LAYSL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING MINUTES Ð May 20, 2004

 

The Annual General Meeting of Los Alamos Youth Soccer League was called to order at 7:05 p.m. at the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church Karen McLaughlin Hall.

 

In Attendance:

á         Board Members:  Paul Langon, Ann Thoma, Mike Wyman, Paul Jackson, Jon Erickson, Bill Flor, Bruce Barraclough, Vicky Longmire, Paul Jackson, Jon Schoonover (arrived late)

á         Contractor Employee Present:  Glad Bugariu

á         Secretary:  (Non-Board Member) Lisa Pansoy-Hjelvik

á         Approximately 20 voting members were present.

 

LAYSL Issue Ð Speaking with a single voice (LAYSL President Ð Paul Jackson):

á         Must be understood by LAYSL Board Members that each decision made has far reaching effects to the rest of LAYSL.

á         Concerns discussed on how information is disseminated among Board Members, and how decisions are made.  Example given on some training issues, and negative outcome due to lack of communication. 

á         Confidentiality is essential.

á         Paul Langan will send out suggestions on how to professionally handle differences of opinion.

 

Modification of Director of Coaching (DoC) (Glad Bugariu) Contract (Jon Schoonover & Glad Bugariu):

á         DoC requests that his contract be revised to reflect a part-time position, so that he can spend more time with other Northern New Mexico communities in developing their soccer programs.

á         This will adjust budget obligations and may also have potential to bring into LAYSL additional players from smaller communities.

á         Questions arose on the signature approval of the revised DoC contract which had been carried out.  Text from approved meeting minutes of an earlier LAYSL meeting indicated that the LAYSL Board as a whole would review any DoC negotiated contract before its signature approval.  LAYSL Board review of the revised DoC contract had not been accomplished, deeming the signed revised contract (by John Schoonver and Paul Jackson) as null and void.  The negotiated revised contract was to be disseminated to Board Members for their review prior to its approval. 

á         Also discussed was DoCÕs interactions with Capitol Soccer Club in Santa Fe, which had already commenced according to DoC.  Question on whether or not LAYSL DoC had signed contract with Capitol Soccer Club as their DoC could not be answered by LAYSL DoC.  However,  DoC stated that he intended to start work with this club in the Fall, 04.  Concerns among Board members were raised that a signed employment contract with Capitol Soccer Club would violate the provisions of the current LAYSL contract with DoC in that he not be actively employed with another soccer league during his employment with LAYSL.

á         Members asked if DoC work commitment is reduced and will this be reflected in LAYSL fees.  Paul Jackson stated that yes, this should be reflected in fees. 

 

The Junior High Program (Ann Thoma/Paul Jackson/Jon Schoonover):

á         Development of a new after school Junior High Program was presented. 

á         This new program presents possibility for an informal, fun soccer playing venue. 

á         Maximum roster per team would be 8 players.  Format for each game is 5x5; no goal keeper; co-ed.  Opting for Monday and Wednesday afternoons on baseball fields. 

á         Students can catch bus home by 5 pm.

á         Discussion with Junior High School principal and athletic coordinator to commence.

á         Plan to charge $25/player for a 6-week session during the Fall, with supervision coordinated by LAYSL (Ann and Glad)

á         Concerns were raised on the following:

á         Other sports activities ÒcompetingÓ for these fields.

á         Entire must Board must be part of decisions made for this possible program.

á         Communications with Los Alamos County Parks and Recreation because this will mess up field scheduling.

 

Recreational Program Issues (Ann Thoma):

á         Efforts to keep in contact with rec. parents ongoing.

á         Some discussion on whether DoC could assist in getting Y10/Y11 rec. teams parents to volunteer as coaches, as this has been difficult. 

á         Other discussions concerning the following occurred:

á         Rating recreational players.

á         Players requesting particular coaches.

á         In cases where there is a lack of coaching volunteers, LAYSL ask high school students.  This has been successful in past years. 

 

New Recreational Program Registrar (Jon Erickson):

á         Recreational registrar has been vacated. 

á         Several qualified individuals are interested in this position.

á         Interviews are to commence over the next few days. Decision for new rec. registrar should occur by 6/5/04. 

á         Beth Goodwin will train new registrar.

 

Financial Report (Jon Erickson for Karl Hjelvik):

á         Financial report as submitted reviewed by Board.

á         John Erickson made motion to approve financial report, with caveat that it should be incorporated into next months LAYSL newsletter for members to review.

á         Motion seconded by Bruce Barraclough.

á         Motion passed (with 1 vote not agreeing) on approving Financial Report. 

á         Bill Flor inquired on some of the registration numbers.  It was noted by Mike Wyman that questions on registration numbers need to be directed to the Registrar, and not the Treasurer. 

á         DoC expenses should go down, as a result of the request to make the DoC position part-time.  

 

Director of Coaching Report (Glad Buragiou):

á         Reviewed LAYSL team standings in the Duke City League.

á         Discussed August 2004 Blast-Off Tournament.

á         YTS Ð focuses on individual development; coaches are doing good jobs.

á         Wants to create training staff of coaches for YTS.

á         Recreational coaches attended training; need more skill sessions for coaches with the goal of more technical development of players, as well as enhancing professionalism in players.  

á         Other brief discussion on the following occurred, as presented in the DoC Report:

á         Springfest very successful Ð 120 players.

á         Pueblo development program Ð DoC has been working on introducing soccer to Tesuque and Pojoaque.  Goal is to get thse players up to Los Alamos.  Espanola should also benefit from this.

á         Inquired on advance notice for August, 2004 Blast-Off Tournament.  Vicky Longmire mentioned that a brochure is now available.

á         Membership/Board concerns/inquiries to DoC were as follows:

á         Inquired on how DoC can do the work with other communities when DoC seems to be overbooked this year.

á         Camp prices were lower last August 2003.

á         The DoC camps did not fall in line with other camps available; it was DoCs belief that his camps were unmatched.

 

Officials / Referee Training (Bruce Barraclough):

á         Some discussion on whether we have approached Duke City about Albuquerque teams playing up here.  Santa Fe teams are more willing to play games up here.  If LAYSL coaches want to pursue this with Duke City, arrangements with Duke City, coach must contact Duke City and make arrangements for referees.

á         There are 59 Los Alamos referees with NMYSA and USSF.  These referees officiated 360 games just for the locals. 

á         We have had difficulty covering the Y8 games both last fall and this spring.

á         Coaches were asked to encourage their parents to go to referee clinics. 

á         A huge challenge in providing enough referees, though in summary, the local referees have provided a large number of services to games.  They are highly regarded by both USSF and NMYSA. 

á         Question was asked on how young referees should be Ð a 10-year old ref would be okay for a Y8 game. 

á         Kim Thomas is local trainer for referees.

á         Duke City requires that each team has a certified referee.  LAYSL may have to do this as well.  Duke City referees need to be grade 8.  Linesmen must be grade 9.

á         A member inquired on increasing budget so that there is a line item allowing for youngsters are well compensated for being refs. as a motivator.

 

Publicity Issues / E-mails (Bill Flor):

á         Inquired with Board and membership on better ways to communicate LAYSL news.

á         Some ideas:  current e-mail list; subscription to LAYSL newsletter.

á         A member asked if there could be an on-line weather update, especially with respect to Albuquerque games.

á         General consensus that the LAYSL website is a good forum to communicate LAYSL news and publish newsletter.

á         A Board member stated that the LAYSL website is very good in comparison to other soccer league sites.

 

Risk Management Issues (Jon Schoonover):

á         Volunteer coaches must sign disclosure form Ð available through LAYSL website.

á         Competitive coaches Ð background check required; if coach is part of lab, then background check is not required. 

 

Advanced Program Issues (Vickie Longmire):

á         Plans for Blast-Off Tournament discussed. 

á         A lot of discussion focused on coach selection for Y12.  Several Y12 parents expressed their concern that their selection for a coach was not being heard by the Board.  Specifically, there were many questions on why Dario Castano was removed as a coach, when the majority of Y12 parents were very happy with Dario as coach. 

á         Paul Jackson stated that each year, the teams Ôgo awayÕ and are re-started. A coach does not automatically coach with each passing year.  All volunteer coaches must go through a selection process.  The selection committee for the upcoming yearÕs coaches are Paul Jackson, Vicky Longmire, and Glad Buragiou. 

á         Jon Erickson inquired on the selection criteria, as this had never been discussed. 

á         Paul Jackson stated that certain aspects of the selection process was likened to personnel situations and as such could not be discussed in an open forum. 

á         In discussions on other coach selections not being made, even though there was a shortage of volunteer coaches, Paul Jackson discussed the issue of risk in that LAYSL was liable for the selection of coaches. 

 

Training (Jon Erickson): 

á         Issued report discussed. 

á         Training plans were developed on the assumption that there would be assistance from DoC. 

á         DoC should be working with rec. coaches to develop their skills. 

 

Equipment (Paul Langan):

á         An effort is in progress in contacting all rec. coaches, and find out about the inventory and any inventory (nets, etc.) needs.

á         New goals were purchased for Y10.  These goals are somewhat difficult to set-up.

á         An effort is underway to inventory all LAYSL equipment purchased.  However, there is some difficulty in tracking equipment purchased previous to PaulÕs filling LAYSL Equipment Coordinator position.  A request has been put out to all rec. coaches to please return equipment so that a proper inventory can be made.

 

Fields (Mike Wyman):

á         A fairly wet winter has passed.  The new County grounds person has repeatedly closed the fields because of the concern that playing on the wet fields will destroy the grass. 

á         Another challenge is getting fields lined.  Lines can no longer be permanent. This means that more volunteers must be made available to chalk the field lines.

á         Paul Jackson expressed concern on field scheduling as well as their lining.

á         A member asked if there was a regular schedule for fields to be lined.  Mike Wyman asked that parents alert him if it is noticed that chalk lines are fading and fields need re-lining. 

 

Input from Members:

á         More discussion on selection criteria on coaches.

á         Several members were not satisfied with Paul JacksonÕs responses on coach selection. 

á         Members stated their disappointment on not being heard on their coach selection. Paul Jackson reiterated that selection was up to the selection committee and parents were free to join other leagues. 

 

 

Meeting adjourned at approximately 10 pm.

 

Submitted by,

M.E. Pansoy-Hjelvik

LAYSL Secretary