Board Meeting — 11/14/22

Call to Order: President Dolly Robinson called the meeting to order at 5:39 PM.

She welcomed all Board Members in attendance, and they included the following: Laura Hunter-Null, Linda Williams, Dolly Robinson and Mike Null.

D. Robinson also welcomed special guests: George English, USTA FL Tennis Service Representative and Debbi Carter, LCCCTA Partner and Adult League Coordinator.

Approval of Board Minutes: M. Null made a motion to approve the Minutes of the October 10, 2022 meeting and L. Hunter-Null seconded the motion; the motion carried unanimously.

Special Guest Reports:

G. English, USTA FL Tennis Representative, reported the grant cycle has closed for the USTA FL Foundation. It will reopen in Feb. 2023 for tennis equipment, not to include tennis ball machines or court divider nets.

G. English said Tennis Pro, Mark Mansbach, is continuing to donate his time to teach local veterans how to play tennis. This opportunity is available through the Veteran’s Affairs Program.

G. English announced the Columbia High School Boys and Girls tennis teams have been approved by USTA FL for tennis supplies in their upcoming 2023 season.

G. English reported he was unable to attend the USTA FL Annual Meeting, held on November 12th in Orlando.

D. Robinson said she sent a gift on behalf of LCCCTA to be delivered to FL Tennis Hall of Fame inductee, Pierce Kelley.

G. English is very satisfied on how LCCCTA Board Member, Tara Bell, is conducting the Net Generation Afterschool Program at Belmont Academy. She is following USTA’s lesson plans for the seven-week program, which has only one week remaining.

It has been a bit challenging for her since the afterschool program is comprised of first through fifth graders, with varying abilities. Tara Bell has expressed an interest to continue the Net Generation Program in the spring of 2023, with some improvisations.

President D. Robinson plans to contact a female tennis player who now works at Summers Elementary. She may be interested in initiating the Net Generation Afterschool Program, and if so, D. Robinson will provide her contact information to G. English.

Debbi Carter, LCCCTA Partner, spoke with Ty Wolter—USTA FL Local Adult Play Coordinator, to obtain recommendations and gain ideas on how to elicit excitement for local adult league tennis.

Mr. Wolter said he will send out a USTA FL email containing upcoming information, suggesting a Mixed 40 League that could begin in early January. All players must have a USTA rating to play in the league; they can self-rate.

Since not all interested local players are USTA members, D. Robinson suggested the possibility of starting local social leagues, allowing LCCCTA flexibility with schedule and cost.

G. English said LCCCTA could organize a social league and set the price for players.

G. English believes Ty Wolter could help LCCCTA set it up; however, G. English will need to verify and let board members know.

M. Null recommended a mixed 6-member team for local league tennis and those players pay a nominal fee to commit to the season. M. Null suggested using Facebook for publicity.

L. Williams said registration would need to be done by clicking on our Facebook link to print and complete the forms.

Debbi Carter told D. Robinson she could obtain a local league form from Polk County, as an example for us.

Old Business:

President Dolly Robinson reported the pro shop interior is complete, the trim work has been done.

Pierce Kelley of YTF requested a picture of the improvements; D. Robinson and L. Williams will organize the pro shop and then submit a picture to P. Kelley.

D. Robinson reported she received name placards to sponsor courts one and two. They will need to be attached to the tennis court fences with wire, just beneath the court number signs. The sponsorship for each court is $250 per year; there are two court sponsorships available.

New Business:

President D. Robinson congratulated L. Williams for being named USTA FL ‘Volunteer of the Month’. She expressed gratitude to L. Williams for the volunteering she has done for LCCCTA.

M. Null asked G. English to have USTA FL submit the announcement to the Lake City Reporter, and G. English said he would.

D. Robinson also announced Lizanne Viplav, daughter of LCCCTA Board Member Liza Viplav, is to be

congratulated for being awarded the Gold Medal at the Special Olympics tennis competition held in Hilton Head, SC on Oct. 12-15, 2022.

Vice President M. Null provided an insurance update. The USTA liability insurance renewal application has been completed and a check for $275 (a $50 increase from 2022) is ready to be mailed.

M. Null made a motion that LCCCTA renew liability insurance for 2023 through USTA for $275.

L. Null seconded the motion; the motion carried unanimously.

L. Williams said that Pierce Kelley was recognized on Nov.12 th in Orlando by USTA FL for his 50+ years of volunteer work through the Youth Tennis Foundation of Florida (YTF), which allowed him to initiate many successful youth tennis programs throughout the state.

LCCCTA has benefited greatly from YTF’s assistance and L. Williams said LCCCTA will send a special (post-induction) gift to Mr. Kelley to express gratitude and congratulate him.

For a LCCCTA fundraiser, L. Williams created forms for sponsors to pay and have their individual or company banners displayed on the Young’s Park tennis fences facing West Madison Street. Print City Graphics will be working with LCCCTA on this project. Sponsor cost will be $100 for a 2x4 logo banner or $150 for a 3x6 logo banner.

L. Williams will be the contact (lindaelainewilliams@yahoo.com)

Mr. Pierce Kelley of YTF contacted L. Williams to obtain the name of a deserving young female who loves the game of tennis in our community. The $250 Kelley Award was given to a young 9-year old who has been playing in LCCCTA’s tennis clinics. Ryleigh is an enthusiastic player and will be provided tennis lessons from her coach, Mark Mansbach, compliments of YTF.

The ‘Fall Back into Tennis’ Social event for ages 12 and up at Young’s Park was created for family fun. It was advertised in the LCR Community Calendar, as well as social media.

The special event was held at 6pm on Tues., Oct. 25 th and the USTA low compression orange balls were used as ‘equalizers’ for the varied ability levels of the eleven players. Refreshments and drinks were provided by the board members.

M. Null provided the Financial Report for J. Hinkle who was unable to attend the meeting. The current balance in the bank account as of November 14th , 2022 is $1,875.92.

L. Williams asked when the tennis backboard might be attached to court 4, as there are people interested in hitting.

M. Null said it is a two-person job; it is very heavy to lift and will require concrete and digging prior to the installation.

D. Robinson volunteered to ask the same person who completed the pro shop interior to also assist in this project.

D. Robinson suggested a having a LCCCTA December Social event and the group agreed.

L. Null suggested calling it, ‘Mistletoe Tennis Social’ with participants wearing Christmas attire.

L. Williams will publicize the event on social media, newspaper, email, and flyers. The date will be Tuesday, December 13th from 6-7 PM. The cost will be $5 per individual / $15 per family and/or bring a toy to donate to ‘Toys for Tots’. Refreshments and drinks will be provided by LCCCTA board members.

L. Hunter-Null told D. Robinson she will serve on the Nominating Committee and will verify current board members and officers will continue to serve in 2023. There are no term limits.

LCCCTA’s Annual / Board meetings will be held on Monday, February 13th , 2023

The next Board meeting is scheduled for Monday, January 9, 2023, in the same location.

President Dolly Robinson adjourned the Board meeting at 7:32pm.