May 14, 2008 TASL MEETING MINUTES The regularly scheduled TASL meeting was held on May 14, 2008 with the following in attendance: Dorothy Morgan, Dave Dearborn (NUSC), Teresa Phillips, Nan Beck, Becky Dearborn (NUSC), Ray Franklin(WBSC), Mike Dick (WBSC), Brian Francazio (NYSL), Karen Stevens (NYSL), Michael Marston (SYAA), Milt Cummings (SSC), Barb Kester (CSL), Matt Hinson (CUSC), Bob Sokolinsky (CUSC), Michelle Byers (CL), and Tyge Gibson (AYSO). President Dorothy Morgan called the meeting to order at 7:36pm. She introduced special guests from the Virginia Youth Soccer Association (VYSA): Denise Edwards, President, Ray Greenberg, Vice President, and Julie Caramanica, Administrator who had come to address membership to US Youth Soccer through VYSA and give an explanation of the issues that had occurred before the spring season that conflicted with sanctioning games and the use of referees for these games. She then asked all in attendance to introduce themselves and state their club affiliation. She then turned the meeting over to VYSA President, Denise Edwards. Denise began by explaining the role of VYSA, the services offered to their membership, and how the money collected from clubs is spent. She directed everyone's attention to the table of VYSA literature and coaches' training CDs and invited all to take anything they may be interested in having. She then introduced Julie Carmanica as VYSA Administrator and Ray Greenberg as Vice President and the chairman for the VYSA Adjudication Committee. She reviewed the membership categories including all national soccer associations, pointing out that they are all members of the US Soccer Federation (USSF). She pointed out that TASL is not a member of any. Matt Hinson asked Denise how TASL would be able to facilitate play with all member clubs being under different soccer organizations and be a sanctioning body and have sanctioning matches by VYSA. Dorothy supported Matt's question by stating that due to the growth of TASL, the goal is to be a league sanctioned for league play. Denise explained that TASL has two options: Submit a permission to host every season with VYSA member clubs listed jointly and a list of VYSA non-member clubs they will be playing. All TASL member clubs join one soccer organization. Dorothy asked Denise if TASL could become a recognized league by VYSA. Denise explained that if TASL becomes a member of VYSA then all clubs playing in TASL would have to be members which in turn would mean they were members of US Youth Soccer (USYS). However, she pointed out that all club members could be members of USYS by their club's choice without TASL being a member of VYSA. She further explained that if TASL were a member of VYSA as a league, member clubs of TASL would pay fees to TASL and then TASL would pay fees to VYSA. TASL would also have the voting power as a league. As a league member, TASL would be required to issue USYS player cards, issue required player data to VYSA, comply with the rules and requirements of Risk Management, and would be considered a Recreational League within VYSA. The purpose for the player card as explained by Julie is simply to make sure the players have insurance. Pictures on the cards are only required if playing out of the state. Denise then continued to say that TASL has the option to continue playing sanctioned matches using the permission to host documents supplied by VYSA. Denise stated that the situation that occurred in the spring was not caused by VYSA and their rules. She asked Julie to explain what happened. Julie did so by stating that the problem occurred when someone outside of TASL called and asked questions. She stated she answered the questions properly but the person who called understood her answers in another way and then the miscommunications created the problems. She also stated she had received a call from a referee who asked if a referee could cover non-sanctioned matches. She told them they could not and also was not suppose to wear the official referee uniform. Due to this explanation and realizing the player cards created in the spring for VYSA non-member clubs were not needed but were paid for by TASL, Teresa asked if TASL could get a refund. Denise stated that would not be possible since the fees had already been sent to USYS. Dorothy then asked if TASL continued to submit the permission to host application, would that give clubs access to VYSA education courses and other opportunities and services provided by VYSA. Denise stated everyone could receive these but there was one fee in place for members and another fee for non-members. Another issue questioned was insurance coverage. Denise explained that if a TASL team from Virginia plays a team from another state such as North Carolina, North Carolina would not cover an injured player from Virginia. All teams playing in TASL would be covered if playing sanctioned matches. Dorothy asked about the accountability of TASL financials to VYSA. Denise firmly stated that VYSA lets you run your own business; being they are not to micromanage but only to pass policy information from USYS and from the USSF to their members. They are also there to help with behavioral issues governed by the VYSA Adjudication Committee. However, Denise pointed out that the accusing organization handles the problem. She further stated that VYSA is there to help with any policy or financial issues and to ensure all rules are being followed. Dorothy then reviewed by stating that TASL primary tasks are to schedule matches, supply referees, provide awards, and share information. She further stated that TASL wants to be able to list on the website all clubs that can host matches. She then thanked Denise, Julie, and Ray for coming to the meeting. Dorothy began the regular meeting agenda by asking all to review the last meeting minutes passed out by Nan Beck, TASL Secretary. She then asked for a motion of approval. Mike Dick made the motion to approve and Ray Franklin seconded it. The motion carried. Dorothy stated that the financial activity for TASL was previously sent out via email by Becky Dearborn, Treasurer. Dorothy asked Becky to review all the financials. Becky reminded all that she was still waiting for outstanding invoices for referee charges from some clubs and she still needs 1099s from referee assignors. Dorothy asked that Becky provide her a list of those she is missing and she would send out an email reminder. Dorothy then reminded everyone that Becky would be stepping down as TASL Treasurer as of June; therefore, Becky needed all referee charges for May submitted to her by May 31st if your club wants to be paid. She further stated that at the next meeting a discussion of a deadline date would be set for paying club referee fees and a late fee would be determined to be added. Dorothy then stated that she would be meeting with the accountant tomorrow and the balance is now close to what TASL usually carries over from season to season. Without any further discussion on the financials, Dorothy asked for nominations from the floor for the Treasurer's position. Brian Francazio nominated Ray Franklin and Matt Hinson seconded the nomination. Ray accepted. There were no other nominations. Matt pointed out that since there were no other nominations that Ray should start working with Becky to transition over into the position. Dorothy asked if all agreed with that and all voting members did. Dorothy then thanked Becky for all her hard work and dedication. Dorothy showed everyone the Regular Season Division Championship t-shirt award. She announced that Teresa had a list of all the winners and all t-shirts would be passed out to the club reps at the end of the meeting. Dorothy then reviewed the following on the referee assigning situation: TASL has never required one referee assignor. There is a concern that referee assignors are getting into club business. They need to be reminded that they are working for a club which indirectly works for TASL. At the next meeting, there will be discussion on how TASL will send feedback to all referees. Matt Hinson then suggested that TASL create a master contract with the referee assignors to be assigned to specific areas then they would have control over all issues and over payment and this would take the club out of the middle. Dorothy stated this could not be done because the USSF would frown on this. Instead, she recommended that revisions in the TASL Handbook be made for more strict guidelines and stipulations. Matt then stated that with moving forward with hosting documents, a master contract could be tied into the hosting documents with the same payment of fees set. He pointed out that the matches are not assigned for a specific club but are assigned for the league. He compared this to be the same as if you are sanctioning an event like a tournament which has a contract with a referee assignor stating their job requirements and fees. Dorothy asked Teresa Phillips, TASL Administrator to give a review of the End-Of-Season Tournament (EOST). Teresa reported it went very well with most games ending in close scores, either in double overtimes or penalty kicks. She reminded everyone to enter scores if they have not done so. She stressed that the site managers or club reps are responsible for making sure the scores for the tournament are always submitted. Dorothy pointed out that winners of awards should be required to participate in the award ceremony. Dorothy also stated that she had received a lot of positive comments and lots of good pictures had been submitted. Unfinished Business: Dorothy reviewed the following: Discussion of clubs sponsoring teams will be tabled to the next meeting. Meeting date for TASL Handbook revision is set for June 25th at 7:00pm. Nan will check to see if Towne Bank will be available as the meeting site. Submit proposed changes to the TASL Handbook via email to Nan so she can compile a list for discussion. The next TASL meeting will be on June 11th. The starting time will be at 6:00pm for the Board of Directors and voting members to discussion membership applications. The regular monthly meeting will begin at 7:00pm. At the June meeting, a discussion of soccer organizations will be held and then each club rep will need to talk with their club and make a decision in order to be ready for a TASL vote. New Business: Dorothy asked for discussion of upcoming dates and they were decided as: Team declarations are due on July 25th. The competition meeting is scheduled for July 30th at 6:30pm. The roster freeze date is October 1st. Dorothy then asked Teresa to present how division championship t-shirt winners were determined. Teresa stressed why it was so important for coaches to submit scores and stating that this, as well as rainouts, could have affected standings. However, she copied standings as they were and recognized winners based on the information submitted as of today. She then announced all the winners and stated that Dorothy would pass out all the t-shirts at the end of the meeting. Dorothy passed on information about a fundraising opportunity through Chick-Fil-A and then passed out coupons for a free sandwich. With no further new business, Dorothy ended the meeting at 9:47pm. Respectfully submitting, Nan Beck, TASL Secretary