Technique Magazine

General Gymnastics Minutes

General Gymnastics Advisory Panel

Conference Call

Thursday, April 24, 1997

The call was convened at 12:30 p.m. PDT

I. Roll Call

Present:

David Moskovitz, Leader
Dean Capelotti, Member
Lori Laznovsky, Member
Steve Whitlock, USA Gymnastics

Moskovitz reported that Deborah Gavron has stepped down from the panel. She will remain active in general gymnastics and has scheduled clinics on the east coast as preparation and promotion of the 1997 National GymFest.

The meeting followed the items on the agenda distributed prior to the call.

II. Membership

Moskovitz reported that the USA Gymnastics Executive Committee (EC) approved the GGAP request for a membership category for GG. The reason that EC approval was necessary is due in part to the logistics of membership material and that waiting for full Board of Directors approval in May would occur following the publishing deadlines for 1997-98 membership season. Whitlock reported that a GG category will appear on the registration forms for Team Member, Instructor, and Professional members. The GGAP needs to develop a GG Rules and Policies book for publication. It was agreed that the Rules and Policies book will be discussed at the next meeting of the GGAP. Discussion followed regarding the next step in membership development.

Capelotti reported on his work in developing a GG performance season in Southern California. The season will include several performance dates; negotiations are underway with several theme park locations.

III. USA Gymnastics National Congress

Whitlock reported that there will be a performance area in the main Congress Exhibit Hall. This will be a tremendous opportunity for GG performances. He will develop an announcement/application form to be published in Technique for soliciting groups to do displays during the event.

Mr. Tore Green from the 11th World Gymnaestrada Organizing Committee will be attending the National Congress. Whitlock has committed space to the WGOC at the GG booth space in the Exhibit Hall. It was agreed that Whitlock continue discussions with Mr. Green in an effort to have a Congress session for information pertaining to the World Gymnaestrada.

Several other international guests may attend the event prior to the 1997 National GymFest. It was agreed that these guests be provided the opportunity to perform in the Exhibit Hall area and/or to present or participate in GG Congress sessions. Whitlock directed the GGAP to forward their Congress session requests to Jennifer Gallahue Lee as soon as possible. It was agreed that the issue of Congress sessions be addressed fully at the next meeting of the GGAP.

IV. GG Internship with USA Gymnastics

Laznovsky has accepted a 12-week internship with USA Gymnastics. She will be assigned responsibilities within the Safety and Education Department. Several of her responsibilities will fall under the General Gymnastics category. Laznovsky reported that she will be attending a Sokol Slet in early June, followed by her “move” to Indianapolis. Whitlock reported that Laznovsky's responsibilities will also include attendance at several events on behalf of General Gymnastics: Sokol Slet in Chicago (possibly accompanied by Gallahue Lee); National Congress; 1997 National GymFest; and GAT Convention. In addition, he has a list of other projects. The panel wishes Laznovsky well in this final task necessary to complete her degree requirements.

V. 1997 National GymFest at Walt Disney World

Report by Whitlock: A preliminary room-list request has been submitted to Disney Sport Reservations. We are very fortunate to have a variety of special guests attending this event including Mr. Bruno Grandi, President of the FIG; Kathy Scanlan, President of USA Gymnastics; Mr. Tore Green, Executive Secretary of the 11th World Gymnaestrada Organizing Committee; members of the FIG/GG/TC; and other international clubs/groups.

There has been some confusion with room reservations for attending groups. Whitlock has already made a request for clarification. There are numerous specific questions that remain unanswered. The current procedure is to utilize email for communication with Disney staff.

The FIG/GG/TC will conduct the “Group Performance Workshop” at the Disney Institute. This is an excellent location and should meet the specific needs of this activity. Whitlock requested that the panel consider selection criteria for attendance at the “Group Performance Workshop.” The Workshop is designed for 30 participants, two per country. Who will represent the USA? It was agreed that selection criteria for USA participation in the FIG Group Performance Workshop be developed at the next meeting of the GGAP.

Whitlock also reminded the Panel that the USA is also responsible for conducting an FIG/GG Instructor Certificate Course. The original request had produced a date which conflicted with the 2nd Information Meeting for the 11th World Gymnaestrada in 1999. Dates and location for the certificate course must be forwarded to the FIG/GG/TC in May. Discussion followed. Several dates and locations were considered. It was agreed that a date in late October or November is preferable. The panel will investigate several possible venues.

VI. 11th World Gymnaestrada (1999 in Göteborg, SWE)

Whitlock reported on his trip to Sweden with Kermit and Jean Davis from International Sports Exchange. The trip was very valuable. As one of the first delegations to make specific requests, many of our important USA issues will be resolved well in advance. The USA pre-event gathering will need to be held at the World Gymnaestrada site; logistics of travel and coordinated housing will not allow the gathering to be productive in a different location. A preliminary schedule was discussed. Brian Stocks from Great Britain has requested that groups participating in the English Speaking National Evening meet in London prior to the World Gymnaestrada for rehearsals and planning with the British clubs.

The issue of delegation staff was discussed. It was agreed that specific individuals will need to be identified to fulfill roles as leaders of the various aspects of the USA delegation. It was agreed that a specific staff list would be developed at the next meeting of the GGAP.

VII. 2nd Information Meeting of the 11th World Gymnaestrada

Whitlock stated that this will be an opportunity for the Panel members to interact with their counterparts from other nations. It is important that the delegation be prepared with specific questions/requests for the LOC in order for our needs to be met at the World Gymnaestrada. The delegation to the 2nd Information Meeting will include Whitlock, Capelotti, and Moskovitz. Whitlock will confirm travel itineraries through International Sports Exchange for this trip.

The next meeting of the GGAP will be May 2-4, 1997 in Orlando, FL.

Respectfully submitted,

David Moskovitz, Leader

May 8, 1997

This article appears in the July 1997 issue of Technique, Vol. 17, No. 7.


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