USATT Board Teleconference Meeting

December 1, 2009

Board Teleconference Minutes
5:00 p.m. Eastern time

Board Members Present:  Peter Scudner, Linda Leaf, James Kahler, Michael Babuin, Harold Jeffcoat, Christian Lillieroos, David Del Vecchio, Han Xiao

Board Members Absent:  Ashu Jain

USATT Staff Present:  Michael Cavanaugh, CEO, Doru Gheorghe, Technical & High Performance Director, Deborah Gray, USATT Secretary

Guests:  Bob Fox, Dell Sweeris

Roll Call and Agenda Review:  Quorum present; Board members/guests were asked to disclose any conflict of interest with agenda items.  It was determined there are no conflicts of interest with the agenda.

Opening Statement:  Chairman Scudner-Focus on tonight’s meeting is 2010 Budget, Strategic Initiatives Task Force review and preparation for Annual Assembly.

MOTION to approve minutes of October 28, 2009 Board of Directors meeting.
Motion made by:  Linda Leaf
Second:  James Kahler
Vote:  Unanimous

USOC USATT NGC Recommendation:  Chris Vadala-explained Committee’s replacement procedure:          
Database of potential committee members
                        Look for highest integrity
                        Good judge of character
                        No past association with USATT
                        Background
                        Complement the group
Gilbert Skinner is recommended replacing Chris Vadala on the Nominating & Governance Committee.

Preliminary Budget Presentation 

Mike Cavanaugh-reviewed 2010 Budget Concepts/Highlights and specific areas which impact reduced funding:

Conservative revenue projection.
Goal is balanced budget.
USOC & Paralympic funding is integrated into athlete programs.
USOC Media Content Agreement yields $75,000 per year with restrictions.
Current economic conditions are impacting vendor magazine and web ad purchases.
Magazine close to breakeven on 6 issues.  A reduction of an issue could result in a loss of $15,000 in ad revenue.
Membership fees static since 2004 with no increase.
Considering website migration and enhancement-comes with a cost.
Considering a complete Technology Services Program-comes with a cost.
2010 U.S. Open projection reflects new host city.
New member services: monthly e-mail blasts; results reporting from U.S. Open and Nationals tournaments.
Significant health insurance increase circumvented with coverage redesign.
Budget reflects 1.5% salary increase for staff in 2010.

Doru Gheorghe-will prioritize athlete events and qualifying events to reduce athlete budget.

Chairman Scudner-our budget challenge is creating sources of revenue to support programs or to cut programs to match revenue.

Board discussion:  Budget – Policy
                        Fundraising and increasing revenue should be the focus.
                        Revenue generation through sponsors and host events.
                        Strategic Initiatives’ impact on budget.
                        Membership changes.
                        Magazine print vs. electronic.
                        Salary increase 5-year history.

Annual Assembly: CEO-format will be an emphasis on reports from standing committees and task forces; lively-informative-interactive discussion between USATT members and the BOD/Staff.  Formal comments from Chairman and CEO.

December Board Meeting/Las Vegas:  Take action on 2010 Budget; Bylaws; recommendations from each Strategic Initiative Task Force.

2010 U.S. Open Discussion:  Grand Rapids, Michigan is city/venue selection for the 2010 U.S. Open.

Strategic Initiative Task Force Highlights

GMTAV Task Force:  Christian Lillieroos update
            Strong communications and ideas.
            6 motions will be proposed for changes in 2010 and in 2011.
            Policies and procedures proposed changes.
            Change in club structure; create club identity.
            Change definition of a table tennis club and criteria for establishing a club.
            Tie membership to club affiliation.
            Support clubs with 50% of new membership fees.
            Project an increase in membership of 1,000 new members in 2010.
            Leagues will attract membership through club memberships.
Recognize current leagues and define league structure; league structure would include recreational players.
Explore reaching out to table tennis vendors.

Communications Task Force:  Han Xiao update
            Select search engines to locate our website.
            Website migration pending.
            Logo design in progress.
            E-mail blast options.

Juniors Task Force:  David Del Vecchio update
            Focus on ways to get more kids playing table tennis.
            Improve skill level.
            Pipeline development.
            Evaluate school programs.
Develop recommendations for outreach, programs, volunteer recruitment and marketing.
Explore possible content that clubs could offer to youth.

Strategic Initiative Task Force presentations will be made at the Board of Directors December meeting in Las Vegas.

Old Business:  Barney Reed, Jr. has fulfilled repayment agreement.

New Business:  Texas Wesleyan is hosting U.S. Trails in March; Jasna Rather organizing committee.

Meeting adjourned 7:20 p.m. Eastern time

Respectfully submitted by
Deborah Gray, Secretary