Welcome everyone to another program year. This is NYSOMA’s 25th anniversary year, which is certainly a milestone to be celebrated.

The NYSOMA Board held its first meeting of the year September 11 and 12 in Binghamton. The board welcomed two new board members, Amy Braun and Rick Pray, and a new Registrar, LouAnn Pray. The board also welcomed Jane Hogan to her new position of Assistant State Director.

Refer to the NYSOMA web site (www.nysoma.org) for important dates, registration information, coaches training locations and dates, etc. This information will be updated as it becomes available.

This past summer NYSOMA conducted two one-day camps – Spontaneous Combustion with Style in Mt Morris and Auburn. Attendance at the 2 camps was 105 and 56 respectively. The summer camps continue to be well received and the board has agreed to hold two camps again next summer. Location and dates are to be determined. Please contact the Association Director if you are interested in having the camps offered in your region.

NYSOMA will again this year participate in the PTA Annual Conference. This year’s conference will be at the Rochester Riverside Convention Center on November 5 and 6.

The state tournament will be held at Binghamton University again this year. OMER has accepted an invitation to attend. The board is also investigating the use of the new event center at the University for the closing ceremony. NYSOMA is reviewing the additional fee quoted by the University for use of the event center of $3000.00. Use of the events center in future years will depend on availability.

Head judge/ problem captain training will again be held this year in Binghamton on January 8.

The board reviewed many excellent pin designs submitted by New York State OMER’s. The Marketing committee will work with a few of these ideas to develop this year’s pins.

The scholarship committee will make the application form for this year’s scholarship available October 16. See the NYSOMA web site for details.

The next board meeting will be in the Rochester area, on October 16 and 17.

Jim Hoelscher, Chairman of the Board, September 22, 2004