True leadership is about making the life of another person better, and most people do that every day – perhaps without even knowing it!
“Wherever you turn, you can find someone who needs you. Even if it is a little thing, do something for which there is no pay but the privilege of doing it. Remember, you don’t live in the world all of your own.”
~Albert Schweitzer
“Everybody can be great. Because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve…. You don’t have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
~Martin Luther King, Jr.
“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart.”
~Elizabeth Andrew
“You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give.”
~Winston Churchill
“Volunteers are the only human beings on the face of the earth who reflect this nation’s compassion, unselfish caring, patience, and just plain loving one another.”
~Erma Bombeck
“You may not have saved a lot of money in your life, but if you have saved a lot of heartaches for other folks, you are a pretty rich man.”
~Seth Parker
“Volunteering is the ultimate exercise in democracy. You vote in elections once a year, but when you volunteer, you vote every day about the kind of community you want to live in”.
~Author Unknown
“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.”
~Oscar Wilde
A smooth running program means more fun for everyone and AYSO provides extensive management training for its volunteers. Introductory/Intermediate/Advanced Regional Management courses teach AYSO's league administrators how to manage their local programs.
"Positive Coaching" is one of AYSO's guiding philosophies and coach training is one of our highest priorities. AYSO also provides a wide range of courses to continue instructing its volunteer coaches.
Ideally, EVERY team has a Head-Coach and TWO Assistant Coaches. If your team isn't fully staffed, please ask the Head-Coach what you can do to help.
We are ALWAYS looking for Volunteer Coaches. We've had business owners, teachers, pharmacists, truckdrivers, stay-at-home parents and nearly every other profession. Our Coaches have had anywhere from 1 to 7 children and no-experience to college athletes. ANYONE can learn to be a Head-Coach! And AYSO offers more than enough on-line training to get you started. Additionally, AYSO offers in person Coach Training every season.
AYSO referees do more than just enforce the Laws of the Game. Their job is to make sure the game is safe and enjoyable for everyone: the players, the coaches, the spectators—and themselves. Although we employ high school students as referees, they need supervision and training.