MONTGOMERY COUNTY DIVING LEAGUE
MINUTES OF THE MARCH 19, 2002 MEETING

Opening and Officers Reports

I. Board Reports

A. President
Schedule - John Currie announced that last October's approval of the coming season's schedule was a breakthrough in league history, and called attention to the schedule as printed in this meeting's packet. He noted that MCSL dates were included in the calendar. Membership - all of last year's teams are returning. Little Falls has been preparing to join the league for the past two years. With the league's approval, John intends to recommend that Little Falls participate as an exhibition team this year; teams may schedule meets with them on their bye dates. Flower Hill has also contacted John, but doesn't appear ready to formally join the league.

B. Vice President
Insurance - John, filling in for Al Goins, noted two major changes included in the packet: the fee for individual divers will increase to $10, and new deadlines for payment.

C. Secretary
Judy Termini reminded members that minutes will be posted on the league's website.

D. Treasurer
Lynn Chapman reminded members that the dues deadline is April 1.

E. Records and Publicity
Karl Borst passed out information sheets which each rep must correct and turn in as soon as possible, preferably tonight. Website - Karl would like to post more photos, and assured members that he will not identify any child beyond what the rep submits, in order to protect divers' privacy.

F. Rules
Lori Puente asked that reps, especially new ones, point out any ambiguities in the handbook.

G. Ways and Means
Melissa Huey-Burns announced that, in honor of MCDL's twentieth anniversary, we will make an all-division t-shirt available to all divers at the beginning of the season. She plans to bring a sample to the May meeting.

H. Safety
Bill Leith announced that this year we will have our regular three-year inspection of equipment. He will schedule inspections with each pool in May.

II. OLD BUSINESS

A. Dates
Division Coordinators and Division Championship sites

DIV. 1 Lori Puente - Calverton
DIV. 2 Candace Kaller - Old Georgetown
DIV. 3 John Currie - Seven Locks
DIV. 4 Patricia Schmitz - Westleigh
DIV. 5 Maryann Yoo - Country Glen

Officials Clinics

June 9 @ Manor Woods
June 18 @ Old Farm
June 27 @ Eastgate

Change in All Stars Dates
It was agreed to change All Star dates as follows:

10&U, 11-12 July 31 at Eastgate
13-14, 15-18 August 1 at Manor Woods (tentatively)

Robin Hood Invitational July 26

B. Officials Certification
John reminded reps that certification is required every two years. Clinics are free and fun, and are an important indication of the league's commitment to continuous improvement in the quality of officiating. He also reminded reps that coaches are encouraged to attend clinics to see our process of training officials.

C. Advertising Contracts
A sample contract is included in the packet. John and Karl reminded reps that we can certainly improve on last year's total of three ads.

III. NEW BUSINESS

A. Rule Changes
1. Ribbons for 8 and unders - it was proposed that ribbons for first through fourth places be given to 8 and under divers to acknowledge their performance, although their scores would not count toward team points. An extensive discussion followed, and included the following points: The league has historically not given places to our youngest divers, based on their level of physical development - some of them cannot safely execute dives; place ribbons may actually discourage some young divers who don't win; some of the better divers in the age group may not want to dive up when asked, because they'd rather win a ribbon; and reps are reminded that participation ribbons should be awarded in all age groups, not only the 8 and unders. **The motion to give place ribbons for first through fourth places in the 8 and under age group was passed. ** We will discuss its implementation after the season.

2. Meet integrity (see packet)
Changes to the current rule, as shown in bold in the attachment found in the packed, were approved with the following editorial changes: "…added to the resumption" (not conclusion), and
"…(with the lower (not lowed) degree of difficulty …"

In addition, the league agreed to recommend the following:

Teams wait 30 minutes from the last incidence of thunder or lightning to decide on finishing a meet, and

Teams wait for one hour to cancel a meet with mutual consent.

3. Wild Card Procedures
While this is not a rules change, it is a procedure which must be approved by the league. In its January meeting, the Board reviewed the trial procedure used last season and refined it based on comments from all divisions. The Rules Committee will produce posters, which will include required information on all nominated divers, for divisions to use to guide the meetings. The refined version of last season's trial procedure was approved for the coming season. We will revisit this issue at the September meeting.

Several reps brought up other possible rules changes. John reminded them that proposals must be submitted to the Board before the January meeting, so that the Board can check them against the By Laws and bring them to the March meeting.

B. Nominating
Three Board members' terms end this season: John Currie, Judy Termini, and Sassie Bridges. John encouraged anyone with any interest in the positions of president, secretary, or rules to send email to him.

C. Other New Business
1. Ashton and Calverton need coaches, and Mohican needs a male assistant coach. MCSL has job listings on its website. In preparation for this, John will develop a survey on salary information for reps to respond to.

IV. Closing

Respectively submitted,