Governing Council 2003

[vesperholly]

Not sure where to put this...

Is anyone attending Governing Council this year or have attended in the past? I'm going for the first time, and I'm going totally alone since no one else from my club is able to go.

There are a ton of seminars on Thursday I want to attend, but I'm not sure what each of them is about. For example, what is "Membership Development" really about? I'm definitely attending the Adult Skating Forum and the Eastern Sectional meeting, though. Is the Gala Banquet usually black-tie? Thanks for any replies, I have so many questions!!! :-)

Jocelyn

[Lee]

I haven't been to USFSA Governing Council things, but I have been to Skate Canada AGMs. I'm guessing Membership Development will be about how to increase your membership in your club.

Do go to as many sessions as you can -- you can learn sooo much from these things...have fun, too! It's soooo neat to meet skating people from across the country! So many different places, and so many similar problems. Enjoy!

[Elsy2]

Michigansk8er has gone....you might want to PM her....

[Terri C]

This too will be my first time at GC! The banquet dress for Saturday night is semi- formal- I've gotten my dress already. I will also be at the Adult Skaters Forum- anyone know what will be discussed there?
I'm also in a unique situation that while I live in the area where GC is held, I'm a delegate from another club.
Anyone going that has nayquestions about the Norfolk/ Virginia Beach area- please PM me and I'll be happy to help you!

[MidwestSkater]

I've been before and am planning to go this year too. The seminars are usually pretty good. I'm going to the Adult seminar, the Presentation mark seminar and a couple of others TBD. The gala should be fun and sometimes there are surprise guests that are not listed (i.e., elite skaters or former skaters)!

Hope this helps a little!

[Arsenette]

I've never been to Governing Council.. I *might* go just to see what's going on and if I can get any information to help our Federation.

I have no clue what to expect, if it costs anything.. that sort of thing.. HELP??!?!? :halo: :bow:

[Mel On Ice]

I am going as sole representative of my club. I was reviewing my packet so I could send my RSVP in today. I'm planning on arriving Wed. night so I'm rested and ready to attend everything all the seminars on Thursday.

I'm planning on attending:
Thursday
Judges Education
New Delegates
Adult Skating
Online Services
Midwestern Sectional
Synchronized Skating

Friday
Governing Council
Awards Reception

Saturday
Governing Council
President's Reception
Gala

I'm sure we will have nametags, but I am eager to meet and greet fellow forumites! Thanks for asking questions about the banquet, I was wondering what to pack and wear. Also, for the meetings, business casual as opposed to sweater & jeans?

[vesperholly]

A few more questions...

Semi-formal? I have a spaghetti-strap plain black knee-length dress from Banana Republic, is that too formal?

Is there any kind of etiquette about attending one seminar or the other? Two that I really want to attend overlap (Qualifying Competitions ends at noon but New Delegates starts at 11:30). Would I be able to duck out of Qualifying Competitions 30 mins early?

And, how in-depth are the seminars? I am trying to decide between Club Finance and Adult Skating but I'm unsure as to what kind of information might be covered. I don't want to go to anything that's too basic. I'm not really an adult skater yet but I'm interested in their plans. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!

Jocelyn

[Mel On Ice]

If you go to Adult Skating and New Delegates, we can hang together :) I'm not sure what to expect since this is my first trip, but reviewing the packet, it looks like the organizers are putting together binders of information for you, so that is why they are asking for your plans in advance. I think even if there is a little overlap, I'd sign up for it anyway.

I'm going to err on the side of being TOO well-dressed for the gala (I'm thinking of a black satin dress with a hot pink-to-violet wrap) and wear business casual for the rest of the meetings.

[Arsenette]

Is there ANY information online about this? I can't find a bloody thing in the USFSA website.. Can someone help? :oops:

[vesperholly]

Well, essentially it's a "little black dress" so it should probably work! :-)

I already got a big packet in the mail - it's mostly stuff that will probably take place on Friday at the actual GC. Interesting stuff, from what I skimmed. It had a breakdown of pass/retry for every test by Section. It will be a good plane-ride read.

I haven't faxed my seminar thing or sent the Gold Medal Gala. I couldn't find a deadline on either. Mel if you are going to the Gala too should we request to sit together? :-)

Jocelyn

[Mel On Ice]

Jocelyn, THAT would be GREAT. I have already mailed my form, but you can request to sit with Melissa Garland, from St. Peters FSA, St. Peters, MO. We shall revel, drink, point out big-name skaters and gossip together. (I'm hoping if Carol Heiss is there, so will Tonia K!)

Deadline for RSVPing the hotel was 4-4-03, but I doubt you will have any trouble securing a room. I think the rest of the deadlines are 4-15.

For anyone who knows the area, should I reserve a car or take the bus to the hotel? By the looks of the list, I will be in meetings most of the time, but I don't want to be so sequestered that our hotel is miles away from anything.

Arsenette, I have my packet 'o' stuff at home, but I can peruse and see if there is any contact names I can find for you. It would be great to meet you, perhaps you'd like to join Jocelyn and I for the gala?

[Arsenette]

That would be wonderful to meet new people.. not sure if I'm going or not.. trying to gather as much information to present to our Board to see if we should be there or not. Is there a registration fee or something? I haven't heard anything and have no idea how much anything costs.. :oops:

[singerskates]

Hi,

This is for all who are going.

Please pass on info on Competitive Adult Skaters http://www.fs4christ.com/CAS.html The yahoo group meets at http://ca.groups.yahoo.com/group/compadultsk8s/ when you all go to the Adult Skating session.

compadultsk8s would like to invite adult skaters and coaches of adult skaters ages 18+ be they just starting learn to skate (have to be competing) to test adult skaters/amateur to eligible competitive regular stream to pro skaters. The idea is to promote adult competitive skating around the world and to share tips, advice and competition dates, trade competitive tips, experiences, competition info and life as an adult competitive skater and so on. This group does not replace the skaters' and/or coaches' skating federations/associations or skating clubs and asks for no money. Joining is free.

Welcome to the Competitive Adult Skaters (CAS) Yahoo Group.

Due to the presence of the word "Adult" in our group name, we receive numerous applications from non-skaters. Your response to this message will ensure that our group remains free from persons advertising "adult" materials that have nothing to do with figure skating.

Please respond by clicking "reply" and let us know your age, location (city and province or state, or country if outside of North America), and a little bit about your skating background.

If we do not receive a response from you within one week after your application to join the group, your membership will be denied and you will have to re-apply and respond to this letter to be approved to join the group.

Those who falsefy their bio info to say that they are a skater and/or coach and/or post filth such as porn will be banned for life.

CAS is not meant for skating fans. It's for skaters and coaches of skaters. Fans will not be allowed in CAS. (Note real figure skaters and coaches of real figure skaters who are fans of pro and elite skaters will not be considered fans.)

Thank you for your patience and for joining compadultsk8s!

The Moderators

Send info to compadultsk8s-owner@yahoogroups.ca



Brigitte

[Mrs Redboots]

Brigitte, I just tried to send you a private message but got the response that your mailbox was full.....

[vesperholly]

Ok Mel, I will put your name down! I am Jocelyn Delmar from Amherst SC, Amherst NY BTW. :-) Arsenette, the cost is $40 and this is for the gala event only. It sounds like it's simply a fun get-together after GC.

I already got the hotel and a flight, I'm getting in Weds night and leaving at the butt-crack of dawn on Sunday. I just need to book a shuttle from the Norfolk airport to the hotel. I'm only 22 and you need to be 25 to rent a car out of state!!! :P

Jocelyn

Edited to say that I'm definitely going to New Delegates, but I will probably end up at Club Finance instead of Adult Skating. Other than voicing my opinion about having an equivalency thing for Standard-track Moves tests, I don't have much else. I'm sure I can get info if I need to. :-)

[vesperholly]

Originally posted by Arsenette
That would be wonderful to meet new people.. not sure if I'm going or not.. trying to gather as much information to present to our Board to see if we should be there or not. Is there a registration fee or something? I haven't heard anything and have no idea how much anything costs.. :oops:

Arsenette, are you talking about your club? You had to turn in names of people who would be attending back in February. The USFSA mailed info in late Dec/early Jan, and then you had to RSVP with names by Feb 15 (I think). Depending on the number of skaters who are your home club members, you can send anywhere from 1 to 5 delegates. Attending the GC itself is free, but travel expenses are not and typically paid for by your club. If you want to go, I would call the USFSA ASAP!

Jocelyn

[skaternum]

Arsenette, call USFSA headquarters and ask them directly about GC registration. Is your club a USFSA member club? If so, the club should have received a packet of info. (It drives me nuts that they never put any of the pre-GC info on the website. And God help you if you try to use the search function on that site!!)

[Terri C]

Hey all,
Got my agenda in the mail today! Sounds like a silly question, but do we get binders to put the agenda in, or do we have to buy our own?
The packet looks like a good afternoon at Starbucks read.
Again, if anyone has any questions about the Norfolk, Virginia Beach area, PM me, and I will be happy to help you!

[Arsenette]

Originally posted by skaternum
Arsenette, call USFSA headquarters and ask them directly about GC registration. Is your club a USFSA member club? If so, the club should have received a packet of info. (It drives me nuts that they never put any of the pre-GC info on the website. And God help you if you try to use the search function on that site!!)

No.. we are not a club of the USFSA.. we are a separate Nation getting ISU Sanction soon (as soon as our dang rink comes up :roll: ).. I heard that Canada among others sit and watch. I was curious if we should too!

[Mel On Ice]

I'd try to get a hold of the USFSA and see if you can participate then. Call and ask to speak with someone on the planning committee for the Governing Council.

Offer still stands to join Jocelyn and me for dinner!

I received my packet in the mail yesterday too. Some of it was interesting and the rest was pretty boring. Looks like my briefcase is going with me now - rats. I am really looking forward to getting involved.

[skaternum]

Arsenette, I'd definitely try to go if I were you. I went last year, and I think there's a lot of info and activity there that would be useful to you. Give them a call and see what they can do for you. I know people from our club who go to GC every year, but they're not registered as delegates. They're just interested attendees.

[Arsenette]

USFSA Governing Council Link (http://www.usfsa.org/news/2002-03/GC2003/)

Well howdy friggin' do.. I saw the link on another thread (about proposed regional changes - on General Chat)..

I emailed USFSA yesterday.. let's see if they get back to me - I'm at work so they might have done it already :oops: Will keep you updated to see if I'm doing the trip ;)

[Arsenette]

BTW.. anyone having problems even getting the .pdf files??

[Mel On Ice]

yes, quite a few dead links there

[MidwestSkater]

You may want to try using the download instructions that the USFSA Online forms section has. This has worked for me in the past.

Instructions copied directly from the Online forms section of the USFSA web site:


Note: It is highly recommended that you download the new Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0. Click on the icon to the right to go to the Adobe web site and download a FREE copy.

New (8/02) Opening PDF documents directly from Web pages can sometimes cause your computer to stop responding or "freeze." To avoid this in Windows: 1) Save the file to your computer by right-clicking directly on the link and selecting the option "Save Target As" or "Save Link As" from the pop-up menu that appears. 2) Then go to the saved file and double-click it. That will launch the Acrobat software and open the file.

[vesperholly]

I got a phone call from the Sheraton today while I was at work - they said the hotel is sold out!!! I am so screwed if they can't get me a room - if I stay anywhere that isn't within a few minutes walking distance, I can't go. You have to be 25 to rent a car out of state, and I'm only 22. :-(

I am calling them tomorrow - they'd better find something!

Jocelyn

[Arsenette]

Update on GC (for us at least) - I have to get information from someone else to be an "observer" - that is provided we can afford to go anyways ;)

[Terri C]

For those attending GC, please note:
The Gold Medal Banquet was supposed to have Sarah Hughes as a speaker . She has been replaced by........

MICHELLE KWAN!!!!

I just found this out yesterday!

Jocelyn, how did you make out getting a hotel room???

Terri

[Mazurka Girl]

Originally posted by Arsenette
BTW.. anyone having problems even getting the .pdf files??
Are you downloading them to your file by right clicking? You used to be able to open them up without downloading them, but now they seem like they all need to be downloaded first.

You should go if you can, it would be good experience for anyone on a board to see a meeting of this size conducted. I don't go, but my mom does & it always sounds interesting.

[Mazurka Girl]

. double post

[vesperholly]

Originally posted by Terri C
For those attending GC, please note:
The Gold Medal Banquet was supposed to have Sarah Hughes as a speaker . She has been replaced by........

MICHELLE KWAN!!!!

I just found this out yesterday!

Jocelyn, how did you make out getting a hotel room???

Terri

OMG, LOVE MICHELLE!!! :-D awesome!

I got a hotel room ok - I think they ended up shuffling other parties around to fit everyone from GC in. Now I've got to book the shuttle from the airport and I'll be all set!

Jocelyn

[Mel On Ice]

Originally posted by Terri C
She has been replaced by........

MICHELLE KWAN!!!!

OMG! OMG! OMG!

The mighty Kwan! 8O :D :o ;) :!: :bow:

[Terri C]

During my Saturday night "cruisin' the web" session. I discovered that we will be in for a very interesting GC.
Apparently, there will be a town meeting on Thursday night held by the folks who are putting the WSF together. On the USFSA website, there is a letter for all GC delegates from John Lefevre, Executive Director of the USFSA!

The weather forecast for this week's GC meeting.
Outside, the high will be in the upper 70's to low 80's with a chance of thunderstorms each day. Low tempreatures will be in the low to mid 60's.

Inside the Sheraton:

CONTROVERSY!!!

[vesperholly]

No kidding! I actually got that letter in an e-mail from the USFSA.

Yikes...

Jocelyn

[Arsenette]

What did the letter say?

I'm bummed.. I can't go this year :cry:

edited to say that I just ran into that in the USFSA site 8O

[Stormy]

I'm also bummed I'm not going. Last year I had a great experience at GC. :(