Parent Advisory Group Meeting Agenda
Parent Advisory Group Meeting Agenda DATE:
07/19/17
Attendance: President – S. Mortimer V. P. – J. Rosen Co-Treasurer – D. Grumiaux Co-Treasurer – K. Marshall Secretary – VACANT Communication/ City Liason – A. Harbour
(Noal Clark in attendance)
New Business 1. Officer Elections - Introduce Incumbent Officers – Reiterate “Commitment to Serve” o Consent to serve received from all incumbent officers – Either by affirmative commitment or no reply to written offer to opt out. - Nominations from the Floor (Secretary/Other) Christina Withers volunteer for Secretary position. Write in/Add to e-ballot. - Election via e-ballot to be distributed - A. Harbour to email this week. Responses due by 7/31/17 2. State of the Richmond Racers - 2017 - Membership – 102 swimmers, incl. additions and subtractions - Treasury – Projected $4,000 in Reserves for 2017-18 o Lane space rental – CSAC (Poseidon Pool) in September during Swansboro closure. o Equipment o Scholarship/Financial Aid o Coaches Training - Fundraising - $3,300 raised since Sept. 2016 o Brew Crew - $1,240, 4 events o Chipotle/Jason’s Deli - $2,062, 3 events o Lower expectations for 2017-18. Enrichmond volunteering revised. Maximum $200 earned per event and minimum 5 volunteers. We will participate on event x event basis as volunteer interest might dictate. Next event is BrewBQ on August 20th. - Outreach/Financial Aid o $1,425 – Dispersed Outreach Aid o $700 – past due collections forgiven - Coaching o M. Hodges/C. DeWitt committed o C. Cobbs returning – Likely moved to Blue/Silver groups o W. Bridgforth – Working around Trinity HS 2017-18 season – All groups o Addtl. Needs – 2017-18 – Mikaela Holberton (Anirav Asst. Coach) – Likely Green level coach.
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Notable Achievements o Seven (7) swimmers qualified for Short Course AG Champs in March o One (1) swimmer to Long Course AG Champs this weekend o Equipment purchased: Paddles, Tow Bouys o Deck Mats purchased o Sponsored 3 coaches to attend US Swim Regional Coaches Clinic in Charlotte, NC 3. 2017-18 Swimmer Registration - Returning Swimmers (August 14th to 31st) to guarantee a spot - Beginning Sept 1st – Open Registration, all others. Siblings of current Racers do not need to wait till Sept. 1st. - Monitoring membership numbers. Anticipating we may grow to 125+ swimmers o Approx 25 to 30 swimmers already expressed interest, many ready to sign up now if they could. o Interest is notably much earlier and higher numbers than prior years. o Several US swimmers switching clubs – Poseidon/NOVA/etc. - Accurate membership data will help establish practice schedules and cost - Cost increase approx. $5 – US Swim Dues increase from $70 to $75 o $500 Green/Blue to $570 Red/AG Gold/Sr. - Forms will be available on the website. - Mail or deliver to 1718 Wilmington Ave, Richmond, VA 23227, or - Anticipating hosting 2 or more Open Houses at Swansboro – end of August. - At minimum – email intent to return ASAP, sooner the better, but by 9/1/17 at the latest to secure a spot - All interested NEW families are encouraged to attend a practice in July to meet coaches, swimmers, and complete brief swim assessment 4. Recruiting - Flyers available for posting/distribution at summer pools Post at your summer pools, schools, etc. - JRAC Champs, next Wed. 7/26/17: Recruiting booth, Advertising in Heat Sheet o Volunteer signups w/Signup Genius Estimated 1 ½ to 2 hr shifts – depending on # of volunteers. A. Harbour distribute this week. - Other Champs Meets – RMAL, GRAL – D. Grumiaux to look into recruiting at RMAL Champs. 5. City of Richmond/Swansboro Pool Update - Pool closure for Maintenance (Anticipated 2 weeks – September 11 - 23) o Swim RVA – CSAC facility to host practices during maintenance - August 5th – Richmond City All-Metro Meet at Hotchkiss Pool o Racers to show their support of City Parks and Rec.Aquatics program o Possible recruiting opportunities and championing our team diversity. o Looking for 12 & Over swimmers to volunteer as timers, runners, mentors, cheerleaders, etc. o Mike Hodges believes meet is 8:00 AM to 12:00 o A. Harbour to distribute sign-up genius. - City of Richmond/Regional Support o Big picture – A regional collaboration is in ongoing negotiations where Richmond Racers may serve as the competitive US swim team entity for several local groups developing swimmers (i.e., Richmond Community Centers, Boys and Girls Club, YMCAs, Swim RVA, etc.) o Idea of many feeder groups developing learn-to-swim and rec-level swimmers into the US Swimming level – Racers is a good fit.
o Collaborative group confirms their commitment to Racer core value: Affordable and Family-oriented. o Commitment to Swansboro Pool – Any developments will not change our home base and Racers use of Swansboro o Provides Stability and Longevity for team management – Not dependent upon Parent-run volunteers. Volunteer board can transition from management towards a “booster club” role. o Provides other facility and coaching resources to accommodate growth. o 2017-18 operations will remain as it has been. But keep apprised of developments through the year. Target a possible transition over the next few seasons. o Swim RVA has committed their support in 2017-18 to help manage our projected growth. Arrangements/options will develop as we get a better idea of our numbers. o Racers membership earns every family a vote in this process. We need you input, feedback, comments, and ideas. 6. Questions/Discussion - What guarantees do we have that such collaboration would result in our coaches being assigned to another team? How much say do we have in where groups practice and with what coaches? - How can we accommodate families with multiple swimmers on different levels (i.e., age or ability) potentially practicing at different facilities? Being in 2 different places at the same time would be a deal-breaker for some. - Will practice times and groups remain the same as last year? We hope to maintain the same schedule as 2016-17; however our numbers and pool availability may require some tweaking to accommodate everyone. Our goal is to keep it generally the same, and to have more consistent coaching assigned. - How do I know what practice group my swimmer might be in? Do they automatically advance each year? Generally, swimmers will remain where they finished the season. Swimmers may be moved at the discretion of the coaches. Swimmer evaluations and advancement of returning swimmers will be done during the first few weeks of practice as necessary. Individual assessments can be done on request to the coaches.
07/19/17
Attendance: President – S. Mortimer V. P. – J. Rosen Co-Treasurer – D. Grumiaux Co-Treasurer – K. Marshall Secretary – VACANT Communication/ City Liason – A. Harbour
(Noal Clark in attendance)
New Business 1. Officer Elections - Introduce Incumbent Officers – Reiterate “Commitment to Serve” o Consent to serve received from all incumbent officers – Either by affirmative commitment or no reply to written offer to opt out. - Nominations from the Floor (Secretary/Other) Christina Withers volunteer for Secretary position. Write in/Add to e-ballot. - Election via e-ballot to be distributed - A. Harbour to email this week. Responses due by 7/31/17 2. State of the Richmond Racers - 2017 - Membership – 102 swimmers, incl. additions and subtractions - Treasury – Projected $4,000 in Reserves for 2017-18 o Lane space rental – CSAC (Poseidon Pool) in September during Swansboro closure. o Equipment o Scholarship/Financial Aid o Coaches Training - Fundraising - $3,300 raised since Sept. 2016 o Brew Crew - $1,240, 4 events o Chipotle/Jason’s Deli - $2,062, 3 events o Lower expectations for 2017-18. Enrichmond volunteering revised. Maximum $200 earned per event and minimum 5 volunteers. We will participate on event x event basis as volunteer interest might dictate. Next event is BrewBQ on August 20th. - Outreach/Financial Aid o $1,425 – Dispersed Outreach Aid o $700 – past due collections forgiven - Coaching o M. Hodges/C. DeWitt committed o C. Cobbs returning – Likely moved to Blue/Silver groups o W. Bridgforth – Working around Trinity HS 2017-18 season – All groups o Addtl. Needs – 2017-18 – Mikaela Holberton (Anirav Asst. Coach) – Likely Green level coach.
-
Notable Achievements o Seven (7) swimmers qualified for Short Course AG Champs in March o One (1) swimmer to Long Course AG Champs this weekend o Equipment purchased: Paddles, Tow Bouys o Deck Mats purchased o Sponsored 3 coaches to attend US Swim Regional Coaches Clinic in Charlotte, NC 3. 2017-18 Swimmer Registration - Returning Swimmers (August 14th to 31st) to guarantee a spot - Beginning Sept 1st – Open Registration, all others. Siblings of current Racers do not need to wait till Sept. 1st. - Monitoring membership numbers. Anticipating we may grow to 125+ swimmers o Approx 25 to 30 swimmers already expressed interest, many ready to sign up now if they could. o Interest is notably much earlier and higher numbers than prior years. o Several US swimmers switching clubs – Poseidon/NOVA/etc. - Accurate membership data will help establish practice schedules and cost - Cost increase approx. $5 – US Swim Dues increase from $70 to $75 o $500 Green/Blue to $570 Red/AG Gold/Sr. - Forms will be available on the website. - Mail or deliver to 1718 Wilmington Ave, Richmond, VA 23227, or - Anticipating hosting 2 or more Open Houses at Swansboro – end of August. - At minimum – email intent to return ASAP, sooner the better, but by 9/1/17 at the latest to secure a spot - All interested NEW families are encouraged to attend a practice in July to meet coaches, swimmers, and complete brief swim assessment 4. Recruiting - Flyers available for posting/distribution at summer pools Post at your summer pools, schools, etc. - JRAC Champs, next Wed. 7/26/17: Recruiting booth, Advertising in Heat Sheet o Volunteer signups w/Signup Genius Estimated 1 ½ to 2 hr shifts – depending on # of volunteers. A. Harbour distribute this week. - Other Champs Meets – RMAL, GRAL – D. Grumiaux to look into recruiting at RMAL Champs. 5. City of Richmond/Swansboro Pool Update - Pool closure for Maintenance (Anticipated 2 weeks – September 11 - 23) o Swim RVA – CSAC facility to host practices during maintenance - August 5th – Richmond City All-Metro Meet at Hotchkiss Pool o Racers to show their support of City Parks and Rec.Aquatics program o Possible recruiting opportunities and championing our team diversity. o Looking for 12 & Over swimmers to volunteer as timers, runners, mentors, cheerleaders, etc. o Mike Hodges believes meet is 8:00 AM to 12:00 o A. Harbour to distribute sign-up genius. - City of Richmond/Regional Support o Big picture – A regional collaboration is in ongoing negotiations where Richmond Racers may serve as the competitive US swim team entity for several local groups developing swimmers (i.e., Richmond Community Centers, Boys and Girls Club, YMCAs, Swim RVA, etc.) o Idea of many feeder groups developing learn-to-swim and rec-level swimmers into the US Swimming level – Racers is a good fit.
o Collaborative group confirms their commitment to Racer core value: Affordable and Family-oriented. o Commitment to Swansboro Pool – Any developments will not change our home base and Racers use of Swansboro o Provides Stability and Longevity for team management – Not dependent upon Parent-run volunteers. Volunteer board can transition from management towards a “booster club” role. o Provides other facility and coaching resources to accommodate growth. o 2017-18 operations will remain as it has been. But keep apprised of developments through the year. Target a possible transition over the next few seasons. o Swim RVA has committed their support in 2017-18 to help manage our projected growth. Arrangements/options will develop as we get a better idea of our numbers. o Racers membership earns every family a vote in this process. We need you input, feedback, comments, and ideas. 6. Questions/Discussion - What guarantees do we have that such collaboration would result in our coaches being assigned to another team? How much say do we have in where groups practice and with what coaches? - How can we accommodate families with multiple swimmers on different levels (i.e., age or ability) potentially practicing at different facilities? Being in 2 different places at the same time would be a deal-breaker for some. - Will practice times and groups remain the same as last year? We hope to maintain the same schedule as 2016-17; however our numbers and pool availability may require some tweaking to accommodate everyone. Our goal is to keep it generally the same, and to have more consistent coaching assigned. - How do I know what practice group my swimmer might be in? Do they automatically advance each year? Generally, swimmers will remain where they finished the season. Swimmers may be moved at the discretion of the coaches. Swimmer evaluations and advancement of returning swimmers will be done during the first few weeks of practice as necessary. Individual assessments can be done on request to the coaches.
