SUFFOLK WRESTLING OFFICIALS ASSOCIATION, INC.

 GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

January 14, 2010

Executive Board Meeting 

Meeting called to order at 7:10 PM by President L. Barone

• Discussion of proposed changes to SCWOA Policy Manual presented by R. Scott.  The updates are suggested changes to current policy where necessary to improve effectiveness, clarity, and interpretation regarding tournament protocol, mentoring junior officials, and ethical standards.  The document is not finalized and is a work in progress for future implementation and discussion.

• Discussion of improved training procedures presented by M. Whitcomb to facilitate enhanced learning and clarification when confronted with critical situations.

General Membership Meeting

Meeting called to order at 8:10 PM by President L. Barone

President’s Announcements:

• The meeting scheduled for Wednesday 1/20/10 is changed to Thursday 1/21/10.

• Please do not call Section XI regarding your availability. Section XI already has your availability and has requested that calls only be received for turnbacks or updates if your availability has changed.

• Officials Schedules are done based on submitted availability and fair distribution among all members.  If you are not working on a particular day that you were available, Section XI may have not scheduled you intentionally to allow for fair distribution of assignments to other available officials.

• Officials are to conduct themselves professionally and in a sportsmanlike manner.  Comments by a coach or other team member must be handled in an appropriate manner.  Negative comments or responses to a coach will not be tolerated.

• Unsportsmanlike against coaches or wrestlers must be handled swiftly and correctly.  Reports of such action must be documented and submitted to Section XI.

• Coaches removed are also suspended from next scheduled meet.

• Coaches must be seated on bench with team for dual meets.  They may also walk behind bench.  Review during pre-meet inspection or on mat with captains/coaches.

• Policy manual update is in process and under review.  Please see comments above from EB meting.

• League Tournaments are 2/6/10. Availability requests will be made in the coming weeks.

• County Tournament is 2/12 and 2/13/10:  

• D1 is at Stony Brook and D2 is at Center Moriches.

• 2/12 is an early start/late finish – expect 12 – 15 hours.

• 2/13 must end by 12:00 PM at D1 on 2/13.

• Availability requests will be made in the coming weeks.

Secretary Announcements: by George Wissman

• Budget report submitted for January 14.  Current Balance is $5,707.77

• All members have paid dues.

• Attendance:  Members must attend at least 5 meetings to remain in good standing.  Please see me if you are concerned regarding the number of meetings you have attended.

Rule Interpretations: by John Truscello

• Review of Mid Season Interpretation notes sent by NYS on 1/7/10. Points of concern include:

• Communicable Skin Condition:   Coach must present documentation(August 2009 form) at the time the wrestler weighs in for either duals or tournaments.  If referee does not conduct weigh-in, then documentation must be presented at pre-meet inspection of wrestlers.

• Referee’s position:  Set knees, waist, hand.  Give verbal “set” command before whistle.

• Verbally adjust 2 times before giving caution.

• Make sure offensive wrestlers legs are not in contact with defensive wrestler. Must have space between.

• Contact Lenses:  Time to recover a lost lens may be charged against injury if referee feels it is excessive and disrupts the flow of the match.

• Stalling: Review situations in book and recognize stalling when it occurs in neutral, top, or bottom.

Meeting Adjourned at 9:40 PM

Respectfully submitted,

George Wissman

Secretary/Treasurer