Western Reserve Rowing Foundation Minutes

April 24, 2001

Carnegie Fulton Library



  1. Roll Call Introductions

Harry Fisher- WRRF Jeff Jensen-WRRA

Kevin Daulhausen-WRRA/Shaker Jeff Renston-WRRA

Tim Marcovy-WRRA Kelly Blazek-WRRA

Cathy Petryshyn-WRRA Pat Monroe-WRRF Pete Whittaker-CWRU Jackie Virant-JCU

Peter Gozar-WRRA Katie Bammel-Shaker

Jim Mack- WRRA Harold Mazzarins- WRRA

  1. Approval of Minutes

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


The minutes from the March meeting were approved.


  1. Reports from Committees

Three sub-committees have been formed: Stakeholders headed by Eric Schmidt, Site headed by Peter Gozar, and Boathouse Design headed by Mark Silverstein.

It has been rumored that Bart Wolstein is looking to unload some of his properties in the Flats. We might want to contact his group in the future to inquire into this.

Pat Monroe asked if there would be more money available to the program this year. There was $3000 last year. Pat is still waiting for the 2001 funds. If he gets more money he could get more kids. If funds stay the same he will have the same amount of kids as last year, 25. The flyers about the program will be sent out in the next few weeks.

Jim Mack suggested we not be pennywise and pound-foolish. Especially since we want as much community visibility as possible with future fund raising efforts on the horizon. We should be doing as much for the community as we can. He also suggested we go to WRRA for a possible donation.

We could also go to the clubs for a monetary donation or use of their equipment, coaches, or coxing. We are going to put it on the agenda for next month's meetings.

Pat will invite back the 25 paying youths this summer to break even and if we get additional funding he will approach various community agencies for other kids for the program.

The group was in agreement; if possible, we would like to give Pat more money. The program would be bigger if Pat has more money. The kids in the program last year paid for the camp. It was $210 for a 3-week session and $175 for a 4-week session. Pat stated that it costs about $3400 for an additional 25 kids.

Jim Mack motioned that we approach the finance committee for an additional $3000 for the program and the motion passed.

Eric Schmidt is heading up the committee and will try to communicate with everyone via email when things of interest need to be communicated.

SOP 2001 is on the WRRA website. There is a correction on page 6. SQL's- coaching level must have CPR certification.

SQL 0 must have the walk through by the first of May. There will be an open book exam and a written exam. The dates for the exams and their deadlines will be posted on the website.

Commercial traffic on the river appears to be faster and less courteous. Please be cautious of this and be extra careful when on the river.

No report

There is a general meeting for the HOTC regatta on Monday, April 30th at the Carnegie West Branch of the Cleveland Public Library from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.



  1. Reports from Member Organizations


They have 42 girls rowing this year and their first regatta is this week. Everything is proceeding nicely.

They cleaned up last week at the Marietta regatta. Will be entering a number of events this spring.

Entered a few regattas this spring. Spring session is just about finished. Nothing else to report.

Laurie Ronis reported in abstentia via email. Shaker is competing at the Cincinnati Junior Invitational, Detroit Midwest Scholastics, Columbus Governors Cup, and the Mercyhurst Invitational. Any other teams going to these events are welcome to share space on their trailer if needed. They should speak to Kevin or Katie. They are still actively seeking to purchase a used eight.

The Governors cup may accept some Master participants for the regatta.

They went to Madison to row and the regatta was cancelled due to bad weather. They also will be rowing in West Virginia this weekend.

No Report.

The River Sweep is May 12th. We are hoping for a great turnout from all rowing associations so we make our presence seen in the Flats community.


  1. Boathouse Operations Report

The wooden door to the old boathouse is being fixed. The riggers on the Seashell are broken and need to be fixed.


  1. Treasurer's Report

Harry presented the financial statement. It still needs to be reconciled. The 2001 assessments were distributed. Harry also wants to pull together a budget for 2001.

Harry reported that unfortunately we are being fined by the IRS for late filing on the 1999 tax return. We cannot continue with the current accountant, as he is unreliable. Anyone who knows of accountants with non-profit experience, please contact Harry.

Harold Mazzarins motioned that Harry present us with a plan at the next meeting to look for new accountants. The motion passed.


  1. Old Business

No old business


  1. New Business

Kelly Blazek presented a bill going to the State for the registration and numbering of rowing shells. It hasn't passed yet but it is inevitable that we will have to begin to do this in the very near future. The registration will be administered by the ODNR, Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The official bill details is on file in the WRRF meeting minutes file for those interested in reviewing specifics of it.


  1. Announcements

The Cleveland Sports Commission is a very influential organization in town that the Association is becoming a part of for future exposure in northeastern Ohio.


Peter Gozar said that he is looking for volunteers for a Foundation web page. Moving forward with all our efforts, it may be to our benefit to have a more stand-alone page. It may assist us when we really begin to market and fund raise. Kevin Daulhausen will look into listing clevelandrowing.org as the web name.


  1. Adjournment

The meeting adjourned just past 7:40 p.m. The next meeting is May 29th at 5:30 P.M. at the Carnegie Fulton Library.



Minutes respectfully submitted by:

Jeff Jensen, WRRF Secretary