December 23, 1999

Dear Dean:

First, let me say that the mechanism is already in place to handle reports when the chairman or presenter is not in attendance. If that occurs, the report is automatically given by George or myself.

An Artistic Committee proposal carried forward from the February 1999 Semi-annual meeting was tabled until February as the necessary documentation from this past year's regional championships had not been compiled. Other than that, there was not a report from the Artistic Committee. Their report is given at the Semi-annual meeting in accordance with the published Committee Procedures and timelines previously established by the board. All three committees (Artistic, Speed and Hockey) just met in Las Vegas following the Judges/Coaches Conference to review materials presented by regions, coaches and individuals and will compile their report from their findings.

The Committee Procedures allow for CHANGES THAT DO NOT EFFECT THE COMPETITIVE STRUCTURE as follows: Any changes that do not effect the competitive structure can be considered for immediate implementation by the Board of Directors at either the Annual or Semi-Annual Meeting provided proper review procedures have been followed.

CHANGES THAT EFFECT THE COMPETITIVE STRUCTURE - Any changes that effect competition, not limited to age, division structure, division eligibility or competitive requirements, must be submitted to the National Office prior to the Annual Meeting or no later than December 1of the current season. Such recommended changes will be presented to the Board of Directors at the Semi-Annual Meeting held in February for consideration to take effect on September 1 of the next competitive season. Only in extremely extenuating circumstances are changes considered without adhering to this time frame.

The timelines for submission and review of materials is as follows:

SEMI-ANNUAL MEETING THROUGH REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Regional coaching representatives hold meetings with the USARS coaches in their region, in their discipline. These meetings are completed by an established date which coincides with the completion of the nine region's skating championships. The purpose of these meetings is to generate new ideas or voice concerns, complaints, suggestions, etc.

REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS THROUGH START OF NATIONALS

Coaching Services receives and compiles information from various regional meetings into agenda for Regional Representative annual meeting at the National Championships.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Nine Regional of like discipline reps meet with Chair of pertinent discipline's committee to the BOD-reps can compare ideas from their home regions and are recognized to speak on their coaches' behalf. This process eliminates duplication and the resulting minutes and motions from said meeting are forwarded to Coaching Services.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS THROUGH ANNUAL BOARD MEETING

Coaching Services prepares minutes from the three national coaching rep meetings and provides a copy to the membership, the representatives and for the BOD's information.

ANNUAL BOARD MEETING THROUGH DECEMBER

Regional meetings/surveys are conducted held to discuss material in previously distributed minutes. Consensus is reached and forwarded by a specified date to Coaching Services for publication in ROLLER SKATING COACH and for distribution to pertinent BOD committees for use at their winter meetings. The coaches' opinion will serve as one source of input for the motions an directives ultimately put forth at the Semi-Annual BOD meeting.

I'm sorry that this is so lengthy, but I wanted to present the procedures followed by the committees and board. Unfortunately, with the transition from Jeff Walker to Christy, the coordination of regional materials by Coaching Services fell in the cracks. This has supposedly been rectified for the future.

If members of the region are concerned about proposals they had submitted, please convey to them that they were just now reviewed by the Artistic Committee. If they are to be presented at the Semi-annual meeting, they will be included in the Artistic Committee Report given at that time.

Thanks for you input and concerns.

Gary Castro