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Board of Directors Update -- June 2021

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by USA Racquetball

GET TO KNOW YOUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The makeup of the USAR Board of Directors is diverse and robust, including four state association presidents, two pro tour commissioners, the NMRA president, several business owners, and three elite racquetball athletes. They bring a wide range of skills and knowledge brought from multiple areas of business, educational, and racquetball experience.

Visit https://www.teamusa.org/usa-racquetball/leadership/board-of-directors to view Board members’ photos and profiles. Just click on each photo to see the profile, and click on the name to send an email!

The Board welcomes Maurice Miller of Loganville, Georgia, to a three-year Board Appointed seat effective May 24, 2021. Maurice brings experience as an amateur and pro player, and he has recently appeared on USA Racquetball’s Real Racquetball Show where his knowledge and style in partnering with Executive Director Mike Wedel as co-host have brought energy and fresh perspectives to the live-streamed biweekly program.

Please visit the USAR website at https://www.teamusa.org/usa-racquetball -- About/Bylaws, Article VII, pp. 8-10 -- to learn about Board of Directors Position Categories: At Large Elected, Board Appointed, Executive Appointed, and Athlete Representatives.

HIGHLIGHTS -- USAR Board of Directors Annual Meeting

Typically, there are two “live” meetings per year, one at the USAR National Singles Championships in May (“Annual Meeting”) and one at the UnitedHealthcare US OPEN in October. Of course, the pandemic put a temporary halt to these events and to the accompanying Board meetings as well. In May 2020 and 2021, Annual Meetings have been conducted via Zoom.

The Board met for its Annual Meeting on May 24, 2021. Fourteen Board members, Executive Director Mike Wedel, and incoming Board member Maurice Miller were in attendance.

Following are some points of interest:

Executive Director’s Update (Mike Wedel)

Topics included:

  • Information update on the 2021 USA Racquetball National Junior Championships and Adult Team Qualifying Presented by Penn
  • Hall of Fame Celebration logistics are being worked on diligently.
  • Membership numbers are trending positive with the return of events.
  • Future enhancements for the sport relative to events, facilities, and sponsorships.
  • Monthly 20x40 Alliance Group collaborative meetings with U.S. Handball leaders. Monthly articles and advertisements are published in Club Insider.
  • Staff and contractor projects include The Real Racquetball Show; Serving Up the News newsletter; and meeting with the NAIA regarding collegiate racquetball.

Finance Update (Steve Czarnecki)

Through the first four months of the year, USA Racquetball financial performance has been generally in line with budget. Membership revenue showed a slight uptick.  April 2021 marked the first time in more than a year that membership revenue exceeded the same month one year prior.

Committee Updates

1. Legislative Committee (Cheryl Kirk)

A timeline and update was provided on the committee’s work to meet the June 30, 2021, due date for amendments to USAR materials and policies relative to the USOPC’s findings during its USA Racquetball Consultative Review.

2. WOR Committee Update (Michelle De La Rosa)

Michelle thanked Todd Boss for his work on the WOR section of the website as well as monthly newsletter articles and social media updates. Upcoming events are being promoted nationwide.

Dan Whitley has engaged qualified volunteer support to perform pre-work on WOR rankings before turning the project over to the WOR Committee for continued work and analysis.

Recognition of Departing Board Member Scott Fish (Dan Whitley)

Dan spoke about Scott’s roles and accomplishments during his tenure on the Board (past VP, committee service, IT/Marketing expertise, and much more). Scott commented positively on his seven years with the Board, having served in both Appointed and Elected positions.

-- Adjourned --

** At the Board of Director’s Annual Meeting each year, a main meeting is conducted with the current Board. Once that meeting is adjourned, departing Board members (those whose terms have ended) exit the meeting and a reconvened meeting takes place with newly seated Board members becoming official in their new roles. If Officer roles (President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer) are expiring, elections take place in the reconvened meeting. This year, no Officer roles were expiring.

HIGHLIGHTS -- USAR Board of Directors Annual Meeting (Reconvened)

New Board Member Maurice Miller was seated as of the call-to-order of this reconvened segment of the Annual Meeting. Fourteen Board members and Executive Director Mike Wedel were in attendance.

National Rules Commissioner

President Dan Whitley presented the name of Dan Horner, brought from Stewart Solomon (Chair) and the selection group, for approval as National Rules Commissioner. A motion was made and seconded to approve the nomination. After routine Board discussion on the motion, it was voted and approved effective May 24, 2021. The National Rules Commissioner announcement appears elsewhere in this issue of Serving Up the News.

For more information on USA Racquetball’s National Rules Commissioner position, please visit the USAR website at https://www.teamusa.org/usa-racquetball -- About/Bylaws, Article VIII, 806.0.B, p. 13.

Next meetings: June 14 (focus on legislative business) and June 28 (regular meeting)

-- Adjourned --

_____________________________________________________________________________________

We hope you are finding this newsletter feature interesting, and we always welcome suggestions and/or questions for future articles. Please contact Stewart Solomon (VP) or Cheryl Kirk (Secretary).

stewart.usar@gmail.com

cherylkkirk@aol.com

If you have questions about the Staff’s activities, please contact Mike Wedel.

mwedel@usaracquetball.com.

 

Stay safe and healthy, everyone!

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