MINUTES OF MEETING OF DIRECTORS

OF

COLUMBUS OHIO DIVISION, USFA, INC. 

December 30, 2007

            A meeting of the Board of Directors of COLUMBUS OHIO DIVISION, USFA, INC. was held at the law offices of Joseph Streb at approximately 7:30 PM on the 30th day of December, 2007.

            The meeting was called to order by the Chairman, Joseph S. Streb.

ROLL:  A roll of Directors was taken and it was reported that, pursuant to Article VI(A) of the Amended Bylaws, a quorum did exist. The following Board members and invited guests were present: 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:  The minutes of the meeting of October 14th, 2007 were  unanimously approved. 

OFFICER'S REPORTS:

Chairman --  Joseph Streb:  The Chairman reported there will be a referee training event at Dublin Sport Fencing on January 12 & 13, 2008, and he will comment more upon it during the portion of the meeting devoted to the Referee Committee.  The Chairman also reported that the USFA Nominating Committee was to report on December 15, 2007 as to whom it appointed as officers of USFA, but to date, USFA has not divulged the information. An interview with a member of the Search Committee revealed that only one person wanted the offices of Secretary and Treasurer, so those offices will most likely be filled by the only candidates, Brad Baker and  Greg Dilworth, respectively.  It is unknown who will be the new President.  The next COD event will be the Good Call Open followed by the Ohio High School Championships.

Secretary – Doug Bliss:   Mr. Bliss reported that several emails had been received from persons in Northern Ohio Division regarding changing the date of the High School Championships.

Treasurer -- Fred Hunker:  With respect to finances, the Treasurer reported:

The Treasurer also noted that this represented a slight increase since the close of the 2006-2007 season due to the receipts from the Dr. Todd Curn Memorial tournament.

Vice Chairman --  Mark Hedien:   Absent. No report.

2nd Vice Chairman – Jeffrey Wilson:  Absent. No report.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: 

Referee Committee – Joseph Streb reported that he has arranged for Iana Dakova of Pittsburgh to conduct a referee seminar and evaluations on January 12 & 13, 2008 at Dublin Sport Fencing.  The Division, in connection with Dublin Sport Fencing and the Great Lakes Section, has scheduled a "Good Call Open" fencing tournament for January 13 for purposes of assisting in referee evaluations.  The Good Call Open will be conducted as any other fencing tournament, and fencers may increase ratings thereat. 

Nominating Committee – (Streb, Simonian, Wilson):  No report. 

MATTERS OF DISCUSSION (No Formal Action):

            1.  Copper Strips:  There was discussion as to whether some of the Division's copper strips should be sold as scrap metal, but no formal action was taken.

            2.  Location & Size of  DSFC:  It was reported by Mr. Amrine that Dublin Sport Fencing Center would lose approximately 1/3 of its floor space due to a rental by the landlord, but no alterations will occur until late January or later.

            3.  Equipment Inventory:  The Secretary will update the equipment inventory list on the website, including without limitation, with the current location of the equipment.

            4.  Ask Fred Posting:  The Secretary will post on Ask Fred the January 12th Referee Seminar as well as the January 13^th Good Call Open

OLD BUSINESS: 

            (1).   OFFICIAL COD EVENT CALENDAR 2007-2008:

            BE IT RESOLVED, that the 2007-2008 schedule of COD and other notable fencing events will be as follows:    

*    Non-COD event, being put on schedule for reference purposes.

#    Participants must sign-up electronically by the date specified on the website.

            (2).  INSURANCE ON COD EQUIPMENT:  At the June 24, 2007 meeting, Sam Lillard was authorized to do all things necessary and proper ascertain the cost of obtaining insurance on COD equipment.  He was not present, and thus, we continue to await his report.

            (3).  2007-2008 OHIO HIGH SCHOOL CHAMPIONSHIPS:   The Secretary and some other Board members have received e-mail requests from Cleveland area persons wanting to change the date of the event to February 23 & 24, 2008.  According to Mr. Stanko, the Upper Arlington School Board has agreed to make Greensview Middle School in Upper Arlington (the same site as last year) available on the currently assigned dates.  There was considerable discussion regarding the reasons expressed by those who want to change the date and/or location of the event, such as, it is too early in the high school fencing season which is reported by Northern Ohio persons to run from approximately November 1st to March 1st; there is more likely to be bad weather in early February; it is not convenient for coaches to have the event in two gyms (as at Greensview); the location of the event should move around.  The Board believed it reasonable to attempt to move the event later into the high school fencing season, but found the notice to be too short for this fencing season.  The Board found that the double gym layout of Greensview to be inconvenient in some respects and more convenient in others.  The Board found that at present Columbus is the most convenient place to hold the event for all high schools, including those in Cincinnati and Dayton.  One of the most compelling reasons found by the Board for leaving the event in Columbus is the availability of referees in Columbus; there being very few qualified foil or saber referees in Cleveland.  Further, the Board typically attempts to hire OSU fencers as referees, the OSU program being one of the best in the USA, and so consideration must be given to the OSU fencing schedule.  On the date proposed by the persons from Northern Ohio, OSU's entire team (not just the traveling team) will be at the Midwestern Fencing Championships in Detroit, thereby limiting the availability of referees for that date.

            The Chairman made a motion to change the date of the event to February 23 & 24, 2008, as requested by persons from Northern Ohio; however, the motion received no second, and so it failed.

            Hence, for 2008, the date and place of the event will remain February 2 & 3, 2008 at Greensview Middle School in Upper Arlington, barring any unforeseen emergency.

            (4).  2007-2008 GREAT LAKES SECTION CHAMPIONSHIP:   Simon Birkhoff has obtained a contract from Dublin City Schools and delivered it to the Chairman who requested specific authority to execute it, and returned it to Dublin City Schools.  Upon a motion duly made, seconded, and unanimously passed, the following resolution was adopted:

            BE IT RESOLVED, that the Chairman is authorized to do all things necessary and proper, including without limitation, executing a contract with Dublin City Schools in connection with the Great Lakes Sectional Championships currently scheduled for May 2 & 3, 2008. 

NEW BUSINESS:   

            (1).   CERTIFICATION OF RESULTS FROM EVENTS:  The results of the following events were unanimously certified:

                        Dublin Sport Fencing Events:  

                                    -- Oct 27 Stabbin Pumkins C & Under

                                    -- Nov 10 Autumn Ambush D & Under

                                    -- Nov 17 Junior Olympics Qualifiers

                                    -- Nov 24 Fatted Pilgrim Open

                                    -- Dec 1-2 Dr. Todd Curn Memorial

                                    -- Dec 22 Season's Beatings C & Under

An additional tournament was held by Ohio Northern University Fencing Club, but to date no results have been posted and no certification has been requested.

            (2).    REFEREE TRAINING:  Upon a motion duly made, seconded, and unanimously passed, the following resolution was adopted:

            BE IT RESOLVED, that persons registered with USFA through the Division who take the referee seminar and practical examination and achieve a rating of 9 or better, and such persons from the Division who already have ratings and receive rating increases, and who make themselves available to officiate in COD events subsequent to the referee training will receive reimbursement for one-half of fees paid.

            (3).    EQUIPMENT LENDING:   Upon a motion duly made, seconded, and unanimously passed, the following resolution was adopted:

            BE IT RESOLVED, that the COD Equipment will be available for use by member clubs, upon written application which shall contain the same information as upon an Ohio Driver's License and which shall also contain the identities and contact information of two persons from the borrowing club, and which application shall also state the proposed use of the equipment and date of return of the equipment.  The borrower will also have to list in writing each item of equipment borrowed.

            (4).     NEW EQUIPMENT:  Upon a motion duly made, seconded, and unanimously passed, the following resolution was adopted:

            BE IT RESOLVED, that Mr. Amrine is authorized to do all things necessary and proper to obtain two new reels and floor cords and more shims, weights, and stop watches, if necessary to be available by the time of the High School Championships.

MISCELLANEOUS:

               (1).    TAX REPORTING. According to an email report from Mr. Lillard, beginning in 2008, small tax-exempt organizations that previously were not required to file returns may be required to file an annual electronic notice, Form 990-N, Electronic Notice (e-Postcard) for Tax-Exempt Organizations not Required to File Form 990 or 990-EZ. This filing requirement applies to tax periods beginning after December 31, 2006. Organizations that do not file the electronic notice will loose their tax-exempt status. The Treasurer will look into this further.

               (2).  DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD:  Upon a motion duly made, seconded, and unanimously passed, the following resolution was adopted:

            BE IT RESOLVED, that the Columbus Ohio Division hereby recognizes one of its members (who shall remain anonymous until an award is procured) for distinguished service to fencing in the Division and the State of Ohio, and such person shall be presented with a commemorative award at the April 5, 2008 national qualifying event.

                (3).  JO AWARDS:  By unanimous agreement, it was determined that fencers who qualified for the 2008 Junior Olympics from the Division shall receive certificates to be designed and distributed by Ms. Biederman and the Secretary. 

            (4).  The next meeting was set for Sunday, JANUARY ­­­27, 2008 at 7:30 P.M. at the law office of Joseph Streb, 736 Neil Ave., Columbus, Ohio, 224-0200.

ADJOURNMENT:  A motion to adjourn was made, seconded, and unanimously passed. 

                                                                                    ______________________________

                                                                                    Secretary                                                         

                                                                                    ______________________________

                                                                                    Chairman