Thanks to Chuck Kabrehl for his years of service as Secretary to the Board. As previously announced Chuck resigned as secretary effective at the end of June 30, 2005. This is an appointed position by the Board. The Board appointed Frank Brosnihan to the position of secretary to the Board.

Thanks to David Stalhecker for his many years of service as a Board member. As previously announced David resigned his position on the Board effective June 30, 2005. The Board decided not to fill this position at this time. The Bylaws allow the Board to operate with from 5 to 11 board members. There are currently 10 board members.

The following were reelected;

• State Director – Jackie Otte
• Assistant State Director – Jane Hogan
• Treasurer – Jeff Carter
• Judges Coordinator – Chuck LaBarre
• Registrar – LouAnn Pray
• Secretary of the Board – Bill Everett
• Board – Leon Frost
• Board – Bill Everett
• Board – Chuck LaBarre
• Board – Rick Pray
• Board – Amy Braun

A meeting schedule was set for the 2005 – 2006 Odyssey year. The meeting dates are posted on the NYSOMA web site.

The spring Regional Directors meeting was held June 10. There will be 7 new Regional Directors next year. The fall Regional Directors meeting is tentatively scheduled for October 14, 2005. Region 13 will host.

The 32 teams from NYS that participated in World Finals had a great time and did very well. Congratulations to all. NYS was awarded a plaque for its entry in the Float and Banner Parade. Thanks to all who helped with the Float and Banner and the NY Creativity Booth. In addition a COU/Odyssey World Scholarship was awarded to Devlin Shand of Cornwall HS in region 5. Congratulations Devlin.

The marketing committee is beginning the process for the selection of next year’s state pins. A number of excellent ideas have been submitted. There is still time to submit ideas for pin designs for next year. In addition to selecting pin designs the marketing committee will be suggesting other sales items for next year at the September board meeting.

NYSOMA sponsored Coaches’ training is again being offered next fall. Many Regions have indicated interest and are working with the State Director to determine possible locations and a schedule. The dates and locations will be posted on the web site as soon as they are set.

The board reviewed this year’s financial results and adopted a budget for next year. There are no planned state fee changes for the 2005 – 2006 program year. The Board adopted some expense reduction measures including a reduction in the reimbursement mileage rate from the $0.375 per mile to $0.30 per mile. This change along with other reductions allowed the Board to adopt a balance budget for the 2005 – 2006 program year.

The Board did approve a fee increase for the 2006 – 2007 program year. Beginning with the 2006- 2007 program year the membership fee will increase to $80.00 and the tournament fee will increase to $60.00. These increases are necessary to offset increasing expenses especially in lodging, tournament expenses and insurance.

Based on the feedback received from last year’s tournament the board approved the use of the Events Center for the State Tournament with the cost being paid from reserves. The Board is seeking a sponsor or sponsors to pay for the use of the event center.

The Board also approved a proposal to change the number of teams a Region needed to request a split of a problem - division from more than 22 to more than 18. Please refer to the “Qualifying Teams for the State Finals Tournament” document posted on the NYSOMA web site.

The Board agreed to rework our Bylaws to bring them in line with current requirements for not-for-profit corporations.

NYSOMA is again planning to conduct two one-day summer camps – Spontaneous Combustion with Style. However as of the board meeting the camp scheduled in August has a very low turnout and may have to be cancelled. A final decision will be made by June 25 so that shirts can be ordered and final arrangements made. Please refer to the web site for additional information.

The NYSOMA Board agreed to participate as a “Collaborator” in the “Assets Coming Together (ACT) for Youth Initiative” grant application being submitted by the Cornell Cooperative Extension Association of Jefferson County (CCE) for funding through the NYS Department of Health. The ACT Initiative proposes a comprehensive model of youth and community development built on the foundation of work and expertise of the initial ACT for Youth program at CCE.

Working with twelve collaborating partners, each contributing at least a five percent in-kind match, the Initiative will engage the following sectors of the community to build a comprehensive and coordinated network that promotes the principles of positive youth development: youth, schools, government, businesses, military housing neighborhoods, and youth serving organizations. In addition to NYSOMA, Collaborators include: The Jefferson County Youth Bureau, The Alcohol and Substance Abuse Council (lead agency for Communities that Care), the NYS Tug Hill Commission, the Community and Rural Development Institute (CaRDI) at Cornell University, the Watertown Wizards Baseball Team, the Watertown Teen Center, the Greater Watertown YMCA, the Thousand Islands Girl Scout Council, the Jefferson-Lewis Teacher Center, Jefferson County Public Health Service and the Center for Community Studies at Jefferson Community College.

Building on its long history of positive youth development through its fostering of creative thinking and problem-solving skills among participating students, NYSOMA will work with Initiative staff to: 1) determine how youth can become more directly involved in a wider range of NYSOMA activities; 2) develop coaches’ and judges’ materials that include positive youth development ideas; and 3) conduct a number of trainings using those materials.

NYSOMA’s state-wide presence and large number of youth and adult participants will aid the Initiative in its efforts to increase opportunities and supports for young people in New York by increasing youth engagement and youth voice and facilitating organizational change reflecting positive youth development principles.

Thanks to everyone that helped make this a successful year.

Jim Hoelscher, Chairman of the Board, June 24, 2005