PVA General MeetingNovember 18 2004

Attendance:

George Harris, President Barbara Smith, Treasurer

Felix Rogers, 1st Vice President, RTC Herb Nicholls, Membership, Elite TC

Larry Long, Vice President Sharon Good, Race walk, PVTC

Jan Price, Vice President Bill Price, Officials Chair

Dameon Johnson, Mid Atlantic Elite Alfred Morris, Men's LDR

Terri Womack, Master's LDR Larry Carter, Clinton TC

Charles Mayes Elmer Powell

Roland Penn Mort Diamond

Carley Lord, Gallaudet Athlete Gita Morris

Damia Douglas, Gallaudet Coach Karen Sanfacon, Gallaudet Head Coach

The PVA meeting was called to order at 7:40 p.m. at the Ramada Inn, Lanham, George Harris presiding. Membership Chairman called the roll of officers to assure a quorum. Felix Rogers moved to postpone the minutes until the next meeting due to illness of the secretary.

Treasurer Barbara Smith presented written reports for September and October and answered questions. No profit from the Youth meet at Morgan State, due in part to the photo vendor who went bankrupt after JO. There were no sponsors and some club checks/fees had not yet been cleared. For officials housing and meals, tents, and track rental Morgan received $93K. National USATF requires a report to Youth Committee at Convention, so it should be available by request to members a week after convention. Elmer Powell moved to accept the report, seconded by Bill Price and passed.

Unfinished Business:

PVA is entitled to thirteen delegates to convention. Those officers and committee chairmen attending are: George Harris, Barbara Smith, Jan Price, Vice President Frances Brown, Bill Price, Youth Chair Henry McCallum, Al Morris, Sharon Good, Men's T&F Tim Baker, Herb Nicholls, and Norm Brand. The required Elite athletes are Tiombe Hurd and Jerry Harrison. Several of the above are also coaches or athletes. Alternates include Elmer Powell, Charles Mayes, Gita Morris.

Youth JO Cross Country Champs were held successfully at Greenbelt Park.

Al Morris, Men's LDR, raised questions on the Army 10 Mile which had international athletes but did not sanction the race with PVA (although the LDR clinic was held at their packet pickup). He also stated that a course map should be included in sanction requests for LDR races. Committee chairs should encourage races in their disciplines be sanctioned.

Bill Price reported that three Officials Certification Clinics have been held since October 1 with 64 attendees mostly re-certifying. Next Clinics November 20 at Woodlawn H.S. in Baltimore (1‑5 p.m.) and January 16 at PG Sportsplex following the All comers meet there. The website is now back up and a notice will go out.

Sharon Good reported that three One Hour Race Walks were held and thirteen entrants sent to the National Postal.

Herb Nicholls reported the 2004 Membership data base is now closed with PVA having 3233 members (up 600 from 2003). By November 14, 192 members for 2005 are in, some individuals for 5 years. For 2005 clubs can do multiple year memberships up to 4 years but not on‑line. Al Morris requested the number of LDR registrants.

Felix Rogers reported that the Coaching Ed Development course was not held since no one helped set it up. He wanted fifty attendees. Al Morris expressed interest in holding a class for as few as fifteen.

New Business:

Three new Youth Clubs had been approved by the Youth Committee. Dameon Johnson moved to accept East Coast Sprinters (Balt.), Central Maryland Athletics, Montgomery County Titans, seconded by Al Morris and passed.

A motion by Felix Rogers "to suspend Bob Platt for two years for disorderly conduct so that he cannot participate in the meetings or represent an organization" was seconded by Barbara Smith. Questions were raised on article 15 and national regulations 11 and 12. Al Morris moved to table to the next meeting which failed to receive an eligible second. The motion passed with several abstentions.

Gallaudet representatives Karen Sanfacon and Damia Douglas requested help in securing part‑time paid position coaches for pole vault. throws, and high jump with practices 4‑5 days a week, 4‑6 p.m. The Deaf Olympics is in Australia starting December 4 and each athlete had to raise $4500 on own to attend. Carley Lord of Gallaudet is a possible gold medalist in throws and still needs $3400 by November 24 to attend. Al Morris moved that PVA contribute $1000 and she should contact Phil Knight of Nike; seconded by Bill Price. After consulting the treasurer, the motion was amended to $500. Question arose on disposition of the money if Carley did not raise enough to attend. It would need to go to another athlete from our association. The motion passed.

Dameon Johnson requested that the Men and Women Open T&F chairs make public their 2005 plans.

Mort Diamond asked what obligations PVA has for the winter season. The March 5 Youth 14 and under Meet, MEAC, and NEC have contracts with PVA.

Executive Board will meet a week after convention because George Harris is stepping down as president for health reasons and an election must be planned.

Bill Price moved to adjourn. Meeting adjourned at 9:50.

Respectfully submitted

Sharon Good, acting secretary