Board Meeting — 6/13/22

Call to Order: President Dolly Robinson called the Board meeting to order at 5:35 PM. She welcomed all members in attendance and they included the following: Dolly Robinson, Mike Null, Linda Williams, and Joe Hinkle (virtual attendance).

Guest: George English of USTA Florida

Approval of Board Minutes: M. Null made a motion to approve the Minutes of the April 11, 2022 meeting and D. Robinson seconded the motion; the motion carried unanimously.

Special Guest: George English of USTA FL reported that USTA FL adult coordinator, Leigh Chak, recently retired. However, she is continuing as a tennis instructor at Ft. King Tennis Center in Ocala. Once the adult coordinator position is filled, G. English will bring and introduce that person to the LCCCTA Board.

G. English reported the Special Olympic State games in Orlando went very well.

An excellent local Columbia County tennis player attended with her family and will participate once again once she is eligible at age 16.

G. English reminded the group USTA FL applications for high school tennis teams will be available so coaches can apply for tennis supplies (tennis balls) from August 1 - October 15. (He strongly suggested the high school tennis coaches apply early).

G. English reported Coach Mark Mansbach has been doing a wonderful job teaching local veterans to play tennis twice a month. The partnership tennis program between Veteran’s Affairs and USTA Florida has been very successful and is there is a continued demand and love of tennis from the local veterans.

G. English expressed appreciation that Coach Mark Mansbach will continue to volunteer his time to teach them throughout the summer.

Old Business: D. Robinson and L. Williams have each already paid $250 and have committed to sponsoring courts one and two for 2022-2023. D. Robinson is continuing to look for name placards that can be placed just under each numbered court.

D. Robinson asked M. Null if he could obtain help with the installation of the tennis backboard on court four. M. Null said he will attempt to make contact with Chris Sanborn.

D. Robinson previously obtained a Chamber of Commerce Membership application and determined the membership cost for LCCCTA will be $275 per year. She outlined the benefits of joining: the Chamber of Commerce would promote our events, include our organization’s information in their newsletter, allow us access to their tools and resources to enhance our organization, and market our events on social media.

M. Null recommended no Board action at this June meeting, but suggested the Board vote at the August meeting whether LCCCTA should join the Chamber as a member for 2023.

New Business: L. Williams previously provided D. Robinson a quote for a metal awning to cover both center bleachers at Young’s Park’s tennis complex.

D. Robinson is in the process of submitting a $5,000 “Request for Contributions” to First Federal Bank of Florida and will be including a quote and rendering of a shade structure (metal awning) to cover both center bleachers at Young’s Park’s tennis complex. First Federal is assisting community sports programs and other groups with financial assistance for projects. They call it their Community Rewards Program.

For any additional grant opportunities, D. Robinson would like to submit a proposal with the quote L. Williams obtained from Chris Sanborn to complete the interior of the Young’s Park tennis pro shop. The total cost is $3,971.96.

D. Robinson suggested court usage signs be created and posted on both fences, adjacent to the gates leading into the courts. She recommended that courts one and two (east of the pro shop) be reserved for public play and LCCCTA activities. She added that courts three and four (west of the pro shop) could be utilized by our LCCCTA teaching pro, the public, and any other instructors. (The teaching pro may want a net to separate the courts). D. Robinson plans to obtain signs for this purpose.

D. Robinson reported LCCCTA’s (after-school) Spring Youth Tennis Camp (April 19 - May 10) was very successful. Tennis players were divided into two groups; the 7-12 graders met Tuesday and Thursday afternoons and the 3-6 graders met on Tuesday afternoons. Team Challenge matches were held on the final day, May 10th . Tennis skill progress and improvement was demonstrated with amazing play by all.

Refreshments were provided and certificates awarded to players.

Mike Null expressed appreciation to the USTA Florida Foundation for highlighting LCCCTA with a Spotlight article in their June 6 issue. It was an official article published on their Foundation website and it was also shared on their social media pages.

L. Williams reported on the current LCCCTA Summer Youth Tennis Camp.

After one week of the four-week program, there are 17 participants who are divided into ability-level groups: beginner, beginning intermediate, and intermediate players. All groups are playing between 45 min. to one hour on Tuesday and Thursday mornings during the month of June.

Adrienne Foreman is lead coach for the camp, with assistance from Yolanda Wormely, and Board members Linda Williams and Dolly Robinson.

There was only a cost of $20 per participant for the entire camp, as the Youth Tennis Foundation (YTF) of Florida dedicated $1,000 to fund the LCCCTA summer youth tennis camp.

The final day, Thursday, June 30, will be when Team Challenge matches will be held; special refreshments, awards, and raffle will conclude the program.

G. English added that when young players are at the skill level to play Junior Team Tennis, and there are at least 20 players, the model will be that parents serve as the team captains. Different (colored) tennis balls were developed by USTA 14 years ago, and they should be used, based upon ability level (Red, Orange, Green, Yellow). He added, the goal is to keep the teams evenly matched and use specific colored tennis balls that provide the “equalizer”.

J. Hinkle provided the Financial Report. The current balance in the bank account is $2,952.32, with all checks clearing the account.

J. Hinkle registered participants and collected all camp fees on the first day of the Summer Youth Tennis Camp—June 7th

J. Hinkle reported that LCCCTA Board member, Richard Johnson, completed the 2021 IRS tax form. The 2020 form will need to be completed.

D. Robinson suggested an upcoming Fall Adult Social be one in which the USTA orange balls are used for tennis play. L. Williams agreed it would be fun. A date will be decided upon at the next meeting.

In addition, D. Robinson said planning for the Fall Youth Tennis Camp will be discussed at the August meeting.

M. Null added an additional comment, expressing his gratitude to both Erin Weiffenbach and Linda Williams for posting upcoming / current tennis information and photos to increase our organization’s visibility on social media and the LCCCTA website.

The next Board meeting is scheduled for August 8, 2022 in the same location: 971 W. Duval Place, Suite 183, Conference room.

President Dolly Robinson adjourned the Board meeting at 7:24 PM.