NOT YET APPROVED until next AGM October 2005

Eclipse Soccer Club

Annual General Membership Meeting
Randy Smith Middle School Commons
October 10, 2004, 4-6pm
Minutes

A:  Call to Order at 4:30 following a potluck dinner.

B:  Roll Call – A list of those signed in and present is attached t the official copy of the minutes.

C:  Introduction of Guests – None present

D:  Acceptance of 2003 AGM meeting minutes – The minutes have been misplaced and will be reconstructed to be circulated among the Board.

E:  Correspondence – None

F:  Reports:

1. President:  Larry Bright – This was his first year and he has learned a lot as to what it takes to keep a club this size going, especially the human infrastructure.  He thanked all the parents, volunteers, and players for the year.  Every tournament had some Eclipse Soccer Club teams in the finals.  He also thanked the head and assistant coaches, managers, treasurers, volunteers organizing travel and registrations, and the officers of the club.  The Georgia Coaches Clinic went well despite the challenges.  He specifically wanted to thank Laura Bender, the uniform coordinator; Liz Styers, the Gaming coordinator; Cindy Vredenburgh – FYSA and ESC, and Bev Luoma, behind the scenes.
2. Treasurer:  Hope Swoffer – The club had about $80k income and $78k expenses, leaving a net income of $1,214.87.  The financial report is attached to the official minutes.  She also reminded all teams that they have to turn in their Year End Reports.
3. Vice President (one year completing the term vacated when Larry Bright accepted the Presidency):  Kathy Port – Major contributions included having official team shirts for all the coaches.  Working with Bruce Gard on the reward system for juggling – this improves first touch and juggling skills.  The CRAD committee – she was a founding member.  It is currently not functioning, it is not feasible and is cumbersome for reviewing coaches evaluations.  This year, she and Larry Bright met with each coach one to one.  The coaches want more training.
4. Uniform Committee:  Laura Bender – The current committee is collecting samples for new Eclipse uniforms and will make a recommendation to the board within two months.  Historically, the orders have been placed in March through Beaver Sports at cost.  She would like to train/mentor someone to take over the position next fall.
5. Fund Raising:  Liz Styers – The raffle raised $22,155 with the majority going into the IPAs.  Eclipse Soccer Club received about $2k.  She reported on the Carlson Center concession stand.  All information will be distributed to the team manager who should then forward to the team members.
6. Coaches:  Each coach presented updates and successes of their teams.  Many people were thanked for their support.  Eclipse 95 and Phoenix 95 are the newest teams.

G:  Unfinished Business:

1. Soccerships – Last year was the first year, ESC received a $500 donation which was matched by the Club to form four $250 soccerships.  Would like to continue; the donation was a one-time donation.  Any suggestions for sponsors should be give to Larry Bright.
2. Eclipse/Phoenix logo – Three boys teams have joined the Eclipse Soccer Club in the last year.  Everyone seems to be currently satisfied; no changes are planned.

H:  None

I:   Vice President – Greg Gibson was nominated and declined.  Kathy Port was nominated by Greg Gibson and accepted the nomination.  Sheri Brechan seconded.  No other nominations were made; nominations were closed.  Kathy was re-elected.

      Treasurer – Hope Swoffer was nominated by Rick Port and accepted the nomination for another term.  Kathy Port seconded.  No other nominations were made; nomination were closed.  Hope was re-elected.

      Registrar – No nominations or volunteers came forward.  Cindy Vredenburgh has offered to help whoever accepts the position.  Bev Luoma and Howard Maxwell have been handling the current indoor season.  The position was described.

      Fund Raising Coordinator – Sheri Brechan volunteered.

      Uniform Coordinator – Kim Stokes volunteered.

J:   New Business – 88/89 Combination Team:  Larry Bright gave a summary of the events:

      16 – 89 girls were at try-outs, with one deciding not to stay and two were 90s asking to play up.  12 – 88 girls attended.  They talked to all the girls before try-outs started and fielded questions.  Greg Gibson and Danny Gibson discussed the teams afterward and looked at the rosters and felt they should go with one team due to not enough committed players.  They then had discussions with Larry Bright and Kathy Port.  Historically, the make up of a team is a coaches decision.  Larry and Kathy both have girls on the 88 team.  They spent hours with Greg going over options.  Larry and Kathy were convinced the right way to go for the competitive environment would be with one team.  If the decision were left to float, they were concerned that both teams would not last to the spring.  The girls were not told for four weeks.  They will compete in the U18 bracket.

      Randy Pitney heard there were enough 89 girls to make a team.  He distributed a petition to board members and other present.  A copy is attached to the official minutes.  He then read the petition to those present.

      Larry Bright stated that in the letter sent to the girls not selected for the combined team, they have the right to come before the next board meeting.  It is not the responsibility of the AGM to handle.  The next board meeting will be the third Sunday in November.

      Greg Gibson said there was an opportunity given to the 89 players – the manager was approached and refused.  There still can be an 89 team.  Three 89 players said they would not be on the 89 team at try-out registration.  The 89 coach and a couple of 89 players and parents approached the 88 team to form a combined team.  Atleast five expressed not wanting to play on the 89 team.

      Larry stated they wanted to be convinced one team would be the right decision.  Kathy stated that it was brought up to the board.  There still is an opportunity to form a team.

      Randy feels there was already a team in place.  Larry stated he would like to work with Randy to form an 89 team.  Randy stated it was an integrity issue to have Larry and Kathy make the decision.  Larry stated he didn’t feel it was right for the coach to make the decision.  Randy feels that the players and parents should have been working with the coach to make the decision.

      Rick Port said that Larry and Kathy were asking to be convinced that Greg would be making the right decision and that a viable team would be formed.  In this way, Greg and Danny would be put to a higher standard to make sure a right decision was made.

      Discussion will continue at the next board meeting.

Pam Broderick volunteered to be the next registrar.

K:  Raffle – Have to be present to win:

      $125 club membership – Jeff Freymueller

      $125 club membership – Derek Broderick

      Socks – Bert Boyer

      Socks – Emily Stockwell

      Socks – Howard Maxwell

      Socks – Josie Broderick

      Umbrella – Jim Davis

      Soccer ball – Liz Styers

      Sweetspot – Hope Swoffer

      Sweetspot – Malia Simpson

      Sweetspot – Mike Young

Hope Swoffer made a motion to adjourn.  Howard Maxwell seconded.