April 2019 | 2nd Issue
Table of Contents

SafeSport Reminder

SAY AGM 2019

Positive Coaching Alliance

Register/Reconcile

National Board Nominations

SAY Social Media

Letter from the Executive Director

SAY Soccer Member,

This edition of SAYNEWS serves as a reminder of SAY Soccer's new Risk Management Policy, as well as AGM details and National Board nominations. Please make sure you are submitting all forms to the National Office in a timely manner, and be sure to check out PCA as a resource for your group.

Sincerely,
Doug Wood
Executive Director

Important Change in SAY Soccer’s Risk Management Policy 

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. 

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 pig roast picnic 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.
Positive Coaching Alliance

The SAY National Office encourages you to bring the Positive Coaching Alliance (PCA) to your league and equip your parents and coaches with tools to make this a successful season for their kids. PCA, a youth sports non-profit, is committed to creating a positive youth sports culture by providing tools, resources and workshops to parents, coaches and athletes.

Ultimately, a partnership with PCA could ensure that SPORTS TEACH resilience, teamwork, and grit to all athletes in your league. Through the SAY Soccer national partnership with PCA, your league can become PCA certified at a discounted rate.

"PCA provides an abundance of educational opportunities for our membership, ranging from parent and coaching resources to administrative support. By keeping the focus of youth sports on the athlete's experience, PCA perfectly aligns with the SAY philosophy of 'kids having fun'. We trust in the message of PCA to improve our organizations and build character in our athletes." - Education Manager, Erika True
 
To find out more about PCA head to  positivecoach.org , or contact Taylor Lydon via email at,  taylor_lydon@positivecoach.org .
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.
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 controlled 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 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