Notes not minutes of open meeting of May 2. 2009:

The board adjourned, and the combined meeting with both divisions commenced with the suggestion from Rob Smoot that the executive director would act as facilitator for the discussion on hardship transfers under OISRA rule 8.

In attendance: Charlie Wilshire, board chair Nordic, Rob Smoot, board deputy chair Alpine Mt Hood, Dave Munford, Nordic board Southern, Keith Davis, Alpine Emerald Board, Gary King, Alpine Southern League, Ethan Beck Alpine Metro League, Terry Smith Nordic Southern League, Paul Tolleson, Alpine 3RL, Randy Hewitt Alpine 3RL, Jeff Cordell Alpine Mt Hood, Jack Walker Alpine 3RL, Dave Moulton Alpine Commissioner Central, Todd Williver Alpine Director Central, Richard Sellens, executive director.

The discussion was lively and civil, and it was accepted that the process had not contravened the OISRA policies and the provision of OISRA rule 8.

It was acknowledged that the OISRA is not the OSAA and that while we have adapted the OSAA rule 8, it is the OISRA rule 8 that we abide by. Apropos to this the board were unanimous in not including in the OISRA rule 8 the recent decisions by the OSAA regarding their rule 8-6-3 revised numberings 6-7-8. (referred to in the minutes of the board meeting.) Part of the rational for this was, that where a school has a high school ski team and a foreign student wishes to participate there was often the need for the student to be living with the family of a member of the teams coaching staff.

Those present expressed the opinion that they wanted the student to ski for the team of the school she was attending. The concerns were with “what really defined a hardship”, and the scarcity of hard evidence that would enable a more conclusive sense of the hardship she was claiming.

While it was acknowledged that both of the AD’s involved-Jesuit and OE had approved the transfer; a point was raised that while this was between private schools there was a question as to how this would have played between public schools.

It was also pointed out that the OSAA does not recognize club sports, and this will probably be a consideration for the future as over 60% of member teams of the OISRA are registered as clubs.

It was acknowledged that the Central league does have a situation different to all other leagues regarding the application of OSAA criteria, and it was recognized that the board take this into consideration when establishing a set of procedures to be followed by those making hardship applications, and how the steering committees are to proceed.

There was discussion on restricting any hardship transfer to JV status, but the overall expression was that if a hardship transfer is approved it be unconditional.

The Board recognized that the transfer process andcommunications regarding it could have been better. The Board will work to improve on that.(Dave Munson)

It was suggested that the ED pursue notifying foreign exchange programs that the OISRA provide a SBE approved ski racing program at high schools in Oregon.