6/12/2016Annual Meeting Minutes

Location: Teleconference Call Meeting

Attendees: Bill Krecker (Commissioner / Univ. of Rochester), Rich Worden (Treasurer), Mark Buckley (15’s Director / Paul Smith’s), Sean Morgan (7’s Director / Plattsburgh), Brian Mahoney (Clarkson), John Joseph (Hamilton), Patrick Romeo (Paul Smith’s), Abel Ulloa (Potsdam)

Not Represented:Alfred, Canisius, St. John Fisher, Ithaca, Hobart, St. Lawrence.

Moderator: Bill Krecker Minutes: Bill Krecker

Call to Order: 7:05 PM

Meeting Minutes:

  1. Introduction of all Team Members and E-Board members.
  1. Commissioner’s Comments:

a. Spring Season Review: As previously mentioned, 7’s involvement is increasing. Would like to push for an upstate NSCRO CRC Qualifier next year. Ithaca competed in this year’s CRC in Philadelphia.

b. Fall 2016 Schedule and Championship Location: Schedules have been released to all and posted on website. Report any conflicts ASAP. We’re considering Championship locations in the West Region and will talk to potential host schools - our goal has been to locate in the portion of the host region closest to the other region, in order to reduce travel.

c. Referee Society Dues: Still no information on their plan to catch up.

John Joseph indicated that Bob Figueiredo is the new NYSRRS Treasurer. Rich Worden has had conversations with the new President, Kurt Westcott.

d. PEV and Match Roster Forms: Ahead of other Regions,. Agreed non-signed version to be submitted to Mark Buckley and Bill Krecker for eligibility review before the second match of the season. Bill will review for NSCRO Eligibility, Mark will review weekly rosters. Mark suggested Coaches stay on top of players student status, not only for NSCRO eligibility requirements but also individual college participation policy. A signed copy of the PEV will need to be submitted to Bill and Mark ASAP, although we realize Schools are not always prompt. By UpSCRC policy they’re due before our Playoffs start. Make sure PEV & Rosters are legible - prefer not they are not handwritten. NSCRO 5 years of playing within 7 years of first starting college was explained by Bill.

e. UpSCRC and NSCRO Websites: Reminder to reference for News, current Policy and Forms

  1. E-Board and Committee Reports:

•Annmarie Farrell(Secretary) - She previously reported that she was not available tonight.

•Mark Buckley (Director 15’s Competition) - Agrees with PEV and Roster requirements. Make sure they are legible - prefer not they are not handwritten. Urged teams to check there player availability for Holidays and school breaks. Columbus Day W.E. may be a conflict, those matches can be scheduled for the following Bye W.E. - BOTH TEAMS SHOULD DISCUSS ASAP and report any changes to Mark and Bill.

•Sean Morgan(Director 7’s Competition) - 7’s is starting to take hold but still growing. We’re behind most other areas of the Country, so we need to encourage more participation. John Joseph indicated his players were reluctant to play 7’s, but after a small tournament at Vassar they liked it. We’re hoping to have an NSCRO Qualifying Tournament next Spring to reduce the need to travel to N.E. or Penn. Plattsburgh is planning their 2nd Annual Food Drive 7’s for 4/15/17 and may be able to get it approved as a QT. Turf field may be the best way to help avoid weather related delays in getting on a field.

•Rich Worden (Treasurer) - Current Account balance is @ $ 4500, with $800 still to be paid to NYSRRS for the 2015 UpSCRC Playoffs. Rich did pay already, but due to the problems within the Referee Society, it was returned un-cashed. Still having issues with First Niagara account and currently going through 7th audit. All prior audits have been positive for us, but then the issue of mixing of accounts has come up again. Once this is in order we will be changing Banks.

•Rich Worden (Disciplinary Chair) - Nothing to Report since last meeting.

4. E-Board Elections: No new candidates came forward. Current E-Board Re-elected unanimously.

5. Member Feedback / Questions / Additional Items:

a. Coaching needs of a few schools was brought up by Rich. Bill indicated that any Club having a problem getting their new coach L200 certified, contact USA Rugby for a possible waiver. UASAR will need a commitment that the coach will attend the next reasonably close Certification Clinic. Mark indicated Paul Smith’s clinic was cancelled due to having only 6 or 7 coaches registered (USAR

requires a minimum of 10). Potsdam has 2 or 3 men & 2 or 3 women interested.

Mark suggested Clubs that use student Coaches, have a few folks become Certified annually, including Freshman or Sophomores who can rotate in when the Seniors graduate.

b. Sean asked about the Referee status, especially in the North. John Joseph noted that Ft. Drum now has a Certified Referee, who should increase the pool.

Pat Romeo is also certified now. Sean suggested that increasing the Referee payment may help entice more folks to become certified. He is looking into a few Canadian Referees, but border crossing is sometimes an issue. We need safe referees and Sean suggested that new Referees start with B matches. Rich suggested a teleconference with the NYSRRS to discuss these issues. Sean will reach out to them.

c.Sean recommended an All Conference Team be selected and announce after the Fall season. This can be accomplished, via a Certificate or similar award initially. Bill recommend that the E-board initiate this and asked Sean to email the Board to get it moving.

d.Abel noted that a Canton student has asked to participate on the Potsdam team. While this is possible under NSCRO Policy, it is a controlled situation. Bill explained the NSCRO policy regarding using players from a near-by college that doesn’t have a Rugby Club; including a written agreement of Liability by both schools and NSCRO pre-approval. NSCRO Player Eligibility Policy Exception 4a was explained by Bill and recommended any Club with a similar situation become familiar with the NSCRO Policy. Currently the number of students allowed from other schools is subjective, but this Summer’s policy review may come up with a percentage allowed before both school’s male enrollment is combined for consideration of continued NSCRO Eligibility.

6. Next Meeting: Following a brief discussion, the 2016 Pre-season GM is scheduled via teleconference for Sunday 8/28/16 at 7:00 pm.

Meeting Adjourn: 8:12 PM

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