Important Policy Change

As the election campaigns begin to heat up, AYSO members should be aware of a recent policy change related to political actions approved by the National Board of Directors at its meeting on May 25, 2007. 

This change to Policy Statement 4.3 was prompted by some clarifications recently provided by the Internal Revenue Service.  It is now permissible for AYSO regions, areas and sections and individual AYSO members (in their official capacities) to become involved in campaigns for or against ballot initiatives that directly affect the operations of the AYSO program.  AYSO regions and individual AYSO members are still strictly prohibited from becoming involved in campaigns for or against candidates for public elective office, even when one or another candidate supports or opposes a ballot measure the passage of which is in the best interests of the region.  Best advice is to stick to the ballot measure and refrain from mentioning any candidate or any candidate's position on the ballot measure.  Click here for more information on the AYSO policy change. 

More detail on the subject of political intervention by non-profit organizations can be found on the IRS Web site.

National Games 2008

The National Games 2008 Lottery Draw was held at the NAGM on May 27.  All 1438 submissions for slots in the Games were pulled manually and entered into a Master Draw Order.  Hours later, with intense work done by the National Games staff with help from the National Tournament Council, the first 24 invitees per age division were determined and posted.  This is a first for any lottery draw - the results for invitations were done on site and posted within 12 hours of the start of the draw! 

Congratulations to all who worked so hard to make this happen AND to the regions who will receive the first set of invitations on or around June 15.  Regional commissioners will be the recipients, so be watching the mail!  First invitees will have until September 15 to submit their acceptance and the $500 registration fee.

For a listing of the entire lottery draw, click here.   For an explanation of how the draw was done, click here.

Goal Safety - it's never too late!

The spring and tournament seasons are underway and many regions are already preparing for their fall 2007 starts.  Please remember to take the time to think about goal safety and how it protects your players, parents, the region and the organization.  Goal safety is addressed in our National Policy Statements 2.10 and in the Safety Director Manual. If you would like to obtain a copy of the Safety Director Manual, which includes goal safety as well as many other safety precautions, please contact Juanita Williams at 1-800-USA-AYSO extension 5497

It is that time of year again when regions will start to request certificates of insurance through eCerts Online for the 2007-08 Membership year.  Visit www.soccer.org, click on AYSO Business, hold the cursor on Insurance, follow the drop down to Liability Insurance, then eCerts Login and click. Below are a few reminder points to make the process easier.  If you have questions, please call 800-872-2976 ext 5461.

1. Download the User Guide provided just below the login screen. It contains the answers to most of your questions.
2. Do not issue the certificate to the region or as "a copy."  All certificates should be issued to the property owner.
3. If using a school site, issue the certificate to the school district unless it is a private school. 
4. If you are using multiple sites within a school district, park system or city, issue one certificate and make copies to give to the individual sites - if required. 
5. If an owner wants to listed as "additional insured", in eCerts you must attach an endorsement.