WISCONSIN STATE CURLING ASSOCIATION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING
Date: September 27, 2008
Place: Portage Curling Club, Portage, Wisconsin
Member’s Meeting:
Members meeting called to order at 9:33 A.M. by President, Jeremy Roe. It was suggested the members officially only meet annually in the spring; however, there is no harm in meeting at this time. Roll call was taken of the clubs with updates as noted from some of the clubs present.
The following clubs were present at the meeting: Appleton, Arlington, Blackhawk (Janesville), Centerville, Clintonville, Green Bay, Kettle Moraine, Madison, Marshfield, Pardeeville, Portage, Poynette, Racine, Rice Lake, Stevens Point, Waukesha, Waupaca and Wauwatosa. The following clubs were absent. The number in parentheses represents the consecutive meetings missed: Alpine (7), Eau Claire (2), Loch Wissota (17), Lodi (2), Medford (8), Milwaukee (1), Tri City (1) and Wausau (6).
Appleton – Jim O’Neill reported.
Arlington - Bernie Dushek reported. New ice field cost $83,000.
Blackhawk (Janesville) - Aaron Richards reported.
Centerville – Dave Russell reported. Made $6000 on reverse raffle; new lockers installed.
Clintonville - John Williamson reported. Expects to install dehumidification system next week. Remodeling of locker room complete.
Green Bay – Bill Wilberg reported. Dehumidifier installed. No increase in operating cost has resulted. Actual cost was $1500/month in summer and $2500/month in winter utility costs due to heater not having to run as often. Club had a 14 team spring league, 4 team summer league, 7 team fall league, a high performance camp, and a 13 team summer spiel. Plan a junior spiel next year. The club is celebrating 50th anniversary and will commemorate it with a bonspiel Oct 10-12.
Kettle Moraine - Dave Lewis reported. Finishing a $300-400,000 clubhouse renovation. The next step is to attack the ice house to become more energy efficient. We are striving to achieve a 5-8 year payback on those improvements and will be looking for any informational help from clubs that have gone through this in the past. I would welcome any suggestions, or more importantly, the names of the people in your clubs that would be the best to contact for that information. Raffle in Spring was successful. Earned @$12,000.00 and gave back to supporters close to $16,000.00. The Kettle Cup, 1st annual golf outing trying to get opposing clubs to play others in a modified scramble format occurred last Monday and was attended by 23 teams. Was very well received and will try to make it an annual event. Don't have any numbers yet. Will start the slab this week. Tim Kaschinske has agreed to chair the upcoming Club Championships this season. If you cannot participate in our Women's, Mixed or Men's Bonspiels, would love to have you come and support our club and see the improvements. Membership topped 200 last season and our goal is to reach 250 this season. Judy Maier mentioned Curl For the Cure opening weekend 10/26
Madison – Kellie Krake reported. Spent $11,000 replacing the ice house lights. Club has restructured some leagues to provide better opportunities for beginners as well as those who wish to curl a second night.
Marshfield – Tom Krake reported. Club hosted a successful raffle party and beer tent over summer.
Pardeeville – Vicki Griepentrog reported. Added heat and repainted the ice house. Had a raffle, all tickets sold. Had a golf outing in Aug. Curling is starting first weekend in Nov. Club is using youth/kids programs to bring in adults.
Portage -
Poynette - Jeff Koch reported. The club replaced the flat roof over the clubhouse with a pitched roof. The club’s fall league is doing well with 3 nights (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday). Fall spiel was successful.
Racine - Mike Dry reported. The club had a family picnic in August and will have a golf outing in October.
Rice Lake - Larry Sharp reported. Their ice went in Aug 4. Dehumidifier was started up. Sewer backed up after some local construction. Junior camp experienced mechanical issues with the ice plant but ran ok. Ice was back to normal for the summerspeil, which was once again full at 32 teams. The club has new utensils. Two national championships are coming – World University Games playdown and Senior Nationals. Looking for officials for both events. The club is at 250 members. Heat recovery system saved $2000 energy costs from previous year plus a $1500 tax benefit. The system recovers heat from the compressor and returns it to the ice house.
Stevens Point – Dave Garber reported. Emissivity barrier has been installed in ice house. Membership is at 127 members.
Waukesha – Greg Dunlop present. No report.
Waupaca - Dennis Girard reported. New lighting is coming, new tables.
Wauwatosa - Greg Dunlop reported. Rain caused 2 inches of flooding in club room with $7000 damage to carpet. USWCA National Bonspiel will be 2/12-15.
Old Business:
Bonspiel poster info was needed by this meeting. Directors need to check events. Add World University Games playoff and the Columbia County Open 12/12-14. We have Lodi & Tri City dates. Some corrections were made. There was some discussion about cost of poster and whether Superior should be included. General opinion seemed to be to include them for now, but make clear that this is a benefit for member clubs. Issue will be discussed further as part of the directors meeting.
New Business:
Kelly Krake is the new Regional Training Coordinator. She will be available to help with instruction programs including open houses. She is looking for clubs to host Level I/II instructor programs. She can help with both direct instruction and “train the trainer.” She will be sending information to each club.
Dave Lewis suggested a regional membership directory or each club send copies of their directory to the other clubs. He said he will send Kettle Moraine’s directory to other clubs and ask them to reciprocate.
Upon a motion duly made by Chris Daly and seconded by Dave Garber, the members meeting was adjourned.
Board of Directors Meeting:
Board of Directors Meeting was called to order by President Jeremy Roe at 10:10 AM.
Upon a motion duly made by Dave Carlson and seconded by Greg Dunlop, the Minutes from the April 26, 2008 meeting were approved with minor corrections.
Treasurer’s Report - Greg Dunlop reported.
Attached to these Minutes is the Financial Report consisting of a Profit and Loss Comparisons for Years Ending 4/30/08 and 4/30/07 and a listing of the reported membership levels for WSCA Clubs with the WSCA for 2003 to 2008 as of April 30, 2008. Membership has remained flat. Mark Swandby commented that Minnesota is gaining members.
We saved expense by dropping the printed directory for 2007-8. However, dues were down and playoff expenses were up. Summer expenses included $1562.50 for setting up and maintaining the web site. The cash balance is $7937.51.
Bernie Dushek asked, “Why not have directories?” Answer was cost savings and most info is in the USCA media Guide which is mailed out to every member club.
Full financial report will be provided at the April meeting.
Upon a motion duly made by Chris Daly, the Treasurer’s Report was approved.
USCA Director’s Reports –
Mark Swandby reported:
The USCA will break even or lose less than $2000 for the year.
They will stop providing services to clubs that do not pay their dues.
Minnesota is now the largest region, meaning a reduction in our influence.
Midland Mich. has a four sheet club.
Pettit Center has received a $25k grant to promote curling.
The Secretary/Treasurer position has been split and Dave Carlson is the new Secretary.
A marketing firm has been retained to advise on new/alternate sources of revenue.
2009 Nationals will be in Denver on arena ice. The USCA will now look for ice to hold events – not necessarily clubs.
Some rocks from the rock loan program have been turned in and will be going back out. Member services conference will be in Denver in October.
32 attended the Rice Lake Junior camp; 72 attended Eau Claire.
Columbus OH is renovating a warehouse space into a curling club.
The Pittsburgh and Milwaukee clubs are looking for donations to help build new facilities.
USCA offices are moving Oct 21 to 522 Clems Way, Stevens Point and will have a better configuration. Stevens Point CC members are assisting with the move.
Donations can now be made to specific purpose categories – see web site for details.
The US has been challenged by Brazil. It will be same week as Men’s Challenge Round in Bismarck if WCF approves.
Mark has PDF file of rules.
Looking for team leaders and coaches for Worlds and Olympics – see web site for details.
National training may take place in Green Bay.
Richard Maskel reported:
Entry fees in all playdown categories will increase $20.
The Brazil challengers are probably in Canada. The challenge probably raises the profile and credibility of US entry. There is a scheduling problem with January, though.
WCF residency requirement is “loose.” Countries can determine their own residency rules. The USCA’s rules are more strict.
There are changes in post round robin playoffs. Draw Shot Distance will be used to award hammer when teams have the same record.
Scott Higgins has been a good hire and increased professionalism.
Dave Lewis (Madison) has maintained the sensor handles and is leaving – need a replacement.
Judy Maier reported:
National Championship sites have been selected for the USCA Championships for 2008/2009. These sites are in Judy’s report attached to these Minutes. The 17 championship sites for the 2008-2009 season have all been assigned. This includes Qualifier and Challenge rounds for the women. The Junior Playdown window has been extended to include through Jan. 4th. We have four sites approved for the 2009-2010 season. The sites that we still need for 2009-10 include:
Mixed Doubles - Dec. 3-6,2009
Wheelchair Trials - Dec. 3-6, 2009
Men's Midwest South Qualifiers - Jan. 6-10, 2010
Women's Midwest Qualifiers - Jan. 6-10, 2010
Men's Challenge - Feb. 4-7, 2010
Women's Challenge - Feb. 4-7, 2010
Men's Sr. Nationals - Jan. 27-31, 2010
M/W Club Championships - Feb. 20-27, 2010
The 2009 MIW Olympic Trials will be held in the Denver area. The arena has 3400 seats available. If you are trying to get a ticket for the M/W Championships, walk up tickets will be $5.00. Tickets through Ticket Master should be available now. They have several activities planned and would like to have all US clubs involved for the Opening Ceremonies which will be held at 2 PM. There will be a jumbotron at the arena and they are looking for about 5 clubs that might have open house to participate with a web stream from Denver. Among some of the things that are planned are a college night and a military night. Denver is still looking for volunteers and timers. There is a Wi II video game that includes curling and it will be for sale in Denver.
USCA wants a world event in the US every other year.
There will also be an Olympic pin program. US Curling is looking for a design and the deadline is Oct. 3lSt. The artist that has the winning design will be given a large copy of the design. There will only be 1000 pins available.
USWCA report:
The USWCA held their meetings last weekend in Oconomowoc with Bonnie Dixon, president presiding. The National Senior Bonspiel will be held at Chicago Curling Club Nov. 5-9, 2008 and the National Bonspiel will be held at Wauwatosa CC Feb. 1 1-1 5,2009. The regional Jr. Bonspiel will be held at Portage. A team may apply for travel reimbursement to the bonspiel. There are certain restrictions but information can be obtained from the USWCA web site: www.uswca.org
Medford is considering hosting the 5-Year and Under Open Bonspiel for Wis.
A11 member clubs can also host an in-club All-American event with the USWCA supplying the award pins for the winning team.
The USWCA also has a "Women's Curling Development Fund to help develop women's curling". Member clubs may apply for funds and those applications are also on the web site.
The USWCA welcomed the Dallas/Fort Worth CC as a new member.
Judy: “I would like to thank all the clubs that have agreed to be host sites and especially Rice Lake that is hosting the WUGS and the Men's Senior Championship and also Green Bay who has agreed to host the Women's Qualifying and Challenge Rounds.”
Chris Daly has a list of volunteer timing officials from the Junior Nationals if clubs are in need of officiating help for events.
David Carlson reported:
Dave introduced Walt Erbach (Madison), the new USCA vice-president overseeing competitive programs. Walt was elected by the USCA board. His committee is charged with allocating US Olympic Committee dollars to maintain competitive success.
Dave Carlson is the new USCA Secretary.
The USCA has banners for sale for $100 that are 2’x 6’ and customizable with the club’s name.
There was a 10 minute break called by the President.
President’s report – Jeremy Roe reported:
Jeremy reported on discussions over the summer with a Wisconsin club related to their membership status with the WSCA and USCA. Said club failed to report their roster and pay dues for the 2007/08 season.
Jeremy compiled and gave the club a list of some of the benefits of state and national membership that he felt their members may find relevant. Jeremy requested their board discuss the matter and report back to him in time for this WSCA meeting.
Some benefits of State membership are:
- Exchange of information at our bi-annual Director meetings. Recent examples are: learning about the energy savings of new dehumidification systems; distributing bonspiel information and minimizing scheduling conflicts; sharing new member recruiting/retention strategies; setting up tax-exempt status; alternative leagues and bonspiels for juniors, college, seniors, wheelchair, stick, and mixed doubles; sharing information about insurance companies; ice and facility maintenance; generating profit from bonspiels and hosting playdown events. The list goes on and on.
- A vote for each club in electing Wisconsin's representatives to the National association and a vote for each curler in the National membership meeting. When we voiced our concern for the overwhelming size and inequity of the old USCA board structure, Wisconsin's USCA reps lead its reduction and restructuring. That could not have happened without the cooperation of our State Directors and National reps as well as our strength in overall number of curlers.
- The right to participate in State Championship events. Junior, Mixed, Men's Club, and Women's Club Championships.
- The right to host State Championship events. Two sheet clubs are now eligible to host the State Mixed Championship. Host clubs receive a stipend of $200/day from the State association.
- Promotion on our newly re-done State web wite (www.wi-curling.org). An entry for your club including a link to your club's web site. A bonspiel calendar with downloadable entry forms or invitations you provide.
- Newly revived Wisconsin bonspiel poster to be mailed to five States two Canadian provinces. Back by popular demand, we will be sending this out early this fall.
Some benefits of National membership are:
- Subscription to www.curltv.com, the world’s first and only Internet-TV curling network giving curlers direct access to exclusive live coverage of events in the US and Europe that aren’t available on commercial TV networks. Add 24/7 on-demand access to a library of over 400 previously-recorded curling events from the past three years. Game analysis, tips, skills development tools, and educational resources can also be found.
- Subscription to the United States Curling News.
- Support the USCA's mission to grow the sport in non-traditional curling markets.
- Support the USCA's mission to increase the amount of televised curling including the Olympics and internet broadcasts of World Championships.
- Support the USCA's web site which also provides links to your club and bonspiel information.
- Junior camps such as the summer camps held in Eau Claire and Rice Lake.
- Training for coaches, instructors, officials, and ice-makers.
- Instructional brochures and videos for your club.
- National competitions for all age-groups and abilities.
- On-ice liability insurance at a discount. (This was not included in the original list but was suggested at the WSCA meeting.)
Said club reported back to Jeremy that they had voted to not pay dues owed for 2007/08 but would pay dues for 2008/09. They requested the upcoming dues statement for 2008/09 be sent to their treasurer via US mail rather than electronically.
Following discussion, a motion was made by David Russell, seconded by David Garber, to recognize said curing club as a non-member for the 2007/08 curling season and accept them as a member in good standing for the 2008/09 season. Furthermore, we will petition the United States Curling Association to do the same on the condition said curing club fully report their roster and pay association dues on time. Motion carried unanimously.
Jeremy will draft a letter to said curing club with the result of the motion and will also notify the USCA president and treasurer.
Committee Reports by Chairpersons:
The High School curing report was moved up in the agenda.
High School Curling – Vicky Griepentrog reported:
See Attached Report.
Rules - Richard Maskel reported:
Richard reported on two complaints from the State Junior Championship in Medford regarding an alleged six player team and the administration of the timeout procedure. The USCA event procedures state that only the team that calls a timeout may confer with their coach. The team that did not call a timeout was also allowed to confer with their coach.
Directory /Website – Mark Hartman reported:
The WSCA hired Chad Draheim to redo its web site (www.wi-curling.org) over the summer at a cost of roughly $1600. There will be an annual server hosting fee of approximately $175.
Mark is very pleased with the new look of the site and requests that directors view the site for themselves.
Anyone can submit comments via the site’s contact form which will go to Mark.
By-Laws – David Carlson reported:
A committee of Dave Carlson, Dave Russell, and Dave Garber met to review the WSCA by-laws. They put together a list of proposed updates to be acted on at the spring meeting (attached).
Junior Championship – Mark Hartman reported:
The 2009 State Junior Championship will take place December 27-30, 2008 at the Centerville Curling Club. Robyn Kieffer will be the local chair. They would like to use timeclocks.
Men’s Club Championship – Jeremy Roe reported:
Will take place January 22-25, 2009 at the Kettle Moraine Curling Club. Tim Kaschinske will be the local chair.
Women’s Club Championship – Jeremy Roe reported:
Due to a date conflict with the Badger Women’s Bonspiel, the State Women’s Championship will not be able to be held concurrently with the men. Portage will host the championship January 16-18, 2009. Ken Ryczek will be the local chair.
Mixed Championship – Jeremy Roe reported:
Will take place February 6-8, 2009 at the Poynette Curling Club.
Senior Curling – Bernie Dushek reported:
State Senior Bonspiel will take place January 23-25 at the Waupaca Curling Club.
Old Business:
Richard Maskel reported on the disappointment of the David Brown team from not having gained entry to the Pacific International Cup last April following their victory in the State Men’s Club Championship.
The Pacific International Cup is an invitational championship in Richmond, British Columbia for state/provincial champion-level club teams. Invitations are sent to state/provincial associations in September for the following April. Past practice had been for the WSCA to reserve a berth in the PIC and award the invitation to its club champion.
The WSCA inadvertently failed to reserve a berth in the 2008 event. The Brown rink was placed on the waiting list by the event committee but was ultimately not admitted.
A motion was made to award the invitation for the 2009 PIC to the David Brown rink and carry forward with inviting the previous year’s state club champion to the current year’s PIC. The motioned carried.
New Business:
None noted.
Next Meeting:
The next meeting of the WSCA shall be on Saturday, April 25 commencing at 9:30 A.M. at the USCA Offices, Stevens Point, Wisconsin.
Upon a motion duly made and thereafter carried, the meeting was adjourned.