Board Meeting — 6/14/21
Call to Order: President Dolly Robinson called the meeting to order at 5:43 PM.
Members present included: Dolly Robinson, Mike Null, Joe Hinkle, Mark Mansbach, Laura Hunter-Null, and Linda Williams.
No special guests attended the meeting; however, emailed information was provided and read to the participants by L. Williams.
USTA Florida Tennis Representative, George English, wrote that he plans to attend the next LCCCTA Board meeting, and meetings, thereafter.
Leigh Chak, USTA Florida (Region 2) Adult Play Coordinator was not able to attend the meeting.
Pierce Kelley was not able to attend the meeting, but sent an email on behalf of Youth Tennis Foundation (YTF). Mr. Kelley said their organization has been delighted to help LCCCTA over the past several years and could not be happier to see the success of our CTA.
He added there are challenges remaining and he wishes LCCCTA the best of luck going forward.
Correspondence was received from Board members Nelson Rivera and Recie Davis letting the group know they would not able to attend the June meeting.
In addition, our Tennis Partner, Jeb Stewart, sent an email stating, “it looks like you guys are doing an amazing job”.
The Minutes of the May 10, 2021 Board Meeting were reviewed.
A motion was made by M. Null to approve the 5/10/21 minutes as presented; the motion was seconded by M. Mansbach, and the motion carried unanimously.
D. Robinson suggested we add the Columbia County Manager to our group’s email distribution list so he can see what LCCCTA is doing in the community. L. Williams will ensure this is done.
President D. Robinson provided an update on Youth Team Tennis.
Letters were written by D. Robinson for both YTF and the Lake City Reporter. The letter provided recognition of instructional equipment provided to LCCCTA through a USTA-Florida grant.
M. Mansbach reported on the first week of the Youth Summer Tennis Program. Participation has been low due to school recently out and planned vacations, but he expects participation to increase in the coming weeks.
M. Null added the STEM Program being held during June and July may also contribute to a decrease in participation.
M. Null suggested we continue to report youth and adult number of participants and total fees paid whenever programs are sponsored by LCCCTA.
M. Null also stated he knows the energy put into the promotion of programs and he expressed his concerns with M. Mansbach regarding his profitability (based upon effort generated and income earned). M. Mansbach assured the group he loves what he is doing and income is not what is most important.
The group expressed much appreciation to M. Mansbach for his hard work: his heart for teaching tennis, being available at the tennis courts most days, and for maintaining the tennis courts and pro shop.
D. Robinson was asked about the possibility of purchasing sail shades (removable canopy that hangs on tennis fence to provide shade). She is looking at prices, as a group of ladies are willing to donate the money to purchase them for all four tennis courts.
LCCCTA members plan to provide a sign to recognize the donors.
D. Robinson spoke with the director of public works, asking if four sails can be erected over the metal bleachers, with the possibility of using galvanized pipes painted black. She was told LCCCTA has permission to do whatever is necessary.
M. Null asked D. Robinson to please share emailed pictures of the sails with the group.
VP Null reported he had recent correspondence with the director of the USTA Foundation Grant and was told LCCCTA doesn’t need to submit a close out report until mid-August. He will use the same participation, income, total hours, and in-kind contributions from the report D. Robinson created.
L. Hunter-Null had a question regarding available local grants; she was aware of a Columbia County grant to be used for infrastructure. Specifically, she knew of 501c3 groups who were requesting funds and wanted to know how to find out more. D. Robinson recommended L. Hunter-Null contact the Columbia County Manager and asked her to please report her findings to our group.
L. Williams reported that Dick’s Sporting Goods is offering 501c3 nonprofit organizations who are helping youth sports, an opportunity for grant funding. The requests are accepted on a rolling basis and new grant requests are reviewed on a monthly basis.
L. Williams will provide an online link to M. Null, so he can look into the possibility of requesting funds on behalf of LCCCTA.
M. Null asked L. Williams to provide the In-kind Contributions form to all LCCCTA volunteers as a ‘fillable document’ to be completed online and then printed to submit monthly (beginning June 2021). The completed forms will be kept in a folder inside the pro shop.
M. Null reiterated how important accurate record keeping of in-kind contributions will be when LCCCTA applies for grant funding.
L. Williams distributed customized LCCCTA business cards to board members at the meeting.
Laminated schedules of the youth summer tennis programs and adult tennis camps (notification to reserve Young’s Park tennis courts for LCCCTA programs) have been placed on the fences and next to tennis court entry gates.
In addition, clear water-resistant folders containing LCCCTA’s Youth and Adult Registration forms are available in a large plastic organizer on the outside of the pro shop.
J. Hinkle provided the Treasurer’s Report for June. The current balance in the bank account is $1,887.18.
J. Hinkle added that professional instructional expenses for YTT are being paid from designated YTF funding.
D. Robinson will confirm our meeting place and business address.
L. Hunter-Null would like to see our organization host an Adult Tennis Social--with clinics and a tennis round robin conducted by M. Mansbach on a Sunday evening.
Group discussion determined that 7-9 PM would be the best time to play and the scheduled summer dates are June 27, July 25, and August 29. The cost will be $5 per person.
President Robinson announced the next Board meeting is set for August 9, 2021.
There being no further formal business, President Robinson adjourned the meeting at 7:05 PM.
