I. Called to Order: 7:05 p.m.
Present: Mark Clawson, Bruce Cole, Jen Gummer, Kerry Hatcher, Bill Locke, Dick Prugh, Dawn Sturman, Russ Walker; Terri Murphy, Chris Beausoleil
II. Minutes: Russ moved and Dick seconded approval of both the July and September minutes; approved
III. President’s report:
Bill announced contact with the Chamber of Commerce regarding the state tournament. He asked what we needed and should ask the Chamber for, and intends to attend the Chamber meeting the next week to see how the Chamber deals with the upcoming volleyball tournament. The State Cup soccer tournament with be headquartered at the Hilton/Old Chicago.
IV. Micro: No report
V. Administrator report:
Jen asked if we should provide scholarships for referee training. The discussion was comprehensive, but the general conclusion was that, as we are no longer handling the clinics and as the referees association is independent of the Blitzz, we were not willing at this time to commit to club moneys going to support referee training.
We discussed recruiting from BAYSO and GVYSA prior to the registration deadline (mid-month); several individuals volunteered to contact administrators, teams, and coaches.
VI. Club Coach report:
Chris discussed the condition of coach recruitment (very good, considering where we are in the season) and the need to formalize our coaching contract so as to formally commit to coaches (and vice-versa) at the earliest opportunity.
Chris also discussed team formation as it related to the younger teams – older groups will wait until after the state season ends.
We will not be able to organize an open gym (as Bill had promised at the Annual Meeting) because MSU gym renovations have force adult basketball play into the middle school gyms and there is little time available. It looks as though, for this winter at least, we will only be able to suggest team-level winter training.
VII. Budget committee: No report
Jen asked for formal authorization of $400 per year to purchase and install an online edition of QuickBooks that will keep Jen and Terri in better communication, as each can update their respective parts of the bookkeeping. Verbal authorization, in accordance with the existing budget, was given by the Board without dissent.
VIII. Facilities and equipment:
Mark volunteered to oversee equipment, largely the provision of appropriate team bags. We anticipate little in the way of capital purchases (e.g., goals) this year.
IX. Club Coach supervision:
No problems – good communication each way!
Dick moved and Kerry seconded approving the use of parents as coaches for the developmental teams (U11 and U-12, 8v8), provided that they are qualified, licensed, and interview comparably to any other coach candidate. Passage was unanimous, following the strong recommendation by the members in the straw poll at the Annual Meeting.
X. Referee Liaison, Team Manager, Risk Management, and Policy had no reports
XI. In continuing business:
Bronken construction is dependent upon available labor – the bathrooms have yet to be plumbed. FORParks is involved with the negotiations regarding development of the Regional Park in part with school funds and to serve the proposed new middle school – there are many issues involved and we have to wait for them to sort out.
State tournament: we still have no final bid from MSU, but at this point it doesn’t appear likely that their price will fit within our budget. Dick will accept the responsibility for soliciting an attractive logo for the pins and programs.
Nominating Committee: Bill Robinson and Bruce Cole will put together a slate of candidates for our upcoming election. We appear to have several strong candidates. Outgoing board members include Jen, Bill Locke, and Mary Anne McGuire; resigning members include Sue Manfredi and Russ Walker. Bill, Mark (for Mary Anne) and Bruce (for Sue) are willing to run again (although Bill requested a short term), thus we need at least two additional candidates.
XII. There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:37 PM.