March 2013 USLRA Board Meeting Minutes

March 2014 USLRA Board Meeting Minutes

USLRA Conference Call Minutes

Sunday, March 9, 2014 – 8:00 PM

Present on call: Troy, Polly, Leah, Shayna, Joanie, Amber, Sam

1.)   Approval of February Meeting Minutes:

http://uslogrolling.blogspot.com/2014/02/february-2014-uslra-board-meeting.html

Shayna moves to approve February Minutes.  Joanie Seconds.  All Approve.

2.)  Approve Pro Rankings

Leah Moves to Approve.  Polly Seconds.  All approve.

3.)  Amateur Rankings

- Troy has prepared amateur rankings based on a roller’s top 3 tournaments.

- Questions on formula – 2 vs. 3 tournaments, should rollers be ranked if they haven’t paid dues, how should points be weighted when a roller moves up into a new age division.

- It has been suggested that the best formula for moving rollers up to a new division is to use ½ of their points from the previous year.

- Discussion on whether all rollers be ranked, regardless of the number of tournaments they participate in. 

- Discussion tabled for further exploration.

  

4.)  Finance

- Procedure:  Add Treasurer’s Report to Meeting agenda

- Shary will write checks for basic costs, will approach board for other expenditures.

- 2013 Taxes:  Nothing Owed.  $275 for Tax Prep.

- Discussion of purchasing Quick Books for USLRA to avoid paying separate data entry fees.   Troy will purchase Quick Books at the best price he finds. 

Joanie Motions to approve purchase.  Polly Seconds.  All approve.

5.)  Seeding Discussion

- Elite Seeding Rule reads as: The top 8 ranked elite men and women will be seeded at all tournaments. If a competitor in the top 8 is not in attendance, lower ranked competitors will NOT be moved up into the 8 seeded competitors.

- The Administrative Document suggests that there should be 1 seeded competitor for every 4 competitors.

- Discussion on Seeding procedure for Amateurs.

- Decision to seed half of the competitors present.

- Suggested new wording:  The number of seeded competitors will be half the number of competitors present, up to a maximum of 8 seeded competitors.  A minimum of 3 competitors will be seeded at a tournament.  If an odd number of competitors are present, the number of seeds will NOT be rounded up.   (Ex. 9 Competitors would have 4 seeds.)

- This wording will be voted on at the next meeting.

6.)  Membership Requirement

- Discussion on adding wording to Rules Document that a competitor must be a USLRA Member to receive Rankings and/or Super Series Points. (There is no current text for this.)

- Troy will email the addition to the Rules Document for approval.

7.)  Log Sizes and Timing:

- Log timing rules have not changed, but new wording was suggested:

Time Limits and Log Sizes

Log sizes used in USLRA competitions are:                                                                                   

#1-15” diameter 12’ long                                                                                                                          

#2-14” diameter 12’ long                                                                                                                      

#3-13” diameter 13’ long                                                                                                                      

#4-12” diameter 13’ long                                                                                                                      

#5-11” diameter, 13' long (used only in amateur competition when available)

Elite Men/Elite Women

In elite competition, men start on a #1 log and women start on a #2 log. A match can start on a smaller log if both competitors agree. The agreed upon first log will count as the first log for timing purposes.

Elite competitors will use the following time limits:                                                                     Men                                                                                                                                                 

First Log 1 minute                                                                                                                        

Second Log 3 minutes                                                                                                                  

Third Log 5 minutes                                                                                                                   

Fourth Log until end of match

Women                                                                                                                                        

First Log 1 minute                                                                                                                         

Second Log 3 minutes                                                                                                                 

Third Log until end of match                                                                                                           

Junior, Semi-Pro, Adult Sport and Masters will use the following time limits:

Amateur

First log 1 minute                                                                                                                             

Second log 2 minutes                                                                                                                       

Third log 3 minutes                                                                                                                    

Fourth log 4 minutes                                                                                                                     

Fifth log until end of match*                                                                                                            

*Use of #5 log is optional. If #5 log is not used, use #4 log until end of match

- Troy will send all competition rules for approval by email.

8.) Corporate Sponsorships

- Board would like to pursue Corporate Sponsorship for USLRA.

- Avoid companies that already sponsor individual tournaments.

- Could help in providing tournament grants.

- Need to explore legal issues.   Rich Magnone could possibly do this.

9.)  Merchandise:

- Some examples were shown at Oconomowoc.

- Joanie will put together a list of possibilities.

- Suggestion to offer some merchandise choices at a table at tournaments.

10.)  Charitable Fund

- New Program has been applied for at the Oconomowoc Lake Club – a 1 log has been requested – they will repay by a payment plan.

Shayna moves to approve new program for review by Charitable Board.   Joanie Seconds.

10.)  April Board Meeting

          8:00 Sunday, April 13, 2014

Joanie motions to Adjourn.   Leah Seconds.   9:22 pm

         

         

February 2014 USLRA Board Meeting Minutes

February 2014 USLRA Board Meeting Minutes

USLRA Conference Call Minutes

Sunday, January 9, 2014 – 7:30 PM

Present on call: Troy, Polly, Joanie, Shayna, Mary, Sam

1.)   Approval of January Meeting Minutes:

(located at http://www.uslogrolling.com/html/news.html)

 Joanie moves to approve January Minutes.  Shayna Seconds.  All Approve.

2.)  Additional Bylaws Updates final Vote:

3.01(c)

Associate Members. Associate Members shall include any individual interested in actively supporting and promoting the purpose or purposes of the Corporation who otherwise meets the eligibility requirements as set forth by the Board of Directors. One parent will be granted a free associate membership with each paid competitive membership for competitors who are 14 years of age or younger on January 1. A maximum of two free associate memberships will

be granted per family.

Polly Moves to Approve.  Joanie Seconds.  All approve.

3.)  Approve Membership Form

- Membership Form to include addition of free associate membership for one parent per child.

- Membership Form will include approved pricing.

- Polly will send to Shana Verstegen to be posted on the USLRA website, Facebook, and to possibly be sent out in an email via Constant Contact.

Shayna Moves to Approve.  Polly Seconds.  All approve.

4.)  Discussion of Merchandise/Online Store

- Joanie has researched some potential merchandise and will bring samples to the March Oconomowoc Tournament on March 2 for board members to view.

- The store will have a 2 week online life to take orders.

- It is suggested that Merchandise can be delivered to the customer at tournaments.

5.)  Brochure Discussion

- Shayna has created a USLRA brochure to be handed out to potential and current USLRA members. 

-  Discussion on whether to have a year-specific brochure or a generic brochure that can be used from year to year with an insert schedule to be more cost effective.   It is decided to make the brochure year-specific.

-  Shayna will print a limited number to pass out at a table at the March 2 Oconomowoc Tournament.

-  Cost will need to be researched.

6.)  Amateur Ranking

- The following rules were discussed and proposed:

Amateur Ranking(preliminary)

Rules:

·          Amateur log-rollers will be ranked according to their best 3 finishes in the previous year.

·          Only rollers who have been in at least three tournaments will be ranked.

·          Competitors who move up a division will be ranked at the bottom of the new division ranking according to their previous divisions season ending ranking.

·          You must be a paid member of USLRA to receive ranking points or be ranked.

The points for ranking will be:

First place 8

Second place 7

Third place 6

Fourth place 5

Fifth place 4

Sixth place 3

Seventh place 2

Eighth place 1

Tiebreak Procedure:

1.       The competitor who has placed the highest at the sanctioned World Championships.

2.       If the competitors have had any head-to-head matches during the season, whoever has won more times will earn the higher ranking.

3.       The competitor who has achieved the highest average placement in all tournaments attended.

4.       The competitor who has achieved the highest place in a tournament

5.       The competitor who has attended the most tournaments

6.       Coin Toss

7.)  Round Robin Rules

- Round Robin Rules as discussed in January 2014 meeting

Mary moves to Approve.  Shayna Seconds.  All approve.

8.) Rules Format

- Add Amateur Rankings to the Rules Document. 

- Rules and Ranking Document to contain all Elite and Amateur Rules.

9.)  Committee Updates:

          a.  Communication –                

b.  Rules, Regulations & Officials –       

          c.  Tournament  and Sanctioning –

          d.  Property Management –

          e.  Membership Assistance –

          f.  Program Development –

          g.  Finance and Legal Affairs –

- A second board member is needed to be listed on checking account as co-signer with Shary Birdsong. 

Troy Nominates Polly.  Joanie Seconds. Polly accepts.   

          h.  Ranking and Tournament Liasons –

- Tournament Liasons will be responsible for collecting dues at registration, and updating spreadsheet.

2014 Tournament Liaisons:

Polar Plunge(2/22)- Troy

5-0 fast Feet(3/2)- Shayna and Mary

Harold Fischer(4/5)- Joanie and Polly

Capitol Splash(4/19)- Shayna and Polly

Rusty Ankle(5/4)- Polly and Troy

Kaslo-

Midwest(6/28)- Amber and Polly

Go Fourth Festival(7/4)-

La Crosse Open(7/12?)- Polly and Troy

Namekagon River Roll Off(7/20?)- Sam and Shayna

Lumberjack World Championships(7/24-26)- ALL BOARD MEMBERS

Grand Marais - Shayna

Squamish(8/3-4)- (Shana Martin)

Morton Loggers Jubilee(8/7-10)-

Three Rivers Roleo(8/9)- Leah & Polly

Jack Pine(8/16)- Mary

Oconomowoc Rock n Roll – Shayna and Mary

River Rat Roll(10/26)- Troy and Polly

November Nationals-Troy and Joanie

Key Log Rolling Open?- Shana & Sam

10.)  Schedule March Board Meeting

          8:00 Sunday, March 9, 2014

Joanie motions to Adjourn.   Shayna Seconds.   9:26pm

         

          

January 2014 USLRA Board Meeting Minutes

USLRA Conference Call Minutes

Sunday January 5, 2014 – 7:30 PM

Present on call: Troy, Polly, Amber, Joanie, Shayna, Mary

1.)   Approval of November Meeting Minutes:

(located at http://uslogrolling.blogspot.com/2013/11/november-2013-uslra-board-meeting.html)

Corrections to Term Expirations:

Term Expiring after 2015:  Polly Pappadopoulos

Terms Expiring after 2016: Troy Birdsong

                                      Mary Ogle

                                      Shayna Magnone

Joanie moves to approve November Minutes with Corrections to Terms.   Polly Seconds.  All Approve.

2.)   Bylaws Updates final Vote:

- New Wording, as edited by USLRA Board Members via email:

a. 4.01. General Powers; Number of Directors; Age qualification. The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed by its Board of Directors (the “Board”). The number of directors of the Corporation shall be not less than six(6) and not more than nine(9). Each director shall be eighteen years of age or older.

b. 4.02. Director Classes and Terms. The directors shall be divided into two classes:  Competitive and non- competitive members. Competitive members sall be represented by not less than two(2) and not more than one less than half of the board membership. Noncompetitive members can be associate members and not more than two(2) corporate members. Directors shall be elected for a three-year term in accordance with Section 4.03. A director shall hold office until October 30 of the year in which his or her term expires and until his or her successor are elected and shall qualify, subject, however, to prior death, resignation, retirement or removal from office.

c. 4.03. Election of Directors. Upon expiration of any director's term in office, a successor director shall be elected to the Board by the affirmative vote of a majority of all Members entitled to vote. All votes under this Section 4.03 shall be by written ballots (the “Written Ballots”), which may include ballots distributed and returned by e-mail or comparable, distributed to the appropriate Members by the Board and returned by such Members to the Secretary of the Corporation on or before a deadline specified by the Board (the “Deadline”). The Written Ballots shall contain both a list of candidates as determined by the Board of Directors and a space for write-in candidates. A candidate that receives the greatest number of votes as evidenced by the Written Ballots received by the Secretary of the Corporation on or prior to the Deadline shall be elected as a director. The Board shall take reasonable action to encourage the election by the Members of both male and female directors.

-It is noted that the Bylaws shall be posted to the website once completed.

Shayna Moves to Approve.  Joanie Seconds.  All approve.

3.)  Discussion of Committees – Do we need a rules and ranking committee?

- Include rules on USLRA website to make clear for competitors, judges and tournament officials.

- Keep feelers out amongst competitors, if they feel the necessity for a Rules and Ranking Committee.

- Katie Rick will continue to calculate rankings.

4.)  Committee Updates:

          a.  Communication –

                   Shayna will continue to work on a brochure promoting USLRA.

          Committee members will contribute to facebook updates,          newsletters and press releases.

b.  Rules, Regulations & Officials –

          Round Robin Format:  Review of Round Robin Rules Document

                   - Eliminate Bracket portion to reduce confusion.

                   - Post and distribute rules document as a “Recommended                      Procedure”

- Will be kept flexible for first year, included in next survey                                                                                                          for USLRA member input.     

                   - Troy will re-word document and send to Board Members                                for approval.

          Rules Format: 

                   - Plan to consolidate separate tournament documents into                              one master document.

- Suggestion to create Handbook including Master Rules   Document, as well as a sheet which directors can use to submit tournament results (for quicker posting).

- Handbook to be distributed to tournament                           directors prior to tournament, as well as posted on USLRA website.

- Suggestion for Tournament Liasons to post updates of data from specific Tournament.

          c.  Tournament  and Sanctioning – No Report

          d.  Property Management – No Report

         

          e.  Membership Assistance –

                   -Shayna has prepared membership forms for 2014.  

                   - Discussion on a registration deadline for Members to receive an                              incentive item.  Committee will send Joanie ideas for items for                       price quotes.   Troy will check on budget.

                   - Membership Deadline date set:  Postmarked by March 1, 2014.

                     Delivery of incentive item projected for Midwest Championships.

- Suggestions made to collect memberships before World       Championships – perhaps man a table on Wednesday evening checking if membership has been paid before a competitor can receive their competition materials.

          f.  Program Development –

                   - Joanie reports up to two new programs will begin in the Hudson,                          WI area

-  Mary would like the two Michigan Programs added to website.                     Polly will add to program list.

- Joanie will continue confirming programs on her list. 

         

          g.  Finance and Legal Affairs –

                   - Troy will get current balance for account.

                   - Discussion on Raising Membership Fees as follows:

                             Competitive Membership - $25

                             Elite Competitive Membership - $40

                             Associate, Lifetime and Family amounts as is.

Mary Motions to approve Raise in Membership Fees.  Amber seconds.  All Approve.

                   - Troy will work on changing wording on Membership form to                           clarify that one parent will become an associate member per                           child with a maximum of 2 votes per family.  This will also be                            added to Bylaws.

                  

          h.  Ranking and Tournament Liasons –

- Tournament Liasons will be assigned when Tournament Schedule       is firmed up.

5.)  Polar Plunge Discussion

          -Discussion on whether or not to allow an un-sanctioned

            Tournament affect amateur status.

6.)  Board Yearly Plan

          - Will Formulate at future meeting

7.)  Schedule February Board Meeting

          - Sunday, February 9 – 7:30 PM Conference Call

Joanie motions to Adjourn.   Shayna Seconds.  

         

         

November 2013 USLRA Board Meeting Minutes

USLRA Conference Call Minutes

Tuesday November 5th

Present on call: Shayna, Shana, Mary, Polly, Marcel, Sam, Troy, Amber, Joanie

1.     Approval of October Meeting Minutes (located at http://uslogrolling.blogspot.com/2013/10/october-conference-call-minutes.html

Shana moves to accept meeting minutes from October – Polly seconds all approve.

2.     Nominations:

Term expires after 2013 (Thank you for your service!):

Shana Martin

Karl Buschhaus

Laura Batson

Marcel Scott

Term Expires after 2014:

Sam Hadley

Polly Pappadopoulos

Amber Scarborough

Joanie Davenport
Leah Stanton

Term Expires after 2015 (Nominees)
Mary Ogle – will help with writing
Troy Birdsong – will help with ranking
Shayna Magnone – will help with membership

Shana moves to approve board membership to the three nominees for 2014.  Joanie seconds – all approve… welcome to the board! 

a.     Approval of nominees

b.    
Executive Committee Nominations and Vote:

President: Troy Birdsong
Vice President: Sam Hadley
Treasurer: Shary Birdsong (non board member)
Secretary: Polly P.

All approve. 

3.     Rule Changes/Updates:

a.     “Rolling Up” Clarification and rewording.  Current Wording: 
U17 Athletes may only "roll up" if a Semi-Pro division is not offered or there are fewer than 3 athletes in U17.

New wording: “U17 Athletes may only "roll up" at a level three tournament in which a Semi-Pro division is not offered and there are fewer than 3 athletes in U17Boys/Girls.  If prize money or elite prizes (excluding medals or trophies) are accepted athlete will not be able to return to amateur status.”

Joanie Seconds- all approve.

l 
Semi- Pro Definition: Semi-Pro (no age limit) 
This is the stepping stone to Elite. These are serious rollers who want to improve and compete at major tournaments. Will roll in spikes when such equipment is available.  After two world championship wins, athlete must advance to the elite division by the following season. 
Polly seconds – all approve. 

b.     Round Robin Format Finalization (no current wording, will put this in tourney organization form) -   Troy will work on this with Joanie

c.      Log Time Limits:
Current Wording: Elite Men/Elite Women

#1 (15” dia 12’ long) 1 minute / #2 (14” dia 12’ long) 1 minute
#2 (14” dia 12’ long) 3 minutes / #3 (13” dia 12’ long) 3 minutes
#3 (13” dia 13’ long)* 5 minutes / #4 (12” dia 12’ long) until end of match #4 (12” dia 13’ long)* until end of match
*If 13' long logs are not available, 12' logs may be used.

Junior, Semi-Pro, Adult Sport and Masters will use the following time limits:

Amateur

#1 (15” dia 12’ long) 1 minute
#2 (14” dia 12’ long) 2 minutes
#3 (13” dia 12’ long) 3 minutes
#4 (12” dia 12’ long) 4 minutes
#5 (11” dia 12’long) until end of match*

d. Amateur Ranking
Currently: none

Discussion around pros and cons of set time limit.  Possibly having different option for amateur vs. pros.  Namekagon  and LWC need a #5 to shorten matches.  Decision was made to leave time limits the same, but to not necessarily close the door on this issue for the future.

Sam moves to leave these times the same, Marcel seconds all approve. 

4.     Fill out 2014 Plan of work and committee task form.
Communication committee members: Shana, Sam, Shayna, Polly
Rules, Regulations, & Officials committee members: Entire Board

Tournaments and Sanctioning Committee Members: Mary and selected tournament liaisons

Property Management: Leah Stanton and Chris Fischer
Membership Assistance: Shayna, Polly, Joanie
Program Development: Sam, Joanie, Mary

Finance and Legal Affairs: Shary and Joanie
Ranking: Tournament Liaisons (Katie Rick will do calculations but does not sit on committee)

5.    Schedule January Board Meeting.

7:30pm Sunday January 5th