VERONA AREA SOCCER CLUB BOARD MEETING
SEPTEMBER 17, 2001 7 PM
Present: Scott Clement, Trish Schleicher, Mary Buckman, Paul Anjeski, Jeff Petersen, Brenda Schmidt, and Jim Kramer

ADMINSTRATOR'S REPORT: Jeff Petersen reported that MAYSA continues to be receptive to the placement of a permanent storage building/shed for Verona Soccer Club on the Redden Soccer Park property. This had been preliminarily approved by the former MAYSA Executive Director, Bill Loss. Club member Tim Sweeney agreed to do some research into required permits, etc. and he has provided a list of requirements the various governmental units would need prior to any construction. This has been communicated to MAYSA's new Executive Director Keith McHugh, and Jeff will follow up and try to obtain final MAYSA approval and move the process along.

Mary Buckman reported that the fundraising dance went well, generating approximately $1,000 in net revenues. This is significantly down from last year's dance. Those attending the dance had a good time and the door prizes were a big hit. The concern is that many of the club's soccer teams did not sell their suggested allotment. Each team was given 10 tickets to sell. These tickets were distributed to all team representatives at the August meeting. Several parents of kids on VASC teams indicated they did not even know about the event. The team that had volunteered to help decorate the hall prior to the dance, and assist in ticket taking, etc. failed to show and didn't even call. As a result, all the work of running the event fell to people who had not planned on working. The discussion followed that lack of volunteerism within the club is a significant and increasing problem. It was suggested that perhaps the Verona Soccer Club will have to include a volunteerism/fundraising fee in the dues for next year. Teams that support the club by volunteering and fundraising will be refunded this allotment, those that do not, will relinquish the fee to teams that work. The board will address this at the next meeting.

New Board member Jim Kramer was introduced. Jim has agreed to serve as club treasurer. Jeff provided him with financial information for his review.

U-8 SITUATION: Several of the Mt. Horeb U-8 soccer teams refused to play the Verona U-8 teams citing an unwillingness to travel outside of Mt. Horeb and even an unwillingness for the Verona teams to come to Mt. Horeb as scheduled by MAYSA. The Verona U-8 teams are attempting to secure other playing possibilities, including contacting Oregon and Middleton teams. The Mt. Horeb teams have been reported to MAYSA and face possible fines.

ALLIANCE/TRYOUT NEWS: The Verona Soccer Club will conduct a special meeting of interested coaches and managers (and anyone else with an interest) of competitive U-11 age teams and up. The meeting is to review the Alliance try-out process and to get input on a proposed revision of club policy regarding try-out requirements and process for youth (U-11 to U-14) competitive teams. The Board was supportive of revising the policy to require all classic and state league teams at all ages to hold open tryouts. The policy also needs to be rewritten to address areas which have not been sufficiently clear, to close loopholes, and to clarify issues of confusion. The policy will not be drastically changed, and has been consistent for a number of years, but it was felt the wording should be reviewed for the sake of clarity. This meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 17th at the Verona Public Library. The meeting will begin at 7:00PM. Everyone who is interested is encouraged to attend. A subcommittee was assigned the task of drafting a new policy statement.

There have been initial discussions between the Madison 56er soccer club and the Alliance regarding the inclusion of the 56ers in Alliance. Many details are on the table. It could take some time to formalize their inclusion. Many feel that the competitive field has been too diluted with any overabundance of classic and premier teams. The formation of a more focused Madison area premier team(s) might improve the competitiveness of teams from our area. Mary announced that a new Director of Coaching for the Yahara Soccer Club has been named. Tim Alexander, a "A" licensed coach, currently in charge of the Edgewood College program has been named to that position. The Dutch coaches from the Winning Mood Soccer Academy who are currently affiliated with the Yahara Soccer Club will likely be available to conduct soccer skills clinics for Alliance clubs.

5 V 5: The board supported scheduling a 5 V 5 soccer tournament for the spring. Members were asked to investigate conflict dates such as the Spring Football game, the Crazy Legs run, etc. The club felt that the tournament has been a success in terms of providing a tournament experience to younger, mostly recreational players, and it raises some revenues. Mary Buckman will check into scheduling the tournament and will meet with Keith McHugh to ascertain MAYSA's interest in partnering with VASC again next spring.

Respectfully submitted, Trish Schleicher, Secretary

Jeff Petersen Verona Area Soccer Club Administrator (608) 848-7616 - VASC Phone/FAX line