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

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

Corrections and additions to November 2005 minutes

Review of Minutes - The minutes of the November 2005 Board meeting, as posted on the website, were approved.

Income / Expenditures / Current balance
Membership Report

David Kent

Income / Expenditures / Current balance - Treasurer David Kent presented a financial report showing the current balance of the GCHA checking account is $ 12,888.37.

Membership Report - Jim Krailler reports that the current 2006 membership is at 34. A reminder mailing is scheduled to be sent after the Queen City tournament.

GCHA Mission and Vision Statements
3-Wall Court Maintenance
Boys & Girls Club Program
Party at Tina's
CourtHouse Tournament
College Team Update

Ron Rosselot/Will Straw
Bob Burkitt
Board
Board
Board
Greg Fite

GCHA Mission and Vision Statements - Will Straw reported that he has met with Ron Rosselot, and they propose the following draft mission statement for consideration: "The mission of the GCHA is to provide resources to sponsor tournaments, support youth handball, maintain the three wall courts in Green Township in partnership with the Trustees, and to promote camaraderie among it's members to insure that the 'perfect game' will thrive in the Cincinnati area."

A lengthy discussion followed regarding the rationale behind the wording of the mission statement, as well as an email communication from Ron Rosselot regarding the priorities of GCHA activities. After due consideration, and in respect for the time needed to address tournament business, the item was tabled until the January meeting.

3-Wall Court Maintenance - Bob Burkitt had nothing to report this month.

Boys & Girls Club Program - The following email was received from Ralph Weil on 11/30/05

To All, We have been given the "Go Ahead" for the handball program at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Cincinnati. Some of you have received the instruction manuals, posters, floor tape, handballs, eye guards and magazines. We have more information about one- wall handball which has been taken from articles in Handball Magazine. All of this is ready for distribution and I will bring it to you when you ask. I would appreciate our mentors, Johnnie Joiner, Bill Stoll, Dave Laxton and Chris Giannamore to call me at 521-1536 so that we can talk about the program. I would like the Athletic Directors to call me so that we can set a time when we can meet at their club and go over the program together with the mentor. The United States Handball Association is ready to supply each club with whatever is needed for a successful program. There are funds available to help. Handball is a great indoor Winter sport and now is the time to begin.

Party at Tina's - About 25 people attended the afternoon get-together on the day after Thanksgiving. Some requests were received to consider an alternate location in the future.

CourtHouse Tournament - At it's November meeting, the Board proposed holding a one-day competitive event at the Courthouse in Madeira, on Saturday January 21. The original concept was to compose doubles teams by pairing experienced and new players on a team, with special invitations to college teams and other new players in the area.

After another lengthy discussion, a motion was made and passed that the Board turn the concept over to Don Parker, with no further endorsement or promotion. It was also agreed, in principal, to involve club owners in decisions on future new and/or upcoming events.

Event

Dates

Tournament Schedule - Mario Dolciato has notified players via email that the State Championships have been moved to the Hall of Fame Fitness Center in Canton, Ohio. The tournament is still scheduled for February 17th - 19th (Fri. - Sun.) Jim Krailler reported that information and entry forms for this, and all area tournaments, will be posted or linked on the website as it becomes available.

Queen City Shootout - The Queen City Open is scheduled for the weekend of December 9th - 11th, to be held at the Athletic Club @ Waycross. Gary Reece is the tournament director. Gary reports receiving 85+ entries (goal was 100) and over $2,600 in projected income. Most of the details have already been established for tournament sign-in, sponsorships, merchandise, food and tournament control. The need for five referees, needed at 5:00 pm on Friday, was handled by board member volunteers.

Ralph 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.

On-line forms
ShortLine
Other?

Jim Krailler
Jim Krailler
Board

On-line forms - Jim Krailler reports that, as a result of new spam-prevention measures by the host of www.GCHA.org, the on-line forms stopped working in early October. Attempts have been made with our hosting service to implement new procedures for receiving feedback via the website. As of the December meeting, the 2006 GCHA Membership form and the Queen City Open entry form were working.

ShortLine - Deadline for the Winter issue of the ShortLine has been delayed until January 15th, for publication sometime in the first quarter.

Other -

Red's Tickets - George Lehocky will purchase 35 tickets for this spring's GCHA Reds outing. He has targetted the Reds versus the Chicago White Sox, on Friday, June 16th, 7:05 pm.

Next
Meeting

Scheduled date:
Wednesday, January 4th, 2006; 7:30 pm

Location:
Watson Brothers
Reed Hartman and Pfeiffer Roads
Cincinnati, Ohio 452

Open to all members