March 12, 2008 TASL MEETING MINUTES The regularly scheduled TASL meeting was held on March 12, 2008 with the following in attendance: Dorothy Morgan, Dave Dearborn (NUSC), Teresa Phillips, Nan Beck, Dave Douthett (CUSC), Ray Franklin(WBSC), Mike Dick (WBSC), Barb Kester, (CSL), Mike Davis (CSL), Brian Francazio (NYSL), Karen Stevens (NYSL), Michael Marston (SYAA), and Michael Williams (CUSA). President Dorothy Morgan called the meeting to order at 7:40pm. She asked Nan Beck, Secretary to read the minutes from the previous meeting. Mike Dick made the motion to approve the minutes as corrected and Ray Franklin seconded it. Motion carried. Dorothy stated that financial activity for TASL was previously sent out via email by Becky Dearborn, Treasurer. Dorothy asked Dave Dearborn, VP to review all the financial information in Becky's absence. Dave announced all but two clubs had paid their spring fees. He also reviewed the information he had sent out concerning projected fall fees and stated that fall fees may be able to remain the same. However, with future meetings planned with representatives from AYSO, SAY, and US Club Soccer, additional fees may be needed if TASL joins one of these listed organizations. Dorothy then reviewed the following: A vote via email was requested by Dorothy asking for approval for TASL to cover the cost of Recreational cards for SAY and AYSO clubs due to the recent problems encounter with VYSA only sanctioning play for US Youth Soccer club members. Three hundred and eight player cards and their team rosters were completed by Teresa Phillips, TASL Administrator and were sponsored by NYSL so they would be carded under US Youth Soccer. An adjudication committee will need to be formed by TASL at a later date if the league is no longer a member of US Youth Soccer. A thirty minute presentation will be offered from each representative from AYSO, SAY, and US Club Soccer. Dorothy received permission from NYSL to hold the meeting at the Beach FC office with a meeting date of April 7, 2008 set. There are seven certified referee assignors being used for spring season. They include Amy Welch (NYSL, CSL, WBSC), Karen Arnold (PSC, SYAA), Sandee Minehart (CUSC), and Katherine Horton (NUSC). Smithfield and the North Carolina clubs have their own. Becky, Dorothy, and Teresa need to receive from each club: the name of certified referee assignor, copy of the contract with a breakdown of how much their referees are paid and how much their assignor fees are. Dave Dearborn expressed concern that he would not be able to supply this internal private information from TSRA. Voting and participating members are required to abide by TASL rules which also means that a club's referee assignor much also comply. They must also ensure that their referees follow TASL rules. They need to understand they are working for TASL. Club Reps need to find a way to solve the problem of missing referees to avoid canceling a scheduled game. Dorothy asked Teresa to review "bye game" requests. Teresa stated that some teams did end up with doubleheaders due to "bye game" requests. She also stated that she had many requests for changes to the schedule but it is very difficult to change once the schedules are set. Dorothy asked for discussion on how to handle these requests. After discussions, it was decided that games should be rescheduled if a situation develops beyond the team's control. Missed games for other reasons can be made up as "Friendlies" and are to be set up between the teams' coaches. Dorothy reminded all Club Reps to remind all teams that during spring break, all teams should show up to play and adjust teams to play by the "gentlemen's agreement" if numbers are down for a team. Teams should either play down in numbers or share players and record score accordingly. When asked if doubleheaders would be rescheduled due to rainouts, Dorothy stated that they would not because the same rule applies for all games. She reviewed how difficult it is to schedule games during spring season, noting that many issues have to be considered including: cities control of available fields, spring break, tournaments, Easter, and SAT testing. She reminded everyone that considering all these conflicts, a seven play date schedule was set and agreed upon. Therefore, it is the responsibility of the Club Reps to let their teams know how difficult it is and encouraged all to defend how hard they work and communicate with other TASL members to put out the best schedule possible in such a limited timeframe. Dorothy reminded everyone that a date for meeting to discuss changes to the handbook would need to be made but since VYSA has approved the hosting documents for the spring season, no changes could be made until after the season. Therefore, meeting should be scheduled later in May. Dorothy addressed the concern that many requests and questions are going directly to her or Teresa when they should be going to their respective Club Reps. After discussion, it was suggested those emails should be forwarded to the Club Reps to answer. Dorothy commented on the "opening weekend", describing it has being a very hectic time due to the constant changes in the weather with rain bands moving in and out of the area and some venues playing games while others were cancelled. She reminded everyone that as TASL president she could not cancel TASL games since that is the responsibility of the club to make that decision for their home venue. Unfinished Business: Dorothy reviewed the following: Karen Stevens' "cheat sheet" for referees had been sent to her. Dorothy plans to send it out to all TASL members for review and then will have it posted on the website. During discussion, it was discovered that a mistake on specific minutes for halves had been made. Therefore, Karen said she would make corrections and resend it. Dorothy reminded everyone to review the TASL Handbook. The current version is on the website. She asked that everyone make notes of the changes that need to be made in preparation for the planned meeting in May. New Business: Dorothy announced that TASL needs to set a date sometime in May to discuss fee structure for Fall 2008. Teresa interjected that she had listed three special meetings being planned, one for a review of the handbook, one for presentations from reps of soccer organizations, and one for setting fees for Fall 2008. Dorothy confirmed that as correct. Dave volunteered to send out a "fee estimation" spreadsheet with several proposals for fall fees. He recommended they be reviewed online and an electronic vote be submitted or be prepared to vote on them at the April 9th meeting. Ray Franklin suggested that the discussion of game conflicts with SAT testing scheduled for End of Season Tournament weekend be discussed at the next meeting, stating he felt the games for older players could be scheduled in the afternoon. With no further new business, Dorothy asked for a motion for adjournment. Barb Kester made the motion and Dave Dearborn seconded it. The meeting was adjourned at 9:30pm. Respectfully submitting, Nan Beck, TASL Secretary