New Treasurer Elected
The Wisconsin Division held a Special Meeting of the Membership on 11/22/09 for the purpose of electing a new treasurer. Congratulations, therefore to Diedra Baumgart on her election. Diedra was elected on 11/22/09 and assumed the responsibilities of the office that very day. As a division officer Diedra also sits on the Executive Committee.

Diedra, pictured here warming up before practice, is the Assistant Coach at the Notre Dame Academy Fencing Club in Green Bay, WI.


art,force,girl,jedi,sabre,sci,fi-c83582dd7caa51a191d3e0bcfcc20623_m.jpg

Finally, the Division Officers, EC and fencers would like to thank Ginny Weimer for shouldering the Treasurer responsibilities for the past few months.


Posted by Mike
12/1/09




Karen Voelz wins Heartland Circuit Trophy


karen 6 x 4.jpgKaren Voelz, a member of the Wisconsin Fencing Academy (WFA), accumulated the highest point standing in Women's Epee during the 2008-2009 season and was awarded the Heartland Circuit Traveling Trophy. A total of four members from the WFA have now received this honor (two for Women's Epee, one for Mixed Sabre and one for Mixed Foil). The trophy will remain on display at the club for the next year. The Wisconsin Fencing Academy, coached by Richard Struk, is located in Oconomowoc.

Way to go Karen. We're all proud of you.

Info provided by Lori and posted by Mike
11/23/09



JO Qualifiers and Closed Championships Scheduled


The Wisconsin Division JO Qualifiers and Closed Championships have been scheduled.

Please register with AskFred for the JO Qualifiers here and the Closed Championships here.

We will have the Div. 2/3 Qualifiers scheduled and posted shortly.

Any questions about these events??? Don't hesitate to contact Mike Garrison.


Posted 11/11/09
Mike Garrison

Sanctions Manual and Bylaws ratified and posted


At the 2009 Annual General Meeting of the Membership two committees were created to modify and standardize some of the rules we follow in the Wisconsin Division. A Bylaws Committee was tasked with updating the old Bylaws and including division-specific language. Also, a Sanctions Committee was charged with creating a clear, simple set of rules and guidelines for running a sanctioned event in the Wisconsin Division.

In October 2009 your Executive Committee ratified the Sanctions Manual and Bylaws for the Division. Both of these documents are available on the web site in the new DOCUMENTS tab. In this section you'll also find commonly used USFA forms and documents.


Please take a moment to print and review the Bylaws and the Sanctions Manual. These documents are not cast in stone; they are meant to grow and evolve as our division grows and our needs change. Member's opinions and advice will be vital to that process. All members are encouraged to review these documents and suggest changes or updates at the next AGM.

 

Thank you,

Michael Garrison

Chairman, Wisconsin Division USFA
posted 11/3/2009

Special Meeting of the Membership 11/22/09


On Saturday September 26, 2009 Karen Voelz resigned from the position of Division Treasurer. To replace her, I'm calling for a Special Membership Meeting on Sunday November 22, 2009 at the Turkey Meet (CMH).

This meeting will have one purpose only, to elect a Treasurer. The elected Treasurer will serve until our next AGM. We will discuss no other business at this meeting. Proxies will be accepted, but must be in the hands of the Division Secretary at least 72 hours before the meeting for membership verification.

Ginny Weimer, the Division Secretary, will serve as the interim Treasurer until we elect a new one on 11/22/09.

Please contact me directly if you have any questions.

Respectfully,

Michael Garrison
Chairman, Wisconsin Division, USFA

posted 10/1/09


Foil Coaching Clinic at UWSP Huge Success

The UW-Stevens Point Fencing Club was proud to sponsor a foil coaching clinic on Sunday September 20, 2009. Coaches came to improve their teaching skills in this ever-changing sport. The clinic was geared toward coaches in the early stages of their development as teachers. As such, this clinic helped to promote a new generation of instructors.

Maître d'Armes Tony Gillham, a Vice President of the Académie d'Armes Internationale and a coach at Caliburn Fencing Club, led the clinic. He imparted decades of coaching experience to all participants. Everyone enjoyed the instruction and looked forward to using it with their own students.
 


aaron.jpgAaron McTavish of the UW Stevens Point Fencing Club passed the practical exam for his Moniteur certification in foil. Yes, he's holding an epee in the photo, but we'll forgive him.


posted by Mike
9/24/2009




New web site launched

Earlier this month we launched our new web site. The design has been updated and navigation simplified.

We're still in the process of updating site content. For example, the Bylaws and Sanction Committee have submitted their drafts to the Executive Committee (EC). The EC is taking this week to make suggestions and comments to these documents. The separate committees will then tweak the documents and resubmit them to the EC for ratification. Once ratified, we'll post the Division Bylaws and Sanction Manual on this site.

Please send you comments, thoughts and suggestions to Mike Garrison.

Thanks,

Mike Garrison
Chairman

posted 9/23/09

Annual Division Meeting held 6/27/09

The Wisconsin Division will be launching a new web site very shortly. I've been working with the webmaster and we have a new, clean design nearly finished.

Many thanks to Joe Beibel for hosting the 2009 AGM.

Mike Garrison
Chairman

Kate Cavanaugh Fundraiser a huge success!!

Our own Kate Cavanaugh has been selected to compete in the 18th Maccabiah Games. Held every four years, the Maccabiah Games are often refered to as the "Jewish Olympics."

Well, fencers in our division really stepped up to help Kate. Joe Beibel of the Milwaukee Sport Fencing Academy organized a tournament as a fundraiser. The venue was donated. The food was donated, The directing was donated and the entry fees were donated. Also, fencers and supporters from across the state sent in contributions to help Kate cover expenses.

When the dust settled, Joe was able to present Kate with a check for $1020. Go get 'em Kate!!

kate's big check.jpg
Left to right: Maestro Anthony Gillham (Kate's Coach), Kate Cavanaugh and Joe Beibel.

Wisconsin Divison Annual Meeting

The 2009 Wisconsin Division Annual Meeting will be held on Saturday June 27 @ 1:30 PM at the Milwaukee Sport Fencing Academy, 247 S. Water Street Milwaukee WI 53204,

https://www.milwaukeesportfencing.com/


There is a Youth tournament on the morning of the 27th, so bring your kids for the fencing and stay for the meeting.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mike