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Participants - John Olsen (Shen), Gary Purcell (Troy), David Dorsey (ADK) Joe Carmola (Scotia), Mike Taylor (Sar.), Dave Sherwood (Maple Hill), Eric Bettinger (Beth), Jim Barriere (Beth), Scott Marr (UAlbany), Gianleo Duca (Col.), Pete Hoffman (GF), Mark Walsh (ADK), George Leveille (ADK), Tom Schwan (BH), Dan DePersis (ADK), Michael Fleisher (Col.), Steve Avveduti (Nisky), Bob Testa (Nisky), Mat Morgan (Nisky), Lisa Olson (BH), Greg Griskowitz (Sar), Mike Vorgang (Nisky), Chuck Holohan (Shen), Joe Romano (Shen), Joe Pollisino (BS), Sheryl Lauria, Steve Maloney (Nisky), Andy St. John (Guild.) 

John Olsen called the meeting to order at 7:03 PM.  John welcomed everyone and thanked them for attending the meeting.  John recapped the 2009 season: 

Positive feedback from the programs and parents:

      Scheduling was a great success

      Referees were greatly appreciated.  90% of the 7-8 grade games were officiated by the CDLOA.

      Pinnie/Short combo were well received

      Player clinic was attended by approx. 80 players. 

Negative feedback from program and parents:

      3 games back to back during the Saturday round robins was too much for the players

      More clinics for players needed

      ADK relationship 

John addressed each of the issues from the 2009 season.  The scheduling will continue in the 2010 season as it was held in the 2009 season.  John Olsen met with John Stiso the head of the CDLOA (official’s organization) and they discussed the possibility of including the 5-6 level round robins.  John Stiso indicated that the officials are ready and willing to be a part of the 2010 season and support the CDYLL at both the 7-8 and 5-6 levels. 

Discussion was held regarding some programs that use high school volunteers who are completing community service to ref the 7-8 grade games.  John indicated that at that level the paid officials are to be used; maybe those volunteers can serve in a different capacity.  Programs that come to play a 7-8 grade game have an expectation to have paid officials. 

The CDYLL will address the issue of round robin scheduling to avoid the back to back game problem.  John mentioned the idea of setting up a committee to lay out guidelines to be used by all of the programs. 

More players’ clinics will be addressed.  John indicated that local colleges should be contacted and clinics organized. 

John attended an ADK meeting in November and indicated that there was positive communication.  John indicated that the 2009 season was positive in the respect that the CDYLL was self-sustaining and made great progress to promote youth lacrosse in the Capital Region, however the 2010 season could be more beneficial to the youth players with a positive relationship with the ADK, it could only be a win/win. 

ADK:  George Leveille addressed the group and provided a brief history and overview of the ADK.  Mr. Leveille distributed a draft of the unification plan.  The ADK currently supports lacrosse in the region by hosting a youth tournament, communicates info through their executive director, hosts Hall of Fame and Honors Banquet, and supports girl’s lacrosse by providing funds and clinics.  Mr. Leveille discussed the possibility of unifying the ADK and CDYLL to help promote youth lacrosse.  The ADK is interested in helping the CDYLL through funding.  Mr. Leveille asked that a unification committee be formed with the chair being Scott Marr from UAlbnay.  ADK would like to have the committee be ½ CDYLL members, ½ ADK members.  The committee is charged with finding ways that the ADK and CDYLL can work together over the next year to see if there is a possibility of the CDYLL coming under the umbrella of the ADK.  Mr. Leveille indicated that there is no need for duplicity and that the ADK can do scheduling, officials, have one board, one financial statement, etc.  Mr. Leveille asked the group:  “How do we work together to unify the organizations?” 

Mr. Leveille noted that the ADK has struggled to keep volunteers engaged long term on their board and that the CDYLL may be a great source of volunteers to help support the chapter.  Mr. Leveille asked that the CDYLL solicit volunteers for two committees to help the ADK, the first is for the unification committee and also a volunteer to sit on the hiring committee for the anticipated Executive Director’s vacancy in January.  The unification committee requirements would be for approximately 5-6 months.  The hiring committee needs to be formed ASAP as the vacancy is soon.  David Dorsey, the current ADK President, presented and discussed the Executive Directors’ position and responsibilities.  

Scott Marr (UAlbany head lacrosse coach) addressed the group and reiterated working together and moving forward for the benefit of youth lacrosse and his commitment to helping to make the ADK’s and CDYLL’s relationship stronger. 

John Olsen thanked the ADK for their time and efforts in being a part of the meeting.  John did ask of the ADK how the girls end is structured and supported and if there was discussion with that leadership as well.  Mr. Leveille indicated that is something that should be and will be addressed as well. 

PINNIES:  Jeff Serge from Breakaway discussed the upcoming season’s pinnie/short process.  Jeff will contact the program directors early and provide them with options for their program’s pinnies with added customization features.  Jeff will work with the programs to develop their artwork and then the programs will approve and then forward their numbers to the CDYLL for their orders to be placed.  Andy St. John discussed the process in which the orders were placed and the pickup of the pinnies.  Unfortunately there were discrepancies in what was ordered directly with Breakaway and what was paid to the CDYLL.  Andy suggested that all of the orders and distribution of the orders be done directly through the CDYLL so as to ensure correct, timely payment.  

Jeff also noted that he is currently working on a new logo for the CDYLL for this season’s pinnies. 

Open Board Positions:  There was discussion regarding the open CDYLL board positions; President and Secretary.  The election process should have been completed at the annual June meeting, however only 5 programs were represented.  Therefore, nominations were solicited from the floor.  John indicated that he and Sheryl were willing to continue with their positions in order to support the CDYLL.  No nominations were presented from the floor from the group and it was agreed that John and Sheryl would remain in their positions as President and Secretary for the 2010 season. 

Upcoming season preparations: 5-6 Round Robin officials, Jamboree guidelines, Rules clarification, CDYLL fees will remain the same as 2009 ($20.00 per player), Scheduling Night, Players & Coaches Clinics. 

Discussion was held regarding teams being balanced as far as ability.  The CDYLL has maintained the position that programs that support more than one team at any given level should try to be equal in ability, so as not to have a team that is so much stronger than the others to ensure parody of play. 

Scheduling will continue for 2010 as it was structured for the 2009 season.  However it is extremely important to have a representative for each team to be involved in the scheduling night so that each team in each program will be able to complete their schedule. 

Volunteers were solicited for the ADK committees that were asked to be formed to support two initiatives; 

The Hiring Committee for the ADK’s Executive Director:  Matt Morgan (Nisky) has stepped up to fill that seat. 

The Unification Committee:  5 CDYLL volunteers stepped up to sit on that committee; Andy St. John (CDYLL-Guild), Steve Avveduti (Nisky), John Olsen (CDYLL-Shen), Pete Hoffman (Glens Falls), Eric Bettinger (Bethelhem) 

The above mentioned volunteers information will be sent immediately to the ADK. 

Important upcoming dates were set for CDYLL business: 

Jan. General CDYLL Meeting:  Jan. 11th, 2010  Location: Blue Room at the BH-BL High School at 7 PM 

February Scheduling Meeting:  Feb. 25th, 2010  Location TBD 

Deadline for Teams Pinnie/Short, CDYLL Fees, etc:  March 17th, 2010 

John Olsen adjourned the meeting at 8:05 PM. 
 
 

Minutes respectfully submitted by

Sheryl Lauria

12/03/09