Indiana Division of the United States Canoe Association Fall Meeting Minutes November 3, 2007 Culver, Indiana Call to Order The meeting was called to order by President Terry Pontius. Special Report The historian, Bob Stwalley, gave a brief history of the U.S.C.A. Bob is one of the founding members. The U.S.C.A. was conceived in Bob's living room in Crawfordsville, Indiana, and born at Turkey Run State Park. Bob's synopsis of the history is: To my knowledge there are no written notes etc. on the meeting that was held at our house. Time gets away from one over the years. It took place just before the "official" birth or founding of the USCA at Turkey Run State Park with many people from IN, OH, IL, etc. The date was some time in either '66 or '67. I've always said that the USCA was conceived here in the living room of our house and born at Turkey Run. Canoe races in those days were a real hodge-podge. The only rule seemed to be "no V bottoms". Charlie Moore (WWII bomber pilot) and Howie LaBrant (boat builder and one of the great early racers) didn't get along with the American Canoe Assoc. as they would do nothing to help our downriver type racing. They were only interested in Olympic racing. Howie had developed the formula that we use in today's races. Charlie Moore had started what was known as the Indiana Canoe Racing Council. All races run under their sanction had points given as in our races today and counted towards State Championships in each category. Paddlers from Ohio etc. liked it very much as did others. Th question arose, "Should we go national?" Charlie held a meeting at our house and I believe it was probably after the Sugar Creek Race. All of us agreed that the ACA was doing nothing and that the thing to do was take the ICRC national and rename it the United State Canoe Association. People in attendance as best as I can remember were: Charlie Moore; Howie LaBrant; Clint Wilkins; Dr. Louis Runnels; Dr Dick LaSalle and wife Tillie; Rohland Muhland (OH); Lynn Tuttle (IL); Bob Demoret; Bob and Beverly Stwalley. There could have been others, but I can' recall. The American Indian Assoc. out of Chicago was quite involved, but I can't remember if Leroy Wiesaw or any of the Indians were here. They were all at Turkey Run. Brochures Terry Pontius distributed the new U.S.C.A brochures. He suggested they be placed in gyms, Y.M.C.A.'s and other public places. He has placed the names and phone numbers of local active members, on the brochures he has distributed. Officer Elections An Election of new officers was held. Betsy Arnold is the new President Bill Arnold will fulfill her remaining term as Secretary. The competition Chairperson is Kurt Begue. Wendi Brinson will continue to serve as Treasurer. Bob Stwalley will continue to serve as Historian. Lynette Schwinn was elected as the Trophy Chairperson. Approval of Minutes The Spring minutes were presented by Secretary Betsy Arnold, and approved. Old Business: Currently our membership consists of 45 people. This allows us to have 2 voting delegates attend the National meetings. Kurt Begue presented a policy he had written regarding monies to be spent on the repair of trophies Addendum to Competition Chair responsibilities: Each year the Indiana Division collects monies from the race sponsors to maintain the traveling Indiana State Championship trophies. This money averages out to about $100 - $125 per year. This money represents that maximum amount that can be spent on a yearly basis without authorization from a full membership vote at a Spring or Winter meeting. In addition, all expenses over $50 (excluding the purchase of Mike Grube Memorial Rookie paddler plaques) must be presented for full membership vote. In the event that a trophy needs to be refurbished or replaced due to damage or loss, the following policy shall be abided by. Before any major expenses are incurred by the division, the competition chair shall solicit sponsors from the membership. This should be done during the normal Spring or Winter meetings. The intent is to allow individuals, groups and/or clubs to privately sponsor refurbishment or replacement of a traveling trophy. Only after ample solicitation has occurred should the competition chair bring up the issue of trophy repair or replacement to the membership. After discussion the motion was approved Election of Delegates Election of Indiana Delegates to the U.S.C.A. was held. Terry Pontius and Steven Schwinn are the new delegates. Championship Presentations Kurt Begue presented the awards earned by paddlers during the 2007 season Overall Point Champion Gene Bennett K1 Downriver Champion Betsy Arnold K1 Open Champion Austin Schwinn Men's Sea Kayak Brent Ernsberger Women's Sea Kayak Ethel Ringel C2 Aluminum Hilman Culp C2 Mixed Brian and Devann Benson C2 Women's 6 way tie (Patt Oakley – based on motion made later) C2 Standard Kurt Begue & Steve Evertson C2 Cruiser Frank Tinsley C1 Men's Gene Bennett The Paddler of the Year Award was given jointly to Diane Crisp and Anne Bennett. Anne and Diane give generously of their time and talents to make the races run smoothly. They make registration, timing and awards run flawlessly at numerous races each year. The Indiana Division would like to thank both these ladies for their generous contribution. Treasurer's Report Treasurer, Wendy Brinson, presented her report. Treasurer's Report November 3, 2007 Our balance as of last year's meeting was $1732.30. The current balance is $1911.62 which is an increase of $179.32. Points money was $237.50 including $175 from the Sugar Creek race. The USCA rebate was $196, trophies were $180, postage $41 and the meeting rental $75. We paid $83 for youth insurance to the Great Race for the Memorial Day and Bridge to Bridge races. Note - I adjusted the points and trophy amounts to reflect a check and invoice received that day. Delegate Report The delegate report was given by Guy Gilman. He reported that the former Treasurer of the USCA was replaced by Kathy Edwards. The Winter Meeting will be held in Tarpon Springs, Florida on January 11-13, 2008. Matt and Mandy Streib reported that the Nationals course, for 2008, will be at least a 2 hour course in Bristol, Indiana. The safety Committee reported that P.F.D. laws have changed in some states requiring that P. F. D.'s be worn in the boat, and not merely carried. State Law supersedes Coast Guard Law, thus paddlers need to be aware of their own state laws. The USCA is working to get the PFD laws unified. Next year, the USCA Aluminum Nationals will be held on September 27, 2008 in Texas, on the Colorado River. Historian Report This report was given earlier in the meeting. See above. Webmaster's Report Kurt Begue reported that 2007 marked the tenth birthday of the Indiana USCA Website. The membership thanked Kurt for the great job he has done as Webmaster. Spring Meeting Terry Pontius recommended that the Spring Meeting be held at the Tippecanoe Marathon race in May of 2008. The proposal was approved. The Fall Meeting will occur on November 1, 2008, and Sonja Gilman will reserve the room we normally use in Culver, Indiana. Race Schedules/Racing Discussion Kurt requested that the 2008 race schedules be submitted. Discussion regarding the USCA insurance policy took place. The proof of declaration pages are not available from the USCA, and a number of the race sponsors are uncomfortable continuing to use insurance about which they have no information. Patt Oakley made a motion that the 6 way tie for the C2 Women's race be broken by overall participation points. Various options for breaking the tie ensued. Kurt Begue will recommend a method for breaking points ties to the membership at the Spring Meeting in May of 2008. National Trophy Discussion Mary Ann Pontius requested the Indiana Division pay for a National Trophy for the K-1 Women's Down River class, as this class has been won by an Indiana woman numerous times. The cost of the trophy would be $200 to $225 dollars. Mary Ann volunteered to be responsible for overseeing the purchasing of this trophy. Discussion ensued. It was agreed that research needed to be done, in an attempt to locate the lost trophy. The membership recommended seeking outside funding for the purchase of the trophy. 2008 Nationals Report Buzz Lail reported on the 2008 Nationals. He noted that www.amishcountry.org has a link on the Indiana Division web site. The city of Bristol has donated the use of some local buildings. Buzz stated that people around the state need to get involved. He noted that Sonja and Guy Gilman, the Schwinn Family, Ted Beatty and Mandy and Matt Streib have been involved in the planning thus far. He made a motion to establish a fund of the Indiana Division for the financial support of the 2008 Nationals. After discussion, it was decided to hold the vote on the resolution, until it is determined if the Nationals is a not for profit organization. Trophies & Awards Discussion Jim Anderson raised a concern regarding the trophy for the C-2 Mixed Canoe Class. He stated that the Knost built trophy looks more like the original, than the refurbished trophy. Both trophies will be displayed at the Spring Meeting in 2008 so that the membership can determine which of the two will continue as the official C-2 Mixed trophy. Patt Oakley reminded the membership that trophies should be returned by the last race of the season, in order to prepare them for the next recipient. Please return all trophies to Lynette Schwinn, Trophy Chair, by September 30, 2008. Indiana Division Shirts Sonja Gilman discussed the creation of a special shirt for Indiana Division members for the 2008 Nationals. The shirt is being created. The cost per shirt is $15.00. Race Class Addition Finally, Sonja reported on the popularity of the trial Unlimited Class for kayaks in the 2007 race season. Buzz Lail proposed that the ICF unlimited class become a permanent class. Brent Ernsberger seconded the motion, which passed. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned.