Tallahassee United Futbol Club Board Meeting
Thursday, October 2, 2008 @ Meadows
(September Meeting rescheduled from September 25, 2008)
Submitted by Tanja Clendinen, TUFC Secretary
Present:
· Tanja Clendinen, Rob Hayes, Eric Lipman, Pam Nobles, Jim Parker, Garland Sandel, Phil Sandon, Larry Wood, and Andy Warner
· Guests: Kevin Marshall , Joe McVaney, Cathy Brockmeier, Robert Copeland, Tom & Sandra Hildebrandt, Rudy Powell
Minutes:
· Phil will record meetings as backup
· Tanja suggested that a notice be posted on the website when there is no monthly meeting to avoid the appearance of missing minutes—will begin from this point forward and will attempt to reconstruct as much as possible of past year
· Review April minutes if did not already do so when initially distributed—comments due prior to Sunday pm when Rob will post
Director of Coaching Report: (Andy Warner)
· Report distributed to board members electronically—see attached.
· Monday, Oct. 13 next coaches meeting—will evaluate fall program and girls select
· Bill represented TUFC at field allocation meeting
· New league playdates are going well—pleased with the age groups participating—more formal evaluation when receive feedback from other Directors of Coaching
· Alabama alliance scheduled to run tri-cup in Dothan has canceled tournament—US Club Soccer looking for possible alternative sites/hosts
Board Coaching Representatives:
· Two candidates provided by Rob at last meeting—Tony Kidd & Laura Sullivan—2 more provided by Andy—Jim Dobbs and Kurt Artecona
· Eric requested secret ballot after discussion of pros/cons—have to continue working with and feelings may be hurt
· Andy inquired what will be role and responsibility of board coaches—Phil and Rob explained what bylaws permitted: equal vote but cannot be executive officers—Andy reminded the board that board was originally formed with no coaches based on issues and problems from 9 yrs ago with another organization--Pam asked about coach liaisons—Rob: several years ago but went by the wayside and Bill and Garland have been attending coaches’ meetings—Pam suggested having coach liaisons, rather than full board members, as ex officio members—Jim: then would coaches select their reps?—Rob: will act as liaison and weigh in on matters plus will be conduit for communication with their demographic—one from academy and one from select
· Discussed proposed amendment to bylaws Sect.2, No. 2
· Joe McV pointed out that it is unusual to have contract employees placed on board but leave out managers—Rob: coaches would have to recuse if conflict of interest— Eric: recusal is an individual decision, not mandated/defined by bylaws-- Phil: mixed bag cause some coaches are parents too and some are Warner employees only--Andy: 3 yrs ago board expressed desire to move away from parent coaches—now have coaches who are also parents—Pam: can be on board as parents so should they be blocked because coaches too?-- Distinction between parents who are coaches and coaches who are Warner employees—Andy: do you have to have a kid in the club to be board member?—Garland: one advantage to not, is they wouldn’t have a dog in the hunt
· Tanja: seem to be a lot of unresolved questions—possibly define several different options for involvement then make decision on coach reps and bylaw change--bylaw change was made two meetings ago: voting member unable to hold executive office (president)—Rob will email bylaw change and date of meeting voted on
· Rob: bylaws probably need an overall review—bylaw under discussion probably needs to be further clarified
· Secret ballots distributed for voting—Andy: have any board members talked with coaching rep nominees? Some yes some no--Need to select academy rep—Tony Kidd only option--Need to select select rep—Laura Sullivan, Jim Dobbs, Kurt Artecona, John Holgan also expressed interest but did not submit info/request for consideration--Board members cast votes-- tallied by Garland--Tony Kidd and Laura Sullivan selected
Modrow Resignation:
· Larry, Jim, Tanja, and Eric expressed concern regarding the circumstances surrounding the resignation of Board President Bill Modrow—Larry requested that a representative of the board discuss with Bill his desires moving forward, i.e., whether he would like to continue on the board or serve TUFC in other capacities
· Extensive, strongly-felt discussion by all board members regarding practical and ideological issues surrounding the situation and request: bylaws stipulate immediate termination upon receipt of resignation (Rob), can’t leave board hostage to emotional reactions (Pam), two sides to every story (Larry), personal attacks not good for the club (Larry), etc.
· Larry made motion that Jim represent the board and talk to Bill re: desires--2nd Tanja—didn’t unfold well and needs to be tended to in order to heal well—Pam motioned to amend Larry’s motion that Bill come to the next meeting if interested in continuing –not accepted as a friendly amendment and no 2nd--Eric expressed that Jim is a trustworthy source and discussion may be more forthcoming if intermediary—strong philosophical discussion between Larry and Rob—called for vote on motion--4 in favor (Larry, Jim, Tanja, Eric); 4 opposed (Rob, Phil, Garland, Pam)—discussion of whether motion dies as tie or carries—philosophical discussion between Pam and Larry—Rob and Phil informed board that based on the bylaws, a tied motion dies
· Larry Wood submitted resignation from TUFC board and departed meeting
Board Vacancies & Logistics:
· Phil made motion to shrink board back to 9 now that have 2 more with coaches—Tanja pointed out that that would effectively expand the board percentage of coaches—motion withdrawn
· Eric: should announce open board positions then have people apply and present qualifications and reason for applying—look for nominations for two open positions—board agreed
· Question raised as to whether meetings should be moved to Wednesday to accommodate select coaches rep—Rob: per Laura, she will work with Andy to accommodate Thursday meetings
· Phil: reminder that if a board member misses 3 meetings in 6 months, they are automatically removed from board
· Tanja: requested that meetings go back to being held at a regularly scheduled date and time—board agreed
Tournament:
· Phil made motion to cancel large March tournament and consider scheduling something smaller, 2nd Pam—discussion: too far behind; need 9 month lead time to really pull together and market (Andy), difficult date, coaches already selecting spring tourneys, etc.--all in favor
· Discussion of perhaps filling March tourney slot with US Club Dothan tourney that canceled—discussion by Andy of current tournament landscape and philosophy—30 -40 volunteers working 12 months to run large tournament—many tourneys are losing money, especially if no sponsors plus too many poorly run tourneys and same teams—Andy suggests starting smaller and run quality event and build—March not good cause State Cup and President Cup qualifiers—Garland suggesting using March date to run camp with big name people—Jim posed the question: do we want to get out of tourney business?—Pam suggested looking at the setup of successful tourneys—Andy now compete with 3 professional organizations running tourneys—Rob: changes in tourney setup: costs way more, fewer 3rd place games, have to stay in designated hotel—if decide to pursue tourney, then one board slot should be Tourney Director
· Andy: field facilities have guidelines providing one event for each group—if book and don’t use then will be pulled—Pam made motion that we find something to use the field for--Phil 2nd –all in favor
Uniforms and merchandise:
· Jim re: leftover uniform pieces--not moving—Rob suggested setting up merchandise table at Tallahassee playdate Oct. 25--requested volunteers to staff table—maybe order additional club merchandise
· Need someone to take on merchandise oversight—Pam suggested forming a parent committee to handle—board discussed need to build stable of volunteers—scholarship recipients definitely should be tapped to serve
· Jim: Approx. $5400 sales through Adidas--$30K last year—non-customized can be boxed and sent back and have credit on the books—Tanja suggested selling what can on Oct. 25 then send back whatever is left
· Eric re: TUFC soccer chairs—50 with shipping about $17 each our cost and no price break for bulk—cost somewhat prohibitive for wide appeal so won’t offer clubwide and just offer to limited number of previously interested teams—board in agreement
Coaches’ Expenses:
· Tanja moved to table discussion until next meeting when coach reps on board—Phil 2nd—all in favor
Eric moved to adjourn—2nd by all!
Meeting adjourned
Director of Coaching
Report
October 2, 2008
Congratulations to the following TUFC coaches for successfully completing the NSCAA Regional Advanced Diploma Supplemental Course: Bill Modrow, Rudy Powell, Kurt Artecona and Lance Kerwin.
Rudy Powell and Kurt Artecona will also be taking the ‘E’ License course offered by FYSA at the Meadows October 10th-12th. In conjunction with this course, there will be a coaches and parent education seminar offered on October 12th from 3:30-5:00 pm at the Meadows. The seminar will focus on the role of the coach and parent in player development. Mr. Bill Burin, National Staff Coach will participate in the program.
The Academy program completed Academy play dates in Albany, Ga September 6th and in Warner Robbins, Ga Sept 20th. The academy Director has received many positive comments on the technical ability of our teams form other coaches and parents. Remaining play dates in October include October 18th in Valdosta, Ga. and in Tallahassee, October 25th. The technical training sessions for academy have been very well attended and team coach’s participation has been excellent.
At the select level, October will see the U16, U17 and U18 teams move into High School play. Select teams will be participating in the Jekyll Island Tournament November 14th-16th and older teams will be playing in the Tampa Tournament October 10th-12th.
The Striker/Goalkeeper clinics have been well attended and team coach attendance and participation has been excellent.
The Olympic Development Programs kicks off November 16th in Tallahassee and December 14th in Pensacola for age groups ’95-’96 boys and girls. The age appropriate coaches and managers have been forwarded the information.
The next scheduled coaches meeting is schedule for Monday, October 13th.
Respectfully Submitted,
Andy Warner
