Minutes
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Call to order at 7:00pm
ATTENDANCE: John Veentjer; Beckey Ranstrom (VP); Shawn OBrien (Senior Coordinator); Billie Hartline (Scheduler and Inglemoor); Bob Goldberg (Officials); Andy Main (Bellevue B&G Club); Greg Richardson (Bears); Tom Louis (Knights); Greg Pardee (wolverines); Ron Walker (Bothell); Greg Brink (Bainbridge Island); Bob Woods and Larry Ferro (Eastlake); Robert Reeves (Five Star); Billie Hartline and Duane Ranstrom (Inglemoor); Marlow Green (Issaquah); Gary Barnett and Dan Bean (Mercer Island); Michael Murphy and Matt Deichman (Mt Si); Tami Steckler and John Ridenour (Redmond); Jim Sypher (Skyline)
Not present: Joe Morgan (VP)
Systems not represented: Cedarcrest; Kirkland; Mt Si; Shoreline-Univac; Woodinville
Call to order
Due to new faces in the group, did introductions around the room. Reminded everyone to update System Presidents and System Reps information for the web site and distribution lists. Also need to update System web sites.
Minutes of the last meetings, December 5, 2007, were presented, but not discussed. Comments are to be sent to John within a week; otherwise these minutes will be posted as they are.
Championship Game Video having heard of no problems, will assume that the video met with everyones approval.
Review
· Calendar (essentially same as last year/dates adjusted)
Ψ April 10 -- Next Council meeting
Ψ June 5 Council meeting
Ψ July 1 -- Team Count, home game dates and times due
Ψ August 1 -- Preliminary Master Roster for review due
Ψ August 7 -- Council Meeting
Ψ August 13 All Coaches Meeting at BCC
Ψ August 14 -- First practice
· Committee Assignments
Ψ Grievance three Council members
Ψ Roster review need rep from each System
Ψ Husky Pregame Greg Pardee is working on this
Ψ Seahawks John V is working on this
Age/Weight Schedule -- posted on the web site
· Simple age advance; other mods open for discussion (pending vote)
· Senior outline based on grade level 8th grade and under and 9th grade and under
See attached sheet for Rules matter that need review and potentially change.
Frequently Asked Questions are posted on the web site and will be modified as necessary to address any new FAQs.
Coaches Use of the GEJFA Coaching Application is encourage. This application serves to provide (1) a brief coaching resuming on the individual; (2) a vehicle for obtaining information for the background check; and (3) verification of having read and understood the code of conduct. Also mentioned the importance of some form of coaching evaluation so that we might rid our program of problem coaches. We need to talk more about coach training options toward many some form of training mandatory. Club agreed to continue the background checks provided we clean up the background forms and ensure that all the required information is included, as well as clear identification of the System.
Cheerleaders -- As organizations affiliated but separate from Systems may sign-up as outreach members of the Bellevue Boys and Girls Club. If these groups are going to use the Club insurance, a roster must be submitted, fees must be played, coaches must submit information for background check, and the season is limited to August 13 to November 17. Activities are limited to practice, GEJFA games, and special competitions for which GEJFA approval has been requested and given.
Reminder of first aid requirement System to ensure each team has a certified first aid person. If we require coach training which includes some first aid, maybe we should consider dropping the first aid certification requirement?
Officials we still need officials. There is always some turnover. Each System should recruit 2 new officials. We can use more adults, college students; however, the high school officials are always welcome. Continue to pursue partnership with PNFOA and seek PNFOA training.
Adjourn
POTENTIAL RULE CHANGES OR POLICY CONSIDERATIONS
The following items were discussed at the February 13, 2007, meeting and unless otherwise indicated are to be voted on at the next meeting.
· Streamlined administration we need for the Systems to do a better job screening rosters for accuracy before turning in preliminary rosters for review. We also need the Systems to ensure all the background check forms (GEJFA Coaching Application) are complete, legible, and submitted in timely manner. This year we will attempt to identify earlier those coaches who do not have a background check on file and they will be suspended from coaching until the background check information is submitted.
· Review the Age/Weight Chart Although there were indications that some wanted to change the Age/Weight Chart, there was no motion made. Because registrations are soon, any change other than the usual age advancement needed to be proposed at the February 13 meeting.
· Council membership -- Currently 17 Systems and 3 Athletic Directors have vote; President has tie breaking vote. Since the other elected officials are representatives from a System and there System already has a vote, the other elected officials should not have voting privileges. Nor should members at large have a vote. The question of who can serve on the Grievance Committee is still open.
· Game schedule A proposal has been made to have 7 game season and one extra week of playoffs for the levels that have more than 26 teams; top 16 teams go into one bracket and play minimum two games in single elimination; all other teams in a bracket of their own in pods of 4 teams to play two games within pod. This will be voted at the next meeting.
· Boundary enforcement -- Proposal that no transfer-in player may be accepted until all in-boundary players have been accommodated. Need to consider application and cutoff date at next meeting.
· Roster review just need better enforcement of transfer procedures and better enforcement of background checks.
· Game report deadline. Currently Monday, but propose Sunday by 7:00pm except earlier during playoffs.
· Clarify GEJFA players may not participate in ANY other football program (currently states junior high, but should also include middle school and ANY other program).
· Should we monitor teams/Systems regarding the termination of players? players quitting?
· Game jerseys home and away current policy allows two tone?
· Authority for President to temporarily reinstate a coach following automatic suspension when Grievance Committee is not able to hear the matter in timely matter? This was approved.
· Clarification that GEJFA Rules are deviations from NFHS Rules otherwise all other NFHS rules apply no further action needed other than to emphasize in the Rules.
· Detachable cleats allowed per NFHS Rules and WIAA Field Guidelines. Systems need to check with their high school regarding cleat policy.
· Application of 32 point rule at any point in game or only in the final result? Need vote.
· Clarify non-application of 32 point rule to Seniors just need to include in Rules. It is covered in the Senior outline already.
· Clarify the shootout tiebreaker involving three teams just need to ensure the Rules are clear on this no further Council action is necessary.
· Grievance Committee procedures Do we have some representatives interested in meeting to discuss equity of punishment.
· Coaches training program we need a coach training program and coaches need to be trained. We can accept a number of different courses to satisfy this requirement (Coaching Academy; Glazier Clinics; ASEP; online course). How do we enforce?