PNSA Minutes 9/24/2005

Members present- TJ Owen, Steve Devin, Ben Husaby

Secretary, Ben Husaby

First order- Approved minutes from spring convention

Agenda/notes

1.      JO update 

Brenna Knowles submitted a email via Ben that stated that everything is looking good.  We have lodging(15 rooms) and transportation (MTU vans).  The logistics coach is waiting on information about a charter flight from MSP to Houghton.  TJ suggested contacting Mike Abbot at MSU about flights.  Ben sent Rick Kapala an email regarding the charter.  Brenna still is working on food options.

2.      JO coaches

 Brenna, Ben, Scott, and TJ have been selected to coach the 2006 Junior Olympic Team.  One or Two additional coaching positions will be filled as the qualifying season progresses based on number of kids qualifying from respective clubs.  It was decided that this decision is to be made at the discretion of the NCC.  We will still use the same principle to make our decision on the number of coaches (Ratio 5-30).

3.      JO carry over status

Powers are at work.  NCC feels that the subject needs to be visited.  Ben, Steve and TJ were asked to sit in the BOD meeting.  We discussed the status of the money.  The BOD was adamant that the money be counted in the PNSA coffers.  Chuck Kenlan will work with Ingrid Simonsen to figure out the best vehicle to make the transfer a reality.  The NCC’s concerns were among others:   objective- access, access determined by NCC, as a contingency- for short comings, uniforming, subsidizing out of way travel.  NCC feels the money should be used in same form as we got it.

4.      J3 Championships

After discussion we determined that the J3 champs need to be special.  This is an important time for this age group.  Methow will be the official J3 champs.

5.  Qualifying standard

The NCC re read adjustments made in the spring.  We decided to amend the JO selection to automatic qualifying standard “anomaly” from top 10 to top 5.  The statement in the Automatic Qualifying Standard now reads:  Athletes who qualify in the top 5 of the World Junior selection criteria…… will not be used in the percent back-JO selection equation.  The second amendment that was approved in the spring still stands:  In exceptional cases, coaches’ discretion by the NCC can be used to decide about the qualifications of skiers.

            6.  Inventory

             The NCC determined that it would be good to have an official PNSA Nordic Inventory.  Ben said he would comply.  You know- wax, tools, riller, radios.

            7.  Budget

             The group determined that we need to find $500 from last spring’s proposed budget.  The PNSA BOD authorized $3500 to be spent on Nordic development for the 2006 fiscal year.   It was recommended that we subtract $200 from camp budget and $300 from club fee.  All Agreed.  Ben is to make new budget.  FYI- the NCC has used $1100 already for the 2006 fiscal year ($800 for Troutlake and $300 for Anthony lakes).

                        NCC Budget

                                    Education-        Troutlake          $800

                                                            Anthony           $300

                                                            June on Snow   $1000

                                    JO Wax                                   $1000

                                    Coaches travel                          $400

                                    Total                                        $3500

            8.  Head Tax and Race Calendar

Ben will email TJ, Steve and Ingrid about our head tax races.  If club wants to put a local race on the PNSA web calendar, they agree to pay the $3 per skier Head Tax to the division.   Please contact Ingrid at pnsa@pnsa.org. if you would like your race to be listed.  Steve says that Methow has added a race too.  A calendar will be mailed to the NCC members by Ben.  Clubs can add races to the document before it is sent to the PNSA office. 

9.  Faltering clubs

They need to help themselves.  None of them choose to show up for the meeting, so it is hard to disseminate their needs.

10.    Other business

First, TJ asked about funding prominent skiers.  Ben suggested that an article submitted to the PNSA website about prominent PNSA skiers that have gone on to higher things.  He suggested that Brenna Knowles offer an article.

Second, Brenna and Ben extend their warmest thanks to the NCC for the funding of the summer camps.  We feel the support went a long way in showing the division the reality of having three divisional camps a summer for the betterment of the skiers.  I a normal snow year, it will be likely that the division will in the future have a camp in June, July and August.  There were 40 skiers attending the Troutlake camp and another 13 athletes at Anthony.  It was suggested that the August camp come earlier in the month to accommodate the fall school sport schedule.

11.   TDs

Ben has contacted John Hatcher about a TD’s clinic for prospective TDs.  John has not replied.  Ben will contact Park City about our dilemma.  Ben stated that the division is submitting more races to USSA scoring, it is therefore imperative that we find adequate support from qualified staff.  Steve said that there is one person in the Methow that is interested.  Ben stated that he would find two such people from Bend.

12.  Race Distances

The NCC ratified race distances

The approved distances and disciplines will be attached in a document to the PNSA office, local PNSA clubs and the NCC with the minutes from the fall meeting.

Respectfully submitted

            Ben Husaby 9/27/05