MINUTES: BOZEMAN BLITZZ FC BOARD MEETING
October 24, 2007
7:00pm First Interstate Bank

Present: Kerry Hatcher, Andy Epple, Mark Hagenlock, Bill Robinson, Paul Rubright, Pete Gogan, Jen Gummer, Andy Hansen, Alan Englebart, Britt Bodtker, David Marshall, Carol Diffendaffer, Greg Sullivan.

  1. CALL TO ORDER AT 7:01pm
  2. INTRODUCTION OF GUESTS
    1. David Marshall: Has 2 children with the Blitzz, and is interested in serving on the board. He is concerned about enrollment numbers and fields.
    2. Greg Sullivan: Wants to help, especially regarding fields and fundraising, but doesn’t have time right now to serve as a board member
  3. REPORT BY CAROL DIFFENDAFFER ON FIELD PROCUREMENT
    1. Carol is serving as a liaison between the Blitzz and the City and County to represent the Blitzz interests in obtaining more soccer fields, and has been attending Council and Commission meetings. Presently, there is no real and present opportunity within the city limits for a soccer field complex. There is a possibility of 7 fields at the new Regional Park, which the county will give first consideration to whatever group presents them with a firm proposal to build and maintain those fields. This is a huge long term financial commitment. Discussion included considering turf fields, which require no maintenance costs. Also proposed was a parcel of land near the airport in Belgrade – needs to be investigated. A committee was set up, with Carol Diffendaffer as the chair, along with Greg Sullivan, Alan Englebart, Peter Gogan, and David Marshall. They will present a report at the next board meeting.
  4. MOTION TO APPROVE AUGUST AND SEPTEMBER BOARD MINUTES BY ANDY EPPLE, SECONDED BY PAUL RUBRIGHT, PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
  5. MICRO
    1. Alan is considering uniforms with team sponsors to raise funds. Needs to check sponsorship rules in policy and make sure that SAY or the state has no restrictions. Unacceptable sponsors include tobacco, alcohol and casinos.
    2. Considering separate boys and girls teams, especially at younger ages.
    3. Wants to have a concession stand on Sundays and will check with MSU on exactly what percentage they would take.
    4. Hopes to increase enrollment next spring to over 1000 kids.
    5. Will have online registration.
    6. Play It Again Sports will send mailing to previous years registrants. Information will go out to the schools in January. Hopes to hold registration nights. Wants to start a Micro board to help with delegating responsibilities.
    7. Hope is to use Micro as springboard into the Blitzz competitive program. Chris Beausoleil will help with the Micro coaching clinic. Older Blitzz teams will “sponsor” Micro teams. All 10-12 year old Micro players got mailed a postcard last spring inviting them to join the Blitzz Fall Training Program. There is a tremendous lack of understanding with the parents of the younger children of the Blitzz Competitive Program. Club needs to have a representative at the Micro Coaches meeting. Set up a Marketing committee, chaired by Andy Hansen, along with David Marshall and Andy Epple.
  6. ADMINISTRATOR/REGISTRAR REPORT
    1. See handout. Numbers slightly lower than last year at this time, however 2 teams haven’t yet started to register.
    2. U18 G position on Regionals: They are petitioning MYSA to let them attend Regionals in Hawaii and won’t field a team unless this happens. They also want to pick their own coach. As they have been loyal Blitzz supporters, it was decided to accept their choice of coach and let the state decide regarding regionals. The board wants it clear that these considerations are given only to a U18 team in their final year. It does not set a precedent for younger age group teams.
    3. Low registration numbers in U11/U12 due to competition with the Avalanche. The club needs to do more marketing and parents need to actively sell the Blitzz program. The newly formed Marketing Committee will meet with Chris Beausoleil and Alan Englebart.
  7. PRESIDENT’S REPORT
    1. Landscaping at the Adam Bronken Memorial Complex is coming along.
    2. This is Kerry Hatcher’s last meeting as President. Andy Epple will take over as president until January.
    3. Need a new place to meet: David Marshall offered the Board Room at his office, behind Perkins, at 251 Edelweiss, Ste 1B.
    4. Andy Epple motioned for David Marshall to fill in open board position until January, seconded by Paul Rubright, passed unanimously. Kerry Hatcher motioned for Bill Robinson to take over Vice-President until January, passed unanimously.
  8. HEAD COACH REPORT
    1. Coaches in place: U17/18 B Mike Weinstein, U16 B Chris Beausoleil, U15 B Colin Frank, U14B Aaron Sears, U13 B Tony Zwink, U17 G Megan Bergstedt, U16 G Mark Pence, U15 G Ward?, U14 G Suzanne Kaplin Jones, U13G Steve Birrell. Has coaches in mind for U11 and U12, just waiting to see final registration numbers. Chris is dedicated to setting up a corps of coaches committed to the Blitzz and our coaching philosophy.
    2. Coaching assessments still coming in -- Bill Robinson to forward them to Chris Beausoleil.
    3. US Club Soccer met with Chris Beausoleil along with DOCs from Jackson Hole, Sawtooth United, Pocatello, etc to discuss creating a league that would run from March through November. US Club soccer would take care of all administration. 25% of fees would go to paying for nationally recognized coaches to come and do weekend clinics. Could put together an “All Star” team from all the clubs to attend tournaments. This league would not conflict with the state league, and is a great opportunity for teams to play more games.
  9. IX. FINANCE
    1. See handouts from Deb Dechert: P/L, Balance, etc.
    2. Need to set aside funds for marketing – wait for report from Marketing Committee
  10. X. COMMITTEES
    1. Facilities and Equipment
      1. Mark Hagenlock is presently removing the goals.
      2. Portapotty company has been contacted about removing portable toilets.
    2. Tournament – no report
    3. Referee Liaison – no report
    4. Policy – no report
    5. Board Nominations
      1. Committee created, headed by Bill Robinson with Andy Epple, Andy Hansen, and Mark Hagenlock.
  11. NEW BUSINESS
    1. David Marshall’s concerns regarding fields and enrollments have been addressed.
  12. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – no report
  13. GOOD OF THE GAME
    1. T-shirts are being distributed at Universal Athletics. Drawing for soccer cleats will start next week.
  14. NEXT MEETING: 11/28/07 AT 251 EDELWEISS STE 1B, BEHIND PERKINS

MEETING ADJOURNED AT 8:45PM TO CLOSED SESSION