Northern Division USSA Summer Meeting
Right Now Technologies
Bozeman, MT

Call to order 8:20 AM

Present:  J. Stielow, S. Krueger, T. McNamara, R. Duncan, B. Brown, H. Harns, F. Wood, C. Krueger, B. Krueger, R. Kramer, B. French, J. Pickering, T. Ryan, S. Ryan, J. Bildahl, S. Erickson.

Teams represented:  Big Sky, Bridger, Silver Run, Discovery, Great Divide, Casper Mountain, Flathead Valley.

Susan Krueger made a motion to accept the Minutes of the January, 2007 meeting as posted on the ND website.  Jeff Pickering seconds.  Motion passes.

Old Business:

President’s Report:

Craig Krueger noted that we are ending the season with good financials.

Craig Krueger recapped a successful season despite difficult snow conditions.  ND athletes were well-represented at regional events.  Many new parents began to gain experience in the race venue.

Program Status:

Casper Mountain:  Bill Brown is pleased to announce the hiring of a new direc tor.  He brings experience and enthusiasm to their program.

Bridger:  Slight drop in numbers due to lack of snow; good communications with Bridger Bowl.  BSF is looking forward to hosting the NCAA nationals next March.

Big Sky:  Currently looking for a director.  Nordic program is begin ning to increase overall involvement.

Silver Run:  The program is disappointed that there will not be any sk iing available at the Twin Lakes lift this spring.  Staffing is good.

Discovery:  06-07 snow year was fantastic; they have some newer parents that are hoping to bring races back again.

Great Divide:  Their numbers are holding steady.

Big Mountain:  The Mountain will have a shorter season next year, and is building new lodges.  This is their 30-year anniversary, and some changes are in the making.  The Doug Smith NorAm is changing to a FIS Elite speed series; many more opportunities for ND skiers.

Discussion concerning injured athletes:  It is important that any injuries during an event be documented at the divisional level.  This paperwork must be kept on file with the athlete's club, as well as with the Northern Division manager.  This form will help with liability concerns in the years following the incident.  It will also make sure that the physician, ski patrol, parents and project coach are all able to be in contact and be informed of the causes and outcomes of the injury.

Rick Duncan knows of an existing form that can be modified to suit this purpose.

WR ACC Spring meeting/USSA Congress overview.

Minutes of the Western region report as well as the minutes of all meetings held at the National Congress can be visited at the USSA web site, a summary posted on the ND website:  USSA Congress summary

Highlights:  The Western Region won the Regions' Cup by the largest margin in history.

Lester Keller will attempt to visit each division during the racing season.  (He is scheduled to be at the ND meeting in September.)  There will be a renewed emphasis on conditioning.  Coaches will be trained to conduct athlete fitness assessments.

The FIS Series Quotas should be posted on the WR website.

Modifications of the Intent-to-Compete procedure will include a prioritization requirement when races overlap.  Intents will be accepted for full series only.

Other issues addressed:

• Calendar addition for an early J2 Junior FIS
• WR Elite FIS calendaring conflicts
• Restrictions on the qualifications of course setters
• Entry fees
• Open bidding for the J3 JO's will close June 3rd (Jackson, Meadows, Bogus Basin)
• Homologation
• WR camps will be in early August in Chili and at Mt Hood.

FIS equipment changes are required for all athletes competing in Nor-Am 07-08 events and will be tracked by Western Region coaches and the WR office.  All equipment changes will be implemented for all athletes competing in FIS and USSA events for the 2008-09 season.

Concerns over qualifications of course setters have led to a WR and Northern Division commitment to having qualified coaches as officials.

Motion is made, then modified by discussion, by Fritz Wood that:

All coaches attending a USSA or FIS race have a level 1 coach’s certification and all course setters have a minimum of a level 1 referees license.  Jeff Pickering seconds.  Motion passes.

Assistant/trainee coaches can still attend, but will not serve as officials.  All personnel on the race course must have a USSA license.

ND Officials Chairman:  Fritz Wood volunteers to the Officials chair for next year.  Motion was made to accept Fritz Wood as Officials Chair and was passed unanimously.

ND Manager Position:

Jenn Stielow is moving on to graduate school and a position with the Western Region.  A hiring committee to find her replacement will consist of: Craig Krueger, Jeff Pickering, Jenn Stielow and Fritz Wood.  The job opening is going to be posted to the USSA website and also in Ski Racing online magazine.

Financial Overview

There is currently only $8,957 outstanding, most of these are due for the Spring Series and the J3 JO's.  This amount has been cut in half in the past 2 weeks.

We will enter the 07-08 season in the black; all debts to USSA have been paid off.

We have support from USSA that will enhance any collection procedures.  If necessary, any athlete that does not pay their amount due will have their membership frozen in July until their accounts are cleared.

ND dues will be the same next year.

USSA handbook changes need to be in to the ND prior to the ND meeting in September.

Calendaring:  We are waiting for a ruling from NCAA regarding participation in the spring 2008 regional race.  We are also awaiting the date of the WR JO/J4 Festival. For these reasons we need to delay the posting of the ND race calendar.

New Business

We will set the goal to have an early season on-snow coaches clinic/course setting forum.

The ND board voices their intentions of supporting this effort financially.

Athlete conditioning/fitness:  This is part of the Region’s effort to track the athlete's readiness and fitness.  J1/J2 fitness levels could influence race selections in the case of a tie.

The fall meeting will need 3 calendar days; we are looking forward to another good turnout for an official’s clinic.

Tentative schedule:

Friday, Sep 21: 7pm ACC meeting

Saturday September 22: ½-day Physical assessment of localclub athletes, in conjunction with teaching coaches how to assess athletes; Jenn Stielow.  Followed by a ½-day official’s clinic & testing

Sunday am: ND fall meeting.

Rick Duncan:  Powell County High School Plato distance scholastic program.

PCHS has fully implemented the Plato distance learning strategy into their curriculum.  Traveling athletes may enroll in PCHS during the racing season, and complete their classes via the internet.  They are assuring close communications with faculty assigned specifically to this program.  There is no tuition, therefore, the student is fre e to transfer back to their home program in a seamless manner.

Rick Duncan, Superintendent of schools for Powell County out of Deer Lodge, is looking forward to helping ND athletes maintain/improve their academic levels with this program.