The meeting was called to order by the President at 7:30 p.m. Present were: T. Tani, R. Dial, C. Fix, S. Harty, L. Rimac, J. MacDowall, C. DeVerna, T Bryant.

1. Website Update

• The on-line scheduling system was generally thought to be working well. Although there have been a couple of minor problems, it was viewed to be an improvement over the telephone hotline and much less time consuming.
• Discussion was held about adding links to the website now that the initial items have been addressed (schedule, contacts, etc.). Potential links include Met NY clubs, other referee societies, etc. The secretary was tasked with compiling a list of Met NY club websites.
• Discussion addressed the availability of forms in .doc format for ease of download and completion.
• Discussion focused on whether to post the assignments weekly on the website or several weeks in advance. While potential changes can arise from posting several weeks in advance, the general consensus, supported by experience in several other societies, was to attempt to assign matches a few weeks in advance, but with the emphasis on continually checking the website for changes due to injury, conflicts, cancellations, etc.
• One suggestion involved hyperlinking each match to the referee's e-mail. A decision to attempt to do so on a trial basis with three or four names was supported by the members present.

1. Spring Schedule Comments

• Discussion addressed the situation where a suspended college club competes as a lower side for a men's club. Opinions varied. On the positive, additional adult support and influence was cited. On the negative, a disregard for the suspension status was cited.
• Discussion addressed the amount of backchat in some matches, which can escalate to the level of referee abuse. The zero tolerance policy was reiterated.
• Discussion addressed repeated infringement and use of the sin bin for this and other (minor violent offenses) reasons.
• Discussion addressed how to coordinate more effectively with the Met NY Disciplinary Committee, including the importance of prompt incident reports.

1. Spring/Summer Social Event

   In light of the fact that a dinner was not held this year in the late winter, as had been the custom during the past few years, a proposal was made to hold a social event in the spring. Possible dates include Saturday evening, May 20^th and Sunday afternoon, May 21^st (perhaps including a MetroStars game). The secretary was tasked with soliciting the opinions of the membership by e-mail.

2. Meeting Dates

   Steve Harty mentioned that the office space which he has so generously donated for meetings is unavailable Monday, May 1^st. As a result, the meeting has bee rescheduled for Monday, May 8^th.

3. Summer Events

April 15^th-16^th: Rugger Classic (replacing Stony Brook Tournament.
May 13^th: Possible return of Long Island Tournament. Also, some referees will serve as touch judges in USARFU playoffs in New Haven.
June 3^rd: Jersey Cup. Emphasis on younger referees being evaluated.
June 10^th: Connecticut Cup and Montauk 7s.
June 17^th: Rockaway 7's.
July 8^th: Princeton 7's.
July 21^st-23^rd: Conference on the Game, in Atlanta. Replacing the biennial USARFU Referees meeting to include coaches and administrators. Possible minor subsidization by RRSNY of attendees.
August 19^th: Jersey Shore Tournament.

Respectfully submitted,
R.H. Dial, Secretary

Meeting adjourned 8:50 p.m.