• Are you getting the full value of your professional or administrative membership? I often speak with members or former members who aren’t aware of what we have to offer them — in many cases, at no additional charge to current members. Following ISI on Facebook and Twitter, and making sure

that you are registered to receive ISI email communication are important ways to keep yourself informed. Wishing you all a happy, healthy and prosperous 2014-15 skating season!

ISI District 6 (Michigan) by Julie Goddard, District Director

District 6 had a successful seminar in October and everyone was excited to be able to watch the new Dance Step Sequences on ice by demonstrators as well as on the ISI website. We are looking for- ward to putting the new rule revisions into action this season.

We have a great lineup of competitions set with Southgate,

Mike Modano and Livonia on the agenda. We are really look- ing forward to heading to the Synchro Champs in Ohio and are already making fundraising plans and travel arrangements. Our skaters hope to grab a photo with Flip!

ISI District 8 (Chicago/Milwaukee Metro) by Amy Forbes, CAP, CSD, District Director

District 8 has a whole new look. Tank s to the hard work of Sara Bolan, manager of the Franklin Park Ice Arena and District 8 secre- tary, we have a new website. Tis up-to-date site includes a fresh new look, pages for spe- cial events and — most exciting — each member rink has its own page that can be

customized by its own skating director or manager. Our new page will be more functional and can be found at the same address: www.learntoskate.org. Our ISI free seminar was held at the Northbrook Sports

Center on Oct. 12 and was well attended. Te new rules and new dance steps were covered in detail, and we were happy to have Mike Palm from Athletico present on the topic of concus- sions. Mike also presented at the 2014 ISI Conference. As a district, we are interested in continuing to explore the

growth of synchronized skating within the ISI program. Many local competitions are planned for our district this

season. Our District Champs is scheduled for March, hosted by Homewood-Flossmoor Ice Arena. We are in our fourth season of using our district referee panel. It has worked well for our competitions, showing a drop in penalties and a rise in rule understanding. We are all looking forward to ISI Worlds being hosted by the Edge Ice Arenas in Bensenville. District 8 should have a great presence during Worlds week!

ISI EDGE WINTER 2014

ISI District 10 (Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin) by Jane Schaber, CSD, District Director

Te ISI District 10 Seminar was well attended by 70 coaches, some travelling four to five hours to attend. Our guest presenter was Larry LaBorde

of the Ice Chalet in Knoxville, Tenn., who gave the off-ice session on the business of coaching, in which he stressed the impor-

tance of the entire arena staff working as a team to help the arena thrive and keep us all in business. Even coaches who are independent contractors have a responsibility in this, as the owners and managers are supplying them a place to make their living. Amy Flater and Jennifer Machtemes each presented a ses- sion on judging, and I covered all the new rule revisions and clarified any questions the coaches had. Sandy Wittmann pre- sented her report on district testing and reviewed revisions to our district test policy. Off-ice, Larry covered all the new dance step patterns as

well as how to teach those twizzles, turns and loops. Lots of good discussion resulted from breaking these patterns down and giving coaches some teaching tips! Larry then gave his always-popular on-ice session of uncaptured maneuvers. Tanks to Barb Yackel, Rose Esteb, Peter Biver and Karen

Olson for presenting on-ice sessions on group teaching tips, choreography, pole harness and jump-and-spin technique. Sabrina Sowles and Liatra Oss finished the day with “Building the TEAM Aspect of ISI” in your facility; I hope our coaches will take these tips and begin preparing for upcoming national events! Te very busy District 10 competition season is about to

begin and I would like to thank all the coaches who took the time to attend the seminar. Taking advantage of ISI profes- sional programs helps ensure that you are fully prepared for judging and for teaching your skaters the ISI programs so they can have a positive and rewarding season as well. We couldn’t do it without your support and input!

ISI District 11 (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas) by Caroline Baker, District Director

ICE at Te Parks in Arlington, Texas hosted its 11th

Annual ISI Open Competition Sept.

13-14, with 298 competitors from nine rinks. ICE at Te Parks took first place, fol- lowed by the Galleria Ice Skating Center (Dallas) and NYTEX Sports Centre (North Richland Hills, Texas).

Te Dr Pepper StarCenter-McKinney will host the

annual Love To Skate Competition in February, date to be announced. Te District 11 Championships will take place May 15-17 at Dr Pepper StarCenter-Farmers Branch.

31