The 2006 USHA summer board meeting was held June 25 in Fountain Valley, CA.

President Mike Steele called the meeting to order at 8:09 a.m.

Present were: Steele, Executive Director Vern Roberts, Vice President LeaAnn Martin, Vice President Tom Sove, Secretary Joe Hagen, Treasurer Mike Driscoll, Past President Bob Hickman and board members Dick Barry, Gary Cruz, Sove Disidore, Stan Dunlavy, Rodney Fink, Steve Grow, Tom Kienlen, Ray Leidich, Carl Porter and Chris Tico. Absent were Bill Cantwell and Paul Williams.

Under old business

Kienlen made the motion to approve the minutes of the January 2006 meeting as they were reported on the USHA website, and it was seconded by Martin. The motion passed unanimously.

Roberts reported that there were five people running for the two at-large positions up for election at this meeting.  Candidates included Bob Dyke, Howie Eisenberg, Steve Johnson, Rod Watterson and incumbent Paul Williams. Eisenberg and Johnson were planning to visit the meeting to make live presentations and answer any questions.

The  Board and Executive Committee Decisions since the Jan. ‘06 Board Meeting were reported:

n Approved all committee recommendations (Cantwell and Tico to Budget, Tico to Game and Barry to Services/Revenue).

n Awarded the 2006 National One-Wall Masters Singles/Doubles Invitational to Michael    Watson and MAHA.

n Voted to cancel the 2006 National One-Wall Masters Singles/Doubles Invitational due to lack of entries.

n Re. Board Travel:

a)Approved one night's hotel charges as Board Travel for Hickman to attend Ken Davidoff's induction in New York.

b)Approved Mike Steele’s travel to Tucson to become better acquainted with the workings of the headquarters. Steele piggybacked this trip with Semper Fi tournament. Steele encouraged board members to ask board for support of travel plans – president doesn’t need to be the only one who travels.

An update on the Technology Task Force Steele had formed in January was presented with Grow serving as a consultant.  The Board discussed backup protocol for financial data, video productions and website updates.  For a more in-depth look, the task force will now function under Services and Revenue.

Roberts provided more info on how the nationals would be webcast and the sponsorship.  SimpleGreen provided $5000 in funds, the USHA provided additional funds and the rights of the event and the WPHL was also providing funding and manpower. 

Steele noted that an initial grant search had narrowed a list of over 400 to a group of 20 that could be interested in the USHA’s efforts.  He also noted that he saw a huge need to archive USHA historical info during this visit to the office in May and proposed writing a grant to accomplish that.  Then, he discussed hiring a company to value the USHA’s sponsorship potential. 

Steele then turned to collegiate efforts as a result of the recent event that saw a big increase in participation.  The first suggestion to alleviate problems at the event was to move seeding responsibility from the coaches’ committee to the USHA (Tucson).

An Exercise science project was discussed and Pacific University has told Steele that he can ask students to do projects. Martin suggested that heart-rate monitors and pedometers are used often for projects today as 16% of children in the US are obese – this is an opportunity for handball. Doctoral students could be paid minimally to do a study. Martin offered to contact Steele regarding some of these points. This project will be assigned to Development.

A discussion on outdoor handball followed, centered mostly on New York, where there are huge numbers of players. 

Driscoll gave a treasurer’s report that included highlights of the audit for 2005 and the association’s numbers through the first quarter of 2006.  The success of the Player Development Campaign has grown the association’s budget but has also put a dent in the fundraising for the Development Fund.  Both are crucial to growing the game and it will be important to let members know that both are still essential to the good work being done at the grassroots.  In addition to the Development Fund, other areas of concern include membership numbers running below budget and the high ball inventory.  The board had directed staff to have a year’s worth of handballs on hand should there be a problem with distribution.

It was noted that a replacement would be needed soon for Heath Copps and Grow offered to help find that replacement.  It was also noted that the budget line item for salaries may need to be increased due to having someone come on board to work with Heath prior to his departure to Milwaukee.

Under New Business:

Game Committee

Chairman Sove offered seven suggested rules changes that were mostly “housekeeping,” and improving the wording.  Barry moved and Dunlavy seconded that the changes be incorporated.  The motion passed and the rules will take effect on Aug. 15, 2006.  It was also suggested to post a rule revision record at the front of the rulebook on the website, so that members could see the changes since the last printing of the rulebook in one place.

Sove updated the board on several infractions, including the fact that two players were no longer on probation.  Two new infractions (since the Jan. meeting) were discussed.  The Collegiate Committee would be asked to form an infractions committee prior to the collegiate event in case something needs to be dealt with in a timely fashion.  Kienlen moved that Collegiate committee will also have jurisdiction at the collegiate tournament, but final jurisdiction rests with the infractions committee.  Driscoll seconded and it passed.

As a result of action taken, a coach is being put on probation and the schedule for his becoming a commissioner is being re-started.  The commissioners are also being asked to better publicize the code of conduct and mentor new coaches to the program. 

As a result of a separate incident brought to the committee’s attention, a player was put on life-time probation for physical behavior during a match.  This player appealed that decision but no new or additional information was brought to the committee, so the appeal was denied.

Finally, the infractions committee reviewed its own authority. The infractions committee has the support of the Board to make its own decisions without case-by-case consultation. However, suspension and anything more severe, should go to the board for its consideration, which is how the by-laws read. A motion is made by Porter, and seconded by Barry that Paragraph 33 of the by-laws will say suspension and revocation in title; in body, leave the verbiage (denied, suspended or revoked)). The motion passed.

Hickman noted that the Board should be made aware of infractions, and decisions that are made. Roberts will put a notice on the site, near the code of conduct, explaining the role, jurisdiction and process of the infractions committee.

Planning

The re-organization task force was chaired by Leidich and he reviewed the history and purpose of this subcommittee. It was agreed that adding more members to board would be counterproductive or inefficient. Regarding state chairs and regional commissioners, there is still a need and they will need to dovetail with player development. A lot of fundraising will be done at local and regional levels. We need to make sure that we have strong regional commissioners and state chairs. Also, a new facilities committee was to be created to explore the possibilities for a move and/or expansion of the headquarters. The following people were suggested to be invited to work on this committee: Joe McDonald, Ron Emberg. Steele, Disidore, Porter, Fink and Hickman will serve as well. Hickman moved that the financing of a new headquarters should not impact the goals of the Player Development Campaign.  Martin seconded and it passed.

Promotions

The first discussion centered on the calendar for the upcoming season. The one-wall and three-wall sites for the summer had already been approved, so the discussion turned to the fall.  The series will kickoff in Atlanta, the first weekend in November and another site would be sought prior to the end of the year.  The four-wall juniors would be held in Kansas City, Dec. 27-30.  The Masters singles would be in Dallas in mid-Feb. and the collegiates in Southern California at the end of Feb.  The Masters doubles would also be in Kansas City in March.  The end of March will see the series and women’s classic go to Austin.  The four-wall nationals are scheduled for April 30-May 6 in Minn., Minn.  Tico moved and Fink seconded that the schedule be approved, along with the goal to host a total of four indoor series events (two more need to be scheduled).  The motion passed.

Hickman brought up a proposed change to the four-wall juniors that would provide for more matches and an eventual competitive level of play for most players, similar to the collegiate tournament.  Hickman moved for a format with multiple drop-down divisions and a guarantee of three matches per player to be developed for the four-wall juniors.  Dunlavy seconded and it passed.

A discussion followed on how the USHA would select players to compete in the World Championships.  It was decided that the highest U.S. citizen finisher from the national events be given first consideration through the final and semifinal rounds. 

Potential sponsorships were discussed and then a fee for listing events that would not or could not be sanctioned by the USHA on the USHA website.  Kienlen moved that non-sanctioned events could be listed on the site for a fee similar to the $500 being charged for printing entries in the magazine. Tico seconded and it passed.

Collegiate

Steele noted the agenda for conference calls and that a direction has been established for a five-year plan.  Steele noted the most recent collegiate event drew over 300 players, including 100 women, which were the most women to ever play in a handball tournament.

At this time Larry Aguiar made a presentation that focused on acknowledging the collegiate coaches and a new association for the coaches. The board agreed that a coaches’ award should be created with nominations taken and the board and/or hall of fame committee helping decide on the winner(s).  The award could be presented wherever the recipient chose.  Roberts and Steele were charged with detailing the process.

Development

The half-year reports for grants awarded by the USHA were gathered by Matt Krueger and all appeared on target.  In addition, Roberts was asked to get the details on how the USHA could hire/contract grantwriters to apply for new grants on the association’s behalf.

Next, Steele distributed a list of the major grantmakers and corporate donors in each board member’s state and asked the members to see if they knew someone at any of them.

Player Development Campaign

Cruz reported on the five-year plan being developed by the task force.  After the five-year plan is approved, the goals would be broken into one-year increments.  Many items have put on the table and the list is being prioritized for the board to see prior to the next meeting.   

The board members also agreed to help collect any non-paid pledges from players in their respective areas.

One suggestion that was asked to be acted upon at this time was the extension of the age for the lower membership and tournament fees.  Porter moved to extend the $10 junior membership rate and reduced entry fee for juniors to the 23-and-under age level.  Kienlen seconded and it passed.

Fink reported on the recent success of the Endowed Legacy Fund, the planned giving program for the USHA and Player Development Campaign.  As of Jan. 2006, the pledges were in the $100,000 range and the current level of pledges has surpassed $550,000.  The goal for the fund is to have $2.5 million, which can be used to perpetuate the good work of the campaign.

At this time, the board met with individually with the two at-large candidates who made the trip to Orange County for this purpose.  Both Howie Eisenberg and Steve Johnson told how much handball meant to them and what they could bring to the board before opening up the floor to questions.

The board went back to its agenda and Steele proposed language to align the USHA with the 40 Developmental Assets identified by the Research Institute.  The final proposal read:

The Board of Directors of the United States Handball Association hereby adopts and affirms its belief that the game of handball, when taught appropriately to youth, involves and models more than half of the internal and external 40 Developmental Assets that the Search Institute has identified as building blocks for the healthy development of young people to grow up as healthy, caring and responsible.

Accordingly, the Board encourages all handball coaches, teachers and players to acquaint themselves with the 40 Assets in order to activate those as much as possible when working with youth, youth programs, and in tournament play with Juniors. Porter moved and Cruz seconded that the board adopt the proposal and it passed.

The board then moved back to unfinished discussions of the Promotions Committee.  The board had received two proposals from Michael Watson concerning one-wall events.  The board reiterated its desire to have event requests filled out from all who would like to host a USHA event.  The board discussed ways to keep the high school players in the game after graduation.  Hickman moved to expand the One-Wall Juniors by adding 21-and-under and 23-under events.  Barry seconded and it passed.

Discussion turned to the Big Blue competitions and Cruz moved that the USHA solicit event requests for a 2007 junior one-wall big blue nationals. Hickman seconded and it passed.

Personnel

An update on USHA Personnel was presented by Roberts.  Turnover in staff has meant that Krueger was handling the contributors’ software.  Unfortunately for the USHA, Copps and his family will be moving to Milwaukee for his wife’s work in Sept. and Roberts will start a search ASAP.  Copps had added a lot to the original job description, including the weekly Court Shorts and website maintenance.

Elections

Elections were the next item on the agenda and nominating chairs were assigned for the upcoming regional elections.  Leidich will serve as the nominating chair for the Northern California position held by Sove.  Dunlavy will serve as the nominating chair for the Northwest position held by Leidich.  Driscoll will serve as the nominating chair for the Southeast position held by Kienlen.

The election for the two at-large positions was conducted with each board member voting for two candidates.  Votes were submitted to Driscoll, and counted by both Driscoll and Sove. Howie Eisenberg and Rod Watterson won a majority on the first ballot and will start their three-year terms on Jan. 1 and attend the Jan. 19-21 meeting in Tucson.

Steele opened the floor to committee recommendations and assignments, starting with the new Marketing sub-committee that will report to Planning.  Kienlen will chair this group and Barry, Grow, Steele and Sove committed to serve while Steve Johnson and Dave Vincent will also be invited.

Discussion turned to the President’s role on committee and Hickman moved that the President can be on any committee he/she chooses.  Porter seconded and it passed.

The meeting was adjourned at 5:12 p.m. Steele thanked everyone for attending and keeping on task.  The next meeting is scheduled for Jan. 19-21 in Tucson, Arizona.

Respectfully Submitted,
Joe Hagen, Secretary