Minutes for the January Leadership Team Meeting,

Minutes for the Monday, January 3, 2022, LTM Meeting, 5:30, Odell Weeks

The meeting was held indoors at OW. In attendance were members of the Leadership, George Carr, Ben Stevens and Harve Mobley. Also in attendance were: Mo Garcia, Marian Garcia, Nelson Swartzentruber, Bob Fogle, Joyce Noland, Froggie Rappoport,  Faith Loeb, Judy Degregorio, Ron Nelson, Pat Smith,Chris Tubbs, Steve Haertel, Linda Blake, and Cheryl Breidenbach.

Meeting called to order by Harve. Minutes were taken by Cheryl.  The items discussed in the meeting were:

I. Player Representative Input

Steve Haertel .-Gregg Park gym will be open 9:30am Tues/Thurs and 9am on Fridays. We have no weekends

Marian- John McCowen will be new representative for a vacant spot at 3.0H

Judy- She has been told that the PB bags holding the nets are in the way as they are being stored in the OW closet….fire hazard. The left of this area needs to remain clear so there is access to and from the stairwell leading upstairs.

Linda-  Faith and Linda will do practices for new people.  George Wisz will be back up

Nelson- Player has asked to bring a ball machine into OW. He is wondering who gives permission to allow this. Mo stated that only  teaching pros can use machines. This regulation is from the city rules.  GP might have their own policy so that can be looked into if desired. Using personal ball machines outdoors would be fine.

Chris, Froggie, and Cheryl-nothing to report

Bob Fogel-was on a zoom conference with 18 people with the Atlantic Coast PB Association.  Some people want a PB Palooza, a casual social game.  Myrtle Beach will have one for fun and skills.  Was wondering if our organization might want to do something like this and who might want to spearhead it.  Faith thinks March would be a better month to hold an event like this rather than January and February because those months are too busy.  She thinks the word “competition” needs to be left out so it doesn’t turn off lower skill leveled individuals.  Mo was sent the Palooza info months ago.  He discussed it with the leadership team and it was tabled at that time.   Perhaps Aiken PB is interested in pursuing this event now. Ben will investigate likelihood and interest. Bob will send info to Ben.

II. Old Business:

A. City Challenge

Ben stated the City Challenge was successful.  There was an article about it in the newspaper.  Perhaps we need to create a page on the PB website about this event. Plaque is in Ben’s possession.  Talk about moving this event to another time other than FB season.  June 11, 2022 works for Anne and Eddie.  Joanne never called him back.  Need to contact Caleb for GP availability.  Chris would be willing to captain it if he was still living here.  Mo said there was concern of vetting players (from other teams).  Chris said all captains discussed this and basically it is what it is.  Age was a factor too.  Other teams had younger players.  George said looking at Augusta scores was competitive and was not too concerned.  Marian said we didn’t have time to prepare for the event.  Next time we will have more time and perhaps Aiken will be more successful!

B. Dink for Tots

Ben reported for Tanya.  Article was in the newspaper.  Tanya found boxes and collected them and took them back to the Marines.  She did a wonderful job with a great turn out.  Mo thought 63 people attended.  George thinks it would be good to do next year.  All concur.  

Mike Howard collects cans of food to play in his group.  He then gives it to the food bank. Mo wondered if we should set a box at OW.  

III. New Business:

A. Odell Weeks

We have the gym in January from 9AM-3PM, M-F. No Weekends.

There will be a New Players Clinic will be Thursday, January 13.

The New Players Practice will be Thursday, January 27

B. Gregg Park

Gym times are 9:30 AM-1PM Tuesdays and Thursdays. Fridays are 9:00AM-1230PM. No Weekends.

Ben can do a New Players clinic on a Friday since Saturdays are not available.

C. Smith Hazel

Little Mo starts on Wednesday January 5 and will proceed weekly through March 16.

The Skill Rating session is scheduled for January 26.

D. Finance

Ron reported the account has $1501.  After he gave Mo a check for medals, we have a balance at $1209.  We want to insure we save $610  (primarily received from raffle sales/paddles/small amounts from tshirts at the Palmetto Tournament). A decision of what to do with that money has not been decided as of yet.  Nelson will look into and present equipment needs/ideas.  Mo will help with competitive pricing info.  He briefly stated that a high quality net would cost $180. Mo can get it for $135. A lesser quality net runs around $75. Nelson stated that Hillview Baptist church is building a gym/school for K-5 grades.  Mo wants to know if we could use their gym.  Nelson says absolutely.  School will open next school season and is located on Aiken-Augusta Highway.

E. Rule Changes 

Ben said the listing is stated on the website.

F. City Challenge

Ben previously reported as stated in Old Business

G. 2022 Event Schedule.  

Planning meeting composed of volunteers met yesterday. Ben hasn’t compiled everything together yet but will distribute it when completed later this week.  Items discussed for the future schedule were: Round robins, socials (competitive/fun), indoor/outdoor tournaments, etc., with corresponding quarters (dates) these events will be held. Mo thinks maybe there needs to be one person to coordinate all events.  We will consider it.  Was suggested that Bob might be a good person to do this.  Bob can delegate.  Ben likes the idea of having all events put on a calendar/schedule.  

H. Player Representative

Marian has been looking to fill a variety of positions. There has been a  low response.  She is reaching out to people.  She, and other members, had several good suggestions. She will contact individuals and try to get the vacant positions filled.  

I. Social- Chili

Current date for this event is Thursday, January 20. Pat states we need people to sign up online to bring chili/dessert/entree/salad.  People can sign up to just eat too. Faith wanted to know if we should move it to February due to potential rise in Covid and lack of people who have signed up thus far. Ben suggests giving it a week.  There are only 7 signed up now.  Pat wants at least 30.  If we don’t get 30 to sign up one week prior to Jan 20 we will postpone until February.  Drop deadline January 13.   Pat has suggested we play games…. Trivia Pursuit, Ticket to Ride, Family Feud along with playing PB outside.  Spouses and others are welcome too.  Froggie suggested stating an alternate February date.  Pat will check with OW on when two rooms are available during February.

J. Ambassador/Pro Report.  

Mo stated Ben Lacy is new ambassador for Aiken city.

Larry Howell is ambassador of N Augusta and may not be interested in doing it any more.  

Other Business from Ambassador:

Nets: Mo talked to city maintenance(Kenny).  Obligation of equipment repair should be to the net owner, which is the city. City agrees. They have the ability and resources to fix nets….welding, etc.  If we need to fix something fast (sew) we can fix and submit an invoice/receipt to the city and get reimbursed from Petty Cash.  If people are willing to sew and repair minor problems we can continue to do that.  New nets for the tournament are still under warranty. Spare nets are in the closet in gym 1 that can be used as spares, if needed.

Barriers/separators:  Maintenance should be under responsibility of GP/OW.   Contact for GP is Steve.  OW does not have a contact.  Chris has suggested just taking broken parts to the front desk.  Ben will write something on the website letting Aiken PB players know what to do when broken equipment is found.  Marian will pass this info on to player representatives so that word can be spread on how to handle equipment that isn’t working.

Outdoor event:  Mo is talking with the city for a date for the tournament.  Mo will talk to the city to convert 2 outdoor tennis courts to 6 PB courts. This will allow a good outdoor tourney.  We can use tennis courts and tape them for PB, if needed.  

Banking:  Mo talked to the bank.  Joyce/Ben/Mo are on a committee to discuss a proper bank account for our organization.

IV. Final comments.  

No comments from anyone. Next meeting is February 7, 5:30, OW. Meeting adjourned at 6:37.