The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. Several new people were introduced:

• Aleks Stoller from University School was in attendance because their school is considering starting a rowing program;
• Matthew Previts, was introduced as the new Chairman of HOTC;
• Mika Cybyk, Karen Provenzano and Amy Valentino were introduced as the new co-chairs of "Row for the Cure."

Also in attendance were:

Peter Gozar, President
Mark Silverstein, Vice President
Brenda Soukup, Secretary
Doug Carlson/WRRA
Tim Marcovy/WRRA
Jackie Virant/JCU
Harold Mazzarins/WRRA
Evan Halprin/CWRU
Jim Mack/WRRA
David Tarditi/WRRA
Lis Kroepel
Jim Ptacek/SRL
Dan DiAngelo/BW/CSU
Tom Kimball/CSRA
Eric Schmidt/WRRF
Kelly Blazek
Don Saer/BOD
Kathy Whitford/WRRA

The minutes from the March meeting were not available for approval. They will be sent out within the coming week and will be voted on at the next meeting.

Harry Fisher was not present at the meeting to give the Treasurer’s Report. However, it was reported that assessments went out to the larger organizations and will be sent to the smaller organizations shortly.

• Tim asked the delegates to take the message back to their organizations that the Coast Guard stated that with the new steel company is due to start up shortly and we will see an increase in freighter traffic.
• The east coast is adopting the requirement of an on-line boating safety course which we will investigate.
• Tim warned us that beginning the Friday before Memorial Day not to go downstream of the Center Street bridge.
• Dan DiAngelo reported that construction/welding was being done under the Eagle Street bridge and to be cautious.
• Tim reported that the SOP is now in final form. They made two content changes to the SOP; they made a specification of guest members who are experienced; and they included revisions for other boats (i.e., kayaks, rowers, etc.)

A motion was made, seconded and passed to approve the final SOP in its current form.

• Don reported that he is building the boat racks to 7-high and needs volunteers to help work on them.
• Launches are three-fourths welded.
• We’ve had problems with the electrical because the construction workers who put the new roof on drilled screws into power cord. Watch out for the extension cords.
• Some launches are still not registered; either get them registered or give Don the information and he will get them registered.
• Paul Delbane asked Tim to convey the message that the damaged Vespoli (8) sitting outside in the parking lot will be disposed of unless a member organization would like to repair it, although they have determined that it is not worth repairing. David Tarditi suggested using it as a fundraiser and charging $10 for taking a hit on it with a sledgehammer.

David reported that they have been contacting fund raising professionals to draw up a road map for us. Specifically, they’ve talked to Karen Gillette, a fundraiser. We could also contract her to be a quasi fare executive director for WRRF to write grants and bring in money. In the discussions, she mentioned that we have a very "different" structure for a typical non-profit organization (i.e., no board of directors or executive director). She feels that our proposal is great, but without the formal structure or leadership, we would have difficulty getting grants. David and Doug will try to put together a map of what the organizational structure should look like to create more of a leadership structure conducive to getting grants and donations.

Doug stated that in trying to get contributions for the new boathouse, now is the time to take steps in venturing out in a major capital campaign. The following is an initial checklist for improvements in our organizational structure:

1. Review and analyze "best practices" structures and operating guidelines to enhance the organization’s ability to carry out its purposes and most effectively respond to future opportunities and challenges.
2. Better organize the governing structure to address and support the organization’s mission.
3. Improve policies and procedures to more effectively administer the organization’s program areas.
4. Enhance the ability to flexibly address future organizational needs, especially as it relates to the boathouse initiative and what in the future may be other master or strategic plans.

Mark reported that we have been building a coalition with other organizations in the city because it’s obvious that we’re not going to build this boathouse all by ourselves. The following are some of the people we’re currently forming a loose coalition with:

• American Red Cross
• Century Cycles to rent bikes and roller blades
• Cleveland Site Center to rent tandem bicycles
• Arupe Group
• Another company to rent canoes and kayaks
• Possible restaurant
• Conference center

Ryan McKenzie of EcoCity recommended that we probably would be able to get some funding for a feasibility study through his connections and stated that a lot of government agencies won’t touch this until a feasibility study has been done. Also, we need to start getting the word out about our regatta and special events. The community doesn’t know much about us. This coming Saturday at 9:00 a.m., five visually impaired people will meet at the boathouse in order to introduce them to the facility. They will have dry land training on May 18^th and will be on the water for 5 weeks in June.

Lis presented a draft Mission Statement which we will vote on at the next meeting. She also presented the "Virtual Boathouse" handout, which will use the power of the internet to help us plan and build this boathouse. Brian Asquith, Evan Halprin and Kevin Dalhausen are participating in the project and developing a web site.

There was discussion as to having a design competition for a logo and calling on all art students and graphic designers within the organizations. Bring all ideas to the next meeting.

An agenda is being put together for the event, which will be held September 8^th. They need volunteers to help and they also need publicity. It will be a non-stop rowing event with non-rowers participating also. They will be announcing their planning meeting dates in the near future.

Matt announced the date of this year’s HOTC is September 21^st from 8:00 to 5:00 (the Coast Guard gave us more time this year). The first planning meeting will be held tomorrow, Wednesday, and Matt will have a more detailed report at the next meeting.

• Fred Widen/Funding Document Approval – Fred was not in attendance. The funding document will be voted on at the next meeting.
• Kelly Blazek/Senate Bill 150 – This bill becomes effective July 5^th. Public colleges and public high schools are exempt from registering, but all other rowers need to register their shells before that time. The sticker will cost $30 for a 3-year period. Kelly also announced that ODNR also enacted legislation that we do not have to wear PFDs in the shells.

• CWRU – went to Governors Cup this past weekend; next week is Danvilles; they ordered a new boat.
• JCU – they have 5 races this season and therefore regret they cannot attend RiverSweep. Their club is requesting an extension on their assessment. Peter asked that a proposal be written up to be voted on at the next meeting.
• CSU – two weeks ago, 3 colleges held the first ever Cleveland Home Schools Championships, a new movement in Cleveland rowing.
• Shaker – not here.
• CSRA – 4 regattas on schedule; completed 2 already; Three Rivers this weekend and 17/18 in Cincinnati; "getto" trailer not properly registered.
• St. Ignatius – they’re two-thirds through season; last week was their best show despite rain and cost; won 9/11 races; new Vespoli might be ready next week.
• WRRA – they’re on the water

• University School is looking to start a new program. The school tried a decade or so ago, but the current class wants to try to get a team together and sign up for fall session. Tim told Erik to have their athletic department get in touch with us.
• Pepsi Machine a motion was passed to move the responsibility for the upkeep of the Pepsi machine to WRRA.

• RiverSweep May 11^th
• Lakefront meetings will be held May 7^th and May 9^th
• Tow Path meeting dates, May 3^rd at City Hall
• Row for the Cure meeting May 2^nd

The meeting was adjourned at 7:50 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Brenda L. Soukup, Secretary