2015 Mid-American Region Annual Meeting breakout session minutes

The following associations were represented at the meeting: Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Lake Erie, Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Wisconsin

Volunteer of the year awards were presented to each association that had nominated someone for the awards. Each participant was given a certificate and a USATF hardback notebook. Those individuals will also be mentioned in the next edition of the regional newsletter. Only one association did not submit a name. Certificates were printed by national office.

SWOT analysis…strengths…weakness…opportunities…threats

Highlights from Association meeting…

Marketing kit catalogs will be available by the end of December. Orders will need to be completed by the end of January. Funding is being provided by the national office.

Branding is an issue for all associations, which includes logos, etc.

A subcommittee has been established to draw guidelines for grants to local associations who have a need to become more successful meeting accreditation. The application will be available by July 1 and due back by the end of July.

Starting January 1, 2016 the national USATF website will be available to host local association’s website at no cost to the local association. Many association’s websites look good until you open them and then they do not meet the established guidelines from the national office. We need to make sure that all of our websites are user friendly and provide information to potential members. Each website should provide clear directories of who to contact and who is responsible for each area of the association.

Some associations have not signed the licensing agreement with the national office. Please make sure to have them signed by the end of December 2015 to stay current.

All clubs need to make sure that their leaders by completed the Safe-sport course by January 1, 2016 or they will not be able to check into their clubs. All officials need to complete the Safe-sport course. Each association president and certification chair have copies of the Safe-sport DVD and should conduct clinics to make sure all appropriate individuals get the training. Officials need to make sure and send a copy of their certificate to Len Krsak, National Officials Chair. It is our understanding that the certification is good until at least the next Olympiad. If you took the Safe-sport course at one of the national meeting or a national meeting and do not have a copy of the certificate contact Dane Chistiansen at national office.

There was a brief discussion regarding MeetPro vs. Hy-Tek for the operation of track meets: The youth committee seems to be in favor of Meet Pro while others seem to favor Hy-Tek. Some of the issues are include will computer operators be able to adapt to the different systems or will it be difficult to do both systems. What is going to be the cost of Meet Pro for associations who already have Hy-Tek. Who is going to pay for the new system? Hopefully the youth committee will have some of the answers after their meetings.

Questions and concerns of associations:

The Lake Erie Association did some training this past year with laser, etc. The president feels that they need some recognition for what the local associations are doing. Richard said that this is great information for the regional newsletter. The national office wants us to increase our memberships and clubs, will there be any TV commercials or promos.

Supposedly some Run/jump/throw competition had memberships given to participants? Others that those who qualified for last year’s national Hershey meet were given a membership if you qualified for the meet, which was a one year deal. Associations just need to know this is still going on or not.

The Kentucky Association will host the 2017 National Club Cross Country Championships.

After Pat Pretty of the Wisconsin association plugged the Hershey National Youth meet in California, PA, Richard told those attending that this would be a great opportunity to get officials from our region experience officiating at a national level meet.

Richard encouraged each association to forward him items for the regional newsletter. They can include things going on in the association or ideas that promote membership and events. We really need to share our needs and ideas with each other. If something is successful in one association, it may help another association.

He also informed everyone present that he is available to assist each association. If you have a need please give me a call, a text or an email and I will get back to you. I may not know the answer but I will definitely get you an answer. The association’s committee really wants all associations to be successful and do all that we can to make each of meet that goal. He is also available to attend each association’s annual meeting as long as they are not all on the same date.

Submitted….. Mike Trego, Indiana Association