Minutes for Tennessee Judo, Inc. Meeting 2/8/2009

8:30 a.m. - Meeting called to order by TJI President Brian Rowe.

                Referees’ Commission report by Bill Graves:

?         The Referees’ commission will be made up of national referees and above.

?         They will certify local and regional referees

?         They will set referee policies for the state

?         They will submit recommendations to the state leadership.

                President’s report by Brian Rowe:

?         The state website  is www.tennesseejudo.com. It has information for everyone.  A retyped version of the promotion syllabus is now available on the website.

?         Coaching:  Brown belts can be certified coaches, and can lead a training session unsupervised, provided they are certified coaches

                Vice President’s report: V.P. Don Tyrell was absent, therefore there was no report.

                Treasurer’s Report by Brenda Cook:

?          Copies of bank statements and reconciliations for 2008 and 2009 were given to all members who attended the meeting.  There were no questions regarding the reports, and they were approved by acclimation.

Secretary’s Report: (Brian Rowe)

?         TJI secretary Ashley Frazier resigned her position.

?         Checks for club memberships were sent late to Colorado Springs, presenting a potential insurance problem.  However, a legal advisor was of the opinion that once the checks were mailed, the insurance should be in effect.

                Athletes’ Advisory Council:  (Brian Rowe)

?         No members of the athlete’s advisory council were present.  Brian gave an overview of the role of the Athletes’ Advisory Council:

?         Athletes are to be involved in governance of the sport. 

?         The formal process prescribed by USJI has not been followed, but the spirit of the requirements will be followed.

?         Suggestions for methods of nominating athletes included:

?         Mass e-mail to every TJI member

?         A letter to each coach requesting a nomination

?         Announcing the need for nominations at a tournament

?         A vote was taken to move on to the next item of business.

Promotion Board:  C.C. Wilkerson

?         2008 promotions:

?         17 kyu ranks

?         2 dan ranks

?         Terry Spencer promoted to Nidan

?         Joe Pickering promoted to Shodan

?         Promotion forms need to be sent in by coaches (copies of the promotion form were circulated)

?         The state has promotion authority through Sandan

?         Club Coaches have promotion authority through Ikkyu

?         There is no fee for junior promotions.  Senior Kyu promotions are subject to a $5 dollar fee.

?         Promotions above Sandan must be approved by the National Promotion Board.

                Sanctions: C.C. Wilkerson

?         Tournaments and clinics in Tennessee will be sanctioned according to policy.  A copy of the sanctioning policy was given to all TJI members attending.

?         Releases should be retained for five years

?         (Bill Graves):  referees will not be allowed to officiate at tournaments where medical personnel are not available.

?         Bill Graves proposed that an AED device be purchased and made available at all state events.  After much discussion, all agreed on this issue.  Blake Bobbitt will look into the feasibility of purchasing an AED and report to the state board with his findings.

2009 State Tournament:  Terry Spencer

?          Demographics:

?         220 unique competitors

?         325 matches

?         243 entries (some competitors fought in multiple divisions)

?         146 juniors

?         22 masters

?         75 seniors

?         42 round robin divisions

?         11 double elimination divisions with eight competitors each

?         5 double elimination divisions with sixteen competitors each

?         Tournament survey report presented by Terry Spencer.  A copy was given to all members attending.

?         2010 State Championships

?         The venue was referred to committee

?         There will be no novice divisions

?         There will be no spectator fee, but donations will be accepted

Membership:

?         Club fees have increased to $50.00 national fee and $25 state fee

?         Individual USJI dues have also increased

?         Individual $55 online, $60 by mail

New Member $30 online, $35 by mail

Election of Officers:  The following were nominated and elected unanimously:

?         President:  Mike Ostrowski

?         Vice President: Terry Spencer

?         Secretary: Blake Bobbitt

?         Treasurer:  Brenda Cook

?         Sanction Chair:  C.C. Wilkerson

?         Promotion Board:

?         C.C. Wilkerson

?         Mike Takata

?         Brenda Cook

?         Brian Rowe

?         Terry Spencer

?         Athlete’s Representatives:

?         Steven Combs

?         Jonathan Borders

?         Matt Coleman

?         The website will stay under the same managemant, Terry Spencer will look into having John Pepper take over. 

There was no other business, and the meeting was adjourned at 10:45 a.m.