MEETING MINUTES

 

Minutes from August 3, 2002:

Mid-Atlantic Rugby Football Union
Meeting Minutes for August 3, 2002
@ Pat Costello's, Arlington Virginia

In Attendance:                          Absent:
Reyn Kinzey                             Sean Conroy
David Chapman                           Carl Ostermann
Kris Kabza
Dana Bateman (for Kristin McCarthy)
Elaine Recchiuti
Pat Costello
Jamie Jisa  (for Eric Pittelkau)
Tom Walsh 
Carl Schmitt
David Mildner (for Mark Kowai)
Call to Order at 11:30 AM

Treasurers Report: Pat Costello
Rolling Financial Report, 2001/2002
For 2002 line item Internal Championships is severely over budget. An increase may be necessary for 2003, with special attention given to the potential increase in the cost of medical personnel at MARFU events. Also, closer scrutiny of club applications for hosting events for omitted or over priced items. In the future, clubs will be held to their costs as submitted on event applications for items that should have been anticipated during the bidding process. Also, Awards (plaques and trophies) was over budget for the year, but in 2003 this will be avoided by negotiating all awards for the year with one vendor at one time. Greater effort by the treasurer has resulted in more efficient use of SS monies for the Men and Women's 7's All-Stars, and should help with the Men's 15's and U-23 Women's programs. MARFU will receive a $1000 credit for double payment of an invoice from Godek Rugby and Soccer Supply. The Men's Collegiate Committee will be returned to the budget in the amount of $400.00 for 2003.

Motion: Kabza, (2nd: Bateman) Steve Cohen is to be reimbursed for personnel expenses incurred while he was coordinating and administrating the 2002 Collegiate Championships (M&W). Passed without dissent.

Discussion of Preliminary 2003 Budget:
2003 budget. The consensus of the Board was that a dues increase for 2003 would not pass. After discussion, President Kinzey requested that the Treasurer Costello develop to a budget for discussion at the 2002/2003 AGM. It should reallocate portions of the SS budgets to Internal Championships and Awards.

MARR Expenses and Invoices to date for 2002:
David Mildner presented a report from Mark Kowai for expenses incurred to date for providing referees and touch judges for MARFU events. This report was turned over to the treasurer for review. David was asked to remind MARR that reimbursement to MARR for 2002 would be limited to the budgeted $9000.00.

Discussion of Blacksburg's declination of USA Playoff spot
This matter was handled by the VRU, and requires no action by MARFU. The VRU has banned Blacksburg from anypost season play for 2002/03.

East Coast Div. 3 Collegiate Championships - Financial Support Request
Motion: Schmitt (2nd, Bateman) MARFU allocate a one-time expenditure for 2003 of $350.00 towards the East Coast Collegiate Men's Division III Championships, which includes NERFU and SRFU. MARFU will have one team competing in 2003. They will play in 2 of the 5 matches scheduled and MARFU would contribute an equitable share of the estimated $1800.00 total cost.

Requirement for Certified Trainers at MARFU Collegiate Event
After discussion, it was agreed that although MARFU would like to provide certified athletic trainers at all MARFU Collegiate events, it is not financially feasible, and that the current requirement of having an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) at all events provides the level of medical supervision required by the sport.
Motion: Bateman (2nd, Costello) That MARFU require that a Certified Athletic Trainer be in attendance at all MARFU Collegiate events. Motion failed.

Hosts and Dates for 2002-03 MARFU Collegiate Events
For 2003, the PRU has first option to host the Men's and Women's Division I Collegiate Championships, as well as the Men's and Women's Division II Collegiate Championships, (two separate events). The VRU has next option on either of the events that the PRU declines. Dates are pending the USA Championship Calendar.

Pairing for the MARFU Collegiate Men's Division I Championships
Kris Kabza outlined two proposals for adjustment of the pairings for these championships. Although there seemed to be a majority consensus of the Collegiate Men's Competition Committee, Kabza asked that a vote be delayed until Steve Cohen's thoughts could be considered. Jamie Jisa requested that this item be settled by the end of August to facilitate development of the PRU Collegiate League Schedules. Kabza and Walsh agreed to put a proposal before the board on or before August 10 for an email vote.
Jamie Jisa requested guidelines for any collegiate club wishing to enter a C (or lower) side team in a secondary competitive division. It was pointed out that MARFU had previously adopted USA guidelines for this situation, and adherence to those guidelines would be satisfactory.

MARFU All-Star Coaches Code of Conduct
Motion: Bateman (2nd, Costello) Coaches of all MARFU All-Star Teams be required to sign a Coaches Code of Conduct matching the current code being used in the EPRU. After discussion, the motion failed.

MARFU Policy on Sideline Behavior
After discussion by the Board, it was decided that sufficient remedy for improper sideline behavior by players, coaches and others directly connected to a club exists within the current Disciplinary Committees, both LAU and MARFU. Unacceptable behavior by spectators (those not actually members of a rugby club) must be dealt with by summoning the public authorities (i.e. the local Police force).

MARFU Jerseys
Carl Schmitt, with correction by Pat Costello, provided a brief report on the condition, location and need for replacement of jerseys for all MARFU All-Star teams. No action required by the Board at this time.

New Business
Kris Kabza expressed interest in MARFU developing a proposal to Host the 2003 Collegiate Men's and Women's USA ITT's (the first and second week of June, 2003). Kris is to investigate the requirements for hosting this event and report back to the Board.

CIPP Registration of Old Boys Sides and other part time rugby teams
Motion: Kinzey (2nd: Costello) Over 35 Old Boys Clubs and players who play only a few matches per year may CIPP register to bring themselves under the umbrella of the USA Insurance Policy. These clubs, once CIPP registered, will NOT be counted among the club count for the MARFU dues structure. This same opportunity will be extended to all Collegiate Alumni teams, Traveling Sides, and Touring Sides (i.e. clubs that only play occasionally).

The MARFU/LAU Men's All-Star Round Robin
The MARFU/LAU Men's All-Star Round Robin will be held November 16 & 17. Lance French is the MARFU Head Coach, and a replacement for Lindy Birch is being sought. The Union will sorely miss Lindy's excellent work with the All-Stars these past few years, and she has our gratitude and best wishes.

The next meeting of the MARFU Board will be at 10:00AM, Sunday, November 24, at a yet to be determined location (probably Pat Costello's home). The meeting will (hopefully) adjourn in time to attend the MARFU All-Stars vs New Zealand Embassy Selects match and reception that afternoon.