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
June 22, 2009

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 7:05 pm. Board members present were:

Denise Edwards	President
Ray Greenberg	Vice President
Debi Honaker	Secretary
Jim Bonfils	Treasurer
Roger Underhill	Central Recreational Commissioner
Bob Sokolinsky	Southeast Recreational Commissioner
Dave Amsler	#1 VCCL Travel Commissioner
Anne Thompson	#2 WAGS Travel Commissioner
Chris Friant	#3 VSLI Travel Commissioner

Board Members Bob Maynes, Steve Bender, Tom Gross, John Singleton, and Randy Martin were excused. Also present were Julie Caramanica (VYSA Administrator), and Gordon Miller (VYSA Technical Director).

APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS BOARD MINUTES
A motion was made and seconded to approve the May 27, 2009, Board meeting minutes. The minutes were approved.

TREASURER’S REPORT
The Treasurer’s Report (Attachment A) was distributed. Jim Bonfils reviewed the profit and loss budget versus actual financial figures. He noted most are within budget and that some programs expenses occur at the end of the fiscal year and those expenses are still to come.

STATE ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
The State Administrator’s Report (Attachment B) was distributed. Julie Caramanica reported that there are still some clubs whose Spring player registration fees and/or registration data have not yet been submitted. Three clubs will be removed from membership September 1 for no submission of fees or data for the entire seasonal year.

Several topics for Workshop sessions resulted from discussion by those in attendance at the AGM. Topics included accounting/IRS regulations, risk management, and board fiduciary responsibilities. Board members were asked for input on additional sessions of interest to their constituencies.

Board members were asked to complete and return their Confidentiality Policy, Conflict of Interest, and Information Sheet forms as soon as possible.

At the AGM, club members asked for information regarding fees charged by other organizations. The office is researching that information; it will be included with the minutes of the August meeting.

Julie announced that long-time employee Janet Cate has resigned her position with VYSA, effective July 24th. Janet was a very dedicated to VYSA and will be missed. Resumes for a replacement are being accepted. Board members were asked to be patient during the transition.

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR’S REPORT
Gordon Miller distributed the Technical Director’s Report (Attachment C). He reported that VYSA hosted a National Youth License course held at Colonial Forge High School in Stafford in June. The course was filled, with 36 coaches (30 from Virginia) attending. Youth players from the Stafford Area Soccer Association participated. The US Soccer “C” License course will be held in August in Woodbridge. The maximum enrollment of 48 coaches has already been reached.

The new VYSA Coaching DVD is now available. A promotional loop and ordering information are on the VYSA website home page.

Additional F, E, and D courses are on the Coaching Education schedule. Evaluation of new instructors is ongoing.

District Academy ID and ODP District Tryouts are scheduled for July and August. Dates, times, directions to fields, and registration forms have been posted on the VYSA website.

A list of VYSA ODP players selected to Region I Teams/Pools resulting from recent Region I ODP Camps was distributed (Attachment D). VYSA had 42 boys (16 of whom are ‘95s), and 26 girls selected. This is the highest number of boys ever chosen from VYSA.

Gordon responded to questions regarding the District Academy program. He noted that the first weekend is an ID weekend, not a tryout. The program takes as many players as the facility and staff from each area can accommodate. North Academy will be expanded to three locations to accommodate larger numbers.

State ODP Staff will be chosen in the Fall

STATE CUP
Anne Thompson reported that State Cup applications and the calendar are now up on the VYSA website. The US Youth Soccer Board of Directors has rewritten one eligibility rule, which limits how young a player in an age group can be rostered.

The Chantilly Burn is now playing at National Competition in Massachusetts. VYSA sent a contribution to help defray the team’s expenses.

Anne noted that the Region 1 Premier League and all VYSA leagues are eligible for State Cup competition, and asked if the Colonial League should be included. A motion was made and seconded to allow teams in the Colonial League to be eligible for State Cup. Anne noted that teams that indicate they are in one of the qualifying leagues, but are not, will not be eligible for State Cup the following year. It was asked whether this decision would impact existing VYSA leagues. It was determined it would not. The motion was approved.

ADJUDICATION COMMITTEE REPORT
Ray Greenberg noted two cases pending from May. The first was an appeal of a suspension of a coach from a club. The matter was remanded back to the club. The club chose not to pursue the issue, thus the decision was reversed. The coach has since left the club. The second case was an allegation of referee abuse. Ray spoke with both the referee and the club, and neither wished the allegations to go forward.

Currently, four appeals have been filed as a result of ODP hearings. Ray recused himself from the adjudication process, as he was present at the ODP hearings. Luis Granados will conduct the appeals.

The Board went into Executive Session. Two Board members left the room during the Executive Session, as they are members of the hearing panel.

When the Board returned from Executive Session, it was announced that six players had been suspended as a result of misconduct at the Region 1 ODP Tournament at Rider University. Seven players were involved in a shoplifting incident. All seven players were required to complete community service; six players were suspended; and four of the seven have appealed the decision. The players are being allowed to be placed on rosters, but the teams will not be given their player passes, to ensure that the players do not participate in any VYSA, US Youth Soccer, or US Soccer activities until their suspensions are complete. This will allow the players to show on State Cup rosters that are frozen just before the Fall State Cup competition. If their teams advance to Regional Competition these players can participate, as their suspensions will then be complete.

PRESIDENTS CUP
Denise Edwards reported that Region I has decided that the Presidents Cup will be held over Memorial Day weekend. The Region I State Association Presidents are meeting during the National Championships to discuss the Presidents Cup. Concern was expressed about the standards of the teams eligible – whether high level teams will enter this rather than State Cup competition. Anne noted that the rules are not complete and questioned the ability to acquire fields and referees on Memorial Day. There was much discussion about Virginia’s participation. A decision about VYSA participation in the Presidents Cup will be made after Denise returns from the meeting at the National Championships.

REGION I STATE ACADEMY
Denise Edwards reported that US Youth Soccer voted to begin a State Academy program for select age groups as a response to the Elite Clubs National League. The Region I Director plans to implement the program next Fall, for play during the winter season. Gordon noted his belief that more competition is not needed, and also that the logistics of playing in this Region during the winter would be very difficult. A motion was made and seconded that VYSA not participate in this State Academy. The motion was approved.

The Board went into Executive Session to approve committee appointments.

RISK MANAGEMENT SAFETY HANDBOOKS
A committee to work on a Risk Management Safety Handbook, including a section concerning goal safety, was appointed. The committee will report to the Board in August.

WORKSHOP
There had been discussion about changing the name of the “VYSA Workshop and Awards Luncheon”. A motion was made and seconded to change the name to “Virginia Soccer Convention”. An amendment was made to include the word “Youth”. The motion to change the name to “Virginia Youth Soccer Convention” was approved.

PEACE ONE DAY PROPOSAL
Denise Edwards reported she had received a proposal from Lisa Cherubini of Cugini Soccer concerning Peace One Day, which is Sept. 21st of each year. Denise will send the information by email to Board members for consideration of participation.

NATIONWIDE AFFINITY PROGRAM
Denise Edwards distributed a contract proposal for an affinity program received from Nationwide Insurance. VYSA members who have Nationwide insurance become part of the program and would receive various discounts. Beginning next year, VYSA would receive a percentage back from any member who buys Nationwide Insurance. In return, Nationwide will get advertising space on the VYSA website and use of the VYSA mailing list up to four times per year. After considerable discussion, a motion was made and seconded not to participate in the Nationwide Affinity Program. The motion was approved.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 9:50 pm.

Prepared by
Julie Caramanica
VYSA Administrator

Next Board Meeting is August 12, 2009, at the Sheraton Richmond West