Southeast – Jan Sibilia reported that they are starting a formal training program for non-scholastic.

Southern Adirondack – Eric Hamilton announced a duathlon event on October 19. It includes a 2 mile run; 12 mile bike; and a 2 mile run to finish along the newly designated Mohawk Towpath Scenic Byway. The event is sanctioned by NYSSRA and we will gain some one-day memberships from the event.

Northern Adirondack – Rick Costanza said that ORDA’s reconstruction of the biathlon range is proceeding well even with the poor, wet construction season.

Central Region – Clara Bingham announced an event for women who are looking for a weekend to enjoy relaxing with friends or who want to sharpen their wilderness survival skills October 17 through 19 called "Wild Women Unite". It will be in the Pulaski/Sandy Creek area. John Nabors added that Utica mayor’s office is big on outdoor festivals and is planning a Winter Festival and Phil Hawkes-Teeter added that there’s a ski orienteering qualifier that’s a part of that on February 7.

Biathlon – Marque Moffet reported that Bill Lilly had done a remarkable job gaining concensus over the summer on the relay format. Tom Moffet is working on a NYSSRA biathlon team who will compete with New England clubs.

Ski Orienteering – Phil Hawkes-Teeter is working on getting Dewey Mountain for the Empire State Games ski orienteering competition, but the operator of the municipally owned facility will not be named until early October.

Cross Country – Larry Wilkinson said that the ESG office had agreed to add an official event to the Winter Games. It will include a mass start 5 k cross country ski event open to all NYSSRA members and does not require pre-qualifying. It is meant to boost participation and will run concurrently with the longer ESG Championship race.

Masters – Dan Karig announced that the Masters championship would be the weekend of March 6 and 7. He was not sure if it would include a relay event. Dan is working on a central N Y venue.

Mid-Atlantic Committee – Rick Costanza pointed out that there are six J O qualifiers. To make the team a junior must complete four and finish within 12% back. Collegiate racers are also eligible, but they must e-mail or contact head coach Joe Richie by December 31 if interested. Collegiate racers must do 2 college races and finish in the top 50 and must have skied for and qualified for the Mid-A team in the past. Team costs should be about $900 this year since it is in Lake Placid.

Racer Camps – Emily Cartwright reported that the August BKYSL and Junior Camps were quite successful with enthusiastic and fun loving participants. Jan Sibilia added that the masters camp scheduled for the weekend of September 27 and 28 at Lapland Lake is full.

BKYSL Committee - Eric Hamilton announced that the Bill Koch Festival will be February 28 and 29 in Lake George combined again this year with the Bill Thayer Ski Fest. The four clubs of the southern Adirondack area are planning a festival with the old favorite events with several fun new surprises that take advantage of the unique Lake George venue. Eric mentioned that the program has been budgeted $1000 for the season. Program patches usually run about $650.

Eric moved that we reprint the program brochure; second by Peter Indick; carried.

Motion by Eric Hamilton to grant first year Bill Koch youth a free NYSSRA membership for their first season was seconded by Dan Karig. The idea is to capture the first year participants that do not otherwise join NYSSRA – Nordic the first year. Motion carried.

Fund Raising – Shawn Forney said that Peter Dady has plenty of short sleeve ($15) and long sleeve ($20) tee shirts and many of the regional reps have a supply also.

Newsletter - Dan Karig reported that the newsletter costs about $275 for each issue, but advertising off sets some of this cost. The issue he is currently working on has a deadline of October 14 and mailed by the end of October. So get materials to him.

Competition Manual - Emily Cartwright announced that this will be her last year compiting the Manual. She asked committee chairs to get any revisions to her as soon as possible, but no later than October 1. Get advertising materials back to Janet Finley as soon as possible.

Membership Committee - Shawn Forney said that 145 members have renewed to date. He promised that there would be a NYSSRA booth at the Syracuse Ski Sale at the N Y State Fairgrounds October 25 and 26. If you can volunteer for an hour or two contact Russ Myer or Shawn.

Collegiate Racing – Dan Karig reported that USCSA Regional Championships will be the same date as the ESG weekend. The ESGs might be able to capture some of collegiate crowd that will not qualify for the Championship.

Bill Thayer Memorial Ski Festival - Russ Houck reported that the Festival would be February 28 and 29 in Lake George with Bill Koch Festival. Discussion followed about back up sites which will include Glens Falls’ Crandall Park and possibly Lapland Lake.

Liability Insurance - Eric Hamilton said that we will have at least two quotes this year for liability insurance. Dave Valvo will be chairing the committee.

Women’s Participation Issues – Rick Costanza noted that the new 5 k race at ESGs would provide a new possibility for this and others who felt intimidated by our other race formats. There had been discussion of a women’s only race sometime during the season, but no bids for this type of race was submitted.

Club System – Eric Hamilton suggested that the early draft of a proposal written by Jan Sibilia be combined with club membership requirements and affiliate club liability benefits and posted on the web site. Eric will work with Jan and Dave Valvo on this.

Luggage Tags – Dan Karig promised to further evaluate the proposal for a simple luggage tag benefit for members and report back to the next meeting.

Race Schedule – Motion by Larry Wilkinson; second by Lee Mahood that the schedule posted on the board (copy attached) be accepted for the coming season; carried.

Next Meeting is set for April 25, 2004 tentatively at SUNY - Institute of Technology, Utica, although discussion followed on the increasing cost of fee charged by SUNY for the room. Larry Wilkinson will look at other alternatives in the Utica area.

Adjourned on a motion by Carol Moran, second by Shawn Forney.

7 – 13 Junior Olympics