Spring season is a juggling act. While a club must commit the majority of its time and resources to the season at hand, it must also consider the impending arrival of tryouts, tournaments, and the start of a new fall season. To ensure that your club does not fumble any of its responsibilities, The Administrator has created a list of Ten Things To Do During The Spring Season.
1. Promote the club and players: People within and around the club want to know the latest and greatest news regarding your organization. The best way to spread the word is a press release via email and website. For more info on creating a quality club press release check out:
Additionally, if your organization has players with college soccer ambitions, now is the time to promote these players. July 1st is the official day when college coaches are allowed to contact rising senior soccer players, and these future college athletes need the club’s help. Check out the following articles for more info:
- From Club to College Soccer: Administrators Helping Players Reach Their Dreams
- Interview With A College Soccer Walk-on
- Help Your Club Team Choose The Right College Camp
2. Move To An Automated Registration and Payment Process: If your club still relies on check and walkup payments for club registrations, it’s time to get over your fears. Automated registration/payment is more convenient and secure for parents. Meanwhile the club’s registrar will save hundreds of hours of work per season. But don’t be fooled… not all online registration is the same. A club must find a provider that fits its needs; otherwise the organization is simply wasting its time. To learn more, look below:
- Credit-Card-Aphobia
- Three Fears of Online Registration
- Credit Cards and Soccer Clubs: A Match Made in Heaven
- Club Payments: Common Sense For Dollars and Cents
3. Effectively Manage Risk Within Your Club: While online club management is the way to go, its 
important that each organization takes the necessary precautions to thwart potential risks associated with identity thieves and sexual predators. This means encrypting electronic payments, limiting the number of people who handle personal information, and utilizing background check services within the organization. Your club can learn more through the articles below:
- Embezzlement Strikes Again: The Dark Side of Youth Soccer
- Fake Check Scams and Soccer Clubs: Protect Your Organization
- Wireless Internet: A Potential Risk For Soccer Clubs
- Reconciliation Reports Eliminate Bookkeeping Nightmares
- Darkness To Light – Confronting Child Sexual Abuse With Courage
4. Investigate Club Funding Options for the Fall: Without a doubt, generating additional revenue is critically important to the club’s success in the upcoming year. Also, with our economy in a bit of a rut, the club may be in for some tough times ahead. If your club or club members are short on funds, then perhaps your organization should focus more on generating additional $$$, to avoid this problem in the future. Learn a few of The Administrator’s secrets below:
- Five Ways to Fund Your Club
- Securing Grants For Your Soccer Club: A Study in Persistence
- Wallet Relief From Club’s Fees
5. Go Green: Environmental awareness and conscious conservation of the earth’s 
national resources should be a priority for club administrators. Now, youth soccer organizations have the knowledge and ability to help improve our planet, one club at a time. Check out the posts below:
Stay tuned for the second half of The Administrator’s Top Ten Things To Do During The Spring Season”. If you have any suggestions for topics which should be included in the second half of our list, let us know. Your suggestion may be included in our list next week. Post your suggestions below, send an email to Jon@bluesombrero.com, or call 404-835-0305.
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Posted by: Daniel A Gonzalez | March 07, 2008 at 08:59 AM