Recorded by Amanda Scotti, MTF Exec Comm Secretary

USATF MTF Minutes 07FEB17

Recorded by Amanda Scotti, MTF Exec Comm Secretary

Attendees

Rex HarveyLatashia Key

Amanda ScottiJim Flanik

George MatthewsJerry Bookin-Weiner

Mike TraversJerry Donley

Bob WeinerChristel Donley

Lester MountSteve Cohen

Carroll DeWeese

Agenda

Finish the discussion of the Race Walk Sub-committee Chair selection. A sharing of any information collected.

Interview George Melichar for Chair of the Inclusion Sub-committee.

Meeting Began at 0:04

The meeting began Racewalk Subcommittee Chair discussion continued with Rex Harvey asking if any of the committee members had anything to share.

Jim Flanik reported that he had called Dave Talcott as he was concerned whether he (Talcott) would be attending the national championship meets.Jim said that he thought Talcott wasn’t uncommitted in his response.

Jim Flanik said that Talcott had noted that if he couldn’t make a meet that he would be sure to send someone to certify the course.

Bob Weiner said that he had spoken with Peter Blank, who recommended Talcott for the position.

Flanik replied that the first priority of the Racewalk Sub-committee Chair is to attend the national meets in case of any problems with the course.

Bill Murray, who was unable to be on the call, sent an email which was read aloud. Bill’s recommendation was for Jo Burrows.

Rex Harvey said that Dave Talcott used to be the Racewalk records person, and wondered if there was a possibility of keeping Talcott there rather than having records under the Sub-committee Chair as it seems that Burrows and Talcott have had some trouble working together.

Christel Donley stated that as records are important, could there a place for each of them.

Other Business

JerryBookin-Weiner said that he is continuing work on the general election

procedures. There is still no Chair for the West and they have not held an election.

Currently, Stan Whitley and Mark Cleary have formally applied.

Rex Harvey said that next weeks Conference call with include helping Lisa Roseborough choose someone to help with running the Masters Exhibition program, formerly knows as the xxxxx. There are four candidates for the position.

Mark Cleary had submitted an 80-page report on the invitational program dating from 2000-2016; there have been about 64 events and it has cost around $85k

Bob Weiner asked Jerry Bookin-Weiner to address issues regarding the newly revised All American Standards. Weiner wanted to know what process was used, and should be used, to establish new standards.

RexHarvey explained, that the marks were established to help fund National Masters News.

Jerry Bookin-Weiner explained that the throw marks needed revising as since they were first established, the implement weights/sizes for different age groups have changed yet the standards currently do not reflect that.

Amanda Scotti explained past conversations with Jeff Brower, who was charged with revising the standards by the previous MTF Chair, resulted in three tiers in an attempt to satisfy those who thought the standards should be more elite as well as those for whom the standards are a motivational goal.

It was generally agreed that the marks should’ve been OK’d by the MTF Exec. Committee prior to publication and that the matter will be further discussed at the Friday night meeting in Albuquerque with Jeff Brower present. The matter of being able to use the USATF logo on the awards will be discussed as well.

Another item on the agenda for the Albuquerque meetings will is a Social media report by Sandy Triolo

It was noted that the WMA meet had some more late entries, but there was not yet a final tally. Rex Harvey asked Mike Travers to please follow up on the uniforms.

9:46pm Interview George Melichar for the Inclusion Sub-Committee Chair

George Melichar began the interview by reviewing his general background and his introduction to and involvement in MTF.Melichar lives in New Orleans and is an active athlete, competing in the Throws and LDR events.

New Orleans/active athlete/LDR/Throws

Former commodities trader – redirect his life/found sports/

Melichar said he felt compelled to apply for this position as he met and became friends with many athletes at his first and subsequent competitions and felt this was an opportunity to serve the sport. He couldn’t find many ways to serve at his Regional level and thought this was a good fit for him.

Rex Harvey asked if committee commitments would interfere with Melichar’s career, and Melichar said he didn’t think it would; his job is flexible and he works primarily by computer.

RexHarvey noted that Melichar was at the WMA meet in Perth and attended all the meetings.

George Melichar said that he very much enjoyed the games experience, but as a gay man felt a little bit left out but he certainly enjoyed being part of the MTF community.

Stephen Cohen pointed out how women were excluded in the past

Rex Harvey noted that inclusion in the sport is for those of any gender/race/ability level/ and masters age groups.

Melichar stated that he prefers the term “participant” to “winner” as we all put in the hard work and are empowered by it. He noted that the Sub-committee description has not been updated since 2005 and that there were no committee member names.

Jerry Donley said that when he was the MTF Chair a number of years ago, articles of his rarely received responses, but the time he noted that masters are “elderly, and just here to have fun”, he received many reactions from readers who disagreed and thought his viewpoint was “dumb”, that the sport was about winning! Donley’s point was to illustrate for Melichar some of the mindsets he would face.

Steve Cohen pointed out that there is a big distinction between the Senior Games and USATF Masters. Melichar replied that there is still some commonality between the participants.

Rex appointed George Melichar as Subcommittee Chari by acclimation. Melichar said that he would see everyone in Albuquerque.

Before adjourning, Bob Weiner said that he had just received a text from Dave Talcott, in response to an inquiry text from Weiner, that he (Talcott) will not be able to attend the meet in Albuquerque as he had a work conflict, but that he would be in Louisianan at the OutdoorChampionships. He texted that he would make it a priority to attend both championships yearly if elected Sub-committee Chair.

Stephen Cohen mentioned Cheryl Bellaire, an active athlete and practicing physician had joined the Anti-Doping Sub-Committee.

Jerry Bookin-Weiner announced that Sue Hallen was the sole applicant for the position of the Throws Sub-committee chair and that he supported her. Jerry Bookin-Weiner would finish out this Indoor season before Hallen would step in.

Rex Harvey appointed Hallen by acclimation.

The meeting was adjourned at 10:13pm EST