Tallahassee United Futbol Club
September Board Meeting
Monday, October 1, 2007 (rescheduled from September 27)
In attendance:
- Board Members: Tanja Clendinen, Rob Hayes, Eric Lipman, Bill Modrow, Jim Parker, Garland Sandel, Philip Sandon, and Andy Warner
- Guests: Brad Bennet (U18G Treasurer), Richard Shelfer (U18G), Kathy Brockmeir (U12G), Sue James (U18G), Larry James (U18G), Randy Reagan, Richard Shelfer, U11B parents--Kathy Barrett, Dave Ponti, Larry Lawson, Pam Nobles, Ben Hood, Shelley McCabe, Greg Martin
Parent Concerns:
Bill opened the floor for discussion:
- Issues with perceived preferential treatment/segregation among the three Ull Boys teams—exacerbated by communication problems and problems with program director’s handling of issues—situation especially damaging for new families
- Discussed problems with communication flow and possible solutions—Andy suggested team meeting to iron out communication difficulties
- Discussed problems encountered with practice and game scheduling as well as guesting issues and proper scenarios/procedures for guesting players
- Discussed negative impact of perceived preferential treatment and possible solutions
- Coaching inconsistent from level to level in style and philosophy and strategy
- Andy: coaches’ meeting Wednesday--will address with coaches communication, feedback re: players, decisions re: aging up, general decision-making guidelines, etc.
- Andy will meet with U11Boys—meet Wednesday with coaches then managers then determine whether best to meet with reps from each team or all parents---meeting next Monday
- Discussed that having a functional Club website would do a lot in preventing similar communication issues—Rob responded that goal for this year is a website redo—parent volunteered but couldn’t get to it so new options to discuss with Board tonight—won’t replace coach/manager communication
- Suggestion from Shelley that players should be on Board to provide a player perspective
Bill turned meeting over to Rob:
- Issues with perceived differential treatment and more limited opportunities for the girls—previous discussions with Andy regarding this—Andy: being addressed on Wednesday
- Issue with purchase of new uniforms for U18G—graduating plus with delay will only be able to use for partial season—Eric and Garland explained “history” of acquisition of new uniforms and causes of delays—Garland offered to buy back U18G uniforms at 50% at tend of season for himself or Board to resell or use for scholarship players
- Issues with new uniforms discussed—sizing, numbering, missing pieces, etc.
- More discussion regarding need for effective communication, functional website for club and teams
- Suggestion from Brad that player’s development plan be throughout the academy program and not just for a single year—also suggested developing a way for parents to self-assess, for ex. aptitudes per level—Andy: pre-season evaluation and placement plus US Soccer Federation guidelines/best practices available
- Andy pointed out that TUFC has problems like any other club but overall very successful—Randy confirmed--have played in 3 cities and TUFC is better—better coaching and better parents
Website:
- Garland against contracting with Demosphere—lots of problems last year—also concerns re: cost and rising fees—Rob: may pay more but need something that will run well—Andy: considered Demosphere before going with Zimmerman—used briefly, worked well—talk with Eric because CSA used
- Rob: Blue Sombrero is another good possibility—need to get proposal to compare with Demosphere—similar concerns re: cost—will email Blue Sombrero vs. Demosphere comparison to Board members
- Andy/coaches feedback—without centralized communication, managers out of loop which is detrimental to team
Director of Coaching Report:
- Discussion of difficulties encountered by Kevin as interim Academy Director—interview Monday for new AD—no set time table for hire--discussion as to whether AD should coach—discussion of AD’s role and requirements (licensing, etc.)
- Investigating reforming Southern Soccer Alliance with clubs in our region—participating clubs will put down binders to guarantee attendance at set events
- Update on Sun Bowl: U17B denied so trying to guest top players
- Attended FYSA meeting in Orlando—setting up a pilot program for Region D (our region) that would address some of the difficulties we’ve had with our players being selected for ODP
Meeting adjourned.
