Sailor Athlete Council Conference Call Minutes

2-2-04

Participating: Betsy Altman, Ned Jones, Bob Merrick, Lee Parks, Dean Brenner, Roger Cleworth, Geoff Ewenson, Louise Van Voorhis, Susannah Carr, Mark Reynolds, Hal Haenel

1. Dean Brenner reminded people that as Chairman of SAC, he sits on US SAILING’s Executive Committee.  He will forward information about relevant issues that arise during Executive Committee meetings to SAC members. 

2. 20% Athlete Committee Compliance:  Janet Baxter, president of US SAILING is assembling a current list of US SAILING committee members.  Bob Merrick offered to monitor compliance again.  Dean will forward the list to Bob. 

3. Louise Van Voorhis reviewed the selection procedure for the sailing representative to USOC’s Athletes’ Advisory Council (AAC).  US SAILING/SAC have to submit the process in writing to the USOC.

The suggested process is that the sailor has to have represented the US in the Olympics, Pan American Games or OP Gold Competition in the past 10 years.  US SAILING is in charge of contacting athletes in order to vote among possible candidates. 

Process approved unanimously by the Committee. 

4. The USOC’s Athletes’ Advisory Council (AAC) wants feedback from athletes regarding an aspect of its anti-doping policy.  Currently, if an athlete is found to have violated the anti-doping code during an event, she loses any benefits she would have received from the event.  If an athlete is suspended for any period, her benefits are suspended as well.  SAC asked Louise Van Voorhis to confirm that athletes do not lose benefits until violation is certain, after the appeals process has concluded.  Otherwise, the Committee supports the provision.

Louise also informed SAC that Hal Haenel might be appointed the official AAC in lieu of her.

5. Dean Brenner challenged the Committee increase the number of registered athletes to 1000 by the end of 2004.  The Committee decided to continue posting announcements in e-US SAILING.  Ned Jones offered to submit written information to Scuttlebutt.  Each SAC member agreed to contact the leaders of two or three one-design classes and work with the leaders to promote registration. In addition, Dean volunteered to write a news release encouraging registration.  Roger Cleworth suggested sending a postcard encouraging registration to eligible people.  The Committee decided to test the idea on one or two classes.  Roger is to create a postcard template.

6. The Committee decided to use the “emailer” database driven system for maintaining the list serv for registered athletes.  Lee Parks will follow-up on getting the system installed. 

7. Dean Brenner encouraged committee members to think of ways that more people can be involved in US SAILING without having to attend the meetings, as sometimes the expense is a barrier to entry.  Betsy Altman reminded the committee that physical presence at meetings is still important.  Hal Haenel reminded the Committee that the ISAF meeting is in San Diego in June.

8. Lee Parks asked for new volunteers to confirm athlete registrations.