Quote:

The Bylaws and Constitution changes failed to obtain a 2/3 supermajority vote of the SSC members present by six votes.

Several ironies:

1) The Bylaws changes (governing issues) would have likely passed with 90%+ of the vote. The SSC Board forced an up or down vote on ALL changes which means SSC will continue to be governed by an unwieldy 13 member board despite the fact that the vast vast majority of members wanted to streamline club government.

2.) The Constitution changes (name and colors) would have very likely passed if CESA would have compromised on the proposed color change as it did compromise on the proposed name change. CESA-Summerville retaining blue over red would have won. CESA would not bend on the color red for marketing reasons (i.e., "branding").

3.) When the meeting started, more than 2/3 of the members present appeared to support the changes. I myself was leaning in the direction of voting yes despite misgivings about the Board forcing an up or down vote on all the changes. Then, a few folks asked some very pertinent questions that the Board members clearly had not contemplated. When the Board members looked startled and even a bit confused, Andrew Hyslop decided to start talking. Several members told me after the vote that it was Hyslop's condescending tone that actually caused them to change their mind to a "no" vote.

Notwithstanding the clumsy, ham-handedness of the whole process (and the heavy-handedness of forcing one up or down vote), all of the changes would have very very likely passed if someone else from CESA (Pearse Tormey or Andrew Fleming) had been the voice and face of CESA at the meeting. Suffice to say that Hyslop is no diplomat.

One of the things the Board revealed at the meeting is that CESA can back out of the 3 year management contract for any reason on 72 hours notice. If Tormey and Hyslop want to stay, the can run SSC for 3 years absent malfeasance or insubordination. If they want to pull up stakes, they can do it this weekend.



oldskoolpinewood,
I have known Hyslop for a few years now but have only had coversations with him on a few occasions when it concerned my daughters team or the recruitment process she is in. This is just my opinion but i have never seen him to be condesending or rude as you have stated. Maybe what some of you have perceived as condesending was actually straight forwardness and honesty.I have never seen him pull any punches but if you want someone to be honest and tell you exactly what he means and how he means it then that is him. You said if Tormey or Flemming spoke it may have been different. I feel sure they would of given the same info Hyslop did. If all of you made decisions about your kids soccer future on someone seeming condesending then i hate it for you. Maybe he just did not say what all of you wanted him to say. He is no yes man. My first experience with Andrew was my daughters first year trying out at cesa. He gathered all the parents up from each age group and told everyone that "if your kid is on a premier team going to reginals and you do not make the team you want this year and you back out of reginals then you will not play for cesa". I knew then i would like it at cesa because a bunch of parents would not run the club.it has not always been smooth sailing at cesa but it has been more good than bad.
You all may have made the right decision by not voting for cesa. You will not know for awhile. One thing is for sure. With cesa's track record you may have made the wrong decision.
Summerville is a great area with great people. My brother lives over in jetburg. My first taste of sticky fingers was in Summerville. My oldest has played in summerville many times with club,tournys and odp and we always enjoy coming down there.Good luck and i hope everything works out for Summerville soccer.