In Attendance: Rebecca Stanchin-Hancart, Deena Snapp, Les Varnado, Art Haus, Bob Schafer, Harvey Beahm, John Campbell, Kelly Hoffman, Jane McMeekin, Geri Schlegel, Sharon Rusk, Erin Ortman, Janet Craycraft, Joel Madenwald, Dan Witteman, David King, Jim Hendrix, Doug Snapp

1. Call to Order
GCTA President, Jim Hendrix, called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM.

2. Approval of Minutes
Jim indicated that copies of the January minutes were on the tables and that they had been posted on the GCTA web site. He asked for corrections or additions. Hearing nothing, he asked for a motion to approve the minutes; Bob Schafer made such a motion, it was seconded by Janet Craycraft, and it passed with a unanimous voice vote.

3. Treasurer's report
Jim informed the group that Jake Will, Jr., has resigned due to health issues. Jim went on to say that Judith Fleming, Jake's sister, had provided us with account information. Total assets as of April 16, 2007, are $59,857.68. Jim indicated that he has started a new checking account; and for the time being, his name and Doug Snapp's name are on the account. Jim also indicated that he has checks and bills should be directed to him. He further indicated that we should be searching for a person to take over the position of GCTA Treasurer. He asked for assistance in suggestions. There was discussion as to the amount of money and whether it was the proper amount. Jim indicated that he would be working with the bank, the new treasurer, and probably a paid accountant in reviewing the accounts to insure that the amount is correct. Jim indicated that there are guidelines in the constitution for the treasurer but also said the executive committee would meet to discuss the need for any additional guidelines. Several people voiced their concern for Jake's well-being.

4. Junior Wightman Cup & Junior Davis Cup
Jim said that both Michelle Jarrett and Steve Ryuse are willing to be involved with the teams again this year. The event will be in Cincinnati at the Queen City Racquet Club. It is scheduled for the weekend of June 15-17. The OVTA will be paying for hotel accommodations and some food.

5. Women's Leagues
League Chair, Erin Ortman, gave the report. There are presently 137 teams committed to play this year and they haven't heard from three clubs, so the number could even be higher. They are having information meetings regarding their move to online score reporting. The winter tennis parties were held at Wickertree Tennis Club and went well. Since all members now need an email address, it will be easier to contact members in the future, and Erin, therefore, anticipates next year's parties to even be better attended. The question was asked if the parties are recruiting or appreciation events. Erin said that they were basically appreciation parties.

6. Men's Leagues
Doug Snapp talked about the fact that Jake Will, Jr., had been the chair last year and that Doug is willing to step in and run the leagues this summer. Registration information was mailed to all of last year's participants as of March 14th. The captains' meeting was held April 12th, and Jake presided at that meeting. The next deadline is when registration forms need be returned; that date is April 20th. Doug anticipates some possible problems in getting information returned to him since Jake's mailing information was on all items. Doug has changed the information on the GCTA web site to reflect the fact that he will be in charge of the league. He also indicated that Jake's sister has mailed him some of the registration forms that had been sent to Jake's address. Doug feels that Jake's sister will continue to forward any forms that go to that address. He indicated that he is in the process of contacting the Men's League Board to see if they are all willing to continue in their positions. Joel Madenwald, who is on both the Men's League Board and the Board of Trustees, indicated that he will continue in his position and assist Doug in any way that he can. Doug indicated that he had talked to Jake as recently as the 12th and the Jake seemed fine. He hopes that Jake will get better and be able to return to the organization. Kelly Hoffman asked about the dates of the Champ of Champs. Doug said that Jake had announced those at the captains' meeting as July 7th and 8th. The tournament has been moved to those dates to see if there will be more involvement.

7. USTA Summer Leagues
Doug commented that Terri Jones had sent him information about this summer's play and that he had posted that information to the GCTA web site.

8. Ohio Valley Tennis Association
Harvey Beahm gave the report. He indicated that he is the area OVTA representative; Art Haus and Bob Schafer are the delegates at large from this area. All three, as well as Jim Hendrix, attended the last OVTA meeting in Chillicothe. Harvey read a letter from Dave Engle, Executive Director of the Ohio Valley Tennis Association. The letter indicated that most, but not all, grant money that had previously been distributed through the OVTA Grant Committee would now be passed along to the area associations so that these associations can distribute the money. There was discussion and speculation as to why the OVTA had chosen do this. Some money will still be available through grant applications directly from the OVTA. The Dave-Engle-letter can be downloaded in pdf format by clicking the following: Page One and Page Two. Doug commented that several years back, the OVTA had given the GCTA grant money to distribute. This was a much smaller amount. He reminded that Board Members that it had been difficult to allot the money and that there were members who felt that the money should not be given out, but should be kept in our general fund. There was discussion of the need for a GCTA Grant Committee. Jane McMeekin said she would chair such a committee. Their first task would be to draw up some guidelines for those who are requesting grant money. The committee is Jane McMeekin, Chair, Geri Schlegel, Sharon Rusk, Harvey Beahm, Janet Craycraft, Deena Snapp, and the unnamed treasurer; others are welcome. Jane said there would be a meeting in May.

9. Umpires
Art Haus explained that there was a training session at Wickertree Tennis Club. Dave Engle was the presenter and about 10 people participated in the training.

10. Columbus Recreation and Parks
Kelly Hoffman distributed and discussed the following written report.

Columbus Recreation & Parks Department
Tennis Report- April 19, 2007

Tennis organization is in full swing, with adult and youth preparation for spring and summer. Champion’s courts have been completed with the exception of the lines being down. Adult lessons have begun (Woodward Park) and the Schiller Park and Whetstone Park lessons begin April 30.

YOUTH
Denica Bruce is working on the youth summer schedule and it should be available by the end of next week. Sites are the same as last year with little revamping of sites. There will be 20+ sites doing lessons for the 4-5 yr., 6-8 yr., and 9-14 yr. NJTL programs. Looking at adding Rally Ball to the summer program. The youth camp at Whetstone Park is already full, with Wolfe Park Camp and Champions MS/HS Camp still with openings. Whetstone Camp is June 18-22, Wolfe Park Camp July 9-13, and champions Camp July 16-20 (1/2 day).

ADULT
Lessons have begun at Woodward Park. Chris Althouse is instructing with 5 classes per week, from beginner to competition lessons. Steven Seeberg will be instructing at Schiller Park and Whetstone Park 1 day/week, with Schiller lessons on Mondays beginning April 30 and Whetstone lessons on Wednesdays beginning May 2. Lessons are for 6 weeks and the cost is $25 per person. Registration is on-line @ www.columbusrecparks.com.
To date, we have the following registered:
WP= 28 / Schiller= 20 / Whetstone= 28 TOTAL = 76
We had a total of 202 participants for 2006 and we are on pace to break this by the end of summer, with fall lessons left!

CHAMPIONS
The courts have been re-surfaced and we are just waiting for the lines to be installed. We are working on getting the canopy installed for this year, either in place of the current overhang from the tennis hut or next to the current overhang. The new canopy was given to us from Wickertree! We have anew roller that we are going to be able to use this year, so the courts should be kept in immaculate condition with proper watering. We are exploring options of adding youth classes to Champions as well as adult classes and some family events. We are going to schedule a 50+ workshop sometime in May/Early June, with Ethel Baldwin our primary person to conduct this event. The date will revolve around the Senior Olympics tennis day (June 1).

COTT (Central Ohio Tennis Tournament)
The COTT is set for July 9-15 at Wolfe Park (adults), Champions (seniors) and Woodward Park (youth). We are currently looking for sponsors of the tournament, but to date, we have Papa Johns’ Pizza, Tennis LTD, and The Power of Touch Massage as sponsors for this years tournament! Dick’s has a new sponsorship coordinator and we are in the process of getting with them. 1460 The Fan has also been contacted and still awaiting word on their possible sponsorship. Players will be able to register on the COGP website and hopefully we can do the draws and post them on our web page.

Kelly asked Doug if a link could be put on the GCTA web site for Tennis LTD since they have agreed to be a sponsor of the tournament. Doug said it would be no problem: LTD is already listed and additional information can be easily added.

11. Area and District Qualifier
Jim shared that he has sent Area Qualifier info to all previous participants and that the info is on the GCTA web site. The host clubs for the different event-levels are on board. He indicated that to this point there were few requests for waivers. He anticipates that there could be more. He discussed the possibility of having a younger division added: boys and girls 10's. There was positive discussion but no decision was made.
The OVTA Girls 16's District is set for Upper Arlington High School from June 9th to the 12th. Different pros from the Racquet Club will be the managers of the tournament. There was discussion of porta potties and tents. The former is required by Upper Arlington, the latter was indicated as much needed by the players, umpires, tournament officials, and so forth. Janet Craycraft said she would get the tent.

12. USA Junior Team Tennis
Rebecca Stanchin-Hancart gave the report. She indicated that the league was ready to go. Actual start date is June 15th. But information has been posted to the GCTA web site and distributed. She believes their will be more club participation this year. She is also looking into a "non competitive" division that would serve parks and recreation. There is a $25 cost for each team and the charge for individual players is also $25. June 1st is the deadline for teams to enter. Team coordinators must attend an organizational meeting; two are scheduled for May.

13. Old Business
Jim again emphasized the need to find a treasurer for the organization. He was also interested in getting information on the GCTA P.O. mailbox. Discussion indicated that there was still a need for such a mail box. It was thought that Jake Will, Jr., had the only keys.

14. New Business
Geri Schlegel shared that Northam Park will be holding an open house. Everyone is welcome. She indicated it would be a "fun time" with free tennis and more. Jake Will, Sr., would be honored. The event will be April 28th with a rain-date of April 29th.
Deena Snapp reminded Board Members to be thinking of possible award nominees for the 2007 Awards Ceremony to be held in September.
John Campbell started a discussion as to the possibility of providing advertising information that Champions Tennis Club is available for play. Janet Craycraft made a motion that the GCTA pay for a newspaper ad of up to $100. Jane McMeekin seconded the motion. There was further discussion. The motion passed with a voice vote.
Jim reminded everyone of the USTA/Midwest Section Spring Meeting: April 27th to the 29th.

15. Adjournment
Jim asked for and got a motion to adjourn; there was a second and the motion passed with a voice vote.

Respectfully submitted,
Doug Snapp
GCTA Secretary