Board Meeting Minutes, Wednesday, November 4, 2019, Room 1, Odell Weeks at 4:00PM
In attendance were Joyce Noland, George Carr, Chuck Buchanan, Linda Blake, Faith Loeb, Stephanie Wolfe, Marian Garcia, Mo Garcia, Leslie McGowan and Nancy Racki.
Gregg Park Round Robin Report
- Joyce Noland stated that the Gregg Park Round Robin went well. There was one 3.0 male player who had sprained his ankle and had to withdraw. A 3.5 male player stepped in his place to play so that the 3.0 Men could complete their round. As a result of the 3.5 substitute player, the 3.0/3.5 team was disqualified.
- The financial disbursements for the Round Robin were not available at the time of the meeting due to Ron Nelson being out of town.
- A survey was sent out to obtain input on the Round Robin. There was a total of 43 responses. Fifty percent favored the matches to last 11 minutes and over and forty-five percent favored matches to last 10 minutes and under.
- George Carr suggested that there be a three to three and a half minute break between round robin matches with one longer break at the half time mark for snacks and restroom.
Super Senior Round Robin
- The date the Super Senior Round Robin will be Saturday, January 18, 2020 at Odell Weeks. This will be for player 65 and over (sign up without a partner) in rating classes of 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5. The Round Robin is scheduled from 9:00AM to 4:30PM with the understanding that we need to exit the building by 4:45 PM.
- This Round Robin will include players in the 2.5 rating group. Joyce suggested that we place the 2.5 players at the end instead of at the beginning of the Round Robin.
- It was also suggested that the matches be shortened due to time restraints.
Christmas at Hopelands Gardens
- Sign-ups are open on the Aiken Pickleball website for those wishing to volunteer.
- It was noted that the early slots from 5:30PM to 7:30PM are filling more quickly than the slots from 7:30PM to 9:30PM.
- Another e-blast will be sent to the group seeking volunteers.
Expanding the Volunteer Pool
- There is a need to spread the word for volunteers within our Pickledillys. It appears that the same people volunteer for various functions on a continual basis.
- There will be an effort to collect emails from both Houndslake and from St. Johns Methodist Church members and add them to our existing list of Pickledillys emails so that they also will receive our announcements and hopefully we shall obtain additional volunteers.
Houndslake Certificates
- Houndslake Country Club has awarded the Aiken Pickledillys two gift certificates for help with the demonstration held recently. 1) Round of Golf and 2) Night at the Inn.
- It was suggested by Joyce Noland, George Carr and the board members present that these certificates be awarded to our own Aiken Pickledillys members who have volunteered their time for various functions from the beginning of 2019 (1/1/19) to the present. It was suggested that the volunteer sent in their name and what they had volunteered for.
Treasurer’s Report
- Not available at this time.
First Presbyterian
- Evening play on Monday nights will no longer be available due to a basketball program.
- Marian Garcia suggested that the Saturday morning time be divided from 9AM-11AM and 11AM-1PM. Joyce will check to see if there is the possibility of divided sessions.
- Times available for drop-in play at First Baptist are Monday and Thursday evening from 6PM-9PM. Joyce is encouraging our working members to use First Baptist. If we don’t utilize First Baptist, we may lose the facility altogether. The fee to play is $2.00.
- Wednesday evenings at Gregg Park will be lost to their basketball program during December and January.
- Saturday play at Odell Weeks will no longer be available beginning November 23 and will continue through December and January.
Need for Beginner Clinics in Evening/on Saturdays
- Joyce stated that we have not had beginner clinics on Saturdays at Odell for several months.
- Linda Blake presented a letter that Faith Loeb, Rep for Beginners, had written to Grace Vance, one of our instructors, outlining what she felt would most benefit beginners learning pickleball. Below is the letter that Faith had written to Grace Vance:
“Hi Grace, When I became Rep for the Beginners, I created a program to offer a free follow up to the Beginner Clinic for those newbies that needed help streaming into regular play. This idea was a result of my experience when I started playing at Odell. I found fitting in intimidating, confusing and some players not very welcoming. Since I was new, many longer time players really preferred not to play with me. Also Court One at the time was not clearly or formally used for Beginners.
For players who want to play for fun and not competitively, seem to need help streaming in. For players who were previous tennis or other racquet sport players who prefer to play competitively generally would immediately sign up for lessons.
This is my reasoning and roundabout way of saying…..for many Beginners I think it best to keep it simple. Most of the rules and guidelines are learned organically while playing as well as the rues being handed out I the Beginner Clinic labeled Connect with Aiken Pickledillys. This hand out covers rules, guidelines, court # placement in gym2, DIP, Court Reservation play, scoring plus other websites to visit for info.
Below is the outline that George Wisz formulated for Linda and I to follow when doing our Beginner Practice. George actually has been generous to help with our practices. (and so far has helped with every Beg Practice that we’ve conducted.
Discuss our Website, our calendars, DIP(2) and Court Reservations
- Kitchen and Kitchen dinking and warm up
- Discuss who gets first serve and how it’s done
- Serving Zones….and Serving from all 4 quadrants
- Receive serve from all 4 quadrants
- Serve and Return with 2 players rotating
- Lob Shots
- Play a game or two and help with scoring
- When to yell….’Pickle’
At this point I encourage at this time of year to go to DIP play during court designation. If they want to form a group I encourage them to exchange emails so they can play with others at a similar level.”
- Joyce stated that we have offered an Orientation for Beginners conducted by Grace Vance. This will now become an “Introduction to Pickleball” clinic. Once the beginner player has taken the clinic, they will be encouraged to continue playing with other beginners to improve their skills.
As a side note: George Carr announced on Facebook on 11/10/2019:
There will be an Introduction to Pickleball Clinic at Odell Weeks next Saturday, November 16, from 10-1130 am. This clinic is for players new to pickleball. Go to the front desk at Odell to sign up. Clinic will be held on Court #1 in Gym #2.
Additional Teaching Professional
- Mo announced that the Aiken Pickledillys will soon be adding an additional teaching professional for lessons. She is a young lady who will be relocating to Aiken in early December. She is currently working on her teaching certification which should be completed in January. In addition to teaching at Odell, she will also be willing to be a floating pro and teach at other facilities in the area.
Input from Player Reps
Leslie McCowan (3.0) had three items.
1. George Buggs suggested that we video our players. He also suggested that we should be aware of medical conditions that some of our players may have such as asthma, diabetes, COPD etc.
2. If there are only three courts available for court reservation, a player should not reserve two.
3. Odell Weeks provides a recycle bin for plastic water bottles. One of our players noticed that it is not placed conveniently for us to see but down a hallway out of sight. She asked that we speak with Odell and have it moved where we can see it and be able to use for our plastics.
Additional Notes:
Mo Garcia discussed the formation of Youth Pickleball in the area. Areas for Youth Pickleball are Tall Pines Stem Academy on Camp Long Rd. and Smith-Hazel Recreation Center in Aiken. He will be meeting with the City of Aiken to discuss the expansion of the skateboard park as well. Further information on Youth Pickleball with be provided as it becomes available.
Next Meeting
The meeting adjourned at 5:26PM. The next leadership meeting will be held on Monday, December 2, 2019 at 3:00PM at Odell Weeks.