The October 2005 GCHA Board meeting was held on Wednesday, October 5th, starting at approximately 7:00 pm.

Attendance - Board members George Lehocky, Jack Dean, David Kent, Jim Krailler, Mike Reilly, Bob Burkitt, Greg Fite, and Will Straw were in attendance. Chris Lazarovski and Jim Wohl were guests.

Corrections and additions to September 2005 minutes

Review of Minutes - The minutes of the September 2005 Board meeting, as posted on the website, were approved, with the following changes: add David Kent and Jack Dean to attendance; correct spelling of one instance of Ron Rosselot's name.

Income / Expenditures / Current balance

David Kent

Income / Expenditures / Current balance - Treasurer David Kent presented a financial report showing the current balance of the GCHA checking account is $ 14,437.00. Donations related to the National Masters Singles tournament have bee made, and acknowledgement received from the Waycross Community Media group, the Saint Vincent dePaul Community Pharmacy, and the USHA Development fund. David Kent suggested that the USHA acknowlegement letter be scanned and posted to the GCHA website; Jim Krailler will post the letter. Letter was subsequently posted on the website.

GCHA Mission and Vision Statements
GCHA Board Membership
Fall Meeting
Golf Outing Followup
3-Wall Court Maintenance
New Players

George Lehocky
Board
Board
Board
Bob Burkitt
Bob Burkitt

GCHA Mission and Vision Statements - At the September Board meeting, Ron Rosselot volunteered to draft mission and vision statements for the GCH, with the goal of presenting these to the GCHA membership at the upcoming fall meeting. He circulated these drafts via email to Board members, seeking reaction. Both Jim Krailler and George Lehocky wrote alternate versions for submission, as listed below.

Ron Rosselot

GCHA Mission Statement: Our Mission is to provide the resources to hold tournaments, teach new participants, and promote camaraderie among our membership to guarantee that the "perfect game" continues to thrive in the Greater Cincinnati area.

GCHA Vision Statement: The game of handball will be played in all existing facilities in the Greater Cincinnati area by the majority of their members, and that we will have an out door facility built in all of the key areas in the Greater Cincinnati region. Handball will be recognized as the ultimate fitness sport, and people of all ages will participate.

Jim Krailler

GCHA Mission Statement: To guarantee that handball, the "perfect game," continues to thrive in the Greater Cincinnati area by providing the resources to hold tournaments, recruit and teach new players, and promote camaraderie among our members.

GCHA Vision Statement: Not needed.

George Lehocky

GCHA Mission Statement: To organized, lead, and promote the great pleasure of the perfect game - HANDBALL - throughout the greater Cincinnati area.

GCHA Vision Statement: The GCHA mission will be accomplished by successfull execution of communicating, teaching, competing, and socializing activities to grow membership and maintain a stable financial position.

These statements were discussed by the Board. Will Straw suggested that the statements should explicitly state both the Greater Cincinnati and southwest Ohio areas. After further review, the Board decided to continue discussion of the statements, and to postpone presenting a "final" version past the Fall Meeting. Ron Rosselot will address the membership at the Fall meeting to describe the process and create interest.

GCHA Board Membership - Chris Lazarovski and Ron Rosselot have volunteered and will be included in the board membership, to be proposed to the membership at the Fall Meeting for ratification.

Fall Meeting - The date for the Annual Fall Meeting is set for Monday, October 17th. The meeting will begin at approximately 7:30 pm at the Athletic Club @ Waycross, with courts available for play starting at 4:00 pm. Jack Dean and Paul Baker have worked out the details on courts and food for the evening. George Lehocky will develop an agenda for the meeting, as well as investigate some award to be presented to those in attendance. David Kent will present a financial report.

Golf Outing - Paul Baker relayed that the golf outing income exceeded expenses by $45.00, enough to offset last year's loss. The outing was held at Greencrest Golf Course on Friday September 16th.

3-Wall Court Maintenance - Bob Burkitt provided an update to last month's 3-wall court maintenance issues.

Three-Wall Handball Courts – Discussion Items Mike Shaffer of Green Township reported back on several issues regarding maintenance of the three-wall courts. He received bids on several items: To extend the fence atop the courts from the present 4’ to 8’ the bid received was $1711. This would involve removing the present fabric, installing 8’ posts over the present posts and providing and installing new fine-mesh fabric. To extend the fence at the back of the courts an additional 2’ the bid is $3736 using the same method as above. New concrete and wood benches are available for $280 each, without the wood they are $170 each. This information was passed on to the potential donor, Ralph Weil, who wants to provide two benches. Ralph said he would contact the bidder, Baxter, for additional information. Mike also sought a bid for adding gutters across the rear of the courts, approximately 65’ at a cost of $1945 installed. The restoration of the backfill is not working well, the dirt and grass seed is already washing out in some areas. Mike feels that it is due to erosion before the grass can take hold. A solution is to install sod around the three walls, approximately 100’ in three foot sections at about $3 per section or a total of about $100 for material. Green Township would install the sod at no cost. Mike is continuing to study the drainage issue near the steps, no bids sought. These items are presented to the board for further discussion. Bob Burkitt Submitted October 5, 2005

After some discussion by the Board, there was a motion made, seconded and passed unanimously to make an offer to Green Township of $100 for the purchase of sod to be installed around the outside perimeter of the courts. It was also decided that the drainage issue, affecting the concrete slab floor, is the highest priority at this time, as it affects the structural integrity of the courts. Fences and other items on the maintenance list should take a lower priority.

New Players - There has been an influx of new 3-wall players in the past few months, mainly residents of a halfway house located in downtown Cincinnati. Rick is the minister and group home coordinator, and Bob Burkitt extended an invitation to Rick to attend this month's Board meeting for conversation about mutual interests. Reverand Rick was unable to attend in October, but does intend to attend next month's meeting.

Event

Dates

Tournament Schedule - Jim Krailler reported that information and entry forms will be posted or linked on the website.

Queen City Shootout - Gary Reece has volunteered to be the tournament director for the Queen City Open, scheduled for the weekend of December 9th - 11th, to be held at the Athletic Club @ Waycross.

The tournament "task force" (consisting of Gary Reece, Jim Wohl, Paul Baker, Greg Fite, Jack Dean and David Kent) have met a couple of times during the past month, and work conitues on all aspects of the tournament. Jim Krailler will prepare the entry form and post information on the website, as well as prepare print copies for distribution to the USHA and at the Cleveland tournament. Sponsorship is still needed, with an estimated $3000 needed to keep the tournament on-budget.

Fall ShortLine
Green Township Trustees Meeting
Other?

Jim Krailler
George Lehocky
Board

Fall ShortLine - Jim Krailler reported that no articles were received for publication; subsequently, there was no publication. No one seems to have noticed.

Green Township Trustees Meeting - At the suggestion of Board members that the GCHA have a presence at the Green Township meetings, President George Lehocky attended the regular September Trustees meeting. At this point, George had nothing in particular to report to the GCHA Board.

Other

St. Vincent dePaul Community Pharmacy - George Lehocky informed the board of an event to be held by the charity on November 5th and requested board members consider attending to provide support for their activities.

Recognition Award - Ron Rosselot, via email, suggested that Don Parker be presented a plaque in recognition of his support of local handball, to be presented at the annual meeting. A motion was made and passed to implement Ron's suggestion.

Weil Birthday Party - Ralph Weil will be celebrating his 75th birthday in December, and has invited the GCHA membership to his birthday party. The event will be held on the Saturday evening of the Queen City Open tournament. Cake, ice cream and horsdoevres will be served.

UC Handball Team - Jim Wohl reports that the UC team needs to raise money to attend the USHA National Collegiate Tournament, scheduled to be held in College Station, Texas, this coming February.

Next
Meeting

Scheduled date:
Wednesday, November 2nd, 2005; 7:00 pm
Subsequently moved toWednesday, November 9th, 2005

Location:
Athletic Club @ Waycross

Open to all members