Northern Division Fall Meeting
Saturday, January 9th
Hidden Moose Lodge, Whitefish, MT

Call to Order: 7:30 p.m.

Welcome/ Identification of Members present:  Jeremy Ueland, Rick Duncan, Sherri Hale, Susan Krueger, Bruce Krueger, Jeff Haller, A.J. Cronk, Jarod Roberts, Frank Tabish, Richard Kramer, Roy Loman, Zach Heller, Paul Bussi, Craig Krueger, Carl Swoboda, Dana Christian

Approval of Minutes from Fall Meeting

Old Business:

• Report of President
• Program Status – clubs report on their current overall program status (staffing, funding, etc...)
• WMRT - 25 in learn-to-race group, 11 in the J3 and older, 20 in YSL travel team
• BSSEF - appx 65 skiers, growing, finances and volunteers on the increase
• MSEF - 100 total, 50 in learn-to- race/Griz, 25 YSL, 25 Devo, new board members
• BSF - 70 in youngest group, 18-19 in the J1-J3’s, 43 in the younger Jfast/ J4-5’s
• GDST - 145 learn-to-ski, A-J3 numbers down to 21
• Discovery - Numbers are up; 3 @ J3, 7 YSL, 84 all-mountain signed up
• SRST - 14 A-J3
• MSU, Showdown, and Terry Peak no report
• ACC overview –Jeremy Ueland for Roger
• Policy and rules updates / ND handbook/WR Manual
• 1-pole Slalom is now widespread.  When training gatekeepers and instructing racers, be informed that the racer is to hike up and around the missed gate.  No need to guess where the plane is.  Single-pole SL is expected for all slaloms;  as a courtesy please include this in your race announcement.  If you are using stubbies for the SL, you are required to include this in your race announcement.  All announcements should be posted 30 days prior.
• Flip 15 needs to be noted in the team captains' meeting, in the Northern Division it is assumed that the start list will be a computer draw the night before; our region’s geographical limits do not allow the team captains' meetings the night before the race when this is usually decided.
• Team captains' meeting MUST include a medical plan.  It must be included in the minutes, and approved.  Race administrators need to have accident reports ready and give a copy to your local ski patrol.  Athletes must report injuries to the ski patrol in order to be covered by USSA.
• Cancelled events WR policy:  Prior to team captains meeting, full refund.  For further details, see pg 27 of this year’s WR handbook.
• USSA WEST Team and camp reports up to date at regional and NDS levels.
• WR athlete tracking program - Physical Assessments:  West team and any regional project participants must have participated in athlete Physical Assessments to be included in these projects.
• Divisional Wax Inventory and Keeping Track of it .  We are missing some speed wax.  Coaches please be careful!
• Race announcements need to be posted 30 days prior to the event.
• Calendar Changes.  Motion is made:  Since the January 9, 2010, WMRT SL is cancelled, Bridger’s 2nd GS race, which is on the calendar as a GS open, will be replaced with this Qualifier Slalom.  Jeremy U makes motion, Jarod 2nds.  Motion passes.
• The Big Sky Speed series is still tentative, and the program is seeking a confirmation from ND that it will be widely supported.  The entire region needs this race and this venue in particular.  Mar 26-27-28.  Fri train, race Sat & Sun. (It is followed by the Disabled Nationals, another huge volunteer commitment.)
• The Open Super-G at Big Sky will be combined with the Masters Race.
• Officials’ Chair Report – Opening for Official’s Chair
• Coaches & Officials Clinics
• ACC reports that Bob Pettit from BSF will be the new officials chair.  Thanks, Bob!
• 3 officials clinics in ND were well-attended.  Next fall we could attend the PNSA clinic.    
• Homologations.  Next year all YSL courses must be homologated, in addition to all A-J3 venues.
• TD Schedule/Expense Policy Review.  See the Northern Division handbook.
• Northern Division Manager – Sherri Hale - Financial Overview & Travel Issues
• Where we stand currently
• Season report to date –(invoicing & reconciliation)
• Race attendance confirmation/WR cancellation refund policy.  Northern cancellation policy is detailed in the ND handbook Review travel policies.  All entry changes must be in writing in a USSA team entry form, NOT in an email.  Coaches Transportation:  ND does not transport athletes.  Families pay for coaches, no matter what.
• ND Forms update:  Good compliance this year, only a few were late.
• Coaches Expense/IRS Mileage Reimbursement/Coach Per Diem (IRS) Review:  Per diem is now at the IRS rate.  We need to set an upper limit.  $39 is the minimum for meals.  Proposal to set the maximum per diem at $50.  Jarod proposes.  Jeff Haller 2nds.  Motion passes.
• JO Coats.  Coats are posted on the Facebook page.
• Head Tax - Development Portion YSL and A-J3.  This year ND is covering the YSL portion of the Championships awards.  ND will supply top 3 overall winners men & women with coats, which will be paid out of the prior yr’s YSL devo fund.  The $2982 has been allocated (see Fall meeting notes).  We are awaiting the full report from SRST.
• Another idea proposed by Sheri would be to have a Championship Program with pictures of all the YSL racers.  See PaulBussi.com or BridgerPics.com.  Parents would need to take pictures and help fill the book.
• J3 and older portion, $2858, ACC recommends for this season be split in 3 ways:
1.   support college athletes if their club is current with the Division (dues are paid).  The Host club would apply for this $$
2. Bill Kinney and Gold Cup scholarship funds
3. Junior athlete development, camps, championships, etc.
• ACC requests that in the future, the ND board allows the ACC to allocate the previous year’s A-J3 Development portion each year (if there is sufficient funding based on income from the year) as follows:
• J3 and older portion, will be split in 3 ways:
1. support college athletes if their club is current with the Division (ND dues are paid). The Host club would apply for this money.
2. Bill Kinney and Gold Cup scholarship funds
3. Cover some of the expenses for the Divisional Championship events: J3 JO’s and the WR championships.

Motion made by Jarod, Kramer 2nds. Motion Passes.

• IMD Championships are not going to be promoted by the Northern Division, but we will have a quota.
• ND Board
• Sponsorship/Fundraising for Qualifiers
• Goals and Tentative Schedule for Spring/Summer Meeting Spring meeting is tentatively scheduled for Sat June 12th  in Bozeman, at RightNow Technologies.  ACC meeting Friday evening June 11th, BSF office, corner Black and Olive.

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New Business:

New Officials Chair-Nominate parent Bob Petitt from BSF.  Jeremy Ueland nominates.  Jarod Roberts 2nds.  Passes unanimously.

Head Taxes:  All entry changes must be in writing in a USSA team entry form, NOT in an email.

Meeting Adjourned at 8:25 pm

Minutes taken by Susan Krueger

Approved by Rick Duncan