Present:
Albert Anderson
Brian Bammel
John Benton
Winnie Bloomquist
Geoff Broadhurst
Ann Brown
Diane Brown
Jon Brunt
Joni Cotten
Grayland Cousins
Phil Draper
Bob Fenson
Pam Finch
Bill Forsythe
Denis Fox
Leslie Frosch
Peggy Hatch
Gayle Hazen
D. Clark Higgins
Jerome Larson
Doris Lauf
Suzanne Liapis
Warren Lowe
Richard Maskel
Lynette Munkberg
Elgie Noble
Dave Peck
Donna Purkey
Peggy Rotton
Andy Roza
Lisa Schoeneberg
Bev Schroeder
Chris Sjue
Mark Swandby
Ann Swisshelm
Jane Thompson
Tom Violette
Greg Volk
Georgia West
Amy Wright

1. Call to order
Anderson called the meeting to order at 1:00pm. He introduced and welcomed the directors new to the board: Grayland Cousins, Amy Becher, John Benton, Jon Brunt, Bill Forsythe, Nicole Joraanstad, Donna Purkey, Andy Roza, Chris Sjue, Ann Swisshelm, Greg Volk and Georgia West.

2. Roll call
Higgins called the roll. Directors present introduced themselves. Higgins declared there was a quorum.

3. Parliamentarian
Anderson appointed Denis Fox as meeting parliamentarian.

4. Election of board-elected directors.
Motion by Bloomquist, A. Brown second, that,

Approved.

5. Additions to printed agenda.
There were no additions to the agenda.

6. Approve minutes of previous board meeting.
Motion by Bammel, Hatch second, to approve the minutes of the directors meeting of March, 2000, held at Ogden, Utah. Approved.

7. Approve actions of Executive Committee.

a. June 17-18 meeting. Motion by Lowe, Bammel second, to approve the actions of the Executive Committee taken at its meeting of June 17-18, 2000 at Chicago. Approved.

b. June 27 Special Meeting. Motion by Lowe, Draper second, to approve the actions of the Executive Committee taken at a special meeting held via conference call on June 27, 2000 (regarding citizenship eligibility for U.S. Nationals). Approved with one opposed.

c. August 4 Special Meeting. Motion by Lowe, Higgins second, to approve the actions of the Executive Committee taken at a special meeting held via facsimile correspondence and vote on August 24, 2000 (approval of the USCA’s proposed 2002 Olympic Team Selection Procedure). Approved.

d. September 6 Special Meeting. Motion by Lowe, A. Brown second, to approve the actions of the Executive Committee taken at a special meeting held via conference call on September 6, 2000 (regarding an appeal of a disciplinary action). Approved.

b. USCA Salt Lake City Liaison. Lowe reported a need for board action to appoint a USCA Head Games Statistician for 2001 World Junior Curling Championships and the 2002 Olympic Winter Games Curling Competition, both to be held in Ogden, Utah. Motion by Lowe, Fox second, to appoint Bob Hardy as USCA Head Games Statistician for the 2001 WJCC and the 2002 Olympic Games. In response to a question, Lowe briefly reviewed the work Hardy has done in the past year to establish a statistics team. Approved.

c. 2002 Men’s Scots Tour. Higgins reported. The USCA has been invited to send a team of 20 men to compete on a 21-day tour of Scotland. The Tour takes place every 10 years. The USCA president appoints a Tour team selection committee, which for the 2002 Tour, tentatively scheduled for early November, 2001, includes Clark Higgins (chair) of Wisconsin, Larry Brown of Illinois, Tom Satrom of Minnesota, Bill Rotton of New York, and Pete Mitchell of New Jersey. The selection committee members are all veterans of the 1992 Tour. The selection process, including criteria for selection to the team, has been posted on USCA web site, and will be publicized in the October issue of the U. S. Curling News, and by letter to USCA member clubs and regions.

d. Legal issues. Anderson reported on the status of several open legal issues.

i. Grievance. In 1999, a member filed a grievance related to several issues, including the 1999 hiring process used by the USCA to hire the Athlete Development Director. The grievance was denied by the Executive Committee, and is currently in the binding arbitration process. Anderson, with the Executive Committee’s approval, has negotiated a settlement with the member, who Anderson believes is prepared to sign a settlement agreement. The settlement terms include a confidentiality clause.

ii. Disciplinary action. This summer, the President imposed one year suspensions on two athletes for a breach of the USCA "no-alcohol" policy at the 2000 Junior World Curling Championships at Geising, Germany, last March. Anderson explained that the "no-alcohol" policy has been a part of the USCA Player/Coach Agreement for many years. He stated that a mandatory one-year suspension, as penalty for breaching the Agreement, had been approved last February and had been signed by all Junior World Team athletes approximately one month prior to their departure for Geising. Anderson reviewed the actions he had taken since the USCA was made aware of a possible breach of the policy just after the Junior Worlds. Anderson appointed a three-person committee, chaired by Bammel, to investigate the allegation. That committee took testimony from athletes, Team Leaders and others, and concluded that two athletes had violated the Zero-Tolerance policy. Anderson then imposed one-year suspensions for the two athletes. Both athletes waived their right to a hearing in front of the USCA Board of Review. Both athletes appealed to the USCA Executive Committee, which denied both appeals, but modified the sanction to allow participation in competition leading to the National Olympic Qualifiers scheduled for April, 2001. The modification was approved to eliminate the chance that the one-year suspensions would not extend beyond one year by including an Olympic team selection process that would conclude in 2002. Last week, the representative of one of the athletes has verbally indicated to Garber that the athlete plans to demand binding arbitration. (The USCA was served with written notice of the demand in late September. --Recording Secretary). Discussion ensued.

iii. Anderson reiterated to directors that it is important to keep confidential information confidential. Anderson distributed two letters to directors. The first, from the USCA’s legal counsel, included advice regarding confidentiality; the second, from a curler-attorney, included advice about the general duties and responsibilities of a director of a non-profit organization.

9. Finance.

a. Surplus. Bammel reported that the board-mandated $40,000 budget surplus for fiscal year 2000 has been exceeded, as a $55,000 surplus was realized. The committee had reviewed the FY2001 budget, which also includes a $40,000 surplus, by board-mandate. The USCA current net worth is $192,000. The committee believes $250,000 net worth figure is a prudent goal.

b. Audit. The USCA expects a clean report for its annual financial audit conducted in August, 2000.

c. Insurance. The committee annually reviews USCA insurance coverage. Coverage is adequate. The committee thanked the Executive Director for arranging several policy and coverage changes that have reduced annual premiums over $6,000.

d. Revenue. USCA revenue sources still need augmenting. The committee notes that over 30 member clubs made no contributions to the Donation Program. While the committee believes that a dues increase is warranted, the committee felt that there were other important programs on which to focus at this time. Until members’ perception about the USCA dues level is changed (USCA dues are among the lowest of any sports governing body), the committee prefers to focus on other ways to increase revenue.

e. Approve auditor. Motion by Bammel, Lowe second, to approve Reilly, Penner and Benton as auditors for the next annual audit. Approved.

10. Treasurer.

a. Audits. Higgins stated that the interim CPA audit report of the USCA was satisfactory. The U.S. Olympic Committee has notified the USCA that it will audit the USCA in October, 2000, in Stevens Point, for the years 1998 and 1999. This will be the third USOC audit of the USCA since the USCA joined the USOC in 1994. The USCA requested the first audit as a training tool. The USCA passed the second audit with "flying colors," and Higgins anticipates no problems with the upcoming audit.

b. Treasurer’s report. Higgins distributed his report, which included results from fiscal year 2000, and the approved budget for fiscal year 2001. The balance sheet shows that cash assets have risen from $13,000, last year at this time, to $129,000. A large part of the difference was that a receivable from the U.S. Olympic Committee that has since been paid. The rest of the rise reflects the $55,541 operating surplus enjoyed last fiscal year. As a result of the rise in net worth, no borrowing should be needed this year against the USCA Line of Credit. The USCA has cash to cover about two months of cash needs. Higgins characterized the $250,000 net worth figure, desired by the Finance Committee, as reasonable when compared to the size of the USCA annual budget. Higgins referred to his budget variance report and reported that actual to budgeted revenues were "right on," although $10,900 in potential revenue from the 1999-2000 season Podium grant had not been used. As for actual to budget expense variances, each USCA officer had reviewed and evaluated variances in their area for variances over $1,000. The "Key Data" in Higgins’ report is an analysis of revenue contributions to the USCA by region, from dues, entry fees and the Donation Program. Higgins noted that the member regions vary widely in their revenue contributions.

11. Legal/By-Laws. Larson reported. He noted that directors had been notified as required in the By-laws, in advance of proposed By-law amendments. (The notice is on file in the USCA Minutes log.—Recording Secretary)

a. Motion by Larson, Peck second, to approve a By-law amendment to create the Mountain Pacific Curling Association, to include Utah, California and Oregon. It was noted that the change does not impact championship format. Approved.

b. A motion was made but withdrawn, due to the need to address other sections of By-laws that may be affected by any change to the duties of the President-elect and a two-year presidential term.

c. Motion by Finch, Forsythe second, to approve a By-law amendment that eliminates the USCA representatives to the World Curling Federation as the USCA Rules Committee, but requiring one of the WCF representatives to serve on the USCA Rules Committee. Approved.

d. A motion to amend the By-law section on grievance rights and procedures was not completed, and a motion to Table was thus ruled by Anderson to be not necessary. The purpose of tabling was to allow further study and discussion on the establishment of a one-year "statute of limitations" on the right of members to grievance. Anderson, who had served on the USCA By-laws committee, reviewed the background of By-laws Committee’s work on this subject over the past two years. Directors discussed the "right to compete" versus access to binding arbitration for administrative reasons, and discussed the pros and cons of including a "statute of limitations" clause. The President returned the issue to the committee for further study.

12. Nominating. Bloomquist reported on the role and make-up of the Nominating Committee, which is detailed in the USCA By-laws. A slate of officer and other nominations will be provided to directors prior to the meeting scheduled for April, 2001.

13. Executive Director. Garber reported that, per custom, staff activity and project reports will be part of the various committee and officer reports. He continues to be very pleased and gratified with the performance of paid staff. He encouraged comments from directors, directly or through their officers or committees, at any time, regarding staff service or performance. Garber thanked the volunteer board for their efforts. He observed that much work is accomplished in the USCA by teams including staff and volunteers, which can lead to complex administration, but, for the most part, has worked well in the USCA.

14. Athlete recognition. Maskel reported that a quorum was not present at his committee’s meeting. Nonetheless, the committee is proposing that the board agree to consider two candidates proposed by the committee for election to the USCA Hall of Fame. The board approved condideration by consensus. Maskel distributed nomination forms and resumes for the candidates, and asked directors to be prepared to vote tomorrow. A two-thirds majority of the USCA board is required for election to the USCA Hall of Fame.

15. Member Services. VP Broadhurst introduced his committee chairpersons.

a. Club membership and development. Broadhurst reviewed the Member Marketing Research and Seminar programs that have been conducted over the last three years. The research was used to develop the seminars. To date, over 17 clubs have attended the seminars (initial and follow-up versions). The clubs that fully participated in the seminars (e.g., sent five to six members) have had an average membership increase of 7%, which equals the USCA annual goal. For all participating clubs, membership has increased 2%. For all USCA clubs, membership declined 2% during the same period. Dr. Harold Reimer reported in more depth on the membership marketing seminars. Attendees at each seminar are strongly encouraged not to leave until they have developed a three-year membership growth plan for their club. The plan should encourage clubs to develop a culture of service orientation for their "clients," the club members. Marketing is a year-round, ongoing process. Initial and follow-up seminars have been concluded, for nearby clubs, at Albany, Fargo and Stevens Point. Each club’s seminar participants should include new curlers and board members among the five to six person team. Results should be tracked for several years in order to fully measure membership results. Seminars involving 14 more clubs have been conducted for this year in Cleveland, Madison, Fairbanks and Hartford. A new Club Management Manual and a Club Member Seminar Instructor’s Manual are being prepared for club use. The USCA wants to train volunteers to conduct future seminars. Lukowich asked if the USCA had considered developing a "club manager/club pro" certification program. (The USCA had not, but several directors expressed interest in the idea.) Broadhurst stated that many USCA clubs are not yet committed to participation in the program in spite of several communications. He stated that the USCA should be ready to convert public interest in curling, that may emerge as a result of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games, into increased membership.

b. College Curling. Lauf reported on college curling activities. The USCA has a productive relationship with the Illinois State Curling Foundation, which is the source of matching funds for the program, in the person of Rich Larko, the ISCF Executive Director. This season, college curling tournaments will be held at Stevens Point, Wisc., Duluth, Minn., Fago-Moorhead, N.Dak., Minot, N.Dak., Broomstones, Mass., and Ogden, Utah. The national college curling tournament will be held in Madison, Wisc., in March, 2001.

c. Youth Curling. Schroeder reported. Demand for USCA subsidies for "Little Rocks" has varied widely each year, making it difficult to anticipate budget needs. Junior Playdown Entry Fee Rebates were sent to 62 first-time junior playdown curlers last season. The Junior Merit Program is active in several clubs, and is being revamped and modernized by volunteers. A Youth Curling Survey exists, but response has not been great. As a result, Brunt and Joraanstad will develop a web site questionnaire designed to boost response. Brunt will also write youth related articles for the U.S. Curling News. Youth Curling Camps: Seventy-six curlers attended the Eau Claire camp in July and 31 attended at Cape Cod; camps are yet to come in October at Grafton and Curl Mesabi. School Curling: committee members will promote curling at teachers conventions in Wisconsin, North Dakota and Minnesota this fall, with interest for appearances in Illinois and in the East. "Curling in the Gym" program: To date, over 40 packets (produced by the Canadian Curling Association) have been sent to teachers in various school districts. The packets include a complete lesson plan and a video for introducing and teaching curling in schools, and costs about $25.

d. Training & Instruction. Munkberg reported that adult camps will be conducted this fall at Rice Lake, Wisc.; Philadelphia, Penn.; Fargo, N.Dak.; and Hibbing, Minn.. The Rice Lake camp is designed for competitive curlers who have not qualified for USCA funding, and will feature Ed Lukowich and several other capable instructors. Munkberg also reported the development of three programs: a new "alternative deliveries" video; training curlers to use the "stick" (for curlers who have trouble with regular delivery); and a program to assist curlers confined to wheelchairs. Also, additional instruction camps are proposed with three types of instructor: a "headliner" and two high level instructors. The committee is still working at the goal to have at least one certified instructor as a member of each club. In response to a director’s question, Munkberg stated that the committee would recognize U.S. instructors who had been certified at Canadian instructor courses.

16. Competitive Programs. VP Thompson introduced her committee chairpersons.

a. USOC Markers. A. Brown reported that the USCA achieved 3 of 4 U.S. Olympic Committee "Markers" in 1999-2000, therefore for this season, the USCA will receive 100% ($275,000), of its current centralized funding grant. As part of the change in the USOC management and programs, 2000-2001 season Marker achievement will not directly impact future funding. Rather these Markers will be a benchmark for the new relationship with the Director of Sports Partnerships. 2000-2001 Performance Markers are: One of two adult teams will medal at 2001 World Championships; the other 7^th or better. One of the 2001 Junior World teams will medal. The "Task Marker" is media development oriented.

b. USOC Podium Funding. Thompson reported on the approved USOC Podium grants for the 2000-2001 season, which totaled about $300,000 (the exact number for Athlete Development Director Expenses needs clarification). Details will be published in the U.S. Curling News, and posted on the USCA web site.

c. Elite Programs. Assistant committee chair Cousins reported for McNelly. The committee has provided the USCA Championship Site Selection Committee with criteria to use in considering selection of event sites. An Elite Camp was conducted late August in Ogden. Thirty-six athletes and eight coaches attended. The camp was at the 2002 Olympic curling venue. Lukowich did an excellent job in heading the camp. Attendees visited the 2002 Games Athlete Village. Summer ice will be available for Olympic hopefuls next summer, funded by a Podium grant. Lowe asked Elite Programs for the details needed to facilitate a contract with Ogden. Anderson has appointed Rich as USCA Director in Charge of the Trials event. Lukowich reported on his duties as USCA Athlete Development Director. He offered observations on Olympic medals. He described some of his plans to assist U.S. athletes attain U.S. Olympic medals in 2002.

d. Athlete Funding. Thompson reported on the individuals and teams selected to receive Basic, Podium and Team Travel Grants. Details will also be reported in the October issue of the U.S. Curling News, and on the USCA web site.

f. Sports Science. Maskel reported. The USOC Sports Science Grant Program has been discontinued, to be rolled into the new USOC Performance Funding system, administered by the USOC Director of Sports Partnerships (Chris Vadala for the USCA). Maskel described a package of curling technology items that the USCA can purchase or rent under a matching grant from the USOC Podium program. The cost of the package would be about $11,500. Maskel lauded Iain Heuton of the Ogden Curling Club for his contribution to the committee. Maskel encouraged help from anyone interested in the sports science aspects of curling.

g. World Team Preparation. Schoeneberg reported. Schoeneberg is making the usual advance arrangements for 2001 World Team uniforms. The number of U.S. banners provided to the teams will be increased from 12 to 18, to meet protocol needs. The committee proposes a mandatory early departure time for World Teams, especially when Worlds are not in North America, for jet lag reasons. Schoeneberg described several world team outfitting issues.

17. Championships. VP Fenson introduced his committee chairpersons.

a. National Men’s Club Championship. Peck reported that this event has been renamed the National Men’s Club Championship (was Silver Cup). The event will be held in Minot, N.Dak., February 15-18, 2001 (which is President’s Weekend). Two teams per club will be allowed. All team members must curl at the same club, and cannot have played at 2^nd Chance or higher level that season. A 32 team field is the goal. Peck reminded directors that the committee had, last March, requested $1,000 for event awards to be included in the USCA budget, but that the amount does not appear in the approved budget. (Secretary’s note: this was remedied later in this meeting.)

b. Drug Education & Testing. Rotton reported. The office will mail the new USOC Drug Education brochure and Wallet Card to last year’s playdown athletes this fall. Additional supplies will be available at the USCA office. The October issue of the U.S. Curling News and the USCA web site will include information related to drug testing. The new U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) is now administering all drug testing, which will now include "No-Advance-Notice" testing (NAN). The USCA must define categories of athletes to be subject to NAN testing. The committee proposes that all USCA athletes who receive USCA and/or USOC grant funding be defined as the group subject to NAN testing. Athletes seeking drug waivers may apply through the USCA office. The USCA will communicate with USOC and WCF to ensure prompt notice to USCA athletes should the list of banned substances for curlers change.

c. Site Selection. Rotton reported. The committee thanks the 2001 USCA event host sites Rochester, Rice Lake, Madison and Chicago for their commitment to host USCA events. Sites must be selected for 2002 Junior Nationals and Men’s/Women’s Nationals.

Motion by Rotton, Hatch second, to approve championship sites, as listed in the committee’s report (below), with approvals subject to final acceptance by the sites and the conclusion of contracts between each site and the USCA. Sites and events to be: the Seattle Granite Curling Club, to host the 2002 USCA Mixed National Championship; the Duluth Curling Club, to host the 2001 Men’s National Olympic Qualifier; the Utica Curling Club, to host the 2001 Women’s National Olympic Qualifier; the Waupaca Curling Club, to host the 2002 USCA Men’s 2^nd Chance Competition. Approved.

Rotton thanked the clubs that have bid for events. The Marshfield Curling Club is proposed as host site for the 2003 USCA Mixed National Championship, pending further investigation into their capabilities and agreement to host the 2003 event. Rotton thanked Patzke for his site visits, which have been crucial to the success of the events.

(At 6pm, Anderson declared a recess, with the meeting to reconvene at 8 a.m. Sunday morning.)

d. Awards. Schoeneberg reported, and asked for board approval on several policy changes.

Motion by Schoeneberg, Rotton second, to discontinue the silver bowl awards given annually to the home club of national champions. The rationale is the elimination of the requirement that all playdown team members belong to the same club. Approved.

Motion by Schoeneberg, Swisshelm second, to engrave four, rather than five, awards bowls and medallions given to national champions, with a fifth bowl or medallion available to provide, for engraving later, if a winning team includes a 5^th player. The rationale is that most teams participating at USCA nationals do not have 5^th players. Approved.

Motion by Schoeneberg, D. Brown second, that the USCA eliminate the Curtis Cup and Stephens Awards unless future funding is forthcoming from the Curtis or Stephens families. The savings would be about $1,300 annually. The Stephens Award is given to the winning teams at Junior Nationals, the Curtis Award is given to two teams at Junior Nationals for Sportsmanship. Discussion. Motion withdrawn by Schoeneberg and D. Brown.

Motion by Schoeneberg, Finch second, to investigate the funding status of the Curtis Cup and Stephens Awards, and to eliminate the awards unless it is clear that the funds are available to continue with either or both award programs. Approved.

Schoeneberg noted that both awards were approved based on funding from the namesakes or their families. Schoeneberg noted that the Jean Brooke Award for the winning team at the Women’s Nationals, funded for many years by Tom Brooke, had been discontinued at his request. Brooke had decided to discontinue funding the award because the USCA women’s champions now receive much more funding from the USCA and the USOC. Schoeneberg reported that a donor had offered to provide the funds to reinstate this trophy, renamed as the Mary Van Ess Award. Discussion.

Motion by Schoeneberg, Joraanstad second, to establish a new award for women’s national champions, named after Mary Van Ess, contingent on continued funding commitment by the donor. Discussion. Motion by Schoeneberg, Fox second, to Table this motion until the next USCA board meeting. Approved by a vote of 18-15.

e. Ice. Fox reported that John Williamson has been appointed by the WCF, at the request of the Bismarck Local Organizing Committee, as Head Ice Maker at the 2002 World Curling Championships. Williamson plans to retire as USCA Head Ice Technologist after this event. The committee intends to propose appointment of a replacement for Williamson at the spring board meeting next April. Fox responded to a question about opportunities for U.S. volunteers for Ice technology clinics. Fox announced that Williamson would be head Ice maker for the 2001 USCA Men’s & Women’s National Championships and the 2001 USCA Men’s 2^nd Chance Competition. An appointments for the Junior Nationals was pending.

f. Drawmaster. Fenson, speaking for Drawmaster Donn Satrom, reported that work on the draws for this year’s national events was in progress .

g. Rules. Noble reported that the actions of the committee are coordinated through the USCA office. Noble distributed a memo that included the committee’s proposals to the board.

"Last rock advantage – In all championships, (except for tiebreakers, semis and finals) last rocks will be assigned by a coin flip for the first game of the round robin. Last rocks for the remaining games of the round robin will be assigned by the Drawmaster to give each team last rock advantage for half the games." Noble noted that this procedure would apply only where there were an uneven number of round robin games in a competition. No coin flip needed with an even number of round robin games.

Motion by Volk, Swandby second, to allow use of the "stick" except at competition leading to and including Men’s, Women’s, Juniors and Mixed Nationals, and the Olympics. Discussion. Motion by Schoeneberg, Pustovar second, to amend the motion immediately above to delete the word "Mixed." Amendment approved. Motion approved as amended.

The following motion applies to the rules governing time outs at Junior National Championships:

Motion by Noble, A. Brown second, to allow teams to have two time outs per game, with a maximum of one time out per end, per team. Extensive discussion. Approved

The following motion applies to the rules governing filling of vacancies:

Team (Lisa) Jacobson is assigned to North Dakota.

The committee also reviewed the subject of eligibility for Nationals as to residency.

The committee has ruled that two individuals do not meet the residency requirements.

Motion by Noble, Lowe second, that the USCA define "residency" as follows: "residency is established by lawful and continuous residence in the United States for a period of 24 months (except for brief and infrequent trips outside of the United States and except, as to full time foreign students, for school vacation periods) immediately prior to April 1^st of the year in which the competition is to take place."

Discussion. Approved.

The committee reviewed playdown eligibility requirements for mixed curling. There was concern that team formation requirements may be too lax regarding residency. Diverse opinions on the committee, so no proposal at this time.

Motion by Roza, Maskel second, that for Junior Nationals, time outs be allowed only during round robin play, and not during semi-finals, finals or tiebreakers. Roza noted that play during the semis, finals and tiebreakers would match the rule as is used at World Junior Championship competition. Approved. There was discussion as to whether or not the USCA WCF reps should encourage the World Curling Federation to change the WCF time out rule.

g. Officiating. Swandby reported. Activities scheduled include: Officiating Clinics: Rice Lake, October 1, headed by Donna Statzell; Rochester, October 21-22, and Nashua, October 27-28, both headed by Peggy Rotton; and Madison, November 18-19, headed by Phil Januziak.

Chief Umpires and Assistant Chief Umpires have been assigned to National events as follows: Juniors, Joanna Owens and Peggy Rotton; Mixed, Norm Reinhart; Men’s 2^nd Chance, Larry Brown; Men’s/Women’s, Bill Forsythe, Donna Statzell and George Phillips. Chief Umpires will be selected for the two National Olympic Qualifiers. Nationals officiating equipment (including radios) need replacement and repair, and the Time Clocks must be checked out and repaired, and a backup clock should be purchased or otherwise made available. An estimated $3,000 is needed to handle these needs, and was not budgeted. The old officiating jackets will be replaced with "bibs." The committee will update its job description. Programs to initiate officiating peer and athlete reviews are in progress. Current practice is that promotions to level three are proposed by level four officials Forsythe and Rotton. Hatch asked about the progress of officiating assignments for the 2001 World Juniors and the 2002 Olympic Curling Competition. Forsythe and Rotton explained that the final decisions are made by the SLOC. Fox mentioned that Ice makers are in the same situation. USCA input is very important.

(At this point in the meeting, D. Brown asked directors to let her know immediately their plans to attend the Men’s and Women’s championships to maximize the chances to get hotel rooms in Madison. On a show of hands, about 15 directors indicated that they planned to attend at least part of the nationals. Contact Lisa Schoeneberg if you are interested in officiating at the nationals. Anderson noted that, for the first time, the spring directors meeting will not be held during the Men’s and Women’s National Championships in order to eliminate the schedule conflict for any athlete-directors who may be competing at the nationals. Anderson then reiterated his assignment of USCA directors as championship site liaisons. The names are listed in the committee meeting schedule.)

18. Operations. VP Draper introduced his committee chairpersons.

a. Legal & Bylaws. The proposed By-law amendments were addressed earlier in the meeting. Larson stated that his committee would revisit the amendment concerned with grievances as requested by the board.

b. Strategic Planning. Cotten reported on Bammel’s behalf. Cotten reviewed the five Priority Issues of the USCA Strategic Plan: Grow the Sport; Broad-Based Curler Development; Sustained Competitive Success; Effective and Efficient Governance and Management; and Revenue Enhancement. Hatch distributed a draft copy of the plan, which she had updated with last year’s actual results and this year’s budgeted numbers.

c. Human Resources. Lowe had no report at this time.

d. Finance. Anderson reported for Bammel. The USCA officers met last night to evaluate current plans and spending needs in view of items reported by the committees earlier in this meeting. The officers propose that the board agree to reduce the current budgeted surplus of $40,000 to $35,000. Motion by Noble, Liapis second, to approve the budget change to a $35,000 surplus. Discussion. Approved.

e. Athlete/Curler Recognition. Maskel reported on the committee’s selection of USCA Athletes and Team of the Year, which have been previously publicized, and the status of the Bruce Bennett media award. Hall of Fame proposals for two people were announced to the board yesterday, and their credentials distributed. Ballots for voting on the two Hall of Fame nominations were distributed. Maskel acknowledged that Fox had noted the lack of a Nomination Form signed by a state curling association. That state association had in fact unanimously approved the nomination, but the paperwork had been lost. In lieu of this, Minutes of the state curling association meeting attesting to the nomination have been acquired. Two directors then spoke on behalf of the two candidates forwarded by the committee. Ballots were collected for tabulation, with election results to be announced. Noble reported on the current status of the WCF World Curling Freytag Award, including the recently approved one-year grace period. The USCA has one athlete who will be forwarded for re-nomination under the grace period.

f. ACF&M Liaison. Liapis reported, and distributed a handout with the committee’s meeting minutes. The objective of the American Curling Foundation & Museum Committee is to determine a course of action or programming which will help the USCA grow the sport of curling and attract charitable monies to fund these activities. The ACF&M merged with the USCA on July 1, 1996, and gave the USCA its assets, then $23,700 and now $27,000, due to memorial bequests. Activities are under study by the committee, with proposals to be submitted at future meetings. Ideas are solicited from all directors.

19. Marketing. VP Draper introduced his committee chairpersons.

a. Donation Development. Draper reported. Draper thanked Munkberg for her work on the 6pm Saturday informal salsa reception to promote the 2001 Donation Program. Almost $4000 in Donations have been received or pledged by directors during the reception. Doug Anderson has accepted the assignment to help boost results at least $10,000 this season.

b. Sponsor Development. Draper reported on this new committee’s meeting. The committee developed an action plan taking a strategic look at developing sponsor revenue. The plan will be administered by Garber.

c. Project report: internet marketing. Garber reported on the marketing collaborative that the USOC-member National Governing Bodies (NGB) are forming. The USCA Executive Committee supports these efforts, and had authorized Anderson and Draper to commit the USCA to the project. The NGB’s would like to form a company for internet and other marketing purposes. The concept is strength in numbers. The goals are to add service capacity for NGB members and to enhance NGB revenue. To date, the project continues to progress in a positive manner, but is complex, so implementation dates are not certain. To date, the only formal commitment made by the USCA is for up to $1,000 to hire an attorney to protect the NGBs interests, and to assure that the NGBs non-profit status is maintained.

d. Activity Report: PR/Media. (This item was deferred to be the last agenda item.)

20. U.S. Olympic Committee. Hatch reported for McNelly. Hatch briefly reviewed the major changes in management, personnel and programs that have taken place at the USOC under new CEO Norm Blake. Chairman Bill Hybl has been appointed by the IOC as a member of the International Olympic Committee. Paul George (of Figure Skating) has been nominated to the position of USOC Chairman (formerly President). The USOC Director of Sports Partnerships for curling is Chris Vadala, with whom the USCA has worked closely for about five years. The old Centralized Funding Grants are to be replaced by "Performance Funding." The USCA’s Centralized Funding Grant of about $275,000 is not far above the current USOC projection for a $250,000 "base funding level." The base level would be augmented by Performance Funding, which is to be negotiated with the USOC, through Vadala, and which is to be justified based on USCA needs for athlete training and competition support as well as the USCA performance at World and Olympic events. Most of the other old grant programs will be rolled into Performance Funding. The USCA will be asked to sign a contract with the USOC to facilitate funding. The contract will have about six mandatory components, such as an agreement to comply with the drug testing program.

21. Hall of Fame election results. Maskel reported that Nancy Richard of Washington and George Godfrey of Wisconsin have been elected to the USCA Hall of Fame. Applause. A motion by A. Brown to destroy the ballots was seconded and approved. Maskel will coordinate notification of inductees with Garber.

22. Athletes Advisory Council. Maskel reported. Tom Violette and Sharon O’Brien’s terms as USCA Representative and Alternate Rep to the U.S. Olympic Committee Athlete Advisory Council expire January 1, 2001. Swisshelm and Pustovar have been appointed by the USCA-AAC to four year terms expiring December 31, 2004 (they were the sole candidates so there was no election). Maskel explained the details of the appointments and election processes for the 10 USCA directors coming from the Athletes Advisory Council. Seven of the 10 AAC director spots will expire in March, 2001. The AAC met in May, 2000. The single biggest issue was the matter of eligibility for non-U.S. citizens in the Men’s and Women’s Nationals. Lisa Schoeneberg and all volunteers who have worked on World Team Preparation in the past were lauded for their work, which has been a learning process and constantly improving. A specific area of concern is the structure, goal and future of the position of World Team Leader, especially as to the issue of pre-selection. Athletes strongly prefer to be able to choose from a qualified pre-selected pool of team leaders when they win nationals. The USCA Coaching Committee prefers pre-selection, in order to best accomplish necessary advance work. Extensive discussion. Anderson asked the coaches, athletes and Athlete Development Director to continue to deliberate the subject, with the goal of formalizing any new approach at the next board meeting. The parties to the subject agreed with Anderson’s request.

Athlete Development Director selection process. Maskel thanked Rich and Anderson for allowing the athletes considerable input into the selection process, which he labeled a success.

Motion by A. Brown, Bloomquist second, to commend Tom Violette for his four years of service as the USCA USOC-AAC Representative. Approved unanimously.

23. World Curling Federation. Lowe reiterated that the board had elected Schoeneberg to replace Fox (now the WCF Director of Finance) as a USCA WCF Representative. Other reps are Lowe, Noble and A. Brown. In response to a question, Lowe stated that it is not certain whether Lausanne Organizing Committee for the 2001 World Curling Championships will be able to host a World Seniors event during the WCC. This is due to concerns that the distance between the WCC venue and an available venue for a senior event is large enough to cause concern that adequate volunteer support may not be available. Ann Brown suggested that the USCA board consider including an agenda item to discuss future senior world events, team selection, etc., at its April meeting, because the Bismarck Committee has indicated it may conduct a senior event at the 2002 Worlds.

24. USWCA. Purkey reported. She reviewed the USWCA officers and events for the 2000-2001 season. The USWCA has members in 66 USCA clubs. Dues are $5 per club and $4 per curler. USWCA has a very successful merchandising program featuring jewelry, stationery and other items. The USWCA offers its assistance, if asked by the USCA, in administering a playdown for any Women’s Senior World event.

25. Unfinished business.

a. Anderson noted that the annual board and members meeting is scheduled for April 20-22 in Chicago. He anticipated the need for a short board meeting during the nationals in Madison, as about 15 directors have indicated they will attend the event.

b. Draper stated that the Olympic Pin will be designed, USOC approval solicited, and the program promoted, in the near future.

c. Swisshelm asked for clarification of the USCA decision on the Podium grant of matching funds for sports science equipment. Anderson responded that the only item in the budget is $750 for half the cost of the rock-delivering machine described earlier by Maskel.

26. New business. There was no new business.

Deferred Item: 19.d. Media/PR. Patzke presented the board with an exercise on "Controversy Management." The project is one part of the USCA’s USOC Task Marker. The purpose of the project is to assure accurate and timely communications by the USCA, in case of controversy, both internally and externally. Directors enjoyed role play in a "mock press conference" that illustrated the difficult questions that can be directed by the media in times of controversy to an athlete, volunteer or staff member. The USCA will finalize its plan this season, in preparation for the higher national profile expected in connection with an Olympic Games hosted in the United States.

27. Adjourn. A motion to adjourn was made, seconded and approved. Meeting adjourned at 11:46am, Sunday, April 17.

 Respectfully submitted,
David Garber
Recording Secretary

Reviewed and approved,
D. Clark Higgins
Secretary