These Minutes are OFFICIAL – they were approved by the Board of Directors during a meeting on August 9, 2017
Florida Amateur Wrestling Association, Inc.
Board of Director’s Meeting Minutes
November 28, 2016
Via Teleconference
Present were: Bill Grant, David Parmenter, Steve Mocco, John Lawton, Brian Abdon, Rick Dozier, Stuart Mahler, Michel Santos, Art Mosley, Jeremy Mosley, Michael Porcelli (8:24), Humberto Reyna, Andy Bricker, Bill Combs and Isaiah McNealy.
Absent were: Bryan Davis, Shawn Woods, Chris McNealy, Larry Wohlabaugh, Wade Schalles, Josh McIntosh, Bruce Eftanislao, Pam Ray, Ron Schulzand William Lecuyer.
Announcement of Quorum Call to Order/Welcome: Bill Grant, State Chairman, announced a quorum was reached and called the meeting to order at 8:23 PM EST.
Chairman’s Announcements: Bill Grant
Conference Call Etiquette: Mr. Grant went over the etiquette for the Conference Call especially as an intro to the newly elected Board Members.
Website/App: Mr. Grant stated the website and App are up and running.
NCAA Division 1 bid: Mr. Grant announced that the Central Florida Sports Commission has submitted a bid for Orlando (AMWAY Arena) to host the 2021 NCAA National Wrestling Championships. He also mentioned another city which has bid is Atlanta.
Vice Chairman: David Parmenter said he had nothing to report.
President: Steve Mocco said that he is excited to go to the Southeast Regions.
New Business item 9: Stuart Mahler requested that this item be moved up on the agenda. The Chairman agreed.
Lawton Suspension and Membership and Reinstatement: Mr. Grant announced that the USWOA has completed action to lift John Lawton’s suspension on October 25 so that he is now allowed to officiate any USAW sanctioned competition for the 2016-17 season for which he is eligible.
Brian Abdon made a motion, 2nd by Stuart Mahler, to seat Mr. Lawton to the FAWA Board of Directors as a Director for the Central Area. The motion was passed unanimously.
Election for Secretary: Stuart Mahler made a motion, 2nd by Brian Abdon, to nominate John Lawton for the position of Secretary. There were no other nominations, so John Lawton was elected as Secretary.
Secretary: Minutes of the 2016 Annual Meeting – John Lawton made a motion, 2nd by Mike Porcelli, to approve the Minutes of the 2016 Annual Meeting held on August 28, 2016, as has been distributed to the Board and posted to the FAWA web site as UNOFFICIAL. The motion passed unanimously.
Treasurer: Financial Report - Bryan Davis was not present, so there was no report.
Area Director Reports – There no reports from the Area Directors.
Officials Report-Membership, SE Region, National Duals, Fargo, UWW: Rick Dozier had no report.
2016 National Team Fargo Report: Pam Ray was not present, so there was no report.
New Consideration:
1 – Website & Cell Phone App: Bill Grant reported that the site and App are working pretty good with Stuart Mahler, John Lawton, Kate Mocco and Gerardo Viera handling all of the tasks.
2 – Welcome by USA Wrestling President Bruce Baumgartner: Bruce was not on the call.
3 – All Membership – Costs: Bryan Davis was not present, so no info provided.
4 – Hosting of USAW National Events and UWW Pan American International Events:
5 – State Office Committee: Stuart Mahler made a motion, 2nd by Steve Mocco, to create a State Office Committee with David Parmenter as Chairman and members being Rick Dozier, Steve Mocco and Bill Grant as Ex-Officio Member. The motion was passed unanimously.
Bill Grant reported that the following people were being compensated by FAWA for their duties of Membership, and running the website: Stuart Mahler, Kate Mocco and Gerardo Viera. Also, that Bryan Davis is paid for his duties as Treasurer.
6 – FAWA National Team Committee: Stuart Mahler made a motion, 2nd by David Parmenter, to create a FAWA National Team Committee chaired by Steve Mocco with Victor Balmeceda, Andy Bricker and Mike Porcelli as Members and Bill Grant as Ex-Officio Member. The motion was amended to include Art Mosley as a Member. The motion was passed unanimously.
7 – Subsidies and National Team Costs for 2017 trips and National Team Qualifying: The newly created National Team Committee will meet to determine the costs for 2017 trips as well as the subsidies for those trips and to review the National Team Qualification process.
8 – K-8 Program: Stuart Mahler reported that all gyms which will host the Rick Tucci K-8 Championship Series events have been named as well as the dates of the individual events with the first event to be held the first Sunday in December. Mahler also asked for $175 to pay for team trophies. Bill Grant advised Stuart to get with Bryan Davis and the Finance Committee in funding for these awards.
10 – By Laws
A: Stuart Mahler made a motion, 2nd by Steve Mocco, to create a new By Law as follows: The term of the Chairman shall be a 2 year term with unlimited terms. The motion was passed 12-0.
B – John Lawton made a motion, 2nd by Humberto Reyna, to create a new By Law as follows: In the event of a vacancy or resignation of the office of State Chairman, the Vice Chairman shall assume the office and an election be held by the FAWA, Inc., Board of Directors of a new Chairman. The election of a new Chairman shall be held within 15 business days. The motion was passed 12-0.
C – Humberto Reyna made a motion, 2nd by Stuart Mahler to change the By Laws as follows: Annual Meeting shall be held in the month of September. Area meetings shall be held from the conclusion of the Junior National Championship through and including August 31. The motion was passed 12-0.
D – Mike Porcelli made a motion, 2nd by Steve Mocco, to change the By Laws as follows: South Area representation shall consist of 1 Area Director, 3 Directors and 1 Alternate effective upon approval. The motion was passed 12-0.
15 - Mike Porcelli made a motion, 2nd by Stuart Mahler, to accept the South Area’s recommendation to have Alan Alvarez as the new added South Area Board Member. The motion passed unanimously.
11 – FAWA Special Events calendar: Stuart Mahler made a motion, 2nd by Mike Porcelli, to set the following as dates and locations of 2017 FAWA Special Events. The motion passed unanimously.
Florida Folkstyle State Championships, Silver Spurs Arena, Kissimmee; March 10 - 12, 2017
Father Devine National Team Qualifier, Osceola High School, Kissimmee; April 21 & 22, 2017
FAWA Freestyle and Greco-Roman State Championships, Osceola High School, Kissimmee; May 12-14, 2017
Sunshine State Games, Palm Beach Convention Center, West Palm Beach; June 17 & 18, 2017
12 – Discuss and Elect 2017 National Team Leaders (not coaches): There were no objections to any of the following elections:
Southeast Regions Steve Mocco;
Fargo (Men) John Lawton;
Schoolboy DualsBrian Abdon;
Cadet DualsHumberto Reyna;
Junior DualsStuart Mahler;
Kids NationalsSteve Mocco;
13 – Propose Directors: Mike Porcelli made a motion, 2nd by David Parmenter, to approve the following persons to these positions:
Kids DirectorBrian Abdon
Officials DirectorJohn Heyman, Jr. (assuming he accepts the position)
Women’s DirectorStuart Mahler
Membership DirectorStuart Mahler
Webmaster DirectorKate Mocco
The motion was passed unanimously.
14 – Baldwin Athletics as official merchandiser for FAWA. John Lawton agreed to reach out to Pete Baldwin to see if he would like to continue serving as official Merchandiser.
16 – FAWA Release of Athletes: Bill Grant reported that Florida is the exception in terms of releasing its athletes to compete for other state teams. This item will be assigned to the National Team Committee for recommendation.
17 – Establishment of Finance Committee: Bryan Davis was not present, so no action was taken.
18 – Next Meeting Date: The next meeting date will be Monday, January 23, 2017.
19 – State Chairman Announcement: Bill Grant stated that he plans to send a message this spring to the Board of Directors that this will be his final year as State Chairman as his resignation will be effective August 31, 2017.
He still plans to stay on the USA Wrestling National Board of Directors.
Adjournment – John Lawton made a motion, 2nd by Mike Porcelli, to adjourn the meeting. There were no objections. The meeting was adjourned at 9:33 PM EST.
Minutes prepared by John Lawton, Secretary, FAWA
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