As concerned parents, coaches, and community members, we assert our deep dissatisfaction with the current Monterey Bay Youth Football League (MBYFL) board https://www.montereybayyouthfootball.com/board-members

For too long, board members, specifically Valerie Valdez, Jimmy Rodriguez, and Brian Johnson, and others have wielded their power in ways that intimidate, bully, and retaliate against parents, teams, and individual members of our community. Unjust Suspensions, favoritism, not following the rule book, making rules up, and no due process. The situation is very personal to all teams, as we have felt the negative impacts of their actions and questionable financial activities directly. We believe that it's time for change. There also are 3 MBYFL board members (Juan Martinez, Tammi Reyes (Cobb), Robert Bauer) that the Alisal Eagles parents voted out for what MBYFL calls mismanagement of funds and being disorganized but they are still on MBYFL board. (https://www.ksbw.com/article/parents-raise-concerns-over-mismanaged-finances-for-salinas-youth-football-team/45843132 

We demand that all current board members step down from their positions. Additionally, in line with democratic principles, we propose that each team should be represented by one member on the MBYFL board at all times. These representatives should not have voting power; rather they should serve as advocates and voices for their teams and help run the league. In addition, we insist upon a fair election for the president position of MBYFL to ensure that those in power truly represent our community's values and interests. The only people whose votes will count will be the 12 presidents. 

This restructuring of the board (which already passed by majority vote from the team presidents in 2019/ which Valerie said they would not implement) would increase transparency, allow for more equitable decision making processes, and combat the alleged financial corruption that is rumored to have been going on within the board and across the league. MBYFL has been asked numerous times for their Bylaws and they continue to say that they will give them to us but they have not for years. We also want to see there process of asking the presidents and the votes from the presidents on them changing there bylaws to a league that governs our teams. MBYFL has become a dictatorship that is about their own interest and not about our kids, families, and teams. 

This is a call to all families, parents, former families, and teams in the Monterey Bay Youth Football League to come together and sign this petition to overhaul the MBYFL board and make youth football a fair and enjoyable activity for everyone involved, especially our teams, Families, and most importantly our children. 

If they refuse to step down, we should all leave to the AYF: 

The AYF (American Youth Football) is a national organization and comes with a lot of benefits. The AYF (https://www.norcalyfc.com/) has offered all of our teams to walk over to their league. Jose Perez 1-510-298-8041 said they would be willing to meet with all teams to get this done. Let’s get a meeting on the books soon. We could do travel ball along with them or we can create a Central Coast Division and do the same thing we are doing now but under new leadership fix the rule book. We can keep the same weights and divisions or change them. They said what MBYFL is doing with us is not right. You also would get all your coaches back that MBYFL discriminated against formerly incarcerated people with out your consent, voice, and vote, the only people that wouldn't be able to coach which I think we all agree on is people that have sex crimes and crimes against kids (none of those people should ever be around any of our kids.) They have a good football and cheer program. (https://www.montereycountynow.com/opinion/local_spin/a-controversy-within-a-youth-football-league-is-about-much-bigger-issues/article_c74ea538-5a89-11ef-aca8-8b475de1a676.html 

Every team would get all their coaches back that MBYFL discriminated against this year. We lay the groundwork now and do it for this next season.

Stand up sign the petition, share it with other friends and family in our communities, talk to your team presidents and boards, and be ready to walk away if MBYFL board members do not step down. 

Sign the petition to show your support.