Attendees:
John Veentjer; Scott Shelton; Paul Manjarrez (Secretary &
Knights); Shawn O’Brien (At Large); Bob Goldberg (Officials); Ed Rafferty
(Bears); Greg Pardee (Wolverines); Bill Kusulos (Bothell); Chris Garrod (Five
Star); Beckey Ranstrom, Duane Ranstrom (Inglemoor); Dan Pitzler (Kirkland LW),
Donna Eken (Mercer Island); Greg Morrison (Skyline); Chuck Nichols (Univac).
Ten systems were represented, thus we had a quorum (nine Systems needed).
Also present: Don Watson and Steve Wright for Eastside Catholic (applying for GEJFA System)
Not present: Sham Austin (Webmaster); Bob Peterson (Bellevue B&G Club); Bob Woods (Eastlake); Rick Hansen (Issaquah); Neil Aguiling (Kirkland B&G Club); Roger Moore (Kirkland Juanita); Allen McDowell (Redmond); Gregg Meyers (Wildcats); Dave Schroeter (Redwolves); Zach Hector (Woodinville)
MINUTES FROM LAST MEETING: Minutes of the November 4, 2003, meeting distributed by email and are posted to website.
Everyone was reminded to send System Board changes to John Veentjer and Sham Austin. We will update the list of System Representatives on the GEJFA web site as any such changes are reported. Also, urged each System to keep their own site current even in the off-season, so that interested parties know who to contact.
Did quick review of the Championship Game Day
· Scores on web site.
· Great games, yet there were a few issues.
· Our appreciation to Five Star for hosting the Championship Games and doing an outstanding job.
· Mark Hamilton did another great job of announcing, announcing all six games. Besides make PA announcing, he was also recording commentary separately for the video tapes. Rather than voice over on the videos as was done several years ago, the game videos will have the actual announcing as was the case last year, plus the added commentary.
· Special recognition of the officials this year went to Rick Wells for the Bill Ford Memorial Award and to Clint Trauter and Jason Gardiner, tied for Iron Man with 56 games each.
· Video taping went well. Orders were good. Those who ordered the tapes should have them by Christmas.
Sportsmanship: A couple of incidents of unnecessary scoring during the Championship Games which were perceived by some as humiliating to the other team. Although no rules were broken, coaches really need to consider the consequence of running up the score unnecessarily, particularly when score management techniques are available. Adding to the unnecessary scoring at least in one game, the coaches from the losing team did not come to midfield to shake hands at the end of the game. This is clearly a case of two wrongs don’t make a right. We had some discussion of the specific cases which got just a little personal, however, emphasis was placed not on pointing fingers but on learning and taking steps to correct.
We were going to have Issaquah give us a briefing on their trip to Las Vegas, however, they were not present at the meeting, quite possibly because they were still in Las Vegas since the trip/games were just this past weekend. We will ask them to brief us in February.
Review referee, admin and field use fees: Provided handouts with the end of year financial results covering the actual referee costs per System and the field use adjustments necessary for those Systems that had home games on the fields of another System that would have paid the field use costs. The field use adjustments are transfers done on paper and affect the end of year balances rather than having Systems have to charge each other. Total actual referee costs were about $3000 higher than the sum of the preliminary estimates paid by the Systems. Admin costs were also a little higher than budgeted due to significant cost increase at Bellevue Community College where we hold the All Coaches Meeting. Consequently, the GEJFA account would be in the red except that several officials are holding off on cashing their pay checks until the bank account balance increases. Thus, John V asked that all those Systems that have a balance due at the year end please pay that balance; and all those Systems that have a credit to carry that credit into next year. All present agreed.
2004 Season
· Age/Weight Schedule: A preliminary schedule for 2004 had been posted on the web site, however, we have another proposal. The initial proposal, previously distributed for consideration at the November meeting, included the usual age/weight placement of players to a level as well as an age only placement: i.e., a league 8 year old, regardless of weight, can elect to play at the Rookie level; a league 9 year old, regardless of weight, can elect to play at the Cub level; a league 10 year old, regardless of weight, can elect to play at the Sophomore level; a league 11 year old, regardless of weight, can elect to play at the JV level; and a league12 year old, regardless of weight can elect to play at the Varsity level. After some further review and discussion since the last meeting, the proposal was modified to include a “Cap Weight”, i.e., an upper limit for those players placed by age only at which they may carry the ball. The discussion led to general agreement and a motion, that was further amended: (1) no “Cap Weight” at the Rookie and Cub level, i.e., 8 year olds at the Rookie level may carry the ball regardless of weight, and 9 year olds at the Cub level may carry the ball regardless of weight; and (2) the equipment allowance which was considered by some to already be generous will remain as it has been rather than be raised the few pounds indicated on the proposal. As amended, a motion was made and seconded to adopt the new age weight schedule. The motion carried 8 to 1 (one System had left, but we still had a quorum). Additionally, the Senior Outline was adjusted to eliminate the weight restriction on ball carriers, consequently there will no longer need to be a weigh-in at the Senior level. For further details, see the new Age/Weight Schedule and the new Senior Outline, both of which have since the meeting been posted to the web site.
· Calendar: The calendar for 2004 was briefly discussed. Unfortunately, a draft was not available for handout at the meeting (however, the draft is attached to these minutes). It would appear that school will start for some School Districts the week before Labor Day, however, we will still start practices three week prior to Labor Day, with the third week of 5 practices per week being during that first week of school. This should not present a problem and may in fact have some benefits (e.g., no vacation conflicts with practice). Thus, the All Coaches Meeting will be August 16th and the first practice will be August 17th.
· Off season work -- committee assignments will be discussed further at February meeting
Ø We will continue to pursue some inter-league meeting(s)
Ø Inglemoor is up for the Huskies pre-game, thus Inglemoor is asked to pursue a game assignment for 2004.
Ø Rules – there will be some rules clarifications again this year. Unless, someone has a rule they would like to see changed, only clarifications are intended.
· Urged early sign-ups - early determination regarding the number of teams; system split policies.
· Fees – Short about $3K in estimates for officials in 2003, thus John V recommended $30 per team increase, i.e., $330 for Rookie/Cub, $430 for Soph/JV, and $630 Varsity/Seniors; there were no objections indicated.
· Game jerseys – urged continued effort to procure a secondary color jersey for those Systems that don’t already have an alternative jersey color.
· Web site – keep web sites (or web pages on the GEJFA site) current.
· New scheduler – looking for someone to train as a scheduler. Shawn indicates that he has two inducted volunteers (someone who complained at the beginning of the season). We will see how well they do. A suggestion was made that we pay the scheduler because this is probably the most demanding job – scheduling to start with, but also having to reschedule or move games, sometimes on very short notice, when fields become unavailable. Shawn indicated that he would continue to lead the effort and didn’t want to be paid. However, deferred further discussion to the next meeting.
· Reminded everyone that we always need more officials, adults in particular. Will try harder this year to run some preseason clinics for new officials if those new officials can be identified early enough.
Election for 2004 Officers:
· Nominations from previous meeting include John Veentjer for President, Scott Shelton for Vice President, and Beckey Ranstrom for Secretary. Opened the floor for additional nominations and received none. Received motion to close nominations and accept the slate as is. Slate of officers was voted unanimously.
Other Business:
· Eastside Catholic application: Since Don Watson and Steve Wright were present, they made presentation regarding their proposal for adding a System for Eastside Catholic. The Wolverines were willing to sponsor the new System. However, the proposal met with much resistance. After the meeting, Shawn and John attempted to narrow the boundary from which the proposed Eastside Catholic System would draw players and set up a meeting with the Bellevue Systems. However, this met with such resistance that the meeting was canceled and the application essentially denied.
Adjourned to the Red Robin for an End of Season social which was not very well attended.
Next meeting: February 3rd, 7:00pm @ Bellevue Boys and Girls Club
Calendar for GEJFA 2004
December 2, 2003
DRAFT
Feb. 3th GEJFA Council meeting, 7:00pm Bellevue B & G Club
June 8th GEJFA Council meeting, 7:00pm Bellevue B & G Club
July 1st WSP forms due (Boys Club)
Team count & List of Home dates and times due (Scheduler)
Aug. 2nd Meeting for Breakout Leaders & Roster review committee
Preliminary Master Roster w/birth certificates (notebook)
Split policy due
Aug. 16th GEJFA Council meeting, 6:00pm at Bellevue Community College
All Coaches Clinic & Referee Clinic, 7:00pm at Bellevue Community College
Code of Conducts submitted
Aug. 17th First Practice if all forms approved
Aug. 24th GEJFA Council meeting, 8:00pm Bellevue B & G Club
Additions to Preliminary master roster w/ birth certificates
Boys Club fees due
Aug 28rd & Sept 4th Jamborees
Sept. 7th GEJFA Council meeting, 8:00pm Bellevue B & G Club
Administration fees due & Referee fees due
Sept. 11th First Game
Sept. 17th Last day to add players, Final master rosters due
Sept. 28th GEJFA Council meeting, 8:00pm Bellevue B & G Club
Oct. 19th GEJFA Council meeting, 8:00pm Bellevue B & G Club
Oct. 30th 8th week of games
Nov. 1st or 2nd Shoot out, if required
Nov. 6th Quarter Finals and match up playoff games
Nov. 9th GEJFA Council meeting, 8:00pm Bellevue B & G Club
Nov. 13th Semi Finals & Post Season Games
Ø Rookies & Cubs @ (Host: Bothell/Pop Keeney )
Ø Soph. & J.V. @ (Host: Newport )
Ø Varsity @ (Host: Eastlake )
Nov. 20th Championships @ (Host: Univac/Shoreline Std.)
Dec. 7th GEJFA Council meeting, 7:00pm Bellevue B & G Club
Game dates: Sept. 11th, 18th, 25th, Oct. 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd, 30th