Obviously the coffee kicked in

President St. Peter called the meeting to order promptly at 8:00 a.m. I'm pretty sure that the number of people in the room at the time was equal to the number of people still in line at the Starbuck stand trying to get their morning coffee.

We watched a video of Charlie & Meryl's original dance from the Olympics - one of my favorites! 

First up was the announcement about the 1961 World Team Tribute film, RISE. Twin sisters from "LookALike" productions are the producers for the movie. The two are very familiar with skating as having worked with ABC and NBC sports. They wan the film to be a story of humanity and how the dreams of those who perished in the crash have not gone unfulfilled.

An impressive group of skaters have stepped forward to be part of the film. The producers are gathering in one room (!) Peggy Flemming, Dorothy Hamill, Scott Hamilton, Brian Boitano and Michelle Kwan, all of whom have benefited from the Memorial Fund.  Paul George, who was a student of Maribel Vinson-Owens and a friend to many of those who perished on the plane, spoke about Maribel.

The cost of the movie will be about $1.3 million and David Raith, USFS Executive Director, has been raising money and I know he will be successful. The movie will premiere on February 17, 2011 on the 50th Anniversary of the crash.  We were all given this magnet frame/promo.

The business meeting started with Membership Development group  (and their leader - Mike Meyers) doing their business. BL Wylie shared wonderful stories and pictures of basic skill skaters and how the program is wonderful success with so much more potential for growth.  Lots of "Aawww's" for the cuties!

The technical group led by Hal Marron was up next to talk about the majority of RFAs with only one isolation. #307 regarding international skaters wanting to compete in the U.S. qualifying competitions. The athletes were the ones who isolated it with concerns for dance teams and synchro teams.

Hal had worked with the athletes to create acceptable language for all.

With so few items isolated, there is much more relaxed atmosphere in the building.

Then that ended with a new isolated item - #346 - the Intermediate Triple Jump. The RFA was regarding having the option of a triple in the Intermediate short program.  One woman decided to share the story of her grand-daughter who was injured by while trying to learn a triple.   After a nice lengthy debate ensued.  Then the vote - too close to call.

Time to do tallies by HQ staff. Plus it gives a good chance to stretch.  The vote was 330 to rescind and 510 to not rescind and for the triple jump option to remain in the Intermediate short.

Ah, the old times of Governing Council are back... And those usual annoying people have woken up.