Notes (by Bill Mein) from the 2006 Governing Council Meeting
Orlando, FL
May 5-6, 2006

1. Nancy Heizer. Longtime U.S. Figure Skating employee Nancy Marie Heizer passed away Thursday, May 4, in Orlando, Fla. She was 58. Memorial contributions can be made in Nancy's name to Rise and Shine c/o First Presbyterian Church, 219 E. Bijou St, Colorado Springs, CO 80903 or The Children's Literacy Center, 33 N. Institute St., Colorado Springs, CO 80903.
2. Assessment to attend GC. This proposal was withdrawn.
3. Changes to number of patterns for some dances. The following dances had the number of patterns for tests reduced from 3 to 2:
   1. Dutch Waltz
   2. Canasta Tango
   3. Rhythm Blues
   4. Cha Cha
   5. Fiesta Tango
   6. Willow Waltz
   7. Hickory Hoedown
   8. Ten Fox
   This action was deemed immediate and so is effective for test sessions commencing at the close of the Governing Council.
4. Region hopping. Region hopping is not allowed for single competitors (remains the same for dance and pairs).
5. Synchronized Team Skating
   1. Age for Novice Synchro. The age was changed from "Under age 15" to "Under age 16".
   2. Age for Intermediate Synchro. The age was changed from "Under age 16" to "Under age 18".
   3. Crossovers for Intermediate Synchro. No crossovers to / from Intermediate Teams.
   4. International Envelopes
      1. Senior: Miami UniversityOxford, OH
      2. Senior: Haydenettes Lexington, MA, Crystallettes Dearborn, MI
         Junior: Chicago Jazz Glenville, IL
      3. Senior: U of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI;
         Junior: Colonials West Acton, MA, Hockettes Ann Arbor, MI
      4. Senior: Western Michigan U Kalamazoo, MI, Team Elan Bloomfield, MI;
         Junior: Team Braemar Edina, MN, Fond du Lac Blades Fond du Lac, WI
         Novice: Chicago Jazz Glenville, IL, Ice Mates Lexington, MA, Starlights Wilmette, IL

6. IJS.
   1. Regionals: all rounds (initial and final) of Novice, Junior and Senior level events.
      Pair and dance events (all levels) and all lower level events will use 6.0 system.
   2. Sectionals and US Figure Skating Championships: All events.
   3. US Junior Figure Skating Championships: All events.
   4. US Adult Figure Skating Championships: Gold level and above free skate events for singles, pairs and dance.
   5. Sectionals and US Synchronized Team Skating Championships: Intermediate and above events including Adult and Collegiate and Open Junior at Sectionals.
   For the 2007-2008 season, IJS will be used for all Juvenile and above events at Regionals.
7. IJS Technical Panels for non-quals. All non-quals will have to have a certified Technical Panel if they choose to use the IJS system of judging.
8. MIF school. Bill gained support for a MIF judges' school this summer in Potsdam - stay tuned for further information.
9. Officers of the Association. Ron Herschberger was re-elected president; Bob Horen is Eastern VP.