Wednesday, January 8th, 2003, 7:30 pm
(approximate, after play at Central Parkway YMCA ends)

Attendance - Board members George Lehocky, David Kent, Bob Burkitt, Jim Krailler, Bob Hiance, Jack Dean and Mike Reilly were present. Carl Fisher attended part of the meeting as a guest.

Review of Minutes - The minutes posted on the website (amended by the Board since initial publication) were approved.

Income / Expenditures / Current balance
Shootout Tournament report/finances
Membership Report

David Kent
David Kent
Jim Krailler

Treasurer's Report - The checking account balance as of the last bank statement is $ 6,242.35. This figure does not include income and expenses from the Queen City Shootout.

Shootout Tournament report - Jack Dean presented copies of the invoice from Camargo Courthouse to the Board. This invoice, plus the additional shirts, the final counts of plaques, balls, gloves and shipping of awards, need to be finalized before the financial report for the Shootout can be presented. This report should be ready by the next Board meeting.

George Coleman Memorial - George Coleman designated GCHA as a recipient of memorials.  The Board decided to accept donations, track separately and establish a suitable memorial at some future date. George Lehocky will handle acknowledgment letters from GCHA. The Coleman family has directed that the US flag in Red's coffin be given to the GCHA.

Membership Report - Jim Krailler sent 65 postal mail reminders on 12/17/02 to those who have not renewed. Current membership at that time was 71; membership has increased to 84 as of the meeting date. A tentative call list of 51 names was distributed -- people who have been members within the past 5 years but have not renewed for 2003. A telephone call committee (George Lehocky, Bob Hiance, Jack Dean, and Bob Burkitt) will meet at Camargo Court Club in the near future to call those who have yet to join. Jack Dean will make arrangements and Jim Krailler will provide an updated list.

Proposal to have two indoor tournaments instead of one.

George Lehocky

Proposal - George Lehocky proposed changes to the current four-wall tournament schedule. Rather than continue the Queen City Shootout as is, the proposal is to have one tournament for singles only, with a separate date for a doubles-only tournament. The proposal also included holding these at two different facilities, one at Fitness@Waycross Club with the other held at Camargo Courthouse.

Some factors discussed:

Additional work load caused by the addition of a tournament. The Board has previously cut back on tournaments (The City) due to poor attendance. Bradbury Doubles, in early fall, used to be a popular tournament for local players. Tournament attendance, especially at the Shootout, has been good the past two years. Doubles-only could be a 3-wall event, held in early June (Buckeye Classic) The new tournament could be designated a "Memorial" tournament. George Coleman would be the initial honoree, with other names used as appropriate.

After lengthy discussion, the Board recommended continuing to offer both singles and doubles divisions at the Queen City Shootout, and to continue scheduling the tournament for the first weekend in November. The site for this tournament will be discussed at a later date.

The Board also recommended exploring the possibility of an additional doubles-only tournament.  Mike Reilly will talk with Paul Baker about the possibilities of hosting a Memorial Doubles tournament.  Two suggested options are to have this tournament in either a spring or early October timeframe. 

January ShortLine
Reds Game
BlueBall Tournament Report
Tina's Gathering Report.
Legends Tournament
Winter Doubles League, Fitness @ Waycross
3 Wall Courts Maintenance Update
Ireland Reunion Party

Jim Krailler
George Lehocky
Bob Burkitt

January ShortLine - The January ShortLine is completed and has been posted on the web, with 209 print copies mailed. At a future meeting, the Board will examine the mailing list and discuss possible options to contain printing and postage costs, as well as reduce the workload required by producing two formats.

Reds Game - Discussion on the Reds' outing was deferred to a future meeting, as neither George Lehocky nor John Love has received any additional information from the Reds. Reports are that the Reds will not offer single ticket sales until March 1st, to allow for additional marketingn of season packages.

Tina's Gathering Report. - The traditional New Year's Eve afternoon gathering at Tina's took place. Reports are that all who attended had a good time.

BlueBall Tournament Report - Despite solid rain, the BlueBall was held according to schedule, with a story posted on the website.

Legends Tournament - A suggestion has been made to host a "Legends Tournament" at the downtown Central Parkway YMCA. The play would be non-competitive, meaning that players would not attempt ace serves, kill shots, pass shots, or any other shot that would cause them to become known as "a legend." Discussion was deferred to a future Board meeting.

Winter Doubles League, Fitness @ Waycross - The Fall doubles league at Fitness@Waycross is winding up, and has been so successful that Paul Baker is continuing with a Winter doubles league. Play will continue on Friday evenings, and teams are encourage to sign up asap. Play begins on Friday, January 17th.

3 Wall Courts Maintenance Update - A list of maintenance/upgrade suggestions, made by players throughout the past season, was distributed by Bob Burkitt at last month's Board meeting. After review and discussion, Mike Reilly volunteered to contact Green Township to request an outdoor "rinse" shower, to be located between the sand volleyball and handball courts, with drainage to an existing storm drain.
Other items will be addressed at future Board meetings.

Ireland Reunion Party - The reunion party is scheduled for 6:00 pm on Saturday, January 18, 2003 at Jack Quinn's in Covington. All are welcome, even those who didn't make the trip.

Circle City
Kentucky Championships
Ohio State Championships
Akron Open
USHA Four-Wall Nationals
Caples 3-Wall

January 31 - February 2
February 7 - 9
February 14 - 16
March 21 - 23
June 2nd - 8th
July 26th - 27th

Tournament Schedule - Dates for all tournaments have been added to the GCHA calendar on the website, along with entry forms in the ShortLine. Information about the Circle City was received too late for publication in the print version, but has been posted on the web.

Caples 3-Wall - Mike Reilly reminded the Board of the desire to obtain a shelter permit for the Saturday of the annual tournament. Mike also volunteered to obtain the permit.

Ralph Weil's Christmas List
Pete Mather Tournament and Spring Swing Dance
GCHA Sponsors/Donors Program Handball Equipment Inventory/Sales
GCHA Golf Outing Update
Succession Planning for the GCHA Board
2003 Fall Party Discussion/Planning
Other?

George Lehocky
Carl Fisher, 3/15/03
George Lehocky
George Lehocky
George Lehocky
George Lehocky
George Lehocky
Board

Ralph Weil's Christmas List - This item was informational, for those Board members who had not been included as part of Ralph Weil's email circulated during the Christmas season. The main request was for contacts who might be willing to be a major sponsor of the USHA Collegiate program. Any and all suggestions would be appreciated.

Pete Mather Tournament and Spring Swing Dance - These tandem events are scheduled for Saturday March 15th, 2003. (It was pointed out that this is the traditional St. Patrick's Day weekend.)
George Lehocky will work on the Pete Mather Handicap Tournament, possibly seeking help from other GCHA members. Tournament will tentatively be held at Central Parkway YMCA beginning at 9:00 am. Other details will be posted as they become available. Since Bob Lohmueller has been very active in past handicapped tournaments, George Lehocky will talk with Bob about his participation this year, as well as the topics of location and format.
Carl Fisher presented information about the Spring Swing Dance. "Chaser" has been contracted to supply music, and the site will again be the Business Club of Montgomery. Information will be posted on the website, and Carl will prepare flyers for distribution.
In order to ensure a "break even" cost for the event, the following prices have been established. Excess revenue will be returned to the Business Club.
a. $30 per couple pre-sale $35 at the door.
b. $18 per single pre-sale; $20 at the door.
c. $12 per lady pre-sale; $15 at the door.

GCHA Sponsors/Donors Program - deferred to a future Board meeting
Handball Equipment Inventory/Sales - deferred to a future Board meeting
GCHA Golf Outing Update - deferred to a future Board meeting

Succession Planning for the GCHA Board - George encouraged current GCHA Board members to begin now seeking replacements, as well as think of likely candidates for succession and additions.

2003 Fall Party Discussion/Planning - Bruce McCormick has suggested holding some event to honor the USHA National Champions from the Cincinnati area. Board members should consider this idea, possibly incorporating recognition at next year's Fall Party.  

Lebanon YMCA - Lebanon's Countryside YMCA has changed their visitor policy. YMCA members from any Y, including Cincinnati-area locations, can now pay a $5.00 guest fee for use of the facilities.

Blood donations - Bob Burkitt will investigate the options available to GCHA as a "donor group" for the Hoxworth Blood Center. 

Remissions for Board service - A proposal was made to consider rewarding Board members for some of the service and volunteer time provided, perhaps through reimbursed meeting expenses, deferred tournament entry fees, etc. After a short discussion, the proposal was withdrawn.

Next
Meeting

Date/Time, Location

Board

Next Meeting - The next meeting of the Board will be Wednesday, February 5th, 2003 around 7:30 pm, following play at the Central Parkway YMCA. The meeting will take place at Quatman's, at the corner of Quatman Avenue and Montgomery Road in Norwood.

All GCHA members are welcomed and encouraged to attend.

Open to all members