December 2023

Wavemakers Meeting

December 18th 2023- 7:30 pm @ Faith Lutheran Church meeting room, Forest Lake, MN

Attendees: 

Jon Brown-President, Rob True-Vice President, Erica Taylor Radtke - Treasurer, Hayley Galsworthy - Secretary, Jim Fallon, Avery Fallon,  Ann True, Anika Jensen, Dean Jensen, Rebecca Fahning

Agenda - Decisions and Action Items 

Boys Team Update

Season just started we have a smaller number of older athletes this year, 6 seniors left last year and 2 older boys have not returned. A good number of 7-9th graders so we are hopeful for a good season to get them improving.  First Invite meet was Saturday and 2 of the older boys were sick.  Jim has handed over the computer to Kim for the meets.

Treasurer Report

Erica passed round reports balance of WM around. Wavemakers $18743

Girls team - $4000

Synchro - $9000

Cub Foods bagging has raised around $2500 with more dates planned.  One is this Thursday 21st.

Erica suggests having a plan for 2024 for the coaches to give us wish lists and so we can plan for future expenditure. To help Wavemakers be more strategic with financial goals.

Fundraising

Butterbraids - increased orders from last year which is great.  101 ordered from 75 last year. Profit of $606. 

Camera Fundraising

Rebecca Fahning reported that the 2 Cub dates went well, she is hopeful for the coming Thursday, Rochelle and Laura will send out to the synchro and girls teams for signups.  Boys team have a meet that evening.  Another Rotary has donated $500 which FL will match.  The planning is in for a fundraising banner and also the Winter Plunge.

Jim wondered if there was a breakdown of the financial information as it is quite complicated.

Rebecca has approached the Student Council for their help with the Plunge, she said HS Principal has pledged to help also.  Ross Ortho has pledged to help.  We need to register and have a name - decided on Forest Lake Wavemakers for the time being, name can change.

Need to have a team donation goal, $10,000?

Prizes for the team that raises the most if it is put out for Girls/Boys/Synchro. Boys are in season however and the plunge takes place at the same date and time of JV Conferences, 17th Feb.

Banner ideas are in and Rebecca is asking to see if they can be printed at the FL printing for free.

Erica will print or send the Venmo QR code to Rebecca.

Rebecca has given the coaches a deadline of Jan 1st 2024 for the coaches to decide on a camera system.  Rochelle is happy with which Laura has chosen as she has done a lot of research for this.

Rebecca is confident that the fundraising options she outlined can bring up the shortfall.

With the help of a $2450 donation from Wavemakers , Rotary will match that and that will help with the funds needed.

The grant is complex and the fund matching also.

Fundraising ideas, Cub foods bagging , Rebecca has a few dates ear marked with Forest Lake Cub if we can help with those. Student Council and NHS could also be a good source for volunteers for their community service and volunteering hours.

Polar Plunge - the school has $1800 from last year which was raised by Rebecca’s daughter. Possible link to do this with teams etc.

The idea of a specialist camera is definitely  something that the coaches are all interested in.  Rochelle has yet to use the go pro system purchased last year.  Dean needs to go through it with her and they have no coordinated times that work for both to train.  Laura felt it was not easy to operate with coaching as well as manning a camera - could this be an idea for managers of the teams to do going forwards. This specialist camera works on a track and backpack system. Links to an ipad for the athlete to see feedback immediately.

Timeframe for the camera - Rebecca would like this to be in hands by the end of February. Grant expires in July 2024.

Rebecca has the dates for the Cub Foods she has arranged and will share with us.

All teams should be involved in helping with the funding.

Rebecca and Karen left the meeting. Lots of discussion about funding, what Wavemakers should be responsible for with the pool and athletic department,  splitting funding or should it initially come from the WM account. All coaches have no problem with putting funds from their accounts to the project.  Erica motioned to contribute the initial ask of 2450 to the project. Dom seconded and all in favor.

Other Business

Pool Records

Girls need updating. Jim sent one record but there are 2 more we think. Ask Rochelle. Dean and Jon can get them sorted..

Meeting Calendar decided.

Jan 9th  Feb 6th   March 12th   April 9th    May 14th

Rebecca suggested a date in summer as the Rotary grant is due to expire in June. Can decide next year.

Ann mentioned the recruiting efforts for the boys team in the last 2 years are really helping bring in new athletes.  There are 20 7-9th grade athletes, only 6-7 10th grade +. Middle school promotions, making sure that boys representatives can get into the MS for open events, lunch times, flyers and word of mouth have all been helpful. Having established parents help the new parents on joining, and guiding them through the season have all been priorities to try to help retention. 

Next Meeting - January 9th - 7pm.

Meeting end 8.28pm