GEJFA Minutes From 06-05-01

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

Attendees: John Veentjer (President); Bob Peterson (Bellevue B & G Club); Ed Rafferty (Bellevue Bears); Bill Kusulos (Bothell); Greg Fagan (Eastlake); Scott Shelton (5 Star); Neal Ratti (Inglemoor); Rick Hansen (Issaquah); Shannon Rounds and Ty Perkins (Mercer Island); Matt Campbell (Redmond); Chuck Nichols (Univac); Rick Wells (Skyline); Gregg Meyers (Sno-Valley); Craig Leckner (Woodinville) 

Absent: Mike Pattison (VP); Paul Manjarrez (Secretary & Bellevue Knights); Don Watson (Bellevue Wolverines); Kirkland Steelers; Robb Clarke (Scheduler); Bob Goldberg (Referee Rep)

 Also present were a couple of coaches from Kirkland and from Bothell.

Call to Order at 2000
 
INTRODUCTIONS: John Veentjer asked that, as council members sign-in, everyone check their contact information on the sign-in sheet.  As we approach the season, we need to be able to communicate by email in a timely manner.  If your email is down or otherwise not functioning properly, now is the time to get it fixed.

A check of the individual system web sites off the links on the GEJFA homepage found that many, if not all, are out-of-date.  Those checked were showing 2000 info.  Please get them update ASAP.  Matt Campbell will serve as webmaster for 2001 replacing Brian Berry who had some conflicts.  Scott Shelton said that Sham from 5 Star is also available to help out or even taken on this responsibility.

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING – February 6, 2001:  These minutes were put on the web site within the last two weeks.  No one had any comments regarding those minutes, though it was apparent that some had not yet read them.  A copy was not available for review at the meeting.  John V asked that everyone please read the minutes on the web site and, if they have any problems with them, that they communicate their issues promptly to Paul or John so that changes can be made in a timely manner and we can avoid discussion at the next meeting.  We will try to have minutes on the web site within two weeks of the meeting.

WINTER COMMITTEE WORK REPORTS: 

• Semi-Pros -- Bill Kusulos (Bothell) made two proposed rule changes applicable to the Semi-Pros.  These were unanimously approved.

(1)   The age cutoff be changed from 8/31 to 7/31 consistent with the other levels.

(2)   The Jr/Sr High Rule be clarified to make clear that no player may play school football during the same fall season as they are participating in the GEJFA program.  [Note:  the change should be posted on the web site by 6/21/01 – see Rule 3 - Eligibility]

• Divisions – Shawn O’Brien prepared the Divisions for 2001.  They are attached to the meeting agenda.  They will also be posted to the web site.
• Field Manager Job Description – Scott Shelton handed out a Field Manager Job Description and asked for feedback to be directed to him by email at 5starfootball@home.com.  This is an important step to ensure we have Field Managers at every field throughout the day and that they are visible to all who might need them and that they know their responsibilities.

CALENDAR REVIEW:

• Admin fee of $200.00 was due at this meeting.  All but a few systems brought their check.  John will communicate directly to those systems whose fees are outstanding and ask that they be mailed to him.  John is opening a new account in the name of Greater Eastside Junior Football Association or GEJFA.
• Preliminary rosters are due by July 1.  John will communicate assignments for reviewing these rosters.  Preliminary review is just a surface check regarding information presented on the roster without checking birth certificates or weight; the latter will be accomplished in the final review. 
• WSP forms are also due by July 1.  Kirkland teams turn their WSP forms into Kirkland Boys and Girls Club; Mercer Island to Mercer Island Boys and Girls Club; and all others to Bellevue Boys and Girls Club (mail or deliver to Bob Peterson).
• Coaches’ clinic is set for 7:00 pm, August 8 at Bellevue Community College; same plan as last year.  Code of Conduct forms are due at that time.  Split policies are due at that time.  Home dates and times are due at that time.  Referee clinic at the same time and place.  Council will meet at 6:00 pm before the coaches’ clinic.
• Council meeting on August 21 will be at 8:00 pm (vs 7:00 pm) so as not to conflict with practice.

AGE WEIGHT SCHEDULE: 

• Discussion to clarify that at Sophomore, Junior Varsity, and Varsity, younger players are permitted to weigh up to 10 lbs more than the schedule would normally allow.  The Age/Weight Schedule will be modified in an attempt to clarify.
• Question was posed regarding the waiver of potential players (particular at the upper end of the age scale) who are only a few days too old to be eligible.  The discussion was strongly in favor of strict adherence to age dates – no waivers.  No motion was made to the Council for official consideration or vote. 

COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS: Handout provided with agenda to show current committee assignments.  Roster review will be assigned in the next couple of weeks to allow the preliminary review to begin by 1 July.

PLAYERS: 

• Reminded that player transfers must be completed every year for those players outside the system in which they reside.  Discussion ensued regarding system assignment being based on the school boundary in which the player resides, not the school the player attends.  Rosters should show the school boundary in which the player resides.  Rosters should have Transfer Form attached.
• No specific player waivers were discussed.
• Junior High player rule was addressed under winter committee work above.

COACHES:

• A revised Code of Conduct was attached to the agenda.  The change specifically mentions the use of profanity as prohibited; see end of paragraph 10.  Bob Peterson addressed the change as required by the Boys and Girls Club.  While no vote was necessary, general support was apparent.
• Realizing that this is a program run by volunteers and coaches are sometimes hard to come by, systems should select their coaches well.  Screen out those likely to demonstrate poor behavior now.  Remember the Code of Conduct and the Zero Tolerance Rule.  We already have two complaints this year regarding the return of coaches from last year.
• Complaints regarding the general behavior of a coach should first be presented to and addressed by the system.  GEJFA will deal only with coaches who violate GEJFA rules, generally through the grievance committee.  If a system fails to deal effectively with a problem coach, such problems usually escalate to violation of GEJFA rules.
• John V mentioned that he though Paul was working a first aid alternative.  Unfortunately, Paul was present to address.  In any case, reminder given that one of the coaches or another person listed as a coach is to have first aid training.
• There were 32 coaches from GEJFA who attended the NFL/NFF Coaching Academy in May.  John V reported that he thought the Academy was outstanding and well worth the $40 registration fee.  Next year’s Academy will reportedly be in the new Seahawk Stadium.

OFFICIALS:

• Referee fee calculation form attached to the agenda.  Please calculate your fee and be prepared to pay that fee in September.
• Referee registration form also attached to agenda.  Each system has to provide addition referees.  We will also work closely with Phil Christensen to improve our partnership with PNFOA.  Still we need each system to find additional referees.

OTHER BUSINESS:

• John V raised discussion from meeting at the end of last year in which Council voted not to allow any addition systems at this time.  Renton Rangers emailed to a number of Council members seeking their support to get this matter reconsidered.  Appears that no one responded.  However, John V did write to Warren Davis at Renton Rangers to close the loop on his email.  Scott Shelton indicated that Warren Davis and many of his players are now with 5 Star.
• John V addressed the problem experienced with the web site which caused it to be down for most of February and March.
• Discussed coaches breakout for 8 August clinic – Bears are to cover Semi-Pro; Ken Hudson from SnoValley was to cover Varsity, but has left the program – John Guthrie will now cover Varsity; Rick Wells was to cover JV, but prefers to cover Rookies which Scott Shelton is now unable to cover – thus, need to identify someone to cover JV; Chuck Nichols will cover Sophomores; Mike Pattison will cover Cubs; Rick Wells will cover Rookies.

NEXT MEETING:  August 8 (Wednesday) at 6:00 pm at Bellevue Community College prior to the Coaches Clinic.

ADJOURNED at 2115

After the meeting, Manu Tuiasosopo made a presentation to the Council members regarding a video keepsake service that he offers through Sportscapsule, Inc.  GEJFA is not endorsing any particular such services and only allowed this presentation in the interest of streamlining contact with individual systems.  Further contact will be with or through the individual systems to their individual teams.