PLEASE NOTE: This VYSA mailing is being sent to each members’ Chief Executive Officer presently on file at the State Office unless another individual has been designated to the State Administrator, Julie Caramanica. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF EACH INDIVIDUAL RECEIVING THIS MAILING TO DISTRIBUTE TO ALL APPROPRIATE OFFICIALS OF THEIR CLUB OR LEAGUE

REGULAR MEETING - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
January 16, 2008

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 7:15 pm. Board members present were:

Denise Edwards	President
Ray Greenberg	Vice President
Roger Underhill	Secretary
Jim Bonfils	Treasurer
Steve Bender	North Recreational Commissioner #2
Ken Halloway	Southeast 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
Debi Honaker	#6 NCSL Travel Commissioner

Board Members Bob Maynes, Tom Gross, Chris Friant, and Paul O’Connell were excused. Also present were Julie Caramanica (VYSA Administrator), Gordon Miller (VYSA Technical Director), and Peggy Borgard (Regional Registrar).

APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS BOARD MINUTES
A motion was made and seconded to approve the November 14, 2007, Board meeting minutes. The minutes were corrected to read that two players were found guilty at the Adjudication Hearing; one was found guilty of referee assault and was suspended for three months and the other was found guilty of referee abuse and was suspended for three games. The minutes were approved as corrected.

A motion was made and seconded to approve the December 8, 2007, minutes. The motion was approved.

TREASURER’S REPORT
The Treasurer’s Report (Attachment A) was distributed. Jim Bonfils noted that there is a negative net income. Revenue from registration fees was lower than expected, but that was somewhat offset by other positive revenue. The new budget cycle will begin soon. Committee chairs will be asked to carefully review their budgets for the upcoming year.

A question was asked about interest revenue. Jim explained there are three different forms of revenue: checking, investment dividends and 7 day paper. He reported that checking account interest is constant, investment account dividends are regular, though the actual value of the security may go up and down, and seven- day paper interest will likely go down. Jim believes that asset value may go up or down in the future, but interest income should remain about the same.

It was requested that the Treasurer’s Report be sent electronically to the Board members the day before each meeting so that they have time to review it.

The Region I Host Committee account will now be closed as the financials for that two year event are complete.

STATE ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
The State Administrator’s Report (Attachment B) was distributed. Julie Caramanica reported that most members have submitted their Fall registration fees.

The US Soccer Foundation has requested a $100 tax-deductible gift to support the Annual Grants Program. The Board agreed to contribute that amount.

The US Youth Soccer Workshop in Pittsburgh is the weekend immediately following the VYSA Workshop. It was suggest that reimbursements for those driving be based on the cost of airfare for that area. The Board agreed to pay mileage reimbursement, including parking, not to exceed the cost of airfare.

VYSA thanks Score and Eurosport for their generous donations to the Workshop. Score provided polo shirts for the presenters and Eurosport provided t-shirts for the player demonstrators and apparel for our award winners.

Board members are asked to encourage their members to attend the VYSA Workshop. Sessions have been carefully planned to address questions that are frequently asked.

It was noted that the adidas logo still shows on the VYSA letterhead and that adidas is no longer a sponsor. Julie explained that as new stationery is ordered, the adidas logo will no longer be included.

Julie will send a reminder to all clubs and leagues that a fee increase approved at the Annual General Meeting of $1.50 per recreation player and $ .50 per travel player is scheduled to take effect September 1, 2008.

VYSA extends condolences to the family of Bobby Clarke, a Richmond Kickers player from the Colonial Heights area, who was killed in a recent car accident. The Board agreed that when it learns that a player has died, the office should send condolences to the family. There was concern that some may be missed, but the Board felt it important to send a card whenever it does know.

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Technical Director Gordon Miller noted that several excellent clinicians will be presenting at the Workshop. John Owens of Liverpool FC oversees their Youth Academy and will conduct several sessions, Rene Miramontes is a USSF staff coach and will conduct a session in Spanish, and Steve Swanson, UVA women’s soccer coach will also conduct a session. The VYSA Technical Staff, as well as ODP Goalkeeper Coach Andre Christian, will also conduct sessions.

The VYSA Coaching Education staff will meet on Friday to be taught the new D license course material. Included will be a session on adult learning styles, taught by Dr. Dan Freigang.

Many F, E, and D Coaching Education courses are scheduled between now and the beginning of the Spring season.

ODP training is ongoing. This past weekend eight boys teams attended Friendlies at a soccer complex in Greensboro, NC. The Virginia Friendlies, with New Jersey, North Carolina, Maryland, Eastern Pennsylvania, and Regional Boys and Girls teams, will take place in Williamsburg on Feb. 22-24. Referees will conduct training at the Friendlies.

The ‘92 Boys ODP State Pool is preparing for the National ODP Championships that will take place in March in Frisco, Texas.

Parker Walsh, ‘91 Boys ODP player from Roanoke, has been selected to the Men’s National U18 team.

It was requested that photos and articles about ODP and Coaching Education events be included in future Touchline articles.

Juergen Klingman, head coach for Bayern Munich, has asked Dr. Dan Freigang to join his staff as team psychologist. Dan and his family will be moving to Germany in July.

The Board went into Executive Session.

ADJUDICATION COMMITTEE REPORT
Ray Greenberg reported that an appeal hearing had been conducted. The Committee upheld the appeal. A hearing on an alleged referee assault will be scheduled. A coach from Colonial Heights was suspended by the Board under Bylaw 252.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT
A Travel Summit, to plan for the future of travel soccer in VYSA, will be held at the Sheraton from 10:00-2:00 on Jan. 27th. Dave Dengerink, President and Technical Director of Virginia Rush, will explain why he has entered his club into the Federation Academy. He will describe the positives and negatives of the experiences for the players and the club. Also on the agenda for the Travel Summit are discussions about the effects of the Academy on local and regional leagues, as well as on ODP. This meeting will also be an opportunity to discuss other issues pertinent to travel programs.

Board members were asked about their experiences with public/private partnerships. Loudoun Soccer has provided maintenance and irrigation for private fields. The Fairfax Soccer Council has worked with clubs where the county has provided matching funds. Chesapeake Soccer Club has a public/private partnership between the city and two clubs. The Maryland Soccerplex was built on public land and developed by private funds, but has proved to be costly to clubs wishing to use it. Board members noted that when a club invests in a public entity there is an assumption that the club has rights, but there are no guarantees. Some clubs feel it is more advantageous to invest in private land rather than having to share with many others, as may happen when investing in public land. They stressed that good legal advice and binding agreements are very important when entering into these kinds of partnerships.

GOOD OF THE GAME
Mark Bragaw, VYSA Girls Recreation Coach of the Year, was selected as the Region I Girls Recreation Coach of the Year. Cassandra Ferrari, last year’s Young Female Referee of the Year, was selected as the Region I Young Female Referee of the Year. Both are eligible for selection for National awards at the US Youth Soccer Workshop.

Chesapeake United Soccer Club received a pair of Kwik Goal Academy Soccer Goals for submitting their registration to the US Youth Soccer Directory.

Charlotte Moran of Eastern Pennsylvania Youth Soccer Association will be receiving the NSCAA Women’s Award of Excellence at the NSCAA Convention in Baltimore.

The Recreation Committee has a page on the VYSA website where clubs will be able to update their information. This will enable the Recreation Commissioners to communicate directly with their clubs.

Debi Honaker recently attended a technical meeting conducted by Gordon Miller. She noted how useful the Recreation Coaches Handbook is. It is available both on line and from the State Office.

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

Prepared by
Julie Caramanica
VYSA Administrator

Next Board Meeting is February 20, 2008, at 7:00 pm at the Sheraton Richmond West.