Board Meeting — 9/9/24
Call to Order / Welcome
President Mike Null called the Board Meeting to order at 5:38pm and thanked the group for attending. He welcomed all members in attendance: Laura Null, Joe Hinkle, Eshu Xi Amaru, and Linda Williams.
Guests
No guests were present. However, L. Williams provided an update from George English of USTA FL, who was unable to attend. USTA FL sent Coach Mark Mansbach a case of tennis balls for the Veteran’s Affairs Program—an important program in which Mr. Mansbach volunteers his time and skills to instruct community adult players.
George English provided three local schools the Net Generation SHAPE lesson plans/tennis equipment for their PE programs; L. Williams will follow-up with the PE instructors to see how the programs are progressing.
G. English is hoping the new USTA FL Adult Tennis Coordinator may be able to join the next LCCCTA meeting and introduce herself to LCCCTA Adult Social Coordinator, Debbi Carter.
Approval of Minutes
Laura Null made a motion to approve the Minutes of the July 8th Board Meeting; seconded by E. Xi Amaru, and the motion carried unanimously.
President M. Null reported that George English of USTA FL just recently nominated Mark Mansbach as ‘Volunteer of the Month’. It’s unsure as to the month he’ll be selected for, however, once the Board knows, there will be plans made by board members and other tennis players to coordinate an event recognizing the immeasurable volunteer work and in-kind services continually provided by Coach Mark Mansbach.
President M. Null announced Board member, Tara Bell, will be relocating to Ft. Wayne, Indiana with her family. This will be a heartfelt loss to LCCCTA, as Tara has been an active and passionate board member—always willing to volunteer and assist with youth camps, as well as lead a USTA FL Net Generation afterschool program. In addition, she has been involved in playing tennis in LCCCTA adult mixed doubles socials, as well as women’s doubles.
President M. Null told the group USTA’s Organization Member 3-year renewal was completed for LCCCTA and it will be in effect through August 2027. President M. Null reported that Youth Tennis Foundation of FL (YTF) recently provided LCCCTA $3,000 in funding for youth tennis programs conducted in 2024-2025. President Null plans to send a letter on behalf of LCCCTA to YTF expressing extreme gratitude for the generous donation for LCCCTA youth programs.
VP/Secretary L. Williams provided dates for the upcoming Fall Youth Tennis Camp to be conducted by Coach Mark Mansbach. He will compensated for his expertise and time; all other coaches will be volunteers.
L. Null made a motion to approve the Fall tennis camp dates and J. Hinkle seconded the motion. The motion carried unanimously. Flyers have been prepared, and promotion in the newspaper and social media, as well as local parent groups will be contacted by L. Williams.
Online registration via the LCCCTA website and social media is available for the three-week youth tennis camp to be held at the Young’s Park tennis courts on Tues. and Thurs. afternoons from 4:30-5:30, beginning on Oct. 8 th and ending on October 24th. It will be open to 6-17 year old participants.
J. Hinkle will assist with collecting the $20 registration fee per player on the afternoon of the first day, October 8th. LCCCTA will continue to offer limited scholarships by providing an online LCCCTA link available for parents to submit an application to be considered for their child’s registration fees to be waived. Funding and support for this upcoming camp is provided by Youth Tennis Foundation (YTF) of FL and youth tennis equipment is provided by USTA FL.
L. Williams previously sent the ‘IN KIND’ form to all LCCCTA members/volunteers via email, but also brought hard copies to give group members so they can track their individual donated time/resources for the association. The equivalency rate per volunteer hour is $31.61.
A comprehensive list, containing 2024 LCCCTA Tennis Court Sponsors was provided to the Board by L. Williams. See below:
Business Sponsors:
USTA Florida
Youth Tennis Foundation of Florida
Suwannee Valley Community Foundation
Columbia County
Robinson, Kennon & Kendron, P.A.
Cypress Blue Spa
THE SKIN FIX
Empire Gold & Pawn
Wyfenbok
The Zen Den
John A Kasak - State Farm Insurance Agent
Sharmacare
Individual / Family Sponsors:
Mike & Recie Davis
Glenn & Laura Hunter
Dolly & Bruce Robinson
Guy & Linda Williams
Mike & Laura Null
Mark Mansbach
Anita & Scooter Houston
Powers-Walsh Family
Debbi & Mike Carter
Youngs Park Court Sponsors:
Court 1 — Dolly Robinson
Court 2 — Linda Williams
Court 3 — Powers-Walsh Family
Court 4 — Rudy & Faye Howell
Note: Treasurer J. Hinkle and Joanne Hinkle will have a banner created and will be added to the LCCCTA Individual/Family Sponsor category. L. Williams provided the LCCCTA volunteers with their USTA Safe Play renewal dates.
President M. Null reminded the group that anyone working with children must be certified through USTA’s Safe Play Program, with at least one or more certified coaches supervising the youth program. There is a duty to report any suspicious behavior/activity.
Treasurer J. Hinkle provided a current financial report showing a bank balance of $2,976.16. The general account has a balance of $2,615.11, the YTF account contains $193.82, and the Adult League account has a $167.23 balance.
L. Williams made a motion to approve the Financial Report.
E. Xi-Amaru seconded the motion, and the motion carried unanimously.
President M. Null asked J. Hinkle to verify that all federal reports are completed and submitted to IRS.
New Business
President M. Null asked E. Xi Amaru to see if the posted two-hour time blocks for court use work are continuing to work well for players using the tennis courts. President M. Null wants any potential issues to be reported to him, so conflicts can be avoided or resolved.
Also, President M. Null thanked and asked E. Amaru to assist Adult Coordinator, Debbi Carter, with continuing to develop adult tennis programs/socials. USTA’s Love to Learn/Love to Play Program will perfect for beginning adult players. A tennis professional instructs participants during the first 3 weeks of ‘Learn to Love’, and the following 3 weeks of ‘Learn to Play’, adult beginners play against each other and against tennis volunteers.
L. Null suggested another member be considered for the LCCCTA Board. She said that Erin Weiffenbach of Wyfenbok, who provides her time and expertise for the LCCCTA website and marketing, would be a good candidate.
L. Williams will check with Erin Weiffenbach to see if she is interested.
President M. Null recommends the blue pro shop have visible signs posted high on both the north and south side of the building. Because there isn’t signage, many people don’t know what the building is. President M. Null said the signage area needs to be measured, and after Board discussion, it was decided the signs will be white with navy lettering displaying, ‘TENNIS HQ’.
L. Williams will contact the sign company to place the order. She reminded the group that May 2025 will be the 10th year anniversary of LCCCTA being formed as community tennis association. She suggested a very special event be held next year, with planning for it to begin soon and L. Null suggested forming a committee to brainstorm activities for that event.
President M. Null thanked everyone for their time and support and adjourned the meeting at 7:12 PM.
Next tentative meeting set for Monday, November 11, 2024 at 5:30 PM.
