News & Information

In this space last issue (October) I shared with you some important thoughts about the future of our organization. Much has transpired since then as we've worked hard to transform Springfield 46 Baseball into a new organization. Here's a rundown of the changes made and those still in progress:

In November we voted to change the name of our organization to Springfield Youth Athletic Association. The new name is pending the approval of the Nebraska Secretary of State, which returned our Articles of Incorporation as a non-profit organization for a couple technical changes. It's highly likely they've already approved our application and new name upon receipt of the changes. Our new name better represents our purpose, which is to provide the youth of our community a variety of opportunities to participate in sports and develop athletic and life skills through preparation and competition.

In the Articles of Incorporation we indicated seven to nine directors would run our organization, lead by four officers elected last October. Three commissioners of our sports will be included in the group of directors. These commissioners will oversee the baseball, softball and football programs. The two remaining directors can be at-large positions recruited from parents of our players, or they may be left open.

The Board of Directors will be the decision-making body for S.Y.A.A., but all of you are welcomed and encouraged to get involved in the process. We'll operate much like a PTO or city council, which allows input from parents or citizens, before voting on issues. After our organization is approved by the state, we'll compile and approve a set of by-laws to govern our business activities, change our bank accounts and other official documents, and we'll even re-name the newsletter.

As you know we currently sponsor baseball, softball, tee ball, and flag football. Thanks to a $10,000 donation, given in December by a generous donor who wishes to remain anonymous, we'll be sponsoring tackle football teams for fifth and sixth grade boys next fall. And competitive basketball is still being talked about as a possibility for next fall and winter.

We'll be making a significant effort in 2001 to raise major dollars to support plans to improve our ball diamonds. We're currently putting together a detailed plan for these improvements and how we'll sell our organization to potential donors. We'd be elated to get another gift or two like the $10,000 we received for football. If you know anyone (or a business) in a position to make such a contribution, please let me know right away, and I'll make sure contact is made with the potential donor.

Obviously, we're well on our way to becoming a new and improved organization moving in a new direction to begin a new year. I hope you're as excited as I am about what's in store for us and our young athletes in 2001. It should be a great year for all of us. Happy New Year to you and your family.

Frank Staskiewicz, Jr.

President