MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
OF
The special meeting of the Directors of the above Association
was held on 22 July 2006, at 1:00 P.M. at the Maverick Athletic Club in
It was determined that a quorum was present based on
the presence of the following Directors:
Lance Gilliam, President, President of the Board of
Directors, then formally called the meeting to order and Jere Luttner,
Secretary, recorded the minutes of the meeting.
Each member was distributed a notebook containing information on agenda
items and TXRA Board matters.
A summary of responsibilities is as follows:
Quarterly Newsletter Soly Kor
College Program Jeff Norblade
Junior Program Lance Gilliam
High School Progarm Eddie Vann
TXRA Awards Jere Luttner
Lance Gilliam then welcomed all Board members to the meeting. He commented that this meeting should primarily
be setting goals and that follow-up communication was essential to continue
monitoring of programs, projects, and assignments. General discussion followed regarding the
merits of monthly telecoms, using the website, and/or e-mails for follow-on communication
between board members. Lance will check
on utilizing USAR conference calling. Action Item
#1 was assigned to Leo Vasquez to evaluate
potential web communication options:
Lance also noted that the TXRA board lacks
representation from the
Leo told us to encourage everyone to sign up at
tournaments in lieu of using the USAR website, so that TXRA does not have to
rely on getting the $10 rebate from the USAR.
General discussion followed on possibilities on establishing a TXRA site
for payment or using PayPal. In was
finally decided to remain with the current system and that we should
concentrate on how to ensure compliance with USAR requirements. Action Item #2 was
assigned to Mike Fitzsimmons to develop a checklist for tournament directors.
Jere Luttner and Leo noted that there was no
documentation of the TXRA mixed doubles rules modification to the USAR rules. General discussion followed on whether TXRA
should continue to use the modified rules.
It was finally agreed to abide by the decision that the board made last
year (reference August 2006 TXRA Board Meeting Minutes) to continue to use the
rules this year. Action Item #3 was assigned to Jere Luttner to write the rules. After the board has approved the rules, they
will be put in the TXRA Tournament Guidelines and on the TXRA website.
Eddie Vann raised the issue of knowing when the
“Elite” (aka “AA”) division was a separate division or a drop down
division. In TXRA local and State
tournaments, the AA has been used as a drop down division from the Open
division. However, in Regional and the National Singles tournaments, it is
deemed a separate division from Open, i.e., there is not a drop down from Open
to the Elite division. General
discussion ensued regarding using a drop down “AA” division or a separate
“Elite” division. The following ruling was
made by executing appropriate motion, seconded, and adopted by the unanimous
vote of the Directors of the Association entitled to vote:
·
Tournaments will have separate "Elite" (aka "AA") and
"Open" divisions.
·
In a single
elimination tournament, there will not be a drop down from the "Open"
to the "Elite" division. Each
is deemed a separate division, with the losers having the opportunity to play
in a consolation bracket for their respective division.
Note: A single consolation bracket also applies to
a combined Open/Elite division.
The question was raised for the occurrence when a
lower division is combined with an Open division, whether the “Open One-Serve”
rule applies or two serves applies. No
decision was made.
Lance Gilliam challenged the need to maintain the
TXRA ranking system, since the USAR system was now up and running. Leo demonstrated the additional functionality
of the TXRA ranking system. The TXRA
system shows each individuals tournament results and also included doubles
rankings, which the USAR has not addressed.
It was agreed that the TXRA system will be continued, however, the system
needed to be tweaked to account for the tournament level size and importance
(e.g., State, local, shootout). Action Item
#4 was assigned to Bob Sullins to
determine appropriate values for tournament levels for the TXRA ranking system.
Soly Kor was reached by telephone to discuss his
proposed Newsletter format. The
Newsletter will be available electronically on the TXRA website. The Newsletter format was approved by
executing appropriate motion, seconded, and adopted by the unanimous vote of
the Directors of the Association entitled to vote. Soly will need persons to contribute articles
to the Newsletter. Lance agreed to
assist him. It was decided that prior to
issuance, the Newsletter will have a formal editorial/proof review by Leo,
Lance, and Jere. In addition, the newsletter will be distributed to all other
Board Members for comments. Lance gave Action Item
#5 to Soly to have the first
Newsletter draft ready by August 15.
There is a lot of information that needs to be communicated to the TXRA members;
therefore, it is important that the newsletter be available as soon as
possible.
Leo showed the new site that USAR provided for
listing TXRA tournaments:
Texasracquetballevents.com
USAR bought similar domains for all 50 states. Each state site will provide information on their
tournaments such as event dates and results.
Tournament sites for the 2007 season were decided:
State Singles – Houston, Downtown YMCA, Mike
Fitzsimmons
Regionals –
State Doubles –
State Seniors -
Note:
In the event that Regionals cannot be held at
Bob Sullins proposed that when Prize Money is offered
that there would be equal consideration given to the Women players. The money may be adjusted by the amount of
entries in the draw. The board members
agreed that this was sound policy. Mike
Fitzsimmons was assigned Action Item #6 to
add this policy to the Tournament Guidelines.
Leo Vasquez informed everyone that the USAR
membership dues increase to $35.00 will be effective August. There will be a new USAR membership category,
“Limited Athletic License”, that allows a one day membership for tournament
play. The Limited Athletic License is
$15.00, with $5.00 going toward the State.
In addition, there is a new “E-mail” type membership, which cannot be
used for tournaments, but will keep persons informed of USAR racquetball. Bob Sullins remarked that this could be a
very powerful too. Lance Gilliam set a
goal to increase membership by 10%. He
believed that this could easily be achieved through implementation of his
Juniors Program and other proposed programming.
Leo Vasquez reviewed the contract between TXRA and
Head/Penn for supplying balls. A verbal
agreement has been given to extend the contract for this year. All agreed that it was a good contract. Ball storage may be an issue and will need to
be thoroughly coordinated to ensure that there are sufficient balls in the
major
Leo showed a new TXRA website: texasracquetball.org, which has more basic
information on racquetball. There was
general discussion on usage and need of three websites (texasracquetball.org,
TXRA.net, and Texasracquetballevents.com).
Leo was assigned Action Item
#8 – Add links to TXRA.org for the
two other web sites and to explain what is available on the various websites.
Lance Gilliam presented his Junior Program concept (details
are in the Notebook). Key aspects of the
program are:
·
Development of
Junior data base via information sheets
·
Promote Junior
Shootout Tournament Events (3 -5 annually)
·
Developing/Providing
a one week Junior camp (to be held at the Maverick)
The Juniors Program was approved by executing
appropriate motion, seconded, and adopted by the unanimous vote of the
Directors of the Association entitled to vote.
Lance added that he would like to explore the possibility of supporting
junior coaches by paying for sponsorship contracts. Monetary Awards for junior players was
discussed but no formal decision was made at this time.
Jere Luttner presented concepts for a TXRA Hall of
Fame and a Sportsmanship Award. The Hall
of Fame Award is akin to the USAR and NMRA concepts with two categories: (1) Player Competitor Performance and (2)
Outstanding Volunteer Leadership Services Performance. The board agreed to go forward with these two
award concepts. Drafts of the award
procedures will be finalized and the procedures approved in subsequent
communications. One issue is the lack of
records of previous awards that have been distributed. (Many TXRA Records were destroyed in a
flood.) Another issue is the lack of
identification/documentation of the account for the Anne Gibbons Endowment fund
(which is used for the Sportsmanship Award)
Jeff Norblade discussed has concepts for the
Collegiate Program. He planned to team
with Ektelon in conducting demos and clinics at the Universities. He would also like to get more information by
using a survey. General discussion
followed regarding the need to have something planned for the Aggieland
Shootout at
The issue of developing a Women’s Program was
discussed. This item was left open,
since the board members present at the meeting were unable to identify a person
that would be able to handle this assignment.
Leo presented the new USAR Program for referee
certification. Important issues of this
new program are:
·
Voids all
current certified referees – everyone must go through the new certification
program
·
State
Associations are responsible for administering the program
·
In addition to
the rules test and reffing 10 matches; persons must attend a Rules Clinic and a
Case Study Clinic
·
Certified
referees will be reimbursed $10
The following ruling was made by executing
appropriate motion, seconded, and adopted by the unanimous vote of the
Directors of the Association entitled to vote:
TXRA will fully adopt the Certification
Program, effective 1 January 2006.
The fall tournaments will be utilized to transition to
the new program by:
·
Administering
new tests at all major tournaments (Maverick Metroplex Tournament will be the
first to administer the test)
·
Offering a Rules
Clinic at State Doubles (and possibly other tournaments)
Action Item #9 was
assigned to the following individuals to promote communication of the new
referee certification program:
1.
Leo will provide
information on the TXRA web site
2.
Soly will have
an article on the program in the TXRA newsletter
3.
Mike Fitzsimmons
will put information in the Tournament Guidelines
Leo will be in charge of the overall program. However, he will assign a board member to manage
the program for each tournament. In
addition, he will send the test to all of the board members to take, so that they
will be knowledgeable of the program and begin their certification.
Leo and Lance discussed the numbers of expired TXRA
membership. Leo stated that he did not
have easy access to e-mail information from the USAR. Action Item #10 was
assigned to Lance to obtain email information on expired memberships from USAR.
The financial statement was presented by Lance
Gilliam. Net Income from Jan-Jun 2006
was $1787.83. Lance Gilliam commented
that in the future, he would like to allocate specific budget to each of the
TXRA programs, however, it was premature at this time to determine specific
amounts.
There being no other business to come before the
Board of Directors, the meeting was adjourned at 6:45 P.M.
/s/ /
Jere Luttner, Secretary
Attachments: (1) TXRA
Board of Directors Action Item List
(2)
TXRA Board of
Directors Program Summary Status
TXRA BOARD OF
DIRECTORS ACTION ITEM LIST
|
Action Item No. |
Description |
Date Assigned |
Assignee |
Status Date |
Status |
|
Evaluate potential web
communication options |
07/22/06 |
Leo Vasquez |
|
|
|
|
2 |
Develop a checklist for
tournament directors |
07/22/06 |
Mike Fitzsimmons |
|
|
|
3 |
Write TXRA Modified Mixed
Doubles Rule |
07/22/06 |
Jere Luttner |
|
|
|
3a |
Post Modified Mixed Doubles
Rule on Website |
|
Leo Vasquez |
|
Waiting on approval of
written rule. |
|
3b |
Add TXRA Modified Mixed
Doubles Rule to Tournament Guidelines |
|
Mike Fitzsimmons |
|
Waiting on approval of
written rule. |
|
4 |
Determine appropriate values
for tournament levels for the TXRA ranking system |
07/22/06 |
Bob Sullins |
|
|
|
5 |
Newsletter Draft prepared by
August 15 |
07/22/06 |
Soly Kor |
|
|
|
6 |
Add policy of providing equal
prize money to men and women |
07/22/06 |
Mike Fitzsimmons |
|
|
|
7 |
Add recommended ball usage to
Tournament Guidelines |
07/22/06 |
Mike Fitzsimmons |
|
|
|
8 |
Add links to TXRA.org for the
two other web sites and to explain what is available on the various websites |
07/22/06 |
Leo Vasquez |
|
|
|
9a |
Provide New Referee
Certification Program information on the TXRA web site |
07/22/06 |
Leo Vasquez |
|
|
|
9b |
Add New Referee Certification
Program information to the tournament guidelines |
07/22/06 |
Mike Fitzsimmons |
|
|
|
9c |
Include New Referee
Certification Program information in next Newsletter |
07/22/06 |
Soly Kor |
|
|
|
10 |
Obtain email information on
expired memberships from USAR |
07/22/06 |
Lance Gilliam |
|
|
TXRA BOARD OF
DIRECTORS PROGRAM SUMMARY STATUS
|
Program |
Lead |
Date |
Status |
|
Juniors |
Lance Gilliam |
07/22/06 |
Draft proposal submitted and
approved by board. Junior Data base,
shootouts, and one week camp. |
|
High School |
Eddie Vann |
07/22/06 |
None |
|
Collegiate |
Jeff Norblade |
07/22/06 |
General proposal to have
demos and clinics. |
|
Newsletter |
Soly Kor |
07/22/06 |
Format approved. |
|
Awards |
Jere Luttner |
07/22/06 |
Award procedure draft in-work
for Hall of Fame and Sportsmanship Awards. |
|
Women |
None |
07/22/06 |
None |