2. Welcome
West Springfield Crew 2014 – 2015 Season General Membership Meeting October 15, 2014
“A couch potato would be lucky to get three liters of oxygen per minute… [Rowers] average 6.5 to 7.” – Fritz Hagerman
Professor of Biomedical Science and
Leading Researcher in the Field of Rowing

3. 2014 Spartan Crew

4. Recap of Last Year Virginia State Scholastic Championships
Women’s Second Varsity Four won the gold medal
Women's Junior Eight won the bronze medal
Ted Phoenix lower boat Championships. 
Men’s Novice Eight won the gold medal
Scholastic Rowing Association of America’s National Championships Regatta
Men’s First Varsity Four
Women's Junior Four
Women's Junior Eight

5. Objectives Brief overview of the upcoming year’s program
Present the approved budget

6. Coaches and Captains Men's Coaches Men’s Captains Women’s Coaches
Matt Petty, Jake Buchanan
Men’s Captains
Sean Meiller (‘15), Brian Stephenson (‘15),
Forrest Dipert (‘16)
Women’s Coaches
Mark Hemphill, Ally Gibson, Diana Pistochini,
Liz Weiderhold
Women’s Captains
Elaine Stewart (‘15), Bonnie McClellan (‘15),
Rebecca Richardson (‘16)

7. 2014 – 2015 Officers/ Executive Committee
President – Rob Richardson
VP Administration – Art Rupinen
VP Ways and Means – Kat Gadway
VP Operations – Shari McClellan*
Secretary – Donna Wiss
Treasurer – Jack Pelar*
*Last year in position

8. 2014-2015 Board Members Team Liaison – Sherry O'Rourke
Novice Parent Liaison – Tracy Harvey and Martha Kiene
Away Regatta – Theresa Crean
Transportation – Angelo DeCecco
Spirit Wear – Desa Elwell and Jodi O’Hearn
Communications Director – Nancy Richardson
VASRA Representative – Pete Rafle*
Regatta/OLOC Support – Marc Rapp
WSHS Faculty Representative – Brendan Campbell
Alumni Representative – Martha Gibson
*Last year in position

9. Key Dates 6 Nov – Forms Night/Erg return
20 Nov - Winter Workouts begin
Monday – Friday
Ladies 4:15 – 6:15
Men 5:00 – 7:00
24 Jan – Swim Test
2 Feb - General Membership Meeting
7 Feb – Ergathon at Langley High School
23 Feb - First day on water
21 Mar - First race - Polar Bear Regatta (upper boats)
May – Stotesbury Regatta
May – Nationals (Cooper River, NJ)
1 June – End of Season Picnic (Burke Lake)
3 June – Awards Ceremony (WSHS Cafeteria)
* Dates for all crew events are on the website calendar

10. VP Operations: Shari McClellan
Operations Update
VP Operations: Shari McClellan
"In rowing... I found a sport that demanded some skill, granted, but
placed a much higher premium on plain hard work and persistence."
-- Harry Parker Harvard Varsity Coach 1963-Present

11. Fall Rowing
Year Four another success!
Lots of novice participation

12. Winter 2015 “Away Regatta” Date: TBD in January
Wilmington, DE Rowing Club
Rowing Tank
Teambuilding opportunity

13. Administration VP Administration: Art Rupinen
“It is hard to make the boat go as fast as you want to. The enemy of course, is resistance of the water, as you have to displace the amount of water equal to the weight of the men and equipment, but that very water is what supports you and that very enemy is your friend. So is life: the very problems you must overcome also support you and make you stronger in overcoming them.”
― George Yeoman Pocock

14. Registration Register with Roninracing.com - see website for specifics
Registration date TBD later in October or early November – will send out reminder and post on website
Club Family fee due prior to winter workouts –
Rower dues in three Payments
Easiest to pay all at once but, not necessary
Contact Art Rupinen with specific questions:

15. Winter Workouts Winter Workouts Begin November 20, 2014
To Participate in Winter Workouts You Must Have:
Completed online registration
Paid the Club Family Fee
Submitted a completed FCPS Emergency Care Form
Submitted a completed VHSL Athletic Physical with physician signature - make a copy prior to submission
Completed concussion training (rower and one parent/guardian)

16. Regular Season Spring Rowing Season Begins 23 February 2014
Practice over Spring Break
To Participate in Spring Rowing You Must Have
Completed online registration and paid the Club Family Fee
Paid all Rower Dues by March 15
Submitted ALL forms
Completed US Rowing waiver online (January)
Completed on-line concussion training (rower and one parent/ guardian)
New Rowers Only: Complete the WS
Crew Team Swim Test before allowed
on the water
24 January – Primary
South Run Recreation Center

17. Fundraising VP Ways and Means: Kat Gadway
“Having a great perspective on each race is what gets you
through the stress of expectation." -- Mary Whipple
US Olympic Coxswain
Silver Medal 2004
Gold Medal 2008 and 2012
VP Ways and Means: Kat Gadway

18. Fundraising Needs Leaders to coordinate: Your Ideas! Car washes
Corporate Sponsors
Erg-A-Thon
Dining Outs
Your Ideas!

19. Volunteer Positions VASRA Liaison: Pete Rafle Volunteers NEEDED
Regattas require volunteers – one regatta per family
Committees – Novice parents welcome

20. 2014 – 2015 Budget Treasurer: Jack Pelar
“Rowing is the only sport that originated as a form of capital punishment.”
-- Old Rowing Truism

21. WSCBC 2014 - 2015 Approved Budget

22. WSHS Crew Handbook
Just published: Our new handbook for the 2014 – 2015 season
Program information for rowers and parents
Standards of conduct
Policies and procedures
Available for download online in the “documents” section of our website

23. Financial Assistance Need-based financial assistance available
Scholarship Criteria:
Clear demonstration of financial need through recommendations
Athletes participation in free/reduced lunch program
Grade in school
Crew involvement/ commitment
Julia Shew Memorial Rowing Scholarship (Occoquan Boat Club)
$200-$400/year
Applications due December 4
WSCBC matching funds
For information contact

24. Questions?