The meeting began at 1230 on 06/25/99 at the Alexandria Hilton Mark Center Hotel in Alexandria, VA.
Roll call:
Officers present: President (Reyn Kinzey), Vice President (Eric Pittelkau), Secretary (David Chapman), Treasurer (Jamie Jisa). LAU Reps present: VRU (3): Kinzey, Kris Kabza, Carl Schmitt. PRU (3): Jisa, Tom Walsh, Pittelkau. EPRU (3): Dana Bateman, Elaine Recchiuti, Carl Ostermann. Non-Voting Member present: Mark Koiwai (MARR). Guests at the meeting were John Redmond (MARFU 7s Coach), Don Jefferis (Brandywine RFC), and Joe Myers (Brandywine RFC). Absent: Director-at-Large (Nigel Willis).
Minutes of the February Meeting.
Not available from Eric (who had done them in the place of David C who was absent at the 2/2000 meeting), so no action to approve.
Treasurer's Report.
Jamie passed around expenses to-date and provided a budget execution report. Nothing unusual or exceptional.
Men's Club Championship and Territorial Divisions
Don Jefferis (former MARFU BOD member) asked to speak to the board about the new M's league system and discussed his views of the league and the state of the clubs in MARFU. The basic argument was that this was not a good thing for the Division II clubs due to their goals, expectations and player personnel. There was a brief bit of questioning about the voting process in February when this was passed while several board members were absent. No motions were made and no action was taken.
All Star Reports
Men's 15s All Star Report - Discussed site of the LAU matches. CarlS made a motion that we continue the rotation of venues; David C seconded. After discussion concerning centralized locations and the possibility of revenue sharing by the PRU, this item was tabled until the next meeting so that the select side coaches could explore the cost sharing issue. The following weekends are scheduled prior to the December ITTs: intra-LAU matches 11/11, Northeast RFU 11/18; New Zealand Embassy side 11/25.
Men's 7s All Star Report - May take a team to the Toronto 7s and will decide after Cape Fear. If not, the team may have a camp. Selection for ITTs will be immediately after National Championships.
Women's 15s All Star Report - May have a match on 11/4 against the South. Venue will probably be in NC, but Carl is checking to see if it can be held at Dorey Park, if the South is willing.
Men's College 15s All Star Report - Kris reviewed the previously sent report.
Women's U23 15s All Star Report - Jamie reviewed the previously sent report.
MARFU Logo
Four different logo designs had been presented to the board for review; an on-line survey of BOD members had been inconclusive.
Kris made a motion stating that that he would coordinate a MARFU-wide vote to decide the issue. CarlS seconded. The motion died 3-8 (not all members voted).
The BOD discussed all 4 that were presented and eliminated the current shark.
Jamie/Reyn made a motion that the "Cathy Wright" shark be used for athletic equipment, while the "Barbara Lerch" design be used for stationary and both to be used for any other function. Dana seconded. Passed by voice vote.
Dana will get stationary using new logo and will distribute. David C and Elaine will look into golf shirts.
Remaining 2000 Events
MARFU 7s was awarded to the Norfolk Blues for 7/29.
The 11/18-19 Collegiate All-Star event will be held in the PRU; it is projected to be at St. Mary's.
Adverse Weather Policy
David C made the following motion: "For MARFU sanctioned events, tournament/event director or the senior on-site referee is empowered to suspend play during adverse or predicted unfavorable weather conditions. The tournament/event director and the senior on-site referee will jointly decide whether to resume play; either individual has the authority to cancel the proceedings." Seconded by Reyn. Approved by voice vote.
Development of a Major Regional Rugby Field
Tom Walsh discussed an idea about a possible joint effort by the LAUs and MARFU to acquire a regional field.
Associate and Local Member Issue
David C had noticed in the announced club counts that a few PRU clubs were not moved up in status, as required when Associate or LAU membership is held for a certain period. A discussion ensued concerning the intent of the LAUs to define their membership and MARFU's general direction. MARFU policy overrides LAU arrangements. The specific clubs under discussion were re-arranged to the general agreement of the BOD.
MVP and Plate Awards at College Championships
The BOD agreed that MVP and Plate trophies were appropriate. However, the BOD determined that a MVP would not be awarded for the plate division. The argument is that there should only be one MVP award, for the entire event, which could theoretically be awarded to a player in either the cup or the plate division, but, realistically, will probably go to someone who plays for a team that makes it into the cup division.
2001 MARFU College Div I and II Final 4s
Confirmed that the dates of 3/31-4/1 were accurate, based on known current national championship dates. Also, this event is scheduled to be in the VRU, assuming an event application is filed.
PRU Summer Youth Leagues
Eleven teams have been formed and the first matches are on 7/1; also, there is a school age childcare unit program.
Creation of a MARFU-wide Collegiate Men's Division I
CarlS discussed the recurring topic of the creation of a MARFU-wide Collegiate Men's Division I league, but the two members of the committee stated that there had not been an interest in this in previous discussions. No proposal was provided. CarlS said he would scout around for interest.
Source for MARFU Women's 7s Budget
There is problem with funding a W's 7s ITTs and a W's 7s NIT. The USA BOD voted the accept this, but the TUs had not allocated any funds for these programs. Reyn will contact the other TU presidents to discuss and see if the events will actually be held.
MARFU Women's Div I League
A W's club league has not been set up for Fall 2000 as had been projected in earlier discussions. For Spring 2001 playoffs, the teams will be PRU #1, PRU #2, EPRU #1 and the winner of VRU #1 and PRU #3.
MARFU Dues Increase for 2001
Jamie passed out a budget analysis for several dues scenarios. The LAUs caucused in their groups and came back for a weighted vote. Reyn made a motion to approve the dues scenario of $400 for full clubs, $250 for Associates and $125 for LAU-only members (increases of $100, $50, and $25, respectively) and it was seconded (unknown). The motions passed with all EPRU, all PRU and two VRU voters for the motion, with one VRU voter against.
Jamie stated she needed 2001 budget input by 9/1/00.
Review of Future Meeting Dates
The BOD will meet on Sunday, 9/24 and will have the AGM on Saturday, 12/9.