Motion:Michael Stroud / Doug Munn
To dispense with the reading of the reports
and to accept same.
Carried
Comments on Purpose of Motion
Michael explained the events leading up to the motion. The 1995 Provincials in Nepean were scored. Michael brought up the point at a Rules Committee meeting in May 1995 and it was suggested that the swimmers should be asked for their opinion. The questionnaire was prepared and released in time for the 1997 Provincials hosted by the East York Hurricanes. The Board of Directors directed Darlene and Michael (as co-meet directors) to implement scoring at the 1997 Championship. The Board further directed that the clubs in the province be divided into 3 groups based on the number of swims entered by each club. Participation (bonus) points were awarded based on the ratio of the number of swimmers entered in the meet to the number of swimmers registered with each club.
Michael received 3 comments about the scoring: Doug Vanderby asked if the North Toronto men beat the Etobicoke men; Charlie Lane asked for all the figures and Lisa Cowan asked if Rob Stoddart and Kristin Bartoch won their age groups. Neither Darlene, nor the President of MSO, nor the registrar of MSO received any comments.
Based on this limited response from the swimmers, Michael put forward his personal opinion that scoring is contrary to the ideals and philosophy of Masters Swimming.
Discussion
Charlie Lane and Doug Vanderby contended that if swimmers had known that a response was required then the board would have received more opinions on scoring. Charlie Lane will be asking for a response on scoring on the entry form for the 1998 Provincials.
Ian Christie stated that scoring makes the meet more interesting for club swimmers. Clubs encourage more members to participate and individuals are motivated to train harder and improve their times. In the end it promotes both Masters Swimming and participation at swim meets.
Carmen stated that points are also given for participation and not just times. Steve Whitford said that only 10-15% of clubs are large clubs and scoring is an incentive to large clubs. Doug Vanderby asked what the group breakdown was. Michael stated that there were three divisions A, AA, and AAA according to club size.
Cheryl stated that it was not detrimental to the running of the meet and it made the meet more interesting for club swimmers.
If there had been more feedback than there would be a larger base line to reach a decision.
Carmen stated that it adds fun to the meet and promotes fun and friendship within the club. Scoring should be done unless the workload is onerous.
Barrie Malloch stated that over 50% of MSO registered swimmers are not primarily competitive therefore MSO should not be primarily competitive. Steve Whitford said that competition encourages winning over losing but scoring does not discourage participation.
Voting
The motion was defeated 9 in favour to
10 against with 1 abstaining.
Defeated
The membership then suggested that Charlie, as meet director for the 1998 Championship, present his ideas for scoring (which may be different than last year) to the Board.
Purpose of Motion
Pat explained the objective of her motion was to remove the distance factor and add proxy to the current rule. Clubs concerned with a specific motion but not able to attend the AGM would still be able to have their vote presented at the meeting by proxy or special delivery or registered mail.
Discussion
Steve Whitford commented that he was surprised by club voting rather than individual voting. He attended his first AGM as an unattached swimmer and unattached swimmers are only allowed one vote as a group. Michael replied that this is something that the committees would be looking into.
Chris Smith stated that he is against proxy voting because it gives the Board too much power. They can get proxy votes and outvote the clubs represented at the meeting. Total control is given to the Board rather than the club delegates attending the meeting. If proxy voting is allowed it should only be based on notices of motions that are circulated before the meeting. The motion should be amended to include only circulated motions.
Grant Sinclair asked why a club would not be able to attend the meeting if they live closer than 200k. Barrie Malloch replied that weather conditions are a factor at this time of year.
Does the proxy automatically go to Board members or to a designated club delegate? It would go to whomever the club wishes but probably a board member because they would be aware of the notices of motion.
The proxy vote would have to be in writing for confirmation at the meeting.
Voting
Amended Motion: Pat Niblett / Doug
Munn
Be it resolved that delegates may cast
their votes by special delivery, registered mail, or proxy to the maximum
of their allotted votes on circulated notices of motion.
The motion was carried with 10 for, 1
against and no abstentions.
Carried
Comments on Purpose of Motion
The change to the age determination date was made at the FINA meeting held at the 1994 World Masters Championship in Montreal. FINA voted for the change and MSC voted to change to the FINA rule at their AGM. MSO voted to maintain the age determination date as the last day of the meet. The current system means that Ontario swimmers compete under different age groups for out-of-province meets and the Canadian Nationals. The Canadian records and Top Twenty differ from Ontario records and Top Ten.
Discussion
Michael stated that there is no extra work involved in producing top ten or processing records with the 2 age group rules in effect.
Steve Whitford stated that it doesn't really matter what system is used. Chris Smith replied that once you get into the older age groups 6 months becomes a major factor.
Barrie Malloch stated that the Top Twenty age as of year end. Pat Niblett said that different rules apply at different meets so during a year the swimmer could be competing under different ages depending on where they compete: other provinces, other countries Ontario.
Chris Smith officiated at a meet in Latin America where the age was calculated on the last day of the meet. They ran a FINA sanctioned meet and did not use the FINA rule. Countries still using age on last day of meet are United States, Latin America, Australia and New Zealand.
Michael Stroud stated that the FINA rule was decided at the FINA meeting at the Montreal meeting in 1994. 15 European countries outvoted the Americas who had fewer votes.
Cheryl Blay stated that Ontario and United States might be right and everyone else is wrong.
Voting
In favour 7, against 13, abstained 0.
Motion defeated
Comments on purpose of motion:
The motion specifically concerns Ottawa area clubs who have several members who work and train in Ottawa but reside in Quebec. It applies to any club located close to the Ontario border such as Windsor and Sault Ste. Marie. These swimmers swim under an Ontario club banner but are not eligible for Ontario records or the Top Ten.
Discussion
Roy stated that the motion as presented was unenforceable.
Michael stated that the swimmers are eligible for Canadian records and Top Twenty. Pat contended that relay records don't count so the swimmers are automatically disqualified from holding relay records if an out-of-province swimmer participates.
Steve Whitford commented on the fact that the military serving in Germany can still vote in Canadian elections, so it should not matter where the swimmer resides.
Grant Sinclair said the problem is the word residency. Once you know why residency is in the rule then you know the answer. The rule is there to restrict Ontario records to Ontario residents so that a Canadian swimmer cannot hold all the provincial records.
Pat Niblett contended that a swimmer competes for a club rather than country or province. Michael stated that the residency rule applies to records and top ten and members can still compete at Ontario meets and their times are eligible for Canadian records and top twenty.
Steve Whitford stated as an example that a swimmer in the NorthWest territories who wants to swim but the only available facilities are in Ontario then he should be able to register with an Ontario club and hold Ontario records. For that matter if he joins a British Columbia club he should be able to hold BC records.
Voting
In Favour 3, against 16, abstained 1.
Motion defeated.
Reworded motion
Steve Whitford proposed the same motion but removing "who swim/train in the province for at least six months each year" but keeping the Canadian citizen requirement.
Motion: Steve Whitford
Be it resolved that MSO permit out-of-province
resident swimmers who are registered with MSO and who swim/train in province
to be eligible for Ontario Records and Top Ten. Listings of these exceptions
are to be maintained by the MSO Registrar. They must also satisfy Canadian
(MSC) residency and nationality requirements as well.
There was no seconder / motion died
Comments on purpose of motion:
MSC has requested the names, age and gender for statistical information. The list would also be used for confirming the registration of swimmers for out-of-province or world events.
Discussion
Geoff Camp stated that it would give MSC a database to confirm that a swimmer was registered in Canada. But Quebec doesn't do it because of their freedom of information law.
Michael stated that if the purpose of the request was strictly a statistical list, then names were not needed.
Bruce stated that with email access MSC can easily confirm if a swimmer is registered by contacting the provincial registrar.
Voting:
In favour 0, against 13, abstain 1
Motion defeated
Discussion
Darlene stated that MSO could not compel the meet manager at provincials to rent the extra pool time and recruit extra timers required to run one per lane heats.
Jack Galvin expressed concern that if it is a required option on the entry form than everyone would check the yes box because swimmers prefer to swim 1 per lane.
Voting
In Favour 0, against all
Motion defeated
Darlene Brown replied that she and Grant Sinclair are looking into the insurance policy and will find out more at a later date.
The Strategic Planning Committee consists of Pat, Geoff and Michael, who presented some of the highlights from the plan.
The Motto of Masters Swimming Ontario shall be "Fun, Fitness and Friendship".
The Vision of Masters Swimming Ontario shall be "To be the Model for all Masters Swimming Organizations in North America". Geoff explained that through his dealings with the rest of the world, Australia and New Zealand have evolved further than MSO, but that we can certainly be the leader on this continent. Michael explained that we can lead by innovation and excellence.
The Mission of Masters Swimming Ontario shall be "To perpetuate life-long adult fitness through the sport of Masters Swimming".
The Board of Directors shall be defined as a decision making and approval granting body. Geoff explained that the Board was not abdicating responsibility, merely trying to spread the work around. He noted that every board member is a member of multiple committees.
The Communication Committee will publish an insert to the MSC News. An amazing opportunity to communicate directly with every swimmer in the province. A second printing of the third edition of the MSO Handbook will be printed in January 1998. A brand new fourth edition will be ready for January 1999. And we will attempt to understand and increase the communication between club contacts and the swimmers on each club.
The Membership Committee will analyze membership trends: who comes, who goes, how long we stay. We will define the roles of the regional reps and promote increased communication between the swimmers and these local reps. Multiple methods of recognition will be developed to cover all aspects of Masters Swimming.
The Board is lacking in marketing knowledge and will be looking for swimmers with the expertise to guide us.
The Constitution Committee will analyze whether the AGM should be held concurrently with the Ontario Championship and will analyze the existing voting procedures.
The Finance Committee will analyze and fulfil our insurance needs.
The Fitness Committee will be created to fill an educational void and to promote clinics as a means of stroke improvement for all swimmers.
The Strategic Planning Committee has completed some of its work by the presentation of our plan. A regular structured Board meeting will be held in Nepean to coincide with the Winterlude meet and an open meeting will be held in Etobicoke at the Provincials.
But the most important task to be completed this year will be to find the volunteers to make this organization as great as it can be ... to convince the 20 people in the room to give of their time ... and to encourage the other 2000 swimmers in the province to come forward to help make MSO the Model for all Masters Swimming Organizations in North America.
The following people expressed interest at the meeting in working on a committee
Carmen von Richthofen NTMC
Ian Christie NTMC
Steve Whitford MASC
Roy Smith DAM
Ronald Legge ETOB
Charles Lane ETOB (competition committee)
Ken Minshall (ETOB)
Motion:Geoff Camp / Darlene Brown
To accept the operating plan as written.
Carried
Motion:Pat Niblett / Ian Christie
Ratification of the board's activities
for the past year.
Carried
Michael wanted to know why the honourarium for the statistician was included in the budget, since Michael had stated that he would decline the money this year primarily because of a 'stigma' attached to the funds. Darlene explained that the budget had been prepared prior to Michael's declination. Geoff stated that MSO should maintain the budgeted figure in the event that it was used and that it would simply show as surplus at the end of the year, if it had not been used. Pat felt that Michael thought the money could be put to better use and that Michael should discuss the situation at the next Board meeting.
Pat thanked Michael for all his hours volunteered.
Motion:Darlene Brown / Geoff Camp
Accept the budget.
Carried
Motion:Darlene Brown / Doug Munn
To appoint the auditors Whithy Addison
for 1997/98.
Carried
The 6 Directors whose term have expired are: Sharon Cockerton-Agnew, Cheryl Blay, Darlene Brown, Geoff Camp, Barrie Malloch, Grant Sinclair
Nominations have been received from the following candidates: Sharon Cockerton-Agnew, Cheryl Blay, Darlene Brown, Geoff Camp and Grant Sinclair. Barrie Malloch decided not to run for another term. No nominations were received from the floor.
Motion:Pat Niblett / Chris Smith
The five nominees are accepted as directors
by acclamation.
Carried
Pat Niblett thanked the board for all the work done during the past year.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 pm.
Included with AGM minutes
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source : mso secretary; updated : 2001.08.22; file : agm1997