I am proud to share a proposal for a Small-Sided Goal Grant Program. This last fiscal year, NYW retained an approximate $32,000 surplus. While our revenues were marginally ahead of expectations for the year, NYW benefited most from prudent expense management. This surplus was achieved under the leadership of our treasurer, Brian Lang, our board, and our staff for focusing on expense reduction.

 

With this surplus in mind, Buffalo District Commissioner Michael Russ chaired a committee to review and propose a reinvestment of this surplus back into the game and our membership. This committee’s formal proposal can be found here.

 

The aim of the Small-Sided Goal Grant Proposal is to provide up to 40 member clubs the opportunity to receive one grant for $800. This grant is exclusively to help supplement a club’s purchase of small-sided goals. NYW estimates that two goals of 6x18 feet or 7x21 feet will cost between $1,500 and $1,700. This proposal provides support for those clubs who plan to invest in new goals for their younger players.

 

To see that this process is fair, we will ask that those member clubs that have an interest in participating in the opportunity submit a brief application of intent to purchase. This application will enter their club into a “draw” from which 40 member clubs will be randomly selected as beneficiaries of this $800 per-club allocation.

 

If less than 40 clubs elect to participate, the balance of funds will remain in the NYW reserves for future opportunities. If more than 40 clubs submit an application of intent to purchase, then those clubs that are drawn after the first 40 clubs will be placed on a waiting list to receive the grant if a club does not act on the opportunity.

 

At this point, NYW is proposing this as a one-year initiative only, as we do not know what, if any, future surpluses will be available. The Board annually establishes the NYW operating budget with an objective of keeping member expenses down, and to achieve a balanced year-end budget. If, in the future, we benefit from another surplus, we will revisit this concept and entertain other member benefit reinvestment options.

 

Being stewards of your funds, we believe you should have the ultimate decision on this proposal, and the member distribution of $32,000. With that thought in mind, NYW will defer the ultimate decision to our members and ask for a Small-Sided Goal Grant Proposal motion and vote at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) to be held Nov. 17 at the RIT Inn & Conference Center. If a majority of the membership supports this initiative, then we will move forward with the plan.

 

Please share this proposal with your club leaders. I look forward to seeing you at the AGM and discussing this further.

 

Respectfully,

Michael S. Radecke
Michael S. Radecke, President
New York State West Youth Soccer Association
41 Riverside Dr. , P.O. Box 1247, Corning, NY 14830
800-789-4806 NYW State Office
president@nyswysa.org
www.nyswysa.org

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