Board Meeting — 12/13/21

Call to Order: President Dolly Robinson opened the meeting at 5:33 PM.

Members present included: Dolly Robinson, Mike Null, Laura Hunter-Null, Liza Viplav and Linda Williams.

President Dolly Robinson welcomed our guest, Mr. George English, USTA Florida Representative.

The Minutes of the November 8th Board Meeting were reviewed.

A motion was made by M. Null to approve the 11/8/21 minutes as presented; the motion was seconded by L. Hunter-Null, and the motion carried unanimously.

President Dolly Robinson thanked L. Hunter-Null for developing and providing Board members a written outline of a banner fundraising idea.

L. Hunter-Null contacted a couple of printing companies prior to the meeting and determined prices were reasonable for an experienced in-house printer in our community. In addition, the printing company representative was very helpful; providing suggested banner sizes, recommended banner material, and prices for LCCCTA to consider—suggesting half price for renewals.

They also recommended our non-profit organization join the Lake City/Columbia County Chamber of Commerce to develop partnerships with local businesses that would want to purchase banners to support youth team athletics.

D. Robinson will check Chamber of Commerce dues for a non-profit organization and will present the cost at the January meeting for a vote by members.

D. Robinson mentioned sponsor banners would be strategically placed around the fence areas at the Young’s Park tennis courts.

L. Viplav reminded the group the tennis court fences are 8 feet in height.

M. Null suggested we start with just a few banners and slowly add to them.

L. Williams asked L. Hunter-Null if the cost of multi-color banners would be more than what was quoted. L. Hunter-Null will check on this.

G. English said he is still in the process of obtaining a USTA Florida banner for LCCCTA.

D. Robinson suggested local businesses have an opportunity to purchase banners for a set price per year and this would become an annual source of income for our CTA. The proposal, which will include setting an amount per sponsored banner, will be placed on the January 10th , 2022 Board meeting agenda and then voted on at LCCCTA’s Annual Meeting on February 14th, 2022, to allow feedback from other board members.

D. Robinson will provide the Board a draft of the sponsorship opportunities.

M. Null suggested providing three levels of sponsorship for the different sized banners ($1,000, $500, and $250).

L. Williams will check with LCCCTA’s webmaster to determine if paid sponsors can legally be recognized on LCCCTA’s social media sites.

M. Null mentioned that a paid sponsor can name the tennis pro shop since LCCCTA owns the structure.

On behalf of LCCCTA, M. Null completed the application to USTA for general liability insurance renewal and LCCCTA has coverage for 2022, with no increase in cost.

M. Null invited group discussion regarding the renewal of Director and Officer professional insurance. He reported LCCCTA does not have employees and has not had any claims.

However, M. Null stated our organization has limited exposure since volunteers and independent contractors are used for tennis camps and tournaments. L. Viplav agreed.

G. English said he believes USTA Florida maintains D & O coverage.

D. Robinson asked for further discussion and M. Null asked the group if there were any anticipated expenses; none were known.

L. Williams made a motion to renew our D & O insurance policy for $553.30 per calendar year (Jan 2022-Dec 2022). The motion was seconded by M. Null, and the motion carried unanimously.

L. Viplav was congratulated for accepting the position of coach for CHS’ Boy’s Tennis Team in 2022. The season begins in January and L. Viplav will make contact with the Girl’s Tennis coach to determine the dates of tennis season matches, as well as district tournament dates.

LCCCTA Board Member and Tennis Professional, Liza Viplav plans to lead LCCCTA’s Youth Tennis Camp (YTC) in the spring. Tentatively, April 5th the program will begin and be held from 4:30-5:30 PM on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons for four weeks, ending on April 29st. Possibly, a Youth Tennis ‘Challenge’ could be held on the final day.

Liza Viplav suggested the Youth Tennis Camp be limited to fifteen (15) 7th -12th grade students, on a first come first served basis. The participant cost was set at $25 by LCCCTA board members for the YTC 4-week spring program.

L. Williams will publicize the tennis camp with colorful flyer via Facebook, Instagram, Lake City Reporter / Community Calendar, once Coach L. Viplav confirms high school district tennis match dates are determined not to conflict with the youth tennis camp dates.

Once verified, L. Williams will create a YTC registration form for the Spring camp participants and provide a link so copies can be downloaded on social media. Hard copies will be available at the pro shop.

L. Williams shared the names and pictures of two local recipients who received recent Youth Tennis Foundation (YTF) scholarships: Camrin Wilcoxson and Abby Marsee. Camrin just returned from attending the Ed Krass College Tennis Academy in Lakeland, Florida. Abby has received YTF’s Kelley Family Award of $250 to provide private tennis lessons from tennis professional and LCCCTA Board member, Mark Mansbach.

LCCCTA Treasurer Joe Hinkle previously stated he will be available to accept completed registration forms and payments on the first day of the camp—April 5th. Youth Tennis Foundation (YTF) provided $1,000 for LCCCTA’s spring youth tennis camp. D. Robinson will write a note of gratitude to the Youth Tennis Foundation for another generous donation.

L. Williams reminded D. Robinson that Marcia Kazmierski provided an email providing her resignation as Chair of the Nominating Committee. President Robinson appointed L. Hunter-Null to serve as the new Chair of the Nominating Committee.

L. Hunter-Null accepted the position and will provide 2022 Officer and Board nominations at the Annual Meeting in February.

J. Hinkle provided December Treasurer’s Report to LCCCTA Board members via text and email.

The current balance in the bank account is $2681.62, to include $1000 funding from YTF (designated for the spring youth tennis camp).

G. English reported that USTA Florida is working with representatives from Veteran’s Affairs throughout the state of Florida. Mr. English recently contacted (USTPR) Tennis Professional, Mark Mansbach, to see if he would volunteer his time to provide tennis instruction to able-bodied veterans.

Mr. English said USTA Florida will provide all tennis equipment and supplies required for tennis instruction for the veterans. Mr. Mansbach is willing and excited to do this. He will begin instruction in January 2022 (1st and 3rd Tuesday at 11 AM and Thursday at 1 PM). Tennis instruction sessions may lead to private lessons; M. Mansbach believes it is a good investment of his time.

M. Null suggested L. Williams contact the Lake City Reporter to request newspaper coverage when the special tennis lessons for veterans begin.

G. English also reported the US Open was successful this year. He said there was an 80% attendance rate, even with the additional expenses with COVID protocols in place. Each player and each attendee provided proof of their COVID vaccinations.

USTA reported that tennis revenue has increased and sectional areas expect to receive an increase in funding. Before leaving the Board meeting, Mr. English announced he expects to attend the next few LCCCTA meetings, having no anticipated date conflicts.

D. Robinson asked Board Members if there was anything else to report.

L. Hunter-Null expressed deep concern about how tennis player interest can be increased in our community. Specifically, interest from current LCCCTA Board members, and also Tennis Partners.

With new tennis courts (lit at night), organized youth and adult programs and tennis clinics, private tennis lessons available by a USTPR tennis professional who has an ongoing presence at Young’s Park, and with all LCCCTA tennis events and tennis news publicized in the local newspaper and on LCCCTA’s website and social media, L. Hunter-Null wishes tennis participation would be much higher.

President D. Robinson said LCCCTA is doing all it can to increase participation. She added, it may take some time, but new players taking tennis lessons and also players involved in our youth programs and adult clinics should steadily increase. Those areas are key to increasing participation.

The next LCCCTA Board meeting is set for January 10, 2022.

The combined Annual meeting and Board meeting is scheduled for February 14, 2022.

There being no further formal business, President Dolly Robinson adjourned the meeting at 7:44 PM.