REGULAR MEETING - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
November 14, 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 7:23 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
Tom Gross                 DC Recreational Commissioner
John Singleton          West Recreational Commissioner
Lorelle Myer               #1 VCCL Travel Commissioner
Anne Thompson      #2 WAGS Travel Commissioner
Chris Friant               #3 VSLI Travel Commissioner
John Singleton         #4 BRCL Travel Commissioner
Paul O’Connell        #5 ODSL Travel Commissioner
Debi Honaker          #6 NCSL Travel Commissioner

Board Member Jim Bonfils was excused. Also present were Julie Caramanica (VYSA Administrator) and Gordon Miller (VYSA Technical Director).

BOARD APPOINTMENTS
The Board went into Executive Session to discuss personnel issues.

When the Board returned from Executive Session, Denise Edwards announced that Christy Cousins has left the Chesterfield United Soccer Club and the VYSA Board, and that Chris Friant had been appointed VSLI Travel Commissioner to replace her. Each Board member introduced him/herself.

Denise also announced that Ken Holloway has been appointed Southeast Recreational Commissioner.

APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS BOARD MINUTES
A motion was made and seconded to approve the September 19, 2007, Board meeting minutes. The motion was approved.

A motion was made and seconded to approve the October 17, 2007, Board meeting minutes. The motion was approved.

TREASURER’S REPORT
The Treasurer’s Report (Attachment A) was distributed. It was noted that the 2006-2007 Financial statements were preliminary. The amount shown for expenses over income can be attributed in some part to less than expected income in registration and some programs.

It was asked that the Accounting Manager send an email to the Board members to explain the balance sheet in more detail.

It was noted that the cost of hosting the Region I meeting was high and may have been greater than budgeted.

STATE ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
The State Administrator’s Report (Attachment B) was distributed. Julie Caramanica reported that there are only a few clubs that have not submitted their fall registration fees that were due October 1st. Board members were asked to remind their clubs that registration data was due November 1st.

Board members were asked to make their transportation arrangements for the US Youth Soccer Workshop in Pittsburgh in February, 2008.

Zonker Greetingz (www.zonkergreetingz.com, 303 770-3251) is donating $1.00 to a local TOPSoccer Program for each box of holiday greeting cards sold in Virginia.

The US Youth Soccer website has undergone a major redesign.

VYSA earned almost $10,000 as a result of hosting the Kohl’s American Cup last June.

The Board went into Executive Session to discuss a personnel matter. When the Board returned from Executive Session, it was reported that the State Office is seeking to fill the position of assistant to the Accounting Manager.

The VYSA State Office will be closed November 22-23, 2007, for the Thanksgiving holiday.

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Gordon Miller, Technical Director, reported that no Coaching Education courses are currently being held.
The ODP Girls Inter-district scrimmages will be held in Williamsburg the weekend following this meeting. Boys Inter-districts are the first weekend in December. State Pools will be named in early December; State training will begin the following weekend.

A Northern Virginia Technical Directors’ Workshop was held; the lead technical person from each area club was invited. Twenty-one coaches attended. Gordon led a presentation for personal education, then a roundtable discussion on player and coaching development took place. Gordon will follow up with the technical directors to see how best to proceed with the ideas proposed. Similar workshops will be held in other areas of the state. Board members discussed interaction between technical people and league officials.

ADJUDICATION REPORT
Ray Greenberg, Adjudication Chair, distributed the Adjudication Committee Report (Attachment C). He reported that the committee has been very busy, holding eight hearings this month. Two hearings concerned State Cup issues: both upheld the decisions of the State Cup Committee. Two players were found guilty at the Adjudicaton Hearing.  One was found guilty of referee assault and was suspended for three months, the other was found guilty of referee abuse and was suspended for three games.  Two coaches were found guilty of referee assault; both were suspended for one year. One coach was found guilty of referee abuse; he was suspended from his next three games and must provide proof of attendance at a Positive Coaching Alliance Workshop. A coach and his wife were both charged with referee abuse. The committee concluded that the coach was guilty of coaching misconduct and was suspended for three games; the committee strongly recommended that his wife attend a parent workshop offered by the Positive Coaching Alliance.

There was a discussion concerning reasons behind the increase in the number of incidents being referred to Adjudication. Ray was asked if the matters brought before him showed any trend. It was noted that in the issues involving State Cup were both due to referee error. Also noted was that referees may now be more aware of the reporting procedures for abuse and assault resulting in a rise in reports. There seems to be a rise in complaints in general, not just those referred to Adjudication.

It was noted that there was an incident in the Suburban Friendship League involving a parent who accused the opposing coach of assault against a player. The SFL has no mechanism in place for handling these matters; it was suggested that the SFL develop a policy for dealing with inappropriate behavior. A VYSA bylaw amendment may be proposed to create a class for associate membership for recreational leagues (for those involved in interclub play, such as SFL and TASL) where the league would pay a nominal membership fee to join VYSA.
More referees, coaches, and administrators from various areas of the State are needed for the Adjudication Committee.

Ray reported that an anonymous letter had been received stating that an out-of-state coach, now coaching in Virginia, had been accused of improper behavior with players, but the charges were dismissed. VYSA cannot react to anonymous letters and the allegations were not actionable.

SECRETARY’S REPORT
Roger Underhill reported that a registration hearing will be held the following weekend in Richmond regarding improper registration of players.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT
It was decided to hold a Travel Summit on Sunday, January 27, from 10:00 – 2:00, at the Sheraton Richmond West. Board members and league representatives will be invited to brainstorm about the impact of US Soccer taking additional age groups and genders for its Academy, and how to best provide for our members and continued player development.
Denise reported that she is continuing to work on sponsorships.

SOCCER START
Bob Maynes distributed a draft of current Soccer Start guidelines to the Board and asked for their input. The Board asked Bob to present a proposal.

STATE CUP
Anne Thompson reported that she had received an e-mail stating the VYSA Board of Directors and the State Cup Committee had considered the elimination of the U12 age group from State Cup competition. She responded that the information was not correct. VYSA has not made any decision to eliminate that age group and will continue to hold competition for the U12 age group as long as Region I continues to do so at the Regional Championships.

Anne noted that McLean did a great job in having four teams successfully complete State Cup this Fall. The U15 Boys McLean MPS Hurricanes, U18 Girls McLean MPS Freedom Elite, U17 Girls McLean MPS Freedom, and the U16 Girls McLean MPS Dragons all emerged as State Cup Champions.

GOOD OF THE GAME
Paul O’Connell announced that ODSL will continue to support the Workshop by paying registration fees for its club reps. He also reported that ODSL has approved a pilot program to start a small-sided high school division for boys. If it is successful, the program will expand to include girls. Full-sided play will continue to be offered. It is hoped the league will be allowed to have 18 person rosters for tournaments, but be able to compete within this league as two smaller teams. This program will create more opportunities for the older players.

It was noted that the US Youth Soccer National League is comprised of teams from Regional leagues. Not many teams participating are from VYSA because of the High School season. Competitive VYSA teams are encouraged to enter as it does not conflict with club or Cup play. It is another means for teams that do not win State Cup to get into the National Championships.

DC Stoddert will celebrate its 30th Anniversary in December. Tom Gross invited all Board members to attend.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:40 pm.

Prepared by
Julie Caramanica
VYSA Administrator

Next Board Meeting is December 8, 2007, at 6:00 pm at the Sheraton Richmond West with Holiday Party to follow.