Bethlehem Township Athletic Association: My Site News: BTAA Meeting Minutes December 8, 2008

B.T.A.A. Meeting Minutes
December 8, 2008


Meeting called to order: 8:08

ACTION ITEMS:
Minutes from November’s meeting read and accepted by members.
Motion to accept:  Jesse Mowrey    2nd  John Grenauer

Treasurer’s Report – read by Donna Grenauer
Copies available upon request.
Motion to accept:   John Grenauer   2nd  Lynn Spina
          
EXECUTIVE REPORT:  
Vince Spina -     

•     Thanks to coordinators for getting the word out to attend the School Board meeting last month when charging for gym rental was to be on the agenda.  Vince thinks that the number of BTAA people in attendance caused the item to be tabled.  There has been great communication among winter sports coordinators to parents.

•     Met with Fred Harris to keep communication open.  He is under a lot of stress with athletic programs being cut.  Discussed a positive relationship with BTAA and the reality and impact of custodial and site management charges. Fred’s main concerns are as follows:

•     Met with FC Freedom representatives along with the Exec. Board, and Bob Eaton about establishing a “traveling” soccer team.  Still have some issues that need to be addressed.  BTAA will not move forward without the concerns being addressed and the full support of our Coordinator and coaches.  Will have continued discussion.  
•     Met with Joe Conzola about spring Lacrosse.  Exec. Board voted to go forward with this program and adjust it’s equipment deposit to $150.00 due to the high cost of Lacrosse uniforms and gear.
•     Coordinators need to encourage their coaches to attend monthly meetings.
•     Our BTAA office has been used for a meeting.  Will continue to use it when possible.

John Koch -  

• Discussed meeting with Fred Harris.  Said we should keep him happy.  As long as he’s happy, we’re good!
• Met with Joe from Sports Center USA about Lacrosse, and were able to cut about $2,000.00 off the budget.  Joe will work with us to keep costs down.   

Cathy Shay –  Absent - No report.

Jill Volkert –

• Will send around a sign up for the By-Law committee at the next meeting.   

• Express Times article - It is important to emphasize a cooperative, non-confrontational approach to working with BASD.
• We need to work as an organization - one voice.  We have approx. 2,000 families involved in the BTAA and this is not something to be ignored.
• BASD proposal: 

                    *  We will need to think of alternatives to reduce the cost that could be incurred  if  Policy no. 707 (custodial and site management charges) is passed.
                    *   Next discussion for policy is the finance committee meeting 1/12/09 at the Ed.  Center dining room.
                    *   Possibility exists to train people from our organization to act as site coordinators.
COORDINATOR / COMMITTEE REPORTS:

SOCCER – as per Bob Eaton

• Congratulations to Tom Barrow who was elected President to Blue Mt. Soccer League.

FOOTBALL- Rob Skae absent - no report.

LACROSSE - as per Joe Conzola

• Sign ups begin next week.  No idea of turn out. 
• Fliers were rushed out and got sent home.  Mass emailing also went out.  Thanks to all who helped.
• Did not get the Lacrosse start-up grant we applied for.  Will try to cut costs.

• Nov. 16 was last competition.  All squads did really well.  115’s took 3rd place.
• Uniforms returned. All in but one.  Thanks to Lynn for getting them all back
• Stacy announced she would not be returning as coordinator.  Thanks to the great groups of dedicated parents and wonderful coaches.

• 5 boys’ Pates teams  
• 3 girls’ Pates teams
• Girls’ 7th grade Pates team won the Christmas tournament.
• .Boys are playing at Freedom’s old gym on Sundays.
• Girls play at BTCC early Sat. mornings.
• Mon. 12/22, 7:30 is BTAA night at FHS.  Players get in free if wearing uniforms.  Boys get to go into locker rooms with Stellato and team.  U9 boys will play at half time. 
• Pictures went well .
• Tomorrow is FHS’s first home game.   
• Nice to see that BTAA, East Hills and Freedom’s coaches are working together and showing up at each others’ games.

WRESTLING as per Lou Colangelo

• Season is going well.  Won both Varsity and JV matches yesterday.  Now 1 and 2.Using both wrestling rooms;  20  4, 5 and 6 yr. olds downstairs.
• 300 kids participated in the Patriot Booster Club Tournament.  It went very well.  Will split the profit 3 ways.  Fred Harris complimented BT Bulldogs for being well organized.
• 12/17 is Bulldog night  at Freedom.  All Bulldog wrestlers will be introduced and the cheerleaders will do a cheer.

• We held the 2nd winter clinic at ITZ for ages 8 and up.  
• Next clinic is Sat 1/10, from 12 - 2, at ITZ.
• BTCC clinics for T-ball / Coach pitch to be held from 5:30-6:30 on 12/20, 1/24 and 2/21.
• Sign ups ready to go on 1/13, 1/15, 1/21    and 1/22 from 6-8 at BTCC lower lobby.    Will not accept any further sign ups after Jan. 31.
• Softball evaluations at ITZ on Mon. Feb. 2nd for 9/10’s, Wed. 2/4 for 11/12’s and Fri 2/6 for 13/14’s.   Make ups will be held on Wed. Feb. 11th for all ages.
• Wants to get a 2nd batting cage up.
   

COURTESY OF THE FLOOR –

OTHER:  

• BTAA is having its 40 year anniversary.  Hope to have a spring celebration, community event.  Informal and inexpensive.  Will form a committee.
• Like to recognize someone who has volunteered a long time.  Reactivate the “Bulldog Award”?
• Coordinator for fall sports nominations: