Minutes for Leadership Team Meeting held on Monday August 11th.
Members Present: Lori King, Linda Blake, Marian Garcia, Marcia Stivanson
Mo Garcia, Brian Eberhard, George Carr, Jay Wilson and Cheryl Breidenbach
> A. Feedback from Player representatives: Nothing to report
> B. Palmetto Tournament: Mo
> The event was perceived as very positive. Respondents said that we could be the poster child for pickleball tourneys! It was organized well and ran smoothly.
> The biggest complaint was that there were too many conflicting lines on the courts. Maybe when the lines are redone, the pickleball ones can be done in red. Mo will talk to the city about this suggestion.
> Court Monitors were generally perceived as good. However, we had an influx of new volunteers this year so it was a transition year. Some were not as proficient as could be. For example, score cards were not sent in via texts. Next year we will emphasize better training. The process will be improved
> 70 of the 235 players replied to the survey.
> Linda Blake stated we were not in the Aiken Standard nor on the neon billboard. Hopefully next year we can push for this advertisement.
> A lot of players appreciated an indoor tourney.
> A special thanks goes out to Joyce Noland, Mo Garcia and Jay Wilson for the hours spent organizing this event. Also, the volunteers at the stage desk area are appreciated. It takes a lot of volunteers and API realizes this and is grateful for everyone who helped out.
> C. Gregg Park: Brian
> August 23: 9-10:45 will be new hours on this date only.
> D. OW and Smith Hazel: George
> All good. When it rains, OW is crowded.
> E. Skill Rating Update: Mo
> Current ratings have been conducted outside. Lori and Jordyn are helping. Harve is doing ratings one on one. Mo is helping with league ratings.
> F. New Players Clinics: Lori
> Lori reported that they had five participants at the last one. Future clinics will not have age limits.
> G. New Players Practice: Linda
> Saturday will be the next new players practice at Odell Weeks.
> H. 2025 Fall League: Mo
> Starts Sept. 8 and will finish November 22. Outdoor courts will be resurfaced between now and the end of October. There was a league meeting with the city (to discuss what?) The current cost for participants in the league is $25. The League will receive 70% of the fee and the city 30% which includes providing 10 reserved outdoor courts. API will receive $10 ($5 for players’ insurance - $5 administration fee). Next season will raise fees to cover costs.
>Have had several husbands/wives that may want to participate in the league. League players have to be rated by Mo.
> Jay suggested a sidewalk be installed by handball courts.
> Lori stated that there is a nice mat at Eustis Park installed from the parking area to the courts. She suggested that perhaps a mat can be used at OW until the sidewalk is installed. Mo will find out who purchased the mat, an API member or the city.
> The handball courts were supposed to be torn down by 2025. They have no way of removing reinforced cinder blocks. It’s tough to get rid of.
> I. Financial Report: Dean (George)
> Please submit all bills.
> J. Possible Future Events: George
> We want to do something like Groovy Tuesday in October on Friday evenings . Freaky Friday was suggested as the name.
> Golden Harvest. Marian will talk with Mike Howard. The first four Freaky Friday events in October we will collect canned goods for Golden Harvest. Five cans will get a raffle ticket. We will raffle a paddle and a gift certificate from one of the professionals for a lesson each Friday. Additional raffle tickets can be purchased at $5 apiece. $10 gets you three raffle tickets.
> Toys for Tots - November 22 -. Outside event. Mo will talk to Jordyn about coordinating this with the league.
> K. Aiken Ambassador: Chuck (Mo)
> Mo stated early thoughts are rumbling about an outdoor tourney being held in the spring.
> L. What else is Happening: Mo
> We have lost Rita, Sally, and Christy Pritchard, recently. API has done special remembrances for Rita and Sally. The city is writing a policy limiting the number of park benches and trees planted, which have been donated by API. Mo will let us know when the standard is created.
> Lori brought up the idea of developing a memorial brick pathway. Mo will bring this suggestion up in the city meeting tomorrow.
> M. Final Comments:
> Lori asked that when Christy’s family puts out an obituary, would API like to donate to the family's requested organization. All present agreed that this would be a positive move.
> Cheryl stated that perhaps when someone dies, API just donate to the organization which the family has suggested instead of buying benches/plagues/trees/etc. All seemed to like this idea.
> Next meeting Monday September 8, 5:30pm at Odell Weeks
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