2017 AGM
2017 SACTA AGM Minutes, Tuesday November 7th at the ASF boardroom
Apologies: Wilf Young Lai, Lesley Wells
Call to order. Mary thanked all in attendance for coming.
Attendees: Mary Wobma, Jenni Loudwell, Derek Stafford, Mark Clark, Irene Scarratt, David Robichaud, Susan Marpole, Jordan Thompson and Ernie Edwards – visitors.
Approval of Minutes of 2016 AGM. Acceptance proposed Mark Clark, Seconded Susan Marpole, carried
Treasurer's report. Irene Scarratt presented a summary of the association's finances. User fees, membership revenue, and a recap of the Masters revenue/costs was highlighted by Irene. Acceptance proposed by Irene Scarratt, seconded Jenni Loudwell., carried.
Correspondence. Jenni Loudwell presented a possible funding source to help fund the building of a recreation building at the courts. The Town had advised that should SACTA locate a source of funds they would look at the possibility of proceeding.
An Age Friendly Community Committee in the town will soon be gathering suggestions for ways to improve the town. Outdoor spaces and buildings are areas that will be considered – a building at the courts with public washrooms may come under this umbrella. Mary is in discussions regarding future recreation plans.
Mary Wobma discussed an email from Tim Sharkey regarding court repair. A rebuild of the 4 courts is in the range of $40K. It was noted that the Regional Development Corp. funded Sussex TC lights.
Membership report. Irene discussed membership dollars in the Treasurer's Report. Jenni reported 2017 membership is 90. Twentynine 2016 members did not join this year, there were 36 new members. These numbers are similar to past years.
Tournaments report. Mark Clark and Steve Taylor – Tournaments played this year were Ladies Singles and Doubles, Mens Singles and Doubles, and Mixed doubles. The singles events were not well supported. The proposal for 2018 is to only play doubles and on one weekend, August 11th (LD & MD) August 12th (MXD).
The Wake Up/150 tournament was not well attended. Insufficient promotion was a factor. The Wake Up tournament date for 2018 is June 9th. The Memorial tournament was a success, next year's Memorial will be on July 14th.
The 2018Tennis NB Masters tournament will be on August 18th and 19th. Rain on Saturday at this year's event made for a challenging day on Sunday. All matches were completed using a shortened format.
Lessons reports – Adult - Derek Stafford reported 19 participants. One session was lost to weather. The format for the lessons will be revamped for 2018. Next season's lessons will begin at the end of June (approx.)
Junior – 29 juniors took part in the summer camp. VMES Tennis Tuesday ran from March 7th to May 30th, all classes took part and the program was very well received. 2018 dates: March 14th to May 22nd. SJDA will try to set up a week of tennis instruction with Rufus Nel during the 2017/18 school year.
Current funds for the youth program are $4,712.00.
Social tennis report. Steve Taylor noted the well attended early sessions dropped off quite dramatically. Start and finish dates need to be publicized, possibly on the Town list of activities as this is a session that non-members are welcome to attend. Dates for 2018 are June 9th to August 29th.
Social Convener Report. Susan Marpole's report summarized catering for the v the various events. She suggested that SACTA hold a summer potluck and AGM so that 'summer people' can attend. See Items for Discussion below.
Items for Discussion
Wilf Young-Lai : The battery pack purchased for the ball machine does not work and should be returned or sold. I don't know if it can be adapted to be used but in its present form there are no adapters to connect it to the ball machine.
(Discussion: Keith Wobma is looking into this as other users have not reported any problems/issues.)
I know at least 8 members who would like to play singles so a weekly day/time slot should be designated for singles. I would like to see a singles ladder so that we get the opportunity to play with as many players as possible. Sunday morning should be used for more competitive doubles. The format to be discussed.
Discussion: It was agreed that specific time slots are not desirable as they restrict access to the two courts SACTA has. A singles ladder would enable singles players to have regular matches. An organizer would be needed.
Use of the booking screen would enable singles ladder matches and Sunday doubles to be scheduled, again keeping in mind that we only have 2 courts.
Wednesday social tennis: Men's night at the Algonquin golf club causes a conflict with social tennis. Should social tennis be changed to another evening?
Discussion: It does not appear that very many members are impacted by the conflict. Social tennis will remain on Wednesday evening.
Jenni Loudwell: I propose that the AGM be held in the summer rather than in the fall. A number of SACTA members are summer residents. By changing the date (perhaps to July) it would mean that more members would be able to attend the meeting and so contribute to SACTA.
Discussion: The purpose of an AGM is to review the current season and to plan for the next one. It would be difficult to achieve this in mid season. Mid season financial figures are not meaningful. In order to engage with the members who are only here in the summer it was suggested that a summer meeting could be held in conjunction with a potluck (as per Susan Marpole's report). All were in agreement and June 16th was set as the date for this.
Irene Scarratt proposed giving Tim Sharkey a gift certificate to recognize his assistance during the season – as was done last year. Agreed.
Keith Wobma offered to make 2 benches for each of the 2 private courts used during the Masters tournament as a gesture of SACTA's appreciation. SACTA will pay the cost of the materials. Agreed.
Proposed executive.
Past President - Wilfred Young Lai
President - Mary Wobma
1st Vice Pres. - Steve Taylor
2nd Vice Pres. - Mark Clark
Secretary - Jenni Loudwell
Treasurer - Irene Scarratt
Social Convenor - Susan Hilditch
Youth Co-Ordinator - Keith Wobma
Members-at Large - David Robichaud/Derek Stafford
Motion to accept: Irene Scarratt, seconded Susan Marpole, carried.
Mark Clark offered to assist Irene Scarratt in Treasurer matters with Mark assuming the position in the future.
Motion for adjournment. Susan Marpole.