DRAFT minutes of BOZEMAN BLITZZ FC BOARD MEETING
January 17, 2007
7:00pm First Interstate Bank

Present: Bill Locke, Bill Robinson, Andy Hansen, Jen Gummer, Kerry Hatcher, Dave McGlynn, Mark Clawson, Chris Beausoleil, Bruce Cole, Deb Dechert, Andy Epple, Mark Hagenlock, Patti Neerken, Tim Marcinko, Sue Manfredi, Carol Diffendaffer, Britt Bodtker

  1. CALL TO ORDER AT 7:08PM
  2. MICRO
    1. Alan Englebart will hopefully take over as Micro Coordinator.
    2. Once the application form is revised and completed, Sue Manfredi will finish the newsletter, and the application will go out with that. The Newsletter will include info on the Blitzz teams and recognize the award winners from last season.
    3. Challenger Sports has a summer camp form that needs to be completed. Sue will send copy to Bill Locke.
    4. Deb Dechert will take over writing the Micro checks.
    5. Uniforms – Should we get them through Universal or Play It Again Sports? We want to do this locally and since PIAS is the Micro sponsor we will go through them for the uniforms.
    6. Sue will get the application revised and send it to Bill Locke to put on the Website.
  3. FINANCE
    1. See handouts from Deb Dechert: profit/loss for December, check register
    2. Plans to close out 1st Security account.
    3. W-2s to be done this week
    4. Statements sent out regarding outstanding A/R
    5. Workman’s Compensation -- bid from State fun based on payroll came in high: $8,700 annually. Rate: 19.48/100. No other option as of yet. Our coaches are employees and we are legally required to provide workman’s comp. We need to be sure the provider knows that we already cover medical for coaches under MYSA. Try to see if we can get a less expensive bid.
  4. IV. ADMINISTRATOR’S REPORT
    1. See handout from Jen Gummer
    2. Referee certification – suggest we tap into former club players and pay ˝ certification fee. What age group? Bill Robinson motioned for a full scholarship for referee certification for ages 18-21, seconded by Dave McGlynn. Discussion: The refs we scholarship need to commit to be available for the whole season. Motion passed unanimously.
    3. Referee Assignor – will need someone new for next season as present assignor is done at the end of this year.
    4. Also need to start looking into a successor for Jen as Administrator
  5. PRESIDENT’S REPORT:  No official report. Bill Locke expressed his appreciation for the strong board support of the last 3 years.
  6. HEAD COACH REPORT
    1. Still need two coaches. Bill Locke will coach U-12 boys and Heather and Chris Bryant will coach U-11 girls
    2. Continuing Education -- $1000 set aside, $500 of which Chris would like to use for Megan Bergstedt to go to USYSA Coaches Convention March 1-3 in St. Louis. Chris feels it is important that the Blitzz be represented there. Bill Robinson motioned to approve $500 of the $1000 for travel expenses, Dave McGlynn seconded. Motioned passed unanimously.
    3. Still waiting to hear from Virginia Tech coach regarding the BHS/Blitzz college info sessions.
  7. FINANCE COMMITTEE:  Informed new board members that Deb Dechert is a paid position, she reports to Kerry Hatcher, and her hours average 5-10 hours per month
  8. FACILITIES AND EQUIPMENT
    1. Will the east field at Bronken be usable this spring in its present condition? No easy fix – we are trying to resolve it co-operatively between the Blitzz and the city (Thom White). If anyone knows a specialist who could help, please contact them.
    2. According to Dave Skelton there is a development going in near Bronken and plans to add 3-5 soccer fields to the west.
    3. We will need a field at SAC this spring
    4. Bathrooms at Bronken should be ready for the spring
    5. Parking lot is required to be finished – the Blitzz is responsible for 50% of the cost. The city is providing $40,000 and the Blitzz needs to provide the remaining $40,000. We need ideas for a fundraiser to help with these costs.
    6. Babcock fields need to be kept open for Micro on Wednesday nights
  9. COACHING COMMITTEE:  Uniforms – Universal has website for ordering, and logo is included in the price
  10. TOURNAMENT COMMITTEE
    1. Still considering Bozeman International Tournament
    2. Plan to bid for State for next year
  11. REFEREE LIAISON COMMITTEE
    1. No ref meeting recently
    2. Recertification scheduled for February and March with full certification scheduled for March
  12. POLICY:  Table policy issues until summer, e.g. Sponsorship, Logos, registration, behavior
  13. NEW BUSINESS
    1. ELECTIONS
      1. President: Kerry Hatcher nominated by Dave McGlynn, seconded by Mark Clawson. Passed unanimously.
      2. Vice-President: Deals with disciplinary issues, sits in for president. Andy Epple nominated by Dave McGlynn, seconded by Mark Clawson. Passed unanimously.
    2. AGENDA – form committees at next meeting
  14. OLD BUSINESS
    1. AVALANCHE
      1. Chris Beausoleil suggested getting Tim Guenzler involved with coaching the Blitzz Elite
      2. Debate the parent – coach issue this summer, as a promise to the Avalanche organization
      3. Absorb the Avalanche teams unconditionally. Rytis has offered to take 3 Blitzz players to even out the team numbers.
      4. If Blitzz doesn’t agree to these terms the Avalanche has the right to reform as a club
      5. Proposed: Draft a letter to Avalanche and MYSA agreeing to consider their requests this summer and agreeing to absorb their teams unconditionally.
      6. Note: MYSA wants this to be resolved without their involvement.
      7. We need to check with MYSA to see if they are OK with Guenzler/Hollewijn team staying as is for the spring.
      8. Note: At present, MYSA allows for more than one club in a community. Helpful solution would be for MYSA to change policy to require open tryouts and registration.
      9. Discussion: this compromise is hypocritical as it allows the Avalanche teams to stay as is, however it is a means to an end, i.e. this won’t happen again in the future. Some board members expressed opinion that they believe the Avalanche will still try to reactivate for next year. It was proposed that the Blitzz needs to find a way of working with Tim Guenzler, as the Blitzz is clear that any Blitzz coach is subject to head coach and board policies.

EXECUTIVE SESSION CONTINUED