This meeting opened at 7:30 p.m. by Sis. B. Vondra at the American Sokol Office in Brookfield, Illinois and via teleconference. The Pledge of Allegiance was given. The following BOI members were present: Christina Curran-Wurst, Bev Domzalski, Maryann Fiordelis, Allison Gerber, Barb Kucera, Bob Kucera, Lori Laznovsky, Paul Lebloch, Juanita LoGiudice, Nancy Pajeau, Kandi Pajer, Tom Pajer, Teddy Polashek (late), Irena Polashek, EllenJeanne Schnabl and Barb Vondra. Excused: Chuck Kalat, Jan Kalat, Howie Wise and Jane Wise.
Guest: Ed Schnabl
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
– Happy Birthday: Ed Schnabl, 8/3
– Happy Anniversary: Maryann and Carl Fiordelis, 8/9; Christina and Tom Wurst, 8/17; Chuck and Jan Kalat, 8/26; and Bob and Barb Kucera, 8/26.
MINUTES:
– Minutes of the June 10, 2009, meeting were reviewed. Correction: last paragraph under 2009 American Sokol Slet, Plans and Progress, should read: “Juniors all do the Senior Cal part.”
MOTION made by Br. T. Pajer to approve the minutes of the June 10, 2009, American Sokol BOI meeting with one correction, seconded by Br. B. Kucera and passed.
BILLS:
– Chuck Kalat (ASO Credit Card), June, 2009-2010 USA Gymnastics Professional Membership, $98.00.
– Chuck Kalat, (ASO Credit Card), Travel and hotel to Sokol USA Technical Meeting in Pittsburgh, PA, 8/1/09, $881.92.
– Juanita LoGiudice, postage, $58.21; and envelopes, $7.22, total $65.43.
– Chuck Kalat submitted traveling camp expenses, $875.97. Sis. J. Hruby will handle distribution of checks.
MOTION made by Sis. A. Gerber to approve bills, seconded by Sis. E. Schnabl and passed.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Mail Sent:
– Merit Award checks and congratulation letters to Anne M Suchanek, Ryan Breidenbach, Alexandra Zahrobsky
– Merit Award “Sorry” Letters to those who applied but did not qualify.
– Merit Award letters to District Presidents and Directors, Unit Directors & Presidents announcing the winners.
– Certificates and prizes to top WSF Physical Fitness Award Winners: Jenna Lande, Teresa Simonds, Judy Sulz, Aaron Shutway, Lisa Tague, Ashley Thompson.
– 3 Certificates to Sokol Tabor Director for Special Number winners (“Summer Sokol Fun, ” “SOS, ” and “The Story”).
– 1 Certificate to Sokol Chicagoland for Special Number winner (“Tot Doctors”).
– Invitation letters to 2009-10 American Sokol National Womens BOI.
– Letter w/forms to American Sokol District Directors, National lst Assistants, Secretary, School Board members, re: October District Directors and School Board meetings in Detroit, MI.
– Invitation letters to Sokol USA, DA Sokol and Sokol Canada National Directors, re: Oct 9-11th District Directors meeting.
– Sokol Weekend School for Instructors Guidelines to Kathy Barcal, Sokol Spirit and Christina Wurst, Sokol Tabor.
Mail Received:
– Merit Award signed receipts from the three 2009-2010 recipients.
– COS 6/2009 and 7/2009 Sokol Magazine.
– Director’s Newsletter: August.
– Various Unit newsletters.
– 2008-09 School Transcripts from Paige Vachata, Anna Mangia and Amelia Makowski. All transcripts have been received.
E-mails sent:
– Minutes and Updated Action List Posted, www.american-sokol.org/boi/members.
– Correspondence Report for 8/12/09 meeting.
E-mails received:
– Jean Hruby, reminder, Uniform Sale 7/1-9/1 (April/May publication).
– USA Gymastics, Dallas, Texas, 2009 Visa Championships on the Web, TV, www.usa-gymnastics.org/visachamps, www.usa-gymnastics.org or NBC telecasts 8/13-15/2009.
– Sokol Los Angeles 100th Anniversary Celebration Luncheon on September 27, 2009, emlil@aol.com.
– Sokol USA New National Directors: Women: Chris Yatchysyn same as Rich, replaced Karen Ondira. Men: Todd Yatchysyn, yatch18@aol.com, 267-566-2993, 341 Old Allentown Rd, Wind Gap, PA 18091, replaced father, Rich.
Other:
– A comment was made about the Merit Award “sorry” letter. A parent was unhappy with the wording in the letter “minimally qualified.” Sis. M. Fiordelis requested that the letter be reviewed for possible rewording.
2009-2010 NATIONAL BOARD OF INSTRUCTORS
– Women: Maryann Fiordelis, 1st Assistant; Jan Kalat, 2nd Assistant; Juanita LoGiudice, office secretary; Beverly Domzalski, recording secretary; Staff Members currently accepted: Christina Wurst, Nancy Pajeau, Kandi Pajer, Irena Polashek, EllenJeanne Schnabl and Jane Wise; waiting for acceptance from Sandy Benak, Lynn Conrad, Mary Cushing and Patti Vondra.
– Men: Bob Kucera, 1st Assistant; Tom Pajer, 2nd Assistant; Staff members currently accepted: Bud Benak, Buddy Benak, Paul Lebloch, Jerry Milan, Ted Polashek and Kevin Fitzpatrick; waiting for acceptance from Peter Lattanzio and John Bazata. Ed Schnabl has retired his position.
YOUTH MEMBERSHIP:
– Br. B. Kucera reviewed the attached Youth Committee Status Report dated August 12, 2009, and Youth Membership Account Transactions.
– Registration materials will be sent out on September 1, 2009; registration due back on November 15, 2009.
2009 NATIONAL SOKOL SUMMER CAMP, August 2-9, 2009, DTJ Camp near Cleveland
– Sis. L. Laznovsky is in the process of preparing a camp report.
– Sis. Laznovsky shared some highlights of the camp, which will be included in the camp report. There were 30 campers (31 were registered, but one became ill and did not attend). DTJ Camp is in Chagrin Falls, Ohio.
– Next year will be the 10th anniversary of the National Sokol Summer Camp.
2009 AMERICAN SOKOL SLET
– No final report yet of earnings/losses. The Directors Newsletter shows numbers of participants in programs. The USAG Technique Magazine cover shows a picture of the International Sports and Cultural Festival with an article about the USAG competitions and American Sokol is mentioned. FIG’s web page had a reference to American Sokol presents the ISCF.
Discussion – What worked?
– Sis. B. Vondra asked for some comments/feedback for further discussion at the upcoming Directors’ Conference.
ISCF Platform
– Br. Pajer felt the ISCF was not planned to be totally inclusive with other organizations, but would have liked it to have been more cohesive. We ended up with overlapped activities which made it difficult to observe some activities.
– Sis. Laznovsky felt that if we opened up the Amazing Fun Walk to other organizations, there would have been an opportunity to interact with them.
– Br. Lebloch thought the outdoor social activities did not work well because it was too dark and too hot for anyone to stay outdoors for too long.
– Sis. B. Vondra thought there were a few opportunities missed to get together with other organizations. There should have been more information available for joining our organization.
– Sis. Laznovsky said there were a lot of comments from USAG people about how great it was to see adults participating in so many of the activities.
– Sis. Laznovsky informed us that USAG is getting ready to put a bid book out next week for the USA Gymnastics Nationals. This is called the Gymnastics for All Nationals. It would be the National Team Gym Championships and the National Gymfest. It would be held over 3 days, Friday night, Saturday all day and Sunday morning. High school gyms have been used in the past. It doesn’t take a lot of equipment. There is room for profit. This could be used for the National Organization as a fundraiser. It would be in the Summer, 2010. We would have to find a location and provide volunteers. Sis. Laznovsky is the event manager and would run the event. This could be profitable and an opportunity for Sokol in a year where no other Sokol events are going on. There would be some local media advertising. Sis. B. Vondra was interested and would like more information on what Sokol would have to do.
Awards Presentation
– Sis. B. Kucera suggested we have scheduled entertainment or activities during the time before awards are presented. so that there is plenty of time to review any awards that go out before we put them out. It would give the tabulators a chance to sit and read the scores line by line so everything goes out correctly.
– Br. Lebloch missed the victory dance where everyone is together and everybody sees who won and you felt the applause and cheering. There was something lacking in the presentation. It was to a small audience.
– Sis. Schnabl noted that people were confused about when awards were being given out and surprised that they were doing it immediately after the events.
– Br. Lebloch heard comments that the Juniors were disappointed that there was no event where they could dress up in their Sunday best and look good and hang out with other Sokols.
– Sis. Pajer felt the outdoor social setting was too loud with the music for it to be a good social event.
– Sis. Vondra said the Stockyards were where the kids should have been dressed up, but knowing how hot it is in Texas, Texans don’t dress up like we do.
– The transportation to the Stockyards was not as good as it should have been. Many arrived late. Sis. Laznovsky admitted the bus company was not working as well as expected.
Daily Meetings
– Every designated representative should have been at the daily meetings there to get the daily updates and changes that would take place that day.
– It was suggested that anything discussed at the daily meetings should have been typed up and made available to everyone. More information should have been posted and available for people to read.
Social
– The Stockyards was a good venue for the social.
– The outdoor social at the Convention Center worked out well, but it was too hot. There should have been drinks available outside.
– The entertainment was offered to Sokol for free by Brittney, the singer.
– The Amazing Walk was set up really well and everyone had a good time participating in that. Some felt it was a little too long.
– Holding the Slet indoors was a good choice.
Advertising
– Br. E. Schnabl questioned why the Chamber of Commerce, Hotels and Motels, stands on the streets and posted calendars of events did not include the ISCF.
– The parade was also just for Sokol to walk and there was no advertisement. The parade was a big disappointment. The address after the parade by the President and the Chamber of Commerce was enjoyed by all.
Credential Process
– The credentials were no more than a Slet souvenir. They really didn’t carry much weight besides just getting in the door. Some information was incorrect on them.
– People were concerned with credential errors because they thought they would have a problem seeing or working with their children.
– The volunteer coordinator has put together several statistics regarding how many volunteers signed up, how many showed up, hours total spent by volunteers, how many were Sokol people and how many were not. Her system was that she recruited through several different venues in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, i.e. Sister Cities program, the Junior League, high school volunteer programs. She solicited all of those different organizations and then a volunteer day was held where they were at the Convention Center about two weeks before the Slet, the Slet committee was there where each of our different areas were represented. We were all in the room, we gave a presentation about the whole event to the volunteers, who were not Sokol people, what was happening at the event, thanked them and let them know what the general schedule was. We had a sign-up time after that where each rep sat at a separate table with their job descriptions and the volunteers that we needed to fill the roles that they were responsible for and the volunteers came around and talked to us. We asked them questions about their strengths and what they are interested in doing and the times they were available and we filled out all these little time cards for them to come back at the appropriate time. They checked in at the volunteer area, we ran background checks on all of them, as well as all sorts of different things. A lot of information came from the volunteer book from the Volunteer Strategic Plan Committee that she used as a guideline to recruit and come up with a volunteer system. Overall the volunteer thing went very well. Again, great exposure for Sokol – all those people that would have never known about Sokol before, but they were helping us.
– It was Br. Lebloch’s opinion/observance that he likes the Slet program to traditionally close with the men and women in calisthenics as the last number. The Slet ending with an American patriotic song and the march off with Stars and Stripes left you with such a high. It’s great that we did this mass number, but it should have been somewhere else, instead of at the end. Personal observance; maybe better at the opening ceremonies.
– There was a final Slet meeting about 3 weeks ago and the committee is still gathering bills, making payments and other miscellaneous. Not sure when a final report will be submitted.
– Sis. Vondra thanked everyone for all their hard work to pull off the Slet and thanked Ft. Worth area Sokols for hosting it.
DISTRICT DIRECTORS CONFERENCE and SCHOOL BOARD MEETING
– Attendance Reports need to be turned in by Saturday, August 15, 2009, to Sis. M. Fiordelis.
– The District Directors have to submit reports along with: Sis. M. Fiordelis, attendance; Sis. B. Kucera, merit award; Br. B. Benak, school board; no national instructor school this year; Sis. J. Hruby, uniform; Sis. L. Laznovsky, Sokol youth camp; Sis. K. Pajer, Gymnast editor; Br. B. Kucera, youth; Br. T. Pajer, skills; Sis. J. LoGiudice, program usage; Sis. E. Schnabl, educational; Br. C. Kalat, Director of Men, Director’s Newsletter and Sokl USA Technical Meeting, Gymnastic National Congress, budget track and Slet BOI report; Sis. B. Vondra, Women’s Director’s Report, World Sokol Federation meeting and Slet.
– These reports are due September 15 and should be submitted electronically so that they can be posted on the web.
– October 8, 2009, Thursday, at 1:00 p.m. will be the School Board meeting. On Friday, October 9, 2009, 1:00 p.m. the Director’s Conference will begin. People who need to be present are the District Director, National Directors and their assistants, office and recording secretaries and will have their travel and room expenses paid. Everyone else is welcome to attend; let Sis. Vondra know if you are attending so a room can be reserved. Accommodations will be at the Double Tree Hotel in Detroit, MI. The rooms are $79/night. On Saturday night a hay ride is being planned at the Sokol camp. Will resume the meeting on Sunday morning if need be.
– Everyone should look at the tournament rules for changes/updates. Anyone not attending the meeting should have their modifications available for the next BOI meeting. Uniforms will be discussed. The core program will be discussed to make sure the units are using them. Any other topics for the agenda should be turned in to Br. C. Kalat.
– Sis. J. LoGiudice needs to know everyone’s travel arrangements by September 7, 2009.
PROBORTUNITY
– Sis. Vondra asked for suggestions for an activity that has never been tried before that we can do in a non-Slet year. At a later time, everyone can get together to expound on it.
– Sis. M. Fiordelis suggested Sis. Laznovsky and Br. Pajer come up with a great idea like they do for the camp activities.
– Sis. Laznovsky suggested trying an adult camp.
– Br. Pajer had several ideas: the 24-hour headstand (everyone in the Organization signs up for a one-minute time period over the 24 hours and at their designed time they do a headstand; similar to Hands Across America); a group game contest where all units submit their favorite group game with instructions and show the game on video being played then the best game wins the contest and in the end there is a video compilation of 25-30 games to be made into a DVD to be distributed (games similar to the Wise Ideas games); dodgeball tournament in costume with a theme to hold during the Winter Slet.
– Br. Lebloch suggested tables set up with board games.
– Sis. Laznovsky brought up the Team Gym and Gym Fest National idea.
OTHER OLD AND NEW BUSINESS:
– Sis. Vondra thanked Sis.Schnabl for submitting articles in the Directors Newsletter and the education items included in the National publication.
National Instructor School Staff Training
– Sis. M. Cushing was not present to give a report.
Summer Traveling Camps
– The Central District Traveling Camp went very well; all had a good time. A new staff member was Hallie Salidas, serving in a limited capacity for her first camp.
– There is still a concern about not being able to handle the date that was suggested by Sokol New York. They have not yet come up with an alternate date. Hopefully, they will still consider holding a camp in the future.
– There is an application in for June, 2010 from the Central District to hold a camp at Sokol Tabor, 6/11-13/09.
– Committee talked about changing the minimum number, maybe the price and other things which may have to be considered in order to get more district and units to participate.
Weekend Instructor Schools
– Sokol Spirit is holding a one-day instructor course coming up next weekend.
Winter Slet
– Sis. Vondra met with Br. T. Polashek a few times during the last month. The Slet would be scheduled for January 15-17, 2009, in the Chicago area. The same format of Friday, Saturday and Sunday; Monday is Martin Luther King Day. Br. Polashek obtained the Hampton Inn again; $79/night.
– On Friday night, Sokol Stickney will host dodge ball; there will be a cash bar, karaoke, raffles and other items. On Saturday morning, bowling will be at Eden Lanes at 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.; $15.00 for 3 games and shoes. Laser tag will be held in Downers Grove at 3:00 to 4:00 for $15.00. The first bags tournament will be at Sokol Tabor at 5:00 p.m. The pig roast will begin at 6:00 p.m. and the second bags tournament will be after that. On Sunday, volleyball will be played at Sokol Tabor; $40 for players and $25 for spectators and beverages are included. In the lower hall of Sokol Tabor from 1:30 to 3:00 will be a third bags tournament for $5.00. From 3:00 to 5:00 will be ladder golf a/k/a hillbilly golf. There will also be a ping-pong tournament, also $5.00.
– This event is being run as strictly a social event.
Skills Program/Cards
– Br. T. Pajer is going to get the committee group together to see what is necessary.
Strategic Planning Committee Progress Report
– On September 3, the SPTF is meeting to review the new marketing material for the core programs and talking about implementation plans for the rest of the strategic plan areas.
– The volunteer management book has gone out for final review to the implementation plan of the SPTF and the deadline was this week so we will be looking at how this information will be disseminated.
– Reminders will be sent out regarding the core programs to make sure that they are including them in this year’s upcoming season as well as the instructor guidelines.
– The organizational development team has an approved charter for structure, looking at the new national structure going down through all the levels.
– The communications plan which has been approved by the Board of Governors and that material has been sent out to the executive board and to the district and unit presidents. More will be coming out on this as we are moving forward with having final products in the various stages.
2009 WSF Show Program
– Sis. J. LoGiudice read the results and the list is in the Director’s Newsletter.
USA Technical Meeting
– Br. C. Kalat attended Sokol USA’s convention and sat in on the technical meeting. Br. and Sis. Wise also attended as guests. Participation reports for the Slet were presented. Sokol USA had a little more than 60 participants in Texas.
– Br. C. Kalat reported on the WSF Fitness Testing and Show Program and also the Youth Program.
– Sokol USA has been invited to participate with us in the future.
– Their lodges are varying levels of activity. There are five active lodges. The Barryville camp is closing permanently and is up for sale.
– Sokol USA only had one camper at this year’s National Summer Camp and they want to increase that. They are going to continue doing the bowling and the golf.
– They have no plans to do a National Instructors School.
– For this coming season, Sokol USA wants to continue their reactivation process and expand their lodges. They want to continue to support our summer camp and also provide individual lodges to request financial assistance from the national for payment of instructors’ salaries.
– The Project Second Century is aiming at helping the organization surviving the future, similar to our strategic plan. They were shown the core programs and the instructor manual of our strategic plan and they were impressed with it. Monesson requested to receive those materials for their use and inquired about our Youth Membership.
– Sokol USA will be conducting a National Slet in 2011; however, the location has not yet been determined.
– The technical committee has designated three areas as goals for the upcoming year: incorporating a fitness activity at all lodges; having two leaders in each lodge become USAG Professional Members; and for the 2010 National School and Summer Camp, to send at least one participant from each active lodge attend.
– Sokol USA was thankful for our input even though the two organizations continue to differ on some issues, the strong cooperation between our two organizations will continue.
– Chris Yatchysyn and Todd Yatchysyn plan to attend our American Sokol Directors’ Conference in Detroit.
Other
– Discussion following regarding inviting other organizations to National Sokol events, i.e. Polish Falcons, Turners and Slovak Catholic Sokols.
– By-Law changes will be discussed at the next ASO-BOI meeting.
Websites
– Prevention: www.prevention.com.
– American Council on Exercise: www.acefitness.org.
– PE-NEWS: Newsletter: www.pelinks4u.org.
– PE4life: www.pe4life.org.
– The Presidents Challenge: Fitness is Fun Newsletter: www.presidentschallenge.org.
– Health & Fitness: www.exercise.about.com.
– President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports: www.fitness.gov.
– Sign up for newsletters: www.talk.about.com
– Tiffin Mats: www.TiffinMats.com, monthly specials.
– Ten-o/GMR, www.ten-o.com or www.byGMR.com, monthly specials.
– DGS 9.9 www.gymsupply.com, 10% coupon online shopping 6/30/09, code: DGSMEETS.
– Gymnastic Training tips: www.gymnasticstrainingtips.com. Links and Resources.
– American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance, www.aahperd.org.
– Information about Brain Fitness, www.brainconnection.com.
– Interesting games video article, www.skillastics.com.
– Improve fitness and nutrition habits, www.pejournal.com.
BOI ACTION LIST
– Action list was reviewed; an updated copy is posted on the BOI members’ web site.
– The next regular ASO-BOI meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 9, 2009, at 7:30 p.m.
There was no further business to discuss.
MOTION made to adjourn.
Meeting adjourned at 10:05 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Beverly R. Domzalski, Secretary