Minutes of FC Bozeman
Board Meeting –
Present: Kerry Hatcher, Dick Prugh, Jen Gummer, Bill Locke, Rick Sojda, Bill Robinson, Sue Manfredi, Mary Anne McGuire, Russ Walker
Also present: Pam McCutcheon, Jack Dockery, and Tim Owen (former Board Members)
Prior to the official meeting, Rick summarized recent Club history, emphasizing the future of the competitive program as indicated in Tim Guenzler’s (and Ric Plante’s) responses in the process of interviewing for the Head Coach position. He summarized some issues for this year including Board insurance, Treasurer and legal council positions, coaches as employees, and the need for a volunteer coordinator. Rick emphasized that the Club is committed to Tim as the leader of our soccer program. Tim Guenzler's performance will be evaluated at the end of the year. Tim Owen then summarized his perceptions of the Club since the merger of the Express and United clubs.
The meeting was called to order at
It was moved, seconded and passed (MSP) to accept the December 5 minutes as written.
Bill Locke was nominated as President, Rick Sojda as Vice-president and Mary Anne McGuire as Secretary. All agreed to serve and were elected by acclamation.
Tim Owen (Micro/Summer) reported on the state of the Micro program. Tim will meet with Lisa Prugh to see if she is interested in coordinating the program for another year. We are also considering summer activities for grades 1-5. Finally, the club is looking into creating a fall program for grades 6-8.
Bill (Web)reported that Erica Hinton, whose professional specialty is working with the Web, is interested in overseeing the Club’s Web page. She would prefer to be paid for that service. Bill wanted to consider other options, in as much as we do have a requirement for volunteer service. Mary Anne too wanted to honor those volunteers who might have interest in Web management.
Jen (Registrar) reported that registration numbers are similar to those of last year. We have two “almost” teams – at U13B and U13/14G levels. NOTE: with the switch of U12 to 8v8 competition, it looks like we will field 8 8v8 and 11 11v11 teams this season. The U16/U17B may not have enough players for two teams.
Jen gave a brief Head Coach report. Tim G. is still looking for four team (3 girls and 1 boy) coaches. This is way ahead of where we have been historically at this time of the year. We need to ensure good Team Manager retention in order to keep the teams aware of where we are in coach hiring.
We skipped Committee Reports in order to deal with one item of New Business – the consideration of a Club Administrator. Jen summarized the logic behind such a position – it enables members to contact a single person for all details regarding the Club and simplifies a lot of Club Management issues. Most of the larger clubs in the state have gone to an administrator, although salaries vary. Bill moved and it was seconded by Dick Prugh to hire a Club Administrator at a monthly salary of $500 with a cell phone and laptop computer for Club business. A friendly amendment raised the salary to $650/month, to be reevaluated at the end of the State competitive season – that motion was approved unanimously. Jen volunteered to fill the position and was approved by acclamation.
We went back to Committee reports with the intent of defining those committees for this year:
·Calendar/Operations/Membership, Team Manager Coordination and Risk Management was delegated to the Administrator, Jen Gummer.
·Budget/Scholarship: Yet to be determined
·Facilities/Equipment: Russ Walker as Chair, Jack Dockery, Bill Robinson and Dick Prugh
·Referee Liason: Rick Sojda as Chair, Russ Walker, Kerry Hatcher; and Jack Dockery as Assigner
·Head Coach Liason: Bill Robinson as Chair, Bill Locke, Dick Prugh, Rick Sojda. Bill Robinson suggested that it wasn’t really a “Supervisory Committee”, but more of a “Soccer Steering” committee.
·Player Recognition/Promotion/PR: Jen Gummer as Chair, Bill Robinson and possibly Tim Guenzler
·Fundraising: Kerry Hatcher as Chair, Bill Locke
·Policy: Sue Manfredi as Chair, committee of the whole.
Jack gave a report on field preparation. For 8v8 play we will need new goals – 7’ by 21’. They will cost from $1000 to $3000 per pair. We will also need four sets of goals for the Adam Bronken Memorial Sports Complex fields. The committee will prepare a proposal for the February Board meeting.
Rick reported as Referee Liason. Recertification workshops will be announced this month. We will try an online program for referee scheduling this season ($100). Ric Sojda suggested that the Club support level 8 (competitive) certification at a cost of $35 – 40 per referee – no formal decision was reached. The club will mandate two referees per team. Rick also wanted to continue with the program of awarding shirts to referees who referee four games – that proposal was approved by acclamation. He also noted that Larry Pendleton wanted FC Bozeman to handle the fees for clinics – that did not seem to be a problem.
Jen addressed our risk management issue by circulating a volunteer form to Board members for our coverage by the State policy. An E license for coaches covers all of their liability.
FC Bozeman will be represented at the state meeting in
Bill gave a brief Presidential address in which he stated three goals: 1) broaden financial support beyond the Club parents by fundraising 2) maintain our program to keep committed and motivated players playing, and 3) commit to hosting a summer tournament, with the intent of drawing non-local teams to Bozeman to raise money and provide competition for our teams without travel.
Dick Prugh discussed benefits (coach and player clinics) of Utah Blitzz affiliation. He also reminded everyone of the Blitzz clinic on January 30 and 31 and the breakfast with Chris Agnello of the Blitzz on Saturday morning.
The meeting was adjourned at