Governing Council

The 2000 Governing Council began on a sad note with a message from USFSA president James Disbrow read to the delegates in which he announced that he would not be running for reelection for the third year of what is normally a four year period of service for USFSA presidents. Two years ago, shortly after the 1998 Governing Council, Disbrow was diagnosed with brain cancer and shortly thereafter a tumor was removed from his brain stem. He rebounded from the surgery but a year later required additional treatment and has been undergoing chemotherapy and struggling with the disease since. He attended the USFSA Board of Directors meeting that preceded the Governing Council meeting, but turned over the chair of the Governing Council to First Vice President Phyllis Howard. In his message he said he was doing well but was not at "100%" and that "a leader should be 100%."

Governing Council meetings begin with the consideration of bylaw revisions and then move on to committee reports during which the actions of the Executive Committee and Board of Directors over the past year are reviewed for final approval by the delegates. Compared to recent years, the Governing Council was rather tame, with only one controversial issue taken up by the delegates.

Only three changes were made to the bylaws this year. In the first action taken, an individual supporting membership category was created where previously only an institutional supporting membership was available. This new membership category is intended to attract skating fans and enthusiasts who are not members of USFSA clubs to join the USFSA.

The second bylaw revision was the most controversial issue of the meeting considered.

For the past three years the USFSA has struggled with the issue of athlete representation at Governing Council. Prior to this meeting athlete representatives made up a minimum of 20% of all USFSA boards and committees, but not the Governing Council. In 1997 a bylaw revision requiring a 20% athlete representation at Governing Council was rejected by the delegates. At that time the delegates passed a resolution accepting the idea in principle but they felt the proposed method of implementation was unreasonable and unfair. In 1999 the issue was not reconsidered, but a task force was created to develop a plan to implement 20% athlete representation at Governing Council. At this year’s meeting the task force presented basically the same plan that was proposed in 1997 and this time it passed with an 80% majority.

Beginning with the 2001 meeting athlete representatives will have not less than 20% of the voting power at Governing Council. The votes necessary to meet this requirement (approximately 200) will be distributed among no more than 50 delegates who will be elected by the athletes. The specific number of votes the athlete delegates will hold will be based on the number of votes at the previous year’s Governing Council, so that in years of increasing membership athlete delegates will actually be underrepresented, while in years of declining membership they will be over-represented. The athlete delegates will be equally divided among ladies, men, pairs, dance, and synchronized skating, regardless of the true number of athletes participating in each category within the USFSA. Some disciplines will be underrepresented while others will be over represented, and adult athletes and collegiate athletes will not be represented at all. The method of electing the delegates was not specified nor was a means of deciding the method, so at this point it is anyone’s guess how the athlete delegates will be elected. In addition, the USFSA rules do not even specify who will be considered eligible to serve as an athlete delegate or to vote for them. The new bylaw also refers to athlete members; however, the bylaws and rules of the Association do not include an athlete class of membership so it is not clear who this specifically refers to, what the rights of these undefined members are, or how they will be exercised.

The final change to the bylaws was a minor housekeeping revision that changed the name of the Sports Medicine Committee to the Sports Sciences and Medicine Committee.

What follows is a complete descriptions of the actions taken at the Governing Council, including the approval of actions taken by the Board of Directors at their October meeting in 1999 and their May meeting in 2000.

BYLAWS

Supportive Members:

Amend Article XXV, Section 9 by deleting the current language and substituting with the following:

Section 9, Dues of Supportive Members. The annual dues of Supportive Members shall be $35.00. They shall receive upon payment of such dues a membership card, subscription to Skating magazine, decal, additional information on the USFSA and upcoming events and "Join the Team" promotional items. In addition, a percentage of the membership dues will go to the Memorial Fund.

Athlete Representation:

Amend Article VI, Section 1; Article VI I, Section 1, 4, 5, and 7; Article X, Section 3 and 6 and Article XVI I, Section 5:

Section 1 Governing Council. The government of the USFSA shall be vested in a Governing Council, which shall consist of delegates appointed or elected in accordance with Article VII hereof.

Section 1 Qualifications and Tenure. Delegates to the Governing Council must be registered members and be otherwise eligible in accordance with the Official Rules of the USFSA. They shall be appointed or elected annually as of February first to serve for one (1) year or until their successors are appointed.

Section 4 Election of Athlete Delegates. The athlete members shall be elected annually by the athletes and shall number no more than fifty (50). The athlete delegates shall be equally divided among ladies, men, pairs, dance and synchronized team skating. They shall have, divided equally among them the number of votes equaling not less than twenty percent (20%) of the total permanent Member Club and Individual Member votes registered at the prior year's Governing Council with fractions rounding up to a whole number.

Section 5 Vacancies. Permanent Member Clubs, athlete members, and Individual Members may fill a vacancy among their delegates by filing the appropriate certificate of appointment or election with the Secretary.

Section 7 Voting Rights. On all matters submitted to a vote of the Governing Council each permanent Member Club, or the Individual Members acting as a group, or the athlete delegates as a group, shall be entitled to the same number of votes as the number of delegates to which entitled pursuant to Sections 2, 3 and 4, respectively of this Article. The entire number of votes to which a permanent Member Club or the Individual Members as a group are entitled may be cast by one or more of its or their delegates in such a manner and in such proportion as may be determined by the delegate or delegates present or otherwise by such club or group.

Section 3 Notices of Meetings of the Governing Council. An announcement of the date and place of each annual meeting shall be sent to all Member Clubs, athlete delegates, and to all members of the Board of Directors no fewer than four (4) months prior to the date of the meeting. Written notice of meetings of the Governing Council shall be mailed to all Member Clubs no fewer than twenty (20) days nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting. Individual Members and Collegiate Clubs shall be notified of meetings of the Governing Council by an announcement thereof published in an issue of Skating magazine mailed no more than sixty (60) days prior to the date of the meeting addressed or delivered to the Member's or Club's address shown in the USFSA's current list of members.

(a) Permanent Member Club and Individual members delegates: Permanent Member Clubs and their delegates and Individual Members may give a proxy for any one or more of their delegates in the event any such delegate does not attend a meeting in person. The person receiving the proxy shall possess the same qualifications required of delegates. Proxies may be exercised only at duly called meetings of the Governing Council and may be voted only on matters stated in the notice of the meeting.

(b) Athlete Delegates. Athlete delegates may give a proxy for any one or more of their votes in the event any such delegate does not attend a meeting in person. The person receiving the athlete proxy shall possess the same qualifications required of the specific athlete delegate granting the proxy. Proxies may be exercised only at duly called meetings of the Governing Council and may be voted only on matters stated in the notice of the meeting.

Section 5 Athlete Representation. At least twenty percent (20%) of all committees, subcommittees, task forces, and all other types of legislative bodies including the Governing Council , whether ... [balance remains the same]

Sports Medicine Committee:

Amend Article XVII, Section 1 and Article XIX to reflect the change of name from the Sports Medicine Committee to the Sports Sciences and Medicine Committee.

Section 1 Permanent Committees. There shall be the following Permanent Committees of the USFSA:

Change the entry for this committee listed on page 13 to read "Sports Sciences and Medicine Committee:"

RULES AND REGULATIONS

COACHES CERTIFICATION & TRAINING OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE

A proposal that clubs be required to insure that club coaches are enrolled in the PSA coaches certification program was not approved and in its place is was decided to place in the rulebook only a recommendation that club coaches be enrolled in the PSA coaches certification program. Although this issue has been deferred for now, it appears that in the future pressure on coaches to enroll in the certification program will increased.

COMPETITIONS COMMITTEE

APPROVED to accept a trophy presented by the Ann Arbor FSC and the patrons of the Hockettes Synchronized Team in the name of Dr. Richard E. Porter, founder of modern day synchronized skating. The trophy will be for the winners in the Senior event at the U.S. Synchronized Team Skating Championships, the first recipients of the trophy to be the winners of the 2000 Senior event.

APPROVED to accept a trophy presented by the Cantiague FSC in memory of Vincent Gumbs who was a USFSA judge and served as president of both the NY Council of Figure Skating Clubs and the Metropolitan FSC. The trophy is for the winners of the Novice Dance event at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships.

APPROVED to amend CR 7.02 (B) and CR 74.01 (A) to reflect that announcements for the U.S. Junior Figure Skating Championships shall be made by October 1.

APPROVED to amend CR 7.02 (C) to reflect that Regional Championships shall be announced by July 15.

APPROVED to amend CR 8.04 (D), CR 8.53, CR 72.02 (B) and CR 72.03 (B) to reflect that Juvenile and Intermediate skaters will NOT have the option to skate or not skate in the case of four or fewer entries at Regional competitions.

When a skater is selected to an international or Pro/Am-type competition which warrants a bye from a Regional and/or Sectional Championship, the bye will automatically be offered by the Chair ... [balance unchanged]

APPROVED to amend CR 10.00 by adding language requiring that an entrant state whether or not the entrant will skate in the entrant's event if there are four or fewer entries; that statement will be binding.

APPROVED to amend CR 8.01 (D) and CR 10.00 to reflect that the USFSA Member Club shown on a skaters entry form for a qualifying competition will remain the skater’s club of representation throughout that competitive season.

APPROVED-to amend CR 12.93 and any other references to standardize the language used for naming each component:

Championship Round - Pertains to the combined second and third time skaters skate.

Initial Round - In the case of Intermediate singles and Novice and higher singles and pairs events, this will be a Short Program. In the case of Juvenile singles and pairs, and Intermediate pairs, this will be their Free Skating program. In the case of Juvenile and Intermediate Dance, this will be their Compulsory Dances.

Initial and Final Rounds will be combined. The Initial Round will have a factor of 0.5, and the Final Round will have a factor of 1.0.

APPROVED to remove all adult events from the existing Regional and Sectional Championships and to create an Adult Sectional Championship in each Section to be held in late February or early March each year. The events to be held to be as outlined in CR 9.03 and officials to be selected as specified in CR 21.02 and 21.04. Judges to be used shall be Novice Competition/Novice Dance Competition and higher.

APPROVED to eliminate Table E (Figure Events) from CR 109.01, thereby removing figure events from the Adult Nationals.

By the above two actions figure continues its slow demise through "death by a thousand cuts."

APPROVED to amend CR 52.04 (A) to include the results from the most recent U.S. Synchronized Team Skating Championships in the seeding for qualifying rounds.

APPROVED to amend CR 12.84 and CR 12.85 by the addition of language to reflect that for the U.S. Junior Figure Skating Championships only two of the three listed dances shall be drawn. Each compulsory dance will be worth 25% and the Free Dance (or OSP) will be worth 50% of the total score.

APPROVED to amend CR 12.85 (B) and any other pertinent rules for Juvenile Dance by eliminating the Original Set Pattern Dance and replacing it with a Free Dance. Change to become effective with the 2001/2002 season.

Step Sequence - straight line, circular or diagonal
Lifts - none required, but not more than two (2)
Duration - 1 1/2 Minutes
Multiplying factor - 3.0 (50%)

APPROVED to add a Pre-Juvenile Dance level to section CR 12.80 specifying two dances for the Initial Round and two dances for the Final Round for each year. There would be no draws for groups shall not have reached the age of 14 for both partners.

Two (2) Preliminary Dances but no higher than Pre-Bronze Dance
Preliminary Moves in the Field or higher

APPROVED to substitute the following language for CR 91.02 pertaining to Compete with U.S. competitions:

Skaters who have passed no higher than the Preliminary Moves in the Field, Preliminary Free Skating and/or Preliminary Dance Tests may skate in a Compete with U.S. competition. No USFSA sanction will be required. However, an approval number is required from the Basic Skills Area Representative.

APPROVED to amend CR 91.03 as follows: When Compete with U.S. competitions are held in conjunction with other non-qualifying competitions, a sanction must be obtained from the USFSA. In addition, [balance is unchanged]

APPROVED to move the rules contained in CR 12.80 Selection of Compulsory Dances, Original Dance and Original Set Pattern Dance Rhythms to the Skating Standards Regulations location pertaining to dance.

Adult Gold Free Skating - The Adult Gold Free Skating Test and no higher than the Standard Juvenile Free Skating test or the ISI Freestyle 6 or, prior to Oct. 1, 1977, the 2nd Figure Test.

APPROVED to increase the grant for the Sectional Championships from $18,000.00 to $20,000.00 for each section and to increase the Sectional entry fees to $150.00 per entry paid by the USFSA on behalf of the skaters.

CR 8.81 Not withstanding the provisions of CR 1.04 if applicable, in a National, Sectional or Regional Championship:

B. If a Non- U. S. citizen, shall have resided in the United States for one (1) year prior to making application to the Chair of the Competitions Committee for permission to compete and at the time of submitting the application shall have the consent (release) of the National Association of which the competitor was previously a member, or he/she has resided for at least one year in the United States, and he/she (or his/her parents if he/she is less than eighteen (18) years of age) has applied for citizenship in the United States. Such consent need not accompany the application as submitted by the skater. In stead upon receiving the application, the Chair of the Competitions Committee will direct the Headquarters Staff to request this consent.

CR 8.83 In the case of a Pair or an Ice Dance couple, at least one partner must be a citizen of the United States.

In the case of Synchronized Skating teams, up to 25% of a team may be from a Foreign Member(s), if so permitted by the National Association of the country of which the skater is a citizen, but such skater(s) shall represent only one National Association.

Under the previous rules, a non-citizen needed a "green card" to compete, however, due to the excessive delays in processing green card applications (up to several years), the rules were relaxed to the above.

APPROVED to amend CR 83.02 (A) (3) to reflect that for National Collegiate Championships the Junior Men combination jump (element (c) for all Groups) may consist of two double jumps, a double jump and a triple jump, or two triple jumps.

APPROVED to amend CR 10.00 and 50.00 to reflect that all skaters/teams are required to pay the appropriate entry fee when submitting their applications in accordance with CR 1 0.01 and 50.01. These entry fees are non-refundable except as provided in CR 10.09. This amendment would require that all skaters/teams pay a uniform entry fee regardless of whether their first competition is Regionals, Sectionals, Nationals, Junior Nationals, Sectional Synchronized or National Synchronized.

APPROVED to amend CR 22.02 to reflect that prospective accountants must register with the

Sectional Vice Chair for Accountants of the section in which they reside. The Sectional Vice Chair will, upon acceptance of the candidate, forward those registrations to USFSA Headquarters.

APPROVED to amend CR 48.02 (P) and (G)(1) to reduce the size of the Juvenile and Adult teams to a maximum of 20 skaters (Team size would become 12 - 20 skaters.)

APPROVED to add a Class IV for those skaters age 56 and over and to amend the existing Class III to read "46 years through 55 years".

National Accountant - Herman Birnbaum
Sectional Accountant - Gary Borcherding
Sectional Accountant - Henry White

APPROVED to accept under TMR 1.00 the following new trophies for the U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships:

APPROVED to grant a final sanction for the Masters of Figure Skating to be held October 16, 1999 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

APPROVED to recommend to the ISU the Washington FSC, Washington, DC as the site of the 2003 World Figure Skating Championships.

DANCE COMMITTEE

APPROVED to rename the following free dance tests (TR 4.05 and CR 8.09) to align with the respective competition Free Dance names. (The free dance test required to compete at a level would now have the same name and the level.)

APPROVED to establish specific requirements for each of the Free Dance tests. Following are the recommendations for each free dance test.

APPROVED to add an additional Free Dance Test to the current test structure and Gall it the Juvenile Free Dance Test. The duration of skating to be 1 1/2 minutes. Pass/ Retry. This additional test would be considered an introductory test. It would not be a prerequisite or required prior to testing the Intermediate Free Dance Test or for eligibility to compete at the Intermediate competition level.

Lifts required: none but not more than 2
Step Sequence: One (circular, straight line or diagonal)

The use of varied dance positions and holds to be included (Kilian, Foxtrot (Open), Waltz (Closed), Cross Arm), in addition, basic maneuver such as Layover/Drape, Pull through legs, Side Pull, Front Drop and other original dance moves.

APPROVED that the [proposed] Juvenile Free Dance use a Pass/Retry passing average, and the Intermediate Free Dance Test (renamed from Preliminary Free Dance] be changed from a Pass/Retry to a 2.5 passing average and have a duration of 2 minutes.

APPROVED to amend TR 15.07 to permit the use of vocal music for all free dance tests.

APPROVED to amend SSR 12.03 (C) to permit the use of vocal music for Free Dance in Novice and lower dance competition events.

ETHICS COMMITTEE

APPROVED to strike the existing language of GR 1.023 and replace with the following:

Prior to appointment as an Officer, member of the Board of Directors, committee chair, sub-committee chair, paid USFSA staff, or to any outside organization, the member must execute a Conflict of Interest and Ethical Behavior statement without amendment or alteration. The Ethics Committee Chair shall oversee an annual review of the Conflict of Interest and Ethical Behavior statements for continuing appointments and paid staff.

INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE

APPROVED to amend ICR 2.025 and 2.04 to reflect the shift of the responsibility for the selection of the synchronized skating teams for entry into I. S. U. competitions and championships from the International Committee to the Synchronized Management Subcommittee (SMS).

APPROVED to amend ICR 7.041 and .042 to reflect that skaters chosen for the U.S. World Team and the U.S. Four Continents Team shall be selected from athletes who are I.S.U. Senior age eligible. Exceptions to the age-eligibility rules that are granted by the ISU will always be allowed.

ICR 8.01 A Synchronized Team Skating Envelope consists of teams identified by the Synchronized Management Subcommittee (SMS) as having competitive potential to win medals in international and world competition. Teams must be denominated to the Team Envelope annually.

ICR 8.02 There are 3 categories of Team Envelopes: Championship Team (Envelope A), International Team (Envelope B) and Alternate/Developmental Team (Envelope C).

ICR 8.03 The International Committee shall approve the criteria to name teams to the Team Envelopes and shall publish the criteria before the competitive season.

ICR 8.04 The SMS shall name teams to the Envelopes based on the approved criteria.

ICR 8 .051 World Championships The US World Synchronized Skating Team shall include the current US Champion. The remaining selection (if designated) shall be based upon the results of the two most recent US National Synchronized Skating Championships, the most recent World Championships, all other international events and the current International Committee Ranking System placements.

ICR 8.06 Selection to compete in all international competitions and ISU Championships shall not be official and teams may not participate until each has executed the documentation, contracts and agreements required by the USFSA.

ICR 8.07 The number of teams selected shall not exceed the number of entries permitted by ISU Regulations, but the entries may be fewer.

JUDGES COMMITTEE

Applications to trial or practice judge at competitions shall be submitted in writing by the applicant not later than September 1 for qualifying competitions and Skate America, not later than the close of entries for other approved non-qualifying competitions, and not later than September 15 for Synchronized Team Skating competitions. Late requests... [balance remains unchanged]

These applications shall be reviewed by the appropriate Vice Chair and an approved list of trial judges shall be sent by the Vice Chair as soon as possible prior to the start of the competition to the Host Club and the Chief Referee.

APPROVED to amend JR 16.03 (A) (10) (11) and (B) (6) and all other pertinent rules by adding Skate America to the competitions listed for trial judging.

C. Trial sheets must be turned in by the trial judge to the Judge-in-Charge immediately following the completion of each test group. Any sheets withheld until later will not be accepted.

A foreign judge of the equivalent level of Gold Free Skating Test, Senior Competition or Gold Dance Test, Senior Dance Competition, National Synchronized Competition or lower may be appointed by the Judges Committee as a Judge one grade lower in each of the test and competition levels. In the case of a test judge, the judge must first attend a USFSA Judges School where Moves in the Field are part of the curriculum.

Certified CFSA judges may be authorized by the USFSA to judge tests, provided they are registered with the USFSA and subject of the requirements of Guidelines for Judging Appointments [balance remains unchanged]. To become effective at the close of the Governing Council Meeting.

All synchronized team skating judges must obtain at least a Bronze Singles/Pair Test or Bronze Dance Test appointment within 2 years of being appointed a Synchronized judge.

APPROVED to amend JR 6.01(J), JR 7.02(F) and CR 71.03 to permit the use of Senior Competition and Senior Dance Competition judges for the U.S. Junior Figure Skating Championships.

JUDGES REVIEW COMMITTEE

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

If a member’s previous club does not respond within 30 days to a signature request sent from USFSA headquarters, the member's change of home club will be granted.

Officers, directors, delegates to the Governing Council and members must be registered. See MR 5.04. In no event may an officer or delegate to the Governing Council be an ineligible person, a restricted person. However, one restricted person, one ineligible coach and coaches with eligible status may serve as directors of a member dub as long as they do not collectively constitute a majority of a club's Board of Directors.

Require all of its officers, directors, and delegates to the Governing Council be registered home Club members of said club. See MR 6.05. In no event may an officer or delegate to the Governing Council be an ineligible person, a restricted person. However, one restricted person, one ineligible coach and coaches with eligible status may serve as directors of a members club as long as they do not collectively constitute a majority of a club's Board of Directors.

MEMORIAL FUND COMMITTEE

The mission of the Memorial Fund is to provide qualified USFSA skaters in need of financial aid with monetary assistance to pursue their goals both inside and outside the competitive arena. The Fund is committed to awarding skating and academic scholarships to those athletes who have demonstrated excellent competitive results and/ or academic achievements and who have future potential in national and international competition.

In order to fulfill this mission, the Memorial Fund seeks support from skaters, corporations, foundations and the general public.

SANCTIONS & ELIGIBILITY COMMITTEE

APPROVED to amend SR 3.02 by inserting language to exclude school affiliated hockey games as an activity requiring a performance sanction.

E. Eligible skaters demonstrating skills at USFSA, ISI and PSA schools, workshops, conferences and seminars;

APPROVED to amend SR 3.03 to reflect that a Performance Sanction issued to a club will cover all participating eligible skaters, regardless of their Home Club affiliation.

APPROVED to delete SR 3.06 (A) requiring Olympic and World Team members to file a permission letter with the USFSA.

APPROVED to amend all applicable Eligibility Rules to reflect that they apply to all officials (referees, judges, accountants, music coordinators, etc.).

APPROVED to reinstate the following USFSA members who applied to be fully eligible persons and have met the requirements for reinstatement:

NAME	CLUB	STATE	REASON
Allen, Jonathan	Greensboro FSC	NC	Compete
Bikle, Dorothy Hope	Hersey FSC	PA	Compete
Bjelia, Karen S.	Bismark FSC	ND	Club Official
Bodnar, Lauren	Great Neck FSC	NY	Compete
Brayton, Anne Marie
Dugan, KelleyWasbam	Individual Member	MA	Compete
Lambert, Melanie	Colonial FSC	MA	Compete
Lammons, Denice	ISC of Fort Collins	CO	Judge
Love, Amy L.	Kansas City FSC	KS	Compete
Palascak, Frederick	SC of Boston	MA	Compete
Petri, Jeffrey	SC of Western NY	NY	Compete
Schroge, Michael	Cleveland SC	OH	Judge
Valiante, Jennifer F.	Richmond FSC	VA	Judge
Viereck, Lisa	Seattle SC	WA	Club Official
Volpicelli, Dina
Weymouth, Sara G.	SC of Wilmington	DE	Compete

Carolyn Bongirno, an Individual Member currently living in Florida, requested to move from restricted status to eligible status in order to compete.

NAME	CLUB	STATE	REASON
Aitken, Jennifer L.	Ice Box FSC	MI	Precision
Anderson, Katie	Capitol City FSC	CA	Compete
Anstett, Monica	Wyandotte FSC	MI	Compete
Austin, Andrew C.	Georgia FSC	GA	Compete
Barsuhn, Gloria L.	Columbus FSC	OH	Compete
Carrigan, Linda A.	Idaho Falls FSC	ID	Board of Club
Castle, Karen	FSC of Watertown	NY	Judge
Chen, Jennifer L.	Portland ISC	WA	Judge
Colgrande, Brian	Individual Member	FL	Compete
Courtney, Katharine	Stockton FSC	CA	Competition
Decker, Monica	DuPage FSC	IL	Judge
Desemone, John L.	Los Angeles FSC	CA	Compete
Driscoll, Aimee B.	SC Hingham	MA	Adult Precision
Duminske, Lisa L.	Wyandotte FSC	MI	Precision
Dunn, Jilayne R.	Missoula FSC	MO	Judge
Dwelly, Melissa M.	Roseville FSC	MN	Compete
Filbig, John L.	Escondido FSC	CA	Delegate
Fjeseth, Tracy E.	Idaho Falls FSC	ID	Club Officer
Flaherty, Tara D.	SC of Hingham	MA	Compete
Frogge, Linda	Colorado SC	CO	Judge
Gautsche, Rory P.	Atlanta FSC	GA	Judge
Hildebrand, Victoria	Champlian Valley FSC	VT	Judge
Jones, Deborah	Frederick FSC	MD	Compete
Kinney, Susan M.	SC of Maine	ME	Board of Club
Kiatt, Dinah L.	St. Cloud FSC	MN	Judge
Knierim, Deidra L.	Individual Member	CO	Adult Nationals
Kolden, Lynnae M.	DePere FSC	WI	Compete
Kraft, Chris A.	Minneapolis FSC	MN	Compete
Kratzke, Kelly J.	Minneapolis FSC	MN	Compete
Kratzke, Shannon J.	Minneapolis FSC	MN	Compete
Longton, Kerry E.	Wyandotte FSC	MI	Precision
Loundagin, Choeleen	Santa Rosa FSC	CA	Compete
Mann, Caroline B.	Great Bay FSC	NH	Compete
Marlowe, Amy J.	Bowling Green SC	MA	Adult Nationals
Merrill, John N.	SC of Maine	ME	Board of Club
Minarik, Deborah E.	Southside FSC	MI	Compete
Moeshmer, Karen D.	St. Louis SC	MO	Compete
Muhlenpoh, Gene D.	Coyotes SC	AZ	Judge
Napoli, Karen A.	Individual Member	MA	Compete
Newberry, Andrew C.	Hershey FSC	PA	Compete or Judge
Ohata, Miki	Colorado SC	CO	Judge
Palmer, Louise E.	All Year FSC	CA	Compete
Peters, April B.	Space Coast FSC	FL	Compete
Phillips, Tim	Atlanta FSC	GA	Judge
Potter, Sara B.	Hudson Valley FSC	NY	Compete
Pusztay, Robin I.	Winterhurst FSC	OH	Judge
Rizzo, Doreen	SC of Hingham	MA	Precision
Ryan, Bridigt K.	St Paul FSC	MN	Judge
Schilling, David A.	Garden City FSC	CO	Judge
Shaw, Allen G.	Florida Gold Coast FSC	FL	Judge
Spencer, Cheryl K.	Missoula FSC	MT	Delegate
Sroka, Deana	Montclair Inside Edge	NJ	Compete
Stamm, Tara M.	Wisconsin FSC	WI	Compete
Taylor, Carrie Ann	Walla Walla FSC	WA	Club Officer
Taylor, Garri A.	Walla Walla FSC	WA	Club Officer
Thompson, Jodie A.	Individual Member	FL	Club activities
Timm, Jacquelyn S.	Ice Box FSC	MI	Precision
Traver, Kathryn M.	Illinois Valley FSC	IL	Club activities
Urbanski, Calla	The SC of Wilmington	DE	Compete
Vecchione, Darlene	Skokie Valley FSC	IL	Judge
Wheeland, Kimberie	Lorio FSC	MA	Compete
Witherby, Andrea M.	Denver FSC	CO	Precision
Yackel, Barbara C.	St Paul FSC	MN	Adult Precision
Ziah, Jackie	Skokie Valley FSC	IL	Judge

SINGLES & PAIRS COMMITTEE

APPROVED to add the Double Flip Jump to the list of prescribed double jumps for the Intermediate Men and Ladies Short Program, which now includes the Double Salchow and Double Loop, to become effective July 1, 2000.

APPROVED to add to SSR 4.07 upper limits on jumps by competition level from No-test through Pre-Juvenile. The following limits will be specified:

APPROVED to amend the actions taken at the 1999 Board of Directors Meeting under SSR 5.04, by making the split twist lift in the Novice Pairs Short Program either a single or a double.

APPROVED to add Pre Juvenile Pairs as a non-qualifying competition event. Test requirements, to be fulfilled by both partners, are the Preliminary Pair Test and at least Pre-Juvenile MIF. The skating standards and program length to be consistent with the Preliminary Pair Test and shall have not reach the age of 14 years for both partners.

APPROVED to increase the duration of the Intermediate Pairs Program from 2 1/2 minutes to 3 minutes for both the Intermediate Pairs Test and the Intermediate Pairs competitive event to be effective for the 2001/02 season.

A. Each year one group will be designated and will be effective July 1 of that year:

a) One lift such as waist loop, Lutz, Axel, platter, press, toe loop hip lift, step in (Axel) lasso lift or toe lasso lift. Minimum of one rotation;
b) Twist Lift (single, split in the air is required);
c) Double Flip (solo jump);
d) One solo spin with no change of foot and optional change of position (sit, camel or flying camel). Minimum of five revolutions in total;
e) One pair spin with no change of foot and optional change of position (sit, camel or tango camel/sit). Minimum of five revolutions in total;
f) One backward outside death spiral;
g) One step sequence (straight line, circular or serpentine).

a) One lift such as waist loop, Lutz, Axel, platter, press, toe loop hip lift, step in (Axel) lasso lift or toe lasso lift. Minimum of one rotation;
b) Twist Lift (single, split in the air is required);
c) Double Loop (solo jump);
d) Solo spin with no change of foot and optional change of position (sit, camel or flying camel). Minimum of five revolutions in total;
e) Pair spin with no change of foot and optional change of position (sit, camel or tango camel/sit). Minimum of five revolutions in total;
f) Death spiral backward inside;
g) Step sequence (straight line, circular or serpentine).

a) One lift such as waist loop, Lutz, Axel, platter, press, toe loop hip lift, step in (Axel) lasso lift or toe lasso lift. Minimum of one rotation;
b) Twist lift (single, split in the air is required);
c) Double Lutz (solo jump);
d) Solo spin with no change of foot and optional change of position (sit, camel or flying camel). Minimum of five revolutions in total;
e) Pair spin with no change of foot and optional change of position (sit, camel or tango camel/sit). Minimum of five revolutions in total;
f) Death spiral forward inside;
g) Step sequence (straight line, circular or serpentine).

a) Lifts: Type of lift is optional. One lift from the Intermediate Pair list of acceptable lifts under SSR 6.07 may be selected (waist loop, Lutz, Axel, platter, or press). Alternatively, a pair may select one from the lifts listed below:

Minimum of one revolution by male partner. One handed variations, changes of hold or of the lady's position during the lift are not permitted.

b) Twist Lifts: Split position by the lady in the air prior to rotating is required;

d) Solo Spin: Any type of spin is permitted. When the spin is commenced with a jump, no previous rotation on the ice before the take-off is permitted and the chosen position must be attained in the air. There must be no change of foot. A change of position is optional (sit, camel, flying camel, camel/sit). Minimum of five revolutions total. The concluding upright position at the end of the spin is not considered to be another position and revolutions executed in it are not to be counted in the required number of revolutions. Variations of the position of the head, arms or free leg as well as fluctuations of speed are permitted. The exiting from all spins is not prescribed.

e) Pair Spin: There must be no change of foot in the pair spin. A change of position is optional (sit, camel or tango camel/sit). Minimum of five revolutions. The rotation must be continuous and no stop is permitted. The pair spin must not be commenced with a jump.

f) Death Spirals: Only the prescribed death spiral is permitted. Forward Inside Death Spiral added to one group. Same remarks as for Seniors, except no minimum length of pivot required after the final pivot position is attained by the man;

SPORTS SCIENCES AND MEDICINE COMMITTEE

APPROVED that the USFSA appointed Team Doctor has full authority and responsibility for all medical care of and for the USFSA skaters, coaches, judges and assigned support personnel appointed to international skating teams at the international competition and that this be clearly stated in the Team Leader Handbook. Notwithstanding the above, skaters, coaches, judges and assigned support personnel can seek medical care of their choice.

APPROVED that in any international synchronized skating competition where two or more U.S. teams are competing that one USFSA appointed physician and one USFSA appointed physical therapist/athlete trainer (PT/ATC) be sent and that this be a minimum number but not a maximum number of medical personnel.

TEST COMMITTEE

TR 1.01 The Test Committee is a Special Committee appointed by the President in accordance with Article XVI I, Section 4 of the USFSA Bylaws.

TR 1.02 The Test Committee shall consist of the Chair and such other Vice Chairs and members as necessary to carry out the work of the committee.

TR 1.021 The Chair of the Test Committee shall be an ex-officio member of the Dance, Judges, Singles & Pairs, and Synchronized Team Skating Committees and the Chairs of these committees shall be ex-officio members of the Test Committee.

TR 1.03 Members of the Test Committee shall prepare timely answers to all ballots; work

with the Chair on specific tasks and projects; and report to the Chair any issues of concern. In addition, Vice Chairs shall be responsible for the duties and functions assigned to them by the Chair.

A. Be responsible for the administration of the Test Rules; for testing procedures and the conduct of all tests; for the determination of USFSA test fees to be charged; and for all other matters common to tests not specifically delegated to the Dance, Singles and Pairs, Synchronized Team Skating, and Judges Committees.

B. Oversee the maintenance of test records by headquarters and the awarding of test certificates and emblems.

C. Review issues of rule violations that occur as a result of testing and determine appropriate action.

APPROVED to amend TR 30.00 (A) to change the standardized USFSA test fee for a Synchronized Team Skating test to $3.00 per test.

APPROVED to add to the Test Rules a statement to reflect that the USFSA shall send complimentary Rulebooks and Directories to test chairs upon request from the club.

TASK FORCE ON HARASSMENT AND ABUSE

In early 1999 the skating world was rocked by allegation of sexual abuse made against coach Richard Callaghan by his former student Craig Maurizi. In light of those allegations the USFSA came to recognize that it needed to develop a policy for dealing with harassment and abuse. A task force was created to develop a policy and the following policy on harassment and abuse was adopted at the Governing Council meeting.

APPROVED the Policy on Harassment and Abuse, a copy of which was attached to the Executive Committee Report of Action dated April 8, 2000.

The United States Figure Skating Association (USFSA) will not tolerate or condone any form of harassment or abuse of any of its members including coaches, officials, directors, employees, parents, athletes and volunteers - or any other persons - while they are participating in or preparing for a figure skating activity or event conducted under the auspices of the USFSA.

Harassment of such nature between or among USFSA members shall be reported to the Chair of the Ethics or Grievance Committee as soon as is practicably possible, per ECR 2.00 and GCR 2.00. If any form of child abuse is observed or suspected, the observer should immediately contact either a local law enforcement or a public child welfare agency and make a report.

Any person who violates this rule, who fails to appropriately report or who makes a false report or otherwise violates USFSA's policy on Harassment & Abuse v,411 be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with Article XXVII, Section 3 of the USFSA Bylaws.

Additional information pertaining to this rule, its application and enforcement is contained in USFSA's Policy Statement on Harassment & Abuse.

OTHER

APPOINTED the new Minutes Committee of Heather Nemier from the East, Michael Meyer from the Midwest and Janis Engel from the Pacific Coast. Heather Nemier will serve as chair.

ELECTED the following persons as Governors of the Collegiate Skating Institute: Patricia Hagedorn (E), Vicki Korn (M), and Charles Cyr (P)

ANNOUNCED that the annual meeting of the Board of Directors will be held October 6 and 7, 2000, in Colorado Springs, Colorado at the Doubletree World Arena Hotel.

APPROVED a policy that National Headquarters include in its monthly mailing to the members of the Board of Directors a summary of all committee ballots sent out by the office.

APPOINTED Charles Cyr from the Pacific Coast as a member of the Minutes Committee in the absence of Kirsten Novak.

ELECTED Heather Nemier, Carolyn Kruse and Jerod Swallow as members of the board of directors of the USFSA Foundation.

APPROVED in concept the mission and goals, the authorization for development of a strategic plan, and a study of governance issues pertaining to the Association, all as outlined in the report to the Board of Directors by the representatives of McKinsey and Co.

APPROVED Elaine DeMore for nomination for appointment as an Honorary ISU Judge for Figure Skating and Ice Dancing.

APPROVED Jon Jackson to take the exam for ISU Championship (World) Judge for Figure Skating.

APPROVED Coco Shean to take the exam for ISU Championship (World) Judge for Figure Skating.

NEW BUSINESS

In past years, new business was frequently a wild roller-coaster ride in which rules dealing with complex issues were thrown together at the last minute without adequate thought. This year. the delegates acted in completely the opposite manner, sending any new business with even the slightest hint of complexity back to committee for study during the coming year. Only a few minor issues made it into the rulebook, consisting of the following.

Synchronized team skating qualifying rounds will be used in junior, senior, and collegiate events when there are more than 18 teams in an event.

Collegiate synchro teams may proceed directly to synchro nationals without having to compete first in a qualifying competition.

Although seemingly a simple action, the above action has some interesting negative implications for the role of clubs in the Association, and is another example of the erosion of the role of the clubs within the Association - a situation the delegates are normally more alert to than was the case here.

Individual supporting members will receive promotional material concerning local clubs, the hope being that this new category of membership can be used to promote membership at the club level.

OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS FOR 2000/01

OFFICERS

AT-LARGE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ATHLETES

COACHES

PERMANENT VOTING COMMITTEE - CHAIRS

NON-VOTING PERMANENT COMMITTEE - CHAIRS

NON-VOTING SPECIAL COMMITTEES - CHAIRS

ISU REPRESENTATIVE

USOC REPRESENTATIVE

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ACTIONS

For completeness we also provide here some of the actions and issues addressed by the Executive Committee during the past year. These are not rules or regulations per se, but deal more with policy initiatives that give some insight into the current and future direction of the Association.

APPROVED that the President is authorized to issue a sanction for any televised event produced by a promoter for profit on such terms and conditions as the President deems favorable to the Association.

APPROVED to continue our relationship with the Professional Skaters Association (PSA) as set forth in Joint Statement of Recognition as printed in the 2000 Rulebook and that all further contractual discussions be terminated. The Executive Committee notes that it wants to maintain a cordial relationship with the PSA and that USFSA wants to have the PSA submit individual projects and budgets for approval by the Executive Committee, all of which will be evaluated on the basis of cost benefit and overall benefit to the USFSA and how the project relates to USFSA's strategic plan.

APPROVED to direct the Staff to respond to the Ice Skating Institute (ISI) by informing the ISI that we will continue to work with the ISI in accordance with our Joint Statement of Recognition, and that USFSA will continue to develop its own Basic Skills program within the USFSA structure.

APPROVED that USFSA should adopt as a policy that the bylaws of Member Clubs include an anti-discrimination provision similar to the USFSA anti-discrimination Bylaws provision, and that the Membership Committee investigate the feasibility of adopting such a requirement.

Conditionally approved a grant of $10,000 to the Synchronized Skating Committee for a test competition at the Mariucci Arena on December 18-19, 1999.

In view of the proliferation of televised skating events and the pressures that are sometimes placed on skaters to appear in such events, the Executive Committee unanimously recommended that a meeting of affected athletes, parents, coaches, agents and USFSA representatives be held to discuss these issues.

APPROVED in concept the contract between the USFSA and YouthSports.com, and authorizing the signing of that contract.

The Executive Committee confirmed its commitment that any person who has not signed and returned the Conflict of Interest and Ethical Behavior Disclosure Form, without amendment or alteration, will not be permitted to serve as a USFSA committee member or as an official of the USFSA as stated in GR 1.023 of the Rulebook.

APPROVED that GR 1.023 will be enforced with respect to any person described in that Rule who has not returned to Headquarters a signed Conflict of Interest Disclosure Form postmarked no later than October 25,1999. The Executive Committee believes that the standards applied to athletes should apply equally to the persons described in GR 1.023.

APPROVED the granting of a provisional sanction to the Twin Cities Figure Skating Association for the 2002 Governing Council meeting.

The Executive Committee met with a representative of McKinsey & Company, Inc., to assist the Executive Committee in developing a business plan and strategic plan. The procedure for development of the business plan and the strategic plan will be presented to the Board of Directors at the October meeting. Subsequently the Executive Committee accepted the offer of McKinsey and Co. to assist the USFSA in a limited way upon request on a pro bono basis.

APPROVED to donate One Thousand Dollars to the Tertak Fund in memory of Dr. Elemer Tertak.

APPROVED to concur in the election of the following individuals to the USFSA Foundation: Patricia Hagedorn, Bill Hybl, Jim Schmidt, and Susan Davis, with the recommendation that Jim Schmidt serve for a one year term.

APPROVED to send a letter to the Local Organizing Committee of each of the upcoming USFSA Championships and World Championships, i.e., Cleveland, Boston, Los Angeles, Dallas and Washington, D.C., reminding each LOC that the USFSA will not be financially responsible for any loss incurred by the LOC from the competition.

APPROVED that the International Committee Management Subcommittee (ICMS) be directed to gear their selections so that the USFSA will have the best possible chance to qualify U.S. skaters for the Grand Prix Series Finals (both Junior and Senior) and that the ICMS report to the Executive Committee by its April 7, 2000 meeting how the selections process will be structured to accomplish this goal.

DID NOT APPROVE the proposal by Bob Banner Associates for Future Gold, a figure skating TV series judged by the public.

APPROVED the leasing of specific housing facilities for parents of our Olympic Team skaters for the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics.

APPROVED to appoint members to a committee to work with USA Hockey to form a new association of rink facility owners and managers designed to enhance figure skating. Subsequently the Executive Committee approved the formation of the STAR Corporation in a joint venture with USA Hockey.

APPROVED a recommendation that all skaters wear protective head gear at practice sessions at all USFSA sanctioned events and that the Sports Medicine Committee and the Coaches Committee develop standards for head protection and recommend a procedure for applying these standards for the 2000-2001 skating year.

APPROVED to rescind the Executive Committee action of February 9, 2000, regarding protective headgear. Further, the Executive Committee recommends that the Sports Medicine Committee and other appropriate committees investigate whether the USFSA should develop a policy for protective headgear and to present a preliminary report to the Executive Committee in October 2000.

APPROVED that ISU travel money awarded at the World Synchronized Skating Championships be distributed to the appropriate teams as indicated in the following outline. Checks will be issued to the entity responsible for the financial integrity and viability of the team as a whole for the benefit of the team as a whole.

Teams winning a medal at World Synchronized Skating Championships will receive 50% of the ISU travel money; teams placing in the top five countries at World Synchronized Skating Championships will receive 25% of the ISU travel money; teams not fitting either of the categories listed above will not receive any I.S.U. travel money. (Note: the USFSA budgets for Synchronized Team annual travel is paid by the USFSA and is a part of the budget process.)

Current Name	New Name
Preliminary Free Dance Test	Intermediate Free Dance Test
Bronze Free Dance Test	Novice Free Dance Test
Silver Free Dance Test	Junior Free Dance Test
Gold Free Dance Test	Senior Free Dance Test

Level	Lifts required	Step Sequence(s)
Intermediate	1 min/3 max	One (circular, straight line or diagonal)
Novice	2 min/4 max	One (circular, straight line or diagonal)
Junior	3 min/5 max	Two different of circular, straight line or diagonal
Senior	5 min/7 max	Two different of circular, straight line or diagonal

EAST	MIDWEST	PACIFIC COAST
Susan L. Ward	Michael Meyer	Janis Engel
Scott Cormier	Peggy Graham	Kirsten Novak
Holly Cole	Terrance Kollar	Hal Marron
Heather Nemier	William Smith	Jeffrey Wolf
Carole Ludlow	Kristina Blackwell	Katie Ahern

2000 USFSA Governing Council

13, 14 May, 2000
Atlanta, GA

BYLAWS

Supportive Members:

Athlete Representation:

Sports Medicine Committee:

RULES AND REGULATIONS

COACHES CERTIFICATION & TRAINING OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE

COMPETITIONS COMMITTEE

DANCE COMMITTEE

ETHICS COMMITTEE

INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE

JUDGES COMMITTEE

JUDGES REVIEW COMMITTEE

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

MEMORIAL FUND COMMITTEE

SANCTIONS & ELIGIBILITY COMMITTEE

SINGLES & PAIRS COMMITTEE

SPORTS SCIENCES AND MEDICINE COMMITTEE

TEST COMMITTEE

TASK FORCE ON HARASSMENT AND ABUSE

OTHER

NEW BUSINESS

OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS FOR 2000/01

OFFICERS

AT-LARGE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ATHLETES

COACHES

PERMANENT VOTING COMMITTEE - CHAIRS

NON-VOTING PERMANENT COMMITTEE - CHAIRS

NON-VOTING SPECIAL COMMITTEES - CHAIRS

ISU REPRESENTATIVE

USOC REPRESENTATIVE

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ACTIONS

2000 USFSA Governing Council

13, 14 May, 2000 Atlanta, GA

BYLAWS

Supportive Members:

Athlete Representation:

Sports Medicine Committee:

RULES AND REGULATIONS

COACHES CERTIFICATION & TRAINING OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE

COMPETITIONS COMMITTEE

DANCE COMMITTEE

ETHICS COMMITTEE

INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE

JUDGES COMMITTEE

JUDGES REVIEW COMMITTEE

MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE

MEMORIAL FUND COMMITTEE

SANCTIONS & ELIGIBILITY COMMITTEE

SINGLES & PAIRS COMMITTEE

SPORTS SCIENCES AND MEDICINE COMMITTEE

TEST COMMITTEE

TASK FORCE ON HARASSMENT AND ABUSE

OTHER

NEW BUSINESS

OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE CHAIRS FOR 2000/01

OFFICERS

AT-LARGE MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ATHLETES

COACHES

PERMANENT VOTING COMMITTEE - CHAIRS

NON-VOTING PERMANENT COMMITTEE - CHAIRS

NON-VOTING SPECIAL COMMITTEES - CHAIRS

ISU REPRESENTATIVE

USOC REPRESENTATIVE

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ACTIONS

13, 14 May, 2000
Atlanta, GA