May 2019 | 4th Issue

Table of Contents

Background Screens

Coaching Clinics

SafeSport Reminder

Reconcile Rosters

Target Grant

NBOD Nominations

AGM Reminder

Letter from the Executive Director

Dear SAY Member,

In this edition of SAYNEWS, you will find details on how to comply with our risk management policy for background screens, a reminder to schedule coaching clinics for the fall season, and information regarding our AGM and National Board nominations.


Sincerely,
Doug Wood
National Executive Director

Background Screens with SAY
SAY Areas and District Leadership: Please read this quick and easy guide to assure you are following SAY Soccer’s risk management policy for background screens. 

  • Implement the SAY Soccer Times Two Policy at all SAY sanctioned events.

  • Volunteers that may have unsupervised access to children at a SAY sanctioned event must fill out the volunteer application annually.

  • Choose a volunteer screening pathway that best fits your community. Click here for detailed options.


Schedule Fall Coaching Clinics
As we move closer to the start of the fall season, it is important that you have a plan to educate your coaches both on and off the field. Educating coaches is among the most important steps in planning for a new season.

SAY Soccer can provide coaching opportunities that are developed specifically for your club’s needs. Coaching clinics will be educational, engaging and fun for coaches of all levels of expertise. Clinics will be led by SAY national educators or affiliates that are highly educated in coaching development. We strongly suggest that all coaches are given the opportunity to be educated prior to the start of the season.

SAY Soccer can help organize coaches clinics, referee clinics or administrative Q & A sessions for all of our members. Don’t wait to get these booked as fall training calendars are filling quickly!

To schedule a clinic with our National Education Manager, please use the form below:

SafeSport Reminder
Important news on protecting children from suspected abuse.

SAY Soccer’s Risk Management Policy sees important changes in 2019, specifically regarding protecting children from suspected abuse.


In adhering with The Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017, SAY has adopted a new policy that extends the duty to report suspected child abuse, including sexual abuse, to certain adults who are authorized to interact with minor or amateur athletes at a facility under the jurisdiction of a national governing body.

 
Also in this policy is the requirement that all SAY affiliates, including board members and coaches, complete the online SafeSport training. SAY Areas and Districts will be required to check an electronic signature of compliance confirmation found on SAY Soccer’s Board of Directors/Compliance Confirmation Form, indicating compliance with SAY Soccer’s complete Risk Management Policy. 

Registration/Reconciliation + Rosters
As spring seasons are getting underway, SAY National would like to remind our members that registration and reconciliation forms should be submitted in a timely manner.

Registration Forms:
  • Due two weeks before a team's first practice

Reconciliation and Roster Submissions:
  • Due within 30 days of a team's first match.


To access these forms, click the button below and follow steps #2 and #3 on the SAY website.
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Target Youth Soccer Grants
The SAY National Office encourages you to apply for a Target Youth Soccer Grant. These funds can help tremendously by encouraging player participation through scholarships, purchasing new equipment for players or facilities, or providing certified training and development classes to your volunteer coaches.

Last year, 37 SAY groups received grants from Target. We would love to see that number increase in 2019!

Deadline for application is June 15th, 2019.

If you have any questions please contact Doug Wood at dwood@saysoccer.org


National Board of Directors Nominations
  • Director Region 2 (see regional map, candidate must reside in specified boundary)   
  • Director Region 3 (see regional map, candidate must reside in specified boundary)
  • One Director At-Large Position (can reside anywhere in the United States)

The SAY organization is steered and driven by its members. If you have an 
interest in running for an open National Board Position please  click here  to read more about the position and its responsibilities. 

Deadline for nominations is May 31, 2019.
SAY Annual General Meeting 2019
The SAY Soccer Annual General Meeting (AGM) is set for July 19 and 20, 2019. The two day event will be held at the Double Tree by Hilton in Lawrenceburg, IN.

The weekend will kick off with a meeting of the membership on Friday evening followed by hospitality events. Saturday includes an Area President’s round table, partner lunch and a variety of administrative sessions.

The weekend will wrap up with a picnic style event on Saturday evening. The AGM is open to all SAY members and is a fantastic opportunity for leadership to band together in a sharing of ideas and a celebration of our collective success.
SAY on Social Media
STAY CONNECTED

Follow SAY on social media platforms to stay informed of the latest news and announcements, view league highlights, and partake in giveaways! Click on the icons above to visit our pages, or simply search 'saysoccerusa.'

SAY would love to highlight your players, coaches, and administrators across our channels and recognize the great work they do. Be sure to tag SAY in your photos or use the hashtag #SAYsoccer.

For questions and best practices getting your organization set up on social media, please contact Emmett Kresslein at (513) 769-3800 or ekresslein@saysoccer.org.
Soccer Association for Youth, USA saysoccer.org