2009 Winter Newsletter

USA Gymnastics Region 8 Committee Meeting
December 19, 2008
Coral Springs Marriott
Coral Springs, Florida

Members present:   
Debby Kornegay – RACC        Jon Aardema – GA
Marian Dykes – RTCC        Jackie Latino – LA
Brad Harris – RJOCC        Nancy Hawkins – MS
Kelly Pitzen – RPECC        Jennie Adams – NC
Deb Walls – AL            Joanne Child – SC                       
Toni Rand – FL            Larry Corrigan – TN not present flight problems

Deb K. called the meeting to order @ 9:10.  Jennie A. volunteered to act as secretary.

Deb K reminded the members present of Committee responsibilities.  Each state chair should vote according to their state’s needs. Likewise, Regional officers should vote according to the Region’s needs.  Members were also reminded that once a motion passes, the consensus being finalized, members should support the vote of the Region 8 Committee.

Deb K. distributed the following:

1.    Thank you notes written to the Committee were passed around the table for all to read.
2.    Regional Committee members contact list for verification
3.    Updated Operating Code
4.    Updated Planner dates
5.    Regional Financial report
6.    Updated Travel Fund Financial report
7.    Updated Hurricane Fund report

Deb K. reminded Regional officers that articles for the Winter Newsletter are due by 1-6-09.  She requested that the articles be Word formatted.

Deb K reported that 9/10 Regional contract for use of Vanderbilt’s facility was to be signed on 12-19-08.  Also the hotel contract was in hand.

Deb K called upon Jon A. for the Level 8 Regional report.
1.    Level 7 Regional Invitational will be hosted in Jon’s gym (GAA) on Friday, April 24th.
2.    There are 2 sites available for Level 8 Regionals, in case of problems.  Both are spacious and close to the host hotel.  There’s upstairs seating at both sites.
3.    Contract is in hand with Wynn-Wynn Athletics for equipment.

Jackie L. was asked to report on the status of GK’s team leotard, breast cancer fund-raiser, which was approved for 2009 Level 8 Regionals. 
•    She gave each a flyer explaining the cost and variations of choices for each state. 
•    GK will donate 15% of the cost of the leotards to the Susan B. Komen Breast Cancer Fund. 
•    Each state will also receive 10% off the cost of the leotard.
•    States may choose their own design from the ones available.
•    States may also choose to order tank leotard for the remainder of their Regional qualifiers.
•    Embroidered form-fit jackets and pants are available for $15.25 and $14.25 respectfully.
•    Relaxed fit jackets and pants are available for $17.50 and $16.25.
•    It was suggested that the name of each state be placed on the lower back of the jacket.

The Level 7 Regional Invitational would consist of two 64-gymnast sessions. 
•    The top 16 gymnasts from each state meet will be eligible to participate regardless of age group.
•    Alternates will be eligible in order of AA ranking.

Most states in the region support this event and will provide leotards to their athletes that compete in this competition.  For the Level 8 Team Competition all states will wear the same leotard and the same for warm up jacket and pants each state name will be put on the back of the jackets.

All states will provide a gift basket.  One basket will be raffled per session with proceeds going to Susan B Komen Breast Cancer fund.  There will also be a raffle off “Best seat in the House” with proceeds to Susan B Komen Fund.

Level 7 invitational will be run in two sessions of 64 athletes with 3 age groups per session for awards.

Recommendation that the entry fee for Level 7 Regional Invitational be $90 with $10 directed to Region 8.
Motion    Brad H.
2nd        Joanne    Passed unanimously

Deb K asked Nancy H. for an update on Level 9 Easterns, May 7-10, 2009 in Tupelo, MS.
•    Hotel contracts have been in place in Tupelo for a long time.
•    Brad H. asked to acquire a hotel for Region 8 gymnasts and coaches.  National Travel has been a little late in sending out information.
•    Nancy H. asked and received a recommendation to accommodate Region 6’s request for a disabled judge to be assigned to the meet.
•    States were requested to send items for gift baskets to Nancy H. & Deb W. by Level 8 Regionals.  25 baskets are needed.

Deb K presented an update on Level 10 Nationals.
•    To be held in Auburn, WA on April 15-16.
•    The NIT for college-bound gymnasts not making Regional teams will be held on April 17th, Sunday.
•    It was clarified that performing a new skill for name-recognition may only occur in the Level 10 National meet.

Deb K presented an update for Region 8 Congress.
•    A financial report was presented, stating that a profit of $1766 was deposited in the Region 8 account.
•    Vendors for 2009 will be accommodated with more space.
•    Deb K. asked how we could improve on presentations at Region Congress? Suggestions were:
1.    More grassroots skill development presentations
2.    More presentations from Regionally successful coaches with excellent compulsories
3.    Presentations with suggestions of how to incorporate successful Level 2 and 3 compulsory competitions.
4.    Presentations on how to best use the regional prep optional rules.
5.    An attempt to better staff the needs of middle competitive levels (7 and 8)

Deb K. asked that Committee members send e-mails to her with names of those from individual states who might be willing to teach sessions or give lectures.


Deb K accepted suggestions for dates and sites for the 2010 Regional Congress.
1.    June 11-13
2.    July 9-11
3.    June 18-20

Site suggestions included Nashville, New Orleans and Atlanta.

Deb K stated that the criteria for Region 8 Hall of Fame would be posted on the Regional website  (region8gymnastics.org) She encouraged State chairs and Regional officers to promote participation toward this award.

Deb K stated that the 2010 dates for following:
•    July 23-25 – Regional Team Training Camp
•    September 10-12 – National Team Training Camp
•    October 8-10 – 8/9/10 Training Camp

Recommendation to create a Prep Optional Regional Invitational Committee to oversee the Prep Opt Regional Invitational for 2010 and beyond.

Motion    Jennie   
2nd        Jackie        Passed unanimously

PREP Opt Regional Invitational Committee consists of Nancy Hawkins, Chairman, Jon Aardema, Jackie Latino, Deb Walls, Jennie Adams and Joanne Child. Deb K clarified that if questions arise about Prep Optional rules, the questions should be directed to the PREP Opt Regional Invitational Committee.

Deb K clarified the Regional criteria for judges’ National assignments. Judges must host the Training Camp or work the whole Training Camp in order to fulfill the criteria.  The Region 8 Rules and Regulations will be updated to reflex this.

Deb K relayed that the USA Gymnastics national office stated that there would be no more waivers for delayed background checks.  There will be no more e-mail waivers sent on Fridays.

Deb K state that the Tim Rand Memorial Fund (TRMF) Committee (Toni, Brad, Marian, & Deb K.) met and determined that the TRMF will pay the entry fees to Level 10 Nationals for qualifying gymnasts from Region 8.

   
Recommendation that the Level 8 Regional meet for April 16-18, 2010 be awarded to
MS USA Gymnastics to be held in Tupelo, MS.
Motion    Deb W
2nd        Brad H.    Passed by all.  Nancy H. recused
   
Recommendation that the Level 9/10 Regional meet for April 9-11, 2010 be awarded to
Upstate Events Sports Council to be held @ Clemson University in Clemson, SC.
Motion    Nancy H.
2nd        Jackie L.    Passed unanimously
(Same format as JO Nationals must be used.)
   
Recommendation National Team Training Camp on September 11-13, 2009 awarded to
Orlando Metro.
Motion    Deb W.
2nd        Jackie L.    Passed unanimously


Kelly P presented the Elite Committee information.
•    The 2008 Elite Testing and Clinic @ Coral Springs will have 34 testing and 56 in attendance at the clinic.
•    Dates for testing in 2009 will be determine by the first of the year and posted on the Regional site (region8gymnastics.org)
•    In order to better understand the changing Elite procedures, Kelly hopes to have information openly available to coaches, gymnasts, and parents on the website as soon as it is available to her.

Brad H. introduced the new color and line of apparel to be earned and given to gymnasts and coaches qualifying to Easterns and Nationals. The specifics will be posted in the Winter Newsletter, but the following are some of the highlights.
•    Region 8’s color is called Wine.  We will be using gray accents.
•    There will be a combination of wicking materials and cottons, collared and non-collared shirts for coaches.
•    Warm-ups were provided for last year’s qualifying gymnasts. Gymnasts were advised that the warm-ups were to last two years.  There should not be as large a number of warm-ups needed in 2009.
•    Brad suggested that the order of shirts to be worn by coaches during Easterns and Nationals competitions should be as follows:
Friday     Wine wicking shirts
Saturday    Wine polo shirts
Sunday    Gray polo shirts
•    An assortment of apparel and items will be awarded to gymnasts including tank tops, backpacks, gym bag, flip flops and leotards.

Deb K stated that the Coach of the Year from each state will be recognized on Saturday night at 9/10 Regionals. Awards/plaque for this honor will come from the respective state.  The Regional Coach of the Year Plaque will be awarded by Region 8 at Region 8 Congress each year.

Brad H. will republish All Star Trip Qualification in the Winter Newsletter.  A financial report was presented from the 2008 trip to Myrtle Beach.  Brad requested suggestions for possible sites for the 2009 trip.  New York City was given as an example.

Brad H. stated that there is a pre-Camp application process that should take care of the screening process of those working with gymnasts at the Training Camps.  The cost to coaches who bring gymnasts but do not work the camp may need to be revisited.

Brad H. stated that adding the third camp last year was worth the increase of work in order to fulfill the need for quality of our Regional Camps.

Recommendation that in order to qualify for the All Star Trip a gymnast’s coach/gym needs
to be in good standing with the Region.
Motion    Brad
2nd        Marian    Passed unanimously

In Good Standing means:
•    Host a Camp within the last 2 years
•    Send volunteer coaches to a Camp to actively work with gymnasts
•    Send athletes to a Camp
•    Make a $1000 donation to the Regional Apparel Fund

Brad H. requested that changes be reflected in the Regional Apparel guidelines as presented in the Fall 2008 Newsletter – Rules and Regulations review and changed to the following:

Regional apparel as follows

1. All athletes competing at JO Nationals receive a base set of apparel. Level 9 Eastern National qualifiers will receive apparel as designated. (12/19/03)
2. All judges who worked at a regional training camp and are assigned to judge Level 10 JO Nationals or Level 9 Easterns will receive apparel.
3. Apparel items will be offered for sale.
4. Apparel will be provided to the current members of the Regional Committee.
5. Coaches who worked Training Camp will receive Region 8 gift.


Deb K. presented concerns for State Chairmen.
•    Fourth quarter Financial Statements are due 1-15-09.
•    Chairmen were reminded to pay the 2008 Regional Competition fee according to the chart presented.

Recommendation that the Regional Committee recommends that each state chairman produce 3-4 newsletters per year and/or maintain timely state web
updates.  (revision to Fall 2008 Regional Newsletter; Rules and Regulation for Region 8, p.5, Newsletters.)

Motion    Deb W.
2nd         Joanne C    Passed unanimously

•    Updated Regional Entry Form and updated 9/10 Petition Form may be downloaded from the region8gymnastics.org web site.
•    State Chairs asked that the Level 8 Alternate Form be revised to allow for more Phone Number space and less space for Club, USAG#, and Birthdate. Also recommended that the Coach Signature column be divided into a Will and Will Not columns for easier recognition of choice with signature.
•    Level 8 Alternate Form title should also include Level 7 Regional Invitational.
•    State Meet results for Regionals should be sent by e-mail with no spaces before names, DOB or teams.  State Chairs are encouraged to try to have all names spelled correctly in final results.
•    Brad H. does not want paper copies of the State Meet results for the Regional reporting procedures.
•    State Chairs are reminded to e-mail numbers to Deb on 3-16-09 of the Level 8’s in each state w/ at least 30.00 AA and 34.00 AA from past season as well as Level 9/10’s w/ at least 34.00 AA.
•    Deb K. explained to State Chairs that TN had a different Compulsory State Meet procedure that seems to have approval from national office.  TN uses a ranking of gymnasts from “high” to “low” for placement in sessions; could have been considered “seeding” in the past.  Deb will ask for more clarification on the procedure.

Marian D. presented the Regional Tech Committee report.
•    The Region 8 Congress in Jacksonville, FL went well.
•    2009’s date will be June 12-14, again in Jacksonville.  Our Congress will be the first to have New Code presentations.
•    The new rules will not be release until after all State Meets in order to alleviate any rule confusion.
•    There are no plans to have a training DVD available before Region 8 Congress.
•    Marian suggested that each state USAG committee consider helping judges attending the Brevet and National courses with funding.

Brad H. presented the Junior Olympic Committee report.  Brad had earlier discussed
•    Training  Camps
•    Apparel for gymnasts and coaches with possible parents’ T-shirts
•    All Star Trip and Good Standing requirements

Brad added information about
•    Team Building activities including Region 8 hotel, pre-workout meetings, and simultaneous training of whole team.
•    Brad relayed that Johnny Moyal, Region 8’s Coach of the Year, finished in the final 2 for the National Coach of the Year, making our region proud.
•    The direction of the National JO Committee’s discussions is leaning toward rechecking where the level of skills should be for optionals.  There seems to be a skill gap between Level 7’s and Level 8’s.  The move may be back to clean gymnastics…back to grass roots gymnastics.
•    Deb K stated that the next Regional meeting would be on Thursday, 6-11-09 in Jacksonville, FL in conjunction with the Region 8 Congress.


Deb K stated that the State Chairman’s Workshop will be on the Sunday of National Congress 9:00 - 1:00. (August 16, 2009)

Under New Business,
•    Jennie A. asked that the Committee consider creating a counseling committee for Top Quality Level 9 and 10 gymnasts who lose focus and stop competing while still in their prime, and before the time when college is just around the corner. The discussion led to names of former collegiate and elite gymnasts who might be able to lend relevant advice.  Deb K will ask for help in contacting mentors for these gymnasts at risk.
•    The request was made to not post DOB when posting scores on the Internet.

Recommendation to adjourn
Motion    Nancy H.
2nd        Jennie A.    Passed unanimously

3:15 pm

Respectfully submitted,
Jennie Adams


E-mail vote 1/22/2009

Recommendation to accept bid from Gymnastix for Level 8, 9 & 10 Training Camp for October 2-4, 2009.
Passed unanimously