December 9, 2001

RDYSL Board Meeting

D’Andrea’s Party House – 6:30 P.M.

Present : Ken Bliss, Kurt Knoblauch, Neil Fisher, Lou Boyon, Jacky VanDellon, Mark VanDellon, Peppy Ehrlich, David Pratt, Andrea Patton, Bill Hunt

1. U 8-11 – 2002 Season

• Neil – Board has to make a decision about 2003 – if we do not try division without standings and awards in 2002 it will be making a decision on something it has not seen.
• Lou – Board should get Clubs’ approval - this year leave it alone and when it is due to change then make it the way NYSW wants it.
• Jacky – What does NYSW say for this year?
• Ken – There is nothing changed for this year.
• Mark – Right now NYSW says RDYSL cannot keep a record for teams.
• Jacky – Then do not keep a record this year and give teams a RDYSL patch for U10 and below – League needs to try to see what happens and phase it in – Clubs need to see the repercussions of the vote.
• Kurt – This year Clubs cannot change field or team set up.
• Peppy – Why do we have to do anything a year in advance? Parents are angry about the change – would like to see things stay as they are for the 2002 season.
• Neil – If the Board or League has to decide what to do there will be no basis for decision if the division is left as it is.
• Lou – would like to see it stay as is for 2002.
• Bill – as Boys U10 DC - agrees with Peppy.
• Neil – Are we going to have U10’s in RDYSL? – years ago 75% of the teams were eliminated and they formed their own League and then they came back into the League.
• Mark – Motion – The U9 and U10 age divisions to remain as they are with standings and awards for the 2002 season Second – Peppy – Dave.
• Neil – Can live with this but in the future what basis will be used for no standings and records – will teams want to travel to play other teams without standings? – people have no idea how this will be.
• Lou – The majority of NYSW voted for the rule – we have no choice.
• Bill – League should continue awarding shirts and do not change until needed.
• Ken – Clubs voted to make U9s and U10s like recreation soccer.
• Peppy – The resolution says 2003 for the change.
• Neil – 2002 season will be the same, 2003 will change for U9 and in 2004 the change will affect U10 – the way the vote was held no one knows which Clubs for or against.
• Kurt – Players will get passes – in May are U9s in or out of our League.
• Jacky – Our rule says U8 – reasonable to keep to the NYSW timeline – keep League the same for 2002 and explore options – U9 cannot go to recreation level soccer – we have to keep a competitive travel league or kids will go to other sports.
• Neil – some Clubs are not keeping U9s and U10s – players are being sent to recreation soccer.
• Mark – survey Clubs on the RDYSL Web how they are operating.
• Ken – Most probably will not respond – it would be good if Clubs would respond.
• VOTE – All in Favor -- none opposed.
• Ken – Should RDYSL give shirts for first and second places in U9 and U10 ages -- VOTE – 1- no – 8 - yes -- Nothing changes.
• Peppy – young kids want awards.
• Kurt – defer changes until 2003.
• Dave – alert people and get their opinions.
• Ken – this is an item for discussion at the February meeting.

2. Plaques/Shirts – Ken

• Does the RDYSL need to continue giving plaques?
• VOTE – 3 to keep plaques – 5 to drop plaques -- plaques will not be given to coaches for 2002.
• Andrea and Jacky will organize bids and designs from vendors for shirts for 2002 season.

3. Language used at RDYSL Annual Meeting

• Inappropriate language was used.
• Too late too write a disciplinary letter.
• In the future inappropriate language will be disciplined.

4.Teams with fines going to another Club

• International has $800 in fines and has not responded to correspondence.
• Players/teams from this Club are joining other Clubs.
• Do not make players responsible.
• Keep the Club’s bond as partial payment for fines.

5. March Meeting

· Responsibility to notify coaches – meetings with coaches will be announced at the February meeting and posted on the RDYSL Website.

· Coaches who do not attend will be fined $100.

· DC’s can notify coaches if they would like.

6. Rules and Regulations - Mark

• Changes to make the wording of the rules and regulations more explicit.

• Fines were reviewed and most were increased as a result of last year's discipline problems.
• Article V – Club responsible for all actions and any unpaid fines incurred by coaches or players.
• Neil – Section X. e. – “pay applicable expenses for hearings and appeals when found guilty.”

7. Website – Mark

• Certain dates are not on the RDYSL calendar (Mark to fix).
• Only non-commercial links will be posted on the RDYSL Website.
• Message board can have any information because it is not RDYSL generated.
• With new system there will be a way for the DCs to enter the RDYSL Website directly to post scores, etc.
• New system will be automated for recording data.
• System will be ready for use this season.

8. Board Meeting Attendance – Ken

• According to by-laws if a member misses two meetings in a row he/she is dropped from the Board.
• Peppy – anyone who has not met this requirement should be dropped.
• Jacky – many members do not attend and the Board needs them for a consensus of opinions.
• Mark –- Need to be here to understand new website procedures.
• Ken – it is better to have no DC than to have poor representation on the Board.
• Anyone who has not met the attendance requirements will be dropped from the Board.

Meeting Adjourned – 9:20 P.M.