The 2012 U.S. Figure Skating Governing Council Presented by Hilton HHonors takes place May 3-5 at the Hilton Myrtle Beach Resort in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
After a full day of meetings and seminars on Thursday, the 2012 Governing Council meeting got under way Friday afternoon with a keynote speech from two members of the U.S. synchronized skating team Haydenettes, who have won 20 U.S. titles and are three-time reigning World Synchronized bronze medalists.
After thanking U.S. Figure Skating and its delegates for its ongoing support as the U.S. synchro program continues to be the largest in the world, Jenna Longo and Lindsay Grajeck called the U.S. to action. They asked attendees to prove to the world that the U.S. has the best figure skaters and fans next year when the 2013 World Synchronized Skating Championships are held next April in Boston.
With that, the delegates, led by U.S. Figure Skating President Patricia St. Peter, got down to business.
Arcadia FSC - Phoenix, Ariz.
Boulder FSC - Boulder, Colo.
Center Ice of Oaks FSC - Oaks, Pa.
Central Iowa FSC - Urbandale, Iowa
Heartland FSC - Independence, Mo.
Heritage FSC - Lakeville, Minn.
Jay Peak FSC - Jay Peak, Vt.
Jersey Coast FSC - Farmingdale, N.J.
Marshfield Silver Laces FSC - Marshfield, Wis.
Northern Maine FSC - Presque Isle, Maine
Palm Beach FSC - Lake Worth, Fla.
Pond FSC - Newark, Del.
The Governing Council took the following actions pertaining to the U.S. Figure Skating bylaws and articles of incorporation:
1. Withdrew Exhibit A, which would have amended the number of votes required to pass an amendment to the articles of incorporation.
2. Adopted Exhibit B, which gives honorary, ex-officio and additional members, committee chairs and representatives from other organizations the right to speak at select meetings of U.S. Figure Skating.
3. Adopted Exhibit C, which changes the process for a new club to become a full member club.
4. Did not adopt Exhibit D, which would have changed the format and frequency of Governing Council meetings and rule changes.
5. Adopted Exhibit E, which uses a rotation to determine the non-voting athlete member of the Board of Directors each season so that, going forward, no discipline (ice dancing, pairs, singles or synchronized skating) will be represented by the non-voting member in two consecutive years.
6. Adopted Exhibit F, which moves the full definition of "athlete" into the U.S. Figure Skating bylaws.
7. Adopted Exhibit G, which clarifies the effect of filling a vacancy on the term limits of said director.
Lindsey Weber, chair, Athletes Advisory Committee, opened the evening by introducing the annual winners of the AAA award. The award has distributed $15,000 to athletes who are active in the sport and their communities since the scholarship fund began seven years ago.
Congratulations to winners Ashley Cain (ladies), Jay Yostanto (men's), Britney Simpson (pairs), Hannah Rosinski (ice dancing), Courtney Cameron (synchronized) and Vincent Zhou (overall).
Wong and his co-hosts then introduced keynote speaker Tanith Belbin, who with partner Ben Agosto, is the 2006 Olympic silver medalist, five-time U.S. champion and four-time World medalist.
Belbin graciously spoke of her experience as a member of U.S. Figure Skating, both as a longtime athlete and a budding coach and choreographer, since moving to the United States 15 years ago.
"I experienced the support, motivation and guidance offered by U.S. Figure Skating," Belbin said. "It's an organization that places as much emphasis on future champions as it does on supporting the current leaders.
"I feel the true measure of the organization's success is not based on results in a record book, but in the number of dreamers inspired over the years."
National Accountants: Katherine Bosworth, Sherwood, Ore.; Ellen Izuka, San Carlos, Calif.; Rodney Williams, Anchorage, Alaska
National Dance Referee: John Millier, Atlanta, Ga.
National Music Coordinators: James Chen, Fair Lawn, N.J.
National Showcase Referees: Aileen Arenson, Escondido, Calif.; Eleanor Curtis, Albuquerque, N.M.; Kathleen Harmon, Federal Way, Wash.; John LeFevre, Colorado Springs, Colo.; Morry Stillwell, Fallbrook, Calif.; Kathy Slack, Troy, Ohio
National Synchronized Referee: Robin Greenleaf, Wayland, Mass.
National Theatre On Ice Referees: Leonard Colarusso, Quincy, Mass.; Jeanette Davey, La Mesa, Calif.; Judith Edmunds, W Yarmouth, Mass.; Ann Fauver, Kennebunk, Maine; Susan Haugh, Livonia, N.Y.; Chip Ludlow, Venice, Fla.; Donald Mumper, Athens, Ala.; Kathy Slack, Troy, Ohio; Lauren Whittaker, Naperville, Ill.
National Showcase Judges: Deb Alsen, Calgary, AB, Canada; Aileen Arenson, Escondido, Calif.; Anthony Bardin, Los Angeles, Calif.; Shirley Bourquin, Marlborough, Mass.; Melissa Bowman, Fairview, Texas; Harland Burge, Laguna Hills, Calif.; Rita Cerny, Colorado Springs, Colo.; Elizabeth Clark, Ottawa, Ont.; Holly Cole, Hunt Valley, Md.; John Cole, Hunt Valley, Md.; Edwin Cossitt, Water Mill, N.Y.; Eleanor Curtis, Albuquerque, N.M.; Jeanette Davey, La Mesa, Calif.; Judith Edmunds, W. Yarmouth, Mass.; Kathleen Harmon, Federal Way, Wash.; Mary Hiser, Worthington, Ohio; Robert Horen, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; John LeFevre, Colorado Springs, Colo.; Chip Ludlow, Venice, Fla.; Mary Anne McGivern, Tulsa, Okla.; Marie Pearce, Atlanta, Ga.; Carolyn Pierce, Hyannis, Mass.; Mary Lou Rothman, Cypress, Calif.; Kathy Slack, Troy, Ohio; Karen Snoddy, Willoughby, Ohio; Morry Stillwell, Fallbrook, Calif.; Elisabeth Vaughn, Richardson, Texas; Lauren Whittaker, Naperville, Ill.
National Singles/Pairs Judges: Najja Bracey, Alexandria, Va.; Katherine Conrad, Kansas City, Mo.; Christy Cullen Williams, Pembroke Pines, Fla.; Kelly Davies, Kirkland, Wash.; Alison Hershberger, San Jose, Calif.; Nancy Iida, Irving, Texas; Michelle Zeles-Hahn, Westminster, Colo.
National Synchronized Judges: Elizabeth Barrow, Macomb, Mich.; Mary Ann Wilcox, Rock Springs, Wyo.; National Theatre On Ice Judges: Aileen Arenson, Escondido, Calif.; Robert Bell, Lincoln, R.I.; Michele Blatt, Brooklyn, N.Y.; Shirley Bourquin, Marlborough, Mass.; Joyce Burden, San Carlos, Calif.; Joan Burns, San Mateo, Calif.; Glennace Cohen, Castle Rock, Colo.; Leonard Colarusso, Quincy, Mass.; Stephanie Crugnola, Franklin, Mass.; Kathaleen Cutone, Reading, Mass.; Jeanette Davey, La Mesa, Calif.; Judith Edmunds, W. Yarmouth, Mass.; Ann Fauver, Kennebunk, Maine;Susan Haugh, Livonia, N.Y.; Mary Hiser, Worthington, Ohio; Robert Horen, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; Chip Ludlow, Venice, Fla.; Patricia Lynch, Glen Ridge, N.J.; William Mein, Hannawa Falls, N.Y.; Gerald Miele, Greenville, R.I.; Evelyn Minter, Waterbury Center, Vt.; Wendy Mlinar, Pound Ridge, N.Y.; Donald Mumper , Athens, Ala.; Kristy Panos, Novi, Mich.; Marie Pearce, Atlanta, Ga.; Carolyn Pierce, Hyannis, Mass.; Martha Rasmussen, Orchard Park, N.Y.; Kathy Slack, Troy, Ohio; Dorothy Tank, Lincoln Park, Mich.; Daren Patterson, Knoxville, Tenn.; Lauren Whittaker, Naperville, Ill.
National Technical Controller - Pairs: Wayne Hundley, Riverside, Calif.
National Technical Controller - Singles: Alexander Enzmann, Stow, Mass.; Cassy Papajohn, Englewood, Colo.; National Technical Specialists - Dance: Andrew Skillington, Colorado Springs, Colo.
National Technical Specialists - Pairs: Eugene Heffron, Rockford, Ill.; Steven Hsu, Los Angeles, Calif.; Sandra Hurtubise-Ulmer, Fairfax, Va.
National Technical Specialists - Singles: Phillip DiGuglielmo, San Francisco, Calif.; Camie Doyle, River Edge, N.J.; Yevgeny Martynov, Naperville, Ill.; Janet Melville-Ford, Holly Springs, N.C.; Christian Newberry, Hummelstown, Pa.
National Data Operator - Singles, Pairs and Dance: Lynn Goldman, Austin, Texas
Group 1: 101-102, 104-106
Group 2: 202-203
Group 3: 301-310, 312-318, 320-323, 326-334, 339-358, 360, 365-366
Group 4: 401-402
New Business to the Board of Directors: 501-508
New Business to the Governing Council: 601
2. Approved the following items with amendments:
Group 1: 103
Group 2: 201
Group 3: 311, 319, 324, 325, 335, 336, 337, 338, 359, 361, 362, 363, 364
3. Refereed the following items:
New Business to the Governing Council: 602, 603
4. Did not approve the following items:
New Business to the Board of Directors: 509, 510
5. Elected the following members of the Board of Directors:
President - Patricia St. Peter
Midwestern and First Vice President - Kathy Slack
Pacific Coast and Second Vice President - Hal Marron
Eastern and Third Vice President - Kathaleen Kelly Cutone
Secretary - Samuel Auxier
Treasurer - Warren Naphtal
Athlete Services Group Coordinator - Justin Dillon
Membership Development Group Coordinator - Lainie DeMore
Technical Group Coordinator - Wendy Enzmann
Administrative/Legal Group Coordinator - Gretchen Bonnie
Coaching Member - Brittney Bottoms
Coaching Member - Karen Kwan Oppegard
6. Announced the athlete members of the Board of Directors as elected by the athletes:
Pilar Bosley (Ice dancing)
Mark Ladwig (Pairs)
Cathleen Renzi (Synchronized)
Lindsey Weber (Singles)
7. Announced the Nominating Committee for 2012-13:
Elected by the Governing Council to serve a two-year term:
Susan Keogh (NE), Nancy Iida (SW), Dawn Eyerly (SWP), Sarah Hughes (NA), Robert Bauer (UGL), William Cloran (NWP)
Elected by the 2011 Governing Council to serve a two-year term (this is year two)
John Cole (SA), Kristy Panos (EGL), Kevin Rosenstein (CP)
Elected by the athletes to serve a one-year term
Amanda Evora (E), Lindsey Weber (M), Amber Corwin (P)
After a full day of meetings and seminars on Thursday, the 2012 Governing Council meeting got under way Friday afternoon with a keynote speech from two members of the U.S. synchronized skating team Haydenettes, who have won 20 U.S. titles and are three-time reigning World Synchronized bronze medalists.
After thanking U.S. Figure Skating and its delegates for its ongoing support as the U.S. synchro program continues to be the largest in the world, Jenna Longo and Lindsay Grajeck called the U.S. to action. They asked attendees to prove to the world that the U.S. has the best figure skaters and fans next year when the 2013 World Synchronized Skating Championships are held next April in Boston.
With that, the delegates, led by U.S. Figure Skating President Patricia St. Peter, got down to business.
Friday Actions
The following clubs were awarded full member status at the 2012 Governing Council meeting.Arcadia FSC - Phoenix, Ariz.
Boulder FSC - Boulder, Colo.
Center Ice of Oaks FSC - Oaks, Pa.
Central Iowa FSC - Urbandale, Iowa
Heartland FSC - Independence, Mo.
Heritage FSC - Lakeville, Minn.
Jay Peak FSC - Jay Peak, Vt.
Jersey Coast FSC - Farmingdale, N.J.
Marshfield Silver Laces FSC - Marshfield, Wis.
Northern Maine FSC - Presque Isle, Maine
Palm Beach FSC - Lake Worth, Fla.
Pond FSC - Newark, Del.
The Governing Council took the following actions pertaining to the U.S. Figure Skating bylaws and articles of incorporation:
1. Withdrew Exhibit A, which would have amended the number of votes required to pass an amendment to the articles of incorporation.
2. Adopted Exhibit B, which gives honorary, ex-officio and additional members, committee chairs and representatives from other organizations the right to speak at select meetings of U.S. Figure Skating.
3. Adopted Exhibit C, which changes the process for a new club to become a full member club.
4. Did not adopt Exhibit D, which would have changed the format and frequency of Governing Council meetings and rule changes.
5. Adopted Exhibit E, which uses a rotation to determine the non-voting athlete member of the Board of Directors each season so that, going forward, no discipline (ice dancing, pairs, singles or synchronized skating) will be represented by the non-voting member in two consecutive years.
6. Adopted Exhibit F, which moves the full definition of "athlete" into the U.S. Figure Skating bylaws.
7. Adopted Exhibit G, which clarifies the effect of filling a vacancy on the term limits of said director.
Athlete Alumni Dinner
Friday night's festivities included the Seventh Annual Athlete Alumni Dinner and featured current and former Team USA members. On hand were Sarah Hughes, Emily Hughes, Timothy Goebel, Amanda Evora, Mark Ladwig, Taylor Toth, Colin McManus, Douglas Razzano, Becky Bereswill and many more. For the first time, Jason Wong along with Felicia Beck and Pilar Bosley, presented an evening of 'Sunset, Glitter and Gold' for over 100 attendees.Lindsey Weber, chair, Athletes Advisory Committee, opened the evening by introducing the annual winners of the AAA award. The award has distributed $15,000 to athletes who are active in the sport and their communities since the scholarship fund began seven years ago.
Congratulations to winners Ashley Cain (ladies), Jay Yostanto (men's), Britney Simpson (pairs), Hannah Rosinski (ice dancing), Courtney Cameron (synchronized) and Vincent Zhou (overall).
Wong and his co-hosts then introduced keynote speaker Tanith Belbin, who with partner Ben Agosto, is the 2006 Olympic silver medalist, five-time U.S. champion and four-time World medalist.
Belbin graciously spoke of her experience as a member of U.S. Figure Skating, both as a longtime athlete and a budding coach and choreographer, since moving to the United States 15 years ago.
"I experienced the support, motivation and guidance offered by U.S. Figure Skating," Belbin said. "It's an organization that places as much emphasis on future champions as it does on supporting the current leaders.
"I feel the true measure of the organization's success is not based on results in a record book, but in the number of dreamers inspired over the years."
Saturday Actions
The following officials were appointed as national officials by the Board of Directors as follows:National Accountants: Katherine Bosworth, Sherwood, Ore.; Ellen Izuka, San Carlos, Calif.; Rodney Williams, Anchorage, Alaska
National Dance Referee: John Millier, Atlanta, Ga.
National Music Coordinators: James Chen, Fair Lawn, N.J.
National Showcase Referees: Aileen Arenson, Escondido, Calif.; Eleanor Curtis, Albuquerque, N.M.; Kathleen Harmon, Federal Way, Wash.; John LeFevre, Colorado Springs, Colo.; Morry Stillwell, Fallbrook, Calif.; Kathy Slack, Troy, Ohio
National Synchronized Referee: Robin Greenleaf, Wayland, Mass.
National Theatre On Ice Referees: Leonard Colarusso, Quincy, Mass.; Jeanette Davey, La Mesa, Calif.; Judith Edmunds, W Yarmouth, Mass.; Ann Fauver, Kennebunk, Maine; Susan Haugh, Livonia, N.Y.; Chip Ludlow, Venice, Fla.; Donald Mumper, Athens, Ala.; Kathy Slack, Troy, Ohio; Lauren Whittaker, Naperville, Ill.
National Showcase Judges: Deb Alsen, Calgary, AB, Canada; Aileen Arenson, Escondido, Calif.; Anthony Bardin, Los Angeles, Calif.; Shirley Bourquin, Marlborough, Mass.; Melissa Bowman, Fairview, Texas; Harland Burge, Laguna Hills, Calif.; Rita Cerny, Colorado Springs, Colo.; Elizabeth Clark, Ottawa, Ont.; Holly Cole, Hunt Valley, Md.; John Cole, Hunt Valley, Md.; Edwin Cossitt, Water Mill, N.Y.; Eleanor Curtis, Albuquerque, N.M.; Jeanette Davey, La Mesa, Calif.; Judith Edmunds, W. Yarmouth, Mass.; Kathleen Harmon, Federal Way, Wash.; Mary Hiser, Worthington, Ohio; Robert Horen, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; John LeFevre, Colorado Springs, Colo.; Chip Ludlow, Venice, Fla.; Mary Anne McGivern, Tulsa, Okla.; Marie Pearce, Atlanta, Ga.; Carolyn Pierce, Hyannis, Mass.; Mary Lou Rothman, Cypress, Calif.; Kathy Slack, Troy, Ohio; Karen Snoddy, Willoughby, Ohio; Morry Stillwell, Fallbrook, Calif.; Elisabeth Vaughn, Richardson, Texas; Lauren Whittaker, Naperville, Ill.
National Singles/Pairs Judges: Najja Bracey, Alexandria, Va.; Katherine Conrad, Kansas City, Mo.; Christy Cullen Williams, Pembroke Pines, Fla.; Kelly Davies, Kirkland, Wash.; Alison Hershberger, San Jose, Calif.; Nancy Iida, Irving, Texas; Michelle Zeles-Hahn, Westminster, Colo.
National Synchronized Judges: Elizabeth Barrow, Macomb, Mich.; Mary Ann Wilcox, Rock Springs, Wyo.; National Theatre On Ice Judges: Aileen Arenson, Escondido, Calif.; Robert Bell, Lincoln, R.I.; Michele Blatt, Brooklyn, N.Y.; Shirley Bourquin, Marlborough, Mass.; Joyce Burden, San Carlos, Calif.; Joan Burns, San Mateo, Calif.; Glennace Cohen, Castle Rock, Colo.; Leonard Colarusso, Quincy, Mass.; Stephanie Crugnola, Franklin, Mass.; Kathaleen Cutone, Reading, Mass.; Jeanette Davey, La Mesa, Calif.; Judith Edmunds, W. Yarmouth, Mass.; Ann Fauver, Kennebunk, Maine;Susan Haugh, Livonia, N.Y.; Mary Hiser, Worthington, Ohio; Robert Horen, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; Chip Ludlow, Venice, Fla.; Patricia Lynch, Glen Ridge, N.J.; William Mein, Hannawa Falls, N.Y.; Gerald Miele, Greenville, R.I.; Evelyn Minter, Waterbury Center, Vt.; Wendy Mlinar, Pound Ridge, N.Y.; Donald Mumper , Athens, Ala.; Kristy Panos, Novi, Mich.; Marie Pearce, Atlanta, Ga.; Carolyn Pierce, Hyannis, Mass.; Martha Rasmussen, Orchard Park, N.Y.; Kathy Slack, Troy, Ohio; Dorothy Tank, Lincoln Park, Mich.; Daren Patterson, Knoxville, Tenn.; Lauren Whittaker, Naperville, Ill.
National Technical Controller - Pairs: Wayne Hundley, Riverside, Calif.
National Technical Controller - Singles: Alexander Enzmann, Stow, Mass.; Cassy Papajohn, Englewood, Colo.; National Technical Specialists - Dance: Andrew Skillington, Colorado Springs, Colo.
National Technical Specialists - Pairs: Eugene Heffron, Rockford, Ill.; Steven Hsu, Los Angeles, Calif.; Sandra Hurtubise-Ulmer, Fairfax, Va.
National Technical Specialists - Singles: Phillip DiGuglielmo, San Francisco, Calif.; Camie Doyle, River Edge, N.J.; Yevgeny Martynov, Naperville, Ill.; Janet Melville-Ford, Holly Springs, N.C.; Christian Newberry, Hummelstown, Pa.
National Data Operator - Singles, Pairs and Dance: Lynn Goldman, Austin, Texas
Summary of Actions Taken by the Governing Council
1. Approved the following items as they were submitted:Group 1: 101-102, 104-106
Group 2: 202-203
Group 3: 301-310, 312-318, 320-323, 326-334, 339-358, 360, 365-366
Group 4: 401-402
New Business to the Board of Directors: 501-508
New Business to the Governing Council: 601
2. Approved the following items with amendments:
Group 1: 103
Group 2: 201
Group 3: 311, 319, 324, 325, 335, 336, 337, 338, 359, 361, 362, 363, 364
3. Refereed the following items:
New Business to the Governing Council: 602, 603
4. Did not approve the following items:
New Business to the Board of Directors: 509, 510
5. Elected the following members of the Board of Directors:
President - Patricia St. Peter
Midwestern and First Vice President - Kathy Slack
Pacific Coast and Second Vice President - Hal Marron
Eastern and Third Vice President - Kathaleen Kelly Cutone
Secretary - Samuel Auxier
Treasurer - Warren Naphtal
Athlete Services Group Coordinator - Justin Dillon
Membership Development Group Coordinator - Lainie DeMore
Technical Group Coordinator - Wendy Enzmann
Administrative/Legal Group Coordinator - Gretchen Bonnie
Coaching Member - Brittney Bottoms
Coaching Member - Karen Kwan Oppegard
6. Announced the athlete members of the Board of Directors as elected by the athletes:
Pilar Bosley (Ice dancing)
Mark Ladwig (Pairs)
Cathleen Renzi (Synchronized)
Lindsey Weber (Singles)
7. Announced the Nominating Committee for 2012-13:
Elected by the Governing Council to serve a two-year term:
Susan Keogh (NE), Nancy Iida (SW), Dawn Eyerly (SWP), Sarah Hughes (NA), Robert Bauer (UGL), William Cloran (NWP)
Elected by the 2011 Governing Council to serve a two-year term (this is year two)
John Cole (SA), Kristy Panos (EGL), Kevin Rosenstein (CP)
Elected by the athletes to serve a one-year term
Amanda Evora (E), Lindsey Weber (M), Amber Corwin (P)
