Eastside Little League: Board Meeting Minutes

Eastside Little League

Board Meeting Minutes

October 7, 2008

Present at meeting: Caragh McDowell, Shawna Mowery, Gary Tomlinson, Scott Kaminskas, Deb Horecka and Mike McDowell

President Report – Caragh handed out copies of an e-mail from George.  He thinks we need to promote the boundaries we currently have and should not try to re-align our boundaries at this time. 

Discussion:

• There are not enough girls for fast-pitch softball at this time. 
• Our understanding is that Challenger is supposed to be District not League sponsored. 
• Are the school counts in the e-mail accurate?  We only have Otis Orchards, East Farms, Skyview, Liberty Lake, ½ of Greenacres and possibly Trentwood Elementary Schools.  We have Mountain View and ½ of Greenacres Middle Schools. 
• CVLL has opened registration for 2009.  This could be part of the reason behind George’s decision. 
• We would still like to try for all of Greenacres Middle School.  We need to collect data and statistics to clear up any confusion and allow for an informed decision.
• We need to market and recruit our area better.

A motion was made to adopt the minutes from our September meeting.  We voted to accept the minutes as written.

The laptop was repaired for $135.00.

Fundraisers for 2009 season were revisited.  We discussed an e-bay auction.  It was decided that Scott will talk to Meadow Wood Golf Course and Men’s Club about a golf tournament.  Scott will chief this idea and will lay out our options for a golf tournament and silent auction.

Registration fees for 2009 were re-visited.  The following fees were proposed:

• T-Ball & A - $95.00 regular  $89.00 early  $20.00 late fee
• AA through Majors - $105.00 regular  $99.00 early  $20.00 late fee
• Juniors - $120.00 regular  $115.00 early  $20.00 late fee

Shawna made a motion to accept the proposed registration fees.  Scott seconded the motion.  Unanimous vote to adopt the fees.

It was proposed that board members don’t have to pay registration fees for their children or that we have a volunteer discount.  These ideas were unanimously denied.

The storage bin is still at Mountain View.  It needs picked up and the concession stand needs cleaned out before winter.  We will try for this Saturday at 4:00.

The storage bins need to be drilled and bracketed to reinforce them.  If done right, they should last another season.

There are 5 pitching machines.  Three are in storage.  One is at Deb Horecka’s house and one is at the Spindlove’s house.  We need to send another e-mail requesting equipment to be returned.

It was proposed that we provide a multiple child discount.  Buy 2, get the 3^rd 50% off was discussed.  Also discussed was 15% off the total registration with multiple children.  Shawna made a motion to accept the 15% discount.  Scott seconded the motion.  All said yes.

Field update – We are negotiating with Liberty Lake for the use of Pavillion Park.  We will have to provide temporary fencing.  The estimated cost of the fencing is $1,600.00.  We think Safeco is set for next year.

Do we want to open online registration now?  Yes.  Let’s have Frank set it up at his earliest convenience.

Food for thought –

• AAA evaluation and draft since we keep scores and standings
• What age is eligible for the draft?
• Complete re-draft for Majors
• Refer a friend discount if you refer a new player to the league
• Marketing ideas
• A timeline and schedule for the 2009 season

Registration dates and deadlines were decided on.  They are as follows:

Early Registration is now through January 31st

Regular Registration is February 1^st through February 28^th

Late Registration is March 1^st through 14^th

Juniors is open now through May, deadlines TBD at our next meeting

Our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 4^th. 

Eastside Little League

Board Meeting Minutes

November 18, 2008

Present at meeting: Caragh McDowell, Shawna Mowery, Jenni Tomlinson, Scott Kaminskas, Steve Callahan, Rich Wells, and Mike McDowell

President Report –

• There will be a District 13 meeting on Thursday at 6:30 P.M.  Anyone wishing to attend with Caragh is welcome.  Let her know if you are planning to attend.
• There will be a District sponsored Coaches Clinic offered for $240.00 to $300.00, price yet to be determined.

Treasurer Report –

• We received a check for $500.00 for our participation in the Spokane Indians fundraiser.
• Our new charter fees arrived in the mail.  We need to pay soon.  Caragh made a motion to pay the pre-filled in figures based on last year’s numbers.  We can pay any difference once our numbers are set after registration.  Shawna seconded the motion.  All voted yes.

Secretary Report –

• A motion was made to adopt the minutes from our October meeting.  We voted to accept the minutes as written.
• Sponsorships are slow to come in.

Timeline –

• Walk-in Registration Dates
  1. Saturday, January 24^th at two locations – Liberty Lake Sewer & Water District from 1:00-5:00 & Harvard Animal Hospital from 10:00-1:00
  2. Saturday, February 7^th at two locations – Liberty Lake Sewer & Water District from 1:00-5:00 & Harvard Animal Hospital from 10:00-1:00
  3. Saturday, February 21^st at two locations – Liberty Lake Sewer & Water District from 1:00-5:00 & Harvard Animal Hospital from 10:00-1:00
  4. Saturday, February 28^th if needed

• March 14^th – Tryouts
• March 16^th – Major Draft
• March 17^th – AAA Draft
• March 18^th – AA Draft
• March 19^th – A Draft
• March 20^th – T-Ball Draft
• March 23^rd – Practice Begins
• April 18^th – Opening Day

Caragh made a motion to accept the calendar in progress as it is written.  Shawna seconded the motion and all voted yes.

Should AAA have a standard evaluation system and draft?  Discussion went around the table covering pros and cons.  Shawna made a motion to create and utilize a standard evaluation form for AAA.  Mike seconded the motion.  All voted yes.  Scott will work on creating this system.

Should the Majors Division have a complete re-draft?  Little League is going to require a re-draft starting in 2010.  This season is optional and up to individual league discretion.  Discussion of pros and cons went around the table.  Shawna made a motion to have a complete Majors re-draft.  Caragh seconded.  Shawna, Rich, Steve and Mike voted yes.  Scott abstained.  Jenni said wait for next year.  A complete re-draft will take place starting the 2009 season.

Shawna made a motion that there is a mandatory try-out for any player age 10-years old and up.  Mike seconded the motion.  All said yes.

Our parent-participation fundraiser will be a Golf Tournament and Auction.  We would like it to take place on Saturday, May 23^rd.  If that day is booked, June 6^th will work.  Tee time will be 10:00 A.M.  Scott is planning the details.  Shawna will work on donations of prizes and auction items.

Committee Chiefs were decided as follows:

• All-Stars – Tonja Peha and Gary Tomlinson
• Banners – Laura Weingarz
• Closing Ceremony – Caragh McDowell
• Concessions – Caragh McDowell
• Equipment – Rich Wells & Shawna Mowery
• Field Maintenance – Scott Kaminskas
• Coaches – Mike McDowell
• Fundraisers – Scott Kaminskas
• Nominating Committee – Jenni & Gary Tomlinson
• Volunteer Coordinator/ On-Call – Shawna Mowery
• Protest Committee/ Questions & Comments – Caragh McDowell & Rich Wells
• Registration – Tonja Peha
• Safety – Brett Hatcher
• Schedule – Deb Horecka
• Team Assignments – Gary Tomlinson
• Background Checks – Shane Brickner
• Team Parents – Cris Kaminskas
• Sponsorships – Shawna Mowery
• Umpires – David St. John
• Web Master – Kellie Mullin
• Fileds Acquisition – Jenni Tomlinson
• Uniforms – Kert Carlson

Field Update –

• Jenni is working on a written agreement for Safeco and Pavillion Park.
• Jenni needs an excavating bid for Pavillion Park’s field.  Rich set a meeting for 7:30 Wednesday morning with a person he uses and recommends.

To re-visit at our next meeting:

• Finish the Calendar
• Flyers for schools and to hand out while we are watching our children play basketball, soccer, wrestling and other youth activities
• Magnetic signs
• Refer a Friend Discount for new players only
• How to work Opening Day and pictures as we will not be holding ceremonies this year

Our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 2^nd at 6:00 since Palenques closes early.

Eastside Little League

Board Meeting Minutes

December 2, 2008

Present at meeting: Caragh McDowell, Shawna Mowery, Gary Tomlinson, Scott Kaminskas, Steve Callahan, Rich Wells, and Mike McDowell

President Report –

• The District 13 meeting was attended by Caragh.  Items discussed were as follows:
  • The District Administrator position may be opening as George may step down.  His replacement must be nominated.  Start thinking of potential candidates.
  • District needs are a Treasurer and a Rep from our league for fundraising
  • District has requested a rep from our league to be present at the District-hosted Softball Tournament.  We should provide a rep even if we don’t have softball.
  • Dave Cherry says they are breaking ground for SSLL complex.  They will share with the River Hawks.
  • Volunteer applications for board members must be turned in ASAP.  They can be downloaded from the website.  The A on the volunteer badge will be gold this year.
  • March 16-17 ~ A district sponsored coaches clinic will be offered.  The cost per league will be $236.36.  This fee allows every coach within our league to attend and participate.  The first day will be T-ball to AA.  The second day will be AAA – Majors.
  • Dates TBD – An umpire clinic will be offered for a fee of $45.00.  Unlimited umpires from our league can attend.
  • A district rep will be present at all drafts.
  • ESLL has been invited by SSLL to an end-of-the-season tournament.  This met with a resounding YES from everyone present.
  • ESLL has been invited by South, North, Mead and Post Falls to inter-league for Juniors.  This too met with approval.
  • Will Juniors play on a 54/80 or 60/90 field?  The decision needs to be made by January.

VP Report –

• A definite date for the golf tournament will be set in the spring once the course re-opens.
• The evaluation form is in progress.
• A sponsor has been found for the golf tournament.

Treasurer Report –

• The budget for the 2008 & 2009 seasons must be audited and turned into District 13 by December 18^th.  Deb and Caragh are working on this.

Secretary Report –

• Caragh made a motion to adopt the minutes from our November meeting.  We voted to accept the minutes as written.
• Sponsors – Liberty Lake Athletic Club and Kidds Dental

The 2009 Bi-laws are due by January 15^th for Regional approval.  Please read the current bi-laws on the website and be ready to tackle at our next meeting.

There will be a Positive Coaching Webinar offered on December 10^th or 12^th.  The date will be confirmed and last year’s coaches will be invited to view.

Little League International has clarified the pitching rule – if a pitcher throws under 40 pitches, he/she can catch.

Beginning with our January meetings, we will meet twice a month until the season starts.

Gary will look for a flyer that can be tweaked with the 2009 Season info.

The Team Picture schedule will be determined when the full game schedule is completed.

Shawna made a motion to accept a Refer-a-Friend Discount. Gary seconded and all approved.  The Refer-a-Friend Discount will be offered for new players only.  The new player must complete a form and turn it in at one of the walk-in registration locations.  The form MUST be attached to the registration form for the referral to be processed.  The referring friend will get a $5.00 discount for each player he/she refers.  There is no limit on the number of players referred or discounts offered.

Liberty Lake Pavillion Park field questions – Must the fence be removed after games end each day or at the end of the season?  What is the update on field status for the 2009 season?

The Charter was completed and a check was written.  Shawna will mail after the meeting.

To re-visit at our next meeting:

• Bi-Laws
• Flyers for schools and to hand out while we are watching our children play basketball, soccer, wrestling and other youth activities
• Magnetic signs
• Sponsors
• Dirt donations
• Field maintenance

Our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 6^th at 6:00 since Palenques closes early.

Eastside Little League

Board Meeting Minutes

January 8, 2009

Present at meeting: Caragh McDowell, Shawna Mowery, Gary Tomlinson, Scott Kaminskas, Deb Horecka, and Mike McDowell

President Report – Nothing new to report

VP Report –

• June 6^th is looking like the best day for the golf tournament & silent auction, but we will set in stone with golf course this spring.
• The evaluation form is done.  Scott will e-mail it to a few coaches for input and fine tune it.

Treasurer Report –

• The budget has been submitted for review.

Secretary Report –

• Caragh made a motion to adopt the minutes from our December meeting.  We voted to accept the minutes as written.
• Sponsors – Are very slow coming in.  Everyone is either saying “not right now” or “the check is in the mail”

Melanie will re-vamp our flyer and postcards for printing.

Kellie Mullin has stepped down from the Web Master position.  Shawna will try to tweak the site while waiting for someone who knows what he/she is doing.

A unanimous decision was made to start AAA & Majors in April with T-ball, A, & AA starting 1 month later.  This will push registration dates etc back for the little guys.

The bi-laws for T-ball, A, AA, AAA, and Majors were reviewed and amended.  Gary will type up and submit for approval.

Things to work on:

• Flyers
• Sponsors
• Dirt donations
• Signs to stake in ground.  Shawna to look at pricing and turn around time for printing.
• Referral form to have at walk-in registration sites
• Get web-site passwords, etc. 
• Find a new Web Master
• Field update

To re-visit at our next meeting:

• Bi-Laws
• Flyers for schools and to hand out while we are watching our children play basketball, soccer, wrestling and other youth activities
• Signs
• Sponsors
• Dirt donations
• Field maintenance
• Review Calendar

Our next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 22^nd at 6:00 since Palenques closes early.