Western Reserve Rowing Foundation Minutes

March 27, 2001

Carnegie Fulton Library



  1. Roll Call Introductions

Kathryn Kaczmarski-WRRF Don Saer-WRRA

Harry Fisher- WRRF Caroline Hoepp- WRRA/CSRA

Jeff Jensen-WRRF Kristen Andrews-CWRU

Jeff Renston-WRRA Pete Whittaker-CWRU

Peter Gozar-WRRA Laurie Ronis-Shaker

Jim Mack- WRRA Harold Mazzarins- WRRA

Eric Schmidt-WRRA Pat Monroe-WRRF

Jackie Virant-JCU Dave Werner-WRRF/St. Ignatius

Cathy Petryshyn-WRRA Tim Marcovy-WRRA

Toni Quagliata-WRRA Misty Matin- WRRA

  1. Approval of Minutes

The meeting was called to order at 6:15 p.m.


The minutes from the February meeting were approved.


  1. Reports from Committees

We have a new signed agreement for our lease with Forest City Properties.


Site Development. Eric Schmidt presented a proposed timeline for a possible new boathouse planning process. The timeline is going to be in the WRRF folder for future reference if anyone wants to review it. It was stated we need a good solid foundation and a well thought out plan before this project begins. Actual fundraising will not begin until the fall or early winter, but not before we have developed a plan with costs and potential sites.


Is there even a site along the river for us to develop a boathouse? We also must get the input of people that are not involved with rowing. The plan that is finally developed must be one that holds everyone accountable for what they are to do. Identifying the stakeholders in the project within our entities and outside of the rowing family is imperative. Need to identify committee chairs. We should start with internal committee members then bring in the outside people. Peter Gozar suggested with have a separate Boathouse meeting on a bi-monthly basis


Tim Marcovy motioned we adopt the proposed timeline and have the WRRF president appoint the initial steering committee members. The motion passed. We asked that everyone at future meetings suggest possible members to this project inside and outside of rowing.


Tim Marcovy also motioned that the delegates go back to their groups and get commitment to this process and get their buy-in. The motion passed.

Pat Monroe asked if there would be more money available to the program this year. There was $3000 last year. Coaches for this year are already lined up.


No report


The new (SOP) Standard Operating Procedure will be addressed in old business. A new safety certification program will be available in the next 30 days. Incident reports must be filled out. Tim stressed that we error on the side of reporting everything!!!


Tim Marcovy and Don Saer went to a River Safety Taskforce Meeting and presented their program to the Coast Guard. The Cuyahoga River is a federal waterway. There may be some future issues with Personal Flotation Devices. Don Saer is working to possibly get us some to try out. They must be designed in such a way as to not to restrict the actual rowing stroke.


No report


Dave Werner wants to make a presentation at our next meeting about the HOTC (Head of the Cuyahoga) Regatta.


  1. Reports from Member Organizations

They have 44 girls rowing this year from Padua, Magnificat, Avon Lake, Bay Village, Beaumont, and Hathaway Brown.


They are on the water and rowing. Will be entering a number of events this spring.


On Saturday 3-31-01 they are having a Learn-to-Row session for parents as well as a christening for their new eight.


They have 26 girls rowing this year, double from last year. They are going to be looking to purchase a used eight.


They are in spring conditioning. They also will be rowing this spring in Wisconsin and West Virginia.


No Report.


The competive crews will begin rowing this weekend 3-31-01. The equipment schedule will be available soon. The SRL program is full, in fact 2 more crews than last year. A comment was made to expand on the logbook to make additional comments if need be.


  1. Boathouse Operations Report

Don Saer reported that the radios are working. Everything else is up and running and functional.

He suggested that we also have a small motor operations class and he wants to be made aware of any launch problems.


He wants everyone to read and thoroughly understand the new SOP. This manual must be strictly adhered to. He wants everyone to become safety certified at a minimum level one.


He also stated that we need a new schedule sheet for singles and doubles.


  1. Treasurer's Report

Harry presented the financial statement we have a positive balance of $9019.21 but many bills due in the next few weeks. The 2001 assessments will be sent out in the next month. Harry also wants to pull together a budget for 2001.


  1. Old Business

Tim Marcovy presented the new 2001 Standard Operating Procedure manual. The motioned passed to adopt the new manual.


  1. New Business

No new business.


  1. Announcements

Cathy Petryshyn said that we have 4 candidates for judges for US Rowing.


Kathryn will not be at the April Meeting.


  1. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned just past 7:45 p.m. The next meeting is April 27th at 6:00 P.M. at the Carnegie Fulton Library.



Minutes respectfully submitted by:

Jeff Jensen, WRRF Secretary