Critical Issues

Summary - I'll just share the highpoints. I think there were some.

First issue brought up is the more online education for coaches and officials who are in remote areas. Pat says they are looking to do that - send an email to Lynn Goldman and Ed Mann and Alex Chang.
Will do more webinars this year - up the number of seats to 500

No new items were brought up at the board meeting yesterday or today.

Page 26 of the Interim Report - Geographical preference being struck from the decision making for judges selection for National Competitions
It will provide equal opportunity for everyone. Pacific Coast officials have a quicker rotation than Midwest and East Coast

What is the reason behind the change in the MIF test?
MIF is about building a foundation for skating skills. The group involved with the recommendation said that they were trying to make a determination as to what are our skaters lacking while still keeping it attainable for everyone else like Synchro Skaters. Say what? I don't think he meant to slam synchro.
Judges opinion about the proposed changes? The skaters and coaches are just starting to get it, why change now?
Another concern was having skaters go from Preliminary to Senior without spirals. That's not going to help the skaters.
Why was this even brought up? At the 2009 GC when we changed the MIF, there was request to revisit the decision in 4 years. (sometimes we're our own worst enemy)

#201 - having parents as members
Laine DeMore shared that HQ got feedback from club that their weaknesses included parent education and volunteers.
Another big part of this has to do with Safe Sport and Grievance. If the parent isn't a member, US Figure Skating can't do anything to them.
There was a modification to this proposal during the board meeting: Introductory membership - if the skater is getting an introductory membership so can the parent as long as they hadn't been a member previously.  Great Idea.
Karen Terry (SafeSport) shared that several issues came up this year where USFS wasn't able to do anything because the parent wasn't a member.
Why not both parents then? Offer a family member
Steve Wolkin (Grievance) He saw more and more issues with parents, but couldn't do anything for the same reason.
Some delegates are seeing this as strictly a way to increase membership dues.

One delegate said that banning a parent is meaningless. Not True! Banning a parent isn't meaningless because US Figure Skating lists these people on the website so other youth organizations can know.
Maybe this membership will mean parents will take more ownership.
Does US Figure Skating see a dues increase soon? Maybe July 2016.
How about family memberships?
I'm being Captain Obvious, but I'm guessing that this is going to be isolated!

Exhibit C - President's Term of Office
President St. Peter shared that it is hard to build relationships internationally because they don't know if you're going to be around the following year. Some NGOs have longer terms - like 4 year. But USA Hockey's president has been in there 18 years.

Kudos to President St. Peter for being so calm. I don't know how she does it.