Annual Meeting — 2/8/21
Call to Order: President Dolly Robinson called the Annual meeting to order at 5:41 PM.
Members in attendance included the following: Dolly Robinson, Mike Null, Laura Null, Liza Viplav, Linda Williams, Marcia Kazmierski, and Glenn Hunter.
President Robinson welcomed special guests: Pierce Kelley of Youth Tennis Foundation (YTF) and Mark Mansbach, PTR Certified Tennis Instructor, who expressed an interest to join LCCCTA’s Board.
M. Null added that Mark Mansbach is a valuable coach; he is currently assisting with the CHS Boy’s Tennis Team.
Approval of Annual Minutes: Minutes of February 10, 2020 meeting were reviewed; containing the Election of Officers and Board of Directors for 2020. Motion was made by G. Hunter to approve the February 10, 2020 Minutes; seconded by M. Kazmierski. The motion carried unanimously.
President Robinson provided LCCCTA’s 2020 Year in Review:
Pierce Kelley of YTF offered to fund a YTF scholarship for a local Special Olympics participant, if needed.
George English of USTA Florida, L. Viplav and L. Williams met with Belmont Academy PE coach, requesting they consider adding tennis to their PE curriculum (USTA’s SHAPE Program).
CHS tennis courts were resurfaced—eight courts.
Columbia County Board of County Commissioners were considering purchasing 500 acres for Recreation.
YTF provided extremely generous funding for multiple LCCCTA needs: $1500 to begin a Youth Team Tennis (YTT) Program, $5000 to provide LCCCTA a building to serve as a pro shop at Young’s Park, and $600 for a YTF logo windscreen.
M. Null submitted a grant proposal on behalf of LCCCTA to Suwannee Valley Community Foundation (SVCF) to be considered for $10,000 in funding—to be used for tennis equipment and supplies. SVCF President, Patrick Douglas and the SVCF Board approved this special request, realizing the importance of tennis as a local community activity. LCCCTA members have been extremely grateful. The benches and tennis backboard have arrived and will complete the order.
Monthly Board Meetings were held at various locations beginning in August when the Board was unable to meet, Status Reports were provided to LCCCTA members and Tennis Partners via email. Also, Monthly Minutes and Status Reports were posted on LCCCTA’s website.
Young’s Park tennis courts were completed the beginning of December. “First Serve Opening Celebration” was held on the four tennis courts on December 14, 2020, with special guests and a large turnout from the community.
The Columbia County Board of County Commissioners approved dedicating eight (8) acres to LCCCTA at their December 17th, 2020 meeting. As a follow up to the December 17th, 2020 Board of County Commissioners meeting, the TDC Chairman invited LCCCTA members to attend their January 27, 2021 TDC meeting, requesting to learn more about LCCCTA.
D. Robinson and M. Null made an impressive chronological presentation on behalf of LCCCTA at that meeting.
G. Hunter suggested LCCCTA request TDC’s grant proposal to the Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) include a design for an exterior 8-acre parcel, with road access for LCCCTA.
G. Hunter added the construction grant will follow the design grant.
With new businesses moving into this community, G. Hunter believes this will be an excellent opportunity for employers to offer tennis opportunities to their employees.
Nomination and Election of Board Members: M. Kazmierski, chair of the Nomination Committee, presented a slate of fifteen (15) names for consideration to serve as Board of Directors of the LCCCTA for the new year starting immediately at the conclusion of the Annual Meeting of 2021.
The proposed slate of directors included: Dolly Robinson, Mike Null, Linda Williams, Joe Hinkle, Glenn Hunter, Marcia Kazmierski, Tom Moore, Laura Hunter, Recie Davis, Liza Viplav, Nelson Rivera, Laura Null, Richard Johnson, Bridget Van Aller, as well as new members—Brandi O’Neal and Mark Mansbach.
Motion was made by M. Kazmierski to approve the slate of proposed Board of Directors for the new year; seconded by M. Null.
The motion carried unanimously.
President Robinson adjourned the Annual meeting at 6:12 PM.
