REGULAR MEETING - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
August 15, 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 7:10 pm. Board members present were:
Denise Edwards President
Ray Greenberg Vice President
Roger Underhill Secretary
Bob Maynes North Recreational Commissioner #1
Steve Bender North Recreational Commissioner #2
John Singleton West Recreational Commissioner
Lorelle Myer #1 VCCL Travel Commissioner
Anne Thompson #2 WAGS Travel Commissioner
Christy Cousins #3 VSLI Travel Commissioner
John Singleton #4 BRCL Travel Commissioner
Debi Honaker #6 NCSL Travel Commissioner
Board Members Jim Bonfils, Tom Gross, Matt Hinson, and Paul O’Connell were excused. Also present were Julie Caramanica (VYSA Administrator), Gordon Miller (VYSA State Technical Director/ODP Chair), and Paul Shaw (VYSA Coaching Education Director).
APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS BOARD MINUTES
A motion was made and seconded to approve the June 23, 2007, Board meeting minutes. The motion was approved.
TREASURER’S REPORT
The Treasurer’s Report (Attachment A) was distributed.
STATE ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
The State Administrator’s Report (Attachment B) was distributed. State Administrator Julie Caramanica reported that Fall registration letters were sent and fees are due October 1st.
Several clubs have still not sent Spring, 2007, registration fees. A motion was made and seconded to put those clubs, except those that had no spring soccer season, in bad standing. A motion was made to amend the motion to include the travel teams of those clubs. The motion to amend failed due to lack of a second. The motion to place the clubs listed in bad standing was approved.
Many clubs still have not submitted Spring registration data. A motion was made and seconded to put clubs that have not yet submitted Spring registration data to the State Office in bad standing. The motion was approved.
Julie asked the Recreational Commissioners to contact clubs with very small numbers of registered players to make sure they still qualify for membership.
US Youth Soccer has implemented new awards: Boys Recreational Coach, Girls Recreational Coach, Boys Competitive Coach, Girls Competitive Coach, and Administrator of the Year, along with Volunteer of the Year, and Young Male and Young Female Referee of the Year. VYSA will include these awards this year as well. VYSA also presents the Dave Williams TOPSoccer Exemplary Service and the Adele Dolansky Exemplary Service Awards and inductions to the Virginia DC Soccer Hall of Fame. Nominations are needed for all except the Young Referees of the Year (nominated by the State Referee Program) and the Adele Dolansky Exemplary Service Award (nominated by the VYSA President and Adele Dolansky). Nomination forms are on the VYSA website. There was discussion regarding the criteria for selection of recreational coaches. A motion was made and seconded to remove the words "no tryout" from the criteria for recreational coaches. The motion was approved.
Lynchburg United Soccer has asked for a waiver to play unaffiliated clubs for the upcoming seasonal year at the U12, U15, and U18 age groups, as there is very limited competition available. A motion was made and seconded to approve Lynchburg United Soccer to play unaffiliated teams in the surrounding area. The motion was approved.
Julie distributed a list of possible dates for future Board meetings and the AGM (Attachment C). The dates listed for future Board meetings and the AGM were approved.
Lists were distributed of those in VYSA who have not completed their KidSafe, Conflict of Interest, and/or Confidentiality forms.
KidSafe issues were discussed. It was reiterated that VYSA policy requires social security numbers be included on these forms. Anyone who does not provide a social security number will not be permitted to participate. It was also noted that background checks are not conclusive, but are just one tool to be used to help protect our players. Vigilance is still required.
In response to an infraction reported at last month’s meeting, a letter was received from Culpeper Soccer Association stating that proper registration procedures have been sent to travel coaches and managers.
Grants may be requested from the US Soccer Foundation. Go to www.ussoccerfoundation.org. for information.
September is Youth Soccer Month. VYSA members are reminded to participate in some way to help promote Youth Soccer Month.
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Gordon Miller, VYSA Technical Director, introduced Paul Shaw. Gordon reported that many Coaching Education courses were scheduled throughout the summer. Two VYSA-hosted courses were held in northern Virginia this summer: a National Youth License course with 29 candidates in attendance, and a "C" License course with 37 candidates attending. Coaching Education courses are being scheduled for the winter. The Technical Department is working on changes to the curriculum and is evaluating instructors.
Gordon reported he has recently worked with clubs in Fauquier, Stafford, Arlington, and McLean. Arlington and McLean are both hiring Technical Directors. It was noted by a Board member that both clubs greatly appreciated the time Gordon spent assisting them.
The 92 VYSA Boys ODP were the Region I Champions for first time at the Region l ODP Tournament. Region I ODP camps held at Ryder University for the boys and in Rhode Island for the girls are now complete. VYSA ODP District tryouts have been completed in all four districts, and scouting will be starting for players who were unable to attend tryouts. District training will begin soon and will continue through November. Staff training is now taking place. Numbers at the tryouts were down slightly, likely due to the US Soccer Academy. Gordon noted that changes are still being made for the US Soccer Academy. VYSA will continue to focus on its players.
Gordon noted that Gary Allen deserves special thanks for all he has done for the Coaching Education program in VYSA.
The Board went into Executive Session to discuss land acquisition.
ADJUDICATION REPORT
The Adjudication Report (Attachment C) was distributed. Ray Greenberg reported on two appeal hearings. The first, a suspension of a coach, was remanded back to the club for a new hearing to be held in accordance with all applicable VYSA and USSF policies. In the second case, concerning a former officer of a club, the appeal was sustained and remanded back to the club to hold another hearing.
The Adjudication Committee had previously voted to suspend a youth referee who was alleged to have possession of drugs. His father notified the committee that the referee was found by US District Court to be not guilty of all charges. A motion was made and seconded to reverse the suspension of Wesley Howell based on his being found not guilty of the charges. The motion was approved.
A Braddock Road coach was arrested for possession of child pornography. The committee has just received a copy of the indictment. A motion was made and seconded to suspend Thomas Kartes based on bylaw 252, pending litigation. The motion was approved.
STATE CUP RULES
State Cup Director Anne Thompson reported the State Cup rule regarding PSAT testing and religious holidays was too restrictive. There was a discussion about players not being available for State Cup because of PSAT testing or religious holidays. A motion was made and seconded to allow the State Cup Director the flexibility to work with the few teams that have conflicts with State Cup game dates. Teams must submit their request to change game days two weeks in advance and include the names of players affected. Some argued that subjectivity was not advisable. It was suggested that applications for future seasons ask if the team will have conflicts. The motion was approved.
SECRETARY’S REPORT
The Secretary’s Report was presented in Executive Session.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Denise Edwards reported that it was wonderful watching the U16 McLean girls win the National Championship. Coach Clyde Watson was very proud of his team. She noted that the PWSI Cardinals played very well, but a referee decision hurt the team. Three of the six girls’ teams at the National Championships were from Virginia.
Topics discussed at the US Youth Soccer AGM included the possibility of completing background checks on referees and the development of the new US Soccer Development Academy.
GOOD OF THE GAME
The Board offered congratulations to the U16 Girls McLean Freedom for winning the US Youth Soccer National Championships in July!
A thank you was received from the PWSI Cardinals for the contribution from VYSA to help with expenses to the National Championships.
Julie reported two recent deaths: Bob Churchill, husband of former VYSA Board member Judie Churchill, and youth referee Olivia Aull.
Julie reported she had received a letter that was very complimentary about the Staff, thanking Janet, Jackie and Lisa for their quick response and assistance.
Roger Underhill noted that soccer is the largest youth sports organization in the world and the only youth sport that plays to a true national championship. Many Board members noted that the players who participate in the National Championships are examples of the best of our young people. Virginia teams earned Fair Play, Golden Glove, and Golden Boot awards at the US Youth Soccer National Championships this year.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:10 pm.
Prepared by
Julie Caramanica
VYSA Administrator
Next Board Meeting is September 19, 2007, at 7:00 pm at the Sheraton Richmond West.
