OBJECTIVE		Develop in the Loudoun Soccer Coach a sense of belonging and operational responsibility in the Association by: Creating a way for the primary stakeholders in the Association to collectively influence its operations Generating an effective way of communicating the needs and policies of the Association to its members Put the day-to-day operation of the Association in the hands of the Stakeholders Populating Committees to resolve issues and suggest policy.
VISION		The Loudoun Soccer Coaches' Forums are designed to provide an avenue for Loudoun Soccer recreational league coaches to collectively become involved in and affect the operations of the Association. Led by Coaches and advised by the Loudoun Soccer Director of Coaching, the Forums and its workgroups and committees will: Provide a conduit for issues and concerns to reach the Loudoun Soccer Board of Directors. Develop a sense of soccer community through regionalized Forums. Develop the Operating Procedures for special events including All-Star and House League Tournaments and player development initiatives. Provide feedback to the Board as to the success of implemented programs and procedures. Generate new proposals to present to the Loudoun Soccer Board of Directors on rules, programs and issues affecting our recreational soccer players.
WHY		To improve communication between and among the implementers (coaches) and the decision-makers (Board of Directors) and to relieve the Board from the day-to-day operation of the Association. From its beginning Loudoun Soccer has been structured with a Board of Directors that has taken a hands-on approach to operating the league. Nearly all the information, rule changes, program initiatives, and administration decisions are initiated at the Board level with final decisions flowing down to the coaches. As the league has grown, the operational burden on the members of the Board has grown and the communication between these two groups has become more difficult. Despite the fact that every Board member is either a coach or referee, a perception has evolved that Loudoun Soccer is run by a Board removed from its constituency. The Coaches' Forums will provide a channel of communication between soccer operations and the Association's administration. Through this channel the true stakeholders of the Association can influence its operation and have an opportunity to participate in its operations through workgroups and committees.
HOW		The Coaches' Forums will be divided by region (west, central, east). Each regional forum will initially meet four times a year in February, May, August, and November. The Forum is run by the coaches who will decide the specific operating procedures and may decide to call additional meetings for special events or specific topics. Meetings are not designed to be open forums. In order for them to be as effective as possible, each meeting will be controlled by an agenda. Agenda items may be suggested by coaches or the Board with the final agenda being set by the Director of Coaching. The on-line forum on the Loudoun Soccer web site can also be used to facilitate discussions in between meetings and to obtain input from the general constituency. As issues arise that affect all regions, each regional forum will develop a position and send the issue to a committee comprised of representatives from each region. This regional committee will develop the coaches' position to present to the Board of Directors, if necessary.
TOPICS		Below is a list of some of the topics that could be discussed by the Forums in order to address current issues within Loudoun Soccer. Coach recruitment, training and retention. Player development programs that better meet the needs of each region and reach a larger number of players. Recreational team formation processes to achieve better balance. Desired level of SFL participation for Loudoun Soccer U12 teams. Evaluating the effectiveness of the current rules for small-sided games (U6 through U10). How to deal with the ever increasing limitations on field availability (especially for team practices).
CONCLUSION		The operational procedures of the Coaches Forum will be developed by the Coaches as the Forums mature. The Forums are a place to be heard and receive direct information. They are also an opportunity to improve the operation of the Association through participation in working groups and committees.