Saturday, January 11, at 6:30 pm, division chair, Scott Harkey called the mid-term meeting to order.  Nine USFA members over 18 years were present, representing 2 clubs.  Six proxies were presented and verified as valid.

The secretary asked minutes reading and approval from last meeting to be held off until the divisional meeting in April.  The treasurer’s report was also postponed until that time.

Old Business was discussed

Ø      Last April while approving the by-laws we neglected to include one item in the list to be discussed and voted.  It was regarding the new officer Ark-La-Miss Division Circuit Chair as an officer and member of the executive committee.  We did not include that issue in an appropriate notification time period for membership, so any vote was not legitimate.  Proper notification was given last month to allow voting on this issue to amend the bylaws.

New Business

Ø      Motion made and seconded to amend the bylaws to include ALMDCC to become an officer and therefore a member of the executive committee with full voting rights.  Unanimously approved.

Ø      It was moved and seconded that clubs who do not pay the appropriate head tax for the largest tournament each season would not be allowed to host a divisional tournament nor would they be allowed to benefit from the equipment purchased by the division.  Unanimously approved.

Ø      Although the division voted last season to amend the bylaws to include a head tax for the largest tournament held by each club, only one club submitted any tax.  It was moved and seconded that since many clubs do not send representatives and might be unaware of this new rule that an informational letter be sent to all the clubs.  The letter would also explain what the money is to be used for and the penalties for non-compliance.  Unanimously approved.

Ø      Division business regarding tournaments resulting in classification changes was discussed.  It was moved and seconded that information from events taking place in the division that result in classification changes will be sent to the division secretary for temporary verification.  The division will then forward the appropriate paperwork to the national office. Unanimously approved.

Ø      Clint Bowers has agreed to represent the division in the Southwest Section Circuit Cup meeting at the Crescent City Open.  We moved, seconded, unanimously approved that he carry our wishes as a division that the SSCC continue to have mixed events, however women who fence in mixed must fence in the corresponding women’s event or suffer penalties that are yet to be established.

Scott accepted a motion to adjourn.  Unanimously approved. We happily adjourned to Posados Mexican restaurant.

Respectfully submitted by

Terry Harkey

Secretary, Ark-La-Miss Division