Governing Council 2011

[FigureSpins]

2011 USFSA Governing Council Meeting and Seminar

April 27 - April 30, 2011
Westin Lombard Yorktown Center, Lombard, Illinois

http://www.usfsa.org/content.asp?menu=leadership&id=441

The tentative schedule and Seminar Synopsis is here: http://www.usfsa.org/Content/events/201011/governingcouncil/Schedule%20Synopsis.pdf
It looks like the seminar sessions are worth the trip for a Club representative.

If you aren't a Delegate, you can fill out this form to go and watch/listen, but not vote.
http://www.usfsa.org/Content/events/201011/governingcouncil/Observer%20Form.pdf

Have an idea or a solution?  http://www.usfsa.org/Content/events/201011/governingcouncil/NewBusinessFormandInstructions.doc
(New Business form is due at the USFSA by April 19, 2011)

The Requests for Action haven't been published yet, as far as I know.

[Sk8ing Wizard]

First of all, I'd like to thank Agnes for posting the list of all the topics the Governing Council is discussing/voting on this week.

But I have a slightly n00bish question: Where/when/are they going to post the results?

[AgnesNitt]

First of all, I'd like to thank Agnes for posting the list of all the topics the Governing Council is discussing/voting on this week.

But I have a slightly n00bish question: Where/when/are they going to post the results?

I posted that? Did I? 

[FigureSpins]

The minutes/results will be posted on the USFSA Members-Only site.  (Last year, it was published in mid-May.)
The various committees will communicate or document the changes.

Some people have blogged live from the seminar/meeting in past years - I'll see if anyone has plans to do so this year.
2010: http://smiscgc2010.blogspot.com/

I spoke with our delegate tonight and gave him my opinions about a few of the proposals.  (He leaves tomorrow.)  We had a nice chat about how some of the proposals would probably pass IF the implementation timing were better.  Case in point: someone mentioned changing the membership rate this late in the year and how that affects the clubs' renewals in June/July.  It's not just the USFSA's budget that needs to be considered; the individual clubs have to plan ahead as well.  Springing a rate change on members after they renewed at the lower rate is awkward.

I suggested voting against the individual members' rate increase.  He said that there were less than 200 individual USFSA members - I thought it was much higher than that - in the low 1,000's?  *shrugs*

[FigureSpins]

I posted that? Did I? 

I thought it was drskater.

http://skatingforums.com/index.php/topic,1293.0.html

[Sk8ing Wizard]

haha sorry Agnes--it wasn't you. It was drskater, but for some reason I had your avatar in my head. Sorry...you must have commented on it or something

And thank you for the info

[Isk8NYC]

If you're a USFSA member and have an online ID/password, you can access the Governing Council documents here: https://www.usfsaonline.org/GoverningCouncil/GoverningCouncil.asp

The Meeting Book for 2011 is on that page, along with the committee reports. 

I've been picking through the various documents and reading up on the proposals.  It's very interesting to see what's been suggested.

[MadMac]

There is another link on the main page of usfsa.org.  Look at the 4/29 entry on the Recent Site Updates.


Mod note: Moved to GC news thread.

[Isk8NYC]

There is another link on the main page of usfsa.org.  Look at the 4/29 entry on the Recent Site Updates.

The only GC-related link on the "Recent Site Updates" page is from 4/18.  It's a recap of the proposals approved by the Board of Directors: http://www.usfsa.org/content.asp?menu=leadership&id=443

Maybe you meant this GC News item?

All about Rise - http://www.usfsa.org/Story.asp?id=46089

[MadMac]

No, not Rise. There was a different link dated 4/29 in the Recent Updates box. It was there this morning, but it's not there now -- hmmm.

[FigureSpins]

No, not Rise. There was a different link dated 4/29 in the Recent Updates box. It was there this morning, but it's not there now -- hmmm.

Was it this one: http://www.usfsa.org/story.asp?id=46049  (It's not linked to any page, but a little detective work found it.)

The following items were among those approved at the 2011 Governing Council meeting. Details of the passing items will be available by May 11 on the Reports of Action home page.


BYLAW EXHIBITS
Exhibit B - A new Theatrical Skating Committee was created. This committee will oversee Theatre On Ice and National Showcase, which were previously under the jurisdiction of the Program Development Committee.

Reports of Action

TECHNICAL GROUP (GROUP 3)

301. The following officials received national appointments

<snip>

303. The Adult Skating Committee made changes to the Adult Pre-Bronze, Adult Silver and Adult Gold Moves in the Field Tests, effective September 2, 2010.

Adult Pre-Bronze: replaced forward three turns with forward right and left foot spirals (moved from adult silver)
Adult Silver: replaced forward right and left foot spirals with consecutive outside and inside spirals (from preliminary)
Adult Gold: replaced inside slide chasse pattern with backward circle eight (from pre-juvenile)

304. APPROVED - Adult Skating Committee
Amended rule 3741 (page 251, Rulebook), rule 3751 (page 252, Rulebook) and rule 3761 (page 253, Rulebook) to reduce the maximum number of spins allowed in the championships masters junior-senior, masters senior and masters junior well-balanced free skate events from four to three.

Implementation date: June 1, 2011

305. APPROVED - Adult Skating Committee
Amended rule 3746 (page 251, Rulebook), rule 3771 (page 253, Rulebook) and rule 3776 (page 254, Rulebook) to reduce the maximum number of jumps allowed in the championships masters intermediate-novice, masters novice and masters intermediate well-balanced free skate events from seven to six.

Implementation date: June 1, 2011

306. APPROVED - Adult Skating Committee
Amended rule 3781 (page 255, Rulebook) to reduce the maximum number of jump elements allowed in the championship adult gold and adult gold well-balanced free skate events from six to five.

Implementation date: June 1, 2011

307. APPROVED - Adult Skating Committee
Amended the Championships Masters Junior-Senior, Championship Masters Intermediate-Novice, Masters Senior, Masters Junior, Masters Novice, Masters Intermediate, Championship Adult Gold and Adult Gold well-balanced program requirements to allow the option of a choreographed step sequence or a choreographed spiral sequence.

Implementation date: June 1, 2011

308. APPROVED - Adult Skating Committee
Amended the Championship Adult Pairs, Adult Masters Pairs and Adult Gold Pairs to allow the option of a choreographed step sequence or a choreographed spiral sequence.

Implementation date: June 1, 2011

309. APPROVED - Adult Skating Committee
Revised the names, levels and requirements for adult interpretive events.

Implementation date: June 1, 2011



310. APPROVED - Competitions Committee
Made the following changes to the qualifying competition structure:
1. Have the four best-placed competitors in the intermediate and juvenile singles events in each region qualify to enter the appropriate sectional championship.
2. Replace the current U.S. Junior Championships stand-alone event with a smaller national competition for juvenile and intermediate athletes held in conjunction with the U.S. Figure Skating Championships.
3. Have the four best-placed competitors in all intermediate and juvenile events (singles, pairs and ice dancing) from each section qualify to enter the national competition mentioned in item 2 above.

Implementation date: September 1, 2012

319. APPROVED - Competitions Committee
Updated the dance events at the U.S. Collegiate Championships.


1430 U.S. Collegiate Figure Skating Championships
1431 The U.S. Collegiate Figure Skating Championships shall will consist of the following events:
C. Dance shall will consist of two pattern dances a short dance and a free dance.
Implementation date: June 1, 2011 (so this can be used for the 2011 U.S. Collegiate Championships)


324. APPROVED - Competitions Committee
Amended rule 2501 (A)(2) and (B)(1) (page 153, Rulebook) to add adult pre-gold dance to the list of events judged using the international judging system and remove it from the list of events judged using the 6.0 system at the U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships.

Implementation date: September 1, 2011

325. APPROVED - Competitions Committee
Amended rule 2501 (A)(2) and (B)(1) (page 153, Rulebook) to use the IJS system for championship, masters and gold levels of singles events at adult sectional championships.

Implementation date: September 1, 2011


342. APPROVED - Competitions Committee
Amended rule 3562 (page 219, Rulebook) to allow sequins, rhinestones or jeweled trim to be used in moderation by collegiate teams in addition to junior and senior teams.

Implementation date: September 1, 2011


344. APPROVED - Competitions Committee

Increased the maximum age for juvenile to "14 years of age or older as of Sept. 1 prior to the regional championships."


345. APPROVED - Dance Committee
Amended rule TR 40.02 (A) (page 32, Tests Book) to allow solo dance track tests to qualify skaters for solo dance competitions.

Implementation date: September 1, 2011

346. APPROVED - Dance Committee
Amended rule TR 41.03 (B) (page 33, Tests Book) and added a new rule TR 49.09 [suggested number] (page 39, Tests Book to allow skaters to test selected international dances--Cha Cha Congelado, Rhumba, Silver Samba, Tango Romantica and Yankee Polka--as part of the solo dance track tests.

Implementation date: September 2, 2011

352. APPROVED - Dance Committee
Amended rule 4412 (page 313, Rulebook) to adjust the way novice pattern dances are judged to mirror the judging of the pattern dance elements in the junior and senior short dance.

Guidelines for evaluating the novice pattern dances:
◦Four key points in each sequence/section of the dance will be assessed by the technical panel to establish the level of the whole sequence/section as one unit, and judges will give one GOE for the whole sequence/section.
◦The key points will be taken into consideration by the technical panel to establish the level of each sequence/section of the dance.
◦The key points will be determined by the ISU. If the ISU has not already assigned key points for a dance to be skated in an upcoming season, they will be determined by the U.S. Figure Skating Dance Committee.
◦The key points and calling specifications will be announced at the Governing Council meeting prior to the start of the season.

Implementation date: June 1, 2011

353. & 354. APPROVED - Dance Committee
Changed the lift requirements for the novice free dance and novice free dance test to: "one short lift and one long lift or three short lifts."

Implementation date: June 1, 2011

355. APPROVED - Dance Committee
Added a solo free dance test track for juvenile, intermediate, novice, junior and senior levels.

Implementation date: September 2, 2011

356. APPROVED - Judges Committee
Amend rule TR 49.03 (page 37, Tests Book) and JR 7.01 (B)(3)(a) (page 73, Rulebook) to allow a silver dance test judge to single panel bronze pattern dances.

Implementation date: June 1, 2011

357. APPROVED - Pairs Committee
Amended rule 4061, Novice Pairs Short Program, (page 281, Rulebook) to alternate between the solo spin and the pair spin each season. The requirement for 2011-12 will be the pair spin.

Implementation date: June 1, 2011

358. APPROVED - Pairs Committee
Amended rule 4061, Novice Pairs Short Program, (page 281, Rulebook), such that one step sequence will be required each year, and the spiral sequence will no longer be required in any season. (Currently the step sequence and spiral sequence alternate each year.)

Implementation date: June 1, 2011

359. APPROVED - Pairs Committee
Amended rule 4062, Novice Pairs Well-Balanced Free Skate, (pages 282-283, Rulebook), such that one spiral sequence will be required each year, and the step sequence will no longer be a requirement in any season. (Currently the step sequence and spiral sequence alternate each year.)

Implementation date: June 1, 2011

360. APPROVED - Pairs Committee
Amended rule 4071, Intermediate Pairs Well-Balanced Free Skate, (pages 283-284, Rulebook) to allow a pivot figure as an option for the death spiral element.

Implementation date: June 1, 2011

362. APPROVED - Singles Committee
Amended rule 3662, Novice Ladies Short Program (steps), (page 242, Rulebook) to replace the fixed Base Value spiral sequence with a leveled step sequence.

Implementation date: June 1, 2011

363. APPROVED - Singles Committee
Amended rule 3663, Novice Well-Balanced Free Skate (steps), (pages 242-243, Rulebook) to replace the option of a fixed Base Value spiral or a fixed Base Value choreographed step sequence with a leveled step sequence.

Implementation date: June 1, 2011

364., 365. & 366. APPROVED - Singles Committee
Amended Intermediate Short Program, Intermediate Well-Balanced Free Skate and Juvenile/Open Juvenile Well-Balanced Free Skate to replace the leveled step sequence with a fixed Base Value choreographed step sequence.

Implementation date: June 1, 2011

367. APPROVED - Singles Committee
Amended rule 3661, Novice Men Short Program (spins), (page 241, Rulebook) to require a change of foot in the camel or sit spin.

Implementation date: June 1, 2011

368. APPROVED - Singles Committee
Amended rule 3672, Intermediate Well-Balanced Free Skate (spins), (page 244, Rulebook) to limit the number of spins to two. One spin must be a combination spin with at least one change of position, and one spin must be a spin in one position with no change of foot. Both spins may have a flying entry.

Implementation date: June 1, 2011

369. APPROVED - Singles Committee
Amended rule TR 32.05, Intermediate Free Skate Test (spins), (page 20, Tests Book) to change the recommended spin requirement from three to two.

Implementation date: June 1, 2011

370. APPROVED - Singles Committee
Amended rule 3681, Juvenile/Open Juvenile Well-Balanced Free Skate (spins), (page 245, Rulebook) to limit the number of spins to two. One spin must be a combination spin with at least one change of position, and one spin must be a spin in one position with no change of foot. Both spins may have a flying entry.

Implementation date: June 1, 2011

371. APPROVED - Singles Committee
Amended rule TR 32.04, Juvenile Free Skate Test (spins), (page 20, Tests Book) to change the recommended spin requirement as follows:

TR 32.04 Juvenile Free Skate Test
Spins: Recommended two three to include:
1. Forward sit spin (minimum 4 revolutions in position)
2.1. Ladies: Layback or attitude spin (minimum 4 revolutions in position)
Men: Forward camel spin (minimum 4 revolutions in position)...
3.2. One spin combination with one change of foot and at least one change of position optional (minimum 4 revolutions on each foot). Must include two one of the following positions: camel, sit or upright attitude.
Implementation date: June 1, 2011

372. APPROVED - Singles Committee
Amended rule 3691, Pre-Juvenile Well-Balanced Free Skate (spins), (pages 245-246, Rulebook) to limit the number of spins to two. One spin must be a combination spin with at least one change of position (minimum six revolutions total), and one spin must be a spin in one position with no change of foot (minimum four revolutions). Both spins may have a flying entry.

Implementation date: June 1, 2011

373. APPROVED - Singles Committee
Amended rule TR 32.03, Pre-Juvenile Free Skate Test (spins), (page 19, Tests Book) to change the recommended spin requirement as follows:

TR 32.03 Pre-Juvenile Free Skate Test
Spins: Recommended two three to include:
1. One camel spin (minimum 3 revolutions)
2. One combination spin: forward camel spin to forward sit spin, change of foot optional. No change of foot (minimum 6 revolutions combined in forward sit and camel positions)
3. Front scratch to back scratch - exit on spinning foot (minimum 4 revolutions on each foot)
Implementation date: June 1, 2011

374. APPROVED - Singles Committee
Amended rule TR 32.02, Preliminary Free Skate Test (spins), (page 19, Tests Book) to change the one foot backspin to a front scratch to back scratch spin (minimum three revolutions on each foot, exit on spinning foot not mandatory).

Implementation date: June 1, 2011

376. APPROVED - Singles Committee
Amend rule 3663, Novice Well-Balanced Free Skate (jump repetitions), (page 242, Rulebook) to allow one additional triple jump to be repeated and to limit each double (and triple) jump to appear no more than twice (i.e. can repeat as many doubles as they like, but each can appear no more than two times in a program).

Implementation date: June 1, 2011

377. APPROVED - Singles Committee
Amended the following levels to limit the number of jump combinations or jump sequences to a maximum of two:
◦Juvenile/Open Juvenile Well-Balanced Free Skate
◦Pre-Juvenile Well-Balanced Free Skate
◦Preliminary Well-Balanced Free Skate
◦Pre-Preliminary Well-Balanced Free Skate
◦No Test Well-Balanced Free Skate

Implementation date: June 1, 2011

378. APPROVED - Singles Committee
Amended the following levels to limit the number of jumps in jump combinations to two jumps. The number of jumps in the jump sequence will remain unlimited:
◦Juvenile/Open Juvenile Well-Balanced Free Skate
◦Pre-Juvenile Well-Balanced Free Skate
◦Preliminary Well-Balanced Free Skate
◦Pre-Preliminary Well-Balanced Free Skate
◦No Test Well-Balanced Free Skate

Implementation date: June 1, 2011

379. APPROVED - Synchronized Skating Committee
Amended rule 4681 (page 362, Rulebook) to give novice teams the option of choosing between a circle step sequence and a block step sequence in the novice well-balanced free skate requirements.

4681 Novice Well-Balanced Free Skate
A well-balanced novice free skate must contain the following nine eight elements:
A. One block element
B. One circle element
C. One intersection element
D. One line element
E. One wheel element
F. One movement in isolation (one free skate move or one free skate element)
G. One no hold step sequence
H. One block step sequence
I. One circle step sequence
H. One element selected from a block step sequence or a circle step sequence
Implementation date: September 1, 2011

380. APPROVED - Synchronized Skating Committee
Amended rule 4691 (page 362, Rulebook) to remove one intersection from the intermediate well-balanced free skate requirements.

4691 Intermediate Well-Balanced Free Skate

A well-balanced intermediate free skate must contain the following nine eight elements:
A. One block element
B. One circle element
C. Two One intersection elements
D. One line element
E. One wheel element
F. One movement in isolation (one free skate move or one free skate element)
G. One block step sequence
H. One circle step sequence
Implementation date: September 1, 2011



NEW BUSINESS FROM THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

506. Submitted by Hal Marron, Technical Group Coordinator
Amended rule JR 6.01 (G)(5) (page 72, Rulebook) to allow gold singles/pairs test judges to judge all levels of singles and pairs events at nonqualifying competitions.

Implementation date: June 1, 2011

507. Submitted by Hal Marron, Technical Group Coordinator
Amended rule JR 7.01 (C)(4) (page 74, Rulebook) to allow gold dance test judges to judge all levels of ice dancing events at nonqualifying competitions.

Implementation date: June 1, 2011

Just wanted to capture the information in case the article gets removed from the USFSA site.

Sorry that some of you are disappointed at the changes to Adult Moves.  ((((hugs))))

[MadMac]

Yes, thanks! That's the one.
Notice that the effective date for Adult MIF changes is listed as Sept 2, 2010 -- hope that is a typo LOL!!

I have mixed feelings about the changes. For the most part I like it. Hoping you all are correct in your prediction of this being a move toward eliminating the separate adult mif track. But then, that would make earning a Gold Medal for MIF DRASTICALLY more difficult for adults.  And how would it match up with MIF prerequisites for taking the various Adult FS tests? Must pass Juv or Int MIF to take Gold FS? It will be interesting, indeed, to see where all this is going.

[Skittl1321]

My club president said the proxy delegate called and said it diid not pass. And its the only one on the list that doesn't say "approved" with an implementation date in 2011. So until the official report comes out, count me as confused.

[ChristyRN]

Adult Pre-Bronze: replaced forward three turns with forward right and left foot spirals (moved from adult silver)

Yay!  I absolutely hated the three turn pattern.  It's one of the reasons I didn't pass when I tested (four years ago and haven't worked up the courage to try again)  I can do spirals.  Not necessarily perfect, but better than that dastardly pattern.

[sarahspins]

Color me confused too... I personally don't mind if they are changed, I find the forward 3 turn pattern to be much harder than it needs to be and would much rather do the spirals... but on the flip side of that, I am planning on testing pre-bronze and bronze in July or August, so I'd like to know which moves I will be preparing to test.

[Clarice]

Color me confused too... I personally don't mind if they are changed, I find the forward 3 turn pattern to be much harder than it needs to be and would much rather do the spirals... but on the flip side of that, I am planning on testing pre-bronze and bronze in July or August, so I'd like to know which moves I will be preparing to test.

If you're testing this summer, keep doing the ones you're doing now.  Even if the change goes through, it won't go into effect until Sept.

[drskater]

To be confused with Agnes Nitt--what an amazing compliment! Thanks!

Let me tell you--people who supported the fee increase campaigned hard during the days leading up to the vote. The Board worked hard too; every section meeting and other critical issues forums were devoted the dire consequences of not passing the increases. The whole budget was constructed around the 600K in revenue and the Board cannot operate on a deficit anymore. Programs, resources, staffing were all set to be slashed if this did not get approved. No one brought up the problem of lack of renewals affecting these numbers.

I don't recall a single peep about the increase in Individual membership fees.

A few clubs objected for being "penalized" for getting more than 100 members, and having to pay club dues of $200.00. This was rectified by creating a new category of clubs with 50-99 members who will now pay $100.00 in fees (less than 50 members remains $50.00).

[Isk8NYC]

Sounds like they rubber-stamped everything, huh?  Thanks for the update.

There was a post on Facebook saying that the GC results would be published on 5/11/2011.

[techskater]

I heard that the approvals (especially for JN abolishment) was not without it's dessenters.

[FigureSpins]

The 2011 Combined Report of Action document for Governing Council and the Board of Directors actions is now available:

http://www.usfigureskating.org/Content/201011CombinedRoA.pdf


(NB: The implementation date for the Adult Moves changes is September 2, 2011)