2008 AGM News
The Annual General Meeting of the State Council featured an agenda that brought about lengthy discussions about the direction of the Youth Division moving into the future.  The discussion was brought on by proposed amendments to the PA West Soccer Bylaws and Youth Division Organizational Rules, as well as election of the Vice President-Youth.

The 2008-09 budget was passed unanimously.  It includes fees of 11.50 for in-house players, 12.50 for travel players, and  an increase in classic team registration fees to $350.00.

Amendments approved were Bylaw 10.10, Youth Organizational Rules 23.8(d), 23.6.C(c), and 23.8.

Bylaw 10.10 was unanimously approved.  The amendment permits the state coaching staff to chose between background checks provided by the Commonwealth of PA and those available through PA West Soccer’s background check program.

Amendment to Youth Division Organizational Rule 23.8 (d) was approved unanimously.  The change more clearly established the ability of district and division directors to recommend and accept teams crossing over into a different district or division.

In a close vote, 23.6.C(c) was approved.  The amendment set a membership limit of 12 teams for the Classic Division with some enrollment growth consideration.  The amendment brought about a lengthy debate that raised the issue of how to best meet the needs of the players, both those seeking higher levels of training and competition and those seeking a place to play.

Youth Division Organizational Rule 23.8 was unanimously accepted.  It was a housekeeping rule to more clearly word the rule.

A proposed amendment to 23.7 (g) was defeated after much discussion about the rule and its wording.  The amendment to the Youth Division Organizational Rule was intended to provide more concise guidance to the length of time a club must wait after being suspended for failing to comply with the requirements of membership.

An amendment to 8.5.4 of the Bylaws was withdrawn due to a potential conflict with other Bylaws and Organizational Rules.

The elections saw Jim Van Kirk and Dave Koebler join the Executive Board as Members At large.  They replace Mark Troscinski and Dave Derry.  Dave Derry replaced Tom Beecher who, as promised, chose not to run for re-election after 13 years in the Treasurers seat.  Stan Hunter was re-elected as the Vice President-Youth narrowly winning over Thilo Boensch who currently serves as the West District Director.

Each of the candidates echoed a theme of making positive change as we move forward.  Our current club designation and league structure was the focus of much of the discussion.

PA West Soccer Awards Luncheon News
The annual celebration of PA West Soccer’s best and brightest was held on March 16 at Slippery Rock University.  Awards and honors were given to players, coaches, referees, and volunteers who has made outstanding contributions to the game during the past year.

Coach of the Year Award winners were Greg Starcevic (In-house), Riad Asafahani (Boys Travel), Bob Smith and Walt Dukewich (Co-Girls Travel), Brian Shrum (Girls Classic) and Dan Brower (Boys Travel).  These coaches were nominated by their players or players’ parents for their efforts in the lives of the children they coach.

Polly Dell’Omo was honored as the Volunteer of the Year for her efforts in collecting and distributing soccer gear during trips to Central America.  A third trip for later this spring is in the works.

Samantha Polito and Neil Sain were recognized as the Female and Male Young Referee of the Year respectively.  District awards were given to Teddy Anderson (East), Shannon Bishop and Chris Munroe (Lake), Michael Gezo (North), and Erin Sager and Andrew Lippert (West).

George Allan Scholarship recipients for 2008 are Tiffany Oliver and Stephen Mildner.  Each receives a $1000.00 scholarship to the college of their choice.

Twenty members of PA West Soccer ODP program were recognized for their inclusion in Regional and National team programs.  Among those in attendance were Alexa Thompson, Shelly Spamer, Megan Mischler, Caroline Keefer, and Taylor Schram.  Those not in attendance were Brittany Contacos, Carly Lewandowski, Samantha Kovarik, Mallory Schaffer, Rachel Middleman, Makenzie Shearson, Mia Chiatto, Hannah Tatro, Kayla Eckman, Jackie Molinda, Maria Lanyi, Samantha Valloud, Drew Klingenberg, Greg Weimer, Andy Lubahn, Nathan Sharbaugh, and Shane Pruitt. 

Tom Beecher and Larry Solomon were honored for their many years of service on the Executive Board, as well as their other roles in PA West Soccer.

Executive Board Meeting Notes
January 28,2008
-A Field Committee was formed. Keith Renner, Dave Derry, and Joe Paradise volunteered to serve.
-The Board agreed to move forward with the Classic Division’s proposal to hire a part-time employee to serve as Classic Division Administrator. The position will be funded by the clubs participating in the Classic Division. A committee was formed to work with the Classic Division to finalize a job description and interview potential candidates. Keith Renner, Joe Paradise, and Natalie Schwoeble will serve on the committee. Stan Hunter will act as a liaison between the Executive Board and the Classic Division.
-The Board voted to propose a housekeeping amendment section 10.10 of the Youth Division to permit clearances other than Act 33/151 for coaching personnel.
-the Board voted to permit links to the Adult Registration and Adult Tournament web sites be added to the Adult portion of the PA West Soccer web site as an exception to the current policy limiting links to outside web sites.
-The Board voted to approve an increase of the adult registration fee to 30.00 from 20.00.
-Tom Beecher presented the final numbers from the 2006-2007 Budget and the annual audit.
-The Board approved an amendment to the proposed 2008-2009 Budget setting Classic Division fees at per team rates of 275.00 for each U11 team and 350.00 for each U12-U19 team instead of the proposed per player fee.
-The Board approved the amended proposed budget for 2008-2009 with projected income of 1,657,116.00, projected expenditures of 1, 668,143.00, and a Net of -11,027.00.
-Approved moving forward with switching the PA West Soccer web site to a content manager system at a savings of around 3200.00.
-Approved processing two outstanding requests for In-house Development Funds that were submitted before the fund was closed due to lack of money.
-Denied activating links to the PA West Soccer district/division web sites.
-A Tech Committee of Dave Derry, Norm Hasbrouck and Tim McCoy was formed.

Executive Board Notes
September 24, 2007
--The Board approved the appointment of Tim McCoy as the Chairman of the US Youth Soccer Convention Host Committee. 
--The Board approved the purchase of a new desk top for the Coaching Department from Executive Microcomputer Services.
--Norm Hasbrouck was appointed to Chair the Executive Board Nomination Committee.

Executive Board Notes
July 16, 2007
--The Board approved pursuing a lease to buy or purchase on a location in Carnegie for the State Office relocation.
--The Board approved accepting a bid for youth insurance from Pullen Insurance for the 2007-2008 season.
--The Board approved having Century V present an appeal to their disciplinary action and a proposal for compliance to avoid future problems with meets the requirements of membership.
--Set the date for the next meeting on August 27, 2007 at 7:15 PM.

ABOUT THE PA WEST SOCCER ASSOCIATION

Pennsylvania West State Soccer Association (PA West) is the National State Association of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF), the United State Youth Soccer Association (USYSA), and the United States Amateur Soccer Association (USASA).  It is a not-for-profit Pennsylvania corporation, allowing tax deductible donations and contributions to the fullest extent of the law. PA West State Soccer Association has a current membership of over 60,000 youth players, 2,000 amateur adult players, 7,000 active coaches, 2,300 referees and thousands of volunteers involved in its network of over 120 local member clubs (and growing) across the western half of the state of Pennsylvania.  The State Association's boundaries are the western border of Pennsylvania east to the eastern boundaries of  Potter, Clinton, Centre, Huntingdon, and Fulton counties. PA West Soccer Association is organized to provide non-profit, public, educational soccer development and competition.  Its leadership is comprised of a Board of Directors in which both the Youth Board and Amateur Board are represented.  The organization's offices are located in Monroeville, PA, just outside of Pittsburgh, offering a full-time staff of five to assist its membership. PA West Soccer Association offers in-house programs for U5 to U19 and travel programs for U10 to U19.  The Classic Division is offered for U12 to U19 players seeking a higher level of play. TOPSoccer offers soccer programs designed for children with disabilities.  PA West State Olympic Teams identify players for regional and national team consideration.  Amateur leagues are available for the adult player and adult Amateur Select teams provide opportunities for regional and national tournament play.

PA West Soccer Association members receive numerous benefits and services to support their club activities.  The association offers coaching license programs, player development clinics, referee training and certification courses, referee development and assessment, a variety of tournaments, a State Association newspaper - Touchline, a video library, medical and liability insurance, and much more.