Masters Swimming Ontario Editorial May 2001

At the MSO board meeting at North York in December the new slate of Directors was elected. A change was made in at the March board meeting to move Geoff Camp into the MSC Representative position. The current slate of Director are their objectives are:

Vice President: Mary Brinklow, Courtice Swim Club, takes on the responsibility of Constitutional review.

Treasurer: Darlene Brown, East York Hurricanes, continues in her role to balance the books. She will be looking at an accounting program to put the financial reports in a standard format.

Secretary: Claus Koch, Master Blasters Swim Club, inherits the task of overseeing the update of the Masters Swimming Handbook. In addition Claus will be dealing with the fine print of our insurance policy. More on these issues is noted below.

MSC Rep: Geoff Camp, Etobicoke Olympium Masters Aquatic Club, will aptly represent Ontario on the National level.

Meet Coordinator: Charlie Lane, Etobicoke Olympium Masters Aquatic Club, continues from last year to shuffle the many requests for sanctions to arrive at the ever changing meet schedule. Charlie has been instrumental in having OSOA host this years Provincials at Etobicoke.

Statistician: Lesley Mason-Ward, Ottawa Swimming West Y Masters will be evaluating new software to speed the transfer of meet results from clubs to the MSO database and website.

Marketing: Ann Gunther, Master Blasters Swim Club, will be exploring ways to promote and encourage the growth of Masters Swimming through public recognition of those who have contributed to the sport.

Director at Large: Nicole MacDonald, 1000 Islands Y Swim Masters, has been newly appointed to fill the last vacant position on the Board. We welcome her offer to actively support this years objectives.

Supporting the Board are:

Recorder: Pat Niblett, Technosport Swim and Triathlon Club will be working with Lesley to scrutinize swim times submitted for record status.

Registrar: Brian Croker, Downtown Swim Club, will continue as Registrar to provide registration information to the clubs and minutes of Board meetings to the website.

Webmaster: Barrie Malloch, Etobicoke Olympium Masters Aquatic Club, our webmaster has generated and maintains an impressive website. In addition to the posted meet schedule, meet results, and records there is a wealth of historical information. Links to other Masters website are listed. Forms are available for downloading. As the website address is not intuitive, www.sentex.net/mso, it is worth posting on your notice board for all to surf.

Items that shall dominate this year are the MSO Insurance Policy, update to the MSO Handbook and upgrading of the programs used to acquire, analyze and disseminate swim meet results.

Insurance: It has become increasingly apparent that our current insurance policy does not match how some clubs function, for example, if a registered and non-registered swimmer swim in the same lane during practice, coverage is void. Open water swims are not covered. Claus Koch will be contacting clubs with the details and soliciting their feedback. From his analysis our insurance company will be contacted to formulate a new policy that more closely addresses our needs.

Handbook: The 1999 Handbook is up for revision. Again Claus is leading the project and will set up subcommittees to review each section. Any comments or suggestions from the membership are welcome. An easy way to contact the Board is by e-mail. Addresses can be found on the website.

Data Software: Our current method of entering data into the MSO database entails re-keying of already published results. Obviously this method is time consuming and requires careful proof reading. Lesley will be evaluating updates and new programs to electronically transfer results using accepted swim data file protocols.

On-going Programs: Our medal return program remains in effect with $1.00 contributed to the Heart and Stroke Foundation, in your name, for each medal returned. The MSO lapel pin is available for $5.00. To return medals or purchase a lapel pin contact Ethel St. Laurent 905-278-0608.

We on the board would like to thank all those who have supported Masters Swimming over the past season. Particular thanks are extended to those who have taken time to officiate at meets. We trust this season will provide the opportunity for you to successfully achieve your swimming goals.

Ralph Chown, Arnprior Greyfish Masters
MSO President