Eclipse Soccer Club

Annual General Membership Meeting

Eclipse Board Meeting 11-02-2008, 5:00 - 7:00 pm

Randy Smith Middle School   

Following the Eclipse Club Potluck, the Meeting Portion Commenced at 5:10 pm.  

The meeting was called to order by President Larry Bright who thanked everyone for coming to the meeting and the board appreciates the attendance by everyone.  Larry Bright introduced himself as the current president of the Eclipse Club. 
 

Acceptance of Minutes:  Larry e-mailed the minutes from the 10/07 AGM prior to the meeting. Looking for approval.  A  motion was made by Brian Luoma to accept the 2007 AGM minutes. Dave Veazey seconded.  The Minutes were accepted by all. 
 

Reports: 

1. President:  Update on club; Larry shared that our club is well operated and that AYSA is rather impressed with our club and how it functions.  We had a good year, many teams made it to the semis and finals in the State Cup here in Fairbanks.  Larry thanked all the parents, volunteers, officers and players.  With state cup here, Larry really enjoyed watching the state cup games.  Thank you for your excellent work.  Larry thought the clinic came off very well this year as well as the year , however this year thought it was exceptional.  Most coaches came from western states, some players from our club and other clubs, we had players sign for college scholarships during the clinic. This is what we have been hoping for so we should be very proud of that.  Kudos to the competitive nature of the club and was the highlight of the summer.  This club is a viable organization because of the volunteers and the volunteers make it happen.  We had another great year. 

 

2.      Vice President:  Rebekah Cadigan thanked everyone for their help with the club.  It was her first year and really enjoyed it.  Rebekah thanked Larry for all of his help and the rest of the executive board for their time to the club. 

3. Treasurer – Sue Signor thanked everyone for their help during her first year as treasurer. Everyone has helped her do her job.  All treasurers were supposed to get an on-line  training.  As a board we are looking at IPA changes so we are taking it slowly to make sure that we do it right.   Each team will be required to have a budget so that teams know what they need to fundraise. We raised our member dues to $175.00 and everything was covered.  We actually did have a surplus.,  Looking at the balance sheet – the checking account is about $20,000.  Sue is looking at the end of the year reports.  Larry commented on what a great job Sue has done for the club.

4.  Secretary - Anita Simpson thanked board members for their dedication to the club and many hours involved.  All minutes are taken at each board meeting and put on the Eclipse Soccer club website at http://eclipsesoccer.net 
 

5.   Registrar-  Pips Veazey commented that we have a very good board to work with and added that it is continuing in a good direction.  Kay Jones feels really good that we get all of our stuff in on time.  Pips is very pleased with how the managers have kept their teams organized. 

New Business:  
 

1. Farewell  to Larry Bright – Howard Maxwell opened up the farewell to Larry by saying he is the only person he know that makes sure that there  is peace in the organization.  Larry has given so many years to the club.  His girls have left the club over 3 years and he has still been serving.    Also thanks to his wife Karla for everything she has contributed.  Coaches are still coming over to meet with Larry  Both Larry and Karla have given a lot to youth soccer as a whole.  Through all the years, Larry has always put the players first, even if it was the bending of the rule.  That was Larry's motivation. – very giving and altruistic. Willingness to meet with parents, players on any issue.   Shepherded us through a lot  - we used to be an all girls club, now we have boys and girls – club is expanded compared to where were when the club first started.  We are the 2^nd biggest club in the state.  Larry has managed to keep us on top. Disputes between coaches and Larry has helped sort through various coaching issues.   He has held us together during the tough time of losing Jennifer Templeton and keeping us together as a club.   Larry has put in an incredible amount of hours .  He has staid positive throughout it and always finds a way to point out something positive! 

   Sara Alden added that as one of the founding coaches of the club – it has been incredible how much she has seen Larry put into the club.  He is only the 2^nd president of the club in 12 years.  We are so strong because of his strong leadership.  Club started for the kids and it is for the kids, and Larry continued to keep this in perspective.  Sara feels very fortunate to have Larry to work with.  She added that they will be very hard shoes to fill.  

   Larry was presented a plaque from the club along with a dinner gift certificate.    Larry thanked for the opportunity for doing it and has enjoyed it immensely.   Larry added s couple of thoughts – it is a family organization.  Treat everyone as family. It is not about the number of teams we have, and not about how many teams win state championships, it’s about kids having a nurturing environment to play soccer.  His girls played on the 88’s.    His girls are still playing soccer and love the game.  Giving kids to see what it is like to love a game, team friendships.  Would like to see clubs work together with families that love soccer. 

   President: With the departure of Larry Bright, Pips Veazey was  nominated as Club President by Dave Veazey.  Seconded by Sue Signor.   All in favor; Pips Veazey is named the new Eclipse Club President. Registrar Position Vacancy – Pips nominated Tara Drennon as Registrar.  Seconded by Rebekah Cadigan.  All approve.  Tara Drennon is the new Eclipse Club Registrar. 
 

2.   Uniform contract -  We are going with Eurosport for uniforms this year.    We are working on the finer details on the order forms and get the uniform orders out to teams to order uniforms. 

3.   Management of gaming license:    We will be looking to get a committee together to work on the gaming license.  We have a gaming license; our gaming coordinator has to be certified through the state  We have to have a gaming license to do a club raffle but we need to develop the committee. 

4. Other committees to be developed:   IPO accounts – we need some volunteers to help out with this to work the details.  Let Rebekah know if there are volunteers that can help on any of these committees.  Rebekah's has a sign up sheet for any of these committee you may be interested in participating. 

5. South Davis Park – Brian Luoma discussed the South Davis park Matching Grant status with Rasmusson.  They have a grant to match up to $50,000.  Howard made a motion for the Eclipse Club to make a donation to South Davis Park Rasmusson matching grant of $1,000.  It would come down to less than $5.00 a player.  We stand with the giving of $1,000 from the club treasury, also additional donations can be taken tonight along with an e-mail from Sue about the contribution  from individuals giving money for this great cause.   All in favor.  Motion passes.  

6.   Other concerns, comments:  None. 
 

The good of the Game:  

Coaches talked about their teams: Coach Howard Maxwell:  ’96 boys, 13 teams in age group; did well at Ina K- close to finals, Midnight Sun – finals; then went to Minnesota – USA weekend and cup; opening ceremonies; eye opening experience.  Did well in Minnesota – had bad luck at state cup; had a fantastic season! 93 girls – Howard said that 5 or 6 girls have been on the team since U11; they have had trials and tribulations and got through them – Ina K got 2^nd; Midnight Sun – won the tourney, only 3 teams; took them to Minnesota had a fantastic experience – good games;   Coach Dave Veazey – Eclipse ’97– won Ina K and Far North; lost at State cup;   The team went to the Starfire tournament in Seattle – won 3 games and lost one.  94 Girls – The team won their third straight state cup.  They fought hard to capture the championship! They will be travelling to Lancaster, California for the Far West Regional Tournament next summer. 

Sarah Alden – This was her last year coaching the 96 girls – incredible year- in the championship game in the state cup by a penalty shot.   Far North got the sportsmanship award.  Had a great season.  Thank you Sara for all of your dedication to the club.  Sue Bishop – 93 Boys Team – Fabio not here.  Sue said that Fabio has done a fantastic job and that the boys have improved tremendously.  They won two games and made it into the semis in a tournament.  Most of the boys are coming back and most are sophomores.  From where they started they have come a long way – many of the boys started later.  98 Boys – youngest team. Coach John Cadigan said he had a great group of kids and parents; a lot of play ups and guest players got them through the season. The Brays and Schaeffers did a great job keeping the team toe\together.  Great set of parents.  The 98’s need true age players.  They would be 5^th graders.  Coach Brian Luoma – great kids and parents; little controversy on his teams.  Both teams had successful seasons. Brian looking for  several 6^th graders – only have 13 players.  Coach Michelle Steele, 99 Girls. she is the new coach of the youngest team coming on board in September. She said her goal will be getting the girls to work as a team, rather than individuals. Eclipse 98 Girls – Will Irvine said that the girls had a great season.  They did well in the Seattle tournament – made it into the championship game in Seattle.  Had a great year and looking forward to next year. Eclipse 92 Girls – Attended the USA Cup – 2^nd time down there.  This year they won the weekend tournament and won the week long tournament.  They never gave up.  They are in high school and are juniors.  They should have another awesome season.  Great bunch of girls!  

Larry Bright's closing Remarks:  Larry was asked how is comp soccer evolving in the interior – are there trends going to be reflected in our club?  Do we have enough trained coaches? The idea of coaches coaching in certain age groups, or rotating every two years  does not really work in a smaller town like ours, and also coaches can’t coach their own kids; difficult to do that across the board here in Fairbanks.  Larry thinks that coaches need to work together as a staff and continue working together to support each other.  
 

Coach Dave Veazey made some final remarks on Larry's contribution to the club. With Larry's tenure, he commented that the next President will have to serve 10 years! When Dave was in FYSA, all club comp coaches got together.  Larry impressed Dave at the time and did not know he would be in it until he saw the example he set.  Larry is so diplomatic, forced people to talk to work through things and keeping things together.   We now have 15 teams, bringing in the boys teams and he has dealt harmoniously with many team conflicts.  Thanks Larry for your service and contribution to the club. Dave said that he and many others learned at lot from Larry both from soccer and just life lessons. 

Meeting attendees said good-bye to the Bright's.  A club membership and various door prizes were drawn and given to attendees that were present. 

The meeting ended at 6:55 pm.