Present:
Andy Anderson
Brian Bammel
Winnie Bloomquist
Geoff Broadhurst
Ann Brown
Diane Brown
Steve Brown
Joni Cotton
Phil Draper
Bob Fenson
Pam Finch
Denis Fox
Leslie Frosch
Bob Hardy
Peggy Hatch
Gayle Hazen
Clark Higgins
Jerome Larson
Doris Lauf
Warren Lowe
Richard Maskel
Jack McNelly
Lorrie Michael
Pete Mitchell
Lynette Munkberg
Elgie Noble
Sharon O’Brien
Dave Peck
Rusty Rau
Sandy Resetich
Leland Rich
Peggy Rotton
Donn Satrom
Mark Swandby
Jane Thompson
Tom Violette
Bob Whitehead
Amy Wright

Not present: Paul Pustovar, Lisa Schoeneberg, Bev Schroeder, Bob LaBonte, Bonnie Dixon, Scott Stewart, John Gordon, Patti Lank, Suzanne Liapis

Also present:
David Garber, Executive Director
Doug Anderson, Director, Member Services
Rick Patzke, Communications Director

Guests:
Aimee Preston, Curling Manager, Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Organizing Committee (SLOC)
Iain Hueton, President, Ogden Curling Club
Bill Kessler, President, High End Products Incorporated
Dr. Harold Riemer, University of Regina

Correspondence, miscellaneous items

Rich report on actions since last meeting.

Governance issues. Signatures were still needed from some directors for the USCA Conflict of-Interest Disclosure Form.

Salt Lake City Liaison. Lowe reported that activity was ongoing, but the focus these past few months had been on the Ogden nationals. Aimee Preston will also report during the upcoming USCA Members meeting. There had been a delay in shipping Olympic rocks to Ogden. (See discussion reported in members meeting minutes.)

Board of Review. Maskel reported, no activity.

2002 Men’s Scots Tour status. Higgins reported that Tom Satrom is contacting the Scots to inquire about the feasibility of changing the 2002 Tour to 2003, due to the extra events scheduled for the 2001-2002 season: the U.S. Olympic trials in December, the Olympic Games in February, and the Worlds in Bismarck in April. It is expected that many candidates for the Tour (traditionally held during January) will be working on one or more of these events.

Presentations:

Merchandising program. Draper introduced Bill Kessler, President, High End Concepts, Inc. Kessler gave a presentation on the USCA program to be implemented using his firm.

Draper reviewed the background on USCA merchandising, including the desired transfer of activity from staff to a vendor. Kessler stated that his firm is interested to help develop the sport. All USCA clubs will be offered High End/USCA products with club logo.

Latitude corporate curling event. Peck reported on this successful promotion of curling, utilizing a day-long event for a company of 160 people. USCA curlers, including Lank, Munkberg, Behnke, Dexter, and Hueton trained Latitude employees at the San Jose arena, which Latitude had rented for the entire day. The event was a tremendous success, including local TV coverage. The company contributed a great amount to California curling. The Ogden Curling Club is interested in using this promotional model.

Member marketing. Geoff Broadhurst introduced Dr. Harold Riemer, who has headed the design and implementation of the USCA member marketing program. A review of the results of last year’s club seminars is in progress. Follow up seminars are scheduled in late April and early May, for those who attended last season. Professors Riemer, Maureen Fitzgerald and Janet Fink continue to be involved. Three new seminars have been scheduled, for six people per club, in May and June, 2000. Those clubs who sent a full complement of five or six members to the seminars have realized some success in building membership this season. It is critical for seminar effectiveness that clubs send a full complement of members, a diverse group to include two new members (first or second year), two club directors, and two members at large. Riemer, Fink and Fitzgerald will again facilitate the seminars this season, but are looking to train USCA facilitators for the future.

2001 Junior Nationals. Carol Wood of Rochester (NY) made a brief presentation on the club’s 2001 Junior Nationals bid.

8. Finance & Strategic Planning (Bammel reported)

Finance. The final surplus for fiscal year 1999 is $6,850. Bammel commended the Treasurer and the staff on a clean audit, which indicated no internal control problems. He stated that a "no problem" audit is quite rare. Based on year-to-date operating results, the $40,000 budgeted surplus is projected to be an actual surplus of about $19,000. The committee believes that the USCA needs to accumulate a surplus of $150,000 over the next four years. Motion by Lowe, Hardy second, that the USCA budget for a $40,000 surplus for fiscal year 2001. McNelly asked if this level was practical in view of the limited amount of discretionary funds (versus designated grant funds). Motion by Rotton, Frosch second, to table the motion. Approved.

Strategic Planning. Rich and Anderson were asked to attend the committee’s meeting. Most of the planning tasks have been or will be accomplished for Priority issues #1-3 (Grow the Sport, Curler Development, and Sustained Competitive Success). For issue #4 (Governance), the USCA should better orient new directors. Anderson is recommending that the president-elect will have no committee assignments, so she can focus on seeing that the Strategic Plan is implemented. For Issue #5 (Revenue Enhancement) the USCA has not had acceptable progress. On the positive side, the new event management model has resulted in excellent success by nationals host committees who have adopted the model. Bammel expressed concern with the USCA’s revenue base, and with the need to change the perception that only competitive athletes are being served. D. Brown questioned the amount paid to Ogden committee in view of the large amount of dollars they generated through sponsorships. Hardy addressed this. Much of the income was value-in-kind rather than cash. Hardy explained that the changes to the USCA’s merchandising and pin program sharing impacted the Ogden host site. Hardy reiterated that all profits from the event will go to a legacy curling fund for Utah, not to the Salt Lake Olympic Organizing Committee. Lowe reiterated that the USCA decided to hold the event at the 2002 Olympic Venue in Ogden to benefit potential 2002 curling Olympians.

9. Treasurer (Anderson reported)

Anderson has distributed written financial reports, including a budget variance projection for fiscal year

2000. Anderson is concerned that the USCA may not reach the Donation Program goal of $65,000.

The juniors and mixed events appear to have had financial success. Anderson then reviewed the concept of budget "classes," including USCA (unrestricted), and two classes of U.S. Olympic committee (restricted) funds. The USCA balance sheet is in good shape. Line of credit expenses were about $200 this year. Anderson expressed concern with timely dues payment by member clubs.

Motion for 40k surplus for next year taken off the table. Frosch expressed concern with budgeting enough funds to assure adequate operations. Anderson reviewed areas from which the surplus must be taken. There was an extensive discussion. McNelly described the prospects for the front-loaded revenue from the rebewal of the Joint Marketing Agreement. Anderson stated that a portion of the JMA revenue can be booked as deferred income. The motion was approved, with several nays.

10. Legal/By-Laws (Anderson reported)

The WCF reps are "de-facto" no longer concurrently on the USCA Rules Committee, as required in the By-laws. He suggested that the By-laws be amended to require that at least one WCF rep be on the Rules Committee. Anderson asked the board to direct the committee to prepare this amendment. Motion by Noble, Lowe second, to ask the By-laws committee to prepare the amendment as described above. Approved. Anderson reported on a request by the Ogden Curling Club that the Utah Curling Association become part of a new region which would be combined with the California-Oregon region. Motion by D. Brown, Mitchell second, to ask the By-laws committee to prepare an amendment to combine the California-Oregon Region and the Utah Region to the Mountain Pacific Region. This would not impact allocation of playdown berths. Approved.

Anderson reviewed the By-law amendment previously mailed to directors using the unanimous consent rule, in regards to USCA compliance with new USOC Athlete Definition. One director had decided not to sign, therefore the amendment must be put to a vote at this meeting. Anderson noted that the USCA Athletes Advisory Council proposes that 5^th players be designated as qualified "7B" athletes only if they have played at nationals or worlds. A list of the USCA’s "designated" committees is being developed by the By-laws committee (interpreting the description in the Athlete Definition). Only "7B" definition athletes can elect other "7B’s" to the USCA-AAC and to the USCA board. 7C athletes will be defined as any athlete who has played down in Men’s or Women’s nationals within 24-months prior to the AAC election.

Resolution to interpret above amendment. Motion by Fox, Lowe second, to approve the By-law Committee’s proposal for adopting and defining the amendment to the USCA. Motion to table by Hardy, Lowe second. Approved.

(10 min break)

Motion taken off the table.

Resolution to accept By-laws committee interpretation of 7A & 7B athletes. (Having played down in Men’s or Women’s within the last two years. Mixed nationals does not apply because mixed is not recognized by the WCF. Approved unanimously.

Grievance procedure. Finch reviewed the proposal, distributed to the board, in Section 8.2 of the By-laws, which provides right of grievance only for violations related to USCA rules and procedures. For issues not connected to right to compete or to other USCA rules and regulations, a complaint process is established, using a new grievance review panel. Motion by Hardy, A. Brown 2^nd, to approve the committee’s preparation for submission to the board of the By-law changes as described above. Motion by Draper to amend the motion, Rotton second, by adding a statute of limitations. Violette spoke against the amendment saying there was no downside in having no time limit. Amendment approved (with Anderson abstaining and seven opposed). Amended motion Approved.

President’s term. Anderson reported that of 12 past USCA presidents polled, 10 supported a "one-plus-one" year or a two-year presidential term. The other two preferred a one year term. The committee proposes development of a By-laws amendment allowing for a second one-year term, to become effective May 1, 2004, and the concurrent elimination or modification of the President-elect position. Motion by Hardy, A. Brown second, that the committee prepare the amendment for the board. Motion by Bammel to table, Bloomquist second. Motion to table fails. Motion is then approved.

Presentation. Iain Hueton, Ogden Curling Club president, gave a presentation on the use of his model of gym floor stones for teaching curling to school children.

(Recess for lunch. 12-1pm)

11. Nominating

Lowe reported. He reviewed the nominations, previously distributed in writing, for 2000-2001 officers, WCF representatives, and board-elected directors. Motion by Bammel, Hardy second, that for this election only, no more than five Vice Presidents will be elected. Approved.

Lowe asked if there were any nominations from the floor. President-Elect. No nominations from the floor. Peggy Hatch is the only nominee. Vice President. No nominations from the floor. The nominees are Geoff Broadhurst, Phil Draper, Bob Fenson, Jack McNelly and Jane Thompson. Secretary-Treasurer. No nominations from the floor. The nominee is Clark Higgins. WCF representatives, two terms expiring. Elgie Noble and Lisa Schoeneberg were on the committee’s slate. No other nominations. Board-elected directors. In addition to the four person slate slate of Ann Brown, Denis Fox, Clark Higgins and Jack McNelly, Bill Forsythe was nominated from the floor by Bob Hardy.Hardy spoke in support for Forsythe. Motion by Frosch, Hazen second, to accept the slate by acclamation. Motion withdrawn after discussion about the 18-hour rule to separate nominations from the election. Diane Brown expressed concern with adding board-elected directors.

12. Athlete/Curler Recognition (Hardy reported) No names are being proposed at this meeting.

13. Executive Director (Garber reported) Staff activities will be reported as part of the committee reports. Questions and comments can come during USCA committee reports.

14. USOC (McNelly reported)

Norm Blake is the new U.S. Olympic Committee CEO. International performance will likely be increasingly important as a criterion for USOC grants.

Drug testing. Will be administered by a new international agency effective next season, with mandatory testing for all Olympic sports, both in- and out of competition.

OPUS. It now appears that Olympic Properties of the U.S. (OPUS), a partnership between the USOC and the Salt Lake Organizing Committee, will reach its revenue goals. This will relieve some funding concerns.

Paralympics. Financial and administrative support for the Paralympic sports, whether through National Governing Bodies or through separate Paralympic organizations, is under discussion at the USOC level.

USOC-AAC. McNelly thanked Tom Violette for his service this past four years as the USCA rep to the USOC Athletes Advisory Council, where Violette had represented the USCA very well.

Joint Marketing Agreement. According to a verbal commitment from the USOC, the June renewal will be for a 4.5 year term, and the USCA revenue will be roughly equivalent to the last four year term, including a value-in-kind component.

15. Athletes Advisory Council (Maskel reported)

Tom Violette’s service to both the USCA-AAC and the USOC-AAC was lauded.

U.S. Curling News. Maskel reported athlete support for the "gold medal" thoughts he expressed in his recent column in the Curling News.

AAC elections. There was a reluctance by eligible athletes to serve on the AAC. Most athletes realize there are no easy answers to many questions of USCA policy.

Olympic team selection. In an informal vote, the athletes voted 64-16 in favor of having a Hibbing-style Olympic trials event in 2001, rather than the concept detailed on the web site.

Ice and rocks. Maskel reiterated that rocks are an inseparable part of the term "ice," therefore excellent matched rocks are mandatory for USCA events.

USOC-AAC representative. Violette reported that the next election for the four-year term as USCA rep to the USOC-AAC will be conducted over the summer.

16. WCF (Noble reported)

Bismarck 2002WCC. Whitehead stated that the Bismarck contract for the 2002WCC has been agreed, and will be signed by Bismarck and WCF officials in Glasgow next month.

Unofficial World Seniors at Glasgow. The U.S. men’s team was selected by a playoff held in Poynette, Wisconsin, in January. Only one women’s team applied. Team’s from eight countries (men) and six countries (women) will compete in Glasgow.

WCF elections. Noble reviewed the election contests in connection with the WCF elections to be held at the Annual General Assembly in April. The USCA nomination for the WCF Executive Board is Denis Fox. Fox is also running for the Management Committee position of Director of Finance. Michael Bader (Liechtenstein) and Rob Boymans (Netherlands) are also nominees for the position. Scotland’s Roy Sinclair is the only nominee for President. Carole Barbey (Switzerland) and Les Harrison (Canada) are nominees for Vice President.

Nominees for the WCF Executive Board are Bruno Schallberger (Switzerland), Jim Oastler (Australia), Lilly Hummelt (Austria), Tove Porskjaer (Denmark), Kristian Soerum (Norway) and Per Nasman (Sweden). If Carole Barbey wins her race for vice president, countryman Bruno Schallberger’s nomination will be withdrawn. The WCF president, vice president and director of finance compose the Management Committee, and also serve as three of the seven members of the Executive Board.

17. USWCA

Dixon was not present, but submitted a written report. Hatch reported that Ann Brown recently "three-peated" at the USWCA National Bonspiel.

VP areas, reports:

18. Member Services (Mitchell reported)

Mitchell’s report included an overhead projector presentation showing progress in Member Services areas including the new Donation Program, Membership/Dues, and a recent meeting between Mitchell and the Minnesota Curling Association. Mitchell spoke of the challenge in reaching the local curler-workers with USCA programs. Nationwide, growth is stagnant. Mitchell feels this is due to the regions’ lack of respect for the USCA, poor USCA-member region communications, and a lack of planning and resources. To offset this, Mitchell suggests that the USCA develop joint growth plans with the regions, and strive to enhance USCA revenue that is dedicated to growth. Mitchell is seeking ideas addressing the question "how can the USCA and its regions work together to promote growth?" Member Services will meet with the Wisconsin Curling Association April 29; with the GNCC region shortly thereafter; and with other regions later.

A Growth Action (Draper reported)

This group looks at the overall USCA efforts in growth. Draper stated that, to be successful, everyone must be involved with USCA, regional and club growth programs.

B College Curling (Lauf reported)

The college program planning and funding is shared with the Illinois State Curling Foundation. This season, 17 teams participated in the national college bonspiel. Next year’s plan calls for at least six states to be involved in this event.

C Youth Curling (Anderson reported for Schroeder, Junior World team leader, who was absent) The main issue under consideration is determining the value of the junior playdown rebate program.

D Club Membership & Development (Broadhurst reported)

The stone pool of good rocks is empty. Lowe reported that one sheet of USCA rocks are held by the Utah Winter Games organization (not a good quality set).

Low cost facilities. After his retirement as a director May 1, Mitchell will continue to work on the USCA’s behalf by looking further into low cost facilities and ice plants. Nutmeg (Connecticut) may be the pilot project.

USCA membership cards/bag tags. Swandby commented on possible development of USCA membership cards or bag tags. Member Services is looking into this concept.

Brochures. Doug Anderson stated that the office is out of its stock of instructional brochures. Ogden’s Megan Dunphy has some ideas to help fund reprinting, and Doug will work with her to further develop the ideas.

E Training & Instruction (Munkberg reported) Four adult clinics are scheduled for next season, at Rice Lake, Fargo, Hibbing and Philadelphia. The Community Olympic Development Program (CODP) junior camp site will be Curl Mesabi or Duluth.

The committee proposes funding two intermediate level clinics. Gym floor curling programs are being developed. Lynette lauded Pete Mitchell for his efforts to develop Member Services as Vice President.

F Educational Course Development (Mitchell reported)

The USCA needs a short video to teach use of the stick, which should be inexpensive. When reprinting brochures, Mitchell suggests using the Keep the Rocks Roaring logo, and "paid for by USCA Donations Program" stickers. Member Services "wish list" includes a more expensive "introduction to curling" video.

19. Competitive Programs (Hatch reported)

A Olympic Development 2002 Olympic Team selection procedure proposal. The Olympic Development Committee proposes that the "Hibbing 1997 Olympic Qualifer" model be used to select three of the six men’s and women’s teams for the Olympic Trials, rather than the several qualifying events proposal that was posted on the USCA web site. This is in response to input from athletes and other members. The format would include 32 men’s teams and 16 women’s teams, who would qualify, as in 1997, through regional playoffs. 2001 Nationals, citizenship. Hatch introduced a motion in connection with planned use of the 2001 men’s and women’s nationals as an Olympic Trials qualifier of two men’s and two women’s teams.

Motion by Hatch, Anderson second, to remove age restrictions from the 2001 men’s and women’s nationals, and to require that all participants in the playdown process leading to and including the 2001 men’s and women’s nationals be U.S. citizens or be deemed "on track" for citizenship by the USCA and the USOC. Approved.

B Elite Programs (McNelly reported)

Podium grants summary. McNelly reviewed spending in each Podium Grant area.

Athlete Development Director. A written report will be mailed to directors in April.

ADD contract renewal status. Jim Waite’s contract expires June 30. Rich has appointed a search committee to identify a candidate for proposal to the Executive Committee, to be chaired by Jack McNelly. The committee will include Warren Lowe, who chairs the USCA Human Resources Committee, AAC chair Richard Maskel, an athlete to be named, and Ann Brown, Amy Wright, and Sharon O’Brien.

USOC performance markers. One of our World teams must medal, the other finish seventh or higher, and one of our Junior World teams must finish in the top four.

High Performance Camps. Two camps are in the planning stages, with details to be announced in March or April.

C Athlete Funding (Thompson reported)

Funding programs to come this season include the Canadian Amethyst Camp and Kingsmith Bonspiel, for top juniors. Selections are being finalized this week.

D Coaching (O’Brien reported)

O’Brien thanked Doug Anderson and Jim Waite for their support this season. Mini coaching symposiums were conducted by Waite at the junior nationals, with excellent attendance. The next symposium may be piggybacked with Munkberg’s next athlete camp, to help make Level 1 and 2 certification events more accessible. Coach-of-the-year nominations. O’Brien reminded directors of the need for nominations for the USCA’s annual coach of the year awards.

E Sports Science (Maskel reported) Iain Heuton is on the Sports Science and technology committee. A rock throwing device was tested at Ogden this week. Norm Reinhart is working to develop a laser measuring device (for scoring). S. Brown encouraged the committee to solve the problem of inaccurate hog line violation calls by developing technology , or a replay challenge. Extensive discussion ensued. Hatch closed by encouraging curlers everywhere to have junior camps and to encourage juniors in their area to enter junior playdowns.

20. Championships (Fenson reported)

A 2000 Competitive Events. The 2000 Juniors, 2^nd Chance, and Men’s and Women’s championship events were successful. The Mixed was looking like a big success. Higgins reported a record field at the 2000 Senior Men’s Bonspiel. D. Brown reported that the Silver Cup had been cancelled with only 10 entries made. The Silver Cup committee plans to have the event in December next season. They need a site. A promotional plan has been developed to boost participation. The name will be changed to "National Silver Cup Men’s Club Championship."

B World Team Preparation (Fenson reported for Schoeneberg) The USCA is encouraged to build some inventory of World team uniforms to facilitate timely outfitting.

C Drug Testing (Rotton reported) The committee has proposed a sanction protocol for positive tests. Rotton explained the process of applying for a drug waiver, with an annual September 1 deadline. Rotton proposed adding a waiver form letter and notice to the USCA web site.

Motion by Rotton, second by A. Brown, to accept the WCF and USOC doping policies and sanctions with one USCA clarification. Approved.

D Site Selection (Rotton reported) Bidders for USCA events in 2001 are Rochester (NY) for the juniors; Rice Lake (WI) for the mixed; Curl Mesabi, (MN) for the Men’s and Women’s; and the Chicago Curling Club for the 2^nd Chance. D. Brown stated that the nationals dates must include March 1, per board action several years ago, for travel to worlds reasons. Motion by Rotton, Noble second, to approve the bids described above, contingent on execution of contracts which the bidders. Approved. There are some bidders for events in 2002 and after. The committee wishes to effect a geographic spread, in order to give all areas a chance to host a USCA championship. Rotton feels it is important that USCA personnel visit host sites at least once, as has been done the past two years.

E Awards (Resetich reported) Fenson thanked Resetich for six years of service, as this is her last meeting. Resetich reported no changes in the USCA awards program this season. F Ice (Fox reported) Ice preparation at The Ice Sheet went very well last week. Great ice work by the USCA crew and The Ice Sheet crew..

G Drawmaster (Satrom reported) Satrom asked anyone with concerns with any draw to send them direct to him.

H Rules/Officiating/Eligibility (Noble reported)

Rules. The committee has administered 10-12 "Requests for Rulings" this season, which is more than was expected. The committee plans to propose rules changes for 2001 to the Executive Committee and/or the board this summer. Current rules Issues include the gender issue for Mixed playdowns/nationals substitutions; how to define "Team USA" in future, as to its state residency; and the question "When is a team officially registered?." The process of filling 2^nd Chance event openings went down four places this season.

Use of the "stick." The committee will propose adding a rule legalizing use of "the stick" for all non-playdown curling for next season.

Officiating. The USCA will address the WCF regarding use of U.S. officials at world events.

Noble reported on a successful commencement, this week at Ogden, of the USCA-SLOC 2000-2001-2002 volunteer project. Other officiating issues being considered include equity of current hammer flip rule; dealing more firmly with on-ice profanity; the need for better pre-event clock maintenance; and the need for better officiating equipment for use at events. Hardy stated his opinion that, for events, the USCA needs to be more host site friendly in terms of format. Noble congratulated Doug Anderson on his excellent support of the committee. Noble feels that the fact that Anderson is a playdown curler should not be a problem in his role with the committee, since his supervisor, the Executive Director, is not a playdown curler.

21. Operations (Draper’s committee chairs reported)

A Legal & Bylaws (reported earlier)

B Strategic Planning (reported earlier)

C Human Resources. Lowe had no detailed report but praised staff performance.

D Finance (reported earlier)

E Athlete/Curler Recognition (Hardy reported)

Four names are currently in the hopper for the Hall of Fame. No developments on an additional site for the USCA Hall of Fame.

F ACF&M Liaison. Hardy had no new developments to report.

22. Marketing (Draper’s committee chairs reported)

A Donation Program status (reported earlier by Anderson, Bammel and Mitchell)

B Marketing

Merchandise. Draper reported on the new merchandise program to be implemented between now and next fall. A presentation by Bill Kessler was given under section 7, above.

Joint Marketing. The verbal renewal offer for the USCA-USOC Joint Marketing Agreement should mean that the USCA will not be forced to change or delete programs for financial reasons.

Internet Marketing. Proposals have been received from about a dozen firms. Several USCA people will visit Rivals.com Tuesday. The NGB’s are attempting to form a collaborative in order to maximize opportunities in internet marketing. The USCA has signed an agreement with the Warren Company which precludes signing any internet agreement for 90 days.

C PR/Media

Draper gave kudos to Rick Patzke for pulling off the Ogden nationals TV production, with Outdoor Life Network, with no budget. The USCA web site has had nearly 500,000 "hits" for the week.

23. Elections & votes

Motion by Lowe, A. Brown second, to suspend the 18 hour rule for elections. Approved, by unanimous vote. Motion by Lowe, second by Bammel, to cast a unanimous vote for the slate, including those nominated from the floor. Approved.

24. Unfinished business

New Affinity Credit Card. Draper briefly discussed the USCA’s change to a new credit card issuer.

Whitehead retirement. Fox announced Bob Whitehead’s retirement after 17 years on the board (applause for service).

Hardy retirement. Fox announced that Bob Hardy is retiring after 18+ years on the board (applause for service).

Officers pin. The board agreed that past USCA officers may wear the USCA officers pin.

Meeting schedule. D. Brown commented on the meeting schedule.

25. New business

Retirements. Rich announced the retirement of directors Resetich, Violette and Mitchell (applause for their service).

Past president’s award. Anderson presented Rich with his past president’s pin.

2001 proposed meeting schedule. Anderson will soon distribute a proposed meeting schedule, for board and committees, for fiscal year 2001. Next year, at the nationals in March, he plans an officers planning meeting, but the board meeting will be in April.

Rich thanked everyone for their good work this past season.

A motion to adjourn was seconded and approved. Rich adjourned the directors meeting at 5:25 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,
David Garber, Executive Director
Reviewed and authorized,
A.M. Anderson, Secretary

Minutes

1. President Rich called the meeting to order at 8:40 a.m.

2. Secretary Anderson distributed lists of certified votes, proxies and member elected directors by member region, called the roll, and declared a quorum present. There were no new members or suspensions.

3. Motion by A. Brown, Bammel second, to approve the minutes of the last meeting, held in March 1999 at Duluth. Approved.

4. Rich appointed Bob Hardy as parliamentarian.

5. Ogden Nationals report. Rich asked the Ogden Nationals Host Committee Chairperson, Aimee Preston, to report on the event.

Preston reported that she considered the event to have been a great success. She lauded the job Bob Hardy had done as USCA event liaison, and thanked the 250 local volunteers for a job well done. She applauded the great technical support provided by the USCA.

Preston credited the USCA senior officials and icemakers for their excellent job. Courses had been conducted to train 30 statisticians for the 2001 Junior Worlds and 2002 Olympic Winter Games curling competition. Many volunteer officials and icemakers who served at these nationals would also serve at the 2001 and 2002 events.

The venue rated well, especially for its first use for a curling championship. Preston lauded the job done by the staff of The Ice Sheet. Icemaker Williamson and his crew did a great job.

Preston reported there had been very good local media coverage, which was facilitated by the excellent press releases furnished by Rick Patzke. Patzke also organized the TV coverage, which was a huge production, and Preston again offered kudos to Patzke. There was also local cable TV coverage including educational TV commercials.

Preston also thanked the local event sponsors for their great support. Kudos to Megan Dunphy, who reports that many local sponsors will stay on board for the 2001 World Juniors.

The transportation system went OK, with some early communications problems because athletes sometimes changed their minds and used rental cars instead of airport pick up.

Preston felt that the existence of the event contract was very helpful, as it defined what needed to be done and by whom.

There were some challenges for this first time project, with some early week glitches. By the third day, the event was running well.

Iain Hueton, the Competition Chairperson, reported that he was nervous on first day, but all worked out well, including having excellent ice. Hueton stated that about 5000 school children attended the event, which will help promote the Ogden Curling Club.

Preston concluded her report by reading the goals and mission of the event. She concluded that, except for the lack of the "Olympic stones," the mission had been accomplished. The members then applauded Preston and the Host committee for a job well done.

Status of rocks to be used at 2001 Junior Worlds and at the 2002 Olympic Games. S. Brown expressed concern that the "Olympic stones" had not been delivered for use at the nationals, and asked Preston for a status report on the whereabouts of the stones. Preston repsonded that SLOC’s purchase order included a January 1, 2000 delivery date and that the date had not been met.

Whitehead (WCF Director of Finance) explained that the stones are owned by the Salt Lake Organizing Committee, but are under control of the WCF technical delegate (Roy Sinclair). Whitehead stated that Kay’s of Mauchline, the only new stone vendor, had been unable to deliver the stones in time to first test the stones in Scotland and then ship them to arrive in time for the U.S. nationals. The reason to test first in Scotland is the proximity to the manufacturer, in case reconditioning of some of the new stones would be required. As a result of the manufacturing delay, the stones were tested at the 2000 Scottish nationals, and will be used again at the 2000 Worlds in Glasgow.

S. Brown asked why his proposal to furnish new (insert) stones for Olympic use, from Fred Veale, whose product Brown stated had been perceived as superior to the Kay of Mauchline stones in some quarters, had been ignored. Lowe (USCA WCF rep) explained that control of the Olympics and all aspects thereof are controlled by the Olympic Charter, which states that the IOC Technical Delegate for a sport (Sinclair, for curling) has total control of all technical issues, which in the case of curling includes the provider of the stones. Frosch encouraged the world coaches to research the Olympic rocks at 2000 Worlds. Evidently the plan is to ship the stones to The Ice Sheet shortly after the Worlds. Subsequent use of the stones will be subject to a letter of restrictions from Technical Delegate Sinclair.

6. Rich asked if there was any new or unfinished business. There was none.

7. Rich asked that the meeting be recessed until the conclusion of the directors meeting. Approved. Rich recessed the members meeting.

8. A motion to adjourn the Members Meeting was seconded and approved. Rich adjourned the Members meeting at 5:25 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

David Garber, Executive Director

Reviewed and Authorized,