Board Meeting — 5/11/26
Call to Order/Welcome:
President Mike Null called the Board Meeting to order at 5:42 PM and thanked the group for attending. He welcomed board members in attendance: Laura Hunter-Null, Joe Hinkle, Eshu Xi Amaru, Kelli Crews, Dolly Robinson, Linda Williams, Michael Ammundsen, Michael Sexton, and Bobbi Brannon.
Guest:
Jhanna Gilbert, USTA FL Local Play Coordinator of USTA FL was welcomed and introduced to all board members.
Approval of Minutes:
M. Ammundsen made a motion to approve the Minutes of the February 9th Board Meeting; seconded by B. Brannon, and the motion carried unanimously.
President Report:
M. Null expressed gratitude to several board members serving in capacities promoting tennis: Kelli Crews has been coaching the CHS Tennis Team, Michael Ammundsen coaches the SHS Tennis Teams, and Eshu Xi Amaru keeps a presence at the tennis courts and assists with maintaining the facilities. In addition, President Null expressed appreciation to every volunteer over the past 11 years who has made LCCCTA successful.
D. Robinson reminded the group that the Planning Committee began meeting in 2014 when Glenn Hunter was chairman. Also, D. Robinson said County Commissioner, Scarlet Frisina, was instrumental in recommending the group become a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
With that organizational structure, President Null said annual reports are filed and the organization accepts donations. In addition, LCCCTA is recognized by USTA as a community tennis association. New accounts available for specific donations include Milly Beggs Adult Social Account and the Coach Mark Mansbach Youth Scholarship Fund.
M. Null announced LCCCTA has two local tennis coaches who are Safe Play Certified through USTA and are available to provide youth and adult tennis lessons: John Lear and Cassidy Lear. LCCCTA will promote them, as well as allow them to access our Tennis HQ. Since we will need assistance with maintaining the courts and grounds, we will ask their assistance as volunteers to help.
President Null would like for both tennis coaches to be added as Ex-Officio members of LCCCTA.
L. Hunter-Null made the motion that both John Lear and Cassidy Lear become Ex-Officio members; seconded by L. Williams, and the motion carried unanimously.
L. Williams will ensure the LCCCTA Board of Directors information is updated and posted on the LCCCTA website.
Eshu Xi Amaru told the group he has contacted the local Veteran’s Program, but has not heard back as to whether they would like to continue the USTA and Veteran’s Affairs partnership. E. Xi Amaru is willing to continue teaching tennis to the veterans, as Coach Mark Mansbach did for several years.
M. Null said he will reach out to USTA FL Service Representative, George English to get an answer. USTA FL has always generously provided tennis balls for this program.
Kelli Crews said that since she works at our local VA Hospital, she will also follow up.
President Null reported he contacted City of Lake City officials regarding obtaining a key card system (Tennis Facility Usage Agreement) for the tennis courts a few months ago, as homeless people were abusing the courts. At that time, D. Robinson contacted the Health Dept. to report the unsanitary conditions, and B. Brannon contacted the Lake City Police Dept. Since time has passed, M. Null and M. Sexton suggest a ‘wait and see approach’ before requesting a key card system, which might limit players coming to play at the courts who have no knowledge how to gain access to the courts.
M. Ammundsen strongly suggests obtaining the key card system for the majority, not the minority. At this time, it was agreed by the group we will see if the problem arises again, and if so, take action.
VP/Secretary Report:
L. Williams reported that 2026 Youth Tennis Camp dates have been established and are posted so parents can plan for LCCCTA’s 10th Annual Montgomery Summer Youth Tennis Camp. Cassidy Lear will be the summer camp director and morning camp times will be 8:30-9:30 AM. LCCCTA’s Fall Youth Tennis Camp will run from October 6-22 and camp times will be afterschool from 4:30-5:30 PM.
L. Williams provided a summary of LCCCTA’s Spring Youth Tennis Camp, held April 7-23, with a total of 29 participants who learned and/or developed their skills in tennis. We were blessed with 11 volunteers who provided their time and knowledge to either coach or assist with the youth program.
L. Williams reported the LCCCTA banner sponsorship renewals will be due by June 30th; she will notify the sponsors via email before the end of May. A new banner sponsor will be ‘Bill and Bobbi Brannon and L. Williams will obtain the 2x4 banner to be displayed on the tennis court fence facing Madison Street.
Treasurer Report:
J. Hinkle provided the financial report as of May 11, 2026. The account balance is $4,859.94, to include funding from Youth Tennis Foundation of FL ($2,247.72), general expenses ($2,162.22), and special accounts: Milly Beggs Adult Social Account ($300) and Coach Mark Mansbach Scholarship Fund ($150).
M. Null is asking that additional board members assist with coordinating the three Tennis Socials. Debbi Carter will continue with the 6:00 PM Tuesday evening social, Eshu Xi Amaru will coordinate the 6:00 PM Thursday evening social, and Bobbi Brannon will contact players regarding the 10:00 AM Saturday morning social.
B. Brannon reminded the group that LCCCTA Tennis Socials are ‘Mixed Doubles”.
D. Robinson suggested the Board consider a “Work Day” every so often in order to maintain the courts and grounds of the tennis facility.
M. Null reminded everyone that In the past, Coach Mark Mansbach did all of the maintenance as an in-kind service, with no compensation to him. Everyone agreed it is a great idea, and it is necessary; a date will be scheduled in the near future.
New Business:
President Null introduced our new Local Play Coordinator, Ms. Jhanna Gilbert. Her background is in recreation, parks, and tourism with a specialty in event management. She also has extensive experience in volunteerism and community service, specifically with children and youth activities. Although Jhanna Gilbert just began her position with USTA FL, she is willing to assist us in providing t-shirts and supplies for the program, ‘Love to Learn, Love to Play.’
L. Hunter-Null said she surveyed several parents from our spring camp and found there is a strong interest from parents wanting to learn how to play tennis so they can play with their children.
Ms. Gilbert also coordinates social adult leagues and can help LCCCTA start one, if there are at least two teams. Non-member league is an option, as well as a tri-level weekend tournament.
M. Null said he is looking forward to when the tennis courts need to be reserved, with so many players on them. We want to ‘grow’ the game!
M. Null asked for summaries from our high school tennis coaches and board members, Kelli Crews (CHS) and M. Ammundsen (SHS). Both coaches had 3-4 new players of 6 players with absolutely no tennis experience. Several went on to perform well beyond their coaches’ expectations. CHS and SHS had successful tennis seasons.
L. Hunter Null reminded the group we want to fill the gap for middle school kids interested in playing so they can continue into high school. YTF recommends Team Tennis, and it’s what we should strive to add in LCCCTA’s youth camps, as players progress and play competitively against each other.
YTF Board member, L. Williams reported she will be attending YTF’s annual meeting in Vero Beach on the weekend of July 18th and continued annual funding for LCCCTA’s youth tennis activities / camps is expected.
President M. Null thanked everyone for their time and support and adjourned the meeting at 7:10 PM.
Next tentative board meeting scheduled for Monday, August 10th, 2026 at 5:30 PM.
