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
Jim Bonfils                             Treasurer
Bob Maynes                          North Recreational Commissioner #1                 
Steve Bender                        North Recreational Commissioner #2
Roger Underhill                     Central Recreational Commissioner       
Ken Halloway                        Southeast Recreational Commissioner  
John Singleton                      West Recreational Commissioner and
                                                     BRCL Travel Commissioner
Lorelle Myer                          #1 VCCL Travel Commissioner                
Anne Thompson                   #2 WAGS Travel Commissioner                                       
Chris Friant                           #3 VSLI Travel Commissioner                                   

Board Members Tom Gross and Paul O’Connell were excused. Also present was Julie Caramanica (VYSA Administrator). 

President Denise Edwards reported that Technical Director Gordon Miller was attending another meeting regarding fields and would not be present at the Board meeting.  The Board went into Executive Session.

APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS BOARD MINUTES
A motion was made and seconded to approve the February 20, 2008, Board meeting minutes.  The minutes were 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.  The report stated that letters of reminder were sent to all members that Spring fees are due in April. 

Julie Caramanica reported that a question was received from a club regarding a player who is required to wear protective clothing because of a liver transplant.  She noted the insurance carrier had no objection to the player’s participation.  The Board suggested that the club request a written clearance from the child’s physician stating that the child is allowed to play soccer, but noted that the final decision concerning whether or not the child plays is up to the discretion of the referee.

Alfred Kleinatis, USSF Manager of Referee Development and Education, sent a memo regarding padded goal structures.  That information is posted on the VYSA web site.

Julie distributed the 2008 Workshop Report and Survey Results.  Attendance was low again this year and there were fewer booths than in past years.  Julie reported that surveys were sent after the workshop in an attempt to learn what is needed to increase attendance in the future.  Three separate surveys were sent, one to those who attended, one to Club and League officials, and one to Referees and Coaches.  The general response from those who attended the workshop was very positive.  Those who hadn’t attended noted three reasons for not attending: other commitments, location, and not aware of the event.  The VYSA staff will work with the information provided to improve future workshops and attendance. 

Julie reported that she had received a request for reimbursement from a volunteer at the TOPSoccer Festival.  Julie asked the Board what action to take since no income or expenses were transacted through the State Office.  The Board suggested a financial report be received before monies are sent for the festival.  A motion was made and seconded to make a donation of up to $1,000 to support the TOPSoccer Festival after receiving the financial report. The motion was approved. 

Also included in the report was a reminder to clubs and leagues that fees will increase on September 1, 2008.  The fees will be $9.00/recreation player and $13.00/travel player.

Summaries of sessions that the Administrator attended at the US Youth Soccer Workshop were distributed.  Anyone interested in the survey information or summaries of the US Youth Soccer sessions may request a copy.

STATE CUP REPORT
Anne Thompson questioned the eligibility of players on both Academy rosters and VYSA State Cup rosters from the completed Fall Cup.  She noted the possibility that five players may be affected, some in Region I Premier League.  VYSA has been instructed that USSF Academy players are not permitted to be placed on any other roster.  It was noted that VYSA has a responsibility to enforce Federation rules when it has knowledge of infractions; however, a list of players in the USSF Development Academy is not available, making enforcement difficult.  The Board agreed that VYSA should not do anything retroactive against players that participated in Cup prior to Academy selections. By consensus, the Board agreed to take no action this year, and to let the Region I Championship Committee determine eligibility for those teams.  It was suggested that VYSA develop a rule, effective September 1, that players cannot be placed on the US Soccer Academy roster and a VYSA roster at the same time.

SOCCER START
Julie Caramanica reported for Marcelo Gangotena that the VYSA website has been updated per his request and that the name change for Soccer Start has not yet occurred.

ADJUDICATION COMMITTEE
Ray Greenberg reported that an earlier Registration Committee hearing decision had been appealed.  The Adjudication Committee granted the appeal and remanded it back to the Registration Committee for another hearing.  A second hearing was held and that decision is now being appealed. The Adjudication Committee will review the appeal. 

FINANCE COMMITTEE
Ray Greenberg reminded Program and Committee members that budgets are due by the end of the month.

TASL WAIVER
Ken Halloway reported that the Tidewater Area Soccer League had requested permission for VYSA member clubs to play non-VYSA clubs.  An email vote was taken by the Board and the Board granted a waiver for VYSA teams playing in TASL to play non-members for Spring 2008. 

Several concerns were raised regarding this league, including whether TASL may be planning to move to US Club Soccer, whether current VYSA members might also move to US Club Soccer, and why non-members did not choose to join VYSA in order to participate in this league.  Before approval of the waiver, there was concern whether games being played across state lines without permission would affect eligibility for insurance and referee assignors were concerned whether referees could be assigned to non-sanctioned games.

It was suggested that VYSA consider adding another class of membership, an affiliate membership, in order to govern rec leagues formed by several member clubs.    It was noted that TASL differs from the Suburban Friendship League in that the SFL requires members to be affiliated with VYSA.   There were concerns in allowing another class of membership.  Julie and Denise agreed to work with the clubs in the future so that they will be in compliance with VYSA regulations.

USE OF MASS E-MAILTHROUGH ON-LINE SYSTEM
It was noted that access for use of mass e-mail through the on-line travel registration system is authorized only for a particular activity. Those having access for different positions they hold should take care to only use access for the specific position when sending mass e-mails.  If use is abusive, privacy policies may be violated and sanctions will be taken against that individual or organization.

CLARIFICATION OF COACH AS TEAM OFFICIAL
There has been some question regarding the individual responsible for a team.  It was clarified that the head coach of a team is responsible for the team’s roster, not only for Cup, but for all VYSA activities.  While the primary team contact is often the person who has access to the database, the ultimate responsibility for the roster belongs to the head coach.  This will be noted in the Registration Manual.

COURT CASE DECISION
There was discussion about a court case that took place in 1984, when a team left one club to play for another club, and the league allowed the team to remain in the Division I slot.  The club that the team left thought it owned the slot and wanted to put its own team there, and so filed a motion in civil court.  The motion was denied in court.  This case is often referred to when discussing ownership of a team’s position. 

Board members noted that changes have occurred in the years since the case was heard.  It was noted that now clubs put considerable effort into training teams and would like those teams to remain in their club.  Also noted was the fact that US Youth Soccer registers players, not clubs, so players in effect own the roster. It was reported that this topic was also discussed at the US Youth Soccer National League meeting.

SECRETARY’S REPORT
Debi Honaker reported that the West Indies United Soccer Club has applied for membership in VYSA.  The club doesn’t yet have enough teams to be eligible for membership, but may at a later time. 

Debi would like to begin reviewing/building the database for 2008-2009 and have it ready for leagues on June 1 and for clubs on July 1.  The Registration Manual will be updated and she hopes to establish a Procedures Policy.  She hopes the policy will clarify that club reps be the contact between a team and the registrar rather than each team.

A Registration hearing was held earlier this month.  It was a very difficult hearing, and Debi thanked the Committee for doing an outstanding job.

VICE-PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Ray Greenberg reported that he had accompanied the 92 ODP Boys team to Dallas for the National Championships.  The team played very well, the coaching staff did great job, and the coaches and administrators were extremely well-organized.  It was a wonderful experience for all.

A motion was made and seconded to donate $2,000 to Kicks Against Breast Cancer in support of Robin Miller.  The motion was approved.

While attending the US Youth Soccer Workshop in Pittsburgh, Ray met with Dave Laraba and attorneys from USSF Appeals Committee. He also met with Ben Neil, Maryland Youth Soccer Association President, who appointed Ray the chair of the MSYSA Adjudication Committee.

The Board again went into Executive Session.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Denise Edwards reported that she received notification that a law suit had been filed in Prince William County regarding the death of a U10 player during a soccer scrimmage. The newspaper article noted that VYSA was one of ten parties named in the suit.  No further information was available.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:20 pm.