Minutes of the
NASL Board
Meeting
Wednesday, July 30, 2003
-
Held at the Brahan Springs Rec Center Building
-
6:00pm on Wednesday, July 30th, 2003
Board members present
at the meeting were: Christy Clark, Craig Hardwick, Irene Wisner, Kari
Elliott, and Ken
Gamble. Also present were Ron Evans representing FOSNA and ASA and Ruth
Ghoja representing her husband, David.
CALL TO
ORDER:
Christie called the meeting to order. Discussed were the following
items:
FOSNA:
Christy recognized Ron Evans and asked him to update the board on
recent developments concerning FOSNA and the Alabama Youth Soccer
Association.
Ron spoke of the
recent changes to re-energize FOSNA (Friends of Soccer, North Alabama).
FOSNA is requesting a $20 per player fee to be collected from the clubs by
NASL which would be passed on to FOSNA. This fee would be earmarked for
Field Development and would be designated as a “Facilities Fee”.
FOSNA would use the money collected and would like to enter an
agreement with the City of Huntsville for the city to provide a 3:1
matching contribution to upgrade the soccer facilities in the City of
Huntsville. Ron stated that the first objective would be to finish
Merrimack Fields 6 and 7.
Currently the two
major clubs in the city of Huntsville, the Kicks and HSC, have both agreed
to institute the Facilities Fee for the 2003 Fall Season.
All present agreed that Huntsville has a shortage of soccer fields
and that this was a good idea. There were two main points of discussion:
1) Most of the teams and clubs and parents have already put together their budgets for the fall 2003 season and trying to add a $20 per player fee will not be received very well.
2) How was the amount of $20 was derived and how, how much, or if it would be applied to those clubs located outside the city and will any of the money be given back to those areas outside the city to be used for facilities development.
At this point no
vote was taken on the issue although the board agreed to revisit the issue
as soon as possible at the next meeting.
AYSA/ASA:
Ron Evans, who is also the president of ASA, made us aware of
several recent developments at ASA.
He noted that the USSF “E” Clinic scheduled for this coming weekend
had been cancelled.
SNICKERS CUP STATE TOURNAMENT:
Ron noted that Huntsville (NASL, Huntsville Sports Commission and
the City of Huntsville) was in year 3 of a three year contract for the
Snickers State Championship. Ron expects six (6) teams per age/sex group
for a total of about 69 teams. Region III teams are automatically
included in the Snickers Cup. The other 3 to 4 teams will be the highest
ranked teams in the state league. The other Division I teams that do not
rank high enough to be one of the 6 teams involved in Snickers Cup will be
allowed to enter the Division II State Cup if they want to.
NASL ‘s obligations for the Snicker’s Cup are:
- Provide a Local Tournament Coordinator
- Provide a Hospitality area with refreshments
- Tournament Programs
- Tournament tee-shirts (NASL can sell and keep money from sale)
- Provide Field Marshals
- Ball Handlers
In addition NASL can obtain local sponsorships as long as they don’t conflict with the existing sponsors – Chevy, Snickers, etc.
It was suggested
and approved that player introductions be done at the start of each
championship game.
Also it was suggested that if NASL is interested in hosting again,
that they put together a new package proposal to host the Snickers Cup
about 30-60 days after this year’s tournament is complete. That would be
December 1st, 2003 to January 2nd, 2004. NASL will need to get together
with new Huntsville Sports Commissioner Greg Patterson on the new
proposal.
DIVISION II STATE TOURNAMENT:
By default Huntsville ended up with this year’s State Division II tournament. The D2 tournament will be held November 8th and 9th. Hunt Field I will be used that weekend for the Gulf South Conference and there may be an AYSO tournament the same weekend in Huntsville so fields will be at a premium. Ron expects between 80 and 105 teams in the ages U11 to U18.
NASL’s obligations for the Division II Cup are:
-
Tournament tee-shirts (NASL can sell and keep money from sale)
-
Provide a Hospitality area with refreshments (Huntsville Sports Commission will pay for half of this fee.)
-
Provide a Local Tournament and Field Usage Coordinator
-
Provide Field Marshals
Two other items were requested but not specifically required: -
Tournament Programs
-
Ball Handlers
OTHER AYSA/ASA/AHSAA
SOCCER BUSINESS:
Ron brought the board up to date on several other ASA items of
particular interest to NASL Board members. They were:
- Ken Gamble requested that the two state tournaments that are “Unseeded” tournaments (Governor’s Cup and Division II State Cup) have open public draws to fill out the brackets to eliminate any concerns about the way the brackets are set up.
- Region III Premier League – Alabama teams will play against teams from Mississippi, Louisiana and the panhandle area of Florida. That is a much more favorable draw than was originally proposed. The teams in Mississippi and Florida panhandle are closer in proximity and also closer in strength of play to Alabama teams.
- ODP – Alabama teams will not compete in the SuperClubs tournament September 21st in Memphis but will now have September training dates.
- High School Tournament – AHSAA has awarded the Alabama High School Tournament to Huntsville through the 2008 season.
NASL ANNUAL ELECTIONS:
NASL Annual General Membership Meeting (AGM) will be
held in conjunction with the August 19th scheduling meeting. Election of
NASL Board members and Officers will also be conducted. Christy asked for
volunteers to serve on a nominating committee. If you know anyone who is
interested in being an NASL Board member or officer please have them
contact one of the nominating committee:
Craig Hardwick AL1BEST@KNOLOGY.NET
Irene Wisner IWISNER@KNOLOGY.NET
Christy Clark CLARKHSE@YAHOO.COM
The NASL Board of Directors is the lifeblood of soccer in North Alabama. Please consider volunteering for a position. There are plenty of available positions (two are currently vacant) for each and every club to be represented. As the saying goes "If you're not willing to get involved you have no right to complain." Board positions are listed at http://www.nasl.com/board.htm
It was noted that
Cyndi Lindblom will retire this year and Kari Herndon is attending
graduate school and Ken Gamble has noted that this will be the last year
that he will serve as secretary although he would like to stay involved
with the NASL website unless someone else steps up who wants both jobs.
The loss of those three officers will mean many years of experience with
the league which makes finding new officers and board members an even more
important task.
Cyndi Lindblom has requested to buy the printer/fax machine if
Belton or the new NASL Registrar doesn’t need it. Christy asked Ken to
determine a fair market price and they would make a decision on what to do
with the machine. NASL paid $421.00 for it several years ago.
A list of officers and responsibilities should be issued to the
membership and the deadline for nominations should be August 12th. Ken
said that he would attempt to find the job descriptions for each office
and pass them on to the membership and officers. There was a motion made
to make League Scheduler an appointed rather than elected office and it
was decided that although that was a good idea a vote should probably be
taken of the general membership to change the existing NASL bylaws.
KEN’s NOTES:
I could not find the job descriptions that were completed last
year so I have included the job descriptions listed below that are in the
NASL Constitution.
5.2 (Board of Directors) The Board of Directors shall be comprised of thirteen members: (1) the President , (2) Executive Vice-President, (3) Vice-President Coach and Player Development, (4) Recreational Youth Soccer - Liaison, (5) Scheduling Director, (6) Treasurer, (7) Past President, (8) Secretary/Communications Director, (9) Registrar , (10) District Commissioner, (11) U-12 Age Group Coordinator, (12) U14 Age Group Coordinator and (13) U16 - U19 Age Group Coordinator.
2.0 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2.1 At each AGM the League shall elect among themselves a Board of Directors to comprised of a (1) President , (2) Executive Vice- President, (3) Vice-President Coach and Player Development, (4) Recreational Youth Soccer - Liaison, (5) Scheduling Director, (6) Treasurer, (7) Past President, (8) Secretary/Communications Director, (9) Registrar , (10) District Commissioner, (11) U-12 Age Group Coordinator, (12) U14 Age Group Coordinator and (13) U15 - U19 Age Group Coordinator as provided in the following paragraphs.
2.1.1 The (1) the President , (2) Executive Vice-President, (3) Recreational Youth Soccer - Liaison, (4) Scheduling Director, (5) Treasurer,
(6) Secretary/Communications Director, (7) U-12 Age Group Coordinator, (8) U14 Age Group Coordinator and (9) U15 - U19 Age Group Coordinator shall be elected to one-year term.
2.1.2 The (10) District Commissioner, (11) Registrar and (12) Vice President Coach and Player Development Director shall be elected to two-year terms at AGM’s.
2.1.3 The immediate (13) Past President shall be an automatic member of the Board of Directors.
2.1.4 The President shall cast the League’s vote(s) as approved by the Board to elect the AYSA District 8 Commissioner as provided by the applicable AYSA requirements.
2.1.5 This Board of Directors shall take office immediately after the completion of Spring Season league and tournament games.
2.2 The Duties and Responsibilities of the Board of Directors shall be as follows:
2.2.1 President
The President is the Chief Executive Officer of this Organization. The President shall chair all meetings of the Board of Directors and shall cast a vote only in the case of a tie vote. The President shall appoint Standing Committees and their Chairpersons, unless membership and/or Chair are specified by the Constitution, By-Laws or Rules and Regulations, at the beginning of each seasonal year with the approval of the Board of Directors. The President shall be a member of all Standing Committees. The President shall be the official representative to AYSA for the League. In the event any other officer is unable to fulfill his or her term of office, the President shall, with the approval of the Board of Directors, appoint another to fill the expired term. The President shall submit an annual report in writing to the membership at the NASL AGM.
2.2.2 Executive Vice President
The Executive Vice President shall chair meetings in the absence of the President and shall assume the office of President if that office is vacated. The Executive Vice-President shall serve as Parliamentarian, Chair the Fields & Facilities Committee and Credentials Committee and other duties as directed by the President and the Board.
2.2.3 Treasurer
The Treasurer shall maintain records and receipt of all Moines to be deposited in a recognized bank in the name of the League. The Treasurer shall assure that all accounts are paid by check and all checks for amounts greater than $250.00 shall bear two (2) signatures: The Treasurer’s and the President’s or Executive Vice- President’s. The Treasurer shall produce all financial records when
required by the Board of Directors and shall provide a quarterly financial report, in writing, at the August, November, February and May Board of Directors meetings.
2.2.4 Past President
The Immediate Past President shall be a voting member of the Board of Directors. The Past President shall provide a continuity between the past administration and the new Board of Directors. The Immediate Past President shall chair the Rules & Revisions Committee.
2.2.5 Age Group Coordinators
(U12, U14, U15 through U19)
The Age Group Coordinators shall supervise and coordinate the development, administration, management and conduct of their separate age bracket and shall provide Liaison with Scheduling Director and shall be members of the Scheduling Committee and the Disciplinary Committee.
2.2.6 Vice-President Coach and Player Development
The Vice President Coaching & Player Development Director shall work with potential, new, or reorganizing Clubs as directed by the NASL Board of Directors to help them develop the administrative, coaching and player resources to be a viable Club within NASL. The Vice-President Coach and Player Development shall coordinate Coach development resources to provide opportunities for coaches from existing clubs to improve their skills. This individual shall be responsible for Premier and Classic. The Vice President Coaching & Player Development Director shall chair meetings in absence of the President and Executive Vice President.
2.2.7 The Secretary/Communications Director
The Secretary/Communications Director shall maintain an accurate record of all meetings, handle correspondence, provide notice of meetings and maintain files of the League. The Secretary/Communications Director shall mail copies of the Board of Directors Meetings within fourteen (14) days following such meetings. The Secretary/Communications Director shall be responsible for preparation of the League’s Annual Report. The Secretary/Communications Director shall submit a status report at the AGM.
2.2.8 Registrar
The Registrar shall keep a complete accurate record of all teams and players for the purpose of player registration and team affiliation. The Registrar shall keep records as are required to verify Dates of Birth.
The Registrar shall coordinate registration and establish procedures to assure accurate registration materials (including dates of birth) for league and tournament play. The Registrar shall publish the number of votes each Club is authorized to cast at the AGM. This Registrar shall review credentials of all League representatives to the AGM and, in cases of conflict, shall make recommendations to the Board of Directors. The Registrar shall review all applications for membership from new clubs and submit recommendations to the Board of Directors.
2.2.9 Scheduling Director
The Scheduling Director shall be responsible to coordinate the scheduling of all NASL games and maintain a master field schedule. The Scheduling Director will coordinate with each age group coordinator to support the development of league schedules and to handle the rescheduling of games as provided in the League Policies and Procedures. The Scheduling Director shall chair the Scheduling Committee and Chair the Special Events Committee.
The Scheduling Director shall serve as a communications link between NASL and the organization providing officials for NASL league and tournament games.
2.2.10 District Commissioner
Duties as set forth in AYSA Constitution & By-Laws.
2.2.11 Vice-President Recreational Youth Soccer
Honorary Board Member - Voting. Shall Liaison between various recreational entities
FINANCIAL:
Kari provided an up to date financial statement for NASL for the
year. Even with our contributions last year for field development the
league is in sound financial shape because of money from last year’s state
cup t-shirt sales and parking fees. It was requested and approved that
the NASL provide a bond for whomever is elected as the new NASL
Treasurer. Kari mentioned that the new treasurer should live in close
proximity to the other officer who has to sign checks.
SCHEDULING FOR
FALL:
Craig provided information about the upcoming fall season and
scheduling for the season. The main change would be the new static game
schedule for Fall 2003 which is described below.
Craig noted that there will be a mandatory Training meeting for ALL NASL Team Managers on Monday, August 4th at 5:30pm at the Recreation Center at Brahan Springs. The rec center is next to the Rec Field soccer field. It is on First Street between Drake and Bob Wallace in the Brahan Springs Park.
Agenda of this meeting:
5:30 - Welcome and Registration Information
6:00 - HealthSouth Injury Prevention and Rehabilitation
6:30 - Information on travel permit process, venues, hotels, player cards, hosting, etc. Included will be information such as how to obtain a complimentary hotel room for coaches.
7:00 - Information on the complete process required to schedule and cancel games including the new static game schedule for Fall 2003. The game schedule for Fall 2003 will be much different than it has been in the past. To allow for planning the schedule will be filled out at the scheduling meetings on August 18th and 19th. There will be an option to adjust and add games for the two weeks following. At that point the schedule will be considered as complete and will not be changed except in the case of games cancelled due to field closings for inclement weather. This is a distinct change from prior years where the schedule was only released two weeks in advance and changes were easy to incorporate.
It is VERY IMPORTANT that team managers have a list of NO PLAY dates before the scheduling meetings on August 18th and 19th. Dates such as school trips, holidays, ACT and SAT test dates, proms, etc. will not be considered as reasons to change a date after the schedule is firm.
Please note that Craig Hardwick's (NASL SCHEDULER) e-mail has changed to Al1best@knology.net
Also Mike Costello of NASOA will go over the process for payment of referees and answer any questions regarding referees.
Please bring a completed copy of your team's NASL membership affiliation form.
NASL U9 & U10 Scheduling Meeting - 6pm at Brahan Springs Rec Center - August 18th - It is very important that teams be fully aware of their no-play dates prior to attending their scheduling meeting. Managers must bring their checkbook to this meeting to pay NASL fees! This will be your opportunity to pay NASL fees. No excuses for not having payments with you.
NASL U11 & Older Scheduling Meeting - 6pm at Brahan Springs Rec Center - August 19th - It is very important that teams be fully aware of their no-play dates prior to attending their scheduling meeting. Managers must bring their checkbook to this meeting to pay NASL fees! This will be your opportunity to pay NASL fees. No excuses for not having payments with you.
ADJOURNMENT:
With no further business Christie dismissed the meeting.
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||