On March 28, 2008, UYSA's Constitutional Convention convened to contemplate the future of the Utah Youth Soccer Association. The Association's State Council assigned the Constitutional Convention the task of designing a new governing structure to carry the organization into the future. The Constitutional Convention discussed three major subjects at its most recent meeting: 1) the voting structure of the Association's State Council, 2) the composition of the Board of Directors, and 3) the geographic organization of the state association.

The Constitutional Convention plans to propose a new framework for the State Council. Presently, the voting strength of the State Council is divided amongst elected state officers, certain appointed officers, and presidents of leagues and affiliated clubs. The Constitutional Convention recommends a change so that 100% of the voting power will be vested in the presidents of member organizations (a term that encompasses leagues and clubs). This recommendation is tied to the philosophy that players are best represented by their local organization.

The Constitutional Convention also designed a new structure for the Association's Board of Directors, which would consist of the following eleven members:

1. Chairman of the Board--3 year term, elected by State Council
2. At-Large Representative---3 year term, elected by State Council
3. At-Large Representative--3 year term, elected by State Council
4. Region A Representative 1--2 year term, elected in odd years at AGM by Region A
5. Region A Representative 2--2 year term, elected in even years at AGM by Region A
6. Region B Representative 1--2 year term, elected in odd years at AGM by Region B
7. Region B Representative 2--2 year term, elected in even years at AGM by Region B
8. Region C Representative 1--2 year term, elected in odd years at AGM by Region C
9. Region C Representative 2--2 year tern, elected in even years at AGM by Region C
10. Independent Director--2 year term, nominated by Board, ratified by State Council in odd years
11. Independent Director--2 year term, nominated by Board, ratified by State Council in even years

The Board of Directors would thus consist of three types of directors: three members elected directly by the entire membership; six members elected by the membership within three geographic regions, to ensure adequate state-wide representation; and two members selected to bring independence and specialized experience to the Board. To select the regional representatives, the state would be divided into three three regions with roughly equal player populations. Presently, this would mean that Region A would be concentrated in Salt Lake County plus some adjacent counties; Region B would consist of all counties north of Salt Lake; and Region C would consist of counties south of Point of the Mountain. The lines for these regions would be adjusted whenever any region exceeded 40% of the Association's membership or dropped below 25% of the Association's membership. This provision would balance the demands of geographic representation with voting equity.

The Constitutional Convention is next scheduled to meet on Friday, April 11th at 7:30 PM at the Association's State Office. The meeting will begin by reviewing feedback to the proposals outlined above, and then will proceed to discuss the powers of the Board of Directors. All members of the Association are invited to participate in the process. The Constitutional Convention meetings are open to the public, and you are also invited to provide written feedback. Please direct any comments to UYSA Rules and Revisions Chair and USSF Rules Committee Chair Paul C. Burke at pburke@rqn.com.