The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Peter King, General Chairman, at Hackney's Restaurant in Lake Zurich. Board members present were Peter King, Jim Bernardi, Bob Brown, Dave Beller, John Rottman, John Sahlberg, Andy Harlfinger, Kent Desormey, and Don Swanson.
SECRETARY REPORT
The minutes of the May 28, 1999 Board of Directors Meeting were not available due to the absence of Tom Fryer. The most recent Whistling Zebra was published and sent out on November 1999. There was no issue published in January 2000. The next Zebra will need to be published in April to advertise the Spring Banquet.
TREASURER REPORT
Tom Kinkelaar was on vacation but provided Peter King a letter outlining the financial condition of the NOA and his many concerns over the late payment of dues and also the non payment of dues. Tom projected our balance at the end of the year would be lower than previous years due a slight decline in the number of members and current members not paying their dues. A detailed summary of the past ten years of revenues was shared with the Board.
FOOTBALL PRESIDENT REPORT
Joe Gattas was unavailable for the meeting and no report was given. The meetings last fall were considered very good, and an agenda for the coming fall is now being prepared by new Football President, Paul Kaufmann. Meetings will continue to be held at Carmel High School because of the good accommodations and parking for the members. Andy Bitto, A.D., is our contact at Carmel High School (566-3000).
BASKETBALL PRESIDENT REPORT
Kent Desormey said this past season was excellent with an good attendance of NOA members. The coaches clinic kicked off the season, and the NASO speaker highlighted the fall meetings. Most sessions were attended by 40+ members, and in some cases, the room was too small for the members in attendance. This was a good sign and optional rooms for next year will be investigated by the new Basketball President, Don Swanson. The first meeting next fall will be around October 11 (the week before the state meetings) at Carmel High School. In addition, Kent said this year's three social nights were successful and should continue next year. One concern overall, though, as with the other sports is the need for additional younger officials, especially with the number of conferences moving toward three man crews at the varsity level.
BASEBALL PRESIDENT REPORT
John Rottman is the new the Baseball President, while Dave Beller continues to be the Assignment Chairman for the spring and Dave Lang the assignor for the summer baseball season. John and Dave reported together on the season and said that the attendance was at the 40 member mark and recruitment of new officials was better this year with 10 new members coming aboard. This will help the group to be in good shape for the upcoming season. A Certified Clinic was held on March 19 for all members and was lead by Dave Slickenmeyer. The season just began, and so far, no rain outs. It is hoped the continued good weather will continue throughout the spring. Meetings were held at Warren High School during February and March.
MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN REPORT
Paul Kaufmann was not able to attend the meeting, and a new Membership Chairman will be needed since Paul is the new Football President. Board members discussed the need to find a good, young, and very energetic official for this position due to the need for continued efforts in recruiting new members.
ASSIGNMENT CHAIRMEN REPORT
Bob Brown said that the basketball season was an effective one and that all games were covered. He mentioned, though, that a better system of updated members' schedules needs to be looked at so our members can be more current with schedules. Bob will now be gearing up for the football season and all the work he has to do with covering games. Dave Beller said the baseball schedule for the spring is all set, and he hopes for continued good weather.
I.A.C.A.O. REPORT
Jim Bernardi said the the IACAO Football meeting is all set for the month of August at Naperville North High School. Both he and Peter King updated the Board on the 1st Annual IHSA summer officials’ clinic to be held this summer in Peoria on July 14 and 15.
BANQUET COMMITTEE REPORT
Neither Paul Goeldner nor John Schaefer was able to attend the meeting. Jim Bernardi indicated that he and John would be going next week to visit with the staff at the Steeplechase Golf Course for this April’s banquet. They will most likely charge us about $23.00 per person. The bar will be open through dinner when it then will turn into a cash bar only. Jim Bernardi will keep Peter King updated on the plans for the banquet.
OLD BUSINESS
Discussion centered on the joint meeting with the AOS and whether or not we should still partake in the annual get together. Peter discussed the various options with Paul Schoessling, the AOS President, as well as many veteran NOA and AOS members throughout this past winter. From all of the discussions, Peter recommended to the Board that one joint meeting be held each year between the football and basketball seasons. This meeting would be scheduled around the end of October, after the regular football season’s games (before playoffs), and before the beginning of the basketball season’s games. The Annual joint meeting would be held at a mutual site with the costs of the meeting split between the NOA and AOS. Peter further recommended that the first joint meeting next fall be completely paid for by the NOA do the fact the AOS sponsored the joint football meeting last fall but the NO (the balance of these minutes were lost due to computer problems)