This meeting opened at 7:30 p.m. by Sis. B. Vondra at American Sokol Office in Oak Brook, Illinois. The Pledge of Allegiance was given. The following BOI members were present: John Bazata, Lynda Bazata, Christina Curran, Bev Domzalski, Mary Ann Fiordelis, Chuck Kalat, Jan Kalat, Matt Kocek, Barb Kucera, Bob Kucera, Paul Lebloch, Juanita LoGiudice, Nancy Pajeau, Kandi Pajer, Tom Pajer, Irena Polashek, Pat Satek, Barb Vondra and Howie Wise. Beth Kocek was excused.
– October birthday greetings: Barb Kucera, Jerry Milan, Joe Vrzalik, Pat Satek and Rome Milan.
– Minutes of the November 9, 2005, meeting were reviewed.
MOTION made by Br. T. Pajer to accept the minutes of the November 9, 2005, American Sokol – BOI Meeting, seconded by Br. B. Kucera and passed.
BILLS:
– Chuck Kalat, AAHPERD 3-year renewal membership 1/31/06 to 1/31/09, $300.00.
– Juanita LoGiudice, postage ($112.38) and supplies ($47.28), $159.66.
– Kandi Pajer, School Board meeting phone call, 10/20/05, $56.96. (FSLF)
– Mary Cushing, School Board Meeting phone call, $41.91. (FSLF)
– Sokol South Omaha, District Directors’ and Development Conference weekend, food and rental, $2, 177.27.
– Lynette Gilbert, copy DVD/CD cases and labels for additional COS Senior Cal, $25.20.
MOTION made by Sis. B. Kucera to approve bills, seconded by Sis. N. Pajeau and passed.
CORRESPONDENCE:
Mail Sent:
– Nancy Beasley, 12 Boys’ skills cards and ribbons.
– N. Beasley, P. Linhart, L. Pelc, C. Riddle, 2006 Slet CD/DVD sets.
– Updated handbook pages to Unit Directors and Updated Handbooks to new BOI members .
– Updated Merit Award applications to five student requests and e-mailed their Unit directors about their request.
– Returned Patti Komara Video #107 received in error.
Mail Received:
– Robert Kucera, CD of the current tournament rules.
– Bud Benak, Sokol Weekend School for Instructors Handbook, update pages and School Board minutes of 10/20/05.
– November COS Sokol Magazine; Paul Lebloch is featured in a two-page article.
– Lakeland Times article/pictures of Sokol and Ellen Jeanne Schnabl, instructor of Sokol exercises at the community center.
– November/December and January American Sokol publications; Kandi created BOI Holiday Greetings in Nov/Dec issue.
– December Directors Newsletter.
– WSF letter with Christmas and New Year greetings.
– Irene Mergl Christmas card.
– Hodges Badge Company postcard advertising Winter Sale, 10% off orders made December 15 through February 15, 2006.
– Anyone interested, 8 VHS tapes of the 2005 Slet are available for $20 each.
– Many invitations about gymnastic invitational meets.
– Patti Komara latest specials on equipment and materials.
E-mails received:
– Jerry Milan, WSF meeting report of 10/7/05.
– Chuck Kalat, results of Development Conference Session Surveys; posted on website.
– Tom Pajer, new e-mail groups are now active.
– Cheri Riddle has new e-mail address: riddle‑cg@sbcglobal.net.
– Fitness is Fun ‑ The Presidents Challenge, December, 2005 issue, www.presidentschallenge.org (Click age category, click news/.research).
– William Senkus, Sokol Postcard collection posted on our website.
– Nancy Pajeau, check out website www.WalkAcrossIllinois.org exercise program.
– Interesting website to check out, www.liveitprogram.com.
YOUTH MEMBERSHIP (written report attached):
– There are 1, 375 registered youth members as of 1/11/06.
– Br. Kucera has access to the youth ambassadors names through the youth database.
Future/New Activities
– Committing money to the Adopt an American Sokol Performance Team member would not be a proper use for youth committee money. Suggestion was made to hold a contest whereby a youth member would win the honor of receiving letters from a youth member from a donation made by the BOI.
2006 PRAGUE SLET – July 1-6, 2006
Boys and Girls Slet Competition Program
– Received e-mail regarding a boys and girls gymnastic competition during the Slet. It is for optional exercises for boys (born 1991-1995) and girls (1991-1993); 3-4 person teams or 1-2 individuals. COS is providing accommodations and meals for two days and three nights for these young competitors. Unsure if there are any youths in that age group going to Prague who will be doing optionals.
Performance Team and Fundraising Plans
– Team is working out on Sunday nights; music for team performance has been selected; routine has been sketched out; currently putting it all together with the team.
– First fundraiser since the Sokol seals is the “Adopt a Team Member” fundraiser for $50.00, which is advertised in the January ASO Magazine. In the February Magazine will be an internet art shopping fundraiser; purchases will earn 20% of proceeds for the team; igive.com is also available for internet shopping to earn money for the team. Pyramid donations will also be offered in the February Magazine; mailings will go out to every Sokol member; donations made for a certain amount set up in monetary tiers/levels will provide different rewards from the team members, i.e. letters, pictures, t-shirts, advertising, etc. Local businesses will receive packets of information about the team and the American Sokol requesting monetary donations. During April, May and June, will hold an art raffle, will take orders in May for a DVD of Prague Slet trip, and in June will hold a cash raffle and dinner. Suggestions were made for other donations; may possibly have a table at the Central District Special Number Competition for donations for the Team as the Team will be performing at this event.
– Encountering problems with deciphering uniform order forms from Prague. Performance Team uniforms will be similar in design to the current American Sokol uniform; for the women, a leotard will be created with a white top and back fading into blue; for the men, a pair of tight shorts in blue fading into white. Perhaps after the Prague Slet, the ASO may want to adopt these uniforms for gymnastic competition wear.
– The Team will be taking passport pictures this coming Sunday.
– Jean Hruby is currently working with Mary Steinman on Team insurance coverage.
Slet Participation Survey Results
– Have not heard from all Units at this time. Results to date are: Women’s Drum number 40; Men’s Cal, 36; Senior Cal – Women 43, Men 20. Parade participants 172. Spectators 47. These numbers will be used to create formations so everyone is aware of their position. COS prefers women not drill in a man’s position. For the Senior II cal ASO has Square B for 36 people, 12 men and 24 women; Sokol Canada has their own Square.
Senior Cal DVDs
– Sis. J. LoGiudice mailed/delivered to all who purchased the set. There are still 8 sets remaining.
Calisthenics Uniform/Costumes
– Sis. I. Polashek translated order forms for women from Czech sizes to American sizes. Men’s sizes are S, M, L, same as American sizes. Everyone named on surveys will receive the order information. Payment will be made in Prague to avoid fee for transfer of American dollars to Czech dollars.
Prague t-shirt (selection and bids)
– Four designs were printed and viewed; two designs were new, other two were previously e-mailed to BOI members. Decided to choose from the two early designs that were e-mailed to everyone.
MOTION made by Br. T. Pajer to select the design with the two penned falcons without stripes, seconded by Br. B. Kucera and passed.
– Discussed placement of design and color of t-shirt.
MOTION made by Sis. M. Fiordelis to place the design on the front only of a white t-shirt, seconded by Sis. J. Kalat and passed (one opposed).
– Bids from t-shirt companies are due on 2/1/06.
– There have been no further discussions regarding the Prague camp. The November Teen Youth Newsletter advertised the Prague camp. It was suggested Kandi Pajer put an announcement about the camp in the “Gymnast” section of the ASO Magazine.
– There will also be a calisthenics instructors course following the Slet; it will be in English and Czech. This information will also be included in the “Gymnast.”
– Cheri Riddle sent an e-mail requesting help to teach the senior cal; Howie Wise will contact Cheri to make arrangements with her.
NEW WING
– Mike Wise thanked the office staff, and Barb Vondra and Chuck Kalat for their help with the Winter Slet.
– The Winter Slet took place on December 2-3, 2005. Planned activities included three competitions and a social at Sokol Tabor’s hall. Competitions were bowling in the morning, indoor sand volleyball in the late afternoon and a bags tournament and social for the evening. Bowling and volleyball facilities were excellent; hotel was very accommodating. There were 65 participants in the bowling and volleyball events with additional spectators. Units represented were Sokol Tabor, Sokol Stickney, Sokol Greater Cleveland, Sokol Spirit, Sokol St. Louis, DA Sokol and Sokol USA Lodge 306. The BOI budgeted amount for this event was not to exceed $1, 000. All bills have been paid. There was $709.06 used from the $1, 000; $290.94 will be returned to BOI. Medals were given to winning participants in bowling and volleyball and the medals were covered by a $100 donation from Br. C. Kalat.
Revenue:
Registration $2, 065.00
Credits 624.69
Total Revenue $2, 689.69
Expenses:
North Beach Volleyball $2, 498.75
Eden Lanes 400.00
Mario’s Band at Social 300.00
Sokol Tabor 200.00
Total Expenses $3, 098.75
The difference of $790.06 was covered by the budget.
– Br. C. Kalat requested that the New Wing Committee put together an article with pictures for the “Gymnast” publication.
– There were not a lot of 20-30 year olds at this event; thought there would be more college age students. It was noted that a lot of college students are still in school and December is the end of a semester with final exams coming up; it was also a busy time before the upcoming Holidays. A different time of the year may draw more participants.
– Br. Ted Polashek submitted a thank you letter to American Sokol.
– Emanuella Grinberg of Sokol New York is a new coordinator with the New Wing.
2009 AMERICAN SOKOL SLET
Calisthenics Authors
– Applications will be requested by those interested in writing a calisthenics routine. Official letters will then be sent to the people chosen asking them to write certain calisthenics with music. There is a possibility the new calisthenics will not be tested in a year prior to the actual performance.
OTHER OLD AND NEW BUSINESS:
Website Administration
– Br. T. Pajer has resigned from the position of American Sokol web master. The American Sokol office will take over that responsibility. Br. T. Pajer will continue to maintain the BOI web site if the overall administrator of the web site permits that. The BOI may consider having a separate web page from the American Sokol master site; the BOI would have its own password.
– The American Sokol office is planning on changing the web site host also.
MOTION made by Sis. B. Kucera to have Br. Tom Pajer continue maintaining the BOI web site on behalf of the BOI, seconded by Sis. N. Pajeau and passed.
2006 National Instructors School
– Information has been received for publication in the Directors’ Newsletter and Kandi Pajer should have received the same to put in the “Gymnast.” Date for the School is 7/17/06 to 7/31/06, at Sokol South Omaha. Cost will be $275 per student. The Instructors’ School Board is trying to locate instructors who are available to teach during these dates. Br. Bud Benak asked that we enforce the deadline for registration, which is 6/1/06, as he will be going to Prague and needs to have everything in place upon his return. The BOI will speak to the School Board about providing proper training for writing calisthenics so the students can possibly submit a new calisthenics routine.
2006 National Sokol Camp
– The dates of the camp are July 31, 2006, through August 6, 2006, at the camp in St. Louis. The price will remain at $300.00. Sis. J. Kalat will take care of the camp mailing and miscellaneous paperwork.
– The current CD publicizing the camp has a date specific application attached to it from last year, but Units can show it to their students.
2006 Summer Traveling Camps
– This camp was a Keeping our Kids Committee function; there no longer is a Keeping our Kids Committee. The BOI may take the traveling camps on as a BOI function; Br. T. Pajer will continue to coordinate. The staff members are in place; forms are all prepared; all plans are ready to go. Central District is requesting the traveling camp for June 16-18, 2006 or June 23-25, 2006; Central District will send a formal request. BOI will continue to develop traveling camp plans and advertise its availability.
Weekend Instructors School
– Central District is considering holding a weekend instructor’s school in September. Sis. M. Fiordelis was asked to provide a financial report from Sokol Detroit’s weekend instructor’s school.
2006-2007 Merit Award
– This program has been updated. Application and essay requirements have changed. There have been five requests to date for an application.
“Links” Project
– The Links project is available at american-sokol.org/link. There is about 9 or 10 sections of activities that Sokol is involved in. New links will be added. This site will be advertised in the Directors’ Newsletter.
Strategic Planning Committee Plans
– The committee is meeting next weekend in Ft. Worth, TX. Strategic plan will be developed for the American Sokol. BOI representatives are Barb Vondra, Lori Laznovsky, Tom Pajer and Mary Ann Fiordelis. Other Sokol members attending will be Jerry Milan, Mary Steinman and Larry Laznovsky. A professional facilitator will be present; facilitator specializes in helping not-for-profit organizations build strategic plans.
New American Sokol Merchandise
– Rubber Sokol bracelets that say “Sokol Family Fitness and Fun” and Sokol nylon drawstring backpacks are available. Would like to use these items as a fundraiser for Units. These items will be sold in quantities of 5/$10 for bracelets, but as a donation to the American Sokol, the bracelets could be resold as a fundraiser for $5 for one bracelet. Backpacks are available in red and blue; if you buy one it is $10, or in a quantity of 5 at $6.00 each ($30). Magnets with the Sokol logo are also on order at this time. It was noted that the TM trademark symbol was not included on the merchandise designs.
– There is also a stock of polo shirts and button-down shirts with Sokol logo available for purchase in the office.
Other
– CATV is looking for donations. CATV web site is still active. In January, 2006, this program moved from Chicago channel 28 to Chicago channel 41. Sis. Irene Hederman is on his committee for soliciting donations.
ACTION LIST:
– Action list was reviewed; a copy is posted at www.american-sokol.org/boi.
Attendance Tracking
– Tom Pajer, Bob Kucera and Mary Ann Fiordelis met three times prior to this meeting via teleconference to discuss updating the attendance tracking procedures. They reported that more than just activity tracking should be incorporated. Attendance tracking should be looked at from more than just a BOI standpoint. The American Sokol executive board should be contacted with a request for assistance from a membership standpoint. Units would enter information into a database and would have access to current membership numbers and activities. This committee is presently looking into adaptable software for tracking youth and adult membership information, class participation and activities. The people who would be posting this information from units would be the Unit Director for gym activities, the financial secretary for adult membership and the person responsible for youth membership; all that would be added is data, no written reports would be requested. Units would also be able to go into this database and create labels for their membership. The intention of this program is to replace what we are currently using for membership, dues and attendance. Sis. M. Fiordelis will introduce this concept to the executive board.
– The committee has not restructured the current attendance record-keeping system; however, for the time being, will continue to use the current system with some possible updates. This item will remain on the action list with the 3/1/06 target date.
The next ASO-BOI meeting will be held at the American Sokol office at 122 West 22nd Street, Oak Brook, IL, on Wednesday, February 8, 2006, at 7:30 p.m. There was no further business to discuss.
Meeting adjourned at 10:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Beverly R. Domzalski, Secretary