I volunteered to take over the website for our community football club which caters to children in elementary school. So as part of my duties, I decided to start attending the board meetings just to keep abreast of that was going on in the organization. The first meeting I attended was a real, boring drag and poorly organized. I would have accepted the presidency, but I don't know enough about football and I was a newcomer. Instead, I just wanted to do the website and cruse along.

Well, last night it got spicey! The meeting started a bit late. Someone made an announcement and then the president asked if anyone had anything before he got into his thing. No one responded. Then, as the president started, a dude stood up and said that he had something to say. Unfortunately, he started off at "11" and started verbally attacking and accusing the current president. He had a laundry list of items and was just spouting off. When the president tried to explain..."I have the floor!" was the response. Obviously the guy had been stewing for some time. The president took it for as long as he could, then started to shout back. Soon the one dude charged the president, who stood up and made an angry grap. Up to this point everyone was sitting uncomfortably by, but not getting involved. It was almost like allowing your parents to fight while you try to disapprear. Personally I was disgusted with the whole thing and when it looked to get physical, I just got up and left. I went down to the Youth Center office and let the assistant director know what was going on and suggested she "inspect" the room just outside the meeting to make sure she didn't need to call local law enforcement. As I left, I saw that some of the ladies in the meeting had stepped out as well, but they were waiting around and talking on the stair landing.

I think I did the right thing. I definitely don't want to get involved in some crazy power struggle over youth football. Sure, one can have grievances and express them, but this guy was over the top for the get go and there wasn't going to be any real discussion. And since it looked like it might turn into a brawl, I really didn't want to be there.

So, what say you?

Last edited: Wednesday, December 14, 2005 at 2:47:00 PM

Oh what fun.

Sounds like the club leaders didn't know enough about what some people felt, and they got ambushed. One big problem with being in leadership roles is that often the board doesn't get to know what people are yapping about until it's too late. I'd be willing to bet that the angry guy feels like he's been ignored and his list of grievances is themed around the board not listening to people, or not doing something he thinks they should.

I don't blame you for walking out and letting the director know about it. These kinds of things get ugly, and can get out of hand. Makes you feel good about trying to volunteer in the community, doesn't it?

(I just recently was involved in a kind of coup in my homeowner's association... Similar sounding, but the ugliness was verbal. I ended up on the board. Sigh...)

I can say that the president does tend to be an overachiever and controlling, but then I can see where he thinks he has to be. Its been very difficult for him to get anyone to help him with so many things, that he tends to start doing everything himself. That's why I felt bad for him since he had put so much time and effort into the previous season only to have someone jump on him afterwards for doing so. If anyone thought it was a problem, they should have vounteered more and spoken to the president in private instead of simmering until boiling and attacking him in public.

That sounds familiar. When people don't step up and help, it creates a bad situation. The pres must really think the club is important, and is willing to do whatever it takes to keep it going.

Unfortunately, if he keeps doing that too long, he gets into an isolated situation, and won't hear people's gripes because no one has the nerve to tell him what they don't like. (I don't understand that, but I've seen it lots of times)

Eventually some hothead decides to take him on, but usually doesn't do it properly. It's not fair to ambush the pres with complaints that way. I'd even bet that the other people there were stunned into silence by it.

It sounds like time for the pres to ask for more input and help from other people so he can have a better feel for the member's issues. Communication needs to improve in both directions. (members to leaders and leaders to members)

I would have run home and put on my pads, and jumped into the game!

I deal with that kind of crap every so often. I coach youth baseball. My first year coaching was by far the worst experience. I was coaching T-ball, 5 and 6 year olds, and at the first coaches meeting prior to the season this one idiot wanted to hold a draft. He wanted to have a Saturday meeting where we'd watch the kids play and rate them on a scale. Five and six year olds!

The draft, rating scale and other egghead ideas of his made my cheeks clench. Without thinking I blurt out, "Are you nuts?" He got offended and blah, blah, blah, Long story short, there was no draft.

P.S. Napalm was never asked to coach again.

Last edited: Wednesday, December 14, 2005 at 7:54:21 PM

"Are you nuts?" %) That's a classic, dude! ROFLMAO

I can relate. I am coaching a basketball clinic for 6-7 year olds. Strictly instructional and no games. We have about 100 kids with 8 coaches (yes basketball is HUGE in Kentucky).

The goal of this thing is to advance their skills so they will be ready for league play next year. Well, the guy that is in charge is the head coach of the local high school. He has us teaching them pick and roll, crossover dribbles, jab steps etc. HALF of these kids can barely dribble!! I have convinced the head honcho to concentrate on the BASIC fundamentals like dribbling, passing and shooting.

P.S. I bet ROGUE could help us with the dribbling!! XD

^ Na Rogue's not even a good dribbler. But he's working on it!

Good for you Rogue!

^{Nice manmories BTW}

Last edited: Wednesday, December 14, 2005 at 8:20:06 PM

^Bolo? Lol %)

OMG! Get well soon Bolo!
Man doesnt he look awful?
Change out yer meds dude!!
these aint workin' for ya!

The followup:

I spoke to one of the women who attended the Tuesday night's meeting. She said the guys soon settled down after I left. The president then said something to one of the other guys about the yearly gun raffle and he then threatened to came across the table and beat the guy's butt. At this point, the lady I was talking to spoke up and said they needed to shape up and cool it. She also reminded them that we were there for the children. Another lady spoke up as well and said she wanted to be the vice-president, but she wasn't going to work under these conditions. So the guys calmed down. The assistant director did call the police to insure there was a peaceful end to the meeting as well.

Since then, I've received two emails concerning that night, one from the president explaining his side and another from a current board member expressing his concerns and asking for another board meeting with everyone present. He basically wants things resolved and put into good order while making sure the pass 8 years of work doesn't go down the drain and that the kids still get the service and attention they need.

Personally, I'm all for a leadership change and a fresh start. If this sort of bad blood has been stewing for awhile, then I think its best to get rid of all the offenders, start with a new board and tap the old guard for advice when its needed. If that happens, I may even step up to a position.

But overall the feeling is, stupid boys, grow up.

Here's my question: What is either of those two thinking while this is going on? Kudos to the lady to be the voice of reason, which we all need at some time or another in our lives. I say ditch the board and organize in a different way, without these two jokers having a voice. Or if that is too radical, the path you are on, of lessening the impact these 2 have on your youngsters is crucial. Contain the morons, lift up the good people and utilize their gifts.

Answer to previous question: they were't thinking. Let clearer heads prevail, and get those 2 some counseling so they can decompress their family issues.