Maine Coast Rowing Parents Meeting
for 2024 Spring season agenda : 29 Feb 2024

I. Welcome:

• Introduction
•  Coaches
• Booster leaders

II. MCRA: Maine Coast Rowing founded in 2011

– Juniors from the beginning

• MCRA Mission Statement:
  Through recreational and competitive rowing, we foster personal growth, build community, and promote health and fitness for people of all ages and abilities.
• MCRA Vision Statement:
  Our vision is to be a recognized Center of Rowing Excellence in the State of Maine, supporting a vibrant community focused on education, healthy competition, and continuing the heritage of rowing on the Androscoggin River.
• Why rowing/ CREW – the ultimate team sport = working together to make the boat (shell) go as fast as possible
• Program – we do it all! Sweep vs Scull
• Growth and Development

- Top Juniors program in Maine

– Aspiring mid level, (top level Small) New England program good processes = success will take care of itself

-Structure

• Varsity
• J’s
• Novice

Team boats = Bigger Spring focus vs Fall/Summer
- Special Boat Unit assignment
- Age classification structure (vs lightweight)

-Teambuilding – good habits, respect for all, athletic endeavor,
POSITIVE culture

-Leadership development = Leadership Council

III. Schedule:
Spring March 5th to May 31st
- Daily Monday thru Friday: Indoor 3:30pm to 5:30pm

Outdoor 3:30pm to 6:00pm
(April 8 th move boats)

- Races

Start April 20th end May 25th
(See schedule – subject to adjustment)

Summer Looking ahead … = June 17 th to August 10 th
- 2 week increments ($200) 8:30 to 10:30am M to F
- Festival Regatta – June 23 rd Lowell (Sun)
- Cromwell Cup – July (TBD) Cambridge

IV. Equipment:

•  What and Why …
•  Juniors vs Club … sharing arrangement
• Older vs Newer // Needs vs OK
• Fundraising = better boats

V. Communication/ Attendance = SUCCESS FOR ALL!

• Racing is a privilege!
• Attendance is generally expected (races too!)
•  Covid/ health issues
•  Excused absences / leave of absence
•  3 unexcused = request for conference
• Homework is not an excused absence, plan your time
•  Detention is not an excused absence

VI. Behavior Expectations/ Discipline/ Code of Conduct:

• Safety First + 4 oar rule and @50/50 rule
• Setting the StandardVI. Behavior Expectations/ Discipline/ Code of Conduct:
•  Safety First + 4 oar rule and @50/50 rule
•  Setting the Standard

 

- Travel = representing program

• Boatyard / Rec Center as a safe space
• Drama and Distraction = the 2 team and performance killers
• Why a code of conduct
  • - See form to go over
• Multistep process:
  - Verbal
  - Written
  - Conference
  - Suspension
  - Expulsion
• Depending on seriousness, sometimes have to skip a step
• Issues/ request a conference
  • Process for right time and place

VII. Individual Development:

• Goal oriented vs Performance oriented
•  Individual Training Plan
•  College support

VIII. Requirements for Athletes:

• Appropriate training/ athletic wear = layers = Warm is safe
  • We row in the rain = JACKETS
  • Shirts required, tank tops ok, no bare midriffs
• Running shoes – every day =
  see weather inconsistency safety
• Water/ dock shoes – every day
•  Yoga mat – can be left with team stuff
• Water bottle – rehydration during workouts is critical
• Coaching staff will conduct periodic “kit” bag checks, if a rower
  does not have appropriate clothing for the weather, they may
  not be allowed to go on the water as a safety issue
• Notebooks: logging workouts and providing feedback as
  requested by coaches is important to athletes and the teams
  development
  PACK A SEPARATE “GO” BAG NIGHT BEFORE…
   Uniforms: basic vs extras
   Travel costs
   Race fees – covered in fees! (not in summer)

IX. Boosters

• What is Boosters role and responsibility
  • Leadership roles = Board member connect
  • Support and communicate with Director of MCRA

•  Cow Island Regatta - SEPT 14 th , 2024
•  Boosters partner in running with Programming
  committee… marquee annual event for benefit of
  entire Club
• Fundraising - smaller projects = Ergathon (March 30 th )?
  Need to spread the work and project leads
•  Planning
• Communication channels to parents and club
•  Hospitality ( 2 leads)

X. QUESTION and ANSWER

XI. Adjournment for 5 minutes followed by a Parent Booster Meeting