Board Meeting — 8/8/22

Call to Order: President Dolly Robinson called the Board meeting to order at 5:30 PM.

She welcomed all members in attendance, and they included the following: Dolly Robinson, Mike Null, Laura Null, Liza Viplav, and Linda Williams.

Special Guests: George English (USTA FL) and Tara Bell were welcomed by President Robinson.

Approval of Board Minutes: M. Null made a motion to approve the Minutes of the June 13, 2022 meeting and L. Null seconded the motion; the motion carried unanimously.

G. English of USTA FL said the new USTA FL Area Play Coordinator, Ty Wolter, was not able to come to the Board meeting. G. English plans to bring and introduce him to the LCCCTA Board when Mr. Wolter’s schedule will allow him to travel.

D. Robinson asked that G. English or Ty Wolter provide LCCCTA posters / flyers of upcoming USTA FL programs.

G. English reported the Special Olympic Games will be held on September 11th with location and times to be announced. Currently, volunteers are being trained at Westside Park in Gainesville.

LCCCTA Board member, Liza Viplav, is a Special Olympics Certified Coach.

G. English once again reminded the group that USTA FL Grant Foundation Program has online applications available for high school tennis coaches. They can apply for tennis supplies (tennis balls) from August 1 - October 15.

G. English strongly suggests high school tennis coaches apply early and mention his name.

L. Viplav believes having a high school tennis camp prior to the tennis season beginning (before January 2023) would be a good idea.

G. English reported to Tara Bell he is currently working on obtaining more information regarding USTA FL afterschool programs. Ms. Bell is interested in creating a tennis afterschool program at Belmont Academy for elementary school children; G. English will need to coordinate this tennis program with the school’s PE coach.

G. English knows the program should last 7 weeks and be conducted one day per week. USTA FL provides the tennis equipment, and a stipend will be paid to a school staff member to lead it. He suggested using the USTA Net Generation ‘Red Ball’ guidebooks and have at least 12 children participate, who are divided into age groups.

L. Viplav suggested G. English also contact Summers Elementary PE Coach; a known tennis player is teaching at that school, and she may want to conduct an afterschool tennis program, as well.

Old Business: D. Robinson and L. Williams each paid $250 and have committed to sponsoring courts one and two for 2022-2023. D. Robinson located 1 X 1 signs from Action Signs that will serve as name placards to be placed just under each numbered court. The cost will be $13.50 each.

Court usage signs will be discussed in a future meeting. When court usage signs are discussed, L. Null recommends a sign to read, ‘Tennis Use Only’.

M. Null said he continues to seek assistance with the installation of the tennis backboard on court four.

New Business: L. Williams previously provided D. Robinson a $4,920.75 metal awning quote for covering both center bleachers at Young’s Park’s tennis complex.

On August 8, 2022, D. Robinson submitted to First Federal Bank of Florida a $5,000 ‘Request for Contribution’ grant application, along with supporting documentation to include: photo, quote, and rendering of the metal awning.

First Federal Bank of Florida has been assisting community sports programs and other groups with financial assistance for projects. They call it their Community Rewards Program.

L. Williams previously obtained a $3,971.96 quote from Chris Sanborn for completion of the interior of the Young’s Park tennis pro shop.

M. Null reported that Mr. Sanborn is unable to pursue the interior repair project for the pro shop at this time.

D. Robinson said the Board member, J. Hinkle, knows of a person interested in assisting with this project and that person can provide LCCCTA a quote of $2,000 or less to complete the walls and ceiling. Some tennis items will need to be suspended/stored on the walls.

M. Null suggested purchasing vinyl flooring to complete the interior of the pro shop.

M. Null made a motion the Board approve up to $2,000 to complete the construction project and L. Null seconded the motion; the motion carried unanimously. This will be subject to final negotiation with President Robinson.

L. Williams directed LCCCTA’s LCCCTA Summer Youth Tennis Camp held June 6-30. There were approximately 17 participants divided into ability-level groups: beginner, beginning intermediate, and intermediate players. All groups played between 45 min. to an hour on Tuesday and Thursday mornings during the month of June.

Adrienne Foreman was the lead coach for the camp, with assistance from Cole Wehrli. Parent and volunteer, Yolanda Wormely, provided drinks and refreshments during the entire camp. Board members Dolly Robinson, Liza Viplav, and Mark Mansbach assisted, as needed. There was only a nominal cost of $20 per participant for the entire 4-week camp, as the Youth Tennis Foundation (YTF) of Florida already donated $1,000 to fund the LCCCTA summer youth tennis camp.

The final day, Thursday, June 30th, was when Team Challenge matches were held; participants received t-shirts, special refreshments, awards, and raffle items. Parents expressed appreciation for the program.

Group photos were taken in front of both the YTF banner and LCCCTA banner, while the youngest participant sang a patriotic song for the entire group. The Lake City Reporter dedicated a special full page for action photos of the youth tennis camp.

L. Williams attended the Youth Tennis Foundation of Florida’s (YTF) annual meeting. Serving as a YTF Board member, L. Williams was able to report that LCCCTA will have continued funding of $1,000 for LCCCTA’s youth tennis programs conducted between July 1, 2022 - June 30, 2023.

L. Williams read the Financial Report provided by J. Hinkle. The current balance in the bank account is $1,852.56, with all checks and deposits clearing the account.

D. Robinson suggested we go ahead and plan an upcoming LCCCTA Fall Social in which USTA low compression orange balls will be used in tennis play as ‘equalizers’ for varied ability levels.

L. Viplav suggested using USTA’s low compression green balls for the advanced players.

D. Robinson recommended the round robin Social be called, “Fall Back into Tennis”, and the entire group agreed. The special event will be Tuesday, September 27th at Young’s Park tennis courts. Ages 12 and up are encouraged to participate. The individual entry fee is $5, with a maximum cost of $15 per family. Refreshments and drinks will be provided.

L. Williams will reserve the tennis courts and publicize the event via colorful flyers, on social media, as well as Lake City Reporter’s Community Calendar.

D. Robinson initiated discussion for a Fall Youth Tennis Camp to be held late September-early October. There were several Board members not able to commit to volunteering during the projected time. Other youth tennis event ideas will be discussed at the next meeting, to include volunteer staffing and charging participants a nominal fee.

L. Null shared that Gateway Art Gallery provides an annual $15 membership to Youth Art League members (10-18 years old) to enroll into one free clinic per month. The Gallery volunteers assist whenever needed.

L. Null believes LCCCTA could use this model to increase participation in LCCCTA tennis events for both children and adults and she will bring a Gateway Art Gallery brochure to the next meeting.

M. Null voiced his concern of hearing there is an effort to convert the Richardson Community Center (RCC) tennis court into a pickleball court.

G. English said USTA sees this aggressive effort happening nationwide, and tennis players need to do everything they can to prevent the loss of tennis courts.

D. Robinson suggested Mr. MaliVai Washington of The MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation (MWYF) visit RCC to meet with Director Mario Coppock, and Mr. Coppock’s assistant. The result of a meeting may promote tennis in our community, as Mr. Washington has been providing youth development programs in Jacksonville, FL since 1996. Their mission is to develop champions in classrooms, on tennis courts, and throughout communities.

L. Null mentioned it might also be a good idea for RCC staff to visit Jacksonville’s MWYF.

M. Null said he realizes USTA’s Community Tennis Association (CTA) Grant cycle is now open.

M. Null asked G. English if he could request 2 divider nets for LCCCTA (to separate courts 3 and 4). Since the nets constitute training equipment, G. English will request them and report at the next meeting.

L. Williams reported that LCCCTA’s USTA Organizational Membership (2010675339) is now available at no cost. L. Williams remains the individual account holder to administer the organization’s digital engagement with the USTA and the membership will need to be renewed by August 11, 2024.

L. Williams informed Board members that she received email correspondence indicating Columbia County’s 500-acre Regional Park master plan should be available soon, and LCCCTA will be notified when the plan is ready to be shared. The proposed plan has space dedicated to tennis courts, as it was one of the top programming items coming out of the community survey.

Special guest, Tara Bell, was asked to join the LCCCTA Board of Directors by M. Null, and Ms. Bell accepted the invitation. M. Null made a motion that Tara Bell be added as a member to the Board and L. Williams seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously.

The next Board meeting is scheduled for Monday, September 12th in the same location.

President Dolly Robinson adjourned the Board meeting at 7:52 PM.