Year in Review (Oct 2009 Oct 2010) (10/20/10)
Overview Purpose Vision i and Mission i Community Tennis History Community Meetings Foundation for Success Legal Committee and Corporation Documents FTA Board USTA Grants USTA Organization Membership FTA Membership Websites Web Visibility Phone Service Visibility and Customers TennisEngine & Ladders MailChimp & Newsletters Net Repair Community Project Tournaments FTA Hats Looking Forward Build on Foundation
Purpose Share information about FTA and Flagstaff tennis. Get feedback and ideas from the community. FTA is your community tennis association, FTA is your community tennis association, so let us know what you want from it.
Vision & Mission Vision: Serve as a positive, unifying force within the Flagstaff community, bringing together people, organizations, agencies, businesses, and other parties to define and pursue goals that benefit Flagstaff residents through the great sport of tennis. Mission: Promote and develop the growth of tennis as a means of healthful recreation and physical fitness for all Flagstaff, AZ residents.
Community Tennis History Document & Archive Flagstaff Tennis History Caveman Flagstaff Tennis FTA Formation Years Club Years Years FTA Years 10,000 BC 1970 s 1990s 2007-2010 2010? Community Tournament Committee 2007 Triple Ace Junior Tournaments (2) 2008 Flagstaff Junior Aces Slam (sanctioned) 2008 Flagstaff Junior Aces Grand Slam (sanctioned) 2009 Flagstaff Junior Aces Slam (sanctioned) 2009 Flagstaff Junior Aces Grand Slam (sanctioned) 2009 Flagstaff Open 2010 Flagstaff Junior Aces Slam 2010 Flagstaff Junior Aces Grand Slam
Community Meetings FTA Orientation Meeting g( (Oct 09) Overview of Community Tennis Associations (CTA), Organization Membership (OM), Vision, Mission, and much more. Marked the beginning of formal actions to incorporate FTA as a CTA and OM. FTA How Goes It Meeting (May 10) Quick update on FTA status. Overview of Web-Based Ladder System Discussed and Decided on Initial Ladder Criteria (e.g., rating system, match formats, divisions)
Foundation for Success Articles of Incorporation Constitution Bylaws Employee Info Number Tax Exempt Status Domains Hosting Email Website Social Networks MailChimp (Newsletters) Logo (Identity) Letterhead Forms & Files Spreadsheets Grants Banking Continuity Binders Information Challenge Ladders Tournaments Merchandise Phone Email Newsletters Websites (FTA, City, USTA) TennisEngine (Online Ladder) Job Descriptions Legal Requirements Technology Administration Services Communication
Foundation for Success Articles of Incorporation Constitution Bylaws Employee Info Number Tax Exempt Status Domains Hosting Email Website Social Networks MailChimp (Newsletters) Logo (Identity) Letterhead Forms & Files Spreadsheets Grants Banking Continuity Binders Information Challenge Ladders Tournaments Merchandise Phone Email Newsletters Websites (FTA, City, USTA) TennisEngine (Online Ladder) Job Descriptions Legal Requirements Technology Administration Services Communication
Legal Committee and Corporation Documents Committee Participation Open to Community Members Scott Weber Jan Blackman Mike Seby Alexis Johnson Ron Hren FTA Legal Documents Articles of Incorporation (submitted and approved by Arizona Corporation Commission) Employee Information Number (complete) Constitution (pending Board approval) Bylaws (pending Board approval) IRS Tax Exempt Application (started)
FTA Board Initial Members Scott Weber (Chairperson) Brenda Linskey (Vice Chairperson) Jana Perpich Jeffrey Jorgensen John Kolody NOTE: Brenda Linskey and Jana Perpich have stepped down, opening Board positions for others who would like to serve the Flagstaff community through FTA. General Information The Board must decide on the minimum and maximum number of directors (e.g., 3 to 9). Initial directors serve until the first annual meeting of FTA members (TBD by Board).
USTA Grants Community Tennis Development Workshop Scholarship (Nov 09) Supplements costs (up to $635) of sending reps to workshop. Not selected - received $0. Community Tennis Program Grant (Nov 09) Requested Community Tennis Association (CTA) start-up funds. Received $500.
USTA Organization Membership FTA became a USTA Organization Member in May 10 Benefits Top Tennis Publications (TENNIS and USTA Magazine) High Performance Coaching e-newsletter US Open Poster Tennis Teachers Conference (10% discount on registration fee) Community Tennis Development Workshop (10% discount on registration fee) USTA Tournaments (sanctioned, insurance) Travel Discounts (including Grand Slams, Davis Cup, and Fed Cup) Ticket Offers & Member Events (US Open and other professional events across country) Savings Discounts (10% discount on USTA & US Open merchandise, travel, retail, entertainment, etc.) ec) Resort & Camp Program (combine vacation and tennis with benefits for free lessons, rooms, package discounts, complimentary restringing, and more) Certificate of Membership (USTA member in good standing)
FTA Membership Membership Process Fill out an application (short and simple). Plans for online application via FTA Website. No Fee (only the Board can set and regulate a membership fee). Why an Application? A small step to establish voting eligibility. State requirements. FTA member = part of USTA Organization Membership. Possibility for discounts at Flagstaff businesses (and incentive for FTA membership). Counts and Growth Started with 26 people who attended the FTA Orientation Briefing in Oct 09. Growth typically associated with joining a ladder. Up to 55 (54 adult, 1 junior) Growth difficult to measure via membership numbers at this stage of FTA development. A lot of potential and need for growth in Junior memberships. Goal 100 members by the end of 2010 (set in Oct 09 at FTA Orientation Meeting).
Websites ( (FTA) ) Flagstaff g Tennis Portal Information Resource Objective and Neutral (clubs, pros, businesses) Marketing Fundraising (add space, ecommerce))
Websites (City of Flagstaff) Public exposure and recognition. Often first place visitors and new families look. Community integration and outreach.
Websites (USTA) National USTA Section USTA Southwest District USTA Northern Arizona Local CTA, OM, Tennis on Campus, etc. FTA integrated into mainstream tennis. www.flagstafftennis/usta.com (pending USTA approval)
Web Visibility Flagstaff Area Citizens NAU Students City of Flagstaff Website USTA Website TennisLink Search Engine Facebook Websites FTA Website Tournament Players Travelers Summer Home Owners
Phone Service FTA Phone Number and Voicemail Hello FTA? Is Jeffrey Jorgensen available? Established to enhance professional identify. Voice - (928) 451-8828 Fax (928) 255-0003 MagicJack 5-years unlimited long-distance for only $110. Portable plugs into any computer with high h speed Internet. t Incoming calls automatically routed to info@flagstafftennis.com (with voice message file). Can also be routed to another phone.
TennisEngine & Ladders Conducted Review of Web-based Ladder Systems Evaluated 9 systems. Documented findings and selection rationale (see Ladders page on FTA Website) Selected TennisEngine (www.tennisengine.com) Created Initial Ladders (42) Boys and Girls Singles and Doubles (18s, 16s, 14s, 12s, 10s) Men s and Women s Singles (Open and NTRP 3.0, 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, 5.0) Men s and Women s Combined NTRP Doubles (7.0, 8.0, 9.0) Men s and Women s Age-Based Doubles (60+) Developed eloped FTA Ladder Procedures res Drafted and sent to FTA members for feedback. Revised and approved via an interim meeting open to all FTA members. Began Issuing Accounts Focusing on Incremental Growth B16 S M3.0 S M3.5 S M4.0 S M4.5 S M6.0 D M7.0 D M8.0 D M9.0 D M60+ D W3.0 S W3.5 S W4.0 S W4.5 S W7.0 D W8.0 D 1 2 12 6 2 1 7 4 1 1 2 8 6 1 8 6
MailChimp & Newsletters First FTA Newsletter in Nov 09. 18 newsletters to-date. 108 Flagstaff players on mailing list. Email text messages until Aug 10. Selected MailChimp (www.mailchimp.com) Professional social media tool for email campaigns and marketing. Web-based based tool and very easy to use. Free - up to 1000 subscribers & 6000 emails a month.
Net Repair Community Project Four nets needed repair at Thorpe Park and McPherson Park. City had no funding for nets. Ron Hren Project Lead Contacted FTA for assistance and mutual support. Collected quotes for replacement and repair. Led volunteers to take down, drop off for repair, and reinstall nets. FTA Roles Coordinated with city officials and staff. Requested donations in FTA newsletter. Communicated success story to key officials, including Flagstaff Mayor s Office. Recognized volunteers with FTA certificates of appreciation. Impacts Total repair costs only $200 (one new, quality net is $170-$200). Saved City of Flagstaff $800. Returned needed courts to service for leagues, high schools, Junior Team Tennis, tournaments, etc. Invaluable exposure for FTA - as an organization and membership committed to public service.
Tournaments Tournament Committee - Awesome Volunteer Staff TC Staff Flagstaff Junior Aces Slam (3 rd Annual) 25 players vs. 50+ players in past years. Cold weather and conflict with major junior open tournament t NM. See photos on the FTA Website. Flagstaff Junior Aces Grand Slam (3 rd Annual) 50 players and staff faced monsoons on a biblical scale. TC lived up to challenge in Apollo 13 style this will be our finest hour. Flagstaff Open (2 nd Annual) Canceled due to insufficient entrants. 14 of 23 entrants from outside Flagstaff (Phoenix, Cottonwood, Peoria) Community Support Essential for Success Continental Country Club City of Flagstaff/Thorpe Park Flagstaff Athletic Club Jeff Jorgensen (Director) Brenda Linskey Jerry Crawley Nicole Williams-Chambers Mark Levine Craig and Jennifer Bearchell Janet Hill Jennifer Weber Debbie Mourtsen Laura Camden Warren and Renee Carsey Ron Hren
FTA Hats Support fundraiser and show Flagstaff tennis pride with an FTA hat! Free FTA membership with every hat! FTA hats are available for $20 each, with proceeds going g to support our FTA tournaments. This lightweight, low profile hat is constructed from a soft athletic mesh material hosting an embroidered FTA logo, has an adjustable Velcro strap, and comes in three colors (light blue, light pink, and white).
Looking Forward Build on Foundation GROW! Membership (adults, juniors, NAU students). Ladders. Volunteer base for committees and projects. Social events for members. Community outreach and partnerships. Status and respect as a Flagstaff community service organization. Operating funds. Reputation for community service. Growth = Stronger Voice for Flagstaff Tennis
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