The NYSOMA Board held a one-day meeting February 11 at the Herkimer Community College in Herkimer. The focus of this meeting is to prepare for the State Tournament, March 18 at SUNY Binghamton. All those planning to be officials at the tournament make sure you have submitted your information to Chuck LaBarre (www.nysoma.org) and remember the Official’s hotel this year will be the Holiday Inn Arena and NOT the Best Western.

We are pleased to again this year be able to have one closing ceremony in Events Center.

Because many of the regional tournaments are on the same 2 weekends, NYSOMA Officers and/or Members of the Board may not be able to make any official visitations. These visitations provide a means for the exchange of ideas and recommendations with the goal of providing a successful tournament. The Board encourages each region to conduct a self-evaluation using the worksheet available in the RD area.

Six scholarship applications have been received. The scholarship committee is in the process of evaluating each application. The final determinations will be announced at the State Tournament.

Spontaneous combustion with style will be presented again this summer at two locations. See the NYSOMA website for additional details.

The Board discussed the decrease in membership. Current membership is approximately 450 (NYS). In past years we had 478 (2005), 480 (2004), 492 (2003) and 511 (2002). The registrar will be developing statistics from previous years to see if we can identify any area where the decrease is concentrated. The Board would be happy to hear from anyone with ideas on what is causing this decrease.

NYSOMA has received $1550.00 in donations so far this year. The Board thanks all those who have made financial donations and to all those who have donated their time. This program requires the efforts of many to keep it functioning. If you would like to help a little or a lot please contact any board member or officer.

The next board meeting will be on March 19 in Binghamton.

Jim Hoelscher, Chairman of the Board, February 23, 2006