December 1, 2003

Present: Rick Tompkins (President); Frank Olszewski(EVP); Tom Dougherty(VPT); Bill Blaise(VPI); Ned Levi(Treas); Kathy Helm(Sec); Donna Outt(Reg); Cindy Field (SYRA); Sue Hackett (1); Monica Chrisanthon(2); Bob McDade(3); Greg Lebo(5); Wim Roset(6); Joe Marsden(7); Ron Mull(9); Mike Hargrove(10); James Outt(13); Marty O’Donnell/Russ Ferri(15); Kim DiFiore(17) 

Absent: Districts: 4, 8, 11, 14, 16

Call to order: President Rick Tompkins called meeting to order at 7:35pm.

Secretary/Minutes: Motion was made to accept the minutes from November 3, 2003 by Wim Roset. Second by Jim Outt with the following corrections: Russ Ferri was present in place of Marty O’Donnell.  Jim & Donna Outt were present.  The name of the gentleman from Lenape Valley was Gene Noce. Name correction under SYRA Report s/b Robert Ong.  Correction on motion under Cup Report should read; Motion to approve Dave Ash as cup commissioner for EPYSA was made by Wim Roset. Seconded by Kim DiFiore. Motion passed unanimously.

Executive VP: no report

VP Travel: Tom thanked everyone for cards and flowers during his hospital stay.

VP Intramural:  Bill and Charlotte met with Nesquehoning who would like to become a new member.  They are Rec from U6 to U12 with about 150 members.

Charlotte and Bill are working on putting together a festival for U8 Rec players in May.  They are looking for 3 sites with Montgomery being one of those sites.  Rick and Charlotte are looking in to sponsorship for small-sided goals for this event. 

Treasurer: Ned reported on our finances stating that with registration being down 25,000 plus players we may need to reduce some areas of the budget.  He is working on the budget for the next fiscal year.  Ron and Ned are working on correcting the books with some items not being categorized in the right areas.  Wim stated that with the reduction of membership it will reduce the cost of the newsletter.  Ned will post reports on website as soon as they are finished.

Registrar:  Donna reported that John Jackson from Youth Leagues spent a whole day with the office staff training them on the new online system.

Donna reviewed the information they received on adding the Risk Management portion to the online system.  Coaches would only have to do one form for Risk Management and RG6.  Rick stated that they are looking at other states in the region.  This is for travel only at this time but looking into Rec also.

SYRA: Cindy stated they are now accepting nominations for Boys & Girls Youth Referee of the Year. 

They had 125 participants at the Luzerne County course.  Please check the website for referee courses.  Assessor’s course will be in March at the EPYSA coaches’ clinic.

There will be 11 referees and 3 assessors going to Regional Cup games.

Craig Lowry was on the line for the MLS final.

Cindy reported that there were two tournaments that did not pay referee fees according to chart.

President:  Rick reported that Bob McDade and Charlotte met with Melissa Murphy-Weber at Plymouth Meeting to discuss bill that would exempt fees for Risk Management search.  She did not feel that this would pass.

ODP tryouts went well and Rick thanked everyone that helped. Indoor ODP training sites are being finalized. 

Indoor Cup sites have been selected.

Rick reported that grievance cases have been down this year. 

District Reports:

Districts Absent: 4, 8, 11, 14, 16

District 1: Sue reported league select festival bonds were never returned.

District 2: Monica stated finals went off without rain or snow.  She asked about age year change. Rick stated that USSF tabled this issue.

District 3: No report

District 5: Greg reported season went well. Board election will be next week.

District 6: Wim looking for feedback on small-sided v full-sided.  How are teams playing and are they Rec &/or travel?

District 7: Joe had questions for Donna.  She stated that she would talk to Joe after the meeting.  League season went well.  They are looking into establishing some guidelines for behavior.

District 9: Ron reported that he had more problems at tournaments with parent behavior.  The district has been dealing with abuse in league and coming down hard on offenders.

District 10: No report

District 13: Jim reported that they had a referee course and now has 30 new referees.  AGM is this weekend with elections to take place.  Jim asked about the grievance case on referee. 

District 15: Marty reported that the season went well

District 17: Kim reported that the season is over and everything went well.

Old Business:  Donna reported that she would get an updated report on the affiliates that failed to meet the registration deadline.

New Business: Jim Fallon, Jr. was convicted of a sexual offense. His suspension is still in effect indefinitely.  He will not be covered by our insurance.  He cannot coach or referee.  Any appeal would go to EPYSA for coach and EPSA for any referee issues. 

Good of the Game:  Please look at coach of the year nominations and give your vote to Kathy. 

Referee course and materials should come from USSF and everyone will get an email.

Referee assignors are posted on SRA website.

Meeting adjourned at 8:25pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Kathy Helm