2004 Annual General Membership Meeting Minutes

MINUTES

ANNUAL GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

February 29, 2004

Nashville, Tennessee

TN Soccer President Dr. Dan Roth called the meeting to order at 10:00 am. Dr. Roth made a few opening remarks and noted that the credentials report would be given once it had been tabulated. He announced that Lois Fernandez had been re-elected as the Central District Director and John Snyder was re-elected as the Western District Director. He also announced that we had a new District Directors elected to the BOD. Greg Hopkins is the new Northeastern District Director. Dr. Roth thanked Russ Hickman for his work with the TN Board of Directors.  

Minutes

Dr. Roth asked if there were any corrections or additions to the minutes of the previous AGM meeting. Hearing none, a motion was made and seconded to accept the minutes as written. Approved.

Presidents Address

Dr. Roth proceeded to present the presidents address to the membership. He highlighted the major areas of his report and discussed the direction that the organization is heading. The Dr. Roth stated that the Tennessee Soccer State Office is looked at as one of the model State Offices in the country because we have professional office staff. He gave a brief overview of the coaching and administrative credentials of the TN Soccer Executive Director, Manny Sanchez.

As Tennessee Soccer continues to evolve, the operational approach is to engage the membership in the development of program policy. Over the past year, Tennessee Soccer conducted three summits that afforded the membership the opportunity to participate in the development of policy relative to the 1) Referee Program, 2) Recruitment Policy, and 3) Format for the Division 2 and 3 State Cups and the Division 2 State League. A standing council structure is being developed with the intent of continuing the process of inclusiveness and participation by the membership. The objective of each council is to provide ongoing policy review and revision as needed within a defined program area. The plan is to populate these councils with TS association members, one or more members from the state office, and one or more BOD members. This design is intended to expand membership involvement in the business of the association and to develop the future leadership for Tennessee Soccer

In the coming year, two major summits will be conducted. The first meeting will be to address the needs of recreational programs. The second will focus on the travel/competitive programs. Tennessee Soccer will continue to afford the membership an opportunity to participate in the development of policies.

Dr. Roth discussed the need to re-structure our fee scale for the recreational program reducing registration fees and going to a cafeteria plan. We will continue to try and make our competitive side more user friendly by eliminating some of the paper work we currently have. Tennessee Soccer is looking at different IT programs to simplify our processes.

Book of Reports

Bernhardt gave a brief report on the TOPSoccer programs we currently have going on across the state.

Fernandez stated that she was part of Region III Recreational Committee. This year the committee is focusing on attracting more Hispanic players into our programs.

A Central District member requested that a committee be appointed to look at a conflict of interest policy.

Vick Sanford for point of information stated that the web site needed to be updated in a timely manner and schedules for any event to be on the web site at least three weeks prior to event.

Credentials Report

Dr. Roth presented the Credentials Report. Thirty-one (56) associations were represented with a total voting strength of 251 votes. One hundred two (126) votes would be needed to pass issues requiring a majority vote and 167 votes would be needed to pass issues requiring a 2/3rds majority vote.

None

• Bylaw IV Membership Proposal

Life Membership bestowed on members by the membership proposed by Gordon Redshaw. This proposal mirrors our parents organization (USSF). The membership had several questions on the weight of the votes for Life Members. There was also some confusion if Life Members included Hall of Fame members.

Motion made to Table the Bylaw change until guidelines are created identify differences between Hall of Fame and Life Members.

Motion was seconded. Motion Passed (Tabled)

FY04-05 Budget:

Linda Love presented the budget to the membership. A motion was made to accept the budget. The motion was seconded. Motion Passed

Dr. Roth stated that in the future we will present the membership a line item budget for their review.

Election of Officers:

1. President-Dr. Richard Roth: Love asked if there was any nominations from the floor. One of the members stood and nominated Al Baer from the floor. Per Policy 5 the nominator had to present the nomination in writing supported by 30 votes from TS members in good standing to put the nominee on the ballot.

Having met the criteria each candidate was given an opportunity to speak and they were also given an opportunity to have two individuals speak on their behalf.

Baer spoke, but did not have anybody speak on his behalf. Dr. Roth spoke and had Lois Fernandez and John Snyder speak on his behalf.

After the candidates had an opportunity to present their platform the ballots were collected for the two nominated individuals for the position of President. One member representing Roth and one representing Baer collected the ballots with the TS Executive Director and left the room to count the ballots.

Dr. Roth received 187 votes Mr. Baer received 59 votes. There were 2 votes that did not specify which candidate they voted for. Dr. Roth re-elected as President.

2. Vice President-Adults-Gordon Redshaw: Love asked if there was any nominations from the floor hearing none a motion was made to re-elect Gordon Redshaw. The motion was seconded. Redshaw Re-elected as VP Adults.

For the Good of the Game:

• Bill Ledbetter, Region III Deputy Director thanked everybody for inviting him to attend the TN Soccer AGM/Workshops.
• Dr. Roth stated that elections are healthy for the organization. He and Al stood together and said that they talked about some issues and they will work together to make the game better in Tennessee.

Meeting Adjourn at 11:30 a. m.

Respectfully Submitted,

Manny Sanchez

Executive Director