TXRA Board Meeting Minutes - May 19, 2020
TXRA BOARD MEETING MINUTES
May 19, 2020
Due to Covid-19 restrictions meeting was conducted via secure Zoom audio/video format
PRESENT: Bob Sullens, David Weiser, Sandy Rios, Mike Cantu, Mike Sorensen, Ross Smith, Kevin Sendry, Anita Johnson-Florez, Dale Gosser, Julienne Arnold.
NOT PRESENT: Mitchell McCoy, Jon Friedman, Jeff Franco
Meeting was called to order and a quorum was declared by the presence of the above named at 7:04PM
SAFESPORT AND BAKCGROUND CHECKS
The first order of business was discussion of the SafeSport Program and Background Check which are required of all TXRA Board members. It was noted the following deficits existed:
Expired or Never Don
SafeSport-Bob, Ross, Davis
Backgrounds-Jeff, AJ
Soon to Expire
SafeSport-Mitch (5/28), Mike S. (7/11)
Both Bob and AJ stated that they had indeed completed their reported deficit and further follow up was requested to ensure completion was noted in the record with USAR. All other deficits were requested to be completed prior to the board meeting June 27, 2020.
SPECIAL ELECTION FOR SECRETARY-2 YEAR TERM
Sandy was nominated by Bob, 2nd by AJ
AJ was nominated by Mike S, 2nd by Ross, however AJ declined the nomination
Open discussion was the had at which Mike S expressed concern that executive officers should not be appointed board members. Bob then stated that the as the board has the authority to appoint and that appointed members are to be treated as any other board member as stated in the By-laws. That being the case there is no reason an appointed board member is eligible to be voted into an executive position. A motion was made by Bob to vote by acclamation and it was seconded by David. As no nays were voiced, the ayes were accepted, and Sandy was voted it as secretary.
FINANCIALS
Board members acknowledge email receipt of current financial report and no discussion was had due to the absence of Treasurer Mitch.
USAR
Resent new programs offered by the USAR and guidelines established for the safe return to racquetball were discussed. The various new programs are as follows:
New Pinch Perks program offered by USAR to all members and the ability to opt in or out
USAR Reopening guidelines for play and tournaments which are posted on USAR website.
A review of know club opening dates and possible court opening dates was discussed
LOSS OF COURTS
Discussion over the fact that many gyms may/are using courts to house other equipment showed an increase in known court losses. Specifically, the loss of one court at the YMCA in San Antonio is of great concern. This reduces the ability to hold the youth clinics as well as being able to run tournaments of any great size. This was a decision of the new management and initial talks are not hopeful for a change. Coupled with the closing of 2 Golds Gyms location in San Antonio it is a big hit for the San Antonio community. Mike C. expressed that the SA group is looking into the building of their own facility that could host large tournament and that donations towards that end will be greatly needed. All members are asked to watch and make note of any other losses of court, and the use of petitions from every where may need to be considered to stop the removal of court.
EVENTS CALENDAR
Mike S has worked diligently to create an events calendar on the TXRA website and all board member were asked to test the site out by creating tournaments, real or fake, so that the features of the site could be tested. The new calendar will be the first step for tournament directors to schedule their tournaments going forward and the process was discussed. The Sanctioning Committee will meet separately to discuss the steps and help that will be required and offered to directors. The calendar is extremely important so that we do not have multiple tournaments scheduled on the same date, and allows the Sanctioning committee see any conflicts. It will also contain dates of State, National, NMRA, and previously approved events to allow directors to judge any conflicts. It will also allow them to apply for either a sanctioned or non-sanctioned event. No event will be allowed to set up on R2 Sports until it has been approved by the Sanctioning Committee. All board members who are also tournament directors were urged to get their dates on the calendar as soon as possible. Mike S suggested that members of the Sanctioning Committee contain at least 1 board member from each of the 3 yr cycle be included on the committee so that there is always someone on that committee who knows and understands the process the committee develops in their future meeting. Mike C was selected to head the committee with Sandy (1 yr left), Dale (2yr left), Kevin (3yr left), Mike S (1yr left), Bob (3yr left) and AJ 1 yr left)
AWARD COMMITTEE
Motion 04-2020 was made to include Paul Lowe in the Awards process as he has gifted the TZXRA with an annuity to assist with the cost of our awards. The motion was 2nd by Sandy. During open discussion Sandy, Mike S. and Mike C. all expressed agreement that his input should be included in the recipients of the 3 awards specifically mentioned in his gift. The question was asked if anyone could also donate money to be added to the annuity so as to preserve monies for awards. That question will be forward to Paul for an answer. There was also discussion as to capping the amount spent on the awards and there was a general consensus that this should be addressed.
GENERAL DISCUSSION
Use of the Election Runner was discussed and members expressed their satisfaction with its use for discussion and voting for motions before the board. Discussion then moved to the practical use of courts for spin classes following the news “social distancing” guides and it was determined that only 12 bikes could be placed. Discussion was had on how can the board actively get involved in the saving of courts and what might be the best strategy or negotiating plan that could be used, petitions, letter writing, membership fees or leaving of specific clubs. Formation of the Strategic Planning committee was enacted to attack the lose of the courts and how best this can be addressed. David, Bob and Ross will form this committee with the tasks of listing pro/cons and how to discuss/debate usage, how to keep members motivated with courts still unavailable/closing and seeing what can happen at the national level to assists with this court crisis which is happening nationwide.
NEW BUSINESS
The biggest new business was a discussion of what the TXRA can do to honor Gregg Peck whose untimely passing shocked all. The idea of a special annual award to honor Gregg’s contribution to the sport was discussed and Ross was tasked with getting the blessing of Dave Peck and the rest of Gregg’s family. Exact naming of the award will be discussed and voted on after members have had time to
contemplate ideas and present to the general board. The date for the Annual Board workshop was set for June 27, 2020 and was planned to consist of several 2hr sessions as it is expected that it will once again be conducted via audio/video conferencing. Items to be discussed that date include Sanctioning process, Strategic Planning, and the TXRA website.
Meeting was adjourned 8:12PM
Submitted 5-31-2020 by ________________________
Sandy Rios, Secretary