doing the office accounting, saving Schultz time and also saving money at the end of the year.
d. Junior Club Director Meeting Recap
Armson-Dyer recapped the Junior Club Director Meeting from August (webpoint training main focus). The club directors again voted to allow the libero to serve in all non-qualifying region events as a one-year experimental trial. Marcos proposes that the board approves this recommendation, Lehman seconds. All in favor, none opposed. Motion passes.
e. USAV October Annual Meetings
Schultz and Voeck will attend this meeting in Colorado Springs. Emphasis will be on materials related to concussions, Webpoint, insurance (including coach/player relationships), compliance with by-laws (Badger Region needs to review ours). Mara spoke on other items such as player safety, USAV restructuring and compliance, reevaluating 14-month season (Sept. 1 to following Oct. 31).
f. Badger Power League
Schultz talked about the updates to the BPL. Dates set, entire league will be hosted in Wisconsin Dells, we’re going to control the number of teams to help with scheduling (cap at 32 teams per division, then make a waiting list). Discussion about playing up, attracting teams from other regions, scheduling around Great Lakes Power League and middle school basketball.
g. Board Gifts
Schultz handed out polo shirts to all of the board members as a thank you for all of the work that they do.
h. Website
Schultz recapped the process that that office staff had been dealing with, with regards to the changes that were supposed to be happening with the website, especially after it was changed to the “new” and “updated” website. Schultz is in constant talks with Gary Paul to see the options. Discussion about what can be done and who can do it, along with legal options.
IV Tournament Director Report
a Badger Region Championships
In T. Paulson’s absence, Schultz discussed the Badger Region Championships, issues and dates. March 12-13 at the Frontier Airlines Center (formerly Midwest Airlines Center), March 19-20 at the Expo Center at State Fair Park. Incentives from both venues balances out the tear-down/set-up and movement. Going forward, Badger Region is on the schedule at the Frontier Airlines Center for the next seven years.
b Badger Region Qualifier
Schultz discussed May 1 as the date for the BRQ, all girls ages, site still TBD. Discussion regarding moving the qualifier date earlier to make the planning easier for those who qualify, rolling the BRQ in with the BRC (trickle down bids, seeding). Mara talked about an RPI system that USAV is working on in order to eliminate teams chasing qualifying bids. Discussion followed about what to do to make the BRC a better event for fans and teams.
V Adults
a Adult Member “Convention” Tournament
LeRoy talked about the idea of having a season-kick off adult “convention” (bigger) tournament to get the adults in to get registered, play, train on ref/scorekeeping. Prizes would be entry into the BRC. Discussion following on timing and it was decided that the timing was too close for this year. Discussion about the best way to move forward with adults, and it was decided that at the first Great Lakes tournament run by the Paulsons, the region staff would assist with registration and ref/sk training would run in the morning, with play in the afternoon. Discussion on the ref/sk training, length, incentives to get people there. Discussion following about this is directly enhancing a tournament for the Paulsons in an individual way rather than for the region. LeRoy said he and T. Paulson discussed that but it should be run the first weekend. Marcos stated that this tournament is always well-run and would be a good time to do it. Discussion about tapping into city leagues, moving schedules, joining in with the WVC . Momsen proposes that the Badger Region allocate up to $800 for an adult training/registration session. Schlomer seconds. All in favor, none opposed, LeRoy and Lehman abstain. Motion passes.
b Adult Issues
Beal said that adult participation around the country is lacking. They’re talking about enlarging the open division of adult national championships to help start a world club championships at the request of NORCECA. They’re still working out logistics. Discussion followed about lack of pro volleyball in the United States and how to make adult participations in the regions greater (adult HP teams). Schreiber stated that timing is always a problem with adults, that running and adult region HP championship would work but space would be an issue.
VI Executive Committee Action
a Seton Tournament Sponsorship
For the last four years without Executive Committee knowledge, the Region has been sponsoring $2,500 a year the Elizabeth Seton grade school tournament. The expectation is that the Region would get back $1,250 from the clubs included in the ad. The Seton inquired again this year, and if not a major sponsorship as in the past, than an ad. Discussion followed about how this money was spent in the past without approval, the benefit to the region if the players in Southeastern Wisconsin are already coming, that the clubs should be buying this instead of the Region, what the money is being used for, can the tournament be run without our money, or is our money just benefitting someone else’s profit. No motion received for an ad in the Seton Tournament brochure.
b Goals, Bylaws and Budgeting Process
Voeck discussed that the Executive Committee is reviewing bylaws, policies and procedures, which will also be covered at the RVA meetings in Colorado Springs. Some revision to the Badger Region bylaws was done in 2009.
VII Requirements for Region Involvement
a Hosting a Sanctioned Tournament
Mara discussed that the Great Lakes region is giving priority to those clubs who are registering everyone with the region/USAV over those who won’t be registering everyone. It is up to each region to decide its best policy. Discussion followed about involvement of USAV members participating in the same space as non-USAV members, insurance implications, etc. Beal stated that he does not approve of excluding USAV members because of their association with multiple affiliations.
b Policies and Procedures for Multiple-Association Clubs
Voeck asked if we had something in our language about Badger Region rules taking precedence. Discussion of dual memberships and ways to get around region rules. Beal stated that the region should have the authority to sanction members/clubs who are using rules to get around other rules. Voeck suggested that the agenda move forward and the issue can be revisited at a later time.
VIII Value of USA Volleyball
a Overview of USAV and its responsibilities
Beal talked about the branches of USA Volleyball, that they’re a National Governing Body, one of 45 in the world, and are responsible to the US Olympic Committee by law. The USOC provides around 12% of annual budget and the requirements that come with that. USAV is also a National Federation for all of volleyball to FIVB, one of 221 in the world, and have to meet certain criteria, including beach, television and sponsorships. USAV is also a National Organization, the former USVBA with 40 regions of all levels of volleyball. A large portion of all USAV activity is dedicated to this portion. Beal stated that the issues arise when those three pillars come into conflict with each other. Other than the national team technical staff, around 45 staff members are dedicated to the logistics of the National Organization. There are assemblies (membership, beach, officials, etc.) that should develop the policies and the regions enforce the policies. Some regions do not have adult, boys, outdoor programming and that needs to be expanded.
b What Does USAV Provide?
Beal talked about the benefits of USAV and joining a USAV Region: coaches meet all requirements (education and training, facility requirements, athlete protection) and USAV is the only one requiring all of this. It is the most quality environment and USAV needs to educate parents on this and what they are getting for their money. Want to do this in a positive manner and not point fingers at other organizations. USAV wants to create tools for the players to be able to identify appropriate behavior and see the benefits. Also, regions should have wide latitude in creating different membership options to best serve their members. USAV is trying to be flexible and creative to grow membership.
c Can Regions register members to other organizations?
Beal stated no. An RVA of USAV has to register only USAV members, this is in the bylaws. Voeck met with JVA Executive Director Jenny Hahn about their problems with USAV and they are: how the qualifiers are run (open divisions), timing of the tournament (done before July 4) and the hotel program of Stay To Play. Beal stated that the qualifier process is still recommended by the junior assembly and the junior assembly made the structure in place. USAV is in contractual agreements with the Qualifiers and the problem is in the open divisions, the only one where you must qualify. USAV is looking at adding qualifiers but they must balance dates and locations. They are also heading towards a ranking system.
d Qualifiers
USAV could get out of contract in two years but what should go in the place of them. Also, USAV “taking back” qualifiers as suggested is a delicate situation because you’d be taking away something that a club/region has developed over a long period of time. The Qualifiers do pay a licensing fee to USAV. USAV is looking at moving younger players and 18s to earlier in the spring but have to work around prom, graduations, holidays, etc. Size of venues, hotel availability also plays a part.
e Stay To Play
Beal said that without it, the cost of the events are going to go up. This is not a new thing, a lot of conventions are going this route because they can quantify the number of people attending and that leads to discounts. USAV is working with THS, who is making changes and will make exceptions.
f Communications between USAV and AAU/JVA
USAV initiates a lot of the conversations. They have met with AAU and they like what USAV does but volleyball isn’t the most powerful voice in that organization. They have stated they’re not in the business of training officials or coaches.
g Representation on Junior Assembly
Juniors are one of the biggest areas and the question was brought up how to get a bigger voice? Mara said it needs to be brought up at the RVA Junior Assembly. Not all regions have the same views and the representation needs to be the junior people, not just someone who is informed of junior issues.
h Why can’t the libero serving be a USAV rule?
Mara stated that the United States is the only country in the world who uses different rules (high school, college, etc.). USAV made the changes for development and safety. There have been talks on different committees to make the change. This is why USAV wants the regions to let them know about the rule changes so that USAV can quantify the changes.
IX Adjourn
LeRoy motions to adjourn the meeting, Marcos seconds. Meeting adjourned at 4:26 p.m.
Motions:
- All in favor of approving minutes, none opposed. Motion passes.
- Marcos proposes that the board approves the recommendation by the junior club directors to allow the libero to serve in all non-qualifying Badger Region events as a one-year trial, Lehman seconds. All in favor, none opposed. Motion passes.
- Momsen proposes that the Badger Region allocate up to $800 for an adult training/registration session. Schlomer seconds. All in favor, none opposed, LeRoy and Lehman abstain. Motion passes.
- LeRoy motions to adjourn the meeting, Marcos seconds. Meeting adjourned at 4:26 p.m.
Action Items:
- Armson-Dyer will add the officials pay table to August 2010 minutes.
- Executive committee will review Badger Region bylaws, policies and procedures.