BETHEL PARK SOCCER ASSOCIATION

Board Meeting – December 13, 2005

Russ Spicuzza, President of the Bethel Park Soccer Association, (BPSA) called the meeting to order at 7:11pm in the Caucus Room of the Bethel Park Municipal Building. Also present were Bill Harvey, Jim Huber, Jack Kun, Jim Rhoades, Matt Scott, Don Snyder, Tom Vater and Mark Vescovi.

Secretary’s Report: The minutes were posted on the website, and distributed at the meeting. Jack motioned to accept the minutes, and Bill seconded. Motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report: Jack reported that our balance was $34,001.95. We received our money from the fall session from the Recreation Department. Jack also reported that we opened a savings account for some of our balance. The account is at PNC. He added Tom to the checking account, and will be adding one or two more names, especially Don as flights registrar, and possibly Ray as travel commissioner.

President’s Report: Russ had several comments. First, he wanted to thank everyone for a good year. Our financial picture for the association is solid. And our travel and flight programs ran well this year. We even expanded in several areas, such as the summer flights program.

Russ also reported that the Rec Department would like to improve Millennium field by plugging the field, leveling the ruts, and planting grass on the field. In order to do this, they need to close Millennium from June through December of 2006. Maybe we should set up a field committee for the upcoming year. Maybe we can apply to some grant money to help improve the fields.

Also, Jim Gastgeb from football got another grant for Park Ave for a concession stand. We may be able to use that in the future.

Registration- Table registration is Jan 18 from 7-8:30pm in Council Chambers. Tom will be attending the South District meeting, and asked for volunteers to man the table. Don Snyder, Jim Huber, and Jim Rhoades will be helping out (Secretary’s note: Bob Monte will also be helping.) Anyone else’s help will be appreciated. In addition to collecting registrations and answering questions, we will try to have additional Bethel Park Apparel for sale.

Communications- Tom sent out ballots and flyers about upcoming registration and meetings to all the soccer families. He is hoping this might generate addition volunteers and ideas for the upcoming year.

Referees- Recertification clinic went well. We had about 20 BP refs out of 40 in attendance. New referee certification is scheduled for February 18 & 19. Tom is waiting for confirmation from PA West.

Travel Commissioner & Registrar- 83 players have already registered. Tom sent out a list of who was registered from each team. The next list will come out after the first of the year.

PR/Fundraising- We are still checking if we got the donation from Uniroyal. Tom will send a letter of appreciation to Dick’s for the coaches’ boxes that we received in August. Russ will thank the Citizen Bank people for the soccer ball donation.

Player/Coach Development- The D license coaching course was cancelled. But Bill Wolf was able to attend and E license course recently.

Jack commented that he worked out a preliminary schedule with MLS for the coming year that included about the same number of hours. It is about 56 hours for flights/travel for spring session and fall session. Simon is scheduled to be our PDO again this spring.

Tom handed out a flyer about Mike Galietta’s indoor clinic for Middle School and JV/Varsity players starting in January at Family Sports Center.

Fields- Russ asked for board approval of closing Millennium for the fall session for improvements. There was discussion about moving flights and U-10 games off of Millennium before spring session to let the Rec Department start as soon as possible. This should give the grass a better chance to grow and improve the field overall. Everyone agreed that moving the spring program might be best for the field in the long run. There was also discussion about forming a Fields Improvement Committee to act as liaisons with the Rec and Maintenance Departments of the township.

Tom will talk to Tom Boss before communicating with Gary Lafever about our plans for field use this coming year.

Equipment- Flight shirts are being ordered. Jack asked if Rec was replacing the nets at Park Ave, since they cut the nets while mowing this past fall.

Website- Mark handed out a flyer detailing usage of the website, and upgrades that were done.

1) Tom motioned that we set the Board size at 15 members for 2006. Jack seconded the motion. Motion passed.

2) Ballots were received in the BPSA mail box. They were also received by President Russ Spicuzza and Secretary Tom Vater.

3) It was motioned that all candidates on the ballot for BPSA Board of Directors for 2006 be unanimously be elected. Jack motioned, and Jim H and Bill seconded. Motion passed. Congratulations to the following directors for 2006: Tom Boss, Ed Emmett, Bill Harvey, Jack Kun, Bill Wolf, Dave Conely, Mike Hammer, Ray Conway, Russ Spicuzza, Tom Vater, Mark Vescovi, Jim Huber, Bob Monte, Don Snyder, and Jim Rhoades.

At this time, the floor was turned over to Tom Vater. First, he recognized Jack, who recognized Russ for all the hard work and good leadership that he has given the board as President over the last two years. Tom also expressed his gratitude by presenting Russ with a BPSA cap as a token of our appreciation.

Tom then talked about using the new year as a bridge year. We need to partner several of our veteran board members with new board members to pass on their knowledge about our program and the organization. He also talked about committee assignments for the upcoming year.

Finally, he talked about the planning session on January 10^th, after the board meeting. He hopes that everyone brings some new ideas as we discuss the soccer calendar for the year, along with several topics about our program, and an open discussion. There is a lot of work to be done each year, and we need to work together and share the load so that we have another strong program for next year.

Upcoming Dates- January 10- 7:30pm- 2006 Planning Session- Conference Room of Municipal Building