Introductions of the officers and members present.

Financial report given by Treasurer, John Trojanowski.

• There appears to have been no account activity from the years 1995-1999
• Louise Lepie from Bayou City Fencing Academy (BCFA) wants to know about the monies from Junior Olympic Qualifiers and Division Qualifiers
• Statement of known accounts were given
• Statements will be posted on division website. Members may get a printed copy by requesting one from John Trojanowski.

Andrey Geva stressed the importance of checking the new website for information.

Apologizes for the length of time it took to develop and the Board agrees that the new website, www.gulfcoastfencing.com, is the official website of the Gulf Coast Division.

Question raised about the validity of emailing versus mail.  USFA rules state that official division communication should be made through US mail.  It was suggested that postcards should be used to conserve postage regarding division communications.

Tournaments and Club Censures

• August Skopik explained USFA By-Laws
• Any club that has hosted a tournament over a USFA Tournament is prohibited of hosting a Divisional tournament.
• Louise Lepie raised concerns over BCFA censures.
• No proof could be provided other than August Skopik’s word.

Question raised about the division’s decision made to hold the Southwest Sectional Circuit Cup (SSCC) event with Katy Blades and not with Texas A&M University.  A&M and BCFA both claim they were told by August Skopik that they would host the event.  An email was submitted for the record that depicted Katy Blades and Salle Mauro jointly hosting the event.  The section then denied Salle Mauro from partaking due to hosting events on top of the SSCC tournaments in the past.  Katy Blades was allowed to host the event alone.

• Katy Blades was decided to host the event because they were thought to be a neutral site.
• Marty Wysocki questioned the relationship of Katy Blades and Salle Mauro
• August Skopik stated that the decision was made during an officers meeting.
• The final decision was apparently made after the section deadline.
• Louise Lepie questioned the Gulf Coast officers why BCFA was denied host of the SSCC.
• August Skopik stated BCFA had scheduled over the Crescent City SSCC in the past.
• Louise stated she talked with August Skopik during the first Friday in June and he made a request that she hold the event.
• Louise requested letters of proof. There were none to present off-hand.
• Andrey Geva stated he spoke with August Skopik who told him that BCFA was censured. He trusted the word of his officers.
• Angela Torres—Southwest Section Chair came forth to explain the procedure for selecting a club to host an SSCC event and why BCFA had been censureded. [sic]
• Louise Lepie stated that there is no proof to these allegations. Continued that she did not host a tournament on the date they are being censured for.
• August Skopik answers with how clubs are chosen for the SSCC.

Andrey Geva referred to the section by-laws and the SSCC operations manual for definition of what is considered “censured” and what is not.

• It was requested that the criteria for censuring a tournament/club be determined.

Andrey Geva read an email regarding the South Houston High School Jingle Bells tournament on November 15^th.  After some debate, and helpful insight by Jerry Benson (the section USFA representative), it was determined that the Jingle Bells 2003 tournament is a sanction [sic] USFA tournament and there is no reason now to hold the club or the fencers to any censure regarding the miscommunication therein.  Mauro Hamza will sign new ratings received during that tournament.

Scott Harris inquired as to how tournaments were scheduled.  At the start of the year, August Skopik and Andrey Geva sent out a request by email and all clubs submit [sic] their tournament dates.  These dates were posted on the division calendar.  The division should approve all dates.

Louise Lepie proposed that Junior Olympic qualifiers can be hosted at BCFA and the profits can be split between all of the clubs.

• It was determined that it was too late to change the venue for JO qualifiers, as it must be done with 30 days written notice. The venue for divisionals may still be changed.
• Andrey Geva requested a reason to change the venue. Answered by Louise Lepie that the same club has hosted the event for the past five years. Andrey suggested that we find the club with the best program and distribute the events accordingly (ie. The club with the best sabre program, host the sabre qualifying events, the club with the best youth program host the youth qualifying events, etc.)
• Robyn Schuster recommends that the tournaments be rotated between clubs. Andrey Geva does not agree with this solution.
• Louise Lepie questions the lack of strip length legality and the Katy Blade tournament and at previous divisional tournaments.

Andrey Geva suggested that Louise Lepie and Jerry Dunaway sit down with the Board to settle their differences.

Robyn Schuster inquires to the division policy of monies earned from division tournaments.  There is no standing policy.

Mark Carlton suggested that a tournament committee be formed.

• Louise Lepie requested that in the future, clubs submit proposals for tournament selection regarding the division tournaments.
• Bill Trapani suggested that the committee be selected to objectively find the best facility for division tournaments to be hosted. A portion of each entry fee be given back to the club of which they are from. Everyone hosts events together.
• August Skopik expresses a concern over having all tournaments locked up in one venue.
• Nicole Trojanowski suggested that there be a motion which will not allow the three major division tournaments (SSCC, J.O.’s, and Divisionals) be hosted by the same club.
• August Skopik suggests that clubs be selected basted on:
  • Ranking of fencers on a national basis
  • Adequate facility and strips
  • Adequate referees and judges available
  • Experience in running/hosting similar tournaments
• Robyn Schuster states that National Ranking should have nothing to do with the selection. Should be based entirely on the facility and a history of past successful tournaments on the same caliber. Suggested that they look strictly on the best interest of the fencers.
• Suggested that a committee should be appointed with one member form each club to come up with a proposal on how to host division tournaments and how the proceeds will be split. The committee should not consist of club presidents, owners, coaches, or other individuals which might have a personal vested interest.
• August Skopik suggested that the money from division tournaments be split between the division and the hosting club. The hosting club should prepare an itemized list of expenditures.
• As it is not in the by-laws how the money is dispersed, it should be considered the responsibility of the committee to determine the policy.
• August Skopik suggests that the committee meets twice monthly until all matters have been determined.
• Andrey Geva should be the contact for the committee until a committee chair is selected at the first meeting. The date/time/location will be posted on the division website.