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Afternoon session: The End

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Ramsey Baker started the session with a wrap-up of the #GetUp campaign. The goal of the campaign has been to create a movement that will attract new skaters to the sport while growing audiences. They created personas as people to target - Karen (Core), Ashley (Core Teen) and Scott (New Audience). Lots of talk of marketing metrics.  Next up was Professional Skaters Association with Alex Chang talking. I thought I saw Jimmie Santee sneaking out of the room when Alex got up, but I could have been mistaken. The Outstanding Official award was given to Lorrie Parker. We did a little closing business on the requests for action and the budget. Amen.  The Nominations Committee's recommendations were presented and accepted. Changes to the slate of committee chairs - Steve Wolkin will be the chair of the Grievance Committee for one year while Dawn Eyerly will serve as a member of the committee to learn the ropes. Sam Auxier will be chairing the International Committee.   Jared Swall
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End of Isolations and New Business Starts

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Meanwhile back at the ranch... George is at the mic Request that the Competition Task Force continue their work - to introduce a U.S. Novice Singles final/championships held in conjunction with an existing sectional as their endpoint. With the current proposal the top two Novice skaters from each sectional go to Nationals to compete as a Junior. Lynn Goldman as chair of the Task Force accepted and the governing body approved the motion.  Then just as Rick Perez thought it was done, a slow walker isolated No. 438 - it removes the sit spin as an option for the Novice Men's Short Program - leaving only the camel spin as the only option. It was voted down and leaving the new rule in place.  Finally, the vote was announced for the new President of U.S. Figure Skating is Anne Cammett. Time for New Business  No. 501 amend rule 2463 Under A - Skaters who are tied at the same qualifying tier (sectional or regional) will be selected by random assignment or draw. It clarifies the
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Saturday morning news

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I got to the session late because the line at Starbuck's was SO long. I didn't think it would be a problem because U.S. Figure Skating usually starts with videos and 'feel good' stuff, but alas, when I got there the Technical Group was already at the head table. I got caught up quickly - they shared the news that there will be a mini (micro) system for IJS that will cost less than $10,000. Considering that IJS will eventually be everything, that's pretty important. The new system isn't tested yet, so not sure when it will be ready. The technical group talks about so many items that really affect the sport. Judges, technical, test, synchro, theatrical skating and competitions. News  Theater on Ice will be IJS only using the components. No technical marks Isolation: No. 429 - the new Juvenile Short program - motion to refer it back to committee. George got up and started doing math. Part of the issue was the No Triple Jump rule. But he talked about the
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Requests for Action discussion

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First up was Lorrie Parker and the Athletes Service Group.  Item No. 24 that was isolated was regarding the Athlete Advisory Committee election and the person isolating it wanted to have more transparency regarding the vote on the Members Only website. This is already in process, so it was resolved. The Membership Development group was next up on the platform - led by Alan Wolf. Item No. 202 was isolated regarding suspended members. The delegate who isolated it requested that the new rule be marked "Urgent" instead of July 1, 2019. Passed The Admin/Legal group was next, but we got side-tracked by legal counsel Tom James referencing back to Item No. 24 and whether we did that correctly. The question was scope of the amendment and that it was presented as a change to the rules.  Kris Cutler was able to speak one more time on SafeSport. A question was raised about using SSN for part of the background check. A suggestion was made that we use fingerprints instead, but th
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Isolations and Bylaw Voting

It's always interesting to see what people isolate from the items passed. We always seem to hold our breath to see what we're going to have to fight about discuss.  Items isolated: From the meeting book - page 151 - Item No. 24  Athletes Advisory Committee Amend rule AACR 1.11 (pages 41-42, Rulebook) as follows: AACR 1.11 The members of the Athletes Advisory Committee will be elected annually each spring as follows: A. Athletes meeting the definition of Article XXII, Section 1, of the U.S. Figure Skating bylaws will elect those athletes meeting the definition of Article XXII, Section 2, of the U.S. Figure Skating bylaws to serve as members of the committee for a period of one year and will number no more than 50. 1. Those elected must be at least 18 years of age and must be equally divided among ladies, men, pairs, ice dance and synchronized skating. 2. Athletes elected must not have competed for another country within the prior two years. 3. Athletes elected
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Governing Council Begins

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It's a full house at Governing Council. As per usual, the delegation from the Twin City Figure Skating Association is set up in the back of the house - one, so we can sneak out as needed; and two, because we're closer to the power outlets (at least for me and my computer). The keynote speaker was the NBC General Counsel talking about their ten-year relationship with U.S. Figure Skating and the new contract that takes us through 2026. Now in addition to NBC, NBCSN and the Olympic Channel, there will be NBC Sports Gold is a subscription product that is direct to consumer without going through networks. And unlike Ice Network, it will be available on mobile, tablets AND connected televisions (Smart TV). When that was mentioned, the crowd roared. First credential report: 559 active clubs and 6 provisional clubs with a potential of 1248 votes. Currently there are 343 delegates, 467 proxy votes and 240 athlete votes for 1050 total votes available. This year, I'm playing
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Congrats to new National Officials

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National Announcer: David Magill National Singles/Pairs Referee: Michelle Zeles-Hahn National Synchronized Referee: Laura Days, Steve Wolkin National Theatre On Ice Referee: Steve Wolkin National Singles/Pairs Judge: Lisa Hernand, Jed Hopkins, Lauren O'Toole National Synchronized Judge: Barbara Shostak National Dance Technical Controller: Diana Wisner National Singles/Pair/Dance Data Operator: Susan McInnes These people have worked hard to reach this level and kudos to them. 
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