REGULAR MEETING - BOARD OF DIRECTORS

April 18, 2007

The regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Virginia Youth Soccer Association, Inc., was called to order by President Denise Edwards at the Sheraton Richmond West at 7:00 pm. Board members present were:

Denise Edwards President
Ray Greenberg Vice President
Jim Bonfils Treasurer
Bob Maynes North Recreational Commissioner #1
Steve Bender North Recreational Commissioner #2
Tom Gross DC Recreational Commissioner
John Singleton West Recreational Commissioner
Lorelle Myer #1 VCCL Travel Commissioner
Anne Thompson #2 WAGS Travel Commissioner
John Singleton #4 BRCL Travel Commissioner
Paul O’Connell #5 ODSL Travel Commissioner
Debi Honaker #6 NCSL Travel Commissioner

Board Members Roger Underhill, Ron Bedwell, and Matt Hinson were excused. Also present were Julie Caramanica (VYSA Administrator) and Gordon Miller (VYSA State Technical Director/ODP Chair).

APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS BOARD MINUTES
A motion was made and seconded to approve the March 21, 2007, Board meeting minutes. The motion was approved.

TREASURER’S REPORT
Jim Bonfils, VYSA Treasurer, reported that there is no Treasurer’s Report this month. The office is short an employee in the accounting department and not all records have been entered. He noted that receivables are in good shape and that the budgeting process for the next fiscal year has started.

STATE ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
The State Administrator’s Report (Attachment A) was distributed. State Administrator Julie Caramanica noted the clubs that are still in bad standing.

It has come to the attention of the State Office that a tournament may be trading roster information to a sponsor in exchange for support of that tournament. VYSA sanctioned tournaments are not permitted to use the information on a team’s roster submitted to them for any purposes other than team registration for that tournament.

Lisa Wilson has returned to the State Office after a very short recovery time from her surgery. VYSA appreciates her dedication in returning so quickly.

The Recreational Committee will meet before next month’s Board meeting. Recreational Commissioners should plan to attend.

Thank you notes were received from the US Soccer Foundation for contributions and for flowers sent in condolence.

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Gordon Miller, VYSA Technical Director, reported that the National Youth License course will be held June 29-July 1 and July 6-8 in Northern Virginia.

The ODP teams have just returned from their trip to Germany. A total of 104 players, along with 24 staff members, including coaches, trainers, heads of delegation, and a sports psychologist, made the trip. Gordon reported that the transportation, accommodations, and weather were all great. Each team played five games. The results for those games are as follows:

              Girls      Boys
93’s      5-0         3-1-1
92’s     3-2          2-3
91’s     2-2-1      1-1-3

Gordon noted that the 93 Girls defeated a same-age boys team. The players and staff attended two top professional games and did some sightseeing, including educational experiences. The goals of soccer, culture, and life experiences were accomplished. Gordon thanked Denise Edwards and Jim Bonfils for their roles as heads of delegation. Jim noted that the coach of one of the German girls teams will be visiting to talk about bringing her German teams here and about our teams visiting theirs again.

The Board went into Executive Session.

SUSPENSION OF COACH UNDER BYLAW 252
Ray Greenberg reported that a coach who was suspended under bylaw 252 last June has pleaded guilty to four counts of child pornography. The judge has sentenced him to nine years; he will then be extradited out of the county. The coach had been suspended pending litigation. Ray recommended that he receive a lifetime suspension. A motion was made and seconded to suspend this coach from all USSF, US Youth Soccer and VYSA activities for his lifetime. The motion was approved.

APPROVAL OF DELEGATION OF REFEREES FOR REGION I CHAMPIONSHIPS
The vote for approval will be done by email the next day.

DISCUSSION OF DEFINITIONS OF RECREATION TEAMS
Ray Greenberg reported that a coach who was suspended under bylaw 252 last June has pleaded guilty to four counts of child pornography. The judge has sentenced him to nine years; he will then be extradited out of the county. The coach had been suspended pending litigation. Ray recommended that he receive a lifetime suspension. A motion was made and seconded to suspend this coach from all USSF, US Youth Soccer and VYSA activities for his lifetime. The motion was approved.The vote for approval will be done by email the next day.The State Office received an e-mail asking whether VYSA had an official policy prohibiting tryouts for recreational players consistent with definitions for recreational league and recreational plus league in the US Youth Soccer Policy on Players and Playing Rules.

It was explained that VYSA Bylaws show two types of members, Recreational Clubs and Travel Leagues. Players participating in Travel Leagues are travel players; all others are Recreational players. It was further explained that the definitions in the US Youth Soccer Policy on Players and Playing Rules, Rule 101, Section 3 are "suggested for use by State Associations to facilitate communication and understanding among them". VYSA has a clear set of team types: Recreational Teams, Recreational Teams with Guest Players, Travel Teams, Travel Teams with Guest players, Recreational All-Star Teams, League Select Teams and State Teams. (These team types are posted on the VYSA web site under the Registration Tab then Initial Registration Forms.)

VICE-PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Ray Greenberg reported that Larry Monaco had sent a memo to all US Youth Soccer Association members concerning risk management and disciplinary actions. Ray has checked thoroughly and is satisfied that VYSA is in compliance with his recommendations.

Based on a recommendation by Larry Monaco, Ray has submitted a bylaw change regarding recovery of grievance expenses to be incorporated into the bylaws of all State Associations.

GOOD OF THE GAME
The Board of Directors observed a moment of silence for the victims at Virginia Tech in the recent shootings there.

Prepared by
Julie Caramanica
VYSA Administrator