Annual Meeting — 2/14/22

Feb 19

Written By LCCCTA

Call to Order: President Dolly Robinson called the Annual Meeting to order at 5:39 PM.

Members in attendance included the following: Dolly Robinson, Mike Null, Laura Null, Joe Hinkle, and Linda Williams.

President Robinson welcomed special guest, George English, of USTA Florida.

Approval of Annual Minutes: Minutes of February 8, 2021 meeting were reviewed; containing the Election of Officers and Board of Directors for 2022. Motion was made by J. Hinkle to approve the February 8, 2021 Minutes; seconded by M. Null. The motion carried unanimously.

President Robinson provided LCCCTA’s 2021 ‘Year in Review’:

In summing up 2021, President Robinson’s first thought and mention is one of GRATITUDE.

“Each month, I am reminded of the incredible group of people with whom I have the privilege of meeting and volunteering with—the LCCCTA officers and board members who bring a unique talent and skill to our effort of making LCCCTA a viable, productive organization.”
Some of Board Members have obligations which prevent them from attending the meetings; however, they’re fulfilling necessary functions such as tax preparations or volunteering at the courts for youth or adult activities. We are grateful for every contribution of time!”

LCCCTA would like to specifically acknowledge the following:

Mark Mansbach, Teaching Professional, miraculously arrived at the most opportune time to make a huge contribution to our tennis community.
George English and Leigh Chak of USTA Florida continue to keep us informed of important USTA opportunities and lend tremendous support to LCCCTA. The USTA grants have helped to supply tennis equipment for our youth tennis activities.
The Youth Tennis Foundation of Florida has played an integral part of LCCCTA’s tennis programs through their provision of generous grants. In Spring of 2021, they funded the extremely successful seven-week Youth Tennis Camp. Another Spring Camp will begin in April 2022 for 3rd through 12th grade youth.
Suwannee Valley Community Foundation provided funding for tennis equipment available for LCCCTA in 2021.

Gratitude was expressed to the City Council for opening the tennis courts in December 2020 and also to the County Commissioners who dedicated eight (8) acres of land off Bascom Norris Road for a future tennis complex. LCCCTA added Directors and Officers (D&O) Insurance to supplement the master liability insurance.

Liability waiver and release forms were created by Bruce Robinson and copies have been made for all the program packets, Other paperwork, including Partner forms, Sheriff’s Department background check forms, and activity registration packets have been created and placed in individual folders by Linda Williams. The folders are in the plastic slots, installed on the outside wall of the pro shop by Mike Null.

Marcia Kazmierski suggested that a drop box be installed on the opposite outside wall—to be used for completed registration paperwork; no cash or checks. The drop box was installed by Joe Hinkle.

Linda Williams added a Tennis Connections website link (lcccta.org) for players looking to contact players in their same tennis level.

USTA’s Safe Play link was also added to LCCCTA’s website on the Resource page by Linda Williams.

The 2021 monthly summary is as follows:

In January, LCCCTA hosted a Meet, Greet, and Play Day. However, the weather was extremely cold and windy.
Liza Viplav invited Ms. Marci Adams, Columbia County Special Olympics Games Manager and Volunteer, to be a special guest at the March meeting. There were travel restrictions for our USTA Florida representatives, George English and Leigh Chak.
Mark Mansbach donated 13 adult tennis rackets to LCCCTA.
In April, the City Manager began receiving electronic copies of LCCCTA’s meeting minutes. The 7-week Spring Youth Tennis Camp began on April 5th with 27 participants. The camp was funded by Youth Tennis Foundation (YTF) of Florida and participants received t-shirts.
Electrical wiring, lighting, and insulation were installed in the pro shop through YTF’s generous funding of $1,500. The lighting in the pro shop was donated by Mark Mansbach.
*Liza and Anjan Viplav’s daughter, Lizanne, won the gold medal in the USTA Special Olympics Games held in Orlando.
The USTA equipment grant was received- a $416.16 value. Mark Mansbach began providing adult tennis clinics.
In June, the County Manager began receiving electronic copies of LCCCTA’s meeting Minutes. Dolly Robinson wrote letters to both YTF and the Lake City Reporter.
Mark Mansbach conducted LCCCTA’s Youth Summer Tennis Camp. A special expression of gratitude to Mark Mansbach for teaching tennis and maintaining all the tennis facilities.
Linda Williams provided in-kind volunteer contribution forms, LCCCTA business cards, laminated schedules, folders, and event registration forms.
Tennis player, Ms. Joy Ferguson, donated $500 to cover expenses for large portable sun umbrellas—providing shade over the benches. The actual cost for the umbrellas was $299.56.
In August, Linda Williams attended the Columbia County Tourist Development Council (TDC) Meeting on behalf of LCCCTA. The Regional Park Engagement meeting discussed plans for Columbia County’s 500-acre tract of land off Bascom Norris Road. The County Commission voted that LCCCTA will have an 8-acre “home” when plans are complete. TDC said it will take approximately five (5) months to develop a plan.
Discussion began regarding a 2022 Spring Youth Tennis Camp. Liza Viplav will conduct a 4-week (twice a week) program for 7th -12th graders, while Dolly Robinson and Linda Williams will conduct a 4-week (once a week) program for 3 rd -6 th graders

In December, Laura Hunter-Null provided detailed information to the Board regarding how printed banners can be sold to businesses / individuals and serve as an excellent LCCCTA fundraiser. The group agreed and believed a limited number of banners would be ideal for the fences facing the road. Dolly Robinson suggested also providing four (4) annual tennis court sponsorships (named courts) for $250 per year. The naming opportunities (the banners and court sponsorships) would generate income for LCCCTA.

M. Null announced that he believes LCCCTA is operating as well as possible under the leadership of President Robinson, and the dedicated volunteers. He added that our organization is most fortunate to have Mark Mansbach as both a LCCCTA Board member and also teaching professional, who is always available.

J. Hinkle provided the Financial Report as of December 31, 2021. The account balance is $1,912.32, with $1,000 funding from YTF allocated to LCCCTA’s Spring Youth Tennis Camp to begin in April.

Nomination and Election of Board Members: L. Hunter-Null, Chair of the Nomination Committee, presented a slate of twelve (12) names for consideration to serve as Board of Directors of the LCCCTA for the new year starting immediately at the conclusion of the Annual meeting of 2022.

The proposed slate of directors included: Dolly Robinson, Mike Null, Linda Williams, Joe Hinkle, Glenn Hunter, Marcia Kazmierski, Liza Viplav, Nelson Rivera, Laura Hunter-Null, Richard Johnson, Brandi O’Neal, and Mark Mansbach.

Motion was made by M. Null to approve the slate of proposed Board of Directors for the new year; seconded by J. Hinkle. The motion carried unanimously.

President Robinson adjourned the Annual meeting at 6:21 PM.