Teams Represented:, Beaufort, Berkeley, Cherokee, Columbia, Florence, Greenwood, Hartsville, Hendersonville, Newberry, Orangeburg, Pickens, Summerville, Sumter, and Rock Hill.

Teams Without Representation: Chester, and Clinton

The meeting was called to order by President Sid Collins.

President Collins welcomed everyone to the meeting and reminded them to conduct themselves in a positive manner. Everyone will be given the opportunity to voice their opinions, and all opinions should be respected.

The staff of the Rock Hill Aquatic Center welcomed the league to their new facility. They announced their new name The Upper Piedmont YMCA.

Jacque Grossman was introduced as the meet referee for the upcoming league championship. Mrs. Grossman informed everyone that she will need a list of USS registered swimmers for approved swims.

Voting rites were established by team.

Minutes from the July 22, 2004 meeting were approved as written.

President Collins thanked everyone for responding to the vote regarding reserved seating at the championship meet. He informed the group that the vote was in favor of allowing Rock Hill to sell reserved seats.

Anderson YMCA has applied for membership into the league. President Collins called for a vote, and the vote was unanimous to allow them into the league.

PROPOSED RULE CHANGES:

Article V, Section 2 of the By-Laws – Sid Collins (author)

Current: A President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Web Master (effective 7-26-02) will be elected at the fall meeting of the Carolina YMCA Swim League for a term of one year. Officers may serve additional terms of the same office if elected.

Proposed: A President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Web Master (effective 7-26-02) and an at-large office (effective 2-26-05) will be elected at the fall meeting of the Carolina YMCA Swim League for a term of one year. Officers may serve additional terms of the same office if elected. The at-large-officer shall carry no responsibilities other than voting on matters brought to the executive committee. (effective 2-25-05). Remove the reference "the treasurer is considered a non-voting member of the executive committee.

Sid Collins explained that a situation occurred this past week, where two members of the executive committee both bid on the summer championship. By adding an additional at-large member and allowing the treasurer to vote, matters such as this can be handled in a more efficient manner.

The question was called for, and the proposal passed unanimously.

President Collins will appoint the at-large member for the remainder of this term.

Current: Entry fees. For any meet awarding only ribbons a $2.00 meet fee will be charged. Any deviation from the $2.00 must be included with swim meet bids at the league meeting. If the new meet fee is not included, the guest teams will not be required to pay more than the $2.00 per swimmer fee. Meet entry fees must be paid with the meet entries by the meet entry deadline. No refunds will be made for scratches occurring after the meet entry deadline. Entry fees may be accepted after the deadline at the discretion of the host team but will be double the original amount. (Effective Winter Season 2004-2005)

Proposed: Entry fees. For any meet awarding only ribbons a $2.00 meet fee will be charged. Any deviation from the $2.00 must be included with swim meet bids at the league meeting, including admission fees or selected seating fees. (Effective 2-27-05) If the new meet fee is not included, the guest teams will not be required to pay more than the $2.00 per swimmer fee. Meet entry fees must be paid with the meet entries by the meet entry deadline. No refunds will be made for scratches occurring after the meet entry deadline. Entry fees may be accepted after the deadline at the discretion of the host team but will be double the original amount. (Effective Winter Season 2004-2005)

President Collins asked for discussion.

Lynn Williams (Rock Hill) thought it was a good thing, they are just providing a service to the parents.

Several coaches brought up the fact that swimming is an expensive sport, some teams must stay in a hotel every time they attend a meet due to their location. By charging for seats, you are putting a burden on some families, many aren’t able to afford it, and it was felt a class distinction was being made.

President Collins read the mission of the league: "The purpose of CYSL competitive swimming is to provide young boys and girls an opportunity to participate in competitive swimming, under conditions that will foster skillful aquatic ability, good fellowship, team association loyalty, a finer appreciation of swimming for its own sake and not just for winning; and sportsmanship of a high type on the part of spectators, as well as swimmers and officials."

Many Y’s felt this action does not represent the Y values. Again the mission was brought up.

The question was called for, 11 teams were in favor of the proposed rule change, 3 opposed, and 1 abstention. The proposed rule change passed.

Rule 6 Section C – Sid Collins, author.

Current: Entry fees are $2.00 per individual event and $4.00 for each relay team. (see above section for entry fee deadlines and penalties). These fees have been increased to help offset the cost of using electronic timing.

Proposed: Entry fees are $2.00 per individual event and $4.00 for each relay team. (see above section for entry fee deadlines and penalties). No admission fees or selected seating fees shall be applied. (Effective 2-27-05)These fees have been increased to help offset the cost of using electronic timing.

The question was called for, 9 teams were in favor of the proposed rule change, and 6 were opposed. The proposed rule change passed.

Proposed to add to Article 5 of the By-laws - Sid Collins

"If situations arise that are not covered her in the rules and by-laws of the CYSL, the executive committee will have the authority to decide based on the factors at hand. The teams and meet hosts must abide by the committees decision based upon membership."

It was pointed out this already exists in the by-laws. Author pulled the proposal.

Addition of Events – Johnathan Bass, author

Add following events: 400 IM, 200 Free, and 500 free as open events. These events are swum the high school season, and we should also be offering them.

Discussion followed:

Our current rules allow a team to add two exhibition events to any meet.

Someone suggested hosting a distance meet.

Teams who don’t swim USS ever have the opportunity to swim longer events.

Johnathan accepted a friendly amendment made by Tom Karel to just add 200 yard freestyle.

Discussion followed as where to place the event.

Mario motioned it be placed prior to the medley relay.

President Collins called for a vote, first on where to add the 200 yard freestyle as an open event, to be scored by age group, 10 teams were in favor of adding the event, and 5 were opposed. The 200 yard freestyle will be added as a league event. Effective 2-27-05

President Collins called for a vote to place the 200 yard freestyle prior to the medley relay, 14 teams were in favor of this, and one was opposed. The event will be placed prior the medley relay. Effective 2-27-05

Addition of Awards – Mario Francisco Sobrinho - author

Proposed: Awards for Best Age-Group Team. -

Proposed: Recognition, with a certificate, for the top three teams in each age-group. This will be announced when the high point and overall awards are given out.

Discussion followed:

Many coaches felt we are too quick to offer rewards, making them less important.

Others felt you may have a strong age group, and it would be nice for them to be recognized.

Many felt too much emphasis was put on winning.

The question was called for: 5 teams were in favor of the proposal, 9 teams were apposed, and one abstained. The proposal did not pass.

Limit Number of Meets – Pam Lister, author

Proposed: Limit the number of meets allowed on a given day. No more that two meets per day.

Author explained that too many meets are being hosted on any given Saturday especially during the summer months, it is not in the best interest of the swimmers to attend smaller meets, and then come to the championship and become overwhelmed.

The question was called for: 5 teams approve of limiting number of meets, 8 oppose limiting and 2 abstained. The proposal did not pass.

SUMMER SCHEDULE

Both Rock Hill and Newberry put in a bid for the summer championship. President Collins asked for a vote from the league, since two of the teams involved are on the executive committee. Eight teams voted for Rock Hill, and 5 for Newberry. The 2005 Summer League Championship will be held in Rock Hill on July 23, 2005.

The summer schedule was established.

OTHER BUSINESS

President Collins reminded everyone no rule changes can be voted on until the winter of 2006.

President Collins asked for a vote to hold the summer meeting the night before or after the meet on Saturday. Nine teams were in favor of holding the meeting the day before the meet, 1 team was in favor of holding the meeting after the meet on Saturday.

Greenwood offered to have the meet they are hosting on June 18, 2005 sanctioned. This was approved unanimously.

Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,

CYSL Secretary