Washington Chapter of US Lacrosse

Meeting Notes 10/14/03

WASHINGTON STATE LACROSSE FOUNDATION

 Minutes of October 14, 2003 Board Meeting

Present:  Mark Larson, Fred Wilmot, Tony Olney, Kris Snider, Michael Moore, Gail Loveland, Effie Wardenburg, Brandon Fortier, Greg Gutherless, Tom Wehe, Paul Wilkinson, Erik Smith, Kelly Nakata, Dylan Preble, Brandon Fortier, Laurie Usher, Tim House and Gail Shelton. 

Introductions � All in attendance introduced themselves and explained their role on the Chapter Board. 

USL National Chapter Meeting  Mark Larson attended the meeting and brought back the following report:

• Last two years, USL has been running in the black.
• Membership � the biggest bulk of membership is youth (60%-70%) at $18 it is a good value.  Because so many high school players have insurance through their schools, it was suggested to USL that they offer a membership without insurance for about $20 to help boost membership numbers.
• USL is becoming more web-based and we will soon be able to target all members within our chapter to send important messages to.
• All-American � process is different for boys and girls.  Procedures are holdovers from pre-USL formation.  Girls select regionally while boys select from leagues or chapters.  It is very difficult in areas where there are multiple leagues or chapters competing for a few spots.  There is some discussion about changing to the girl�s method, but it is only in the discussion stages at this point.
• Youth Festival � for U-13 and U-15 boys and girls.  It has been held for the last two years at Binghamton, NY and there is one more year in the contract.  It is difficult and expensive to get there from the West Coast.  It is a premier event for USL that has not met expectations so USL is trying to improve the event.  They7 want the best kids, not necessarily the best players.  Tim House and Mark Larson will discuss how out Chapter may be involved in the event.  Tryouts would be in Jan. or Feb.
• Sr. All-Star Game (Boys) � Has been held at the Youth Festival�but also has not been managed well and USL is working toward making it better.
• National Team (Men and Women) members will come out in February, 2004 for 6-hour clinics.  Grant application deadline is November 1 and the application can be found on www.Walax.com.  It would be $25/player and must be USL member.  Washington youth girls are having a clinic in February and perhaps they will tie the National Team visit into it. 
• USL New Start Kits � Team based only and Oct. 15 is the deadline, although with a phone call to Beth Reisinger at USL you can probably get an extension.  Two programs: (1) New team kit � information regarding the mechanics of organizing and running a new team and (2) Equipment loaner grant.  Both grant applications can be found on the USL website.
• January, 2004 USL will offer an on-line course for men�s and women�s basic lacrosse.  This will be a great source for new coaches and parents.
• Finally, the turnout at the National Chapter Convention was extremely low.  On a national scale the newer chapters like ours tend to be more involved.  The older chapters are not participating and USL is reassessing how they can present themselves to the older chapters and what they can offer them in the way of programs that will be beneficial.

 Chapter Equipment � Requests have been made to borrow the goals from the Chapter.  These goals were donated for the 2003 State Finals and would cost $1000 to replace.  Mark asked for comments about loaning the equipment.  Discussion followed regarding loaning to profit and non-profit organizations, asking for suggested donation from profit organizations, administering the loan policy, etc.  Mark will take all the comments and write a policy to be presented at the next Board meeting.

2004 Championship Games � May 22, 2004.  The Executive Board has been working through the summer to make plans for the games The process involved two elements (1) secure the services of a good leader to steer the Chapter through the process again.  Paula Wilkinson agreed to be the Event Manager.  We are all grateful she is willing to take on this huge project.  (2) The support of the constituent groups who would be involved was very important.  The youth girls and boys and the high school girls and boys and all expressed the desire to be involved again.  There may be other constituents, but that has yet to be determined.

 Mark asked Paula to explain her background regarding events like this.  Paula has been involved for 13 years with marketing activities and as a program manager for IBM in the UK and Europe.  With an extensive technical background, Paula also owns her own event management company  

Paula explained the management structure of the event.

1.     A single Event Manager (Paula) with over control reporting to the WA Chapter

2.     A small Executive Committee with key positions reporting to the Event Manager:

o       Marketing/Communications � Michael Moore

o       Finance � Gail Shelton

o       Legal � David Dawson

o       Event Day � Leslie Cornelison

3.     Sub-committees with key area responsibilities controlled by Exec. Committee

4.     Advisory Board providing input during initial planning stage; this Board will contain event a representative from each sponsor (participating groups)

o       Girls Youth League Rep.

o       Boys Youth League Rep.

o       Girls High School League Rep.

o       Boys High School League Rep.

and any sponsor that may be decided upon.

 Each participating group needs to appoint a representative to the Advisory Board by October 20.  It is important that the representative can speak for and vote on behalf of their group.  Please send the name of your representative to Paula Wilkinson.  

Paula also present the goals for the 2004 event:

1.     Promote and grow the sport of lacrosse in WA

2.     Increase visibility and interest in both men�s and women�s lacrosse

3.     By use of sponsorship and ticket sales, pay for the 2004 event in addition to providing profits to be used for future lacrosse projects

4.     Increase ticket sales by 2,000

5.     Present a successful, professional event that builds on the success of the 2003 event

6.     Provide a showcase of talent to increase visibility of WA lacrosse growth to the US Lacrosse and college recruiters

 Coaches Clinic/Referees Clinic � January 24 and 25, 2004 at Seattle Pacific University.  Information will be on www.Walax.com.

            Tony � A grant has been written to USL for two coaches - 1 for youth coaches centering on developmental fundamentals and team fundamentals and one for hs coaches centered on tactics.  The grants will be reviewed on Oct. 15 by USL and we will find out which coaches will be sent out.

            Effie � Two coaches will be coming and once they are confirmed, Effie will solidify the program direction.

            Erik � clinics will be held for all referees and coaches and referees will come together for two PCA (Positive Coaching Alliance) workshops. 

 Officials � Erik said the officials are in the processing of forming an official organization and are looking into whether it will encompass the Northwest, and British Columbia, or Washington only.  They are also looking into combining the men�s and women�s officials under one banner.

 Video Library � Tony has one complete set of videotapes from USL and is ordering another set.  If coaches want to use them, they should order now before they are all out.  If anyone has any tapes of good games, Tony can copy them and will return the originals.  Information is on www.Walax.com

 CPR/First Aid Classes � There appears to be interest again this year so Tony will ask Tamara from Lakeside School to put on the classes again.  Tamara is a certified CPR/First Aid trainer.

 LAXBASH � Matt Sauri is responsible for this event and Paula Wilkinson has agreed to help matt with the event structure.  Emphasis will be on getting more women involved and perhaps opening it up to a family event.

 LAXFEST � Fred Wilmot and Mark Larson are investigating other field locations for the June event.  The Marymoor fields are not available in 2004.  Three fields are necessary and emphasis will be placed on getting a better turnout from the girls.

 Fields � Kris Snider is the Chapter liaison for fields.  He would like to know what the issues are for fields in the greater Seattle area and who are the contacts for different fields.  Please send the names of your contacts to Kris.  He will be meeting with John Bates with the Seattle Park District next week.

 MLL � First and Goal, the company that manages Seahawk Stadium is interested in bringing MLL to the Seattle area and marketing that venture.  Michael and others will discuss the objectives are and how they want to engage the lacrosse community.

 Newsletter � Mark will be putting out a newsletter that will enhance the visibility of the Chapter and all the programs that the Chapter and USL are responsible for bringing to lacrosse in our state.

 Meetings � Mark is interested in attending both youth and high school lacrosse meetings to get a feeling for what all the issues area in our lacrosse community.  Please send your meeting dates sent to him.