Region 212 > Volunteer Resources

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Nominations are currently open for Regional Commissioner of AYSO 212

The term for our Regional Commissioner (RC), currently held by Eric Bower, will end in August 2026. Therefore, a Nomination Committee has been formed, and the position is open for nominations at this time.

The RC is responsible for managing the day-to-day business of Region 212, while upholding the AYSO Vision and Mission. They must stay current with all training, certifications, and continuing education provided by AYSO. This position is a three-year term. Interested candidates should review the complete job description here.

Each candidate must submit his or her qualifications in writing to the Nomination Committee by May 22, 2026. A selection meeting will then take place in June, at which time an election will be held.

Please submit nominations or questions via email to [email protected].

VOLUNTEER INFORMATION

AYSO is an all-volunteer organization. The coaches who guide teams through practices and during games, the referees who tirelessly officiate games going from one field to the next, the board members who organize the region’s events all the way from planning registrations to setting the schedule and making sure game days run smoothly, are all volunteers. Nobody gets paid one dime to participate in AYSO. Nationwide, more than 220,000 parents, relatives and friends sacrifice their time and effort to make sure that all of the children receive a great AYSO experience.

Because of this volunteer foundation, AYSO ensures that the costs are as low as possible.

AYSO has developed special job-specific training that helps volunteers who may have little to no soccer experience familiarize themselves with the knowledge and skills necessary to become effective coaches and referees, as well as offering unique administrative and management training.

All this ensures that each program abides by AYSO’s Six Philosophies, offers a great AYSO experience and continues to grow and offer AYSO to more children.

It only takes a few hours to become a qualified introductory-level coach or referee. If you are willing to commit to even more time, there are many small but important jobs you can help with. Even a few hours here or there can make a big difference not only to your team but to the entire region.

NEXT STEP IN VOLUNTEERING

Thank you for volunteering! It is a fun and rewarding experience! There are also some steps to take before that happens.

AYSO Volunteer Application Form in Sports Connect
Any person wishing to volunteer in AYSO must complete an AYSO Volunteer Application Form each year and submit an e-signed copy to the region. Instructions are below.

Complete Background Check with Sterling Volunteers
Every volunteer must complete and pass a criminal background check with Sterling Volunteers. All requested information must be provided by the applicant. Criminal background checks ensure the safety of our children. After you complete your Volunteer Application you will receive an email from Sterling Volunteers with instructions for completing your background check.
AYSO’s Background Check Policy

Complete AYSO's Safe Haven Course
Safe Haven is a training session that focuses on safety and appropriate behavior with children. This course is taken online at AYSOU. Instructions are below.

CDC HEADS UP Concussion Training
All on field volunteers must complete the CDC Concussion Awareness course on AYSOU.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest Online Course
All on field volunteers must complete this course.

SafeSport Training
The 2017 SafeSport Act has expanded Mandated Reporters to include adults authorized to interact with children. Due to this expansion, that includes AYSO and it requires training on child abuse and mandated reporting.

AYSO’s Summary of the Laws of the Game
Found on AYSOU this course is required for all Referee Volunteers. It is highly recommended for all Coach Volunteers.

Referee Volunteers
Each Referee is required to attend a live in person training session with one of our Referee Trainers. Before every season we hold referee training for all of our new referees. Instructions for registering for in person training is below.

Coach Volunteers
All Coaches, including Assistant Coaches, must be age appropriately certified. Refer to the chart below to verify which training courses you need to complete in order to coach in each division. Some coaches may be able to complete this certification online. Other coaches will be required to participate in an in person training. This training camp is held every August. Registration instructions are below.

Division	Required Course	Format	Prerequisites
4U Playground	Playground and Schoolyard Soccer Program Leader	Online	Safe Haven, Concussion, SCA, SafeSport
5U Schoolyard	Playground and Schoolyard Soccer Program Leader	Online	Safe Haven, Concussion, SCA, SafeSport
6U	6U Coaching Training	Online and/or In Person	Safe Haven, Concussion, SCA, SafeSport
8U	8U Coaching Training	Online and/or In Person	Safe Haven, Concussion, SCA, SafeSport
10U	10U Coaching Training & Field Session	Combined Online & In Person	Safe Haven, Concussion, SCA, SafeSport
12U	12U Coaching Training Pre Course & Field Session	Combined Online & In Person	Safe Haven, Concussion, SCA, , SafeSport, 10U Coach
14U	Intermediate Coach Pre-Course & Field Session	Combined Online & In Person	Safe Haven, Concussion, SCA, , SafeSport, 12U Coach

YOUTH VOLUNTEERS?

YES, we do allow and need youth referees too!

Youth referees need to follow very specific and detailed instructions to volunteer.

Please reach out to our Referee Administrator at [email protected]

WANT TO BE A REFEREE?

Please contact Chris Bower, our Referee Administrator, at [email protected] if you have questions about the referee program. This is a volunteer activity, but the honor and reward is helping the players have a FAIR, FUN and SAFE game.

All Referee Volunteers must be registered annually. The first time you register you will receive an AYSO ID. You will need this ID for future training and certifications. SafeHaven and CDC Concussion are MANDATORY and must be completed before stepping on the field! Click on AYSOU to find training links. Log in using your system user name and password.

We will post information here when a new referee class will be held. If you want to become a certified referee and there is no class scheduled contact our Referee Administrator at the above e-mail to get the process started.

Thank you for being a Referee!

VOLUNTEER LINKS

AYSO's Online Learning Resources
Take Safe Haven and
CDC Concussion training
www.aysou.org

How does AYSO protect its volunteers and athletes?

Safe Haven™ is a program designed to address a growing need for child and volunteer protection. There are four elements in the Safe Haven™ intervention cycle: Create Policies, Screen Volunteers, Train Volunteers, and Promote Education and Awareness. These are intended to stop child abuse and its agents before they get into the program. In AYSO, children play in a friendly and safe environment.

The Volunteer Protection Act of 1997
This law grants immunity from certain types of prosecution for volunteers who meet its requirements. In order to receive full protection under the law, AYSO volunteers need must: 1. be properly trained and certified; 2. be performing duties as laid out in a position description; 3. act within the scope of AYSO's Policies, Procedures, and Guidelines.

Thank you for volunteering for Middleville AYSO Region 277. Feel free to contact our Child and Volunteer Protection Advocate with any questions or assistance you may need.

Kids are No. 1.
Fun, not winning is everything.
Fans only cheer, and only coaches coach.
No yelling in anger.
Respect the volunteer referees.
No swearing or abusive behavior.
No alcohol, tobacco or drugs.
No weapons.
Leave no trash behind.
Set a proper example of sportsmanship.

Volunteers

Ways to Volunteer at AYSO Region 212 -Galesburg and surrounding areas

All Volunteers need to register as a volunteer through our website: ayso212.org. Click the log-in button at the top, or the create account button if you don't already have an account (this is the same site you registered your child at)

Referees please email your interest to our Regional Referee Administrator, Chris Bower at refad [email protected]

Head Coaches
Responsible for:
- assisting athletes in developing their full potential through AYSO's Six Philosophies
- communicating with families
- planning, organizing, and delivering age appropriate activities for practices
- planning and coaching games
To sign up, login at ayso212.org (see above) and click on the "volunteer" tab on the left. Follow the prompts to select the division and roll you are interested in.

Assistant Coaches
Responsible for:
- assisting athletes in developing their full potential through AYSO's Six Philosophies
- communicating with families
- assisting in planning, organizing, and delivering age appropriate activities for practices
- assist coaching games
To sign up, login at ayso212.org (see above) and click on the "volunteer" tab on the left. Follow the prompts to select the division and roll you are interested in.

Referees please email your interest to our Regional Referee Administrator, Chris Bower at refad [email protected]

Assistant Referee
Responsible for:
- assisting the head referee
- enforcing the laws of the game

Youth Referee
Responsible for:
- enforcing the laws of the game

Official Linesman
Responsible for:
- notifying the referee when the ball has gone out of bounds of play

Team Parent

Responsible for:
-gathering/organizing Registration paperwork
-gathering/organizing Picture Day forms
-help pass out uniforms
-enforce Kids Zone
-fill in (in case of an emergency)

Opening Ceremonies/Closing BBQ
Responsible for helping in one or more of the following areas:
-Organize Parade Teams
- Food Station
-Root Beer Floats Station
-Children Activities
-Volunteer Station
-Cleat/Shin Guards Exchange

Community Parades Chairman
Responsible for:
- find community parades to participate in
-communicate expectations to families
-organize families at the parade

Coach Mentor
Responsible for:
-working with the Coach Administrator to mentor new coaches

Referee Mentor
Responsible for:
-working with the Referee Administrator to mentor new referees

Kids Zone Monitor
Responsible for:
-setting up Kids Zone signs
-monitoring spectators to ensure the Kids Zone Laws are being followed
-report “Kids Zone Stars” to RC