Organizationally, the Girl’s Junior Division is now divided into three main areas: Competition, Administration, and Rules & Ethics. The purpose of this structure is to provide focus and efficiency for the various activities required by each of the areas. These three groups have the responsibility, authority, and accountability for the day-to-day decisions and procedures within their domain.

     Successfully running a rapidly growing program like the CHRVA Junior Girls Program is quite a large task, and there are many different operational procedures, aspects, and concerns involved in any organization of this size. To focus each group in its area of expertise and then effectively coordinate the activities of those groups is the goal of the current Junior organization.

     Before presenting the current staff, I wish to like to say “Thank You” to Ms. Fran Duval, who has spent countless hours managing the program over the last several years. She was there for me more than a few times when I called upon her. For the upcoming season, I have accepted the offer of filling the position vacated by Fran, and my role will be to coordinate the three newly delineated functional areas.

The Junior Division is now structured as follows:

     Competition Committee: This group is responsible for all competition related activity such as sanctioning and scheduling tournaments, updating seeding information, communicating tournament results (via the website), and determining priorities. Arlene Geppi, a former Junior Coordinator for several years will lead this group. The other members of this group are the age group coordinators: Amelia Jeffries (17/18), Sandy Withers (15/16), and Skip Slawson (12/13/14). Welcome Amelia, and many thanks to Sandy and Skip for signing up for another year! 

     Program Administration: Several hours are spent on such things like as scheduling Junior referee and scorekeeper clinics; setting up IMPACT clinics; answering
countless questions from, and guidance to, the general membership; dealing with issues from the National office; administering Junior meetings; and maintaining a database of Junior clubs, coaches and teams. Many thanks to Amanda Moran for agreeing to step into this position. Amanda is prepared to tackle these day-to-day activities and brings with her the experience she obtained as last year’s 17/18 coordinator, as well as her prior years of service working in Junior programs in other Regions.

     Junior Rules and Ethics Committee: Lisa DiGiacinto is tasked with leading this group which is responsible for enforcement of Junior behavioral matters as defined by the Junior Code of Ethics and Conduct. In her new role, Lisa and her team will be reviewing this Junior Code to bring it up-to-date in accordance with today’s needs. Cheryl Lord and Roger Heald have graciously agreed to continue in their positions on this Committee. 

     These groups of individuals are hard-working teams, dedicated to improving volleyball competition at the Junior level. I anticipate that there will be positive progress at enhancing the Junior Program in Chesapeake Region. Collectively, the teams have already held three planning meetings as well as participated in two “all-day” Regional meetings where Handbook changes were being considered. We have been successful so far in receiving acceptance of almost all the Junior’s suggested modifications. 

     Thanks to all of those in the Junior Division, both who are mentioned here as well as those who work behind the scenes, for volunteering your personal time, efforts, and resources to contribute to making CHRVA Juniors successful.