Western Reserve Rowing Foundation Minutes

June 27, 2000

Carnegie-Fulton Library



The meeting convened at 5:40 p.m.



  1. Roll Call Introductions

Kathryn Kaczmarski-WRRF

Jackie Virant-JCU Harold Mazzarins-WRRA

Don Saer-BOD Matt Misencik-WRRA

Dave Werner-St. Ignatius Tim Marcovy-WRRA

Harry Fisher-WRRF Linda Lissauer-Shaker



  1. Approval of Minutes

The minutes from the 5-30-2000 meeting were approved.



  1. Reports from Committees

Nothing new to report. Kathryn committed to call Kelly Jordan of QuadPro Management before the July meeting, to offer assistance to them as they build their plan for waterfront development, as a way of getting/staying involved with the opportunity.


Tim Marcovy reported for Pat Monroe. The junior program is up and running: 16 rowers, 14 women, and 2 men. 5 paid registrations for the second session and anticipating a minimum of 15 (not counting first session repeats). Have been using the barge (thanks to Don). Pat has four coaches, all SO2’s, staffing launch boat and coaching. All seems to be working well, very safe. Pat has made out first checks for his coaches


Nothing new to report. We are still hoping Renee is working on this. Jackie has e-mailed her and has not heard back...

Tim Marcovy reported two very minor incidents. One sweep rower (SRL) went into the water: picked up in 45 seconds. Also one sculler flipped. No equipment has been damaged. No run-ins with our neighbors.


SO tests are still being given and taken and passed, etc. Sculling tests as well.


We need a new engine…don’t know who should buy it. The engine is okay for SRL right now (slower boats) Approximate cost is $2000. We will take a look at the 2000 budget at the next meeting to determine if we (WRRF) can buy the new engine, since all member organizations use them. Otherwise, all eights are up and running, and all equipment is in good shape.


HOTC (Dave Werner): Tuesday, July 11 @ 5:30 AND Tuesday, August 8 @ 5:30 are the dates for representatives from each member organization to attend a volunteer meeting to organizing and coordinate efforts. Dave has someone developing a HOTC website, which will be tied into the WRRA and St. Ignatius websites. There is a company that will do our registration on-line (and keep a small percentage of fees –5%--as payment).


Dave has composed an information letter to solicit volunteers. He is looking for mailing labels or a database from each member organization to send out these letters. Dave will contact Toni about getting the WRRA list.




Tim and Dave are in the process of filing all necessary paperwork. Tim has met with the Coast Guard, and they have made a few requests (talking to the GoodTime and Nautica Queen about the event, and checking our announcement system). Unfortunately we do not have any more time on the river than we did last year. We are still working with Hermes and they are finding sponsors.


Cleveland Sports Commission has put in a bid to host the 2001 NCAA women’s rowing championships in Cleveland. No word yet on the decision.



  1. Reports from Member Organizations

Over the past couple of years, Beaumont has become less of a ‘school’ organization and more of a junior women’s rowing program. At the last meeting the parent’s elected to change the name of the organization to Cleveland Scholastic Rowing Association (CSRA). The decision to have a men’s crew has been deferred (it is still being discussed). There will be no raiding of schools that have existing crews (i.e., Shaker, St. Ignatius, etc.)


A re-assessment amount of $1260 was approved by the board for Spring 2000. Kathryn will notify Kristin of the new amount.


On summer break, nothing new. Question from Dan Rich: are there any wooden blades left? Yes, says Don, but he’s not sure we will sell them (right now we have a set). Dan will contact Don for further information


The crew had a final awards ceremony for the year. They were going to go to Henley, but now they are not.


On hiatus, but had a final picnic recently. Bob Walton will not be coaching this next year, so Shaker will need another coach to work with Andreas (who is their head coach). A female coach would be ideal.


WRRA is up and running, and have paid their first-half assessment. SRL first races were on Sunday, despite crazy weather. Competitive crew is in full gear, coach John is doing well coach both sweep and sculling boats. Went to Ecorse last week—brought home lots of medals (mostly golds!) Other regattas are Grand Rapids, Lottie McAlice (somewhere outside of Pittsburgh this year). New racing single arrives next week.



  1. Boathouse Operations Report

Launches are taking a dive, so we gotta watch this. Last weekend someone cleaned up the wooden boathouse—this was ‘above average’ according to Don’s tough rating system. Lots of stuff is still lying around on the floor: Don would like people to claim their stuff and put it away. A new rule: glues, epoxies and paint have to be in a container so that they don’t leak everywhere. Lost and Found area will be generated over the next few weeks. Overall, the boathouse has been looking good lately. Next job: dock poles and an oar rack. We need to clean (bleach) the boat towels on a more regular basis: we also need more.


Don is feeding and taking care of the boathouse cat. Kathryn called first dibs on this precious beast if need be for the winter.



  1. Treasurer’s Report

Report from Harry is attached to the minutes. We have gone from cash poor to cashful. IRS problem persists: we haven’t heard back from them. Harry has met with Jeff (our accountant) though, and he is pessimistic about having to pay our $1000 penalty. Harry will meet with Mike Gramm about making some interest on our existing accounts.


We have about $18-19K in the bank right now.




  1. Old Business

Harry asked Tim if the sculling computer simulator was operational. No, it is not. Kevin Dalhausen is working on it.


  1. New Business

Affiliation Assessment Contacts: we would like to get in assessments earlier. Tim will get Harry the new contact for CSRA, and Linda will get new contact information to Harry for Shaker.


Post Office Box Change: Harry has put forth the idea of changing the location of our post office box to the mail location on Orange Ave. It was moved, seconded and approved to make this change. Harry will take care of making this change.



  1. Announcements

Kathryn will call USRowing to make sure we have insurance. Also, she will not be here for the July meeting, but Dave Anderson will be (as of now).



  1. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.



The next meeting is July 25th at 5:30. Please remember the new meeting time (5:30) for the summer months!!!



Minutes are respectfully submitted by:

Kathryn Kaczmarski, WRRF President, for

Jeff Jensen, WRRF Secretary