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
Debi Honaker	Secretary
Bob Maynes	North Recreational Commissioner #1
Steve Bender	North Recreational Commissioner #2
Tom Gross	DC Recreational Commissioner
Ken Halloway	Southeast Recreational Commissioner
John Singleton	West Recreational Commissioner and #4 BRCL Travel Commissioner
AnneThompson	#2 WAGS Travel Commissioner
ChrisFriant	#3 VSLI Travel Commissioner
Paul O’Connell	#5 ODSL Travel Commissioner

Board Member Jim Bonfils was excused. Also present were Julie Caramanica (VYSA Administrator), Gordon Miller (VYSA Technical Director), Peggy Borgard (Regional Registrar), and Marcelo Gangotena (VYSA Soccer Start Chair).

APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS BOARD MINUTES
A motion was made and seconded to approve the January 16, 2008, Board meeting minutes.  A typographical error was noted.  The minutes were approved as corrected.

TREASURER’S REPORT
The Treasurer’s Report (Attachment A) was distributed.  The Board thanked Janet Cate and Jim Bonfils for sending the report to them before the meeting.  Denise noted that the expense report included a refund of $2500 to Region I.  The Region I Director has asked that the remaining $2500 given by the Region to VYSA for the Region I Fall Meeting be donated to the ODP Scholarship Program.

A question was asked about the $647,000 in a restricted reserve.  It was explained that the VYSA Financial Policy requires an amount equal to a percentage of the next year’s expenses be kept in reserves.

STATE ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
The State Administrator’s Report (Attachment B) was distributed.  Julie Caramanica reported that the State Office expansion is now complete.  Each of the Technical Staff have their own offices and there is now more room for storage.

Spring registration fees are due April 1^st; forms will be sent to the clubs and leagues next month.  A notice that fees are going up on September 1^st, 2008, was sent with last month’s minutes and will be sent as a reminder for each of the next several months.

A request was received from a coach asking if VYSA would be interested in participating in a military program that donates soccer balls to orphans and others.  Information is available at the VYSA State Office.

Skills School, a new DVD from US Youth Soccer, will be sent to each club along with information of other items available to all VYSA members.

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Technical Director Gordon Miller reported that Coaching Education instructor staff training took place the day prior to the Workshop.  He has received positive responses about the technical sessions held at the Workshop.

There are currently 25 F courses, 18 E courses, and nine D courses on the Coaching Education schedule.

The ’92 Boys ODP team will be attending the National Championships in March.

Friendlies are being held this weekend at the Warhill Complex in Williamsburg.  Sixty teams from several states and several Regional teams are participating.

The ’93 and ’94 Boys and Girls teams are going to Costa Rica during the last week of March and the first week of April.  The date of Easter being so early and the value of the dollar against the Euro were taken into consideration when planning the trip, and it was decided that Costa Rica would offer a new experience for the players, rather than again going to Europe.

The Board went into Executive Session.

ADJUDICATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Adjudication Committee Report (Attachment C) was distributed.  Ray Greenberg reported that two hearings were held.  In the first, a player was found guilty of referee assault and the minimum penalty of six months was imposed.  In the second, the Registration Committee held a hearing and an individual was found guilty.  The decision was appealed; the Appeals Committee agreed that the person was not afforded due process. The Adjudication Committee vacated the decision made by the Registration Committee. A new hearing is being scheduled.

SOCCER START REPORT
Marcelo Gangotena reported on the Soccer Start meeting at the recent US Youth Soccer Workshop. Subcommittees are being formed to help manage this program; Marcelo was named the Region I chair.   The name “Soccer Start” is to be changed, but the mission will remain the same.  The National Soccer Start Committee plans to establish a chair in each state, along with a budget to fund Soccer Start workshops. 

Marcelo explained the current program in VYSA.  A club may have a Soccer Start program for three years, it is reviewed in each of the next two years, and the program is discontinued after the fifth year.  He believes that some programs become discouraged if they are still not self-supporting after five years, and suggested removing the limit.  He would also like to produce a VYSA Soccer Start brochure that includes guidelines showing clubs how to apply to the program, the fees, and how VYSA is able to help the club.   Marcelo would like clubs to encourage more players to be involved in the program.  He suggested that players who qualify for free/reduced school lunch programs be eligible for Soccer Start.  He would also like to see more information about the program on the VYSA website.

A motion was made and seconded to change the VYSA guidelines to allow Soccer Start programs to extend beyond five years, without limit, with the VYSA Soccer Start committee to review the program at the fourth and fifth years and beyond.  There was discussion that the committee be composed of the Soccer Start chair, the VYSA President, and three appointed committee members. It was noted that Soccer Start funds can be used not only for economically disadvantaged players, but also in outreach programs to help underserved areas begin a soccer program. Concern was expressed that clubs may use these funds for a scholarship program, by applying for Soccer Start funds for any player on free/reduced lunches, when the club is able to absorb costs on its own.  It was noted that the Soccer Start Committee will need to ask to have funds budgeted for the implementation of these additional plans.  The motion to extend the Soccer Start program beyond five years without limit was approved.

WORKSHOP DISCUSSION
Board members discussed the VYSA Workshop.  Each Board member provided feedback and suggestions for next year.  That information will be compiled and used to improve next year’s event.

SECRETARY’S REPORT
Debi Honaker reported that Appalachian Soccer Association, in Lebanon, VA, has applied for membership in VYSA.  She recommended approval.  A motion was made and seconded to approve the Appalachian Soccer Association for membership in VYSA.  The motion was approved.

A new hearing of the appealed decision of the Registration Committee has been scheduled.  Another hearing will be scheduled to be held by the Registration Committee.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Denise Edwards attended the Risk Management session at the US Youth Soccer Workshop where it was announced that referees who attend Regional events are required to have background checks.  She believes that all referees should have background checks.  It was noted that background checks for those under the age of 18 can be run, but information isn’t always available.

At the US Soccer Federation AGM, mandatory guidelines for small-sided games, as recommended by US Youth Soccer, did not pass.  It was announced that the Women’s Professional League is scheduled to begin play in 2009.