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Crazy to serve on Soccer Club Board?

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    Crazy to serve on Soccer Club Board?

    I was on an established club board a couple of years ago. That club went through many changes including changing from all volunteers (incl coaches) to paying compensation for certain positions - an administrator, a DOC , a rec program director and paid coaches- all had to be licensed and approved by Bd and DOC- fees tripled- the competative program thrived whild the rec program suffered- the unintended consequence was when you pay certain people for their time the other non compensated people quickly dried up. the less affluent families and rec level people left to play much cheaper sports at the Y or football and baseball which are pretty cheap.- the remaining people will pay the fees but dont expect them to volunteer - should board members be compensated?

    #2
    It depends on how the club is structured. I coached Rec for nine seasons from U-6 to U-14. The club's Rec program subsidized the competitive program. As the competitive teams became more active the Rec program suffered. The club's board looked at the Rec program as a cash cow to be drained. When I left, the Rec numbers were over 1000, now there are less than 500 Rec players. The cow dried up and the "club" teams are sucking air.

    I would structure a club without a distinct Rec vs. competitive program. A Board should create an environment where individual players are not part of a specific team, but members of the club at large. Playing a fixed number of games should not be the goal of the club. Building athletes should be the goal.

    Games between clubs can be easily scheduled to measure team performance. Doing this can control costs. A parent can spend how much they desire to develop their child. Trained volunteers can help develop younger kids and with specific skill sets while paid coaches can develop higher skill sets and team play. Volunteer adults can learn coaching skills as assistants to paid coaches. This experience can be used to coach game play for U-10 and below. Teenage players can learn referree skills monitoring younger players. Making this a go is a pipe dream, but it may be possible.

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      #3
      Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
      I was on an established club board a couple of years ago. That club went through many changes including changing from all volunteers (incl coaches) to paying compensation for certain positions - an administrator, a DOC , a rec program director and paid coaches- all had to be licensed and approved by Bd and DOC- fees tripled- the competative program thrived whild the rec program suffered- the unintended consequence was when you pay certain people for their time the other non compensated people quickly dried up. the less affluent families and rec level people left to play much cheaper sports at the Y or football and baseball which are pretty cheap.- the remaining people will pay the fees but dont expect them to volunteer - should board members be compensated?
      As a member of a soccer club or any other non-profit board of directors, I would never seek or accept compensation.

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        #4
        Are these people truely on the board? Or are they people that have to go to the board meetings - those that have voice but no vote? This is the way many clubs have gone that recognize that they are just parents with no true soccer knowledge other than their own family experience. The paid people are the pros that report on their departments and make requests to the board for support in their particular program. This sounds like a club that is trying to progress to a more successful enterprise. Many times the clubs like this get their "volunteers" from the scholarship recipients.

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          #5
          The consideration of compensation must go "hand in hand" with accountability, job descriptions and responsibilities that are adhered to, and competency. The willingness to serve, in and of itself, does not justify compensation.

          Can a non-profit youth competitive select/travel soccer club find competent Board members willing to be held accountable for their governance? Can a club justify Board member compensation with a "return on investment" to its players/members with positive improvements and results? From where do the monies come from for a club to transition from volunteer to paid Board members? Increased player/member club fees? Once compensated, the club assumes greater liability for compensated persons' actions on behalf of the club (been there, done that, a "can of worms" to say the least).

          Perhaps in lieu of paid compensation, key club management "volunteer" persons receive reduced club fees or exemption from club fees for their player(s) during their time of service - provided such persons uphold their responsibilities.

          Comment


            #6
            Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
            The consideration of compensation must go "hand in hand" with accountability, job descriptions and responsibilities that are adhered to, and competency. The willingness to serve, in and of itself, does not justify compensation.

            Can a non-profit youth competitive select/travel soccer club find competent Board members willing to be held accountable for their governance? Can a club justify Board member compensation with a "return on investment" to its players/members with positive improvements and results? From where do the monies come from for a club to transition from volunteer to paid Board members? Increased player/member club fees? Once compensated, the club assumes greater liability for compensated persons' actions on behalf of the club (been there, done that, a "can of worms" to say the least).

            Perhaps in lieu of paid compensation, key club management "volunteer" persons receive reduced club fees or exemption from club fees for their player(s) during their time of service - provided such persons uphold their responsibilities.
            As a member of a non-profit soccer club board of directors, I would not seek or accept compensation, nor would I seek or accept a reduction of, or exemption from, club dues. A volunteer is just that and nothing less. Without any question, a volunteer board member is just as accountable to club members, players and employees as highly compensated board members.

            Comment


              #7
              Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
              Without any question, a volunteer board member is just as accountable to club members, players and employees as highly compensated board members.
              You are living in a fantasy world. Many only wish that was true.

              In too many clubs, some volunteer Board members influence club policies, etc. toward their own self interest or "what's best for my player(s)" rather than "what's best for the club".

              Whereas a volunteer may have some accountability, when being compensated with club monies, only the club's best interest can be served, lest compensation be revoked, i.e., "you're fired".

              Those compensated must "face the music" when called upon. Too often, volunteers run and hide.

              A recent fiasco involving a NE FL club is a classic example of how just un-accountable volunteer Board members can be.

              Comment


                #8
                Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
                You are living in a fantasy world. Many only wish that was true.

                In too many clubs, some volunteer Board members influence club policies, etc. toward their own self interest or "what's best for my player(s)" rather than "what's best for the club".

                Whereas a volunteer may have some accountability, when being compensated with club monies, only the club's best interest can be served, lest compensation be revoked, i.e., "you're fired".

                Those compensated must "face the music" when called upon. Too often, volunteers run and hide.

                A recent fiasco involving a NE FL club is a classic example of how just un-accountable volunteer Board members can be.
                A soccer club's bylaws should restrict any member of the board of directors from voting on (or even advocating for or against) any issue which may provide that board member an opportunity for any form of gain or loss and should provide a method by which the club's members can terminate the tenure of any board member after appropriate vote.

                Again, without any question, a volunteer board member is just as accountable to club members, players and employees as highly compensated board members. However, it is up to the club members to elect the right board members and then keep an eye on their activities.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
                  A soccer club's bylaws should restrict any member of the board of directors from voting on (or even advocating for or against) any issue which may provide that board member an opportunity for any form of gain or loss and should provide a method by which the club's members can terminate the tenure of any board member after appropriate vote.

                  Again, without any question, a volunteer board member is just as accountable to club members, players and employees as highly compensated board members. However, it is up to the club members to elect the right board members and then keep an eye on their activities.
                  At Sunshine Soccer Club, someone is injured as the result of an improperly anchored goal. The injured party files suit, (ex negligence) against Sunshine Soccer Club and its governing Board.

                  Are all volunteer board members accountable? Are all volunteer board members insured by the club to help insulate them against personal liability in such a circumstance?

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
                    At Sunshine Soccer Club, someone is injured as the result of an improperly anchored goal. The injured party files suit, (ex negligence) against Sunshine Soccer Club and its governing Board.

                    Are all volunteer board members accountable? Are all volunteer board members insured by the club to help insulate them against personal liability in such a circumstance?
                    FYSA obtains liability insurance which will cover its member clubs and the volunteer board members and employees of its member clubs for exactly that kind of tort lawsuit.

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
                      FYSA obtains liability insurance which will cover its member clubs and the volunteer board members and employees of its member clubs for exactly that kind of tort lawsuit.
                      However, not finding Sunshine Soccer Club listed as a member of FYSA, I hope your club has either affilated with some other parent organization with similar coverage or has obtained its own liability insurance coverage.

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Irs

                        its not just personal injury or sexual or other assault and battery at issue-the IRS has beem auditing youth sports clubs in our areaand finding many issues- not filing returns- paying staff under the table, imbezzelment, staff not reporting income-issues with general accounting, sales taxes at concessions and similar-board members have a damnb lot of personal liability-

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
                          However, not finding Sunshine Soccer Club listed as a member of FYSA, I hope your club has either affilated with some other parent organization with similar coverage or has obtained its own liability insurance coverage.
                          It was a hypothetical example, you silly goose. Surely you didn't spend time scouring the FYSA webite (and elsewhere) for "Sunshine Soccer Club".

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
                            It was a hypothetical example, you silly goose. Surely you didn't spend time scouring the FYSA webite (and elsewhere) for "Sunshine Soccer Club".
                            I was happy to provide the insurance coverage information, glad that it was only a hypothetical club and pleased that it only took a few seconds to go to FYSA.com, click "Contacts," click "Clubs," simultaneously hit Control and F and then type "Sunshine." Oh, and bye the way, you're welcome.

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Originally posted by Unregistered View Post
                              its not just personal injury or sexual or other assault and battery at issue-the IRS has beem auditing youth sports clubs in our areaand finding many issues- not filing returns- paying staff under the table, imbezzelment, staff not reporting income-issues with general accounting, sales taxes at concessions and similar-board members have a damnb lot of personal liability-
                              Now that certain people get paid or their kids fees waived you are a SUCKER to be on the board as a volunteer

                              Comment

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