2023 National Meeting Minutes
By Eric Todd
The meeting was held at D. Rowes Restaurant in Columbia, MO on June 24th, 2023. The Meeting was called to order by President, Denny Habecker, who then called roll. The following members were in attendance:
Bill Clark, Joe Garcia, Randy Smith, Sanjiv Gupta, Nick Frieders, Travis Luther, Tony Lupo, Abe Smith, Calvin Heit, Chad Ullom, Wyatt Sawyers, Beth Skwarecki, Joe Caron, Dave DeForest, Denny Habecker, and Eric Todd
The minutes of the 2022 national meeting were read by Secretary, Eric Todd. Bill Clark made a motion to accept the minutes as read, with a second by Randy Smith. It passed unanimously. The financial report was then given by treasurer, Eric Todd. It was reported that the organization now has $11,799 in our bank account and still $160.07 in our paypal account. This is an increase of $2486.35 in total from where we were at this point last year. Joe Garcia suggested that we may need to file a financial report with the state, and Eric Todd said that he would look into that. Chad Ullom made a motion that we accept the report as given. Bill Clark gave the second. Motion passed unanimously. The website report was given by Website Director, Eric Todd. It was reported that the website was in need of contributors. The forum has not been used much of late, but we have decent activity on Facebook and Instagram. Beth Skwarecki mentioned that we do have a page on Reddit, and Eric Todd said he would link it on the website. Chad Ullom made a motion to accept the report as given; Joe Caron made the second. Motion passed unanimously. Next up was the report from the Awards Director, Al Myers as read by Eric Todd, as Al was unable to attend. The report discussed the way the awards program works and the concept behind it. Motion to accept the report was made by Chad Ullom; the second was made by Calvin Heit. Motion passed unanimously. Next, the report from Records Director, John Strangeway was made on his behalf by Eric Todd, as John was unable to attend. John has decided to stay on as Record’s Director. Motion was made by President Habecker to accept the report as read, and the Chad Ullom made the second. Motion passed unanimously. Next on the agenda was the report from Drug Enforcement Director, Chad Ullom. It was reported that we gave four tests this year, but the lab failed to test any of them, due to discontinuing the product. We are looking into finding a different vendor to supply our drug tests, and have a good lead on an outfit that some other Drug Free organizations use. Denny Habecker made a motion to accept the report; Beth Skwarecki made the second. Motion passed unanimously. The report from Official’s Director, Joe Garcia, was given next. We have had a couple level one officials who have let their certification lapse, but have picked up a couple new officials. Eric Todd said that he had been in contact with the officials whose certification has lapsed, and they are working on it. Joe recommended that anyone who is not yet an official begin the steps toward becoming one so that we have enough to cover our meets. Beth Skwarecki made a motion to accept the report; Sanjiv Gupta made the second. Motion passed unanimously.
There was a motion made by Bill Clark prior to the meeting to expand the executive board from five members to nine members. Bill explained that he thought it was needed to get a broader representation in order to move the organization forward. Eric Todd expressed that he did not see the need, and explained what the day-to-day operation of the organization currently looks like. There was much discussion. Randy Smith made a motion to table the motion until the end of the meeting to see if the other business at hand would help clarify whether there was a need or not. Chad Ullom made the second. Motion passed unanimously.
There was a motion by Bill Clark prior to allow for remote and/or hybrid competitions. The motion included all competitions outside of nationals, and would be up to the discretion of the meet director. He mentioned that he was hoping to increase participation in meets from people that might not travel, and suggested that if records are accepted that are set remotely via postal meets, then why not for any meet. Eric Todd said that he was concerned for us to become an organization of postal meets only, and lose out on the allure of the in-person competition. There was much discussion, but the consensus of the attendees was that there was no reason not to allow remote or hybrid competitions. Chad Ullom asked if there might be any unforeseen downfalls with this proposal. Sanjiv said one possible downfall would be the aspect of knowing what you might need to do to beat a competitor, but conceded that with the formula, that is sometimes an issue anyhow. Chad Ullom suggested that if it passed and was a failure, we could overturn it at a future meeting. Motion had already been made, and Randy smith made the second. Motion passed unanimously.
Next up was motion made by Bill Clark to replace the practical training session portion of the certification process to become an official with a video test. Bill’s proposal was that we replace all three of the practical training sessions with a 50 question video test. Eric Todd said that he had already been working on a video test, and proposed that we keep the 3 practical sessions, where any or all of the session can be replaced with a 10 question video test. There was much discussion. Bill proposed a compromise where we require one in person practical training session. The prospective official can still complete two more practical sessions to complete their level one certification, or they can complete two fifteen question video tests, or it can be a combination of both. That was a motion made by Bill Clark, and a second was made by Eric Todd. Motion passed unanimously.
Next up was new business as brought up by the membership. Randy Smith brought up the fact that our rulebook currently requires a platform no smaller than 12′ by 8′. He mentioned that most meets use platforms that are 8′ by 8′ (2 pieces of plywood crossed by 2 pieces of plywood). Motion was made to change the requirement to 8’x8′. Joe Garcia made the second. Motion passed unanimously.
The next thing up was the election of officers. Bill Clark suggested a vote of acclamation that Eric Todd continue as Secretary/Treasurer that was unanimously accepted. Chad Ullom suggested a vote of acclamation that Denny Habecker remain as president that was unanimously accepted. Eric Todd suggested a vote of acclamation Chad Ullom continue as Vice President that was unanimously accepted. Bill Clark nominated Beth Skwarecki to continue her role on the executive board. There were no other nominations. It was unanimous. Bill Clark nominated Abe Smith to take on the other Executive Board At-Large position. Chad Ullom nominated Dave Glasgow to continue in that role. A vote was taken, and Abe Smith won the position based on majority vote.
Last on the agenda was accepting bids for 2024 nationals. Eric Todd reported that at this time there were no bids. Bill Clark said that he and Clark’s Gym would bid 2024 nationals. Eric Todd moved that the bid be accepted. Denny Habecker made the second. Motion passed unanimously.
Because the motion to restructure the executive board was tabled until the end of the meeting, we readdressed it at this time. There was discussion as to whether it would be better to add members to the executive board, or come up with an advisory committee to focus on moving the organization forward. Since there was already a motion to expand the executive board, we just needed a second. Randy Smith gave the second. That motion was defeated unanimously. Bill Clark then made a motion to add an advisory committee that will report to the executive board and will consist of no more than five members. Chad Ullom made the second. This motion passed unanimously.
As there was no more business, Denny Habecker made the motion that the meeting be adjourned. Randy Smith made the second. Motion passed unanimously.
