1. Call to Order
GCTA President, Jeff Johnston, called the meeting to order.
2. Approval of Minutes
Jeff asked us to take a few minutes and look over the minutes from
the April meeting. He asked for corrections and/or additions. Sharon Rusk
moved and Harvey seconded the motion that we approve the minutes as presented.
The motion pass unanimously.
3. Treasurer's report
Treasurer, Jake Will, Jr., gave the report. Jake said that our income
from leagues and all else was comparable to last year. As of June 30th,
the checking account had $957, the Flex Fund has $54,215, the Junior Fund
has $5,040, the Mansfield Fund has $1,420, the Mutual Funds have $28,115
(from a $25,000 investment). Jake stated that he was pleased with the Mutual
Funds and continues to watch them in the market situation. As there were
no questions of Jake, Gary Alexander moved that we accept Jake's report,
Brooks seconded the motion, and the motion was approved by all.
4. Junior Wightman Cup & Junior Davis Cup
Steve Ryuse, the Junior Davis Cup Captain, was present. He said that
he personally wanted to thank the people who got him involved and hoped
that he could return next year as Captain. He said that is was a positive
experience for the players and that he emphasized the team aspect of the
competition. Steve added that Michelle Jarrett, the Junior Wightman Cup
Captain, also emphasized the team aspect and traveled as a team. Before
the Cup was interrupted by rain, there was a good run for the boys and
for the girls. The boys' matches stood at 3 wins to 1 loss. The girls bettered
that by being undefeated at that point. Steve would liked to have seen
the Cup played out. He commented that Cincinnati was very good in the Jr.
Davis Cup. Steve thanked Doug for being there and providing coverage for
the web site. Steve said the kids liked the pictures. Steve emphasized
that this type of competition was important and could lead to college scholarships.
Doug added that both coaches and teams had represented themselves well.
He noted that the were involved with the matches of the other team members
and that they had their team shirts on. Steve continued with a comment
that there were a number of areas that were not represented in both the
girls and the boys. He was glad that the GCTA through its support
made it possible for our teams to be there. He concluded by again thanking
all.
5. Women's Leagues
Sharon Rusk said that the Women's Leagues were up about 50 members
over last year. She was very pleased to have 1,900 players on a total of
135 teams. The dates for the Women's Champ of Champs Tournament are set.
It will run August 15th, 16th, and 17th.
6. Men's Leagues
Gary Alexander reported that there are more teams than in the past.
We have two new leagues: a 3.0 and a Diamond. The number of players is
about the same as last year. He said that it is hoped that the new leagues
may bring in more members in the next years. Brooks Naffziger said that
there has not be a default of one court in the new Diamond League. Gary
added that Paul Kobelt at New Albany Country Club had be instrumental in
getting the 3.0 League started.
Gary concluded by saying that there would be no Champ of Champs Tournament
for the Men's League unless a person can be found to run that tournament.
Doug Snapp is willing to do the draw and put the information on the web
site. He is also willing to do some of the tournament management. He may
need help with this.
7. USTA Summer Leagues
Terri Jones reported that things are running well with the USTA Summer
Leagues. There are more players and leagues for this summer. These leagues
are about at the end of their season. A point was made that people are
paying twice to be a member of the GCTA and participate in the USTA Summer
Leagues. It was pointed out that the GCTA dues and the league fee for the
USTA Summer Leagues are different. The GCTA runs these leagues in addition
to their regular leagues. The GCTA pays Terri to oversee and run these
leagues. The required participation fee in these USTA Summer Leagues goes
to paying Terri for her involvement. Without this additional fee, we would
not be able to run the program. The fee provides the money to hire that
person and thus to allow us to provide those leagues. It was mentioned
that if you play in the winter on several teams you have to pay several
times. There was a question as to whether these leagues truly provided
new members. Deb Thallman and Shirley Neibauer both felt we do have a lot
of new members. Deb said the fee clearly goes to fund these USTA leagues.
Harvey reiterated that it is a participation fee beyond the membership
dues and if you want to play in this USTA league, you pay that participation
fee. Deb feels that if this league gets larger, it may be that we can lower
the participation fee. New memberships will provide extra money and the
fee could then be lowered. She said that it was not unusual in other areas
for people to pay such a participation fee. She gave examples of the other
areas and what they pay.
8. OVTA
Jeff Johnston reported that the OVTA needs nominations for awards.
Contact Jeff or Janet Craycraft with any nominations that might be thought
of. He also reminded us that USTA member appreciation day is Monday, August
6th, at the ATP in Cincinnati.
Carol informed us of the passing of Mary Esther Vredeveld. Mary Esther
was very involved in tennis.
9. Umpires
No report at this time.
10. Columbus Parks and Recreation
Terry Gee reported for Connie Everhart. He started off by telling us
that Connie had been involved in an auto accident and had not yet returned
to work. He hoped she would be back soon. He then turned to the report.
Terry said there are more tennis classes for the kids in the 4 to 8 range.
There is also a class for the seniors, 4 adult classes, and 24 sites with
NJTL programs. He said that the CRPD was continuing with the blue cards
from the USTA in the Tennis 1-2-3 program. This is providing them with
a little extra money. Though the GCTA is not actively running the Tennis
1-2-3 Program this year, the CRPD is still benefiting from having gotten
started with the program. There was a question as to how the GCTA supports
the CRPD. It was explained that there is financial support for all of the
CRPD tennis programs. Doug and Gary continue to advise Connie on
tennis issues. Gary said we have not increased the money we are giving
to their programs. It was asked if Terry thought there was enough money
for their programs. Terry felt there was enough money in their account
to cover needs. The city is beginning to give more support to tennis than
in the recent past. An example would be the new tennis sites that have
been added. Terry introduced Amy Worley. Amy has gotten involved in the
Jr. Team Shirley said. Jeff asked a question as to how the GCTA money was
spread around to the programs. Andy said we give the CRPD the money, they
put it in a tennis account, they take care of paying their pros, dealing
with insurance, and paying taxes. We don’t have to do the accounting. The
GCTA use to pay the pros direct, but over the years that became a problem
because of the taxes, insurance, etc. Gary said we fund 3 programs through
the CRPD tennis account. We are in contact with Connie, and she tells us
what the money was or is to be spent on. Gary and Doug must each sign off
for that money to be paid. The programs are the adult tennis program,
the NJTL program, and the Jr. Team program. It was pointed out that Doug
Snapp and Gary Alexander started a Jr. Team program for the CRPD long before
the USTA program existed.
11. Area and District Qualifier
Jim Hendrix reported that it worked well having different clubs run
the different divisions of the Area Qualifier. By having a club run a division,
court time was ready if it rained. This also made the tournament more manageable.
Jim indicated that overall participation was down some, especially in the
Boys 16's and 18's. On the other hand, the Girls 12's was up quite a bit.
Jim sent out over 500 applications in an effort to improve involvement.
It would help if we could get the high school coaches to be more involved.
The boys are in season at the beginning of the tournament and the high
school coaches could encourage the 16's and 18's boys to participate. Jim
then recommended that we have specific guidelines for granting waivers
for the Area Qualifier. A waiver can be given at this level allowing a
player to bypass this tournament and move on to the next level. Such waivers
are generally for medical reasons. Jim feels some players are asking for
a waiver where there is no medical reason. A waiver letter-of-request is
sent to the GCTA President. A medical excuse is included. The President
rules on the particular waiver-appeal. Jim indicated that this waiver issue
is compounded because some areas close to our area grant waivers for reasons
that have not been acceptable in our area. Jim said players hear of these
waivers and are then upset with our local organizers. Extensive discussion
continued and it was decided that a committee would meet and report back
to the Board with recommendations at our September meeting. (A follow-up
note: at the Board meeting on September 20th, it was stated that no waivers
were granted in the 2001 Tournament.) On another note, Jim reported that
players were allowed to play in the tournament after the draw had been
published. Considerable discussion followed. It was decided that this would
also be discussed by the previously mentioned committee and, again, firm
guidelines would be established and reported back to the group. Harvey
Beahm, Jim Hendrix, Janet Craycraft, Carol Alexander, and Jeff Johnston
will be on the committee.
Carol reported on the District Qualifier for Girls 16's. It was held
June 9th through the 13th at the Upper Arlington High School courts. It
rained twice during the event. Jim and Doug helped Carol with computer
aspects. Carol thanked Otto Laster, Robert Long and Joe Gordan for helping
as referees. Dana Monsul has helped Carol with this tournament since 1978.
Connie Splawnyk has helped for many of those years. Carol thanked both
for their help. Carol reported that twenty players from the tournament
moved on to the next level. 70 players were involved. All in all, the tournament
went very well.
12. USA Junior Team Tennis
Shirley Neibauer said that 75 teams participated in this program.
There were approximately 100 more kids on somewhat smaller teams. The White
Stars Division was the biggest group of kids. There will be a tournament
for the kids that do not go on to play at the next tournament level. This
will allow for participation for those who do move on and those who do
not.
13. Champion of Champions
Both Men's and Women's Champ of Champs were covered in the Men's and
Women's Leagues discussion.
14. Awards Ceremony
The ceremony will be September, 23rd, at the Upper Arlington Municipal
Building. The time will likely be from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
15. Wheelchair Tennis
Doug commented that the Larry's tournament would start on July 20th
and conclude on Sunday. He said that Larry was very busy getting things
ready for the tournament. Larry thought he would make the meeting, but
he obviously has gotten involved with details of the tournament. Doug said
he would take pictures of the tournament and post them to the web site.
He said that he had done the same for last year's tournament. Doug said
that Larry had done a very nice job with that tournament and expected he
would do the same this year. He concluded by saying that it was great to
see these players play.
16. Old Business
No old business was reported.
17. New Business
Deb Thallman reported that we have area winter USTA teams advancing
to the next level. She explained that Bob Hilborn could not be at the meeting.
She said that there was a request for $4800 to support these advancing
teams. Jake Will, Jr. pointed out that the budgeted line item was $3900.
Doug said he felt we needed to stay with the budgeted amount. Jake agreed
that we should hold to this budget saying that we have increased the budgeted
amount almost every year. Deb explained that the entry fees vary for the
teams. She also said that money does come back. Harvey answered that it
does not come back to the amount of what we spend. Harvey said that we
could get more in the hole financially if we continue to raise the amount.
There was extended discussion and it was decide that we would stick to
the budgeted amount as we are paying the majority of the entry fee and
that it would be shared evenly with all the teams participating. Jake would
indicate to Deb what amount each person or team would receive. It was also
stated that the amount of money set aside for these winter USTA teams would
certainly be discussed at the upcoming budget committee meeting.
Jeff gave the names of the people he would like to have serve on the
two committees that will report at the September meeting. The Nominating
Committee will consist of Doug Snapp, Chair, Carol Alexander, Janet Craycraft,
Les Varnado, Sharon Rusk, Jean Shaw, Fran McCabe, and Kim Forman. The Budget
Committee will have Jeff Johnston, Chair, Jake Will, Jr., Gary Alexander,
Callie Ryan, Connie Everhart, Brooks Naffziger, Harvey Beahm, and Robin
Comfort. The Chairs will be contacting the members as to meeting times.
Jeff added that additional people who are interested in serving on either
committee should contact the Chairs. Board members were also asked to think
of possible nominees for positions on the Board.
Andy shared that he has ad slicks for anyone who wanted them. They
could be used by the clubs or others for printing advertisements. He also
has USTA order forms for purchasing USTA clothing items: hats, shirts,
etc.
Shirley asked if she could get some money for the USTA USA Jr. Team.
Jake said that it certainly was in the budget and that she only needed
to see him or let him know what she needed. Hearing no further comments,
Brooks made a motion to adjourn and Harvey seconded. It passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Doug Snapp
Corresponding Secretary