Board Meeting — 9/12/22
Call to Order: Vice President Mike Null announced President Dolly Robinson was unable to attend. He called the Board meeting to order at 5:27 PM.
M. Null welcomed all Board members in attendance, and they included the following: Linda Williams, Joe Hinkle, Tara Bell, Lisa Viplav, and Mike Null.
M. Null also welcomed guests and asked that they introduce themselves to the Board and the other guests. The special guests were: Anjan Viplav, Mike Carter, and Debbi Carter.
Approval of Board Minutes: J. Hinkle made a motion to approve the Minutes of the August 8, 2022 meeting and L. Williams seconded the motion; the motion carried unanimously.
L. Williams reported on behalf of George English, USTA FL, who was unable to attend this meeting and provided an email report.
G. English said LCCCTA could request a grant from USTA National (www.usta.com/facilities) to help with purchasing a screen to separate the teaching court from the other Young’s Park tennis courts. He knows they won’t fund 100%, however; usually USTA Florida contributes in addition to what USTA National will fund.
L. Viplav said that both she and CHS Girl’s tennis coach, Brandi O’Neal, have already completed and submitted the USTA FL Grant Foundation Program online applications available for high school tennis coaches requesting tennis supplies. They met the submission deadline of August 1st - October 15th provided by George English.
L. Viplav believes that having a high school pre-season tennis camp prior to the 2023 tennis season (possibly in December) would be a good idea.
M. Null confirmed L. Viplav will be coordinating this event with Coach Mark Mansbach.
G. English’s email report requested that L. Viplay contact Epiphany Catholic School (Rita Klenk) to assist as their Community Service Partner for the Net Generation Program.
L. Viplav said she has already contacted Ms. Klenk and is in the process of assisting them.
T. Bell reported she has already completed the Net Generation forms for Belmont Academy and is awaiting the next step in setting up the USTA FL afterschool program for elementary school children. The Net Generation Program should be completed by Thanksgiving and should last 7 weeks, playing one day per week.
M. Null reminded and asked all LCCCTA volunteers to complete the online USTA Safe Play 3-step process:
Complete education modules from US Center for Safe Sport
Read and acknowledge USTA’s Safe Play Policy
Complete background application
M. Null said a temporary background check can be completed through the Columbia County Sheriff’s Dept. (CCSD) if the Safe Play process is not completed in time for a scheduled youth tennis program.
Old Business:
M. Null told LCCCTA Board members that in past years First Federal has supported tennis. He said D. Robinson already submitted an LCCCTA application requesting available funding and we’re currently awaiting a response.
LCCCTA will be willing to resubmit an application, if needed, at the beginning of 2023—in hopes of obtaining funding, with possibly matching funds from a contributor.
L. Williams reminded M. Null that D. Robinson and L. Williams have committed to sponsoring courts one and two for 2022-2023.
D. Robinson hasn’t received the 1 X 1 signs from Action Signs that will serve as name placards to be placed just under each numbered court.
M. Null said he continues to seek assistance with the installation of the tennis backboard on court four, which will require the installation of concrete and attaching the backboard to the fence.
New Business:
M. Null reported that Coach Mark Mansbach, PTR, will resume volunteering his time teaching tennis to local veterans at Young’s Park beginning Monday, October 3rd at 10 AM.
The partnership tennis program between Veteran Affairs and USTA Florida has been very successful—with continued demand and love of tennis from our community veterans. Both M. Null and L. Williams have asked the Lake City Reporter to cover this newsworthy community story.
M. Null stated LCCCTA’s renewal of insurance through USTA is upcoming and will need to be addressed. Our association currently has coverage for both General Liability and Professional Liability.
L. Williams will request Youth Tennis Foundation of Florida’s (YTF) $1,000 funding for LCCCTA’s youth tennis programs which will conducted between July 1, 2022-June 30, 2023.
L. Williams has created flyers and publicized LCCCTA’s “Fall Back into Tennis” Social Event for ages 12 and up at Young’s Park. It is scheduled for Tuesday, September 27th at 5:30. The individual entry fee is $5, with a maximum cost of $15 per family. Refreshments and drinks will be provided by Board members.
M. Null reminded the group that USTA low compression orange balls will be used in tennis play as ‘equalizers’ for varied ability levels.
L. Williams reported a Fall Youth Tennis Camp will be held on Tuesday afternoons from 5-6pm during the month of October. It will be for children who have some previous tennis experience. Flyers and registration forms have already been created and the event has been advertised in the local newspaper.
In addition, the event has been publicized on social media, with a link to download the registration forms. The cost is $15 per participant to be paid by the first day of the camp, October 4th .
J. Hinkle provided the Financial Report. The current balance in the bank account is $1,232.62, with one outstanding check for $40.86.
J. Hinkle reported he contacted a friend to assist with completing the interior walls and ceiling of the LCCCTA pro shop. The project was funded by individual donations and was completed for $1,619.94 (half for labor and half for materials).
D. Robinson would like to see trim work added where the walls meet the ceiling and around the windows. In addition, she believes the floor should be stained.
J. Hinkle suggested LCCCTA contact Clay Electric to obtain and apply for their local grant funding available for youth recreation.
M. Null explained Columbia County’s 500-acre Regional Park Master Plan will be presented at 1pm on
September 14 th at the Holiday Inn in Lake City. LCCCTA Board members plan to attend, including President Dolly Robinson. Both A. Viplav and L. Viplav plan to attend, as well. The proposed plan has 8 acres dedicated to tennis courts, as it was one of the top programming items coming out of the community survey.
M. Null thinks LCCCTA could possibly apply for USTA construction grants, but USTA won’t fund 100%.
USTA also has staff to review plans and specifications and will make recommendations.
Anjan Viplav suggested LCCCTA players begin a league, playing unsanctioned matches at least once a month.
A. Viplav said investors will want to see ongoing leagues and/or tournament documentation to provide funding.
A. Viplav believes local newspaper coverage is essential.
For the October Board meeting, L. Viplav suggested asking George English of USTA Florida if CTAs are able to host unsanctioned tournaments, and not solely rely on USTA’s format.
T. Bell asked if USTA Florida’s Adult Local Play Coordinator can attend our Board meeting to provide information for our district’s league play.
L. Williams said she will contact George English to see if Ty Wolter, USTA Florida, can possibly attend the October meeting.
Debbi Carter said she previously played in Lakeland is interested in adult league play. She volunteered to serve as LCCCTA’s contact for USTA Florida.
L. Williams will provide D. Carter with contact information for Ty Wolter; also providing him with D. Carter’s contact information.
Also, Debbi Carter mentioned when she was looking for tennis resources/contacts, after relocating to Suwannee County, their Chamber of Commerce had no information for area tennis.
L. Williams will provide LCCCTA business cards and brochures to D. Carter at the next meeting, so she can bring them to Suwannee County’s Chamber of Commerce for distribution.
L. Williams will ensure the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce still has LCCCTA materials available for the community.
M. Null ended the meeting by expressing appreciation for the varied ways Coach Mark Mansbach benefits LCCCTA and our community. He asked that Board members encourage and express gratitude to him.
The next board meeting is scheduled for Monday, October 10th, in the same location.
Vice President Mike Null adjourned the meeting at 6:37 PM.
