Bozeman Blitzz FC Minutes, April 25, 2007

BOZEMAN BLITZZ FC BOARD MEETING
April 25, 2007
7:00pm First Interstate Bank

Present: Andy Hansen, Kerry Hatcher, Andy Epple, Mark Clawson, Mark Hagenlock, Jen Gummer, Bill Robinson, Patti Neerken, Sheri Simkins, Brandi Bertelsen, Jon Bertelsen, Tim Cooper, Bruce Cole, Britt Bodtker. Arriving late: Chris Beausoleil.

CALL TO ORDER AT 7:05PM
MOTION TO APPROVE 3/28/07 BOARD MEETING MINUTES PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
MICRO
1. See handout from Alan Englebart
2. Numbers: 800 kids (up 150 from last year), 110 coaches – 55 attended coaching clinic. Needs additional 5 coaches.
3. Only a few refund requests this year, to be discussed by Alan Englebart and Kerry Hatcher.
4. Question: Is this season starting later this year? No, perhaps it seems that way because the weather has been nicer.
ADMINISTRATOR/REGISTRAR REPORT
1. See Jen Gummer’s handout.
2. Dog problem: Field marshals are having a hard time dealing with people with dogs. More signs need to be put up that state “NO DOGS.” Mark Clawson will check with Thom White to see if city has any signage.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT
1. Dave McGlynn has asked to resign from the board, stating time conflicts with his work. He will still run the winter indoor soccer program (Futsal). Board needs to brainstorm potential new board candidates: Andy Hansen will contact Jan Krieger as a possibility.
2. One of the Virginia Tech coaches had a minor accident involving the car that the Blitzz rented. Unfortunately, because this was business related, the driver’s personal insurance will not cover the damages, which amounted to $1100. Blitzz agreed to pay half ($550). In future, visiting coaches, etc should arrange their own car rental and the Blitzz will reimburse, thus avoiding this problem and potentially larger damages.
DISCUSSION OF TEMPORARY PARENT SUSPENSION
1. Introduced guests: Jon and Brandi Bertelsen, Sheri Simkins, Tim Cooper.
2. Issue: U-13 parent was suspended from 4 games (reduced from 5.)
  1. In the past there have been numerous documented incidents involving this parent’s behavior at games and practices.
  2. The parent was warned at the beginning of the season that the club would enforce zero tolerance for inappropriate behavior.
  3. This parent’s child was awarded a scholarship, and the club again impressed that we expect appropriate behavior from parents.
  4. Kerry Hatcher was informed of an incident at a practice involving this parent verbally accosting 2 players from a team scrimmaging against her child’s team. The parent reporting the incident expressed concern that the parent’s behavior would escalate from verbal to physical. The other parents didn’t want to make it an issue.
  5. After reports of a further incident involving this parent, and given the coach’s concern, Kerry Hatcher decided to suspend the parent for 5 games, then reduced it to 4 (because of 2-game format).
  6. Specifically, these incidents involve this parent yelling at players and “coaching” from the sidelines.
  7. Kerry has been flooded with calls and emails from both sides of this issue. He feels that the club has a responsibility to investigate all reported incidents. In addition, it is his personal opinion that there are times when an organization has to decide whether an individual member is detrimental to the club’s objectives.
  8. Jon Bertelsen pointed out that according to the Blitzz Club rules, a member needs to be informed of a problem by 1st class mail and given 15 days to respond. Kerry pointed out that the incidents involving this parent are similar to problems that field marshals deal with during games, and that immediate measures are appropriate. He pointed out that at present, the suspension is temporary.
  9. Sheri Simkins, parent of U-13 team member, said that the U-13 coach told her he specifically asked Kerry not to intervene. Kerry reiterated that when he asked the coach if he needed help, he was told yes because the situation was out of control. Sheri expressed that the club overstepped and that this situation should have been dealt with at the team level. Kerry pointed out that reported incidents had escalated to involve more than just their team.
  10. Brandi Bertelsen, parent of U-13 team member, reported that although she’s had problems in the past with this parent, she sees a distinct improvement in this parent’s behavior. She feels that this parent is burdened by reputation and is not being judged on present actions.
  11. Tim Cooper, parent of U-13 team member, is upset with this parent’s involvement with his child. He has asked to meet with this parent to discuss the problem, without success. He is upset that the child (player) circulated a petition among the players to rescind the suspension. According to Tim, the player falsely presented that the player (not the parent) was suspended by the club. Tim has tried to address his problems with this parent without the board involvement, but has not been successful.
  12. Mark Clawson expressed that, while it is encouraging to hear reports of this parent’s efforts, this is indeed a board issue because of the allegation of using the child (player) to petition the other players to rescind the suspension. Simkins and Bertelsen articulated that the player made the petition without the parent’s knowledge.
  13. Kerry Hatcher asked that all parents involved put in writing to the board their concerns regarding this parent’s suspension. The board appreciates hearing from both sides of this issue.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
1. See handouts from Deb Dechert re: Profit/Loss, Balance, A/R
2. Waiting to hear from IRS re: late filing issues from previous years.
FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT
1. Mark Hagenlock has been great in getting goals repaired, fields lined, etc.
2. Issue: goals not in place for games, looks bad. Goals are moved during practice to protect fields. It was agreed that it is not the referees’ job to put goals in place for games. Liability issues restrict players from moving goals. Decided that Chris Beausoleil will make certain that the last coach using the fields on Friday nights be responsible for putting goals back in place.
HEAD COACH REPORT
1. Summer camp registration forms are complete. 3 summer camps offered: Gonzaga (runs itself), MLS (headed up by Paul Rubright), Challenger (Micro camp). Will get forms put on Website.
2. Paul Rubright will need host families for MLS coaches in July. Also needs to confirm that there isn’t a conflict for the fields at Chief Joseph Middle School.
NEW BUSINESS
1. See handouts re: coach from Arizona who wants to relocate to Bozeman. Club is considering creating a full-time coaching position to lead the club to a higher level. Committee has been meeting to discuss possible options for year-round program. Might need a fee increase to fund this new position. Next step: Meet to discuss all possible scenarios – committee welcomes input.
2. National Youth License “Y” clinic will be offered in Bozeman and 7 coaches have expressed interest in attending. Clinic costs $800 -- how much would club contribute to these costs? In past we’ve paid ½, however we’ve never had this many coaches attending. Clinic focuses on how kids learn, and helps coaches understand development. There are no other coaching clinic possibilities in the area beyond “D”. If we invest ½ of the costs, club would expect at least another year’s commitment from these coaches. Bill Robinson motioned that we support $400 (1/2) of clinic cost, and the coaching committee will work out details of how and when this is paid. Andy Epple seconded. Passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Club Social Event: Thursday May 31 7-8:30pm Bogert Park. Andy Hansen has created paper and electronic flyer. Will ask Bill Locke to post flyer on Website, and will distribute to managers asking them to check with their teams to get numbers of how many will be attending. Needed: 4-6 tables, 2 coolers, paper plates, cutlery, etc. Bill Robinson offered to arrange for an amplifications system for speaking and music. Still working out program details: awards, etc. Will keep it under 40 minutes. Bruce Cole to look into getting the awards – either medals or trophies. Check with PUMA rep about a possible donation.
8:40pm: Bill Robinson motioned to Adjourn to Executive Session, seconded by Mark Clawson, passed unanimously