REGULAR MEETING - BOARD OF DIRECTORS
October 21, 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 7:30 pm. Board members present were:

Board Member Jim Bonfils was excused. Also present were Julie Caramanica (VYSA Administrator), Gordon Miller (VYSA State Technical Director/ODP Chair), and Marcelo Gangotena (Soccer Across America Chair).

APPROVAL OF PREVIOUS BOARD MINUTES
A motion was made and seconded to approve the September 16, 2009, Board meeting minutes. It was noted the minutes had a correction written in before they were mailed. The minutes were approved.

TREASURER’S REPORT
The Treasurer’s Report (Attachment A) was distributed. Julie Caramanica reported in Jim’s absence that, as per the auditor’s recommendation, a new line for referee income and expense listed as Cash-Funds Held for Agency is now included in the balance sheet.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT
Denise Edwards reported that the audit of the 2007-2008 financial records has been completed and the recommendations of the auditors have been implemented.

Denise presented the Confidentiality agreement from Sigma concerning the Nationwide Affinity Program. She asked the Board to waive the VYSA requirement to use a bonded mailing house for this program. A motion was made and seconded to waive the policy for this use only. After considerable discussion, the motion was approved.

Denise clarified that any family member with a Nationwide policy living in the household (at the same address), is eligible for the program. Family members not living at the same address do not qualify. She also explained that VYSA will receive payment for those who join Nationwide the first year at the end of that year. Denise will sign the contract with Nationwide for the Affinity Program.

SOCCER ACROSS AMERICA
Marcelo Gangotena distributed the Soccer Across America report (Attachment B). Some areas of the state do not have a Soccer Across America program, but VYSA is trying to find ways and venues to work with the underserved communities. He has been working with the Gang Response Intervention Team in Northern Virginia; they are still having some difficulty in getting participants registered. Marcelo recommends continuing to work with the Urban Soccer Collaborative and the Eddie Pope Foundation, along with local governments and clubs, to help involve at-risk children in the positive aspects of soccer. He noted that 65% of the participants remain with the program.

Marcelo thanked Bob Maynes and Fred Mittleman for their service to this committee.Both are stepping down, and Marcelo asked for recommendations for new committee members. He also asked Gordon for help in setting up Soccer Across America events. Marcelo will travel to New Jersey to observe their program. He will also be asking companies for donations of soccer equipment. Bob Maynes noted the importance of having a local club host the events

Marcelo reported that the Urban Soccer Collaborative held an E course in Spanish over the summer. Several of the coaches who attended that course have volunteered to assist with the Soccer Across America program.

Bob Maynes distributed a statement concerning funding of the Soccer Across America program. A motion was made and seconded that Soccer Across America status established by the Soccer Across America Committee would be for a maximum of five years. For the first three years, the full standard fee waiver would be in effect. For the fourth year the waiver would be two thirds of the standard waiver and for the fifth year the waiver would be for one third of the standard waiver. The waiver would disappear for the sixth year. The Soccer Across America Committee could chose to recommend extensions of the above schedule on a case by case basis to the full VYSA Board which could pass, reject or modify such a recommendation.

Bob explained the intent of the motion. Much discussion followed, including whether approval of the motion
• might cause clubs to lose the incentive to bring at-risk players into their program;
• would require more accountability from participating clubs;
• would allow clubs to make a five-year budgeting plan, as opposed to the year-by-year process used now; and
• would affect programs currently in place.
Board members asked questions regarding the Soccer Across America program. The Soccer Across America Committee will determine implementation of the new fee structure. The motion was approved.

Bob Maynes thanked Marcelo for his efforts over the years on this program.

The Board went into Executive Session to select award winners from nominations submitted.

FLU SEASON PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES
It was suggested that VYSA establish a policy to deal with the large numbers of players being affected by the flu. School district policies, CDC guidelines, and VYSA’s potential liability were discussed. Language to post on the VYSA website was written. A motion was made and seconded to approve the language as modified. The motion to post guidelines concerning the H1N1 virus on the VYSA website was approved. The language will be sent to VYSA’s lawyer for review.

The Board went into Executive Session.

STATE ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
The State Administrator’s Report (Attachment C) was distributed. Julie Caramanica reported that some Fall registration fees have still not been submitted. She asked Board members to contact their constituents who haven’t yet sent fees for players registered with their club for this Fall season.

US Youth Soccer is developing a pilot program called Membership Development. Details will be available when the program is approved.
 
The Region I TOPSoccer chair has requested information about VYSA’s programs. Rec Commissioners are asked to follow up with their clubs and submit information to the State Office.

A thank you note was received from George Towner for the flowers and donation sent after his wife’s death.

Region I Director Bob Palmeiro had by-pass surgery and is recovering.

Information was received about an Open Cup. Board members were asked to contact Denise if any teams in their area are interested.

Board members planning to attend the US Youth Soccer Workshop in Fort Worth, TX in February were asked to contact Julie.

TECHNICAL DIRECTOR’S REPORT
The Technical Director’s Report (Attachment D) was distributed. Gordon Miller reported that ODP District training sessions are ongoing, and players are still being added through scouting. Inter-district scrimmages are November 14-15 and December 5-6 in Williamsburg. Gordon noted that club events such as a tournaments and regularly scheduled games take precedence over ODP activities. A list of VYSA players named to the Region I team was distributed.

The National Youth License Course will take place in Stafford on July 16-18, 24, 25, 2010.

Three new instructors, Tim Cristian, TJ White, and Anne Cernicek, are apprenticing with the Coaching Education Staff.

A VYSA YouTube site has been set up to post videos useful for Coaching Education.
Marketing of the VYSA Coaching DVD is ongoing. US Youth Soccer Technical Director Sam Snow expressed interest in it.

Club training has taken place with the Virginia Legacy, SOCA, and DC Stoddert. The Technical Department will visit any club that would like them to train coaches or players, or speak to parents.

US Soccer brought State Technical Directors together prior to the Men’s National Team game to aid in developing curriculum and in identifying issues in the game that might be collectively addressed.

At the Region I meeting, Technical Directors and Directors of Coaching discussed revamping the E Course curriculum.

Board members were asked to encourage their clubs to request Coaching Education courses, as some areas are still underserved.

ADJUDICATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The Adjudication Committee Report (Attachment E) was distributed. Ray Greenberg reported that a hearing for an allegation of referee assault was held in October. The player was found guilty of referee assault and was suspended from all USSF activities for a period of three months. A hearing for another allegation of referee assault will be held later in the month.

An appeal to USSF for the suspensions of ODP players who admitted to shoplifting during the Region I Tournament was remanded back to VYSA to hold another hearing because the hearing notice did not contain the word "stealing" in the hearing notification sent to the players’ parents. Ray expressed great disappointment with USSF for apparently not reading any of the material sent to them concerning the incident. Another hearing will be scheduled.

GOOD OF THE GAME
Prince William County is breaking ground for six turf fields.

The Richmond Strikers are hosting their second Silent Saturday this coming weekend.

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

Prepared by
Julie Caramanica
VYSA Administrator

Next Board Meeting is November 18, 2009, at the Sheraton Richmond West.