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[Flip Flop]

 

[goldengoal]

Will someone please clearly state what Ben S. was accused of, something obviously bad enough to warrant the state involvement.  I understand there wasn't enough evidence in the matter to find fault, but I am tired of people dancing around what this guy was accused of doing.  Let's hear it.  If you don't want to post on the forum, then PM me...tell me in the PM if you would like me to post the information or not and I'll do as you wish.  My DD's club has a history of absorbing great coaches, so I'd like to know the scoop.  

HE HIT A GIRL ( HIS U13 TEAM),THATS WHAT I HEARD.

Didn't someone say he just "bonked" a dk's ponytail in the heat of the game?



That's what I'd read "above" and wanted to make sure it was "high lighted" again because the "hit a kid" comment is harsh compared w/ what was said in comparison about the ponytail comment.

This really needs to be put to rest because it's pretty dramatic for the 13 year old girls involved - especially when they love and admire their coach (which most young girls do at that age and this level of contact w/an adult in this authority position).

NO BODY CONTACT, NO PONYTAIL BONKING - NOTHING HAPPENED. 
PLEASE, FOR THE RECORD, MAKE THAT VERY VERY CLEAR. 
EVERY SINGLE ALLEGATION HAD WRITTEN TESTIMONY BY PARENTS, BYSTANDERS, AND OTHER COACHES THAT PROVED ALL ALLEGATIONS WERE FALSE.

** ONE CRAZY MOTHER, ONE TERRIBLE STORY.  THEY ARE THE ONES HAVING NIGHTMARES.  THE REST OF US WILL SLEEP WELL NOW!

YES, THE GIRLS LOVE THEIR COACH.  THE PARENTS SUPPORT THEIR COACH.   ONE EXCELLENT COACH.  END OF STORY.

are you flip flopping? JK trying to add a little humor to this since everyone is up tight about this. Does not matter who did what, the problem is that you have a hierachy system in place and when you try to destroy it, it is like mutiny. Can you imagine if the government employees or military (coaches), who do most of the government work for the people (players)tried to replace congress and the senate (Board) by asking people to revote or revolt? Not good, but sometimes it is necessary if the congress and the President is not looking out for the interest of the people(players). Not so sure of the entire story, but this is how I see it. Hard part is when the board has a conflict of interest with the people(players on the club).

[onthebench]

 

[Sage Dancer]

How many ways are we (adults) going to find to ruin this game for our kids?  Seriously.  Can't we all just get out of the way and let them play? PLAY!

I am watching my kid play her few remaining games.  For all of you who have many seasons ahead - they will pass so quickly.  Please just enjoy your kids, and their teammates, and the game (if you can avoid hypothermia).  This sort of nonsense drives kids from the game - they're smart - they have better things to do with their time and talent than to commit to unstable organizations. 

Realistically, I know that when adults + money+ competition intersect, politics will rear its ugly head.  But issues of compliance with Board By-Laws can be dealt with effectively by anyone who has an elementary education in non-profit board management.  The same applies to the best composition of a volunteer board, hiring and firing lead administrative personnel, balancing budgets, and so on.  I know nothing about the brou-ha-ha over at NWN other than what I read here, but I must say that Cliff McGrath's letter implies a great deal of experience and competence with governance (and I understand he knows a bit about soccer, too).  Everyone stands to gain if NWN gets their ducks in a row. 

Let's wish them well, shall we?

SD

[onthebench]

 

[kevchenko]

For the purpose of clarity can we have the identities of the people posting these allegations?

It only seems fair as now we have the names of the accused. 

This isn't the United States of Arabia; if you were innocent until proven guilty and if a case it dismissed for lack of evidence it means that there was so little supporting evidence, it isn't even worth pursuing. 

Last time I checked the purpose of an internet forum was more for discussing whether contestant X is cute and should be voted off American Idol than wether someone is guilty of a crime. 

If these posters are the last great whistle blowers, name yourself, or at least don't drag other people's names through the mud when they have no ability to respond.

Not that I don't like all this soap opera drama, I just want to keep the names either all to the imagination or have all the info.  I want the peanut butter and jelly or nothing. 

[April]

Okay, here goes.  I am a NWN parent who is incredibly sad about this whole thing.  I expect there are many of us.  Here’s a little about me and my family, so you have an idea where I’m coming from.   My kids are not the soccer world’s next superstar.  They are like most of the kids on the field.  Great kids who love soccer, listen to their coach, work hard, and support their teammates and who have never caused trouble on any team they’ve been on.  You can count on one hand the times we have talked to our kid’s coaches.  They do their own talking on the field.  We come to watch, and hope they have fun and do something they can be proud of as they walk to the car afterwards.  While we are there we cheer for each kid on the team.  We do not go to the bars to schmooze the coach while very nicely throwing the other kids on the team under the bus in an effort to get our kid into the position we think they should play.   No sport is worth giving up your good character. 

Here’s where it will get tricky, and where the backlash will come in.   I think defending those you believe in is an admirable trait.  Those of you who have come here to do so for others, please remember that you should also respect that right in the rest of us.  All I would like is a chance to show a different side to the BOD you have talked about here.   Tonight my son spent his evening at a private technical training offered to his entire team twice a month.  It is paid for completely by a family on our team, one of whom is also on the NWN Board.  What do they get from offering this to our entire team?  What benefits them by offering it free of charge to every boy?  I can’t think of a thing they get out of it.   They could spend that money on personal training for just their kid, like many parents do.  Instead, all year long, our boys have had access to free skill training that only benefits each of them as an individual player.  This family has chaperoned so many kids whose families can’t easily carry the cost of traveling with their child.  It’s these families who benefit from their willingness to help, not them, because anyone who has served as a chaperone, knows what an exhausting job that is. This family put countless hours into securing time on the new turf fields at the High Schools that every NWN team enjoys.  Would NWN have been able to secure that turf without the time and money members of the BOD were willing to donate?  It was a HUGE undertaking.  What did they get for that effort and money?  I can testify that it wasn’t extra playing time for their child.  Check the club records for donations to the scholarship fund.  I can’t even guess how many players are on NWN teams because of the efforts and contributions of this BOD.  That’s not personal benefit, that’s blind generosity. 
There is much more I could say, but I hope I have shown you a side of their character not everyone will know about, because they do not advertise these things.  I appreciate your patience in reading this.  Every side deserves to be heard.  I think it takes an incredible amount of guts for a volunteer to stand up to someone and not blindly approve everything they do, knowing that if you did, your life and the lives of your children would be easier.  So people like that deserve someone with the same guts to help others see the things they won’t tell you themselves, and that if your child plays for NWN you have received more benefits by these people and the efforts of the BOD serving your player than you’ve ever had a chance to realize. 

[EWSoccer64]

>>>Patient1 your a nut case. By signing "the letter" they are not put thier coaching careers on the line.<<<

There were some serious allegations made and implied in that letter.   Everyone who participated in that letter could be subject to state disciplinary action up to and including life time bans if the allegations are unproven. 

So yes, they are putting their coaching careers on the line.

[UpperV]

Now we move on to the NWN Board and how it is getting all re-vamped.
It will be a good fresh start for this club. 
It's about time!

It's good to support your husbands new efforts flip flop. 
Do you think you should have been telling the parents at Emerald City about him being on the board BEFORE the election took place?
Will he also take over Ben's teams if he and Mike are successful in their plans to take over Evergreen as President and DOC?

[CrazyLadyBlue]

This thread should just go away.

I so totally agree VMS.  This last post by UpperV is just plain out mean and nasty. 
The even sadder thing is that Tired, who professed to be sad and tired about all of this, neglected to post the first sentence of each of the emails he pasted in here, which was "this email is private and confidential for the parents, coaches and NWN board members only".  If his/her agenda was to drag our club through the gutter for literally thousands of people now to read and hundreds to weigh in on, then nicely done.  This thread is exactly why more and more clubs/coaches (including the coach so often mentioned in this thread) don't want their parents posting on this site. I would assume you're on the hunt for a new club.

I do have one bright spot!!!  As is usually, and should be the case, the kids in this club, THE REAL REASON WE ARE IN NWN, have no interest in all this BS going on!!!!

[Flip Flop]

 
 

[Jumbalaya]

Now we move on to the NWN Board and how it is getting all re-vamped.
It will be a good fresh start for this club. 
It's about time!

It's good to support your husbands new efforts flip flop. 
Do you think you should have been telling the parents at Emerald City about him being on the board BEFORE the election took place?
Will he also take over Ben's teams if he and Mike are successful in their plans to take over Evergreen as President and DOC?

--You have it wrong here Upper V - my comment above is to move on to what will be positive change for the NWN club.   That's it!  We are proud parents of some awesome kids playing soccer.  We just pay pay pay and volunteer and drive and do laundry and try to teach our children good ethics, values, morals, and to stand up for what is right in our opinion.  FYI we are not involved with any soccer related board (at this time anyway  )

Perhaps if you are interested you could get involved in the board!  They, and many boards, can use good help!  I applaud anyone that gives of their time and efforts to benefit others.  It is a great thing to do.  Unfortunately some of those great volunteers have other motives in mind, even though they started out with good intentions. 

And for the coaches, I believe it is the reputation of coaches and what they do for the players that truly makes the club.  Without good quality coaches - the 'club' is nothing.  You say these coaches have plans to move to another club?  That's news to me!  And, if they do, they will take all the players that have had a good experience with them. 

That is some interesting information to be passing on, perhaps you know more that you would like to share?

Just to preface my comments, I know nothing about any coaching movement from NWN to Evergreen! I would like to comment on this topic in general:

The PDL has strict rules in place regarding coaching movement from one club to another. My understanding of these rules in a nutshell are that if a coach coaches at one age group adn moves to another PDL Club He/She must change age groups at the new Club. This rule was put in place to stop Clubs from poaching entire teams. Therefore if any of these NWN Coaches do move to Evergreen (or anywhere else for that matter), they will not be allowed to field the players they previously coached since they will not be allowed to coach that same age group.

This rule was actually enforced recently this year!

[patient1]

Well,  I think I have figured this out.  Your a parent or should I say I think possibly a board member from the GU-15 team.  No wonder you are out to slam the G-DOC and Mr. Somoza and no wonder playing time is not an issue for your dk.  I understand it is not okay to have a difference of opinion from the almighty who thinks this is her club and everything revolves around her and her power trip.  

What did I say so wrong:

     1.  Have a meeting if people, parents, coaches or whoever are requesting it.
     2.  That board members should be elected not appointed.  (this would be in the clubs best interest so no one can say anything unethical is going on)
     3.  I said IMHO Ben Somoza is a very stand up guy.  I feel he is very ethical and I know for a fact that he had a ton of support behind him.  
     4.  I said that I have witnessed myself on numerous occasions that Arby is at a lot of Nationals practices and games.  (I wonder how many games the President of the Board or Treasurer of the Board have attended, besides their own dk.)
     5.  I do not feel it is right to throw names of people out there and slander their name and damage their reputation without solid proof.  If the board was doing such a bang up job of handling the Ben ordeal why in the world did they send out such a one sided e-mail to all the parents.  The professional and ethical way to have handled the situation would of been to say:  Yes, we have had an accusation made against one of our coaches.  We take this very seriously in regards to the player and the coach.  We will be investigating the incident immediately and in a very appropriate manner.  Please know that we will handle this in the best way possible.
     6.  Do you think it is right for the board to not respond to e-mails on who is going to coach Ben's team, not provide a field and the parents have to hold their own practice because the board won't respond to the teams e-mails.  If you are going to handle things professionally from the boards point of view, you should be fair across the board.  Treat the team fairly don't punish them because they have faith in their coach and believe in him.  Try to be understanding that this is a lot for all the families to go thru and also the coach if he is falsely accused.  What if false accusations were made against you or a member of your family??  If I remember right doesn't it go something like this INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY!!!!
     7.  If the board was investigating why didn't they talk to other parents, players, team managers of other teams that Ben was involved in to find out if they had ever experienced anything like this.  
     8.  Lack of evidence means that you don't have enough evidence to bring forward a case. (CASE DISMISSED DUE TO LACK OF EVIDENCE)  That certainly doesn't prove guilt the last time that I checked.
     9.  What would be so wrong with bringing in some fresh faces to the board.  I would like to see a new BOD, maybe people without agendas who are just looking out for what is best for the kids.  People who don't have to be in control of everything.  
    10.  Lastly, I truly hope NWN can work all of this out and do what is best for the kids and the parents since we are paying the bill.  

NIce guess but you are still not close! I can guess I do know who your coach is, you must be one of the crazy parents from his team.  No wonder you have a personal vendetta against the board.  I can understand you protecting him, but you have turned this whole thing into a B.S. issue. (great initials by the way) He was mentioned yes, but if you look back he is not the topic of the questions I would like these select group of coaches/DOC's to answer. I am not concerned with his issue really. 

My issue is what have these guys done for the kids? Have they earned their pay?  Have they fullfilled the job description of a DOC?   Why are they not answering these questions?  There is a reason why you can't answer these questions and it's because they have not done what they are being paid to do.  What a waste for the kids in this club.  Before you condemn the volunteers in this organization for their commitment to this club, what have you done and how much of your time have you donated to help raise money for the kids?  Talk is cheap, action and results speak for themselves and I applaud our board volunteers for all that they do for NWN.  Don't forget this club has thrived through the years for all the time these people have put in for our kid's benefit and I support ALL of them.       

I have attended almost every one of my kid's practices and I can say they have not been to one of my kid's practices in over a year.  They have not been at any of the practices that practice at the same time as my kid.  As a NWN parent you know how many teams can be on one field at one time. 

I hope the coaches that signed that letter realize they are being lead by questionable people and the risk they are taking with their coaching careers.  We'll  see what happens and it will be interesting to watch to see who the last ones will be standing. 

Patient1 your a nut case. By signing "the letter" they are not put thier coaching careers on the line.  They could probably coach at any club, at any level. Everyone of them are good coaches and it would the kids/parents lose if they were fired. If the Board of Directors care so much about our kids they would have made time to meet with the coaches last night. How many of the by-laws have you broken?  The board of directors should be put on notice that if you start firing these qualified coaches you will be loosing players as well. Reading all the letters the board has been sending out to parents is absolutley crazy. Have you lost sight of the big picture here? THE KIDS !!!

Look in the mirror dude.  They can put their coaching careers on the line.  Read EW's prior post.  He explained well.  Get your knowledge straight before you make comments on things you obviously do not know about.  It doesn' matter if another club wants them.  The state can prevent them from coaching again. 
Oh, I am here for the kids, so once again before you start talking make sure you have the knowledge in what you are speaking of.

[Tired]

Now you tell me who we are to listen too??? Coaches Board or Current Board, It seems that we now have 2 Boards . Is this something that the PDL or some other organization can resolve?  It sounded like Cliff was on the right track but no one wanted to listen

From the Coaches Board
January 25,2009

Northwest Nationals families:

The By-laws of Northwest Nationals provide that Head Coaches ("Members") of the majority of registered Club teams may elect Club Board members. Similarly, the majority of Members may remove Board members with or without cause, with or without a meeting, and with or without any Board action. Pertinent sections of the Club by-laws are attached for your review to plainly support these statements.

Recently, the majority of Members called for a special meeting for long-overdue Board elections. The acting Club Board contended that the Members were not authorized to set a date, time, or place for meeting to hold elections. This acting Board and President continued to refuse to have an election despite several informal calls for such by Members, despite this formal call for elections by the majority of Members, and despite the last elections(which are supposed to be annual) being no more recent than 2006. The President has continued to act in contempt of the by-laws and the Membership's call for a special meeting by failing to set a time, place for the special meeting during the passage of 10 business days on the thinnest of guises that he may call the meeting at his leisure and may disregard our request for several weeks, if not much longer. Our right to meet and vote with more-than-ample notice will not be thus ignored or infringed.

Given the above, the Members have proceeded under Sections of the By-laws that are clear in their allowance of Member actions, with or without any Board participation, with or without meeting. Contrary to suggestions made by the acting Board, no Section of the By-laws pertinent to this discussion has been duly changed from what we have acted under and are acting under and reference here: By-laws can ONLY be changed by a majority vote of Members, not by the Board, so the Membership MUST be aware of such changes and the Members do hereby attest that they have not given away this right to any other entity.

In accordance with various Sections including but not limited to Sections 2.14: Actions
By Members Without a Meeting, 3.9: Removal of Directors,4.3: Removal of
Officers/President the Members have taken and do hereby take the following actions:
Board/Officer Elections
The majority of the voting Membership of the Club, in accordance with the Club By-laws, elected the following people to the Board of Directors and President of the Club:

John Wagner (President) jwagner5@verizon.net
John Heimbigner (Boys Coach Rep) heimb@offrcespace.com
Morgan Perry (Boys Coach Rep) morganperry@comcast.net
Daren Mancini (Parent Rep) darenm@microsoft.com
Arby Busey (Girls Coach Rep and DOC) nwngirlsdoc@yahoo.com
Eddie Pate (Parent Rep) eddiepate@hotrnail.com
Denise Ryan (Parent Rep) denisemryan@msn.com
Scott Newman (Girls Coach Rep) newscott@aol.com

This action has been written, signed and recorded without meeting and is now hereby taken in a meeting of the Members and recorded here.

Board/ Officer Removals
The majority of the voting Membership of the Club have, in full accordance with and subject to Club By-laws, removed the following people from the Board of Directors:

Vadim Tolstolutsky
Eugene Poublon
Sylvia Young
Mel Craig
Dina Johnson
Dan Smart

Further, Dan Smart is hereby removed as President of the Club and all six removed directors are hereby removed from any and every office of the Club. Cathy Jackson has not been thus removed, but is out of term and her board position was up for election. Vadim Tolstolutsky, Mel Craig, and Eugene Poublon remain Coaches in good standing with the Club. Removal of the Board and President has been written, signed and recorded through action without a meeting of the Members and is now hereby taken through a meeting of the Members and recorded here. Removal of these six people from their offices is hereby taken by action of the newly elected Board and is witnessed and agreed to by the Membership.

Facilitating Board Transition
In order to ensure that these removed Board and Officers in good faith turn over to the new
Board and President, without limitation, all Club-related information, operations, and assets, it is requested that all coaches, managers and families urge these former Board members to comply with the By-laws and majority vote of Club Members. No one has the right to disregard the By-laws. The By-laws must be respected and this will avoid unnecessary financial cost for the Club or damage to the Club reputation. Anyone willing to help avoid such adverse events should contact the new Board members.

It is our sincere hope that this will prove to be a smooth transition. However, last week's
Communications from the then-acting Board have attempted to cast the majority of the voting
Membership of the Club as a group of a "few" "disgruntled" coaches, along with many other aspersions not worth repeating and a spate of misleading or incorrect statements. Therefore, we urge you, the Club parents, to use your influence for the good of the Club and for the rule of law within the Club and do the following things:

•   Respond to any communication on behalf of the Club (excepting team-related
communications from Vadim, Eugene, and Mel) from removed Board members back to their source telling them they have been removed and they are to cease and desist from contacting you related to the Club. To help you determine what are legitimate Club correspondences, we here and now inform you that all email and US mail communications from the Board in the coming weeks will be signed by either the newly elected President or a majority of the newly elected board noted above. Communications without such signatures can be regarded as fraudulent.
•   Forward any such communications from removed Board members to your Club team
Coach so that the Club can take action against the perpetrators.

Thank you for continuing to support the Club and your Coaches during this trying time. The
Board, President, and Coaches of the Club are here to serve you and your children and consider it a privilege to do so.

Sincerely,

The Northwest Nationals President. Board of Directors and Coaches

Response from Current Board
1/26/09
  Dear NW Nationals Families and Coaching Staff,
  We want to convey our sincerest apologies to the NW National’s Parents, Players and Club for enduring these last few weeks of an internal issue that seems to continue to escalate.  Please understand that it is not the intention of the Board of Directors to continue to rebut these arguments or disagree that an election of a new Board is eminent.  We hope you have appreciated our continued efforts to communicate professionally and clarifying the issues.  We also want to state we are not just rebutting the improper actions or statements in this letter and document received from the coaches today.  In fact, we are in favor of this process and are quite excited to see the volunteers on this list to bring in as new members to the Board of Directors when an official meeting is held. 
The spirit of our club and volunteers has always been the pivotal strength of NWN.  However, the process and inaccuracy of bylaws stated by these coaches are misleading and an unauthorized action which invalidates this process taken in last evening’s meeting.
Here are current facts and what has been stated in previous communications:
              1.  The letter received from this coaching group demands a special meeting under a portion of an older version of the Bylaws and the request is noted.  These coaches also attempt, however, to take and demand action completely outside the authority of the Bylaws, including attempting to set the time, date and location of such a special meeting.  That meeting, as suggested by the Coaches, would be outside the Bylaws, and would, as a result, be without any legal significance or effect on the Club or for any other purpose. 
              2.  In Section 2.3, the Bylaws are clear that once the President is notified of the desire for such a special meeting, the President and the Board will set the time, date and location of such a meeting and will provide the notice of that meeting… not the coaches.  The President and the Board of Directors will notify the coaches of the proper date, time and location for the requested meeting.
              3.   The letter from these identified coaches also misstates the facts by saying that the “last election was held in June 2006”.  The Club records support the fact that in 2006, our meeting was held on April 18, 2006 at 8:00pm and not June 2006.  Further, our last annual Membership Meeting was held on May 22, 2007 at Rock Pizza in Lynnwood, WA.  Below is one excerpt and is an important piece we voted in during the 2007 meeting:
              4.  John Wagner, Past President of NWN before he resigned, initiated an oral vote and changed the bylaws on 5/22/07 as a result which carried by sufficient Member vote.  So, the attempts by this Coaches’ group to indicate that (a) there have not been any revisions to the Bylaws; and (b) that the Bylaws have not been followed as to such amendments, are both incorrect and misleading.  The Technical Director at that time was Chuck Sekyra and he was present at this members meeting. Please view below sections of Bylaws ratified in previous Annual Membership Meetings.
        2.12.3    Voting:  All elections for stated Directors positions shall be decided by plurality vote; all other questions or issues, shall be decided by majority vote of the quorum present, as provided above, except as otherwise provided by the Laws of this state.
       2.12.4     Election of President and Technical/Coaching Director:  The Board of Directors shall by affirmative majority vote elect the President and Technical/Coaching Director(s) of the Club. Nominations for the office of President of the Club shall be provided to the Chairman of the Board no later than January 31st in each year.  Nominations for Technical/Coaching Director(s) shall be provided to the Chairman of the Board no later than January 31st in each year.  Any member of the Club or a member of the Board of Directors can nominate a person for President and Technical/Coaching Director(s). The Board of Directors will meet, confer and vote upon the candidates presented to it for President and Technical/Coaching Director(s).  The majority vote of the Board shall determine the person to serve as President and Technical/Coaching Director and a subsequent announcement will be provided to the Membership via e-mail or mailing of the decision. The term for a President and Technical/Coaching Director(s) shall remain at one year.
      2.12.5     The Technical Director will be a non-voting member of the Board of Directors.
              5.   All Directors have been elected to serve on the Board in strict compliance with the Bylaws, and anyone removed as a Director was accomplished as required under the same Bylaws; all of which is supported by the Club records.  The coaches’ letter which states that the Board members have not been elected according to the Bylaws is not correct on that issue either; nor is the letter correct on terms remaining.
              6.   The last paragraph of the Coaches’ letter is also not a proper nor a complete listing of the required make-up of the Board under the present Bylaws.
             7.    There are significant and multiple reasons, supported by appropriate facts and circumstances, for any delays in an annual meeting, as most of the coaches are well aware (especially those that served on the Board of Directors during this current time period in question and voted in favor of a related course of action); and those issues will be resolved as well and within a time frame when the full truth of the underlying problems can be disclosed, discussed and addressed.  We have every intention to have an annual Membership Meeting for this current 15 month season.  Due to the extension of this 15 month season, this complies with all 501 (c) 3 regulations WA State.
  Coaches, please read this section carefully:
  The continued attacks and actions of this select group of employee coaches are to be outside the proper application of the bylaws and the Laws of Washington State.  Any actions taken or proposed at the unauthorized meeting on Sunday evening are contrary to the provisions of the bylaws and will not be recognized by NW Nationals.
 If this identified group of employee coaches of this Club continue with this present course of action, the Board is prepared to present this dispute for judicial interpretation and resolution. For the purpose of assisting with a clearer understanding of what such a forced course of action would mean, please note that if that action becomes necessary, each one of the group of coaches will need to hire and retain an attorney to represent them in this legal action. The bylaws do not contain any provisions to have the Club pay or reimburse such coaches under the present circumstances for the costs of such legal defense.
For the purpose of resolution of this present dispute, the employee coaches are identified in this group by their voluntary collaboration and their signature on the inappropriate "action without a meeting", document dated on January 22 and January 23, 2009.  Those employee coaches will have until 5:00pm, January 27, 2009  to write and deliver a confidential memo individually to the Secretary of the Board, Cathy Jackson.  It needs to contain a confidential written statement that they are changing their position; are no longer a member of this group; and that they withdraw their approval of the "action without a meeting". After this period, and assuming the current situation continues, if legal action is required the persons not providing the withdrawal will need to be individually included in any legal action commenced.
  Unfortunately, the manner in which these coaches have sent out numerous and unauthorized messages, these actions above are necessary.  Their ability to institute changes needs to follow the process that has been established by our bylaws which we are willing to challenge.
  It is our desired hope that we can work together for the betterment of this Club.  We would like all of this misplaced hostility to be put behind us and to start focusing our energy around the incredibly talented youth soccer players in NW Nationals.
  Sincerely,
   NW Nationals Board of Directors



 

[ritz bitz]

2 1/2 weeks into the new year and what happened to all those resolutions in the Happy New Year 2009 thread?

http://washingtonpremiersoccer.com/forum/index.php/topic,10904.0.html

[yote19]

Wow--I thought there were issues down south.....

[HuskyDawg]

Black eye after black eye....I sure hope the kids don't get drug into this #### and can just play soccer.  We really enjoy playing the team in our division and have great match's with them.  Keep the faith kiddo's 

[socpop93]

Vadim Tolstolutsky
Eugene Poublon
Sylvia Young
Mel Craig
Dina Johnson
Dan Smart

So, the above 3 coaches are also accused fo being corrupt and not acting in the best interest of these kids from the select group of coaches trying to take over this club.  You have got to be kidding me right?  I find that very hard to believe!!!  You couldn't find any set of coaches that are in this for the kids more than them.  This is absurd!  Hopefully this group realizes the damage they are doing to this clubs name by their selfishness.

[goldengoal]

Are you kidding me? I told you it was mutiny. Off with their heads.

Is this youth soccer or is a major company or country being taken over?

[goldengoal]

Vadim Tolstolutsky
Eugene Poublon
Sylvia Young
Mel Craig
Dina Johnson
Dan Smart

So, the above 3 coaches are also accused fo being corrupt and not acting in the best interest of these kids from the select group of coaches trying to take over this club.  You have got to be kidding me right?  I find that very hard to believe!!!  You couldn't find any set of coaches that are in this for the kids more than them.  This is absurd!  Hopefully this group realizes the damage they are doing to this clubs name, by their selfishness.

I think they are keeping these people

[socpop93]

Vadim Tolstolutsky
Eugene Poublon
Sylvia Young
Mel Craig
Dina Johnson
Dan Smart

So, the above 3 coaches are also accused fo being corrupt and not acting in the best interest of these kids from the select group of coaches trying to take over this club.  You have got to be kidding me right?  I find that very hard to believe!!!  You couldn't find any set of coaches that are in this for the kids more than them.  This is absurd!  Hopefully this group realizes the damage they are doing to this clubs name, by their selfishness.

I think they are keeping these people

If they chose to stay.  I would imagine this mess would be enough to make anyone think about their options.  I am not sure I would want to work for an organization who chose to fire the board I am apart of stating I was one of the corrupt.  That would be a HUGE loss with Eugene alone. 

[bootball]

Where Uncle Knubby go?   

[EWSoccer64]

>>>>Vadim Tolstolutsky
Eugene Poublon
Sylvia Young
Mel Craig
Dina Johnson
Dan Smart

So, the above 3 coaches are also accused fo being corrupt and not acting in the best interest of these kids from the select group of coaches trying to take over this club.  You have got to be kidding me right?  I find that very hard to believe!!!  You couldn't find any set of coaches that are in this for the kids more than them.  This is absurd!  Hopefully this group realizes the damage they are doing to this clubs name by their selfishness.<<<<

THe 3 mentioned were specifically stated as having their coaching positions unchanged.   Now that is what I thought was a very good idea.   Try to seperate the politics from the coaching.

A couple of comments -

Once again, the validity of the purported 2007 AGM and the supposed by-law changes is the critical issue in this mess.  (Ouch, I just broke my arm patting myself on the back for being the one that recognized this from the beginning )   And this is why I asked VMS about them.

Two -  I think that the NWN by-laws are screwed up in either case and you guys are using a bad model there.  This is only one of a set of issues that can and will arise from such flawed bylaws (IMHO).

Three - The Association needs to be involved RIGHT FREAKING NOW.   That it has not already stepped in seems to me to be a "Failure of Leadership".   Yes, until the issue is officially brought before them, they have only a restricted set of options, but for "the good of the game" they can get involved.   Which District is NWN in?   If the District Commissioner has to step in and bypass the association, it will be a black eye to the association that will last for a long time.

Four - Has anyone yet checked with the State to see when the last recorded set of club bylaws was?    If a club can forget to have its anuual general meeting (2008) they can forget to send in changes to their bylaws.  ( It has happened elsewhere! ).

If the incumbent board does not have the bylaw changes that they are citing on record with the state, then they lose.
If they do, they still might lose because of a lack of an annual meeting in 2008.   But if the incumbent board is correct, then the coaches who were ringleaders in this could well be charged with "Bringing the Game into Disrepute" and banned.

Instead of a civil war, the association President (so long as he has no ties to NWN at all) should step in and try to mediate a solution.   Although the longer that whomever that is waits, the worse the situation will get.  If it goes on too long, no matter which side triumphs, the club will be greviously wounded and it will hemorage players.

If there are no rational adults left north of the Ballard Locks, we can send up Squash, Yote and Brat to sort all this out.   The three of them would have NWN back on its feet and running like clockwork in 1 day!

[Gumby]

I passed on this thread for a long time, but since it kept going looked at it again.  It seems to me there are too many people wanting their hands in to many things and are willing to do too much in order to be able to do so.  A few lines from above that sounded alarms for me.

1) What have the DOC's done to raise money for the kids?
DOC's should ensure that the children are getting the best coaches the club can afford, then do what they can to assist them in making the best teams and players possible.  They should supervise and audit team training and progress and make changes as they seem fit.  That is it.  Fundraising is a board function that the board can request coach involvement on.

2) Board members voted themselves a raise without full board approval?
Forget the without approval charge.  Why are they getting raises in the first place?  The board should be 100% volunteer... period, end of story.  Once you start paying board members there arises an interest for them other than the welfare of the kids.

3) No yearly elections?
They forgot?  They could pull an election together? What?    This is stuff people like Hugo Chavez pull.  There is absolutely NO WAY an election was overlooked or couldn't be fit in.  It was a deliberate move to consolidate power in times of turmoil.  You don't just forget to have an election...

And the most amazing one of all?

4) The coaches are demanding a MAJORITY of any future board?
Coaches should not not have any place on the board, or at the most a seat for one DOC (non-voting preferred).  That is like having a Director of Operations on the board of a company.  A conflict of interest on way too many issues.



What a mess...  :'(


Oh... and BTW I agree with other that the teams my DD's have been fortunate enough to play (GU94 Red, GU94 Blue, and GU-97 White) have shown to be outstanding kids and parents.  NWN is a class act to the casual observer.  Hope it stays that way and not too many people get dragged through the mud in public.

[cheese]

This was all caused by the last 8 years of Bush's failed policies. 

[UpperV]

I passed on this thread for a long time, but since it kept going looked at it again.  It seems to me there are too many people wanting their hands in to many things and are willing to do too much in order to be able to do so.  A few lines from above that sounded alarms for me.

1) What have the DOC's done to raise money for the kids?
DOC's should ensure that the children are getting the best coaches the club can afford, then do what they can to assist them in making the best teams and players possible.  They should supervise and audit team training and progress and make changes as they seem fit.  That is it.  Fundraising is a board function that the board can request coach involvement on. Good point.  The DOC's were board members, so I suppose it was their efforts in that capacity questioned.  And mostly in relation to #2.

2) Board members voted themselves a raise without full board approval?
Forget the without approval charge.  Why are they getting raises in the first place?  The board should be 100% volunteer... period, end of story.  Once you start paying board members there arises an interest for them other than the welfare of the kids.  I believe the only board members to recieve raises were the DOCs.  (While telling some coaches questioning salaries that there was a "salary cap" and that those coaches could not recieve raises?)
3) No yearly elections?
They forgot?  They could pull an election together? What?    This is stuff people like Hugo Chavez pull.  There is absolutely NO WAY an election was overlooked or couldn't be fit in.  It was a deliberate move to consolidate power in times of turmoil.  You don't just forget to have an election... It's much easier to have an election in the backroom of a restaraunt where no one is allowed in to observe the proceedings.  Then things turn out exactly how you want.

And the most amazing one of all?

4) The coaches are demanding a MAJORITY of any future board?
Coaches should not not have any place on the board, or at the most a seat for one DOC (non-voting preferred).  That is like having a Director of Operations on the board of a company.  A conflict of interest on way too many issues.  Please, please please NWN, whatever happens next, show that you care about these kids and change this. Parents are watching your choices and what they reflect.  It's the only way to show that this is a club serving kids, not coaches.   


What a mess...  :'(     yeah :'( :'( :'( :'(


Oh... and BTW I agree with other that the teams my DD's have been fortunate enough to play (GU94 Red, GU94 Blue, and GU-97 White) have shown to be outstanding kids and parents.  NWN is a class act to the casual observer.  Very much so.  My kids have loved their years here.  Hope it stays that way and not too many people get dragged through the mud in public.

[Dragon]

WOW, this post is kinda gettin' out of hand huh? 

[chipper]

Could someone please tell me when the last annual general meeting was?  I guess what I am not understanding here is if there was a meeting held in the year 2008.  From everything I have read there has not been.  When was the meeting in 2007?.  Are there members on the board that have been serving for more than 2 years without an election? 

Why in the world is the board refusing to hold elections and have a meeting?

If you ask me if they care about this club at all, like several people on here have tried to state then why divide your club?  Why not have the meeting and the elections no matter what the location?  If they forgot or chose not to have a meeting whatever the reason it has now been pointed out to them that the meeting/elections haven't taken place.  So what in the world is the hold up?   Do what is best for the club and the kids!!!!!! 
 
There can only be one reason - They don't want to give up their power and control.................so let's screw everything up for the kids.  Don't worry when the players all leave and the coaches all exit, you can still sit on your board and remain in control of what - NOTHING, NOTHING AT ALL BECAUSE YOU REFUSED TO HAVE THE MEETING AND YOU REFUSED TO HAVE PROPER ELECTIONS.  SO PLEASE, SIT THERE AND BE IN CONTROL OF NOTHING.  Thanks so much for doing what is best for my child and all the rest of the kids at the Nationals.  I hope you are happy in your position of power.  It must feel great now huh?

[Lurker-Man]

Three - The Association needs to be involved RIGHT FREAKING NOW.   That it has not already stepped in seems to me to be a "Failure of Leadership".   Yes, until the issue is officially brought before them, they have only a restricted set of options, but for "the good of the game" they can get involved.   Which District is NWN in?   If the District Commissioner has to step in and bypass the association, it will be a black eye to the association that will last for a long time.

They're in South Snohomish County Youth Soccer Association. Very small association. NWN + two rec clubs. In District 1.

[socpop93]

I passed on this thread for a long time, but since it kept going looked at it again.  It seems to me there are too many people wanting their hands in to many things and are willing to do too much in order to be able to do so.  A few lines from above that sounded alarms for me.

1) What have the DOC's done to raise money for the kids?
DOC's should ensure that the children are getting the best coaches the club can afford, then do what they can to assist them in making the best teams and players possible.  They should supervise and audit team training and progress and make changes as they seem fit.  That is it.  Fundraising is a board function that the board can request coach involvement on.

2) Board members voted themselves a raise without full board approval?
Forget the without approval charge.  Why are they getting raises in the first place?  The board should be 100% volunteer... period, end of story.  Once you start paying board members there arises an interest for them other than the welfare of the kids.

3) No yearly elections?
They forgot?  They could pull an election together? What?    This is stuff people like Hugo Chavez pull.  There is absolutely NO WAY an election was overlooked or couldn't be fit in.  It was a deliberate move to consolidate power in times of turmoil.  You don't just forget to have an election...

And the most amazing one of all?

4) The coaches are demanding a MAJORITY of any future board?
Coaches should not not have any place on the board, or at the most a seat for one DOC (non-voting preferred).  That is like having a Director of Operations on the board of a company.  A conflict of interest on way too many issues.



What a mess...  :'(


Oh... and BTW I agree with other that the teams my DD's have been fortunate enough to play (GU94 Red, GU94 Blue, and GU-97 White) have shown to be outstanding kids and parents.  NWN is a class act to the casual observer.  Hope it stays that way and not too many people get dragged through the mud in public.

1.  True, but it was also stated these DOC's advised their coaches to not attend this fundraiser.  Why would you not support your club if care about these kids?  The DOC's also chose not to attend themselves.  These coaches' teams who chose to follow the DOC's advice and not attend this auction still benefited from the money raised, but they could not help support the event.  How is this supporting your club?    It is funny your description of what the DOC's should be doing is right on spot!  Unfortunately these DOC's are not doing that.  This is the problem.  I, as a parent am paying for this and you can't even show up to ONE of my kid's practices or game this entire year?  Where are you?  Why am I paying these fees towards your paycheck and my kid has not received one second of your time???  This is not any different than stealing.  I am paying for something and I have yet to see you perform your job duties and this team started in April of 2008, but you want to be in charge of this club?

2.  The board members who voted themselves the raise was the very DOC's who are currently fighting the board and started this whole e-mail mess.  My guess is when they were asked to be accountable for their actions regarding this raise(as I think was earlier posted)
they decided to resign from the board.  How can anyone not see how fishy this is?  Now that Cliff McCrath is on board they once again have a boss and then the e-mails come a flying back and forth. 

3.  Do we know they deliberately tried to avoid this?  NO, we can only go by the one sided e-mail the coaches sent out.  Until we know both sides we don't know.  I believe the board rebutted this with an e-mail, but can't seem to locate it in this long list of comments.   

4.  It is funny, these coaches and the few parents (you know who you are) are trying to take control of this club and are trying to do the very things they are accusing others of doing.  What makes what you are doing any better?  You elected John Wagner as president when you held your meeting, but when he was president before the club was in dire straights so what makes you think he can do better this time around?

This is a great club and it is too bad that this is happening.  We love the coaches that coach my kids.  I really hope the kids do not suffer in all this.  However, I stand behind the current board.  They have done well for the club and have made it possible for numerous kids to benefit from playing premier soccer when they otherwise couldn't have.  The club has grown more than it ever has and that is because of this current board.  When these DOC's decide to step up to the plate and give back to this club by doing what they have been paid to do then maybe I would not feel so strongly against them as I do at this present time.