GEJFA Minutes From 06-04-02

[Maps] [Rules] [ Age Weight ] [Weigh-In Procedures] [Calendar] [Trading Post] [System Reps] [Code of Conduct] [Game Day Report]

Attendance:   John Veentjer, Susanna Chung (for Paul Manjarrez), Ron Walker, Shawn O’Brien, Bob Goldberg, Bob Peterson, Ed Rafferty, Greg Pardee, Bill Kusulos, Bob Woods, Scott Shelton, Rick Hansen, Neil Aguiling, Roger Moore, Allen McDowell, Kris Wenner, Gregg Meyers, Beckey Ranstrom, Paul Manjarrez (late arrival)

Absence:        Mike Pattison, Matt Campbell, Rick Wells, Shannon Rounds/Donna Eken, Chuck Nichols, Sam Adkins/Zach Hector

Call to order @ 7:05 pm

Introductions

• Web site updates – Everyone is requested to review contents on www.gejfa.org and send any updates to Matt Campbell, our webmaster.
• E-mail addresses – Everyone is requested to update his/her contact information on the sign-in roster.

Minutes of the last meeting (February 12, 2002) [handout] – John sent it to the council for review a week after the meeting.  Since there had been no comments, he’ll post the minutes on the website.

Winter committee work reports

• Coach’s Handbook [handout] – Be sure to make copies and distribute it to your coaches.  The handbook is a key resource for us to pull off a successful season.
• Rules clarifications – The intent of this activity focuses on clarifying rules, like the 32-pt rule, player minimum participation, etc.  None of the rules are being changed.  John will submit the proposed clarifications to the council by Aug 12 for approval. 
• Coaches’ exam – Ed will create an exam to be taken at the end of the coaches’ clinic.  Since most of last year’s grievances revolved around coaches not knowing the rules, the exam will emphasize certain known problem areas.  Ultimately, systems must self-govern their coaches to ensure that all guidelines are met, including completion of the WSP form.

Calendar review (note upcoming important dates) [handout]

·        Due July 1 – (1) WSP forms, (2) preliminary rosters

• Due Aug 12 – (1) admin fees, (2) split policies (even if it’s the same as last year) (GEJFA recommends that splits be geographically based.  Any policies must be applied across the system.), (3) home game dates
• Sept 13 – Last day to add players

Age/Weight Schedule (available to be downloaded from the website) – Younger, heavier player calculation were clarified on the schedule last year, but we discussed again to minimize any further problem/question.

Committee assignments – There is no change from last year.  Kirkland & Redmond confirmed their scrimmage at Husky’s games.  These scrimmages will be assigned to teams based on a review of past participation.

Players

• Player transfers – When a team is full, the transfer of a player to another system is good for one year ONLY.  If a player lived in a system, played, and then moved outside the system, he/she is grandfathered to play with the original system permanently as long as he/she continues to play and maintain eligibility with that system.
• Player waivers – A player can only waive to go up a level if he/she is within 5 points.  There are no other waivers.
• Rosters – Master & Game [handout] – Templates for both rosters are included in the packet.  Contact Greg Pardee for another version of these rosters.  Extra 10 points must be shown on both rosters either by adjusting the Max Wt with appropriate footnote & drawing a heavy line on the game roster delineating the younger players; or, by adding a column for the extra points and applying it when necessary.  Coaches should carry with them ALWAYS these rosters as well as player medical information.
• “Jr High player rule” was emphasized – GEJFA players may not play in any other football program.

Coaches

• Coach selections – choose wisely and minimize your problems.  Coaches have a huge influence in the growth and development of our youth.
• WSP Forms [handout] – Due July 1 to your designated Boys & Girls Club.  The template is included in the packet.  Be sure to fill in your system name BEFORE making copies and distributing to your coaches.
• Code of Conduct (can be downloaded)
• First aid requirement – At least one of the coaches on a team must be certified.  Classes have been arranged by the Mercer Island Boys & Girls Club on July 31 and August 4.  See flyer in the packet for details.  Bellevue Knights reported that Red Cross provides deep discounts ($10/person with minimum of 8) to qualified organizations.  Details will be sent to John for information sharing.

• Coach’s Meeting –ALL coaches are required to attend the August 12 clinic.  We want to maximize turnout so issues during the season can be minimized.  Furthermore, this is an opportunity for the coaches and system reps to meet and network.  The breakout leaders are Bill Kusulos (Sen), Ed Rafferty (Var), Greg Pardee (JV), Chuck Nichols (Soph), Scott Shelton (Cub), Rick Wells (Rookie).  Breakout leaders should identify an understudy/backup so we’ll have more folks trained for future seasons.  Guides will be provided at the meeting.  John has lined up Coach Dee Hawkes, coordinator for Coaching Academy, and Phil Christenson from PNFOA to speak at the clinic.
• NFL/NFF Coaching Academy (June 29 & 30, 8am – 4pm at the new Seahawks Stadium) – Capacity at this 15-hour coaches’ clinic is approx. 125.  Sign up is still possible, but do so PRIOR to their public announcement to secure a spot.  There are absolutely NO substitutions.  Proper ID is required with high security being enforced on site.  Also, send John your system’s attendance roster including e-mail addresses.
• Sporting Kid Magazine – John showed an issue of this bi-monthly magazine, which costs $14.95 annually.  The council decided to make 100 copies of an issue relating mostly to football for distribution to every team. Individual subscriptions can be made on www.sportingkid.com. 

Officials

• Recruitment [handout] – The League really needs more officials, preferably adults.  Each system should recruit two to meet our need.
• PNFOA partnership – Phil Christenson is our liaison.
• Rule Books (www.nfhs.org) – Available at $6.50 each.  GEJFA will purchase rule books for new officials.
• System fees [handout] – Due Aug 12.  Fees will be adjusted to reflect balances carried forward at the end of last season.

Other Business

• Boys & Girls Club Fees ($13) what do they cover – This is a quarter-year membership fee charged to each player primarily to cover insurance.  Discussions were made about completing incident reports to your club when injuries occur.
• Web site – This will be Matt’s last year as webmaster.  We need to identify a successor.  Contact John if you have any candidates.
• Program administration (SportAbility) [handout] – CMI online registration will continue to be Boys & Girls Clubs’ provider.  Nevertheless, Matt, John, & Bob met with SportAbility to discuss their services, which include mass e-mail, convert message to voice & then call by phone, game scheduling, scoreboard, training to administrator(s).  Cost totals $700 to cover $100 for registration plus $100 per level of teams.  The council decided not to pursue this service.
• Video taping Championships – Wellman has not been returning calls from parent, system directors, nor league officers concerning last year’s tapes.  The council agreed that last year’s product was not satisfactory.  As part of the agreement, payments were due up front.  Three quarters of the basic production fee was paid.  John will discuss with Mr. Wellman a refund based on incomplete project and will arrange for refunds to parents.  Unless someone can provide/contact a replacement, the League will not make such arrangements this year.

Next meeting:  August 12 (Monday) 6:00 pm @ Bellevue Community College