The meeting was called to order by Vice President Tom Karel.

Voting rites were established by team.

Minutes from the July 20, 2007 meeting were approved as written.

Lynn Williams head coach of the RAYS was asked to report on the 2008 CYSL Winter Championship.

Coaches present thanked Rock Hill and their parents for hosting a quality meet.

OFFICERS REPORT

Presidents Report – No report.

Vice Presidents Report – No report.

Treasurers Report – Margaret Nichols was introduced as our newly appointed treasurer. No report was given.

Member at Large – No report

Webmaster – Don Kier said there were issues with teams sending him results. Parents and swimmers want to see results published in a timely manor. Michelle Feron (Hendersonville) asked Don to create a template for short course meters and post on the website. Don suggested each team send out an event file with their event information.

Secretary – Dena Goeckner reported that most teams were getting there results in on time, but there still have been several fines issued for late results or meet info not going out on time.

Head Official – Mario Francisco Sobrinho reported on behalf of Doug Anderson (head official). Doug is frustrated with lack of officials in the league despite two trainings this winter.

Upcoming Classes - Pam Lister is going to teach a Principals course in Newberry on May 17^th. Mario Francisco Sobrinho is considering teaching a level 1 coach’s class.

Coaches must show credentials at all meets.

Coaches must show credentials at all meets. Coaches who fail to provide current credentials will not be allowed on deck and or coaches area.

Pam Lister motioned to accept, Lynn Williams second the motion. The question was called and the motion passed. (Effective 3-1-08)

All officials for a championship meet must have one year experience.

All officials must have a minimum experience of one season before officiating at a championship.

A friendly amendment was offered and accepted: Officials must officiate at four meets after their apprenticeship prior to officiating at a championship meet. The league secretary will keep a list of officials, and how many meets they have officiated at. Lynn Williams motioned to accept the proposal, Michelle Feron seconded the motion. The motion passed 9 in favor with two abstentions.

Pam Lister motioned that the following rule be added:

An official whose certification has expired prior to March 4, 2007 must do their apprenticeship as a new official in addition to taking the officials class.

Tom Schmidt seconded the motion which passed 9 in favor, 1 opposed. The motion passed

No meets will be held the weekend before a championship.

It takes a lot of time to check all swimmers for two meets and resolve any issues that come up.

Mario Francisco Sobrinho mentioned he has a meet scheduled for the Saturday prior to the summer championship. The author agreed to make this rule effective for the 08 – 09 winter season. Lynn Williams motioned to accept, Tom Schmidt seconded. The motioned passed.

Eliminate 15 – 18 relay and 19 – 21 relay, add a senior relay. Swimmers must be 12 years old or older to swim on a senior relay.

Currently our rules state swimmers may move up for one age group for relays. A senior relay will allow swimmers to move up more than one age group allowing more opportunity to qualify swimmers for nationals.

After a lengthy discussion concerning the fairness of swimming of a new 15 year old swimming against a 21 year old the following age groups for relays was proposed:

8 & Under

10 & Under

12 & Under

14 & Under

18 & Under

21 & Under

Lynn Williams motioned to accept the new age groups, Michelle Feron seconded the motion.

Vice President Karel asked if there was any discussion. Concern was voiced this will give larger teams advantages over the smaller ones. The question was called for, the motion passed 10 in favor, 1 opposed.

President Johnathan Bass arrived and took over the meeting from Vice President Tom Karel.

Championship Meet Discussion – Length/timeline/sessions.

The championship meet is too long for a day and half meet. Several options were suggested:

Hold the meet over a two day period.

Put time standards on each event.

Limit the number of events to three individual events.

A valid point was made that if a time standard is enforced, many swimmers would never be able to participate in a championship meet, and that is why the league was formed.

Concern was voiced over a Saturday/Sunday format with regards to church services. It was pointed out that if we use Friday/Saturday format parents would have to take off a full day of work on Friday, many will not be able to do so. Past history has shown that weekday meets cannot be ran well due to lack of officials/ and meet volunteers to run the meet.

The following order of events was proposed by Tom Schmidt for a two day meet format:

Lynn Williams motioned that future championship meets be held over a two day period using the above order of events, Mario Francisco Sobrinho seconded the motion.

President Bass asked if there was any discussion. It was pointed out this is in the best interest of the swimmers, coaches and parents. Several coaches voiced concern over which days the meet would be held on. President Bass noted we must vote to change the meet to two days prior to picking a Friday/Saturday or a Saturday/Sunday format.

The question was called for, the motion passed 11 in favor, 2 abstentions.

Lynn Williams motioned to hold the meet on a Saturday and Sunday, Larry seconded the motion which passed 11 in favor 1 opposed.

President Bass encouraged coaches to go home a write their parents a letter letting them know now of the rule change. Don Kier was asked to post this to the website, he agreed. Don will prepare something for the executive committee to approve and then he will post. It was suggested the host team start warm-ups slightly later than normal on Saturday to allow for families coming in from out of town to only have to stay one night in a hotel.

The league will purchase ribbons/medals in bulk. Ribbons will be distributed to host teams, ribbons/medals not used may be returned. Host teams will only be charged for actual ribbons/medals used. (NOTE: Rock Hill has offered to take this task on.)

Lynn passed out costs of buying ribbons and medals in bulk. It was noted the league did not have enough money to purchase years worth of medals and ribbons. Lynn said that would not be a problem and Rock Hill could handle this.

Several teams have a stock of ribbons and medals – they could continue to use these until the supply is diminished. Teams would not be required to use the league ribbons if they chose not to. Teams may choose to use custom heat awards ect.

Tom Schmidt motioned we accept Rock Hill’s offer to handle league ribbons and medals; Larry seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

Senior swimmers will be recognized during the summer championship meet. (effective 3-28-03)

Proposed:
Senior swimmers will be recognized during the winter championship meet.

Several teams swim only one season. A friendly amendment was made to the proposed rule change –

Senior swimmers will be recognized at both meets. Swimmers will only be awarded one senior award; this will be effective with the winter 08 – 09 season.

Lynn accepted the friendly amendment, Larry motioned we accept the rule change, Penny seconded the motion which passed unanimously.

Entry fees are $2.00 per individual event and $4.00 for each relay team. (see above section for entry fee deadlines and penalties). In addition to fees for individual and relay events there will be a $3.00 per swimmer surcharge (Effective 3-5-06). These fees have been increased to help offset the cost of using electronic timing. No admission fees or selected seating fees shall be applied. (Effective 2-25-05).

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). In addition to fees for individual and relay events there will be a $3.00 per swimmer surcharge (Effective 3-5-06). These fees have been increased to help offset the cost of using electronic timing. If the meet is USAS observed/approved the SC LSC travel fee will be charged for swimmers who are USAS registered swimmers. No admission fees or selected seating fees shall be applied. (Effective 2-25-05).

Lynn Williams explained that when a meet is USA sanctioned the host team has to pay the SC LSC travel fee, Rock Hill has been absorbing this. This is done as a service to swimmers who are USA registered. This would be in effect not only for a championship met but for regular season meets that have a USA sanction.

Tom Schmidt motioned to accept the proposed rule change for both the championship meet and the regular season meets, Justin Chatlosh seconded the motion. The motion passed unanimously.

Proposed: Coaches must send a copy of their current credentials to the league secretary at the beginning of each season. The league secretary will maintain a list of current coaches. The following credentials are required:

Coaches will still be required to show their cards at each meet. Coaches who fail to send in their cards will be charged a $25.00 deck fee at championship meets before being allowed on deck.

Lynn Williams explained that coaches are showing up for meets without credentials, they have to call home and have them faxed to the Y’s in order to be on deck. The league needs to become more professional. The following suggestion was made to the rule:

Coaches must send a copy of their current credentials to the league secretary one week prior to their first meet. The league secretary will maintain a list of current coaches. The following credentials are required:

Coaches will still be required to show their cards at all meets. Coaches on the list maintained by the league secretary who fail to show their cards at any meet will be charged a $25.00 fee.

Lynn accepted the change, Pam Lister motioned we accept this rule, Tom Karel seconded the motion. The motion passed.

Rule 6 - AA
Currently:

Age groups consist of 6 & under, 7 & 8, 9 & 10, 11 & 12, 13 & 14, 15 – 18, 19 – 21.

Eliminate the 15 – 18 and 19 – 21 age groups and make them a senior event.

A friendly amendment was made to make all age groups the same as the relays. After much discussion Lynn chose not to accept the friendly amendment. Tom Karel motioned we accept the proposed rule, Justin Chatlosh seconded the motion. The questions was called for, 3 were in favor, the motion failed.

Tom Karel - Greenwood

The last meet of each season will be open to all teams. All swimmers must be represented by their coach. No coach of record will be allowed at this meet.

The executive committee receives numerous requests each season for a team to bring swimmers to the last meet of the season even though they are not scheduled to attend. By opening the meet to all teams anyone who needs their second meet will be able to get it. Exceptions will no longer be given. Pulled by author.

The CYSL will host at least once distance meet each winter season. This meet should include all distance events not held during the regular season, all event included in the region meet should be included in the distance event.

The CYSL will host at least once distance meet each winter season. This meet should include all distance events not held during the regular season, all event included in the region meet should be included in the distance event. This meet should be placed on the schedule and count toward a swimmers two meets to qualify for championship. Pulled by author.

There will be a (?? $25 ??) fine imposed to the team for each parent caught on the pool deck during a championship meet. Pulled by author.

Teams will pay a yearly registration fee to the league based on their previous summer season swimmers. If a team only swims winter, they will pay a fee based on their previous winter’s team size. No discounts will be given for "one" season teams. The league secretary will send a athlete count of each team to the league treasurer at the end of the winter season. Team fees must be received by the league treasurer prior to the first meet of the summer season, or first meet of competition for the team to be considered registered. If the team isn’t’ registered, old swimmers are not registered. Registration fees are as follows:

1 – 20 swimmers $35.00

21 – 40 swimmers $55.00

41 – 60 swimmers $75.00

61 – 100 swimmers $120.00

101 swimmers and over $150.00

New teams will pay a $35.00 fee for their first year. (effective 2-28-03) (updated 3-4-07)

Teams will pay a yearly registration fee to the league based on their previous winter season swimmers. If a team only swims summer, they will pay a fee based on their previous summer’s team size. No discounts will be given for "one" season teams. The league secretary will send an athlete count of each team to the league treasurer at the end of the winter season. Team fees must be received by the league treasurer prior to the first meet of the winter season, or first meet of competition for the team to be considered registered. If the team isn’t’ registered, old swimmers are not registered. Registration fees are as follows:

1 – 20 swimmers $35.00

21 – 40 swimmers $55.00

41 – 60 swimmers $75.00

61 – 100 swimmers $120.00

101 swimmers and over $150.00

New teams will pay a $35.00 fee for their first year. (effective 2-28-03) (updated 3-4-07)

It was suggested to use the team’s highest number regardless of season. Michelle accepted this. Lynn motioned we accept, Larry seconded the motion. 11 in favor, 1 abstention. The motion passed

Proposed:.

Clerk of Course - The host team must run a clerk of course for all swimmers 10 & under. (regular and championship meets). (This will become Rule 5-C and the remainder of rules will be re-numbered.) Pulled by author

Swimmer’s age on May 1 will determine what age group they compete in for the summer season. Swimmers age on December 1 will determine what age group they compete in for the winter season. (Effective 2-29-04) Swimmers must not be older than 21 years of age at the start date of the current seasons YMCA National Championship Meet and maintain amateur status (never represented an educational institution beyond grade 12 in competitive swimming or diving).

Swimmers age as of the first day of the meet will determine their age for that meet.  –or- Swimmers age on the first day of the league championship meet will determine their age for the season. Swimmers must not be older than 21 years of age at the start date of the current seasons YMCA National Championship Meet and maintain amateur status (never represented an educational institution beyond grade 12 in competitive swimming or diving).

Reason: To follow same guidelines as nationals.

Pam Lister motioned we accept swimmers age the first day of the meet be used as the age up date, Tom Schmidt seconded the motion which pass unanimously.

Meets will consist of 110 events (Effective 3-4-07) for scoring purposes. The order of events shall be: long free, backstroke, breaststroke, 200 free (swam as open, scored by age group), medley relay, butterfly, individual medley, and free relay. See attached chart. Upon receiving entries, if the number of swimmers would cause the meet to be longer than 4 hours, the host team has the option of doing split sessions. For example, 10 and unders in the morning and 11 & up in the afternoon. See attached split session chart.

Add a 100 freestyle as an 8-under event (open to 6-unders).

Tom Schmidt asked for a friendly amendment – instead of 8 & under make this a 6 and under event. Michelle accepted this amendment. Tom Karel motioned to accept this event, Lynn Williams seconded. The motion passed.

Current:

The only qualifying meets for the end of season championship are those meets posted on the LEAGUE MEET SCHEDULE. This schedule may not be altered without approval of league officers. The Executive Committee on 8/6/99 reinforced this rule and clarified it to mean that any changes to the schedule including dates of competition, host, or visitors require approval of the League officers.

The only qualifying meets for the end of season championship are those meets posted on the LEAGUE MEET SCHEDULE. A team may request to attend a meet they are not scheduled to attend. The host team has the right to refuse the request. - Pulled by author.

Large team vs small teams at championship. How to make a championship scoring fair to teams of all sizes.

No way to make this fair, there is always going to be large teams and small teams. If we divided into divisions we are just trying to have more winners – the kids would know what we were doing,

President Johnathan Bass said he currently has possession of the league checkbook. We have had over four treasurers in the past three years. There are no guidelines for disbursing money. Johnathan proposed we put the check book in the hands of the Columbia Metro office; they would be responsible for disbursing money on a weekly basis and giving us reports as requested. Don Kier asked for a committee to look into this – he suggested the executive committee and bring back a report to the summer meeting. The account is also quite large; the executive committee was asked to look into ways to utilize the money.

Don Kier asked for permission to purchase meet manager and team manager for the league with league money. Permission was granted.

Becky Easterby proposed we make all events into the same age group as we did the relays with the exclusion of the 200 free. Larry motioned to accept, Michelle seconded the motion.

President Bass asked if there was any discussion - several items were brought forth:

This would allow a swimmer to swim all of one stroke/distance for the entire meet.

How would records be handled?

This would allow large teams to accumulate even more points.

Becky pulled her proposal.

Don Kier proposed all events in a regular season meet be swam as open events, with the exception of the 25 yard events will be run as 8 & under events. He proposed all events would be scored as age group. Lynn Williams seconded the motion. The question was called – 7 were in favor, 6 opposed. President Bass pointed out that according to Roberts Rules of Order a motion from the floor must pass at 90%, with that in mind the motion failed.

Pam Lister proposed to remove rule 5C – this is covered by rule 6M. Lynn Williams motioned to accept, Mario seconded the motion which passed 12 in favor, 1 opposed.

Pam Lister proposed we add a rule stating swimmers my attend only one league meet per day. The proposal passed 12 in favor 1 oppose

Newberry was the only team who bid on the summer championship. Newberry was awarded the meet by default. The meet is scheduled for July 19 & 20, 2008.

The summer league meeting will be held on Friday, July 18, 2008 at the Newberry YMCA.

The 2007 summer schedule was established.

Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Respectfully submitted,