2020-08-01 OJI Presidential Notes

OJI Presidential Notes

August 2020

In an effort to stay in-touch and provide timely information about OJI activities and regional events, it is planned to distribute these “Notes” directly to all members of OJI plus anyone else wishing to receive these e-mails.  They will also be posted on the OJI web site.  If you wish to be removed from this e-mail list, please contact me using reply to sender (please DO NOT use “reply all”).  Similarly, if you are not currently on the “direct e-mail” list and wish to be added please contact me stating your request.

1. Deadlines for 2020 – The following dates are deadlines for various activities in 2020:
   **** 8/22/2020 – Agenda Items and Executive Committee (2021-2022) submitted to the OJI Secretary and President****      Additional info can be found below and on the OJI website
2. The Presidents of several Midwest Group B members (states) of USA Judo have formed a working group to coordinate area activities and plan/execute development activities to enhance Judo in our area (WI, IL, IN, MI, OH and KY).  The first task undertaken during these trying times of Covid-19 is the expansion and training of our referee corps.  If you attend our local and regional shiais, you have probably observed at least two problems – 1) not enough officials and 2) the average age is fairly advanced.  (For example, Ohio has only two certified referees and their average age is 70 years old.  We have to rely on referees travelling in from other states – mostly Wisconsin and Tennessee – to hold most of our events).  We would encourage all, but especially retiring competitors and senseis with a lot of judo experience, to take part in the training program and help at shiais as referees.  We also would like to see many more teenagers (and below) take part in the Junior Referee Program.
   
   The first part of this program will be conducted on-line with a Zoom Clinic by Russ Scherer for Novice Referees and those other interested Judoka on August 8, 2020 from 7PM to 8:30PM.  Further info can be found on the OJI website at http://www.ohiojudo.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=572:2020-08-08-zoom-clinic-for-novice-referees-other-interested-judoka&catid=81&Itemid=278  It will cover an overview of the training materials on the OJI website and approximately half of the material will be covered in detail.  The remainder of the material will be covered in a follow-on Zoom presentation.  Both of these clinics will be geared toward newer referees.  If you are interested in these clinics, it would be beneficial to watch a video presentation for new referees by Rick Celotto which can be found at http://www.ohiojudo.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=573:2020-06-27-basic-refereeing-seminar-by-rick-celotto-6-27-2020-2&catid=81&Itemid=278  Additional Zoom presentations (Referee Clinics and Seminars) will be offered in the future geared toward referees with more experience.
3. OJI Board of Directors Meeting – Call for agenda items for the Semi-Annual OJI BoD Meeting which will be held on Sunday, September 27, 2020.  The meeting will be scheduled for 2:00PM to 4:00PM via Zoom (details to follow) and will include election of the Executive Committee for 2021-2022.  Please send your agenda items and nominees  (review requirements and procedures on the OJI website) to Laura Suzuki (OJI Secretary) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.   and Russ Scherer (OJI President) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. no later than August 22, 2020. 
4. OJI Website Updates – Please review the website for updates on upcoming events, as well as other recent changes.  http://www.ohiojudo.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=featured&Itemid=435
5. Club Advertising on OJI Trailer – Ohio Judo, Inc. is offering clubs the opportunity to have their club logo affixed to the mat trailer to support the mat program and advertise their club.  The one-time fee of $250 covers the cost of the decal and supports the mat and trailer program.  If your club is interested, contact Russ Scherer.

Upcoming Events(check the OJI web site for additional details and an updated listing):
*Ohio Events*   -   National Events & Ref Eval Sites   -   Other Events

8/8/20            - Ilias Iliadis Clinic (Zoom)  (1PM-2PM EDT)
8/8/20             - *Zoom Clinic for Novice Referees & Other Interested Judoka (7PM-8:30PM EDT)*
8/22/20           - Takashi Ono Clinic (Zoom)  (8PM EDT)
9/27/20           - *OJI BoD Semi-Annual Meeting/Elections (Zoom Meeting)*
10/10-11/20  -  Indiana Open Championships (IN)
11/7/20          -  SAVE THE DATE - Great Lakes Open (Grand Rapids, MI)
11/14/20        -  SAVE THE DATE – Red, White & Blue Shiai (Marion, IN)
11/22-23/20  -  National President’s Cup & Senior Nationals (Irving, TX)

        If you have information about any other events that would be of interest to OJI members, please reply to this e-mail (do not send info that applies only to your club).   Also – Please verify all info prior to travel – We are not responsible for the accuracy of this information.  Look for another issue in September.  Hope to see you at a future event.

Russ Scherer
President - Ohio Judo, Inc.