MICHIGAN BOARD OF VOLLEYBALL OFFICIALS (MBVO)

Brian Hemelgarn, PAVO Clinician – August 10, 2008

Following the clinic and prior to the MBVO Annual Business Meeting, Brian clarified the USAV/PAVO Reciprocity Agreement (“Agreement”) for the members. His discussion points were the following:

1) The Agreement is only a “point of entry” to allow movement from one organization to the other.

2) The Agreement allows mainly for prior experience requirements to be waived, which is not relative to MBVO, as they do not have any prior experience requirements in place.

3) No PAVO rating is guaranteed through the Agreement until the USAV official reaches the Junior National level.

4) USAV Junior National officials may reciprocate to a PAVO State rating without participating in a practical rating, but must still meet local requirements (i.e., clinic attendance & theoretical exams).

5) The USAV Junior National must renew their State rating though the same procedures used by MBVO for officials that earned their State rating through the PAVO organization.

- Presently when a MBVO Local upgrades to a State they are required to do their first State renewal two years later through an on-court rating process, which MBVO calls their Initial State Renewal. If all goes well they then become eligible to do their successive State renewals via a card renewal process going forward.

- State renewal activity for USAV Junior Nationals has not been clearly presented in the Agreement, and therefore MBVO’s officers have allowed the USAV Junior National to go directly to the card process. The MBVO officers have been directed by PAVO to correct this deficiency and use the same renewal process for all State officials, regardless of the avenue in which they earned their State rating. The MBVO Board Handbook is to be revised to reflect PAVO’s directive.

6) On-court ratings are required for USAV Regional or Provisional officials, and they must also meet local requirements to determine which PAVO rating they will earn (i.e., clinic attendance and meeting PAVO/MBVO pre-defined theoretical and practical examination scores before upgrading to a PAVO Local or State rating.)

Minutes of the MBVO’s Annual Business Meeting

1. The meeting was called to order by Chair Ann Hutchins at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 10, 2008 on the campus of Michigan State University.

2. Chair Ann Hutchins introduced the Executive Committee (E/C) of Regional Representatives (R/R) Jill Baker-Cooley (North), Sarah DeBoe (West), Cary Grant (Interim Southwest), Mike Mullin (East) and Brian Smith (Central). Secretary/Treasurer Betty Near recorded the minutes of the meeting. Ann also introduced Gretchen Galloway-Gavalis, who had been asked to serve as the Sergeant of Arms.

3. Ann introduced new members Jacqui Gatt (Livonia), Larry Klimek (Grosse Point Farms), Pat Lickfeldt (Lansing), Carrie McCaw (Royal Oak), Scott Kurtz (Canton) and Denise Sombati (returning member from Allen Park).

4. The following people were recognized, including:

- Sharon Harris-Higgins in earning her USAV National, National scorekeeping and beach certifications. She has also been accepted to attend an upcoming PAVO National rating and was wished well.

- Perry Sutherland earned his USAV Junior National & Larry Klimek earned his USAV beach certification

- DeLee Dankenbring had been presented with the Denise Izatt PAVO scholarship to apply towards her attendance at a spring PAVO training camp

- Linda Hoover had again been chosen to work the 2008 NCAA Softball Women’s World Series

- Several others have been recommended to move up to the next level of certification pending their theoretical examination scores. Ann will send an e-mail announcement on these pending upgrades.

5. Betty opened discussion on the minutes from the 8/10/07 meeting, which had been e-mailed to the group in September of 2007, and also posted on the www.MBVO.org website.

Upon a motion duly made by Sharon Harris-Higgins and seconded by Mike Mullin, respectively, it was resolved that the Minutes be approved. Motion carried - no dissent.

6. The members were urged to visit the website and Ann suggested print off the documents there for ongoing use (i.e., Bylaws, Newsletter, Roster, etc.). Member information changes should be e-mailed to Ann Hutchins, Kent Neitzert and Betty Near. PAVO also asked us to remind members that they are required to go on the PAVO.org website and keep their information current as well.

7. Betty shared the list of 2008 practical ratees, including: Jill Baker-Cooley, Ray Bauer, Bob Canute, Arnie Gray, Jon Morris, Mark Petrie, Debi Schug, Denny Troshak & Marc Van Maldegen. Those completed so far included Cary Grant, Dan Silva, Brian Smith, Denise Sombati and Perry Sutherland.

8. Ann and Betty shared that PAVO is intending to collect all monies in 2009 including dues, in addition to OTP clinic registration. They will then return a portion to the state boards for local operating expenses. The group was reminded to watch for e-mails from PAVO.

9. Betty shared the treasurer’s report, which indicated a balance forwarded of $1,358, revenue of $7,516 and expenses of $4,125, leaving a capital of $4,729. There were no points of emphasis per se, other than the need to present better reimbursement for raters. There is a flat $600 line item for raters, which amounted to their receiving $15/ratee in the spring 2008. The recommendation will be presented to the E/C at the next meeting to increase this line item to $1,000. With that increase taken into account our projected 2008 Y/E balance will be $2,544.00. Other line items remained status quo. After questions were taken from the floor, and

Upon a motion duly made by Bob Canute and seconded by Pat Folkertsma, respectively, it was resolved that the Treasurer’s report be approved. Motion carried - no dissent.

10. Ann shared with the group the E/C’s awareness that there had been some relaxation in the past with overseeing member commitments/timelines required to remain Active Members. She promised that she would be prompt with communication, and also shared that her expectations of the members were that they meet required deadlines for testing, rating, and etc. as presented by PAVO and MBVO. The deadline to take the PAVO Theoretical Test is October 15, 2008, and if Test B is needed the deadline is November 1, 2008.

11. Members were asked to pencil in the corresponding date for 2009 (8/9/09) as that will be Ann’s request to PAVO, and we have found that they rarely deny a Board’s first choice, if requested timely. Once confirmed the details will be added to the MBVO.org website. The group voiced their preference to return to the MSU location versus the MHSAA due to the stadium seating.

12. We learned that there is a mini-website on PAVO’s site and Ann will learn more about this for us.

13. If coaches/players receive red cards an e-mail/call should be made to Ann Hutchins. Both assignors present (Jeanne Skinner and Betty Near) voiced their wishes to receive notice as well - as soon as possible after the occurrence.

14. Members were directed to utilize their R/R versus contacting other officers or officials.

15. The floor was opened for discussion on the proposed revisions to the bylaws and none immediately surfaced.

Jeanne Skinner made a motion, and Mark Petrie seconded it to accept the bylaws as revised and in their entirety.

Two members then indicated they wished to talk about some of the specific points in the revised bylaws. After an ongoing discussion the chair cut off the discussion and called for a vote on the motion that was open on the floor.

Thirty members were in support of the revised document as is, seven voted no, and three abstained. Motion carried.

16. Debi Schug, Chairperson of the Nominating Committee (N/C) was introduced and she in turn presented her committee, including DeLee Dankenbring, Carol Willson and Owen Nakamura.

Upon a motion duly made by Mark Petrie and seconded by Pat Folkertsma, respectively, it was resolved that all nominations be closed. Motion carried - no dissent.

Upon a motion duly made by Eleanor Dorow and seconded by Cary Grant, respectively, it was resolved that there be a straw vote in lieu of a written ballot as Betty Near was running unopposed. Motion carried – one opposed.

17. While the N/C was tallying the results Ann passed out cards for State renewals, including: Bill Barone, Betty Near, Kent Neitzert, Bette Norman-Nakamura, Bill Raymond, Jeanne Skinner, Patty Treman & Carol Willson. She presented the following PAVO/MBVO parameters and suggestions, which included:

- Raters must hold a State or National certification.

- Cards should be given to different coaches/officials than before for different feedback

- Must be given to coaches minimally at the D-III level

- Must occur at a level above community college, even if the school is a four-year institution

- Suggesting that each person give out eight cards to ensure five are returned

- Give to two (2) coaches and three (3) officials, although PAVO has given us some flexibility in this regard

- Pre-stamp the cards as a courtesy.

Each State-renewing member will be advised on/near October 1 of their status on cards received so they still have time to react to meet the deadline before the season ends.

18. Jeanne Skinner, as the D-II assignor, reported that contracts should be coming from the schools for D-II, however, Cornerstone has only their tournaments done, and not the week matches. Sienna Heights and Aquinas contracts are still expected, however, no one should not go to a match because they do not have one. If you committed and were confirmed by Jeanne she’s planning on you. Cornerstone will be holding a scrimmage on Tuesday, August 19 and anyone interested in working should contact Jeanne. The pay for D-II has increased to $120.00 with a mileage increase for trips over 200 miles. D-III and NAIA will pay $90.00. She reminded everyone that the D-II Health Statement is due by September 1, 2008.

19. Debi announced the results of the voting which indicated that Brian Smith had been re-elected as the R/R from the Central Region, and Cary Grant was affirmed to serve the Southwestern Region.

20. Ann reminded the group that the assignors are independent contractors hired by the individual conferences, and that MBVO is not an assigning board. She announced that Gary Merrill is the Director of Officials/assignor for the Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCAA) – Eastern Conference.

21. Betty Near, as the MCCAA – Western Conference assignor, informed the group that Kalamazoo Valley would be paying $65.00 for 3/5’s at their tournament, and not the standard $85.00 for 3/5’s. She reminded the group that they would not receive individual contracts for each assignment, but instead would receive one Contract Letter listing all of their assignments/partners for the season.

22. There had been some discussion about whether or not liability issues could come into play for MBVO members that work with non-PAVO officials. Ann will follow-up with Marcia on this situation and share her findings with the MBVO members.

23. The map of redistricting the state was handed out to each member so they could see where the new lines would fall. The E/C had made this change for several reasons, including:

- Southwestern Region had lost several officials due to retirement, and are down to only four or five.

- No one in the Southwestern Region wanted to serve as an officer, or most had already done so.

- Central Regional had outgrown the R/R’s ability to handle ratings and oversight.

One member outside of the Eastern Region presented the concern that that region was still large. Ann responded that:

- There were in actuality two (2) officers living there to serve the members

- Member ratio to officer is about 9.5 to 1 – the same as the other regions

- Nothing has changed here in the past fifteen (15) years and no complaints have been received

- The East side area is very concentrated in one geographic area so dividing it would be difficult.

The officers are resolved to continue to monitor the districts, boundaries, and number of R/R’s needed to best serve all the members throughout the state.

24. As there was no other business to come before the members,

Upon a motion duly made by Brian Smith and seconded by Denise Sombati, respectively, it was resolved that the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried – one opposed.

Sincerely Submitted,

Betty J. Near

MBVO Secretary/Treasurer