USATT Board Teleconference Meeting

January 7, 2010

Board Teleconference Minutes
7:00 p.m. Eastern time

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

Board Members Absent:  Han Xiao (excused)

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

Guests:  Dennis Taylor, USATT General Counsel; Dell Sweeris, USTTA Foundation

Roll Call and Agenda Review:  Quorum present; Board members/guests were asked to disclose any conflict of interest with agenda items.  None voiced.
Agenda Approved.

MOTION to approve December 15-16, 2009 Board meeting minutes as corrected.
Motion made by:  Christian Lillieroos
Second:  Mike Babuin
Approved
Vote:  Unanimous

CEO:  presented highlights of the 2009 U.S. Nationals and discussed the boycott by players of the Men’s Quarter Finals resulting in 6 players defaulting.  Review of the boycott by the High Performance Advisory Committee and the Athlete Advisory Committee was done.

An in-depth and lengthy discussion of the player action and USATT resolution took place by the Board members and General Counsel.

MOTION – The Board of Directors believes the action of boycotting the Men’s Quarter Finals of the 2009 U.S. Nationals by the following 6 athletes:
Yi Yong Fan, Mark Hazinski, Ilija Lupulesku, Raghu Nadmichettu, Han Xiao and David Zhuang, was unsportsmanlike and unbecoming of a member of USA Table Tennis.  Therefore, we request General Counsel draft a complaint for the Ethics and Grievance Committee to determine if any disciplinary action should be taken.

Motion made by:  Mike Babuin
Second:  Christian Lillieroos
Approved
Vote:  Unanimous

>>CEO shall review the USATT entry form/tournament guide including the rules, regulations and conduct of tournament play to see to adopting language that will address defaulting situations such as what occurred at the 2009 U.S. Nationals in the Men’s Singles.

CEO: Marketing Opportunity / Equipment Supplier – to insert a DVD provided by USATT, developed at equipment supplier’s cost, in the box of each table tennis table sold by the equipment supplier.  CEO will evaluate our relationship with equipment supplier; content of DVD; cost of producing DVD.  This needs a project manager with input from Coaching, Rules and possibly Club Advisory Committees.

Chairman – Budget Review:  The proposed 2010 budget format was changed from an income statement format to a presentation layout by program for a better understanding of each program’s net effect on the overall budget.  The 2010 budget projects approximately $120,000 more in earnings and in spending than in the previous year through an increase in membership and sponsorship revenue; increased spending in marketing/fundraising efforts; and an investment in Junior Coaching infrastructure.  Our risk point is raising additional revenue.

CEO – Budget Review:  2010 focus will be on increasing membership; additional fundraising/sponsorships; implementation of Strategic Initiatives in Communication and to bring in recreational players and develop junior coaching infrastructure; events and magazine to be breakeven or revenue producing.

Budget highlights:

• add 1,000 1-year adult memberships/increased revenue of $20,000
• add recreational/non-player memberships/increased revenue of $25,000
• increase sanction fee schedule as follows:

0 Star – increase from $25 to $40
1 Star – increase from $50 to $80
2 Stars – increase from $100 to $150
3 Stars – increase from $150 to $300
4 Stars – increase from $200 to $400

• sponsor acquisition revenue of $50,000
• general annual campaign with focus on juniors – increased fundraising revenue of $40,000
• $4,000 increase in spending on website/part-time webmaster
• $30,000 spending on marketing coordinator/communications director
• $2,500 spending for media liability insurance
• $25,000 investment in junior coaching infrastructure

Discussion also included USATT’s role as NGB for the Paralympic program.

Budget for national school coordinator is not included in the proposed 2010 budget and is contingent upon revenue sponsorship.  When the national school coordinator is fully funded, the budget will be recast to include the funding and expense.

Motion to approve the 2010 Budget as presented.
Motion made by: Jim Kahler
Second: Linda Leaf
Approved
Vote:  Unanimous

>>CEO shall contact USOC regarding direct athlete support funding for Paralympic Team member Pam Fontaine.

>>The monthly financial statements will include a programmatic summary going forward.

>>CEO shall provide a written report to the Board regarding:

• 2010 U.S. Open Liha Event addition
• Milwaukee 2011 U.S. Open dates available
• Hardbat PTO action

2010 Board meeting dates for consideration:
   1. Spring time meeting in Colorado Springs – TBD
   2. In conjunction with USOC Olympic Assembly 9/23-9/25 Colorado Springs
   3. U.S. Nationals/Las Vegas in December – 12/14-12/15 tentative dates

Meeting adjourned 10:30 p.m. Eastern time

Respectfully submitted by
Deborah Gray, Secretary