As you have heard, the US Lacrosse Board of Directors unanimously approved some significant changes in the US Lacrosse national volunteer and staff structures in order to better position the organization to serve its members and the sport, as well as advance its mission. These structural changes were the culminations of 18 months of focused review as directed by the US Lacrosse Strategic Plan. You can read more detail on this organizational evolution by clicking here.
The new structure reduces the size of, but maintains the game balance on, the Board of Directors. Additionally, in order to establish greater alignment throughout the organization, the current Division Board and Council structures will be replaced by nine Board Committees – Executive, Men’s Game, Women’s Game, Finance, Human Resources, Sport Development, Board Development, Regional Chapters and Strategic Planning. The Men’s and Women’s Game Committees of the Board will oversee a constituent subcommittee structure. All Board committees will be chaired by Board members.
The Board also approved a change in the way volunteers are selected to serve the organization. From now on the selection of volunteers for board, committee and subcommittee positions within US Lacrosse will shifts from a constituent appointment process to an application process managed by a newly-formed Board Development Committee. The goal of this shift is to allow a more inclusive process that enables US Lacrosse to benefit from a wider selection of candidates who support the organization’s mission and are committed the organization’s ongoing development and improvement.
Among other responsibilities, the Board Development Committee is charged with assessing current and anticipated needs for Board composition, and making nominee recommendations to the Board to ensure:
In this regard, the Board Development Committee has announced an open call for applicants interested in serving on the new Board and other components of the revised volunteer structure. The deadline for applications is March 12, and new board terms will begin on August 1. A description of Board roles and responsibilities can be found by clicking here. A copy of the volunteer application can be downloaded by clicking here, or it can be completed and submitted online by clicking here.
Please circulate this throughout your organization and let me know if you have any questions. Many thanks for helping us to provide this opportunity to your constituents and, as a result, enable US Lacrosse to be a more inclusive, representative and effective organization.
Steve Stenersen President & CEO US Lacrosse 113 W. University Parkway Baltimore, MD 21210
Just in case you might have missed the piece on page 54 of the November issue of Lacrosse Magazine, our very own NJJGLL Umpire Representative Laura McCarthy was honored by US Lacrosse as one of their 2009 Youth Award Winners!
It is very gratifying to see that our national partner, US Lacrosse, has recognized Laura for the positive contribution she has made to the game of women’s lacrosse. Laura’s value and dedication to the sport is something that we in New Jersey have known about and appreciated for many years. If by any chance you will be attending the National Convention in Baltimore in January, please consider going to the awards breakfast on Saturday morning when Laura will be honored. And if you can’t make the trip down I-95, please take a moment the next time you see Laura and thank her personally for all that she has done.
Just in case you might have missed the piece on page 68 of the August issue of Lacrosse Magazine about Honoring Those Who Honor the Game, by David Jacobson of Positive Coaching Alliance, please click here to enjoy the quick read. The NJJGLL Board is extremely proud of the Del Val Junior Lacrosse program from Milford, NJ for receiving such high honors from both US Lacrosse and PCA.
Kudos to Audrey Wilcox and Brent Kephart for leading by example and shining such a favorable light on junior girls lacrosse in the State of New Jersey. Keep up the good work!
So, I have a challenge for the rest of you - which one of our other programs will be the next recipient of the Honoring the Game Award? Be that winner.
Best, Mark Coan NJJGLL President
Three years ago, the Bobby Campbell Lacrosse Foundation brought lacrosse to inner city Trenton. Our goal was simple: provide the kids of Trenton with the same joy and opportunities that lacrosse has brought to us and our children over the years. We are off to a good start. We have been successful in growing the program to include nearly 100 boys and girls. We are expecting more this year.
With growth comes challenges -- the largest being financial. We ask the Trenton families to pay a minimal fee. The Foundation covers everything else. In addition to the typical expenses (uniforms, umpire fees, field rental, etc..), an inner city program has another layer of costs. The largest of which are the kids’ equipment and bus transportation to practices/games. It is also necessary to supplement our volunteer coaches with paid coaches, as there is not a pool of parents with lacrosse experience.
We are working hard at improving these kids’ lives. They obviously gain invaluable life skills through the game. These skills are supplemented with mentoring programs and off-the-field events. The Princeton University men's and women's teams have partnered with us, providing coaching, mentoring, and big sister/brother relationships for the kids. We are also making progress with the city school system to get lacrosse into the high school so the kids in Trenton can continue with the game they now love.
To get a feel for what we are doing in Trenton, please take a few minutes to watch the following videos (click on the links below).
http://www.campbelllacrosse.org/CSTV_Clip.html
http://www.campbelllacrosse.org/MSGTV_Clip.html
As the Trenton program grows, so does the need for financial help. In these tough financial times this is a challenge. We have gained critical momentum in generating something good in Trenton. We don't want to let the Trenton kids down. We need your assistance. Here’s how you can help:
Youth Program Administrators: Please consider donating a portion of your program’s cash reserves.
Coaches: Please forward this email to your players’ families.
Lax Parents: Please consider making a personal donation.
We would be thrilled if you would sponsor a player ($400). We would be ecstatic if you would sponsor more than one. However, we would be grateful for any amount you contribute to making a difference in these kids' lives.
To Donate: Click here to donate online or get the address for sending a check. The Foundation is a 501(c)3 public charity and donations are tax deductible.
Thank you for your generosity. It will be well used and much appreciated. Please feel free to share this email with all interested parties.
Sincerely, Chris Cahill, President The Bobby Campbell Lacrosse Foundation
The NJJGLL is looking for several web site sponsors for the 2008 season.
Three prime spots are available.
One 640 x 80 pixel slot for $300/season. Two 150 x 215 pixel slots for $250/season.
Ads include a link back to the advertiser's web site.
To place an ad send an email to ads@njjgll.com or call Cory Easter at 609-638-7825.
You can update your team and town contact information by going to this link and select your town, then fill in the appropriate information. The site admin will review it and validate it shortly thereafter.
Questions? Send an email to webmaster@njjgll.com
