• The Commissioner reported that our game count approximates 450 games this year.  The West Virginia association will assign Bluefield.  He reminded the officials that we had a dress code and that the windshirts and polo shirts were appropriate, depending on the weather.  Slacks/Skirts are in order when arriving at the game site.
• The Commissioner again encouraged constant communication to make sure the right referees are at the right place at the right time in the right uniform.  Don't wait to be called.  Take the initiative and don't hesitate to call the Commissioner if there is a problem.  The center referee has overall crew responsibility.  Make sure your individual data is correct in the data base.  The Treasurer will e-mail the final association contact roster within a week and it will also be posted on the web site.
• Schedules will be out in two weeks.  Games fees have increased to $350 (150-100-100).  There will be two payouts, one in the first week in October and one in the first week in November.  This year, the Treasurer will deduct both NISOA annual dues ($70) and estimated VISOA clinic fee for next year ($100).  If the latter withholding poses an individual hardship members are to let the Treasurer know.
• George advised the membership that Board considered and discussed a fine system to cover both late and missed games.  The Board determined that its membership was responsible enough to meet its commitments and that instituting a fine system would be counter-productive.  Jeff Krasnow reminded members that until they spoke/communicated directly with George an assignment was still their match.  A message left with a family member, or an e-mail sent but not acknowledged did not constitute notification to the Commissioner.

6.  President.

• The President recognized new members in attendance and welcomed them to VISOA.  For the record, new members are: Christie Bernas, Clive Edwards, Scott Johnson, Mark McCullough, Susan Walton, Ken Kaplan, Alexis Rocco, and Jennifer Renner.  He also recognized national referees in attendance.
• The President introduced new Regional representative [Region V includes Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Alabama], Bob Fischer.  Bob said that he would be working closely with national coordinator, Norm Conde, also a Region V member.  He advised the membership that NISOA's 40th anniversary annual meeting next year would be held in Stamford, Connecticut and he encouraged VISOA members to attend.  He reminded the national referees that there would be no more waivers granted in the assessment process.  They must pass both their assessments; no one assessor can do both ratings.
• The President asked John DiGuardo to cover the rating system.  A ten-person rating board makes the ratings.  Each referee is given a rating from 1-3 as both an AR and a Referee.  The rating system was changed from a five-fold [A-E] scheme to the current scale.  John then briefly described the VISOA mentoring system.  The system was established to identify young referees that we can move through the system.  It is also used to assist all referees who seek to improve their skills.  The area representatives are responsible for running the mentoring system to meet the needs of both VISOA and individual referees.  John concluded that the rating system was still a work in progress and we may need to tweak if further as we move along.  It was his observation that there had been an overall improvement in the average rating in the past year.  In response to a question about feedback, John responded that ratings were to be discussed through their area representative and any questions should be referred to the Commissioner. Jeff Krasnow reminded the membership each person was here because they were a good referee in comparison to the rest of the state population.  Our measurement system is an internal system to meet the specific needs of VISOA/NISOA in identifying and training national referees.
• The President reported on the results of area elections.  Jeff and Chip were re-elected in the west and east, respectively.  Pete reported that the nominating committee determined that the current incumbents for the positions of Commissioner, Vice President for Training, and Vice President for Assessments wished to continue serving.  There were no nominations from the floor.  The membership unanimously approved the slate of candidates.  George Grzenda continues as Commissioner, Dan Heldman as VP Training, and Arn Manella as VP Assessments.
• The President reported that the Board had decided to move the annual camp date up to the last week in July in order to avoid future conflicts with national camps.  He reminded the membership that VISOA considered attendance at the annual clinic to be mandatory and the change in dates was made to facilitate that attendance.  Excuses will be handle by exception and such requests must go to the Commissioner for a determination.  The Board will conduct a final review of all such actions.
• The President thanked Mike Renner for his continued improvement of the web site and reminded members that game reports must be filed through the web form.  The President also asked Mike to include a link to the NISOA web site. [Note to members:  the 2002 rules are posted on that site.]
• The President advised the membership that we were considering an option to host a regional clinic next year.  It that materialized, next year's clinic would be held in the Richmond area.  If not, we would return to Lynchburg.

7.  Old Business.

• [Addendum:  An action item concerning Hall of Fame nominees was approved through the area meeting/Saturday night board meeting process.  The Board neglected to report out to the membership during the annual meeting and is doing so in the minutes as a matter of record.]  The Board selected three individuals to enter the VISOA Hall of Fame as the class of 2001.  They are: Bill Sneddon, Coach at Christopher Newport and former VISOA/NISOA referee; Bob Cummings, former Coach, Christopher Newport, and past VISOA/NISOA referee, Board Member and President; and Dr. Tom Martin, Athletic Director, Roanoke College and past VISOA referee.

8.  New Business.

• Ken Towler raised the issue of an appointed Commissioner vice an elected Commissioner.  The history on this issue is that it has been both ways, over time.  The President asked that the issue be submitted in writing so that it could be considered at a regular Board meeting.
• Bob Lotze introduced a new feature to VISOA annual clinics-the candid video stream record of the weekend.  He presented clinic events to the membership and then took a camp photo on the steps of Hopwood Hall to grace our website.

There being no other new business the meeting was adjourned at 11:40 am.