Present: Rick Sojda, Bill Locke, Dick Prugh, Carson Taylor, Jen Gummer, Jack Dockery, Tim Owen; Tim Guenzler, Pam Smith, Phil Smith, Charles Jones, Mike Rivas
The meeting was called to order at 7:08.
Tim G. provided a list of activities to involve Board and Club members. He would like to see more individuals each doing less work. He himself will not coach any single team this season, but will coach each team in sequence.
In the absence of Phil Rotherham (who has resigned his Board position) Dick Prugh described the state of the Adam Bronken Memorial Sports Complex project. We have in hand $50,000 of the approximately $70,000 that will be needed to complete the project. Construction of the parking lot should begin at any time.
Rick Sojda circulated a draft contract for the Head Coach. After minor changes were suggested, it was moved, seconded and passed (MSP) as this year's contract.
We discussed the content and format of the Annual Meeting. It will be held in the Chief Joseph Middle School cafeteria from 6:30 to 7 PM on Wednesday, September 17th. Registration will take place following the meeting (from about 7 PM on). The major activities at the meeting (other than registration) will be a welcome and introduction to the younger players, a discussion of changes in the team format and questions from Club members.
Tim commented that our players and elite teams MUST train year-round if they wish to grow in the game. Technical skills in particular are lacking at higher levels, and need to be built at the Micro and Recreational (U-11, U-12) levels. Tim hopes for four teams at each of the U-11 and U-12 levels.
We discussed a budget and fee structure for the 2003-2004 season (the season starts on September 1). Increases in State fees per player, in the costs of renting school fields, and in the costs associated with treating coaches as employees rather than as independent contractors require an increase in tuition. We expect Micro to stay the same ($60), U-11 and U-12 will increase from $195 to $210, and U-13 and up from $275 to $300. Penalties for late registration and late payment will stay the same ($20). We also MSP to add a $50 fee per family in lieu of volunteer work. The administration of this work will be administered by each team, not by the club as a whole.
Tim G. reiterated his passion about the game of soccer and his conviction that great times are ahead for soccer in the U.S. The upcoming Women's' World Cup, the #1 women's ranking, the #9 men's ranking, the #1 youth player in the world (Freddie Adu) and the performance of U.S. players on the highest world stages (e.g., Tim Howard in goal for Man U.) all presage a great future in the near term.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:55 PM.