Jan. 27, 2009

Eight members of the Diablo FC board of directors were elected last night to one- or two-year terms of office at the conclusion of the club`s 2009 Annual General Meeting at Contra Costa Water District headquarters in Concord.

In attendance were team managers, coaches, parents, referees and board members. Club president Dan Olavarri conducted the meeting and led a lively, wide-ranging discussion about volunteerism, referee pay and team requirements, tournaments, financial aid and club fund-raising events. The board will be taking comments from the AGM into consideration as it sets 2009 season policies and fees.

Treasurer Rick Fox presented the 2008 financial statement for the club as well as the proposed 2009 budget, which the board will be finalizing in the coming weeks. The treasurer reported that Diablo FC exceeded its estimated 2008 expenditures because of several one-time expenses related to the merger between Diablo Valley Soccer Club and Mt. Diablo Soccer League, which was officially ratified at last January`s AGM. The shortfall was made up by "seed money" MDSL and DVSC contributed to Diablo FC at the time of the merger.
The board also discussed the current economic climate in the country and the need to be very careful in the budgeting process. Fox reported that between budgeted financial aid and the new Hope Fund, Diablo FC provided over $50,000 in funds to needy players in 2008. The expectation is there will be even more requests for financial aid in 2009.

Olavarri stated that research done by board member Jay Bedecarre shows many youth soccer tournaments (especially this fall and winter) have been cancelled due to low registration or conducted with less than half the normal number of teams participating. Diablo FC has committed to host the same five tournaments (plus Concord Cup) that it did this past year. The president explained, "We feel it is important to make every attempt to host these tournaments, which are a major source of club funding and also an opportunity for our teams to play a tournament `at home.’ Perhaps there will be less competition for teams if other clubs cancel their events! We think it is much better to continue to hold tournaments rather than cancel for a year or two and then try to start up again."

Club tournament director Cheryl Yasutake stated that the upcoming 10th annual Diablo Cup is a little behind past year`s registration levels. She attributed part of that to the conversion of the State Cup tune up tournament March 14-15 from CYSA to US Club Soccer sanctioning.

Chairman Fox introduced Gina Paff, who is helping sell tickets to the annual Crab Feed Feb. 13. She stated that several teams in the club have yet to get their tickets.

Gene Dolan announced the Diablo FC Benefit Golf Tournament, the club`s other major annual fund raiser, will be held at Diablo Creek Golf Course in Concord on Friday, Oct. 9. The board is committed to keeping club volunteer requirements to these two fund raisers plus teams working at the Diablo FC soccer tournament for their age group and providing a minimum of two referees per team.

The AGM audience had a lengthy discussion with the board about having more families participate in various club activities such as the golf tournament and crab feed, which rely on volunteer assistance. Olavarri introduced Thomas Alford, recently appointed to the position of volunteer coordinator. He will be working as a liaison between the board and club teams to schedule and track volunteer participation. He is currently working with vice president Paul Kitchell to coordinate player tryouts, which begin Feb. 14-15 for Under 9 through Under 14 teams that will play in the 2009-2010 season.

Alex Delgado, assistant referee administrator, announced the club will be setting dates for a USSF referee course for early in the summer. There was a discussion about the possibility of the club paying referees to officiate league games. Diablo FC paid referees to work at many of its tournaments this past season but used all volunteers for all league and cup games hosted by the club. The board is weighing the pay proposal from referee administrator Tom Romolino and how it would impact the budget and the potential for securing more advanced referees.

Olavarri was elected to a two-year term as club vice president at last year`s AGM and thus was not standing for election this year. The balance of the founding 2008 club board was comprised of existing DVSC and MDSL board members. Club President Lisa Price resigned last fall after the merger was completed. She was replaced on the board by Delgado with Olavarri taking over as president and Kitchell vice president.

At a recent Diablo FC board meeting, board members seeking election drew to determine who would run for one-year terms (calendar year 2009) and who would be up for two years (2009-2010). Approximately half the teams in the club cast ballots, secretary Heather Shaw announced.

Elected to one-year terms were:

Jay Bedecarre - Publicity, Website & Marketing
Gene Dolan - Field Equipment & Golf Tournament
Rick Fox - Treasurer & Crab Feed

Elected to two-year terms were:

Alex Delgado - Assistant Referee Administrator
Paul Kitchell - Vice President, Field Scheduling & Tryouts
Tom Romolino - Referee Administrator
Heather Shaw - Secretary
Cheryl Yasutake - Tournament Director & Super Y-League