Madison Crew: The Ultimate Team Sport

1. Madison Crew: The Ultimate Team Sport http://www.warhawkcrew.org/ JMCBO, P.O. Box 1657, Vienna, VA 22183

2. Madison Crew at Sandy Run Park Madison Crew Club 2010

3. Agenda • Introductions • Madison Crew Communications • Spring Water Practices • 2011 Regattas • Crew Costs and Fundraising • Volunteer Requirements • Q&A and Break-out Sessions • Boat-naming Contest

4. Introductions • Madison Crew / JMCBO Board • President – Ron Marx • Executive Vice President – Howard Springsteen • Vice President for Operations – Sue Colwell • Treasurer – Phil Mottola • Secretary – Michael Peterson • Membership Committee Chair – Cindy Lawless • Volunteer Committee Chair – Karen Fowkes • Hospitality Committee Chair – Debbie Wascom • Ways & Means Committee Chair – Marty Cammiso • Communications Committee Chair – Anne Driscoll • Personnel Chair / Crew Council Chair – Sonya Kedzie • Immediate Past President – Marina Lyn Beckhard • At Large Members: Cheryl Billingsley . Nancy Holliday . Mike Hurst . Janet Weiner

5. Madison Crew Council • Crew Council is the forum for parents’ issues & complaints • Ombudsman for students, parents / guardians, Board, & coaches • 5 parents investigate facts and make recommendations to Board • Led by the Personnel Committee Chair, Sonya Kedzie • Email address: skwon@aol.com • Members: Cheryl Billingsley . Ron Marx . Pat Ritter . Harvey Weiner

6. Introductions • Head Coach: Paul Allbright • 4th year with Madison Crew • 2nd year as our Head Coach / Women’s Varsity • Assistant Coaches • Charlotte Morris (3rd year with Madison) – Women’s Varsity • Robert Russel (2nd year with Madison) – Men’s Varsity • Jameson O’Brien (3rd year with Madison) – Men’s Novice & Varsity • Anne FitzSimons (2nd year with Madison, former Madison HS cox) – Women’s Novice • Beth Ellis (new, currently on GMU crew team) – Women’s Novice • John Findley (new) – Men’s Novice • Madison Crew Team Captains • Dalton Conaway (Senior) • Jessica Melton (Senior) • Will Whitfield (Junior) • Genny Lawless (Junior)

7. Mission Statement • Madison Crew enables student athletes to • Learn teamwork, aquatic, and rowing skills • Attain top physical condition • Feel the thrills of competition and winning • Enjoy socializing with classmates and other students • Broaden their experiences via travel to away regattas • James Madison Crew Boosters Organization (JMCBO) is a non-profit organization that exists • To provide the resources for Madison Crew, a club sport • As a club sport, the team is entirely supported (financially and with volunteer work) by the parents / guardians • To protect student athletes from all dangers • To ensure the smooth operation of Madison Crew and its eligibility to compete in VA and national regattas

8. Changes Since 2009-10 Season • Team size grew from 55 to 74 student athletes • Grew our fleet of racing shells • Bought 1 new Vespoli V1 8 (top of the line racing shell) • Paid for 1 newer 8 and 1 newer 4 leased / raced last year • Bought 2 older Vespoli Millennium 8s (varsity shells) • Sold 1 old Vespoli shell (not used last season) • Completely refurbished our boat trailer • Bought 16 new adjustable Concept 2 sweep oars • Repairing and painting all 5 coaches’ launches • Bought 2 new cox boxes • Bought a used hospitality / utility trailer for away regattas • Held first-ever Erg Relays / Chili Cook-off fundraiser • Grew our menu of Madison Crew spirit wear and placed our largest order ever • Launched new / re-designed website at the same URL

9. Madison Crew Communications • Communications Team: jmhscrew@gmail.com Anne Driscoll, Eileen Doughty, Chris Voigt • Team website: www.warhawkcrew.org • Your One Stop Shop for JMHS Crew Information! • News • Calendar • Coaches’ contact information and profiles • Board minutes and contact information • Forms • Photos

10. Madison Crew Communications • Why register on www.warhawkcrew.org ? • Access to Members-Only portion of website • Team rosters with contact information • Coaches and Board Contacts • Email: jmhscrew@gmail.com • Emails are generated from the website registration Parents and rowers should register on the website to ensure you are receiving all targeted information

11. Water Practice Policies • Pre-season conditioning through 19 February at JMHS • Practice Policy • Mandatory practices Mondays – Saturdays on / after 21 February • Crew is a team sport: if a rower / cox doesn’t show up as planned, this impacts practice for up to nine students and a coach • Coordinate planned / excused absences beforehand with Coach Allbright and your assistant coach (as applicable) • Rowing Time Policy • Varsity: Goal is to get everyone on the water every day • Novices: Same goal, but may sometimes observe from a coach’s launch or exercise on land part of the day • Goal is at least 3 days / per week in February / March and at least 2 days per week in April / May • Each day missed by a rower counts as one day towards his / her minimum weekly water time goal

12. Transportation to Practices • Daily water practices at Sandy Run starting 21 Feb • VASRA & NVRPA have zero tolerance policy for profanity • Inclement weather plan: practice at Madison HS • Communications disseminates notices of changes / cancellations • Bus transportation provided by JMCBO Mondays - Fridays • Two buses depart Madison at 2:45 p.m. Mondays - Fridays • One bus will be shared with Oakton HS – loading there first then loading at Madison at 2:45 p.m. • Buses depart Sandy Run at 6:00-6:15 p.m. (arrive Madison only at approx 6:45-7:00 p.m.) – suggest students call parents enroute • Bus driver guidance: Carol Topp • Practices continue on Saturdays 8-11 a.m. Sandy Run • No buses (students / families provide transportation) • Practices continue daily over Spring Break (18-22 April) • Spring Break practice schedules TBD based on coach availability • No buses (students / families provide transportation) • Drive slowly at/near Sandy Run (speed limits enforced)

13. Lightweights Overview • Lightweight rowing class allows for smaller rowers to compete against similar-sized rowers • Madison may or may not field lightweight boats for each regatta depending on numbers, etc. • Lightweight rowers must arrive early to regattas in which they will row as lightweights • Lightweight rowing heats and finals are typically later in the day than other varsity heats and finals at Sandy Run • Weekly weigh-ins are required for any rower who participates as a light weight rower in a regatta • Rower must weigh-in weekly or he / she is not eligible • Lightweight rowers are not encouraged to lose weight or diet and should not diet beyond elimination of unhealthy foods

14. Lightweight Weigh-ins • VASRA weigh-ins for lightweights begin 12 Feb • Determines who can safely meet lightweight requirements by the beginning of the regatta season • Men – 155 lbs or less, no less than 7% body fat • This is a change from last year, to align with US Rowing & SRAA • Women – 130 lbs or less, no less than 12% body fat • For more info, please visit http://www.fcps.edu/supt/activities/atp/CREW/crew108home2.htm • If you do not want your student to participate in the lightweight category, please email Coach Allbright at paul.allbright@gmail.com

15. 2011 Regattas • Regatta Waivers • VASRA requires that they have a liability waiver in hand from every rower /cox that will be participating in any VASRA regatta • Waivers must be completed by one parent (or the rower / cox if 18 years old) for the calendar year (since 1 Jan 11) • Waivers must be completed online via Ronin Racing (http://www.signyourwaiver.com) • Enter POC Paul Allbright at email address paul.allbright@gmail.com • Regatta Days • Arrive early to minimize delays due to parking and walking • Can be more than a mile hike to finish line • Parking at Sandy Run is $10 • Park shuttle van service to finish line is $2 each way • Bring stadium cushion/chair, sunscreen, raingear, binoculars, etc. • VASRA & NVRPA zero tolerance policy for profanity at Sandy Run • No dogs or other pets

16. JMCBO Shuttle Bus • Operates during Saturday regattas at the Occoquan • Bus costs are shared among Madison, Langley, and Oakton clubs • Shuttle from Silverbrook ES (on Crosspoint Rd) on regatta days • Shuttle departs the ES on the 15s and 45s • Approximate departure times from Sandy Run are on the hours and the 30s • For some regattas, a second shuttle will operate on the hour and 30s from Silverbrook ES • No shuttle bus on 30 April (we will be at the Potomac River) • Please look for updates in your regatta email • Start time for the shuttle and the time for the driver break will be set based on the race schedule • How to use the shuttle • Drop off rowers / family at Sandy Run, park at Silverbrook ES, and take shuttle bus to Sandy Run • Drop offs pay the $10, but then get it back when driver leaves • Tell parking attendant you’re a "drop off“ to get a time slip. You have 30 minutes to drop off and exit Sandy Run, stopping at same parking attendant to get refund • Plan to catch the shuttle bus at least 90 minutes before race time

17. 2011 Regattas 26 March – Polar Bear Regatta at Occoquan (varsity only) 2 April – Regatta at Occoquan (varsity & novices) 9 April – Regatta at Occoquan (varsity & novices) 16 April – Regatta at Occoquan (varsity & novices) 18-22 April – Spring Break practices 23 April – Regatta at Occoquan (varsity & novices) 24 April – Easter 30 April – Charlie Butt Regatta at Potomac River (v & n) 7 May – VA State Championships (novices only) 14 May – VA State Championships (varsity only) 19-21 May – Stotesbury Cup at Philadelphia (v & n) 26-28 May – SRAA National Championships At Camden NJ; qualifying boats only For more information, please see the VASRA website: http://www.vasra.org/

18. Stotesbury Cup Regatta19-21 May 2011 Schuylkill River, Philadelphia PA • POC’s: Karen Sampson, ksamvienna@aol.com. Patricia Waters-Heflin, patricia.g.watersheflin@nga.mil • Summary • Excused absence from school • Take as many students as can row, plus a few alternates • Trip fee – costs are in addition to dues – approx. $250 + $75 meals / spending • Rowers / coaches / volunteers / chaperones have rooms reserved by the team • Families interested in attending should make reservations now • Team hotel: Holiday Inn, Historic District • Return (approximate): early evening, Saturday May 21

19. SRAA National Championships26-28 May 2011 Cooper River, Camden NJ (Qualifying line-ups only) • POC’s: Karen Sampson, ksamvienna@aol.com. Patricia Waters-Heflin, patricia.g.watersheflin@nga.mil • Summary • Excused absence from school • Boats qualify depending on finishing position at State Championships (Freshman / Novice boats are eligible) • Trip fee – costs in addition to dues – amounts similar to Stotes • We plan to take a bus this year for the first time • Team hotel: Residence Inn, Mt Laurel at Bishop’s Gate • Leaving the morning of Thursday, 26 May • Returning the evening of Saturday, 28 May

20. Madison Crew Costs • Dues: $950 for rowers / $750 for coxes • Includes shuttle bus costs and VASRA capital fund assessment • $200 discount for 2nd and 3rd sibling rowers (doesn’t apply to coxes) • The base dues rates have been the same for several years • 14 February – Final payment ($400 / $200 for coxes & siblings) due ALL DUES MUST BE PAID TO BOARD BUS FOR PRACTICES AT SANDY RUN • Dues refund policy • The first dues payment is not refundable for any reason • Second & final dues payments are fully refundable if requested in writing to the Treasurer within 30 days of the due date • 2nd payment refund date: today; Final payment refund date: 16 March • Travel (optional) – additional cost per trip for bus, hotel room, food, and security • Stotesbury Cup in Philadelphia PA (all boats) • In 2010, all boats and the entire team traveled to Stotesbury Cup • SRAA National Championships in Camden NJ (qualifying boats) • In 2010, Madison took most (not all) of our boats to SRAA Nationals

21. Madison Crew Fundraising • Fundraising: $600 minimum per rower / cox • Raffle # 1 ended 8 November • Raffle # 2 ended 16 January • Erg Relays held 21 January • Mulch sales began 2 February thru 13 March, with home delivery 26-27 March • Others: Fosters’ Grille, car washes, Let’s Dish, corporate donations • Fundraising deadlines: • $380 – March 25th (the day before the first regatta) MUST MEET THIS DEADLINE BEFORE PARTICIPATING IN ANY REGATTA • $600 – April 17th MUST COMPLETE FUNDRAISING COMMITMENT TO GO TO PHILADELPHIA

22. Boat-Naming Contest • Five Madison Crew boats need to be named • 1 new Vespoli 8 and 1 newer Vespoli 8 (V2) • 1 newer Vespoli 4 (Lease) and 2 older Vespoli Millennium 8s • Students submitted 69 names • Students who submitted winning names earn $100 credit towards their fundraising commitments • No cash value; Not transferable to anyone else • The JMCBO Board and Head Coach selected 14 finalists • Contest rules • Contribute in any amount ($1 / vote) by check (payable to JMCBO) in the box (please put boat name in the ‘memo’ section of check) • Contributions do not count towards dues or fundraising commitments • The five names with the most votes by 9 pm tonight win! • Phil Mottola (JMCBO Treasurer) counts votes – final decision • Head Coach Paul Allbright matches names to shells

23. Madison Crew Volunteer Requirements • Parents / Guardians • One day of bus chaperoning (round-trip) during Spring practice (Feb-May) • Bus leaves Madison HS @ 2:45pm and returns to Madison HS by 7:00pm • Two regatta jobs at Sandy Run • VASRA fines JMCBO $50 for any job that is a ‘no show’ • Participation in one JMCBO committee / job • Committees include Hospitality, Operations, & Fundraising • Participation in “All Hands” events such as Sandy Run Work Days on 12 & 19 February and Mulch Delivery on 26-27 March • One parent from each girl’s family on 12 Feb only at 9 am–noon at Sandy Run • One parent from each boy’s family on 19 Feb only at 9 am-noon at Sandy Run • Students • Sandy Run Work Days & Mulch Delivery, Clean up at Regatta Site • All rowers / coxes required 9 am-noon for both Sandy Run Work Days

24. Madison Crew Volunteer Requirements • Volunteer Committee Chair • Karen Fowkes, madisoncrewvolunteers@gmail.com • Sign-ups for most VASRA and JMCBO volunteer jobs available via MySignUp.com beginning 12 Feb • Specialty Skills Needed from Some Volunteers • Truck drivers needed for our boat trailer • Prefer someone with a large heavy-duty / dually truck • Training planned this Spring (date TBD) • Boat drivers needed for launches during regattas • Training planned this Spring (date TBD) • Launches are small metal fishing boats with an outboard engine <10 hp • Volunteers needed that are interested in becoming referees for regattas in future years • Would observe regattas this year, shadowing an experienced referee • VASRA referee clinic is scheduled for 5 March in Merrifield VA • Operations support, including rigging and repair of shells

25. Schedule of Coming Events • 12 February – Pre-season work day at Sandy Run • 14 February – Final dues payment ($400) is due • 19 February – Cox training is 8:30 am – 1 pm at TJ HS • Mandatory for all novice coxes, Optional for varsity coxes • 19 February – Pre-season work day at Sandy Run • 21 February – Spring season practices begin - Sandy Run • 26 February – Team photo in spirit wear at Sandy Run • 5 March – VASRA / US Rowing referee clinic – Merrifield • 25 March – Initial fundraising deadline ($380) • 26 March – Polar Bear regatta (varsity only) – Sandy Run • 26-27 March – Mulch home delivery • 17 April – Final fundraising deadline ($600

26. Conclusion • Questions & Answers • Break-out Sessions • Session 1: Coaches meet with parents and athletes • 4 groups: mens’ and womens’; novices and varsity • Session 2: All Rowers/coxes watch water safety video while Parents / guardians learn about volunteer jobs • Pay dues and fundraising to Phil Mottola • Complete paperwork with Cindy Lawless • Order spirit wear from Penny Gibson • Boat-naming contest